Maci's My Sunshine Quilt

One of the best things about being a dog trainer is all the wonderful people and dogs I get to know. Many of them become dear friends. Last year I began working with a very nice young couple who have one of the coolest Yorkies I have ever known! I was delighted when they called to tell me that it was time to get the dog ready for a new baby sister!

I had just finished making my first Sleepy Jean Crib Quilt by Springwater Designs available on the Moda Bake Shop, using the pastel portion of two Baby Talk by Benartex charm packs and I really enjoyed the pattern! It is easy for a beginner (me) yet looks complex and much more advanced than I am. So, I found a My Sunshine charm pack on Missouri Star Quilt Company's Daily Deal @ www.MissouriQuiltCo.com for some ridiculously cheap price, like under $2 and using leftovers of the Moda Porcelain yardage from the Baby Talk quilt, and some backing and border fabric, I whipped out a new Sleepy Jean Crib Quilt for baby Maci. They loved it! I got more creative with the quilting this time, doing each section in a slightly different style. I had just gotten a walking foot and had to play a bit!

I wasn't super happy with one of the sections quilting design, but my friends loved it. In fact, the hubby remarked that he liked the different textures that the quilting made... I hadn't thought about this from the view of stimulus for the new little lady and how they like that sensory feel. I definitely learned something valuable from that!

Today I am going to work on the next baby quilt for a friend, whom we shall call Velvet, who I know from AMTC. He and his wife just just welcomed a new baby girl into their lives. Velvet is an incredible man, and while I have only just met his wife once, I am delighted for them. I hope they like the colors I used this time! Velvet is a great actor and musician, funny, spiritual and just an all around excellent guy. I have no doubt that he will make it big and that God is doing great things through his life. I am just privileged to have gotten to work with him and to call him friend!

I am also going to hang the design wall I got and can't wait to start using it! Well, I am using it, but it's not convenient... it's draped across a desk and stack of fabrics! I was hoping to get some of the wrinkles out after I opened up the package yesterday.

And I have to say, aren't the Olympics, in Sochi for the Winter Games right now, incredible? I love how it makes it a small world again. It was heart wrenching to see Evgeni Plushenko have to make the decision to not skate yesterday after injuries. He may be Russian, but everyone was pulling for him and sad to see him go out without getting to finish the competition. And then the whole thing with the Russian Cross Country Skier who had broken a ski and a Canadian coach who came out to give him a replacement, who's wife won gold after her teammate in a relay, it turns out, had been helped by a Norwegian coach in her Olympics in 2006. It's the Spirit of The Games! 

From my experiences racing, every racer I have ever met would rather beat you on the track, even if they have to push you to the starting line themselves, or give you parts, and even help you install them! Why can't we help each other out more off the track? Keep the spirit alive!

My first Candle Mat!

As I went through some pictures of the projects I am working on, I found that I have lots I can blog about! That's always good, and even better, some of them are done! Between quilting, sewing, embroidery, knitting and crochet, I have enough UFO's to last a lifetime! Whatever will I do?

Start something new and exciting, of course! Duh! Isn't that what you would do? Honestly? Yeah, that's what I thought. ;-)

So, since I keep telling myself I want to blog about them, if for no other reason than to be able to look back at the accomplishments when I get old, here is one I really enjoyed making. It's a birthday gift for a very special lady and goes with the table runner I gave her for Christmas and coasters I made for her the previous Christmas. The colors are just "her"  and it's always exciting when you know that you found just the perfect fabrics (or yarn) for someone you love. After all, Gifts is one of my Love Languages... Now that I read the book, I understand the driving force behind my constant need to be making or buying gifts for other people. Of course there is a bit of self love going on, too... just look at the stash I have of fabrics, yarns and notions!

I have discovered, or rather. finally admitted that I have a propensity to make things that have no pattern and using the most difficult textile available. More on that later, but I will point out, in order to present evidence to support that claim, that there is no pattern, per se, for this and I used fabrics from a Scrap Bag, which is guaranteed to be all different lengths and widths. However, I am delighted with the results!

