Katie
valenstar.bsky.social
Katie
@valenstar.bsky.social
Quilter, knitter, Lexi the diva dog's personal assistant. Plushie maker. Migraines suck!
Baby Shark (aka Major) turns 7 months next week.

Today's weight: 48 pounds! Large harness.

He insisted on greeting all of the vet staff that weren't otherwise occupied (with their permission. We're not raising a cave-puppy!)

Last weight October 3rd: 32 lbs. Medium harness.

#dogs
November 26, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Okay, universe. Tomorrow, I WILL make time to quilt! I may have to bribe this puppy to do it, but it's gonna happen!

And it's October so it should be the Christmas quilt that's been in limbo since last Christmas.

Lost Lexi in May. Brought Major home in July.

#puppy #dogsofbluesky
October 21, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Baby Major is growing fast! These are 9 weeks and 10 weeks old.

He can go down the stairs by himself but gets distracted too easily so is still on supervised bathroom breaks.

#puppy 🐶
July 13, 2025 at 3:54 AM
We've opened our hearts and our home up to sweet, baby shark-in-training Major. I counted. 9 weeks today.

Anyone have brilliant #cratetraining advice? He's content at night till nature calls once he settles but daytime is a work in progress. But it's only his 3rd day and he's a blessing. 🐶 🐕
July 5, 2025 at 5:26 AM
No headache all day. However, instead of AC filter, I said "we need a new thing for the thing" while gesturing to the laundry room. And just waved my arm when Mom asked what she bought at Lowe's. A weed eater.

And now here comes the headache. Joy. And earache. Rude. Zero ⭐!

#migraine #brainfog
June 10, 2025 at 2:28 AM
New visitor to the feeder: tufted titmouse (but please correct me if I'm mistaken.)

Choosy little bugger.

#birds
May 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Took a few pictures of my very cranky neighbor bird nesting in our bush. ID assist?

Northern mockingbird? All they do is squawk at me and one tried to dive bomb me yesterday.

#birds #birdID
May 24, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Lexi crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday at 15 years, 7 months, and 5 days old.

No more pain, no more pills, and no more eyedrops. (She hated those most.)

If you read this, she'd say give your pup chicken nuggets (her fave) or consider supporting your local rescue.

#AdoptDontShop #Dogs
May 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Well, this is awkward. My mom and I got our DNA results back. She's got either a half-sister or an aunt (her age or older) on my grandpa's side (who I am reasonably certain was fully faithful to my grandma but did like to flirt after she was gone. In front of his granddaughter. Also awkward.)
May 14, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Somebody want to come over and explain bedtime to Lexi for me? My diva 🐕 is full of sass tonight for a senior dog dealing with a hepatitis flare up.

Bless her vet and whoever makes Entyce. Flipped her appetite back on real quick.
May 14, 2025 at 2:56 AM
I've had my seed feeder up since the end of March. Today, after three days of rain, it's like the birds finally figured out it's there (en masse.)

I guess yelling, "hey, there's food at my house" to some cardinals when I walked Lexi actually worked.

Finches
Cardinals
Black-capped chickadee
May 13, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I don't know who needs to hear this, but keep your fingers AWAY from the business end of the X-acto blades!

Why, yes, I did cut myself. In two places with one accidental swipe because I was too dumb to put it down while looking for the cap.

Typing is temporarily unpleasant.

#craftingfail
May 9, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Ooh! I forgot to show off my very first successful strawberry! 🌱

Except I think they're not meeting their potential. Only berries on one side. Not enough sun? They're midway between the house and a tree.

Should I move them over away from the 🌳? I rotate the bags every few days.

#gardening
May 4, 2025 at 8:22 PM
So a week of crappy interrupted sleep didn't give me migraines but one sneeze today and I've got an icepick to my eyeball? Oh, migraines, I hate you so. Screw you too, pollen!

Two weeks ago the trigger was if I turned my head just so (after some aggressive gardening.)

#migraine #allergies
May 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
When till the hummingbird left to take down the feeder and refill it. He came back twice looking for it while I was inside.

The tiny diva was not amused the food disappeared for a whole five minutes.
April 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Anyone else working on their #familytree?
Future children, I promise not to name you Herbert or Napoleon.

Also, quite surprised how many family members in the 1850s-1950s were married/divorced 2-3 times. Looking at you, Butterfield! (Not his first name.) Three wives!
April 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
When your vet calls to check on your 15-year-old dog and you get to tell her Lexi hopped into and climbed out of your ditch.

Vet: Seriously? At her age?

Also, with her short legs and arthritis. Yep. (Did NOT mean to let her!)

She wanted to shove her head in the drain pipe to check for cats. No.
April 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
I think Lexi (my dog) has finally realized at 15 years, 4 months old that the loud noises overhead sometimes are from jets. It's airshow week, they're flying lower, and she kept looking up.

Also wearing earplugs on walks the rest of the week cause #migraines
April 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Uh, #hypermobile folks, is it my stupid lax ligaments contributing to the random zappy pinch in my butt at unsuspecting moments just walking around in my house? Or something else? Cause that needs to stop.

Even my butt knows I need to get back to my home PT routine. It doesn't zap me walking Lexi!
April 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Lexi could use good vibes that she's just got a kidney infection and not kidney disease, please.

She'd like you all to know that she's deeply offended she has to potty in a cup to check. (Nobody likes it, Lexi. LOL.)

Not our first rodeo with a pup with kidney disease if it is.
March 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Sewing Needles: 2
Right Foot: 0

In 2 days.

This one for sure wasn't mine. It fell off my mom's end table in the living room and laid in wait for my unsuspecting toe!

Never having carpet again.
February 19, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Uh, sewers, stitchers, and, quilters, anybody that uses a sewing needle, keep tabs on your needles! And wear something on your feet!

Sincerely, the side of my foot that was impaled an hour ago by a rogue needle with blue thread. And the eye end went in my foot! Through my sock! In my bathroom!
February 18, 2025 at 6:41 AM
OK. Found out why my points didn't allow point. OK, quilters. As this is my first time working with points, how do I make them do what they're told?
February 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Quilters, anybody done Alaska Rainbow? I've got problems. LOL.

1. My points didn't all point. It got sucked into the center seam. Why? How do I fix it?

2. My Singer is angry about the bulk in the center seam where the points meet. Tips? Pressing open per designer's rec. (Rolled but didn't iron.)
February 13, 2025 at 3:19 AM
It's time to start seeds inside!!! (USA Zone 9A)

planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/pages/map-do...

May there be no late frosts the week after I plant outside! (TWO YEARS IN A ROW! So rude!)
Map Downloads | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Mapdot gov iconhttps icon
planthardiness.ars.usda.gov
February 1, 2025 at 8:15 PM