Good Deeds

This weekend I went to Miami Dade Animal Services for a volunteers orientation. I was first introduced to Animal Services when watching Animal Planet for hours on end when I first moved here. They had repeats of Miami Animal Police playing constantly and I became addicted, watching and learning but mainly crying at the abuse of animals they showed. A few months later I was determined and excited to get my very first dog ever, so we saved up (since I love to do research I researched EVERYTHING I could about owning a dog and learned that they definitely come with expenses) and trecked out to Animal Services to pick him out. I was forewarned that I either wouldn't find a dog I wanted the first time out or that I would want EVERY dog I saw, but I had my list of breeds that would suit our lifestyle and was primed to choose responsibly. As soon as we saw the little bugger in the above picture, though, all that went out the window.

He was the only dog in that section not barking and just trotted happily over to us when we approached the gate. He was so cute and sweet and hairy, I felt certain he was the one for us. A few days later we brought him home, named him Moondoggie and he's been an intregal part of our little family ever since. He's so loving and lovable, well-behaved, and blended in so well with us that I can't imagine not having him. Let alone that the shelter could've euthanized him just because they run out of space and funds. So, after legally becoming a Miamian a few weeks ago, I followed up on my promise to myself to go volunteer at the shelter and do whatever I can to get as many deserving little creatures a home.

I've never volunteered anywhere before so I'm excited to see how that'll be and was encouraged to see that there were at least 20 other people at the orientation with me. They seem to be especially in need of volunteers during the summertime as that is when they receive the most pets so I'm happy with my timing (delayed though it may be since I should've become a legal Miamian ages ago). I went to get my criminal background check done today and I'll know in a couple of days if I've been accepted. Wouldn't it be awful if I couldn't 'cause I'm a criminal and didn't even know it? Also, the ensuing jail time wouldn't be so great either.

On the crafting front, not much knitting has been 'round these parts in quite a few days. All this heat just doesn't inspire working with yarn. So I'm looking for other outlets! I've dusted off my beading bins and have started playing with some new jewelry creations. It's been a while since I've beaded so the creative noggin's a little rusty but I'll get there. I also intend on working on my sewing skills since I consider them mediocre at best. For a little extra motivation I'm going to my first craft night in Miami, hosted by local crafters. I've been looking forward to making local craft connections and am so happy to have my first tonight.

But before good-time outtings comes chores so I'm off to do some laundry now!

Currently shuffling through the sound system: Ok Go - Million Ways; Estelle - Come Over; Miss Li - Bourgeois Shangri-La; Them Two - Am I A Good Man; Estelle - American Boy; Phoenix - Fences; The Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter No. 23

Hee!

Wax On, F*ck Off with Ralph Macchio from Ralph Macchio

This cracked my funny bone up. I did always love the original Karate Kid (the sequels? - not so much). And he has stayed impressibly young looking - 48 years old? Who knew?!

Temporary Pause

All crafting has been put off for the time being because I have company coming this weekend! I'm very excited about this. I have not seen any of my friends for over a year now and I miss them something fierce. So I'm happy to set aside the crafting and focus on housework right now. You know, setting up the guest bedroom, making sure I dust and clean all the corners I accidently overlook with my usual cleaning, etc. I like things to be sparkling when guests arrive! - then it can go back to it's usual state of just tidy once they've been here for a bit.

In total I think I'll have about eight additional people in the house - though most will arrive and depart on different days - and I'm still trying to figure out where exactly I'm gonna put them all. It'll definitely be very different around here with so many people - usually it's just Moondoggie and I breathing up all the air - but I don't mind giving up my hermit-like ways for a week. And I'll actually be forced to go out and experience the city! In the time I've been here I've really only gone out for errand-running purposes - sure, I've had the occasional night out, and plenty of movie watching, but, as I've mentioned before, it's been a bit hard to find our niche so we haven't been too motivated to really spend a lot of time enjoying the city. This week I'll get to experience Miami as a tourist (which I guess I still feel like I am) and that should be fun.

For the time being, here's a teaser picture of the items I made last week. Hopefully, I'll be able to get them lined and zippered up in the next couple of weeks.

Currently shuffling through my soundsystem: Little Joy - Keep Me In Mind, Alpha - Sometime Later, Alkaline Trio - Armageddon, The Cry Babies - It's My Thing.

Craft Room

My craft room has been moved and greatly reduced in size and I blame it on Miami weather. My official craft room is in the part of the house we call the "dungeon" since it's dark and and spooky and in the bowels of our tiny house. Really, it's just a converted garage. And it is HOT in there. Not only do I share the space with the washer and dryer, but the air conditioning doesn't reach that room and it gets stuffy and musty in no time flat. So I've moved my actual craft space to the left side of my dining room table. Plus sideboard. It's been surprisingly comfortable and obviously convenient, being just off the living room, where I do all my knitting and hand sewing. Plus it's forcing me to stay organized since I can't stand disorder in the "public domain" rooms. Shove stuff into closets? - of course! But always keep the living room, dining room, and bathroom tidy. It makes me feel the whole house is neat, even when it's not.

I've been working on more bags, coming up with new ideas, and finally making some local contacts to see if I can't expand into the community that physically surrounds me. More on that later, if it pans out. Oh, and added just a few more things to the shop. Anyway, back to knitting needles I go!

Currently shuffling through my soundsystem: Chris Murray - Ex-Darling, Diana Ross - Love Hangover, Mad Caddies - All American Badass (my iTunes has no rhyme or reason).

Research

I purchased this book recently at the behest of Angry Chicken. (Sidenote: Have you read her blog? You should. She is always full of crafty goodness.) She's been in the business for a while now and I figured if she can recommend it on her blog, it must have pretty good information in it.

I'm only about a third of the way through it but have already learned quite a few things pertaining to both questions I had and ones I hadn't even thought of yet. There's a lot to think of and I think this does make a good guide for those of us just starting out. Previously, I'd done a little online research about starting an online venture and turning ones hobbies into careers but this goes into far more detail than the few articles I'd read. Has anyone else read this book? Any other books you'd recommend for making your hobby into a successful business reality?



Currently shuffling through my soundsystem as I type: Alpha - Sometime Later, Blondie - Hanging On The Telephone, The Black Keys - Oceans and Streams, Ultimate Fakebook - Little Apple Girl