Ups and downs and Rory

I have a lot to share with you all. It was a very busy weekend with a few ups and a few downs.

First the downs. Yesterday, Sunday, December 6th, marked the first anniversary of my Moms passing. Even though I tried to keep busy memories of that day last year filled my mind. I let the sadness fill me until the tears fell. And every time I did Rory was right there climbing in my lap to comfort me. Now I'm not used to that since my previous setters, both girls, were never sensitive to my sad moods. Well, Rory would climb up and sniff and then lick my face letting me know he was there to help. Once or twice that made me cry harder but eventually I just had to smile. I have said this before and I am sure I'll say this again. Thank you to my baby brother, Greg, for giving me such a wonderful gift of Rory.

Now the ups. And there are more of those.

On Saturday I received my Prairie Schooler exchange from Susan P. She stitched the PS design from the current JCS Ornament issue. It is just darling. It kind of reminds me of those snowmen we built when we were children. Thank you Susan. I can't wait to get my tree so I can hang this along with my other stitched ornaments.

Speaking of stitched ornaments. I was lucky enough to win one of Andrea, of the Craft Room blog, giveaways. I received it just before Thanksgiving and didn't get a photo of it until yesterday. It is gorgeous. I love the cording and the tassel and the delicateness. It is perfect! Thank you so very much Andrea.

Then I got word that the ornament I made for the Prairie Schooler exchange has reached its new home. Mine went all the way from New York to Suzanne in Australia. I couldn't believe it got to her so quickly. I stitched one the Santas from an older pattern. (Sorry I can't remember which one. I forgot to write it down.) I used a piece of mystery linen and DMC to stitch this piece. The finishing is one I have seen them use often in the JCS Ornament issues.

Now for the part you are waiting for.

Rory is feeling much better. The sneezing has stopped and so has the coughing. Since he is feeling better he has his energy back and all his silliness. Oh, and here is a new things he started doing last week. Between 6 and 6:30 in the morning I always let him out for his potty break before I leave for work. You know how he likes to "chase" planes? Well, since the full moon last week, the moon is still shining while the sky is getting light. I really think Rory thinks that moon is a big plane (even though it isn't moving). He runs back and forth and around the yard head up at the sky barking and growling his fool head off! At 6:30 in the morning!! Sigh. I can't wait until the new moon . I'm sure the neighbors can't wait either.

The other thing we did over the weekend was go see Santa. Rory tries so hard to be good. Really he does. And Santa kept saying he was such a handsome boy. Even if he didn't want to sit still.

Back home I found some of my Christmas decorations, including the bandannas and collars for Rory to wear. (See the photos at the beginning of this post.) So we tried some sit-stay and I think some of them came out pretty good. Rory is finally getting the hang of it.
See Mommy with the camera and freeze!

Until next time.............

Love and stitches

Kathy

and licks from Rory too