it does a trainer proud.....

I can't even begin to tell you all how much I love my job. Training dogs and running classes is one of the greatest joys in my life... I actually wake up in the mornings and think "I can't wait to get to work!!!" I have met some of the most wonderful people and dogs over these past 30 (!!!!!!) years of training, and it just makes my heart sing when my students say things like ...

"I trained with you and had the greatest dog ever" OR

"The training I did with you just saved my dog's life" OR

tons of other compliments that I can't think of off the top of my head...

BUT, one of the greatest things, is when my students take their work to higher levels... often it is obedience titles and the like,,,, but in THIS case.... it goes even beyond that....

THIS is Al and his beautiful girl Gracie.... WHO as of today, has passed the Delta Society's Therapy Dog test!!!! This is a real team effort, for both handler and dog are tested!!!! The Delta Society has one of the best therapy dog programs in the US and they are very careful about what dogs pass and what ones don't... so to get to this level, is a real accomplishment!!!! I am just SO proud of this team!!!!!

More than that, is the fact that these two will bring such joy to the lives of many, many people. Finally "the world" has begun to recognize what animals do for the human race, and it is so grand that lots of places (hospitals, nursing homes, schools) are beginning to really put these wonderful creatures to good use. All I can say, is... a huge thank you to Al and Gracie for the work that they will do together... and it sure does "make a trainer proud!!!!"

fat and fuzzy

"Mocha"

"Silver"





"Tonka"

















They all have warm, fuzzy coats now.... but I "dread" shedding season!!!!!!!

"MY" Ed

TODAY is "My Ed's" 50th birthday!!!!!! There just isn't enough room on this blog to say all the great things I could say about this wonderful man!!! Most of you out there know us... know him... so, I wouldn't really be telling you anything new...

But maybe I can tell you a few things that you might not know... like... we met when I was in the second grade, and as kids, played together out on the school playground. He was one of those friends, who was always there for me ... a shoulder to cry on whenever some boyfriend was "mean" or "broke my heart", ( always told me to " get rid of the bum"!!!) or came in the "middle" of the night when my little car broke down!!! Always had something nice to say about me... liked my dogs!!!!! We never dated in school, but when we were in our early 20's, he asked me out one evening.. and well... you know the rest. We have been married for 26 years!!!

He is a wonderful husband, great Dad, sweet and probably the most patient person I have ever known (he's taught me some thing in THAT department!!!) He is full of fun and willing to try about anything.. from the fire fighting scene to playing with horses. He is talented and can (and does) build almost anything... he likes "projects"!!!!

And I feel so blessed that this guy is the one that God "gave" to me...... So, before this gets too sappy (and I embarrass him) let me just say "VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY...RUMNEY!!!!!" 143

other things

It might be hard to believe, but there are other things going on in our lives... than the new barn!!! I know I have kept that as a main focus in these past few blogs... because it's so exciting for me!!! AND just to show you what a difference a day makes, here's the barn yesterday... after the big snows that we got on Monday... hard to believe that just days ago, the field was totally open (and fairly dry) and here we are, back to winter!!!! The progress on the barn will be slow over the next few days, as the men are back into "detail" mode... seems like there are a "million" little things that they have to do and then it gets into something big again. For example, they now have to trim out the ends of the rafters and get them boxed in before the roof itself can go on. So of course, what is seen now are the rafters waiting for roofing, but the other part has to be finished up first... so, the barn will have "this look" for just a little bit.

