Disguised blessings

Been absent for a little while. There have been many blessings in my life and when I don't choke up I'll blog about them but for now just know that I have the best friends in the world.

I've been quiet about a few things and hesitate to post too much but feel I should at least inform those who read this blog. Our eldest daughter has been dealing with serious medical issues for quite a while and after much testing we are heading to a University Hospital for further evaluation.

This picture is a repeat pic and forgive me for re-posting it but I absolutely love it. It describes our daughter to a tee. She's a laid back kind of gal and has an infectious personality. Quiet but full of little quips that make you laugh. Loves animals and as of this writing just called to tell me that she captured a stray dog and is transporting it to a new found home.

I love snow and hope we get a good snowstorm although it's not looking too favorable here. However that could be a blessing in disguise as we'll be in the car for several hours traveling to the hospital. I'm packing the knitting bag and a few snacks (gotta have snacks you know). I'm starting on Christmas gifts already. There have been quite a few gift requests from my crew and trust me, the list is long ;).

What are you knitting?

Happy Thanksgiving

Life has been a roller coaster (and still moving) this year and yet I'm counting my blessings. I have my little family who make me laugh in spite of it all, my very dear friends (and you know who you are) who are there no matter the 'storm damage,' and I have my Faith. We will celebrate this blessed day with my parents, grandmother, a family friend and our beautiful daughters.


I Wish Everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. ENJOY!

Merry Christmas

This is a short post. I have no idea what is wrong with my holiday spirit this year. I'm in a bit of a funk.

To all of my blogging friends and those dear to me, Merry Christmas.

You've laughed with me, you've cried with me and I truly appreciate each and every one of you.

GOD BLESS US ONE AND ALL!

A little late

Better late than never ;)

A Big Surprise!

A surprise package arrived at my house. It was absolute perfect timing. It arrived the day before we took the "baby"for the college moving day.

It is the Candlelight Shawl and it's from my non-blogging friend, Sara. I was so shocked and surprised that a few tears came. There was the cutest card enclosed in the package that made me laugh through the tears.
The college freshman took pictures and lightly fingered the exquisite knitting. I love the color and I love the style. It is beautiful. Thank you yarn bunches, Sara. I will think of you when I wear this beautiful knit.




This is the view from the back. Hides the thick back brace:). Love it! Thanks again non-blogging friend, Sara:)
Thanks to everyone for everything. The virtual hugs, the thoughts, prayers and gifts. This has been a difficult time and you have been so understanding and thoughtful.
Thanks to all of you, my blogging friends, for your compassionate thoughts and emails.




I'm going to make my life a bit lighter and easier so onto the unknitting.
Going into hibernation is this blanket. I'm bored with this project and my blanket knitting mojo has taken a hike for the time being.











Jumping in the frog pond is this project. A sweater. B-o-r-i-n-g! Rip-pit!













Another project that's going swimming in the frog pond is another sweater. Got bored with this one too. Rip-pit!

Now I have free needles and yarn. mmmmmm........might be time to cast on for another pair of socks. I should make the new college freshman a pair. She's going to need them.

Birthday "baby girl!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the "baby." Our baby girl turned 18 yrs old. This is a big milestone as we, who have passed that day, already know. I've always wondered why the first birthday is such a big deal, after all the kid certainly doesn't remember, I think it's more for the parents. 16, 18, 21, 30 etc are much bigger milestones when it comes to birthdays.
She invited friends to help kick off the birthday weekend. Today will be the family party(as in grandparents, great-grandmother, aunt, uncle and of course, her sister ).
The weather cooperated for the first round. We had a bonfire at my parents' home to roast hotdogs and s'mores. At 10 pm, it rained. So they moved the party to our house to play Wii (a big hit for Mr. Bettis:).


There was candy shop pizza and I wanted to get a picture but it was wiped out before I could snap the pic. Birthday Girl's sister made human puppy chow and that was also wiped out. Watermelon, strawberries, grapes and chips finished the menu.







For your info Chan, the bonfire was at a safe distance and properly manned by the DH.
It was a fun day for all.
On a personal note: You were an unexpected surprise but you have been a blessing and an absolute delight. God had a reason:).

I'll leave you with this:
On the day that you were born
The angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of brown
And starlight in your eyes of blue.

We love you, kiddo. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Friends

Chan presented me with a Friend's Blog Award. Thank you, Chan.




“Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers.Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers.”

So, my eight are…

1. Anita

2. Jessi

3. Ann

4. Diana

5. Laura

6. Shelly

7. Becca

8. Gaylen

Sisterhood

Chan honored me with an award today. Thank you!

Laid Back Sunday

My BFF gave this cookie jar to me for Christmas. It's a Longaberger pottery cookie jar and I love it. She knows I collect cookie jars and enjoy baking cookies. This is perfect. I especially like the lid that seals in the freshness.
She also gave me an I Love Lucy calendar called Best Friends. A little stuffed black sheep was also in the gift bag and it has taken residence on the shelf in the bathroom.

