Martha & William

Wishes

2009-05-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

Hey William,

We are up in the mountains today visiting Laura Jayne's mom and dad. Her mom is doing lots better and said we should come visit. So we are. Laura Jayne is going to paint today and Danny is going to build a new hutch for the bunnies.

There was a pretty fuzzy dandelion in the yard so I made a wish for you William. I wished that we could see each other again soon, because I miss you.

Love and huggles,

Martha

An Award.... Yea!!!

2009-05-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

William.... look we got an award from Sullivan McPig!! Wow and thank you Sullivan :)

I hope to never meet a zombie chicken, but still love the award. Here is what the award is all about.

The Zombie Chicken

"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the Zombie Chicken, excellence, grace, and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words.

Sullivan said we don't have to pass it on... and I am glad, cause it kind of scares me all the zombie possibilities.

How are you in Scotland? Anything new and fun going on? Not much here, other than Laura Jayne went on a vacation, but she didn't take me with her. I stayed home in case her Mommy needed me to fix her soup for her not feeling good. She is taking all the medicine the doctors tell her to and she is feeling pretty ok.

Miss you William. Write to me.

Huggles,
Martha

Out for Some Game Playing

2009-04-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

Dearest William,

I am so excited that you were such a help getting Graeme to study hard and pass his test.

Things have been sad around here. Laura Jayne's Mom has been sick and in the hospital. But the doctors are taking good care of her and think she will get well. She came home from the hospital on Thursday night and Laura Jayne went to visit her and had to put on a mask so that she wouldn't give her Mommy germies.

We had some fun this weekend. We went golfing on a big course. I got to be what they call the caddy. Which meant going around and telling Laura Jayne which club to use when and how far away things were. I did a good job and we had a good time walking around and listening to the birds and hitting little tiny balls with big sticks.

This is me tending the flag. It was my job to pull the flag pole out of the hole when the ball came close.

We went to breakfast after walking around and back and forth and around some more on the golf course. It was a really nice day William, I will like playing golf with you when you come home here.

I miss you. Please write again soon.

Huggles and love,

Martha

4 Weeks is a long time in Education

2009-03-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

4 Weeks!!!

Martha!!!! I have been gone so long -but what a lovely holiday you had. I didnt know you could sing - you never sing for me? You looked very Michelle Pfeiffer up there on that piano - I'm told men find her sexy, so thats a compliment.

We've been suffering here Martha, havent been oot o the hoose in nearly a month, we've been studying for our exams - a stack of books here taller than an elephant all had to be crammed into oor little heids

- but we passed - yaaaaaay - and now with the help of "one little beer" all that information is being flushed oot!

We did tak one day aff and I got to meet some new friends - here's me with a friendly wee bear, he didnt bite but I wouldnt invite him round, you wouldnt believe how much he eats.

I then went to a top secret location - Shhhh, cannae tell ye, but it begins with A, and met all these secret agents ... theres a wee hamster and a moose that saves the world, and a dog who wont tell me his real name, says its a number 1 secret...

I think now all this studying is over, we can go oot again soon - I hope so as the sun is shining now and the floories are beginning to appear.

x
William

Our Vacation

2009-02-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

While you have been turning even more blue in cold Scotland we went on a cruise on a really big boat to Mexico. It was warm and sunny and lovely. But the whole time I just really wish you were with me. Here are some pictures showing the fun we had. We arrived in San Diego and took all our bags to the big boat.

When we checked in they had to check all our papers. The certificates that said we were born. But if we weren't born we wouldn't be going on a cruise so I wasn't quite sure about this. But the lady was really nice and soon we were on the ship.

On of the first things we did was relax in the sun. Such a a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Then we checked out the ship. I made sure all the safety stuff was all where it needed to be. An elephant can't be too safe. Laura Jayne said she was proud of me for being safe.

And speaking of safe after the walk but before they would let the ship set out onto the big ocean. We had to have a mustard drill. I don't know why we needed mustard, but we also needed big orange floaty things in case we decide to go swimming or the boat hits an iceburg off the coast of the baja penisula.

Then after the mustard drill the boat started to float out to sea. It was exciting to watch all the other smaller boats go by. This is the window from our room.

The next morning we were in Ensenada, Mexico. There is one important thing to do in Mexico, and it involves drinking lots of fuzzy stuff from green bottles.

So not wanting to offend my new friends in this new country I drank lots of fuzzy stuff until my head got very fuzzy itself.

