December Firsts

December has brought some “firsts” for Nina, one of which was getting braces.  Originally, we had planned to make her consultation appointment in the spring of 2020, but then Covid hit, and we really limited our doctor/dental visits to only essential ones, but in November we decided to go for her consultation and braces were put on a few weeks later.  The first week was definitely an adjustment (poor orthodontic humor, sorry), but once the aching in her teeth subsided, she was back to her old self.  

 

The other first for her was becoming a part of her high school’s indoor track team.  Virginia High School Sports League is allowing winter sports in a modified capacity, so that means they train outdoors (and it has been FREEZING) and they wear masks throughout - even when they run.  Thanks to getting her some good running cold gear and a runner’s mask, she’s made it through her first week of training with the team.  Everything is different this year with all of the restrictions, but unless things change, they’ll have their first meet January 2nd.  She’s excited to be a part of the team and is enjoying getting to know some new kids, and while we won’t be able to attend meets in person due to the "no spectators" restriction, we’ll supposedly be able to watch on livestream.   Should be interesting!

  

We also got our first snow of the winter season this past week.  Interestingly enough, even though our county has everyone attending school virtually, they still have snow days and delayed openings, etc.  It’s pretty bizzarre, but then again, this whole year has been bizarre!  We only got about 2.5” which was pretty, but that was followed by just as much ice.  That actually was also very pretty (the picture doesn’t do it justice since I just used my camera phone), but the trees and bushes were gorgeous covered in ice.  

  

Cayenne had a little bit of an embarrassing situatioin after the snow fall.  We were walking down the sidewalk, and a man waved us over in his car and yelled over, “Your dog is wearing clothes!”  He explained that he was newly there from Africa and had never seen a dog wearing clothes.  LOL!!  We had a good laugh and I explained that Cayenne is a big baby in the winter and needs a jacket because of her short fur.  He wanted to pet her and commented that his dogs back in Africa were huge and they ate meat and drank milk.  Then there’s our baby dog...

 Speaking of the baby dog, when she’s not pesting for food or attention, sleeping on someone’s bed during school, or going on walks, she loves hanging in her cozy cave this time of year.  2020 has definitely been the year of the dog!!