Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Catching up - Part One

It has been a while since I last posted hasn't it? For that I apologize. I have a good excuse too. I just didn't have it in me. For a while there I lost my blogging spirit. I miss it. I do and I have started this post many times. It's just that none of the words I wrote sounded right. Well this time I will post right words or not.

So much has happened in the last two months. So much that I am not sure where to begin. So I'll start with where I left off. The last weekend in August was my weekend trip to Rochester, NY, for my nephews wedding. It was beautiful and always a great time visiting with the siblings and family who were able to make it. Unfortunately many couldn't due to Hurricane Irene. And yes, she sure left an impact that was felt by thousands. I ended up staying at my brothers home in Rochester, which only experienced some clouds and wind, for an extra day since many roads back home were flooded or closed. I made it home late on Monday only to find that there was no electricity in my neighborhood. I had a few tree limbs down but thankfully no other damage. Being without power was bad enough. Power was finally restored on Friday! Six days without power. No hot water and no stove (it's electric) and no lights! I managed to get some stitching done during the daylight and found that trying to stitch by candlelight was impossible.

After my Irene mini-vacation it was time to get back to work. September is traditionally a very stressful and busy month for me. I am in the publishing business and the end of September is my closing of the latest edition of the book I work for. Lots of proof reading and updating going on throughout the month. And this stress was only made worse by an event that shook me to my core.

Monday, September 12th, someone (or two) broke into my home while I was at work. They kicked in a screen in my dining room and squeezed right past Rory who was in his crate. They stole my laptop (with ALL my photos!), my digital camera (with an almost full memory card), and 90 percent of my jewelry. That included all the pieces my Mother had bought me over the years, pieces that belonged to my grandmothers and a few that my cousin had recently given me that were my great-grandmothers!!! They dumped my dresser draws scattering my underwear and nightgowns all over. They stole entire jewelry boxes! You see I always considered myself a bit of a tom-boy but when it came to jewelry I was a true girly girl! And I love boxes. All kinds of trinket boxes. All sizes and shapes. Many of those are now gone and they broke many of those they didn't take.Above is a pendant that many of you help me win in the Facebook contest in July. One of the few things the thieves did NOT get because I had left it on the kitchen table after I took this photo and forgot to put it away in one of my jewelry boxes.

I am so very thankful that they didn't hurt Rory. Just snuck right past him. I have also discovered that Rory doesn't make any noise when he is in his crate so I imagine that they didn't even know he was in the house. And of course when they did they could see he was no threat. And before you say it, Yes, I have an alarm system but not the windows. This whole thing has really been devastating for me. The sense of invasion that you feel is sometimes over whelming. It took a while before I could sleep a full night. Now my main worry is every morning when I leave for work. I don't completely relax until after I know Rory's babysitter has been by. He would call if anything were out of place. I know that since he feels so guilty for not noticing the broken window that day.

After fighting with the insurance company for weeks I finally got my settlement. Not nearly enough but enough to get a new laptop and a new camera. I also had to buy a new fridge since that decided to die on me. After Irene it never got cold enough. I guess the week of no power or a surge or something was too much for the 25 year old appliance. Oh well, I now have a nice new one. Mentally I still jump at some noises. Worry when I leave Rory alone. Mourn a piece of jewelry when I put on an outfit and think of the set I would have worn with it. I know life moves on and I'm getting there.

Rory continues to help me through all my down in the dumps moments. It is so hard to keep a frown when you have this silly guy with you. The only effect from the robbery I find is that he wants to be in my lap more than usual. Which means less stitching. (Hard to stitch with a 75 pound lump in you lap. But I wouldn't have it any other way.)

Many of you who are on facebook with me and have seen the Rory photos I post there. Facebook is my addiction. And thank goodness for those Facebook photos because of them I still have some of the ones that were on the stolen camera and laptop.

So that more or less brings us to the end of September and I am going to end part one of catching up right here with a few September "Back to School" Rory photos for you.





















A special thank you to those who have sent me emails, you know who you are, asking after Rory and I. I really do appreciate them. It is always heartwarming to know that people miss you.

Next up will be some stitching and October. Then maybe things will almost be back to normal.
Until next time...........

Love and stitches,
Kathy
and licks from Rory too

35 comments:

Jennifer said...

