Sunday, March 16, 2008

Dogs & more

Oscar has been with us for just over two weeks now & is doing VERY well.

Airedale puppy
Oscar


He loves our walks in the morning & I take them out for an hour before I go to work to get the 'bounce' out of them & then another half an hour at least when I get home mid afternoon. He's very happy on the lead now & loves to strut his stuff:

Airedale puppy
Oscar


He started at the Dog Training Club that I used to teach at many years ago (before DD was born) last Monday & found it very exciting. It's taught at an equestrian centre so an added advantage is that he'll get used to horses but at the moment he's keen on eating their droppings on the floor!

Airedale puppy
Oscar


Annie is getting used to him but often gets fed up with his needle sharp teeth & disciplines him for being a pain.

Airedale puppy & adult
Oscar & Annie


He's still not that keen on the crate but bedtime is easy & we're still working on the crate during the day. He barks when I go out in the morning but I'm sure he crashes soon after as he's tired after his walk & has a full belly. The house is definitely quiet when I return until he hears the key in the lock!

Airedale puppy
Oscar


All this dog walking leads nicely onto something else I've been meaning to share for a while. For too many years now I've been overweight. Knitting wise this has meant that I tend to knit socks & other small 'accessories' as I wasn't happy with my size & don't want to waste yarn on a larger size that I don't intend to be for long.

However in September I plucked up the courage & joined a local Slimming World group. So far I have lost just over 2 1/2 stone which has led to a 7" loss on my waist & 4 3/4" from my bust. I'm feeling a lot better & am now having to buy new clothes as my old ones are falling off me but still have a long way to go to get to my target weight. Which is where being a knitter comes in. I've decided to treat myself to a special pattern when I get to my target & want to make Debbie Bliss's Scoop Neck Cardigan in Noro Silk Garden (Ravelry link) in the same colourway as my Lady Eleanor. Does anybody have a copy that they're happy to part with or know of a shop that still has it in stock? I've hit a brick wall so far but still have a long way to go weight wise so I've got a bit of time. I've also been having fun over the past few months matching up my stash to patterns for cardigans & jumpers & that is probably the biggest incentive of all!

15 comments:

Molly the Airedale said...

What a sweetie Oscar is! It sounds like he's settling in quite nicely! Give it time, Annie! He'll become your best friend!
Congratulations on your weight loss! This is no easy task!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Cybèle said...

Oscar's a beautiful dog. Glad to hear he's settling in well.
Well done on the weight loss - I lost 2 1/2 stone almost 4 years ago and although it isn't always easy, I have managed to keep it off. I just never want to go back to the way I felt when I was overweight which is usually enough incentive.

Cybèle said...

Forgot to say: if the pattern's in a book, have you tried the library? My library stocks a decent amount of knitting books, especially Debbie Bliss ones.

Auntie Noo said...

ahhh those photos of Oscar are gorgeous, so glad he's settling in well. Good luck with the weight thing (and finding the book) you've done amazingly well so far.

dreamcatcher said...

Oscar seems to be settling in well, great photos too! Congrats on your weight loss too, I always hear good things about Slimming World and the results people get :-) Hope you can find a copy of the pattern you're after.

Lyndsey-Jane said...

Well done on your weight loss!!!! I have lost 4 stone over the past year and know it isn't easy but it so worth it. I love being able to knit clothing for myself know, not just easier but so much cheaper - smaller me = less yarn = less money. Keep up the good work.
Oscar is looking such a sweetie, especially in the photos were you can see his big oversize paws (my fave part of puppies)

Harry said...

What great photos. Oscar is so adorable. I love his impish face on the photo with Annie. Tell her I feel her pain.

Toodle pip
Harry x

Hannah Fawdrey said...

Oscar looks like such an imp! I'm sure he and Annie will get to love each other.
Congratulations and good luck on the weight loss!

Hawkesley said...

Oscar is such a cutie, I really enjoy seeing the photos of him as he settles into his new home.

Congratulations on the weight loss too!

Noah the Airedale said...

Oh Oscar is a cutie pie. Those photos of him are just gorgeous. We hope the crate issue get better. Sounds like he is getting used to it a little more.

Hugs and tail wags
Noah Willow Tess & Lucy
ps. we know you from planet airedale.

Cinders said...

Oscar is gorgeous.
Well done with your weight loss. I used SW for over 12 months but my meds stop me loosing weight. Glad its working for you

changeable said...

HI Diana

Have you tried Texere yarns for the book as I remember last time I was there they had all the Debbie Bliss Noro books instck - worth giving them a call

E

Modelwidow said...

Well done on losing so much weight, I think you definitely deserve to knit yourself something special, hope some one can help with the pattern.

Oscar looks adorable, love seeing pictures

RoxyK said...

Glad Oscar is settling in so well ;)

And congratulations on joining Slimming Club and your weight loss. You're idea to treat yourself is great!

Tracey said...

Congratulations on the weight loss. I think thats why I am so obsessed by socks and gloves too.
Oscar is so cute.
Did you stay at Holmfirth for the Rowan workshop?
I live in Meltham the next village.