The Day After...

Hi G-Fans!

It is the day after our less than spectacular walk yesterday....

We didn't do the forest as hoped, but we did do extra parts to the bog walk, so that makes up for it.

Sort of.

Anyway.

NOTHING

makes

up

for

the 

caterwauling 

I just endured with my kids and RIley.

NOTHING!

I to rest from the trauma.

I can't write about it anymore!

May you handle life's unexpected events with good graces and humor.

TTFN!

-G

Thanksgiving thoughts

Hi G-Fans!

It is Thanksgiving Eve and the day has had its ups and downs.

I expected, at the least, a full bog walk.

I was not fulfilled in that expectation.

I also did not go to the forest.

No, I did not.

I did, however, have a walk, it was ok, but not to the standard I would expect on a holiday!

No, it was not.

But, it was a walk, nonetheless.

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for my walk, which was full of good smells and unexpected additional off-shoots to a standard route, as well as no threatening off leash animals or other unplanned events.

And, although we did not get the pleasure of smelling the turkey cooking, we did get a sample of turkey with our meal.

Not a lot, but some.

I like turkey.

Snagglepus likes turkey.

We all like turkey.

I think I might go turkey hunting some day so I can have a turkey all to myself.

Mmmmm.

Did I mention that Gabriella is here?  Her concierges are as well.

We don't mind when she comes, she is so easy going, like her father. 

Well, I shouldn't say "we".

Tessa is never thrilled to see her sister except when her ride is pulling out of the driveway to bring her back home.  She is glad to see her in the car.  Leaving.

And Bertie has been throwing attitude around a lot lately.  He got into big trouble twice today for being a troublemaker with both of his brothers.  He is so grumpy with them the last few weeks.  And he has been a little too focused on his sister too.

So there you have it, some ups and some downs.

I am looking forward to some walks tomorrow that will please the royal self.

How about you?

May you find more ups than downs in your day and may your heart practice a grateful pose.

Thank you!

TTFN!

-G

Raphael jazzed up with so much external activities and non-nucleus family visitors. 

Harry striking an acquiescent pose...

Bertie and Riley staying out of the melee...

Gabriella claiming her illicit couch spot...

Tessa and Raphael's ghost butt and tail.... Tessa letting us know she is not pleased that her royal sib is visiting...

I feel a little out of focus like the photo.....

Happy Thanksgiving!

 NOTE:

 Some party pictures of days gone by.... 

I tried to post them at the end of the blog several times, 

but for some reason they kept posting in the beginning, 

so here they are in the beginning!

Happy Thanksgiving G-Fans!

Unfortunately the concierge passed out before taking the dictation for the blog, the computer was still poised and ready to go on her lap and her eye devices were still on.... so I am grabbing her now after our brief potty break.... before she falls asleep again!  At least this time she will remember to take off her eye devices and take the computer off her lap!

I really don't know what she is so tired about anyway!?  I mean really!

So, there was a deluge of rain yesterday, but by the time we walked it was only an occasional drift of wetness.

It was a school walk.

I am planning on having a walk of substance today.  I don't know what kind of weather we are going to have, but I expect something interesting, good and long!

Yesterday's blustery wind was really freaking me out, I was very unhappy with that weather and I hope we don't have that today.  So far it is way colder this morning.  But, we will see.

I also understand that this is a day of lots of food.

I expect some vittles that are worthy of a royal body!!

Someone said it is a Turkey Party day.  That sounds like the humans are finally getting their holidays right.  A Turkey party sounds like the kind of party I am on board for!!!!

Well, long and short of it....

Happy Thanksgiving!

May the gratitude in your heart spill to overflowing and touch all in your purlieu!

Blessings to all!

-G

I told you, I don't like unauthorized photos taken...!

Riley and I in the Royal Chambers snuggling in for some sleepy time, apparently the concierge beat us to it as she conked out after she took the picture last night!

Where's My Jackie O. Sunglasses?

Hi G-Fans!

I have to say, the paparazzi is killing me!  I can't do anything as common as snuggle with my royal entourage without flashety flash flash... it is not only annoying, it hurts my eyes.  I need some sunglasses.  Like the ones Jackie O. used to wear.  I think we share a lot in common.  Like the concept of Camelot.  The royal elegance resurrected.  Class-ee!  Trend setters.  The Queen of the Castle.

False modesty is just a waste of time!

Anyway....

The paparazzi is blinding, unauthorized  and annoying!  I can't get 30 winks much less 40!

I wish they would stop trying to catch me cat napping, it isn't going to happen, my glam radar is on 24-7.  Not that my level of glam in the pictures tonight is winning any prizes....

But still, I resonate with Jackie O....

May you find your place in the world that is uniquely and unequivocally yours!

TTFN!

-G

Brrrrrr!

Hi G-Fans!

Well, today was warmer than yesterday, BUTTTTTTTTT, that isn't saying too too much!!!  Yesterday was really really really really cold with a biting harsh wind that dropped it down even a few more notches!

We did a school walk late tonight.

