tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37875700181014413102024-03-22T17:03:54.101-04:00MereknitsMereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.comBlogger1048125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-53441497705964109932024-03-08T15:47:00.005-05:002024-03-14T16:34:33.184-04:00March...........<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl9x6D1pb4KUivW0LOgNWiXBl30iTN3VQm6W60X9rJXi6Vz2q-P3QdIpqbE4jI26SmeCZQXDjF2ivoBuKlZTkKBEgWAk12BsnYT7qujJ8ZlUYqg3rohHiZCHAf_yotqAmqVG8U-ODJT7NKs1GuC-eL1S1JhRKopBcsf3Oeg-6DcJhQdFPR3FT5HjzVFoR/s2048/IMG_3898.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl9x6D1pb4KUivW0LOgNWiXBl30iTN3VQm6W60X9rJXi6Vz2q-P3QdIpqbE4jI26SmeCZQXDjF2ivoBuKlZTkKBEgWAk12BsnYT7qujJ8ZlUYqg3rohHiZCHAf_yotqAmqVG8U-ODJT7NKs1GuC-eL1S1JhRKopBcsf3Oeg-6DcJhQdFPR3FT5HjzVFoR/w640-h480/IMG_3898.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDTe675id87uK8EclX4-fG2CGBsC_zs_DP-OvMQLLHZ8ljgwAIc3HiSW1Iq9Vf-mjkSgeyWBIvyEiqwrpiElvnFmqtbJVfySE9my2TgVzicmlHc4gMcJZWdVGcuGSWhYG1E_ruUaH9d5D9u1TazN_CeWe6l1ePblmsRFj_jG2PFErf8O5HCKABsrNrs3V/s2048/IMG_3921.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDTe675id87uK8EclX4-fG2CGBsC_zs_DP-OvMQLLHZ8ljgwAIc3HiSW1Iq9Vf-mjkSgeyWBIvyEiqwrpiElvnFmqtbJVfySE9my2TgVzicmlHc4gMcJZWdVGcuGSWhYG1E_ruUaH9d5D9u1TazN_CeWe6l1ePblmsRFj_jG2PFErf8O5HCKABsrNrs3V/w480-h640/IMG_3921.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMrhFoi_ZRWUbY_9-U_ZrBRurzr0SVIXxWiDYt-Cu2Bnnx43VV9NmZ3DvRaf90lsq34k0E6Zyj2Dc8Ni2o6sPqZANjJp-Sl-e3yqsw6Z3Qw5_E4GnuAA7J1Kcm8AVUVKkl9CwiNS2V98nhAOXFPeDr58e5ebC7ArghyuetRIDsd2AP8yVcZcTBGHmwzda/s4032/IMG_0021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMrhFoi_ZRWUbY_9-U_ZrBRurzr0SVIXxWiDYt-Cu2Bnnx43VV9NmZ3DvRaf90lsq34k0E6Zyj2Dc8Ni2o6sPqZANjJp-Sl-e3yqsw6Z3Qw5_E4GnuAA7J1Kcm8AVUVKkl9CwiNS2V98nhAOXFPeDr58e5ebC7ArghyuetRIDsd2AP8yVcZcTBGHmwzda/w640-h480/IMG_0021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello Everyone! Are any of you still here? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am checking in as of course it has been a while. I am reading your posts as much as possible but thought I would try to take some time to check in here and give a little update. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I have been doing some very big girl things and I have to say I am quite proud of myself! Not that I didn't do this type of thing before but actually taking charge of your home, your finances with no one to answer to is very empowering. I had my beautiful Camphor tree trimmed all up. It was a big expense but was much needed especially before hurricane season comes along. I am a tree lover through and through and hate to see them getting a trim even if it is needed. I had three of these beautiful trees at my other home so seeing this big one in this front yard was an immediate pull for me when I was looking for a new home. There are other home updates coming along, things that needed to be done before but had to wait until I could see what my financial situation would be before moving forward on them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another big girl item, new furniture for my family room. I never sat in my family room here or in my other house, I always sat at the kitchen table. I did not like that big family room with 12 foot ceilings in my other house or the, "mandatory" furniture that had to be leather and reclining. I am not a leather fan, too cold in the winter and hot in the summer, I know it cleans up well but still I never liked it and that is what we always had to have. It occured to me in December that I never sat in the family room in my new house, it just never felt right to me, cold, uninviting, awkward, sort of like I had pieces of my old life that did not fit together. So off I went to the furniture store for a sectional, but soon realized my room was long and narrow and it would not work. So I found this