#Hello2018!

Happy New Year! 

So you have been wondering where we've been...since my last post was way before Christmas on December 18! I feel like I missed the whole holiday season (oh, wait, I did!) due to a case of bronchitis, complicated, as many of you know, by my having Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Fibromyalgia, two things that can give my immune system a beating and cause chronic exhaustion and pain, that can make recovery a slow process. 

So, it's been a long three weeks of rest, cough-filled sleep, doctor visits, medication, liquids, Vicks, essential oils, chicken soup, and four furry nurses to keep me company under the glow of the colorful Christmas tree while I caught up on every show I think I have ever been interested in! As you can see from the photo above, my boy Wolf and sister Chloe keep a very close eye on me! While I pretty much isolated myself from the rest of my family, Christmas Day came and went way too fast for me. And it was also the first Christmas without my father-in-law, who passed away the end of October.  So it was a strange holiday indeed. While I watched (adorned with a scarf around my mouth) my beautiful and excited grandson open presents left around the tree by our dear jolly ol' pal Santa, my season was cut short and so many friends and family I did not have the pleasure of visiting, no cookies baked or delivered, holiday shopping not completed, and no Christmas cards sent or packages delivered. Seriously, I need a holiday do-over! While I will be playing catch-up for a bit with some things, as I pack away the decorations, I can't help but feel like I stepped out of the Twilight Zone, wondering if Christmas and New Year's really passed me by, or...I am back from an alternate universe and it simply has not arrived yet? 

Speaking of health, If any of you also live with autoimmune disease, I have a group called The AI Club: Living With Fibromyalgia, RA & Other Autoimmune Diseases over on Facebook where we chat about life with AI issues, share recipes, tips, and news. I'd love to have you join us! 

I may have thrown myself a small, teensy-weensy pity party mid-way through my illness, but now that I am finally on the other side of it, even though I may have some residual effects for a few moths and with a compromised immune system, slow to start getting my steam going...but, as my Gibson always inspired me with his perseverance in the face of his health challenges, I will keep that spirit with me as I chug away, gradually getting stronger and back to my pre-bronchitis and creative self as soon as I can! And, in the mean time, I have my pups making sure I rest..like Bandit here, who decided her new job was being my lapdog! Now who am I to argue with 58 pounds of love and fluff?

To recap Christmas a little, I am always excited to add new ornaments to my tree,  including my annual FiveSibes ornament. I also could not resist the furry gray and white wooly Husky that called out to me from the store shelf; it reminded me so much of Gibson, he just had to come home with me!

My article "7 Ways to Share Holiday Joy With Your Dog and Dogs in Need" was published just in time for the holiday over on 4Knines, so that was fun! Hope you'll pop over to give it a read, even if it is past Christmas!

Christmas Eve was quiet here, other than my boisterous coughing breaking through the silent house! The pups snuggled in for a long winter's nap around the tree dreaming of Santa Paws' arrival!

Christmas morning arrived in full snow glory! We finally had a White Christmas! (It has been a few years). While I was sad I could not go out and enjoy it, it sure was beautiful to look at from the window, and watch my four FiveSibes play in it!

New Year's Eve arrived blanketed in quiet as well...as we sat around watching 2018 arrive as the ball drop in a freezing Times Square!

We sure hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, and wish each and everyone one of you and your families a healthy, peace-filled New Year! 

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