I should have something really deep and insightful to say about the passing of another year. I don't.
Nevertheless, I guess I will say something. It was a seemingly short month. We barely got the tree and lights up and then it was time to take them down again. I guess that was indicative of the whole year. Though it wasn't my favorite year at work and the individual days often seemed long, the year seems to have flown by.
So what did happen? The Crosby-Schmidts came to visit, I went to Japan, Bob finally gave up and went to be with Muffin, Caroline and Lucie went to Austin, Truffle had surgery, we spread Harry's ashes at the coast, went to Michigan, saw the airshow, went to the county fair, Lucie went to horse camp, went on a trail ride for B.E.A.T., we saw Lyle Lovett at the zoo, Lucie went to Georgia, we updated the kitchen, Aunt Maggie came to visit, we got a puppy, Gran and Mad Dog came to visit, we went on a Thanksgiving cruise, and Plushie managed to escape and had to be put to sleep after falling down the elevator shaft.
I guess I could have written an impressive Christmas letter if only I could add a little detail to that summary... but I can't so, I'm done now.
 I'm dreaming of a white Christmas... but I didn't get one - just a little dusting early in December |
 It is Santa Lucie - granting Christmas wishes for neighborhood pets |
 You can see that it was cold even if it was sunny... |
 Santa Lucie had to be there for Buttercup, too... |
 And finally, I got a visit from the neighborhood reindeerdog! |
 This year I was also in the light parade on the float for Rainbow Garden (Mom's in the background too) |
 I don't know what Dad was thinking here... it looks like the ghost of the Budweiser wagon... |
 We finally got a Christmas tree - I'm not sure what Dad is doing with Photoshop... |
 I went dog fishing and I caught one! |
 We made cookies for Santa! |
 Buttercup got some new chew toys in her stocking... |
 But I scored big time... blue tape! |
 And a cool penguin ornament, but I think next year we're gonna need a bigger tree for this thing! |
 Buttercup also got her dog bed and giant stuffed toy - that Santa sure is amazing! |
 Truffle had to celebrate without Plushie, but I made sure she didn't get left out of the holiday fun... |
 Dad thought he would be funny and get Mom a car for Christmas... |
 I don't know why Dad picked this picture... I think it was just because Buttercup is peeking through... |
 I also don't know why Dad gave Mom a book and included a note to give it back to him... |
 That can't really be comfortable! |
 What can I say? There is a lot of pink in that collage... |