News From The Nest: Figured It Out!

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Thanks to Jane of Quiddity, I figured out how to edit photos. Yay!! So, let's update you. We'll take the fast track.

November 2017 - Mom had back surgery that was scary but successful in ending her roughly 20 months of sciatic nerve pain. Thanksgiving came with a visit from son, Brian, Eryn, and the girls. It was so good to see them! Now 3 and 6, they girls are growing way too fast. I love this picture of them with Darby gazing out of the sunroom doors. Darby LOVED this spot!

December 2017 - This month ended with Mom and Dad celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary (12/21) and the arrival of son, Taylor, Rachael, and the children, Landen (6) and Raleigh (4). We had a completely fun-filled week with snow-tubing, a visit to the Air Force Museum, and more.

January 2018 - Happy New Year! The happy part of this was short-lived as Mom's strength and health declined. Dangerously low hemoglobin results due to GI bleeds sent her to the hospital not once but twice (January and February). Andy also hit a deer on his way to work one morning and totaled his car - Wildlife 3 (deer 2, raccoon 1), Prius 0.

February 2018 - Early February, I attended Pins & Needles Retreat in Berea, KY. I took four classes - Knitted Knockers, Modular Knitting, Celtic Cables, and Short Rows. When I returned Mom was discharged from the hospital for the second time and went to rehab for a two-week stay. Mom was home from rehab one week when she had difficulty spelling and writing. For an ex-schoolteacher, this was NOT normal. A CT scan revealed brain bleeds - hematoma and hemorrhages. So, back to the hospital we went. A repeat CT scan earlier this past week showed that the bleeding has resolved and her cognitive symptoms have slowly lessened, as well. She just can't get a break, though, as her sciatica has returned. Not quite as bad as before surgery. Hopefully, physical therapy will help. February 12th saw me change my work status from a 40-hour week to 16-hour (two-day). My employer offered part-time options for my department and, though it was unplanned, I took advantage of the offer so I can assist Mom and Daddy more. Scary to so drastically cut my income but I did what I had to do.

March 2018 - Mom celebrated her 88th birthday! This one was extra special because she almost didn't reach this milestone.

I know Mom and Daddy's relocation to Ohio from Virginia has not been easy but I'm thankful daily that they are close-by. I honestly don't know what they or I would have done these past few months. Their neighbors and friends (from near and far) have been absolutely awesome! They could not have settled in a more wonderful community! A group of neighbors delivered dinner every other night for four weeks and then there were others who brought food, sent cards and flowers, phone calls, and lots and lots of prayers and healing thoughts. Mom was and still is so appreciative and overwhelmed by all the kindnesses.

I dried a lot of the flowers Mom received and plan to make a special soap from them. I hope this will get me back in the soap pot! I miss it and need to supplement my measly part-time salary!

Knitting has continued to be my therapy through these stressful months. Don't know what I would do without it! I saved this picture/quote from Facebook (wish I knew who to credit for it) and it fits perfectly.

As most of you know, I am far from a monogamous knitter! I have lots of projects in progress and pick up whichever one fits the occasion. Recently, I finished September Circle and have just a few more rows before binding off Reyna Shawl (pictured).

My basement or studio is another work in progress. I've made a dent but still have a ways to go before it's ready to have friends/students over for knitting, rug hooking, beading, spinning, soapmaking, etc.

I did recently get a big bag - an alpaca blanket - off the floor. Last weekend, I took it to Carrie at The Yarn Barn for processing. She recommended blending it with merino and a silk/yak blend. I can hardly wait to see the finished skeins! Pictured here is the dusty raw blanket and then another photo of the raw blanket with the cream merino and silk/yak blend on top. Alpaca, Merino, Silk, and Yak --- simply delicious!

As April fast approaches, Southwest Ohio is still experiencing cold temps. I call this the Bipolar Season. We had snow several days ago with overnight lows in the 20's and 30's. This next week will bring lots of rain with slightly warmer daytime temps in the 50's. Our daffodils and Red-Winged Blackbirds hardly know what to think! Spring is slow coming this year.

My furry friends have spent many nights enjoying warm and cozy cat-naps inside with me. I have enjoyed having them, too! They're great company. Buster makes the funniest little noises in his sleep and it's comforting to have them close-by. Pictured - Buster (black and white kitty), Earl Gray (in the middle), and Gracie (my little Tortie).

April will have me keeping my fingers crossed that Mom's health holds while I get ready for and take another knitting cruise through Craft Cruises in early May. This time, Karen (my roommate from last August's Alaska cruise) and I are heading to Montreal, Quebec City, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bar Harbor, Maine, and then finally Boston. We won't see any of Boston as we're flying directly back home so we can spend Mother's Day with our moms. We'll have several great tours - Louet, Fleece Artist / Handmaiden, Lucy Neatby and Ilga Leja, Titanic Cemetery. On-board classes (cables, provisional cast-on, sweater fit, etc.) will be taught by Carol Feller. I can hardly wait! I love taking trips that revolve around my passions.

As always, thanks for reading!