Ups and downs, downs and ups

Bad -- Going to see Grandma in the hospital AGAIN (third time in a month) because her kidneys were shutting down. Hypotheses of cause: dye from the catheterization, post-bypass antibiotics, and/or not drinking much.

Good the First -- Her kidney function is getting better with IV fluids and whatever else the docs are doing. Her creatinine is four points too high, but apparently that's better than yesterday when she was admitted.

Good the Second -- While visiting Grandma, I learned my favorite "Mom's side" cousin and I were in the same county at the same time for the first time in three and a half years. A couple of phone calls between us, and we met up at his mom and dad's place. Nice visit while having the neighbor's dog, one of my cousin's dogs, and my uncle's dog all (at separate times) try to go home with me by jumping in my van. Annie (my uncle's) was so persistent that when thwarted from jumping up on the lift with me went around and jumped into the driver's seat when Mom opened her door. After being pulled out, she went back around to try to jump on the lift again. And I had to throw my lap blanket in the laundry when we got home because Brutus (my cousin's English mastiff) drooled all over me. I was feelin' the doggie love!