Reflecting

I know it's New Year's Eve and all, but Casey and I have decided to spend a quiet night at home. We are going to have Chinese food and kung fu movies. WOOT! Casey made a wonderful New Year's Eve breakfast, which we shared with Mom this morning. This afternoon, we've just lounged around. I've been sitting reading with Indiana on my lap. He's feeling better today, but still not quite his usual self. I've been thinking about what a great year 2008 has been for me. There were a lot of "firsts" for both me and Casey:

1. I continued my pursuit of better health.

2. I began my first running program.

3. I ran my first 5k.

4. I applied for and got my first passport.

5. I went on my first cruise ship.

6. I left the country for the first time.

7. I bottle fed and raised 3 kittens for the first time.

8. I raised 3 puppies at the same time.

9. I saw my first foreign beaches.

10. I went to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale for the first time.

It's been a great year of "firsts", but there are a few things that remain a constant in my life.

1. A wonderful, loving husband that makes my life and my home a wonderful place to be.

2. My wonderful family and their good health.

3. All of my wonderful friends: online and in person.

4. All of my fur babies that make my life so wonderful.

There are still some more firsts that I like to do in 2009. I had a whole list earlier, but I can only think of a few right now.

1. Run my first half marathon or at least begin the training for it.

2. Become a U.S. Master Swim member.

3. Take horseback riding lessons.

4. Continue my quest for health.

5. Take another beach vacation.

6. Visit with my friends more often.

7. Never miss an opportunity to be with my family and friends.

To all of you, I wish a very happy and healthy New Year! If you go out, please be safe and have a great time! Here's to a wonderful 2009!

All Is Well

It's been a long day of vacation today. We left the house to take Indiana to Dr. K's around 7:15 this morning. We got him there and settled in by 8:00. We grabbed some breakfast and headed back to Mom's to have coffee. At lunch today, Mom and I met with my oldest friend, Jennifer, and her mother for lunch at Casa Mexicana. We had a great time visiting and catching up. It was so much fun. After lunch, I just came back home and lounged around for a bit. It wasn't long, until Dr. K's office called to let us know that Indiana was doing fine and was ready to come home. We picked him up and got him back home. He's still really sleepy and a little slow moving. He did have a few cookies, a few kibbles of dog food, and a dollop of peanut butter, so nothing is wrong with his appetite. We have to go back in 10 days to have his stitches removed. He's resting comfortably on the couch right now. Shingo really missed him today. He was really out of sorts the whole time he was gone. I have a feeling that Indiana will feel much better in the morning. The vet tech told me I could use some Neosporin on him, if I need to. We'll see. I'm just so glad that he did o.k. and it's over now.

My Big Boy

My sweet, little Indiana Bones has grown up on me. He's going tomorrow morning to be neutered. I would have had it done several months ago, but I just didn't feel like it with the Bell's Palsy. Indy will be a year old the first week of January. I can't believe how fast this first year with him has flown by. It's time for him to go though. All of his little boy hormones are making him a bit bossy with Shingo. We have lots of growling from time to time, and this will fix the problem. I'm feeling a little guilty about taking him tomorrow. It's just the worrying mother in me, I guess. All the rest of the animals in the house are all fixed. He's the last dog. The three youngest kittens haven't been fixed yet, but they won't be a full six months, until next month. They'll all go then. Anyway, I've been giving him lots of extra love and cookies tonight. I had to take up all of his food and water an hour or so ago, but he ate really well until then. Anyway, I know that Dr. K will take good care of him. He will be in the BEST possible hands. I'll just worry anyway, until I have him back home safe and sound tomorrow night. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the best. I'll give you guys an update, when we get him back home tomorrow.

On the Agenda

There was so much that I need to do/wanted to do today. Unfortunately, I woke up with a slamming headache. I've just taken some more meds to get it to go away. Hopefully in a bit, I'll feel better. I want to go run this afternoon and/or go to the park and ride my new bike. Casey and I need to make a Wal-Mart and TSC run for dog and cat food. We have a couple of movies that we need to finish watching. I also need to start the week off from work deep clean. Maybe my head is pounding, because I have so many things I need/want to do, and I can't decide which to do first. Anytime those meds want to start working is good with me...

Maiden Voyage

What a GREAT day. I just got back from seeing Marley and Me with my mom. It was sooooo GOOD!! It made me laugh and cry. It wasn't nearly as good as the book, but it was still very, very good.

