Are they waiting for Santa or is something good cooking in the kitchen?

As Bruce and I near the one year anniversary (December 23) of arriving in New Hampshire- I think back to an almost more important date of Dec 21st - the day we left Kansas. We left a place where we had lived for most of our adult lives - a comfortable place - a safe place. It was early evening on a Tuesday - we had packed for nearly 4 days. We were tired and anxious. Picking and choosing what e...lse would fit in the moving truck was a difficult task. We were blessed to have neighbors David and Elaine who put us up for a few nights. And to other friends and neighbors who helped and hugged. It was a tough task to decide what to take and what to leave behind - stuff is stuff. And it tests your limits to decide if particular stuff will be needed or necessary in your life going forward. And then there are the people that we left behind in Kansas - I know in my heart of hearts that some of them I will never see again. But some have already been to visit and hopefully more will come to visit in the future. And I know that we will be back in KS in 2012 - Bruce has his 40th high school reunion - so we will make a trip out of it. "What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.” ― Henry David Thoreau

Waiting for Irene. The last report is that here in New Hampshire we could see winds up to 60 mph and 2 to 8 inches of rain depending on how this storm tracks. Ziggy is not too worried as you can see. Bruce and I will move all the outdoor furniture, swing, grill, etc. into the garage part of the barn. This morning we will move the pot bellied pigs, Norman and Tuesday, from their summer barn area to the stall in the regular barn.

A 3 basset morning... a sight I see as I get ready for work - luckily Bruce goes to work later in the day than I do and the hounds get to stay in bed til he rises. Left to right are Willie, Ziggy and Romeo.

Our home in Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire. We moved to NH in December of 2010 to be closer to family.

We arrived on 12/23/10. Henry David Thoreau wrote that most men live lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.
I believe Bruce and I are singing our song. Not sure if it is country, rock and roll or hiphop. But we are singing...... Bruce has taken a voice over workshop and I just finished a creative writing class.
This has truly been an adventure for our 30+ year marriage. Many, many laughs, some tears, lots of snow. Winter in a 150+ year old house on 11 acres is a daily challenge - but a glance out a window and the views are amazing. Most thought we were crazy - a few thought we were brave. I think we have surpassed many odds - we are both gainfully employed and loving our new jobs - driving to work or for work (Bruce) the views are amazing. We have made it thru our first winter. WE are so enjoying all the times we are getting to spend with Katie and Dan. Such fun we are having.
All the bassets, pot bellied pigs and cats are doing great.
So now we wait for the garden to be tilled and we will be planting our first NH vegetable garden soon.

It has been nearly 3 years since I posted to the blog. My last entry is of Leroy who went to the bridge in January 2008 and I just had a hard time bringing myself to post to the blog.
But I must turn over a new leaf and introduce you to my wonderful senior bassets.
This is Roy who came to us last fall because his owners were empty nesters who no longer had time in their lives for him. He is absolutely a character. We are sure in a previous life that he was either a politician or a preacher - as he has a lot to say and an opinion about everything.
Moof, Moof, Moof.... he says on many occasions and I usually just agree with him.
This photo was taken at our local Walk for Life with is the dog version of the American Cancer fundraiser Relay for Life. It was a hot day and we were just resting in the shade.

This is Leroy in his costume for the contest he entered at the OMBR (Ozark Mountain Basset Rescue) picnic that we attended last weekend.
We had a great time and enjoyed helping the folks at OMBR raise some $$ to help the hounds.
We really enjoy the opportunity to travel a bit with our bassets - we have some houndies who really enjoy getting out and about and mingling with the crowds.
Leroy had a great afternoon and slept the whole way home.
We hope you all have a great fall weekend. It is so hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only 4 weeks away. The bassets are expecting us to roast them their own turkey this year.
It will be a busy weekend as Elmo will be going to his new home in Omaha. And Snickers and Gravity will be going to their new home in Wichita. And we have a new 10 year old boy arriving from Arkansas. (His owners did not think it was worth it to pay the impoundment fee to get him out.)

Have a great weekend and enjoy your hounds.
Kim