In the meantime, though, Ed does manage to get other projects done around the house... moving Titus into his (hopefully) final tank has been one of them. We got this 120 gallon tank for him a few months ago... actually we were looking at a 75 gallon tank and the manager of the store begged us to take this one off her hands. It was a "special" order that the person never picked up and after tripping over it for a while, the store just wanted it gone. They "gave" it to us for nearly the price of the the smaller tank, and I am quite certain, that Titus will live happily in this one for a long time to come.... at least he BETTER!!! I have to say he is so much happier in this big tank and has been even more entertaining than before. He has a ton of room for swimming, hunting for fish, and re-arranging things the way he likes to have them. It's taken him a little time to get used to this new tank, he wasn't too excited about his new "sunning" rock, but I do find him up there more often in the past few days. Ed wasn't "happy" that I didn't give him enough time to completely finish the base for the new tank.(he has plans to make it more like a cabinet with doors and shelves).. but, I really wanted it up and running, so he did what he could in the time frame given. And that's ok, I am just happy to have it.


And even though we had that great warming trend, when the days are cold, the wood stove chugs merrily along, and the cockers once again.... try to claim their spot on the doggie bed. This particular day, no one was giving up a space and so it was one big "cocker crowd" on the bed. Dancer had been looking for a spot, but stepped just outside of the picture after realizing that no dogs were going to move for her!!!!

In my moments of "spare" time, I am working on a couple of quilting projects and a cross stitch or two. Over Christmas I was in a real knitting mode, making several pairs of mittens for the kids and myself, but now I feel like doing something different, and have had a few projects pending. The snowy Monday we had was just perfect for all of that, and "they" predict more winter weather for Friday, so I might sneak in another day of it. So, between "barn building", teaching dog classes, "projects" and how know what else comes down the line... I have to say, the winter is flying by!!! Half way thru January... February is short and March is knocking on spring's door..........

update

View of barn from the main road........

and from the field.......

The pine branch... for good luck and prosperity.......

There will be plenty of room for hay... and this is a view we won't have much longer... once the roof goes on...

adopted

This is Sarah and her "new dog" Zachary (aka Dusty) who was the latest "foster" dog in our house!!! Zachary was adopted out yesterday and will now be living in the lap of luxury (as all cockers should) Sarah is an administer at an assisted living facility and wanted a dog that could go to work with her everyday and sort of be "a dog for everyone".

Sarah had told me of her wishes around Christmas time... and talk about the Good Lord having a hand in everything... before I could even contact cocker rescue, they called me to see if I could foster this little dog that was on his was "in". (sadly, his family was divorcing and seemed no one wanted to "bother" with him anymore) I told rescue what I was looking for, for Sarah, and all the pieces just started to fall into place (don't you love it when God works it out like that??)

I got Dusty on a Thursday, and kept him the weekend to "temperament test" him and get a feel for him, but I really knew in a matter of hours, he would be perfect for Sarah and as a "mascot".....besides, he pretty darn cute to boot!!!!

Sarah took him for a few trial runs this past week, and he stepped up to the plate in every area.. from going to work, to greeting people to even being a good boy at the barn where Sarah keeps her horse. Talk about "one man's trash in another's treasurer"!!!! Sarah has enrolled Zachary (need to remember to use his new name) in one of my classes, and he was simply wonderful yesterday. He knows all his commands and such, but it's a good time for the two of them to bond, and refresh the things that he already knows.

I was thinking of how long I have been doing "rescue" ... our first dog came to us in 1989... and out of all the cockers that have passed thru this house... I have only kept a total of five!!!!! Not bad. It is hard to give them up sometimes, but seeing pictures like this one, makes it all worth while... and that farm that is waiting for us... THINK of all the rescues we can housed there!!! (don't panic "rumney")

I have a new reader on line that I would like to personally contact... so "Jules" if you see this posting, would you email me at SWTGRSS@aol.com so we can say hello??? well, off to the farm, Ed says he has a big surprise to show me with regards to progress on the barn.... can't wait to see it......

a new neighbor

Last Monday, as Ed was working on the barn... a little red truck pulled up the drive. This is not so unusual for as the work progresses, neighbors have been dropping in to see what all the action is about.

This neighbor was a gal, who introduced herself as Dusty, and turns out she is just a few houses down the road. She has horses, and actually, I had been meaning to drop in and meet her all last summer, but never got around to doing it.

