Saturday, December 29, 2012

Do goodbyes get easier?

Mr 19 year old has been dropped off at the airport and is on his way back to Columbus, OH.  Gosh I just have to say I am so sad.  I know I will get over it quickly (probably with help from a visit to the yarn store), but it is just so hard to see him go.  He was home for 8 whole days!  And of those days he was actually at home a lot, another respiratory illness has side tracked him, again.  I am so grateful he was home when it reared its ugly head, at least this time we could get it treated the right way from a Doctor who has known him forever.  This stinking cough of his has been present since September, it gets worse, he gets antibiotics, it settles down but never goes away.  Then it acts back up again.  He is now on three medications, and a new inhaler.  No wonder swimming has been rather difficult, it is hard to swim when working with only 75% lung capacity. Now if I can trust him to finish off all his meds like he is supposed to, he isn't that great with follow through.
So while I am so glad he was home, I am feeling a bit sorry for myself, sounds ridiculous I know. I just have to remember the love I was able to give him, and remember how he never picks up a thing and puts it away.  I have to remember dirty dishes next to the dishwasher, but not placed in the dishwasher.  I have to remember wet towels on the floor, maybe I should be glad he is on his way to his messy dorm room!


I haven't posted since Christmas, I have been a bit lax.  Working, and of course non stop appointments for Mr 19 year old and his slightly faulty lungs have kept me busy.  It looks like everyone had a lovely, relaxing Holiday, we sure did.  My Dad came for dinner, we visited the nursing home where my Mom is, boy she was having a very difficult and confusing day on Christmas.  It is difficult to see her like this, and sad for my boys to witness of course. We opened up presents and had a nice time just relaxing.   My husband and I do not exchange presents, especially this year when we are trying to be more careful with our finances.  But Max gives presents every year and he out did himself this year.  He apparently went yarn shopping. How he snuck out of the house I will never know, maybe he just ordered online, only Max knows the truth.


He picked out 460 yards of beautiful sock yarn in four different colorways.  Bless him for knowing that his Mom would like yarn.  The only issue is I have sworn off making socks for the rest of my life!  I know I am being a bit dramatic, but socks are not my thing.  I have been checking out other patterns that use sock yarn, mostly shawls or scarves.  Do you have any other ideas?

22 comments:

Teresa Kasner said...

You should make a shawl like I did.. you would love it! I would choose that purple-y skein! Sorry for the boy having to go again, but look at the good part.. he came home!
*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
  *H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Hugs to you dear friend. I know you miss him, but he's only a phone call away...or a text. So glad he has new meds to clear up all the nasty stuff in his lungs. Hubby gets that way, too from time to time.

Oh, Max is such a sweet heart for getting his nice Mommie yarn. You can make awesome fingerless mitts with socks yarn, stuff toys (hmmm maybe one for Max) and of course, I agree with Teresa...make a shawl. Teresa has some awesome things she's made, so you can never going wrong there. :)

Sending hugs and blessings your way and Happy New Year friend....2013, the year of Happy. :)

Annie Cholewa said...

Maybe Max was hoping you'd knit him a dog blanket!

There are some wonderful shawls that use sock yarn, or how about a man-cowl for your chesty boy to keep him snug.

Hugs to you Meredith, and a Happy New Year :D

LynnIL said...

Goodness, this could have been my post today. My daughter just left this morning, after an 8 day visit. I have been a bit sad since she left. Instead of knitting, it has been cleaning.
Unlike you, I received no one item related to knitting. Guess, I will go shopping!
Enjoyed your post.
Lynn

moonstruckcreations said...

Hopefully it won't be too long before you are all back together again.

I'm very keen to see what you make with that yarn...cleve

r Max!

Helenxx

Pooch said...

Christmas can be a bittersweet time of year especially with the generations preceding and following you getting older. I've moved through that stage of life, yet still feel the twinge of sadness(and memories) when my 40-something kids leave. And the grandchildren! That's an entirely different sort of I-want-to-hold-on-to-you emotion. I don't know if it helps, but you are not alone with the tugs on the heart strings.
On the bright side, you have emerged with your lovely blog and so many of us following and enjoying you!
Happy New Year!
:)

Anonymous said...

You could make sock yarn blankie. There is also a 10 stitch 10 row blanket that can be adapted to sock yarn.

Wingspan uses sock yarn as does Mizzle. Both of those are freebies on Ravelry.


DS was here for only 4 days. Gosh I love that boy, but I was glad when he went back to his house. I guess Steve and I are used to being just 2. LOL

Hope Mr. 19 is feeling better soon. I know dorms can be a hotbed of germs/mold/dust etc... It's hard on lungs.

Between Me and You said...

You'll be fine and I hope your Boy gets past that awful infection.
Naughty Max indulging you in all that beautiful yarn which is just crying out for http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-affection - it's highly addictive. Her other wrap/shawl patterns are very tempting too. For a real challenge I'm hoping to attempt 'Metalouse' by Stephen West - when I feel up to it.x

Taci simmons said...

