Snow

What seemed like an eternity of rain has turned into the first snowfall of the season. Laney and I watched from the window yesterday afternoon as snow flakes mixed in with the rain. As night approached the cold north winds blew and the yard became a white wonderland. It was a peaceful feeling as a blanket of snow always seems to make outside seem so quiet. But, as the night turned to day the snow did not last. The warm and rainy fall has left the ground moist and warm. So, the snow melted quickly in the mid morning sun and all that is left is a few flakes here and there. However, Laney was able to get out very early this morning and enjoy the snow. I watched her from the window run and prance through the snow. She at times buried her face in it and licked it from her nose. I could see that even though it was cold, she looked as if she was enjoying life. And, I was enjoying watching her. Now if I could teach her to clean herself off, I would be enjoying it even more. LOL!!

Tis The Season

. Today is considered one of the biggest shopping days of the year, but Laney and I have decided to steer clear of the crowds and spend our day at home decorating the house. Laney's love of anything that is like soft tissue or fiber fill fabric has eliminated some of my decorations. Laney decided last year that the tree skirt was a yummy treat due to the fiber fill backing. She would sneak under the tree and feast on it, talk about fiber in the diet.(LOL) So this year, the tree skirt will be a simple white sheet. None the less, any ornamentation that does not contain any resemblance to soft tissue will be set out. And there will be lots of laughter as Laney lays on the couch and watches the house turn into a Christmas wonderland. Then when I am done Laney will run from the talking snowman, bark at the ceramic Santa, and try to pull ribbons and bows off the gifts. Maybe this year her taste for Christmas will have changed, but I'm hoping it hasn't. She makes decorating all worthwhile. Tis the season to laugh!

Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. A day to celebrate all that we are thankful for. Our pilgrims celebrated the day because they were thankful for a bountiful harvest and surviving many obstacles. They chose to change their destiny which has changed ours. As I sit down to eat our bountiful harvest, I will be thankful for our freedom, family, and a life of endless opportunities. I will also be thankful for Laney. She has brought an enormous amount of love and happiness to my life. I hope that she feels the same. So tomorrow as you give thanks, I hope you remember to give thanks to our four legged friends. Happy Thanksgiving Laney!!!

Loving Winter

Laney and I have been trying to prepare for a fun winter. Last winter we were fortunate enough to spend winter in a warm climate with palm trees, beautiful flowers and lots of sunshine. No, we didn't dream that it really happened. But, this winter we will be spending the season in a cold, snowy, and blustery windy climate. So, I have hung up a colorful plaque that says welcome winter, and made a list of how to live with winter and be happy!
1. Bundle up and use foot and hand warmers
2. Have fresh flowers in the house
3. Curl up by the fireplace
4. Go for hike at the park
5. Ice Skate
6. Take Laney for a walk
7. Have friends over for game night
8. Go dancing
9. Put boots on Laney to protect her paws and make cleanup easier for us
10.Let someone else shovel the snow!
11.Say every day winter is fun and wonderful
12 Drink hot chocolate
13.Never loose sight that spring is coming

A Glorious Day

I woke up today to sunshine and my Laney starring into my eyes and tail wagging. I thought what a glorious way to start the day. So, I decided to enjoy the glorious day by letting someone else serve me breakfast. As, I stepped out the door to breakfast, the cold north winds reminded me that winter was on its way. The leaves on the trees are surrendering and the soon the snow will fall. Laney and I are not looking forward to the long winter. But, my husband has reminded us that with each passing day we are closer to spring. So, I graciously accepted breakfast on this beautiful fall day. And, of course it would have been even better if someone else had paid the bill. Ha! HA! Better luck next time!

Mirror of Life

Have you ever wondered what life would be without mirrors? Several times a day most of us pass by mirrors. They are in our bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, and even in our cars. We learn early on that the reflection we see is ours. We learn either to like it or not. Just think if you never saw yourself. There would be no judgment about aging or trying to look like someone else. We would not judge ourself by looks, but perhaps how we treat others. I thought about Laney and the fact that she probably does not know that the dog she barks at in the mirror is herself. She does not judge herself on her appearance nor does she judge us on how we look. Rather she judges us on how we treat her. The love and enjoyment she gives us is based on love and secure feelings that we give her. I am very blessed to have her in my life.

The Symphony

Life would be wonderful if it were like a symphony. My favorite childhood memories are listening to Chopin and Bach with my dad. He introduced me to music at a very early age and I remember him playing great symphonies and I would dance to the eloquent music. I have always found listening to music as a way to escape the stresses of life. I recently witnessed giraffes at the zoo gliding eloquently across the ground every time they heard music. It was wonderful to see them respond to the music as if they were enjoying it. It made me happy to think that animals also seem to enjoy the music. This gave me hope that my Laney also enjoys the music and finds great peace as I have.

Standing In The Rain

This morning when I woke up it was raining and my thoughts were what a blah day. I felt I couldn't do anything without sunshine. Getting Laney to go out in rain is like pushing a mule out the door. She does not like rain, for what reason I do not know. As I sat there watching it rain, I thought what is stopping me from going out in the rain. I couldn't come up with any reason not to go out in the rain. So, I got dressed went out on my patio and stood in the rain. The longer I stood there the harder it rained and I was getting soaked and loving every minute of it. I even tried to coax Laney into the rain, but she just stood at the door and looked at me as if I had lost my marbles. I even pulled up some flowers that had been killed by the frost. And guess what, the only thing that happened was my hair got curly and my clothes were soaked. I didn't get sick, nor did anything awful happen. It was like any other day just no sunshine. So I thanked God for rainy days and the person that invented dryers. And, someday I hope Laney will join me in the rain.