More organization ideas

Ha!
I also forgot to mention in the organization event of 2011:

Loose magazines & patters

I love magazines. Love them!
I get Spin Off, which is a spinning magazine, and Interweave Knits, both of which I read and love! The have great tips and tricks!

So, here is the goal:
1. I have no idea where any thing is: so, go through all magazines, and pull out articles and patterns, I really want.
2. Set up 2 binders: 1 for patterns, and 1 for articles (with a knitting tab, and spinning tab). For everything I pull out, make sure I have the name of the mag, & date.
3. As for patterns, I have a lot of loose ones floating around. I need to compile all of them into the pattern binder.

Finished projects.
1. I usually copy the patterns I am working with, and keep notes. However, when I am finished, those notes are placed somewhere and forgotten.
2. I knit so much, but have no idea what I have finished. :) So, I need to keep a simple journal. 1 tab for knitting and 1 tab for spinning. In the knitting binder, keep- name of project, copy of pattern and notes, ball band from yarn, and all other general information.

Whew. That's a LOT! I have my work cut out for me. :)

So, its time to re-evaluate this blog.

So, in the past I have used this blog for personal life, and various stories to keep friends up to date. Over the past 6 weeks, I have come the realization that we have WAY too much clutter in this house. This is the year of getting rid of clutter, and living a little more simply.

Starting with my hobbies: all things knitting and spinning. Its a little obnoxious in my 'yarn room.' Lots and lots and lots of sweaters (to unravel into yarn - cashmere!!) , yarn, and fiber, oh, and knitting/spinning books, needles I do not use, and oh, I loom I don't use.

So, it begins. I am thinking this is how I will categorize it:

Fiber
1. Will I use it? And, what will I use it for?
2. Can I find it again? Or, is it one of a kind? (For example, I have some fiber from Lancaster County PA, (near where we used to live - wool and alpaca coming in from Amish communities. That I will keep.)
3. I have 2 drum carders. One for course fiber, one for fine fibers. Sell them, and purchase one that I can use for both.

Loom - sell it.

Books
1. Am I really, really ever going to knit a pattern from a book? If no, it goes.
2. When was the last time I used the book? If not within a year, it goes.
3. Multiple stitch pattern books, or companion books- which ones are my favorite- they stay and the rest go.

Needles
1. All Addi needles- go. I do not need them.

Drop Spindles
1. Only keep my absolute favorites. I do not need 11 of them. :)

Yarn
1. How long have I had it? Am I going to use it, really? If not, it goes.
2. Would I ever knit something as a gift with this? If no, it goes.

Sweaters
1. Right now, I'm keep them. :) Too much cashmere. Come on, I'm will to let a lot of my other stuff go.

Let the games begin!
:)

We're doing it wrong.

Wow. We met with the animal trainer/behaviorist last night. Yes, I said behaviorist. She is local, and affordable, and we learned more from her in 2 1/2 hours than we have in the 6+ years we have owned greyhounds.

So, we started on a walk. Shell taught me how to use a kennel lead, rather than a traditional collar and lead. A kennel lead or slip lead is basically a leash without a clasp, but a D ring on the end, instead. I was very concerned at first of hurting Travel and Echo, but her methodology worked. When a small amount of pressure is applied to the lead, it hits pressure points right under her jaw. That makes them stop pulling immediately. It worked! Travel always walked very well, but Echo is all over the place, and I am constantly pulling on her to get her to move in the direction I want her to go. However, wearing the kennel lead, with a little bit of work, we had her walking by my side, without any pulling! I am soooo impressed. Off to purchase those leads today.

She said both pups are good dogs, but their insecurities are driving their behvavior. Travel is a good girl, but spooky. We all knew that. However, we have to show her WE are in charge, and she needs to be a social member of the household. Shell said get a 10ft leash, clip it to Travel, and make her stay in the room with you. No need to make her stand right next to you so you can pet her, this is to teach her its ok to stay in the same room with us, until Larry or I decide its time for her to go into another room. Interesting. When Shell clipped on the leash, Travel was super stressed, and kept staring at the bedroom. Within 15 minutes, she settled down, with just a little shaking. We continued to ignore her stressed behavior, until she stopped shaking, and then we pet her. The goal is to teach her that the stressed behavior will not earn her praise, and if we coddle her while she is nervous, we are reinforcing that she will get pet when stressed. Within a hour of being on the lead, she had completely settled down. Her ears were up, eyes bright, and no stressful signs. She looked happy to be with us.