beautiful sofa, loveseat and ottoman and I am in love. It was supposed to be delivered in January but got delayed until February. A week before the delivery I went and purchased a new mattress to be delivered on the same date. Let me tell you everything is so lovely, comfortable and just so wonderful to look at. The family room is warm, cozy and inviting and I just love it all. I feel like that was a big piece of the puzzle missing with my house. I love my house so much but something still felt,"off" to me, now it feels perfect. As you can see the boys and Luna are very happy with it as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had covid in January which was a bit of a breeze and it just frustrated me that I had to take off work when I was not feeling that bad. Now those restrictions have been lifted but I still would take time off out of respect for the families I work with. The same family that gave me covid gave me a cold recently, which I might add was way worse and is still lingering two weeks later. This week I got my first ear infection at the lovely age of 59 and now have a perforated eardrum! This is a pain I would not like to experience ever again if I can help it. I can't hear at all out of my left ear and I have to say I am disoriented because my right ear is very impaired in the hearing department, but hopefully it will soon get better with lots of antibiotics and a bit of rest this weekend. Little Buddy had a wee cold last weekend and I feel he was being a bit dramatic about it, but is all well now just in time for spring break with his dad. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Speaking of Little Buddy, he is getting so big! Today was jeans day at school, he never wears jeans so I had to take a photo just to remember how cute he is in them. He has been a bit of a pistol at school and at home but I guess that is what almost 13 year olds do. He can't be a pistol with friends, or get all that extra preteen attitude out on an athletic field or running around with friends outside so it comes out with me. Too many changes in his life, way too close together come out as unresolved anger and frustration. Still I am not turning him in, although I have thought about renting him out, very cheaply I might add, if there are any takers interested.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last photo is just for fun, I have no idea when he took it but there he is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you are all having a good week or weekend depending on where you are located. I think of you all often and wish you the very best. </div><br />Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-75634057065224583672023-12-24T12:40:00.003-05:002023-12-24T12:40:47.332-05:00Christmas Eve<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X-Yx4W3F_UWtenGlu2KP0tJTbVErrtTTzjqWesvQcN_nsQ7wyZo1Z4HbH1D2WXQjDzZEFBo4jn6Ey3QDiAZn3FdAc_SBkgYba56ZDmEWM4q62jqB1_DuHCwrcGtCyBQvWS6XPA4l5yt7LkJEGtwYnv_e_06ZJan8FeQzTPS5mPDo5hpMBttLK3QISeGz/s2048/IMG_3778.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4X-Yx4W3F_UWtenGlu2KP0tJTbVErrtTTzjqWesvQcN_nsQ7wyZo1Z4HbH1D2WXQjDzZEFBo4jn6Ey3QDiAZn3FdAc_SBkgYba56ZDmEWM4q62jqB1_DuHCwrcGtCyBQvWS6XPA4l5yt7LkJEGtwYnv_e_06ZJan8FeQzTPS5mPDo5hpMBttLK3QISeGz/w480-h640/IMG_3778.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!