Tuesday, March 3, 2015

A little good and a little bad.......


Sometimes things go smoothly and sometimes they just don't.  And of course there are those times when you get a little bit of both.  This weekend was a swirling, whirling combination of good and bad.  Good.....this is the only picture I took of my son, he is in the middle in the black suit and cap.  Bad.....I forgot my telephoto lens so did not take any photos but this one.  Good.....seeing my beautiful boy.  Bad.....-7 degrees the temp outside on several mornings.  Good.....my son had two best times.  Bad.....he also missed one entire day as he was throwing up along with four other teammates.  Good.....I was able to fuss over him and take care of him the day he was ill.  Bad.....he missed one of his best events.  Good.....I got to see his beautiful face, while he was sleeping beside me, as I sat on the bed next to him knitting.  Bad.....he missed out on a very important swim.  Good.....he was able to recover enough to swim the next morning and get a best time.  Bad.....he threw up after his swim and had to cancel his participation in the evening.  Good we made it to the meet despite having a canceled flight Wednesday evening due to bad weather in Atlanta.  Bad.....I just about had a heart attack that we were not able to make it out Wednesday evening and thought we might miss the meet.  Good.....a friend told me about Allegiant Airlines flying out of St. Petersburg, FL and we were able to book a direct flight the next morning.  Bad.....it cost us about a million dollars.  But we got there, we were with my son, we were able to hug him, take care of him and cheer him on.  I guess there ended up being a lot more good than bad.


 There were many highs and lows this weekend.  And I swear once again knitting came to my rescue.  I knitted in the at the airport, I knitted on the plane.  I frogged my knitting at the hotel and started over again, twice.  I knitted during warm ups and I knitted during cool downs.  I knitted while my son slept, I knitted while he watched a TV show, keeping my eye on him all the while.  I knitted when we returned to the pool, at the hotel and all the way home on the plane.  Knitting helps keep me as calm and centered as I can be at this stage of my life.  It helps during all the highs and lows of my life.  And this weekend I just know I would have fallen apart without it.  I am so thankful I can play with yarn.  I can knit, weave or crochet and it helps to keep me from ending up a crazy woman, or more crazy than I already am.  
  

When we returned home there was a sharp contrast to the  bitter cold weather we had experienced in Iowa.  The temps were near 80 degrees and the flowers were bursting forth with their beauty.


And look what I found, some sort of bird of paradise I think.  This is from a ginormous plant outside my front door.  It has never bloomed before.  These flowers are huge!  I trimmed this plant up last year, maybe all that trimming made it happy?  I think there is another pod of these getting ready to flower. 


My azaleas are just spectacular.  The colors are so beautiful to see.  


And right after I got home and spent oodles of time with Little Buddy, who apparently had the time of his life with all of his Aunt's spoiling him rotten, I finished this.  A tiny sneak peek for you here.  I was only two rows away from finishing before I left.  It was fun to come home and complete something.  So now onto the reality of life.  It has been back to work, back to cleaning up and taking care of Little Buddy.  I am ready for some normalcy in my life if that is even possible.  I have lots to catch up with work-wise.  I have lots to catch up with all of you, too!  I hope to find out how you have all been in the next few days.

Hope you are having a great week! 

38 comments:

Ingrid K. said...

hello Mere!

Good thing you always managed to see the good sides whenever there were bad sides...

Glad you managed to spend time with your son, shame he got sick, but the main thing was that you were there for him!!!

I realize I have been reading your blog over a year now, because one of the first posts that I read was about your son's swimming event! <3

It's great to have knitting or crochet whenever we need it! I'm loving your lady kina, wow, you are about finished!!! Looking forward to seeing the big reveal...

Hugs!!!
I love reading your posts!!!

Ingrid xx
http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

CJ said...

I've been wondering how he got on. It sounds like he did really well, but how unfortunate to have been ill. I'm glad he was able to do as much as he did, and two best times - brilliant. All of those hours and hours and hours of training are paying off. I'm so pleased for you and him. Glad you had a safe trip, try and get some rest as well as doing all of the work and cleaning and things, it must have been an exhausting few days. CJ xx

Anonymous said...

Flying this time of year can be challenging. Steve left for Huntsville this afternoon. We are hoping he can get back home on Friday, but an ice storm is predicted.

Hope your son is feeling better. Seems like everyone has caught some bug this winter.

Amy at love made my home said...

