Bear Repair

A couple of nights ago, Brynley was wanting to play with his purple bear. Brown teddy, city squirrel, or moo cow wouldn't do. It had to be purple bear. But purple bear had a problem, a hole in his head was losing stuffing.

No one knows how purple bear came to have a hole in the head.

Luckily, Daddy thought repairs could be made, and purple bear could be saved.

Brynley kept a close watch on the proceedings to make sure purple bear was well-cared for.

It was a happy moment when his purple bear could be returned.

Thanks, Dad!

Brits, blogs, and stuff

I've been reading blogs today. I'm sick you see. Nastiest case of strep throat ever. I took a peak at my throat yesterday, it looked like swollen cauliflower in there (gross!), so I immediately gave up any guilt about laying around sick. Doctor said I had to be in like quarantine for 24 hours because of being terribly contagious. Even Husband was impressed (though I think he's still half convinced I'm just trying to be lazy and inconvenience him). I'm improving today thanks to wonderful antibiotics and lots of tylenol and ibuprofen to control the fiery pain in my throat. Presumably, I am allowed out of quarantine, now my first 24 hours on antibiotics are up, but really, I just don't have the energy. So here I am.

Oh yes, blogs. I've been reading blogs. I love blogs about all things British. I read several blogs by British expats in America and sometimes by American expats in Britain. My mom (mum?) is a British expat. She is an American citizen and has lived in California longer than most California natives. She is very American to most Brits, and yet still somewhat British to most Americans. My dear godmother is another British expat. So as you can see, I had a fair bit of British influence growing up. Basically this just means that I speak with just enough hint of English syntax or vocabulary choice for people to think that I'm a snob. I'm really not. It's just how the voice in my head (which often sounds suspiciously like my mother) talks. Me, I'm just a California girl with British accented voices in my head. Oh dear, I shouldn't admit to voices in my head! My brother and I, I think, are both convinced at times that we were supposed to have been born in England and should have grown up as Brits. But that would be another story.

So, these other bloggers all seem so witty and clever. Some are so funny. I'd like to be, but I think only I really think so. Some are so artistic or good at crafts, definitely not me. Some are fabulous photographers. My pictures are decent, but nothing out of the ordinary. Some of the blogs I read are by amazing dog trainers and top agility competitors. I'm average. Actually, I've been feeling a little guilty for the last month or two because, honestly, I've done almost no training with my brilliant young dog. I mean seriously, have you looked at the weather here? It sucks this time of year. It's cold, there is snow. Agility is something I play when the temperature gets above 40 degrees and the snow and ice go away so I can play outside. So there. That's just how it is. That's all for now.

Here's a kind of cool picture I took of a storm coming in last spring. I can't wait for spring.

a little too much winter

Mickey and Annie reluctantly participated in provided some perspective on how the local landscape appearance has changed since my last post.

Mickey is on our driveway in the front yard by the walkway.

Annie is actually in the street here. It does make a kind of nice backdrop.

We live on the inside of a circle, where the snowplow leaves all the snow in a nice mountain for us.

a winter walkabout

A day that's chilly but sunny means I may as well get the dogs out for a walk. 

Mickey was put out at being left home, but I assured him it was too cold for his approval (plus I can't manage three walking and him in the baby sling, he's not up for long walks yet)

my little corner of Nebraska

So not going to let go of Maverick's leash, there were birds flying around!

our little lake we walk down to and around

warmer at home

Susan Garrett does not have this problem

Brynley really does like to do everything with me!

I try to get some exercise on my cellerciser, Brynley thinks its time for a gentle massage. He loves it and won't get off even when I'm bouncing!

my fine young man

My son, my first born, he is growing up in to a fine young man. He's in 8th grade now, he'll be 14 in a couple of months, it's hard to believe. He is really growing up this year. We've had struggles over the years. He has dyslexia and ADD. He receives special education services at school. He is a smart kid. This year, he is starting to be the successful, confident, young man I've always hoped he would be. Next month, he will participate at his school level in the National Geography Bee. He is one of only 29 students, out of the hundreds at his middle school, that made the qualifying cut off score. A special ed  student competing in a competition that was mostly intended for the gifted kids. Rock on! Dyslexia has hidden his gifts for long enough. 

He's plays flute in his 8th grade band, right in the middle of the flute section. 

He loves fencing.

I love that smile.

He is a swimmer. Breaststroke is his favorite. When he was younger he sort of looked like a flopping fish. His times were, in a word, slow. Now he slices through the water with a smooth, seemingly effortless stroke. His times are dropping fast. 

Butterfly

Freestyle

Gliding through the water, swimmers are being passed, times are coming down, confidence is going up. 

Small rewards of being a parent. 

Wedding, Christmas, rambling

I am a very lucky woman. I don't have a sister, I was blessed with one brother. But thanks to my brother and my husband, I have the best sister-in-laws a woman could ask for. Actually, I just think of them as my sisters, even though I didn't get them until I was an adult. One of them is the amazing woman my brother married. He would agree it was the best thing he's ever done. She writes a popular blog (you can see it here) and designs gorgeous jewelry. She also it a great amateur photographer. She's way more creative than I am, but I'm really good at borrowing ideas. We have been in California for a family wedding, and we got the chance to get together with them for a early Christmas. So I borrowed her idea for this picture. Lisa's is way better than mine, but I do what I can. I love these stockings. My mom made the first ones when my brother and I were kids and has added the ones for our spouses and kids as they came along. 

The purpose of our visit was for the wedding of my youngest brother-in-law. His new wife happens to share my first name. It's freaking me out a little bit, seeing my name on Facebook belonging to someone else, but I love her so much, so it's ok. It means I now have the five best sisters (in law) in the world.

My beautiful daughter got to be the flower girl. It was the perfect wedding, meaningful and short! We got a little time to hang out with all my husband's family and all my family. It was a jam packed weekend, but I got to see all the people I love most in the world. Can't ask for more than that. (and it was in warm California, a weekend away from the cold and ice!)

Here's a moment with my daughter, my nephew, and my godmother. Being surrounded by so much love is reminding me to be grateful for all the good things in my life.  Little Mickey papillon dislocated his hip and it cost over $1000 to fix him, so with weddings, and vet bills and such, this Christmas is going to be smaller than we've been used to. I still have a lot to be thankful for and happy about.  I may put a bow on my Mickey and kiss him and snuggle him. It's a good year after all. 

Speaking of papillons, here is my mom's pretty little Rose.