Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the COUNTRY!

I really enjoy sitting here in the dark and watching the cars go by looking at all the Christmas lights in the neighborhood.  A few people have started or added to their businesses by renting out limos to take you and your friends around seeing the sights.  Last night I saw a big bus with lights all around the edges going by slowly.  That's new this year, I hope they do well.

I do close the curtains if I am sitting here in my pj's watching television.  I feel like they can see right into my house.  Usually there is not much traffic at all up my way as we are off the main road so I don't think too much about it but this time of year it's a different story.

I got a call yesterday from the doctor who is going to operate on Nick January 5th.  He just wanted to introduce himself and talk a bit about Nick and what the procedure will be.  I thought that was nice, we don't usually get that courtesy as people when we are going in for surgery.  We will go down the day before and they will do some more x-rays and blood work and then the surgery will be the day after that.  I can watch the surgery if I want to, which I do.  He did explain that it is a little unnerving at first to see your horse on his back with his legs in the air and a tube down his throat so I should prepare myself for that.  The Hubs would rather throw himself in front of a train then watch surgery so I guess he won't be present!

Visiting hours are all day during regular office hours so I can be there as much as I want.  He will be there for one or two days after surgery if all goes as planned so we will have four days there total. I am going to take brushes so that I can do some grooming while visiting him.  Don't know if I will be able to give him carrots or not.  Probably nothing the day before.  Go to newenglandequine.com if you want to take a looksy.  

Speaking of vet clinics, I got a call from one of my sisters yesterday telling me about a friends dog that just had surgery.  I don't know what kind of dog it is but he suffers from separation anxiety and he ate a glove, a bandana, some screws, a couple of nails and a sock all at one time!  He had successful surgery and came home and immediately ate three Brillo pads when he was left alone again!!!  Thankfully these exited on their own so no further surgery was needed but don't you think this poor dog needs another dog to keep him company?  Or doggy day care?  We have lots of places around here that have doggie daycare and the dogs love it.  My SIL's dog goes one day a week and plays so hard that he is exhausted when he gets home.  He loves it! He would go every day of the week if he could!  Do you all have doggie daycare in your area?

It's still quite cold here and we are waiting for the big storm that has been hitting the Carolina's and Virginia to get up this way.  According to the weatherman it should be pretty well pooped before it gets here and we might only get four inches or so.  Just a dusting for us.  I feel badly for the states that are getting hit so hard that aren't used to hardly any snow at all and now are getting 18 inches or more!  All's I can say is I hope they stay home and off the roads so that they are safe!

Tomorrow is Christmas Sunday.  Where has the time gone?  I can't wait to hear all the special music that is planned.  It is one of my favorite services of the year with all of the old Christmas carols and the church brimming to capacity.  Our church is relatively small with a congregation of about 250.  We are a real family and care about each other in good times and in times of need.  We pray for one another.  It is my home away from home.  We are trying to get more involved in helping those in need in the community and are setting up a 'free' store for those that need warm clothing thanks to my friend Mimi who is heading it up.  I need to take in some things for it as I have an abundance of 'gently used' coats, sweaters, mittens, boots and such around here.  I need to get everything washed and make sure there are no buttons missing.  The Hubs had better nail down anything he doesn't want to be donated!  :o)