Trying to Get Back on Track

Girls at the Sewing Machine

What a summer it has been so far!  First I was sick for a month and then I had my grandchildren visiting for two weeks in a row!  The kids and I had a great time working on crafts and doing some sewing projects.  Even the little girl next door got involved.  There was lots of pool time, trips to the movies, and watching the parade that formed in front of our house for the 4th of July.  Not much crochet in the works over the summer months, though.

4th of July Float

I was looking around the net to find a charity where I could use my sewing skills.  In January I got a new Husqvarna machine and wanted to put it to some use.  I found Sew Much Comfort, an organization that adapts clothing for injured veterans.  Most of the adaptation involves opening existing seams, attaching bias tape extensions, and sewing velcro buttons on the bias tape.  Sew Much Comfort is very particular about their finished clothing so I had to submit a trial t-shirt as a test.  I passed the test and received my first “6-pack” of shirts to adapt.  They were due in 4 weeks.  Even with the flu and the grandkids, I managed to return two  6-packs this summer.

T-Shirt Adapted for Sew Much Comfort

This is such a worthwhile undertaking.  I do not know anyone who is serving overseas and I consider myself a dove when it comes to foreign policy but we all have to make our own decisions about the path we will take in life.  I don’t support either of our wars but the folks who are serving still need help to get their lives back to normal.  If you have sewing skills or new clothing to donate, please consider Sew Much Comfort.

My new pup, Frazier, is making himself very comfortable with us.  I have started him on a rewards training routine with Jenny at StarBright Dog Training.  He has learned to walk on a leash without straining and to wait at doorways before entering.  He still has issues with ignoring other moving objects when we take a walk.  Frazier has a very strong hunter instinct and I am finding it hard to control.  He is also on a much better diet thanks to Whole Dog Journal.  I hope that he will be with us for a long time.

Frazier Doing a Bit of Sunbathing

 

Introducing My New Pooch, Frazier!

This free scrapbooking design made with Smilebox

 

Bailey Wolf April 1995 – February 20, 2010

My pound puppy Bailey passed away this morning at 8:30.  He was 2 months shy of being 15 years old.  Lately, he had been suffering from back and hip problems.  In the last two days, though, he was doing very well and was almost back to his old self.  I was hoping that we would have him for another few months but it wasn’t meant to be. Last night he was obviously in a lot of pain.  He couldn’t walk and his legs were at odd angels.  He also had a massive cancerous tumor on his chest.  He went peacefully in my arms after receiving an euthanasia shot from his vet.  I’ve included a few photos of the best dog in the world.