It all started as I played with some trimmed off corners I had in the scrap pile for this fabric line, which, BTW is Holiday Medley by Kansas Trouble Quilters for Moda. I love Moda... sigh...

So I began playing around with the scraps and making HST's and Hourglass blocks, but on a very small scale. Then, I got inspired to make a Candle Mat for MJ. Then I added a border and going Log Cabin style, just kept adding borders of contrasting colors and values and varying widths until I was satisfied. I pieced together strips for the back and added Warm and Natural batting (a large scrap I found in my batting box) sewed it right sides together, turned it and quilted it.

In hindsight, I wonder if I should have quilted it before I closed the opening, at least as much as I could have without messing up the edge? I had a little bubble of fabric that had no where to go, but it's so small she will never see it. If I had sandwiched it like a quilt is usually done, I wouldn't have had the bubble, but I thought adding binding to something so small was kind of silly, especially since I was making a last minute gift - not from lack of planning, but January birthdays are hard, especially so close to Christmas!

I echo quilted three lines ¼ inch apart, forming. inverted V's based off of the X of the hourglass center all the way to the edge, then skipped about an inch, echoing three more V 's in each quadrant, then spaced out another ¾ inch and echoed three more then skipped about ½ inch for 3 more small V' s. It was fun! I didn't have a Walking Foot but it went very well. I will have to make another candle mat or some mug rugs to practice on. I can really get into the Quilting side of this deal! I have some finished Baby Blankets also. I quilted them on Husqvarna Viking machine, one with the Walking Foot, the first without. I am excited to try FMQ, too!

So much to learn! But I am having a lot of fun!

Why Don't I Do This?

Seriously, I know no one reads my blog, but I like the idea of it, having never been one to keep a journal or diary, but just a place to remember and look at pictures and maybe see how far I have come... It seems like I take a fair amount of pictures of my sewing and knitting and, of course, the dogs that I would be able to blog all the time, yet I don't make the time. So here it is, another January and I feel like writing...

I have to say that I am glad that 2013 is over! I am not a superstitious person, but since the fall of 2012, this family has just been hammered. MJ was injured, then Art, my mom, AG was ill,  I broke my arm and all the while Boomer was fighting cancer.

Oh,  Boomer, we miss you. I miss you, Dad misses you and Dancer, well, I think he misses you most of all. But he is going to be ok. We've been keeping him busy, taking him lots of places with us and he has an open invitation to stay at Grandma's anytime.

So Boomer, here's to you!

