I love Christmas time and I am not ready for it to be over. So, I was so glad when I walked into the barn Tuesday night to feed and found it as festive as possible. Green garlands and red bows were strung along the aisle. Every stall door had a stocking hanging on it, stuffed with apples and carrots. It made me smile when I saw how Christmas-y it was, especially because I was really sad to leave all my family in California after Christmas.

Ribbon's Stocking.

Ribbon munching happily on her warm mush mixed with apples and carrots. You can't really see them but there are even ornaments hanging on the garlands.

Moore, Suess, and Morrish

A little Christmas cheer combining C.C. Moore, Dr. Seuss, and L.M. Morrish.

'Twas the night past Thanksgiving and all through the city,

All the creatures were stirring, even the mice.

People were standing in lines round the store,

Indoors and outdoors,

Hoping to find gifts for cheap,

To fill their stockings and Christmas trees.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle

Were two best friends on a mission to find the best deals they could.

They sped round the stores from midnight to six,

Then hurried home for some much needed sleep.

'Fore hitting the stores with a vengeance once more.

When at last they had finished

The sun had risen and set.

Their bellies were empty, but the car was quite full

With treasures and deals they'd found 'long the way.

Quite successful, the trip, and bunches of fun!

But what did they find? What deals? What prizes?

Don't be silly! Don't ask such a thing!

Don't you know that Christmas will be here in no time!

You'll see soon enough when that blessed day comes.

This post is weeks behind, so I'm sure you have all read about my parents and I going to California on Life in Canada, Eh. Here are some of my pictures.

Disneyland will always hold lots and lots of wonderful memories. It was really fun to see what has been added or improved in the last few years. Mama, you're one of my favorite people (Katie's the other one) to go to Disneyland with too. Remember when they barricaded us from Pirates of the Caribbean?

I was also able to visit a dear friend who I went to college with. We got coffee and walked on the beach and talked for at least three hours! So fun.

I suppose I am an adult now. I get extremely excited over clocks and bedroom furniture. I've been in need of a dresser since June. The one I had in my room decided to emigrate to Canada. So, I've been looking at antique stores and garage sales and craigslist. I just couldn't find one that I really liked even enough to give it a new coat of paint.

I found one on craigslist that was just the right color, had a mirror (something else I

needed in my room) and came with a nightstand and a tiny shelf. I inquired on Wednesday and

had it in my room by yesterday afternoon. I spent the evening filling it with my clothes and adding decor to make it fit better into the theme of my room.

The red hat is from Germany. The tan-ish fedora is from Germany. (The other two are American, but I thought they balanced it out the decor of the dresser nicely).

The lamp has been waiting months to have a worthy nightstand to sit upon before coming out of its packaging.

Thanks to this shelf and the shelf in my closet where all my clothes were, one is able to walk into my room and not step on books.

Thanks to this shelf and the shelf in my closet that my clothes were on, one can now walk through my room without stepping one books.

"Brody, go lay down outside my room."

"I just want to see what you're doing. I am laying down. And I'm so cute. Are you sure I can't stay right here? I won't move." (Scoot, scoot forward until completely stretched out). "I'm still laying down. I just wanted to see you better. I like what you've done with the place." (Slowly Creeping into a stand and taking a couple cautious steps forward). "Are you sure I can't just come see what this new item in here is?"

"Brody get out!"

(Spinning around and retreating to the door frame then laying down across the door frame). "I'm laying down. And I'm so cute."

HIckory Dickory Dock...

This is my lovely new clock for my new design on my room. I found it for $15 at Ross, so I wasn't too worried about the "dust spots" on it. I could just clean them off when I got home. No problem.

These are all the products I used to clean my new clock.

Well, at least I tried. I thought it was just dust, so I rubbed some Endure on it. When that didn't go as I planned I thought I'd try some green works counter cleaner. Then, I even put soap and water on a rag and scrubbed. Rather frustrated, I turned to Heather and asked, "Do you know how to get these spots off?"

She looked at them and then "I think they're supposed to be there."

"Oh."

