First Day Back at Work

Today was my first day back at work. I went in on Tuesday just to set up and prepare but today was my first day with responsibilities. I did two workshops and they both went well. My topic was Moving Towards Algebraic Thinking in the Elementary Grades. I didn't let anyone know the theme until the end or some people would have objected! I'm also seeing lots of people for the first time since Bob died and as much as I appreciate their good wishes and condolences it get hard and I felt weepy too much today. I made plans to go to Park Slope on Sept 16th to see the Yarn Harlot in person. I plan on bringing one of my own socks in progress along for the visit! I'm making good progress on my fan and feather scarf and I have used so little of the cone of white silk wool lace weight yarn I got from the jagger, zepher coop that I think I may not need to ever buy lace weight until I am ready for retirement!or later. It feels so soft and comfy. I'm thinking of doing one for my grandmother's 95th birthday. She is ALWAYS cold and this soft scarf would be nice tucked into her sweaters etc.

August 27

Yesterday I took the medication the doctor prescribed and felt better but must have been more woozy then I thought because I totally messed up the shawl I was working on and had to frog the entire thing! I started a scarf with fan and feather so I'll try the shawl when I can better concentrate on it! I spent today quietly at home and cleaned up my desk. I have thank you cards to write and so many medical bills to deal with. I've been feeling a bit blue the house seems too empty and quiet. I go back to work in a few days and it will be good for me!

50th Post

This is my 5oth post. I guess that is a marker of some kind! I could not sleep last night because my back is killing me. I hurt my back during the big rearranging of furniture etc. we went through earlier this summer. It seemed to be getting better with hot and cold packs etc, BUT yesterday the pain returned with determination. I was up almost all night using hot and cold packs and searching for a comfortable position. This morning I went to the doctor and he is not sure what is wrong but he gave me a fist full of prescriptions and suggested an x ray. He also said to take it easy for a few days. I think this means sit on the couch and watch movies and knit, or at least that is what I plan to do. I have four projects on the needles and I can't concentrate on a specific one so I just keep jumping back and forth! The camera is promised back later today so I will post pictures.

Thanks to my swap pals

I have gotten goodies in the mail the last few days, actually I have gotten wonderful things in the mail ALL summer and I am confused about who all this wonderful stuff is from! I still don't have my camera, so pictures will have to come later. I got a spoiler package from my SP8. There was THREE wonderful skeins of yarns, chocolate and hot chocolate. Then today I got another pack of two skeins of sock yarn, Sock It To Me in great shades of blue and greens and I can't figure out what swap they are from! I think my brain is fried. I joined the SP8, the One Skein Swap, and the knitting chicks not secret swap. BUT I keep getting everything confused!!!! Right now I'm into startitis, I started the Swallowtail Shawl from the current Interweave Knits, and the Rabbit Proof Scarf from Morehouse Merino Knits AND I have about 12 other things I want to start RIGHT away. I go back to work next week and I have millions of projects to do around the house SO why am I starting two projects now?

August 18th

I have no knitting ,quilting or soaping content to talk about in this post. I have not been able to quilt or touch knitting needles since Monday. We had Bob's funeral on Wed. and I believe that his life was celebrated by the number of people who came to support us and remember him. My daughter and I made a collage of pictures of him and that was the most healing act for me. I have the picture of his face in pain in my eyes and seeing him in happier times and remembering what he used to look like helped. I can't be in the family room right now. There is a HUGE hole in the room where his bed was. I went to IKEA yesterday and bought a work table to put there. I'm going to move my computer, sewing machine and yarns etc down there. Right now it's the little things that side swipe me. I made an appointment to have the dog groomed and the groomer said, "Where's Bob been?" She went on to mention that Bob used to walk the dog over near her store to visit with a stuffed bear outside the florist next to her. They were wondering if something happened to Bob or the dog. I am going to my afternoon knitting group today, then out to dinner with friends and on to a planning meeting for a workshop I participate in every year. Last night I had dinner at my mother's house. Steven goes back to Hawaii on Sat and Caroline goes back to school soon also. BOY, this house is going to be empty!!!

Bob is at rest

Yesterday at 4:50 Bob passed away. Caroline and I were with him and his dog was very near. His passing was very peaceful and he was in no pain. During the week that he was home, family and friends visited and the dog was on and off his bed. He knew he was dying and his strongest wish was to be at home. The funeral is at 10:30 Wed. morning at Holy Family Church on Route 36. Following the funeral we will be going to my sister Carol's house in Marlboro. Please join us to celebrate his life.

Bob's back home

Bob came home yesterday. He is home on hospice care until the end. The goal is to keep him comfortable, painfree and in his own space until his end. Right now I'm his main care giver. Caroline helps out and I do have the hospice services. I don't know how often I'll get on the computer as it is on a different floor then him BUT please keep us all in your prayers. Steven is coming up on Wed. and I hope that Bob is awake. Right now he is not really awake but he does not seem to be in pain either. I wish he could have come home sooner when he was in better shape but who knows why things happen the way they do.

Still melting

Well, lots has changed since Friday. Bob had an appointment with a pain specialist Monday afternoon. After a bone jarring ride in the ambulance which left me with a back ache we met a doctor who was the exact opposite of the puffed up a** we saw on Friday. He actually listened to Bob, was patient and waited for him to speak then outlined his options. Bob has decide to begin hospice services in the nursing home and do a bit more of physical therapy then come home ASAP! We met with the visiting nurse service they signed him up, had a medication review with medication specialist and we were told how grossly under medicated he has been for his pain! New order were written and now a few nurses are dragging their heels at giving him the "Amount" of medication he is receiving. TOO bad, I want him comfortable and home. If they don't get with the program, I'm just going to bring him home in a few days and do the physical therapy at home. I'm so glad that the hospice nurse kept telling him he has a right to be comfortable and pain free as much as possible NOT trying to tolerate as much pain as possible! I finished another petal bib and a garterlac wash cloth BUT the darling daughter filled my memory card with trashy pictures from the beach so you will have to imagine them!