So, the housetraining is still going extremely slowly.  I remember it taking a long time with other pups, but I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and getting peed on. LOL   Miss Bella still will just pee anyplace she likes, even if she's just peed outside.  Good Lord!!  What am I supposed to do?

I took her to the vet on Monday and he made some suggestions to change up my training plans.  And he told me that MinPins are a bit stubborn and difficult to train sometimes.  Feeding her inside the crate is one and second is to take away the pee pads I've been using.  I've done those things….we'll see if it helps, too soon to tell.

I bought a very small chain and stake and now can put her outside by herself, but so help me God if I catch the neighbor's dogs in my yard again….it won't be pretty!!  Bella does love to just sit outside so that is a very good thing.

The girls finish school tomorrow, Catina has 8th grade graduation and honors recognition tonight.  I'm so proud of her, but on the other hand completely freaked out that she's going to be in high school next fall.  She's going to march Tuba in the marching band…I'm very very excited about that.  I love marching band.  I still miss it sometimes, certainly kept me in better shape.  LOL

Plans:  This weekend we are taking the girls to the Upper Penninsula camping.  Yes, it will be cold, yes, we're sleeping in a tent, no, I'm not too worried…..well, maybe just a little bit.  We are going to go see Tehquamenon Falls and Whitefish Pt. to see the shipwreck museum.  We're all excited.  Finally we're going to travel to new places instead of the same old same old all the time…..LOL  I'll take lots of pics too.

Our little Bella is something of an extremist…  She is jumping and biting at Katie and Jake.  Begging them to play with her and they mostly regard her as a pest, an annoyance.  Poor thing….if they would just play with her, it would be great.  

Housetraining is slow, but we're working at being consistent.  She sleeps maybe 4-5 hours at night, wish she'd wake me before she craps all over though. LOL  She's a doll, we're all learning.

This is our new baby…..Bella.  She is a miniature Pinscher.  She is soooo tiny and adorable.  Only 8 weeks old, so absolutely a handful.

Yes, we named her Bella after the Twilight series…..and she's so cute.  The girls are just in love with her, but are not used to a puppy, so big adjustment for all of us.

Well, I only took third place, but I am so very pleased to have lost 9.8 pounds in 8 weeks.  I am not done, however.  I'd like to lose another 10 by June 30, and I think if I can just avoid parties and dining out (ha!) I can do it!

The exercising has finally gotten a lot easier and I go do more and not get so tired out.  Time to add weight lifting into the program and start running a little.

I have pictures of Catina in Annie over on Flickr. 

It was an amazing show and she was utterly fantastic!!  I had no idea of what to expect as they didn't allow parents inside the practices.  I am so very proud!

The Fat Bastard Contest that I signed up for is almost over.  We figure the final results on March 31st.  To date I have lost 7.2 pounds and am in second place.  I'm very excited.  I haven't exactly dropped a pants size, but I'm close.  Another five pounds would certainly do it.  Wish me luck.

A bunch of us from work are participating in the March of Dimes walk again this year.  We went last year, it was a five mile walk and we raised $135 dollars.  We've doubled our number of walkers and already raised almost half the amount from last year.  I'm so excited about this.  This is the kind of fundraiser I really enjoy.  I'll be active and doing more than just donating money. 

I am, however collecting money…..if you'd like to donate, please see my right side-bar and click on the link for my March of Dimes page.

If you didn't know, March of Dimes supports pre-mature children, especially those born with birth defects.  Both of my children were born with birth defects, one minor, one kinda major.  LOL  I say kinda, cause there is nothing that needs to be done for Megan.  She was born with two holes in her heart, one has closed up and the other is nearly closed up.  She's very very healthy.  My father was also born with a birth defect, and I was very lucky to not have it as well because it is hereditary.  So I walk and I think of how healthy my children are, and how they might not have been.  I think of my Dad and I and how lucky we are.  I think of people who have lost their babies or are living with serious birth defects.

I have seen a few other charities that involve knitting or crocheting beautiful afghans for people who have lost their babies in the hospital.  The idea is to have a keepsake for them, and something special to wrap them in.  I've thought about doing this a few times, may have to seriously jump in and do it.

