Yes Virginia, there really is a Santa

~ Tails Around the Ranch

Holy moly…Christmas is nearly here! Yikes-where did the time go?

Sam here…you remember me, right…that handsome stylin’ dude from Denver who lives on a ‘ranch’ near downtown? Yup, I’m still here, though I wonder where the heck my mom is who has been AWOL for some time now.

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Recall with me some of the wild stuff that happened over the past few months around the ranch.  My grandma had a serious health scare back in October and was placed in hospice care right about the same time things got crazy busy for mom at work and simultaneously while her personal life took a decidedly wild (but incredibly wonderful) turn with someone with whom she went to junior and high school with some 87 years ago. Right now, mom’s in end-of-the-year sheer hell closing crunch with clients suddenly realizing “oh jeez, it’s almost the end of the year…we gotta close this deal ASAP!” Twelve to fifteen hour days are beginning to take their toll on her but the end is in sight. After months of having to be in non-stop ‘pounce into action’ mode, she evaluated what the really important things are in life…good health, family and special loved ones, plus a tasty elk antler every now and then. You know…great stuff like that. Now that we’ve turned the corner with good news on grandma (she’s getting better with each passing week, thank you very much) and I have a new dad (I know…how cool is that?!), mom decided she’s had enough of being ridden like a rented mule so she gave notice that she intends to ‘retire’ right after New Year’s from the firm. Will she get another job remains to be seen, but after nearly 25 years at the firm, she has decided that working there just wasn’t worth the stress. Wow, what a relief…I for one can’t wait to have my mom back again. Woof-woof! 🐾

And so this Christmas, despite the craziness in this world, it is clear that we around the ranch have much to celebrate. Whether or not you believe in Santa, I know we sure do. Apart from the obvious holiday celebration, it’s also my grandma’s 85th birthday. Back in October when she first got sick, we weren’t sure she’d celebrate anything, much less another birthday, but it’s very clear that this remarkable woman is as strong as nails with so much more to do. As her family, we couldn’t be more thrilled and look forward to a spectacular 2016 with her. Mom’s nephew from Pittsburgh made good on his promise to ‘put a ring on his love’s finger’ (after dilly-dallying for 3 years-inspiration and nudging straight from grandma who made him promise while she was in hospice on her deathbed to do so) as well as welcoming my new dad to our family. Wayne and I have become such great friends hanging out all day while mom does heaven only knows what for those lawyers. He’s good to me and has taken great care of my mom. I even wait for him by the bedroom door every morning for him to get up so we can start having fun rather than wait for mom to get out of the shower. In February we are welcoming a new baby girl from another nephew as well so you can see there are loads of fantastic goings-on in our family for us to be totally over the moon and agree that…yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus.

So as you and yours celebrate the birth of Christ this holiday season…from our family to yours, please know that we send you our very best wishes for a very Merry Christmas. I know ours will be the best. Christmas. ever!

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Live, love, bark! <3

56 thoughts on “Yes Virginia, there really is a Santa”

  3. Wishing you all a Happy Belated Christmas, Monika. Congratulations once again on your retirement and I’m sure those roses are smelling pretty good!
    Love & Best wishes,
    xx Rowena, Bilbo and Lady.

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  5. So wonderful to hear all your great news! And how brilliant you decided to stop and smell the roses?? Well done. May 2016 continue in the same vein. And thank you for your unwavering support.

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  6. Squeals to the high heavens and runs around the room in excitement. We took a few days off during Christmas and came back to see your posting. We absolutely LOVE it! We are so glad that grandma is doing better, that your mom is slowing down and letting Wayne catch her – wink wink, and babies and engagements! Take care of all of you my friends and we hope to hear more from ya’ll soon. Sending hogs and snout kisses! XOXO – Bacon

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    1. Squeals indeed. Thanks so much for the kind words, Bacon. We are over the moon with all the good stuff! Glad you guys were able to take a few days off-with all the posts during December, I’m sure you needed the R&R. Here’s to a terrific 2016! <3

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  7. Lovely post… and you certainly have many good reasons to celebrate…
    I hope you had a beautiful Christmas and send you best wishes for the new year ahead… Aquileana 💫🌟★

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  9. Oh my what a wirlwind your lives have been since October! So glad that most of the happenings have all been positive ones!!!! Hope Christmas was a wonderful one! Wishing you a blessing and joy filled New Year, it seems that it is already heading that way!
    Lots of Luv
    Marty, Mom and the Gang

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  10. I was so happy to see you on the blog today! I have been very worried about you, but I see that it was for naught! It sounds like things are going exceptionally great for you! I am so happy to hear all of your good news!!! Retirement is amazing so take at least a little while off to relax after working so hard. Welcome back and happy holidays! ♥

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    1. You’re too kind, M.K. It has been a brutal few past months, but again we are truly blessed today with some happy outcomes. I expect it will take some time gearing down in retirement but am looking forward to it. Or at least starting on a different list of chores. 😉 Be well and keep up with all those incredibly terrific posts. You’re one of our heroes on the blog front! <3

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  12. Merry Christmas Sam, Monika, and Wayne!!! Y’all have a bunch of things to be thankful for this year! We are expecting our third grandson in late March, so we’re excited!

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  14. This post is full of wonderful news! We are so happy to hear that your grandma is doing better, that mom found love, and that mom’s going to be spending more time with you. Wishing you all the very best. *ear licks* Noodle

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  16. Looks like you survived the crazy closings day😉. Time to relax and have a glass of🍷. See ya tomorrow🎄🎄🎄

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  17. Yea! Monika this is a turn of events isn’t it? Last year at this time, who knew all these changes would come? I love Sam’s Christmas pictures. So handsome. What a nice family portrait, and tv worthy story of reuniting. Amazing. Was he in “like” with you back then? Starting from a friendship and common history is a good start to a family. Love love to you all, LeeAnna and Cole

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  24. What a wonderful post! I am so glad to hear that Grandma is recovering and that there are new babies not to mention a new dad. It’s certainly been a busy time for you. You must be exhausted. Everything is well here in our little corner of South Australia and the new “Associate” by the name of Benji has settled in. He had his first bath and nail clip today and got on very well with all the other dogs. So, yes, Christmas is almost upon us and after the Service tonight to Celebrate the Birth of Christ, we are looking forward to the family tomorrow.

    Take care, be well and look after everyone, Mum, New Dad, Grandma and the Baby.

    Merry Christmas to you all

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    1. Many thanks Edgar! Here’s to a very merry Christmas to you and yours. Work has stymied my efforts to keep up with blog reading so I can’t wait to go back and read about the new fur baby. Be well my friend! <3

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  25. Sam we are thrilled! About your Grandmas health..about Mum giving her job the flick..about proposals and babies and a new Dad! We know 2016 will be wonderful for us all and of course we look forward to visiting your bloggie and chatting..thankyou for a most beautiful card that arrived yesterday and you all have a fantastic Christmas Loves Fozziemum xxx

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    1. Very excited to hear the card arrived timely-Merry Christmas, dear friend. Wishing you a safe and wonderful holiday. Love that expression…giving the boss the flick! That made me chuckle out loud. Hugs to you, Phil, Doc, Forest and all of your down-under critters. <3

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      1. Hahah yes i was so excited as the mail is useless here lately..and of course today was last mail before Christmas..looking forward to another year if fun here on the blogs and as it is now 23 minutes until Christmas the internet is going super slow so i must away to wait for Santa! Love to you all 🙂 xxxx

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