My Blog Is Not Forgotten

Yet. And I hope to revive it once again.

I've posted before about how sad it makes me when bloggers I enjoy "disappear" or "retire. I have so many I read on google reader but it's still sad when they're gone.  I totally understand how it is tho. Time gets away from you, life just gets more (insert: challenging, crazy, busy, scary, etc.). That's how it's been for me (again, I seem to have more blog crisis's than average.)

My gallbladder problems are still not resolved because all those expensive tests they put me through say it's perfectly fine. Yet my constant pain says: "what the ??" It could be stress related, I've tried to calm down about my Mom's health issues, but seriously, they've taken their toll on me. That finally dawned on me when all the tests were saying things look "okay". Except for a small hiatal hernia, my insides look okay. This added to my already existing fibro pain and anxiety really sucks frankly. Thankfully, my Mom's health is looking up (again), so I'm really trying to just chill a bit. My mind says to do one thing, but my body responds in other ways I guess.

Despite the terrible fatigue (why do GB attacks have to happen in the middle of the night?) and pain (oh, lots of pain), I've still been knitting and practicing my spinning. Some things are for a Christmas swap I'm in so I can't post those for a bit. (Yes, I'm very early, but that's probably part of my GB issues too!). As usual, when I don't feel good, I wonder WHY I keep knitting when it's driving me so batty.  Then something gets done and I'm a very happy knitter again.

My Mitered Baby Blanket
Yarn: Bernat Baby Jacquards - Florals

I got the instructions from a really nice knitter on Ravelry, KnitWeir (Donna). She made this up herself and was kind enough to share her notes with me because I was totally besotted with her blankets.
Pink. Pink. Pink. Little Rosebuds. = LOVE.

I love the way her blankets look almost like a quilt. The squares were easier than I thought they'd be, I whizzed through them. But the simple garter stitch border about killed me. I had to rip and re-do about 5 THOUSAND times. So much that I finally had to ditch the old yarn I was using and start a new ball. That alone proved how bad I'm feeling these days. But, I hung in there and FINALLY got her done! Love it. I'm saving it for a grandbaby of mine one day. (WAYYYY in the future!).

Christmas knitting is always so stressful for me, it's a self-imposed heck I put myself through because I'm too picky and too indecisive. I spend so much time figuring out WHAT to make, then I knit it and am not in love with it, etc. It's a never ending drama for my crazy head, so I'm TRYING to just let it go this year (breathe, don't panic). Whatever I do happen to make (out of sheer luck) I'm trying to keep it SIMPLE because frankly that's all I can handle. When a simple garter stitch border can kick your a$$ets, it's time to knit to RELAX, not to put the pressure on.

I'm so good at thinking logically, but DOING is a whole other story! I've scraped about 4 Christmas things already. Oy.

I also managed to get these done quickly:

Maine Morning Mitts
Yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn (Cranberry?)
Needles: Size 6
I love this colorway, it just makes me happy, sort of fall like and Christmas-y. And Rose-Bud-y too! I do love my roses. Hobby Lobby's yarns are so soft and squishy, love these so much.

Some simple mitts for my cousin:

I made her a pair of black ones for work out of Caron Simply Soft a few years ago. Well, they're pretty pilly now and obviously very loved, so I found a new yarn and made her an extra pair for work.

Yarn: Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted
(This yarn is new, I found it at Joanne's and it's supposed to be Anti-Pilling. We'll see how they hold up for her. I hope better than the CSS.)
Pattern: Noro Fingerless Mitts 
I used size 5 needles and these came out a bit loose. I like using size 4's for this pattern normally so they're more snug. (Brain Fog Strikes Again).

I made a scarf too but don't have pictures of it yet. I'm just behind on everything anymore, even my picture taking!  Someday I'll get to that and the Christmas stuff. One thing is for sure: Knitting has caused many of my headaches, but brought me peace as well during this rough year. Many Thanks to my friends and blog buddies for your good thoughts and comments and still hanging with me here! (((hugs)))

Whiskers On Wednesday

This is appropriate for The Big Guy and myself lately. I've been under the weather for almost a month and a half with terrible stomach issues. Our 21st wedding anniversary was on September 2nd and he did what he always does: He took care of me.  That's love.

Happy Late Anniversary Big Guy. I Love You for too many reasons to count. I promise we will celebrate someday soon! (As soon as I find out what's making me so sick so I can eat again! I never thought I'd be so excited to see a Gastro doctor!)

It's That Time of Year...

