It's beginning to look more like Christmas

After what has seemed to be a hectic week, we are starting our Sunday morning quietly enjoying the Christmas tree and some Christmas music.  While it started with Mina enjoying a special treat on the dog bed at my feet, she has now climbed up into my lap and made herself comfortable.  Of course, I don't mind at all, although it makes it a little harder to type with her in my way.  But life is always better with a GSP in your lap!

We continued our tour of local small town holiday displays this week, starting the week on Monday in Grand Ledge.  I had errands to run after work and had to make a stop at the Walmart photo center to pick up our holiday photo cards, so going to Grand Ledge made perfect sense.  When I arrived at Walmart, I learned that somehow the photo center had printed my cards at the wrong location, and I would have to drive to the other side of town to get my cards. I received no explanation or apology, just a comment that it happens sometimes.  Needless to say, I was frustrated, but I decided I wasn't going to let that stop us from getting out to enjoy the evening.  

So we headed to Grand Ledge, found a spot to park, and took a walk.  We walked up and down the streets through the neighborhoods looking at all of the pretty lights, and then walked down the main street through town, heading back toward the car, so we could make a stop at the park with the town Christmas tree and large Santa Mail box.

We had such a nice walk and I was so glad that I hadn't let the error with my cards derail the whole evening.  Once we were back in the car, I decided we'd stop so I could pick up dinner at Gump's on my way to the other side of town and then pick up my cards.  Since we were right next to Eastwood Town Center, I got the girls out for a second walk before heading home.  

We took the side streets home for more Christmas light viewing and ended up driving right past the Capitol, so we got out for one final short walk around the grounds.  I was glad to see that the Menorah was lit for Chanukah at the Capitol too, and stopped for a picture to send to a couple of my Jewish friends.  Then we were back in the car to make our way home.  It had been a nice evening.

Tuesday after work, I attended a geocaching event with a group of local geocachers to start my evening.  I brought the girls along for the drive so that as soon as I was done, maybe we could get out for a walk.  I was at the event a little longer than I had planned, but I still had to get the girls out.  As I was driving toward home, I decided we could take a short drive to the small town of Dimondale.

Dimondale is such small town, I wasn't sure that they'd have much holiday decor, but I was pleasantly surprised by this cute display outside of a local restaurant.  The girls even cooperated for a nice picture.

We continued our walk around the town enjoying some of the displays on some of the local homes and then made our way back to Main Street.  

Several of the light posts in town had been decorated by different local businesses, and I thought these were pretty cute.  

It was hard to capture some of them well with the camera, but they were some fun displays. 

After our nice walk around Dimondale, we made the drive home, enjoying some festively decorated homes along the way. 

On Wednesday, the girls had to make a trip to see our friends at Patterson Veterinary Hospital so that they could get their Canine Influenza vaccines and get a nail trim.  They were very good at bringing a little cheer to their friends, although Peaches was most happy when we were done. 

After their trip to the vet, I had enough time that I could get them out for a nice sunny walk along the Hayhoe Trail in Mason before I had to get to the shelter for Dog Walking Club.  We had a great walk, although I didn't get any pictures. 

After our walk, I headed over to the shelter so that I could start harnessing dogs for our shelter dog walk.  We had a nice group of 6 walkers, so all of the dogs available to walk were able to get out with us.   We had a really nice group of dogs, but Besito is my favorite of the shelter dogs right now.   He's just so darn sweet!  It was a really nice walk.

Thursday I only worked a half day and I had plans that evening with Nicol, Tyler, and Fiona, so after finishing my work day and doing a few things around the house, I wanted to get the girls out for some exercise before I had to leave.  After thinking through all of my options, I decided a good run through the woods would be great for them and we headed over to the Soldan Dog Park.  While it was busier than I thought it would be at 2 in the afternoon, it wasn't crowded and the girls and I enjoyed our walk around the park.  

 

We spent about an hour there before we made the walk back to the car.  It is so much fun watching the two of them zoom around the woods, sniffing and exploring.  I know that they had a great time too.