On July 7, 2007, while reading the Evergreen Golden Retriever Rescue report, I learned about a young adult male Golden coming from Wenatchee via  volunteers on the coming Monday. EGRR had sent out a priority request for a foster home to take the dog. Something told me to say yes, despite knowing that we had too much going on and the timing wasn't convenient, I had to say yes, which I did, then called Art to inform him of our new resident. He agreed, after reiterating all the reasons why we should not, but something spoke to his heart, too and we did it. This would be our second foster for EGRR. Hank had been a great foster dog, easy and laid back, could we be so lucky a second time?
Monday night as planned, the volunteers transporting Boomer arrived at my dog class to make the exchange. Eighty pounds of exuberant joy in a Halti head collar greets me and proceeds to drag me across the training room. (In front of a class full of new students whom I am supposed to teach them how to NOT let their dogs drag them across the room!) He just put his head down and powered through! He had only three speeds we found out later, asleep, bored and GO! Thankfully, I had a Dolan's Wonder Walker with me, which immediately gave me some control. Boomer, I am told grew up on an apple orchard in East Wenatchee where it seemed he ran away frequently in order to find companionship. The local shelter had contacted EGRR after picking Boomer up several times, apparently the previous guardian was tired of bailing his best buddy out of doggie impound. Art arrives at class to meet him and we both agree that we really like the dog. Boomer is overweight but very active, full of joy. We still have to get Amber, by then our 12 year old Samoyed/Golden to agree to let Boomer in.
Arriving home, we quickly realize that Boomer must not have ever been let into a house before. He certainly didn't know what to do with himself, and at first just stood in the doorway with a look of "Really? You sure about this? I can go in?" on his face. Well, house trained or not, he figured it out pretty quick, standing in front of us and panting excitedly until we took the hint. He loved to sit on the back deck and stalk the neighborhood feral cats. He caught a kitten once, trapped it along the fence, holding it gently in his mouth. After a moment, in which he had to figure out what to do, he released it, backing up a step so the kitten could escape over the fence.
We took him fishing at Flowing Lake, in our bass boat and discovered that he was indeed a hunter. Floating amidst some old pilings and docks was a flock of ducks. To our surprise, Boomer took a flying leap off the platform of our bass boat, landed on a dock a few yards away, raced down the dock, along the shoreline to the third dock, down the dock and with a great leap landed in the midst of a dozen squawking ducks. He was in paradise.
His bravery was evident and he always carried himself with the grace and nobility due a proud member of the Golden Retriever breed. He was gentle with Amber, protecting her the more she aged. Amber said that she found him very entertaining, except for the one time, after getting a new orange Cuz, he squeaked it non stop for over an hour. He politely stopped after her first "request." She walked right up and got in his face and barked, sharply, once. Only once. He stood frozen for a few seconds, looked at me, I am pretty sure I had the exact same expression on my face, and then gently set the toy down. After that, he was a little afraid to play with that Cuz.
Boomer loved going to the dog park and the swimming pool at BowWow Fun Towne. He liked to retrieve two or three balls each time and patiently waited while Dancer learned how to swim. Which at first meant trying to keep his head above water while pounding the surface with his paws as close to or on top of Boomer as he could get. He was gentle with his new little brother, teaching him all the most important things in life. But next to home,  Boomer's favorite destination was to Grandma's house for sleepovers and cookies, special scrambled eggs and lots of love.
He looked forward to his annual vacations at Aunt Ann Marie's where he could play with the little doxies, Apollo, Tess, Daisy, and brother Dancer. Ann Marie loved and cared for him as her own, especially during his last visit while a tumor was rapidly growing out his leg.
After more than a year of fighting what was suspected to be osteosarcoma in his right rear leg, a mast cell tumor rapidly grew in, erupting through the skin of his inner thigh. After several brave weeks, this proud, handsome, abundantly joyous boy has gone on to join the rest of our pack, awaiting us in the ever after. Thank you, Boomer, you walked into our lives and forever changed our hearts. We miss you, and look forward to holding you again soon. Have fun up there, you can't get hurt sliding into a big white fluffy cloud.

No pattern, no problem!

I swear I wasted years of schooling in which I could have enjoyed art class, definitely should have at least tried my hand at it after those miserable attempts in grade school, but alas, I shrunk away, claiming that I would never be able to draw a stick figure that was remotely recognizable. Having both grandmothers who taught crafting professionally, everything from sewing, quilting, needlepoint, crochet, knitting, even ceramics, I should have known better. Since the talent skipped my mother, perhaps I believed it also skipped me? Or perhaps it was that horrid experience in paper mache, making a distorted blob that discouraged me? 

I admit, I am no artist, of the traditional type, anyway, but I did discover during my fun employment at Mud Bay that I can look at something and do a fairly decent job of recreating it. I think my second favorite thing about working at Mud Bay, next to playing with the puppies who shop(lifted) there (out of the cookie bins!) was getting to play with colored markers and pencils to make signs and tags. Perhaps I was too good, for they don't allow the copies of logos and such there any longer. Nah, I still don't think I am that good, but I certainly did enjoy it! 

Anyway, I have discovered that I am not without talents, having gotten really good at things like knitting, crochet, needle arts, and machine embroidery. I have dabbled in sewing, yet although I have an amazing sewing machine, I have not used it like I thought I would. I have always wanted to try quilting, as I love fabrics, and am so happy that I have started!

I just finished my second The Dog Is Hungry wall hanging & sign, this one all by myself! This is also a gift, for another Tracy, ironically, and at the moment it is proudly hanging in the Blue Collar Doghouse in Edmonds, where I teach dog classes on Saturday mornings. I love teaching there, it is a great facility, with great people and great dogs.... BTW, Thanks Karen for bathing and grooming Boomer and Dancer! They are very handsome and smell delightful again! 

