Note:  I want to keep the invitation at the top of the page, so I'll be adding to this post all week with news of puppies, etc.

New Flash (12/18/06)!!!  Peanut is a father!!!!  See below for details!

Okay, Streamers!  It's party time!  When?  December 23rd. Time?  Right after Lucy posts her Christmas video.  Why?  Hell, why not? lol.

Once again, wear your hats and bring food!  Those are the rules of getting in the door, so be creative, shop for that perfect hat, and get those aprons on to cook up something yummy for us all!!

The hot tub was delivered today and will be set up out under the Christmas lights in the snow.  And yes, the bar will be open!  (Note:  Ice and I would both appreciate everyone keeping an eye on Belle to make sure she doesn't bring any rocks to the party, just in case Santa does an early fly-by)

We'll have several rooms set up and music, so come on down and.....

Let's Par-tayyyyyy!!!!!  (o-o-o-o, this is gonna be good!)

Pup & Ice

p.s.  I finally got a picture of the new babies, so here are the latest stars of our little Schnauzer show....at least until LaQuinta delivers, that is.

And for another great Nowhere Man read, you gotta CHECK THIS OUT!!!!

WAY TO GO PEANUT!!  Peanut and LaQuinta are now proud parents of EIGHT beautiful puppies (as of today, 12/18/06).  LaQuinta made me pull an "all nighter" with her and she finally started "rockin and rollin" at seven this morning.  By one oclock she had delivered the biggest litter we've ever had and Peanut watched the entire process.  As usual, he's a happy little camper and I'm so proud of him!  These puppies are much darker in color and once again, the girls rule!  Five girls and three boys.  Here they are:

I don't know who is more tired......LaQuinta or me!  Later, y'all!

Pup

I've spent six long hours in the kennel today with Miss Sally, and she is proud to announce the arrival of her seven offspring......

Six Girls!

One Boy!

All healthy and adorable, but Mom is tired and is getting a much needed rest, at least from labor.  She still has seven squirming puppies to care for, but she's a happy girl.  She and I both sighed with relief when the last one was born, then I cleaned the birthing bed and put fresh paper in for her and her pretty babies to settle in to.

And little Miss LaQuinta was in the next pen all along, lounging in her nice clean birthing bed, grunting now and again, and watching the entire thing with disinterest.  Or maybe it was dread, ya think?  She's due to deliver any time too and I can't wait to see those little Peanut babies.  She's so wide that I'm expecting her to have quite a few too.  We'll see if she has more girls than boys.  Who knows?

But for now, that's all the news.  I'll try to get a picture of Sally's pups later or tomorrow and get it posted.  Right now, they are enjoying their first meal and settling in for a nap.  Shhhhhh.....

Later!

Pup 

Well, it's finally over!  And what a day it's been at the office and elsewhere for me today.  The recertification team came this morning and didn't leave until nine hours later, leaving no stone unturned, believe me!  It was the most guelling day I've had in a very long time, but apparently we did "excellent", with a few minor tweaks.  Whew!  In fact, I got a lot of compliments on policies, which was a big part of the inspection process.  They even recommended that I share some of the forms I've built with the rest of the agencies across the state, so although I was ball of nerves, tense as a fiddle string, and exhausted, I could finally slow down and take a deep breath of relief.

But just as I was going through the exit interview, I got a call from my sister.  Her daughter-in-law (Tammy) had just picked up her two children, plus four of the neighbors children from school and driving home, she stopped on the highway, waiting to make a left turn, a car of teenagers rear-ended her going about 60 or 70 mph.  So I rushed home to get Ice and we drove down to where they live in Texas.  Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt except for one of Tammy's children.  Her daughter was airlifted to Dallas with a head injury and we arrived just a few minutes before the helicopter left.  Apparently, taking her to Children's Hospital was a precautionary move, so I'm relieved that it appears at this time that she will be okay.  Doesn't stop me from worrying, tho, and I probably will until someone gives us a final report that she will be okay. 

We just got back home a little while ago and I'm trying to relax enough to eventually go to bed.  My plan is to sleep in a little later tomorrow since I can finally slow down at work. 

And I'm so glad that I'll be able to spend more time here on the "stream" and enjoying myself more.  What a great place to sit down, pull of the shoes and just sit with my feet in the water, waving at all my friends here. 

Love to all!

Pup

I went to our shelter building this afternoon for a shelter staff meeting and was met with the news that another young woman in our small town was killed today by her husband, who then killed himself.  He shot her as she was running down the street to get away from him as an entire apartment complex full of residents witnessed this horrendous scene. 

She was not a client of ours and has apparently never sought help, although there are rumors of systematic and ongoing abuse that went on.

So we will once again and sadly, be wearing our black ribbons for yet another "silent witness".  And sadly, this will be the sixth plaque of rememberance to be placed in our lobby.

If you are so inclined, please join us in wearing a ribbon for this young woman.  Please reach out to those who are abused and haven't sought help.  And if you are in an abusive relationship, I urge you to seek help for yourself and your children by clicking here.

Pup

Speakers on! This is hilarious.....or am I just tired? lol