Anyways.... it turns out that Dusty is a professional photographer, and has won a number awards for her work. Her specialty is HORSES, and she has shot photos for almost any horse magazine that I have ever read!!! Plus, she has been commissioned by a number of authors for their books on horses, or training or whatever!!!!

She asked if she could do some photos of the barn, just to tuck into her files in case she ever has the need of them... Ed said sure. She left him a couple of her business cards (here's a copy) and her website is such fun to look at... check it out!!!!

Sadly, I still haven't met her face to face, but I did call her and she is very nice to talk with and is quite excited that another horse person is moving into the neighborhood. From what she tells me, there is a whole gaggle of horse folks there (I knew there must be) they often get together and attend clinics and rides and all sorts of things together, and told me I am more than welcomed to join them!!! Pretty nice I think....

THEN, I picked up a little rescue cocker last week from Kim at Maine Cocker rescue (he is being adopted today!!!) and she told me that she had a friend who lived in Acton, who is quite involved in Brittanys... so, she wrote to her friend, she then contacted me, and it turns out that "Ann" is also fairly close and is quite the "dog person"!!!! In fact, she and her husband moved from Eliot to Acton for much the same reason that Ed and I are!!!! She does all sorts of things with her Brits and has invited me over to see her place!!!!

So, if I ever have any "fears" of not "finding the same sort of folks in Acton" as me... guess I don't have to "worry" about that any longer!!!! There is no doubt that leaving York will be hard to do, but it's so nice that I have some new things to see and do when we are settled....... God is Good!!!!!!

that's it.....

Tomorrow, my dog club's newsletter will be in the mail... and for me, it's the last one that I will do. I decided to give up my position as the newsletter editor this year, and even though I am feeling a little sad about it right now, it's time to let it go.

I had only planned on doing this job for "a few years" ... that was back in 1997.... I can't believe that I have done this for 11 years!!! That I found enough things to talk about!!!! I like to write ... this blog is proof of that... and my poor club friends had to put up with all sorts of my silly stories, but I guess they didn't mind too much... after all, they kept voting me back in year after year. And some were quite sad to hear that I wasn't taking it on this year.

The new gal that will be taking it over will do a fine job, and I plan on offering her some stories every now and again. And there certainly are other positions in the dog club that interest me.... I am going to be the vice-president (again!!!) this year... in fact, I have done every club job there is... except for the treasurer.. so there is plenty to keep me busy when I want to be.... our dog club is very active and does all sorts of cool things, so there is always a project to be done.

but, for me... this is the last Telegram that I will have to worry about...... travel safe my little letters.

only in Maine

This photo was taken on Tuesday (8th) from the "hayloft" over looking the field. The temp was about 40 degrees and the wind was blowing up a storm!!!!

Then comes along a January thaw... and for the rest of the week, the temps have been in the 50's and once or twice ... near 60!!!

Here's (almost) the same shot.. taken today... look at the field now... two and a half feet of snow... all gone!!!!

What is it they say about Maine weather... "if you don't like it now, what a minute!!!"

How true!!!

com'n along

Ed shows me the windows that will be in each stall.












This photo was shot on Tuesday, January 8th

Transom light is over the front and back doors.


Walls are boarded in up to the hayloft level.

This photo was shot today (10th) the carrying beams are now up on the hayloft level.

This is what you see now when you pull up the drive.

Rafters are next, and then the red roof goes after that!!!!

This warm weather we've been having has sure been a blessing. The guys are moving quick now...



our building permit has been granted for the house, and the "real work" begins!!!!

back to reality

The Christmas holiday is officially over, for after breakfast this morning, Kassy and Nate, packed up Charlie, Nora, two goldfish and their gifts and began their journey home to the south. I hate the goodbyes, and made myself look silly in the restaurant parking lot... but I really don't care. As much as I love seeing Kassy out there in the big world and absolutely adore Nate, she will be (forever) my little girl and I will never really get used to her being away........

