Friday, December 25, 2009

And Finally, Merry Christmas

And the truth comes out... I AM THE WORST CORRESPONDENT in the world! (Many of my friends and family already grasp this fact. However, a choice few do seem to believe the best of me and persevere with efforts at contact.)

Over the past month as the Christmas wishes, cards, letters, and emails rolled in there has been a deafening silence from this small corner of southern Mississippi. Now, let me do my best to send out a few Christmas greetings of my own. Granted, I've already missed Christmas for several friends, the ones in the other hemisphere and a smattering in Europe, and family in Asia but perhaps it counts if it is still Christmas in your own time zone.

Now then, THE Christmas letter...

Fin is still bouncing back and forth between the frozen north and sub-tropic Mississippi. However, 2009 ended with much more time for us together than at any other point in our history. We both find this incredibly encouraging as there are no corpses, we still enjoy one another's company, and he's agreed to mostly stay out of the kitchen (although he does make a mean Mac and Cheese).

O' nine saw the addition of a new face to the menagerie, Copper Knight the Hound Dawg, the not-quite Basset. Hound Dawg, has certainly changed the tenor of life. I had hopes that his large size as a not-quite-Basset might intimidate uninvited guests but unfortunately unless the uninvited guests have flop ears and bushy white tails I'm afraid I'm out of luck. This realization was borne out recently by a stranger and uninvited guest that stopped by on a bit of business.

Uninvited Guest tucked his card into the side door of the part of the yard not "guarded" by the Hound Dawg. When I found the card I was optimistic that Uninvited Guest perhaps felt some qualms about entering a yard "guarded" by a strange dog and opted for the unguarded door. Sadly, this comfortable illusion was shattered when I asked Fin to call the number on the business card and Uninvited Guest remarked to the Finman that he loved the Hound Dawg and said, "I would have taken my card to the other door but I was afraid the dog might get me dirty." I know this wasn't a scientific survey but the results seem pretty clear to me, if potential evil-doers are lurking about the property and also afraid of dirt or quite possibly long strings of excited drool then by jolly, life and property are completely safe.

You'll all be glad to hear however, that Copper is quite aggressive with bunnies. So, no evil Monty Pythonish carnage should occur under Hound Dawg's watch.

PhotobucketThe Incredibly Furry Feline, Milton has struggled a bit with the addition of Hound Dawg. I would say that Feline/Canine relations are going smoothly but I also dislike lying to friends and family so I must say instead that the Feline side verges on tolerance while the Canine front is one of pure unadulterated enthusiasm which in turn is a bit off putting for the Furry Feline.

The past year, brought about a bit of an evolution in Milton apart from Copper. It seems Milton is showing a distressing desire to go native and now fancies himself quite the mouser. In fact, I had to make him spit one out just last night so he could come in for Fancy Feast Salmon dinner. Said mouse, was away in the blink of any eye and a The Incredibly Furry Feline was none too pleased to extend a bit of Christmas clemency. As I think these new behaviors are solving the problem of rodents nesting in the shed I'm actually grateful to Milton's new found skills, but a bit disconcerted all the same.

Perhaps the biggest news of 2009 is my slight change in vocation. Beginning in January I will start as the Youth Services Coordinator for my library system, a change that I still find exhilerating and terrifying by turns. As a coordinator, I'll uhmm... coordinate. Fin is always very pleased to point out that I will be a bi-county coordinator. There are few downsides to this move. Yet sadly, I will spend less time with library patrons and I won't have my own little core group of storytime children and families. I will also miss seeing the library patrons of my branch library on a regular basis and will miss my five mile commute to work. However, I am truly pleased and excited to enter a new chapter with the library system.

Now then and finally, I know a few of you have been hanging on for just one little bit of information and here it is: No, we don't have a date yet.

To all of you, friends and family, I wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year. I would make promises to do better in 2010 with blogging and keeping in touch with all of you but let's be honest, we know those kind of committments make me itchy. I will say that I will try and I do SO appreciate all my friends that do such a wonderful job of keeping in touch with me.

Love to you all,
Bethany C

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(Hey Wiz, do you recognize this tinman?)




19 comments:

  1. I have no doubt that you will coordinate with the best of them!

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  2. Merry Christmas to you and Fin. I hope 2010 brings even more adventures!

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  3. Don't consider your greetings late -- consider yourself an upholder of the Twelve Days of Christmas tradition!

    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you both. Or you four -- the fur family included, too!

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  4. becomingkate, thanks. I certainly hope you and all yours had a wonderful holiday.

    intelliwench, what a wonderful perspective. Thank you! Merry Christmas to both you and intellikid!

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  5. "Pure unadulterated enthusiasm" seems to accurately portray most of Copper's approach to life, doesn't it!

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  6. Merry Christmas! I am so happy for you and Fin. Love and happiness to you both in the coming year!
    Carla

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  7. Thank you for the illminating recap of 2009 and the first twinklings and inklings of where 2010 might lead you. I am delghted the menagerie has grown and Milton has taken it upon himself to rid the sheds of micies... and Copper seem indeed filled with a lust for life and a loving nature. Also delighted on the Fin and thee update. Maggs

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  8. Carla so glad you stopped by. Thank you for the well wishes.

    Maggs, I was so glad to catch you posting earlier today. You've pegged Copper, "lust for life and a loving nature". That's it exactly.

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  9. I loveee the tinman!!! Yeahhh!!! I happen to agree with Elisa, you'll be a great coordinator! I can't wait to hear how you enjoy your new adventure, and look forward to finally having the chance to meet both Copper and Milton with our next trip.

    *hugs*

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  10. Wiz, thanks. I still can't believe that Milton wasn't around for your last visit. I'm also looking forward to showing you the changes around the place. We'll have to make sure that you can visit during the daylight next time.

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  11. I think Milton was at your parents place then. Either that or he was hiding out. I can't wait to see what changes have taken place. I'm already looking forward to it!

    Would love for y'all to come up to my parents place too if time and schedules allow.

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  12. I'm sure we can make all the schedules work. :)

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  13. Fantastic Christmas letter and photos.

    "Blogcards are the future!" says tea, the equally terrible correspondent!!

    A very merry Twelve Days of Christmas and a happy new year and decade to you all. :)

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  14. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for the update on '09. Best wishes for you and Fin in the New Year.

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  15. Tea, it's true. Many of my friends do an email vs. print card already. Hope you had a Happy New Year.

    Chiang Guy, good to see you. Best wishes to you as well.

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  16. Hey Bethany :) Thankyou for this wonderful Christmas letter :)

    ~and yes...I was one of the hanger-on 'er's that was waiting patiently for a particular piece of information.

    Just so you are happy, that's all that matters...

    You are lookin' gorgeous and Fin so handsome!

    ~ oh... even the Tinman is nice looking, hehe.

    Looks like Dawg is adoring Fin , as he looks up at him :)

    Merry (belated) Christmas and a Happy, healthy, and safe NEW year to y'all. :)

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  17. Sunny, so glad you stopped by and glad to see you updated over on your place. Happy New Year to you. I hope 2010 is a great year.

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Please play nicely.