What a Wonderful World

With only 4 days until Christmas Eve, life around here has been pretty busy. I do not think I will stop moving until Christmas morning. I have not started wrapping at all. I still need to take inventory and make a list of the things I still need to pick up. Middle Weasel and I are working on a special surprise gift for all the Weasels and still have many hours of work ahead of us. I better get on the ball. The cookies are finished and have been delivered. That is one of my favorite 'chores' at Christmas time. I had great visits with my neighbors as I came bearing cookies. I also managed to receive the biggest compliment and most heartwarming gift from a dear friend.

Patsy is a dear friend and neighbor happens to be the mother of one of my best girlfriends. She lives alone, with the exception of her best friend Lady, who is the best and sweetest dog ever.

The Weasel family enjoy both Patsy and Lady very much. Patsy is not in good health and we try to look out for her. The kids will shovel or run errands and in return Patsy is like another grandmother to them. They love to play with Lady and visit. Last summer patsy was hospitalized and Lady came to stay with us for what was expected to be a few days. It turned out to be closer to 2 months. We didn't mind in the least. We really enjoyed having her here, but also wished for Patsy to get well and strong soon. The kids have been begging for years for a dog. The answer has always been no. I love dogs, but do not have the time or patience to go through training with one. I always told them, "If I could have a dog like Lady, I would", she is gentle and well trained. She doesn't bark, except when she is supposed to. She is my kind of dog.

Anyway, it has always been Patsy's wish that when she passes that Lady be buried with her. Last night, that was my final stop with cookies. I save the best for last as I know that Patsy always has a cold beer in the fridge for me and scotch for her and we visit for a while. During our visit Patsy very sweetly and sincerely told me that she has changed her wishes. That in the event of her death, she now would like Lady to join the Weasel family. She told me that she knows how much we love her and how much Lady loves all the Weasels. I hope it never comes to that, but with how much Patsy loves Lady and vice versa, that was about the biggest compliment and the nicest gift I could have received. I am Thankful.

I have a lot to be thankful for. Yesterday, thanks to many of you, and especially Big Bad Daddy, Michael's Daddy and NukeDad, I received a gift of $250.00 for the Weasel Christmas. Most of all, it was the gift of friendship and caring that touched my heart. I wish I knew how to ~but can't figure it out no matter how hard I try ~ make an award badge to hand out to these fellas. It would picture a weasel and read "Screw the whales, we save WEASELS!" and "I am a great friend and I deserve an award". But since I can't make a badge, this is as close to an award as these fellas are getting, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

I am also thankful for my teenager (yes, and all the Weasels). In this post complaining about teen angst, Michelle commented to the effect of my scaring her about raising a teen. "And you're really making me want to send the wee ones to boarding school when they get to the teenage years. There has to be some redeeming qualities right?". Yes they do. She is a great kid with a awesome funny sense of humor. She has an academic scholarship and is a successful athlete. All teens are teens, but I appreciate her being her even more today than just a few days ago.

While on the phone with an old friend far away, I was filled in on all the scuttlebut of the old neighbors. It turns out that a former preschool playmate of Eldest Weasel, at the ripe old age of 15 is pregnant and due in February. This made for a loud wake-up call as to just how good we have it with Eldest. Mr. Weasel had been highly aggravated with her eye rolling lately. After hearing this news he gave her a great big hug, beamed with pride and said "I Love You!"