So the little blue "beetle" hits the road once again, I think this little car could make the trip all by it's self. Sometime, I will sit and count the trips it has made back and forth. We certainly can't complain, its a good little buggy!!!

Now, what in the world is this????

As much as Sadie might hate to admit it (at times) she is also her Mother's daughter, and brought home this little "mutt" (aka pitbull!!!!) seems a friend got this little guy and brought him home (much against the advise of his family). I guess he thought that everyone would eventually fall in love and the puppy would be able to stay... well.... he guess wrong!! His Mom was just about on the way to the shelter with him, when Sadie stepped in and said she thought "we" could place him!!! I told Sadie that my foster work is with cockers... not with "pits" and that I am willing to help out, but there is a time limit in this house too. (January 15th, when she heads back to school). Fortunately, I do have dog connections, and have calls out to all my pitbull folks, and even thru this blog... there has to be a nice family who would take him in. He does have a nice personality, is about 4 months old, and is being crated trained, house broken, and taught manners while he is here. (you can be sure ol' Moxie has told him in no uncertain terms... who the head dog is... and Trevor has also told him that not one toy in this house is his. Mona the cat has had him crying more than once, you'd think he would only try her claws so many times!!!!)

So, spread the word dear readers... we of course want a good responsible home with someone who knows what to do with this type of dog......

And speaking of which, classes begin again this week, we have a few "house guests", and one foster cocker (who I think will be adopted this week) and a couple of private students are lined up for the week..... guess it's back to "real life"......

Happy New Year

Personally, I am not a fan of New Years Eve... I'm not the party (ie:drinking) sort of person, and for me New Years eve is more like the "end of the holidays" instead of the "beginning". It is fairly certain you will find me in more of a "frump" than a "fun" sort of mood on this day.

We did have plans to go out with "the other side of the family" (the Flaggs) which is always good and gave me something to look forward to. But, after dinner, as far as I'm concerned, its just time to head home (where it's safe). However, as we were talking at dinner, it seemed like everyone just wanted something more to do, and in talking we tried to come up with some where fun to go.... AND remembered that L.L. Beans was open.... they NEVER close. Since I had some things to return to them and Ed has been wanting (actually NEEDING) some new winter boots, we finished dinner and headed to "L.Ls"

The place was in a festive mood. They had music and a few little shows going on. They also have this wonderful clock and I managed to "capture a midnight kiss"!!!! We did some shopping and just enjoyed talking to the folks that worked there, and all the other customers, who, like us, decided to do something "different".

I don't think we have ever been at "L.Ls" when it was so "quiet". We got a good spot close to the door, and was able to shop easily and see things.

It was all "decked out" for the season. They had some amazing lights, and a cute little "forrest of trees"... ice sculptures....and we had some fun walking around outside and just enjoying all the pretty things.

It did make a short night for Ed, who was up early to clean up some snow and head to Acton to work on the barn. I suspect he will be to bed early tonite... but he did get a new pair of boots.

And as I write, the snow starts up again, and the "weather poem" from the Farmer's Almanac for January... "Bright and melting, then a belting! Cold enough to make us blanch; watch out for an avalanche! Freezin' beyond reason. Another blast is bearly past; Avast! How long can it last?",,,, Huh?

bye to 07

Silly me... I thought the first "creature" to be in the new barn would be a horse... should have figured it would be a "deere"!!!! But, with the upstairs decking all in place, Ed couldn't bear to let his little tractor be out in the weather, and with the prediction of more snow, he just had to tuck it under cover!!!!!

Here it is, a "real barn look"... and it's easy for me to "see" the stalls now, and just imagine our horses safe and sound in their own home. I can hardly wait for the day when they will really live here and will be only a short walk to go and see them whenever we choose.

So, the last day of 2007... it's been a good year, it certainly was filled with many major changes... Kay passing, the business selling, Nate to and from Iraq, Sadie off to college...new barn!!! We haven't had a year with so many things like this one. Tonight we are getting together with the families for a Chinese feed!!! and again tomorrow the prediction of more snow!!!!

