Minnesota is now in the past as we begin the North Carolina show. It’s time for a visit to Louisiana and time to kick off the Decorating Elves season. We also deal with the loss of yet another beloved pet.

Not only is this journal late, but it almost didn’t happen. I’ve been traveling back and forth to Florida to start the seasonal work of Decorating Elves. (See last year) As soon as we got to Charlotte from Minnesota, we did a weekend at CRF then one day off, then three student days, one day off, and then another weekend. As soon as that ended, it was time to drive to Louisiana to set up the Dungeon. While I was there, Sharon took the dogs (Minois and Jasmine) to the Vet for their yearly exams and shots.

Jasmine, we'll miss you.'

Minois curls up on the laundry

A lonely little monster

Curling up with Dad

I got back on Wednesday. When I did, I noticed Jasmine seemed a little mopey. I asked what the vet said and Sharon told me the vet said they gave her a new 3 year distemper vaccine. He said to watch for facial swelling. Some dogs occasionally have a reaction to it but it would show up within the first few hours. On Thursday I could tell Jasmine was definitely having difficulty breathing. She started coughing as well. I had picked up something on the way back from Louisiana and wasn’t feeling well so Thursday afternoon I asked Sharon to bring her back to the vet’s office. The vet said she sounded like she had kennel cough. But, he said her lungs sounded clear. Obviously he was wrong. Friday morning she could barely breathe. So, I called the vet and threw on some clothes to take her over. When I went to pick her up, she collapsed in my arms. I rushed her to the vet; along with a still pajama clad Sharon. We waited while the vet worked on her but as I feared it was too late. We still don’t have any answers. The doctor offered to do a necropsy but to what end. It wouldn’t bring her back and would just cost us money at a time when we need to hang on to every dollar.

So, that makes two pets in the same year. Both lost just before their 14th birthdays. I take solace in the fact that they both had long happy doggie lives and Silk has her little sister Jasmine to keep her company now. All that’s left is the lonely Minois. She’s taken this much harder than when Silk passed. Jasmine was her surrogate mom figure. I guess she’ll just have to deal with three times the love from Sharon and me. We’ve discussed the possibility of getting another puppy since Minois is only 3, but it’s too soon. We’ll see in time.

Ok, enough depressing stuff. Let’s move on to something lighter. Oh wait...I almost forgot. After our marathon week of performances and pet loss we had to drive to Florida to open the house for the holidays and prepare for the Decorating elves season. When we got there not only was the central A/C dead, but the fridge had died and was full of rancid, spoiled food. Great! Just kick me when I’m down! At this point all I could do is laugh. This had truly been week from hell. At least it couldn’t get any worse… But wait!!!... Just kidding… it didn’t get any worse. The fridge needed a $25 relay. (And a good cleaning) The A/C needed a battery for the thermostat and some duct repair at $60 from a friend. Now if there was just a cheap fix for Jasmine.

Ok, enough depressing stuff for real this time.

Breakfast at our favorite Hammond, LA spot

Overgrown Dungeon

Posing at the Dungeon

Opening the Dungeon Shoppe's new Chest

New treasure chest for the dungeon

Almost there...

It hasn't stopped running yet.

I too, am a Trekkie!

A great sign for a festival Highland weekend!

This month we had to drive to Louisiana to get the Dungeon ready for the LARF season. We left early Monday after the second weekend and drove through to Jamie Haeuser’s. She puts many of the participants up during the run of the show. Jamie and her husband Bob are some of the nicest most generous people I know. We got all of our work done in one day and were able to go back to Charlotte on Wednesday. Good thing too. I’d have hated Sharon to have to deal with the Jasmine thing alone.

After the third weekend, we drove home to Florida. Our friend Mark Lienhart tagged along. He’ll be helping out with Decorating Elves this season. Once in Florida we started our Decorating Elves work. I’ve already done three installs and done several bids on some new jobs. I hope it works out. It looks like we’ll have a decent season.

Now, with all this driving we also hit another milestone. My Durango turned 100,000 miles. I hope I can get another 100k out of it. I’d love to actually pay off a car. I can only imagine how nice it would be to not have a car payment.

That’s really all I’ve got this month. It’s been drive, drive, drive, work, work, work. Hopefully I’ll have more happiness to spread for next month. Till then, have a great turkey day!