Today was a rather special day as Dave and I went over to the old school to pay a surprise visit. Well only a few people knew we were coming as I called to make sure it was okay for us to swing by (Thanks Mrs. Comstock for the greenlight!). Dave had written out all his Christmas cards himself (as he does every year-some years numbers went into the 60s) to the 30 something friends (teachers) he was going to distribute, and so I took him to give them out.

Dave was allowed to distribute his Christmas cards through the mail room, as that was his old job at KRHS. So he knew all too well how to manage the territory. We had been told that he could do that after the mail job was done, which Mrs. G & Mike ordinarily do. But today while Dave was there, he saw a pile of mail and started to help out. He helped get the job done pronto, leaving plenty of time to distribute his own mail.

It was great to see so many familiar faces as we waited in the office, and then as we were in the mail room we got to see a few more friends as they stopped by to get their mail.

Mailroom2

Dave helping out in the mail room, before he put his cards in the mailboxes. This was his old job.

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The old mail room team together again.

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Dave helping out in the mail room, before he put his cards in the mailboxes. This was his old job.

MauranDave

IannDave

Best friends!

MsNugentnDave

After we took a stroll down the halls, to see who we could visit. I’m sorry that we didn’t have more time as we missed going to see Mr. Meyers and Mr. Carnegie. But we did make it over to a few of the old classrooms, where Dave got to tell a few jokes. Then we went down to D-10 as he got to see the rest of his old friends. The boys seemed happy to see Dave, which I was so glad to see. They were all giddy talking about the PuppyDucks site, and some of the old routines they use to cover together like the Muppets and other fun characters that I know Dave brought to the table. Ms. Nugent even had a gift for Dave, which he sought out and found a place for as soon as we got home. We managed to scam a few pictures, although I wish I had taken more.

I truly feel so fortunate, as we were welcomed with open arms, smiles, hugs and a true sense of joy to see David. I know I’ve said this before, but I miss you all so much! I’m truly thankful that we can stay in touch, and drop by once in a while.

Thank you all for the holiday wishes, you truly made my Christmas season start today.

My apologies as I had to remove a few of the pictures as I had been advised it would not be appropriate to have pictures of the kids at school, without permission from their parents.

Well to keep things cheerful around here, Dave and I took a little time for him to practice the piano yesterday. Dave also did a great picture of a PuppyDuck playing the piano, as we wanted to send a special note of thanks to the church that gave us the piano. It seemed like a mutual exchange, they needed someone to take it off their hands as they were getting a new piano, and they had no room for this one anymore. We’re certainly appreciative as we needed a piano for Dave to practice on as it’s very different than playing the keyboard (even though he has 3 of those).

So how do we squeeze in time for piano practice? We manage a pretty well balanced day here. Dave gets some free play time in the morning, we break for lunch earlier lately to then do his sound-therapy session (which lasts 2 hours long), followed by a bit of work of either hand drawing some artwork or practicing and doing cleaning up on Photoshop. Then more free time, piano included.

I have to admit, I still am in awe of how well he plays. Love my boy!

And here is his companion doing the same!

A special thanks go out to the Western Hills Christian Church and Pastor Ken Taylor for their kindness, as well as to Bud Chase and to the gentlemen who helped load the piano and get it to our house. That was no easy task. Many thanks to Jorma for letting us use his truck as well as his muscles, Mr. Chase, Bill, Kevin, & Brandon who also helped carry it through.

Also a big Thank You to John Matthews, Dave’s friend from school who organized this so that Dave could get a piano. John was determined for Dave to have a piano to practice on, and he found a way! We miss you! He’s an amazing young man himself, who started his own business tuning and fixing pianos (and I’m sure that doesn’t explain everything he does). Thanks John!

Here’s a picture of the crew that came to help. Although Jorma and Dad (as he used his muscles too) stayed out of the picture.

Well we’ve been busy here getting into the Christmas spirit. Letters to Santa are coming in and the PuppyDucks have been busy sorting through the mail, making sure Santa gets all the letters that everyone is sending.

The latest word from Santa is that the reindeer have been exercising, and practicing their jumps while the elves are busy wrapping and packing all the presents that will go on Santa’s sleigh.

Here we’ve been busy adding new coloring pages for everyone to download. So if you need to get into the Christmas spirit, be sure to check out these fun pictures. There are 10 Christmas themed pictures to choose from or print them all! Have Fun!

As Santa says, “Isn’t Christmas Magical?”

Last night we got big news  to help us wrap up the year positively.

David was just hired to illustrate a comic strip for a local newsletter.  I presented his artwork at the board meeting at the Sussex County Food Co-op, in Newton, NJ last night, and they loved it! An amazing bunch of people who manage the Board there. They loved my ideas, Dave’s artwork and were very supportive of all I was trying to accomplish with Dave. They even urged us to use the newsletter to help promote his work as well. A caption or footnote will do, but how wonderful to run into people that are supportive of all I’ve been trying to do.

I have to thank Nancy, Maura and Sophia for their continued support and the gals also helped me come up with the title for the comic strip that will be part of the newsletter. I also have to thank Gil, as although she’s not directly involved in the PuppyDucks adventure, she’s been an amazing support to me as a friend, as well as to Dave. Love you ladies!

This means that Dave will be publishing at least 2 different strips a month. AWESOME!

The title of the comic strip will be:
Foody Fun Facts with the Food Co-op

Here’s the comic that sold it last night…a variation on Dave’s 1st comic strip.