After getting the girls settled in for an evening at home, I made the drive to Nicol's house.  We had plans to attend the Wayne County Lightfest along Hines Dr.  I was excited to see how much Fiona would react to all of the light displays.  We hung out at the house for bit before heading out and I got to spend some quality time with Picasso.  He's such a sweet boy!

We made the drive to the light fest, had a nice drive through with Fiona sitting on my lap in the back seat so she could take everything in, and then made a stop at Del Taco for dinner before heading back to Nicol's house.  Fiona loved all of the lights and it was so much fun to watch her taking everything in.  I got no pictures, but that is okay, because I really enjoyed just being in the moment with her.  

I had the whole day off on Friday and I had a list of things I wanted to get done for the day, in addition to a few errands, I was going to finish the last of my Christmas shopping.   I had to make a couple of stops in Mason, including a quick stop at the shelter, which led to me taking by buddy Besito out for a walk.  

I made stops at a few stores finishing up my shopping while the girls waited patiently in the car.  When we stopped in Frandor, I got them out for a visit to Petco and a walk around the shopping center, but they spent a lot of time in the car that day.   I did not expect to be gone very long because I didn't have that much to get done, but somehow we were gone most of the day.  When we finally got home for dinner, I was glad that they were happy to settle in for the night because I was exhausted.  I hate shopping and boy did Friday take a lot out of me.  

Saturday morning we had a fun geocaching event which I held at Soldan Dog Park.  Several of my fellow geocachers gathered with me so that I could get them into the park to find a geocache hidden inside.  The girls were so excited to be back for a run and we all had a nice walk through the park.   I think everyone really enjoyed watching the dogs doing dog things and just spending some time outside on a really nice December morning.  

After our event, I made a stop at the Holt Farmer's market to pick up a few items for our Christmas celebrations, and then drove out to the shelter for our Volunteer Holiday party.  It was nice to gather with other volunteers and eat a good meal.  Of course, any good trip to the shelter includes spending time with a dog or two, so I got DJ out of his kennel so he could make a guest appearance at the party before I took him out for a nice walk.  He's such a good boy and my second favorite dog at the shelter right now.  I just love his sweet nature.  He really loved his time out on our walk.

Before the day ended, I had to get the girls out for a little more holiday fun with a trip downtown.  I wanted to visit the Kringle Market to drop off a donation for the group Helping Women Period, which helps homeless and low-income women with menstrual hygiene products.  They had a donation bin at the Kringle Market Saturday night, so we stopped by with a donation.  As a bonus, the girls got to meet Elsa. 

They were also spoiled by the gentleman that has been there every weekend taking donations for The Fledge and Punks with Lunch, organizations that help homeless people in the Lansing area.  

Then we took a walk around downtown and past the Capitol to get a few pictures of some iconic downtown Lansing holiday scenes.  It was a really nice evening to be downtown.

We took in some more holiday lights on our drive home, and then we had a really nice evening relaxing and enjoying the Christmas tree.  

We have had a really nice and pretty relaxing Christmas season so far this year.  I've really been enjoying taking in the small town holiday vibes.  I have learned over the years that I don't want to stress over gift giving and all of the crazy holiday bustle.  Gift giving doesn't have to be stressful if it comes from the heart.  So we have really avoided holiday stress and have enjoyed being able to give a little to several organizations that help those less fortunate than we are.   I am blessed to have a roof over my head, even if it does need to be replaced this year (I asked Santa for a new roof, so maybe he'll come through for me), plenty of food on the table, and friends and family to share the joy of the holidays with me.  I am most blessed to have a wonderful daughter, a happy and healthy granddaughter, and two brown spotty girls to take me on adventures every day and to snuggle with me every night. 

Today I have a couple of quick things to get done before the girls and I spend the afternoon having some adventures with Vanessa.  And this evening, we're going to drive around with Vanessa drinking hot chocolate and taking in more Christmas lights.  It's a good way to spend our Sunday as we head into the final week before Christmas.    Now I'm off to get ready for our day. 

I hope you all have a wonderful day and enjoy the week.  I can't believe that when I write next week, it will be Christmas Eve.