It's very pretty, and from that point, I love waking up in the mornings and seeing the world in a whole new way. But, it's time consuming as well. Ed finds himself out plowing, and then cleaning up the work site whenever they get back to building. We certainly can consider this an "old fashion" winter, I remember these winters from my childhood. I did say to Ed that in some ways this is pretty handy, because as we plan for winters at the farm, we are seeing it in real life this year!!! and that actually is a help.

I am looking forward to 2008, I have a feeling it will be another year of big changes, but for the most part, they are going to be positive ones.... I am very blessed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas!!!

Christmas was wonderful this year!!! It went by much too fast, but it was wonderful just the same. I had made a "promise" to myself... to simply enjoy, slow down, and not worry about "perfection" (which I have been known to do in the past).. I kept that promise and found that it worked very well. Being with my family had to be the greatest gift of all... Christmas eve found us with "the Flaggs" enjoying one of our home raised turkeys. We always have a great time when we are with them....I feel so blessed to have such wonderful "in-laws"!!!!

Christmas morning we had Kas, Nate, Uncle Bill and my parents joining us for presents and breakfast. Then the kids went onto Nate's folks, Uncle Bill to friends, and Ed, Sadie and I to my family's.

Camille kept careful watch for Santa... sadly, she was asleep when he arrived!!!! Maybe she can catch him next year!!!!

Dec. 26th found everyone "back at work"... I sort of wish that the "day after" wasn't such a jump back into reality day... but, it is, and that's how it goes.

Ed was out the door early and headed up to work on the barn... Ken was there to help him today. I wanted to take a ride up for several reasons... one, just to get out of the house and not "mope" about Christmas being over.. two, see what progress has been made in the few days I haven't seen it and three, Bill was making lunch today and I didn't want to miss out on that!!!! When I arrived, there was a little surprise waiting for me.... I guess "Santa" (ie: Uncle Bill!!!) had made a stop to the farm, and left three stockings... one for Tonka, one for Silver and one for Mocha!!!! All were "hung with great care" and contained some horse things, and a few treats, including candy canes (a favorite with my guys!!!). That was quite fun!!!

Bill has turned out to be quite the "master chef" with this barn project!!! He has a great portable gas grill and brings it along. He can make almost anything with it!!!! and today's lunch was nice hot coffee, and amazing hamburgers!!! and hot dogs!!! Just something about a nice hot meal when you are working outside, puts the heart and soul back in you (not that I'm doing any of the work!!!) and what is it about a hamburger cooked and eaten outside that makes it grand??? One thing for sure, this barn has been a real family project... Dave getting us started, Bill preparing hearty meals and helping where he can.. Nate giving us a precious day of his vacation... so many memories are already there and we don't even have a roof yet!!!!! There's just a real good feeling on this farm, I have a lot of hopes and dreams for it!!!!!!

the day before......

If I had to pick one day out of the year to be called "my favorite day".... it would be today... December 23rd, I call it "the day before the day before". My family knows this well, and first thing this am... Kas said to me..."hey Mom, it's the day before the day before!!!" On our way to church, Ed made the same comment, so what's this all about? Well, I adore Christmas, and have been very blessed that it is always such a happy time for me. The only thing sad about it, is ending!!! and when I get into one of my "funky" moods, I realize that Christmas Eve day is the start of the end...... so... I like the 23rd.. a day where Christmas is just around the corner, the celebration hasn't quite begun... it's all in the waiting!!!! After church, Nate, Kas, Deb, Dave, Ed and I all went out for breakfast (took my camera!!!) and we got this cute little family shot!!!! It was a good breakfast and we had a great time all being together.... after we were thru and waiting for the check to come... the waitress came over and wished us a happy day and a Merry Christmas... but had no check!!! The tab had been picked up by someone in the restaurant along with a "thank you" to Nate!!!!!! What a fun way for my favorite day to begin. The rest of the day has been quiet, I finished up a few little things, got the grocery shopping done, and made the final plans for the next 48 hours..... it's been a very good "day before the day before"


