Books Read in 2014

"A Good-Lookin' Man" by Marcia Lynn McClure
"The Captive Maiden" by Melanie Dickerson
"A Better Reason to Fall in Love" by Marcia Lynn McClure
"Gone With the Wind" Margaret Mitchell
"The Man of Her Dreams" by Marcia Lynn McClure

"A Bargained For Bride" by Marcia Lynn McClure
"Miracle Cure" by Harlan Coben
"The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare
"The Touch of Sage" by Marcia Lynn McClure
"The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes" by Cassandra Clare

"Weathered Too Young" by Marcia Lynn McClure
"The Windswept Flame" by Marcia Lynn McClure
"The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass" by Cassandra Clare
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J. K. Rowling
"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" by J. K. Rowling
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
"The Prairie Prince" by Marcia Lynn McClure
"Sweet Cherry Ray" by Marcia Lynn McClure
 "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" by J. K. Rowling

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J. K. Rowling
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J. K. Rowling
"The Selection" by Kiera Cass
"The Elite" by Kiera Cass
"The One" by Kiera Cass

"The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel" by Cassandra Clare
"Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld
"Pretties" by Scott Westerfeld
"People of the Sea" by W.Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear
"Baggage Claim" by Amanda Tru

"Specials" by Scott Westerfeld
"Matched" by Ally Condie
"The Rainmaker" by John Grisham
"Extras" by Scott Westerfeld
"The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Prince" by Cassandra Clare

"Divergent" by Veronica Roth
"Delirium" by Lauren Oliver
"Insurgent" by Veronica Roth
"The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Princess" by Cassandra Clare
"Pandemonium" by Lauren Oliver

"Crossed" by Ally Condie
"Reached" by Ally Condie
"Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
"The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
"The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman

"Requiem" by Lauren Oliver
"The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Sage

Every night, we bring Sage inside and have her sleep in her kennel. She usually does pretty good, but recently, she has started wining at night. All.Night.Long. Josh can sleep through it, but I can't. So I would end up either taking her outside, or I would put ear plugs in. I had decided I was tired of that. So I decided after Christmas, I would make room in the spare room for her kennel and let her sleep in there. 

On Christmas Day, we let her spend pretty much the entire day inside. She was really good to stay on her blanket. So that night, we decided to try letting her sleep on the floor by the bed. I was really nervous because I was terrified she would pee on the floor. So I didn't sleep well because I kept checking on her. 

We decided to sleep with the bedroom door shut so she couldn't wander around the house and get in trouble. Around 11, I woke up and put her outside for a bathroom break. Around 3 AM, the cats wanted out of the bedroom, so I made her take another bathroom break. 

It worked pretty well. She wandered around the room a little bit. But each time we told her to lie down, she went right back to her blanket. The worst part was the cats. They would want in and out. They've started to tear up the carpet, so I couldn't just let them scratch. 

The next night, she came right in and went right to her blanket. When I woke around midnight, I decided to put her out for a minute to use the bathroom. She seemed so heartbroken! When I let her back in, she ran to her blanket and laid down.When the cats started scratching the door at 3 am, she refused to go downstairs.

On the 3rd night, she went right to bed. But then she kept poking her nose on the bed and nudging me arm. After the 3rd time, I decided I better take her to the bathroom. I got up and found Gaby sitting by the door, staring at Sage. As soon as I opened the door, Gaby left and Sage laid back down. I think she was either to nervous to sleep with the cat watching her or she thought Gaby needed a bathroom break. 

Of course, 10 minutes later, Gaby wanted back into the bedroom. I decided I didn't want to play this game every night, so we decided to crack the door enough for the cats to come and go. Hopefully, if Sage ever needs let out, she will let us know. 

She didn't even leave her blanket that night. When I get up to use the restroom, she will look at me, but just stays on her blanket. On Sunday morning, Josh woke up early. He was sure she would follow him downstairs, but she stayed in the bedroom until I got up a few hours later.

We have loved her growing up to be a calmer dog and not an over exited pup. And she has LOVED sleeping on the floor.

Josh's 33rd Birthday

Months ago, I decided I was going to buy Josh ice fishing supplies for his birthday. Then, I saw how expensive his Christmas wish list was. I decided I would just split it between Christmas and his birthday.

Then a week before Christmas, I decided I still really wanted to get him the ice fishing stuff. I hurried and ordered everything and prayed it would come in time. 

The biggest item was the sled I bought him. He's wanted one for years for hunting, trapping and fishing. It came within a few days, so then I had to figure out how to hide it. 

