Lady sheep and a some travel plans........

                                   

Meet the Ladies.  They were a birthday gift from my dear friend Lynda.  Yes, last week I had a birthday, although I have to say I worked all day and barely noticed it was my birthday at all.  The big 54!  I am not one to think getting a year older is a big deal.  After a cancer scare at the age of 35 I'll take every year I can get.  I'll take my wrinkles and grey hair, too!  But to be honest I'd like to give my expanding waist and butt away.

Back to the sheep, aren't they adorable?  I am in love with them.  They look so busy and fashionable, maybe runway model sheep.  They will be put somewhere very safe as two of my other felted sheep are now in the waste bin because of two furry boys I know.  Really nothing is safe in my house at all anymore.  

If you just have to have these lovely ladies here is the link, you can find them at Signals catalog, and they still have them in stock!

This guy and I are planning a road trip next week.  As you know I am a bit of a workaholic.  I take my job seriously and because of Little Buddy appointments, children being in the hospital, having appointments or being ill, I often have a shortened work week.  So I really try to work when I can.  As I was looking at my schedule for July I realized 7 of my kids were going to be gone at the same time.  That is 14 out of my regular 32 treatments a week missing.  I looked it all over and called my friend Lynda (yes the giver of sheep above) in North Carolina and asked if she was free.  As the answer was yes, Little Buddy and I are planning our first road trip.  It should take about 11 hours by car to get there, very doable for both of us I hope.  We are leaving at the end of the week and will be gone 5-6 days depending on how things go.  I'll be working the last two days of the week because I want to see the kids that are here at least once, see workaholic above.  

In preparation for the trip I got new tires on my car, and an oil change.  I have been packing some food items, books and new cars for Little B to play with on the drive.  I've been making lists of items to take and trying to get ready as much as I can.  This knitting is on the list to take.  I really need to get going on this sweater but to be honest this year has been about my busiest year ever with work.  It seems by the time I get home, spend a little time with my seven year old, get him to bed and get a shower, well I am ready for bed myself.  I'm not sure a whole lot of yardage will be used this year out of my stash, but that's okay there will be time to knit sometime in my future when I retire, although that is a long way away.

I am already upset about leaving these two.  I swear I just adore them so much, but not enough to take them along at this stage of their very busy puppy lives.  That would be insane.

Hank is so adorable but very camera shy.  He is so beautiful but I can never seem to get a good picture of him.  His eyes are a beautiful hazel, his nose a milk chocolate brown.  He loves to look right at you unless you have a phone or camera in front of you, then he always looks away.  He is weighing in at 45 pounds now, with lots of growth left.  He is a big baby and sits on my lap every night for a snuggle and belly rub.  He thinks my oldest son is a big puppy and he gently nibbles his ears if he is sitting on the sofa.

Bear is always right next to me.  He waits at the gate we have installed to keep them out of much of the house, until I return.  He is always next to me on the sofa, or near me in my office.  He stares deep into my eyes and I wonder what he is thinking, good thoughts I hope.  His eyes are the deepest brown and his nose black as the night.  He only weighs 35 pounds but is as fast as lightning.  He can jump onto the back of the sofa from the floor and poor Hank can't keep up with him when running outside, he has to take a short cut to catch this fast boy.  Bear loves Hank and can't stand to be apart from him even for a second.  He cries and cries if Hank goes outside without him. 

This is the site that greets me every time I leave the family room/kitchen area.  Aren't they adorable?

So I will be off the blogging radar this week and next.  Wishing you all a wonderful week or two.  Wish me luck with my adventure with Little Buddy on Friday.  He has never been in the car near that long.  We'll see how it all goes.  See you soon.

4th of July...............

Happy 4th of July if you are celebrating. Enjoy our day wherever you are.

Popping in on a Tuesday......

Just popping in quickly as I am home early from work today.  Four of my patients are out today, which means instead of getting home after 7 I got home after 2.  So I am catching up on a little blog reading before swimming with my seven year old buddy.  Thank you for all the birthday wishes.  He enjoyed his day so much.  There is nothing like being seven and getting presents and cake, it was all so exciting!

The furry boys are 8 months old today.  They are still growing but not at the same speed.  You might see a difference in their size after a few days rather than after just a nap.  They continue to be so much fun, well fun until you catch them doing something naughty.  Still, it would be fun to have the enthusiasm of a puppy wouldn't it?  Every time you walk in the room it is like you have been gone for years.  They are just so happy to see you.

