A look back...

Four years ago, today (January 25, 2007), I started this blog. Here was my first test post before we went off on a trip. Funny, it's all about Christmas...

The "ladies" prepare for Christmas Eve with a mani/pedi spa day!

Robb, Jim, Cooper and the blindingly white flocked Christmas tree.
(complete with chandelier arms, thank you Nordstrom!)

Ready for Christmas Eve Dinner at Doug's House!

The view from the Eiffel Tower (in our dining room) decorated with the internationl collection of ornaments. I think there were 23 Eiffel towers in the mix. Can you believe I put those red weeds in my house?

The stockings were hung by the chimney with great care...

Prepare yourself for SNOW BLINDNESS.

Scott with Rachel (eating a cookie).

Rachel and her mother smartly avoid being blinded by the tree by looking away.

Robb graciously thanks one of the kitchen staff, Mickey.

The worlds most hideos Buche De Noel.

Guess who got a THEME ornament!
(it's santa flying a plane)

Mr Cooper very happy

Cooper came home last night. He is very happy and we are very relieved. He ate, he peed, he pooped, he wanted a ball. Everything seems right in his world.

He also slept A LOT.

He has quite a few pills I have to get into him and he is being good right now. I think in a couple days when he feels better and figures out what I am doing, he will stop being so good.

In the meantime, he is sleeping comfortably behind me while I work.

Mr Cooper on the mend

When we got home from Las Vegas, Mr Cooper was eating grass. He often eats grass on his walk and we didn't put a lot of thought into it.

Thursday he threw up. Oh well, such is life with a dog.

Then he threw up again.

Friday morning we called for a vet appointment. Cooper threw up. And then we we went to the vet.

He was given the once over, things seemed normal. We've had enough dogs to know that sometimes it takes time. He was given an anti-nausea shot and we took him home to monitor him.

He paced the night away. Wanting to throw up, but unable to throw up. Mostly drooling and standing over us both, then standing in the corner and drooling on the floor. MAJOR pukey-face.

We called the vet to have a follow up x-ray appointment. First available appointment was at 4:30 in the afternoon. We took it. The vet called back and said, "Let's change that to RIGHT NOW and I'll work him in earlier." I think that's when my heart flipped over and I began to panic.

My mind went immediately to the worst case "what if's" and my heart went straight to Lola passing away just two months ago. That was my state when we took him in.

Now Cooper is our "special" boy. He came from a shelter and he requires a lot of attention. That's the most polite way I can phrase that Cooper is the dog that parents warn their children about (except he is actually good with children). We got Cooper out of a cage. We've worked with Cooper to not bite first and ask questions later. We tell everyone who enters the house, "DO NOT PUT YOUR FACE IN HIS." On his own terms he is the most cuddly amazingly loving dog. But he is suspicious of everyone and everything.

So I was devastated that we would have to leave him at the vet where he would be placed in a kennel (since we got him we have made the effort to never board him, he always stays in his own home with a house sitter). He would be with strangers. He would be so sad. But he couldn't stay with us because he was also very sick.

The x-rays came back and showed us that all his food was stuck in his stomach. There was a blockage. The vet was hopeful that is it was in the stomach and not the intestines because the stomach is less easy to damage than the intestines. Cooper was scheduled to go into surgery that night (Saturday). His surgery went from the anticipated 2 hours to a longer 3 hours. The blockage was in the small intestine.

Luckily, it hadn't been there either too long or in there too solid as there was no damage and none of that needed to be cut out. But poor Mr. Cooper was cut open. 6"+ scar. I can't look at it. The vet thought possible corn cob. It was longer than your finger, but it had been inside long enough trying to be so digested that no one had any real idea what it may have started out as. I can't help, I won't look at it.

We've went to visit Cooper twice on Sunday and he was walking and stoned out of his mind on drugs. Since Cooper has a very tight grip on his world inside his mind, being drugged is not his best foot forward. He needs to stay sharp and stay focused on being a good dog. When he gets hazy, he reverts towards the untrained dog we got 6 years ago.