This morning I dropped my (oldest) baby off at HIGH SCHOOL and The Big Guy took my other baby to MIDDLE SCHOOL.  BIG BIG DAY for us as parents thinking back to years ago dropping them off at Kindergarten. I'm sad that time has flown by like this, but at the same time, I'm so glad they're back. They missed their buddies, and I think were more than ready to go back.  It won't seem like that by the end of the week (I can bet), but we still had a good start and that's awesome. I had so much fun those years of school, I sure hope they enjoy it as well.

On the knitting front I am getting some things done. With my Mom's health ups and downs it's been my comfort and companion. She's doing much better now (Thank You for all the good thoughts and prayers) and life is getting a tiny bit back to normal around here.

I got a couple of hats done for my friend Mona's expected (and I think first) Grandson:

The first one came out sort of big! So I made a second one a bit smaller. Baby's do grow after all!

This was the scarf I almost LOST at the hospital the day my Mom had her latest cancer surgery:

Pattern: Gathered Scarf
Yarn: Yarn Nerd (overdyed for a more vibrant fuchsia pink color)
Needles 4 and 7.
Mods: Did 8 repeats in the ST st section, and only 6 of the garter.
Thank goodness the lady at the hospital found my bag on a chair and put it aside for me. We had dropped my Mom off for her surgery, then left to go get lunch and to run by a book store. I thought someone had PICK-POCKETED my KNITTING!!! I was fit to be tied, but, turns out I'm just the same old scatterbrained girl this summer.

On my own health front, it's still up and down (mostly DOWN), now they say I'm exhausted due to a b-12 deficiency and "possibly" an under-active thyroid.  So more blood gets taken and still: not any real clear REASONS (except fibro) for how lousy I feel all of the time.  Insomnia is still a problem but now that I have to take my daughter to school, I guess it better work itself out pretty darn soon! Watch out other morning drivers! I'm on the road again!!

Well, getting up early has it's advantages, I got a lot of housework done already and need to go switch the laundry now. Can't wait for my Babies to get home! Happy Back to School!! & Happy Knitting!!

Whiskers On Wednesday

BLOCKING WIRES? WHO NEEDS BLOCKING WIRES??

"WE MUST HOLD THIS SCARF DOWN FOR MOMMA" - Sasha & Sophie. 

(Excuse the mess, I always block on my bedroom floor, not always on BettyBoop, but any towel. My kitties are COMPELLED to ALWAYS help in the process)

In my House:  "No Knit is complete without CAT HAIR".

"AND I'LL EAT THOSE PINS SO THEY DON'T RUN AWAY TOO" - Sasha.
(This was awhile back, again excuse messy chair in bedroom - I TRIED to keep it covered but between cats and kids...that was a big big funny).

Happy Whiskers On Wednesday!

A Great (Birth)Day

I've started counting backwards now (so Birthdays aren't so painful) but I always love a reason to have cake!

Here's my Birthday (& next Anniversary, Christmas, New Years, & Valentines) day present:

My Ashford Joy DT along with fiber to practice on from The Woolery in Frankfurt KY.  I'm really glad I went in person and tested out different wheels before I bought one. I thought I had my heart set on a Kromski Fantasia (and almost just ordered it). It looks really cool with it's more "modern" design, but after trying out several there in the shop, the Joy was THE ONE.

She's awfully pretty, very petite, and quiet as a mouse.  Great travel wheel.

She's hoping her new owner practices more and keeps her busy. I'm really enjoying spinning but realize just how much practice I need! Well, at least I know she'll be patient with me.

A BIG Thank you going out to my blog buddy Dawn for the fluffy goodness and other birthday goodies (my lotion was already in use and didn't make it to the photoshoot!)! I've been having so much fun picking up different fibers and can't wait to try these out too! Thanks for thinking of me! ♥

Off to spin some more.....Hope everyone had as great a day as I had. :O)

Drive By Prayer Request

When will I get back to blog land? I hope someday soon.

I'd like to ask for prayers and good thoughts for my Mom today. She's been having some serious health issues again and my being so far away hasn't been easy. Thankfully I have family that is taking very good care of her right now but the future has some unanswered questions in it and I hope this is the open door to make some positive decisions for my Mom's overall health and well being.

Many Thanks! ♥

California Dreamin

Fresh Cherries from my cousins tree. They picked cherries for DAYS from this tiny tree!

Watching my nephew play baseball. League champs!! What great summer fun!

Monterey CA. Aquarium and Deck. My daughter the mermaid. She LOVES the ocean. (which was very cold BTW).

Guess where?

I didn't get drenched but the kids and The Big Guy did! I sat on a rock at a gorgeous spot amid tons of tourists and found....solitude and profound peace.  Got a mega dose of the beauty and spirituality of this magnificent place. I hadn't been here in 20 years. So glad we went.

Can you see why? Miss You California. ♥