Later we got back on the boat and had fun there. We played golf, which is fun when the boat is rocking and going up and down and back and forth and the little ball rolls all crazy.

And we played pingy-pong. I was good at pingy-pongy and won two games.

We at a whole lot every day. And lots of good food at dinner. And after dinner we sat and listened to this very nice man sing us songs. He even invited me up and we sang a duet of a pretty song called Norweigan Wood.

I also made some great new friends on the cruise. Every night a new friend would come to stay in our room. By the last night it was a bit crowded, but we had quite fun party. Another elephant came to stay, and a cat and walrus, we had a wonderful time.

Then it was time to go home again. So we waved goodbye to the big boat and drove home. It was such fun William. I would like to go on a cruise with you some day. Do you think you would like that. Maybe to Alaska since you are now so used to it being cold all the time.

I love you William and miss you.

Huggles,

Martha

Snowy Hearts

2009-02-14T04:46:00.001-08:00

I was Sooooo jealous seeing you snowboarding as Scotland seems more suited to watersking in the rain, but then THIS happened - white stuff from the sky!
I've not seen proper snow before so I was a bit nervous about going out... but I put my wee scarf on and hit under the tree while the snow fell.

Everything gets so quiet in the snow - like the entire country has said "shhh" and all you hear is the "crump crump" of feet in fresh snow.

All the kids here, young and old (Graeme!) went out and had a snow ball fight in the street - I kept warm in my matching scarf and threw the old sneakie shot - the wee mice never knew what hit them!

It seems we've started a fashion statement this year as scarfs are all the rage, nae so sure about the hat though, widnae fit over my ears too well...

Alas and woe, the wee scarf kept me warm, but I think I caught a wee snuffle fae the snowball fight, I didnae feel too smart the next day and when they took ma temperature at Elephany Hospital I was a wee bit poorly, I was 21Centipedes which is how they measure things over here - they dont count in Fairyheights like we do, I think this means I was as ill as 69Fairys which is not good. I'm feeling better now tho - peanuts and a week in bed put me to rights.

And I bet you thought I forgot what day this was didnt you??? Miss you Martha.

Weeeeeee

2009-02-05T17:24:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

Look what we did today. Snowboarding. We went wooshhh and swoshhh all over the mountain. This is when we first got there. I was a wee bit scared at how big the mountain was, but I didn't let anyone see me being a scardy-elephant. And once I tried it I liked it.

We rode up the moutain on these thingies that looked like swings for two people, but since I am a big elephant I got one all to myself so I didn't accidently push anyone off.

Here I am on the snowboard. It takes lots and lots of practice and lots and lots of falling down to be a good woosher and swoosher, but I think I did pretty good.

At the end of the day it was nice just to sit and watch the other people and the snow falling.

Huggles,

Martha

Fun and Food

2009-02-01T21:59:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

We had fun today. It is a sort of sport's holiday her in America. We went to some friends house and ate lots of food. Maybe that is why people play sports so other people eat lot.

Laura Jayne made chili and guacamole which is the traditional meal served on this American holiday. And which Laura makes a lot when we go to parties.

The team we were cheering for won the game,

but my tummy was so fully by then I just moaned a bit rather than cheering.

Jessica and her boyfriend Jeff were really full too. Oh, I think all this eating is not the best holiday there is.

What did you do this weekend William?

Huggles,

Martha

2009-01-29T05:43:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

You look so happy there in the sunshine. And Graeme was smiling too, did you tickle him? I love the castle too. Maybe one day we can go together there. Laura Jayne doesn't mind spending money once in a while so she will pay and just make Graeme go even if he is grumpy.

I had a great time at Laura Jayne's writing group. We wrote stuff and read stuff and met a writer guy who talked to us about writery stuff.

I was helping Laura Jayne make sure her words were all spelled right here, I am not the best speller but I try hard and that is what counts Laura says. And then later I wrote my own poem. Kathryn who is very nice and says to us what we might want to write about, said to think about reaching for something that you always know it is there and it not being there. That got me thinking about reaching for you William and so I wrote this.

His blue trunk I miss
huggling my wee pink trunk
My heart misses him

It is called a Haiku. You are usually supposed to write about nature and stuff, but we are elephants and we come from the wild so maybe that is naturey enough. Haiku have a certain number of sibbles. That is how things sound if you count them on your fingers. Like... el-a-phant has three sibbles. A Haiku has 5-7-5 sibbles and I counted them right for your poem William.

Huggles to you and I do miss you.
Martha

You are my sunshine... my only sunshine

2009-01-25T13:52:00.000-08:00

Sunshine and Smiles...

