#Chewy Influencer the First --- I Really Didn't Think This Through

Among the products Chewy.com offered for trial this month were several with Christmas-y feels.  The little Planning Voice in my head said, "Great!  These can be Christmas presents!"

Except I have to give reviews before Christmas.  

Do you think Tap, Madeleine, and Riley will notice if I tape the containers back up and wrap them for Christmas morning?

Ahem.

First, Blue Buffalo Santa Snacks for Tap.

His reaction to these each time I offer him one is to snag it enthusiastically, run away with it, and hide it.  Scattered around the house are little gingerbread men and stars and trees with single, maybe two, bites out of them.  Maybe he's squirreling them away for Christmas morning himself?

Chewy.com allows me to try products in-home each month in return for honest reviews of those products.  There is never an exchange of money.

Ideal

Wearing a hoodie, sitting in my Daddy's chair, watching football, knitting, occasionally taking Tap out into the crisp, chilly air.

Raining, Pouring, and a Dork

There's a cold rain coming down today, which pleases me.  (Sorry, Kathy.)  The curtains are pulled back to allow for viewing.

Rupert's ashes have been returned. They're on the fireplace mantel now, but I'm not sure that's where they'll stay.  It was sad picking them up, but it's comforting having them here.

I don't think I've mentioned that my washing machine has stopped working.  It filled up with water, washed, but then didn't drain.  It took me two days to bail it all out.  Thank goodness there isn't much laundry to do with only one person in the house.

Then yesterday, my internet and TV service kept going in and out.  Let's all say, "aggravation."  A technician is due to be here "between 4 and 8" today.

In amongst all the bad stuff of late, I did come across a breed of dog which might answer all the times "What kind of dog is he?" has been asked about Tap.  Behold the Dorkie:

And behold Tap:

Dorkie:

Tap:

Dachshund and Yorkshire Terrier.  Now, obviously, Tap isn't a purebred crossbreed, but these are pretty good matches, don't you think?

(PS --- Interesting app available out there: Dog Scanner.)

A Little Love

I've been trying and trying to think of something to say here since Tuesday, and. . .  nothing.  Those of you who have had, and who have lost, pets know the crush that it brings to you.  I miss Rupert so much.  In the shower, considering things to post, I realized I was grinning.  He was funny.  And sweet.  And a little slow on the uptake.  My friend Amanda called him "a little love," and that's perfect.  He was a little love, and he's still making me smile --- that's what will carry me forward.

Not a very productive week, as you might imagine.  Did manage to finish a pair of socks in green KPPPM;  sorry not to have the number.  There was enough left over to cast on for a Sock Yarn Cowl:

There are a lot of nice sock cowl patterns on Ravelry.  This one caught my eye because of the welting --- I like the look of welting, and I enjoy knitting it.

Scrolling through my Ravelry library, I realized there are pages of dishcloth patterns.  They are easy and fun and don't demand intense concentration, so I'm going to make a few of those. My hands have practically ached for knitting this week, as both elixir and passer of time.

RHD

I have had a string of awful days of late.  No misery, though, even close to losing Rupert yesterday.

As with Erin a few weeks ago, it was sudden. He hung on for a rushed trip to the vet, but let go there.

He was a wonderful, sweet gentleman.  This house is noticeably very empty today.

#Chewy Influencer, October --- Feline Report

My cats LOVE this food.  LOVE.  IT.  Those of you who have cats know that Fancy Feast comes in little cans, so other cans and other brands are more economical.  Still, I'll buy this for special.  In fact, I'm already envisioning a box all wrapped up under the Christmas tree.



Chewy.com allows me to try products each month in return for real-life reviews.  No money is exchanged.

Some Stuff

I've never been too much for Halloween, but this arrived the other day and tickled me.

I subscribe to a monthly succulent subscription service, and this was this month's offering.  Very clever.

Thank you for your kindnesses about Shari.  I didn't hear from her for a while, of course, as she was sitting shiva.  She seems a bit shell-shocked yet, which is understandable.  My goal is just to help her however, whenever.

There's very little knitting going on.  I started and stopped a linen stitch scarf with sock yarn leftovers at least nine times before finally deciding to punt and just knit a pair of socks.  I've had a diagonal scarf on needles forEVER, using yarn that, coincidentally, Shari sent me.  Right now, it is atop my record behind me, waiting patiently.

Tap and I have started an obedience/training class;  we go each Sunday afternoon.  He did really well the first week, not so much this past Sunday.  We'll stick with it, though.

Tap Lessons

Fall asleep wherever.  Even if your face gets smooshed.

If you're outside on a breezy day, sit down facing the wind and let it blow your little ears back. 

Never use your bed to actually sleep.  It's basically just a frame for Cuteness.

No matter how many times someone says, "It's only rain," refuse to go outside.  Lie down and do.  not.  move.  All eight and a half of your pounds can provide surprising resistance.

Trust your big brother to watch over you when you nap.

 When you are your very most tired, RUN AROUND THE HOUSE, chew on anything you can --- furniture included --- try to play with your brother and sisters, take your mom to almost the end of her rope, and then crash.  Do this all day every day.

When nothing else is working, use This Face.

#Chewy Influencer, October --- My Eyes Were Bigger Than His Stomach

These "maze" bowls are supposed to keep pets from eating and/or drinking too quickly.  Tap, as you can see by how blurry his head is in the photo, sometimes eats too quickly.  When one of my choices for products to try at home this month was one of those puzzle bowls, it seemed like an excellent opportunity to try one out.

I maintain that I read all the product description more than once, and thought I had requested a "small" bowl.  Obviously, I did not.  This is as big as he is.  Therefore, I can't really provide a review, as he could not use it.

Oooops.

I am allowed by Chewy.com to request products for an in-home trial each month.  No money is exchanged.  Only my honest reviews are required.

Broken

Mark L. Goldstein, beloved husband, father, and leader of the Lehigh Valley Jewish community passed away on October 11, 2018, after living with cancer for an extended time. He was 60 years old.

Mark served as the executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley for the past 16 years.  

The son of a Holocaust survivor, Mark committed his entire professional career to Jewish communal service and his life to Jewish causes. At 6-foot-3, he acted as both a literal and figurative pillar in the Jewish community and was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Mark is survived by his wife of 34 years, Shari Spark; his beloved children, daughter Carlyn Piasecki, and her husband Jason, and son Ezra.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley or the Lehigh Valley Health Network Cancer Institute.

Breaking

This is not the post I set out to write today.

My best friend's husband has gone into inpatient hospice care as of this afternoon.  He had been receiving cancer treatments up through last week, and Shari had hoped to take him home today, but he's too weak.  Also, the hospice staff said she and their children simply wouldn't be able to take care of him there.

She sounds exhausted.  And stressed.  And worried and scared and angry.  Both of their children are home, and it sounds like lots of co-workers and friends are around as well.  She sounds relieved to have help, and grateful for their concern, but tired of having to be social and brave.

If you've been here long enough, you remember the trip I took to Pennsylvania a few years ago to see Barry Gibb.  (And meet Bridget.)  That was Shari.  Her husband bought the tickets for the two of us.

She and I have been best friends since 7th grade.  Mark has been her only love.  You don't need to leave comments here, necessarily, but I would ask you to think about them.  She's seen me through an awful lot, and she deserves peace of mind and peace of heart just on principle.  Thanks.