Oh the joys of dog ownership

As a new dog owner I've found that there's a secret society out there that I never knew existed. It's the society of dog owners. We nod at each other as we walk with our 4 footed friends. As Milo barks like a nut case at every dog he sees I explain in a voice a little louder than usual that he's friendly but loud. I know the names of all the dogs in the neighborhood but not the person at the other end of the leash. But that seems to be OK because we just love each other's dogs.
Milo says: OK so I bark a little but that's because I'm sooooo excited to live here with you.

Milo started dog training classes 2 weeks ago. The first week he spent 20 minutes barking and pulling at the other dogs and people. Finally after a while he started to respond to his name and was given a treat when he made eye contact. He was walking without pulling using a new collar and I went home with some homework to do every day.

Milo says: I'll make all the eye contact you want Diane as long as you keep those snausages coming my way.

Last week he didn't bark at all, walked well, paid attention, and got treats like crazy. Our current homework is learning to walk in a heel position and recalling back to me ending in a sitting position when called. He's doing well with both so I think he's a pretty smart guy.

The only real ongoing issue we're having is that Milo barks like crazy when someone comes into the house, someone is in the yard (and of course my property backs to a town owned pond so there are always people in eyesight in the yard), and is fearful of strange men. I've been trying to get him to stop barking by giving him a treat when someone comes into the house so that he sees someones arrival as something good instead of something fearful. We'll see how that works out.

Milo says: Ummm aren't you forgetting to mention Tanner?

Well thank you for reminding me, Milo. Tanner is still with us but he's not hanging out upstairs anymore. Tanner decided a couple weeks ago that this was his house too and he wanted to sleep in my room on my bed just like he always did. At first Milo was excited over the entire thing. Now after 2 weeks he watches Tanner come in, leave, etc without any issues at all. I think they would be friends if Tanner way younger. But at least they are getting along without much chasing.

I've been working on a lap ghan for the cancer infusion center my dad used when he was under going treatment. We always joked that the ghans they had there were a little girlie so a manly man ghan is in process right now. I'm hoping to have it done by his birthday in the beginning of June but we'll see. Being someone with knitter's ADD it's hard to stay focused on a bigger project.

Happy Memorial Day to those in the USA. Take a minute to say a prayer for those who gave their lives for our freedom and thank their families who have suffered so much.

Don't be looking for me at ...

the humanitarian of the year awards ceremony any time soon. My track record lately is less than stellar ........

1) Tanner got out again over the weekend. I was a terrible foster kitty mama because I didn't look for him at all, didn't set out traps, didn't put out his beloved can food, and didn't call the cat group to let them know their cat was missing. He was out for 2 days and when he finally decided he had roughed it enough he came inside.
2) Milo got out too. Of course if you chase the dog he thinks it's a game and this 50 yr old asthmatic doesn't stand a chance against a little hyper 16 lb dog. Instead I swore, caught his eye, and walked the other way toward the door. Milo of course is nosey and had to see where I was going. I opened the door, he ran inside and I closed it after.

3) Speaking of Milo, I took him to the vet and didn't think to ask for a female vet when I made the appointment. Milo hates men so he almost bit the vet.

4) My brother broke up with his longtime girlfriend. We're happy because while she was a nice person the two of them together weren't a good combination. He's a giver, she's a taker, and she took everything she could. Of course the timing is awful because her mom is at the end of hospice care for cancer. She told my brother he was the worst person on the face of the earth. This is not true. I'm the worst person on the face of the earth because I thought she made up the entire cancer story. Well when you tell 99 half truths and whole lies how am I suppose to know the hundredth thing out of your mouth is true.

So that's it from around these parts. If the rain stops sometime this month I'll be happy. Wet dogs are no fun to be around. Still knitting and one of these days I'll grab my camera to snap a pic of all the baby socks for A4A.

Hey long time no blog

Well I'd like to say that I've been busy but the truth of the matter is that this is mostly a knitting blog and since I haven't finished anything lately I haven't blogged. I've got lots of stuff that just needs to be blocked and ends hidden but haven't gotten around to it.

Of course this hasn't helped ....

I've never been a dog person. It's not that I disliked dogs but I had enough to do with raising 4 kids to worry about a dog so I've always had cats.

Anyways, I've loved fostering the cats and kittens a lot. It worked out well because I'm always home. So a couple months ago I decided that when my own cats were gone I'd only have foster cats and would get a dog. I was researching breeds for characteristics weighing pros and cons of each breed. Treating it like a business decission.