Things are definitely looking up, in fact people are looking to the skies for the first time and asking "what is that bright yellow thing".. I took the opportunity to do some sunbathing in a nearby tree. When people visit Africa and wonder where all the elephants are, why do they never look in the trees?

Here's me in a normal tourist pose in Edinburgh with the castle behind me, "normal" tourists would then goto the castle, but apparently that "costs bl**dy money" which makes is impossible and made Graeme all grumpy when I pressed him!

However, sunlight is free, and we had loads today.. I'm not sure if Graeme is smiling because the sun is nice or because its cheap. (yes, that is a smile apparently)

Once it had turned all cold and dark again we went for Coffee and Cake with his friend , they saved me a bit of "carrot cake" but I just snorted at them - CARROTS - do I look like a donkey?? Nae fool me, I'll hold off until theres chocolate and peanut cake on offer.

So Martha, what did you write yesterday? Was it the fantasy of the elephant that can fly (we've both done that now) or was it a poem of Scotch Mist, or a song even - we haven't sang for so very long and as you know, we elephants can provide our own horn sections.

Writing Tomorrow

2009-01-23T17:44:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

Tomorrow I get to go with Laura Jayne to her writing group. I am looking forward to it. I will let you know tomorrow how it goes. I hope we write poems then I could share it with you after.

What are you doing this weekend? Is it raining again there. It is raining here today.

Okay, time to go out to dinner.

Huggles,
Martha

Zamboni

2009-01-17T09:01:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

I was so happy to see you again. You look cold and wet, but still the handsome elephant I miss so very much.

We had fun last night. Laura Jayne said it was a very long, very not happy week at work and that going out on Friday night for fun is part of what makes going to work all week and not having fun bearable.

We went to an ice hockey game. I had never seen this before. Skating on ice seems like it would be lots and lots of fun, but these boys slide all around on the ice chasing a little black thingy with sticks and they hit each other a whole lot. The object of the game is to get the little black thingy in the little net at one end of the ice by hitting it with your stick. But the other boys are trying to stop you from doing that. And they get mean sometimes too. They flip and slide and hit and hit some more. They smoosh each other on the edges of the ice where the people sit and the people get all excited (and sort of mean too). But once I understood that part of the game is to be mean, well I just decided if they wanted to play that way I would just sit back and cheer for them and hope no one got too owied. And no one did. They have lots of padding on and skate really good.

Part of the fun of the night was the getting to eat really good bad for you food. We had hot dogs and chippies and bubbly sweet drinks that tickled my trunk, and squishy pretzels with lots of salt, and more hot dogs (which really aren't dogs at all). Oh, and peanuts, I had a whole bag of peanuts all for myself. I had a wee tummy ache by the end of all of it.

I learned a new word last night too. Zamboni. It is a car like thingy that goes

round and round and round on the ice squooshing out water so the ice is all smooth again. Oh, and it was cooooolllldddd at the arena so that the ice wouldn't melt. Me and Laura Jayne shivered a

little bit, but not too much. She was silly and wore flippy-floppy shoes so she said her toes got cold.

Today we are going back to visit Hannah and Emma, Laura Jayne's nieces. It is Hannah's birthday party, she is three now. There will be games and cake. I am excited.

What are you doing today?

Huggles,

Martha

Nemo the Elephant

2009-01-16T13:35:00.000-08:00

Martha - I'm not sure Elephants were meant for snow - surely your trunk was freezing? Or is the scarf warm?

The full size version of your scarf arrived here - G says "mmmmf mfff mmmf mm" when he goes out with it on, which I guess means "toasty cosy in here"

And cosy it has to be - he keeps taking me out and we have travelled the central belt of the Scotland looking for the mythical "dry bit" but as you can see, it is never to be. I let him get out of the car to test the waters, I'm nae so feel as they say!

I have been making a difference here Martha my quine, there are smiles on the loons face and a genuine laugh - everyone needs an Elephant, even if just to hold their brollies. If this keeps up, America..... and Martha.....

Snowman and Roses and Water Bottles

2009-01-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

I heard that it is snowing in Scotland today!!! Yea!! Snow is so wonderful as long as you are all wrapped up warm. This is one last picture from the moutains. It was a pretty snowman the first day, but this is the second day and it sort of melted and lost its eyes and nose. Poor snowman.

