Monday is a day of rest.

Where to begin today? It has been a very busy last few weeks. Between work and preparing for Rory's first dog shows there hasn't been a lot of time left for my stitching and blog reading. But now Rory's first show is behind us. My deadline is over at work. So now I can now get back to my stitching and other more important things. It is Monday and time to catch my breath and get ready for the next round of madness.

Saturday was a perfect fall day. Temps in the 60s, sunshine and a light breeze. 12:45 PM was showtime for Rory's debut. He stacked (stood for exam by the judge) up beautifully. I'm thinking this is a good start. Then it was time to gait around the ring. But not Rory. He decided to bounce and jump like a rabbit. He still got his ribbon but ........... Sunday was pouring rain all morning. So we arrived at the show early so we could practice a little and he could dry off before ring time. This time he did beautifully. No points but then his competition was a 3 yr old adult. He came close and the judge had some good things to say. I was pleased with both Rory's performance and the judges remarks.


Now let's see how he does next weekend. Yup, we have three shows next weekend. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. AND all three are Irish Setter specialties. Which means Rory will have a bit more competition. He will also get to see his breeder and one of his sisters who is also entered in the show. These shows are in Connecticut so the drive will be a little longer since I am in New York (Long Island). And poor Rory hates riding in the car. Poor baby tends to get car sick more often than not. (He did on Saturday coming home from the show.) Short trips seem to be okay but this is 3 hour ride. So if anyone knows of any tricks to help a carsick pup I would love to hear about them.


Stitching? Did someone say stitching?


I haven't gotten much done this past week. Too much stress or nerves (mine!) or something. I did manage a little more progress on the Sampler Lady. Not enough to take a photo of. And no progress on my BBD piece. But I do have one photo to show. I participated in an exchange the Little House Needleworks exchange blog. And this is what I stitched for my partner, Denise. I finished it as a flatfold and love how it turned out.
I would like to thank all those who left comments for me. I truly appreciate them. Each and every one. Also, thank you to those who rooted for Rory and me. Keep those good thoughts coming since he has a busy weekend coming up. Now I'm off to try and catch up on email and blog post. Well, I'll try anyway.

Until next time..................
Love and stitches
Kathy
and licks from Rory too


PS. If anyone is near the Tolland County Agricultural Center in Vernon, CT, and wants to see me run in circles this coming weekend stop on by.

I'm still here.

I've been hibernating. No, actually my computer at home was down and it is my deadline time at work. So I have been working hard and working weekends. But this Friday it will be over for another six months. Thanks goodness I only have two deadlines a year. I don't think I could handle the stress of more. And it is getting close to my Mom's birthday. The first since she passed. I try not to dwell on it but there are times I just can't help but sit and cry. Of course it isn't for long. How can I when this silly guy comes over, climbs in my lap and starts licking my face? That sweet goofy face will make me smile every time.
I have also been working hard with Rory on his training. His first real confirmation show is this coming Saturday. the 26th. I'm getting nervous and have to do my best not to let it show. It should just be fun for him. Win or lose. It doesn't matter. Just as long as he has fun. The picture above is him doing one of his "tricks". This is his interpretation of playing dead! I love it. Oh, and he will also say his prayers and we are working on high five. Of course we do those silly tricks after we have worked on the basic obedience and show handling. The tricks are for fun and he loves doing them.

On the stitching front I haven't been getting a lot done. But since it has been three weeks since I have posted this will look like a lot. I am hoping I might even get BBD's Awake the Dawning Day finished. I only have some words and the specialty stitches to do.

As for Lauren's Voice (see my previous posts) I didn't take a photo because even though I am so close to finishing I was working on the last side of the border and find I am off too much to fudge it. For the life of me I can't find the mistake but I can at least make it less noticeable. So I probably have a few hours of frogging to do on that one.

Another piece I am working on is the Sampler Lady by LHN. Here is my progress on that one as of yesterday afternoon. This one is being done as a SAL on the yahoo group for LHN. I probably won't make the deadline which is the end of September (Yikes! Only 9 more days!) but I will give it a try. I am going to concentrate on this one for the next week and see where I am on the weekend.

I did finish one piece over the last three weeks but it is an exchange so no photos until it reaches its new home.

Before I go back to work I wanted to share one more "Rory Story" with you all. I hope you will find it as amusing as I do.

About a quarter of a mile from my house is a baseball stadium for a minor league team known as the Long Island Ducks. They love to hold displays of fireworks during the summer months. So quite often on a Friday or Saturday night at 9 or so loud booms will disturb the night. Well, they have been rather quiet since July and I don't think Rory has heard them until a week ago. Monday night we go to bed at 10 (I am up at 4:30 am) and turn off the lights when BOOM! Rory starts barking and charging the bedroom door. So I take him outside so he can see what all those loud noises are. We get out there and you can, of course, hear the fireworks and see them as well from my back deck. Rory goes ballistic. Barking and jumping up at the sky! I swear he is trying to catch the colored lights!! He's goes from the deck to run to the corner of the yard and back to the deck barking and jumping the entire time. I start laughing. I can't help it. This goofy nut wants to catch the fireworks! I so wish I could get a picture of that antic. Oh and the Ducks had more fireworks on Tuesday and again this past Saturday. Here he is watching a plane yesterday afternoon. Anything that moves in the sky and especially if it makes noise. I am hoping that when Rory is in the ring next weekend a plane will fly overhead and he will stand beautifully to watch it.

I want to apologize for not being around much the past three weeks or commenting on the blogs. Heck I haven't even been checking many and I am going through bloggy withdrawal. That will change next week. I promise. I miss you all and really can't wait to see what everyone's been up to. I also want to thank you all for all your support and wonderful comments. I treasure each one. And even if I don't say it often enough, Thank you and Bless you all.

Now I better take some excedrin and get back to work. Keep your fingers crossed for Rory and I this coming weekend and I hope we will have good news to share.

Love and stitches
Kathy
and licks from Rory too.