And all the planning went right out the window when I looked on petfinder and saw a little guy named Shadow. I put in an application that night, made arrangement to meet him on Friday and ended up taking him home with me.

He was renamed Milo and he's been a handful. From what I've come to understand he was a puppy mill dog who is 18 months old. He has limited social skills. Every household sound makes him bark. Every person who walks in the door sends him barking. He's a bundle of nerves. But already he seems to be doing better so we'll just work together to give him everything he needs to be a part of our family.

Of course not everyone thinks highly of Milo. This guy has been checking him out from a distance.

They said Milo was good with cats but other than being in a foster home for maybe a day or two with cats I don't think he had any contact with them. Joey of course has had no contact with dogs. Since it's warm and Joey is outside most of the summer things should shake out ok.

I still have Tanner. He's been sick with a uri so antibiotics twice a day for him. He's been hanging on the 3rd floor since Milo got here and wandering down every so often. Milo is only on the main level and my room so he's not upstairs. The way my house is set up there's a catwalk/loft area over the living room with a circular stair case to the living room. So Tanner hangs out mostly on the catwalk looking through the railing at the dog. He'll walk down the circular stairs and sit just out of reach. I'm so proud of Tanner; he's come such a long way. Now if only he could get adopted.


So that's about it. Never a dull moment around here anymore.

Long time no blog

Been a little busy around here with the holidays, grandkids, siblings, and of course more foster persians. The bathroom was clean for one day before the last 3 came.

This is Maggie. She's 6 yrs old and turned out to be very friendly. There was some talk about giving her back to the illegal breeder but based on the vet report there was no way that was going to happen. The owners should be grateful that they weren't arrested for animal neglect and cruelty.

Maggie was adopted last Saturday and seems to have settled into her new home and new life as an only cat.

Along with Maggie came 2 very frightened 6 month old babies named Shadow and Violet. They spent the first 2 weeks hiding behind the curtins in the bathroom even though the door was wide open and they could go anywhere.
Violet is a good little girl who reminds me of Jasper (another rescue persian). She is still skiddish but will let me pet her. Tiny little cat. The other day I guess I was taking too long to open the can of food and she cuffed me one on the leg. Little freshie!

Shadow is quite a bit bigger but the same age. She is now my buddy and will come to me when I call her. She and Violet spend their days sleeping on my bed while I work.

Hopefully they'll be placed for adoption soon. I requested they be placed together since they are very dependent on each other for support and comfort.

I've been knitting along on christmas socks so nothing has been finished recently except for these

A gal on ravelry sent out a request for mini stocking filled with gum and candy for the troops. The stockings were fun to make and my kids and grandkids helped fill and bag them. With everything the troops risk to insure our freedom it was a honor to work on this project.

Thanksgiving this year was interesting. I was born on Thanksgiving day and every so often my birthday falls on thanksgiving. This year was one of those years plus I turned 50. Yes 50. I remember when I thought 50 was old. Now I think 85 is old. Wonder what I'll think is old when I'm 85?

W was over and decided to draw some decorations around my house. I knew he did one on D3's slider but I was tickled to see this on the window at the top of the stairs.

Why Brooke Hogan isn't running for political office ever

Los Angeles (E! Online) - "You know what? I am actually not that much into voting. I think it's kinda crazy that a woman is running, because I think that women deal with a lot of emotions and menopause and PMS and stuff. Like, I'm so moody all the time, I know I couldn't be able to run a country, 'cause I'd be crying one day and yelling at people the next day, ya know?"

I'm kinda glad she's not actually that much into voting because I'd hate to have someone in power who doesn't really know all that much but has bitchin' shoes.

The boardgames of childhood as skill training

When I was growing up we didn't have video games. We played board games. My oldest brother was the king of Monopoly. My younger brother was a whiz at Stratigo and my baby brother could beat the pants off anyone on chinese checkers. Me? Operation was my game. I could take out a funny bone while standing on my foot (which my brothers made me do so the game would be even). Who knew a board game skill could be used in real life. Notice the dryer lint trap in the front? D2 took out the trap before she removed her clothes and at the exact same time an underwire in her bra fell out and landed in the trap.
There's a little ledge and the wire caught on the ledge. How to get it out? No one's hand was small enough to reach. And then it hit me .....
Operation .... salad tongs .... no buzzers as I touched the side. I felt like George Costanza when he was moving the Frogger machine in Seinfeld. lol

My calico foster kitten was adopted on Friday. We've been calling her Calli and her formal name according to her new owner is Calli so I guess they were ment to be her forever home. Grey's adoption fell thru so he's still with us. Grey has now been moved downstairs where he's made himself at home.

