Specifically, hooray for careless neighbors with open wireless networks. Sitting in the Pattersons' living room, if I hold my computer just the right way, I get a signal just as good as in my own living room.
So we've arrived on Staten Island. Much holiday cheer being had by all. We missed the Yule Log, but we got to watch a few minutes of it while getting ready to go this morning. The flight was surprisingly not crowded. I bet it was a lot worse yesterday. I forgot to bring a book but the in-flight magazine had an article about Threadless.com. The article had that annoying "gosh gee whiz" tone of all articles about dot coms, but it did have some interesting info, like what do t-shirt designers get if their designs are chosen (answer: $1500 and a $500 gift certificate) and what are the 10 most popular designs ever (answer: the Communist Party shirt that was just reprinted, and 9 others I didn't recognize).
Unfortunately, Thirteen's leg has gotten a lot worse in the past few days, so much that we didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone for five days. Sometimes she's okay and can hobble around mostly, but sometimes she can't even stand up. We've decided that I'll drive home early, on Wednesday, and Georg will stay and come home Friday as planned. Tomorrow I'll call the vet and try to get an appointment for Thursday or Friday.
She was much better yesterday, after we put in the new ramp, and I started wondering if I was overreacting and shouldn't have changed my plans. But then this morning she could barely walk again. When we took her outside, she fell and skidded all the way down the ramp. I wonder if the rain makes her leg worse. Or maybe she just slipped on the astroturf because it was wet. Anyway, I'm sorry to have to cut my visit with the in-laws short (and also to miss the day in Manhatten we had planned) but I think we made the right decision. I couldn't take it if something happened to Thirteen while I wasn't there.
3 Comments
sarah, let me know if there's anything i can do to help thirteen while you're gone.
I got free internet all across the country courtesy of (mostly) big hotels, but there were a few private citizens who contributed to my cause as well.
I was going to post a link to a picture of me getting free internet while sitting in my car in Louisville this summer, but right now flickr is down.
Also, I have been following your travails with the dog 13. I feel your pain, I know how hard it is to deal with an elderly pet in failing health. I don't mean to sound trite here, but have you considered a trolley (or whatever they are called) for him? I've seen these things, they look like training wheels attached to the back end and they are for dogs with hip displaycia (sp) I think. I don't know if this is viable for 13 or not.
I remember that photo of you getting free wireless in Louisville! Somewhere I once found a web page that listed hotel chains with free wireless, and also hotel chains with easy passwords (and what those passwords are in many cases). Wish I could find that again.
Thanks for your kind thoughts on Thirteen. I don't know what those doggie wheelchairs/carts are called either, but I have a feeling that one may be in her future.