Ta Ta Oh Six

Yep that's me and my pal ..otherwise known as the floozy boozers or the boozy floozies ..take yer pick . Anyhoo for the first time since about 1979 I am going to a New Year's bash at the Day's Inn . I am sure I forget how to dance but if the chicken dance comes on I think I could cluck my way through that one . My Dad says he is gonna start a cong(o)a line . His sweetheart and my father are a danceholics so I hope that I can master a few moves from the greats . As for auld lang syne time I have the essentials - lipgloss , breath spray and mentos ..cause you never know . Feel free to post any hangover remedies and see y'all in 2007 .

Little Miss Sunshine

That is the name of a movie that my Dad and Martha ,N@ and I watched last night . I recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a cute little feel good movie .The little girl in it reminds me of my own little Miss Sunshine who left @ noon back to her radio life in Montreal .Like N@, I hate good byes so you will see no pictures here of me slobbering and hugging onto my kid's carry on through customs .Something about adieu makes me wanna cry a river . On a bright note , N@ said I could visit soon and see the new condo ..is next week okay?
"I don't know why you say goodbye ..I say hello ."

Merry Christmas

....." and on earth peace , goodwill toward men ."

* O Holy Night *

" It is the night of our dear savior's birth ". You are looking at a hand carved nativity given to me many years ago by a dear friend of mine who was a missionary nun in Madagascar and later in Rwanda . Every year I find a special place in my home for the precious figurines and remember the kind person who thought of that gift for me. Christmas Eve has many different traditions as there are cultures and families on earth but inside each of us is the need for the simple gifts of love and hope . May your soul feel that tonight as you honour and remember a tiny baby born away in a manger on one night divine . Always ..the reason for the season .

Dear Santa ,

I am 5 months old now and have been a good girl most of the time . I play nice with my brother Redford the cat and have only ate a teensy tiny bit of my Ma's old slipper . I never bark much and I love everybody and show them my belly . I would like a pair of black lace panties and a chew bone .I would leave you milk and cookies but I would eat it myself .
Love & Kibbles ,
Karma

Home for the Holidays

Joy to the world !
She's here !!! Happy Holidays to you and yours from Ma & the Donut Gang ! xxxooo

" It's the most wonderful time of the year ..

..when loved ones are near ..".. The best gift for me is sitting on her butt right now eating plane snax and probably chatting away to some stranger like she has known them forever and a day . There is not a stranger around who cannot smile when they meet my Nattypants . She is just that kind of person . We will be at the airport with bells on and one of the dogs ( True ) but she doesnt know that part yet unless she is somewhere sneaking a net peek on her new lap top . Nobody can make me laugh like my N@. Santa has let me have her for 31 Christmases and I am so blessed . So be of good cheer ..its the most wonderful time of the year .

Shea

Shea is a copper coloured male orange Persian kitten . He is 3 months old now and the cutest most cuddly ball of fluff you could ever see . His family has had him for several months now and I met the little mischief maker on Sunday . You just cannot help but love him but it brought a thought to my mind of how many people out there think that pets are such a unique gift at Christmastime . Having just going through the joys and the stresses of having a new puppy around I am strongly against the surprise of any new puppies or kittens for Christmas presents . Although it may sound like a good idea at the time .. and appealling little faces like Shea's seem irrestistible...I know firsthand the amount of work , committment and responsiblity that pet ownership entails . That is why so many unwanted animals are in shelters in January and February or left abandoned to suffer the consequences . With that said , for all of you who have pets at Christmas time , be aware that tinsel is toxic and wrap is a snack .
As for Shea....you just have to look at him to know he owns his owners and he is one beloved puddytat .I always said it is a good thing that God made kittens cute because he knew they would be bad . Thank you to Shea's owners for allowing me to visit their new baby and have a PURRfect Christmas .

As Time Goes By

I would like to sincerely thank Time magazine for voting me "Person of the Year " for 2006 . It is a truly an unexpected honor and I feel incredibly humbled to be up there with world icons . I never felt that providing coffee and donuts to harried holiday shoppers was a life changing event but apparently the CEO of Time magazine believes it ranks up there with nobel prize winners and world leaders. I accept with the dignity and etiquette that I have exemplified throughout my lifetime.The only thing I cannot figure out ....is Karma the dog of the year too ?

For Everything There is a Season

This my father's house and our family home for over 50 years in the northern pulp and paper town of Kapuskasing . It has been up for sale for almost 2 years now as my Dad finally moved to Timmins to begin a new life for himself . Last week the house was sold .. almost unheard of in the month of December and a financial blessing for my Dad . Our family had many Christmases in that old house where 4 blonde kids and 2 loving parents made their own story of love and laughter . Years went by and loved ones passed on and came a time to turn the page and though it has not been easy for my father, he gave up the only home he had ever owned and moved on with the strength and fortitude of a man determined to start over . This old house holds many secrets and could tell you stories of our past . This old house will be brought to life once more by a new family making their own memories . This old house will never be forgotten and will forever remain a very special part of places in the heart .

" This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
This ole house once rang with laughter
This ole house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about .
This ole house is getting shaky
This ole house is gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
Oh his knees are gettin' chilly
But he feels no fear of pain
'Cause he sees an angel peekin'
Through a broken windowpane .
Ain't a -gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a gonna need this house no more ."

December 13th...

.......and enough of those merry mutts ..... we still do not have Christmas wrapped up !

