~My Coconut Boy~1994-2009~

Dear Dad,

I know that you were there when Coconut crossed the Rainbow Bridge on New Year's Eve. You had such a special relationship with him. I know you loved each other.

He was such a special dog for the 15 years we were blessed to have him. As Jim always said, "He has such gentle eyes. You can see clear through to his soul".

We got him from a 'puppy mill' on Christmas Eve. When we first laid eyes on him, he was a strangly, dirty, 'gray' poodle (so we thought!) in a pen by himself. I didn't care about the dozens of 'new' puppies there. He looked up at me, our eyes locked, and I knew God was telling me to take him home. I told Jim to give the man whatever he wanted for him, because I wasn't leaving without him. (he was a year old...and they were going to use him for breeding) Poor Jim really thought I'd lost my mind.

The day after Christmas I took him to the vet, to find out he was a pure white poodle who had obviously been abused. We washed him til he turned white. The boys named him, 'Coconut', because he looked like mounds of coconut sticking out every which way. Much to the boys' chagrin, he bonded to me....never to leave my side. He was a wonderful dog.

He spent his last day on this earth quietly napping in his bed.....only to get up to follow me into the studio at times. He passed into heaven on New Year's Eve....in my arms. Safe and sound. At home. Exactly where he should have taken his last breaths.

Dad...I kissed him for the last time, and told him to wait for me on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge....with you. I know you will look after him.

Thank you, Dad. I love you. And I miss you terribly.

xoxoxoxoxox To Heaven and Back~

Carol

P.S. Fawn's having a bad time. He is moping around the house. He's loving the extra hugs and kisses, but will be obese if we continue feeding him all these extra treats!!

P.S.S. We had the 'puppy mill' closed down shortly after buying Coconut. The man who was running it was prosecuted and sent to jail.

~New Year 2010~

~Happy New Year to all my Blogger Friends~

~Merry Christmas from Our House to Yours~

~It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas~

It's finally beginning to look like Christmas here in Ohio because it snowed. I LOVE snow. I mean, I really love it. Okay....not driving in it when it's icy. But snow, I love. Since I was a kid. So...it has finally snowed here. Finally. And it looks like Christmas~

I decided to count all my packing slips to figure out how many orders I had filled. I knew it was a lot. But I was stunned: I sent out 264 packages since Thanksgiving Weekend. Considering that I make each item or items IN those packages....that's a LOT. The orders are still trickling in....but hopefully, the end is near. I have to laugh at the emails I get, with questions of: "When will I get this?" (they don't bother to tell me WHERE they live!!) Even with shipping within 24 hours, they still insist I tell them exactly when the good ol' USPS will deliver their treasures to their mailboxes. (if I could predict that....I wouldn't be making dolls and jewelry!)

At least that explains my fatigue, and the reason I'm mainlining caffeine in any shape or form: coffee, lattes, chocolate, Excedrin, Diet Coke, more chocolate.....

I've finished baking cookies: Snowballs, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Italian Iced Cookies, Thumbprints, Date Squares, Coconut Bars, Hello Dollies, Spritz Cookies, Rum Balls and Decorated Sugar Cookies. Phew! Over 40 dozen cookies. Jim asked last nite why I bake so much every Christmas. Why? My mother did. Always. For the three of us kids. So when I became a mother....I did, too. Always. And now as a grandma...I still do. And always will~

I'm off to see Mom. I'm bringing Christmas cookies. Made from her recipes. Just like she made. Always.

Happy Thursday~

Dear Mom......

Thanksgiving has come and gone. You couldn't join us this year. You said it was "too hard". We missed you. I know this is all so hard for you. It breaks my heart. You can't walk anymore. Your legs are too weak to hold you up. But your brain doesn't remember that, so you keep trying. And keep falling.

The kids were here all weekend. I'm so glad they all came to see you. Ella's eyes light up when she sees you. You got to see Jackie's pregnant belly....and looked at Amy's sparkly engagement ring again. I know it was all overwhelming for you, but I'm happy we were all there with you. I will remember it for a long time.

You have no short-term memory now. Only very long-term. And only sometimes. I am so thankful you still know who I am. And I believe you know Ella and Jackson, too. At least I think you do.

My shows are finally done for the year. I'll have lots more time to visit now. Remember how you used to help me with them, Mom? Remember that cold Ohio Mart that we wore long-underwear and mittens it was so bitter out? Long-ago memories.

Hospice has come in to help now, Mom. I know you don't understand exactly what is happening. I'm not sure I do, either. I just know that they are angels. All of them. They give you lots of extra attention; bought you a new, padded wheelchair, and a new, lower-to-the-ground hospital bed. They brought special padding to put next to it so that when you fall, it's not as hard.

I know you can't understand any of this. It's just not fair.

Just know that you have a family who loves you dearly, Mom. And we are here for you. Always.

With Love,

Carol

Related posts: Black Abyss
My Mother's Smile

~Pooped~

I'm pooped! Seven shows down and four to go. Thanksgiving next week. Then Christmas. I've decided I'm sleeping the entire month of January. And it can't come soon enough~

~Calgon........................~

Things have been crazy-busy at RoseCreekCottage. We celebrated Jackson's 2nd birthday here, and found out from our sweet Ella that her "Mommy has a baby in her tummy". We will be blessed with this new precious granchild in the spring.

The leaves on the trees outside my studio are just beautiful. It's not difficult to see the Fingerprints of God in all the lush fall colors.

In between the studio and show happenings, I'm looking very forward to an upcoming quality R&R at a Girl's GetAway Weekend with eight dear friends from all over the country. We chose an exciting city to meet for some great food, laughter, hugs, and lots and lots of shopping~



My Etsy shop is picking up momentum as customers begin their Christmas Shopping in plenty of time to avoid the USPS mail delays that will come once December hits. Stop by and take a peak. I'll be adding more things as the weeks go on.

Cheeky Monkeys are hangin' around the studio, waiting to be packed for the next show. I've been working on some new charm bracelet designs and will have some fun new displays for the upcoming shows......the Christmas Hares as well as Christmas Dolls and Santas are ready to strut their stuff. My friends and family know that they won't find me these days on the computer....but in my studio finishing up all the odds and ends for the remainder of my Holiday shows. I have 8 down and 8 to go! For a complete listing....email me at rosecreekcottage@hotmail.com. I'll be happy to send it to you~