Holidays can be hard...

[Joan2517]

Happy New Year from me, too!

[mytil]

I know Marianne, not a year goes by that I do not think of Patrick and Rags!!!
My best for a safe and peaceful New Year to every one!!!
Terry

[labblab]

Hi again, everybody! It’s a beautiful autumn evening here in north Georgia. A bit warmer than I’d like, but by next week we should be cooling down enough for it to feel genuinely “crisp” during morning walks. At least I hope so!

I think you all know the drill by now — at any point during the upcoming holidays, we’d love to hear updates from any family members who might be dropping by. Hubby and I remain pretty much status quo, ourselves, which I consider a blessing these days. We made it back out to Colorado during August to stay in the family cabin and to host visits from several loved ones. For that we are very grateful.

No big plans right now for the fall/winter holidays. But Halloween remains one of my favorites, so the decorations are up and the candy is already in the pantry.

As I say, it’ll be great to hear from any K9C family members who happen to drop by during the coming months. And as always, whatever news you may wish to share — happy or not so much — we’ll be here, and anxious to listen.

In the meantime, all best holiday wishes from my house to yours!
Marianne

[Joan2517]

It's been cold the last few days here in Glen Cove, but supposed to warm up a little over the weekend. I am decorating a little at a time mostly outside since I am going through so much stuff in the house getting ready to hopefully sell. It will be one year in November since Victor passed away and trying to empty out almost 50 years of things is overwhelming, but I simply can not imagine not decorating.

It's just me and the girls now. Sibbie will be 10 in December and Raina will be three in March. Cooper left us in February. I'm pretty sure it was the Librela shots that did him in. I still miss my Lena and Gable...everywhere I look is a memory. Even though I was furious with Victor for getting Sibbie so soon after Lee died, I don't know what I would do without her now. She is my comfort and my joy, and Raina is the most unChihuahua like Chihuahua. She loves everyone and waits for visitors all the time, and is one of the smartest dogs I think we have ever had. I have to spell all the time because she knows so many words.

Josh has his Junior license! He is 17 and a Senior in HS now. Still can't get over him being old enough to drive. He's still small for his age after all the steroids he used to have to take, but so far is doing very well. Alex is gigantic! He gets that from my side of the family. He's 13 and will be in HS next year. I just got home from one of his soccer games. He plays the cello and is a Math genius, which he does not get from me LOL!

It's been a strange year. I've reconnected with a lot of my old friends, ex-coworkers, and my family has been a huge support, as well as my neighbors. I would like to stay on Long Island, it has been my home my whole life and I love it here...we'll see.

That's my update. I'm glad you are doing well, Marianne. I miss the old days...

Love to all!
Joan

[labblab]

Oh I miss the old days so much, too!!! You know, I was debating whether to go ahead and reopen this thread once again this year or not. But I decided, what the heck, if even one other person stops by to add a note, it’ll have been the right thing to do. So thank you, my dear friend! You’ve already made it worthwhile ;-). And I’ve been thinking about you, anyway, and wondering how things are going. I know this time of year holds so many hard memories for you, and I’m very grateful to hear that you’re holding your own in the midst of all the changes.

I’m so sorry this year also brought you the loss of Cooper. Thank goodness for Sibbie and Raina! Gosh, it seems like only yesterday that Sibbie made her surprise entrance into your life and your heart. I can’t believe this much time has passed. But I’m so glad you’ve got both girls with you now. Yesterday I saw this reply posted on a Twitter feed about kitties that I follow. I wish I could credit the writer, but I thought the sentiments were so sweet and so true:

Animals give us purpose. We have to get up and live each day because they depend on us. Eventually we get up each day because we depend on them

We still haven’t committed to getting another dog, but I think we may be one step closer. There’s a wonderful service dog organization near us that needs volunteers to help socialize puppies and to host home stays for dogs in training in order to get them used to family life. The dogs are frequently retrievers, so right up our alley. I think we’re going to apply soon, and I hope we’ll be accepted. We definitely need some sweet doggie energy back in our lives.

Anyway, once again Joan, thanks so much for stopping by to update us!

[Joan2517]

I love that, Marianne! It is so true...

I took the girls to Hicks Fall Festival today, which I try to get to every year, and Josh and Alex don't really want to hang out with Grandma anymore! Sibbie has gone since she was a puppy, so many pictures of her with the boys. We got some pumpkins and mums. One little pumpkin to bring to the cemetery next week (I brought Victor a pumpkin 50 years ago and every year since).

You'll be great at socializing the service dogs, but I fear you will be a socialize failure (LOL). I know I would be!

Love to all!
Joan