Back Again :o)

Thanks for your e-mails; it warms my heart to know some of you really do care about us and our gang.

And, truth be told, things here have not been okay -- they've been downright bad (really tough situations), but I'm realizing that it does me no good to "hide" when life gets difficult.

And, besides, the canine gang won't let me hide for very long (such is life with Labs).

So I'm out of hiding and writing again (something I had NO heart to do in light of the last several very difficult weeks).

So what have we been up to?

Taking LOTS of naps - I'm in my winter-hybernate-like-a-bear mode, and sleeping is something I do when I 'm depressed (Pinot's favorite sleeping position):

Making new friends --there really is a sisterhood in suffering (Pinot meets Snickers):

Getting used to someone else calling the shots -- something none of us enjoys, particularly when we don't like the decisions being made (notice Kenya and Baxter are heeling; Pinot is straining against the lead):

Romping in the woods -- a good nature fix always lowers my blood pressure (Kenya off-lead):



Getting exercise (important when life is stressful) - a January resolution thing (Baxter galloping to me off-lead, Don is in the far back on the dirt road working with Kenya on-lead):



Staying focused on and alert for good things and wise counsel -- always a must when life gets difficult (Kenya awaiting Don's commands):



Getting wet -- "being there" for hurting loved ones means we get muddy, too (Kenya and Baxter wading):



And trying to notice and remember the good gifts and graces that fill each day, even when life is hard (these are the flowers DH sent me for our 26th wedding anniversary last week):

I consider our canine gang one of those HUGE good gifts in our lives. They do keeping me smiling.

And I consider you all a gift, too. :o)

So that's what we've been up to (I'm sparing you the details). And I'll be posting regularly again (it's therapeutic -- something I forgot in the heartache of recent weeks).

So don't give up on us. We're still here, alive and romping! :o)

And Elsie is in HEAT again, so Ridge is going bonkers. But we're carefully protecting her during this heat cycle; we don't want her pregnant again so soon. And poor Pinot just doesn't know what to make of it all.

I do hope all is well with you all. When I can write more specifically about our circumstances, I will, but I can't just yet. Just send your good thoughts or prayers our way, if you will. God knows the needs.

Thanks much for your concern and well-wishes. I'm looking forward to being back in touch.

'Til next time,
Joan