Christmas 2009

Our holidays was a simple affair. I catered at Wood Ranch and my family brought the rest of the food.
I only got gifts for the kids but I managed to get Nate something. He knew I had something for him but he didn't know what.

Red Invader Cumberlain

I loved seeing his face when he opened his present and he saw the Cumberlain in there. He was genuinely surprised which is not easy to accomplish since we both know each other's passwords to emails, accounts etc.

He managed to slip one past me as well and got an Uamou I thought I would never find. It was the ice cream filled one.

Ice Cream Uamou

I love the filled Uamous. They are so cute! I'm slowly building my Uamou collection. Nate now has two Cumberlains but they are hard to come by as they are older pieces.

Our Christmas was a simpler affair. Times are tight and I know my whole clan is doing all they can to save money. I am thankful that everyone has managed to weather through the recession. We ate our fill and spent the rest of the night playing board and card games.

As I think of 2010 and what it can hold for us, I can't help but look back at 2009. It's not one of the best years of our life as I can recall. Losing P-Chan and Pudgy Boy is still difficult to accept. The economy affected us all.

For 2010 I am hoping for better times. We have a wedding in the horizon the possibility of children are also in the picture and a new fur kid is in the works for our family. Hopefully, we'll all bounce back from these grim economic times and be in better footing for 2010. That's what we hope for, for everyone.

January is already looking busy and Nate and I are looking forward to a trip planned by his family for his birthday. A nice well deserved break.

Dreams

I've always remembered my dreams. The scary ones, the funny ones and the downright weird ones, they all swirl around me like smoke as I wake up.

For the second time in my life I woke up in tears because of a dream. I can recall everything vividly, it was short.

It was a summer day, in a dark room. All the blinds are drawn, they were the horizontal ones and the sun was peeking through so there was light. It was a small bedroom. I've never seen this room but I could dimly see stuff lying around. I was napping or attempting to in the heat. The bed was small it was maybe a full size. Someone was sleeping next to me it wasn't Nate I get the strong feeling it was my mom. Everything was in a brownish light like afternoon sun.

I was on my tummy trying to sleep and in my arms was P-Chan. She was on her back. Her most favorite sleeping position. She had all her hair and she was looking at me her tail wagging and her arms folded in front of her. I gasped in surprise as even in my dreams, and I am aware I am dreaming, I knew she was gone. I held her tightly and she snuggled up putting her head under my chin and nudging with her nose. As I held her in my arms I started crying. I could feel my tears rolling down my face and getting her face wet which annoyed her as she repositioned her face to look directly into mine.

Those chocolate brown eyes, her white face and the feeling of holding her again was overwhelming and I cried harder. She was panting and looking at me like, "Why are you crying I'm trying to nap with you!"

I knew I was waking up. Because as I held her she started fading. The afternoon light that was in my dream was being replaced by dawn. I held on to her and my dream as long as I could and I woke up slowly and she faded away like one of those movie type fades and as I woke up my arms were in the same position but empty and I was in tears.

I was crying so hard that I woke up Nate in alarm and he was asking me what's wrong. It was so hard to tell him what I was dreaming about as I could still feel her in my arms.

I thought I was done crying for her. It's been almost two months. I was moving on but the loss is still as painful as the first few days without her. I've told family and friends that I am ready for another dog in the spring. But am I really? Every time I see a dog or hold one I have to fight back the tears as memories of P-Chan come pouring in.

Almost sixteen years we were together. That's a long time. I still miss her so much.

I know I am still heartsick over the loss of such a great companion but I know that even when we get another dog to share our lives with, that dog wont fill the space in my heart that P-Chan occupied. Not completely. That new dog will create her own space in my heart. (I plan to get a girl!)

I am glad I had this dream. I got to hold my baby again even though it was only for a moment.

I love Itokin Park!

I didn't think I would complete this set so soon. I put up a wanted thread and the last two I needed, the Kaleyard and Moca came from the same seller. So as far as I know the Rabyuuns are complete.

They look great together. I wish there were more of them released but only four. It might be unlikely that anymore will be produced as Itokin Park is working with a Chinese company and concentrating on other characters. The Rabyuuns along with the Himalans were all produced by One-Up.

Speaking of the Himalan, I came across a grail piece last week. I honestly did not think I would one this particular Himalan at all due to the rarity and the price it is commanding. Last I checked, Ebay had one for $400 and it hardly showed up on the board.

I was able to purchase it for a good price. I spoke to the seller and he indicated the only reason he let it go was he was also after a grail so it worked out for both of us.

Glacier Himalan! Only 44 produced. It's a gorgeous piece and I love clear vinyl. There's about four more Himalans I am after but unless I get as lucky as when I got this one, the wait for them will be long and pricey.

Either way, I am thankful to have what I have and hope I get just as lucky in the future. ^____^

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

This game is amazing! I tried doing some of the Special Ops missions with Nate and I can only do Hardened level. I'm no good with all out combat as I get disoriented and I do better at the stealth missions.

We picked up the game a couple of days after release. Nate's brothers were already on it and they have been wanting to play together.

Story-wise it is very good. Not going to do any storyline spoilers. Love the voice actors! Lance Henriksen has always been a favorite ever since Alien and Millennium.

Even though I am not playing the multi-player online, I love watching Nate do so. It's like watching a movie because of the realism and the smooth game play. Lots of things to do in this game and he's been spending a lot of time hanging out with his brothers so there's that family time as well.

Love Ghost! He's an awesome character in the game.

Its going to be a long time before Nate will put down this game. Even if he gets tired of the online play he can always go do the campaign.