Freak of Knit-ture

Busy ain't the half of it...

The PuppyMomma — 2011-10-12T13:53:45Z

Its amazing how much I've discovered I can get done before 10 am now. Yet somehow I haven't made the time to blog until now? I've had a few posts in my head, but its easy to forget about blogging and remember to do laundry, or vacuum, or cook with my extra few minutes. So today I decided to take 5 minutes and post something.

Thats a pretty good something, don't you think?

Seriously? Don't steal.

Now I Really AM a Momma.

The PuppyMomma — 2011-08-09T19:34:33Z

My beautiful baby girl, Mahalia Ruth. Born on July 22, 2011 weighing 8 lbs 10.4 oz and 21 inches long. She's healthy and fully cooked, even though she came about 12 days early. I lucked out, she's calm and strong and inquisitive. And look at those eyes!

So here's the story...

On Thursday, July 21st I went for my 38 week doctor's appointment and they did a non-stress test which came out fine, but my blood pressure was a little high and I think there was a bit of protein in my urine, so they wanted me to go to labor and delivery to have some testing done, just to be safe. I'd had high blood pressure a few weeks earlier, but it resolved itself when they had me lie on my side, so until this time there was no reason to be worried. Even my doctor said she thought they'd send me home that night, worst case probably keep me overnight for observation. So I went home and changed clothes and grabbed my hospital bag, just in case, figuring that Murphy's Law would mean that way I'd DEFINITELY get to go home that night. They did some blood work on me at the hospital and when it came back they found my blood platelet count was dropping and I actually was becoming pre-eclampsic. So they decided to induce me that night. So I called in the troops. That would be my parents and my neighbor Peggy, who was my birthing coach. Everyone got there as quickly as possible (my parents had an hour drive) and I was induced around 7pm that night. Because my platelet count kept dropping (though not horrifically, but enough to worry that it might cause issues later) it was suggested that I allow them to put in an epidural catheter early, but they wouldn't start the epidural until I actually asked for it. Not a common occurrence, normally they want to start the epidural medication once the line is in and not stop it until everything is done. I had planned on having a natural birth without an epidural if possible, but in this case, knowing that Pitocin makes for more intense contractions, ultimately I let them do it, after a little wavering on my part. I'm glad I did, because I was laboring for 24 hours and some of those contractions left my entire body shaking uncontrollably. Thats when I said it was ok to juice me up. It made the remaining hours much more bearable. But by Friday evening I was still only about 6-8 cm dialated and about 85% effaced. And then the baby turned face up (they're supposed to come out face down) and my cervix started swelling up. Which was when it was decided that the best course of action would be a c-section.

I don't remember much about the c-section, because when they amped up the epidural medication it made me rather loopy, plus when they draped me my face was covered too, but my mom and Peg were there the whole time, holding my hands and talking to me, and trying to get a look at what the doctors were doing. I guess it helps that my mother has a strong gut and Peggy used to be a NICU nurse, huh? Because they watched the whole thing and even held the barf bowl while I vomited while the doctors were inside me. I do remember when the baby was pulled out my mother and Peg both telling me how perfect and beautiful she was, and the baby being whisked in front of my eyes for a second, but I also remember that I was really uncomfortable and I allowed myself to be sedated so the doctors could sew me up. Apparently there was a lot of internal swelling which made that kind of difficult, so it took a while.

After being in recovery I was taken BACK to labor and delivery because I was hooked up to Magnesium Sulfate for 24 hours to counteract the effects of pre-eclampsia. Which meant being on my back, in bed for another 24 hours, without any food or drink (I hadn't eaten anything since about 11 am on Thursday, stupid me). Its a pretty miserable treatment by the way. Thank goodness I was on Dilaudid for the whole time.

In all we spent 5 days in the hospital. And then a week at my parents' recuperating. We've been home for about a week now. Everyone still in one piece. Even the dogs. They're doing amazingly well with her. Though every time she has a poop-splosion poor Charlie downright levitates. And my kid can pee and poop like a champion, let me tell you.

