Dogs on Thursday

Per Chan's request...Rudy's a surfer dude in training!



(I had a real hard time choosing a picture for this post)

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
--Roger Caras (1928-2001) American wildlife photographer and writer

I have to post this with a caption:

"Does this shirt make my butt look big?"

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!!

Well I did it---ADDENDUM!

You remember my post about the Richmond race in November? If you need a refresher...CLICK HERE.

As of this past Sunday my uncle had been at Univ of Pitt for 3 weeks, going through test after test. A week ago today the word came that he had been placed on the lung transplant list....WooHoo....we've all been on pins and needles waiting for that word. Fast forward to this past Sunday evening...the call came, they had a lung for him! Prayers answered!!!
Surgery took place yesterday morning, I was getting constant updates from my cousin throughout the day. She finally got to see him at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, of course he was out of it but she did get to hold his hand.
This evening I received this picture from my cousin:

Simply AMAZING!! Can you believe that? He's wanting to play cards!!! Not sure yet when he'll be coming home but I can't wait to see him in person!!!

Oh....about the race, prior to all this news coming down I decided (and, in fact, changed my registration) to take the leap and run the half marathon in honor of my uncle. I am nervous about taking such a big leap in my running but this is minor in comparison to what my uncle has endured...the gift he's received...and the sacrifice a family made. Whether I finish running or walking I will be thinking of my uncle and the donor family the entire time!

I'll ask again...if you haven't made the decision to become an organ donor please give some thought to it.

Serenity Now....

(Sunrise @ Newfound Gap)

My birthday trip was a MUCH NEEDED break from all the crap I've been dealing with lately, so as promised pictures from our trip:

I've been traveling to the Gatlinburg, TN/Cherokee, NC/Great Smoky Mountains since I was very young. My Grandparents used to take me there just about every summer since I was 3 years old...I love that area and could live there in a heartbeat. Well, with the exception of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area--it's WAY too crowded for me now, though there is the Gatlinburg's Arts & Crafts Trail, I think I'd like that area okay. That's really where I spend all my "shopping" time while others are at the tourist traps in town and in Pigeon Forge.
We didn't make the hour drive through the Great Smoky Mountain NP to Cherokee...as much as I love that place it's very hard for me to see it with the casino in place now. I know, I know...it's a revenue for the Cherokee people but it has it's pitfalls to it too. Just like with Gatlinburg I take the good with the bad.

Cable Mill @ Cades Cove








We found a river cairn someone had left behind...I would have added to it but I didn't want to knock it over...



...and of course, Rudy had a blast!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Music Monday

Here's a little bit of what I've been listening to lately.....ummmm, yeah---I'm ready for a beach trip!

Groove Armada-



Jack Johnson-



Zac Brown Band-

Click Here (embed prohibited via YouTube)

Kenny Chesney-



and, of course, the one and only JIMMY BUFFETT!!



...oh there's more on my playlist!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Dogs on Thursday

I know...I know, I should have posted something by now! Thanks for the birthday wishes, I truly do appreciate all your well wishes. We had a great time in Gatlinburg, (more pics to come...just too tired to do all the editing!)

...and so did Rudy!!



Sportin' his new hat! Besides my shopping experience, Rudy found that he had a store to visit! We found that lots of places in the area were pet friendly, allowing Rudy to "strut" through like he owned the place.

Is it hot where you are? I really hope it cools off some by Saturday morning...I have a race to run.
Speaking of which, recently I spoke about the Richmond race which I will run in honor of my uncle, who needs a lung transplant. We got word yesterday that he's been placed on the transplant list---Hallelujah! they've been at the Univ of Pittsburg for 2 1/2 weeks waiting for all the test results to be completed. Please keep him and my family in your prayers. In light of that, I decided to up the ante...I changed the race in November...I won't be running the 8K (4.97 miles)---I'm running the Half Marathon!!! YEP...13.1 miles!!! Let the training begin!!!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Happy Birthday to me....

....Happy Birthday to me! Okay so this has NOTHING to do with knitting, spinning or sewing...and EVERYTHING to do with the fact that a VERY special event is happening ON MY BIRTHDAY!

You all know I'm a HUGE Dallas Cowboys fan--today the great Emmitt Smith is being inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. I'm kinda sad that I'm not there as Hubby and I had planned to be (job scare...) but I will be wearing my jersey and enjoy watching on the tube! What more can a crazed Cowboys fan ask for on her birthday?

Now I have 3 Hall of Fame jersey's:



Now...I have 2 other jersey's awaiting induction!



Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Dogs on Thursday

(sorry for the poor quality pics...phone camera just isn't the same)



Last week there were 2 very happy dogs in the house. They practically played NONSTOP for 8 days, both were so tired but had a blast with each other...the next photo will show you just how sad Rudy was when Milo left.



Isn't that the saddest thing you've ever seen??


This morning we are leaving for a weekend trip...BOY do we ever need this!! Hope you all have a great weekend, stay cool and...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'------and Rudy says....

"Are We There Yet?"

Whiskers on Wednesday

Well, the Old Man is still around! He moves very slow, but he's still full of spunk!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Attention...Attention...

Yes, I actually have a FO to post about...can you believe it? Well, it only took me 14 months to finish...why? Geez--I don't know!

This is more of David Simpson's fiber, I seriously wish you all could have the opportunity to spin this fiber...he's so meticulous the finished product it's simply amazing to spin.


This is called "Silk Road" 80% merino--20% silk, the pictures do the coloring no justice at all.



Specs:
3.20 ozs
22 wpi
2 ply laceweight
yardage?? I have no idea...I got tired of counting wraps on the niddy noddy! It's A LOT!! If I were to guess I'd think that there's about 1200 or so? I just know that I spun...and spun and spun...then I plied and plied and plied for what seemed like forever!!

Now I look at my stash and say NEXT!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Music Monday

Well...it's Monday again! Where does the weekend go? For me--it was yet another very busy weekend. Project after project has kept me busy and my mind off of the things that make me sad. I don't know about you but when I'm upset or have a lot on my mind I clean and/or organize....what do you do? Just curious...

Because I'm in serious need of a change in lattitude and our annual beach trip is still 6 weeks away. I was trying to think of a song that would fit...so, I love me some Buffett!!



This coming weekend Hubby is taking me away for my Birthday...we're going a little south in latitude, but I'm still anxious to hit the sand and sun of Myrtle Beach! Boy, would I love to run away to Key West or the Carribean...I wonder if I'd be missed?!

Stay tuned...tomorrow I have a FO to show off!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Dogs on Thursday

Well...here we are again! Rudy has a welcomed visitor this week, Milo's here with us while his Daddy is vacationing in FL. Needless to say Rudy is having a blast but I think they both are starting to wear down...instead of playing like wild dogs they sort of just look at each other as if to say..."do you wanna play...me either, let's take a nap!"



Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Music Monday

There is music that I go to for comfort~this is one of those. I love Sarah McLachlan...her voice is so soothing.

It's been a very tough 3 weeks for me, and it's not getting any better. I've managed to keep myself very busy so as not to think about.....stuff!

Enjoy...

I Love You....



Answer....



(such beautiful lyrics...."If it takes my whole life I wont break I wont bend
It'll all be worth it worth it in the end Cause I can only tell you what I know
that I need you in my life"

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Dogs on Thursday

As promised, more Rudy footage! Check out his swim stroke...so fluid...so easy! I'm telling you this dude is the next Michael Phelps!



(can't you just hear him saying..."put me back--put me back!"

I didn't get any video cause Hubby wasn't with us but on Tuesday Rudy actually rode the "boogie board" in the river!!! He amazes me!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Two Bobbins Full

...and ready to ply!

Yeah, I'm silently participating in the Tour de Fleece...really just to get my spinning mojo back. Now I've lost my knitting mojo--wouldn't you know.

I had hoped this would have been finished last week but a few set backs have put me behind my goals. Oh well...at least I have this to look at...ponder over...find a pattern...then maybe my knitting mojo will return! I'll post up the final product with all the specs, I know it's going to be a nice lace weight yarn!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Music Monday

Yep....back to some Music Monday! Here's a blast from the past...check out the hair!!



Well....I did it, my first "sports injury"--yesterday I was out early for my morning run when almost a third (just over 2 miles) of the way into my run I felt a "snap" in my calf. DAMMIT!!! SO...I have to R-I-C-E for a while. Hopefully 2 weeks will be enough time to recover. I can't stand this...the overwhelming sadness here lately only gets worse. Running has been my therapy.

Hope you all had a good weekend...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Rudy...the swimmer!

I'm not sure that you all are aware but Rudy LOVES to swim...in fact, he has a doggie swimming pool in the backyard for those really hot days. Honestly, I believe he thinks he's a labrador! He will go underwater for a rock or golf ball without hesitation (hmmmm...maybe I should take him golfing with me?!)