So, is it confidence or craziness that makes me jump right in to these quilting projects, without a pattern, without learning and forge ahead, learning as I go? I found a charm pack on sale online and bought it because I liked the colors. It was not by Moda, who has 42 charm squares in each pack, but by Fabric Editions, in Citrus by Fabric Palette and only had 20 squares. Had I realized that, I would not have thought it such a great deal. However, I like the fabrics and decided to make a couple of throw pillow shams for a friend.. The friend who I thought of when I saw the fabrics. After an intensive search, I could find no other Citrus fabric of the same collection, but I did discover a gorgeous soft peach at Keepsake Cottage, my LQS, that looks gorgeous with it for backing. So, again, without a real pattern that I could go on, I whipped out a couple of nine square blocks.  That left two unused squares, which I thought would be cute as accent corners... Which they are, but I certainly learned a lot in figuring out how to get them there! Thank heavens for my very sharp, high quality Clover seam ripper! I could not have done it without you! As ye sew, so shall ye rip! 

Last night, I got as far as quilting the first block. I realize now that I failed to square them uploaded before adding the trim pieces, but I am learning and I hope that the fluffiness of the pillow will disguise some of the mistakes. They are not too bad, and I am proud of how well most of the corners align! I have only ever quilted once before, with my Grandma Crofoot, when I was probably ten years old and it was by hand. I started off with a simple stitch-in-the-ditch technique, but it wasn't long before I was having fun! And I was having fun! I can hardly wait to see how I do when I have a pattern to tell me what to do, the sizes to cut, what order to do it all in. Makes me appreciate You Tube and everyone who makes tutorials. I really should watch a few and learn the right way to do it. I have decided that I am going to take a quilting class. I figure that after all these years, I am long overdue and perhaps I can learn to make things that don't look like a 3 year old made! Happy stitchin'!

Fun blogging again!

Is it ever too late to start blogging again? I've blogged on my business blog http://www.PawsitiveStepsSeattle.com, but haven't really been sharing personal and creative things in years. Not that I have many readers, nor does that matter...I just like having a timeline of finishing projects. I don't journal, obviously, or this blogging stuff would probably be easy. Plus, with Google+ taking over, it is nice to have things linked.

I have been quite busy...lots of knitting, a little crochet, some embroidery, a bit of bunka sishu, and recently I have finally began to quilt! I have always wanted to quilt! combining embroidery with quilting...triple fun!

So much to learn! Oh my!

I made this on a chocolate brown t-shirt for a client's daughter for Christmas. I don't give many clients a gift for the holidays, but this family is special, besides I think kids in particular should get spoiled a bit at Christmas.

With the help of this particular family, or shall I say the mom who is an amazing quilter and is a great teacher,we finished this wall hanging for them.

I designed it, embroidered the pieces, and after days of working on it took it to their house and she showed me a million shortcuts on putting it together! Of course, she accomplished it in no time. Very cool!

 I am attempting to make a few more, as I'd like one for myself... but my dogs would figure out how to flip the bone so it always says "Hungry" on it! Maybe I'll even post a pattern when I perfect it. If anyone wants info on it, please leave a comment and I will happily send it to you.

Whazza Goin' On?

Wow! It has been a very long time since my last post, and it was sparse for some time before that! Losing George really out me in a state of sadness that has taken a long time to recover from! There's been lots going on around here, tho!
An Adoption Announcement will be posted soon and updates on my dog training business as well as training tips and thoughts will soon be found here!
Take care,
Gayle

2007 Goals

I've never believed in making resolutions. I do believe in setting goals and that in order for a dream to become a goal, it has to be recorded and expressed. So here goes...

My goal for this year is to eat healthier food and explore the types of foods I choose to put into my body, possibly becoming vegan or vegetarian, with the ultimate goal of losing at least 50 pounds from my current weight. I enjoy the process of this new healthier me and the way I look, feel and act as I become healthier and more fit.

I will take an animal communication workshop and enjoy a deeper and more meaningful relationship with my animal friends.