I visited him today (Monday) at noon and he was getting closer to his chatty grumbling self. He tried to jump up on me (not a good plan on a normal day) and he ate in front of me (he has a VERY healthy appetite).

Cooper is expected to come home tonight after 6 pm. We will need to keep him "calm" for a week or so. This should be a nearly impossible task.

8 pairs of shoes for 7 days in Vegas

On the road with Mr Cooper

For New Years this year we pulled up stakes and met friends in Palm Springs. One of our own conditions was that we would only go if Mr Cooper would go along as well.

Cooper is a handful. When we had Lola and him together it was too much to wrangle him. He requires two people's focus to be out in polite company.

So this was his first hotel vacation. He has done AMAZING. We have also been very lucky to find two hotels that not only accept dogs, but welcome them.

We spent our first night at the Ace hotel. Super cute, well appointed and not soundproof in the least. After 2 am the official party around the pool ended and seemed to take the next hour to move directly above our heads.

This afternoon we moved to The Parker. It's a delight. As far as Mr Cooper is concerned, The Parker wins "paws down" due to his welcome bag of water bowl, treats and a toy. He didn't even care that they brought him the all pink girl's welcome gift. He was thrilled to have a toy to gut.

Happy new year to all from me, Lyle and the most spoiled dog I know, Mr Cooper!

The City of Light, at night

One of the most amazing things about Paris is that on any given night, the city is alive with gorgeous views. It is after all, called "the City of Lights." In the winter there are even more fantastic lights to see and I dragged Lyle all over town until both of us were completely crippled.We started at the Place de la Concorde end of Champs-Elysees and walked to the Arc de Triomphe. Even though this isn't my first visit to Paris, there was something I hadn't done that I wanted to do. I wanted to stand on top of the Arc de Triomphe and see the lights from above.

We walked, and walked in the freezing night and I kept saying to Lyle, "Are you sure you can make it? We can take the subway for part of it..." But we were both enjoying the sights and even though it was cold, we were bundled up against the elements.

As we got closer, I told Lyle that we could either speed up and make it to the top by 7 pm, or we could slow down and make it to the top by 8 pm. It was very important that I be on the top at precisely the top of the hour. Lyle said we could do 7 pm, but we only had 20 minutes to get there AND get to the top.

"It has an elevator, right?" asked Lyle.
I think it does. I answered
"You think? Or you KNOW?"
Uh, I can't promise. Now hurry up!
"Grrrrrr...."

And off we hurried. To access the Arch, you have to go down the stairs, under the street, back up stairs, to a ticket window where you buy your pass to get to the top, up a few more stairs and then they let you pass the entrance door... and then you discover that there is no elevator but there is a spiral staircase that contains 283 steps to reach the outdoor viewing platform at the top.

No time to waste, hurry, hurry, hurry... I MUST BE ON THE TOP BY 7:00!!!

Looking up at the stairs.

And so we ran. Upstairs. Our legs got weak but we continued. We ran out of breath, but we continued. WE finally came out to the first interior room (way up in the top) and Lyle checked the time. Panting, he told me, "We (breath) have (breath) ten (breath) minutes (heavy breathing)." I stooped over and held myself up by resting my hands on my knees and tried to catch my breath. My legs were like jello.

"Okay, but no gift shop. Gift shop on way down." I said. (as if Lyle was even interested in the gift shop)

We caught our breath and made out way up to the top with five minutes to spare. It's the most amazing view.

This is how far we had walked in the below freezing temperature, up the Champs-Elysees, from that small lighted circle in the distance which is a 197 feet tall Ferris Wheel, then up 284 stairs, as fast as possible, all so I could finally see this light show that takes place on the top of each hour...

It was so worth it.

Did I mention that after the light show we would have to walk back down?

Merry Christmas

Every year I try to write a funny little something
Sum up the year in rhyming tome, a talent that ain’t nothing
This year is a kicker, cause I don’t feel the spirit
But drag your holiday all down? Oh, I couldn’t bear it

It’s a blur! It’s a curse! It’s a bird! It’s a plane!
Look! Up in the sky!
The highs and lows came fast and faster!
From “jump for joy”, to “I could cry.”