The park we take him to sometimes for evening or weekend walks follows a portion of the Roanoke River...and of course he wants to go get in the water! Since he's NOT a water dog (no webbed toes for Shih Tzu's) and he's a brachycephalic (short-nosed) breed he needs a little help in the deeper water....AND we want to train him to ride in the canoe with us, we bought him a "doggie life preserver"!




Now I'm working on training him with the boogie board...who knows, he might just be one of those surfing dogs!!

Stay tuned...more videos to come!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Happy 4th of July!!

FO Friday

These are just too cute not to share! BABY CHUCKS

One of the girls at the coffee shop where I get my morning java had her little boy 2 weeks early...luckily these little things are SO easy and quick--I see me making more of these....for girls & boys! Though the pattern does knit up a little larger than newborn I think he will get to wear them...or Mom can use them as decoration!

I used to have Chuck Taylor myself...not knitted of course!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Oh Canada....

In honor of my friend Dani and Canadians everywhere--Happy Canada Day!



This is the latest mountain dulcimer Hubby is working on...how appropriate!!

No Dogs on Thursday today....Rudy's feeling a little under the weather. Poor little fella has a stomach bug.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Well, I did it....

I registered for the Richmond Marathon/Half Marathon/8K last night!! I'm planning on running the 8K, but I'm going to train as though I'm running the half marathon...who knows I may switch races!!!

This time it's going to have special meaning. As with most races they are for a charity, Richmond's charity is Donate Life. I have been an organ donor for YEARS...and I hope that those reading this are as well, or may decide to become a donor. Please....PLEASE consider this very important choice.
Many donor stories have brought me to tears...there was one that I saw on the news a year or so ago where one person saved 5 lives.

Now you ask how this related to my reason for running this race...I will be running for my uncle. You see he has Pulmonary Fibrosis, without new lungs and a liver he won't be with us for very long. Life is precious...and time is of the essence.
My uncle was one of my teachers as I grew up...you've seen pictures of me fishing, well...

I have that love of the outdoors to thank him for. I'd LOVE to take him fishing, but he's far too weak to go.

As Hubby and I head out this weekend for our annual 4th of July float trip with friends, my uncle will be with me in spirit. I hope to bring him back a fish...or 2!!

Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers...and if you aren't an organ donor please give it some thought, it's very easy to do!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'----and Fishin'!!

Yet...another Monday

...with bad news related to last weeks post. The beautiful Gazebo you see in the background was destroyed on Thursday. A truck parked up on the hill was NOT placed in park, only the emergency brake was applied and it failed, causing the truck to roll down the hill and BOOM....

This is a landmark in Salem...the original one was built in 1841 and was on the old Courthouse lawn, later it was moved and for many years a local band played regular concerts in it.

It will be rebuilt...right now it's still laying in a heap where it once stood.

Oh a happier note....wish my lovely husband a Happy Birthday will ya?

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Monday....AGAIN??

....geez, the weekends get shorter and shorter!




Saturday we had our WWKIP day at our normal spot...Lake Spring Park in Salem, aka The Duck Pond. It was a beautiful morning, and this year we didn't have a storm till later into the evening. Our group was small and Pam had her very opinionated duck there...every time she said something it would quack-quack-quack-quack...too funny! Pam & Stephanie brought their wheels but I didn't this year, I couldn't figure out how to travel with hit on the bike. Dani & Christy were there too with some beautiful knitting projects.
Pam offered up some great prizes--THANK YOU PAM!

Hubby came by so Rudy could visit with the ladies! Simply a GREAT DAY!!
Sorry to be so short, but I'm trying to get this post up before I start dinner!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Happy Father's Day!!

Finally.....IT'S FRIDAY!!

Nothing real significant to post up today...except for my BEAUTIFUL Anniversary flowers from Tuesday.

Hope you all have a GREAT weekend!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

And it the busy-ness continues~~

OH....and it's a Dogs on Thursday post...can you believe it?

A couple of weeks ago we attended the 2nd annual Bark in the Park at the Salem Red Sox game. This is a fundraiser for our local SPCA.

Of course, Rudy sported a NEW jersey for this years event!



The MANY poses of Rudy!

He thoroughly enjoyed the game and all the attention he received. This here there were many more dogs than last year and with the continued success we hope they will have this every year. Hubby and I love baseball....and Rudy!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Whiskers on Wednesday---What a Runner sees...

WHISKERS ON WEDNESDAY

I know you guys are probably wondering about Mr Ace...he is doing pretty good. He has good days and bad days. With the heat and humidity we are having these days he has more bad days than good...but he's hanging in there.
This September he'll be 18...in cat years that's 93 (according to a chart at the vet's office--other websites say he's 87)....Old Man!

