IN THE COMPANY OF PETS

This is the first year my daughter Randi was not home for Christmas and I truly felt it. I put the fireplace on, lit the tree lights, sat in my big chair with Lulu and sipped a coffee. Across the road I could see the neighbours starting their Christmas morning festivities. They have two little children, a boy and girl, about the ages of 5 and 3. I watched as Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa handed out presents. I watched as the little boy jumped up and down quivering with excitement. And I ached. Oh, how quickly those days fly by. Enjoy your little ones people, for soon they are off and in my case, spending Christmas in other countries. 

I thought I would start my holiday off by ending a nearly 4-year sickness free run. I've had not so much as a cold, but I ended it with a bang. By the afternoon of Dec. 22 I was feeling pretty nauseous. By 6:00 I was throwing up on cue every 20 minutes. Exhausted from this little workout I finally fell asleep around 10:30. Alas, at 3:00 am I was at it again, but from the other end and I blacked out in the bathroom with Lulu licking my face. Because, I'm in the company of pets.

They are always nearby, keeping vigil over me, like furry angels. Old man Frodo hangs with me in the garden.

Sasha waits for me at the top of the stairs

While I laid in bed, moaning and groaning and upchucking into the big silver bowl they hung out on the bed, little warm, steady lumps.  

They are sometimes a nuisance, taking up all the room.

But I don't mind. Because I'm in good company. 

The company of pets.

MY VERSION OF FAVOURITE THINGS

I had this song floating through my head lately - don't know why, I don't particularly like it, but since it refuses to go, I thought I would revise it to my own version. I shortened it, so as to keep your attention cause I know how quick you are to hit the back button. So, Here goes!

SNOWMEN

AND PUPPIES ON WARM FUZZY BLANKETS

CHOCOLATE

AND RED WINE

AND PEACE WITHOUT RACKET!

WARM SUMMER SUNSHINE AND BIKE RIDES IN SPRING

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS

WHEN THE KIDS FIGHT

WHEN THE SNOW FALLS

WHEN I'M FEELING SAD...

I SIMPLY REMEMBER MY FAVOURITE THINGS

AND THEN I DON'T FEEL- SO BAD!

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, filled with love, laughter and many of your favourite things!

THE CONE OF SHAME

Lulu has had a bit of a rough go this week. I didn't know how to break it to her, so I didn't, but she was going in for major surgery aka, getting spayed.

We got up Thursday morning as per usual and went for our walk but when we got back there was no breakfast for her. She kept hanging around the closet where her food is and looking at me questioningly. 
"Sorry girl, no food for you today.."
She might have clued in when we got in the car (but she didn't).
I think it finally dawned on her that something big was goin' down when I handed the leash over to the lady at the Vets and started walking out the door without her!

Lulu spent the night at the Vets so that meant a vacation for the cats and a full night's sleep for me! No pawing between 3 and 5:00 am. I left closet doors open, because I could and did not even put my slippers or my shoes away, just left them out all vulnerable like.
But I did miss her - the big coffee chair seemed pretty empty without her warm body beside me. 

Sheldon picked her up the next day at lunch and she arrived home looking no worse for wear except for a shaved belly with stitches, a shaved patch on her leg where the IV went in and the "Cone of Shame". 

She bumps along and knocks into things, she unwittingly scoops up snow and going up stairs takes some maneuvering. It totally freaks my cat Frodo out.

Ever felt like you were wearing a "cone of shame?" All awkward and obvious, freaking a few people out? I sure have.

Fortunately, it's Christmas. A time of renewed life, hope, blessings and miracles. Just listen to a few Christmas songs and let those words sink in:

Hark the Herald Angels Sing: "Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth"

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear: "Peace on the earth good will to men, From heaven's all gracious King."

White Christmas: "May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases by white."

Every now and then, we feel like we are wearing a Cone of Shame. But every day is brand new, a chance to start over, shake off those mistakes and move on. 

I hope you feel the magic and wonder of Christmas this year!

THE BIG CONCERT

Every now and then, you need to do something you have never done before. In fact it is encouraged to try something new every day....every day? Well, not so sure about that! I'd be through my bucket list is less than a week. Where's the fun in that?

But I do try and push myself and try new things and experiences: things that I'm curious about, or interested in, or terrify me. This past Friday, I managed a new experience that covered all 3 of the aforementioned boundaries.

My incredibly talented cello teacher, Linda was putting together a string ensemble for any brave enough to try. I signed myself and Morrie up and for the past 3 months, every other Tuesday, we have been meeting to rehearse for a Christmas concert.

Here is a shot I took at the dress rehearsal

My little heart was apounding already!

Then came the big night! Break a leg or a string or whatever the musicians say. As much as I wanted to bring my iphone up on the stage and snap shots of the full audience, enraptured by the exquisite sounds, I did not think that would fly in this setting. So I nabbed a shot before everybody showed up (except for the early birds, those two sweet little old ladies, God bless em).

It was a beautiful old church and the acoustics were a treat to work with.

Meanwhile, smuggled outback, incognito were my comrades tuning up and getting ready to go. 

Here is Francine one of the other cellists and John our narrator with a voice as smooth as butta...

We had some technical difficulties...

I messed up in a few places... 

I got totally lost on Hark the Harold! It was more like Harold, Where the Hark am I in this song??

But our Ode to Joy and Coventry Carol were beautiful!

So, thanks to the sweet little early bird old ladies, to all my friends and family who came to cheer me on and support the cause and to my new string ensemble friends and especially Linda who spear headed the whole thing.

I did something I've never done before....how about you?