Doggie Swim Day at Manda's!

So, Sunday was Doggie Swim Day at Manda's! Let's just say it was SO much fun!!! Here we are going to start with doggie swimming pictures!!

What was so great was that Jackjack has figured out how to jump into the pool at any location. He used to only get in at the stairs. Now he just flies into the pool!

They way my pups swim is Abby swims and has fun and Jackjack chases her around and barks and jumps in after her.
We haven't figured out if he's trying to save her or what?
He will literally be across the yard and sniffing...he hears her jump in and he runs over and jumps in after her. :) It's so funny!!
Manda and I did get in the pool for a bit. It was a great day...not too hot and the water was the perfect temp.
Manda has a small dog and cats...so I was just a little worried that my two big dogs would be overwhelming to her and her husband but I think that the fell for Jackjack and Abby as many other humans do. :) Even their pup Nala got in on some of the play. She didn't swim though.
They had so much fun!! They did start scraping up their back nails so we decided it was time to relax. Those pictures will come in the next post!

Thanks again Manda for the fun Doggie Swim day!! :) She has even invited us back!

WWKIP! and yes...really late but with TONS of pictures!

Ok..yes, our event was held two Saturdays ago..but for some reason I just can't get blogs or podcasts up in a timely manner lately. At least I'm getting them up! So, Saturday June 20th was my knitting group which we like to call ourselves the Fiber Fanatics, had our World Wide Knit in Public day. I planned the event at a local park at a really nice shelter spot. It was funny because when we got there the reservation sign said "Rush Party." I laughed because I forget that I have a new name. :) My niece Surfer girl was like isn't that a sorority party. eheheheh

The venue I picked is one of my favorite spots.
How can you resist being out by the water...even though it was hot the breeze helped a lot!This was a pic of when we first got there. Check out the cool decorations that Sid made!And here is Sid, Frankie's new mommy! Frankie's new sister is Arwyn and they get along so great!Sid the crafty woman that she is...made these awesome red velvet cupcakes!Frankie hanging with Arwyn by his new daddy.Manda and I brought our wheels and spun a bit



Here's Manda!
Here is Surfer Girl. She looks so amused. :)
Sheryl without Levi but with her never ending sock! :)
My sister Fleas crocheting!!
We all had a great time. It was sad to leave but the park closes at dusk! Hope you enjoyed the pictures!!

Happy WWKIP day!!

PS...I think every day is KIP day! ;) heheeh

Review: Namaste Zuma

I have started receiving items to review for my podcast and I also wanted to add them here on my blog as well. That way I can add pictures here and my podcast page. :) So, in the future you will see Review posts that will contain items that I am also reviewing for my podcast.The first item is the Namaste Zuma bag. I must admit this is my first Namaste item ever. I've heard a lot of great things about the company and I've seen many pictures of the bags on other sites and blogs. I must admit they are nothing compared to actually seeing the bags in person. My bag arrived about 3-4 weeks ago and I wanted to really spend some time with it before I did a proper review. The first thing that comes to mind about my Zuma bag is that I love it!! I use it as my every day purse.Since I carry knitting with me at all times, this purse is perfect. It's got a wide mouth and lots of room to carry many things. While I was reading the twilight series, which everyone knows these books are huge!! I was able to carry the book, my dad's vest I was knitting, and my purse things all in one bag!
I also like how it has 2 magnets so if I just need it to snap closed quickly they help me out. The front pocket is perfect for your keys, phone, ipod, and wallet, that is if you have a small wallet. My wallet is a bit bigger so I throw it in to the center compartment. The center has some nice pockets to keep you organizes and plenty of room as I've said. There is also a nice zipper pocket on the back of the bag.

The material used for the bag is PVC-free, animal-friendly faux leather. I think it's great because it seems to hold up to a bit of wear and tear. I just know that I have to keep it away from my leather loving Lab. :) He hasn't shown interest in eating it yet but I think it I leave a chocolate bar or something sweet in my bag...it's over. :)

The Zuma bag comes in the following colors: Charcoal, Eggplant, Hollywood Pink, Lime, Olive, Peacock, Saddle, Turquoise. My bag is Peacock.