Well I am glad that there were more good bits than bad bits and that you were able to get there despite the cancelled flight. I am glad too that your son did so well on his best times!! How great is that - yay!!! Yarny things are indeed such a lifesaver aren't they, they keep your mind occupied and your hands too, I think that we need that, especially when we are stuck somewhere - like an airport. Sounds as though Buddy had a wonderful time, I knew he would!! Your Bird of Paradise plant does seem happy indeed, it is amazing what results can come from cutting something back - I think there must be some great life lesson there! I hope that you have a good week and can regain a little calm in your life. xx

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I agree more good then bad! Life is so full of ups and downs and I think big moments attract all of that! At least you were there with him. Love so much that knitting helps you calm down. Sending big hugs.
Linda

Grammy Braxton said...

So glad you made to the meet. Sorry he got sick but at least you were there to take care of him. I know you were glad to get home to Little Buddy. Glad you had your knitting to keep you calm.

My Garden Diaries said...

Glad there were so many goods this past weekend pal! I think I was most touched when you said just being able to see his beautiful face while you were caring for him....my goodness is that what it is all about or what! Even with the bads you found so much beauty to appreciate and that is the blessing! I will say I am envious of your warm weather and those blooms! Just amazing!! Happy week to you! Nicole xoxo

Jennifer Hays said...

It sounds like a real mixed bag but the important thing is that you were able to be with your son. I'm sorry he got so sick and I hope he's feeling better. Glad to hear Little Buddy did so well back at home. Take care.

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh my.. I just can't believe the bad luck of your son and his teammates getting sick and having to miss some of his races! No fair! I'm glad you were there to help care for him during the rough times. You are such a devoted mother! My son competed in college with his small bore rifle team and he was all the way in Tennessee at UT Martin and I never got to go watch any of the matches. Glad you're home safe and sound and I totally understand how the knit and crochet can save your sanity. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Kris said...

Oh Mer....I just saw your previous post too, and wow, what a cool photo of Mr 21 swimming! Glad you got to go, but so sorry he got sick! I am with you, on the calming affects of yarn. I am getting more into knitting, and just received my first set of needles and cables and also some sock yarn! I wish I could knit with you!!!
Hugs, Kris

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for your good report, Meredith. In spite of the challenges, and in part because of them I especially appreciate the good things you found to celebrate: the good racing times, quality time with your son, fun times for Little Buddy, safe travel, a warm and beautiful welcome home, and of course knitting progress :) I went for a bit of a walk in glorious weather with nine other members of our household today, and then drove out and about and snapped a bunch of photos and I have some yellow yarn out and am going to run off a copy of Teresa's baby hat pattern to give it a try. xx

moonstruckcreations said...

I so agree that playing with yarn is a great stress reliever, in my job I don't know what I would do without it - not crocheting on the job you understand, but just a couple of rows of an evening after a hectic day...perfect.

Sorry to hear about the bad, but happy to hear about the good things that happened on your trip. Hope your son is fully recovered too.

I expect LB had the time of his life, but is very, very happy to have you home.

Your flowers and plants look fantastic, kind of reminded me of Spain, so much colour. Here in the UK we are just starting to see a few brave daffodils!

Try to get as much yarn time in as you can as you rejoin the rat race!

Helenxx

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

I feel the same way about crochet, Meredith.

I bet it was great to get back home into the warmth!

Christina said...

I hope your son is feeling better now! Well done for getting best times despite a rotten tummy bug. Very impressive. He was lucky to have you there. What a wonderful mum you are. Knitting keeps me calm, too. I am knitting something very similar to what you show in the sneak peak, mine is a cardigan called Lady Kina. The button you found is just beautiful. Looking forward to seeing the finished item. xx

Home Meadows said...

Hi Meredith, it sounds like a roller coaster, but in the end, as you said, more good than bad. I'm sure your son appreciated you being there and the support you and your husband provided. The new sweater is lovely and I'm sure LB was so happy to see his mommy! Have a great day, Heather

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Meredith, wow what a whirl wind you all had. Isn't flying a pain? We ran into a couple mishaps also! My Hb always says he will never fly again....but then he does! There is definitely a stomach bug going around, my daughter had to go to emergency for dehydration last night, I didn't sleep a wink. Of course her fiancee took her. I'm so sorry the timing was so wrong for your son but he did get some good times and Best times! Thank goodness for yarn, sending love and hugs, xoRobin

kristieinbc said...

Oh Meredith, what an emotional roller coaster! How awesome that your son got some personal best times, but how disappointing that he also got sick. It will probably take you a week or two to fully recover from the weekend. You are so right about the knitting. It always comes to our rescue!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I'm glad you were able to make it. Did the boys eat something that made them sick or does so much swimming do that to you. :) Glad he did well when he was in the water. Crochet sure gets me through all the waiting times. Hugs, Tammy

Unknown said...

Wow, such intense days! Hope your boy is feeling better now...
I know about the therapeutic effect crochet and knitting have, they're such a blessing in stressful times!

Carla from The River said...