Remembering Sierra

I have been meaning to write this post for a while now and today is as good as any . As most of you do or do not know , I had been looking for another dog for quite some time after the loss of my Dakota . I had seen terriers , dachshunds and bassets , puppies and older dogs .... and in particular one female rescue dog called Sierra . She was found in the small community of Moonbeam wandering by herself for days, hungry and lost. She was taken in by the Kapuskasing Rescue and fostered by a kind woman until I happened upon her adoption under a local site. I went to see her in early August and brought her back home with me . Sierra was a female shepherd about 8 months old and I knew that somebody had taken the time to train her the basic dog commands as she did the things I asked of her , was attentive , and tried to please me from the first day. The first night she laid beside my bed and I knew I had that elusive connection . Unfortunately , Sierra , through no fault of her own and perhaps due to lack of socialization wanted to have my old cat Redford for dinner every night and try as I might it did not work out . On a rainy day in August I returned Sierra to the animal organization . I remember been glad it was raining because it hid my tears for this lost and beautiful animal that had entered and exited my life so quickly . As time went on and as all of you know it was Karma the german shepherd puppy who finally entered my heart and my life .
I never forgot Sierra and was saddened to learn 3 months later she had been killed by a transport on the highway near Hearst . She had been placed as therapy dog where so many people had given her the attention and love she deserved but had failed to protect her from the hazards of the highway. I cried a second time for Sierra wishing I could have given her a better chance . I suppose upon reflection , like so many circumstances in life , it was all about karma .

"It's Christmas in Killarney..

..with all the folks at home ." The beautiful blonde on your left is my younger sister who was up for the weekend to attend the Sons of Maxwell concert with my family . Don Carroll provided the lap for my sis and the vocals for his brother Dave . The Sons of Maxwell return every year to Timmins to entertain the home town folk with their unique blend of East coast musical talent . My father was thrilled to meet such a nice man ......so the daughters of Gordon thank the sons of Maxwell for a wonderful concert.



http://www.sonsofmaxwell.com/

Frosty the Shepherd

When are we moving to Florida for the winter time ?

Deck the Halls

..with strands of toilet paper ....fa la la la la, la la la la ............tis the season to be naughty....fa la la la, la la la la ....don we now our cottonelle......fa la la la , la la la la la ....follow me in doggy pleasure.......fa la la la la , la la la la ....down the hall with Ma a yellin' ......fa la la la la , la la la la .....see the blazing Ma before us ...fa la la la la , la la la la ......whilst I chew my yuletide treasure........fa la la la la , la la la la......paper snow is everywhere ......fa la la la la , la la la laaaaaa .
( lyrics based on fact ) .

Pretty in Pink

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATTYPANTS !! In my maternal mind I have my child stuck in a time warp . When I look at my youngest, I still picture her as 12 year old kid running around the house making me laugh with her crazy antics and rubber faces . Come to think of it , she still does that ...which goes to prove she has her Granpappy's genes in her for all time .Today is her 31st birthday and I know she and Scottypants are busy unpacking and enjoying their new condo .Happy Day .. * I don't care if you're 80 , you'll always be my baby . *
Love ,
Mommy xoxox

Karma loves Cocoa

Cocoa is the four month old Shihtzu puppy next door to me .She is a wiggly ,squiggly bundle of love and looks like she belongs on Barbie's bed . They have played together since day one despite the size difference and look forward to seeing each other whenever they can .We have another Shihtzu up the street called Delight who thinks she is the Paris Hilton of the neighbourhood and won't give Karma the time of day ...come to think of it ,either will her owner . Puppies are puppies no matter what the pedigreed or the size and it is fun to see them enjoying each other's company.
I wonder if they make pink faux fur leopard vests for shepherds?

Good Luck Bobbycakes

Normal day , let me treasure you . Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

The Secret to Health & Vitality

Sitting here with my coffee , Karma by my side switching channels on a lazy snowy Sunday morning . I began to watch two well dressed men praise the virtues of the Almighty cleansing and I figured what the hell a few words of religious wisdom never hurt anyone . We are all sinners and our bodies are toxic and need to be drained and cleansed at least 3 times a day after each meal......UH ?..I was expecting a few words of salvation when I came to the conclusion that not all sinners pass 10 foot stools like long black rubber hoses with little or no cramping or gurgling .Yep it was an infomercial for colon cleansing .Apparently we are jammed packed full of living parasites,some up to 10 feet of Loch Ness tapeworms . We will all feel a lot lighter and better without 10 pounds of fecal matter sitting in our bloated intestines every day of our lives .Dr. Danny proudly stated that being fecal free will cure depression ,cancer,allergies ,joint pain ,acne ,increase energy levels and a host of colon cleansing attributes including a sexual libido that would make a porn star blush. Damn and all this time I am having Fibre1 cereal and fresh fruit for breakfast when I should be on my own poop vacuuming mission of mercy .Medical doctors advise against this drastic method of ripping our insides out but Dr.Danny said that he should know the real facts because he has worked in a health food store for almost six years now and that $89.99 plus shipping and handling was a small price to pay for feeling as wonderful and nice smelling as he did .He almost had me convinced that I needed to be saved until the distinct odour of a passing fart brought me to my senses and I let Karma out for a doggie doo. I came to the conclusion that Dr. Danny ,despite his best efforts , was still full of it .

Helga

I don't know why but lately I am wanting to call my puppy *Helga* . It seems like almost overnight she has doubled her weight and become an eating machine . I am happy she has a healthy appetite as my last shepherd was prone to many food allergies and did not look forward to mealtime like this one does . Karma does the spinning dance when she sees her dish and she politely sits until she has permission to devour every last morsel of culinary canine delight . Helga , I mean Karma is one of those types that lives to eat and she's not a bit flabby ...more like a solid cabbage roll of doggie flesh and gorilla hair . In fact , my pet name for her ( pun intended ) is "my chunky monkey ". For the life of me though and I swear on my milkbones , every time I look at her lately , I picture a German hausfraus in pin curls . I don't know why .