A good time was had by all yesterday as the whole family got together to celebrate Chappy’s birthday.

He got a new “flying squirrel” toy, which he loves. Something fun to chase around the yard. (Helped here, by my nephew.)

He also got a tin of homemade doggy biscuits from my niece, which he really loves. (I mean, really, really! And considering how little she likes the peanut buttery smell of the biscuits, it says a lot about how much she loves Chappy, huh?)

Of course, I made dinner–pot roast (a doggie-friendly meal, because yes, Chappy got some), with baked potatoes. Plus fresh corn on the cob which Patty’s family brought with them. Not to mention, of course, the cupcakes (featured on Saturday) for dessert.

Here’s Chappy waiting for permission to have his cake. It’s actually half a madeline I made from extra cake batter, spread with peanut butter, with a biscuit stuck in the top. Chappy thought it was delicious! Just as soon as I was done taking pictures and said, “Okay.”

It was a fun visit. Everybody was in a good, silly mood. The dinner-table conversation was really quite entertaining. And Chappy was a tired, happy dog by the time everyone left. I mean, really, who wouldn’t love all that attention? Not to mention new toys and homemade treats?

I was really wiped out last night, though, too. I would have been tired anyway, what with the cooking, laughing, socializing thing, but with the little cold? You know how, when you’re sick, you feel tired right down to your quivering, jingling nerve-endings? That’s where I was last night. Not exhausted, weak-in-the-knees kind of tired, but definitely tired with an extra, wobbly edge to it. Which is why I ended up turning my light out before 11 last night, and sleeping until about 8:30 this morning.

And, yes, I was one of the lucky ones who had today off from work, and I’ve spent most of the day just being lazy. Except for two things. One, Mom woke up with a cold today (really, I have no idea where she got that!), and the post-nasal drip thing always makes her nauseated, and so except for doing the grocery shopping this morning, she’s been relaxing–and so I did a few things around the house. But also, I had one of those rare, vivid, complete-story, full-color, actual-beginning-middle-end kind of dreams last night, and I wanted to get the story on paper. And so I’ve spent several hours tapping away at my word processor, trying to get all the details down and make them make some sort of sense. Just for my own peace of mind, you understand.

Oh, and Chappy? He’s been napping at every opportunity . . . that family celebration thing really wore him out!

• Tags: Chappy, Family • Permalink:Almost-Birthday Delights //