Hubby and I adopted two baby kitties when we first got married. We bottle fed them and had them their entire lives. Later, we adopted a couple dogs, Belle, then Frosty. The cats have been gone a few years, and I miss having kitties.
Alyssa and I started talking about how we wished we had cats. We'll that's all it took! Hubby and Erik agreed that we should adopt a couple, so we headed to the shelter. We saw several, including some kittens that were possibilities, but fortunately, the kids were patient and we went to our local Petsmart, where there is a cat rescue, "Cats in Need". I thought the kids would want kittens, but after spending time with these two, they decided on two adult cats that had been left in a box at the front of Petsmart, with a note that the owner had died. The next day we brought dad to give his final stamp of approval, and came home with two new family members (now renamed), Calypso and Snickers.
Ms. Calypso (Alyssa belongs to her)
Ms. Snickers (Erik belongs to her)
We've been keeping them upstairs while they get used to us and the dogs. The dogs are pretty good with them. Belle really wants to be their friend and lays down next to them. When she gets too close, they smack her and tell her to back off. It's funny... she's afraid of them, which is probably a good thing. Frosty is a little more annoying. He is generally afraid of them, but will bark and chase them if they run. Each day they get a little more comfortable. Calypso will even venture downstairs if the dogs are asleep. We love our new kitties!!
Apparently, I have become a fearless knitter. I only know how to cast on via the long tail method. Well, my new project calls for a "provisional cast-on". Hmmm, what do I do?? While cruising the internet hoping for someone to show me what to do, I met Lucy Neatby (well, I didn't really meet her, but found her 
It wasn't all art quilts. This won "Best Traditional"
