Trail of Lights

We have an outdoor theatre (the kind for plays, not movies) in town (come to think of it, we have a lot of outdoor things in town) and every year different organizations in town decorate little areas (it's a contest) and make the Trail of Lights. We go every year--often several times--and see the pretty displays, cook hot dogs, roast marshmallows, and drink hot cocoa. It's a delightful small town thing to do. I took my camera with me this year but only got two pictures before my battery died. (note to self--check battery before heading out to take pictures--duh!)

Anyway, here they are, Wyatt and Abigail:

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with happiness and love of family and friends. Be well!

Polar Express

We went on Thursday to the Rotary event for the kids at Christmas. Each year they do this but this is the first time we were able to go. One of the members (I think he's a member anyway) owns several train cars from the Silver Streek that used to run from Chicago to Las Angeles. The cars have been restored and he opens them up for the kids to see what passenger trains were like. He dresses like a conductor and reads The Polar Express to the kids. Then they are visited by Santa and each child receives a candy cane and a bell. I found that I must REALLY believe in Christmas because boy could I hear all of those bells ringing!! lol It was a good time and the kids really enjoyed looking in the passenger compartments in the cars.

This is one of the cabins with the seating made into the bed.

This is the same cabin with a veiw from the bed back towards the other seats.

That's the owner of the train cars in the chair by the tree. He's reading The Polar Express to the kids.
This is Wyatt with Santa. He's a Blue Santa because he 'helps' at the police department. His daughter was dressed as an elf in a great costume but I couldn't get a good picture of her.
Addison & Santa.
Kirsten,
And finally Abigail. :0)

Ponies!

I've been trying to get rid of these guys for awhile now. At first I was trying to sell them for what I paid for them. Then for about half of that. Now I'm down to just giving them to a good home. The kids aren't interested in riding or caring for them and they just cost too much money to have around as lawn ornaments. They really need to be in a home where the people know a little about horses - we don't and haven't learned much in the time that we've had them.



Last weekend I thought I had found the right people to take them in but they didn't return my phone calls or emails when I was going to deliver them. And then on Saturday morning Dax went out and found that one of them can't see!! How does that happen?!

I called the vet and he acted like I was crazy because the horse looks perfectly healthy but all of a sudden he's blind. He called me back on Monday to schedule a time to see the horse and I was a nervous wreck. He had been more than a little rude on the phone on Saturday. I felt like a little kid being send to the principal's office (only when I was a little kid, that didn't scare me. lol) I told my mom that I was really nervous that he was going to be mean to me (and although I can get my b*tch on I really don't like to have to resort to that if I don't have to.) Anyway, he came out on Monday and was much more friendly to me after he saw that I'm not (completely) crazy and the horse really does look healthy overall. I swear, if you didn't know how he usually acts you would never know. It appears that he's gotten some sort of infection and/or inflamation behind his eyes. So now I have to go out twice a day and squirt goop in his eyes and antibiotics down his throat -- he's not particularly cooperative as I'm sure you can imagine.

Well, last night I talked to the original lady again. She had had to leave town because there was a death in the family. I explained to her everything that had happened over the weekend and the horse's condition and joy of joy, she still wants them both. Woohoo!! (happy dance goes here) I am thrilled that someone is willing to care and give a home to a pony that may be permanently blind. The vet was talking about putting him down and I just can't do that to him when there's nothing else wrong with him. I hope they have a wonderful and happy new home with these people.

Thankful Thursday

It's been too long since I've stopped to give actual thought to the things that I'm thankful for. It's not the big obvious things that I like to pause and think about. It's the little things that I all too often take for granted.

I am thankful for our vehicles. It's comforting to know that when I get up in the morning that I don't have to worry about whether or not I can get to work. It hasn't always been that way, and I'm grateful that it is now.

I am thankful for the snow on the ground yesterday. It was only a small little bit but the kids were thrilled. They happily ran around and played with each other in the morning before school with no arguments. That's all too rare at our house. :0)

Last night I suggested to Addison (who loves to help in the kitchen) that we make dog treats and take to the animal shelter for Christmas. She happily and excitedly agreed and then Wyatt chimed in that he wanted to help too. I'm thankful for their giving hearts. It gives me the warm fuzzies that they are caring little people and I pray that they don't lose that as they get older.

I'm thankful that we have stained concrete floors. Every time it rains and the dogs and kids track mud all over the floor I'm grateful that I can just mop it up rather than having to clean the carpet.

I'm thankful for my parents. My Mom came and stayed with the kids while Dax & I were at the conference in Las Vegas and also while we went to pick up the car. They are so helpful and allow us to do so much and never complain. I could never fully express the depths of my gratitude but I hope they know how much I truly love and appreciate them.

I'm thankful that the Halloween candy is gone. I've been so bad at resisting its temptation that I'm glad it's not around anymore. But, alas, Christmas candy and a whole host of cookies are on their way.

I'm thankful that my mother-in-law and sister-in-law decorated our Christmas tree while they were at our house for Thanksgiving. It's usually a whine-fest with the kids over who gets to put which ornament on the tree which turns it into a miserable afair. This year, however, they were perfect while helping Bushia and Aunt 'Manda decorate the tree. Nary a whine or wimper, of course making a liar out of me. :0) But that's fine, the tree is done with no fights. :0)

What the heck?!

Yesterday at lunch time I ran to the store and it was at least 85 degrees outside. Then last night before I went to bed I check outside since a storm was blowing in and it was freaking snowing!! What's up with that? That is way to much of a temperature swing in one day for me. Although, on the bright side, the kids got ready for school in record time this morning once they had looked outside. lol

Back Home

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Family came to our house this year and we had a delightful time. It's always nice when it's easy like that. :0)

Dax & I just got back from 9 days in Las Vegas. That's a really long time to be there. We go to an accounting conference every year. I know what you're thinking, but really, accounting is not all that glamorous. It's a common mistake really. lol

We went to Phantom of the Opera while we were out there. It was great. We also went to see Terry Fator and a comedian while we were there. We didn't go see as many shows as we usually do which made it a little more relaxing. Although, that gave us a lot more time to hang out in the piano bar in Harrah's and drink--not always a good thing. lol

We love to sit around and people watch. There are all kinds....like this guy that we saw (more than once) walking down the strip. He wasn't wearing anything but those pink shorts, flip flops, and totally sporting his spray on tan. And it was probably around 60 degrees that day. Don't ask me!!



The National Finals Rodeo starts while we're out there and they do a lot of 'cowboy' markets so I got to do a little shopping while I was there. woohoo!! I bought a rug for the living room. It's supposed to be here Friday (or sometime shortly there after) and I can't wait. *happy dancing*

Now it's time to get the Christmas cookies going.