But I just wanted ta see how it worked-------

We had put Skye out in the backyard about 5 minutes before the phone rang. "Are you missing a dog?"

"Ugh--well I didn't think so but maybe so----do you have one--?"
"Well---", the caller said, "I run "Impressions Jewerly store, I was helping a customer when I noticed this pup in the store with a pink bandana on, I said to myself--no stray would be wearing a pink bandana."

Skye had learned how to open the gate, Jim put a new more secure latch on it--and TODAY Skye figured out how to open the new latch and took a little stroll down to the jewelry store.

That's it we are just putting a lock on the gate, just a plain old lock with a key.

SKYE!!! BAD DOG!!

In the Doghouse

My sweet puppy!! Skye played in the backyard most of the afternoon so when she "knocked" I let her come in. I was cleaning up the kitchen, when I saw her go into the laundry room. Her kennel is in there and when she goes in there she is usually tired and goes to bed.

A few minutes later I peeked in and she was laying in her kennel with her nose out--she looked really guilty--and about that time the sweet fragrance hit me---like the laundry. I opened the door and looked at the floor--it was covered with blue laundry detergent and dozens of little blue paw prints. She had gotten on the top of the washer---nosed the cabinet door open--knocked the jug of laundry soap to the floor. She had carefully chewed the top of the closed lid off--only the top of the lid was broken open. After that feat, she had played in the laundry soap and put the blue sitcky footprints all over the off-white tile.

After mopping and mopping I think I probably have the cleanest laundry room floor in Lubbock. Skye has done everything I have asked her to do--very obedient this evening--I think she knows she is in trouble. She also chose to go to bed early tonight--guilty--very guilty!!

A Fun Week!

Last night was our Bible Study Christmas Party. It was at Fred and Jody's beautiful home.

Our hostess Jody

Garry and Jan

Kitty, Helen, Ann and Donna

Jim and Helen

Jim and Jan

Katiebeth ( I think I surprised her!) Oops !I think I surprised Mickey too!

Cheryl ---making a"point".

Bill and Andy--thrilled to have Bill out of the hospital and home again.

Tim, Jody, Jeannie and Jim

Kitty, Annetta, Melissa, Andy and our host, Fred

Gene and Mary

Bill, Jeannie, Annetta, Cheryl , Andy and Helen

Jim, Melissa, Katiebeth and Mickey

Kitty, Ann and Richard

Donna, Garry, Mary, Gene, Lyn and Marsha

Tim, Jan, Fred and Jody

Toby--in his "Reindeer in Training" costume.

Toby was an exceptional host too.


Opening presents

There were nearly riots (of laughter) over the Scarf-a-Roos

Donna and her pig (which she lost to Cheryl)

Great Party--Thanks Fred and Jody--oh and Toby!!

Moving on--

My cousin Paul from Seattle came down to visit. He is planning to move to Texas in the near future, with his wife Karin and 5 children.

Jan and Paul

Austin and Paul

My cousin Joyce and her husband David came down from Tulsa to visit too,

I was thrilled to get to see them as well!!

David, Joyce and Paul

To celebrate us all being together--for the first time in 40 years,

Jim took us all out to Cagles for dinner.

Dinner at Cagles


Carol of Lights
Paul arrived on Wednesday which just happened to be the night of Carol of Lights.

We went to the reception at the Frazier Pavillion before the Carol of Lights.

It was really lovely and the admission was one toy for Toys for Tots.

Skye came along too. She loved the crowds and activity.
Paul was amazed that Christian songs were sung at "Carol"

--a right they have lost in Washington state.When he saw the phtographers on the roof, he was afraid they were going to

start shooting or that riots would erupt. We are soo blessed in TEXAS!!

Paul and Jim at "Carol"

What a wonderful week of Cousins and Christmas Celebrations!