And then we did yoga.  That's right, yoga.  I was finally included and consulted with the Monday night yoga activity.  It took long enough!  I watched from the chair at an appropriately dispassionate distance while keeping a watchful eye on the goings on.

Tessa and Bertie and Snagglepus and Riley on the other paw..... they got in the concierge's face, butt, leg, arm, etc.

At one point I couldn't see the concierge because she was covered in dog and cat bodies.

Everyone settled down when she did the guided imagery.  That is my favorite part usually.  Tonight sitting by the wood stove made it especially relaxing. 

But, I think it needs to wind up so we can retire to the royal chambers into the pre=warmed royal bed.

Whoever invented electric blankets is a genius.

It is sooooo lovely!  And I don't have to warm the concierge's spot up and then move on to a cold spot to warm up for myself.  Huge bennie!!

So, may you find yourself cozy warm when the bitter winds of life kick up their heels!

TTFN!

-G

Bertie doing the guided imagery part of yoga.... the end part...

Snagglepus and I also doing the guided imagery part of yoga... I did have my head down until the flash excited me....

Raphael moved from the couch to the chair to do his part of the yoga night.

Once Tessa stopped draping herself on top of the concierge we were able to do some serious guided relaxation...

Back to the Usuale!

Hi G-Fans!

Well, my freedom was short-lived.

We did a full on, full platoon bog walk.

Fully leashed.

Never unleashed.

No freedom.

Ugh.

So, it is back to the USUALE!!

No surprise.

Hrmph.

Well, I want to tell you, aside from all that business, it was C-O-L-D today!  Bitter winds were whipping our ears about.  The concierge and entourage were not flapping their gums very much either.  I think they were afraid their lips were going to freeze together.  So it was pretty quiet.  And there was a brisk pace throughout the walk... no monkeying around!

Oh, did I mention the cleaning?

It is going on at a rapid and continuous pace.  

Un-bee-lee-va-bull!!

Everywhere I check it is getting cleaner and cleaner.

Hrmph.

I will say, though, I think Bertie did a bang-up job making the family room ripe-ola!  The concierge left us for several hours prior to our walk and then again tonight after dinner.  So Bertie made some ripe old smells that are permeating at least part of the castle.  I am so proud of him!  A few more days of that and it won't matter if the rest of the house has the Mr. Clean seal of approval, there will be a mature ripeness that will smell like home:)

So, may you hold hope high above the everyday fray and know that inconveniences come and go, we choose to not let them define us!

TTFN!

-G

Some snuggle repeats....

Today was a day to hunker into a snuggle mode.....

Especially with your best bud....

This is not close enough for today's frigid air!

Neither is this... there needs to be way more body contact!!

It's Official!

Hi G-Fans!

It is Official.

My life quality has been severely affected by my children.

The concierge took Riley and I on a full bog walk sans children.

It was nice.

It was even nicer when, for the first time in five or six years, I was released from the confines of the tether attachments and I was given freedom to galavant.

Freedom!!

It was amazing!  It was like old times, pre-pups.

Riley wasn't released because he is deaf as a haddock (are haddock's REALLY deaf?) and wouldn't know to come when the concierge called so she kept him safely on the leash.

I have to say that I respected the freedom and didn't do anything to jeopardize it... so perhaps there will be more opportunities for freedom?

I will admit that my freedoms were revoked because I would tease the others and prance around and then take off out of hearing range, so I was then put on indefinite restrictions after several episodes of this sort of behavior.

When the pups were offered an opportunity to try leashless life they took off in a thousand different directions.  And it took at least an hour and three people to corral them.  So they were indefinitely restricted after that....

So it has been.

Since then children and I have lived a leashed life.

So, as I mentioned, the quality of my life has changed since the children has arrived.

So, may you find when changes happen in your life that instead of looking at what you have lost, look hard to find what you have gained!

TTFN!

-G

Tessa and Snagglepus vying for space on the concierge's lap....

I couldn't help reacting to the flash... I was nestled close-up to Riley right before  the picture was taken... The concierge said it was a missed photo opportunity... oh well....

Raphael in his dinner-with-the-concierge mode.... looking for shadows and light to chase....

Raphael on the move for the light and shadow spot hunt.....

000ps

Hi G-Fans!

I will ask you, do you think I am pleased this morning or displeased?

I won't keep you in suspense... I am displeased.

Another Friday night where the concierge passed out before we finished the blog.

This time it was bad too.

Not only did she pass out working with me, but she spilled really hot tea on the rug.  Bertie jumped a mile high, but we checked, he was ok.

But, really... how hard is it to stay awake for 15 to 20 minutes while I tell her what to type?  I mean this is getting to be a "thing" for goodness sakes!

So, we start another weekend with a delayed transmission of my genius!

Well, I suppose we move on.

I will update you on the latest.