Oh my, what a time. I am very happy how well he did when he was in the water. What a special time for you to help him when he needed you.
I love your flower photos. It is COLD here again today. But we are to have a warm up soon. I hope so. We all are ready.

kathy b said...

Good: the button on the cardi!
Bad: i have not cast on for mine yet

GOod: Time with son. no matter the price
Zach and I went to a Bulls NBA game together last night
Bad: I ate a bunch of popcorn there....too many calls

Good: Lil buddy did just fine!
Bad: I bet you are tired from the emotion of the trip

Good: Always more good than bad!

linda said...

So sorry your son was sick Meredith but I bet he was so glad to have him Mum there to look after him I hope he's fully recovered his health is more important than anything else, hopefully he can try again next year. Your Spring flowers are lovely the bird of paradise has bloomed to welcome you home. I bet Little Buddy was so glad to see you. Im looking forward to seeing your finished ?? love the colour and the button, what would we do without our knitting and crochet, I can't imagine life without it. :) xxx

Mindy said...

Ooh--normalcy sounds good!

Glad he was able to do so well when he wasn't throwing up, and that you were there to take care of him, too!

Joyful said...

Oh my it sounds like you've had quite the time but I'm so glad you were there with your son and able to mother and take care of him. Little Buddy, the little squirt sounds like he had a whale of time, lol. I'm sure his aunt's had fun too. Your knitting, as always, looks divine. I wish knitting was to me what it is to you. I guess books take that spot in my life most of the time :-)

Babajeza said...

After all this excitement, it's time to rElAx! :-) Enjoy normality. Hugs, Regula

Tanna said...

Yes, there was way more good than bad... but, bummer that Mr. 21 had the stomach bug during his big meet!!! So glad you were able to be there for him... and knitting there for you. ;) That gray is gorgeous and I can't wait to see the cute gold! Happy you are safely home and had such beautiful flowers to greet you! blessings ~ tanna

Anonymous said...

With all the bad I think the good won out! :D I'm glad you made it out there to see your son and happy that you have now returned. Normalcy, what ever that is, will return in semblance of reality soon I'm sure! :D It's all good in the long run! :D
Hugs my sweet fibery sister in art,
Beth

mamasmercantile said...

I have just returned from Florida and was amazed at the contrasts with the weather on a daily basis. The first 3 days it was so cold, then it improved slightly, then hot, then rain and then back to hot. I am so glad you were able to get a flight and catch up with your son despite his illness he has achieved so much. It was wonderful to get a Little Buddy fix too, thrilled it wasn't anything too drastic. I don't know what I would do with out my crochet at these long waits at the airport.

Betsy said...

Oh goodness! I am so sorry about your son being sick. What a shame to work so hard and then to get sick. I feel so sorry for him and the other boys. They work so hard for the meets and then to get sick. I know it must have been disappointing for everyone.
I'm so sorry I missed your post. Take care.
Blessings always,
Betsy

Between Me and You said...

So glad you were there to look after him. Knitting and crochet have been my saviours too these past few weeks. Thank goodness for them, I say. Great pics, Meredith. Our temps are set to go into double figures this weekend...11 degrees!!!I'm not slapping on the sunscreen just yet!

elns said...

Whoa! What an adventure lady! I definitely see more good in there, too. I'm so glad you were able to see your boy swim his best times AND be there to watch over him and recover from a horrible illness. UCK! What horrible timing. I hope he is all better now. Amazing he was able to do what he did! I love how you got a blooming surprise when you got home. xoxo

elns said...

I also wanted to say that I'm with you on having the knitting there to work through the tough, slow, and awkward times. The happy ones too, of course, but my sanity is so grateful for having knitting during the others :)

Joyful said...

It's a stunning sweater and the white sets it off very nicely. I really like the button too. xx

Mrs. Micawber said...

Oh gosh, poor son. There seem to be so many barfy things going around right now. But it's awesome that he was able to get a best time despite it, and awesome that you could be with him.

Yes, that's a bird of paradise! It really takes me back - we had one in our back yard when I was growing up in California. Have you ever opened a blossom to look at the seeds? They're amazing.

I've been finding knitting to be very soothing this winter too. :)

Mrs. Micawber said...

P.S. Isn't it funny - we women wouldn't be caught dead in a swimsuit in winter, but those guys don't seem to mind a bit. Of course if I were in as good shape as they are, maybe I wouldn't mind either. :)

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Life has a habit of just getting in the way, even of important events, however how lucky was it that you all were even there, and that your baby had you to look after him. Really glad he managed to participate, and well done Mum for keeping cool :)
Jillxo

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

ps you've reminded me to get the look out again. So little time!

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Ps You've reminded me to get the loom out again :)