Friday, August 16, 2013

Easing out of summer...and back to blogging

I have ended up taking a bit of a blogging break, not sure why but it just happened.  As we all know blogging takes up a lot of time, catching up with friends, writing posts, it can be a lot when you have a family, work, parents, and a house to take care of.  And sometimes I just like to be silent.  I have a lot on my mind with the summer ending and a new school year beginning.  I don't work in the schools, but my schedule changes as I try to see my patients before and after school as much as possible.  I am preparing for a couple of new patients, very early mornings and sometimes working until 6 or 7 at night.  It will all work out, but it has been on my mind.

Mr. 19 year old was home for 8 days.  It was wonderful and a bit stressful as life can be with a 19 year old that thinks he knows everything, but actually knows so little.  He is wonderful, funny and well 19, he can be very charming, exasperating and concerning all at the same time.  I am sure my parents didn't like me very much at 19, but I never knew it, which was very nice of them.  My youngest had a friend visiting for 2 weeks, which was lovely for him.  He also got his drivers license during that time, so that is a great accomplishment.  He starts his junior year of high school next week, time is flying by so fast.

So today I have decided to have a slow day, it might be my last one for a while, until schedules work out and new patients are worked in.  I think I need a day to ease out of summer, ease into a new school season, extra work and life in general.

Instead of racing out the door by 6:30 AM for work, I woke up on my own, searched Ravelry for patterns, and sat on my floor drinking tea and looked at knitting books.
Caroline the dress form has been looking very plain, she has asked me repeatedly to get a project done so she could model it.  Since that is not happening today, I thought I would put my Japanese Flower Shawl on her.

I would have to say this is the absolute favorite thing I have ever made.  I love the colors, the feel of the yarn, and the way it looks.  I have never used it, I know I am funny that way, but I drape it over a chair in my living room and I look at it everyday.

Caroline looks pretty don't you think?

I am almost at the end of my second Clapo-ktus.  It has been interesting to knit and I am looking forward to a new project.  Another shawl, maybe a sweater?  The possibilities are endless.
I know it will not be this baby blanket, which sits on a shelf in my family room staring at me.....please finish me, it says, but I am still not ready to dive into it again quite yet.
Some of my flowers are blooming, and some are overgrown and in need of a good trim, but not today, I am taking it easy.

When I turned around from my plants, who did I see peeking at me?  My beautiful boy, Max.  His hip is hurting so he is going to take it easy with me today, too.  We went for a short walk, on this very overcast morning, and now he is taking a nap.

He wants to thank you all for your birthday wishes, he sends you all the best.

How are you easing out of summer, as summer is easing away from us?

24 comments:

Bridget said...

My schedule doesn't change that much from season to season, except psychologically!

I'm glad you are taking it easy before things get crazy. Enjoy your weekend.

Kris said...

Hi Meredith. I hear ya on needing the blog break. I have been there too. So nice to hear you had some good times with your son home. Also, hooray for your younger son getting his license. An exciting time, as well as a worrisome time. That flower shawl is stunning! I was going to do that with my flowers that I am making, but went with the granny sqauares instead. I will be eager to hear what you are up to....blog when you can....I am sort of in the same boat.
Hugs,
Kris

gaia said...

Dear Meredith,
I think I understand what you mean. I have a 16 years old step-son , he knows everything and ' I am the worst mother anybody can possibly have'. He is holidaying in his home-country now and I feel so relaxed! Should I feel guilty or does this make me a bad step-mom?!
Caroline looks gorgeous! Your plants are so green; something we miss in Cyprus in August.
I never had a pet in my life though I grew up in a village but few days before when I was reading your blog my 4-year-old son saw Max's photo and asked me if he could have a dog like Max.To my great astonishment, I realized I am considering having one...Have a lovely week-end! GAia.

Jennifer Hays said...

We're back in the thick of it now, with school having started this week. I'm happy to be busy again, though. The summer break was just too long away from "real life" for my taste. I'm glad you had some time with your oldest; I can just imagine what it's like to have a 19-year-old. I will get my chance someday too. I love the flower shawl, the colors you used a gorgeous and it has a beautiful drape. I've been thinking about making one for myself, but I need to decide how much I want to spend on yarn first; I feel like this is not a cheapo-acrylic kind of project...

ColourMeCrochet said...

Hi Meredith,
I so glad you had a lovely time with your son home, even though they drive you to distraction. My eldest daughter would come home from Uni and within 30 mins the house looked like a bomb had hit it. There would be stuff everywhere.

Having a bit of time to yourself, where you can have a day or two of doing your own stuff is essential to staying sane I believe. We all need ME time.
I hope you are able to have a bit more slow time before the mad rush.

Your shawl is beautiful, I have never seen that flower till today and seeing yours is a second time. The one I saw earlier was for a bed cover and I like how they both look similar but so different. I'm loving your colour choice.

Congratulations on your younger son getting his licence, I bet he's really excited,

Take care
Sally xx

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Aww love the Max photos! He is the best. Hope his little hip gets to feeling better. Tell him Aunt Stitchy has a ham bone with his name all over it! Poor little lamb.

Sounds like you are going to be super busy. I know it will all work out...hang in there.

Oh I love that shawl. It is so pretty, so colorful....love it.

Hmmm new project did you say? I think you should look for my post tomorrow and think about helping me find that pattern and we do that together! Just saying.

Sending hugs and blessings your way sweet friend....tell Max I am sending air kisses his way, too. :)

Anonymous said...

I love Max's smile.

I really do need some down time and I am slowly figuring out how to do it. I have some long-time friends that are just emotional black-holes. I need to limit my exposure and carve out some quiet time for ME!