So have a cookie while you finish reading the post. I'm eating one for you, Di:).

It was warm and sunny here today. The temp went up to 61 F. I cracked windows and enjoyed the sunshine. The dogs ran in and out a zillion times but it was okay because it was warm and it was an excuse for me to go out with them.

Farewell 2008

This post is a quick synopsis of 2008. It has been a roller coaster ride through the year and yet I wonder why it went so quickly.


I don't recall much about the earlier part of the year. Seems to have become a blur. Easter, school play, concerts, dance recital, it all seems to have blurred with memory.







As I sit here in my winter pj's and I hear the wind and see the snow blowing it's difficult to remember 90 degrees with severe humidity or Mr. Bettis and his morning ritual barking at the visiting squirrel. Oh! That's right, he is still on a morning ritual, barking at.........what? Nothing!

I know the heat will return and I'll have to rely on my imagination and memory of the cold and snow.

The summer holds memories of the plane for the band performance.

School began and it filled our days with activities. We loved every minute of it and I really can't write any more or the tears will flow. The pictures say it all for me. Memories.

2008 has had it's up and downs as every year. While I say I could do without the downs, it is a part of life unless of course that includes the Saw Encounter this time, last year:). I could've done without that incident.

In the end it is my faith and family that holds me together. Next year holds it's own ups and downs, ready and waiting. I don't always embrace change in my life so it could get interesting:).

There's a wedding and two graduations to anticipate and I'm looking forward those events.

I'm not a fan of the New Year festivities.

To all my friends, I send a big thank you hug. We've laughed and we've shed a tear or two along the way. Thank you all so much!

I say adieu to 2008 and I'll hold reserved judgement for 2009.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

p.s. I just recieved a phone call from my mother and she has my dad in the hospital now. And so 2008 ends and 2009 will begin...................

23 Days

Twenty-three days until THE day and what am I doing? Procrastinating on Christmas gifts and playing with new projects instead. I found this pattern of little crocheted trees on Ravelry. I spent 1//2 hour digging through the stash. Then another hour "playing" with yarn, pattern. I now have 3 little trees. They were fun and cute. So much for gift knitting. Maybe the receivers would prefer crocheted trees..........LOL



. I love the palette of the Tulip sweater but I'm not willing to spend $200 on the palette of yarn. Not to mention I don't have $200 to spend on anything let alone, yarn. So I dug in the stash.

I'm not making the sweater so I'm going to make socks for self. Yeah, I hear all of you, after Christmas socks:).






This surprise package arrived in the mail yesterday. Eight skeins of cotton yarn, a tape measure and 2 adorable pencils. My friend Anita sent this to me and it was quite a surprise. Thanks so much Anita, it replaces what Mr. Bettis has destroyed. By the way, how did you know there's a black hole of lost tape measures in this house?
I have another package to blog about from my friend Sara but it will take up another post of pictures. That will come later.


The "girls" pouted yesterday after arriving home from the groomer's aka Vet Girl. They received their report cards, again. Miss Molly (who refused to cooperate for the camera)received a "C" because she nipped Vet Girl.
Little Miss Gypsy received an "F". It took two people to handle her wiggly 8 lb body for her groom. She can be a tough one to hold onto if she's wiggly. Vet Girl got a kick out of giving her an "F". It's a frame job, I just know it.
I do think they are quite tired of Mr. Bettis getting all the attention on the blogs due to bad behavior and that could be why they get cranky and pouty. After all, they certainly don't do anything nearly as destructive. (ahem) Now what do you have to say, Mr. Bettis's "Defense Attorney" Jessi? LOL

Giving Thanks

In case you haven't noticed, I changed the blog template. I was bored with the last one and when I figured out how to add the yarn text, it didn't match. So I changed it. I do the same with my living quarters. I buy a tablecloth and the rooms in the house must be changed. All to match the tablecloth.
I am on a cooking marathon up here. Thirteen people are coming for dinner. My 4 kids and "company" (as my friend, katy knits, calls it), my parents and grandmother are coming for dinner. There's a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge. I think I'm gonna need it.

Tradition is: The youngest child breaks the bread for the dressing while we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. This task now belongs to the Piccolo Pirate. I must see the Rockettes. I was a tap dancer all my life until the accident and I have been to New York with my eldest son to see them in person. I have called him for years to ask if he watched the Rockettes and if he missed it, I tell him about the costumes and the routine. I know it's a strange tradition, but it's mine.

What am I thankful for?
My faith
My family
My friends whether internet or person
Thank you all for being my friend. I have enjoyed the emails, the stories and the friendship that you have given to me. I appreciate it so much.

Now I'm off to do the cooking marathon and hopefully sneak a few rows on a knitted sock.
Have a joyous and Happy Thanksgiving!