I will listen to my body while working out, walking and exercising to push it to work hard but within safe boundaries for steady improvement.

I will walk, swim, yoga or do some sort of exercise daily.

I will capitalize on marketing opportunities for my business and follow up on things that need completion.

I will knit for the sheer pleasure of it and finish projects I have already started.

I will not find other things to do to avoid cleaning house!

I will use my embroidery machine and make something beautiful to wear!

I will take and pass the CPDT exam!

I will attend the APDT conference this fall.

I will tell my family, dogs and friends that I love them every day!

I will go fishing!

Santa Paws

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Farm,

The creatures were stirring, but not in alarm!

Am-Moo-Lance was loaded and stuffed with care,

With knowledge that animal-lovers soon would be there!

The AARFF dogs had nestled all snug in their beds,

Until visions of tennis balls danced in their heads;

When Rover decided he could stand it no more,

Out he went to play and explore.

“They’ll be here soon!” cried Prince with glee.

“I just can’t stand it! I’ve got to pee!”

“Home for the HOWLidays,” Georgie explained to the pack.

“They’re delivering gifts in the morning, then coming back!”

“Everything goes to a special, needy pet,

Dog houses and beds; stuff their people can’t get.”

The dogs sat for a moment, watching the stars,

A moment of quiet, grateful to be where they are.

Then the chorus began as the dogs howled,

The farm animals joined them - and my, they were loud!

“What a great way,” they cried, “to spread Christmas cheer!

Please get here soon, we love volunteers!”

The Big Storm

We lost 5 big, beautiful Cedar trees in the big storm and while it certainly could have been worse, the loss is painful for us. These trees were special to us. They had a spiritual quality to them and provided us a sanctuary in our yard along with peacefulness, shade and beauty. Our dogs loved them every bit as much as we did. We are glad that in their fall, they did as little damage as possible - will miss their energy and presence. My Gramps was fond of reciting this poem, which I will always remember:

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the Earth's sweet flowing breast
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of Robin's in her hairUpon whose bosom snow has lain
Who intimately lives with rainPoems are made by fools like me

But only God can make a tree.-Joyce Kilmer

Beautiful, Snowy Lake Chelan

The snow is sparkling at the water's edge and the fog across the lake is giving the town a mystery-novel appearance. It is as if we've stepped into a great Dicken's novel and are embarking on a grande adventure. Perhaps we are...

Art took some wonderful shots last night, I'd like to share (above and below) and be sure he gets full credit for the photography and special effects. Having the forethought to play with Sepia and Black and White was a great idea.




I've begun a very important Christmas present. I hope to finish it while here, but doubt that will happen. I am making good time, however. I got the inspiration for this scarf in a men's clothing store in Seattle called Mario's. It was $225. Yes. $225.00 !!! Can you imagine! Of course, I inspected and did measurements with my hands and arms and did all I could without calling too much attention to myself or making the saleman think I was a freak or shoplifter as I was calculating how to duplicate it...
Since it isn't a normal ribbing pattern, it was really throwing me off and I knew I was doddling too long, but I also knew I'd figure it out if I looked long enough. I should have thought to use my cell phone camera and take a picture of the one in the store, but it didn't occur to me to do so. That's ok, I just knew that it was some funky ribbing, so thanks to some trial and error and some knitting books...voila! Mistake Ribbing! Who knew mistakes could be worth so much! And so easy to do!

If anyone is reading this (and I know no one does) but I'll put it up anyway. Mistake ribbing is (k2, p2) k1. Turn, repeat. Multiple of 4+1. The scarf will be a very wide (manly) short with Keyhole.

Gotta run, we're on vacation!

A busy year!

Wow!
We got the camera back and in dowloading it's pictures, I've discovered a boatload of wonderful photo's and things we've done to blog about... so much has happened around here in the past few months. Much of which, we can certainly reflect upon with smiles and happiness.

To start, Hank was adopted into a wonderful permanent home. He's quite happy and his new family adores him. He's doing well and enjoys having a family that is home a lot to spend time with him, walk and play with him. As soon as I met them, I knew they were meant to be. It was not easy to say "So long, Buddy!" but I knew he was going to be happy. We're staying in touch and will be meeting for hugs and kisses at the park!
We love you Hank! You big Handsome HuggyBear!

