December 31, 2010 Two Steps forward...then one back

After  having a couple decent days ....

Magic Science Experiments 

Unfortunately Bob is ending this year not feeling well..he has Thrush again and it's quite painful. He called the doctor today and they prescribed a refill of the medicine that he used last time.  Hopefully he'll get some relief soon.   He plans to return to work on Monday...though is open to going in late and leaving early until he's up to full days.  

On Monday when the snowstorm was over...this was the scene...or should I say these were the scenes...

Sophia

Snow forts

Chloe and Natalie

yeeee haaaaaaaaa!

This was the view when I opened our door.....snowed in!
and still snowing!!!

Let's hope she doesn't try this with skis on!

Let the shoveling begin!!!

 The girls and I have been leaving bright and early to go skiing.  Bob is still sleeping and we are home around 10:30.    The conditions have been fabulous and the crowds are beginning when we are leaving.

Time to go...I need to sleep now...very tired.

Happy New Year!

December 26, 2010 Meet Sophia

Hello.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!   We did.  After our morning of unwrapping and playing the girls and I went sledding at the Flints house.  They tried out their new sleds...well mommy tried out the new sled and it was VERY fast.   The girls tried them--with helmets of course--and they decided that the old red sleds are better for this type of "course".  We then spent Christmas afternoon at Don and Deb's house in West Stockbridge.  We had a wonderful meal with great friends...so nice. The girls decorated gingerbread houses.

Bob got in on the decorating action!

The girls surrounded by American Girl dolls!
As I mentioned in my last blog entry...remember the last paragraph???
I mentioned a visitor that was coming for the winter.....Are you curious who is coming to stay?

This is Sophia.  She is staying with us for the winter.  Her "mom" --who is also  our neighbor/friend -- is battling cancer and there is a  a stem cell transplant planned within a month or two. Since Ann is undergoing Chemotherapy now and then will be in isolation for the transplant... it was decided that the best thing for the time being  is for Sophia to come to "Camp Doerr".   She arrived today at 9:00 am. Frank and his son got an early start from NY in hopes to beat the bad weather.   

We've taken care of Sophia  in the past  so our home is not a complete surprise to her.  Sophia and Chloe came from the same breeder.  Sophia is about 3 months older than Chloe. In theory Chloe was supposed to look like Sophia...however the only similarity I can see is their color!!!  We love Chloe dearly...though just so you know...we thought she'd look a lot different.  As Bob puts it Sophia looks like you'd pay money for her...Chloe..well....first thing you think of is RESCUE DOG!   LOL

They get along great most of the time ...unless there is a toy/chewy that they both have their eyes on!   Oh and also if Sophia jumps on me Chloe does NOT like that.  

This was the scene within the first hour of Sophia's arrival...

LET THE SNOW BEGIN!!!!!!!

The snowstorm is in full force.  WOW..its it snowing!  I'm going back to bed. I fell asleep after the girls did for a couple hours.

Until next time..good night.

December 23, 2010 Belated Update

As I write this it  is barely December 23...it's 11:58pm....almost Christmas Eve.  I know I often say this but I cannot believe how fast time goes by.  It has been about 10 days since I made an entry!

Bob is going "uphill' routinely.   He has improved energy most of the time.  He is driving now since he isn't on pain medication at this point.   He is very happy he can drive again.  Monday he went to Albany for the day...to the dentist first then to the office to "putter".

Today wasn't a great day for him....he was very cold and had  decreased energy.  I believe feeling so chilled is a combination of  the fact he has lost so much weight, not moving around a lot (exercise) because it's so cold out combined with we live   in the Berkshires!  Last time he was weighed I think he  lost around 35 lbs. He had to buy new jeans last week.

I suggested today  it may be time to wear "woollies" like the girls and I do.  We wear them daily  through Spring.  They are wool/silk  ( NO ITCH) long underwear.  They are so cozy!  Bob is NOT used to being  chilled ....he was always like a furnace. I, on the other hand, can get a chill in July if I'm in the shade!  (:   Woollies were made for people like me!!!!

During the last couple weeks this is some of what we've been up to...

The girls and I  were  in a
"No Dress Rehearsal Pageant" at our church.

We decorated cookies at church...

We went caroling at a nursing home with our church.....

We have been going sledding after school

Yes that is Olivia pulling her sister up the hill  AGAIN!
Olivia is a very patient big sister!

Chloe made new friends with 

Henry and Susans' dogs Guffy and Fleck...

That's Henry... Chloe thinks he's going to protect her from Guffy!

Then Chloe REALLY started having fun.

And of course the tree is  up, partially decorated AND
 Chloe  LOVES to undecorate it !

Finally today is Christmas Eve, tomorrow Christmas Day and Sunday, Dec 26 we have  a visitor coming  to stay with 

us for the winter....  More about that later......stay tuned...

it could be interesting!  (:

December 14, 2010 Reindeer and Clowns

Bob is still having good days and bad days.  He is realizing it's easy to overdo and then he  pays for it the next day.  It's all one day at a time living...often one moment at a time.  Eating is still a chore and he is discouraged by it.  He is off pain meds and will be driving once we pick up his car at the shop.  We were going to do that today however he didn't feel well and it was SO cold we opted to pick another day.

Bob went to church with us Sunday.  Everyone was thrilled to see him there.  The girls sang and were in the "no rehearsal" Christmas Pageant...I ended up being in it as well...VERY last minute.  Bob took some photos and I'll post those photos another time..they are still on my camera. 

On Saturday the girls were in the Albany Berkshire Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker.  Natalie was a reindeer...

She is looking for us!

And Olivia was a clown....

They enjoyed it immensely!   It's a big time/energy  commitment to have the girls take part in the Nutcracker...8 Saturday afternoons from mid -October- December but in the end it is worth it.   

That's all for now.  Bedtime for me.