I had seen these bracelets online and then dear, dear Teresa mentioned she had bought some.  They are from 4Ocean.  With each bracelet purchased they will pull 1 pound of plastic from the ocean.  It really is a great cause, pop on over and get this green one in the month of June, it is specifically for sea turtles.  Now that I am looking at this picture the bracelets look pretty good with my cheap Target watch! 

Have a great week.

Seven.................

Happy Birthday to my darling Little Buddy.  "Seven!  I can't believe it."  Were the first words out of his mouth this morning.

Seven comes with more responsibilities.  He really has to get this potty situation nailed down.  There is more work to do in school, more expected of him academically and socially.  He has to write more sentences on a line, not a job he is fond of.   Focus more in school, also not his strength.  Answer questions when asked, and maybe not get upset so easily.  There is more to do in therapy using his right hand and getting those crazy legs to work better.  That is a lot to ask for a little boy, but you know, I think he is up to the task.

Thank you for blessing us with this wonderful life of yours Little One.  We are so, so blessed to be on this journey with you.  We have watched you grow and develop into such a fine little boy. You work so hard, make us laugh, and also a bit crazy if I am honest.  Yet you bring so much light into our lives.

Here is hoping SEVEN is the perfect year for you!

Oh, and by the way my friends, this little one can now swim the length of my pool all by himself, lifting his head up to breath and uses those arms and legs to propel himself pretty effortlessly through the water.  That is a huge goal, absolutely huge!  

We are so, so proud of all you have done my little boy and can't wait to see what you do next.

Happy Birthday today and Happy Adoption Day tomorrow.  

We love you so much!

And a special Happy Birthday to Uncle Don, there is no one better to share this special day with.

Splash park fun..................

This afternoon Little Buddy and I made our first trip to the splash park this summer.  I'll tell you it is exactly what I needed.  Just to see the joy on his little freckled face was the tonic this weary heart needed today.  I have had a very busy two weeks at work, lots of patient visits and lots of progress notes to write.  Notes is  not the correct word to use, really they are progress novels!  I have to keep my fingers crossed the kids I see will continue to get the services they need, cuts are being made everywhere.

Little Buddy has completed two weeks of morning summer camp.  This camp is being held with his retired pre-school teacher and several other teachers and therapists.  It is so nice to see him involved and having fun.  And the best part of all is leaving him with people I trust.  It is not easy to find a program that will take a little person with special needs.  He needs continued work on socialization skills and he can get this at camp with teachers who understand him.  After camp, speech therapy, and my private patient this afternoon I decided we needed to go to this wonderful splash park near us for a bit.  Little Buddy was thrilled and had just the best time.  I love all the little ones that walk up to him and want a turn with his walker, their parents are usually a bit horrified their children are taking his walker for a spin but I encourage it.  I always tell the parents it is a great way for their kids to see a walker and not think it is different or strange.  Boys are especially drawn to it, it must be the wheels!

You all know how very blessed I feel having this amazing miracle boy in my life.  I have to admit I have been so depressed the last few weeks with the stories of all those immigrant parents losing their children, almost 2,000 at last count.  I can't even imagine what they are feeling, what those beautiful children must be thinking.  This is a horrific thing to happen to them.  They will be scarred emotionally, psychologically and physically for life.  This is not something you get over.  I work with children in the foster care system all the time, some of which will have attachment issues their whole lives because of what they have been through, not in foster care, but the trauma they have experienced in life.  It is devastating to me that we as a country are allowing this to happen. What have we become to think that separating families is okay?

Maybe we all need a little Little Buddy to make us smile.  But even with those darling freckles that I can't get enough of, I can't forget those children who have lost their families, their childhoods, their security, and the love of their parents, who only want a better life for them, just like all of our ancestors wanted for us. 

Purl Soho...........

Welcome to Purl Soho my friends.  Do you want to visit with me?  I think those of us who knit and crochet have all heard about this amazing store.  The yarn is gorgeous, the photography is beautiful, and the patterns have simple lines that create incredible garments. 

When I went to NYC I was not even thinking about visiting any yarn stores.  Actually, I have not bought yarn since last December, and that was to complete a project.  I have been really trying to use the yarn I have and not buy more until my stash was even more under control.  

But when presented with the opportunity to visit this incredible store how could I not jump at the chance to go?  Claudia, with her savvy NYC traveling skills got us to the subway, and all the way to SOHO to visit this store.  It was sooooooo hot on Saturday afternoon when we were traveling, I mean even hot for me, and I live in Florida.  It was so worth the trip, as really, when will I ever be back?

As you enter the store you see this amazing wall of Liberty of London fabrics.  Gorgeous colors, with an incredible silky texture, popping off the wall.   This might be the most beautiful fabric I have ever seen, and soooooo expensive but worth it if you are an incredible seamstress, which I am not.  Still I could not stop looking at them and touching them, which I am sure the employees did not like.

