Odds and loose ends

In case you somehow haven't heard, Christmas is Monday, December 25.

It's a hard time to be a retail worker. I did a good job keeping up for a while, but the last few days have been rough.

Today's post is more a collection of updates than anything else. Tomorrow - I promise - will be better.

First up, remember that wonderfully tiny copy of Black Beauty that mysteriously showed up in my mailbox?

It turns out the gifter was Heather Jackson-Lain. Thank you so much, Heather. I really needed that!

The identity of this year's Christmas decorator was another of this month's mysteries.

guesses by Lynn Isenbarger

Lynn had it right: It was Huckleberry Bey!

photos by Jennifer Al-Beik, Heather Malone, Candace Anderson and Stephanie Blaylock

Moving on: The people have spoken and my new foal, Ribbit, belongs to Beep. Good luck to him. She's not really a motherly type.

Finally, let's revisit Shauna McDaniel's demented advent calendar. Thursday's gift was confusing, mostly because my dogs ate part of it.

Here's what it should have been.

photo by Lindsay Diamond

Yesterday's package was untouched by dogs.

Inside I found, candy, a toothbrush with toothpaste and fluffy socks. How refreshingly wholesome!

Today's offering was also dog destroyed.

They left me a baggie with four marshmallows, two tealights and half a chop stick.

The tealights came complete with toothmarks because that's how we roll.

This was supposed to be a do-it-yourself s'mores kit, complete with chocolate covered crackers. Thanks, Darcy and Emma. I hope you enjoyed those!

photo by Levi Kroll

And thank you, Shauna. I can not tell you how much I've looked forward to opening these little presents every day.

I think I'm caught up now.

Tomorrow is Christmas photo day at the barn. I can't wait!