Rallying the troops or circling the wagons....what ever you want to call it.

I've kept my family at arms length ever since I learned of the dreaded diagnosis, I don't know why it has been so hard to share what is going on with them. Maybe because I've always been the 'little sister' and they know me so well, I knew the floodgates would open and I feared I would never get them closed again. Regardless, they said "Enough!" and came in mass over the weekend, with motor homes, dogs and food. The floodgates did open but the world didn't come to an end and I didn't cry alone.

My brother, David and wife, Ruth, are here from Missouri with their little dog, Dixie, driving a behemoth of a motor home and it was a challenge getting it in our driveway. Ruth was driving and Dave was giving directions and at this point I was wondering.

TA-DA!

The gazebo was filled to the brim with family and family dogs, much to Zoe's disgust. Rosanne's dog, Jr. is deathly afraid of cats, thanks to our mother's cat, Kitty, so he was content to sit on Rosanne's lap, "You won't let that cat get me, will you, huh, huh?" 

Rosanne's granddog, Toby, is much fawned over at their house so he could care less about Zoe, it's all about him. Mollie is desperately trying to get to know him outside and Toby didn't give her the time of day either.

Dixie, Dave and Ruth's precious pooch, loves cats and so wanted to make friends but Zoe spurned her also, took up residence behind a chair and soon asked to be let outside so she could have some peace. 

Much food was prepared and everyone moved outside to eat,,,,,

...it was a cool evening so the fire in the chiminea felt wonderful. My sister in law, Sue, fell in love with it, if it comes up missing, I know where to look.

Janet and Foof were invited to the banquet so my family could thank Janet for all she is doing for both of us.

Lacey, our free range horse, heard all the people in the backyard and decided to make a visit!

Lacey is 28 years old and now is in assisted living with three square meals a day, this was a hint that supper had not yet been served.

"Hi, Foof, got anything here for me to eat??"

When she decided nothing looked like a bucket of sweet feed, Lacey went on her way but I soon followed, she made her point.

Getting a little demanding, don't you think? 

We woke up to rain and hail Monday morning so it was nearly 11 AM when we sat down to a delicious brunch of biscuits and sausage gravy served up by Sara and Ruth.

YUM, YUM!

The day ended in sunshine and the travelers packed up their homes and headed back down the driveway.

Bruce and David both helped Ruth get the big one safely out of the driveway.....

....onto the road....

....and away they went, with promises to be back if we need anything and I know they will.

Zoe and I retired to the gazebo, she was happy to have her home back and I thanked God that I'm lucky enough to have a family that cares so much.

Then I took a nap.

 Company can be exhausting.