Sweater for Sandy

I found a dog sweater pattern and knitted one for Sandy. I used yarn I had and the colors match the kid's soccer team Eclipse. It's too big for her even though she gained some weight since coming to live with us. The pattern was one that I had to "sew" together, so it's knitted flat and then seamed. I don't like that part, or I haven't learned to do it well so I'm not happy with how mine turned out. Oh well, I'll try again and fit her better the next time! She is hard to photography because when I get down near the floor she runs to see me!

Welcome Sandy!

We decided to welcome a new pet into the family. The kids and I went looking to rescue a dog, I've always liked Chihuahuas and last week we found Sandy. She was at the Houston SPCA, we were able to surprise the kids with her on Wednesday, October 28th. They were so excited. She will be much loved at our house. Here are some photos...

Halloween 2009

Where did October go? Can someone tell me because all of a sudden it was Oct 31st and we hadn't even bought pumpkins yet! Well, it wouldn't be Halloween without a jack-o-lantern so off we went to the local church pumpkin patch at 3pm on Sat., picked out pumpkins and ran home to carve them. The kids had fun with all the neighbors at the annual get together in the cul-de-sac. The moms had fun too.

Labor Day Weekend

We were invited to Lake LBJ with our friends Connie and Devin and their kids. We had a blast! Jet skiing, boating, knee boarding, swimming, no one wanted to leave come Monday. Connie's uncle has a beautiful house there with all the toys big kids like. Here are some photos...


































Dylan tried knee boarding, took just a few trys and he was up. By his 2nd day he did a full 360 degree turn! He loved it.



















Sunrise both mornings was beautiful. The water was smooth at that time so the guys got up to ride the jet skis and take the kids out.





















We rode "Great Big Mabel", the kids loved it, me not so much. It just beats you to pieces! I had two bruised knees, a scraped elbow and a few days later felt like I had been in a car wreck or fight! Too old!













It was a very fun weekend.

More Socks

I've started a new pair of socks...I've had this yarn for a while but for whatever reason hadn't started anything with it. I have multiple projects going because I get bored with one and need variety. OK, so I guess I like to layer my projects/books/activities, etc. Right now in my project bag I have at least 2 other knitting pieces (sweater and a blanket). Also I have several books I'm reading, The Shack, A Breath of Snow and Ashes and The Alchemist (book club). And as for the activities, well, I'm trying to walk at least every other day, I started on Dylan's room walls (need painting), one of these days we'll have a garage sale, and of course there is always the kids activities. I know I get this from my parents because I can hardly remember a time when they didn't have a project or 3 going. I think I do better mentally when I have a lot going on, that may sound weird but I think it's true.

Going for a walk

I got some new shoes, my sweet hubby got them for me, well he tried...he got the wrong size so I had to go exchange them. Aren't they cute?
These are not just Nikes but ones that have a little spot in them to put this:

It works with my iPhone and can track my walks/runs, lets me know how far I've gone, plays my iTunes as I go. All in all a cool little thing. I started on 8/14 and have walked between 2 and 2.5 miles each time, I average about a 15 min. mile, I'm good with that.

My goal is to start walking as much as I can, need to get in shape and since the kids have training twice a week at Lost Creek Park, I have no excuse! I made myself a belt to hold my iPhone, it's not pretty so no photos, but it works. Took it for it's maiden voyage last night and did fine. I do have to wear it with the phone at my lower back so the blue tooth headphones don't cut out. I think I will make another version of the iPhone belt with a few improvements and then maybe post the pictures of the first one and then the new one...we'll see!

Sewing fun

Did a little sewing for the new members of the family...Chocolate Chip and Ghillie(gill-ee), formerly known as Oreo.

Dylan renamed his guinea pig based on his love of Call of Duty 4 that he plays pretty much non-stop these days. You can see what a ghillie suit looks like here.

OK, on with what I made. Found a tutorial for a "cozie" for guinea pigs, they like to snuggle in and feel protected and I thought this was really cute.


I made two of them, one each! These pictures are from my phone, more with the camera but then the battery died so they didn't get downloaded.

So cute. I think they liked them, they went in and then ran out again, at one point they both were in one together, kind of small for that. I'm trying a new system with their bedding, using fleece, can be washed and reused. I got more fleece yesterday to make multiple "beds" so we can change them out regularly. It's a lot of work but they are fun and the kids are enjoying their pets. I think we've decided to make the laundry/craft room their permanent home. Great web site I found for all kinds of info related to Guineas here.