Kitty Claims the Cashmere...

I have been thrifting a lot recently, gathering wonderful specimens for frogging/recycling. Some of the sweaters I take apart and reknit the yarn. Others, I felt and make bags out of, wallets, hair accessories, and the like. I finally came across a two-ply, gorgeous, cream-colored cashmere sweater that I had big plans for. Guess who has claimed it?? Buttercup the cat. She found it on the couch the other day when I was working with it. Now it is hers. She sits on it, sleeps on it, cuddles with it, and cries for it. I guess it is official. It is all hers. She has good taste!

Learning new things!

Wow it has been quite a week~incredibly busy with family visiting, kids' activities, and everyday life. What has kept me grounded are my Rav friends, and my knitting. I'm trying to finish up at least 10 wips--maybe even more. I am a cast-on-aholic. I have so many things that I want to make that I start them all and then they sit. I finally finished my first BSJ, started months ago. Here's a pic of the final sweater:




I've also done a bunch of dishcloths to try to learn some new stitches and techniques. Stitch markers have kept me busy too. Fun, fun, fun. Now I have to get busy making stuff for the upcoming craft shows, because fall will be here before I know it. I got my first application in the mail this week!

16 Candles!

I cannot believe it that Dan is 16! We had a busy evening, with both boys working, then dinner and dessert. Cliff the sock monkey helped to celebrate. Happy Birthday, Dan, and many many more!

Watching the Wheels Go Round and Round...

A visit to the nursing home to see a 94-year-old friend left me with a new perspective. Wow. What a place. She is in a room that represents the last phase of living in a retirement home. It is the "your foot is on a banana peel" and you are waiting for your ticket out area of the place. Sooo incredibly sad. Everyone uses a wheelchair or a walker. Everyone has huge health issues, and most of them are facing it all alone. My friend is still as sharp as a tack, and she is delightfully liberal. I enjoyed our visit, but it gave me a lot to think about in terms of acquiring more "stuff." These folks are down to 1 room and a few possessions. Just don't need 'em or want 'em anymore. They are looking for a different kind of peace.

Son #1 is feeling the sting of growing up in a world that discriminates. He gets it because he is not an academic type, and never will be. He has been made fun of, used, taken advantage of, and left alone, but still he has the sweetest soul imaginable. He wants to be part of the social crowd, and no one will have him. He wants to be part of the electronic age, but finds himself unable to communicate effectively. He cries out for friendship and most turn away. Their loss...

Son #2 is just growing. On top of that, he has shown his integrity this week in the face of a tough situation where he works. If he comes away with nothing else, his dignity and integrity will be in tact. I was so proud when he showed me that he knew what was right and was prepared to do it, without my intervention or advice.

Big life issues. A lot to think about. It is hard, painful, gut wrenching stuff. We all take our turn.

The Smallest Victims of Foreclosure

Today I received a phone call from an acquaintance--a wonderful lady, whose friend is going through a divorce and the foreclosure of her home. This woman is in her 70's and is relocating to public housing. She can only bring one of her 3 cats with her. She asked if I would take the other 2. They were a male and a female, 8 and 9 years old. The former husband cannot keep them because now he has no place to live, and will be living in his van.

I am overcome with sadness for this woman. I cannot imagine having to decide which of my pets to keep and which to get rid of. I am overcome with sadness for these 2 pets, who now have no place to live. What must they think? They've done nothing wrong. They've been wonderfully faithful and loving companions for many years. They are "good kitties."

I spent the entire afternoon in turmoil about this request and in our decision process. We already have 7 cats, and as a family we decided not to take these two. I feel incredibly sad. I feel incredibly guilty. I don't know how I will sleep tonight.

The truth is, we spend enormous amounts of money on our cats every year. Thousands of dollars are needed each year for their care. Their vet care is expensive. Their food is expensive. Their cat litter is expensive. One sees a cardiologist. One has 2 autoimmune disorders and needs medication. Another has allergies and needs medication. Two have dental issues. We feel that the house is full and that we are stretched enough financially with the kitties we have already. It may not be fair to the ones we have to stretch ourselves any thinner.

Then why do I feel so bad about the decision we made? Because I feel that there should always be room for one more. There should always be room "in the inn." My Catholic upbringing taught me to accept whatever God sends and he will provide. Did I just turn away two souls who needed me? Was it some kind of test? Was I meant to make the difference for this family and these two kitties?? Or, did I do the right thing and save my family from financial hardship, and my kitties from the stress of getting used to 2 new siblings? Tough call. I can never know for sure, and I am tormented by it all.

All I know is that the smallest victims of foreclosure have no say in it at all. They are the ones I really feel sorry for. I will pray for them.

Kitty News

Happy one year anniversary, Abby and Max! It was one year ago yesterday that Abby and Max came to live here with us. I got them by accident. I had Charlie to the vet and saw the two of them in the adoption cage. Abby threw both paws forward and put one on either side of my face. I took them out of their cage, and I was a goner. They had been dumped months before at my vet's office. Their former owner requested that they be euthanized, put them on the ground, and kicked them. She abandoned them because they had scratched her pit bull's nose! I can't thank my vet enough for taking them in, caring for them, doing their spay/neuter surgeries, and vaccinating them. They came home with me the next day, and they are just the sweetest little beings. Abby is my constant companion. She cries when I leave her, and is never more than a few feet away from me when I am home. She is my bed buddy every night. Max is a quiet cuddler. He is quite the entertainer when he plays. He can amuse himself for the longest time in his play cubes. I am so glad they are mine.

Sylvester is recovering from a mouth issue--some swelling and irritation caused by allergies, probably. He has endured his medicines well this week, and he is trying hard not to hold the pill giving against me too much. He has a recheck on Monday. What a gentle and loving little fellow.

The others seem fine for now. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have them all. I love them so much, and in many ways, their love has rescued me!

Scared of a Sock?

Know what? I am scared to make socks! My goal this year is to conquer that fear and actually make a pair. I have gotten several pattern recommendations and what look to be some good sock books, so I have to say, that the time has come (within the next few weeks!) to make a pair of socks! I think I would like to make chunky warm socks, and some little footie socks. I saw a pattern on Rav for yoga socks, which would be great for my yoga teacher friend. Nothing to it but to do it, I suppose!

I got my yarn swift today. The ball winder came the other day. Gotta put them together and get busy. It will be nice to have them. I know they will be great time savers.