PALINDROME

1/11/11.

Of course, there was 1/1/11, which I noticed, but didn't note here.

Then there is 11/1/11.

And 11/11/11.

I'm not sure when the next palindromic date will occur, but then there's 9/10/11, which isn't a palindrome, but fun to notice anyway.

Blessings

Amy got a job at a funeral home near Millington! For now it's part-time but she's okay with that. It could possibly turn into full-time which would be great. She starts September 14. She talked with management at some length yesterday and seemed pleased with the atmosphere, expectations, and service objectives. We're very proud of her.

For lunch today, Amy called an order in at Colby's and drove us to the John Hayden Smith Park where we ate in the warm sunshine. There was a little cloud cover and it was nice being outside. It's a beautiful little park with great playground equipment. This park is a memorial to John Hayden by his parents, family and community. The cane I have is one Mama had bought when we insisted she get one. I've gotten quite a few compliments on it. It's pretty colorful. I expect my little Mama, thinking she had to do this to satisfy her girls so they wouldn't worry, got the boldest colored one she could find. She couldn't think of herself as old! Dear sweet Mama.

Amy posing on the maze of colorful playthings.

And this is a frivolous thing I asked Amy to pick up for me since she had a 40% off coupon at Michael's: a pad with 180 sheets of scrapbook paper! We'll share it, of course. Makes great journal pages, cards, stationery.

Amy brought her dogs to the Cross County Veterinary Clinic Saturday and they're "visiting" while being treated for allergies. One of her dogs Pauley (he already had the name when she got him) is a bit lopsided, literally. But sweet! Really sweet! But today the funniest thing - Amy was using the hose in the yard and spritzing Pauley, which he, of course, did not like. So round and round the stake he went and round and round her legs, tying her up. Finally, she spritzed him so he would be forced to run counter-clockwise and got herself loose from the rope. He's a funny dog; I don't know what causes him to run clockwise, but he does whether he's tethered or not. The dogs' coats (Moe is the other one) look wonderful already from and the TLC, medicines, and baths Amy's giving them. I didn't get a picture of it, unfortunately. But maybe it'll happen again and I can video it. I almost fell over the fence laughing at them and Amy was laughing so hard she had a hard time getting free!

Is there no limit to how crazy you allow yourself to become?

I guess not. This is a favorite quote of my sister's and me from "As Good As It Gets." Close enough.

Poor Jack. He had a name for his - OCD. Or what about Adrian Monk? What happens when OCD gets short-circuited? Hmmm?

Kaye, this is for you:

I forgot my billfold/driver's license/money/insurance cards/every important number and panicked when I couldn't find it in my purse at lunch. Bless Paul, he checked my coat pocket at home, that I'd worn yesterday and thank goodness it was there.

I forgot my cell phone. Didn't even miss it till 9:00. Amy and Sher may wonder what happened, but oh, well, they have my work number. You can live without a cell phone.

I forgot to zip my pants. I don't think it was long till I noticed and thank goodness I wasn't at a reception or meeting anyone.

I'm not sure I want to know what else I forgot today.

But at least - I knew I had a billfold. I knew I had a cell phone. And I knew it wasn't nice to go around with pants unzipped.

So, Jack and Mr. Monk, at least we know.

And Kaye, it only gets better.