Merry Christmas....2017

 another Christmas is over.  it was generally a relaxing and enjoyable Holiday.  the New Years is yet to come.  I'll be working for that one.  my shifts were odd this week.  on call the first night then called in for a sitter job.  second night on call all night.  third i worked.  at first they had me slated for neuro. i don't work neuro.  yes, i do realize that i could probably swing most units in the hospital.  we have selected units we work, don't work in, so i don't work in all units.  my concern is if they start sticking me in these non-preferred units i will be sent there more and more and get less of the ICU shifts.  don't want that to happen....so i went in to the office and told them that i was not listed to work neuro.  that ended up switching me to another sitter night. 

 i whipped up a bunch of these silly scarves and some i took to the dog park for the dane group that we frequently walk with.  i think they all enjoyed their cute scarves. the rest i brought to a Christmas Eve gathering. 

 i had in my head that the eve gathering was at 4 or 5...happy i checked the time.  i was late and then needed to get my crap together to get over there.  silly girl.  i had this chill day planned, haha.  thankfully, the pups were able to come along to that gathering so they could play with their puppy friends...we missed the walk that day.

 up late most nights.  hopefully, i will crash soon tonight though.

 sunrise from my bedroom the other day. 

 had a bit of a headache the other day, i was sitting so i had some thinking time that first night sitting.  part of me started to worry myself that my Dad stopping by was some sort of sign i would die or something.  then, i decided I'd seen no white lights or anything like that.  hopefully, i shall live many more years.  easy to freak yourself out over things. 

 Danes in scarves.  so cute.

 tonight i met up with more friends for a Christmas meal.  relaxing.  they have a new puppy so it was fun to get some puppy time in.  he's really mellow.  they have chosen the name Scout.  their older dog, Leo, seems to be enjoying destroying the toys they get for the puppy.  he's a de-squeaker, haha.

 my pups and i did a nice rambling walk out in North Bivuoac today.  weather was nice.  kind of chilly.  some ice to navigate on the powerline section.

 several shots from the gathering Christmas Eve with friends.  these were all taken by Karen Rode.  hopefully, she doesn't mind me sharing the pics of me and my pups.  i had just stolen this pillow from her in the white elephant? i always forget.  i did end up with it.

 my girl, Ivy looking so pretty at the party.  she had been wearing a party sweater, but the dogs were all playing outside while we ate and when she came back inside, her sweater was pretty shredded....we shall have to buy a new one next season.  I'm surprised their sweaters last as long as they have. 

 you can see the tearing below.  Tusker kept his sweater intact.

 thought this was beautiful of Tusker below....thanks Karen!

 back home i wrapped all their gifts for them and the stockings got filled. 

 they are actually really good at unwrapping their gifts.  of course, my house is a bit dark and they like to carry them to an even darker area for the actual unwrapping.  i took some video's but the lighting wasn't good. 

 they got an added treat in their breakfast this morning.

 a few more at the gathering by Karen.

 may need to get a leather/pleather couch next time round.  this one is getting pretty old.  remodel kitchen first...then think about new couch.  hoping to be able to get better lighting in my main living area along with the kitchen remodel.  i need to actually start planning the whole thing.

 Tusker this morning enjoying the prezzies.

 lots of treats for both pups. Santa sure takes care of puppies in my house.

 stockings hung by the chimney with care...

 next 4 are last of the pics by Karen.  thanks for taking and sharing the pictures.

 Ivy is not the best at settling in...never has been.  she remains all legs and licks when she attempts to sit on my lap.

 this one is a bit calmer.

 another pretty one of the two of them

 so well behaved!!

 been watching season 2 of the crown.  those are long episodes, not overly fast moving but interesting.  not sure how much is based on actual history. I'll have to look it up.

 beautiful day out there, nice to have the time to walk and enjoy it.

 Ivy selects her next gift to open.  they got a lot of tennis balls.

 sun out strong

 the view as i left the parking area.

 all mixed up, but her is Tusker making his next gift selection

 one of those ice patches.  Stumphenge appears to have had water run over the top.  at one point i had to turn around because of water.  go back around the other day. i suspect with how cold it is tonight there may be some cool frost formation out there by tomorrow.

 not sure where I'll walk tomorrow. the tides aren't really where i like them. 

hope you all enjoyed the season.  had to laugh to myself about this made up War on Christmas...really it often seems like Christmas itself has become a war on Christianity.  so many have seemed to have forgotten what Christianity is, what Christ taught.  Santa, consumerism...none of this has anything to do with Christianity, with Christ....but there it is.  our nation is so about who you know, what you own...so odd the Christian values vs the Christlike life. Christ would have us live simple lives with much less by way of earthly pleasures but our culture rewards the rampant consumerism.  our nation applauds the wealthy and famous and seems to be shunning the less fortunate more and more....it's a sad state that we have all allowed to become normal by our own greed, our belief that we need more and more, and never finding satisfaction in what we have and who we are.