Adventures with a rescue Dog!

First, I know I'm behind on my green challenges, but I have some ideas in mind and will catch up with those shortly.  My excuse will be my little Penny bean.  She's a cutie pie and is slowly coming out of her shell.
As you can imagine she is spoiled rotten.

It's funny, how having my first real pet all by myself, without my parents around to help me - feels semi-like having a kid.  I think that's how my parents felt, as I gave them nearly hourly updates during my first few days with Penny.  I wanted to know if this or that was normal.  Yes, I know I will be a doctor in less than 3 weeks, but not a Vet.  My biggest worry was whether or not she was going to the bathroom enough.  My Dad said, "didn't you not like pediatrics because all parents talk about was pee and poop."  Let me tell you I sent my parents numerous emails freaking out because Penny only feels the need to go potty 2x's per day.  I've seen her go nearly 24 hours without going to the bathroom!!!  That's crazy.

 We were all worried when we got her about what were we going to do when Sief and I have to work 12 hr shifts.  Well apparently we've found the dog for us, because she can hold it that long and longer.  During those first few days she barely drank any water and would only eat 1/2 the amount of food the shelter told us to give her.  I kept touching her nose, it was moist, so I figured she wasn't dehydrated.  She's getting better now.

She sleeps all day, but has a little more spunk.  We finally heard her bark after having her for a full week and not hearing a noise from her, except for her breathing.  One night we locked her in the bathroom, with her bed, where she sleeps at night ... well she decided she had had enough of that.  She stomps around, scratched at the door, and finally barked.  It was funny, because we should have been mad, but were happy, because she spoke!  haha....   And let's just say the spoiled baby now sleeps in my bed with me. 

We're continuing to work on house training her, my plan is still to litter box train her.  You can do that with a dog.  I don't want to make her hold it if Sief and I have to work late.  Her and Sief still are not friends, but they are working on it.

That's my Penny update.  We'll see how she does this week by herself in the house from 8am-5pm, because Sief and I have our last week of medical school!!!  woo woo

I didn't tell the adoption lady that I have yet to keep a house plant alive....

Introducing....Penny!

Hi, my new name is Penny.  This is a picture of me and my new mom.  I was rescued on Tuesday from a  shelter, to this new place that will be my furever home!  They tell me I'm 4 years old.  Before coming to Pennsylvania, I lived in Alabama with a woman who was a hoarder and had 30 dogs!  30 dogs - can you imagine.  Let me tell you there, I did not get much individual attention and the other dogs were mean.  I had a set of puppies at some point as well, don't know where my babies are now.

My mom thinks that in my old home I must have had to fight for a spot on the couch, because that's my absolute favorite spot in my new home.  I LOVE the couch.  At some point my tail was broken and there is a permanent kink in it.  I don't remember, but it's possible that I used to be abused, because I am very shy and timid.  I love my new mom, but am scared a little bit around my new Dad.  He's ok when he gives me treats and I'm ok with sitting with him on the couch, but other than that I don't like to go for walks with him or really let him pet me when I walk by. 

This is a pic of Dad and I on a walk.

Here's me at my favorite spot on the couch.  Dad has put a giraffe on my head (*eyes roll*)  He doesn't think I notice, but I do.  And...he wonders why I don't like him. ;)

My new home is wonderful and I get tons of love and attention.  I have new toys and get treats.  I don't really play with my toys very much.  My mom can't figure out if it's because I've never had toys or if it's because I just don't like to play.  I try to play sometimes, but usually only for a few minutes at a time.  Otherwise, my absolute favorite activity is sleeping.  I LOVE to sleep and rest all day long.  Cuddling and sitting in my mom's lap is also pretty awesome.  My new bed is super comfy (not as comfy as the couch though) and it's eco-friendly, because the stuffing is made out of recycled post-consumer plastic bottles.  I know it doesn't sound comfortable, but it is super comfortable and I sleep all day.  Sometimes I sleep on my back so I can get belly rubs!!! 

Oh and this is me getting in trouble.  While Mom was in the shower I stole a slipper, sock, and a couple pairs of underwear - SCORE!!  Except for mom took them away.  She didn't yell at me though, because I'm so shy I think she's afraid I won't like her if she yells at me.  See being shy has advantages.

utensil holder

First, here is a picture of my sewing room (aka Sief's office).  Since I sold my furniture and have no place to set up my sewing machine, I've taken over the spare room at Sief's place.  It's a perfect craft room, especially during daylight hours when good natural lighting comes in through the window.  The worst part is that the chair is missing a wheel and I flop over lopsided every once in a while - it drives me crazy!