We are back home now. I am keeping Hubby company as he is off work for a couple days. We went to antique stores yesterday and bought Laura Jayne a present. She has a BIG glass water bottle where she keeps all the roses Hubby ever gives to her after she lets them dry. Somebody, or maybe it was nobody, or maybe it was one of the doggies, well nobody is telling so not really sure, but nobody or somebody broke her BIG glass water bottle and all the roses were on the floor. So me and Hubby went and got her a new one and put every rose into the new bottle. Laura Jayne was very happy and gave Hubby big huggles for being so sweet.

Huggles to you William,

Martha

Out and About Today

2009-01-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

We are having a nice time in the mountains even though it was cold and cloudy today. We went down into town. There were lots of people walking all over into the little shops where you can buy t-shirts, and silly stuff.

There are lots of big green trees that look like giant Christmas trees. And the clouds were very low and I was glad to have my new pink scarf. Brrrrr.

We went to the grocery store to get food to make to eat during the football game. Now don't get confused William, this is American football. The kind where you can touch ball a lot. Not the kind where you can only touch the ball with your feet that they call soccer here but I know they call football in Scotland. We got stuff to make chili, which isn't chilly at all it is really hot and spicy, and stuff to make guacamole, which is green yummy on chippies, and stuff to make corn bread, which doesn't look like it has corn in it.

I thought we should get some of these cuppy cakes that looked very yummy. But we didn't, darn it.

After the groceries we went and painted these cups at a little place that you pick out the bare white pieces of pottery and paint any pretty design you want. Laura Jayne and I worked on this one that looks kind of like a watermelon. Green on the outside and we painted it red on the inside.

When we got back from being out all day I was tired and me and the kitty took a really nice nap where it was very nice and warm.

Now we are eating chili and cornbread and watching football. We are cheering for the Chargers. They are the ones in blue. There is lots of yelling and cheering and clapping. Sports are fun and Laura Jayne and Hubby and Mom and Dad are having fun and I am having fun.

I hope you are having fun William.

Huggles and more huggles,

Martha

In the snow...

2009-01-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

Silly William, elephants should not be drinking head hurting drinks. I hope you feel better very soon.

We went out and played in the snow. I went down a weeeeeeee hill on a sled all by myself. Then I made a snow angel.

Brrrrrr... snow is cold. But it was fun.

Is there snow in Scotland right now?

Ooooh Ma Heid

2009-01-01T09:29:00.000-08:00

I'll read your message tomorrow Martha, I'm learning what a "stotter o a sair heid" is - it was this yellowish tea coloured drink but in such small glasses how could it hurt???

Read tomorrow when the room stops spinning.

Hic

New Year's Games

2009-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year William!!!

I was so happy to get your message and to see all the fun you had when it became 2009.

You are the most handsome elephant. You will surely bring lots of good luck to Graeme and his family by being the first footie there in Aberdeen.

We stayed up late here and played cards. It was a game called Canasta. Oh, boy does Laura Jayne's family have fun playing cards.

We are up in the mountains at Laura Jayne's momma's house. It wasn't too long of a drive and Laura Jayne's Hubby let me share the front seat with him on the way. Weeeeeee we went as we drove on the ziggy-zaggy road. It takes exactly 22 minutes from the bottom of the mountain to the top mountain... back and forth, and back and forth.... weeeeee. I held on tight and only closed my eyes a couple of times when we went zaggy instead of ziggy. So we will stay for four whole days in a pretty town called Idyllwild. There is snow here William, in California. I will get to play in it tomorrow and I will send you some pictures.

So we had a really nice dinner and played cards with Laura Jayne's momma and daddy.

And they even let me shuffle the cards sometimes. It was great fun. We all laughed and had the best time.

Then we stayed up until midnight... and counted backwards, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1 (because the earth is slow and we got a whole extra second in 2008). And then everyone kissed and said HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Love you William and miss you and happy new year!!!

XXXXX,

Martha

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

2008-12-31T16:43:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR MARTHA!

Ok, so its not quite for you yet, but we are already so far into 2009 we can talk about "last year" and mean it!

We went out and about today, but the rest of Aberdeen seemed to be heading to some big party, we had the entire bus to ourselves - even enough space for an elephant to get a seat to himself - here's me looking at a lovely restaurant, but the hint wasnt taken... sigh, beans on toast again tonight then.

Hogmanay over here is very very noisy. Some fireworks go up, and then they are completly drowned out by the noise of the ships in the harbour who all sound their horns - Hooooot Hooooot Blaaaasssst - this goes on for ages and nothing else can be heard, they are over a mile away, its noisy and beautiful.

