REPORTING IN

Hi everybody, it's me again.

I know I have been away from the blog for

a long time but my mom has not been feeling

well and I must stick to her side like I'm glued 

there.

As you can see I look fit and

I am afraid I am loosing my 

girlish figure in my old age

(12 plus yrs.)

 Now that winter is here the wood

stove is going again and I love

to toast my hind parts.

A month or so ago we had the first snow fall of

the season.  It was a real surprise to everyone.

We NEVER have snow in October.

Mother Nature must have been having a

bad hair day!

 Here I am on the deck steps looking forlorn

because it is so cold out.

I am missing summer when I could stay out

for long periods of time and take sun baths.

I haven't told you about my summer yet.

It was a relatively quiet summer.  Mom

and I stayed home a lot and enjoyed the

deck and the wonderful sunshine.

I only had two encounters!

One was a garden snake, about 12 inches long,

I shook him and shook him and

then I flung him to another part of the yard.

I am a mighty hunter!

The second encounter was quite different.

This guy was BIG!

A black runner about six feet long and 

quite fat.

Mom cane out with her trusty weapon, the leaf

rake, and moved him along to another part

of the property.  Just didn't give me a real chance to

show how brave I am.

Since the weather got cold I have been spending

a lot of time practicing my "poor dog" look.

We had one interesting episode last week.  Richard, Sheri and

Traci were here on Saturday.  Richard and Sheri

had been down in the family room, getting things ready

for Christmas.  When they came up to the kitchen they

saw a mouse on my water bowl.

The nerve of that guy.

Richard tried to catch him - but what do men know about

catching mice?  Once he ran he was a goner.

The girls screamed, mom jumped, and

I was very good.  When Richard told me to drop it, I did.  

Nasty thing!

I caught another one on Monday morning and

now I think the house is mouse free.

My big job now is waiting for Santa.

I have been taking advantage of the living room

chair and mom's computer table to

watch for him.  Guess I just have to be

patient a bit longer.  I have a very pretty

stocking with my picture on it

and it is hung, with care, and ready to

be filled.

I'm glad to report that mom is feeling better.

She still is having trouble walking because

her leg is numb but she does make herself

walk but she still can't do stairs.

We have dispensed with most of the Christmas traditions

of the house, and will be having a simple repast

instead of everyone's favorite dishes.  Mom just

doesn't feel she can cook all of that food.

She will be making her famous Shrimp salad and

Pumpkin Pie is already in the freezer.

Today she baked a batch of her spiced nuts - it

made the whole house smell like Christmas.

We are looking forward to having the whole

family with us this year.  I'm sure that Santa

will be his usual generous self and that

all will have a good time.

Mom and I want to wish all of you a very merry

and blessed Christmas as well as the best

of health and happiness in the new year.

Don't forget to tell your family how much you love them.

That will be the most meaningful gift of all!

Until the next time, take care of yourself, I will post again as

soon as I have more news.

Eloise (and Doris, too)