In progress, my pocket that will hold the utensils is attached (outlined in blue) and the rest is still waiting to be finished.  I pretty much just made my own pattern, based off of how tall I felt it needed to be based off the length of a knife and wide enough to be able to wrap around and tie shut.

Here's the finished product - all pretty in blue trim and with a thin piece of fabric attached to the back for a tie.  As you can see if you look closely - my binding skills need some work, especially at the corners.  It's not perfect, but gets the job done!

All tied up!  Isn't it cute?!  The only problem is - I don't think it's quite as functional as I was hoping.  The utensils fall out, even if tied tight, and help upside down.  So I may have random silverware rolling around in my purse.  I'll give a try this week and let you know how things go.

Still Working

I'm still working on my utensil holder.  I got sidetracked yesterday and ended up spending part of the afternoon with a friend, rather than sewing.  Also, I've decided to half make my own pattern, half follow a pattern in a book I have to make a rolly tool kit.  We'll see how this finishes up. 
I went to Joanne's fabrics yesterday and bought some very cute fabric.  1 fat quarter (for $1.99, but 40% off with my coupon) and then 1/4 yard of an accent fabric that was on sale - total cost <$3!!! 
I've started, it's not perfect sewing, but it'll do.  I'll have pictures either later today or tomorrow!

Easy Peasy

This week's green challenge (late as usual), is an easy change, because well I FAILED at last week's challenge of now disposable silverware.




You get the point.  You can see proof for yourself in the picture below of me eating out at the Cherry Blossom Festival - click the picture blow it up and in my hand is a disposable fork.  Granted I do think it was a compostable fork, but that's not the point.
Here's the solution - tomorrow I am going to make a cloth utensil holder to carry in my purse with me at all times.  Utensil Tutorial. 

As for the easy peasy next green challenge:

Green Challenge #14:  Only getting cones when eating ice cream.

Summer is coming and I am moving to a very very hot climate.  I am excited because I will be able to get ice cream, frozen yogurt, and smoothies year round!!!  Instead of getting a cup which could be paper (which will biodegrade, but will take a while) or plastic (will be around longer than I will be alive) - I'll opt for a cone which I can either eat or toss, but is still much more biodegradable than the other option.  There you go an easy green challenge.  Also, eating ice cream off a cone eliminates the need for a spoon and is more fun anyways!
Also something unrelated to this green challenge, but I have been working on is using natural light more often than turning the lights on in a room.  During the day or in the morning, I actually find it much more relaxing to have the sunlight filtering in to light my room, rather than the overhead lights on.  It feels less bothersome and much more natural.  Give it a try or the next time you cross a room or go down a hallway ask yourself if you really need to turn the light on.  Likely it's more out of habit than necessity!

I'll post pictures of my new utensil holder once I finish it!

Cherry Blossom Festival

It's that time of year, when our nation's capital is all a'bloom!  We (boyfriend, brother, and friend) on a day trip to see these beauties.  Well, let me tell you we were not alone in our trek to Tidal Basin.  I assumed that it would be busy, but did not imagine the number of people we encountered in the metro, let alone at the festival itself.

Let's just say relaxing day amongst the blooms was not to be found. It was still fun.  My favorite part was having sitting down, eating lunch, and having petals sprinkle down on me like rain.  Soft little kisses brushing my skin.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy, without the crowd.

Picnic lunch on the grass.

 The view overhead.

Petals, petals, petals.

People, people, people.

 The view across the water.  All the trees in bloom!

The Sweet Taste of Success!

Haha...This is me without furniture.  The craigslist sell was a little too successful a little too soon.  And after this photo was taken, the white table was sold.  :(

Do you like my new cooler-chair.  It was a gift from Andy, because he realized I would soon have nothing to sit on.  Now I can keep my drinks cool (notice the little bag under my bum) while relaxing in my big open living room with aTV on the floor.

Well...ok now I'm lying a little, because last night I lucked out and the people who bought my couches, said they don't need them yet and that I can keep them to sit on until I move!  woo hoo!