Shals are great with sock yarn... I have made many of them. I m glad your son was home and went To see a doctor you trust. I'm sorry you were so sad... Hope knitting something pretty with your new yarns will make you a little happier :) happy New Year Meredith.

Sue Pinner said...

Hi hope your son feels better now and don't be sad he will be back again soon to leave you his little messes all over hehe.
I mix sock yarn with other plain and boring yarns to create new and exciting mixed ones, so many variations can be made this way and they will be totally you.
Hugs x

Babajeza said...

My mother always knitted sweaters with sock yarn. The sweaters were just perfect indoors. Of course, it's an awful lot of stitches ...

My husband's cough doesn't go away either .... A friend of mine recommends grape juice.

Have a nice Sunday! Regula

Susanne Tyree said...

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Only a mother knows that each and every time her children walk out the door. You yarn is so pretty, what a nice gift from Max. He has good taste. I am surprised you shy away from making socks. If I was a better knitter I would dive right in and make a pair. I have some sock yarn too and debating about what to make with it. There are those sweet little knitted honeycomb hexes that are joined together to make a blanket. Or I do like Teresa's idea to make a shawl, something lacy. No matter what you decide I am sure it will be another pretty project for us to oooh and ahhh over.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Gerda said...

No socks? It's so nice to wear handknitted socks, my boys love it too. Love the beautiful skeins, your boy did make an excellent choice. And sock yarns are good for all kinds of shawls, just check ravelry. groetjes, Gerda And best wishes for the new year!

pembrokeshire lass said...

What absolutely lovely colours. I'm sure that there must be some lovely shawl patterns out there. Seems a pity to make socks where there glorious colours will be out of sight! I think there was a shawl called colour explosion...wasn't there? Would that be useful. Please please make something hat can be seen and enjoyed by everyone! Joan

Liz said...

Oh how we worry about our children. My sis always tells me that it never gets easier, the worry just changes as they grow. I hope Mr 19 yr old takes his meds and feels better soon.

So sweet of Max to get you such a great gift. I would definitely make a shawl or scarf. I love sock yarn for scarves... also fingerless mitts...it's the perfect weight. I have never knitted a pair of socks. I want to, but I have to work up my courage. If I started a pair now I may be able to finish by next winter...hahaha
I hope you have a great week

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I sure hope Mr. 19's respiratory infections will finally clear up. One of our teachers at school has an awful cough that won't go away -- she's had all sorts of testing and no one can even say why she has it -- but boy, when she gets going, it is awful.

If one of my boys bought me yarn, I would be over the moon. I'm sure you will figure out something to do with it.

Best wishes, Tammy

Melanie said...

Such pretty colors - good job Max! :) Whatever you make with this is bound to be lovely.
Sorry to hear your son was sick during his visit & hopefully he gets better soon!
Have a very happy New Year!

Pradeepa said...

Respiratory infections run in my family. My son has problems off and on and my mom has been coughing for several months now without any relief. Very thoughtful of Max. Those yarns are lovely. You can make shawls with them.

Red said...

I know how you feel about seeing your son head off. Mine is in Afghanistan now. At least he does email frequently and we are sending him care packages. I hope he gets over his respiratory illness soon. That has to be frustrating.

The yarn is beautiful! I think I would use it with a heavier yarn and make scarves!

Happy New Year!!

kathy b said...

Mere

GO easy on yourself dear friend. THe ups and downs and hi's and byes of the college years are a roller coaster. Glad your son swims, it is so good for lung repair!

YARN gifties .. WOW you must have been good. I love to make fnigerless gloves with sock yarn. Shawls too.

Happy New year

Gracie Saylor said...

Meredith, I love your lamb nestled in your new fiber...so cozy :) Can you use sock yarn for weaving? Your comments about missing your son interspersed with the notes of cleaning in his wake inspired me to chuckle out loud. Life is such a mix, isn't it...joy and sorrow and all the feelings in between. The transition especially with my MIL and my mom, when they no longer remembered my birthday was especially difficult for me. I did not need their gifts, but their remembering and celebrating life with me were sorely missed...a prolonged good-bye which at its best encourages/ed me to appreciate each in any way I can/could, even if just in thought and prayers of gratitude for their loving presence in my life for many years. It is almost the new year, Meredith! May we stitch 2013 together with Love :)
xx from Gracie

Mrs. Micawber said...

My sister gave me a lovely shawl for my birthday, made from sock yarn. I think it's called the "Elyse Shawl" (or maybe "Elise") and is pretty hot on Ravelry.

(I got yarn for Christmas too! One skein looks exactly like the black multi in your photo.)

I hope Mr. 19 will soon over that cough. It's been a very bad year for bronchial ailments; started last winter and seems to be continuing into this one. All those Midwest germs are new to his system. I wish him a good recovery and improved immunity.

I can identify with your Mom's situation - my mother was just like that last Christmas. It is so hard to see our parents lose their faculties.

Happy New Year to you, and may your beautiful new yarn help to dispel a bit of the sadness. I'm so glad to have met you this year. :)