I mentioned at lunch today that it was Pi-Day (3.14 etc), and I barely had the words out of my mouth and Dad was saying, “What do you need?” So he headed to the grocery store for emergency pie making supplies. Premade pie crust and frozen fruit.

When he was checking out, the woman on the register called over to her boss, “I’m clocking out and following this guy home.” Tee!

Frozen peaches, frozen blueberries, tossed with sugar, flour and a dash of cinnamon, then dotted with butter. The entire assembly process took about 7 minutes once the groceries were in the house.

The pie with all its edges tucked in, ready to go in the oven. I never try to do the pretty, fluted crust around the edges for a few reasons. One, the premade crusts don’t reach over the edge of this, my favorite pie plate. Two, nobody here really likes eating the crust edges. So, I fold the top crust in, along the outside of the bottom crust and kind of tuck them in together, which pinches the edges closed enough. Then, when it bakes, yes, you end up with a thick crust at the back, but it’s covered in fruit juices and much more “edible” (for Dad) than the drier, crispier crust on the edges of more traditional pies.

Besides, it’s easier.

And see how pretty? The finished pie has a ring of fruit juice around the edge, but nothing burnt, nothing bubbled over.

But, the best part of celebrating Pie Day?

My favorite furry pie eater is acting like himself. Spring in his step, joy in his heart. Yay!

He didn’t get out for a walk, though. It showered on and off all day. And when I say “showered,” I mean RAINED. Hard. We even had thunder! In March! Practically unheard of. The odds of us having timed a walk so that we would NOT have gotten drenched are pretty slim, and anyway, he wasn’t giving any hints over by his leash, either.

Incidentally, I got a ton of knitting done yesterday. First on my sock at McDonalds with Risa and Kim, then on my sweater while we all watched the Toy Story movies … and even more later while watching “Catch Me If You Can” with Mom. My sweater’s just past 15″ long now from the neck.

Believe it or not, Spring is coming. Gray and wet (really, really wet) as today was, looking out back, there are hints of real, fresh green.

Hey, did you know the Juniper Moon Fiber Farm Lambcam is up and running again? And not only that, but they had their first babies of the season about two hours ago, live on camera. Two twin baby angora goats. Awww! I haven’t seen both of them on camera yet, but I have seen at least one of them crawling around.

I’ve got two videos for you.

As much as it kills me, this is practically a perfect ad and it didn’t use a single word. It’s just perfect, and you will particularly love it if you like dogs … but even if you don’t, you should watch. It’s beautiful and beautifully done.

And then, this one has been making the knit-blog rounds the last couple days, but I wouldn’t want you to miss it. It’s just a wonderful evocation of what a warm home is–using yarn.

(Don’t miss this little gem, either–the “making of” film behind that commercial.)

(I’m not the only one who loves a truly good television ad, am I?)

Tags: Baking, Chappy by --Deb
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Chappy’s been really quiet the last couple of days.

On Thursday, he was clingy, wanting to be with one of the three of us (preferably me). He didn’t seem sick or in pain, just … quiet and clingy.

In fact, I came home from work and he was sitting on the chair next to his Grandpa, and had been there for a while. Well, okay, everybody can have a bad, clingy kind of day once in a while. Nothing to worry about.

Then, Friday morning, he woke up and seemed okay. I made and ate my breakfast, fed him, and went upstairs to get ready to leave for work, when Mom calls up, “Deb, Chappy’s having trouble with his leg again.”

You might not remember, but a year and a half ago, I got a frantic call at work from Mom because Chappy wouldn’t put any weight on his foot, and was drooling and throwing up, shaking like he was in great pain … but by the time I got home (after calling the vet and making an emergency appointment), he seemed fine. We all shrugged it off as being some weird kind of leg cramp that must have hurt a whole lot to make him throw up like that.

But then, yesterday morning, it happened again, only this time I saw it. It was definitely a leg spasm of some kind because he wouldn’t or couldn’t put his back, right leg on the floor, as well as shaking and drooling. As soon as I came downstairs, I sat next to him and he crawled into my lap and just shook and drooled while I massaged his leg. He was doing better when I left for work (though I felt AWFUL leaving him!), but he basically just slept all day yesterday, while being pretty careful about how he lay down. For the most part, he was lying down–preferably on something soft–and then more or less not moving anything more than his head.

Now, he does often have some kind of muscle kink in his back leg. When he lies down on his left side, he always stretches out the back right leg with an extra kick to get it comfortable, but he’s eight and a half years old.  A stiff muscle or joint isn’t exactly unheard of in middle-aged dogs (and humans). And I could certainly believe that he could have turned or jumped badly and twisted that in a way that hurt.

But at the same time, there was something about the way his head was shaking that seemed odd to me, more pronounced than a “I hurt” kind of quiver. It didn’t make me feel any better when I googled “dog leg spasm” when I got to the office and the first site that comes up talks about seizures … because it almost looked like it could have been a mild kind of seizure. He was awake and aware, and able to crawl into my lap as soon as I came down, but it also seemed to take a lot out of him, considering how much he slept yesterday, and how much he wanted to be with us throughout the day. He even followed me into the bathroom at one point, which he never does, but he wanted to be near me that badly.

