After a quiet evening at home, Fidget and I embarked on our peaceful, last walk of the day. As soon as we got outside, 3 large neighbor dogs (who are always off leash) charged at Fidget. They attacked her. I couldn’t stop them. It was awful to see Fidget get beat up and hear her shrieks of fear and pain and not be able to do anything about it.

The neighbor finally came out and called her dogs off. She apologized profusely. Then, we noticed blood dripping from Fidget and coloring the snow an ugly red. I quickly took her inside to investigate.
Fidget has several puncture wounds on her left leg and a rather deep puncture wound on her chest that doesn’t want to stop bleeding. (It stops for a while and then starts dripping again.) The poor dear looks exhausted, freaked out and pathetic.

I went over to the neighbors to make sure their dogs were up to date on their shots. I also wanted them to know I was upset about the situation. They kept apologizing and said they would pay any vet bills. I’m not worried about money. I’m worried this will change Fidget’s sweet personality. FlyGuy is out of town. I wish he was home.

Here’s a picture that shows Fidget waiting patiently for LL to give her a smooch.

For an infertile person like myself, waking up early this morning and taking a Christmas picture of Little Lassie and Fidget was a dream fulfilled. I’ve saved all the photo cards from family and friends through the years and this year I finally get to add my own card to the pile that will one day be a photo album/scrapbook of Christmas photos.

Fidget wasn’t too keen on her elf hat, but LL was a trooper and sat still while smiling sweetly frame after frame. That is no small feat for a 2 year old especially considering the photo shoot was before her first cup of milk – In this house that is like asking FlyGuy to clean the bathroom before his first cup of coffee.

I designed and ordered the cards online right after taking the pictures. I was done my 9am. Throughout the day I’ve gone back to the photo website just to see our Christmas card, proving to myself its real, this Christmas I’m a mom.

Here is a photo that I love, but did not make the cut for the Christmas card.

We’ll be leaving Va and going back home to Chicago in about 10 days. As much as I struggled to call this home, I will miss it. This hillside is quiet and secluded which is very different than our neighborhood in Chicago. Since being in VA I often find myself walking outside and wandering the yard admiring the peaceful countryside. Back home, my condo has a small deck overlooking our alley – I’ve never wandered out there to admire the view. I will miss this.

While there is not a house or road in sight, we have neighbors in our yard all the time. Being that we are nosy, FlyGuy and Little Lassie peer out the bedroom window at yesterday’s visitors.

A group of 25 wild turkeys leisurely walk through the property several times a day eating crickets.

On the left, a deer watches Fidget and I from the orchard in the front yard. Fidget tried chasing deer a few times and quickly gave it up because she was no match for their speed or grace.

Lastly, a few of the many spiders we see each day. I won’t post the picture in case some are squeamish about spiders. Click here for a look. (I caught them hanging out on LL’s wagon handle. The size of these spiders is unbelievable, but I’ll spare the details.)

My little drama queen/country bumpkin holding a raw corn cob – her favorite toy when available.