Marley and Us - Garvin Gardens

Monday night, 29-DEC, Rosie, Bob and Sam went to see the Christmas lights at Garvin Gardens in Hot Springs, AR. Rosie and Bob really enjoyed the lights - simply beautiful - and Sam enjoyed the neat smells and all the people petting him. Many people looked at Sam and said, "Oh, he looks like Marley." So "Mr. Marley" and we had a great stroll around the light exhibit.

One of the first sites we saw was the lighted carp next to the carp pond.

We also really enjoyed the dark blue lights near the carp pond--a great contrast against all the white lights.Next we came to the ginger bread house. The two gingerbread men in front look like they're doing the disco to me.As we walked around we got some nice shots of lighted trees. The colors were very nice.Rosie really enjoyed this white and red tree - all white lights with red balls. Not as striking in the picture as it was in real life.Here's a shot of "Marley" and me (aka Sam and Bob) on the trail.Finally, Rosie just had to get a photo of this Japanese lantern.The lantern really looked good under the white lights.

Golf Cart Caroling

Sunday afternoon, 14-DEC, Rosie and Bob went caroling with folks from Mountainside Church. Bob and Rosie led the music - Bob brought along the guitar. Here's the decorated golf cart that led the caroling caravan.

The carolers piled onto a wagon complete with hay bales to travel between caroling sites.

A truck from the church followed the wagon to make sure no traffic came up quickly from behind us.

After caroling, we went back to the church to have a Happy Birthday, Jesus party. Here's the cake from the party.

Everyone had a great time in spite of the cloudy weather.

Guarding the Christmas Tree

This year we decorated a tree on our back porch. We put popcorn strings and pine cones filled with a tasty peanut butter mix on the tree for the birds. Sam loves both popcorn and peanut butter. Here he is "protecting" the tree from those pesky birds. He tried but couldn't reach any of the pine cones containing peanut butter; his nose got a great workout. He did try to get into the popcorn string, but we were able to stop him before he munched too much.

Oh well, maybe next year.

December Trip to Ft. Worth and Houston, TX

On Tuesday, 16-DEC, Rosie and Bob left HSV headed for Ft. Worth to see Rosie's sister, Julia, and family and Rosie's Dad. Our first stop was at the Stonecipher house. Here's a picture of Julia and Dale.

On Wednesday morning, Rosie and Bob traveled from Julia and Dale's house to Love Field in Dallas to pick up Karen and Logan who had taken an early morning flight from Houston Hobby to Love. They were waiting for us outside of baggage claim when we arrived.

We next drove over to Stonegate Nursing Home to visit Rosie's Dad - know to all of us as Poppa.

Here are pictures of Karen and Poppa and Rosie, Logan and Poppa.

After visiting with Poppa, Rosie, Bob, Karen, Logan and Sam (our dog) loaded into our car for the 5+ hour trip to the Flachman home in Dickinson, TX (south of Houston). Logan and Sam got a bit tired during the ride. Here's a picture of them sleeping together.Bob and Rosie spent Thursday through Sunday AM at the Flachman house helping celebrate Logan's first birthday. Logan is really mobile. Here are two shots of him coming in the "doggy door."

Doesn't Logan have that mischievous look on his face? He's ready for action!

We got to watch and help Logan open some birthday presents. Gram (aka Rosie) is helping Logan open presents we gave him. Looks like the paper is tasty.

Next is a picture of Logan opening a birthday present from their neighbors Hope and Phil.Karen made Logan a delicious birthday cake - pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing - ummm! Logan enjoyed blowing out the candle (with Dad's help) but especially eating the cake.

Logan and Shane enjoyed rolling the ball across the floor.We also got a chance to see the local Christmas lights. Here are two shots from the Christmas lights. I don't think Logan was too excited to see Santa. Putting him on Santa's lap didn't last long.We had an opportunity to visit with Bill and Yoshiko Burke, friends from Kobe, Japan. Bill and Yoshiko were in Houston visiting their daughter's family. They drove to Shane and Karen's house for dinner on Friday night. We had a great time visiting with them.On Sunday morning Rosie, Bob and Sam loaded into the SUV for the trip back to HSV. Thanks for the fun. We had a great visit.

