Happy December!!

Happy December, Everyone! It has been too long since I last updated this blog. I need to do better than this!

Big news here! We finally took Teddi Bear in for her first professional grooming job! And she did very well. Her fur was so long and so terribly matted when we first got her and we have tried and tried to brush the snarls out but nothing we did worked. It was so bad we finally broke down and got her groomed. And it was so bad they had to shave her fur all off. So now she looks like this expensive little dog and we just laugh because she looks so different and so cute. We knew she was a very small dog but now that the fur is all gone it really shows how small she is. And her legs are so LONG!!! and spindle-y looking. That surprised us. With all that long fur you couldn't tell just how long they were! I love the way they left the fur on her head and tail. She really looks cute. And they put the little red bow on her collar as it's Christmas time. Too sweet!

Well, that big winter storm that hit the States a week or so ago left us with some very wonderful rain here in the Valley. Mesa got just under half an inch. It has been so cool and beautiful here and at times down right COLD!!! I have LOVED it!!

I took some photos of one of our recent stormy days outside my window here. Loved the way the dark sky looked with the palm trees. So I'm sharing them with you.

So....What's been happening with us here? Well...lots actually. Although a lot of it is the same old stuff day in and day out. But nothing exciting going on means life is okay and things are good, right? No one is having any adventures we can do without. And that's okay.

A couple months ago we had to take the puppies in for their yearly checkups and shots. Teddi Bear had never had any so this was a first timer for her. Dr. Funk is a neat looking guy, isn't he? Reminds me of Einstein. He was getting ready to give Teddi her first shot here. Kodi is helping to hold her steady.

From the time we walked into the examining room until the time we walked out Frankie was looking for a way out of there! He didn't like being there at all. Wouldn't even eat the treats they gave him to help him be more comfortable. So Teddi Bear ate hers and Frankies too. She didn't seem nervous at all. And Teddi weighed in at just over 17 pounds, Frankie was about 100 pounds.

And Teddi Bear continues to be a mischief maker with her puppy ways. She turned a year old on Thanksgiving Day and we've had her about 8 months now. Frankie is still not too happy she has invaded his territory. But she now respects him as the alpha dog rather than trying to kick him out of his spot. So that is good. Here is one of the messes Teddi made. She found the package of toilet paper on the landing upstairs and had herself a great time with it. Totally mangled that roll there. It was quite the mess!

This is one of the times I can say....she's your puppy, Kodi. You get to clean it all up! Great, huh?!!!

I had to take a picture of this next thing...I was walking through the downstairs bedroom one day and something caught my eye. I picked up the item and it was this little rubber aligator munching on Kodi's little Polly Pocket. I got a good laugh out of that. The grandsons like to play in that room when they are here and I figured it had to be one of them who did this dastardly deed. Sure enough! It was our Colebe. He 'fessed up to it at the family birthday party at the park a few days later. I still have this sitting on my desk here to remind me of how wonderful my grandkids are. And it's still making me smile everytime I look at it.

And here are a couple photos of our Autumn Tree! I think of all the themed trees we did this year, this one was the prettiest. I love the colors of the leaves and flowers and it looked so pretty against our new green walls. We put orange lights on this tree and it gave off this very orangy glow. We left it up til after Thanksgiving and now have the tree decorated with our traditional Christmas ornaments that we have collected over the years and white twinkle lights.

We also added a beautiful new little grandbaby to the family in September. Haven't seen her in person yet. It will probably be a while before we get to. But my sister keeps us in photos over the internet and I have them all saved on my computer here. I'm so thankful she loves my grandkids and my kids and is so willing to take the photos and send them to me.

Thanksgiving was kind of quiet. Chris and his family came for dinner after Melany's family get together. They did the turkey and it was so yummy. We did the rest of the meal and had plenty to eat for everyone. It felt funny to have such a late Thanksgiving dinner as we are used to doing it around 1 or 2 in the afternoon. But it was a nice day and we had plenty of time to get everything done without rushing.

We are looking forward to Christmas. It sure came fast this year. I'm not near ready for it to be here and gone again, but that's okay. That's just the way I am. I love this time of year so much. I do have the Christmas gifts all bought and plans for baking and fudge making are in the works. Right now I'm working on making some Christmas cards to send out. As for anything else, what gets done gets done and what doesn't will just have to wait til next year. I'm not going to worry about it. We'll be going out to Queen Creek to have Christmas Eve with Stephen R. and Chris and their families. That will be special.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Remember why we celebrate this very special season and take the time to enjoy all the simple pleasures. It's those simple pleasures and the company of family and loved ones that are important in our lives. It isn't the gifts and material things.

Merry Christmas to all of you!