After I got back home, Casey had my bike all adjusted and ready to go. It was a nice, warm day. Very good for bike riding. I was a little bit worried that I wouldn't remember how to ride, but I guess they have that saying for a reason. I got on and just took right off. Casey got LOTS of pictures of the first time out. Those will be forthcoming. I'm using the OLD laptop, and it doesn't have a USB 2 port. As soon as I get them uploaded, I'll post them. It's supposed to storm and turn a little cooler tonight, but now I can't wait for tomorrow. I hope it's not too cold to ride. Now, I just have to think of a good name for her. I'm thinking maybe Redbird, but we'll see. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to comment. It's a Schwinn Point Beach cruiser bike; bright, shiny red. It has a great place on the back to add a basket. Once I get that and a bell, she'll be complete.

Did You Have A Very Merry?

I know that I sure did. Santa was very, very good to me this year. Casey gave me a big, red, Schwinn cruiser bike. He also gave me a very sweet gift for our 10th married Christmas. He gave me a 1 carat, diamond marquise ring! How sweet was that? My mom gave me a really pretty silver bracelet and blue topaz jewelry. My brother gave me shower stuff to use after I run and swim. My friend Elaine gave me a really cool polka dot swimsuit cover up and some great books. I don't think I could have had a bigger Crhistmas at all! Even the animals at the Zoo had some great gifts. The puppies got 2 huge bags of Christmas cookies from PetCo, and my brother also gave them a huge box box of homemade treats. The kitties got a big box of catnip. Casey got lots of cooking stuff, some cookbooks, and an iPod Nano.

I hope that everyone had as big of a Christmas as I did!

Calm On Christmas Eve

I'm just sitting here, taking a few minutes to enjoy the calm that come before all of the Christmas craziness. I'm sitting here with all of the puppies curled up around me, thinking of how lucky I am. It's been a GREAT year for me, and I've learned so much about myself. I think I love Christmas Eve even more than Christmas. I like the feeling of anticipation. There's a pretty big storm blowing through right now. I hope those of you that are traveling get to your destinations safely. May all of you have a joyous Christmas tomorrow. I hope that you all get everything that you wished for. I'm lucky to have every one of my readers. You all don't know how much you mean to me.

The Day Before Christmas Eve

The holidays are upon us. I just wanted to take a minute to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope it's everything you've dreamed of. I'd like to share a special Christmas story with you. I know that I posted it here a couple of years ago, but it's so good that I wanted to share it again. A legend, if you will...

The Night The Animals Talked

In the frosty mountains and on the snowy fields of Norway, there is a legend that draws children to all kinds to stables and stalls throughout the country on each Christmas Eve night. They are hoping to hear a miracle. They are waiting to hear the animals talk.

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem. This was no abandoned place, but was a working stable, filled with animals of all kinds. Into these humble surroundings, encircled by the innocent creatures of God, the Savior of man came into the world.

Now according to legend, at least, Christ's birth occurred at exactly midnight. Inside the stable, the animals watched in wonder as the new-born babe was lovingly wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. Suddenly, God gave voice to the animals and immediately they began to praise God for the miracle they had just seen. This went on for several minutes and, just before the entrance of the shepherds -- who had hurried to the stable because angels had told them the Christ had been born there -- the animals again fell silent. The only humans who had heard them were Mary, Joseph and, of course, the Christ child.

The legend of the talking animals persists to this day in Scandinavia. And every Christmas Eve, wide-eyed children creep into stables just before midnight to hear the animals praise God for the wondrous birth of His Son. Of course, adults scoff at this. "Old wives tales," they grump. "Those children should be home in bed, not out in the cold waiting for the family cow to preach a sermon."

But the children know -- or at least believe -- that animals really do praise God at midnight every Christmas Eve. And who of us -- those who believe in an all-powerful God -- can say that it really doesn't happen?

Things You Wish For...

Isn't it funny how you get something on your mind, that you wish for, and it just won't go away? I've found myself in that position the last couple of weeks. All of you know that I run. My dream is to have a big dog that will run with me. My three little ones tire out, before my mileage is done, especially in the summer. My big dog, Fergie, is a couch potato. Her idea of a good time is sleeping by herself on my bed. Even a walk around the block is out of the question for her. She's just NOT interested. Shiloh, my 11 year old, is out of the question. So that leaves me with an opening for a big, running dog. I think that I have a 5k coming up in February, and we're allowed to bring out dogs to run. Nothing would make me happier.

When I used to walk Bear, over on the other block, there was this big, sweet, black Lab named Betty. She always used to keep us company on our walk. She always had the sweetest disposition. I picture a running dog a lot like that. I'd love nothing better than to have a Black Lab to keep me company on my runs. I know that I have a full house right now, so a Lab is out of the question, but that doesn't keep me from wanting one. I love my dogs to pieces, but without Bear, I get so lonely out walking or running. I talked with one of the ladies down at the shelter. We have several Black Labs down there. My hope is to go a couple of times a week and get them and slowly teach them to run with me. There's a big run in May called "See Spot Run", and I hope to have one of them trained to run with me by then. There's several there, so hopefully one of them will enjoy it. I have a feeling that I may have to recruit Jennie to help me a bit. I totally think it's do-able though. Still doesn't keep me from wanting a Lab of my own though. Maybe one day...

