Four Country Gals

Mom’s recovery is slowed a bit, as she’s really battling depression. We’re not sure, but it’s possible the medication has contributed to the problem. So, it’s at least weekly trips to either Cedar City, or St. George for Dr’s appointments.

The weather holds… just cold and clear until the middle of February.

In the meantime, Coco “the pup” is busy exploring everything. She checks out the dishwasher (Geez, y’all sure left a lot of food on these dishes), and wood stove… oh, only as Cindy is removing the ashes and before she lays in the wood for the next fire.

The little stinker… she just thinks she’s so-o-o-o cute!

Bev has found a job!

When the girls lived on the island, Mom was real active in the Senior Center. Here, it means traveling to Enterprise (17 miles one way). Well, Bev just got a job driving the Iron County Senior Bus. It doesn’t pay worth beans, but it does provide a way to get to and from the Senior Center without burning personal fuel.

She’s so well-liked, that within just a couple weeks, she’s also working as a substitute driver for the Washington County Senior Bus.

Just when everyone is beginning to look forward to spring… wham!

The first REAL SNOW STORM!

The morning of February 19, 2006 the world (as we know it) is white. Oh, how beautiful.

And, within the week… it’s all gone again. Sure different from the island, where winter got there, and then stayed for months.

The gals (and Shawn) enjoy a quiet Christmas, celebrating by opening packages on Christmas eve. This year, it’s a little subdued as Mom is still recovering from the bout of diverticulitis and then depression.

Coco, the puppy is the “star of the show”, investigating every gift, and of course, all the wrapping paper.

Shawn has to catch the Las Vegas shuttle out of St George bright and early Christmas morning, so it’s up at “Oh God:thirty”, well before the sun comes up.

Leaving Mom home with most of the dogs, Bev, Cindy, Shawn, and Coco “the pup” pile into the Avalanche for the hour plus drive to St. George. All the way there, they’re a little concerned about whether or not the shuttle will actually be running on Christmas Day.

No problem, they arrive at about sun up (shortly after 7 AM) and hook up with the shuttle.

Their only regret is that there is no snow for Christmas.

Oh… but the very next morning, they awake to the first tease… a brief snow shower.

The ground has been frozen for some time now, so what little falls sticks immediately. Is it really winter here now?

I mentioned that Cindy and Bev had found the perfect Christmas gift… a little Chocolate Lab puppy!

Mom named her “Coco”… aka “Little Brown Bug”.

What a cutie-pie. She has great big brown eyes and a big brown nose. Her head looks way too big for her little wrinkly body.

Missie, the “old gal” has taken up the grandmotherly duty of teaching Coco the “rules of the house”. This is what you do, and when you do it. No, you don’t do that!

You’ll hear a lot more about Coco as she grows up… and about the rest of our pack, too. They truly are part of the family.