</p><p style="text-align: center;">This photo of a photo is not showing up well but you can see Little Buddy is not very little anymore. He is very excited Santa comes tonight even though he is suddenly afflicted with a stomach virus. I would say this is an appropriate way to end the year. He has had a rough one with brain shunt revision surgery in September, that is after keeping a close eye on him all summer long waiting for that very old shunt of his to malfunction. As typical he doesn't present like typical children and likes to keep us all guessing on what is going on in that complex brain and body of his. We have been to the ER twice now for possible malfunction issues after the surgery, actually the last visit just about two weeks ago when I got a call from the school he was having a seizure. I am not sure that was what it was but they had to call emergency services all the same. By the time I got to the school he was sitting up and asking the rescue personnel if they had electric vehicles and how long different battery charges last. While losing a good ten years of my life after receiving that call, I was never so happy to hear him talking non stop about vehicles and facts. </p><p style="text-align: center;">While this has been a very stressful year, stressful beyond comprehension, I am taking time everyday to be grateful for all the tremendous blessings in my life. I have so much to be grateful for. I thank you all for still blogging as I get great comfort reading about your lives, projects, challenges and your humor in the face of it all. Even though I rarely seem to post, you all do mean the world to me. I hope you have a wonderful holiday, no matter if you are with family or enjoying the peace of special time alone, I wish you the best. </p><p style="text-align: center;">May this Christmas Season and 2024 be the best for all of us. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Sending you all a big hug and loads of blessings.</p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-12674277643519494342023-09-04T12:48:00.000-04:002023-09-04T12:48:02.428-04:00And suddenly it's September..............<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO4h1QrPyUi6e3MWPTTkKZAJ70fnO15XfyOh2ty-WfdQNp3MKpcYBTf8N7K8v0K_lYwIEMqDtvfN-bIfeBPXtrDuJvhO6own6y13IsnKuDvGWScH2mdFiGgk2Ti-5CTvnSbn6ETcDS4-xP2DNpSCa39E8Qe9CXAfTlo-asxwVFTZVdswkGx-GxV1x7HJr/s2048/IMG_3597.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO4h1QrPyUi6e3MWPTTkKZAJ70fnO15XfyOh2ty-WfdQNp3MKpcYBTf8N7K8v0K_lYwIEMqDtvfN-bIfeBPXtrDuJvhO6own6y13IsnKuDvGWScH2mdFiGgk2Ti-5CTvnSbn6ETcDS4-xP2DNpSCa39E8Qe9CXAfTlo-asxwVFTZVdswkGx-GxV1x7HJr/w640-h480/IMG_3597.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Sr6dSO94o0HQKhGj1k_l8se9McxFfm0jtYR-MqT6XoatGLRp1_qQ_9NTOPMgNIp_3Z1ZbAcjjIdvF_wIkVo7mir5-ej-hm4D3pTVS7MeCNNA5pLuSmCdZLJEr3P-aOQrOQK0CQ7jQcmxNh05B4KnGDM_YV9tQ9vHDQcaJYQBx0ws4Fh2Y4pT15xGfXk9/w480-h640/IMG_3522.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lxA57sFVbL93gKagmk5aR54vXvQ3zR503L2l-Y8qUeNPwJ78BhxOdJjhDktmbvuklWyNeSeV2ctPvfyRrrhkZX-_235eD1pCvk6c8EbAAVhFygIEp8npSWBu2t3P3qPTBYOr7eJk9x9O1gXi73cXkfWrhk3iJY-HPfQ1iXgp1R4BX_LR0219dhsKLlsi/s2048/IMG_3607.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lxA57sFVbL93gKagmk5aR54vXvQ3zR503L2l-Y8qUeNPwJ78BhxOdJjhDktmbvuklWyNeSeV2ctPvfyRrrhkZX-_235eD1pCvk6c8EbAAVhFygIEp8npSWBu2t3P3qPTBYOr7eJk9x9O1gXi73cXkfWrhk3iJY-HPfQ1iXgp1R4BX_LR0219dhsKLlsi/w480-h640/IMG_3607.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Hello everyone! I hope you are all still out there and are having a wonderful end of summer. I am still reading your blogs and getting great joy from all of your adventures. Time is limited here so posting continues to be an issue, as well as my energy to get it done. It is so far down the list of things that need to happen I fear there will not be a regular return anytime soon.</p><p style="text-align: center;">However, here are some updates: Little Buddy, who is not so little as far as age or attitude started sixth grade. His school has finally moved to their new facility much closer to my house which is wonderful. He has to attend early drop off three to four days a week so I can get to work, but he is managing the new length of his day without many issues so far.