Still here...

It has been a rough four weeks.  My dog's death really hit me harder than I expected and I didn't do the best job dealing with it.  Then both of my little girls ended up with ear infections.  Just as we recovered from that and as I was trying to get myself out of my depressed fog and try to focus on Christmas....the stomach flu hit.  All of us.  All four of us.  Oh my... 

Somehow, I managed to pull it all together and went on a whirlwind last weekend to wrap and bake and clean to prepare for Christmas.  I didn't think I was going to pull it off, but with very limited sleep, I did it.  

We actually had a very enjoyable Christmas holiday and thank God, we were all healthy by then. I am so grateful for that.  So, now I am trying to again get a handle on things like the laundry back- up and the fact that I can't see my living room floor due to the embarassing excess of toys for two very lucky little girls.  

I will try to get back into a regular routine for my blog in the new year.  

Hope everyone had a very blessed Christmas holiday!  

A sad good-bye

For those of you who are animal lovers, I'm sure you can relate to and understand my sadness today.  My 11 year old golden retriever recently was diagnosed with a form of cancer that could not be treated. He was just the best dog. He was loyal, active, gentle, great with children, and a great companion. He was with me through some low times and some high times.  I got him when he was about 12 weeks old.  He reached a point in his illness yesterday which was the sign we were waiting for, and I was insistent from the moment of his diagnosis and prognosis that he not be allowed to suffer at all.  So today my dad brought him to the vet for me and said good-bye while he had a peaceful ending.  I offered to bring him trying to be courageous, but was secretly grateful for my dad being the stronger one to be the one to have to bring him for that last vet visit.  

I know he had a great life.  He was treated very well and had a lot of fun.  I swear at times he would smile at me.  :)   

Good-bye, Teddy.  Thanks for a great 11 and a 1/2 years.  

Not Me Monday

Here is another of my Not Me Monday posts inspired by MckMama's blog.  

After reading mine, be sure to go to her page to read her's and check the other links out as well! 

This past week, I did Not read the first and second book of the Twilight series.  I am Not completely obsessed now with the series and did Not already start reading the third book.  I absolutely do Not feel like I'm sixteen again!  haha

I did Not overly rely on my husband being home for the long weekend to spend so much time with the girls so that I could read.  

I did Not do a little happy dance when I realized that there was still some pumpkin pie left from Thanksgiving. 

I do Not still have boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations all over my dining room waiting for me to put things out.  At least it is only the first of December and I still have time. 

So what did you Not do this past week?