It's Time

When we brought Trixie home last January, she was only 8 weeks old and weighed 2 lbs. The first toy we bought for her was a colorful rope toy. It was on sale and it has been the best $1 spent on her.

Her favorite games are tug-of-war and fetch. She will chase the rope or ball as long as you will throw it.

Now after almost a year, it's time. The poor rope has come apart and no longer resembles it's former self. We tried to twist it back into shape and tie the ends. However, it doesn't last but a toss or shake or two and it's right back in disarray.

I see a visit to our local Petsmart soon.

Later
D

Reflections on Christmas

I have not posted much this month, mainly because I've been so busy. At work there have been lots of layoffs and I praise God, that I still have my job. John and I have also been sick with the flu so it's been a busy stressful time.

Our DIL is very close to delivering the baby. Over the last few days she is beginning to have contractions and her due date is just a few days away. Needless to say, we are very excited.

This Christmas has been a time to remember those that are no longer with with us. John's Dad passed last January 17, so this is our first Christmas without him. However, last Christmas he was in a nursing home and too ill to bring home. Also, my Dad passed in February 2006 so this is our second Christmas without him.

Such is life. There is joy and pain. New life and death. Remembering and making new memories.
I am looking forward to the new year and the blessings God has in store for us.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. We certainly did.

I love my Daughter-in-Law

I went shopping with my wonderful daughter-in-law today. I always have a great time when we are together. And the fact that we found some great bargains was just icing on the cake.


If I had picked a wife for my son, I couldn't have picked a better person than my DIL. She loves my son and is sweet, kind and she even likes me back. What more could a MIL ask for?

We are on the count down to the new grandchild with just over five weeks to go. My son was born four weeks early so as her due date gets closer I am reminded of his birth and how exciting yet scary it was. We were so thankful that he was fine and did not have to stay in the hospital but one extra day. My greatest fear was that I would have to go home and leave my baby in the hospital. I thank God, that didn't happen and we came home together. I still remember that first look from my son. His look went all the way to my soul. There is nothing like that first look from your child.

This is an exciting time for our family as we look forward to Christmas and New Year and the new baby.

Later
D

A Cat Rug

Our Manx cat Hobbes, is a character. He is now over 13 years old and a very senior citizen for a Manx. The average life span for the breed is 10 - 11 years so we are very glad he is still in such good health. When the weather turns cooler he starts sleeping on our bed at night and wanting to snuggle much more.

Since he was a little kitten he has done what we call "cat rug." He lays with his hind legs stretched out behind him and sometimes his front legs stretched out too. He looks like a small version of a classic bear skin rug.

He still does this but less frequently as he has grown old. I caught him doing this the other day but he had his front legs tucked up under him so he looked very odd. I happened to have my camera handy and grabbed some shots.

I find him greatly humorous.









Have a wonderful Saturday.
Later
D

Thoughts of Thanksgiving

We received several pieces of bad news in the last week. My manager at work had a second cancer surgery this past Tuesday. Another co-worker had to be rushed to the hospital with severe abdominal pain and is scheduled for surgery in the next day or so. But the most amazing, unexpected and frightening news was that my sister-in-law had a heart attack. Of all my family, she was the last person I would have expected to have this type of health problem. She has always been the one that always ate healthy. That exercised on a regular basis. Life truly has no guarantee.

The good news is she is going to be fine and surgery is not necessary. She has always been active and having to stay home, "take it easy" and no driving yet, is hard on her.

All three of these health issues are expected to have a good outcome. Yet the news could easily have been very different.

With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, my thoughts turn to how truly blessed we are. I can truly say I am very thankful that God has once again shown mercy and grace for us. That we have the hope of all three of these lives be back to normal again.

Life can change in a blink of the eye. Tell those close to you that you love them for we are not promised tomorrow.

In the dirt

IMG_1483
Originally uploaded by bgclicker

I love watching Trixie when she is running free around our back yard. Frequently she will decide there is something that needs to be uncovered and will dig and become covered with dirt. Here is a shot of her during one of her recent adventures.

I love how watching her play.

Later
D