There was vomit discovered yesterday morning and the concierge cleaned it up before I could investigate and tell her who it was who did it.  But, since then Raphael has shown signs of feeling lowly, we have decided it was him.  He pulled one of my maneuvers and almost didn't eat his breakfast this morning.  Now, I would like to know, why does he get tempted and treated with chicken and I get left to my own devices?  He ended up eating after some chicken was included in his breakfast bowl.  What is it about Mr. Princely Pants that gets him chicken enticements and I get the bowl whisked away or a hard cookie offered to see if I mean business or not.  

I would cave for sure if I was offered succulent morsels of tender chicken meat.  

Who wouldn't?

Anyway, that's it for now, we did a regular school walk last night and I look forward to a good walk today.

I don't look forward to the threatened cleaning.  I can always hope for the concierge to be distracted.  It happens...

So, may you take the unexpected detours in life with good humor and find the gem in the unplanned events...

TTFN!

-G

Snagglepus loving on Tessa

Tessa eyeing a cat toy....

Snuggling Snags...

Harry has a new nickname, "Shredd'em Fred"....

Will the real culprit please behave!?!

Hi G-Fans!

Well, another day in the kingdom... With some court jesters in full swing!  Raphael was being accused of poor behavior, but upon careful questioning and scrutiny, alas, the guilty dial swings in the direction of another.  It is starting to be a "thing".  I haven't had a chance to do any inquiries myself, so no additional light can be shone upon the behavior other than it is most definitely not Raphael.  Nor is it Tessa.  Not Bertie either.  And RIley is in the clear.  And no paws point to Snagglepus.  And I certainly wouldn't be voluntarily incriminating myself.... so, that is all I will write.  I am not a mom who turns a deaf ear, but nor do I rat out my children publicly.  So, there you have it.  The displeasure of a child is evident in the results shown in the included photos.....

Just sayin'...

May you find constructive ways to problem solve and express your frustration when the day goes a little sideways for you.

TTFN!

-G

A little snuggling in the favored downstairs bed....

Some clear communications of freshness!

Another view on freshness!  The remains of the day.,.,,,

Sunlight!?!?

Hi G-Fans!

Well, shock upon shock we had a weekday walk in sunlight!  I was wondering if one of us was a vampire with all these midnight strolls.  We actually were able to see the bog.  We didn't get a chance to romp in the bog, but we smelled the smells and saw the sights.  Tessa and Raphael were particularly eager to get down there and sniffed and pulled the whole way.  Funny, when we turned around we all were suddenly VERY tired and not very interested in moving AT ALL!  It just came over us without warning!!

But, we returned home without incident and the concierge then needed to return to "work mode".

We had a peaceful evening with a nice wood stove fire going and then drifted until we woke up a little bit ago for our cookies.  I don't care what time it is, there is always time for cookies.  Cookies are always timely.

So, it is time to return to sleep mode and bid adieu for another day.

May you dream dreams that fuel you for greatness :)

TTFN!

-G

It is late, again!

Hi G-Fans!

Again with the lateness of the evening, AND NO WALK!

Instead there were fireside snuggles and lovins...

And so what if we were relaxed and mellow.... I still want and warrant a walk!

Ridiculous and I think the M.S.P.C.A. will be interested in a little ringy-dingy from an anonymous tipster.

It is abhorrent treatment and it had best be an aberrant deviation and not a new norm.

Just sayin'!

So, what if the concierge was home all morning and we had pedicures, went in and out a bazillion times, basked in the crisp fall sunlight and smelled delightful aromas from the oven.

She got home LATE!

Really, really late!

It just isn't working for me....

I don't know why we can't just tax the minions so she can stay home all day, walk us all day and cuddle us all day and night!  I like the plan.   Now to implement it.....

So, may you appreciate the unexpected stolen moments of your day and make the most of them.

TTFN!

-G

Raphael, Snagglepus, Bertie and Tessa a-chillin'

Rain and Sun and Warm Winds

Hi G-Fans!

Well, it has been a "Mouse's Wild Ride" sort of day.

We started the day getting soaked three times with drizzling and torrential downpours.

Then, the sun broke through and it was positively mild and lovely.

And then, we had a walk in the moonlight and threw moonlit shadows as we moved along.

It was an odd sort of day.

We watched as the grass in the front yard was chewed up by a fairly noisy machine, along with brown damp leaves that should have been crunchy.

I toyed with the idea of another stab at the hunger strike, and reluctantly passed and ate the gruel slop dumped in front of me.  It was horrifying and numbing.  I choked the brown nuggets down.

For some reason the evening meal was less abhorrent.  Maybe it was those little stinky fishes that we get several meals each week that was included tonight.  I do love the stinky fishes.

Anyway, time to put the computer away and get to bed.  It is going to be a humdinger of a day tomorrow!  I heard rumors about nails and ears to start....   I hope I will be overlooked for that party!

So, may you enjoy the many forms of each day!

TTFN!

-G

A note on the pictures:

Well, it seems we are on a Jack and Izzy kick so I am including more pictures of my darlings down there in the south.

I don't recall when I got these pictures, or if I ever shared them.  

So, these may be back for a repeat performance or it may be their first :)

EIther way, ENJOY!