Dear Family and Friends,
Tis the Christmas season of 2010 and we find ourselves blessed in so many ways. Austin and Amanda are doing well. They have grown up and don’t get into too much trouble. And then there’s the dog – Rylie. This year, teenagers = no problem; one small dog = chaos on four legs! Most of the stories this year revolve around the dang dog. Here is our year in a nutshell . . .
Jan – We went out of town for a few days and left our children and the dog at home. We returned to find that Rylie had chewed - not one - but both living room chairs! I guess that was her way of expressing her anger at being left behind.
Feb – We leave the dog in the laundry room during the day while we are at work and school. We don’t leave her outside because she is determined to dig an escape route under the fence. Well, apparently, she has decided to use a similar strategy in the laundry room. She has chewed through the door molding! If she makes her way through the sheet rock, she’ll be free to roam the house for her seek and destroy missions! Thus, we bought a crate and spoiled all her doggy plans! She does not like it, but my walls are intact!
Mar – Heaven is one angel richer - Alan’s mother, Doris Ragsdale King, passed away. November 16, 1921 – March 8, 2010. We will miss her always.
Apr – We went out to a movie with friends and had a home invader while we were out! We left a window open at the house because the weather was nice. When we came home, we smelled something - - and it didn’t smell good. We let Rylie out of her crate, and she immediately alerted to the odor. Rylie pinpointed the foul smell on our couch. Apparently a cat had come in through our open window, marked his territory, and left! (Yuck) However - - if we had to be a home invasion statistic - - I’d rather it be for this kind of “cat” burglar!
May – Amanda finished 10th grade; Austin completed his 2nd year of college; and I finished my 25th year in education!
June – Amanda has now joined Austin as a Publix employee! Sometimes we go to the store and buy just one item. We ask her to take it to the car for us! It takes so little to amuse us.
July – We took Rylie to our friends’ mobile mansion on Lake Allatoona. She had a great time. She peed on their bed and got her head stuck between the pickets on the deck. (The photo was taken before she got her head stuck.) She really freaked when we had to hammer the picket to get her fat head out. So . . . we put her in her crate . . . next to the bed. She somehow managed to get her snout out far enough to snag the comforter, which she then chewed to shreds. So we took her home! We put her in her crate . . . in Austin’s room . . . next to the bed. Once again, she somehow managed to get her snout out far enough to snag the comforter, which she also chewed to shreds! She must think we are the best people ever or the stupidest people ever!
August – We are storing some items in our basement for a friend. One item is a deer head. For cheap entertainment, we take the deer head to the dog and make animal noises. It scares her. So naturally, the next step is to chase her around the house with it! Good times!
Sept – We took the dog for her annual vet visit. We were not surprised to learn that the dog is overweight. Of course she is! She eats chairs, door molding, and comforters for snacks!
Oct – If you leave something on the floor, it’s fair game for the dog. Warning - - - If you ever spend the night with us, don’t leave your under garments on the floor unless you want them paraded throughout the house for everyone to admire!
Nov – I think Rylie was the inspiration for the cartoon! Seriously. The day after Thanksgiving, she jumped up on a kitchen chair to get to the container of leftover turkey that was on the table. All I can say is “gobble, gobble” took on a whole new meaning!
Dec – But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Luke 2: 10, 11
Let us remember to lift up one another as we seek God’s calling on our lives each day, and never be too busy to listen, too burdened to praise, too tired to talk, or too stressed to smile and give the love God has given us to one another.
Merry Christmas 2010,
Alan, Deana, Austin, Amanda, and Rylie King
