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Tuesday 29 December 2009

Uncertainty and Unexpected Kindness

So, OK.......we've been pretty much AWOL for a long time now apart from the occasional bumper guilt post. There are a number of reasons for this, the main one being that we have changed our internet provider again and the service is soooooooooo slooooooooooow...........even slower than the library if that's possible! (Mum thought it might have had something to do with the snow, and also the busy time over Christmas) But anyway, it means that blogs take ages (sometimes half an hour) to load up and even then we can't see videos or Cboxes, or even all the pictures....sometimes we can't comment. Up until today we have not been able to post pictures on our own blog (and we're not entirely sure this post will publish with the photos we've put on).* Constantly trying to play catch-up, losing touch with people and furries we've come to care about and forever apologising for our lengthy absences. All of this has turned blogging into something of a chore, which it really shouldn't be!
*Mum had to go to the library to finish uploading the photos today :o~

Anyway, nuff moaning........today we have a few reasons to blog......firstly, wanna see some snow? (think you can enlarge them)


These two pictures of Ben Wyvis were both taken on Christmas day. The above one was taken from our kitchen window in the morning....the big chimney is the Benromach distillery....and the one below was taken from our Nanny's back garden in the afternoon....you can just see the rigs at the mouth of the Cromarty Firth.


We found a new ornament for our Christmas tree, something that Pamela, Kira the BeaWootiful's very talented Mom made for us a while back.......it's a cute ceramic Beagle.....and of course, it wouldn't be a Beagle until it had torn the fairy lights from the tree! We LOVE it.......and it's about time we were represented properly on the tree without Alfie having to add his own kind of decoration!

This morning we were surprised when the postie knocked on the door.......a parcel? For us?? Surely there must be a mistake....Santa's already been! Mum recognised the return address straight away and when she opened it up she almost burst into tears.....inside was a lovely toy for us........

..........a card with a very pretty lady on it, she's called Lola......(Mum loves this picture so much she's going to frame it!)

.......and best of all (and this is what she was bubbling about)......

.....the most beautiful handmade cushion with a cross-stich of a Beagle on the front! Isn't this gorgeous? We knew Sue was creative, not to mention extremely kind, but this is something else! The detail is so intricate, it must have taken ages and it will be treasured. Sue, I just don't know what to say......your talent and generosity has stunned me....thank you so much ♥

So now we're feeling even more guilty....not only for not visiting everyone, including Sue and the Porties for so long, but for the fact that we are so disorganised........we planned to send Christmas cards to everyone we have addresses for and do an e-card for everyone else.....we planned to send parcels of love to our sweetie-pies (we started a parcel for Kira back in the summer time and it's still in the drawer!) and we didn't do any of it, infact SHE didn't write a single card! (Mum says she's saving the trees and that's her excuse but we know she just left it all too late)

We've had alot of snow in the past 24hrs, on the news last night it said that skiers in the Cairngorms are enjoying the best season since the 1960's! (We saw 5 RAF mountain rescue units heading out there last night, hope everyone's staying safe!) The photo above was taken on the way home from picking big sis up from work....this is, believe it or not, the main road between Aberdeen and Inverness and it's even worse today, Mum couldn't even take the girl to work, had to ask a friend with a 4x4!

Special hugs to Petey and his Mom today xx

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and we wish you all the best for the coming year!

46 sniffy tailwags:

The Army of Four said...

Ha roo, Beagle buddies! Wowzers, your snow looks like a blast! Mom seems to think yours is prettier than ours, because she doesn't have to go out in it and get snow down her boots. Ha roo roo roo, what a light-weight!

Your gifts and the ornament are so special!!! Kira's mom and your friend Sue are MIGHTY talented ladies! We loved seeing them!
We got way behind this holiday season, too. You just do what you can, when you can! Stay safe, stay home, and build cool snow forts when you can! It's SO much fun! We love you guys! Mom sends tummy rubs!
Play bows,
Zim

Tina. said...

Awwwww, I just love the ornament! So cute! I'll bet you are about having withdrawals for not being able to post! I am spoiled as well, I just hate it when the internet slows down! Anyways love the post and if we don't see you on before, Happy New Year!

Jans Funny Farm said...

Be safe and warm! Weather looks ugly there.

Glad your mom was able to post at all. Hang in there. The New Year will hopefully be better.

ScrapsofMe said...

No self bloggie floggie-lations allowed! Bloggie when you can. We are suffering slow service right now too. It's a good day when 1 photo uploads.

Love your snow photos...brrrrr. And the x-stich pillow....so lovely and sweet. I bet it gets a place of honor in your home.

I hope you have a lovely Hogmanay party.

sniffies,
Bonnie

Sue said...

Hi to our Best Beagle Buds. We're glad you liked your gift.

Have a happy and safe New year and we hope you get your service straightened out so we can all your wonderful trips to the woods and the beach again.

frog ponds rock... said...

That is a lot of snow. Slow internet is a great big pain. Dont worry about not visiting. friends dont have to see each other every five minutes. I hope you have a great new year. xox Kim

Dot O said...

