Visions of Sugarplums...

... or maybe visions of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, pie...

Grandma and Mopsy sleeping off thier Christmas dinner.

Too much holidays

Maggie and I had an agility lesson last night after almost a month off (we have not done anything since the Tulsa trial the first weekend of December). Maggie was full of herself, racing around the obstacles on her own and jumping up to give me a little nip now and then to keep me going. And I can't blame her, after all of the holiday food and treats, I do sort of look like a sheep! On top of that, it looks like she's put on a few pounds as well, which isn't good for running and jumping. So today, after I get a few errands done, I think we'll head over to our training facility and see if we can't sneek in some practice before this weekend.
Speaking of this weekend, we will compete in our first USDAA trial (we usually do AKC). While USDAA seems like it might be more fun (more runs per day) we don't have as many USDAA trials close by, so that would mean more travelling. And my pesky JOB gets in the way of that. Hopefully we can shake out some of her "happy feet" and get her back a little more normal before Friday.
If any of you feel inclined, the trial is at Vetta Sports in Fairview Heights, IL. Maybe we'll see you there.
Happy New Year!
Lori, Maggie, Mopsy and Jake

Oh. Oh my.

Last night we had a little get-together of agility friends and we exchanged gifts. I brought a small assortment of doggie items- nothing expensive-most of it home-made, and was flabbergasted to unwrap this. Under that paper was probably the nicest gift that I will receive this year- or maybe any year. Only a fellow doggie friend can appreciate how a piece of artwork can touch your heart, and this one certainly does. This is the face I see, day in and day out... turned up to my face, waiting for the command, waiting to do what I ask, waiting for me to say "let's go!" While this artist sketched her own dog, not mine, it might as well have been Maggie in the way she drew her soft eyes, the soft feathers around her neck and her ears pinned back out of the way. No photo captures her this accurately, and it makes me want to reach out and touch it.
Thanks Carol and Addie- this will always be a treasure in my home, and you two will always be a treasure in my heart. Merry Christmas!

Nativity insanity continues

I would not have recognized this as a Nativity set at first. Or even after that.
Speaking of not recognizing something as a Nativity set, this once took a few minutes also, though you have to love Joseph's beard.... (this one has a cool $188 price tag if you are interested)

Artistic expression, blah, blah,.... I can see a Mary and maybe a Jesus, but what is the other thing? It looks sort of like a bottle opener to me. And what is with the hole for faces. Strange.

I don't know why I included this one. I don't see anything wrong with it... I even appreciate the breeds they chose... baby Jesus is a Golden Retreiver

: )

So are these teddy bears or real bears? How do you know?

Just wierd. Can't come up with anything clever about this except the obvious.

"Always after me Lucky Charms!"

Last and certainly worst of all the Nativity scenes (go ahead, top this one, I dare you...)

For your Christmas "enjoyment":

Jesus, Joseph, and Marty:

No more. I promise.

Nativity Set Abuse

Sorry for the long time since the last post, I'm hoping to make up for it today with a little Christmas Gift laugh from me to you. But first a confession! I, too, am guilty of Nativity Abuse. First, I have a border collie that keeps watch over the sheep in my big, formal Nativity in my dining room. Second, many years ago, when I was a stay-at-home mom, I subjected my entire family to the abuse when I made them wooden, hand-painted sets for gifts- the little sheep had hearts on their rumps (sorry, I did not know what I was doing-I wasn't getting much sleep).
Anyway, the following are pictures of sets that I have stumbled upon and kept because they made me laugh (or shudder). I believe that each of them was made in ernest, maybe to cause a smile, but not as a joke. Enjoy...

Veggietales. Yes, I understand that this is a Christian-themed children's series, but JESUS AS A VEGETABLE? Come on...
Smores Jesus... don't get too close to the fire!

Christmas in Roswell (famous reported Alien landing site in New Mexico)

Penguins need Jesus too!

Nativity paddle ball? So you WANT to hit the holy family with the ball, right?

Only old SNL fans will understand the Mr. Bill Nativity... Oh NO!

I understand minimalism as an art form, but these next two go too far.

Hooty Hoo! Hoo, Hoo, Hoo's Child is this?

"Were you a good boy this year?"

Yee Haw! It's a Grand Ol' Opry Christmas! Howdy Jesus!

wait... wait.... almost... DING! .... Yes! It's Christmas!

This is perhaps one of the most ridiculous- everyone knows that cats would not have worshipped another cat that had more power than them. They would have gathered to plot an overthrow.

Baby in the bubble... just look... don't touch!

Nativity bean bag toss. Hit Jesus, win a prize!

Martian Nativity?

Look Joseph! He has your big feet!

If you have more, send them to me and I'll add them...