All in all, I’m thinking I should take him to the vet for them to check his hips and legs sometime soon, huh? Poor little guy.

He was clingy today, too, though not so much–and more alert and like himself in between naps. Which was good, because he had company! Risa and the twins, who we haven’t seen since September (when they were the only bright spot on an otherwise awful day).

I actually met them at McDonalds first. (And no, Chappy was NOT happy about my leaving and I’m told he whimpered after I left.) The kids worked off lots of energy in the play area while Risa and I sat and knitted. And then a surprise–Kim joined us! That made the knitting extra fun … and almost possible to ignore how LOUD that glassed-in play area is on a crowded, rainy Saturday. Holy cow, it was loud, and after two hours I had had it, so we came back here.

This was Risa’s first visit to the new house since, just about the time I was ready to invite her over to see it, she went and sprained her foot. So, we gave her the tour, and then made some coffee (because, naturally, we hadn’t drunk enough coffee already), ate some cake, and then we all sat and watched the Toy Story movies. They sat on the couch, and Chappy curled up next to me on our chair … though he slid down and took over a little more real estate each time I got up.

The best part was that, not only was it great to see them, but I think the visit cheered Chappy up, too. If he had still been feeling like he was yesterday, I would have called to postpone, but since he was just a little clingy this morning, it seemed worth the risk, and I think he really enjoyed seeing them. He’s tired now, of course, but it seems more like a “I spent the afternoon with Mom’s friend and the monkeys and now I’m tired” kind of tired.

Speaking of tired and quiet time … I’m kind of beat myself …

Tags: Chappy, Friends by --Deb
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Some Furry eye-candy.

Brought to you by:

Tags: Chappy, Eye-Candy Friday by --Deb
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Does this look like a happy face to you?

I took him up the street to the playground today. Remember? This is the little playground around the corner from here. I wouldn’t bring him in here if there were kids in there playing, but … empty? Filled with snow? With a fence? Sounds like a place to romp to us!

We had time, too, because our office closed early today, so I got home at lunchtime and didn’t have to go back. So, I came home, put down my stuff, changed my shoes, and grabbed the leash. Chappy didn’t complain about that at all.

As of supper time, we had about 8″ of fresh snow, though it’s hard to say for sure–the ground was actually pretty warm, so most of what fell early turned into slush. Trudging through the slush to get TO the playground just beyond that retaining wall was my least favorite part of today’s walk. Snow is one thing, but slush is just annoying.

Right now, it’s getting even colder outside and the wind has picked up–all the wet, sticky snow that’s been clinging to the tree branches all day is now being flung at the windows, along with lots of little twigs (and hopefully nothing bigger). We’re due to get more snow overnight and winds through tomorrow morning and, I have to confess, I’m hoping that we get it so that they decide to close the office tomorrow. I’m assuming we’ll be open, mind you, but I’m kind of hoping for a snow day.

Here’s what the front of my sweater looks like at the moment. But … I’m still not sure about that cable. I like it, and all, but it looks too similar to the one in the middle, don’t you think? Or is that a good thing?  Are the cables too similar in size? (8 stitches, 6 stitches, 9 stitches, right in a row)

How about another look at my happy, tired dog? He had FUN, and he’s been zonked out almost ever since. I know how he feels. I could use a nap myself!

Tags: Chappy by --Deb
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Hi, everyone, it’s Chappy, and I have a friend who needs your help.

Okay, I haven’t actually gotten to meet her yet, but her name is Lucia, but everyone calls her Lucy. She’s lucky enough to live with Susan and Erin and Paige at Juniper Moon Fiber Farm. (Actually, that’s another confusing thing because there used to be the Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm because it was on the Vineyard, and then there was the Hudson Valley Fiber Farm too (which I kind of liked because it was a shorter drive and I don’t like the car), but, anyway, now Susan and her farm is in Virginia and called Juniper Moon. I’m not entirely sure where it is, but the pictures look like fun.)

Anyway–the help part.

Last night, Lucy was hit by a car.

I know! It’s awful. My sister Katy was killed by a car, you know, which worked out kind of good for me because that’s why Mommy needed a puppy when I came along, but it was still really sad. And even sadder, Susan at the whatever-you-call-it Fiber Farm lost of her dog Biscotti to car just over a year ago, too. (I know, the idea just makes me want to howl.)

But, here’s the point.

Sick Lucy

Last time we heard, Lucy was still alive, but having trouble breathing because her lungs are bruised (which just sounds painful, and Mom says she can only imagine how much that must hurt). The vet wanted to keep her on oxygen to help for several days, but it was too expensive.

So, there are two things you can do.

1. Say a prayer for Lucy. Or send good thoughts, or good vibes, or whatever you want. But, send some positive energy her way. Like I said, I haven’t met her yet, but she is a GOOD dog and she’s only a few months old and just shouldn’t die. Puppies just aren’t supposed to die, especially when they are so cute and lovable–not to mention loved. And hard-working!

