Yikes ~ I'm Sick Again

Late in the summer I started volunteering at a local school two days a week; as a pre-kindergarten grandma one day and as the school cook another day. I've really enjoyed doing this but unfortunately it has taken it's toll on me. I have been sick a total of 6 weeks in the past 3 1/2 months, catching every cold virus that was passed around. As much as I've enjoyed it I feel it is best if I discontinue this work as it has adversely affected my health.

To Knit or Knot

I started knitting about 2002 or 2003. I bought a beautiful knitted scarf at a craft fair, spending far more than I would like to and as a result spent little other money that day. I was so taken with it's beauty, texture, color and style. I decided immediately afterward that I would enroll in a knitting class at a local yard parlor in town. My first class scarf was ripped out no less than 6 times before it was completed. I would start talking and visiting with the other people in the class (several women of varying ages, a young boy and an older man) and before I knew it I would be knitting in the wrong direction and the long rectangular scarf would take on more of the look of a sleeve for a sweater than a scarf! Yikes!

October ~ a month to forget

With the passing of my dear dog the end of September my heart was already heavy with grief when my mother, who was hospitalized for several weeks, passed away on October 21, 2010. I did all I could for her in her last year on earth; emotionally, spiritually and financially. I gave her my time, my love, my support and when she was in need of something to make her life a little easier I sent it to her. Her death pulled apart the already unraveled rope of what was left of my relationship with my older sisters, who would not let go of the grudges they held against her for what she did, or didn't do, over half a century ago.

Seeing mother dying in her hospital bed was a very sad sight I will never forget. It made it so easy for me to drop whatever remnants I had of my own past grievances with her. Her last words to me about my other sisters were, "where are they" and "are they coming?" It broke my heart to see the look on her face when I said they wouldn't be coming to see her. I think that is when she stopped trying to live. She had told me over a year ago that the one thing she constantly prayed for was that all four of her daughters would be talking to her, having a relationship with her. It was one wish, one desire of her heart, one prayer that never happened for her.

I am reminded of a quote that was written on a picture I had on my living room wall back around 1975. It read:

One ship sails east and another west with the self-same winds that blow,
'Tis the set of the sail and not the gale which determines the way they go.
The winds of the sea are the ways of fate as we voyage along through life,
'Tis the act of the soul that determines the goal, and not the calm or the strife.

-- Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Blog a Dog

Our dog died three weeks ago. Our hearts were tattered and torn by his death. Our other dog was so mournful and lonely that in spite of our feelings to not get another dog, that is just what we ended up doing. We bought a Border Collie Labrador mix from one of our local animal shelters. He is three and a half months old and we decided to name him Siegfried, Ziggy for short. The German name was my husband's idea and it certainly seems to fit him. He is a very active, loving and adorable little guy. We are hard at work to get him house broken so he can become an active member of our family indoors and outdoors as well as in his little crate, where he spends his night sleeping. We have to get up a couple times during the night to let him outdoors to relieve himself. Sometimes it is hard to get back to sleep so we will curl up on the couch with him on his little red blanket and fall asleep with him nuzzling on our laps or next to us.

Christmas Bazaar Projects

Pot Holders and Pot Pinchers ~ pictured on the right. Pot Pinchers are cute little pot holders that you slip your fingers into and hold onto the handles or lids of pots and pans. Small and convenient to use and very affordable to make as you can sew them from scraps or fat quarters.

The pot holder at the top left I have dubbed my "kitchen diva" pot holder. I gave it to my aunt for her birthday and she loves it.

Another New Skirt

The photo at the left is of a Lila Tueller skirt I made. I really admire the designs of both women, Lila Tueller and Kay Whitt. They have some very unique patterns and also some very creative ways of using coordinating fabrics. The first day I wore this one out to do some errands and shopping I got four compliments from other women, three of whom I didn't even know.

The Man Who Loves Me

...and I love him too. This is the one person who stuck by my side through the worst time of my life, never faltering, never changing his supportive attitude; he continued to uplift and love me, and stands with me now in the best time of my life; my life with him.