I'm so sorry to hear that this has happened to you. I know exactly how you feel, but thieves broke into my car instead of my house. They took my iPod, my very first Christmas tree and our wedding albums (we had just picked them up from the photographer). Dealing with the insurance company was an ordeal in itself.

I'm just thankful that neither you or Rory was hurt.

Lisa Dunn said...

Kathy, I'm so glad to see you post again! I've been checking your blog regularly and worrying about you since Irene blew through. I'm very glad to know you and Rory are okay.

I'm so very sorry to hear about the break in. I can only imagine how that has made you feel. I'm very glad Rory was safe in his crate and that they didn't hurt him.

Sending you lots of hugs!

katiem said...

I was so excited when a picture of Rory popped up in my Reader today. Glad to see you're back! The photo with the books is so great.

Sorry to hear about all the gross happening in your life. Just remember, this too shall pass.

Erica said...

So sorry about the robbery Kathy!
I kow all too well how awful that it.
When it happenned to me, I was jumpy for months, and I slept with a piece of pipe under my bed.
It does take time to get over something like this.
So glad you have Rory! Just love his pictures. I used to have an Irish Setter when I was a todler. Now I am a cat person, but if I could have a dog, he would be just like Rory!
Deep breaths!

Jessica said...

I was just thinking of you the other day, thinking I hadn't seen any posts with Rory in them for quite awhile.

I can't believe you were robbed. How awful!! Thank God they didn't hurt Rory.

I love his back to school photos, so cute! What a sweetie!

hugs from Jessica

SoCal Debbie said...

I'm sorry to read about the burglary too. The same thing happened to me and they took the jewelry box and everything in it. I kept having dreams of coming home to find things missing after that. It's an awful feeling.

I love the back-to-school pics of your dog! He is adorable!

Diane Williams said...

Hi Rory (and Kathy)!!!! Love the new pics. . . such a handsome guy. Hugs from Gracie and me!

Lisa V said...

Sorry to hear the bad news Kathy. I'm happy that Rory was safe though. Good to see you back.
Hugs

Margaret said...

Kathy, I am so so sorry this happened to you. I cannot imagine how devastated and invaded you must feel. It's definitely one of my fears, being robbed. I'm so glad that necklace was left behind at least. But so much lost that was precious to you. Plus your laptop and camera and all that entails. How awful.

I'm glad Irene didn't affect you more than it did. We were without power till Thursday after Irene, and we had a flooded basement -- the worst it had ever been. New water heater, major cleanup, and now we're facing work for installing french drains. It's been an expensive year. But all this is nothing compared to a home robbery.

Thank goodness Rory is ok. Poor thing -- it must be nice to snuggle with him though, for both of you.

Many hugs to you, Kathy. I hope things get better for you and work is less stressful now than it was in September.

Chris said...

Kathy, I am so sorry to hear about your troubles. The left of all the jewelry is so sad.
I hope that this holiday brings you much joy.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Beth said...

I cannot even think of any words of comfort for you - Instead I am furious upon your behalf - which helps not at all - I also understand that it isn't the loss of things, it's the loss of the memories that go with them. Awful stuff happens and I never usnterstand why.

valerie said...

Oh my! So sorry to hear about the robbery! Thank goodness you and Rory are safe. Terrible that they took all your jewelry...so many things with sentimental value. I hope that you are feeling safer.

Poppypatchwork said...

I'm sending you hugs, after such a troubled time, Rory is Ok thats important, have a good Thankgiving with your family,

Veronica said...

Oh, Kathy, I'm so sorry to hear about what happened. {{{{{Hugs}}}}} Thankfully, Rory is okay. Well, at least you have a new laptop and camera now. Please do take care!

Hugs,
Veronica.

Mouse said...

glad to see you back ... you know my feelings on the break in etc .. just love those photos of Rory painting ... :) love mouse xxx

blueladie said...

Kathy, read your blog and was absolutely shocked at your break in news. I am so very glad they didn't bother Rory. Sending prayers for both of you. Hugs, Cathryn

And This Little Pig said...

So happy to see you both back! We have missed you. The loss of photos is hard, both on your camera and laptop, it must be heart wrenching to lose such sentimental pieces of jewelry, and the invasion of your privacy is beyond words. If they manage to catch the devil/devils that did this let us know, and the Long Dogs and I will come for a visit and help set them straight.