Send diapers.

Seriously? Don't steal.

Fairwell sweet Prince...

The PuppyMomma — 2011-04-19T03:22:00Z

We lost a great one here in Baltimore tonight. Former Mayor, former Governor, former Comptroller and all around really special person, William Donald Schaefer. I count myself really lucky to have had as much interaction with him as I did.

At the age of 20 I worked for a stock broker who had founded a charity campaign that became one of Schaefer's pet causes. I spoke with him almost every day and could never get enough. At that time he was teaching law at the University of Maryland after having left being Governor. Wow, was he ever just full of knowledge and lore and love for Maryland, especially Baltimore. This was a guy I had always wished I could have as a grandfather, and I told him so. I grew up in Baltimore while he was Mayor and he was just amazing. He downright put Baltimore back on the map. I told him once that I would always think of him as Mayor Schaefer, because the city he had recreated had given me such wonderful memories and his response to me was that from anyone else it would be an insult, but he was happy to have me call him that. I also told him that if he EVER ran for public office again I would be there voting for him, now that I was old enough to do it!

A few years later I got that chance. He became Comptroller. And a number of years after that, when I was first self-employed I realized I was going to be a few days late on my state quarterly estimated tax deposit. Frantic (because that stuff creeps me out), I called the Comptroller's office and spoke with an assistant there. It came up in conversation that I had used to do work with Mr. Schaefer and she put me on hold, went and told him I was on the phone, and though he was too busy to pick up the phone and talk to me, she came back with a message from him for me, that he was glad to hear that while I wasn't still working for my old boss (whose name I won't mention here), he had kept tabs on me because I had later done work with a woman he was very close with and she had mentioned me to him. He was glad I was doing well.

Finally he left public office. And eventually moved into a retirement home not too far away. I called to ask if I could come and visit him, it broke my heart to think that he may be lonely, or not happy where he was. I should've known better, that man didn't stop! But I went and visited him, for what was supposed to be a short visit, maybe an hour. About 4 hours later I left. I thnk we talked about everything under the sun. And I'll be damned, that man NEVER forgot a name or a story. He remembered some of the conversations we had when I was 20. We talked about current politics and local politics, and why he got into public service. He answered every question I ever had for him. And the stories he told!

I'm saddened that I didn't get a chance to go back and visit him again. Watching the tributes to him tonite on the local news made me cry at times. But they also made me smile. I know that a lot of people didn't like him. And I know that a lot of people reading this will have no clue who I am speaking of, but dammit Don, I'm going to miss you!

William Donald Schaefer 1921-2011.

Seriously? Don't steal.

Yeah, yeah.

The PuppyMomma — 2011-04-02T03:37:00Z

I know I said I was going to try to post more, but I've been preoccupied with getting kicked in the stomach from the inside out.

Seriously? Don't steal.

A little name dropping for a good reason

The PuppyMomma — 2011-03-11T03:34:00Z

I took a little detour in the rain on the way home today. Theresa had told me a few weeks back about a yarn store in Randallstown, MD that I'd never heard of. AND IN RANDALLSTOWN. Who'da thunk it?

So I had to investigate, of course.

Its called Colours, The Yarn Gallery and its hidden inside Kings Point Shopping Center, a shopping center that when I sold payroll services 10 years ago was unfortunately desolate and run-down even then. I hate to say it, but the shopping center hasn't gotten any better. There's no signage on any marquee saying that there's a yarn store, but there is an electronic sign. But if you didn't know to go inside the mall area you may miss it.

That being said, the store is like a little knitting oasis in a very abandoned desert. Even though its inside the mall its bright, clean and there are sofas and tables to sit and knit at. The owner, Thelma, is a doll. She's inviting and open, much like the store.

The yarn she carries is recognizable to most people, Berrocco, Cascade, Noro...but the area she's in she's completely breaking new ground. Most of the people in that area would have been buying their yarn at Wal Mart or JoAnns prior to visiting her store. In light of that, WOW. She's been open for almost 2 years even!

