Uh, Ok...

Computer woes are getting me again.

As many of you know, we have a new puppy.

A mouthy, rambunctious, bouncy, chewy, slobbery puppy.

He just doesn't know what's cool to pounce on and what isn't.

Bless his heart.

I say that because his favorite chew toy at this point is either ME or expensive computer wires.

...Bless his heart...

During my Christmas break I've had to stock up on bandages because Teddy surprises me and snags my ankle or wrist.

One time he almost pierced my nose (THAT took some explaining).

These last few days Don and I have been dogsitting along with tolerating our own playful pup.

Unfortunately, Teddy thinks these well-behaved, quiet, peaceful older dogs are new playmates (or chewtoys)and he has pestered them mercilessly.

Poor things. Bless their hearts.

Usually our visits with Jordie and Murphy are a delight; this time, however, I'm reminded of those commercials that feature starving children who woefully gaze at the camera. These dogs stare at me as if begging me to DO SOMETHING!!

Sorry, Dudes. You're on your own. I'm on my way to Walgreens to get more bandaids.

Here We Go Again!

Christmas Overload

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all pacing yourselves and enjoying this holiday season.

Most of you already know that dear hubby Don loves Christmas movies. He's been known to watch Lifetime movies ad infinitum, especially if the word 'Christmas' is in the title.

Out of curiousity, I just checked out the menu on our tv DVR. Here is a partial list of movies Don has either watched, is currently watching, or plans to watch in the very near future:

A Christmas Proposal
A Boyfriend for Christmas
The Christmas Wish
The 12 Wishes
An Old-Fashioned Christmas
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
A Princess for Christmas
Eve's Christmas
Christmas in Paradise
Christmas Blessing
Cancel Christmas
November Christmas
Moonlight and Mistletoe
Mistletoe Over Manhattan
The Christmas Card
Christmas Wedding

...Remember, this is a PARTIAL list because he's already watched some and deleted them. If you notice, there is no mention of the classic movies like 'White Christmas' or 'Christmas Carol.'

Not even the 'Muppets Christmas Carol.'

I wonder if there's a 12-step program for Christmas movie addicts. If there is, there might be a support group for family members of Christmas movie junkies.

I might be the founding member.

I'd better go now. The movie is now getting to the end where it magically begins to snow and everyone is smiling and the credit card bills haven't arrived yet.

I love that part.

Puppy Changes Everything

This is like deja-vu all over again.

Our new puppy Teddy has totally retooled (redrooled?) our way of thinking. It's as if we had a baby in the house again.

This time we're almost prepared: the shoes are above chew level, the grab-able dangly earrings are stored away for a while.

We even had to put a baby gate up to protect the Christmas tree.

Alas, we were too late in some instances: A button mysteriously disappeared from my cozy slippers, a few ornaments became chew toys, and we've had to splice the wiring on not one but two phone chargers.

But we're more resilient this time. Unlike a toddler, we can crate this rascal. The protesting noises are similar but the guilt I feel isn't the same.

We've had visitors to see the new family member, each person presenting gifts which promptly were ignored in favor of the packaging they came in.

Hey, I gotta go- I just realized it's been way too quiet for a few minutes. I have to go check on the little furball to see if he's writing on the walls or sticking his tongue in a light socket.

Later!

Puppy Love

I would have written sooner, really. My brain is filled with lots of stuff (or is it stuffing?) I want to share with you.

But I have been detained.
Derailed.
Hindered.
Sideswiped.
Kidnapped.
Dognapped.

Actually, of all the descriptive words mentioned above, the last one is the most accurate. I have been captured by the attentions of a dog.

A puppy.

This weird little black ball of fur- daughter Kari calls it a 'Lint Trap'- came into our lives two weeks ago.

And I haven't slept through the night since.

You'd think I had a newborn around here, what with the demands this little mutt has made on my oh-so-cushy life.

I call it a mutt because we're not really sure what he is. If we took a poll (and gambled with real money) the odds are that he's a labrador/chow mix and I'd be rich.

A Chowbrador or a Labchow.

At any rate, a dear(?) friend of mine rescued this stray puppy and brought him to me.

I resisted but was overtaken by the irresistible aroma of puppy breath. Baking chocolate chip cookies and fresh mountain air can't compete with the smell of puppy breath. Wars could be averted if, instead of cyanide gas, armies sprayed puppy breath.

I wasn't quite ready for a dog since the loss of Barney, my 17 year old beagle mix in June. But my friend (??) decided we were this little canine's only hope.

Don and I hemmed and hawed and reasoned and debated until finally...

Well, his name is Teddy.

I'll tell you more about this little guy but I might have to wait until he's past his teething phase.

He's clamped onto my pantleg and I'm having trouble getting to the computer.

One More Thing...

Almost forgot to mention that today marks a big anniversary in my life.

On November 17, 1986 my bedraggled family and I limped into St. Charles, MO wondering what on earth God was thinking.

We'd just resigned from a staff position at a Christian school and had nowhere to go. We were confused and angry at the turn our lives had taken. We were embarassed that 2 college graduates with 2 toddlers and 7 years of marriage behind us could have so (meant NO) few options.

We'd sacrificed everything to be in ministry and had nothing to show for it; not even good memories of blessings we'd received through selfless service. We owned nothing and had no prospects.

Finally, out of desperation, we contacted my Dad in St. Louis to ask for advice. In his generosity, Dad and Milly jumped into their van, rented a u-haul trailer and came to help us out and bring us back with them.

I remember riding along with my Dad along Hwy 70 heading east. We passed a billboard advertising a tourist attraction and I asked, "What's the name of the town we're moving to?"

Thankfully, Dad had a condo he'd bought for an investment and he allowed us to move in there until we could get on our feet. It was really humbling, yet meaningful since that condo was the nicest place we'd lived in thus far.

During our time here in St. Louis, I've experienced so many blessings. Our lives have completely changed. Now as I look back, my anger and confusion has transformed to gratitude to recognize how we were being led to be here.

I think I drive my Dad crazy because I've make some kind of gratitude statement on this day every year. So let me push him a tad further to the 'happy home.'

Thanks, Dad and Milly, for all you've done for us and who you are in our lives.

We love you very much.

When I Was Your Age

It's true:

The older you get the smarter your parents become.

I know this is true because I hear myself saying the same things to my kids my fuddy duddy parents said to me.

Things like:

Be careful
Just wait until (fill in the blank)
When I was a kid
It's my house and I can say what I want
If you don't work you don't eat.

I'm realizing that such comments weren't meant to criticize or demean me. They were intended to reach across the years of experience and hard knocks to perhaps help me avoid doing some pretty foolish things.

I wonder how the folks felt when I did something foolish anyway.

So as I share old fogey-isms with my own kids and anyone else within earshot,let me challenge you to listen to yourself as you speak to your loved ones. Make sure your words are meant to guide and not to demean.

In the stillness of your heart, utter a blessing to those who have invested into your life words of caution and experience.

Then maybe you'll appreciate your life, your job, your church, your family and friends and be thankful for them.

Be careful
Look both ways
Chew your food
Don't talk with your mouth full
Eat your vegetables

One day you'll thank me.