Yesterday, Nate went up with Ed and Chris to help out with the barn... the other gentleman in the picture is Ken.... with Chris having to move onto another job, Ed has hired Ken on to help with the finishing up. Kas and I went up about mid day to see how the guys were doing... we made a donut stop for them and arrived with coffee and sweets. They were pretty happy to have a little break. But after a bit, it was time to get them moving again
"-) and besides, Kas and I took lunch orders and was going to get them a bite, so they needed to get back at it for a little while anyways.....curious as to what they are looking at......

KASS!!! encouraging them back to work!!!!

(actually, she was teasing Ed about having a pink ribbon on his hammer so he can find it easily!!!)

They got a lot done yesterday... the main two beams that hold the walls together are up and in place. When they go back after Christmas, it will be time for the floor joice that will hold up the decking in the hayloft..... the roof can't be too far behind.

"two of my favorite people in the whole world!!!!"

Now tell me that people don't look like their dogs!!! (Camille is a real daddy's dog for sure)

OHH... almost forgot... Dale wrote me the answer to my blog question... basically, it was orginally called "web log".... and (short side of the story) it got cut down to just "blog".... which, BTW, is considered a real word now and is both a noun and a verb!!!!!

bloggin'

It's late, I should be asleep, but find that I don't do that well anymore. I don't know if a "40's thing" or something because of my surgery a couple years back, or maybe I need to hook up with a good doctor and get some answers.... (my new year's resolution!!! find a good doctor!!!) but either way, I find myself playing out here in computer world instead of under my covers!!!And thinking up all sorts of weird questions that must have some answers.....

We call it "steak night" .. I wrote about this last August sometime, but, just to tell you... every Wednesday evening, a group of friends meet at the Longhorn Restaurant in Newington to have a dinner and chat. Funny how often you have such great friends and never seem to have enough time to just sit and talk.... so, steak night is one way to cover that. Anywho... this blog really isn't so much about steak night, well, it is, but I have another topic I am going with here.

It's gotten so, I don't go very far without my camera, and the people that hang around with me will tell that I am always saying... "picture time for the blog"... which I did last night at steak night (because we had a grand crew of people there!!!) but, the question was posed to me.... where did "blog" come from/ what does it mean. I have no idea, and so my fellow bloggers out there... can you answer that question????

I have only blogged for about a year, but I really do enjoy my little spot here in computer land. I think I have a number of readers, because if I don't stay somewhat up to date... I am reminded about that ... (come to think of it, some of my fellow bloggers need some up dating on their own pages... I need some new things to read!!!!) I also wonder how long blog pages stay up... and I ask that question because of my dear friend Lisa, (who passed away a year and half ago after a long battle with cancer) still has her page up. It makes me happy and sad at the same time, I still go and re-read her pages. I laugh at her stories, and feel so sad that I can't ring her on the phone anymore and talk about them. I hope "they" keep it up for a good long time, it makes a good memory for me and I feel fortunate to still have it only a click away.

But, back to steak night. As I said, we had a good big crowd there. The "kids" were there, Kassy, Nate, Sadie and Matt, Sean.... and here is "uncle Bill" I don't know how he got stuck "at the kids' table" but I think he enjoyed being there!!! Between him and Cozy, they both enjoy the "kids" being around and coming out with the "folks" to steak night. As a rule, I don't get to go much, because Wednesday nights are my classes in Wells, so it's a treat when I have a night off and can be part of the crowd!!!! And I warned everyone that they would find themselves on the blog!!!! (and so they have).

