Christmas Tree

OUR FIRST TREE!!!

Cali sat and watched as we assembled it.  This was just 3 days after her spaying.

Cali and her dad!

She's my precious girl!

Cali was not coroporating with the family photo.  She is still in it!

The tree lights up the entire house.  Barely need any lights on inside.

Our starter collection of ornaments.

Paynes Praire Preserve

On our final day in Florida we went to the Paynes Prairie Preserve Park.  There were wild alligators everywhere and some VERY close to us.  The walk total was about 3 miles and we saw everything from birds to snakes to alligators.  It was so pretty! I love the spanish moss trees! What a beautiful place to be with my love!!

Kayaking

Instead of going out Black Friday shopping, we decided to go kayaking.  It was a beautiful day, sunny and about 72 degrees.  We went to this place called The Crack which is only accessible by kayak or canoe.  You paddle through areas of "old Florida" which can be just wide enough for the kayak. On our way out to The Crack, we paddled into a cove where we saw some manatees (pictures 2 and 3). At The Crack, there was a rope hung in the tree that Q and his dad swung off of into the crack (the water was just too cold for me).  More information is found at the website... http://apalacheehills.com/springs/ChassMaggie.htm

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I was thankful to be surrounded by loved ones on Q's side of the family.

I am thankful for my husband...

... and my puppy dog!

And for the time that I finally get to share with Q again.  I am thankful for the Christmas season that is now upon us and until I get to see my family again! 

Excitement

There are so many things going on lately.. especially this week that is so exciting! I just feel like this past week has been so busy and full of all kinds of eventful things!

This past weekend Q came to visit us for the weekend and this was much needed! After having Cali spayed, it was just what I needed.  We had a great weekend and I feel like it really helped us become closer from this time apart. And thanks to a cancelled flight, he got to stay an extra day, almost :)

Then this week has been super busy. Yesterday I got to "babysit" our neighbor's (and Q's coworker) child.  Well she slept the whole time but still, it was nice to get out of the house for a little bit and have quiet time. 

Then this morning, I went to my very first homecoming for a deployed Marine. It was for my friend's husband returning from a 7 month deployment in Afghanistan.  It was bright and early this morning but there was so excitement that no one cared.  It was so joyful and to see the soldiers come off the bus and run to their families was so touching.  Made me miss my Marine a whole lot more.

Then as I sit here and type this, I received a text message with VERY exciting news! I will not share exactly what it is (I'm sure it will come out soon) but this has been a long time coming and I know very stressful for the one's involved! LOVE YOU GUYS!

Tomorrow I leave for Florida.  Being able to stop in Savannah for the night with Di will be so great.  So ready for some girl talk! Then off to see Q and his family with Cali.  She doesn't know what is about to hit her but it is going to be a whole lot of love.  I hope she prepares herself during the car ride! 

Love, Love, Love!

Spay update

I know it has been a while since I have updated about Cali but Q came home for the weekend and I've been taking care of Cali so it has been a little busy around here.  Cali is doing much better.  We had a rough couple of days at first but she is good now. 

She came home with a cone on her head and HATED it! She wouldn't really walk around at all and I could tell she was just so tired.  She wore the cone only at night the first 3 nights or so but then I stopped putting it on her because she wasn't licking herself at all.

 

Her incision is healing nicely and she goes to the vet for her check up on Friday and I'm hoping for clearance for her to be able to exercise some more and maybe even play.  She has so much energy and it is so hard to keep her calm. 

Our neighbor dogs got her a card and a toy and it perked up her spirits.  It was the first sign of life that she had in a day or so. 

 

But I think having her dad home for the weekend helped (I know it gave me a break which was SUPER helpful).

Worry Wednesday

Cali is currently at the vet getting spayed.  It is a weird feeling without her right now.  I know she is just a dog and everyone probably thinks I'm a little crazy but not having her around is kind of sad.

It is so quiet now... not that she is a loud dog, but she likes to throw her toys around and make them squeak so now that that is not happening, it is sad.

 

I'm anxious to see how she is when I pick her up.  I know she is going to be a little out of it and of course sad...

 

When I dropped her off this morning, she was peeing all over the vet office, as usual.  I really wish she would stop this whole peeing when she gets excited, scared, or any other emotion.  The surgeon was so nice though and when he knelt down to love on her she sat down and just loved back and gave him many kisses! I told him that if he is nice to her that she will give him all the kisses he could ever ask for :)