Echo, on the other hand is very energetic, and getting harder to control. We explained the biting behavior, an Shell said its fear-based. A lot of the problem is us. When she gets stressed, and looks like she will start to bear teeth, we need to intervene, and tell her no. This will help reinforce this behavior is not acceptable. Basically, Larry and I need to be consistent, and forceful with her. We need to show her through our body language and voice tone, WE are in charge, not her. At the end of the night, we practiced Echo greeting strangers at the door. Doorbell rings, she goes nuts - barking, jumping, running to the door. Within 10 minutes, we had her laying down on the floor, waiting for us to allow the person at the door to enter, and not get up until we allow her. It was amazing!!!!

I am VERY impressed with her. They have us the advice to supplement their diet with chicken legs and wings (raw) to get them more calcium and protein, and this will help the ongoing healing of their old hock injuries. Off to get those today. We could use turkey necks, but chicken legs are easier.

I am super excited, but nervous. Its going to take Larry and I more work to change our mindset, than changing the dogs' behavior. We are meeting in 2 weeks to look at our progress, and work on some basic commands. I am super excited- I just want Travel and Echo to become more secure in their new life with us, and having calm, well behaved animals.

Shell is the BEST! Let me know if you want her information- just email me.

In rememberance of Sherman and Patton

Many of you know we lost our beloved greyhounds Sherman and Patton to bone cancer this summer.

My first encounter with greyhounds was when one of my friends from college, Tina, took me to a PetSmart, to a meet and greet. She loved the breed, and intr>oduced me to them. I was fascinated by how sweet and gentle they were for being ex-racers. I decided that day in 1995 that when I was ready for a dog, I was getting a greyhound.

Fast forward 9 years.

When we built our house, Larry promised me we could get a greyhound. We adopted from Arizona Adopt a Greyhound. We closed on our new home on a Tuesday, and Sherman came home on Friday night. We were in love. He had a bit of a rough beginning, he was bounced around from several homes, but we were determined to work with him to become a sweet, happy boy. Fast forward 6 months, and Patton came home.

I'll admit the beginning was hard. While Sherman was quiet and never gave us any problems, Patton was nuts. Patton was younger than Sherman, so he still had some puppy in him. We also didn't have the dog door, and had trouble with Patton marking in the house. With a lot of work (and a dog door,) and lots of love and treats, Patton eventually blossomed into a sweet, handsome, good boy. We were learning how to be good pet owners, and how to work with them to become good pets, while Sherman and Patton were trying to learn to be happy pets, instead of racers.

We took them everywhere. We'd take day trips to Sedona, Prescott, Tucson, etc., for hiking, shopping, and exploring. They loved their day trips, and became very good travelers. They went to 2 greyhound gatherings, one in Kanab UT, and one in Solvang, CA. They saw the beach, and went to Ventura CA, and walked and played along the ocean.

Sherman was our good, quiet boy. His racing name was 'Flying Atwood.' However, he was more famous for his nickname, 'The Shermanator.' He ran 41 races before he was retired. He was a quiet, sensitive old soul. When he got excited, he'd swing his tail out of control, and give me one bark. :) He was such a love, and everyone who met him fell in love with him. Sheman became a therapy dog, and eventually worked as a reading therapy dog. Kids would read to him, to help promote their reading skills. He was so gentle and nothing bothered him. At home, he was quite the fly catcher, he'd get them on the first try, every time, and we called him 'Predator.' Sherman loved to lounge in the sun, and loved to sleep outside in the spring and the fall.

Patton was crazy. He was a energetic, goofy, happy boy. He was always up for something, and always by mine or Larry's side. Patton's name was Bow Exclusive. He ran 33 races before he retired to our home. He came straight off the track, so we were his very first introduction into retirement. He was a VERY energetic boy. He settled into retirement, and was always our silly one. Patton's favorite spot was the futon in my knitting room. Even if I was sitting on it, his goal was to shove me off, so he could have it all to himself.

We lost Sherman to bone cancer on 07/01/2010. It was a devastating loss to us- they are our 'kids.' Unfortunately, we lost Patton to bone cancer as well on 08/20/2010. Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do for them, but help them cross the bridge.

They will always be known as our 'boys,' and will always be our 'heart dogs.' Everyone who met them, loved them. They were our first introduction into the tight-knit greyhound community, and will never be forgotten.

Godspeed, run free and fast my little ones.


Unfortunately, bone cancer, or osteocarcoma, is common in greyhounds.
Hope For Hounds
The Ohio State University Greyhound Wellness Program
"A fast runner in race for a cure" The Arizona Republic 08/26/2010

More information about greyhounds:
Arizona Adopt a Greyhound
My favorite book- simple and comprehensive: "Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies"

I'm back, baby!

