Sick Snifferdoodle...Update!!

Yesterday Ubu, one of our puppies, was taken to Pet Emergency because he just was not his normal bouncing beagle self. Turns out he has a bacterial infection so he's being treated with antibiotics and such. We're so glad it wasn't parvo!! Hopefully we get to pick him up today. That little guy has wiggled himself into our hearts in just two short weeks. His buddy, Dieter, misses him terribly, too!

Update: Ubu's home and doing well! He'll be on meds for a few days and a bland diet to make sure his tummy doesn't start having problems again. Here's a picture of the welcome home -- Ubu is in the box, checking it out just because. Dieter's giving him a kiss!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Ever since we lived in Germany, we have kept the tradition of St. Nicholas alive and well in our house. The kids still put their shoes out on the eve of December 6th. We laughed this year because neither one of them live at home anymore. St. Nicholas still found them, though. Bring on the German chocolates and treats! I think Mr. York and I will have some traditional German food for dinner, too.

Gratitude Friday List...

sunset from Five Mile Prairie in Spokane tonight!

I'll start the morning out with a few things I'm thankful for and probably add to it after I get home from teaching this afternoon!

1. big cup of hot coffee and my husband who makes it for me every morning! (it's cold in the house this morning!)

2. a furnace that works. Our oil company takes GREAT care of it for us!! Thanks, Banner Fuel.

3. continual guest teaching jobs for the past three weeks!

4. my blogging friends that I've met just since I've started my own blog!

5. my church, Life Center North! They had a wonderful Volunteer Appreciation Night for everyone who serves at the church. Thanks for the laughs, LCN staff. Everything was perfect!! I love my church~

The Cure for the Common Life!

I'm always searching for a cure of some sort, whether it be for multiple sclerosis, "ungroupable" moments, an upset tummy, too much month and empty checkbook or a cold that the kiddos gave me. Another great reminder for me today when I saw this quote on another blog. It's from Max Lucado: "Use your uniqueness (what you do) to make a big deal out of God (why you do it) every day of your life (where you do it)."

Two thoughts: I don't know about you, but I get weary of searching. Can my heart just be content with where I am right now? And, how I can use my uniqueness today and every day?

Time to Decorate?

Everyone else has been busy decorating and I have yet to put anything out!! The two snifferdoodles (aka beagle puppies Ubu and Dieter) and the terrorist kitten (aka Klaus) are the busiest little guys ever and I don't think much would be safe this year! However, I have seen some cute decorations when I've been at some of my guest teaching schools. I saw one yesterday that I loved so I am going to try to re-create it -- a big glass/plastic jar with a red ribbon tied at the mouth of the jar. Inside: everything green, red, white and gold....buttons of all shapes and sizes, jingle bells, etc. I'm going to have to look at it again to see what else was in it and sneak a picture, too, to post. It was so simple and very me! It'll go perfect on top of the piano~ safe!

ps I think I will search through Grandma Zimmer's button boxes; I'm sure there's Christmasy ones! I love going through those boxes --what a fun way to remember her during this Christmas season!

Doing Everything Readily and Cheerfully!

This morning I was reading Philippians 2. I thought I'd share it with you. It was a "smack on the head" reminder for me to not be complaining or arguing.

From The Message: "Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing." Philippians 2:14-16

Jim Brickman concert

Last night we went to see Jim Brickman in concert! Amazing~ he's so talented and I could listen to his music forever. Now, if I could just win the Escape Cruise that's scheduled for the end of January....doesn't that sound heavenly? Jim Brickman, a cruise to Carribean Islands of Aruba, Curacoa, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas when it's so cold here in Spokane and relaxation! Perhaps I'll see if my fairy godmother will grant this wonderful gift! If you get a chance to see Jim's Holiday Homecoming Tour, go!!! It's a great way to get into the Christmas spirit!