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Of course just as he was getting oriented to the school schedule we had a beast of a hurricane pass by north of us. He missed two days of school last week, and there is Labor Day today. We were so fortunate with the storm, I was prepared as far as food, water and batteries and thankfully we did not lose power. My middle son, his partner and Luna came to stay, not to protect their Mom but because he is a bear to be around when there is no electricity and they lose it quickly where they live. Little Buddy and I had a sleepover so they could use his bed, it was cozy with all the rain and wind outside and his little body tucked in close to mine, safe and sound. My oldest son chose to work from my house all week but went back and forth, even early Wednesday morning when the storm was just skimming us while still in the Gulf of Mexico. He took the bridge from Tampa over to my house, the route west was open but the route going east towards Tampa was closed with high waves and debris all over that portion of the bridge. We are all safe, thank you for all of you who checked up on us. The poor people several hours north of us had so much storm surge damage it is hard to even comprehend the devastation.</p><p style="text-align: center;">My divorce was final at the end of July. It has been a rough 2 years, well actually I can add a few more onto that. I was hoping things would settle down now that we have a judge ordered schedule to follow, but no I was wrong. I was told by many friends the finality of the divorce really changes nothing when dealing with someone like this, and they were right. So on we go, taking each day and new issue as it comes. Counseling helps me understand the complexities of the situation and helps me realize I am not alone in the issues I have had for over 30 years and continue to have. There is so much help online as well, it really is such a blessing for people going through anything, knowing there are others that have gone through whatever adversity you are going through, they have survived and thrived! That is my goal and I am making progress everyday.</p><p style="text-align: center;">There has been minor attempts at crocheting a blanket made with the good old Japanese Flower pattern given to me by my dear friend Teresa Kasner, who left us all way too soon. I think of her often and miss her and her wonderful view on the world To be honest even though I try to knit or crochet it makes me feel ill. This has happened one other time in my life, when I was fighting cancer, I could not play with yarn at all then. So maybe the highest stress times of my life, when I need it the most, I simply can't muster up the energy or desire to knit or crochet. I hope my mojo returns soon.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy is now 12, he has all the signs of the dreaded puberty, including the ridiculous attitude that comes with it. He has pimples on that beautiful freckle face of his so we often do a green tea mask to calm it all down. He loves looking like a zombie. His behavior towards me has made a significant turn for the worse. It is hard to be the parent who has rules. However, we have help with his behavior therapists, a counselor and his neurologist for medication. We take his behavioral issues minute by minute because things can change in a flash. He is a work in progress as we all are.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Hank and Bear just got groomed yesterday. The put silly ties on them, those poor boys look like they had a very rough day at the office.</p><p style="text-align: center;">With so much going on in the world and personally with so many, I make a conscious effort to give thanks for all the wonderful things in my life everyday, and there are many. I can't even tell you what a relief it is to come home to my own home and find peace, no walking on eggshells, no wondering what or who will meet me when I walk in the door. Peace is a beautiful thing. Hoping you are all finding some moments of peace in your lives my friends. </p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-46237864550017930082023-05-16T18:25:00.001-04:002023-05-16T18:27:18.822-04:00Hello after many, many months............