…to another host.
Please forgive if things are a bit wonky around here for a little while.

And please, please, have a wonderful, safe, and Happy New Year!!

This afternoon, hubby and I went to Local Vet to pick up the box containing Gus the Wonderdog’s cremated remains. Local Vet has been nothing but wonderful throughout this whole difficult time. The staff not only sent us a lovely card, but they also have called to check up on us.

I kinda lost it when they put my boy, in a little white box, in my hands at the vet.

Before we took Gus on that last fateful car ride, I had decided that I wanted him cremated and returned back to me. This past year, I really got into gardening and landscaping in a big way. Gus was a Mighty Helper throughout the season. I knew that I wanted him back so I could work him into the garden soil. This way, as I am digging, planting, and enjoying the garden this year and in subsequent years…I’ll be thinking of my Gusdog.

****
On a slightly happier note…

There’s been a lot of talk between hubby and me about getting another dog. We definitely think we will, but not till after winter is over. I housebroke Gus in the dead of freakin’ winter, and lemme tell ya, I won’t be doing that again! In my heart of hearts, I’d love to get a resued dog from the Humane Society, or some other rescue group. I have been trolling Petfinder, and want ALL OF THEM. Well, not the kitties, because I am allergic… I just feel like I have a lotta love to offer the critters, ya know?

However, recently I have become enamored with Portuguese Water Dogs. Not familiar with them? Neither was I, except for seeing them trot around the ring during the Westminster Dog Show. Hubby sent me a link to a breeder in Jackson, MI (about an hour from here). I am HOOKED.

Here is a link to the story of Roshi, PWD extraordinaire. All the research that I have done on these dogs leads to stories like these! What sweeties they are…

Having a new doggie in my life would be wonderful, maybe, sometime next year. I’m still feeling pretty sad sbout the Gusdog, and will continue to for a long while. I will always miss him, I think.

If you click on the sexy snowblower on the right ————>
….it’ll take you to some pics I took of this past week’s snowfall.

It was powdery snow: bad for snowmen, good for skiing (but not in Michigan, which is very flat.)

In case you get lost, the pics are in my fall/ winter folder over on Flickr.

So I’ve been knitting lately. I was inspired by Snowball, amongst others. My Gramma taught me how to knit and purl years and years ago. I never learned the other important stuff, though, like…oh…casting on and binding off.

I had read that a lot of bloggers were using the book Stitch ‘n Bitch to rouse their knitting mojo. I bought the book and was HOOKED. I was casting on, knitting, purling, making ribs, and binding off in an evening. Of course, the first “real project” I undertook was a scarf for myself. It’s fuzzy purple chenille rib. I made it waaaaaaay too wide, and waaaaaaay too short, but it’s my first finished project.

Much better was my second project:

(click to enlarge)

I made the scarf for my hubby as an early Christmas present. He picked out the yarn, and I made the scarf up for him. I took all the lessons from the too wide, too short scarf….and made this scarf much better.

Here’s a closeup of the pattern/ yarn:

(click to enlarge)

Currently, I am working on a striped wooly tote bag. I am going to stitch a cotton liner for it. I also have some polymer clay that I can use to make a button closure or some decorative doodads. I’d also like to work up a quick cotton shawl for myself. We are going on vacation at the end of January, and Punta Cana can get a little chilly in the evening!

I swear…knitting is like a sickness….

After getting a whopping eight inches of snow on Wed/ Thurs of this week, we are finally dug out here in the Mitten. It has been COLD here. When I called Mom in Orlando, Florida this morning, she laughed when I said, “Yah…it’s 1.9 degrees up heeyah.”

I’ve been really busy this week. Part of it is the usual holiday-related chuggin’ around we all do, and some of it is “keeping a little extra busy so that I don’t mope as much about my Gusdog.”

I have pics to post, and stuff to write about, but I have to go work on my Unturkey Feast. I promise to take pics and give a thorough culinary critique of the vegan meat substitute turkey imposter!

Appetizer
What is something that never fails to grab your attention?

When I am out shopping, I cannot resist the words “Clearance,” and “Sale.” And oh, if there is a percentage off attached to it…(((fanning self)))

Soup
Who was the last person who gave you money, and what was it for?

Um…I honestly can’t remember the last time someone gave me money.

Salad
If you were a Smurf, what would your name be?

I’d be Sweet Smurf.

Main Course
Do you believe in astrology? Why or why not?

I find astrology entertaining, but I do not believe in it. It just seems like the predictions made in horoscopes, etc. are so general that they could apply to anyone. I feel the same way about psychics.

Dessert
Have you seen any snow this year yet? What’s the weather like today in your area?

We’ve had a couple of dustings of snow here in southeastern Michigan. We really don’t get a lot of snow here till January, if even then. It’s going to be in the low 20’s today, and partly sunny. Bbbrrrrr. Chilly!

Wonder of wonders…I did find a dress for Saturday’s wingding. AND, it’s not black. It’s a cheery, festive red. I was getting a little worried as I traipsed around the mall. I went to the Very Large Department Stores and they had nuthin.’ Zero. Zilch. I was thinking, as I often do, that I had waited too damned long and missed the prime shopping window. But, lo and behold, Ann at Petite Sophisticate got me the hookup, yo. She also convinced me to buy a sparkly wrap to go with the dress. Believe it or not, I actually have hose and shoes already. I must be gettin’ girly in my old age.

Hubby had only this to say when I modelled the dress for him: “Hubba hubba.”

Aaaaaah…speechless and drooling. Just the way I like him. :)

Yesterday was awful. However, I cannot describe the sense of peace that came over me when my pal passed. I knew, in my heart, that the right decision had been made. I’m going to be sad for awhile, but I am very relieved that we have ended Gus’s suffering.

I have bunches of errands, etc. to do today. I think that it is important that I don’t sit around the house and mope. I have to go to the post office, the grocery store and…The Mall. Hubby’s work holiday wingding is Saturday, and I have nothing to wear. No, really. I don’t think Birkenstock clogs and my favorite wooly sweater are gonna cut it. Hopefully I will find something fetching to wear. I am going to try to find something in an actual color. For formal/ dressy wear, I usually gravitate toward a ubiquitous black garment. Boring. Bleah. I am going to look for something in a burgundy, maybe. Or, whatever I can find at this late date.

We also need to bring a couple of White Elephant gifts to the wingding. I am certain that we have a couple of tacky items around the house! Last year, we brought a vinyl Englebert Humperdink Christmas album, and a beer mug of questionable taste. It was a “Beer Bell:” a plastic beer mug glued onto the end of a bar bell. Whew. Gonna be tough to top that this year!

Also, today is the anniversary of the Bahstun Tea Pahty. Celebrate accordingly.

My favorite picture, taken in early 2003:

Gus the Wonderdog, beloved companion.
Dec. 2, 1996- Dec. 15, 2004
Thank you for being my friend, cuddlepartner, and sweet boy.

***
We’re going to the vet one last time this afternoon, at 3:00 EST.
Even though it’s only 5 minutes up the road, it’ll be one of the longest, saddest trips I’ve ever been on.

Thanks to all of you who have left kind and thoughtful wishes.

Hubby and I had The Very Bad Talk.

I have to make the official call to Local Vet to confirm things, but Wednesday will probably be the Very Bad Day.

I know it’s the right thing to do, so my pal doesn’t suffer.

But it hurts so much.