2. Help pay the vet bills. Susan said that she doesn’t want to ask, that she hates to ask, but the bills from Lucy’s rush to the vet last night–and then the transfer to the second, more-expensive vet–wiped out her bank account. Now, I don’t know pretty much anything, but I know that bank accounts are necessary for things like food and collars and biscuits and chew toys and treats. And food. So I know it’s important.

This is what Susan said:

If you’d like to make a small donation to help with Lucy’s vet bills, you can send it via Paypal to susangibbs1 AT mac DOT com. We are all so very grateful for the thoughts, prayers and kind words you are sending to Lucy and to us.

But I definitely know that sending prayers can only help, and that if you can spare even just $5 to help pay for the costs of keeping that sweet puppy alive long enough for me to meet her and play with her, that would help, too. (And yes, I realize that would mean I’d have to ride for something like six and a half hours in the car. And be near the sheep again, who hopefully aren’t as mean as the goats were last time I saw them.)

Oh, and for any other dogs out there reading this? If your Mom or Dad needs to give you an extra hug, you should probably let them. Mom didn’t think it was funny when I played the “I’ve got a toy, keep away” game when she came home at lunch. Go figure.

Tags: Chappy, Family, General by --Deb
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This is what Chappy looked like yesterday while we were waiting for my friend Dawn to come visit. I sat at our little writing desk in the front window–which give the view of a little slice of the street–and worked on my book, while Chappy sat under the desk, watching.

And watching…. and don’t think these pictures were easy to get, either! I love how he has his paws folded, patiently. And how the window sill is JUST the right height for him. Oh, and see those mirrors Mom has leaning there?

The reflection was pretty cool, too. (See him?)

And yes, Dawn did eventually arrive, and yes, we had a great visit. She approves of the new house (such a relief) and it was good to see her, as always.

Now, you’re not getting a long post because I’ve spent most of my day working on ‘year in review’ posts not only for Chappysmom, but also for Punctuality Rules and Knitting Scholar. Those kind of posts are very link-intensive and time-consuming, and doing them for three blogs?

Well, you’re just going to have to wait a little longer for a “real” post.

Tags: Chappy, Friends by --Deb
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Let’s pause for a brief moment of silence, for today, on the darkest day of the year, a light in Chappy’s world was snuffed out.

Well, not a light, exactly, so much as one of his cherished possessions.

His food dish.

Chappy has had his “Life is Good” food dish for four and a half years now. It was a birthday gift for his fourth birthday, which means he’s been polishing it clean for more than half his life now. They’ve had so many happy meals together. Over three thousand breakfasts and suppers, cooked specially for him by his Mom. Every now and again, he’d have lunch, or would find a treat hiding in the dish, waiting to be discovered.

They had good times together, Chappy and his food dish.

Sadly, a suicidal jar of applesauce leaping from the pantry this morning, took Chappy’s beloved dish with it. The tragedy was witnessed by his grandma who was shocked at the event. “It just jumped from the pantry. There was nothing I could do,” she said, the horror plain in her voice.

Chappy is mourning.

Chappy’s food dish is survived by its mate of four years, the water dish, whose eyes haven’t been dry since the accident. I suspect her faithfulness, though, as I hear she’s already shopping around for a new mate.

In lieu of flowers, Chappy asks that you put extra food in YOUR dog’s (or other pet’s) food dish tonight, in memorial of a food dish that made him so very, very happy. (Or, well, he says you could send him biscuits, but that’s what he ALWAYS says.)

Even the sunset made an extra effort to be glorious tonight.

Actually, that brings up an interesting question–someone on Ravelry pointed out that while, yes, today is the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year, the actual earliest sunset of the year happened two weeks ago, but that when her physicist father started to explain why, her eyes glazed over. So now I’m curious–doesn’t anybody know why this is? I had actually noticed that the daylight was lasting longer these last few days, but hadn’t pieced that together.

On a happier note, look what I got in the mail today:

A copy of the new Abigail Adams biography by Woody Holton. I’m really very excited about this. I saw it at the bookstore last week, but since I AM trying to save money and not buy as many books, I put it back with a wistful, “Maybe when it’s in paperback.”

Imagine my surprise when a couple days later, I won a copy at the Wonders & Marvels blog. (Note the blog post by the book’s author, about Abigails foray into “junk bonds.”) Talk about great timing! Abigail Adams has always been a hero of mine, and it’s been a while since I read a biography about her, so I’m really looking forward to this. Thanks, Wonders & Marvels!

Tags: Chappy, General, Reading by --Deb
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It seems to be THE topic on the internet today–how much snow you got in the weekend’s blizzard.

It’s kind of hard to say, actually. It was kind of windy, so it’s hard to say. I mean–this is what the archway looked like this morning–snow on one side but not the other. As you know, snow doesn’t usually fall that way.

All I can really say is that we definitely had snow.

Chappy is all wistful. This is one time when we both miss having a backyard to romp in.

He did help his Grandpa shovel off his deck, though.