I give this bag a thumbs WAY up! For me it's easy to carry and keeps everything organized and easy for me to find. I will be reviewing it as well in the next episode of Barknknit Podcast so feel free to listen in to hear more about this bag.

Well..I hope you have enjoyed my review of the Namaste Zuma bag. One last quick note...the owners of the company are dog people. How can you go wrong investing in a company owned by dog people. :) We love that here in the Barknknit house.

Frankie's new home.

Hello….sorry I've been silent all weekend. I do have a lot to share with you. First off to explain the title. We have decided to find Frankie a new home. Please don’t be upset with me. This was a VERY hard decision for me and one that I had to make. I felt that we did not have enough to give to Frankie with training him and doing what Frankie needs and I was feeling that Jackjack, Abigail and I were suffering because of it as well as Frankie. There are many things that contributed to this and I just feel I don't want to share them all on here. If you want, please feel free to ask me.

I never felt I was a person to let a dog go that came into my house but I have realized that I am the one in charge of all the training and dog walking and that I just can’t give enough to three dogs especially one that needs a lot from someone right now. He is a great dog and I love him to death…but I just feel it was best if I found him a new home. This decision was made between Thursday and Friday.

The good thing was that we had already been asked for Frankie by several people…so I thought about who I could see him with and I called my knitting friend and asked if she would seriously consider adopting Frankie. She spoke to her Mr. Man and asked if I would bring him over to meet their dog Arwyn, a black lab mix.

So, Friday I took him over and hung out for over an hour and watched Frankie play and play with Arwyn and also watched him learn how to use their doggie door. When I left they said that they would keep him over night and see how it goes and let me know what they decide. I left and I told her he will whine for me but if you distract him he will be ok.

She called me Saturday morning with good news. She said that he did whine but every time he did Arwyn ran over and started playing with him and kept him occupied. She said that sleepy time was interesting because Arwyn really wasn’t sure about sharing the bed with another dog but in the end they all slept in the bed and it went well. She walked the two of them that morning and was able to easily walk them. So, she said that they had decided to keep him and went out and bought him a new crate, doggie bed, and more toys.

She also brought him and Arwyn with them on Saturday to our WWKIP day event and they both did great. Here is a picture of the Fiber Fanatics group setting up our event with Frankie and Arwyn to help us. Frankie's new mommy did all the decorations. She's very crafty!

It was sad not having him at home because he will always have my heart and be a part of my pack but I think it’s best for him to live with them. The good thing is that I will get to see him when I want and I’ll get updates about him all the time. I think he will be happy with them and I think my marriage will be better off with just the two dogs.

I know that not everyone will understand this decision as I know that I’ve not always understood when others decided this but I have to admit that it was the right choice. He’s going to be loved and taken good care of. My friend is a dog person and I know that she will give him everything he needs.

Well...I hope you understand but feel free to tell me what you feel. I've come to grips with this and I'm doing ok. I feel I was a great foster mom for him but he needed to be where he is now.

Thank you for reading this.

Natalie.

PS..I have tons more pictures of the WWKIP day to share but will post them later today or tomorrow.

Skien her Ways' 2009 Summer Knitting Goals Contest

I found a cool contest through Knit with KT's blog for Skein her way's Summer Knitting Goals Contest. I thought it was pretty cute. You post your goals for the summer and she enters you to win prizes. You have to love that. And since I could use more lists and goals I figured I'd jump in.

Here are my goals for the summer months:

1. Complete the knitted gifts that I have on my needles and for those who's birthdays are in the summer or at least close to summer.
2. Knit myself a Lace Shawl.
3. Learn to weave on a loom.
4. Complete home processing the first fleece and the majority of the 2nd fleece.
5. Walk all of my dogs together at least once a day around the lake in my neighborhood.
6. Teach Abby to run next to a bike.
7. Summer Clean my craft room...get rid of the things that are no longer needed.
8. Save money!!
9. ok...this may be a long shot but try to trade/sell some of my stash I do not think I will be using.
   

I think that's all I got for now. :) I'm sure other things will come up. Go over and join the contest there are some cute prizes!