Jim went to Vancouver and caught Olympic Fever
Lyle was left at home with dogs, glued to TV receiver
Then sad news, Jim’s Uncle Ed passed away this Spring
Family support gathered round, so tough but strengthening

On the home front, the back of our house, sprung a nasty leak
The roof gave way, the water came and things were looking bleak
Then came construction or more correct, then came tearing down
Months went by but finally bed, bath and closet are spiffy town.

Summer arrived with our house was tore up, so we headed East
Palm Springs every weekend, tanning never ceased
Friends and family came and visited, we enjoyed each one
Who will visit next year? Oh I could use some fun!

Summer in Grande Prairie, we caught up with great friends
Don’t ask about “the meat fight”, this group’s party never ends
We bought a cute convertible, her name is “Mrs. B”
White and tan with just two seats, she’s vintage Mercedes.

But summer ends and Fall arrives and the cycles do remind us
That time is fleeting, love of friends and family is what binds us
Our precious Lola passed away, she brought us so much joy
Our hearts are broke but on the mend, now Cooper’s our single boy.

Life continues on its course and travel lies ahead
Paris this December, then perhaps skiing or a sled?
We’re living our lives, we’re forging ahead where does time disappear?
Merry Christmas one and all, have a happy New Year!

Paris Christmas WIndows, Printemps

Printemps sits next to Galleries Lafayette. Galleries Lafayette runs for two blocks with a satellite "maison" store across the street from it. Printemps runs for two blocks with their men's store filling another block just behind it. To walk for four blocks of amazing window after amazing window is one of the most overwhelming things to see. Clearly at Christmastime, these two store try to outdo each other and for my money, Printemps wins this year. (click on any image to enlarge, and honestly, you really should see some of these LARGER.)

Exterior of Printemps by day.

Exterior of Printemps by night.

Under the awnings.

Okay, so you're not really wowed yet. I totally agree. Galleries Lafayette won on the lighting and under the awning portion. But the windows, oh the windows!

You have no idea how difficult it is to get great window shots at night. To not get reflection of the stores across the street. And particularly at this time of year, to not get a thousand people in front of the window. I did my best. I grabbed my shots in a hurry. A few may be blurry. I could never get far enough back to get in the entire window. Lucky for me, I am tall and just held my camera over my head and shot over people.

This window was animated with puppets.

This window was also animated with puppets.

Printemps also did Chanel windows.SERIOUSLY, I NEED ONE OF THESE COCO DOLLS!

It's really in the details. Here's this mannequin just sitting over here on the far left in a pile of hay. In the most amazing outfit.

The Drama, starts, here.

I pieced this window together to show you the breadth of the windows. Each and every inch of it in its glory.

Check out the shoes.

Sainte-Chapelle, Paris

The Palais du Justice.

Though we have been to Paris a few times, it always impresses me that we have never "seen it all". This trip, we stayed on the Ile St. Louis and walked through the Ile de la Cité a number of times. I looked up what was around us and discovered Sainte-Chappelle was right where we were passing by, but is now located inside the Palais du Justice. Hey, I've got culture, let's go see it!The Sainte-Chapelle ("Holy Chapel") was built between 1246-1248 by Louis IX, king of France, to house the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross, precious relics of the Passion. Louis had purchased these in 1239 from the Byzantine emperor Baldwin II, for the sum of 135,000 livres, for perspective the entire chapel itself cost 40,000 livres to build.

Restoration continues on the chapel.

Perceived as a symbol of both religion and royalty, the Sainte-Chapelle suffered considerable damage as a result of the French Revolution. Its furniture, stalls and choir wall disappeared, the spire was knocked down, and the holy relics were scattered. Most of the statues were saved.

It is renowned for its richly hued stained glass windows, comprising over 6,000 sq ft. Two-thirds of the pieces are original works, representing the finest examples of 12th century craftsmanship.
For a few euros more, we were able to visit the "Concierge" next door. This was once a palace, and then became a prison. It's most famous resident was Marie Antoinette before she was beheaded. It's historical. It's creepy. I won't repeat that tour, and I decided to not post any photos of it either. But we did it.