Sick of RUDE PEOPLE

What in the world ever happened to common courtesy? It surely isn't common any more. When someone said "thank you" the reply used to be "you're welcome." Now there IS no reply or even any kind or acknowledgement for the most part. Do people just not listen? Or don't they care enough to be bothered to respond? How did it get to this point? When did we all stop caring? Are we really all that self-centered and shallow?

Watch Out! Here I Come!

Through the sadness and heartbreak, the anger and frustration, the trampled and abused feelings, wonderful things still manage to find their way into our lives. Since Chessa passed and I received news of my pay-cut, life has seemed to spiral quickly down that never-ending drain, constantly gathering speed but only continually spinning, spinning, spinning, never going down. Knowing full well I'd done everthing I shouldn't have been doing during that time, I decided I needed to get myself on the scale to get myself back to reality and move forward. Maybe that would help to slow the spinning if it wouldn't stop it. Eventually, maybe I could get myself back on track, one step at a time. So, Saturday morning, I braved the scale. At that point, I told myself I would be very happy to have not gained, figuring I would have gained some from the reality check of the last few weeks. One foot....second foot. Can that be right? Step off the scale...make sure it is calibrated at zero...the cats have surely done something to it, yes? Step back on, one foot...second foot...bend down to read it. Well. HOLY CRAP! I've lost another 5 pounds! Not only haven't I gained anything, I've met my next milestone! And while I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, I'm very happy to be there and really ready to move on to the next! WOO HOO! 50 POUND MILESTONE! YOU CAN'T BEAT ME! 75 is the next one on my list....watch out, here I come!

More Miss Roo

What I love about Chessa is the way she was always the purrfect hostess, the first one to greet me at the door enticing me to lift her and give her lots of loves as she purred in my ear. She was the complete love bug, never failing to hop in my lap to give lots (and demand MORE!) love than anyone else. It was her job, and she took it seriously. Being Queen is not an easy task, but she was always up for it, giving more and more and more love. She is missed dearly, and remembered purreciously. Yes, I will remember her always.

Memories by Suz

For Chessa

So many memorable moments start with sitting down on the couch and being begged for love by Chessa. The moment anyone, no matter who it may be, sat down or even stood in the same place for too long, you could count on Chessa being there. Her love for everyone wasn't fake, it was purely everything you could ask for in a cat. Standing anywhere in the house you knew she would find you and you'd feel that familiar and comforting brush on your leg; followed by a meow or two and a pawing if you ignored her. She loved everyone with her humungous heart and she is always going to be missed. I remember walking around the corner of the hallway one day and seeing her sneak a pass at a stray mouse toy; the look I got when I "intruded" on her play time was just something else. Her personality shone through her eyes and her purring was amazingly loud for such a small bundle of love. Her being there always made me feel even more welcomed and it was a comforting thing to see her walking toward me, knowing what was to come.

Memories of Chessa by Tammy

Goodbye, Dear Friend

Chessa-Roo
4/30/94-7/27/09

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I say goodbye to a dear and special friend who has been by my side through thick and thin, through sickness and in good health for 13 years. We've spent many hours together, she with love in her eyes and a purr always at the ready for whomever walked in the door as everyone was always there to see her (at least in her mind). In Russian, Chessa means Bearer of Peace and Calm. And she always has been, instilling it in our home daily. It is a sad day today knowing that she no longer brings that gift to our home and that we'll no longer have her wanting love and affection from us pretty much all the time. We will miss you, Roo, but know you've gone on to a place where your love-bucket is now full to over-flowing and that you don't hurt any more. What more could I wish for for you?

And the Dyeing Goes On....

Here' some tweedy-types from Knit Picks...

and double-knit sock blanks....

and my favorite, the "faux-kettle technique" that was so easy and quick with just the coloring I love! These five are Cascade sock yarn...

And my all-time favorite, the Knit Picks 70% Merino/30% Silk. Maybe it's one of my favorites because I'm very fond of the silk. I'm also very fond of this luscious chocolate brown.

Dyeing Days...

Okay, so here are the results of the dyeing days...from the Louet sock dyeing class on the 17th.