It all Started on June 09, 2007

I started this blog on 6/9/2007 to join a knitting swap called "Knitters Virtual Vacation". I am still in touch with many of the vacationers.   

We all say this-I did not realize that it has been that long since I posted, I started this post on 2/5/11 but did not put it up. I'm trying out some of the new features that blogger has added. I have made a 'new' page "About me" and I'm thinking of one about my cats and other subjects that I think my friends might like.

I am still unemployed and so many of my hours a day are looking at jobs from so many sources that it has become a full time job.  I have come to realize that I am not marketable in the industry I have always worked in. I need to reinvent myself. Then there is the 'age' issue. Everyone is letting go of the experienced workers-read-older and higher paid. Then they post the job looking for level entry but want all the experience that the person they just let go has.

What I really need to do is apply for social security disability. When I'm not looking for work I go to doctor appointments. If you have have advice let me know? There is so much information out there and on the SS site that my mind goes numb. 
Now for your viewing pleasure-

2/15/2011 Here is Pia all stretched out.

 and this is the little girl I adopted on 1/23/2005

4/12/2011- Sissy & Pia-it is very rare that they are together. They were close as kittens but as they got older they have own special spots. Sissy spends most of her time with me and Zorro has now started taking a spot on the couch.

Sissy is not that happy but is giving him some space

Still here but lost in a row boat with 1 oar

Hello to anyone who is still out there. I have not visited my blog friends is months. I am going to keep this short. I lost my knitting muse. I cast on a pair of socks on 1/1/10 so I could start the new year on the right foot.

On 5/21, my Supervisor and I who complied the whole of the "Production" department were given immediate notice that our services were no longer needed "due to restructuring of the Production function within ****** company.

I have never not had a job. The market out there sucks. You can not believe the job requirements. It looks like every job want a Bachelors degree to just answer the phones. In addition to the over done job descriptions, high school & college graduates are in the running because they are all level entry so many companies are going to take advantage of that for the summer months. I have over 30 years of experience which does not seem to count for much right now. I've been applying for jobs that I am over qualified for but that is OK, I could deal with less stress right now.

The upside to being home this long is that I have cleaned out my garden and going through closets and drawers. I have already made two trips to Goodwill. I have taken pictures of Barbie's and other collectibles to put up on Ebay. Then there is a collection of 'vintage' that I will try on Etsy.These garden pictures were taken back in May. Since then the landscapers cut everything back so the management company can fix the soffit, roof & gutters. If I had not "been home" I would not have know I had a problem. So that was an upside of not working. I was going to take these into work like I do every year but before I had a chance I did not have the job.

The cats love having me home. I have taken dozen of pictures of them. They are such clowns. Sissy in particular loves having me home to the point where I am more than ready not be be at home. I spend 6-8 hours searching for jobs on many different sites and she is right next to me looking for attention. She is doing things that she never did before.

Zorro eating out of Pia's bowl. Took this one so you could see how big she is.Here is Stanley on the bottom shelf of my gardening bench. This is one place he spends a lot of time staying cool in the afternoons
This was taken in the morning. This was as close as I could get. I took one move forward and he left this spot.

We all know how our furry friends like boxes. Zorro had been curled up sleeping but by the time I got the camera he sat up. Then he left.
Within seconds Sissy got it. She stayed awhile then she took off, she just could not help herself to find out what Zorro saw in the box. She & Zorro are pals. The are the frick & frack of my kitty brood.
Every morning I open the front door and the morning sun comes in. Sissy & Pia grab a spot. This spot has become Pia's main spot. Here is my fat cat in all her glory. No shame here.

Have to go now, job search continues. I will do better in posting, it might also help me talk to adults.

WoW-Zorro

Here is my big boy. As I look at my garden (weeds) he will follow me around and stop me so he can get attention.

The last of my Peonies. I was able to get a better picture once the sun came out to show you the hand blown cobalt blue vase.

WoW- Gift for Mom

On Sunday 3/29/09, I looked out to see Zorro bringing home his conquest. Not on your life was he getting in. The last time he did this, he paused and set the bird down and it flew off. As you can see this did not happen in my presence so I do not know the fate of this bird.

I have lots of pictures and only one knitting up date to come and I WILL update as I do not want months to go by like I have been doing of late. If you want to keep up with the other WoW kitties, click on the WoW picture above.

WoW- Flash back

Well, a lot has been going on and I miss blogging so I am going to try and keep up. With the 90 degree weather we have had for the last 4-5 day here in NoVa I thought you would enjoy this.
Please stop by and visit WoW

Finaly Snow!

I have so many, well too many posts to update my blog. As it looks like I can get a snow day today I have taken a video of the boys usual routine of going out after breakfast. I will be taking videos later on. Our company had a 2 hour opening delay at 6:00. They said to call back at 7:45. My usual routine is to get up at 5 am and leave the house at 6:45. For those of you have ever used the mixing bowl at Springfield 95N you will understand this. I live down near Ft Belvior and only have one way to get to work is to drive south to Rt 7100 Fairfax County Parkway, I then merge onto 95N at the Newington ramp. I go for about 2 miles to take the fly over ramp to head to Tyson's Corner. They have already have had an accident on that ramp. The roads do not look good and because the snow is still coming down it fills up right after they plow.

For your viewing pleasure...I can only take the video and not direct so it's all up to what the boys will do. Zorro came through. 7:27 am.

Edited at 4:31 pm EST--I am pleased to report that at 8:13 am Zorro was at the door!

