Goliad Christmas Parade

Tonight was the annual Goliad Christmas Parade. Fred made it home in time to go with us and I was happy. I don't think I would have managed my camera, Michael and Jake all at the same time! Being dark I knew I needed the tripod but there was just no way I could do the tripod with Michael and Jake. This was also Jakes first parade. Jake did fairly well socializing with everyone before the parade. He is learning to sit before being petted and did a great job. When the police cars and fire trucks went by with their sirens going Jake freaked out a bit. I was prepared and knew he was going too...He didn't care for the Goliad Highschool band either. After doing plenty of parades with Julie (horse) I knew what to expect and with Fred there was able to concentrate on Jake 100%. Jake did great and I was proud of him.

Now for the photos...I used the night setting on my camera as I didn't really have time or enough free hands to play with the settings...I knew they were going to be blurry but you know I actually think they came out pretty neat looking....We enjoyed ourselves and got there early enough to walk around the square and check out the local arts and craft vendors. We were able to visit with different friends we saw and Jake was swarmed by the kids and did really well.

Waiting for the Parade to start. Michael just loves sausage on a stick.

Michael watching for the parade. I used the flash plus the night shot setting on this photo...I thought it was pretty cool...anticipation and lots of movement.

Michael sitting in his chair playing with his light spinner.

The lights of Goliads main street.

A tractor and float that were in the parade.

Horse and wagon...I just love the blurry effect and all the lights.

LOL, my feet and the back of Jakes head. I thought of you Colleen when I took this photo and your summer feet shot...about the only photo you'll ever see of me unless someone takes the camera away from me!!

I had plenty of photos but decided not to bore you to death...LOL....

Uh OH!

It seems I have a problem...

In the past year we have acquired some new furniture...specifically 3 new recliner chairs. As I was looking around the house this evening I realized I had a BIG problem!!

Where am I going to put the Christmas tree?

The last recliner we brought home was one that Fred had won and we were actually going to give it away. But then I did a bunch of rearranging and managed to fit it in my computer/scrap room...but I honestly don't have a clue as to where or how I'm going to fit our Christmas tree into the picture, LOL....

I wished all my friends and family lived a bit closer as I could really use some help here!!

I know if I ask Fred for his opinion, and him being a MAN, he's going to tell me forget the Christmas tree. So I won't receive any help from that side!!

I wonder if he'd mind if I disassembled the television stand and moved the television out of the living room, LOL...it's an idea!!

Australian Christmas and Misc.

I sent some digital layouts in that Helen had done for us and some that I did and had them printed off. Instead of doing 12x12 I had them done 10x10 and then used color cardstock for a matting. They came out really nice and I'm so excited to have them in my scrapbook.

Thank you Helen!

We also recieved a Christmas (a bit early) package from Helen and her family yesterday!! We loved it and have been enjoying the music, LOL....I did a little video so everyone could listen to what jingle bells sounds like in Austrailia...As Helen said Jingle bells will never be the same again, LOL.

Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden ute, Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot.

Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs, It's summertime and I am in my singlet, shorts, and thongs.

Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingles all the way!

Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer's day, Hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden ute.

That is the chorus and first verse if you want to read the rest of the song go check out this url Helen sent me...

http://users.bigpond.net.au/bwi28/c/jinglebells.html

I love my Aussie friend and I am so thankful for her....She brings a lot of laughter into my life!

Have you ever had one of those MORNINGS!!

Have you ever had one of those MORNINGS where you just want to go back to bed and skip the rest of the day?

I'd like to do that, LOL....

It started at 5am when my dear Husband got up and was making such a racket that he woke me up, grrr...so much for sleeping until 6:30am. Then I let the dogs out and could see it froze outside last night. We didn't have a freeze warning so I didn't cover my plants up, they look okay but I'll no more in a few days when they start wilting and dying.

Jake had an appt. at the Vet to be neutered and we were at the Vets at 8am. Michael was upset about leaving Jake and after we left kept asking me if Jake was ready to come home yet. Poor thing still remembers taking Ebony in and Not bringing her home, he was so afraid the same thing was going to happen to Jake. I was worried too as sometimes Collies have adverse effects to certain drugs. We went and got breakfast and then I told Michael we'd go to the park to eat and play. Well they had the park closed for Christmas as they have a light display and the only time you can enter the park is from 6pm to 10pm. Now how stupid is that, it is S. Texas and normally warm enough to go play at the park and they have it closed during the day. Needless to say Michael was upset as he loves to play at the park.

We also stopped at the Elementary school that is close to us this morning. I wanted to find out if Michael was eligible to go there even though we live in a different county and school district. This school is only 5 miles from us versus Golaid which is 18 miles and would be 1.5 hour bus ride for Michael morning and night. Well I was told that Michael could not go there but had to go to Goliad, UGH!! I was so disappointed as I've heard this is a really good rural elementary school! They told me I could fill out transfer papers and transfer Michael to that school district. Fred and I discussed this and we decided that we wanted Michael to stay with the friends he makes in Elementary and not have to move to a different school district when he starts middle school and make new friends all over again. I was thinking that the kids from the 3 different counties that are in this area attended this elementary then when they entered 6th grade they all went to their different school districts, but I was wrong, boohoo...just another disappointment added to my Morning.

We headed home and had to stop for road construction and wait 15 minutes before we could go and then just before I reached the driveway we had a phone call from the vet, ugh! The first thing out of the vet assistants mouth was that Jake was okay, LOL...She knows me well and knew I was worried as to why they were calling me. It seems that Jake's blood count was low and he was anemic and they couldn't do the surgery! I'm really glad they did the blood work as I would have had to do a lot of explaining if Jake had died in surgery. So we had to turn right back around and go get him, Michael was happy. Jake is on meds and will go back in 2 weeks for more blood work. If he's okay then the vet will attempt to do the surgery.

On our way home I took a different route so we wouldn't hit the road construction...By this time I had to pee really really bad...But when we got down the highway a bit they had it closed off due to some very LARGE oil rig they were moving into a ranch...By this time I am looking to the side of the road for a Darn bush to pee behind, LOL....We ended up having to wait 20 minutes before they'd let us go through, ugh!! It was a mad dash to the house and here I am....feeling much better...but ready to go back to bed and just skipping the rest of the day!! Now if I could just convince Michael!! Fred called and he is headed to Laredo, sigh!! Hopefully it won't be for long but you just never know!

We did have one Positive thing this morning...it seems my dear friend Helen has sent us a Christmas package early and here it sits. I haven't opened it yet as I was thinking of putting it under the tree and not opening it until Christmas, LOL...I know Helen wants us to open it as she has sent us some music...but I thought I'd tease her for awhile and love the anticipation!! I'm thinking of waiting until after our nap this afternoon and then maybe starting the evening off on a good note!!