Getting Back to Normal!

The last few weeks have been wild. I've had a surgery which I hope will help me to get healthier and loose weight. I'm returning back to work on Monday. As difficult as it was to have my procedure done, I had lots of free time to knit and rest.

My grandmother fell in the beginning of September and broke her hip. Breaking a hip is life changing for someone a few days away from 98. Since then she has been from hospital to hospital rehab and yesterday to a subacute nursing home. She and my mother are confident that she will be "home" in a few days/weeks whatever. I'm not so sure. I think staying in the nursing home might be her new normal. Please keep her in your prayers so that the new normal for her is clear and not so hard to decide.

Thanks Secret Pal 14!

Here's my last package from my secret pal. She sent me just the best treats! This last package included note cards, a hand made towel and cloth set, (I love handmade gifts!!) an real cute tool set, (an oval with everything you need for repairs or on the go), a box of chocolate treats, a candle in a great fresh scent and a little traveling pouch. Thanks so much!

Friends

I have been very lucky with friends all my life. I have good friends and I am able to be a good friend. One of my friends took me for my surgery and then the next day took me back for my follow up visit. Friends have been calling, e mailing and keeping in touch extra for the last few days. One of my friends blocked my black shawl for me and it looks great! A friend picked me up today for a few hours of relaxing knitting at Barnes and Noble this afternoon.





It is hard to loose friends. In the last few days I have lost two friends far too young. the first I found out about on Facebook. She was a super sweet women who made great goatmilk soap. We worked together on learning to make lotionand wound up sharing huge parts of our lives. I know few details of what happened and she leaves behind a huband, son, daughter and grands. We will all miss her.

The second friend to pass was a member of our Tuesday knitting group. She was also young, only 43. Sharon was struck by a car shortly after getting off the commuter bus. She passed away while everyone was waiting for her to come to our Tuesday knitting group. Sharon leaves behind a husband, brothers, sisters and neices and nephews and 14 pug dogs. She was a funny smart lady who brought new ideas and lots of energy to our group. She was the one who got us started on the EZ Adult Surprise Sweater KAL. Sharon will not get to finish hers.

Day 2

This my first day out of surgery. My friend took me back to the Doctor's office to speak with the Nutritionist. Now I'm exhausted and all I want to do is rest for the rest of the day.

The song of the frog was here again and the Swallowtail shawl was frogged yet again. When I'm feeling better I WILL find a way to knit this thing!

Stubborness Wins

I started the Swallowtail Lace Shawl a few years ago. It was right after Bob passed and my mind wandered too much. BUT I had it in the back of my mind to do it again. So Friday, I cast on again and knit but I was having such trouble understanding the pattern. Over Friday, Sat and now Sunday the froggy song of RIPIT< RIPIT was heard over and over! Finally I went to Ravelery and looked at other's people's work and READ their comments. Now I get it. The chart I'm following only gives the six stitch repeat and only the six rows of the pattern. I realize that I just was not seeing the pattern from the chart. The chart shows the repeat which is the second half of the pattern and then the first half. Once I saw that it all made sense! I will get this done!!!!!

Some FO's to show!

I finished a few projects recently. I started a Damson Shawl but did not have enough yarn so I finished it without the lace pattern border.The yarn is STR med weight. I love the colors. I also finished a ruffle scarf that looks like it is quick but is really LOTS of knitting.This is a fun easy pattern with short rows making the scarf twist and turn. It is my new walk around knitting so I immediately cast on a new one.

On Monday I am having elective surgery. I should be home for a week and a half and I am almost giddy with the idea of so much knitting time! Let's hope I feel well enough to get in lots of knitting!!!

finished Black Shawl!!!!

It still needs to be blocked and have the ends tucked in and there are a jillion mistakes and it will be A LONG TIME BEFORE I KNIT IN BLACK AGAIN!!!!!!