This is Stanley in his new bed. Now he knows how to spend a snow day!

Whiskers On Wednesday--The heat is on!

I have been so bad at posting that I could not even do WoW one once a week. On Monday October 20th, Sissy got on top of the entertainment unit looking for heat. By the 23rd I turn the programmable thermostat to heat. It would not go on until it was 68 degrees. Well, it finally got cold enough and up she went. Zorro followed. He does not know why she is up there but that is best friend and that is what friends do. She is looking at him at what a stupid boy he is! the bad part of this is now Sissy is sometimes getting on the tree which is Stanley's only place that he is comfortable.

Please stop in to see what all my WoW friends were up too.

The battle is on!

We are having a battle of the bed. This bed once belonged to my beloved Pug Manda who shared her bed with Missy. You can read about them here

Last winter I kept the bed on the patio for the boys. They were not coming into the house everyday back then. I washed the bed and brought it in and Sissy has taken it as hers but Zorro think is is his.

Zorro 11/1/08 at 10:28 PM

Sissy 11/1/08 10:28

Zorro 11/1/08 at 11:04 PM
Now if I had a dog it could be worse. Cat in Dog Bed

Whiskers on Wednesday

Zorro sleeps in the most unusual places. Unfortunately I don't always have my camera handy. Hmm, a super power to add, a photographic memory with a USB port in my finger. This is where I found him this weekend. Sleeping on top of a bookcase in my bedroom. He likes this position. I have found him sleeping like this up against a baseboard, in the kitchen against the cabinet or fridge grill. He likes to sleep flipped over anywhere.

Pia in the meantime likes to blend in.

Please stop by WoW and check out the other posts. I hope to get back on schedule with my regular blog posting soon. More later...

Whiskers on Wednesday

Oh, to be a cat and sleep so soundly. Zorro is the spot that Pia made. BTW, I have not found Pia sleeping here anymore so I guess it is now Zorro's spot.

Last Saturday I was doing a kitty check. I could not find Zorro. Then Sissy gave him up! Sleeping at the end of my coffee table.

Stanley has a better idea. His own spot high up.

Remember to stop by WoW and check out the cats that have their own web page.

Whiskers on Wednesday

This is a short post. My camera battery went dead so the post I planned will have to wait for next week.
This is Zorro last night in Pia's spot!! After awhile I had to get him down. Pia is getting stressed. It started with the fleas and now she is loosing hair on her big, fluffy tail.
This is Sissy's new spot after dinner. This is the only window that lets the sun in and it only comes in at a angle as the sun sets. Smart girl!

Head on over the WoW! I am in the spotlight this week!! Monica you did a wonderful job.

I'm addicted to socks.

I can't stop myself. I want to knit other things but I can't help myself! I have such lovely sock yarn that I have to knit it up. I know I could use the same yarn for something else but I find knitting socks so satisfying. I love the process. Thing is you would think after making so many pairs in a row that I would not have to spend time ripping and tinking back. I just loose myself. Here is the start of my Graffiti socks

The Rocky Roads as a pair.
Zorro Update

After getting me all worked up yesterday morning and staying hidden all morning, he came out for dinner last night and this morning. Last night he got on the back of the couch to get close to Sissy. She licked him a few times and then he settled down. He spent the night with us watching TV.

Last year I had a problem with Stanley and his leg. He had a gash but let me doctor him and his is OK. Since Zorro is not hiding out and eating and drinking and wanting love I am going to give him a better exam this evening. Now get this. I have kept Stanley in all weekend and after dinner tonight, he limps away! I'll check him out too.

As I sit here and write Zorro just stopped by. I was able to touch his feet but when I got to his elbow he meowed. Swelling has gone down since yesterday. I'll keep a watch and feel the situation out.

This is the way I feel about what the boys are doing. Using up their lives!

Zorro update

Well, after looking everywhere and running the vacuum and taking a dust mop under most to the furniture, Zorro showed up. There was one corner under the entertainment unit and where Pia was facing. As that was the only place I did not look it was a good bet that he was there. I went out side and when I came back in he was looking to get out. He then backed off so I went and got a bowl of food for him. He was interested but backed up. There is something wrong with his right leg. He went back into my bedroom where I have locked him in. Last I checked he was on the bed. He let me pet him and when I touched his leg he hissed. OK, enough for now. I'll be getting a better look later on. Vet appointment tomorrow.

Rocky Road Sock 1 down

I finished sock #1 yesterday and have started the second one. This time I'm using a Size 1 24" to knit the magic loop. This yarn is so soft. I just love it. You can find more of Bubbleknits yarn at her Etsy store Alabama Fiber Dreams.


Not much else has happened around here, which is good news. So just a quick update.
Here is Zorro kicking back yesterday. Pia made the cushion plump down and now everyone has had there stay in this place.

Zorro on the chase

This boy sure keeps me on my toes. What a beautiful day it is today. Step outside and see that Zorro is at the tree condo. Oh, what can it be. It is a inexperienced squirrel! 1st he makes it to the roof, then jumps back into the tree. So I'm ready to see what happens next. Thank goodness the squirel was just fast enough. I could not stand to see it caught or Zorro hurt.

Zorro with new quarry

This is not the first time he came home with something in his mouth but for the life of me I could not figure out what it was. I was watching him from the patio door knowing I could not go out as he would run in. Something is fluttering in his mouth. So I stood there for what seemed like forever. After a while I thought I would have to go to the rescue and pry his mouth open. Then low and behold he opened up. Grabbed the camera and this is his new find