Whoo! School is over for the semester! WHOO!
So, I have decided to take some 'me' time, and not return to school in the fall. I want to focus on learning opportunities of some current technologies, and I cannot do that while perusing my master's.
So, over the next several weeks, this is what I plan on doing: knitting, spinning, weaving, knitting, a little more spinning, and some weaving. :)
Yay!

Nothing's wrong. Are you kidding me?

Sigh. Nothing is wrong. NOTHING.
I had the endoscopic ultrasound yesterday, and the doctor said, everything looked great. The 2 cysts they saw on the MRCP were benign, and he recommended I get them checked out yearly, to make sure they do not grow.
This sucks.
I mean, its fantastic that nothing major is wrong. No surgeries, no hospital visits, or prolonged treatments. The bad news is, I still have pain. Not hideous pain - maybe a 3 on the pain scale, but its consistent. It makes me miserable.
So, with nothing wrong, I have to change my mindset. I have to live with this, so I have to change my frame of mind.
So, the next step is to start tracking everything I eat. Everything. Sigh. Everything I eat, and note how my side feels - pain, fullness or overall aching, and the pain scale. Perhaps I have a sensitivity to food? People can have 'food intolerances', causing pain and gas. Biggest one I have read about so far is gluten or wheat. Crap.
First this week, I will eat as normal and track. Maybe I will track for 2 weeks. I'll look at patterns, and start eliminating food from there.
This SUCKS. But at least I am ok.
I'm gonna wallow in self pity for a little while today, feel sorry for myself, and then get it together, for tomorrow.

Something's not right with George.

George is our cat. Our 14 year old cat. And, no, its not a mental problem, although she's crazy. :)
We found a lump or rib ribs 2 months ago. We were not sure, it actually felt like rib muscle. It actually felt the same as the rib muscle on he other side, so we thought we were being paranoid. We decided to wait it out.
Nope, its a lump. Something's not right. Larry noticed it last night. It has definitely grown. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I love this cat to pieces. I adopted her in college. She's seen me through pretty much all of my adult life. She (and Max, the other kitty,) kept me company during the years I lived alone. She made me laugh, and made me feel better when I cried. She was the first pet I ever had (on my own.)
She is a piece of work. Fortunately, we have not seen a change in her behavior, so hopefully, its just a lump, nothing bad. In her old age, she has found the backyard. She figured out the dog door, immediately after we got it. She goes out there, lounges in the dog's beds, 'patrols' the back yard, and defends us against all the leaves in the back yard. (Those leaves might get together an strom the house, you never know. Hee hee hee... ...) She's out there rolling around in the grass, showing off in front of the dogs. She'll roll around on the bad, waving her paws around right in front of Sherman, like 'look at me! look at me!' Ah ha ha ha!
I've never had a pet die. Well, I remember the dachshunds we had as a little girl died, but I had no clue what that really meant. So, I have never seen a pet die. I have no idea what I'll do. Poor Larry. We've already had the discussion for all the pets- we will not do any major treatment if it is only the prolong their life for several months. If it is the dreaded 'c' word, (no, not that word, I mean cancer,) we'll not pursue any treatment, except for pain management. And, as soon as the pain management starts to not work, we will let her go. I do not want her to suffer. I will be a disaster, and Larry will have to deal with me, a bumbling mess. :) (Larry is so good to me. I love him!)
Here are some fun shots of George and Max (both girls,)

George loves coffee. And tomato sauce. I don't get the tomatoes. However, we have to watch our mugs.

George patrolling the back yard.

Still watching the back yard.

Sleeping in the dog beds. Little passive aggressive, huh? Note- the dogs never chase her out of their beds. They lay in front of her looking pathetic, until she moves.

'Look at me! Look at me!'

When we moved to Phoenix, the best source of moving boxes were liquor boxes from the state stores. (PA does not sell beer or liquor in food stores, they only sell beer and wine coolers in beer distributors or bars, and liquor at state stores.) Anyway the boxes are sturdy and free. We ran out of room storing boxes (we only lived in a 700 sq ft 1 bedroom condo,), so these were stored above our kitchen cabinets. George loved hiding in the boxes. We almost packed her several times, since she'd bury herself in the full boxes too, before they were taped up. We gave up looking for her around the condo, since she thought she was stealth, and explored all the boxes. We'd hear randomly tumbling boxes, and thought, 'George strikes again!'