Thursday, October 8, 2009

Hikes and ROTEs and Things

Okay, I'm going to turn this bloggie over to Mom for just a couple of minutes. Bear with me, people, I'll be right back!

Hi, Fi's Mom here. First, thanks for all the nice comments on the cross-stitch. I still have to wash it and do all the back-stitching, but this is the biggest project that I've ever done, and it was sort of cool to see it all at once. There's still a lot of work to be done with it, but it is a labor of love. And yes, Dory, I did pick that particular pattern because I thought it would complement the House With Wheels! I've got another one that is a camper van that also works, and if I'm feeling ambitious after I finish this one, I will probably start that one next.

Second, most of the cross-stitch patterns I do are dog/cat related. (Duh!) But this is my personal favorite, because it is absolutely true!


And forgive me, but I'll probably show pictures of some of the other ones I do as I finish them, just because they amuse me. But most of them will be dog/cat themed, so hopefully Fi will give me some face time occasionally! *grin.

Now, back to Fi!


Thanks, Mom!

To be fair to Mom, she does most of her stitch stuff at night or when the weather is bad, so it's not like I'm horribly neglected or anything.

Yesterday we went on a walk that turned into a hike; it was warmer than Mom thought (or she was dressed more appropriately), so when we got up the road to where there is a trailhead, Mom turned up on the trail. Unfortunately, she didn't bring the camera, because there were some really neat places where there were all sorts of leaves on the ground, and it looked very fall-like. And the trail wasn't TOO muddy, so we took it all the way up to where we met the road again, and then walked down. It was really good to get back on the trail again, and Mom says that we'll probably go out tomorrow if the weather isn't too bad. This cool weather is GREAT, because it is a little too cool - in the 40's during the day - for Mom and Dad to go bi-sickle-ing, but if Mom dresses right (i.e. a hat and gloves, MOM!) it is perfect for hiking. And if it is a little muddy? Eh. It's muddy in the backyard, too. And mud is mud! So I'm very happy. And if we go tomorrow? I'll make sure Mom brings the camera.

Today? Today Mom and Dad had some business stuff in the morning, and the weather was sort of grey, so Mom decided that today was a good day to do the ROTE. And I told Mom that the Running Of The Errands had to include foodables, per the inscrutable Word of Mango. And did it? NO! Well, sort of no.

Note from Fi's Mom: We were only going two places: Wally World and The House With Wheels, and neither has dog-friendly foodables on an easily accessibly basis, so I had to improvise. First, I planned ahead and put a few treats in my purse, and then, well... I'll let Fi tell you.

So at our first stop, Mom gave me a Milk Bone treat, rolled the windows down a bit, and told me to bite anyone who came near. Okay, she didn't tell me that part. I made that up on my own to make me sound all vicious and protective-like. I confess, I was a little too nervous to eat my Milk Bone (I don't like being left alone, but Mom promised that she'd be back), but I did watch the guy collecting the cars, and I saw this woman driving a minivan trying to park while talking on the phone, and I saw someone put some newspapers in the recycling bin. Mostly I just watched people come and go. Luckily Mom wasn't gone very long. And when she came back, she brought me a toy. Not exactly foodables, but a toy! Mom thought she was being all clever, but since I was interested in the driving, I didn't pay that much attention to the toy.

But.... We were on to stop #2, and I had to pay atttention.

First, we drove Right By a McDonald's and Mom Didn't Even Stop! Of course, the McDonald's was on the other side of the street, and I couldn't see anyway to actually get there from our side of the road. So I'll cut Mom some slack. This time.

So then we went to the House With Wheels. It has been Really Cold at night, and Mom wanted to check to make sure that the furnace was working okay (and that she hadn't turned it up too high). So I checked out the premises from the car; it's pretty quiet this time of year, but there were people parked in the slot next to ours, and I had to make sure that they didn't have any Undesireables (i.e. vicious dogs, or god forbid, vivicous cats!). And Mom was back pretty quick.