Graeme said that the first foot over your doorstep in Scotland has to be tall, dark and handsome - well, what is taller and darker than a Blue Elephant? And Handsome - I think the evidence speaks for itself - so I got to be the first footer for his family this year - I hope I bring them luck, as I couldnt bring them coal or shortie or even a wee nip of whisky, but I did bring in the Broons and Oor Wullie (no, dont ask me).. I also brought his Mum in with me..

In 8 hours, Happy New Year everyone over there! - Hae a Braw Year A'body

A Nice Day

2008-12-28T05:50:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

We had a fun day yesterday. I know it is dark and grey in Scotland. But it is bright and sunny here in California.

It did rain some on Christmas Eve and that left the prettiest snow on the mountains that hasn't melted yet. It was cool today so I got to wear my new scarf when we went out.

We went to the movies and saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I really liked the movie. It was about a man who is born really really old and grows younger and younger as every year goes by. It was happy and sad... and made me cry just a little. But in a good way.

After the movie we went shopping for shoes for Hubby. He needed new tennis shoes. I tried on a pair too. They were a much better fit then the other shoes but still a little big. You would think that they would make shoes that fit an elephant.

We also went shopping for new snowboarding boots for Matthew (Laura Jayne's son). I tried on the prettiest pink snow googles. I will be ready when we go up to the mountains where the snow is.

After all that shopping we were all hungry and went and had sushi. Do you know that sushi is another word for raw fish? I didn't until the very nice man put the plate of raw fish down in front of us. I decided just to eat the little beany thingies.

It was a really nice day William.

Huggles,

Martha

Christmas Day in the Dark!

2008-12-26T12:50:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Martha!

We went out into the darkness on Christmas day and down to the bay to listen to the waves as the tide came in. Aberdeen is totally grey just now, day or night, and the sun only peeks out for a few hours a day, which just makes the grey lighter or darker.

They say people here never look up because theres no point - Graeme says it always looks like a computer game on a slow computer - no time to fill in the details in the sky.

Anyway, we sat for a while in the dark listening to the sea and the birds cawing as they settled down for the night.
So Dark only the lighthouse could be seen

The lighthouse lit me up so you can see me!

Elephants cant swim, or "Poor wee bugger will get drookit" as they say here, so we went through the compulsory life saving drill first before going along the shore.

Further along the shore we found this spooky old building and he wondered off and came back and told me to get the camera ready as the Ghosts were going to give Martha a Christmas greeting- then your name appeared in the air.

Yikes! Graeme Says its Okay, these are the Ghosts of Christmas Presents, so dont be scared (I was brave - only hid a little)

Time for bed Martha!! x

Merry and Happy

2008-12-26T05:24:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas William!!

I had a really fun time at Christmas this year. We did go over to Sara's house on Christmas Eve
and I got to help Laura Jayne cook dinner. We had lasagna with red sauce that had spicy sausage in it. And lasagna with lots of fishes in it. There was white fishes, and pink fishes, and some weird things that didn't look like fishes at all and had claws. I was really careful with the knife when I cut up the onions, but then I started crying and I wasn't even sad. All the food was yummy even with mushrooms and olives and fishes inside.

Before we ate dinner I got to play with Hannah and Emma. They are great new friends now and I had such a bunch of fun playing. They have lots and lots of toys and fun stuff to play with.

I also got to help Laura Jayne's momma visit bloggies. We wrote on the bloggies. I got to help when words got spelled wrong and to tell her what bloggies Laura Jayne has made posts on so she could go and say nice things. Laura Jayne's momma likes to write as much as Laura Jayne.

This is Laura Jayne, Hubby and me after eating all that lasagna. We all were so very full and happy and merry. I like a Merry Christmas that is actually merry. Because merry means that no one cried except over onions and no one got into a fight except when someone picked all the mushrooms out of the lasagna and sighed, but Laura Jayne was only a smidgey upset about that and when she came back inside everybody laughed and smiled again.

Christmas morning we made breakfast at home and all the kids, Matthew, Aimee, Jessica and Mitch all were there at the table and ate pancakes and lots of other yummy breakfast stuff. Then we went into the living room to open presents. Look William I got the prettiest new scarf. It makes me think of you because it is the same colors as the flag of Scotland. Laura Jayne made it for me herself. Those are the best present, ones people make for you.

These are the kids opening their present and the boy that is Jessica's friend. Paper was flying all over as all the presents got opened. Everyone was happy and merry.