On further examination: "Yeah. Especially because they're even all the way around."

"Oh. Haha."

"I was wondering what you were doing. Will they bother you?"

"Not now that I know they're supposed to be there."

(The glass cleaner was just for the face - which worked).

On another note: I am in need of a really, really good, can't put down work of fiction. Anyone have any suggestions?

Where will he find me?

Perhaps it is the fond memory I have of Pride and Prejudice running constantly on our t.v. screen; or my fascination with history, antiques, and fashion through the decades and centuries; or my romantic side that is charmed by the knight with his British accent and his gentlemanly bow. Whatever it is, I have an obsession with the genre of period drama. I adore the gowns and the music and the dancing, and the drama. The heroines have nothing better to do than catch a husband, the more money the better. And if he happens to be Papa's heir, who could ask for more. You would never have to move out and when he dies, you become master and mistress of the entire property. (My most recent find is Downtown Abbey - the entire season is about the family's hunt for a proper husband for the eldest daughter, since her fiance and the heir to her father's estate drowned on the Titanic.)

I was on a quest to find a new period drama to add to my list of "seen" when I came across a blog (I can't remember which one) and I found this quote:

"A woman's heart should be so close to God that a man should have to chase Him to find her."

- C. S. Lewis -

A few thoughts went through my head. That's so romantic. What a beautiful twist on a philosophy that has been repeated to me over and over through my life (and which I hold to). Oh dear. Where would he find me?

School had just ended, graduation was over. Each interview ended in "I'm sorry, we hired someone else." I was still exhausted from the countless nights of three or four hours of sleep, and sometimes none at all. Friends I graduated with moved home to begin the next stage of their lives - engagement, marriage, careers. Where was I? My college town with no prospects.

Where would he find me?

Wallowing in self-pity.

If only I had a job, at least I'd know there was going to be another paycheck coming.

If only I had a boyfriend, I'd have someone to potentially share my future with.

If only friends hadn't left.
If only...

Where would he find me?

Beneath piles of research papers and stacks of text books.

I hadn't opened my Bible for weeks, maybe months (except to write my personal belief statement for school). I was falling asleep reading Critical Issues in American Religious History rather than my Bible and waking up with only enough time to dress, wash my face and brush my teeth before racing out the door to be a couple minutes late to my first class.

After school, even reading my Bible seemed too much work for my eyes and my brain.

I reread the quote:

"A woman's heart should be so close to God that a man should have to chase him to find her."

Then I re-arranged it.

My heart should be so close to God that my beloved will have to chase Him to find me.

Where will he find me?

Same college town. Still looking for another job (I have a part time, but could use another one). Living with my best friend (who has always been here listening graciously and compassionately to my whining).

Where will he find me?

Actively seeking God because it is my duty and joy as a child of God's and follower of Jesus Christ.

I thought I could just coast through my faith while I was waiting for the spiritual leader of my life. But the man I envision wouldn't want me if he did all the work and I got to cruise along through life trusting that he had the spiritual side of things under control with God. He will want a woman who share his beliefs because they are true, not simply because he believes them. He will want a woman who can support him and he can support her, and together they will grow in their faith.

So the pity party is over and hopefully anyone will see my heart as close to God as it can be.

(This could be overkill, but I just really like this quote):

"A woman's heart should be so close to God that a man should have to chase Him to find her."
-C.S. Lewis

Fish or dog?

Our Puggle lap-dog who was only supposed to weigh 15 pounds has grown into a 30 pound (o.k., so I know that still seems small to some people...ahem, Dad,... but he's still growing) athlete who looks more like a Beagle colored Lab. This makes for much more entertainment than we were expecting. Not only is he an amazingly fast runner and high jumper, he is also incredibly cute.

Brody has also proved to be quite the swimmer. We were worried when we took him to the beach . He only went into the water after both Heather and his favorite toy were soaking wet...

...then quickly retreated again.

A few trips to the river later, he can't get enough of the water.

He also loves his "people" (Heather, David, me) so we stand at different points in the water and he swims back and forth to us.