WHAT A RUNNER SEES--
I wish I had my camera with me when I run so I can show you some of this stuff...pretty amazing.
A baby bottle
A baby pacifier
A baby diaper (used--ugh)
A baby shoe----not all on the same trip but I'm beginning to wonder if I'll find the baby!!

More trash...I think I'll start running with a bag so I can start picking up some of it.

This past Sunday I had a great idea (one might think) to run Roanoke Mtn...just off the Blue Ridge Parkway...I'll tell you that this is Wed and I'm STILL sore from the run! It's a 4 mile loop (that I added an additional 1.25 miles after the descent) The first mile is a CONTINUOUS 10% grade -- which feels more like 50% once you get started!
....ANYWAY--while on this run I saw:

More trash--jeez people, what are you thinking?!
2 young bucks ran across the road in front of me
Lots of other cyclists and runners, which is comforting to know I'm not out there alone running a mountain!
Several pages from a gay magazine (and you know what kinda magazine I'm talking about)!!! Ummmmm, okay....

As I run I'll keep a list of more that I see!!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!

The BEST day of my life...

8 years ago today WE celebrated the best day of our lives! Happy Anniversary Honey!!

AND

A very special Happy Anniversary shout out to my favorite cousin and her hubby...they celebrate 25 years!!



....she's gonna kill me for this!

Happy Anniversary Kim & Freddie!
(boy, do I have a story to tell about that day....lets just say I'll never forget it!)

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Soooooo....

....where did I leave off?


On a beautiful Sunday in May, Mom, Hubby and I trekked off to a strawberry farm to pick some of the most beautiful and tasty berries. I made 6 pints of freezer jam, froze 2 gallons and had plenty of strawberries to just simply snack on.

We're looking forward to the upcoming blueberry & blackberry/raspberry picking!

Remember support your local farm, farmers market or CSA!







For Mother's Day I made my Mom a Clapotis from the Recycled Silk I purchased some time back...not quite sure how it would turn out I was quite pleased with the effect the color banding gave on the diagonal...yes it is a bit heavy but Mom says it will serve her well--keeping her shoulders warm and having no trouble being able to wear it with just about anything.




On our Memorial weekend camping trip we had some pretty bad storms during the night time hours that really upset Milo...Rudy slept through it all...but woke to the most beautiful mornings.


....and color inspiring sunsets!


Wouldn't this make some beautiful yarn?!


Yeah, work has been crazy....and I mean crazy! It's unbelievable how one place can totally suck the life out of you--I love running!

I've had a couple of comments (not posted) about me going on my "me trip" -- ALONE! Yes, is it so hard to believe? I guess for some people they don't have the comfort level that I do about venturing out alone. There are 2 places besides here at home that I feel so totally comfortable, because I'm so familiar with the areas that it feels like home...Myrtle Beach and the Great Smoky Mtns.
Back last October Hubby went on a "He Trip" to Kentucky....alone, while I had planned to go to the beach on my "me trip" ALONE but my part of the deal got nixed when the weather turned horrible for a beach trip. So when the winter weather finally broke I decided it was my turn!! With camera in tow I tripped around all the areas I am very familiar with. In fact, I awoke at 5 am one morning to head out into the Great Smoky Mtn parkway on a hunt...for the perfect sunrise. Let me tell you it was COLD...below freezing! I set up my tripod, kept the heat on in the truck and would jump out take a few shots then jump back in to warm up...as I didn't take a coat with me.
What do you think? Was the freezing worth it all??

...this would make some pretty yarn too!!

While I was there I did get to visit my friend Nancy at Smoky Mtn Spinnery, but since I'm still on my "yarn diet" I didn't buy anything...but I did fondle a lot of beautiful yarns and fibers!!! She has the best collection of fibers from all over the world! On my last visit to her she let me hold $300 work of vicuna fiber...exactly 1 oz--it felt like air!

I guess I'd better get on with the evening...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Yoooooo-Hooooooooo....anybody still here? Just in case...

Holy CRAP....where does time go? Between general "life stuff", work, training/running, knitting and the "time suck" better known as Facebook...I seriously have no excuse.
Work is still "crazy" and can't help but feel the life being sucked from my body while there--hence, my running schedule being what it is. I feel so much better when I run!

Let me see if I can at least get you caught up a little bit~~warning, lots of photos to share.