Luckily, I got a picture of our deck chairs beforehand.

It’s been a fairly quiet day, really. I made some granola, and have pot roast on the stove. (The house smells yummy.)

I gave this fellow a haircut, too.

Although he was all kinds of difficult when I tried to take his picture. Look at that silly face he’s making!

This is really the best I could do. Trust me, though, he looks cute.

I had wanted to get my Christmas presents wrapped today, but didn’t quite make it. I got distracted watching “Shall We Dance” on tv. You know, the 1930s musical with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, with all that wonderful music from George Gerswhin? So many great numbers, especially the one on roller skates. That Fred Astaire sure was a man ahead of his time.

Tags: Chappy, General by --Deb
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We had the first snow of the season yesterday. About 2-3 inches, but enough for us to find out that the townhouse people DO in fact clear away the snow from not only the streets and sidewalks, but the driveways and walkways between houses. I took this picture of our street on our walk around the block earlier.

I tried, I really tried to get a picture of how this tree was shining as if every clump of snow was a diamond, but a point-and-shoot can only do so much–especially when you (1) can’t really see anything on the LCD screen and (2) you’ve got a dog more interested in sniffing and walking attached to the arm holding the camera.

We decorated the Christmas tree, too, which didn’t take nearly as long as usual (grin).

It looks pretty, though, and all our favorite ornaments are on, so we’re happy.

Though the process kind of bored Chappy.

Luckily, his grandpa came along to give him a good tummy rub.

And, of course, a good nap is always useful. (I’m biased, of course, but isn’t this an adorable picture?)

Oh, and my car had its eighth birthday on Thursday. I took this picture to commemorate the occasion. It’s hard to see, but that’s 54, 024 miles on the odometer.

How about another picture of Chappy with his Grandpa? He (Chappy) likes to weave his way behind people’s legs while they sit on the couch, and sometimes, he’ll just sit there and relax.

When he’s not busy napping, of course!

Tags: Chappy, Family by --Deb
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I took the day off from work today, obstensibly so I could relax with the house to myself for a while.

Well, I DID enjoy having the house to Chappy and me, but, um relaxing? Not so much.

However … remember the picture I showed you on Sunday? Of the downstairs that looked like progress simply wasn’t being made?

Well, after my “relaxing” day off, it looks like this:

It’s amazing what a difference just getting the floor cleared and the rug unrolled made!

I got my books organized, too. I know, it doesn’t really look like it, but they ARE. I alternated the horizontal/vertical thing to make them look a little more interesting, and kept to single-files where I could. They’re still not catalogued (Heaven knows when that will happen), and the alphabetization over in the fiction section isn’t perfect, but … they’re more organized than they were! Those 5 under-the-bed boxes, though? I have nowhere to put them. They’re filled with YA books that I grew up with and used to be under the table in our home office, but that’s not an option anymore, soooo….

Of course, the OTHER thing I really wanted/needed to do didn’t work out. I bought a wireless print server so that we could try to consolidate our printers… especially now that I’m two whole flights above them and really could use a printer that I could, you know, print from.

So, the printer we want this on is attached to Dad’s computer. Okay. He’s away at the moment, so I booted it up … he’s right. It takes a good 10-15 minutes for the thing to boot up. But, okay, I occupied myself by moving books around. Started the print server install … and around step 6, the mouse locked up. The keyboard would work, but I couldn’t use the mouse or move forward. Grr.

I didn’t really want to sit through rebooting it AGAIN, so … I tried his second computer. (The one I got him for his birthday in January that he still hasn’t completely switched over to yet.) At least it boots up quickly. I transferred the printer cable to it so I could install the printer’s driver … that bombed out. Apparently that printer is not one of the ones supported by Windows Vista. Uh-oh.

But, wait! Mom’s computer! I’ll install the printer on hers–it’s Windows XP, it should be fine. And it was. I installed the printer, and then ran through the set-up for the wireless print server, and clicked the “install on computer” button on the Linksys setup screen … and, nothing. The setup screen completely disappeared, as if I’d closed the program. Tried reloading it, clicked “Start,” clicked “Install on computer” and … poof.

So … still no wireless print server. Which means that I still don’t have a printer. And I’ve also just discovered that Dad’s slightly elderly, laser, color printer that we can’t afford to replace won’t work on his newer computer. (I wonder if it would if the wireless server was working correctly? I have no idea.)

Still … Chappy’s enjoying having the rug to lie on, and he says he enjoyed having me home, even if I didn’t sit down to relax with him at all until about 3:00.

When Mom got home from Patty’s, she almost fell over when she went downstairs, she couldn’t believe her eyes! I had left a few things for her to do–like emptying out the last couple things in this hat box (yes, it used to have a hat in it), that Chappy thoughtfully pointed out to her. She did, and then said, “I guess this is garbage then…”

Which was all Chappy needed to hear, because he immediately pounced on it. Not BEFORE, mind you, just after she said she didn’t want it anymore.

Which is good, because as soon as he caught it, he started to chew on it.

Apparently it tasted very, very good.

