Happy Fall! It was a breezy Autumn day here yesterday with highs in the upper 80's, back to 90 tomorrow. I am not complaining, after Hurricane Michael hit northern Florida and wiped out whole areas this week. It is a huge disaster and frankly could easily have been here so I am thrilled with my hot and humid weather. My heart goes out to those who have lost so much.
The title of this post could have been signs of my week but all you would have seen me do is drive or work, then frantically try to spend a few minutes with Little Buddy before bedtime. My caseload is sky high right now, I am thankful for the work but am plum tuckered out.
On my Friday morning off I spent most of it in the vet's office having Hank looked at. I accidentally cut him last Sunday while trying to get a mass of hair off of him. He moved, I moved, well you can imagine what happened next. I cleaned it and put liquid bandage on it but he would not leave it alone. He relentlessly licked it, causing more hair masses which pulled the cut open again and again. I went in on standby and thankfully they got me in before I had to head to the school for Little B's parent/teacher conference. Hank has been shaved, cleaned up, and is now on antibiotics just to be sure he is okay. Let me just add that another bandage is now on because he tried to chew the last one off. Heavy sigh inserted here.
I was not thrilled with the parent/teacher conference. Little Buddy's teacher is wonderful, very dedicated, and very strict about what should be happening in class. Let me just say this sweet face is being a bit of a pistol in class, interrupting, not getting his work done when he should, or cooperating, but she still loves him. We have had a talk, or two, or three this weekend about proper behavior and focusing. Not his strong point due to his brain injury, but still we have to try!
We headed off to the pumpkin patch yesterday. I swear I could not get this child to look at me and smile (see cooperating above). These are the best of the bunch of photos I took, you should have seen the rejects! While it looks like Autumn here with these photos it is still plenty warm to jump in the pool.
I have crocheted at least three scarves full of rows I had to frog this past week. I started on this pattern the Goblin-Cleaver last weekend and redid it so many times I can't even tell you. Seems I can't follow a pattern anymore, or I can't count, or my count is accurate but I am still not getting it. I tried again on Friday and finally just tossed the pattern in the bin. Next up was Rowan Berry Shawlette which again has me stumped. I do think there is an error in row 13, and based on reading what others wrote I may be correct. Yet I started and frogged, started and frogged all the day long yesterday. I think I need to get on some medication to help me focus, maybe a miracle knitting/crochet reading patterns drug. If we developed it it would be a best seller. Now I am determined to make this scarf work, but when in the vet's office wasting my time on Pinterest I found this The Lakeside Pullover, and now all I want to do is start this project. So many fun things to make and so little time to make them.
If you are experiencing Autumn, enjoy every beautiful, crisp, moment of it. If Spring is coming your way, enjoy the sweet smell of the earth growing wonderful new plants and flowers. If you are stuck in the heat, well be thankful you still have a home, a community, electricity, plumbing, food and water. After the storm this week those things can be taken away in a blink of an eye.
Have a good week my friends.
I did that once with our recently departed Dear Doggie. I got her in the side and I felt so badly. She never trusted me with scissors again and I don't blame her.
ReplyDeleteI love those pumpkin photos. I almost picked one up myself yesterday but decided to wait. I bet I'll be sorry.
I was thinking about you this week with the storm. My heart goes out to all those affected, the devastation has been heart rendering. I did smile about the teacher/parent meeting...with a cute face and smile like Little Buddy he will go far! Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel - too much work and too little time. I am barely coherent most days! I hope next week will be better for you. I am sure your cute little boy will build up his ability to focus and learn but it may take a long time. It is difficult with our little ones, isn't it? A poor start in life continues to be a disadvantage long after they are embraced in a loving and caring family. We had a review meeting with James last week - he is improving in all aspects of his life but at the current rate, he will be in his mid fifties before reaching his full potential. I do feel for him - and for Little Buddy, too. Happy crafting, I am looking forward to seeing your pullover. I am in no doubt that you'll give it a go :-) Hugs to you. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to focus even without any problems like Buddy has. Before I was a teacher I was an aide in a special ed class and it taught me a lot.
ReplyDeleteI need to start a craft project, but like Buddy I can't seem to focus.
I feel so sorry for those folks in the panhandle, we got nothing from the storm.
Hope you have a better week. Dogs! They drive us crazy and give us so much love.
Some patterns simply have mistakes in them. I know enough about knitting to spot them and sort them out. But my crochet skills aren't up to that. Like you, I would just start something else. Buddy is probably now at the age where he is asserting himself and seeing what he can get away with. They say you should praise the good behaviour and ignore the bad. Very difficult to do though.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Meredith! You have SO much on your plate. I’m sure your little guy will get focused soon enough. He has come so far already. The hurricane was horrible. So many disasters happening everywhere. I hope Hank heals quickly too. Dogs and cuts are always difficult. They lick so much.