I picked up these 3 on Friday night. 3 tigers which I've named Larry, Curley, and Moe.

They are a little skidish around humans but when I come into the room they will usually come running over and after a couple minutes they'll let me pet them. Hopefully sometime this week they'll like me enough to where I can let them out of the bathroom to have the run of the hallway.
Just adorable! Love being a kitty mama.

Monday ramblings

I've got scarves that just need the ends woven, shawls that just need to be blocked, socks that just need the ends hidden and yet I can't seem to focus enough to finish a thing. However does that stop me from casting on new things??

These are going to be blankets for the kittens to sleep on. I figure 4 washcloths is about the right size for a kitten. Hummm what pattern to use? How about a cat?

And a paw print?
I started a pair of socks for the Summer of Socks. SOS. Since I also signed up for the 52 pair plunge 2 I thought I'd better cast something on.
In the middle of making the bed this morning and had to stop to answer the phone. I came back to see this. Guess I'll wait until Joey wakes up to finish.
The grandkids were over this weekend so I've been entrusted with a couple treasures left behind. Lucky for me the rock and plastic mouse haven't given me much trouble although Oscar did try to make off with the mouse. Oscar says: Well it's your fault since you won't let us carry the real mice into the house.
This is kitten central aka the 3rd floor bathroom. Hard to believe that every night this gets swept up and cleaned because the following day it always looks like no one has cleaned it in weeks. Such is the life of a kitty mama. Grey and Calli say: numm numm numm This kitten food is the best. Be back soon mommy ... we'll be needing you to clean the litter box shortly.

Crochet? Here? WTF! Yup I crocheted a couple blankets for the current kittens before I had the idea to use squares. Grey says: Acrylic!?!? Come on mom and cough up the good stuff. I know you have wool and alpaca around here somewhere.
2 kittens 2 blankets.
All the knit squares to date.
My kittens have turned into great escape artists which means if you are a human then you have to get past this in the hallway. I've got to spring for a couple baby gates and modify them for the kittens. Until then my poor daughters will have to figure out how to get to and from their rooms every day. Hummm maybe they'll think it's a hint to move out? Hope not. D3 is leaving the end of August for college and that's soon enough.

My father is not doing well. The cancer has spread more into his liver and is now showing up in his lungs. He's really slowing down but still manages to get out and about a little. I think I'm finally at peace with his decission for no treatment. Not happy but at least at peace.

When the grandkids were over Saturday my parents came over too. Dad sat on the couch the whole time and all 3 of the kids surrounded him for attention. I find myself watching their interaction more; almost like I'm trying to capture it all in my brain so I can play it back for years to come.

Signs of spring are everywhere

Flowers, flowers everywhere you look. My daughter was complaining that she couldn't find any cute little girl shoes around so I picked up a pair of cheap canvas sneakers and painted them with flowers in girlie colors.

If you live in CT Laurel Ridge is one of the best kept secrets in the state. Back in 1941 a couple in Litchfield, CT decided to plant some spring flowers on their farm. They kept adding to them year after year and the flowers themselves kept multiplying year after year.
And this is only a small fraction of them on a lovely Sunday stroll with my hubby.
This entire hillside is covered in flowers. Flowers everywhere.
And me thinking ..... hummmmm I know how to plant flowers .......

All about socks

With summer rolling around I put aside my nice hand knit yummy socks of goodness and color and went off the the land of Walmart to pick up some cheap summer socks. The good people at Fruit of the loom obviously think we're a little on the stupid side by leading us to believe that these $1.30 a pair socks will support our arches.

Aka they put a little ribbing at the middle of the food. So I guess when I rib the top of a sock I should give it to the person claiming I've offered calf support?
3 pr of socks for the cheyenne river sioux project. I only had one skein of the pinks which was just enough to make a pair of child size 9's. I also did a size 9 in blue and a child size 12 in blue with red toes. The pink dye rubbed off on my fingers so they are a lovely shade of pink today.

