Taking stock

So we've had our babies almost a week now. I wanted to write down our victories & trials so far - so I can look back in a year & say "remember when." Last Sunday: Bella wouldn't come at all. Lucky continually did the circling behavior of crated dogs. Neither were happy about being picked up, but they would suffer it. They seemed happy with their new home & investigated their yard & house. Lucky constantly groomed his feet. There's been pee and poop every day in the house somewhere. Today Bella went pee & poop in the yard & got cheese treats. Lucky peed outside but then started pooping on the rug inside. When I said NO! He stopped but wasn't able to finish once we got outside. Bella was VERY skittish and afraid for me to pick her up to get in the bed. I'd either have to chase her (like chasing a chicken) which was stressful all around - then I started sitting on the floor with my hands out waiting for her to let me pick her up. It took about 15 minutes the first time - tonight she immediately hunkered down for me to get her. MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH! Neither did or will play with balls or toys. They do like rawhide chews. When we go outside, Bella promptly lays down in the shade. Lucky circles his way around. Lots of room for improvement. But I think we've improved some. Fingers crossed for more.

Ready for the Ravellenic Games

The Ravelry online community celebrates the Olympics with our own version of the games.  We USED to call it the RAVELYMPICS - but the US Olympic committee got their panties in a twist over copyright issues and told us to cease and desist with that.  So we did.  Today the Ravellenic Games begin!  Crafters around the world have been choosing yarn and patterns and projects to complete during the Olympic Games.  The mass cast-on/chain begins at 7pm London time today. 

I have an afghan planned - twelve 9" squares joined together and given to charity when done - so it will be competing in the afghan event.  I also have a hat pattern to knit (my first knit hat) for the hat event.  A crocheted stash bag for the bag event.  Also, there's a WIPs Wrestling event - I've got a scarf nearly finished (that I started in April 2011) for that. 

The Games begin today and end August 12th.  Sure! No Problem!  I need some days off work!

Babies arrive!

Ever since the Buckners got Hank, I've been considering getting a dog.  I have adored spending time with Hank.  He always makes me smile, and it has warmed my heart to have someone so exuberantly happy to see me!  All I have to do is walk in the door, and Hank is springing up and down thrilled to see me. 

Where else do you get that kind of reaction?

A co-worker had a dog to adopt out - Chuck & I got all excited about it - then the deal fell through.  We were really disappointed about it.  That's when we realized we were absolutely ready for a dog.  I started surfing dog rescue websites, because the breed, sex, age of the dog weren't as important as providing a home for a dog that desperately needed it.  My sister had just adopted a rescue Jack Russell after her much loved Twister had died.  I knew in general terms what I wanted:  small, fluffy, not-yappy, not puppy.  I found "Eugene" on the Southern Comfort Maltese Rescue website, and he was being fostered in Eden, NC (only about 30 minutes away).  I filled out the application and expressed my interest, but kept looking in case he wasn't available.  Then I got an email saying Eugene had bonded very closely with another Maltese at the same foster home, and they didn't want to separate the two.  Chuck said that was fine - let's get BOTH and not separate them.  I was hesitant - TWO dogs?  But they'd keep each other company while we're at work, and I wouldn't have to feel guilty about leaving a single dog alone during the day.

We notified the SCMR that we would take Eugene and his friend, Furgy -- we said we were eager to get them.  We filled out forms, set up a home visit to be sure we who we said we were.  I went to Eden to meet them Thursday.   Chuck built a big fenced-in area in our back yard.  I went shopping for dog food, toys, treats, a dog bed, carrier, etc!  I cleaned house for their arrival.

On Sunday, Chuck & I went to bring our new babies home.  We'd chosen new names for them (since they'd only had Eugene & Furgy since they'd been rescued): 

Bella and Lucky. 

Chuck and I both adore them, and we have trouble not holding them or petting them constantly.  They are skittish and a bit afraid of us - they shy away from us, but then they're find once we're holding them - not shaking in fear or fighting to get free.  I am thrilled with our new babies. Even though it will take them some time to get used to us, and us to them -- I'm very happy and satisfied with the new members of our family.

Babette Love

For xmas last year, I gave Jes & James & E a lovely Babette in Greens.  I loved it.  I love the way the different colors and sizes of squares makes your eye move over the blanket, appreciating its beauty. 

Here is a large size baby-blanket for Jes' friends expecting a baby in September.  It might be TOO big, so that I take part of it off to make a separate blanket.  I'm not sure, but for now, I am just in love with how pretty and bright this is.  Babette is definitely my favorite crochet pattern ever.  I can easily see myself making another one in different colors.  Babette Love!

During the Olympic Games in London, crafters on Ravelry will be making as many projects as we can in different categories, competing for glory and imaginary prizes in the Ravellenic Games 2012.  I have four projects in my Queue - a blanket of twelve 9" squares, a knit hat, finishing a crocheted scarf (that I started in April 2011), and a stash basket made from yarn I dyed myself with Koolaid.  The games start July 27th and go through August 12th.  Surely I can get all that done!

Yarnifun

Stuff I've made lately...all because of Ravelry.com - HPKCHC & NerdWars!
My second try at dyeing yarn with Koolaid - First time it was too much white - so I overdyed it pink!

 Isn't this square pretty?  It's called crocodile... something or other?

 This is my first try at Illusion Knitting.  The top photo is how it looks from above - the bottom photo is how it looks from the sideways - do you see something there?  Chuck doesn't. 

 My tribute to the Fourth!

Slip Stitch Knitting.  WHEW!  This was a chore! But I absolutely love it!

And this is a blanket - not a 12x12 square.  This blanket-in-process is about 5' square.  I love this pattern - Babette.