I’ve got the DVDs and VHS tapes by the TV organized, too. Dad was funny the other day when he saw me unpacking the tapes. “Do we still have the machines to run those?” Um, yes, Dad we DO have a VCR. Three in fact. I don’t care how wonderful those DVR things are … we don’t have one, and there’s no other way to record something on a channel different than the cable box!

I’ve even been getting some spinning done. In fact, I’ve gotten more spinning done in the last week than I have in the last few months! I finished the bobbin I’d barely started, have done one more complete one, and started a third. Granted, each bobbin only has about 2 oz on it, but still … it’s been months since I spent so much time with my spinning wheel.

Tags: Chappy, Family, General, Knitting/Spinning by --Deb
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I hope you’re impressed that, even with all this moving craziness, I’ve still gotten some knitting done. Here are the cuffs of my two sleeves. Like the body of the sweater, they start with a horizontal cable (9″ long) and then stitches are picked up along the edges for the lower ribbing, and then for the actual sleeve. I finished the lower ribbing on one of them tonight, and picked up the stitches for the second one.

Usually, of course, I do my sweater sleeves at the same time, but I’ve got enough chaos around lately, I don’t want to deal with the two skeins of yarn that continually tangle thing, so I’ll be doing these on their own. Just … why not start with both of them at the same place, right?

Speaking of chaos … here’s my room. Now, for one, I can’t quite decide what to call this. My office? My fiber room? My sitting room? So, basically, I’ve got my bedroom, where I sleep and get dressed, and “my room,” where I do everything else. I’ve finally got my computer in here–it’s been plugged in next to my bed for the last week, but this is the room where it will live, so –at least it’s here. That’s what accounts for all those unsightly electric cables under the pretty cedar chest under the window.

The pillow on the cedar chest was made by my sister as a birthday present, because the colors in the fabric reminded her of me … looking around the room, I’d say that’s a yes, wouldn’t you? I hate the pile of stuff in the corner, though. (Well, I hate piles of stuff in general.) And I’m second-thinking the table RIGHT in front of the door when you come in … except that, once you’re in the room, it works there. If/when I ever sit at that secretary desk, it will give me a nice work area … it’s just kind of an obstacle to coming into the room.

Everything is in there, and all the major stuff has a place … the first, crucial step toward organization … but there’s just such a lot of it! I absolutely hate clutter–you know this–so the fact that it is, in fact, cluttered is kind of driving me nuts.

Well, not quite yet. I’m still in the “work in progress, don’t panic” state of mind as I work on getting things put away, but … if I don’t find room for everything to BE away, well … Let’s not talk about that, shall we?

And, it won’t make you jealous if I tell you that cedar chest is full of yarn, will it?

This is one of Chappy’s favorite spots–in the hallway between my two rooms. Here, he can keep an eye on me wherever I am (including the bathroom, which is just behind him)–as well as the hallway down to his grandparents’ bedroom.

The good news is that, after his sad, pathetic, woeful morning of howling and whimpering yesterday when his Mom headed off to work, today he was quiet and more his usual self. Because, yes, when I left for work yesterday, he took it very, very badly. I called twice and each time Dad just held up the phone so I could hear the “Wooooooooooooe, Wooooooooooe” in the background. Poor thing! (Well, both of them–Chappy for being miserable and Dad for having to listen to Chappy being miserable.)

You want to know what’s really exciting?

Look! Spinning! I actually sat down in front of my spinning wheel and spun up some of this luscious Cormo. The most spinning I’ve done in weeks. Woohoo!

Anyway, we’re all working hard on settling in. We’ve actually cooked meals, and everything. I clocked my commute today–going in (going through Indian Lake to work around the traffic on Rt 46 at rush hour), it’s 3.7 miles, coming home the more direct route, it’s almost exactly 2.5. That’s about 3 miles less driving a day than I was doing two weeks ago, when my commute was almost exactly 4 miles no matter what route I took. No complaints, there! Though we need to get the remaining stuff out of the garage so we can get our cars in there. (Finding room for my wooden rocking chair is surprisingly challenging.)

I can’t take a picture of it because my camera’s in the other room and anyway, he looks so disgruntled when I take his picture–like that one above–but right now, Chappy is curled up asleep in my green and pink afghan. I know, they’re not my usual colors, but it’s the afghan my grandmother made me twenty-something years ago and which is serving as a nest for Chappy until I can find him a decent pillow for in here. (Assuming I can find the floor space for it.) He looks so cozy, and is dreaming about something … I hate to disturb him to go say goodnight to his Grandpa!

Oh, and for the record? His bathroom habits seem to be settling in. You don’t really need more detail than that, do you?

Tags: Chappy, Family, General, Knitting/Spinning by --Deb
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I know. It looks like a swatch but, in fact, it’s the beginning of my new sweater. It starts by knitting the cabled, horizontal waistband first, and then picking up stitches for the waist and working downard, and then on the other side to work upwards toward the shoulders. Such nifty construction!

This, you’ll remember, is my Peace Fleece yarn, my first time working with it. Love the color–such a shame the sport weight doesn’t come in more of them!

