Reason 493 why I started Moose Threads

What can I say I love my pets.

Even if they cost me an insane amount of money.

No, they aren't prize-winning, pure-bred felines, but instead, your typical house cats plucked from a nearby "rescue facility"

One of my darlings (the one on the right) is aptly named Zsa Zsa Gabor. She is extremely affectionate but also an extreme dumb blond.

This is the cat who falls off counters, finds a way to pee on the floor despite standing in the litter box, sucks on people's earlobes and lastly - eats plastic. Yes eats,not chews, licks or sniffs, but EATS.

Her sister Magda (to the left)on the other hand (Ava was already adopted) has no quirks or health issues at all.

Well today, I forked over nearly $400 to my local vet (who I'm sure has paid off her car with the amount of money I've spent on ZZ there over the last two years) for yet another ZZ health crisis.

Not only did my poor little kitty have bladder crystals, a bacterial infection and some type of other infection, but she also was put on meds to help control her insane affection for ingesting plastic bags.

This lovely habit cost me about $400 as well a few months ago, when she developed a blockage as well as an ulcer.

She has had three bladder infections, two plastic bag adventures and not to mention he obvious yearly exams in the past two years.

Did I mention that she's not even three yet?

So enter Moose Threads. Not only does Moose Threads provide a creative outlet for me, but it's become my way to pay for my cat.

Why pay so much money for such a kitty? Why not put her to sleep -- some have asked?

Well, to me she is more than a cat. She is my cuddle bug on those long nights while my husband is on a sea patrol. She doesn't withhold affection or talk back, when I need a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to vent to.

And to me that's priceless.

When toddlers go bad

I have a two-year-old.

Do I need to say more?

Though he's as cute as can be, if you look closely you can see the tiny pair of horns that are holding up his halo.

When I started Moose Threads, he was just over 1. I would work on items after his bedtime. I would use my knitting circle time as me time - otherwise known as caramel nonfat mocha and girl talk time. All was right with the world and I was happy.

Now, however, it's a different story.

No matter how hard we try there is no bedtime. Bedtime is when he stops screaming, ,kicking and escaping from his room. Naptimes are a thing of the past - apparently I didn't know they were now considered uncool amid the two-year-old social scene.

My once highly organized, color-coded yarn collection has now become the Death Star with David as Luke Skywalker.

Every chance he gets he's attempting to seek and destroy. Toss in our two tortie cats to act as Yoda and Hans Solo and you have one heck of a battle.

Here are a few pictures of what my workspace ...aka.... house/office have looked like in recent weeks as a result of David's sneak attacks.

Who knew?

Wow! I actually figured out how to set up a blog.

Though I must admit it's not as snazzy as some others that I have seen. But hey it works right?I have to admit it was tough trying to figure out a way to decribe what exactly Moose Threads is.

Yes I sell custom crocheted clothing.

Yes I make hats and sweaters.

But that's just the surface.

In actuality Moose Threads is who I am. It's my emotional and creative outlet. It was a salvation of sorts at a time when I wasn't sure who I was anymore.

Here I was, a happy, energetic sports reporter at a family-owned newspaper near my hometown. Yes it was stressful but I loved my job. It was a step in the right direction on the path to becoming a great writer.

But then fate happened.

Throw in a swim meet assignment, a handsome blue-eyed, black-haired Navy recruiter and what do you get?

A whirlwind courtship, a big Catholic wedding and an unexpected 1-year anniversary pregnancy surprise. Toss in transfer orders from CA to WA, a complicated pregnancy and you get a now unemployed, emotional former writer with few friends and self-esteem that's non-existant.

I was a mess.

Yet, somewhere in the middle of all this, I managed to pick up an old hobby - crocheting.

Soon I was drowning in yarns of all colors and textures. I was whipping out hats, sweaters, anything I could imagine.

I made my unborn son a "coming home" outfit. I made him hats to wear in the winter - beanies, stocking hats, applique hats -- you name it.

Soon people were asking me where I bought these items. And eventually this led to custom orders and eventually the creation of my ETSY store. http://www.moosethreads.etsy.com/It's been an unusual adventure and I can' t wait to see what's around the next corner.