Sam's Rock Retrevial Service & Winter Cut

We recently took Sam to the local dog grooming shop to get a slight trim; he was looking a bit shaggy. We didn't want him cut close because we thought he would get too cold. Rosie and the groomer agreed on the length to cut his hair. Well, hen we came back (a few days later - since we had him boarded and groomed), his hair was really short - like a typical summer cut. The poor guy looks like he's freezing. When we brought him home, he didn't tarry outside when we let him out to pee. He was out and back at the door quickly. He wanted back in!

Sam also likes to go to the lake near our house. He will wade in to about his belly (if he's feeling brave) and use his paw to push rocks towards shallow water. Then he will reach in with his mouth, grab them and bring them to the shore. He's so proud of himself. Another rock pulled from the water. It doesn't take a lot to entertain him or us for that matter.

This haircut should be great for our trip to Ft. Worth and Houston next week.

Jingle Bell Run

On Saturday, 13-DEC, a group from the Natatorium in Hot Springs Village participated as a group in the 3rd annual 5K Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis at Garvin Gardens in Hot Springs. We had a great group and even had our own head bands with "Nat Pack" on the front - how neat is that! Here's some of the Nat Pack:

Bob and Rosie rode to Hot Springs with Bob and Ana MacKendrick - friends from HSV. The two Bobs ran the 5 K while Ana and Rosie walked. Here's a picture of the 4 of us after the race. Note all the dogs in the background. Dogs are allowed and most were dressed in a Christmas theme.

Next, we have some Winners! Bob M. won first place in his age bracket. Bob C. won second place in the 55-60 age bracket.

During the celebration that followed, Bob and Rosie actually won one of the prizes (random draw of bib numbers). We won a night at the Austin hotel in Hot Springs. Maybe we'll go over in the winter time (January) and have a "spa night". Here we are the surprised winners.

The day was a bit chilly and windy, but we all had fun. See you next year at the Garvin Gardens Jingle Bell Run!

Fractured Fishing Carols

Bob and Rosie were asked to provide "entertainment" for the HSV Anglers' Club Christmas party on 07-DEC. Well, we decided to make up our own "fishing carols" regarding fishing in Hot Springs Village.

The first carol deals with a fishing class that Bob took when he joined the Anglers' Club. The course focused on fishing in clear water (common in HSV), line type, knots, rods/reels, etc.

ALL YOU NOVICE FISHERMEN (tune: Jolly Ol’ St. Nicholas)
All you novice fishermen
Lean your ear this way
If you want to catch big bass
Listen to what I say.

Light line is the thing to use,
Fluorocarbon too.
Salt and Pepper worms are hot,
These things you must do!

Always use the proper knots
so your line won’t break.
If it does you’re out of luck.
You’ve made a big mistake.

Spinning reels are really great.
Line twists are a pain.
Maybe try a casting reel
Before you go insane.

All you novice fishermen
Lean your ear this way
If you want to catch big bass
Listen to what I say.

The next fishing carol deals with fishing in one of our monthly fishing tournaments. It's called, Fishing On The Lakes of HSV.

FISHING ON THE LAKES OF HSV (tune: Winter Wonderland)
Time to start, the lake’s a glistenin’
Here’s a cast to start my fishin’
A beautiful site, the day is just right
Fishing on the lakes of HSV.

Gone away - is my black worm
Here to stay - the pumpkin seed worm
You hook it on right with an O ring that’s tight
Fishing on the lakes of HSV.

In the morning we will start with “pop n r” (a type of topwater lure)
Later on we’ll try a wacky worm. (a method of attaching a plastic worm)
If neither of them work we’ll try a Texas rig. (another method of attaching a plastic worm)
In hopes that we can find the bass that’s big.

Later on while we’re speedin’
To a place where they’re feedin’
Believe it or not, we’ll find the hot spot
Fishing on the lakes of HSV.

We tried to upload a video of us singing the carols, but it just didn't work. So you'll just have to sing them yourself - you know the tunes. Have fun!