Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The smells here at the mini-ranch are getting really good!

They say it's my birthday...

Happy birthday to me!

Quick life updates in celebration...

• Pene got a clean bill of health last week. Her kidney values were SO good that she doesn't have to continue with fluids, special food, or anything, and she doesn't need rechecking for 6 months. So although we'll never know what caused her problems in the first place, it was something like an acute illness or her eating something bad, and NOT chronic kidney problems. Yay!
• Cousin Lisa and Lyla came to visit last weekend. I even did a good 4 hour stretch of babysitting all by myself. I was way too proud of that accomplishment, but hey, it was my first real time taking care of such a little one (or just about any kid, actually). And Lisa is coming back next weekend with the whole family in tow for Carolyn's 83rd birthday celebration., so this all makes me very happy.
• Dragon Age: Origins is a good video game. Not as amazingly awesome as I'd hoped (my expectations were way too high) but very enjoyable and I look forward to playing through it multiple times. Also video game-related - I am quite excited about the New Super Mario Bros Wii game that comes out tomorrow. I might actually be able to get Matt to play with me!

Well, I should go. Pene is going crazy because we've taken out her ranch bag and put on her collar, which means she is ready to go to the mini-ranch RIGHT NOW. =D