What Am I Thinking?

Well folks, I've taken the plunge. I just finished registering and paying for a semester at school, after a four year break. I think that I'm ready. I took a break, because I was REALLY burnt out and needed a rest. I think I'm pretty much good to go now. I'm participating in a program that will accelerate me through the rest of my classes. I was eligible, because of my junior standing and my number of credit hours. I just hope that I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. I was a little worried about it on my way over to the business office, but now that I'm official, I'm kind of excited. It will be nice to finish up these last few classes and get on with my life. So look out Spring 2009! Here I come! Now, Casey and I are both students!

Anyone With Cats...

...will understand this. This is EXACTLY the reason that I can't have a Christmas tree this year, with my three newest kittens. There is no high place that is too high for them...unfortunately.

Cat VS Printer

I got this from my friend, Andrea. It is just too funny!

Christmas Checklist

I spent the better part of the afternoon with Mom wrapping the final Christmas gifts yesterday. This is the first year that I'm NOT going to spend most of the late night Christmas Eve wrapping gifts. Let me tell you, it feels good to be done. I don't mean to gloat or anything, but I AM DONE SHOPPING FOR AND WRAPPING MY CHRISTMAS GIFTS!! I have absolutely NO idea how I managed this accomplishment, except to say that my family has really simplified Christmas. We only buy what we can afford and enjoy our time together. It helps that my family is really small too. This is the least stressed out Christmas that I've had in the past 10 years or so. Of course this means, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'll slink around in fear until December 25th at 4:00 p.m. HEE HEE!!

Well o.k., I still need to get the puppies their Christmas treat bags. I went to Petco last week and just had a heyday of a time filling up Christmas bags at their treat bar. I was SO excited that I couldn't wait and have already given out most of them. So, I need to go back early next week for refills. It's SO hard not to spoil them! I suspect that I'll grab a few chews and toys to add to the mix too. Hmmm..seems that I may NOT be through after all!

Slip Slidin'

Last night, as a surprise to us all, we came home in driving sleet and snow. We didn't think much of it, because the weather forcasters claimed that it was "nothing to worry about. No accumulation." Well, that's when they always get it wrong it seems. I had planned to go on my nightly run, after changing into my running gear. I made it across town and to the Rec Center. I started to get out of the car and nearly slid down in the parking lot. After some quick thought, I decided that I'd better run my errands and get myself back home. It's a good thing that I did. By the time I got home, I had already seen a fender bender and the side streets had started icing over. Most all of the area schools were out today. In Shelbyville, we had a lot more ice than snow. Further north in Murfreesboro they got a lot more snow. Casey and I got out the door early this morning, since we had no idea what condition the roads were in. We did just fine in Bedford County. As a matter of fact, we even saw the snow plow out scraping that layer of ice off the highway. We hit the Rutherford County line, and things started to get a little dicey. We did a little slippin' and slidin' but overall had no big problems. The drive sure was pretty though. I regret that we didn't have the camera with us. This is the first time in many years, that I can remember having snow or a snow day this early. I have a feeling that it bodes of things to come this winter. The good thing about it is I have a little hope for a white Christmas this year! Seeing snow on the ground sure does put you in the Christmas spirit!

Everyone stay warm and have a great weekend!

A Visit With Santa Paws

This past Saturday, Bedford County Animal Control held its annual Christmas Open House. Since Indiana wasn't even born last Christmas, this is his first Christmas. I decided to take him to visit with Santa Paws. All of the proceeds from the pictures were donated to the Shelbyville-Bedford County Spay/Neuter Committee. Get ready for tooth rot....

Hello again!

Oh my! I didn't mean to take such a long time to make a post after Thanksgiving. I hope that you all had a fantastic holiday. Ours was terrific this year. Casey cooked everything in the world this year, I think. We had turkey, dressing, green beans, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, spinach gratin, dressed eggs, cranberry sauce, rolls, pumpkin pie, and cheesecake. A mighty big feast for only 6 folks. On Friday, I put up the outside Christmas lights and after dinner we went to visit some friends. On Saturday, I just hung around the house and rested. I still get really tired.

I've been really busy at work this week. We are having our annual student Christmas party. So, I've been out running around for the last two days getting supplies and food. This is the first chance I've had to sit down and blog all week.

Gotta run. More things to get done.