The most important thing is that both you and Rory are fine :@
LiBBiE in Oz

And This Little Pig said...

Oh forgot, love Rory's art work! Is it for sale, he might just be the next Dog Picasso, and make you lots of wonderful money
:@

Siobhán said...

Big hugs, Kathy! I am sure that you feel so violated after the break in. How terrible that they stole all those special things, but thank God and His tender mercies that Rory wasn't hurt! xoxox

Beauty Bonnet said...

hello, i've been following your blog a bit and i'm so glad you're back to posting. i'm really sorry to hear about this happening to you. i know how it feels - it happened to me and i was in the house! the long and the short of it is the feeling of violation and of not feeling safe anymore. i'm sure it will get better. i'm glad that at least Rory wasn't hurt.

Carol said...

Oh, Kathy, I can't tell you how sorry I am to read that your house was robbed. Unfortunately, my husband's 83-year-old parents went through the exact same thing last week. It is such a feeling of violation, not to mention all those special pieces of jewelry and your photos that were all stolen from you. I'm so, so sorry you had to go through this.

I'm relieved that Rory wasn't hurt; I'm sure he's been a big comfort to you. Sending you a caring hug...

Melody said...

Kathy, I'm so sorry to read about your robbery.

I am so glad Rory is o.k. I hope time will continue to heal your sense of fear and unrest.

Take care.

Barb said...

Hi Kathy and dear Rory, I am so pleased to see a post from you both, hope the trauma will pass soon for you, the wedding looked absolutely beautiful.
Rory you make sure you pay attention in those lessons ,big hugs for you and your "mum"

Kat said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your break in, but happy that no one was hurt. Nice to have you back.

~Kat

Berit said...

This is terrible news! I can only think that it is good that you and Rory are physically safe.

I have been thinking of you and it is good to know that you are (more than not) well.

EvalinaMaria said...

I was wondering why there is no blog updates... now I know. I am so sorry about the burglars but I'm relieved that Rory is OK. I'm glad to see your posts again.

Southpaw Stitcher said...

So sorry to hear of all your troubles. Sending {{{{hugs}}}} to you. The main thing is that Rory wasn't hurt. His career as an artist looks like it's going to be very successful.

Cindy's Stitching said...

Kathy, that is just horrible. It hurts when things are passed down from family members. But they are just things, we store up our rewards for heaven. Rory is all that matters. no harm done to beautiful rory. It will take a while before you feel comfortable again. The thieves gained nothing, god has seen what they done. Have a blesses thanksgiving.

Mylene said...

Oh my, i am so sorry to hear about the robbery.((big hugs))

Lana said...

Oh no! I am so sorry to hear about your robbery!! People just make me sick! Grrr! At least Rory is ok! I love the pictures of him! Cute!

Meari said...

As I've said privately, I'm so sorry this happened to you and glad that no one was hurt. Last year my BFF had her house broken into so the things you've shared about being fearful and unsafe in your own home rings close to home for me. She felt the same way. Guns her father gave her son were stolen as well as ammunition, so you can imagine how scared she was that they'd come back.

You always take the cutest pics of Rory, LOL.

Kay said...

I am so sorry to hear that this had happened. I know how upsetting it can be. Insurance companies can be a pain for sure, glad to hear that you were able to get that taken care of and replace some of the things that could be replaced. The pictures of Rory are wonderful as always. Your nephew and his new wife looked so happy on their special day.

DJ said...

I'm so sorry, I wish I could give you hug. I've been by many times to see if you had posted, and would pray for you when I didn't see an update. Those of us who have been wondering are happy to see you posting again. Someone tried to break into an apartment of ours once, and I can remember the sleepless nights and jumping at noises, and they hadn't even made it all the way into our house, I can only imagine what that must be like for you. I'm so glad you have Rory to keep you company! I hope things are better for you soon. Sending virtual *Hugs*

Nancy M said...

I knew about the breakin from FB, but haven't caught up with blogs. It must be awful to have such personal things stolen from your life. Also not knowing what they could have done to Rory would be so scary. I'm glad you have put it behind you and can move forward a little bit at a time. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Shelley said...

I am so sorry to hear about the break in. I can absolutely not imagine what you are going through. If there is anything at all I can do to help please let me know.

I love the pics of Rory! He sure is a great rock for you :)