The store is long and narrow.  Everywhere you turn are beautiful yarns to stroke.  They have their own yarn of course and many other brands.  They have threads for weaving, buttons, trims, and sewing and knitting patterns everywhere.  The orange, berry and cream shawl folded up on the front table was featured in their email just the day before our visit.

I am trying to be better about yarn purchasing , trying to buy for a project rather than buying a ton of yarn just for the sake of having it like I have in the past.  I was lucky to have a Purl Soho project in mind even before I knew I was going to visit the store, but I still thought a lot about it before my purchase.  It was easy to get swept up in the moment, as you all know yarn and fabric fumes can knock you senseless until you are spending your life savings in mere seconds. 

I cold have bought yards and yards of this, just look at the amazing detail and colors in these fabrics.

There were even kits to make the famous sheep pillow.  I was tempted but already have two sheep fluffies on display at my house.

I settled on this, two skeins of Purl Soho Cattail Silk, size 3 needles because I got rid of all my extra needles a while back during a craft/yarn purge, and this wee little loom to make coasters with.  I could not resist it, believe me I tried.  The Cattail Silk is to make the Circular Yoke Summer Shirt, a project I have had my eye on, but did not have yarn in the appropriate weight in my stash.

It was well worth the hot trip down to SOHO to see this amazing store.  And frankly vacation yarn should never even count towards stash, right?

I will leave you with one last photo of my dear, dear sister Claudia and I.  This was taken right before the show started.  We were both so excited to see Don perform.  I just adore both of them so much.  They are just the kindest people I know.

NYC and Escape to Margaritaville..............

I have been missing in action for a very good reason my friends.  Last weekend I flew up to NYC to visit my sister Claudia and my BIL Don to see his brilliant performance in Escape to Margaritaville.  More on that in a bit.

I flew out of Tampa early and arrived in the city in time for a bit of fun with two people I absolutely adore.  

After stowing my bags we headed off to the Clinton Community Garden, it was so beautiful.  Right there in the middle of the city with  big buildings all around, is this special spot full of beautiful plants and allotments.  I imagine it gives those who live in this area such a wonderful sense of peace to be able to pop in and just surround themselves with nature.  

I could not love Claudia and Don anymore than I do.  They are the kindest and most generous of people.  We can sit and talk for hours, and boy do they make me laugh!  Really Claudia can make me laugh more than anyone.  They are beautiful inside and out.

We took a walk around Bryant Park and took a quick trip to The New York Public Library.  Really everywhere you look in the city there is something incredible to see if you just take a second to notice.

We ate wonderful lunches and dinners.  We had amazing chats and just spent time being together.  It was so wonderful I can't even tell you.  Hope this is not too much Meredith overload, I am not one for putting my photo out there too much.  Isn't my sister gorgeous?  

But the main reason for this visit was to see my incredibly talented BIL Don in Escape to Margatitaville, on Broadway.  This production was really incredible.  Everyone in the audience just loved it.  We all laughed and sang, it was so uplifting and fun.  Really I can't say enough about how wonderful it was and not because Don was so wonderful, which he was, it was the entire musical.  It was delightful and just what we all need in these heavy times, we need something that sweeps us away with fun and joy for just a few hours.  Don was fantastic by the way, he is incredibly talented and this part was just made for him. 

The big surprise at the end of the show was a surprise visit by Jimmy Buffet.   He sang two songs and the audience went wild.  We were all singing and dancing and having the best time.  You can see Don just off the right of the photos above.  He knew Jimmy was going to be there but kept it a secret from us.  We actually got to meet him backstage which was fun.  He is a kind and lovely man.

But really it was all about seeing my dear BIL in this wonderful production.  He is so generous.  After the show he signed autographs and talked to all of those people waiting in line.  He made their night, I am so glad he is a part of my family.  I adore him.

Just prior to my visit the cast found out this amazing show will be closing on July 1.  It is just so heartbreaking for all of them.  It is such a wonderful production, so full of happiness and fun.  It breaks my heart to see all of these incredibly talented people, who have worked so hard, have to stop performing this show.  Claudia and Don are just devastated.  I am so glad I was able to see it before it closes.  It was amazing.

Saturday afternoon Claudia and I took a subway trip to Purl Soho.  More on that next time.

 Hope you are all well.  I am so far behind from my visit and an intense two weeks at work.  I'll try to catch up.  By the way Claudia and Don are big Instagram fans, they talked me into getting active over there.  I can't promise I can post a lot but you can find me at Mereknits if you are interested.