How could I forget to mention this?

I met my husband 9 years ago today on an airplane. I blogged about it last year. Time really flies. (pun intended).

Two steps forward, one step back...

Our Puppy is making progress. For the most part, she uses the outdoors for the restroom, she doesn't jump up all the time, and she is learning to leave the cat alone. I think out of all of us, the cat and I are the last two to make the adjustment to a puppy. Pete and Cody, the 11 year old lab, were first with the kids following after. But, the cat and I are a different story. Lilly just wants to play with Buddy (the cat). Buddy will have nothing to do with Lilly. However, I had to call my husband this morning to report a momentous event. I was brushing my teeth in our bathroom and both Lilly and Buddy came in. No hissing, no biting. And Lilly was actually touching Buddy with her nose and he was purring. Could it be? Are we going to be one big happy family? Buddy jumped up on the bathroom counter and Lilly continued smelling, you know where dogs like to smell, and Buddy just acted like it was no big deal. Wow! Progress! But then we do have some setbacks like:
Yes, that is a barbie hand. It took some getting used to when I would walk into a bedroom and find some random body part in the middle of the floor.
Lilly also chews on legs.



Don't be fooled. She would love to destroy your favorite toys, too.*



*this is Kendall's toy, not mine. :)

A new year, a new look. I was bored with the other template. I didn't make any resolutions this year. I'm not good at keeping them anyway. Oh sure, I could say I'll stop biting my nails and start exercising regularly, but I just know it isn't going to happen.

I guess my new year's resolution would be like Charlie Brown's if I made some:

1. keep your ball low
2. floss everyday
3. be nicer to people
4. don't leave the crayons in the sun
5. water the plants more
6. don't volunteer to chair any committees
7. feed the dog when he's hungry
   

Porcupine gets Lilly

Pete is taking the puppy to the vet this morning. The two of them were out grouse hunting on New Year's Day and Lilly came across a porcupine. It seems now that maybe one of the spots in getting infected. Poor thing. She was really tough through it all. We were pulling quills out of the roof of her mouth!


For the record, I have never taken my cat to the vet for this...

Happy New Year and some reflection...

Last year was a good year in all. I turned 40, traveled to Brazil for a wedding, and drove to Arkansas in the summer to visit family. We got a puppy (a lot of work). I had a surprise with my health, but I know it will be OK again. I reconnected with some long lost friends (through Facebook), which was a pleasant surprise.
My hair hasn't changed much in 40 years.

Here are we are in Rio de Janeiro.

Pete and the kids on Bull Shoals (Northern Arkansas) lake in the summer.
So, I look forward to 2009 with trepidation but I am hopeful that I'll come out of it healthier and stronger. I hope this next year won't define me, but rather, be a distant memory someday.

Happy New Year to everyone.