Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a super great Thanksgiving!
I don't do specific grateful lists because I am extremely grateful for everything and everyone in my life.
I look forward to spending tomorrow with family at my home..yep, they will endure my cooking one more time. I guess it's easier to eat my less perfect meal and not complain than it is to have to do it yourself..ha ha Actually, I don't do too bad in the kitchen..and I don't anticipate any complaints.
I did bake 5 cakes over the weekend as part of my annual cake gifting and have delivered those to some of my neighbors and older friends..and today I made a pumpkin cheesecake for home as well as an applesauce cake..tomorrow we will work on 'Mr. Bird'
Have a relaxed and safe day!!
Count your blessing..I know you must have many!

A Simply Abundant Day

I got this wonderful invitation from my friend Claudette to come to her house today to visit, knit and have lunch. Of course, just the invitation to her home was enough..so I offered to buy her lunch but she said..no, we'd go to this little 'bistro' in town..Claudette isn't known to tell a fib so of course I knew we were going to do just that..however the bistro was in her very own dining room and I can't imagine there's one in her town that could serve up the delicious Caesar Salad she whipped up..it was the yummiest I've ever eaten..
Then she took me on a little side trip to The Glen Maury Park to show me the actual 'Buena Vista'(Good View)...then we took a most stimulating walk down the flood walk...so that we could go home and enjoy her awesome blueberry dessert served with ice cream..yep..I'm Abundantly full and happy..nothing simple about those pleasures.

It was a delightful visit but the time just flew by and it was time for me to head back over the mountain home before dark..which happens promptly about 5 p.m.

Thanks Claudette for a taste of Simple Abundance...I listened to the CD all the way back across the 'big hill'..very soothing for the soul..
And in case I didn't tell you how much I appreciate your friendship and love you..I do VERY MUCH!!

Almost done..except a bath and a button.

Sorry this photo isn't turned properly but it just wasn't and I didn't take the time to do it after the upload..but you 'get the picture..huh'..The pattern is The Baktus, using 2 skeins of Filatura DiCrosa, Maxine Print..The middle is The Harlot Scarf Pattern, using Noro Kochoran and the Sweater is using The Shalom Cardigan Pattern and I used Cascade Eco Wool..it took much less than a skein to make this..to fit a 34ish bust...that's all folks..although there are several more scarves in the making and many ideas in the mind.

Sit Tight

I promise a full report soon...I know I've been quiet..I've been busy and away..but I've also accomplished a bit of knitting..





The day after Labor Day..I got serious on my decision to curb my eating aka lose some poundage..because I had the big 40 High School Class Reunion coming up in Oct...so I figured I could squeeze off a few inches and be happier with how I look...I gave up my beloved beer, chocolate and soft drinks...I started drinking only hot tea and water and eating more sensibly...


I'm so pleased to say this was easy...until the week before my reunion and I went to Moms..and there were those ...Little Debbies...I did resist until after the reunion and then I was more conscious as I 'wolfed' them down. I was successful in dropping a few inches and pounds.. and had a great time at my reunion. It was the first time I had gone without Mike but because of being across town and trying to coordinate having 2 cars, etc..he was most happy to not be pressured into going..and I had a more relaxed time not worrying that he was bored..so a win-win!

Plus it was nice to get some hugs from some folks I'd not seen in a few years.

Mom and I had a great 2 week visit..we did some little something most days..even if it was as simple as coming to my house to visit..but we also did some 'firsts'...We had a court appearance to make over a land dispute that's been going on MUCH too long..and we went for manicures..Mom said she had never been to court(which is a good thing, I guess)..and she had never had a manicure...I think she enjoyed the simple pleasure of the manicure and may become a regular..that may be a little treat she and I share often.

I did accomplish 'some' knitting while there..but I wasn't able to keep up with the Sock Kal..I got swamped and didn't get past the heel..but that's ok..because they're both ready to do the foot..and that's clear sailing. I worked on a scarf I had on the needles for a while..it's still on the needles..it's dark yarn and with my aging eyes..dark isn't always easy to see..but I did finish a lovely Baktus..being the 3rd one..and I will post a photo later..I also finished a Harlot scarf, using Noro Kochoran..and she's quite lovely...AND..then...on Tues. night as I was reading my favorite blogs..I dropped by Susan's blog and saw her 14th sweater for 2009..it was a cute little Cardi..called Shalom Cardigan....say no more, I had the yarn in my stash(Eco Wool)..and all I needed to do was wind it..without much ado on Wed...I did this and cast on for this lovely little piece..She's coming along beautifully..actually if all goes well, she will be ready to come off the needles within a day or so....I've been obsessively knitting on this and am on row 70..and loving how cute it knits up...now you're thinking..I keep saying 'little' ..how can this be for me..well, it's not...I decided after first glance it would be such a cute Christmas gift for my Sister..she's much less chesty than I am..and can get by wearing those type things..but if this goes well..I intend to focus on another for me in the near future..the yarn has been stashed for some time..as well as the simple pattern..it's all about working up the courage to tackle it again...Linda and I are planning to do a 'little' Sweater Kal so that we can cheer each other on.

MIL is home..the Rehab is a much happier place..as are all the nurses and physical therapist..I do know they all were granted a special permit to their own space in heaven after this ordeal.

I hear a UFO calling my name..and if they're going to be under Christmas trees for this year..I better get busy.

Be well, be safe and Happy Knitting!!

.

Socktober

After careful consideration, I decided that having approximately 15 UFO's..that it would be ok..to add another, therefore..I joined Through The Loops Kal..The first clue went out yesterday which was the cuff..it was fun and not so challenging and I'm sure Kirsten will save the best for last.

