Merry & Happy

So Christmas has come and gone and with it most of my to-do lists.  I did not get the cards written, or a tree decorated.  The wrapping was done at the very last minute possible.  Yes, some got wrapped, some only got bows, at least one didn't get labeled.  But the show goes on and we celebrated anyway.  I wish I'd done more.  I wish I'd done less.

It's been a great year, so bear with me while I run through the highlights.  We got two foster dogs in and got two foster dogs adopted.  One was a puppy who barely got settled here, the other was the size of small pony.  Miss them both, thrilled they are adopted!!  We transported dogs...to Omaha, to Lincoln, to Grand Island, to Omaha, to Aurora, to Omaha, to Stockham...repeat.  Good miles driven helping dogs.  

We were blessed with company this year.  We had quick overnight guests, surprise guests, long awaited visit guests, we had so many tents in the yard it looked like a KOA campground. Thank you for gracing us with your friendship and your laughter. Never thought so many would find us on our little piece of heaven, but love that you did.  

Our kids are thriving.  That says it all for us.  We have a newborn grandson, thanks to Reno's daughter and son-in-law.  Icing on the cake.  

We planted some curly willows, a cherry tree, a couple of raspberry bushes and several roses bushes. We built garden beds and a compost pile.  "We" mostly means Reno, but one of us is brains and one of us brawn. We watched the corn fields go from seed to harvest in our first full growing season in the country. Basically we put down a whole lot of roots this year and loved every minute of it.  Okay, so maybe there were one or two times that we faltered. We all know sometimes shit happens. Strong roots help you through them.

There was partying, growing, mowing, trenching, building, entertaining, planting, canning, shoveling, poop scooping, cooking, and drinking...life can be thirsty work.  And we put a few miles on the car too.  Last but not least, there was Sooner football.

Of course this doesn't cover all we did, the fun we had, the growth we experienced. It does hold our gratitude for the year past, and the laughter shared. Thank you for being part of our life and our adventures.  We wish you a Merry, a healthy and a Happy today and always.  God Bless.

Warm Blankets.

Warm blankets come in many shape and sizes.  Some are not technically blankets at all.  Sure we love the comfort of pulling a blanket up to our chin on cold nights.  But I like the other blankets in my life. 

The warmth of knowing our most recent foster, Wallace has found his forever home. We miss the big goober, but we love the quietness of the house since he's left.  I know his new owner's life has changed for the better.  He comes with so many gifts and the slingers on the wall are the icing on the cake. I will admit it is hard to let them go.  Fosters take a piece of your heart with them, just like that little piece of the coffee table that went as well.  But the blanket of satisfaction is that another one was saved.  That's why we do this.

The blanket of snow in the yard has got nothing on a good blanket of joy and love. A thick blanket of humor makes life bearable on the hard days and terrific on the hilarious days. The blanket I have the most trouble keeping track of is that of patience. That one is always to small and often hides from me.  

Our newest blanket is the softest and sweetest one of all.  It came in the form of our new grandchild.  Yup, Reno's daughter and husband became parents so we have entered a new realm of gratitude.  Now, we haven't gotten our hands on this precious babe yet, but our love for him grows daily.

So today I pull close all those warm blankets in my life.  I hope you can do the same.