Great post but I too have missed you.... If we don't get to chat before, Happy New Year! We will certainly be chatting in the 2010 for sure!

Great gifts, by the way, a very talented woman!

Asta said...

Dawlings
We miss you but don't think of wasting time wif feeling bad ow apologies ..we all undewstand we've all had times when we can't blog . We love you and tweasoowe youw fwiendship and awe happy whenevew we see you..Stay wawm and safe in that bootiful snow.
Youw pwessies awe twooly lovely so thoughtful and gowgeous.
I hope you have a most wondewful New yeaw and hope that ot bwings you nothing but good health , good times and lots of love.
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Stella said...

Hi Nicky and Biggles!

We miss you so much! You have been an exciting presence on this blog group since before I started, so we need our fix of you all, and the beaches and The CASTLES (for you know who!)

Kisses,
Stella

Mochi and Bali said...

Beautiful pics!

Wow! Kira's mom and Sue are soooo talented!!! They both do awesome work!!!

Mochi

Eric said...

Blogging stupid internets but wagging to read your news. Hoots toots!! Happy Hogmanay to you and your leggeds!

Wiry love Eric xxx

Miss Lizzy said...

The pillow is stunningly beautiful! What a lovely gift and surprise! We have been totally unreliable bloggers since July, so we understand your frustrations! Hoping to be better in the New Year. We ALWAYS love your pictures! Happy New Year to you, your family, and of course (!) the Beagles!!

Golden Samantha said...

Lots of special pix and news as you always post!!! Looks like lots and lots of snow - hope you all stayed safe and sound and just enjoying the peace and quiet of all that white stuff!
Hugs xo
Sammie

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Kira The BeaWOOtiful was pawesome enough to send me a furry special ornament!

WITH SKHWIRREL!

I would love to khome share your snow!

We hope woo had a furry merry khristmas and a pawesome 2010!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: The Blogs are supposed to be fun...so try not to get too frustrated...we all feel IT...and if it helps MARK ALL AS READ!

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Now now now...we want you guys to know that we love you and even if you can only post once in a while that's fabbers!!! We love your pix of the snow!!! And of the lovely beagle pillow!!!

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!! Please don't feel bad bout stuff...just post when ya can!!!!

Love you all!!

Scruffy, Lacie, Stanners and Mumsie!!!

The Oceanside Animals said...

hello beagles its dennis the vizsla dog hay nice to see yoo!!! ummm yoo mite best avoyd todays post at my diry of destrukshun as it is verry viddyo and pikcher hevvy but perhaps wunse things are speedy for yoo agin yoo can come and watch me do battel with the room wot moovs!!! ok bye

Sally said...

We are not impressed with your internet provider - we pee in their direction! But we understand and you definitely do not need to apologise for the delays - we hope you had a tasty christmas - love the gifts - take care and drive safely on all those roads!

Licks
Sally and Paddy

Britny said...

Nice to see you back :-) Mum has been very disorganized this Christmas too and has been so busy with other things that we haven't been blogging much either.

Beautifl gifts you got there, aren't handmade gifts the lovliest.

Molly the Airedale said...

How wonderful to hear from you!
The ornie and the cross stitch are just beautiful and gifts to be treasured forever!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

An English Shepherd said...

Great to see you back :-)

Wizz

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We got a special ornament from Kira too, in memory of sweet Dakota. We are very far behind too, holidays take their toll on time. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

Woos, Phantom and Thunder

Ria said...

Glad your back online, again!

That is a beautiful Beagle cushion...you guys have been really lucky, this Christmas!!

xx

Kasha said...

You have a good excuse for being absent. Happy New Year!
Kasha and Africa

Lorenza said...

Hi, friends!
Happy Holidays!
Sure is not funny to have internet problems! I hope it gets better soon!
Your ornament is pawesome and the pillow too!
Happy New Year to you all!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Unknown said...

Beautiful snow and gifts! Glad to hear your Christmas was a merry one. Happy New Year!

Agatha and Archie said...

Don't bother apoligizing!! We are just happy to see you whnever you can!!! Happy Happy New Year to you all and that pillow is soooo lovely!! Archie wants to know if you want him to come and punch out the internet people? Let him know..Love A+A

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

och! Now listen here you Beagles and your Mama, don't stress about the non-blogging, my Jeannie had this problem a while back. For various reasons, including a slow internet, and a computer with a huge darn AXE through it, she got very stressed indeed.

But she found out that peeps and pups, understand, it is not possible to visit every blog, or comment, or even blog every day, when other stuff, including stupid computers and internet providers are playing up.

So just chill! And tell your Mama to chill as well. We will still be here when you can get back to us, we won't forget you, ever!

And the Beaglework Cushion is surely the most beautiful thing we have ever seen!

Happy New Year Guys! And your Mama, and yes, the snow is now getting on our nerves, too much of it. We had another snow fall today, and it does get cold on the paws.

Raising a glass to a Stress Free New Year, Chilled Out Marvin and Jeannie xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

the Axe Therapy for the computer is not recommended, please follow all tips from Jeannie with extreme care and caution.

Although she says it was wonderfully freeing to throw a computer out of the window with said Axe through it, it kinda defeated the object of trying to get it to work....... ;0(

Clive said...