Laura Jayne got a new pink robe and we laughed because now she looks just like me.

So I am happy and merry and love my new scarf and miss you. I loved getting your message and pictures. Graeme is lucky that you are making sure he gets happy and healthy. And I am so proud that you are being smart at Graeme's work and helping solve computer problems.

I hope you are having fun in Aberdeen by the sea visiting Graeme's momma and dad.

Love and huggles,

Martha

FREEDOM!!!!

2008-12-25T12:09:00.001-08:00

FREEDOM! Release from the padded prison of 1st class air travel (Laura - I will stomp on you!)

My first task was to catch up on you Martha... I snuck onto one of the dozens of half working computers that fill this room and went looking for you - I cant help but notice that 1st class air travel for you seemed slightly different than for me.
I miss you... even though I can see you are happy.

This is Sparrow, Graemes wee computer, its perfect sized for tiny elephant feet but big enough so that I can hide behind it when he turns round to do some work.

He says I am quite the saddest elephant he has ever seen, but then I dont know how many elephants he sees every day, certainly there do not seem to be many in the cars when we drive to work.

Marth, there is a lot to do to fix his broken spirit, I've started with the boot camp approach, get him up early in the morning, make sure he exercises, stop him lazing around.
If he tries and hit the snoozes button, he gets a tusk in his hand as a gentle reminder...

When he is watching TV at night, I sneak up and change it to the Gaelic channel, and that gets him so wound up he goes out for a walk -perfect!

Then he often leaves without picking me up, so I sneak into his backpack.. you would think that people in his office would notice, wouldnt you ? Maybe carrying an elephant on your back is the new fashion?

I have also become a bit of a computer expert in my spare time while Graeme is in meetings. This is me diagnosing the congestion on the internet link - I suggested getting a bigger trunk, but they just said "typical elephant" - what do they mean???

We are leaving for Christmas at his parents now, I will write again soon - Love you Martha.

Almost Ready

2008-12-23T08:37:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

It is almost time for Christmas. I am very excited. I helped decorate the tree this year. Aren't all the ornaments pretty? Laura Jayne and Hubby finally finished all their shopping. There is even a wee present under the tree for me. I so wonder what it is, but I didn't peak.

Are you having lots of fun there? Is it very, very, very cold? I know you and Graeme are busy and going to Graeme mum and dad's house for Christmas. They live by the sea Laura Jayne said. California is by the sea, Scotland is by the sea. See we are just a little bit of water apart.

We will be going to Laura Jayne's sister Sara's house on Christmas Eve. Do you remember Sara, she was very nice and is now my friend after we went to Arizona together? I get to help make the lasagna for the dinner. I don't know why it is tradition to make lasagna on Christmas Eve, but it is so we have to. That is what tradition means I think, doing things because some one did it once and you keep doing it forever and ever and ever. Laura Jayne is even going to make a seafood lasagna. That sounds a little icky, but I will try it first before I say ewwww. And cheese cake, oh, I like cheese cake. That will be yummy.

I also get to meet Laura Jayne's nieces, Emma and Hannah, on Christmas Eve. So many new friends. Yea!!! Who have you met in Scotland? Are they nice there? Can you understand them or do they speak another language?

Well, I have lots to do now and I just wanted you to know I miss you and am sending you big, big holiday HUGGLES.

Love you,
Martha

Trip

2008-12-18T23:46:00.000-08:00

William,

Laura Jayne and her sister and I had a good trip to Arizona. Laura Jayne was sad and cried, but she had all her family to huggle and she said that sad is a part of happy. If you love someone you are happy and when you miss them you are sad so you need both of them.

The flying was very exciting. I made sure I knew all the safety issues and was ready to use my seat bottom as a floatation device.

They served peanuts in first class, that was nice, but it made me think of and miss you so much.

I loved seeing outside at the houses, cars and people getting smaller, but once we were up I really loved the clouds.

The bed in the hotel was comfy and people come and make your bed everyday. That is very nice.
We only stayed a very short time and had to get up on Wednesday so very early.

Then it was back to the airport waiting and more waiting and more waiting.

Then on our way home again at last, it was rainy and cold at home William. Is it rainy and cold in Scotland?

Hope to hear from you soon.

XXOO,
Martha

Sunday Afternoon

2008-12-15T09:28:00.000-08:00

Dear William,

Those mice don't sound entirely nice taking your last peanuts like that. But I am so happy that you were able to get your messages to me. I have been worried oh so much about you. Since it is now Monday I am sure Graeme has rescued you by now. I know he has lots of computers for you to type on, but make sure they work first. Laura Jayne says he fixes them so don't use a broken one, that won't work.