<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedKmc6FQVBQI5BEzze30hjGFm1g837utLyEZTMM4k1zqu3Q5sRR6WAaABb0ZrrzJKRue_1JjoVbnYgQLXtl04gS5aGzQlv6LQkoSgU8OAHzcm_Me_m2E-AzV3kmkfQ1OTIx33-3psG6VLqpoESMNs3mrsH4J-JXL5wfQRhT4Qk6J0Oqey4TQB92o-rw/s2048/IMG_3414.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedKmc6FQVBQI5BEzze30hjGFm1g837utLyEZTMM4k1zqu3Q5sRR6WAaABb0ZrrzJKRue_1JjoVbnYgQLXtl04gS5aGzQlv6LQkoSgU8OAHzcm_Me_m2E-AzV3kmkfQ1OTIx33-3psG6VLqpoESMNs3mrsH4J-JXL5wfQRhT4Qk6J0Oqey4TQB92o-rw/w640-h480/IMG_3414.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnjx1-cOeYX7Qw42Or7O6xKOQ4x1ZeoGMgiQ0QVqL2ifjCn3XVIretpyz4OFR342vo5IaQd-XYFDJ6WpGjkc7h1CMxo_UjYUBzlu5GskWZe_Q2UN0RcRzFtP0qv0yxEQykcmcLpJ_aCbMO4nKpeFhBATgj3PyjkDZjMxa2vGUuunzAqEiZeuqdJlv4w/w480-h640/IMG_3357.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiQaQr6KWhkdibJLaopqOFATgduXiO-Le16R2ogM2TIUWC-dHso7NmV8IfZELzV_hZmMvdp60CwIaYnGUcSpDD9bfSWytPmxwtOphMWb0W4pwgKlUnio7jQNbagX_Gm4H_S3TK2uM0l5a3zxKVLTR9skVDRk232RrzNV3WkTHd-Y11g5-4XCyxlPVLQ/s2048/IMG_3349.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiQaQr6KWhkdibJLaopqOFATgduXiO-Le16R2ogM2TIUWC-dHso7NmV8IfZELzV_hZmMvdp60CwIaYnGUcSpDD9bfSWytPmxwtOphMWb0W4pwgKlUnio7jQNbagX_Gm4H_S3TK2uM0l5a3zxKVLTR9skVDRk232RrzNV3WkTHd-Y11g5-4XCyxlPVLQ/w480-h640/IMG_3349.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Just popping into say we are still alive here in very hot Florida. It has been a rough few months with the never ending divorce, custody issues, financial disagreements, well they say divorce is not for the faint of heart and it isn't. I'm truly exhausted with all the neverending mess, so I visit each of you but can't get the energy to write. You sort of all keep me sane, knowing what you are all up to in your very busy lives. And I thank each and everyone of you who have checked in, thank you for caring enough to see how we are doing.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">There is some good news, Mr 26, as of last Monday, graduated law school this past weekend. He has not always had the easiest of times, actually he spent a year and a half at home during high school. He has made such an amazing recovery and is now a law school graduate, something I never ever dreamed for him when he was in 9th and 10th grade. He has overcome so much and with the constant love of his life by his side I think he can do anything. As his partner and I sat next to each other crying I thanked her from the bottom of my heart because he would not be where he is today without her. He has the Bar Exam in July and starts his job as an Assistant District Attorney for the county we live in in August. I am so proud I could burst.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy is not so little anymore. He has major signs of puberty happening (check out the fluff above his mouth) and that includes his attitude with lots of arguments telling me I am not the boss, I can't speak to him that way, and of course the just blatant not listening when requested to get off some sort of screen device. He is finally used to his new teacher and new school, just in time for school to be over. They are moving to an new facility next year, much closer to my home so there will be another huge adjustment in his life we have to deal with on top of the custody adjustments that will be taking place sometime in the future. I am preparing myself for an even bumpier ride because there are not many rules in one home, and many rules in mine, which makes my job a lot harder.</p><p style="text-align: center;">So thank you for visiting, I still plan on blogging when I can get myself together. Thank you for caring and have a wonderful week.