And then we drove home. Since I had complained to Mom about her choice of music, she put on the "big" mix, so we listened to the Irish Rovers, and Jimi Hendrix, and Joe Satriani and Oingo Boingo and Rod Stewart and the Eagles. Definitely better than "All 80s All the Time".

When we got home, Mom brought out my toy again. And it finally dawned on me! My Mom got me a mummy! Her point being that "my mummy" would be with me, even when my Mom was in the store!!!

Heehee. My Mom can be so clever sometimes. A mummy to take the place of my Mom!

And a very cool mummy it is!


So while I didn't get any foodables while on the ROTE, I think Mom is starting to get the idea. I'll keep practicing with her until she gets it!

*kissey face*
-Fiona

15 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Mom says those would be good tunes fur her ears!

I wonder if their is khross stitch thingie that says something about khyssing my humans on the lips!

I'm glad woo are enjoying your ROTE time!

I'm sure woo will khontinue to have tales to tell!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Sally said...

Love the cross stitch! Our D collects old ones and tried to turn them into cushions and stuff. Please show more...

Sorry about McDonalds - we know how disappointing it is to pass a fast food outlet. I am partial to KFC.

Love the Mummy - very clever indeed!

Lots of licks
Sally and Paddy and Douglas

bichonpawz said...

Wow...the cross stitch came out great! Your errands always sound like so much fun...and your pics are adorable!! Hugs from Chloe & LadyBug...the NY BichonFrises

Martha said...

Fiona, your training of your mom is coming along great!
You will soon have her completely sorted.
We love your mom's cross stitch and we can see there is still plenty of dog time!!!
We loved your pics!
love
martha & bailey xxxx

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

I love seeing what our mums do because they are soo clever and your mum is with the lovely cross stiches. I love your new toy and what a lovely idea of your mums. You are getting her just where you want. mol. See you later.. Hugs GJ xx

Dexter said...

Your mom needs to plan her ROTE better. But at least she is trying. I cannot believe you went right by MacDonald's. I think she knows how to do a U-turn by now.

Slobbers,
Mango

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Our Mom loves to do needle work so is very impressed with your Mom's cross-stitch.

And the Mummy - not quite as tasty as McDonalds, but it will probably last longer.

XOXO
Piper, Carrleigh and Lilly

D.K. Wall said...

We are pretty sure that Wally World is big enough to have foodies in since our humans sometimes get their groceries there. So check mom out carefully next time.

You leave the heat on in your house on wheels? We sometimes have to winterize the water lines because ours is not insulated enough, even though we use the S-RV much more in the winter than in the summer.

The Oceanside Animals said...

hello fiona its dennis the vizsla dog hay that sownds like kwite an adventcher and yore noo mummy is kyoot!!! not like that other mummy wot calls down sandstorms and playgs and meetiors and brendan fraser!!! ok bye

Mia said...

You are so lucky to ROTE with the momma!! I tend to get loud and cranky when left in the car, so the momma only tends to take me whe go to pup friendly places. While the toy is nice, the Wally Worls is plenty big enough for her to have found foodables!! And no McDonald's? WTH?!?!?!?!

Have a good weekend!!=)

Lilo

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

Very awesome ROTE toy that your Mama got for you!!!! Looks like you are having fun times with it!!

Smileys!
Dory

Astrid Keel said...

wow! I love your mom's stitching! So true too...

The Army of Four said...

Hee hee hee! Your mummy is with you even when... hee hee hee!
Great post, Fiona!
Love,
Ammy

Lorenza said...

Hi, Fiona!
My mom says the back-stitch is the best part of the work because it means you are close to finish it!
You had an interesting day with your Mom!
No food for you but you got a very nice mummy toy!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo! Finally I know what ROTE stands for! Fiona, you are very good ROTE partner. And your mom is very clever for getting you a "mummy!" but that mummy wouldn't last long in our house. Wild Dingo only provides stuffless toys these days! LOL...