Click Beetles

*This post is rather unusual. I don't generally find insects very blogable, but I was doing a bit of "research" for a friend. She requested a post on the most interesting bug I've seen while visiting my parents.

Dear Anonymous,

In preparation for your upcoming move to the north east of the continent, I wanted to provide you with some information on one of the insect specimens that you may find in your new garden.

Below is a picture of a click beetle.

According to www.wikipedia.com click beetles are very jumpy. Just before becoming some creature's supper they can leap out of the way and save themselves. They are also very talented at returning to their feet when they are flipped over on their backs. They beetles found crawling (or jumping) around outside are possibly 3 or 4 years old.

Click beetles are night owls and cat burglars (without the burglar...or the cat...but they do sneak silently in windows). I recommend that you keep screens on your windows, else you may wake up to unwelcome guests.

Sincerely,

The Cowgirl's Typewriter

P.S. I haven't actually seen one. I just googled native bugs of Ontario, Canada. :)

*information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Click_beetle

*picture: http://www.rankopedia.com/CandidatePix/55371.gif

I have not found my camera cord, but Heather and I stopped at Tuesday Mornings on Saturday and I found one for a good price (and it's green).

Our school had a dance/dessert event a week before Saturday. We had a lot of fun shopping for the event. Here is the result.

And here he is, the giant puppy you haven't seen in so long (he's now about 10 lbs, give or take. Twice as big as when we brought him home). We got some really good pictures of him one day when the sun came out.

So, there's a bit of a funny story that goes along with the lack of posts. It's been more than a month! That's way too long. I'm sorry. Part of it has to do with the fact that I'm busy. The other part is that I don't have any pictures. The reason will soon become clear.

"Puppy" has an official name now. His name is "Brody" and he knows it quite well. Brody is twice as big as he was a month ago and SO smart. He fetches (and brings the toy back to us), goes to the door and barks when he has to go potty, knows the word "treat" very, well. He's so polite when he meets other animals and people. He usually understands come. Heather's doing a really good job investing a lot of time into him and keeping me updated so that we're both on the same page. Brody likes me, but he loves Heather. Whenever she leaves he cries at the door (it's really cute).

He also has a hiding place for his toys. We're not sure where it is, but every once in awhile he'll just appear with a toy we haven't seen for days. So, my theory is that he took my camera cord that transfers all my pictures onto my computer, and hid it with his toys. (Of course, it's very likely that it's somewhere in my clutter, but I really have been looking for it for days and I can'tfind it!) So, my excuse is not that the dog ate my homework (which he literally would) but that he hid my camera cord because he doesn't like the publicity (except that he loves attention).

On a different note. I want to redo my bedroom from "college dorm" to "college graduate/adult/20 something grown-up woman" room. I was thinking of using my typewriter as the centerpiece, but I'm not sure. I haven't had a dark color themed room since we moved from Grass Valley. Heather's had a couple good suggestions to lighten up the deep red and black with white lace. Any other ideas? Or know where I could get good bedroom decor for cheap?

Talk to you soon! Hopefully sooner than a month.

Dear Readers,

I'd like to introduce you to Puppy. Born November 27, 2010 Puppy is a Puggle (Pug/Beagle). After a long car ride, especially for such a small creature, a trip to the gym for some strength training (just kidding; we went to visit Heather's boyfriend, David), a trip to Walmart for all puppy necessities, and much love from two very happy college girls, he settled into his warm, fuzzy bed and went right to sleep (just a tiny bit of whining).

After a little discussion and lots of research on Heather's part, we decided to get a puppy (I told her we couldn't get a bunny). We visited a couple today and Heather made lots of inquiries, but none really felt right. We were just deciding it was time to do homework when Heather came across an add for a puggle. She emailed and within twenty minutes her phone rang. We were driving to Portland a few minutes later. A deal was made, the puppy handed over, and we were in love.

He's so tiny!

Puppy wanted to play so badly when we finally got home, but he was so tired that he was staggering about the floor like a drunken puppy! So, we put him to bed.

Stay tuned for more Puppy posts! I'm sure there will be many more!

With love,

Lisa