TAILS from Southside

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! It is Saturday afternoon and we are looking out the window at 4 inches of snow! We went outside early this morning and made snow dogs - our own version of snow angels! We couldn't stay out long because it was so cold! It was only about 17 degrees. Chilly dogs for sure! And you know what would be perfect with chilly dogs? Snow cream!

Last week we spent two days and one evening at Southside Elementary in Shelbyville, KY. It was so wonderful to be at the same school for more than just a day. We had the opportunity to learn lots of names, hear funny stories, and make new friends. Mrs. Jennifer Slaughter planned the most perfect visit for us. Our entire gang is still barking about it! Dad took about 195 pictures but my blog will only let me post a few. Here are a few pictures from Southside. It was terRUFFic!

Chloe and I have received so many emails from our Southside friends! It's fun to open up our inbox and see your emails! Keep 'em coming!

I better go! Chloe is putting on her scarf to go outside again. Our Kentucky Wildcats play basketball this afternoon and I still have chores to do before the game starts!

Stay warm, enjoy the snow, and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Miss Kentucky and Yours Truly

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatcher! Each time I look at this picture, my heart goes pitter patter! This is a picture of Miss Kentucky USA 2010, Kindra Clark. Kindra lives in Bullitt County - the same county we live in! It's easy to see that Kindra is so pretty - but she is so much more than that! She is kind and smart and a hard worker! Kindra is a student at Eastern Kentucky University. This spring she will compete in the Miss USA pageant! Lots of people saw this picture of Kindra and me and thought I was going to be her date for the Miss USA pageant. Hmmm... you never know! Date or not, we will be cheering for our own Kindra Clark! You can do it, Kindra! You know my motto - Anything is possible but you have to Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

From West to East

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! It's a typical Monday at our doghouse in Shepherdsville. We're blogging, writing thank-you notes, folding laundry, playing with our chew toys, and looking forward to another great week in the schools.

Last week was so fun. Tuesday we spent the day and evening in the western part of Kentucky at Muhlenberg South Elementary in Beechmont, KY. It was a gorgeous school with lots of students. We saw everyone from Pre-School to the 5th grade. After school we ate lunch at this really neat place called The Buggy Shed. Their food was dee-lish - chicken and gravy like my grandmommy makes. That evening we had a Family Reading Night with everyone. We had a really large crowd - which was a little surprising since it was the first day the students had been to school in over a week for snow. Snow, rain, hail, or sleet couldn't keep the people away - and it was tons of fun!

We arrived back in Shepherdsville late Tuesday night and then on Wednesday, we loaded up the trusty ol' Woody Bus again and this time headed the opposite direction to Pinsonfork, KY. Pinsonfork is in Pike County - the very eastern part of the Bluegrass. From our house, it's about a 5 hour trip. (Of course we are in the Woody Bus and Dad is a careful driver over all those mountains.) Anyway, we spent the day and evening at Runyon Elementary. Like Muhlenberg, Runyon is a gorgeous school with friendly people. Runyon was a older school, but had incredible, state-of-the-art equipment. One thing you can say about Kentucky is that east or west - the people are friendly - and treat us just like family!

The principal of Runyon, Ms. Wolfe (4th picture), has been in education for 59 years! Isn't that incredible? It was easy to see that the staff and students love and respect her. Chloe and I fell in love with her too!

We also presented a Family Reading Night at Runyon and once again, the people came out in droves - and that was impressive too - especially since Thursday was the very first day Pike County had gone to school since before Christmas! Wow! And yes, there was still lots of snow and ice on the ground.

The last picture is of the Conley Family. David and Mary (the mom and dad in the picture) participated in the CBS reality show called The Amazing Race. They were on Season 10 and finished 6th - which is incredible. After the show ended, David and Mary were invited to be guests on various shows such as The View. While on The View, they received some incredible gifts. I looked them up on the Internet this week and the hosts of The View said The Conley's were "so unbelievably kind and giving." Well that was 2006 and guess what? They haven't changed a bit! We loved talking to them! It sparked my interest even more to try out for The Amazing Race. I think Chloe and I would make a terrific brother/sister team!

If all that traveling wasn't enough, on Saturday we headed back to western KY - this time Glasgow for an event at the library. I don't have photos yet, but will post them soon. It was the perfect way to end a busy week!

Speaking of, I think I need a nap. I had some turkey for lunch and it is making my eyes oh so very heavy! I can't nap for too long because I have chores to do. Maybe I'll just close my eyes for a minute!

Have a great day! Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Catching Up - Again

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers! Already, 2010 has been so very busy. Chloe and I have had trouble keeping up with our chores, emails, thank-you notes, and blogging. We just returned home late last night from Muhlenberg County. We had a terrific day at Muhlenberg South. I can't wait to show you some pictures and tell you all about it. I would should you pictures now - but our camera is still in the Woody Bus. We left it there last night when we returned home. We are getting ready to crawl back in the Woody Bus and head to Pike County - Pinsonfork to be exact! Western Kentucky yesterday, Eastern Kentucky tomorrow! I love traveling the Bluegrass!