On his birthday, he went trapping with a friend. While he was gone, I decided to arrange his presents in the sled for him to come home to.

He was gone a lot longer than I expected. I had his cake all finished and dinner ready to go in the oven. I called him and told him all I needed was for the birthday boy to come home.

He was so excited to see the sled.

For his birthday he got the sled, an ice fishing shelter, a heater and a new ice fishing pole. Now, all he needs is for it to get a little colder so ice will form on the lakes. This winter has been unseasonably warmer. Hopefully he'll be able to go in a few weeks.

Christmas

The kitties always enjoy the tree. This year, Zipper discovered the water bowl. It reminded me of Pyro, she always loved the tree water. 

Zipper also reminded me of why I don't put bows and ribbons on gifts. He spent the last few weeks chewing the ribbon of a bottle of juice Josh's boss gave us.

Christmas morning found the tree over flowing.

 

Josh worked out a Santa trade. He played Santa for a friend at work and she agreed to wrap his present for him. Her office is right next to mine, so it was hard to not peek. Especially when she got excited about a few of them.

Including one gift for Josh that I decided would be too hard to wrap.

We bought the cats a small bed and a new blanket for Sage.

On Christmas Eve, we ended up staying up super late because Josh wanted to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. So the next morning we slept in.  We had just enough time to open our stockings and cook breakfast before we headed to see my family.

We both bought way too much for the other's stocking and they were both over flowing.

While we cooked breakfast, we let Sage eat her bone on her blanket.

About halfway through it, Gaby figured out the dog had gotten a treat and she didn't. She was so jealous! She even tried to steal a small piece that had broken off. We did give the cats soft kitten food later, but I knew if Sage was inside, she would eat it all.

Gaby never gets that close to the dog. It was funny how upset she was. She would whine at the dog and then come whine at us. She even licked the small piece she stole. But even when she didn't like it, she still kept whining about it.

Josh's Stocking:

 

 I forgot about the iTunes card I had hidden in my purse. It was a few hours later before I remembered. He told me he was sad he didn't get one, but didn't want to say anything in case he was getting it for his birthday. But I had bought a 2nd one for his birthday, so when I remembered, I decided to just give it to him then. 

Savannah's Stocking:

 

I love that he picked out jewelry on his own. 

For Christmas breakfast we had cranberry scones.

After we got back from seeing my family, we opened our presents. I actually enjoyed opening our gifts in the afternoon. It seemed to make the holiday feel a little bit longer.

Gaby just always has to be the center of attention.

We spoiled each other this year. Josh got a skinning machine, a ton of trapping stuff, his favorite calendar, a magnetic bracelet and a few fish hooks. 

I got a new coat, a new camera, and several new things for around the house like a broom hanger, curved shower rod, and new clothes hamper.

The cats showed NO interest in their bed. Until we put it on the couch.

Since Christmas, I don't think I've seen the cats in it again. But Sage has decided she likes it.

Christmas with Savannah's Family

We spent a little time with my family on Christmas Day.

I had John's name. One of our new favorite Facebook pages is Cats @ Work. When they announced a calendar, I told him he couldn't order one.

Josh had Vanessa's name. She asked for a guitar case. When I went to order it, it was on sale. So I found a cute necklace to go with it.

My mom had her heart set on wireless TV headphones. I talked to all of my siblings and we decided to buy them for her together.

I actually gave my dad & Susan their gift early. Susan has really suffered from cat allergies since she married my dad. Bless her heart, she has tried so hard to embrace the love he has for his cat, Attila. I mentioned this to a friend and she suggested I get her the TriEase Softgels from Doterra. I decided to take them over as soon as they came so she could try them out to see if they help. When we saw her on Christmas, she said she thought they were helping. I also included some Breathe for my dad. I have a calendar I was going to make for them, but I haven't had a chance to finish it yet.

For Valex:

When I found the hat, I couldn't remember which ninja turtle hoodie I bought for him. I though it was neat they were both the blue ninja turtle. 

For Daxsen:

Daxsen got the orange ninja turtle hoodie and the purple ninja turtle hat.

I kept telling him to look at me for a picture, but he couldn't see to know which way to look.

We received lots of fun stuff from my family. Alden gave Josh a DVD and a picture frame he made. My mom gave Josh a few trapping DVD's. She gave me a mug and mouse pad with a picture of the boys, along with a gift card to Maurices. John gave me a wireless keyboard and mouse. My dad gave us tools and also some money to go towards buying my college books.