Seasons Greetings!

 

Christmas 2009

 

Greetings all!

 

My folks decided to let me do the yearly letter again this year. I guess I did pretty good last time, so I get to do it again. Good thing I got the bark translator upgraded!

So, I have to say, nice as they are, I think my folks are a bit whacky. They spent all summer building this thing they call a teardrop cargo trailer. Frankly, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about, some pieces of wood glued together, some aluminiuminuminum… metal… on the outside, and a couple wheels on the bottom. Big deal. Woof (can’t translate that word). If they'd leave the door to the garage open, I could drag a few blankets into it and use it as a nice cave, but they won't let me do that. Too close to the BIG box of dog cookies or something... anyway, they seem really happy with it, and it even follows us when we go camping. I'm not sure how it knew where we were going, but there it was. It certainly gave me more room in the camper, so I'm not going to complain.

Normal daily activities are pretty much the same as always. Dad still does network stuff at Boeing. He keeps talking about things like headcount and stuff I don't understand, but he keeps going to work and I still get dog cookies, so things must be ok for now. Mom keeps busy with all kinds of things: she works on the computers at the church, runs their web site and several things associated with it, and makes quilts for all kinds of programs including quilts for wounded soldiers. One quilt she was really happy with was for a good friend they camp with, a lady in her mid '70's who still goes camping whenever she can. The few times I’ve seen her, I bark at her as much as I can, but she never comes over to say hello; I guess she needs a bark translator too. It was a really neat quilt, although they wouldn't let me sleep on it. I can't help it if I'm covered with fur; I'm a dog! Woof! See?

Ok, so the last item I know you all want to know about, the evil appliance report. Well, that thing they call a toaster is STILL on the counter and they still use it! Unbelievable! So, being the smart dog I am, I figured out that before they use the evil toaster appliance, they almost always get something out of a noisy, crinkly thing called a plastic bag. So now, rather than waiting for them to use the evil appliance, I just hide downstairs whenever I hear a plastic bag. It is MUCH better. One day I'll get the nerve to destroy the evil appliance, but for now, I guess I'm still a little frightened of it. I even get nervous when they stand in that part of the kitchen! What an evil device; why would anyone want one?

Well, I guess I'd better go check on the kitchen again, make sure they haven't dropped any more food for me. Every now and then I find a treat in one of my food bowls; how does that happen?

 

Arlo the Dalmatian

(for Stephen & Liz)

 

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/lizquiltz

 

The Ultimate Price

In memoriam for Lakewood, Washington

Officers

 

Ronald Owens | Mark Renninger | Tina Griswold | Gregory Richards

And for all of those who put their life on the line everyday to keep us safe --

Thank you.

Vertigo, Not the Movie

Our Thanksgiving holiday started quite normally, loading up the bus with Dad and the Spotted One and heading over the mountains to Chelan to spend the holiday with my brother since he has to work on Friday. This morning we're waiting for Dad to come downstairs for breakfast -- no Dad. He can't sit up because he's extremely dizzy. He started wondering if he was having a stroke or heart attack. A call to the local clinic ends up with a trip to the E.R. via ambulance.

Now, keep in mind that my dear brother lives at the end of a 3/4 mile gravel road. The Bearded One had to go out to the main road with the bus so the ambulance could find the place! The poor Spotted One was relegated to his crate in the bathroom, much to his dismay. The medics were followed a few minutes later by the firemen. (I know, missed photo op with the Spotted One and a real, honest to goodness firetruck!)

Two hours later, after ct scan and blood work all came back normal, we have a diagnosis of vertigo. Home to release the Spotted One from doggy jail and to start work on the bird of the day. I'll leave you with a picture of the south end of Lake Chelan from the hospital grounds.