Pictures - First Installment

Pictures from Christmas Day '08 in the Missouri Ozark Highlands. . .

Starting with our Christmas tree this year - walking sticks from the Frio River in Texas.

Doggy Merry Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house
The puppies were squeaking an old rubber mouse.
The stockings that had hung in a nice straight row,
Were now crooked, with holes chewed through each little toe.

The wreath that had merrily hung on the door
Was scattered in pieces all over the floor.

The tree was subjected to bright-eyed whims,
And now, though still splendid, it's missing some limbs.

I catch them and hold them. "Be good", I insist.
They lick me, then run off to see what they've missed.

And now as I watch them, the thought comes to me,
That their's is the spirit that Christmas should be.

Can children and puppies yet show us the way,
And teach us the joy that should come with this day?

Could they bring us a message that's written above
And tell us that, most of all,
Christmas is LOVE?

Settling In

Well, we're getting settled in. I've had a lot of 'what have I done?' moments; moving is never fun, and there's been a few issues with the apartment we're living in (drainage problems and mud on the back porch, washing machine doesn't work, noisy neighbor dogs, etc.) and I've really missed the bayou (sidewalk walking is way too close to zooming cars, but I guess I'll get used to it) and all the unpacking has really caused my rheumatoid arthritis to flare up.

But, I've gotten everything but my books unpacked, and the moving company is coming to pick up the empty boxes today, and I've found a park that's reasonable close for more pleasant walking. I've sent an e-mail and left a voice message with a agility instructor (I think they must be out for the holidays). The back porch is cleaned up, and they're supposed to be bringing a new washing machine today (I hope; they were supposed to bring it yesterday) and we're doing a lot of 'Good quiet get's a treat!' and running to the frig for said treat (wonder how long it will take for them to automatically run to the frig when they hear the other dogs bark?). And I'm hoping that now that I'm essentially done unpacking, and when I get back to eating right and exercising, my joints will start feeling better.

Tomorrow we're off to a cabin in southern Missouri for Christmas. The Cardigrandparents, after following me here for the move, and then driving back to Houston last week, are driving all the way back here so that I don't have to drive back to Houston for Christmas. We're hoping we enjoy the cabin here as much as the cabin on the Frio River in Texas; hiking, birding, etc.

I want to thank all of you that have visited and read and commented this year, and especially the last few months. Loosing my job, and then making the decision to move here to St. Louis was (and continues to be) scary, but it is starting to get more comfortable. You have no idea what it has meant to me to have every one's support the past few months!!!

I hope everyone out in the blogosphere has a wonderful, warm and Merry Christmas and a fun, safe and Happy New Year!

SkyWatch Friday

Foggy Texas morning. . .

Happy Birthday Holly!

OMGosh! With all the moving hooha, I almost forgot!

Happy Birthday sweet girl and thank-you -- for so many, many things, starting with my introduction to the wonderful world of Cardigans! Here's to many, many more shared years ahead!

Twinroc Aelwyn Cariad NJP RN CGC

aka Holly Berry, The Diva, Miss Thang, Miss Sassypants

The Eagle Has Landed

Or rather, the Cardiparty has landed - in St. Louis. . . and we were greeted with ice and then snow and temps, at least one day, with wind chills below zero. A crash course in COLD, and a crash course in driving on ice/snow. My furniture and boxes (and boxes and boxes and. . .) were delivered yesterday. My mom and dad helped unpack some yesterday (and are on the road back to Houston today, safely please), and the unpacking will continue until further notice. We had a few harrowing moments on our way here from Houston, as well as when we arrived, but more on that another time.

Holly and Mikey were unbelievably patient with hours in the car, and different hotel rooms for several nights in a row, and sitting in their crates while the movers brought everything in. We all got a good nights sleep in our own bed last night, and I'm trying to convince myself that we will all settle in soon, and that soon we will all feel at home here. . .

Holly and Mikey say 'Hi' and 'Brrrrrrr!'.

Snow!?!

In Houston? Is this some kind of cosmic joke? The morning news is reporting accident after accident on the icy overpasses. Houston doesn't 'do' snow and ice.

One more day to get everything ready to go. . . Did I mention the original 'plan' was to have the movers come on Monday, but I might not have gotten my furniture delivered until after the holidays unless they came this Friday instead? I really, REALLY could have used those three days!

Quicky

Went to St. Louis last week. Found a two bedroom apartment in a nice, safe neighborhood. Relatively close to work and with plenty of sidewalks for dog walking - good bye, bayou :( It was literally the last property I looked at - the 14th. I'm pooped, but. . . the moving company is coming on Friday to pack and load my stuff. Aaaaargh!!! So much to do, so little time! I'll update if, and when, I can.

Also, brrrrrrr! This Texas girl is going to freeze my 'hmph' off in St. Louis (although I suspect Holly and definitely Mikey are going to LOVE the cold and the snow - of course they don't have to learn to drive in it!).

Also, also, huge thanks to Cardigrandma and Alpha for taking such great care of my little diva and my little monkey boy!!

Holly and Mikey say 'Hi'.

"What is this 'snow' of which you speak?"