Speaking of the Bluegrass, what about our Kentucky Wildcats? We are 17-0. Undefeated! We listened to the UK-Florida game on the way home from school last night. It was a paw-biter. Down, up, down, up, tied - but in the end the CATS survived!

While we're on the subject of survival, I received this email from Mrs. Buckler's First Graders at New Castle, Kentucky. Take a look:

Dear Woody,


My students and I have just finished with the tenth week of, “Dog Gone Wild”. We enjoyed it very much, looking forward to each Wednesday, when the Henry County Local came to our school!


We made a short list of things that you could do with your harmonica. This is what we think:

*Play Chloe songs

*Play Christmas carols

*Be a harmonica soloist

*Since you were “in a pickle”, you could play the song that people play in jail (Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen), because they are in a pickle, too.



Those are the suggestions that my first graders came up with for you!


Following this letter, there are letters from my students for you to enjoy.


Thanks for another great series! Happy Holidays to you and yours!


Sincerely,


Mrs. Buckler

Dear Chloe,

I just finished week ten of Dog Gone Wild. It was super. My favorite part was week 5, because of the snake.

Your friend,

Sean



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was extraordinary. My favorite part was when you were a survivor!

Your friend,

Kassidy



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was cool. My favorite part was when you thought the snake was real.

Your friend,

Dannie



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was cool. My favorite part was when you put the popsicle in the backpack.

Your friend,

Melvin



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was great, and I liked it when you got scared of the snake.

Your friend,

Elijah



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was super. My favorite part was Chloe gave you the money to take harmonica lessons.

Your friend,

Bridgette



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was so funny. My favorite part was when Chloe saved you.

Your friend,

Jacob



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was extraordinary. My favorite part was week 10, where you survived.

Your friend,

Logan



Dear Chloe and the Gang,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was extraordinary. My favorite part was when you played a trick on Woody.

Your friend,

Kennedy



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was good. My favorite part was when your Mommy wrapped you with the blanket.

Your friend,

Abby



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was perfect. My favorite part was when you went fishing.

Your friend,

Jason



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was awesome. My favorite part was when you went gone wild, when you lost your harmonica.

Your friend,

Austin



Dear Woody,

I just finished Dog Gone Wild. I liked the part when you got lost.

Your friend,

Briahna



Dear Woody and Chloe,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was extraordinary. My favorite part was when Woody lost his harmonica.

Your friend,

Rosie



Dear Woody,

I just finished week ten of Dog Gone Wild. It was fun. My favorite part was your sister nice.

Love,

Miranda



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was fun. My favorite part was when you went camping.

Your friend,

David



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was awesome. My favorite part was when Chloe put a toy snake in your bed.

Your friend,

Tommy



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was extraordinary, and I mean it! My favorite part was when Chloe scared you with a toy snake, ha, ha, ha, that was so, so, so funny.

Your friend,

Isabella Marie Bates

PS Tell Chloe that I said, “hi”, and I like you, too, Woody!



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was funny. My favorite part was shen you talked about food.

Love,

Emarie



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was awesome. My favorite part was the week when you lost your harmonica. I thought you were sad, when you first lost it.

Your friend,

Sarah



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was fun. My favorite part was the snake.

Your friend,

Hunter



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was super. My favorite part was the group of family.

Your friend,

Savannah



Dear Woody and Chloe,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was cool. My favorite part was when Chloe found you.

Your friend,

Jamall



Dear Woody,

I just finished week 10 of Dog Gone Wild. It was perfect. My favorite part was when you were a survivor.

Your friend,

Cameron


I love the idea about being a harmonica soloist. Maybe my opening number could be Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen.

I better scoot. If I don't get my backpack ready, I will be living the words to that song real soon!!!

Have a great day! Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY

Happy New Year!

Kentucky Greetings, WoodyWatchers and Happy New Year! It is so cold outside! We aren't chilly dogs - we are frozen dogs! Thank Goodness for the blazing fire Dad has going in the fireplace! Chloe snapped this photo of me a few minutes ago. I was wrapped up in my UK Wildcat blanket!

Speaking of the Wildcats, did you see the CATS win the big game yesterday? Chloe and I were biting our paws wondering if we were going to pull it out! The CATS are undefeated at 15-0! WOW!

We have one more week before we start our school visits for the Spring Semester. We will spend this week catching up. We are putting the finishing touches on our new book, Dog Gone Wild, and we are working on our new serial story that will come out in the fall of 2010. We don't have a name for the story yet, but we have some great ideas! We know you will love it!

I better scoot! Mom is making us a snack of Vanilla Woofers and warm milk! That will help thaw us out!

Have a great day and a successful 2010. Stay warm and Work and Dream like a BIG DOG!

WOODY