Wednesday, December 05, 2007

My cup runneth over

If you've been watching the national weather news, you might be thinking I meant to say "my gutters runneth over." They did on Sunday and Monday! Fortunately, we don't flood up here on the hill. We did lose power for a few hours Monday, but it was back on by the time I got home from the airport with my folks. They got diverted to Seattle for awhile when the pilot couldn't safely land in Portland, but they finally made it.

It's my cup of blessings that continues to overflow. There is the pitter-patter of little feet in the house again, and the faint, intoxicating scent of puppy breath on my clothes. Jackson has been an exemplary little citizen. In three days he has only had one accident in the house, and that was when I put Rick and Brian in charge of watching him while I made supper his first night here. (They watched him all right - watched him piddle on the floor!) I know at this age is it mostly a matter of getting him outside at the proper times, but he's still being a very good boy. With all that hair, he doesn't mind being outside until he's done his job, which helps.

The first two nights he was here WERE rough, with all the heartbroken yowling by a lonely pup. Last night at bedtime when the ruckus started, Rick told him no and thumped him on the nose with his finger, and we went to sleep in blessed silence. When he started carrying on around 4:00 a.m., Rick went to the laundry room, popped the door open suddenly and growled "Jackson, no!" Immediate and continued silence reigned until I got up at 7:00. I was fully expecting some clean-up duty after eight hours without a potty break (I took him out in the wee hours the first two nights), but he held it in - incredible!

Yesterday we introduced Jackson to a leash for the first time. He was fine with it - as long as he was playing tug-of-war with it. Today, when we went Christmas-tree-hunting, I put a leash on him again, and he walked surprisingly well on it (in spite of what it looks like below). I am as impressed with this puppy as I hoped to be!
Speaking of Christmas trees, here's the prize we selected and cut at a lot less than a mile from home, in front of my folks. It isn't as tall as the previous ones we've had in this house, which were centered in the 16'-tall space right in front of the deck doors. We decided in the interest of quick access to the yard (for Jackson) to put this year's in the corner of the dining area. I'm not sure when we'll get it decorated, but it's already making a wonderful room freshener!
It is great having my folks here for Brian's birthday and an early Christmas, too. Brian adores his Grandpa - to the extent that the puppy isn't quite as appealing at the moment. That will change when Grandpa leaves; for now I'm getting in lots of puppy time. :-)

I'm also getting in as much knitting as I can. I got the box from Tammy Monday, with yarn for her mother-in-law's shawl (started, above), yarn to start over on the project I lost on the plane, and TWO different colors of Shetland roving plus some chocolate llama to spin! Her generosity has me overwhelmed. I feel like Christmas came early and I have need and desires for nothing more.

That's it for now at . . .

11 comments:

knitmd said...

Your new Aussie sounds like an intelligent dog indeed. Congratulations on a dry night, and the new addition to the family!

Tina T-P said...

Good for Jackson, good puppy, good puppy!

Yes, isn't that Miss Peach's Meowz just the prettiest blog? Karla really puts a lot of effort into it, and she is a very sweet lady. I'm glad you enjoyed visiting her.

Gotta get home - that cats are probably home from the Tea Party and have lots to tell me (he he he) :-) T.

Kathy said...

A solid "Good Onya!" for Jackson! I'm glad to hear he's a quick study - easier on you. I wanted to call, but knew you had family there. Glad to hear all is going well. And my, what a beautiful tree!

Tammy said...

What an absolute cutie! He is going to be a big boy, I think. I am tickled that he is being such a good little guy. Its amazing how smart they can be. Have fun and enjoy!
Tammy

Beth and Dennis said...

Pleased to hear that all is going well with the adjustment of your new pup - what a lovely looking fellow!

Beth

ps)What a gorgeous Christmas tree!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your new puppy. I am sure he will bring a lot of joy to your family.

I am happy to hear about the rehab for your horse too. It will be great to have all your creatures be as healthy and strong as they can be.

Beautiful fleece on your ewe that you are wanting to sell. I hope she does go to a good home with a spinner who appreciates her.

Lauren Dorsee Dillon said...

You're not flooded out, are you?

Tammy W. said...

I'm glad to hear you are all right Michelle. I was a bit worried when I heard about the flooding in your area.

Barbara Tibbetts Chace said...

Hi Michelle....

Jackson is sooo cute!

Glad you're not flooded. We had about 4" in our basement. What a mess. Can't wait to see your decorated tree.

Barbara
To Be Ewe

Michelle said...

Oh my! I came to respond to Barbara's comment, and see that there are many others which were not emailed to me as they are supposed to be! Blogger must have a cold or something....

Anyway, thank-you all for sharing in the enjoyment of Jackson with me. He IS a good puppy, in spite of the craziness that is week-long visitors and Brian's less than exemplary behavior because of it. Don't hold your breath to see a decorated tree! I'm not sure when we'll get it done; tomorrow we have a Christmas party and Sunday afternoon is Brian's birthday party. If we do get it decorated, we may leave the lights off this year rather than risk the puppy chewing on the cord in an unguarded moment. Good as he is, he IS a normal puppy!

Windyridge said...

That pup is so cute. He has the devlish eye.
Nice tree ya got there!