ReplyDeleteWe started the drive home from Omaha this morning and so far have had about 3 hours of snow. There is 3 inches of ice built up on the front of my car. The windchill is 9F where we are in S Dakota as I type this. It’s snowing in Omaha now too. The little girls were running around barefoot at Piper’s birthday party yesterday! Crazy weather!
Blessings,
Betsy
Oh goodness, puppies are full on aren't they. My little dog ran off across a main road on Saturday. It was a nightmare, he just ignored me - ran away after something he thought he saw/smelled. I hope Hank is all better soon. Lovely picture of Little B and the pumpkins, I can't believe he is a pistol in class! Hope you have a good week. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteaw, I hope his leg heals soon so you don't have to keep checking it. Dogs are a pain (and so are cats) when they are recovering from anything. None of my dogs would wear a cone.... I guess I give in. Your son looks so innocent- he must have lots to say in school if he's talking :)
ReplyDelete#1 Lakeside pullover crochet pattern is just magnificent. I see you wearing it.
ReplyDelete#2 Sorry you've had progress issues on WIPs. I get into little times like that too and I wonder what in the world Can i knit?
#3 Lil BUddy is really growing and I'm giving him a little pass. When children are in growth spurts their behavior often goes awry, right? Its early yet. He's adorable. What other excuses can I come up with?. You are spot on with your expectations and he will get better.
#4 Poor Hank. The antibiotics should fix him right up. That looks like Green bay packer color bandage.....
Poor Hank, though also a bit naughty. I can’t imagine it being warm enough to swim outside, but then I do live in Yorkshire so that’s no surprise! Buddy looks gorgeous, I can’t imagine him looking anything but xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a week for you Meredith! Doggie owies and hurricane and Buddy school incidents. Hope he figures it all out soon. Glad the hurricane missed your spot. We enjoyed a nice walk this afternoon in the crunchy leaves. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteIt's downright cool here! But after such a humid summer, I'm not going to complain.
ReplyDeleteLove your hibiscus, I had one, but I loved it to death.
Hope puppy heals well. My old cat Tux had a paw with a sore, and he was a master at getting bandages off. It was a constant struggle!
The vet didn't provide Hank with a "cone of shame"? Of course, his litter mate may have just chewed it up. Glad you are safe (although I would not be thankful about those temps!)
ReplyDeleteYou've had your hands full. I hope Hank heals quickly. I've been there, trying to keep a dog bandaged and it's no fun! As for LB, oh, that little is a pistol for sure!
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful flower. Yes, we are able to experience fall, but this year it seems summer doesn't end. It is still pleasantly warm although the woods have changed colours. It's also very dry. We haven't had any fog so far. I love it! :-) All the best to you and your family. I've heard about the hurricane even if I don't read the newspaper or watch tv-news. Regula
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were safe from the hurricane. So awful to see the devastation in Mexico Beach. It's been hot and humid here. Was going to go for a walk but a dust storm just rolled in. We haven't had one of those for a while. I'm hoping it will soak up all the humidity. :) So sorry to hear about poor Hank. I'm sure he'll heal up quickly. I can understand that Little B has to learn to cooperate, focus and follow rules but every single kid who goes to school has to learn those same concepts and for some it just takes longer. Thankfully, Little B is getting the support and discipline he needs at school and at home. :) In my craft group the other day, someone said that yarn can't be forced into something if it doesn't want to be that thing. Maybe that's why you are having such an issue with all your recent attempts. Sometimes a project just isn't meant to be. On the other hand, there are some patterns that are just kinda difficult to figure out (especially for me as a lazy crafter). Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteI feel the dogs pain and your guilt. I Tried to clip a fur ball from Bruce'e ears and made a little snip. I realised dog clipping was not going to be one of my new talents. Busy week ahead Meredith, try and stay sane. Jo x
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the times I used to give my real life boys haircuts! I have the visual proof in the old photographs I took!Talk about pudding haircuts!!It's a wonder I wasn't reported to the authorities!lol Amazingly though, they never suffered physically from their ordeals but maybe the mental scars will be with them forever!!I was thinking of you when I heard about the Florida storms. Glad all's well.
ReplyDeletePoor Hank, I hope his leg heals soon. Little Buddy is strong willed, a bit of a pain when you're trying to get him to cooperate but not a bad trait to have.