So if you're a local, or even a kind of local, stop in to the shop. We need all the yarn stores we can get don't we? Especially nice ones.

Seriously? Don't steal.

Does anyone still read this damn thing?

The PuppyMomma — 2011-02-20T03:44:00Z

Because yeah, its been a while since I posted. Its been kinda busy here. Some good, some not.

I've been fostering more dogs, though the last one, Sophie, was adopted out to a wonderful family right before Christmas. Since then I've been taking a break.

Because I'm pregnant.

Yes. Pick your jaw up off the floor. I'm due in early August. Needless to say, it was a bit of a shock, and kind of scary too. I think it shocked everybody, myself, friends, and family. But now its starting to be interesting. I'm just beginning my 2nd trimester, and according to quite a number of people I'm beginning to show a bit. So now I can't answer, 'its just fat.' Now its a girl.

I can honestly say that my friends have been wonderful. To the last one each of them have stepped up and supported me in some tangible way. I hesitate to start thanking everyone because I'm worried I'll miss a name. Pregnancy brain, you know? So I'll just say to all of my friends, THANK YOU. And I love you.

At some point I'll post a picture or two (or 12, watch out) of ultrasounds and stuff. In the meantime, I'm just going to listen to my cravings and marvel in the comfort of maternity pants.

Seriously? Don't steal.

Me and a little technology...

The PuppyMomma — 2010-11-15T05:02:00Z

Can be scary.

This is a video of Charlie and our newest foster dog Sophie. Playing. Really.

Seriously? Don't steal.

People I think Sarah Palin needs to be interviewed by...

The PuppyMomma — 2010-10-28T03:41:00Z

Jon Stewart
Steven Colbert
Ali G
Big Bird
Herself

I'd pay money to watch her be interviewed by Ali G. I think the same list also applies to that chick in Delaware. You know, the one who is "not" a witch?

Seriously? Don't steal.

Tonite's bit of wisdom.

The PuppyMomma — 2010-09-02T03:24:00Z

Friends are much like teeth. If you don't take care of them they'll probably go away.

I thought of that earlier. Apropos of nothing. Just going up the stairs. It's weird where my wisdom appears isn't it?

Oh, and Cavalier Idol voting has started! I entered Conan and Charlie this year. Conan is contestant #329 and Charlie is contestant #330. Voting is $1.00 per vote. It goes to help Cavalier Rescue and is tax deductible. Please vote for them. They already have 2 votes each, but Bucky from Florida already has 110! Help me stuff the ballot box everyone!

Seriously? Don't steal.

No joke. I suck at blogging.

The PuppyMomma — 2010-08-31T03:26:00Z

Possibly its because I really have nothing of import to share. Life here in Dogtopia is rather routine. Eat, sleep, shit...and that's just what the dogs do. I'm kind of comfortable with routine these days. Maybe I'm just getting old. I remember being younger and wanting to be out every night and with friends as much as possible. I still love my friends and want to spend time with them, but out every night? No way man. I'm old. And crotchety.

Like I said, nothing much changes. I spin and I forget to take pictures. I knit and I forget to take pictures. Sometimes I even buy yarn, and I forget to take pictures. Ahhh, routine...

The only real news is that I've been fostering dogs for Cavalier Rescue . They're the group that gave me Sydney and Charlie. I've always given them money, but in honor of Sydney now I give them time too. I've only had 3 foster dogs, 2 of which were a bonded pair.

Toby and Izabela. The sweetest pair of dogs you'll ever meet. It was like taking care of one dog they were so sweet and easy tempered.

Izzy is the wee-est thing and Toby is the largest cavalier I've ever run across. He's also one of the happiest, and he shows it with his whole body.

I had them for a month and then they were adopted by a wonderful couple, both research scientists, who were home most of the day. You know you've found the right people when a shy, timid dog like Izzy goes right up to a man and sits there and lets him pet her without even flinching. She was on his lap in minutes. He calls her his princess.