</p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-69861669888967641972022-12-31T11:35:00.003-05:002022-12-31T12:00:39.285-05:00New Year's Eve, goodbye to 2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzujXKPq4p5PRcaGMR9n9fQh3aIePumBODl9vwt8veYJu7N156gloj5JAWsIDNN-fYx9dvkq6ogleAZiX8dv5mSD86BqRkvOXQ7aWLW_dpyXHtElS8gIXf5mi7K7I4NoYD9Sg5DrYo0X74lW1W6cl5qe4g4DcoHqhJyMLWwe6LYD-jCNa4QIuC2Pd85g/s2048/IMG_3152.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzujXKPq4p5PRcaGMR9n9fQh3aIePumBODl9vwt8veYJu7N156gloj5JAWsIDNN-fYx9dvkq6ogleAZiX8dv5mSD86BqRkvOXQ7aWLW_dpyXHtElS8gIXf5mi7K7I4NoYD9Sg5DrYo0X74lW1W6cl5qe4g4DcoHqhJyMLWwe6LYD-jCNa4QIuC2Pd85g/w640-h480/IMG_3152.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdElRED03l8ecuXAJoKFhF3EgPI9D2JRRXQXdut2L75r8j5wvtxW_8q4kxregBf3bxcb2Z_aEXrKstY5u2XNolKLJcZfGwdyyG4Gr6ye-gGSXGzUS-aqbsnA9bQFPECw7RYLRIkF4yuY2doXh8RAZc9jdqyq-oYPRn_YcjgoWuoGQRYF8jjkR3ooTmA/s2048/IMG_3153.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdElRED03l8ecuXAJoKFhF3EgPI9D2JRRXQXdut2L75r8j5wvtxW_8q4kxregBf3bxcb2Z_aEXrKstY5u2XNolKLJcZfGwdyyG4Gr6ye-gGSXGzUS-aqbsnA9bQFPECw7RYLRIkF4yuY2doXh8RAZc9jdqyq-oYPRn_YcjgoWuoGQRYF8jjkR3ooTmA/w480-h640/IMG_3153.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4UEpv0FgZqx2SzDGcD7EcSH8b9HFkR4QSAYgMcGL3bOFvawtKd2HNZXO0dPv82IXtPXtg5W9l5Yp0HuGU4mBFbz-zN86ygBYSzX9P6YgHiDUxNfoOEdYpvmD-JHWVfCNFe5WOY-tOJ_-Y8a2GwcVcWhpWqPDfKxTmvY8Zt591NFIEmbsbM3fP5x0BA/s2048/IMG_3155.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4UEpv0FgZqx2SzDGcD7EcSH8b9HFkR4QSAYgMcGL3bOFvawtKd2HNZXO0dPv82IXtPXtg5W9l5Yp0HuGU4mBFbz-zN86ygBYSzX9P6YgHiDUxNfoOEdYpvmD-JHWVfCNFe5WOY-tOJ_-Y8a2GwcVcWhpWqPDfKxTmvY8Zt591NFIEmbsbM3fP5x0BA/w480-h640/IMG_3155.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94CDIsud9isenQe4jlqisHfXfrl5Mkxur0HWk8_7imf5YryNRD_C_Qebqr3R7wTc4YbNJCDYraZkNeRrwIvnhle8CJYIWkb162ZQpyaSv3E-uwGQJwyIIWqlvQCUw5NgVrC71WNmVs0pY7pZMgoJ5J0YeCD0o8QsCTKwBBhhPhxWOYutO5lDM3CV0Og/s2048/IMG_3154.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94CDIsud9isenQe4jlqisHfXfrl5Mkxur0HWk8_7imf5YryNRD_C_Qebqr3R7wTc4YbNJCDYraZkNeRrwIvnhle8CJYIWkb162ZQpyaSv3E-uwGQJwyIIWqlvQCUw5NgVrC71WNmVs0pY7pZMgoJ5J0YeCD0o8QsCTKwBBhhPhxWOYutO5lDM3CV0Og/w640-h480/IMG_3154.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hFeIK4TfkFIMS6rE_UHhn4mnHpVRHlIAFfY7usKBwRDWVYhDYqFhBtuDzUG4Jq8KEGJg6A-J06BKX9_WgogQeC1y9Iaf2ic6rCRfaL4kA3hZkUNWuFtQ0U1oQ9YqXtqkIxbT1c_fyks8qSpJ17hyohPDeIAfCNeop_WHIBRB5sRO_R6fX1kVE-P-9A/s2048/IMG_3149.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hFeIK4TfkFIMS6rE_UHhn4mnHpVRHlIAFfY7usKBwRDWVYhDYqFhBtuDzUG4Jq8KEGJg6A-J06BKX9_WgogQeC1y9Iaf2ic6rCRfaL4kA3hZkUNWuFtQ0U1oQ9YqXtqkIxbT1c_fyks8qSpJ17hyohPDeIAfCNeop_WHIBRB5sRO_R6fX1kVE-P-9A/w480-h640/IMG_3149.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I am pretty ready for this year to be over as you very well know. It has by far been the toughest year of my life, and that includes the year I fought cancer with a 7 year old and 3 year old to look after, the year my son fought depression and anxiety that was so bad I feared for his life and took him to work with me, and the years of taking care of my parents and watching my mother decline a little at a time. Among all the pain, anger, fear, anxiety and sadness this year there has been light. An awakening if you can so imagine, time to gather myself and find some peace in my own beautiful home. Time to realize just how much I was made to feel small, non existent and certainly not an equal partner. I am finding myself, very slowly, and frankly that young girl with so much hope and love in her is long gone, but another version of her is out there and I am finding her one step at a time. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Christmas has been packed away and everything is clean and fresh for the New Year. My wonderful friend Lynda gave me a huge bin of vintage Christmas ornaments for my tree. Many of them were hers gathered over the years or belonging to her MIL, or from a friend that got tired of her vintage tree and wanted something more modern. Lynda has kept these for years, not knowing why she was hanging onto them and now we know, it was for me. I only used a few of these precious ornaments and a few from my boys and that was it. A newish tree for me this year that added some fun and a new tradition. I also treated myself to a new Christmas tree skirt because who could possible resist this one with Santa on it?