I've actually gotten some knitting done, although I really can't show it all... Christmas is on it's way and the few people who might read this blog might be the ones I don't want seeing it! I did finish one of the Preemie Baby Blankets I was working on in time to turn it in. The other is still WIP. I'm hoping The Red Cross and Swedish Hospital do the Preemie drive again next year; I should be able to find the unfinished blanket and finish it in time for next year's drive. (I know, I am such a cheater!!!)

Here's the one I did make, and as I am so abhorrent with pastels (blame my mother! They gag me!) I hope that whomever the mom is that recieves it is a little funky and likes the colors. The yarn is Stork, I got it at Acorn and is it very soft. Another thing of beauty I can show you is this...
He (she? It was really too small to see!) was very beautiful on my bathroom ceiling and held quite still while I took a few pictures!

and a sneak peek on Christmas presents... talk about soft!Best!
G

A Moment of Thanks...

As the flood waters have been rising here in the Pacific Northwest, numerous pets, farm animals, livestock and wild animals have been stranded with little or nowhere to go. They have endured hardship, lost lives and some have met some very courageous and loving people who risked their own lives to bring them to safety. Even living a few miles from where some of this was happening, I was barely aware of the severity of the situation until I visited Pasado’s Safe Haven on Saturday, November 11th and got a glimpse into the real situation. Even now, I do not truly grasp the magnitude of the situation, but I am aware of them all today as the rain continues to fall and the winds continue to blow.

Another thing that struck home was that there has been no TV news on this. Now, I'm not a TV junkie by any means, but I usually catch wind of breaking local news, particularly involving animals. Has all the media been so stuck on elections that they don't care about Fido and Fluffy stranded in the rising flood waters?

Regardless, we have much to be thankful for. The roof is not leaking, the power has remained on. Our burdens may feel heavy, but at times like this, how can we complain? The worst thing the storm did so far was blow the cover off the boat. Big deal.

Actually getting to go to Pasado's and meeting all the AARFF (American Association of Retired Felines and Fido's) and the chickens, pigs, Bonks the goose, Mrs. Bonks another goose, the donkey, the goats and all the wonderful people and other volunteers there that day was an amazing experience!

Thank you Pasado’s for the love and unending giving you do for all of us. We never know but that someday, it may be our dear fur friends whom you are reaching out to pluck from the horrors of a disaster and we appreciate each and every one of you!

Preemie Knitting

Swedish Hospital and the Washington March of Dimes has a special event going that has even me knitting baby clothes - other than for adorable Mr. Clark Adams, that as! And NO, we're not pregnant!
The weblink is here: Preemie Clothing Drive. A lady in my water aerobics class brought the information to the pool and asked if we'd all help. I've got one blanket on the needles and plan to cast on another tomorrow while I take my mother to her doctor appointments. Maybe I'll even do a hat?
I hope to have camera access soon so I can post a few pics, as I really have been knitting and I am hoping I can sneak a photo of the baby blanket my MIL is knitting for the drive on here as well. It is very pretty! She says she can't knit anymore, but I saw the yarn, needles and about 4 inches of work done the other day... she's inspired, that's what she is!!!

Labor Day Weekend

Well, usually this is the time of year when we head over to Lake Chelan for a little R&R. This year, we are sticking around the house, getting some work done towards installing natural gas (funny, I thought this household already had the very natural kind) and hopefully putting the boat in the water at one of our local fishing holes. I've spent the first day of "vacation" working...yes, updating my website and working on the materials I'll need for my upcoming classes, which start in October. Next Saturday, I'll be at Woof-N-Wiggles Doggie Daycare in Edmonds - in Firdale Village - at 1 o'clock for a special event! This is the location of my upcoming classes.
Other than working, Hank got a bath today. He is a good boy and is doing well, although fighting dandruff. I took him for a run along side my bicycle this morning and he really loved it. Art was worried we'd crash, of course and end up in the ER, but Hank was awesome. I think he's done this a time or two.
We're planning on going again tomorrow! Hopefully I'll have a camera again soon, so I can show you some pics and all the knitting I've gotten done lately!

