Happy Monday

The sun is shining through the slider on my back.  Dawg is laying by my side in a beamer.

The kidz slept in this morning.  Believe it or not, I was the first one up today, grampy was second and the babes dragged themselves down last.  They got a good twelve hours last nite – so today should be a good day.

These are the faces we like love to see at the breakfast table.

  Ragamuffin Lexi with her pink cast.

Zach contemplating the next spoonfull.

Pooh asleep between bowls.

Guess I need to reset the time stamp on the camera.

We are already looking forward to going to the library at two.  Zach is out the door, going to push the hand mower up and down the hill.  Lexi, our independent one, suddenly needs Grammie to do up her shorts and tie her shoes.  She did brush her hair though.  The cast is getting in the way of life………………….  Our usual days at the beach may be a problem. 

Hopefully I will get in some knitting time today and tomorrow whilst the kidz are here.  Truth be known though, my right hand is killing me from all the knitting, so a break would probably not be a bad idea.

I am on the hunt for a ‘jumbo’ Sequence game – one that himself can see.  And, we need to get Zach a new reel.  He needs one that won’t magically get inself into a tangle at each cast.  Someone mentioned a Zebco. 

Zach’s birthday is the 18th so I’ve got a while.  BUT in the same respect, it would be nice to have one here for the next two Sunday/Monday/Tuesday visits.  Maybe I’ll try to explain early gifts to him today.  Now to find one.  I know they can be had to Cabelas, but don’t relish a trip to East Hartford.  Hoping I can find one at Wally World.  Guess I’ll let my fingers do the walkin.

Just another rainy day in the hills of Western Massachusetts

It doesn’t look like much does it?  I’m hoping that it will look better when it’s not wet for blocking.  It’s Double Seed Stitch Cardigan, designed by Rosemary Drysdale for Tahki Stacy Charles. a/k/a Cotton Classic Cardigan.

It is knit with, not Cotton Classic as the pattern suggests, but Berroco Comfort DK.  It has a much softer drape than the sample that we saw at WEBS. which was knit with the Cotton Classic.  I’m hoping that the switch in yarns, such a drastic one, was not a mistake.  It was an easy knit, and the Berroco Comfort is a joy to work with.  You and I know though that nylon and acrylic really don’t block.

When was the last time, you as a child, or a parent said/heard “mom can I have that'?”  “mom will you buy that for me?”  “mom will you knit that for me?”  It was the last, will you that I heard from our daughter that day at WEBS.  Softy that I am, I said sure, lets pick out some yarn.  I really only took two weeks to knit, and a few hours to put together, with several weeks in between when it languished in my knitting basket waiting for me to be in the mood to get to that putting together.

Today is her Birthday and it will be her present.  She won’t get it until tomorrow though.  She is partying with the work crowd after work and I’m playing cards tonight.  We both have our priorities.  Tomorrow I will bring the sweater and cake.

I’ve got some goodies to share. 

A friend, TOS gave me this tiny Doll House size crocheted afghan and quilt rack.  It was among the collection of her aunt, who probably made it.  That’s a dime for size.

This is my Saturday pudding.  Served Saturday nite for company.  It’s Rhubarb Pudding Cake, a cinch to make and oh so good.

 

I love my Polish pottery.  Zanger’s warehouse is just down the road from our daughter’s house.  My car often pulls into their parking lot as I try to drive past.  It’s not far from I-91 in Windsor Locks, worth the stop I think.

I’ve been talking about lace on Twitter.  Today I said that knitting lace is like trying to go uphill on ice with your Sunday school shoes on.  I’m working on the easy section of my first lace weight, lace project and spending lots of time tinking.  I’ve also read ahead in the instructions and am thinking that I am going to need some help.  Problem is, the yarn is Shadow from Knit Picks, so I can’t approach any LYS for help.  I’ve joined a lace group on Ravelry thinking they might be there to back me up.  I’m sure though, that if I just follow the line by line instructions I will be fine – I hope!

Don’t drink and drive, don’t drink and lace. 

Time to think about supper and then out to play cards.

On motherhood, daughterhood, birthdays and anniversaries

Today is our daughter’s birthday.  She would rather that I don’t mention the number.  I won’t.  But next year is her 40th. 

Happy Birthday Leslie

My mother passed away when I was twelve.  I guess that was a traumatic time to lose a parent, especially a mother.  I could not tell you how that loss changed me as a person.  My sister and I have frequent discussions about our memories of home.  Sal is four years older than me, so has a different take on life with mom.  My memories are of gardens, listening to Babar, reading Winnie the Pooh, basically all good stuff.  Sal remembers a mother who killed herself with booze.  I guess I am the lucky one.

But, is it lucky to go through life without a mother?  I think not.  No one to celebrate my accomplishments the way a mother would.  No one to sit with my Dad at our Wedding.  No one to shop with for stuff for our first house. 

No one to hold me when I cried because we could not get pregnant.  No one to talk with as we worked our way through the adoption process.  No grandmother for Leslie.  No unconditional love.

August the 18th is the Anniversary of the day that our lives changed.  August the 18th is the day that our daughter was placed in our arms.  I am eternally grateful to the birthmother who gave her baby away.  Who made a decision that would affect us all.  Her name is Susan too, she has come into our lives and left again.  I wonder what she is thinking about today.  Thank you Susan, from the bottom of my heart.