Great to hear from you again!

Just want to wish all the gang a Very Happy New Year! Hope 2010 is good for all of you!

(and you get the computer problem sorted!)

best wishes
Clive, the NSLM and all the gang

Hamish Westie said...

Hi Beagles
Hapy New Year!
Great to hear from you. And great photos as always. We had to dig the Mini out of the snow in Aberdeen in order to drive south last week, but down here in Nottingham there is now no snow at all. Gail is worried about something called 'frozen pipes' back in Scotland...
Cheers, Hamish.

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Happy New Year to all our beagle friends...


Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Sally said...

Happy New Year to you.
We wish you all the best.

Nice woooh
Sally and the Can-Opener

The Devil Dog said...

Happy New Year!

Roxy & Lucky

Carolina said...

Oh please don't feel guilty!

Wishing you a great New Year, with lots of wonderful walks and lovely friends. Who cares about a slow internet connection when one lives next to a distillery. Cheers!
Great views you have there. We have a lot of snow here too, which is quite unusual.

Still, hope your internet speeds up, because I know how frustrating it can get.

Hugs

Persephone and Buster said...

Happy New Year, Beagle-Buds!!!

Sue's work is beautiful! Warm Kerry-licks and tail-wags to the Incredible WaterBlogger.

Your ISP deserves to be barked at by the Collective Dog Consciousness. We, too pee in their general direction. Jetez la vache!

Nice little bit of snow you had! Can beagles pull a sled?

Cheers,

Buster, Persephone & Bailey

Unknown said...

Happy Dogmaney to the Dughallmors! (Especially my Mistletoe Missus.) Clearly Rosie was the inspiration for that lovely ornament and pillow - the resemblance is uncanny!

We're having internet problems as well down here - the service we pay for each month isn't working and we're just picking up random wi-fi from time to time. Blame it on the sand!

Wish I'd been there to go First-Four Footing with you, Rosie-Posie!

Your devoted though slightly sandy hubbie,

Petey

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

It's okay dearies. We understand the internet dilema! While we were up in Idaho (8 months) we had to sit in the car with our mommy as she used the wi-fi from the Visitor's Center, or McDuff's Grill/Pub or some other free place. Back in Phx at least we have a good connection and can relax at home while blogging!!

We loved the snow in Idaho and miss it already. phooey. It's cool that you have such good skiing too. Hoomans need to exercise much more! Glad you had a good Christmas. We did too. Happy New Year.
Smooches from pooches,
BabyRocketDog and Hootie

Kess And Her Mama said...

Happy 2010! Here's a wish for faster internet connection for the year. We missed you but totally understand your absence. Love the beagle cushion. Do the beagles get to sit on it????

Amber and Nala said...

What a wonderful ornament and pressies!! Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

Kisses,
Nala

Unknown said...

Happy New Year!!

Sorry we haven't been visiting in ages but we've been really busy doing the "moving overseas" thing and then settling in in Brisbane...anyway, hope you all had a great time over the holiday season!

I know just how you feel about feeling guilty for slacking on blogging and visiting and stuff - our big move has put a stop to all blogging activity for a while! And getting set up here in our new home - we've had trouble with the internet too - so I can totally sympathise! Also - about Christmas cards & presents...Aaaarrrgggghhh! Don't get me started! Talk about disorganised -that's me!!! I justify myself by saying that it's more environmentally friendly to not send cards but still I feel guilty when a lot of Honey's blog friends are so nice to remember us and send us stuff and we never manage to do things back!

Don't worry - we still think of you and totally understand! :-) Hope you sort out your internet troubles in 2010 so you can be back in the blogging world properly coz we really miss you! :-)

Hsin-YI & Honey the Great Dane

Huskee and Hershey said...

OMdoG.. no wonder your mom got teary! That piece of work must have taken so much time, effort and love to complete... it is gorgeous!
Happy 2010.. wishing you a year that is complete with speedy internet access (LOL) and everything nice!!

TwoSpecialWires said...

We miss you. But we totally understand. It ought to be obvious. You wrote this post the 29th of December. We are commenting on January 12. It's hard to keep up. But we don't forget. Your blogs are simply unforgettable which makes YOU unforgettable! So there!

We hope you had a good New Year's eve celebration and that the new year will be a good one to you. We're happy we met you in 2009 and hope we can keep in touch during 2010. If even occasionally.

Love
The Colorado wires, Jake and Fergi xxoo

Asta said...

Oh My Dog
I just wead that Slfie is missing

I am cwossing my paws and pwaying tht you find him safe and sound!!!
You have ouw love and pasitive thoughts
smoochie kisses,ASTA

i said...

We know what it's like. Don't worry about it, blog at your own pace. Hope your internet problem gets solved by now.

Maxmom said...

Hey, it's been a while and we just wanted to find out how you guys are? Hope all is well. Sending lots of love and licks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA

Piappies World said...

Hi there!

Just wanted to say hello to you and check out how you are all doing.

We are just here when you get the chance to blog or visit us.

We hope that all is ok with you over there.

-Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Scrappy & Bullet