Here’s something else going out in the garbage–my one and only high school Forensics trophy. (That’s Forensics as in competitive public speaking, you understand, not the icky kind with dead bodies.)

Speaking of Forensics, I was wondering the other day whatever happened to my old English teacher/Forensics coach, so I did a Google search … one that took some effort, I should tell you, but I eventually tracked her down, working at a performing arts high school in Paterson. I sent her an email asking if she was in fact the teacher I thought she was, and she was! She wrote back and we exchanged a nice couple of emails. It sounds like she’s doing really well. How cool is that? I love getting in touch with people from my past. So, hi Mrs. Neighbor!

Incidentally, my friend Cindy is doing well, post-heart-surgery. She’s home, which is huge, and seems to be doing well. Such a relief!

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the house we bid on on Saturday (sigh). Our real estate agent keeps promising us that things are going to turn around, that Mercury is in retrograde. “I know, I sound crazy, but I swear it’s true.” And the agent who was listing the house we didn’t get said he’s got a couple more “coming up” in that price range and said he’d let Gail know about them before he puts the listing up so we can get a first look, which is very nice, I think. (I mean yes, I know, that means he probably gets some commission, too, but who cares? Not me!) And there are apparently a few rentals just listed that could theoretically work, too (though so many of them won’t accept pets). So, I’m trying to keep my focus. I went back and re-read my “ad” for a new house, and still wouldn’t change a thing.

Chappy’s still confused, though. Gail came to take pictures of THIS house today, for the listing, so Mom took all sorts of things away to hide or stash in the garage (I don’t get to park in the garage anymore) to make things look extra tidy and “neutral.” I couldn’t find the soap to wash my hands at lunch!

The funny story, though? When we got our current family room furniture 9 years ago, Katy hated the ottoman. When it came, it had casters on the bottom, and the first time she jumped on it, it rolled across the room with her clinging for dear life on top. After that, she wouldn’t go near it. So we kept the ottoman to the old set also, and placed it in the living room window for someplace to watch outside.

Well, Chappy loves it, too (even if he prefers the chair with the arm to rest his chin), but this morning, Mom wanted it out of the house and started dragging it toward the garage. Only, Chappy kept jumping up on it. (“Ooh, Gram, this is a great new spot!”) Finally, Dad carried it out to go in the garbage pile. …Until Mom sat in the living room this afternoon with Chappy listlessly laying on the bare floor where the footstool had been.

Yep. It’s back in place now. I mean, we still might not have room for it in our new house (wherever that’s going to be), but there’s no reason he can’t use it NOW, right?

And, apparently, he spent most of the afternoon sitting on it, too.

I love it when Chappy wins.

Tags: Chappy, Friends, General, Knitting/Spinning by --Deb
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Well, I can’t remember the last time I had a mail day like this.

A book to review for Knitting Scholar (always a good thing).

A collection of buttons. Yes, I know, I said I didn’t need any for THIS sweater, but I was going to for my next one! So, I went to Etsy and ordered some. The nice thing about ordering from this seller–rather than from one of the many button shops online–is that she sells them in lots and they are almost always cheaper than buying exactly the number I want from somewhere else.

It’s true, though, that while I was ordering, I threw in another set of silver buttons as possibilities for my current sweater. I sewed the sleeves last night, and just have the two side seams left. (Yes, I sewed the sleeves INTO the sweater on Thursday, but last night, they got their seams turning them into actual sleeves.) Obviously, I don’t have much more time for waffling about button choices.

And, oh yes … there’s an iTouch in there, too. I’ve been hoarding my amazon.com “reward certificates” from using my Visa card for months and months and applied them to a new, 32 MB, 3rd generation iTouch. Not, you understand, that there’s anything wrong with my Creative Zen MP3 player which I’ve had for years–but the Kindle App was the deciding factor. This way, I can buy some books without feeling guilty about shelf-space and (unlike the full-size Kindle, which I admit I’d still like), I can still use it for other things, like music.

Before you ask, yes, I’ve added some books to play with–mostly classics that were free or $1. Now, if only I could read Kindle books on my computer screen as well!

Of course, this means I have to convert my entire music library from the Windows Media format to MP3s. And, while iTunes does have a converter, I have discovered that it more or less throws away all the album information, making it … less than ideal, because what a chaotic mess! So, instead, I’m using a free software I found to convert to MP3 first, and then moving everything into iTunes … a delight, as I’m sure you can imagine.

Chappy didn’t sleep well last night. About quarter after four, he woke me up, panting heavily and drooling. I thought he was going to throw up, so … well, I love my dog, but don’t want vomit on my bed … I lifted him off the bed and got a blanket under his chin. But … no vomit. He just panted heavily for about twenty minutes, sitting in my lap. I don’t know WHAT that was. Was it his stomach? A muscle spasm? Sore back? He thumped his tail once when I sat down on the floor with him, and after he’d finally stopped panting and relaxed a little, he wagged it again, and gave me one, little kiss for thank you. Such a sweetie. I just wish I knew what that WAS.

