Working with power tools is a great rush. If you have never done it. Run don't walk to your local hardware store. Thats right. I was able to use the chain saw. For hours I cut the tree limb by limb. Stacking the branches in a pile. some landing in the pool with a big splash. Ahhh I loved this hard work. Chris and I were busy working away when to our surprise shows up my brother Jason. Here to help. It brought tears to my eyes. We did not ask for help but we could have used any and all help. Soon after comes Dixie with sandwiches and wearing her work clothes too. We got the job done in little time. Later we walked the dog, made dinner, and sat by a beautiful warm fire. Also I should mention, very fresh wood.

And the wind blew and blew

And the wind blew and blew. We stumbled out of bed to see all that the storm had blown around. Look at the pool it was just cleaned yesterday I said. I was standing near the waters edge when I heard a snap I looked up and saw the tree falling. I yelled with fear to Chris I did not know which way to run. I ran inside and crossed my fingers as the tree came towards me. It missed the house and me and lucky for Chloe and Chris too. we are now left with a mess and lots of work to do. Thanks to our many angels above for keeping all the damage to a fence and some hard work. We were blessed not to have it crash into our house or the neighbors.

Well, well, well. Are you feeling like it is Christmas yet? I have to say yes we are. As you all know we are not parents YET but this month I have had the pleasure of feeling a bit like a mother. We have our delightful friends the Lunts shacking up in our spare room as they await the completion of there new remodeled home. We are a family of four adults, two dogs, and a cat. It makes me feel good to have the house packed with love and laughter. The dogs are really cute together. Cristen is 4 months pregnant and looking great. I have enjoyed having dinner with them the nights Chris is at work. I think I will miss them when they are gone just for these reasons.
I hung up 4 stocking this year maybe Santa can stop by for a few extra minutes to say hi to us.

So, just five days ago I was Mrs. Bah Hum Bug. Now with the house smelling of winter soup, half of the Christmas cards filled out, and the fresh wreaths hung up I finally feel the season. Chris put white lights up and we will trim the house tomorrow. This year we are not buying a Christmas tree. We will buy a living tree to put outside to add to our landscape. Besides we will be hosting none of the holiday parties and we just don't feel like it this year. We will however have the stocking hanging from the fireplace, put out a bowl full of glimming glass bulbs and and some cute Christmas critters.

Last night we had a bright light celebration. In Discovery Bay we watched the boats show off their Christmas best. It was raining at times but, it did not stop us all from clapping and screaming at the festive boat parade. We had a fun party at my mom and Rons house. Jason and Liz came and she brought her parents Marcia and Jim. We brought Dixie and Joanie and Princess Chloe. We had a good giggle on the way out to the party as Joan had this huge beautiful pointsetta as a gift for Ron and Carrie. Not just that, but we all had food and coats and gifts. We had our laps covered with things for the party. Who had it made in the first class seat. Yea the little brat Chloe.

The best part is I feel so happy, I feel like it is Christmas. Tis the season to be jolly. halalala

by the way... the lights in the photos are attached to boats. the one you have been to, you remember Disneyland.
and the love bus. oh yeah My moto Peace Love and Happiness

ThanksGiving at the Whitmans.
In this photo is Chris and me, my brother Jason. Then my other brother Erik with wife Beth and their two kids Emma and Jacob. And of course the Parents. I also have Max on my lap and J has Amy

so, as if I needed another reason to have high blood pressure. (I really don't) the joys of puppy-hood makes it rise! I left yesterday at 8:15 for my normal Tuesday workout leaving the dogs to rest inside. Yes I said dogs, we also have a house guest. 3 in fact. but anyway back to the easy going Tuesday workout. Cheerfully I went to sweat out the calories and move this old body of mine. All without a worry in mind. 9:15am Christopher returns from a long 24 hour shift to find the seaming of our nice, fluffy, only chair in the living room... ripped apart. Only a puppy could do this much damage so quickly.
I takes a lot of will power not to drive the puppy who lets not forget, we sometimes refer to her as Princess Chloe. Back to ARF. Ahh deep belly breathing and we move on. Dixie can fix! We repeat. over and over A new mantra begins.

Here it is the 4th of December. I have found that not only have I not been keeping up with my blog. My e mails are piling up and the Christmas cards I need to send are now collecting dust. I just have not felt the holiday spirit. Even though it is colder than a witches tit. I can't bring myself to sing a Christmas carol or even nibble on a cookie. And go to the mall to shop? Yeah, NO. I can however smile knowing I sure as heck I'm not the only one who has not turned their calendar page. Is it really DECEMBER..