Hmmmm, last post was at St. Patty's day...I ran the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon/Half-Marathon/8K in Virginia Beach to celebrate! The weather was perfect...a cool morning was followed by a BEAUTIFUL day.

Now, 10 days before race weekend I caught a horrible cold...thanks to a "considerate" co-worker, one who needs to attend kindergarten again to learn how to cover when she coughs and wash her hands when she spews into them...or better yet DON'T COME TO WORK WHEN YOU ARE SICK!!

Anyhoo...I was determined after training so hard to attempt the race. I had to stop at mile 2 for a short coughing spell, then I was back on to finish the 8K race. I finished 5 minutes slower than the goal I had set for myself but considering being sick I gave myself a pat on the back.
Then there was the after race party! You see, the motivation I had for this race was that each runner gets "FREE BEER"!!

THIS IS THE PARTY TENT!!! (the tent on the left...the one on the right was for VIP's--and that didn't include me) Believe me it was huge....

A view from inside...yep, we had a GOOD time!
Funny story~just how good a time we had, and how old I'm getting! The race started at 8am...I finished in 50 minutes, hit "The Tent" by 9am...got my first glass (of several) of free liquid carbs...listened to some good music, let the dogs play in the sand, when the band left we decided it was time to maybe get something to eat, so we headed back to the hotel...where we (Hubby, Chase, myself, Milo & Rudy) proceeded to pass out...we woke up 3 hours later wondering what the heck had happened...and we were STARVING--a diet of liquid carbs won't go very far...as we found out! Don't worry, we did have a good meal and ice tea to drink! ~wink~


Early April I went on a "Me Trip" to Gatlingburg, TN...I'm sure many of you know if you have little people, fur-babies or a spouse you have people dependent on you--I just needed a weekend to myself...to rejuevenate. Ahhhhh, it was refreshing...even if I did miss my guys a lot!



A few weeks later we went on our first camping trip to Claytor Lake, seems that this is our inaugural trip every year. We had rain but had a good time anyway. As you can see from the picture Rudy was the picture of relaxation!

Oh...and my Mom and I enrolled in golf lessons--Oh, Hubby and I play Par 3 at the beach every year but I've never had formal lessons, but my Mom is preparing for my Dad's retirement. Oh no...he doesn't play, she's just preparing to get out of the house while he's there!! We had a lot of fun, and have been playing quite a bit.

The last of April & May I've been hard at work getting my garden going...I've made a pact not to buy produce from the grocery store--and I haven't...well, except for banana's but I've yet to find a homegrown banana here in Virginia!


I've utilized my patio as additional garden space...

...of course, my assistant Rudy has to make sure everything is okay!


Whew....I think I've gotta break this up into a few posts. Hope someone is still out there to read my rambling!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Happy St Patrick's Day

May those who love us love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.


(can you believe it...2 posts this month so far!!)

May the luck of the Irish be with ye!

Alexis Miller's Photography Tips: Nikon D80 Camera Giveaway!

Hey Ya'll...CHECK THIS OUT!!

Alexis Miller's Photography Tips: Nikon D80 Camera Giveaway!

I'm blogging from my sick bed...5 days till my race and YEP--I'm sick!! Please send me some healing vibes!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Contrary to.....

....rumors and news reports----I am still alive!! You can't count on the news to get anything right.

What can I say...life gets in the way and FaceBook has sucked me in! Our winter weather has been, well lets just say IT HAS BEEN ONE HELL OF A WINTER!! As much as I love snow, I love it to leave after a weekend of enjoyment...we've had snow practically every weekend since December 18th! And we've not had a two day stretch of 40 degree temps since November 28th -- till this weekend! January was just damn cold, I don't think it ever went above freezing the entire month. With all that said I had to join the YMCA for my regular running and exercise...I have a race next month! I've even hired a personal trainer to put me through hell, why would you pay someone to do that? Cause I need it!!!!

So on to another regular posting of the past---

WHAT A RUNNER SEES~~


Let's hope that Spring is near...I'm sick and tired of this!!!

I WILL NOT complain about the heat of summer...and if you hear me whimper one word you have my permission to slap the crap out of me!!

Oh...and I am doing lots of knitting!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Happy New Year!!!

WELCOME 2010....Here's hoping the new year brings you all your hopes and dreams...good health and wealth!!

Oh, and be sure to...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Merry Christmas!

I know it's been a while...but life has been busy!!

Elf Rudy and I are just popping in to say "Hello" and "Have a VERY Merry Christmas"!! We really do miss you all and will be back very soon....hopefully!