</p><p style="text-align: center;">The bush you see losing all its leaves is one of several off my back porch. It was cold here over Christmas, not cold by everyone else's standards but cold for here. Apparently a bit too cold for these bushes. I think this bush sort of sums up my year, it looks ragged and like it is losing its life force, but it really isn't, it will bloom again this spring when it is warmer out. A little care and it will be on the way to a full recovery, hopefully just like me.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am making a list of everything that has been bad or stressed me out this year and a list of all the things that I am grateful for. Tonight I will be burning the first list and watching all that negative energy burn up and go away. Then after reading my gratitude list I will do the same, letting all of my love, hope and gratitude return to the Universe with prayers of being thankful for all that I have in my life. This might become my new New Year's Eve tradition. I am thankful for so much and my gratitude list is much longer than my other list, see I am moving forward as positively as I can. While I have had to let go of so many people in my life, those who have not been there for me for many different reasons, I rejoice in those that have. And that includes my family, look at how happy Little Buddy was on Christmas. He asked Santa for the driving system his big brother has and then after we left he got very upset thinking he should have asked for the gear shift instead. Luckily Santa brought the steering wheel and pedals, Mom bought the mounting station and big brothers and their partners chipped in for the gear shift. He could not be more thrilled. Anything he can do independently just like other kids his age is a big bonus, plus he has to use his right hand and foot with this system, he is more involved on this side so this is therapeutic as well. I am his therapist afterall, it all has to help him move towards more independence or functional ability, or social advancement.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Also big on my gratitude list is the friends who have been there for me every step of the way, through anger, frustration and laughing disbelief at how ridiculous some things have been. Some friends have drifted away, as hard as that is for me to understand as I have helped them through very similar situations, it just is. Frankly all of it, just is. You are all on my gratitude list just so you know. Cheering me on, loving Little Buddy from afar and cheering him on as well, well it means the world to me. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Last year I picked the phrase, moving forward with grace, to represent my year. While sometimes there has been no grace to be found I think I am starting to move in that direction. I will need it as we move towards depositions and mediation starting in January. I will continue to try to move forward with grace instead of anger and fear as much as possible. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I am so thankful for all of you. I wish you a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve, as we ring in 2023, know that I am sending you love and gratitude for being here in this space with me.</p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-76474994806125806002022-12-24T17:41:00.001-05:002022-12-24T17:41:17.811-05:00Merry Christmas<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qxucHD3U1THgyTUdvLqQvckckI0NMBbzbjaA78sMQWw_1YWft4Ro-S3zuFketW_xBW24FXQAUX-8GV0NSQPUI2HoO082f-2OPD1nObiIxhNFAcd5SHuFmYqliYqL67ybhdzTbLE3i2HVI7LlJmuxRZFy4Ans4dzB2G6gQWWe8vTtSYVAi6x8oNQzBw/s2048/Z%20xmas%202022.