We picked up another 5ish inches of snow today. Ed got a day off from barn work, which really didn't make him too happy, he wants so much to get it weather tight. Looks like he will be back at it tomorrow, after doing some snow clean up there. We only "have" Chris until Saturday and then he is off to another job (we knew we would only have him for a few weeks) but, I think Ed has come up with someone else to help finish it... at least to the point of getting the roof on. Then I think we will let it sit until better weather. I hope I can get up there tomorrow and see it for myself... and who knows, maybe get a few more pics for the blog!!!!!

a break

Here are two very happy horses...(even though Silver is making his mean face to Tonka)... they finally got out into the sunshine today. With the heavy snow from the weekend, it took us a few days to get the stall doors dug out. Teresa was smart to wait, because we got a dose of rain on the snow, had she cleared it any sooner, the paddocks would be a skating rink... NOT so good for horses.

Tonka was in a lively mood, but he knows better than to mess with ol' Silver!! Who, by the way, is feeling fine after his ordeal on Saturday. The stitches look good, the wound is healing and getting the meds into him is the challenge of the day!!!! Both Teresa and I are wracking our brains, trying to come up with ways to "hide" the meds in his food. We have used the worming bit, but he is onto us, and it's a five minute fight to get the bit into his mouth. I am just about ready to say "heck with you, horse" but I can't do that!!!!

I don't think Mocha is impressed with all this snow, it just about reaches her belly..... and she tends to stay in the plowed area... so, being the "good owner" that I am :-) ... I walked out thru her paddock and broke some paths for her. I hope she appreciates my boots filling with snow and actually uses them!!!!

I was looking at the Farmer Almanac here, and wished I had read it a little sooner....

Here's the weather poem for December...

Mercy, it's mild but Turning wild!!! On every rooftop snow is piled like wedding cake. Sunny break to hit the malls, roast the chestnuts, deck the halls,! Cryogenic cold abates '08

Maybe "we" should have waited before starting that new barn... January doesn't sound any quieter

"Franklin"

Meet my new little friend.... Franklin!!!! Last night as I was teaching my Saco dog classes, Ed and Sadie went out to finish up their Christmas shopping, and came home with this adorable little baby for me!!!!

I had only been home for a little while and was working on a pair of mittens (for myself no less) when Sadie walked over and said...."Don't you think he looks like a Franklin!!!" and the name has sort of stuck... odd name for a guinea pig, but then, guinea pigs are a little odd themselves!!!! He is about two months old, and actually looks a little like Pete with his eye patches, but Pete had an all white body and Franklin has a cute little brown butt!!!! He is quite friendly and likes to sit under your chin. He doesn't seem to be bothered by the dogs or cats, and they just adore him... especially Camille!!! She has try to wash his face at least a million times!!!!

I am certainly happy that the day ended far better than it began!!!! Here's a story for the blog..... I have a sweet young golden staying with me over the Christmas holiday. Just a nice puppy, who is full of the golden retrieve zest for life... so, yesterday morning, just about 6:00 AM, I threw on my coat and boots (over my pj's) and went out with this pup to potty and just play for a few moments.... well, I was so busy with him , working on his manners at the door, that I stepped out and realized that the door I had just shut.... was not unlocked!!!!! Oh well, there's usually a key in my truck, except that , I had the keys in my coat pocket... my OTHER coat.. the one in the house!!! OK.. cell phone, that is usually in my truck as well... except... I took that in the house to charge!!! Now, I am starting to get a little cold, so my golden friend and I step into the barn... thank goodness that is heated. We also have a phone in the barn, but, I can't call my house on it. So, I call my Mom.... (glad they are early risers too!!!) and explain my situation and ask her to call the house (and keep calling until Ed answers the phone!!!!) It. took a few tries, because Ed knew I was up, so he wouldn't hurry to answer the phone..... but he did finally, and ran down to unlock the door!!!! I have to tell you, I thought then, "if this is way the day is going to go, maybe I should quit right now"... but, thankfully it didn't...

And... not only is Franklin here.... but so is Kassy, Nate, Charlie and Nora... they arrived safe and sound about 3:30 this morning.... Kas said the ride seemed very long this time!!!! So, for me, Christmas has begun.. looks like it will be a week long celebration... just the way I like it.