Unfortunately after about 2 weeks the husband was diagnosed with an acute form of Leukemia and Toby and Izzy have been staying with a friend. Though they're not suffering for it. Not even remotely. The friend has a cavalier of her own, and a terrier and a dashschund. Toby and Izzy have their own room, with their beds ON TOP of a bed, and steps for Izzy so she can just trot on up them and get into bed. And there's a doggy door that Toby isn't afraid of and uses so he can go outside and investigate to his heart's content. And they're loved. Their adoptive parents have visited with them, now that the husband is out of the hospital for a bit. I was there the first time they visited and cried to see how happy the pups were to see their parents and how happy their parents were to see them! Especially their dad. He needs to get better so they can come home. Besides, Izzy picked HIM and she's not the kind of dog to do that easily or often.

Charlie, or New Charlie as we called him here, was our most recent foster.

(does that face remind you of anyone in particular?)
Came to us from a horrible background and with all sorts of bacterial infections and other junk. But sweet. So sweet. And forgiving. I think you could've beaten him and he'd still just look at you adoringly and want to snuggle. Poor little guy started suffering from abcesses on his feet about 10 days after coming to live with us.

We were constantly at the vet getting them drained, and it seems like he never got off of antibiotics. He was so brave about all of it too. He went to his new family about a week ago (August 22nd). Talk about having a wonderful new life! His new mom even says that he was loved before he even got there and this is the home he'll have forever, no matter what. He's got a cavalier brother named Rowdy, and a spaniel sister named Abigail (who has diabetes and is blind, but took to Charlie right away) and 2 cats. His new parents have grandkids, who were there when I dropped him off, so he even has a BOY to play with sometimes. To add to the awesomeness he even gets to go camping in an RV! With his own look-out station! Maybe tomorrow I'll post the email that his mother sent to me (from him). It'll make you laugh and cry.

Cavalier Rescue is holding its Cavalier Idol fundraiser soon. Please vote if you can afford to. Plus its tax deductible. There have been some expensive dogs this year, including New Charlie. Don't make me break out more dog photos. If you really make me beg I'll send Charlie after you.

Ok, enough of the pandering for money.

Maybe not.

My friend Heather has also started an Etsy shop. She does some amazing things with yarn and dye. Go there, buy stuff. Feel free to buy this for me. You have to. I made her open the shop.

Seriously? Don't steal.

Looking for a good home.

The PuppyMomma — 2010-05-25T04:03:00Z

Meet Toby and Izabela. We're fostering them for Cavalier Rescue . I need to take pictures of them awake...

He's 4 and she's 3 if I recall correctly. Can you believe someone was going to abandon these two?

Izzy is wee, she's smaller than Charlie even. Ideally she'd be around 13 lbs or less. Puddin-butt is a bit overweight right now. She looks kind of like a dinner roll. She was a puppy mill dog and just wants to be loved, much as she's terribly timid. But she follows me everywhere now.

Poor Toby is matted beyond belief. They have a groomers appointment on Thursday and he's probably going to have to be completely shaved. Its like they NEVER brushed him. He just wants to be loved. Even when I sit and try to brush him he's happy as a clam because he's getting affection. He's a lover. Just so sweet. And big. He's bigger than Sydney was, length-wise. All the hair makes him look much heavier. Mr. Wiggle-worm.

I picked them up on Saturday evening. Everybody did ok for about the first 24 hours, but Charlie has started becoming aggressive. I think she's jealous. Especially since they did play with and/or touch her toys. (Never mind that some of them were ones she took from Conan.) She goes after Toby mostly. He's terrified of her. I've started keeping her leashed to me unless they're eating or sleeping. Conan on the other hand...well, he just does his thing. I think he knows they're probably not going to be here forever, but they don't bother him and he tolerates them. Izzy tried to kiss him earlier, but I think he really tries to save himself for Molly next door.

Seriously? Don't steal.

Facebook

The PuppyMomma — 2010-05-09T11:48:00Z

Ravelry, Plurk and Twitter have sucked up all my time. Sad isn't it?

