Busy bees

We are both busy bees at the moment and achieving such a lot - mind you we don't have a lot of spare time.

I came home tonight to find Nigel had put all the outside lights up ready. Obviously we won't switch them on until 1st December, but we can't wait. the house looks gorgeous lit - all white lights - just icicles everywhere, lights on the balcony, the cherry tree and this year, for the first time, a Christmas tree on the balcony. It is what I have always wanted and he finally caved.

I always look forward to Christmas but this year even more so - no idea why. Maybe as we had a few problems this year which I have now remembered as Nigel has also written the Christmas newsletter. The first few months were problem after problem with the fridge dying (a very expensive failure), the boiler breaking, the internet having issues, Nigel's car having problems which were then made worse by the garage who did another £1000 worth of damage, norovirus, a septic socket after a tooth extraction, a 100 day cough and a fairly serious cancer scare ... and that was all by April. But, all of those things were resolved, we have lived to tell the tale and actuall;y, when those issues come along you just have to see them as blessings as they make you realise how fortunate you are.

Anyway I digress. We've been busy.

Today's page is another that was made using PBP products for the pickle barrel event - Vintage Vagabond by Tinci and one of her templates too. I love the shabbiness and the clusters and the colours.

Featuring my boy of course.

 

Today I am thankful for

• being home
• being warm
• having had a great 2012 inspite of the problematic start

And finally my page a day calendar page

Our golden retriever puppies are eight months old. Brothers from the same litter, Bear and Buddy have never been separated from each other. Since birth, they have had free reign to romp in our large, fenced-in backyard. But, until today, they had never been taken to the country to run unrestrained by leash or fence.

Unloading the pups from the back of my SUV, I led them through a pasture gate and over the rise of a
hill. There, before us, stretched rolling Texas prairie, expanding to an endless horizon. I knelt down by the pups, quietly unsnapped their leashes, and stepped back. For a moment, both dogs hesitated and then realized they were free. They exploded in a burst of energy and sprinted away. After several hundred yards, they slowed, caught the scent of quail, and instinctively cut wide figure eights, searching for the covey. I grinned from ear to ear, caught up in the magic of their exhilaration. For over an hour, Bear, Buddy, and I ambled across rich farmland together, and I felt the weight of my world lift.

Then, as the sun dropped into pink and amber, both man and beast were ready to load up and go home. We were tired, hungry, and chilled. The thought of hearth and food and soft blankets beckoned. But freedom had restored our souls.

God, in the midst of my responsibilities, let me never forget the taste of freedom and the touch of Your good earth.—SCOTT WALKER

 

 

Comments

[Val]

Hi Karen. I've learned just like you that you never know when something will come along to turn your world upside down. Enjoy being with each other and make the most of every day. It's not the same doing things on your own. Lovely to have good friends too. Take care, Val x

[Barb in AK]

You two definitely had your platter full this year. So glad you can look back with a sigh of relief! Enjoy the lights. We see exterior lights shining already and have seen Christmas trees peeking out the front curtains of some houses. My tree is up, but I need to add the ornaments. Then-- decorate the rest of the house. I'm glad Thanksgiving was early this year, so I at least feel I have an extra week to get some Christmas things accomplished.
Love the layout of Fiki--- all the layers and the journalling :-)