I had a nice Sunday. We, Laura Jayne, her hubby and I, went out to a nice lunch. I had a salad, it was very yummy. Make sure you eat your green stuff there in Scotland, and if some one tries to make you eat something called haggis, you might just want to try little tiny nibbles first to see if you like it.

We did a little bit of shopping for Christmas presents but it was cold and rainy so Laura Jayne said we would have to wait to get a tree and put it up in the living room and decorate it. I like pretty ornaments and I am happy I will get to help decorate the tree.

We are going on a plane in just a little bit to fly to Arizona for the memorial for Laura Jayne's grandpa. I am excited and scared all at the same time. I get to go through an X-ray machine so that super security people can see if I have anything in my tummy. I have to take off my shoes too, so I decided I just wouldn't wear any. It is lucky I am a little elephant so there was only a tiny bit of fuss getting me to be able to go on the plane. Laura Jayne said I can sit in her bag with the scarf she is making for Graeme. It is comfy in there with all that pretty, soft yarn. We had to check to make sure the super security people would let her knitting needles on the plane, but they are ok because they are plastic.

Write to me soon. I miss you.

Huggles,
Martha

2008-12-14T09:08:00.000-08:00

My Dearest Martha

Day 3 of my incarceration and I fear Graeme may never come to release me.

How I wish I were back in the land of sunshine with you, instead of this chilled prison. Did you know that computers come with mice? These mice scared me at first but gradually I have come to befriend them.

Martha, it is these mice that take my tiny peanut scrawled letters to you, they are my only hope of rescue. Alas, they demand a heavy ransom for their services and my tummy now rumbles as the last of the edible peanuts disappeared into their mouse holes.

I have taken all the remaining wrappers and scrunched them up into a ball to bounce against the side of the envelope... it keeps me sane, and maybe Graeme will hear it if HE EVER SHOWS UP.... WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!

Martha my love, the mice are here to take this letter, and I wonder if I shall get any sleep tonight as they party all damn night, music and singing.... I knew there was a reason elephants hate mice, they make the damndest neighbours.

Yours forever ,
William

ps FIND GRAEME!!!!!!

Shoes & Haircuts

2008-12-13T23:26:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

I guess Graeme hasn't come and got you out of that cold room yet as I haven't heard from you. I hope you are ok in there. I know he will be there on Monday for work so just be a good elephant while you wait. Maybe you can send me a note the same way you did last time? How is your book? Do you have enough light to read by?

Laura Jayne and I had a fun day. We got to sleep in a little bit. Saturday's are good sleeping in days. Especially when you work so hard all week. Then we got ready and went looking for a pretty pair of shoes for the party that Laura Jayne went to tonight. I tried on a few pair, but none seemed to fit me just right. These were my favorite pair thought and maybe I just need to grow a little more before they will fit.

After shopping for party stuff we went to get hair cuts. Laura Jayne just got a little cut off. I just got a little bit of hair snipped on the very top.

Laura Jayne says we need to go to bed now. It is late, I got to stay up and wait 'til Laura Jayne and her hubby got home from the party. Tomorrow we might go get a Christmas tree, I think that will be fun.

Goodnight William, be safe there waiting.

Huggles,

Martha

We Water Plants on Friday

2008-12-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

Hey William,

I was so happy to get your message. You are such a clever elephant sending it to me. It was nice of them shutting you in a computer room so you could get your note to me on this bloggy. I really really hope that Graeme gets there very soon so you are not all alone too long. And William, do not unplug anything in that room. I am sure it is all very 'portant stuff in there so don't do anything naughty.

Today is the day Laura Jayne waters her plants in her office. Every Friday

she says it is what we do so the plants don't get thirsty. I told Laura Jayne this was something an elephant could be very good at. I put my trunk in the water snuffled lots up and then watered the plants that needed water.

Tomorrow Laura Jayne said she is going to a party, all the people that I have met here at the office are going. Laura Jayne said elephants can't go to this restaurant, but that she would take me shopping with her tomorrow for new shoes for the party. That sounds like fun and I might try on some shoes too.

Well I have to go water one more plant so it isn't thirsty. Taking care of things is a big sponsibility. Laura Jayne said I was a big enough elephant to water the plants for her here at her office and that made me proud.