I offer this video up as apology.

Seriously? Don't steal.

This post brought to you by Snowmageddon 2010 and sweat. Lots of both.

The PuppyMomma — 2010-02-07T16:27:00Z

Do I really have to say it? It snowed. I think at least 32" here. It snowed so much that I had to take the plexiglass window out of my screen door and stick the shovel out and shovel that way in order to open the front door and make it to the stoop. So much that there is about 5' of snow on the side of the road (and at the end of my driveway, or would've been had my neighbor not attacked it with his AWESOME snowblower) where the plows came by. At least we got plows though. Ah, the benefits of living on a snow emergency route.

People, it snowed so much that Charlie doesn't even like it. And she's kind of a snow whore. I think its because she can't go out exploring. Just keeps coming up against a wall of snow thats at least twice as high as she is. Can't see over it even when she stands on her hind legs.

I have sweat under my boobs people. Thats how much I've been shoveling. Boob sweat is NOT comfortable. One of the many, many downsides of having tons-of-tits. Oh...the day I can have a reduction...But I digress. We're really not talking about my breasts. We're talking about the snoosturm of the day.

We got a lot of napping done here in Dogtopia. And some knitting. Mostly napping. Though I did get a bit of Peggy's Xmess socks done, wound a few skeins of yarn, blocked a shawl, and cast on and began to knit a new shawl. Did I say we napped a lot?

I'm telling you, all of the napping and non-snow-exploring tired Charlie out.

See?

Seriously? Don't steal.

All this and I didn't even get a lousy t-shirt.

The PuppyMomma — 2010-01-30T05:04:00Z

I'm officially sick of travelling. Hell, I was sick of travelling last month. Can I please stay home for a while?

You'd think that with all the flying I've done there'd be a mess of FO's, but there isn't. You'd think then I'd have cast on for a ton of projects at least. I haven't. Its kind of upsetting, I feel so unproductive. Especially since I've had quite a bit of time just sitting. I go on another business trip this weekend, by bus, so I have 3 hours to kill. I'll probably sleep, since the bus leaves so frackin' early on Sunday morning, but there'll still be some time with nothing to do, and I can't read on the bus or I'll hurl. So I've cast on for a chevron-style scarf which I already don't really like.

Maybe I'll start another pair of socks. You can never have too many pairs of socks, can you?

And while I'm thinking about it, I need to come up with a better way of photographing everything. What do you use? Light-box suggestions anyone?

Seriously? Don't steal.

I don't always like what I find when I look inside myself.

The PuppyMomma — 2010-01-12T04:30:00Z

Yes, I pretty much went back into therapy after Sydney died. I'm still having trouble with his death. Fortunately for me, I've been seeing this doctor for many years. More than I want to admit to on a blog. In the past year we've not only discussed losing Sydney, but how his death fits into so much else in my life and how I react, medicated or not.

Its almost 1 year since he died. And still around this time each month, for a few days before the 13th and a few days after, I get emotional. Not necessarily weepy emotional, sometimes I'm just more likely to snap at someone or take things the wrong way. And it sneaks up on you.

I've noticed that certain things affect me physically. Depression makes me tired. Like so tired I feel like I'm lacking oxygen and my limbs can hardly move. Emotional upset, like ending a relationship, sometimes even rejection, that burns, like I've been rubbed raw with a grater. Loss, like Sydney's, that hurts. Thats like I've been beaten with a baseball bat. But the bruises are on the inside.

You know that you have to change your actions and behaviors in order not to repeat the same mistakes over and over. You can try to convince yourself that you have, that you did, that things are different from what they were before. You're not going to let things affect you like they have in the past. But you know that saying, 'whereever you go, there you are?' It applies in your head too. Just how possible is it to change behaviors and feelings? Sadness is sadness and disappointment is disappointment. I think the worst part of being an adult, being responsible for your actions and behaviors, is that you aren't allowed to react. Sometimes I just want to lie on the floor and have a tantrum. Or sit in the corner and cry. The closest I've been able to get to any of that is after Sydney died (yes, I refuse to say 'passed' or 'crossed over' or 'left us') I would sit and wail. But then I had to go right back to work. 24 hours later even. And there's no way I can sit with my doctor and just wail. I can't let myself go like that.

