When pumpkin pies are baking, turkeys roasting and ... is there or isn't there Christmas music playing? I know some people who will not play a Christmas song until after Thanksgiving Day is over and the turkey leftovers are put away. But then I know others, like me, who listen year round to Christmas music. My favorite time to listen to "It's that time of year ..." is in the heat of July when I can't stand this Texas heat one minute longer. But of course we've already started listening to Christmas music. There's a Dallas radio station (103.7) that plays Christmas music and even interviewed Brenda Lee (Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree) this past week. Yesterday, (brace yourself for this one) we put away the Thanksgiving decorations and pulled out the Christmas tinsel. We are not putting up a tree this year in an effort to keep the puppy from attacking it and eating the lights (which our lab, Liberty, did 7 years ago). But our stockings are hung and ready for Santa. We put our decorations out before we leave town for Thanksgiving so I don't have to do it when we get home. Anyway, last night we watched our first Christmas movie of the season -- The Bishop's Wife.

So, are you already getting in the mood for Christmas with the jingling of the bells or do you wait?

Friday, Nov. 21, I'll be on KFUO Radio at 3:30pm (central time zone) on The Afternoon Show with Diane Summers. Hope you'll tune in if you're in the St. Louis area.

Blessings,

Leanna

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all! Wanted to let you know that B&H Publishing (my publisher) is offering a free download of Elvis Takes a Back Seat. Now, I'm sure you all have a copy of the book (big grin) but in case you don't or in case your mother or sister or best friend doesn't, tell them to go here where they get it for FREE! How cool is that?

http://bhpublishinggroup.com/fiction/contests.asp

Or maybe I'm just sleep deprived. I'm supposed to have a phone interview this morn with a radio station in Minnesota. I looked at the official page a dozen times, even last night, and kept telling myself 8am. So this morning I had the kids sequestered with the dogs in one room and from an upstairs bedroom I called the radio station as I was supposed to do. I then realized they gave me the fax number. So then called the station. No one was there. Sigh. So I left a message. Then relooking at the page for the upteenth time saw 9am. 9! Not 8! So am waiting until I have to sequester everyone again.

Over the past couple of weeks, Hilo (puppy) has been getting me up about every four hours. Which is not too bad. But last night, Belle (our oldest dog) woke me at 2am wanting water and to go out. I had to wake the puppy up to go out at the same time. Then I hoped to sleep until 6am. Puppy had other plans. She woke me at 5:30. So maybe I'm just sleep deprived or not fully awake yet. I hope I wake up before the REAL interview begins. No telling what I might say if I'm half asleep.

Chasing a puppy! Hilo has discovered toilet paper. She loves to sneak into a bathroom, jump up and snag the TP and take off running through the house with it. Lovely. So glad she's interested in all things about the bathroom, just wish she'd learn to go outside! I know it'll happen, but just hasn't made that connection yet. But at 8 weeks old, she knows her name, knows 'hungry' and 'out.' She also recognizes the word 'no,' but chooses to ignore it at times. She loves to climb up in the pantry. Yes. Climb! There's sort of a stair-step grouping of big popcorn cans which we use to keep the dog and cat food. She climbs these. So, she's really keeping me hopping.

We made a trip to my folks' ranch in East Texas this weekend. She did really well. She's a good traveler. And my husband managed to watch her while I went to Longview to speak to a brand new ACFW chapter. They were a great bunch of ladies. My mom went with me, so that was extra special. I think she just wanted to get away from the puppy.

Hilo looks really sweet and innocent but she's really a Piranha. I have tiny pinpricks of bite marks all over my arms, hands and toes. Yikes! But we're working on it. Don't bite the hand that feeds you, right? Oh, the puppy life!

I found a new program that keeps you up all night, keeps you from sitting long enough to eat, and keeps you moving, as in ... take puppy out, bring puppy in, out, in ... You get the picture. And yep, we have a cute little 6 week old labradoodle puppy. We named her Hilo, pronounced Hee-lo. She was so laid back when we first got her that she reminded us of Hawaii. One of our favorite places on the big island is Hilo. So she's been busy keeping me up half the night and running after her in the day. But we're slowly getting into a routine. Our other animals are slowly coming around and taking an interest in her. She likes to play 'tag, you're it,' by touching her nose to our other dogs. Our lab, Liberty, did not appreciate being confused with Momma dog. When Hilo tried to latch onto her tummy ... well, those little needle sharp teeth hurt!

I'll be on the radio this morning (11am) on KHAC Radio for The Eleventh Hour. Hope you'll tune in.

Blessings,

Leanna