Boyds Bears

January 11, 2010
After downing a large chocolate croissant for breakfast, Teddy took some time to catch up on her latest copy of Marie Claire magazine. That's when Nibs interrupted her. But the interruption wasn't entirely annoying. He brought a gift: a Boyds Bears 2011 Mini Wall Calendar.

"Teddy, you seemed so down about having no plans on your old calendar that I thought I'd at least give you a pretty calendar to look at. Maybe that will brighten your year," said Nibs.

"Thanks Nibs," said Teddy. "Should I put down a weekend to Santa Barbara in January?" That Teddy!

Pretty Claws For Aunt Endora

January 10, 2011
There is no way Teddy wants to get caught looking unglamorous when Aunt Endora arrives from England. Remember, AE was the bear who always put Teddy down when she was a wee little cub. So Teddy glammed up this weekend by painting her claws a cheerful light lavender.

Teddy just loves the new Hello Kitty "claw" polish available only at Sephora. So cheerful!

Next Teddy applies a top coat so her claws get nice and sparkly.

And lastly, Teddy applies cuticle oil so the area around her claws stay smooth.

Because Teddy has been "tame," if you will, for so long, her claws have diminished. But you can still see some tiny little claws if you look hard enough.

Can you see them? Maybe if you squint? Anything???

Fopsie's NyQuil Nights

January 7, 2010
Fopsie hasn't slept much since she heard that Herbert's dreaded mother Endora was coming to town. Teddy makes the bear sound like Cruella de Vil! So Fops has had to resort to drinking NyQuil to get some shut eye.

The medicine really doesn't work all that well because Fopsie's anxiety runs deep. What if Endora tells Herbert that Fops is not smart enough or not pretty enough? To take her mind off the Endora issue, Fops has reading books...

And catching up on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Still, Fops can't shake the thought of being sized up by Herbert's mother. Fops wants to marry Herbert and hopes Endora doesn't get in the way of that.

Fopsie is going to call Teddy for some advice. She always knows how to handle these situations.

Bear Necessities

January 6, 2010
Teddy's friend Fiona told her when she's feeling anxious she should fill her house with happy things. And with Aunt Endora's impending arrival, Teddy sure has been anxious. So she stocked up on some of her faves, like these orange roses. They remind Teddy of her first date with Nibs in 1999. Sigh.

Orange candles also soothe Teddy's frayed nerves, especially when they're in antique candle holders like this one that Fopsie gave her in 2001 when they first became friends.

And, let's not forget chocolates, which are Teddy's best medicine. Lately, Teddy has been into Werther's Original Chocolates. So creamy and yummy, Teddy can eat 10 in one sitting without breaking a sweat. That Teddy! She sure doesn't count her calories.

How do you stay anxiety free?

Coffee and Cookies and Aunt Endora and Aleve

January 5, 2010
Today Teddy was lucky to have a visitor: her sister Felicia, who she's been getting along with much better. Teddy served coffee and shortbread cookies.

The ladies talked about their plans for 2011. Then Felicia brought up a good point: isn't Herbert's mother, the dreaded Aunt Endora, coming to town?

Teddy nearly choked on her shortbread. With all the holiday excitement she had forgotten about AE (Aunt Endora). AE didn't come for Christmas or New Year's. But maybe she will make a surprise visit.... That's so like her, thought the bears.

They both decided to give Herbert a call and ask for a plan of action. If they unite they may be able to cope with AE. (Oh, that's Felicia on the left and Teddy on the right, in case you get confused. They do look a lot alike!)

All the stress got to poor Felicia, who developed a nasty headache and had to take an Aleve.

New Year, No Plans

January 4, 2010
Only a few days into 2011, Teddy is already stressing out about what plans to make.

She has ZERO things on her calendar and that makes her nervous.

When Nibs approached, as he always does, he got several requests from Teddy. Like, vacation requests.

Oh no! Another year of Teddy begging for sojourns! What will Nibs do?

Teddy's New Year's Resolution!

January 3, 2010
It's a new year for Teddy and, yes, she does have a few resolutions. One is to take a stroll every morning through her neighborhood. She calls it her Daily Constitutional.

On this breezy L.A. morning, Teddy noticed that despite it already being winter, she was still seeing fall leaves. Everywhere.

Check out these rust and sage colored leaves above. Lovely tones, don't you think?

Teddy calls these Merlot Leaves because of their deep red color.

Could Teddy be starting to enjoy the simpler things in life? Will she finally learn that shopping and eating chocolate croissants aren't the only joys to be had? Time will tell...