The semi-anonymity of a blog is kind of nice sometimes.You CAN let yourself go a bit. You can ramble and just put down random thoughts. You can admit that you still sob and cry yourself to sleep some nights. You can admit that you let yourself get hurt by minor disappointments. You can admit that you're still way too sensitive even after all of these years trying not to be. Doesn't help much, but still, you can do it. Its kind of like journaling. Or writing a letter to someone and never sending it.

Why the hell is catharsis so hard to find?

Why can't it be as easy to find as coffee?

Because apparently I can find that even while driving.

Seriously? Don't steal.

So, yeah...

The PuppyMomma — 2010-01-05T04:43:00Z

Suck it 2009. Let's not repeat you, ok?

Sorry all, my time was really taken up last year with trying to keep my head above water financially (in case you hadn't noticed, people weren't really spending money, which makes my job difficult because then stores don't buy anything from ME), a whole lot of therapy to help me deal with losing Sydney, and keeping Charlie from driving me even more insane than I already am.

Its not that she's bad. Its just that she's not good. I'm trying to get us started with private training classes as soon as I can (yeah, I know I've been saying that since last April). Hopefully that way I can work around the insane travel schedule I have for the next 2 months. Fortunately or unfortunately I will be taking on more responsibility so my father can start working only with our key accounts. Crazy starts this weekend. Overnight in Atlanta for a trade show. Yay. Especially since the whole explosive pantieliner incedent...I better be allowed to bring knitting on the plane sohelpme.

So, I'm going to attempt to be better at blogging this year. It may work since I'll now be able to blog when I'm on the road since the new netbook came to live with us. I call her Charlotte. Don't know why, just do.

Maybe next blog post I'll have pictures of new yarn acquisitions, or things I've knit, or dogs or something. Maybe next blog post I'll actually be interesting.

I'm a bit rusty.

Seriously? Don't steal.

Yeah, I'm still alive.

The PuppyMomma — 2009-10-07T03:45:00Z

Watch this.

Seriously? Don't steal.

A list (at least a partial list) of people that I'd like to meet or wish I had met. In no particular order.

The PuppyMomma — 2009-07-27T03:34:00Z

Walter Cronkite
Allen Greenspan
Tim Russert
Sandra Day O'connor
Michelle Obama
Lee Iacocca
T. Boone Pickens
Warren Buffet
Henry Kissinger
Bill Clinton
Bill Gates
Rudolph Nureyev
Queen Elizabeth
Margaret Thatcher

I'm limiting to people who were or still are alive during my lifetime, even if it was only part of it. Otherwise the list would be a lot longer. I'm sure there are more names to come.

Seriously? Don't steal.

BEST. QUOTE. EVER.

The PuppyMomma — 2009-07-16T03:44:00Z

So I was listening to my local NPR station today on my way to a customer and they were discussing the future of the Republican Party in Maryland. Former Lieutenant Governor, now head of the GOP Michael Steele came up. And one of the analysts on the program, who prior to this statement had in no way been bashing the Republican Party said, "Michael Steele is the Michael Scott of the Republican Party." I'm serioulsy glad I wasn't drinking anything at that moment because I'd have spit it out or choked or died or something. I actually guffawed. Really.

In other news, I've finally become a twat. A twit. A twitterer? A victim of time suckage really.

Though I've been spinning and knitting, so I must not be losing too much time. I'll detail that later, maybe even post a picture or two about it, but not right now. Sorry.

My bff is in town and I'm going to see her and the kids tomorrow!!!! YAY!

Seriously? Don't steal.

Charlie isn't afraid of fireworks.

The PuppyMomma — 2009-07-04T15:58:00Z

Lucky for us.

Seriously? Don't steal.