Huggles,
Martha

2008-12-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

Martha,
as I write this, it is day 10 of my trip and the view is no better than it was when I first left - I'm not sure I believe this is the first class Laura promised, the padding is comfortable, but the windows don't open and there hasn't been a single stewardess the whole flight - but still, I have my peanuts and my photo of you - cant see it in the dark, but I know its of you... I have only peanut bag wrappers to write on, and a peanut barely leaves a legible mark, but I just had to write...

Graeme was due to be here today, I know I arrived because I heard someone say "Looks special, better lock it in his computer room" and then it went all cold and windy and darker and a door went BANG. You told me to stay quiet and not say anything to anyone - I know I don't have a passport - but Martha - I was supposed to jump out and surprise him, and he's NOT HERE.

I cant believe he would miss a day of work- he better have a damn good excuse or I will get grumpy - you know what I'm like when I'm grumpy.... there better be peanuts at the end of this!

If this is 10 days, it must be Thursday.... and I have 3 peanuts left... GRAEME WHERE ARE YOU.

Martha, my wee phone has a camera - here is the view from first class... wish you were here???

William

Driving and Gasoline

2008-12-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

Dear William,

Weeeeee... look at me, Laura Jayne let me drive for just a little bit. It is a very short street, a cullysack, and there were no other cars for an elephant to run into. It was great fun. I think I am very good at driving a car down cullysacks.

Laura Jayne stopped for gasoline for her car on the way home and I got to help put the gasoline into her car. She says that she is not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing that gasoline is coming down, down, down in expensiveness. Her little car doesn't need whole bunches of gasoline, but she says too high or too low, neither one is good for the conome. I wasn't sure what a conome was so I just helped put the gasoline into Laura Jayne's car like she showed me.

Laura Jayne isn't quite as sad right now as she was yesterday and this morning. She cried and cried and I huggled her and she said that helped a lot. She talked and talked and talked today on the telephone and finnaly after all the long phone calls she said we would be going to Arizona next week. We will be with her mom and dad and her sister and her uncles. She has lots of nice family to huggle her and she said that makes her happier when her heart hurts.

I hope you make it to Scotland soon. They might be running out of peanuts for you if it takes much longer. I want you to see this picture of me driving as it was really exciting. Maybe Laura Jayne will let me drive some on the way to Arizona for the memorial for Laura Jayne's Grandpa Bill. It will take a while to get there. We are flying and driving. You went on a plane and now I get to go on a plane. And even though it is a sad reason I am going on a plane I am still excited.

I miss you and love you,
Martha

Sad Huggles

2008-12-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

Hi William,

Are you there yet? I miss you lots and lots and lots.

Today I got to feed the goldfishies. I did a really good job. Not too much and not too little, just right.

Laura Jayne is sad today. She was crying because her grandpa died yesterday. She said her heart hurts from the sadness. I am sad because I can't make her heart not hurt. So I will just give her huggles for as long as she wants. I am good at that.

Hope to see you very soon William. I know you will give lots of huggles too. It is a good thing to give huggles to those people and elephants you love.

OOOO,
Martha

Keeping Busy

2008-12-09T09:48:00.001-08:00

Dear William,

I know you haven't reached Scotland yet but I thought I would write to you and let you know I was keeping busy here in Laura Jayne's office.

I have been answering the phone and doing lots of paperwork. Laura Jayne has lots and lots of papers all over her desk and I have been stapling and filing and learning lots of officey things.

I hope you get there soon and that your trip was a good one and that they gave you lots of peanuts on the air flight.

I miss you lots and can't wait to see your pictures of all your Scotlandy adventures with Graeme.

Huggles,
Martha

First Class

2008-12-08T09:35:00.000-08:00

William packed his pajammies, his tusk-brush (very important for elephants) and his favorite book for the trip to Scotland.

It will be a long trip, all the way across America, all the way across the Atlantic ocean to the United Kingdom. We, Martha, William and me, looked it all up in the atlas before he got snuggled in the traveling conveyance.

Martha was quite sad to see him leave and shed a few tears and went through a few tissue.

But she knows William will be good company for Graeme and they will have a grand time together.

Martha hopes William arrives in Scotland soon so he can tell her all about his trip.

Laura Jayne

Martha & William

2008-12-05T08:50:00.000-08:00

Martha and William are best friends and love each other very much. They have had many adventures together. But recently William decided he would spend some time with my good friend, Graeme. So he flew first class to Scotland, while Martha stayed here in California with me. I promised Martha and William I would make this blog so they could keep up on each other and send messages regularly.

Laura Jayne