This weekend, the hubby and I are going north to snowmobile together.   I know…it wasn't that long ago that I suffered a minor injury snowmobiling - so what!  These things happen and I would rather have a little accident every now and then while having fun than to never have any fun at all!  LOL

Our plans are to go to the U.P. to Newberry, MI.  I found a great site for snomobiling in the UP and Newberry just looked perfect for us.  http://www.upsnowmobiling.com/  This site has trail reports and maps for all over the UP.  Fantastic!  I checked the trail reports for Newberry area and things look pretty good.  They apparently have a good base of snow built up and keep the trails all groomed.  Most of the hotels look like they cater to snowmobilers so that is great too. 

We are planning to ride over to Tahquamenon Falls on one day. 

Gotta put the camera into a plastic baggie and pack it so I can take pictures.  I've never been there before, so I'm really looking forward to it. 

So, riding all weekend and playing and kid-free!!  I'm really looking forward to it.  What a great way to spend Valentines weekend together.

I had a little snowmobile incident a week ago.  I tried to hang with the boys, big mistake.  Well, minor mistake - big pain.  I sprained my wrist.  I thought perhaps it was broken with the unusual amount of swelling that I was seeing, but alas it is not.  Thank God.  We have a big snowmobile trip planned in February, just the hubby and I.  Isn't that a romantic way to spend Valentines?  LOL  I'm looking forward to it and he is too, so that is what matters.  And, of course also important is the fact that we are NOT taking the children.  Don't get me wrong, we love them, but lately they have been difficult.  They bicker with each other, complain and in general very lazy.  With my wrist out of commission I seriously thought they would all pitch in and help mom out, and it is like pulling teeth.  Ungratefuls!!  LOL  Oh well, their day will come and they will understand exactly how it feels.  I'm putting the mom curse on them. Ha Ha!

Well Christmas was pretty good for us this year.  We had less visitors, and while saddened to not see some family and friends, it was a very low-key, unstressful holiday.  I didn't feel the need to rush around and please anyone at all.  My mother-in-law came to visit Christmas Eve, spent the night and left the next morning after presents and breakfast.  Now, I know most people might not understand how that could be low-key, but I'm telling you folks, the lady is easy to please.  She was happy to visit and a pleasure to have around.  I think Christmas Eve was one of the nicest we've had in a long time.  We went to my parents and all just visited till late at night.  We had great conversations and no one had to try too hard to keep up….well maybe me a little cause I did have a few Captain's in me, but I had a wonderful time.

Christmas morning the girls let us sleep in till about 8:00 and then we got up and opened gifts.  They were very happy with everything they got and I didn't hear any complaints….at least not right away.  lol  But, truely a nice day.  Christmas dinner that day, my mom helped me prepare and I think that might become a new Christmas ritual.  I enjoyed working together so much more than one of us slaving alone while everyone else played with their toys and watched movies.  Here's the menu:

• Beef Wellington
• Tossed Salad
• Italian Sausage and Bread Stuffing
• Corn and Chestnut Pudding
• Scalloped Potatoes
• Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Everything turned out really well, especially the wellington.  I was nervous about that cause I'd never made it before, but it was heavenly.  The tenderloin was soooo tender!!

I finally got a Cat Bhordi book that I'd been coveting for a while and I can't wait to dive into it.  New Pathways for Sock Knitters  It looks fantastic.  I've perused it a bit and am so excited to start knitting these new styles of socks.  I admit, I do get bored with knitting or crocheting the same things over and over again.  And Thanks be to God for that….cause that is why I keep getting better and expanding my skills.

New Year's Resolution:  This year I want to get on the path to become a Master Knitter.  It will take lots of time, but I love the idea of it.  Wish me luck!  Happy New Year!

I forgot to mention that the new job fell through….I'm not going anywhere!!  LOL  I was disappointed but things happen for a reason and with the economy right now…..this must be a blessing in disguise.  Besides, I would miss Julie too much. 

Today's request was that I make a Caramel Apple Pie for dessert after dinner tonight.

We went and picked out our Christmas tree today, got it up and in the house.  This year we've placed it in front of the French Doors, think that will look nice from outside, too.  Dinner was great, Filet on the grill with risotto and salad.  I baked cookies, bread and dinner rolls while the family scurried about with the tree and some of the decorations.  We still have lots to put up, but we're getting there.  Might as well enjoy it, rather than rush through it.

I found a recipe for the Caramel Apple Pie that I hadn't made before and decided to give it a try.

Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

It was fantastic!!  I am keeping this recipe - what a winner!  Yummy for my tummy.

I also have to get moving on my Christmas newsletter.  I didn't get to send one out at all last year, so this year it is doubly important to me.  So, here is a picture of the girls, all ready for Christmas.