And, please, cross your fingers. We put a bid in on a house today…

Tags: Chappy, Knitting/Spinning by --Deb
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Tags: Chappy, Eye-Candy Friday by --Deb
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Typical. I make him something nice and try to take a picture, and instead, he turns his head and sticks his tongue out…

And acts completely bored by the whole thing.

But at least the blanket cooperated.

I washed this after work and tossed it in the dryer on the “delicate” cycle. One of the reasons I picked this yarn in the first place was because it was a wool/acrylic blend that I’d be able to toss in the dryer. It dried surprisingly quickly, too!

Still … I think he likes it!

Tags: Chappy, Finished Knitting by --Deb
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So, this morning, I got up. Twice. At 6:49, Mom knocked on my door, thinking I was going to be late for work. Except, of course, this is Sunday and I don’t GO to work on Sundays. So I went back to bed, but didn’t really manage to get back to sleep … and since I was up until 1:15 finishing a book last night, I’ve been a little tired today.

Still, I didn’t let it slow me down! First, after eating breakfast (oatmeal with walnuts), I baked a cake. A Nut Cake from Nick Malgieri’s “How to Bake” (a great cookbook, by the way).

While I got that started, I finished a batch of granola. Like Susan (Have you voted for her yet? Time’s running out!), I make mine in batches these days, except that I (1) use a skillet for the nuts and stuff and my crockpot for the oatmeal part, and (2) I cook enough of the nuts, seeds, and coconut for TWO batches of granola, but then do the oatmeal part separately. As in, I cook 6 cups of oatmeal/honey/oil and mix it with HALF the nuts/seeds/coconut. The second half I save until the next time I need granola, and then I cook another batch of just the oatmeal/honey/oil and have a complete, second batch with a lot less work. This is convenient because it takes a lot less storage space for the nut/fruit combination (about 3-4 cups, total) than it does for an entire batch of granola (about 16 cups). So, I make half a batch, stash the other half of the nut-part, and then make the oatmeal part when I need it.

I did pretty early, too, so that I could then get my batch of yogurt started. I’ve been doing that in the crockpot, too. I heat the milk in a pot on the stove (much faster than the crockpot) while warming the empty crockpot–then pour the milk into the crock and turn it off, and let it cool down to about 105-109 degrees. Stir in about 1/4 cup of starter yogurt, cover with a warm towel, and let sit for 6-8 hours.

Then, we got the news that that house adamantly does not accept pets, which made Mom cry, and made Chappy feel guilty.

Luckily, we had a distraction!

A pair of wild monkeys.

Risa (whose picture I somehow managed NOT to take) had called on their way down to the NJ Sheep and Wool festival (or whatever it’s called), to ask if I wanted to join them, but I really couldn’t … but I suggested that, if on their way home they weren’t too tired and it wasn’t too late, maybe they could stop by and say hello.

They had so much FUN!

Especially once I pulled the flying squirrel toys out. (The look on Chappy’s face in this picture just cracks me up.)

The good news was that I had two Flying Squirrel toys. The bad news was that Chappy tends to focus on only one at a time, so Alex had to work a little harder for his attention.

But then, there was jumping…

Because who doesn’t love jumping?

Oh, and Risa got quite a kick out of this.

While the kids were jumping, Chappy was sitting right in front of me, looking up and smiling. “I’m having so much fun, Mom!” But every, single time I would lift my camera to take his picture, he would look away. I’d lower the camera, and he’d smile. I’d lift the camera, and he’d turn his head. We must have tried at least five to seven times! This was the best shot I got.

And, right now? He’s sound asleep … all that romping wore him out–in a good way!

Thanks so much for the laughs, Risa–we needed that!

So, we’re back to looking for something I can afford that’s nice, and big enough for the four of us. The really sad part is that the house we found yesterday was perfect–3/4 miles from work, lots of space, an incredible price, and so, so gorgeous with newly-finished floors, new kitchen appliances, everything. Gorgeous. It almost feels that finding anything else at all is going to feel like a letdown. So, please, don’t stop crossing those fingers for us! (Please.)

In the meantime …

At least we have cake. (Nut cake, with maple frosting–because, yes, it really is beige. And yummy!)

Tags: Baking, Chappy, Friends by --Deb
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Eight years ago today, this little ball of (C)happiness drove into our lives.

(Okay, he didn’t actually drive. I took this picture at a rest stop on the 6 hour drive home–and you can see Mom in the back, ready to do the same thing!)

I can’t believe how little he used to be! And, honestly, I think he was the cutest puppy ever… but I might be biased.

Want to read more? Here’s the rest of the Anniversary Story.)

And, no, the house-hunting post is not a drill, it’s the real thing. And no, there’s no choice in the matter. And yes, we’re all kind of scared. Our realtor is supposed to be here any minute, in fact, to discuss options, so … wish us lots and lots of luck!

Now, I think I’m going to go pet the Anniversary Puppy … he always makes me smile!

Tags: Chappy by --Deb
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It’s an old picture, but it sure is a cute one!