Mostly Bob, by Tom Corwin

I went to a book signing last night at Parkplace Books in Kirkland. Tom Corwin, musician, bass guitarist, vocalist and now author has published his book Mostly Bob telling the story of his 3rd Golden Retriever, Bob, in a unique and moving way. Bob was a neglected dog who lived next door to Tom and this is the true story of how one dog managed to change his own life. To me it is the story of how a simple act of extending kindness to someone who seemed unlovable & frightening was the key to allowing that Someone to find move past their wounds and pursue love and trust in another and in doing so, positively impacted so many!
If you live in the Seattle area and would like to attend a book signing with Tom Corwin there is another on Saturday, August 26th, at Elliott Bay Books.
Last nights signing was in honor of the Evergreen Golden Retriever Rescue, and Saturday's is for Pasado's Safe Haven AARFF Senior Dogs.
Happy Reading!

KNITTING??? Is this a KNITTING blog?!

My, you'd think I'd forgotten! You'd think I'd have forgotten how to knit with how busy I am working to get Pawsitive Steps going well and keep all the balls in the air! I've had a lot to juggle lately! But I cannot complain. How can we when I know that my struggles are nothing compared to the suffering of so many who are facing much worse or harder things than I am. I really wish I could get healthy, stop the migraines and other medical issues... I think about all that I could do if I felt and was WELL, but alas, I don't want to complain, just a wish...

SO... knitting...my stress reliever. Yes, or sometimes NO...
Unfortunately, no camera today, but hopefully will have pictures soon. I've picked up the needles here and there and made progress on my Denim Blue Shrug, and the Flower Basket Shawl. The latter is giving me fits at the moment. Something is off, I was knitting while waiting for an MRI and missed something (which I have done with FBS before!) so I think I should keep Doctor Visit Knitting to more simple things - I'll have to go through my WIP's and see if I have anything small and conveniently transportable.

But, regardless, It is good to knit again!

There's a Hankster in the House!

That's right, a Hankster, not a Prankster... Hank is a wonderful, good boy!Hank is a foster dog we are caring for, our first foster and I have to say, I am in love. I think it goes both ways... Hank is snoring behind me as I am writing this. He is an excellent well-mannered guy.

Hank and Amber are getting along quite well; he has decided she is the rightful DogQueen of the house and obliges her demands for always being first. He does however, make sure he gets his full share - especially of attention! I think this has been really good for Amber in that she had become quite a little hermit since we lost George and didn't seem to want to do much. I know we all grieve, but I hate to have to work for her to want to do anything around the house. I know she's going on 14, but I don't want her to turn into a little old lady that won't have any fun. She wasn't excited about a dog friend at first, but now they are pals.

Hank loves to play ball and is very snuggly. He also loves to be groomed, combed and clipped. I clipped his nails Saturday and he literally held up one paw, then the other for me to do it! Someone took good care of him and did a great job getting him familiar and happy with grooming as a puppy! Volunteering with rescue has been eye-opening, for me and I have not even brushed the surface of what goes on with caring for so many homeless pets or pets who need to be relocated to a different home. I am grateful for the time we will spend with Hank, for having this chance to help make a difference in this wonderful dog's life as he goes through a tough time of change and some emotional upheavals that go along with what he has been through... It has been interesting to see the changes in him just over the past few days as he gets more settled into our home and routines. I know that there are really great homes out there for guys like Hank, people who will love him and be dedicated to him, but a part of me wants to by a mountain, build a giant home and just take them all in. I know I can't do that, but there are so many great dogs (and other animals) that need homes. Well, Hank Buddy, we're gonna enjoy life while we are together!
Thanks for all the kisses today! (and keeping Miss Amber happy!)
Gayle

If you're interested in adopting a dog, please consider rescuing one from your local pet shelter or purebred animal rescue group such as Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue. You can find Golden Retrievers in the Seattle area at www.EGRC.org.