Then I was wondering how many pair of baby socks I could get out of a 50 gram skein of knitpicks essentials. The answer is 4 pair. Each one a little different. These are for the Cure Hospital for A4A. Green is a lucky color. I have 3 more skeins of green so I'll get those knit this week. Babies and new moms can always use a little luck.
And finally finished off the ends of my son in law's size 12 socks. Opal yarn with opal uni black toes. I like them. I think he will too.

So since I was in the ladies' department at walmart I decided to pick up some panties too. Made in Honduras. And this just gave me the giggles. Each pair rolled and taped. I can just picture the on the job training for this. "No you are taping too high. The tape goes here toward the middle and only on the back. No sides just the back." I gotta say this is almost as obnoxious as taking 50 pins out of a new shirt. "Honey, I'm just untaping my underwear! I'll be there in a minute."

And I'll leave you with this ..... more socks. Now sadly these do not have arch supports. My arches are gonna be left on their own in these socks. However .... they are in a reseal bag. Seriously like I'm going to keep the bag? Wear the socks, wash them (with fingers crossed that both will make it out of the dryer), fold them and what put them back in the bag? Yup, only me.

Whatever

Work has been nuts. I've been helping out in another department. It's a very nice department and they have all fallen in love with me. The supervisor wants to keep me but since my current supervisor had to work so hard to get me I don't see a transfer any time in my future. I love learning new stuff so it's been interesting for the past 3 weeks. You know the best part of my job since I work at home is that I get to meet people from all over the country all the time while never leaving my house.

Yesterday my son the techno geek was inducted into Epsilon Pi Tau; one of only 2 from his college. I was shocked that he applied but knew he'd be accepted. It's nice to see him come out on his own. He's always been 'one of the twins' but now he's standing on his own without his twin sister around. And there has been some knitting going on. I've been sock knitting for the Cheyenne River Sioux kids. I love using up some of the stash in larger quantities than baby socks.

Blue socks in knit pick essential knit to a man's size 8. Hey some kids have big feet.
Remeber the never ending black socks I was making for my dad? I didn't finish off the toe yet (want him to try them on to make sure they fit first) but at least they are so close to being done. These are Opal uni black yarn. I just can't stress enough how much I hated every friggin stitch in this boring pair of black socks.
These socks are super red. Put on your son glasses red. Knit to a child's size 13 and being donated too. Along with these woman's size 7 in knitpicks essential maroon.
Missy A's sweater has been in this state of knitting for 2 weeks. I forgot to get some measurments and for some reason I have it stuck in my head that this sweater is absolutely the wrong size. The girl will be over this afternoon so I'll measure her and get back to knitting soon. I love how it's coming out!

Easter ... the crafty holiday

"Gram, I have these flowers for you. They aren't real so don't water them." Can you spot the not real flowers? Just adorable. Joey says: Yes I'm sitting on the table outside. And it's too cold for you to do anything about it.
And my niece was crafty too. She made these cards decorating them inside and out. My hubby's friend was over to share Easter dinner with us (after spending part of the day camped out on his couch watching sports) made a comment "Someone has too much time on their hands."
What a stupid thing to say! To take time to create something beautiful and share it with others is a wonderful gift. And really couch potato watching sport vs my beautiful niece and her hubby sharing the day with us ..... I'll that the beautiful niece and her hubby any day.
Wilson and Mr Potatohead went to school yesterday to be graded by the teacher. They both received A's. Mr Potatohead is now living in my room and Wilson has been gifted to my youngest daughter. She'll be going away to school in September and D2 thought she might need a friend. Hey it worked for Tom Hanks.

College crafts class

In every college student's life a little artistic effort is involved. D3 took her artsy class last semester. She decided on an acting class and had fun. The semester before she took a painting class which was interesting . S1 hasn't decided on anything as of yet but he'll be doing something next semester.

D2 is around as artistic as a brick. Acting no way! Not gonna stand up in front of anyone and act. How about a crafts class? Really how hard could it be? First project was sunweaving. She did 2 and gave to her boyfriend. Hated sunweaving and will never do it again.

Next up paper mache. Gotta make 2 projects and had to be something roundish in shape. Everyone in the class starts making piggy banks. Now D2 doesn't march to a different drummer .... she's got her own friggin' band.
Gotta admit Mr Potato head is pretty cute. Project #2 is even more interesting but you'll have to wait until it's done for a picture or any details.

And yes .... I'm still friggin' sick!