Rose said...

I have done the same, blogging-wise...thank you for still commenting on my infrequent posts. I had a slow day today too, reading and napping. Love the flower shawl, just gorgeous!

Karen said...

I love the description of your day, and the idea of 'easing out of summer.' That's something that I need to do. It sounds much nicer than 'gearing up for fall.' I just don't have the energy for that right now.

The baby blanket is beautiful, the pink and cream and just a touch of green.

Gracie Saylor said...

We arrived safely in Nebraska and are enjoying our time on the farm with loved ones :) So glad you had time with your eldest son as well as the other men-folk in your life. Thanks for sharing your pretty flowers and Max's smile with us. I hope you enjoy wearing your pretty flower shawl one day, as well as the I brought my shawl to work on during the trip, but so far I have been crocheting a coat for my cane. I had just wrapped yarn around it and the yarn has been falling off untidily. Tsk tsk :) Sending you encouraging hugs as you prepare for your new schedule.
Gracie xx

RURAL said...

A blog break is a good thing, and it's also good that you took that day for yourself. Sounds like you have a hectic time coming up, but maybe it will settle down quickly.

Make sure to get some knitting time in there.

Jen

Pradeepa said...

Of course we need to get away from blogging now and then. It takes up most of our time. I sit with a cup of coffee in front of the computer in the morning and the next thing I know it is almost noon, then I reluctantly shut down the computer. Caroline looks lovely. Max is such a sweet boy. Belated birthday wishes to him.

Unknown said...

I know just how you feel about taking time out and just switching off I have done that a lot in the past few months myself to. I am sure that everything will soon settle down for you with regards to work its always hard easing back after a break. Bless max he is such a sweet heart. I love your crochet shawl you should def wear it sometime its to beautiful not to. Thank you for always taking the time to message me, have a lovely weekend, hugs dee x

moonstruckcreations said...

Hope that all goes well with whatever the new season brings - you will deal with it beautifully as ever Im sure of it!!

have a lovely weekend, Helenxx

linda said...

Hi Meredith, I know what you mean, I was blogging 3 times a week and have cut it down to once or even just when I feel like it I find it tends to take over your life and that's silly really. Your scarf is beautiful, I would love to look at it everyday too it's a work of art and I do think Caroline suits it. Sending a big cuddle to poor Max hope his hip gets better soon. :)

Susanne Tyree said...

I understand about blogging breaks. I do take many short ones. It is hard when there is so much to do and dead lines to keep. Spending time with your college boy was more important anyways. I don't blame you. We all need quiet time. I found that the older I get the more selfish I was becoming with my time. I often resented the demands other people put on my life. It is time to slow down when that happens. Congrats to your son on getting his driver's license. Yeah, I know, another thing to worry over, but pray that he uses all the good common sense you taught him. He will be fine. That Max, he is one cuddly dog. Does he lay a lot on concrete or similar surfaces? My mom had a Great Dane named Karo when she was growing up and he had belonged to a butcher. He got arthritis and they said it was because he had laid on the concrete floor in the butcher shop. I suppose that didn't help his situation, but considering the older everything gets sooner of later arthritis sets in. Your shawl is beautiful. There is nothing worse than a naked dress form or a naked concrete goose on a porch. My concrete goose is naked right now and yelling at me "hey lady, please put something on me!!!
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

kathy b said...

Im hanging on to summer as long as I can Mere. Good that you took a tiny break, I hope your finger is better. I love the modeled shawl.
Your shawl in the basket is amazing too. I am a much simpler knitter..You impress me!

Lovely porch nights continue, open windows while sleeping and watching the fireflies entertain me

Annie Cholewa said...

Sometimes it's good to be quiet for a while x

Give that gorgeous boy Max a hug from me :)

Joy said...

Caroline looks very stylish in her beautiful Japanese flower shawl, Meredith, and that sweet little baby shawl is looking so pretty in the basket - and - it's good that you take some 'ME' time now and then!
Lovely that you had time with your big boy and congratulations to the new driver in the family - independence all round!
I do hope that your new work schedule soon works out evenly for you dear Meredith, and that you can make more regular 'ME' time as well!
Hugs and best wishes to you,
Joy xo

Babajeza said...

Enjoy your day!

I talked to another woman the other day and she told me that she hadn't thought she could ever manage her busy life after the holidays. But now after a day or two she is just fine.

Hugs, Regula

Ladybird Diaries said...

I really love your Japanese flower shawl, it's really beautiful.
M x

Mrs. Micawber said...

Dear Mere, so glad you had an easy day ... you deserve it!

Caroline looks lovely in the flower shawl - and I can see why you like to drape it over a chair and look at it all the time.

I am not easing out of summer at all ... as usual I am dreading the onset of cooler weather and wondering where the summer has gone. Goldenrod is blooming which fills my heart with dismay as it seems such an Autumn flower. I need to remember how much more crocheting can be done when the weather cools off!

Good luck to your sons as they head into another school year, and to you as you work into your new schedule. Your comment about your parents and yourself as a 19 year old made me laugh. I am sure we were all very trying at that age! :)

Suzan said...

Sweet Puppy and lovely flower wrap!! Enjoy your quiet time!!

Handmade and off-centered said...

Its been a while since I was in blogland just browsing around and I have had a good time looking at your post form the past few weeks. I have to say that the flower scarf is soooo nice. I crochet a pile of flowers a while back ago and made a long garland out of it, but the pastel colors that I crochet still havent been put together into anything.....basically THIS is just what I had in mind and its really nice to see it all put together :)I think I just got the inspiration to get to sewing it together finally. Thanks :)
-Birgitta