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Tags: Chappy, Eye-Candy Friday by --Deb
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You know the saying, it never rains but it pours?

Chappy finally seemed to be feeling better, and acting a bit more like himself, and then I think I went and accidentally food-poisoned him.

He’s FINE, mind you, so far as his tummy goes, but he DID spend most of the afternoon throwing up in various places around the house. (Great thanks to Chappy’s Grandma for doing all the cleanup while I was at work.)

Here’s the story of my stupidity. It’s not even a long story. As you know, I cook for Chappy, using the Sojourner Farms food mix, and when I was making his supper last night, I realized I didn’t have enough left in the container for breakfast. So, we quickly defrosted the usual package of chicken/package of beef so I could get a batch on the stove as quickly as possible.

There are a couple problems that came up next. First, our microwave is getting older and isn’t that efficient any more, but since we mostly just use it to defrost meat, it’s not that big a deal. Except that the meat came out still half-frozen, but I figured I was going to be cooking it anyway, so just tossed it in the pot with the food mix and the water, and cooked it as usual.

An hour or so later, after my shower, I was making a cup of tea and Mom came into the kitchen. “What is that smell?” “It must be the garbage,” I said. And it was–because as soon as we emptied it, the bad smell was gone.

Except, the pieces I didn’t put together were that the only thing IN the garbage at that point were the two empty meat packages from Chappy’s food.

The SMART thing would have been to put two and two together and realize that, if the packages the meat came in smelled so badly, chances are there was something wrong with the meat.

But, somehow, concerned, loving mother that I am, I still missed it. The cooked food on the stove smelled like it normally did, after all, and I just didn’t THINK. And so, this morning, I fed him the food and went blithely off to work. He was fine when I came home at lunch, too. About 90% himself for the first time since I found that bug bite last week.

Then, the thunderstorms rolled in, and he got nervous. My guess is that that triggered an already iffy stomach and … well, you don’t really need the gory details, do you? Let’s just say his good, wonderful, loving grandma went through a lot of papertowels.

Obviously, I’ve thrown away that batch of food. And the batch I made this evening? I sniffed everything. I cooked it more thoroughly than usual, too, and chopped up the pieces more finely than I usually need to, when I fed him his (small) supper, too. He was just grateful to be getting supper–you know how dogs are. The minute their stomachs feel the least bit better, they’re ready to eat again!

Now, I guess I won’t miss our Pathmark that much any more. Mom found out last week that it’s closing, and she’s been doing her weekly grocery shopping there since it opened, somewhere around 1975.

On a happier note, I finished plying that bobbin of Cormo last night. And, see the little bit on the fresh bobbin on the wheel? That’s all I had left–not bad for almost-equal spinning for my two plies, huh?

Now, I’ve got some book reviews to write … in between petting my poor little boy, who is sitting RIGHT next to me as another string of thunderstorms rolls overhead.

And, for the record, I’m assuming that if he keeps his supper down and doesn’t get sick again (either vomiting-sick, or just seeming ill), he’ll be fine. If he seems ill again tomorrow, I’ll call the vet. I’m just kicking myself for not realizing what I was doing with that meat yesterday … Mommy Demerits!

Tags: Chappy, Finished Spinning by --Deb
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Since I know you’re all eager to know how Chappy’s feeling…

Better!

He was still itchy and panting this morning, but I talked to the vet (who was out of the office yesterday), and she prescribed an oral antihistimine/anti-inflammatory. Since I didn’t want him to have to wait until lunch time to get it, I took a break from the office to run over to the vet’s office.

So, by 10:45, I was home. I gave Chappy his new medicine, along with a biscuit (because it’s supposed to be taken on a full stomach). A quick pat on the head, and off I went, back to work.

The fun part? Today my town decided to pave not one, but TWO of the main (well, secondary) roads that I need to get to my house, so I had to take about a five mile detour to get back to work. Worth it though.

When I went back home at 12:30 for lunch, Chappy was already feeling better. Not itching so much. Not panting. Cooler. Able to actually get some rest.

Phew.

The consensus–since he was still acting itchy and distressed this morning, there was really no way that this reaction could be caused by a small amount of ointment from 24 hours earlier. The vet’s best guess was a reaction to whatever bug that bit or stung him. Though, I’m still wondering why, if that bite (judging by the scab) was clearly a couple days old, that allergic reaction would have started NOW.

But, whatever. The antihistimine helped, and we are all–especially Chappy–grateful.

Some links for you?

The Yarn Harlot made Cracked.com’s list of 7 true stories of proof that airlines hate us.

This is as close as I’m EVER going to come to riding this roller coaster–the video is great, but the ride? Crazy!

Chuck fans? Check out this great poster for Season 3.

And, you HAVE seen this video of this fabulous, joyful wedding entrance, right? My sister thought it was marginally inappropriate, but Mom and I think it’s lovely. Weddings are joyful, right? And it was just the walk in to the ceremony, and they’d cleared it with the minister, so where’s the harm? If it had been during the vows? Well, that would be different!

Tags: Chappy, General by --Deb
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