The yarn is Schaffer Heather which was gifted me for my birthday from my Sister of The Heart, Marianne..doesn't she have fantastic taste?..It was a hard decision to make on which yarn, but after seeing she was using Schaffer..I decided to walk the line. I think I will go ahead prior to next Thurs. when she releases clue 2 and cast on el otro sock so that I will be ahead of the game.

Lots of knitting, lots of unattended knitting..I go to bed at night thinking there will be a knitting fairy that will come and finish my many unfinished items..they will get their day..I'm just being very wishy washy right now and doing something that pleases me..

I don't blog often but my previous blog alluded to problems on the home front..The Thurs. before Labor Day..ugly late at night, the phone rang and it was MIL's neighbor..of course that alerted me there was a problem..seems Mil was watching the Steelers play football(she's quite a sports fan)..and she got up and her foot was asleep..she fell forward on her face/belly..breaking her right ankle and banging up her left one badly..it was an action packed night..arriving at our local ER at 11:30 p.m. and the walls were lined with folks waiting for attention..it was several hours before she had more than x-rays done..then after those x-rays were read by someone with skill enough to validate it was broken..they realized that it was so badly that if they transported her at this time to the nearby Orthopaedic hospital they were going to have to stabilize her ankle/leg because of how the break was..it was lying over a blood vessel and the fear being if the transport vehicle should hit a bump in the road..it could cause serious problems..so after finally arriving at this...they determined they would have to reposition her leg/ankle first..it's 4 a.m. now..and suddenly we're seeing an emergency status..prior too..it was very ho hum...we'll get there..we have other patients..we have 'EMERGENCIES'..yep, that's what they said..they had emergencies..and I'm like no##$#%...this is ER..shouldn't there be a few to make this place legal? So..this procedure was done after they were able to get an Anesthesiologist to get out of bed to come in and make her sleepy..soooo she was finally transported to Lynchburg Hospital at 6 a.m..knowing surgery would be forthcoming but not sure when..I was in no condition to drive the half hour to the hospital after being up all night..so we came home and took half hour naps and showers and then I headed over..to find that the surgery would be at 5-6 pm..I slept a while in her room..which was most luxurious..and she assured me it was a non emergency surgery and to come home and rest..so after I gained my senses..I left her there...She was there from Fri. morning until Tues..and then she was transported to Oakwood Hell..better known as Oakwood Manor..it's a nursing home that also offers rehab..the rehab/physical therapists are wonderful..that's all I'll say!! She is still there and is due to go back to see the Dr. on Oct. 13 and maybe at that time she will be able to put weight on the foot..until, she refuses to do much Pt..she's convinced it's not in her best interest...but I will give her credit..she is giving the staff a daily dose of hell!!..She is one feisty lady!!

On Saturday we had a most awesome time at NOSO..Dana has already written and photographed so I won't go there..but it was great!..I love seeing that many knitters in one room..and most of them are SO friendly! We did a bit of politicking for Sedalia and picked up at least 1 new vendor..and we have an author on the burner..so..it's shaping up already..For those that think we wake up on the day of and it's magically all done...Dana and her staff work and confer year round.

A few other less pleasant things..I've had eye issues for many years..and I see the Glaucoma Specialist every 6 months and endure that horrible visual field test..seems my pressures are too low in my left eye and there may have to be some future surgery. I've had trabeculectomies on both and the right eye continues to respond well to the bleb..the left has been a bit wonky..but bottom line, my vision was getting worse..I was finding I had to wear my 'cheaters' all of the time..which was leaving my eyes very tired, headaches etc..so I made an appt. with my local Optometrist a few weeks ago..and after an excellent exam..he calmly told me..that it would have to be bifocals..not transitions..bifocals..I wanted to cry..but I really wanted to see too..so I opted to pull up my big girl panties and get those 'guys'..I'm still adjusting and it's been a week but it's amazing at how well I can see..seems the specialist doesn't spend much time on the actual examination and I probably should have had these a few years ago..but..I have them now..

Also..another first..hangs head in shame...I was skipping church a few weeks ago..and in lieu of was going to go visit some shut in friends/relatives etc..I was cruising out to Mom's first and I will not deny..I was speeding but I truly do not think I was SPEEDING..I saw him as I began down the hill and let off the gas and immediately pulled over...He was most kind but he did write me up..He said he clocked me doing 68 in a 45....I don't really think I was going that fast..I'd admit to maybe 60..yes bad enough but 68..I've gone back and tried to do 68 there and it's a tough spot to make that curve at 68....oh well..I'm now $176 less yarn money..and The Bedford County Sheriffis office is a bit richer to flaunt their new equipment etc.

Off to do some relaxation and knitting..

Remember to continue sending Margene your warm thoughts..she is such an amazing Spirit!

In Memory

Today marks one year since the death of my Brother..
We say our final good-byes and go on with life..with the hole it leaves in your heart.
The hole gets smaller as the days go by because of the memories we've stored in the previous years. Not too say that as you go about your daily errands etc..you don't have flashbacks..
I often drive by a little favorite spot of his and look over to the deck..and at times I toot my horn, because he was almost always sitting there at certain times of the day enjoying a cup of coffee and a cigarette...sometimes I catch a glimpse of him 'still' there..memories...
Don't be sad for me today..hug your loved ones and let them know you care!

Tending to Family issues~

While I'm TCB..I'll leave you with a pix of this awesome lady!

This is Angela Davis, She was the teacher of Socks on Circs at Sock Summit..It was instant LIKE!

So while I'm doing what I need to do..I'll have these terrific memories of a wonderful trip and such special friends!

Knit ON~