ReplyDeleteI wish Hank gets better soon.
ReplyDeleteI cannot concentrate on my crocheting either; pity because I have at least five projects I would like to try on my mind but I am helping My Little Man with his homework which takes him a day to finish instead of half an hour due to his attention deficit. Patience is the key.Sigh!
Best wishes,
Gaia.
Boy Wonder and Lil Buddy would get along well.....
ReplyDeleteI hope the work week goes smoothly for you!
Sorry the yarn projects are being a bit of a pain right now!
So much going on!
ReplyDeleteI use a Furminator Mat Tool on my longhaired cat, and it really helps. Maybe try that? It takes some patience with a persnickety cat--which I have--but for a dog, perhaps it would be the answer. No way to accidentally harm the pet, and it does have settings for depth/length.
Concentration & Patience...what are those? ;-)
OMG...sorry for all the frogging. Love the look of the first pattern, but wondered what weight of yarn. It doesn't list a weight, just a specific brand which I'm not familiar with. Hope you have better luck with the 2nd one. The sweater looks nice, but not sure I would want a WW sweater...think that would feel too heavy even with it being cold here. Glad the conference went well, being on the same page with teacher is key. Wish it were warm enough here to get in the pool, am envious. Your hibiscus is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteInviting you to my travel blog, just for a change of pace.
oh Mere. I'm old enough to probably be your young grandmother.
ReplyDeletehey! suddenly that made me feel better. to be anybody's young anything!!!
oh. what was I going to say. yes. reading this I feel like a slug.
how you accomplish all that you do is flat out amazing to me.
and the pics. they're all good. I especially love the last one of Buddy in the pool. now there's a little face that's plotting mischief for sure! LOL!
you know...
I remember reading once that not only bugs but also dogs do not like the smell of mint! if that's true... you might put a drop of mint essential oil (though I am not an EO person) on the bandage. that just might keep Hank from too much 'self care!' it's his instinct to lick a wound. maybe the mint on the bandage would take care of that. and if it's healing it's itching no doubt just as ours would. I would keep them cut them short like a puppy cut! well.
on second thought given your scissors skills... I would HAVE THEM CUT! LOLOL.
XOXO. ok the title of this book (alias comment) is Boss on the Web Strikes Again.
heck. okay with me. so long as I don't strike out! my brother calls me the Fixer. AAAGGGH! now to that I take umbrage. I've always wanted to use that word in a sentence. yes. I take umbrage.
Awww I'm sure Hank will be fine,he'll just take it in his stride as we say,gorgeous boy.Loving all the photos.I'm sure lil Buddy will be fine he just needs time,lots of love which he gets loads of,he is so lucky to have you,and of course he knows it lol.Maybe you are not reading patterns right just now because you are Very Tired and need a break.I am so glad to hear you and family are ok after the storm.Heart Wrenching to see all the devastation left in it's wake.Take care thinking of you.Huge Hugs and Huge Cuddles for pups.xxxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteHello my friend, I'm late to the scene to comment, it's been rather a whirlwind around here. I just got back from lunch with an old friend who'd moved to Charleston, SC and was in town. It was fun to catch up. I love that hibiscus of yours! I want a more colorful one. So sorry to hear that Hank had a booboo that is not healing fast enough. What a neat photo of your little man and the pumpkins.. it sure does put you in the Autumn mood, doesn't it? I hope little mister settles down in class for his teacher but it does say a lot that she loves him nevertheless. Sorry the two shawlettes didn't pan out. I'm in need of a new project, myself. Have a fab week and I hope things get calmer for you. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've had a lot of effort in not a lot of time. You're doing it though Mere. And honestly how much do I love that face in the pool. hehe.
ReplyDeleteFocusing is hard. Right now, I should be considering Eligibility Benefit Budgets, but I'm day dreaming about knitting my cousin's daughter some handwarmers. In fact I just bothered my coworker because she's familiar with the project and I want her to eyeball my yarn amounts. LOL
Give LB a squish for me. Also don't tell my own son about my waning focus. He is struggling in Spanish because of the focus, not because of the curriculum.
Once I nicked my oldest son's ear while trimming his hair and still feel so bad that I did! I wonder if he became a successful cosmetologist in self-defense. I hope Hank heals rapidly and forgives you and you forgive you Thanks for sharing the beautiful Hibiscus, pumpkins, Little B, and I especially admire the Lakeside Pullover pattern. Regularly praying for blessings for you and yours. xx
ReplyDeleteI love how your dogs smile in every photo!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have some lovely boys in your home
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment on my blog.I would love some ideas of what to make with my loom.