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qxucHD3U1THgyTUdvLqQvckckI0NMBbzbjaA78sMQWw_1YWft4Ro-S3zuFketW_xBW24FXQAUX-8GV0NSQPUI2HoO082f-2OPD1nObiIxhNFAcd5SHuFmYqliYqL67ybhdzTbLE3i2HVI7LlJmuxRZFy4Ans4dzB2G6gQWWe8vTtSYVAi6x8oNQzBw/w480-h640/Z%20xmas%202022.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Suddenly it is Christmas and I seemed to have missed two whole months here on this blog. This picture is horrible, a picture of a picture but you get the idea. One little boy I know is very excited about a visit from Santa. There is something wonderful about believing in all things magic at this time of year. I feel he will be very pleased, even if our Christmas is very different from years past.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Things have been exceptionally difficult these past few months. Navigating a divorce, and a not very friendly one at that, is hard while working and taking care of my special boy. His school continues to not be helpful as far as challenging him intellectually, and now just as I suspected, he is falling behind. So this Christmas break we will be working on writing and math, reading comprehension and test taking. All to even keep him remotely close to what his neurotypical peers are learning. I certainly wish I had not followed the advice of so many and put him in this school for children who learn differently. It really was a combination of a new principal/administration and a new teacher that does not have the ability to understand Little Buddy that has created this mess. We need to finish the year and move forward, whatever that might look like in the future.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Still with all that is going on I am blessed to have wonderful support. And I want to thank you all for sticking with me here in this space. Your emails and kind thoughts have warmed my heart more than you will ever know. Checking on us here when I am not posting just means the world to me. It is so lovely not to be forgotten. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I wish you all the very best Holiday. Stay warm and safe, love those you can up close and send love to those far away. I am sending you all a very big hug filled with love and gratitude for being so wonderful.</p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-55080131027431812602022-10-31T11:51:00.001-04:002022-10-31T11:51:35.583-04:00Happy Halloween <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSHeV8x9gBII4kQQLY1APe1nn09dBraRcHneB773fgrG7Gqc1IURFBBcIIQSNCfYgJyFJb6luiEPYTnvmv_h5aSC8vtA0iXbvcM-LAdcm77qKeGu8uKrwhgRsJCT-Yjnam6IPgtdeF3C7eM-0JNAZyHneB3g1qgRu9Y7-a8vC-JoaknJcyKWQR47ZaA/s2048/IMG_3079.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSHeV8x9gBII4kQQLY1APe1nn09dBraRcHneB773fgrG7Gqc1IURFBBcIIQSNCfYgJyFJb6luiEPYTnvmv_h5aSC8vtA0iXbvcM-LAdcm77qKeGu8uKrwhgRsJCT-Yjnam6IPgtdeF3C7eM-0JNAZyHneB3g1qgRu9Y7-a8vC-JoaknJcyKWQR47ZaA/w480-h640/IMG_3079.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Happy Halloween from Harry Potter and me! A more perfect Harry Potter I have never seen. Little Buddy is on book two of the series and is loving them so it was only appropriate that he was Harry Potter this year for Halloween. His new school, while still having many issues and teaching him far below his ability level, at least celebrates Halloween. The school has a parade and a party, a party I will get to attend and help with this year. Then tonight biggest brother, who turns 29 today, will take this one out trick or treating. What a day!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am sorry I have been out of contact. I had some pretty major pelvic floor surgery on October 21. It was far more brutal than I had imagined with many mistakes and missteps along the way. My surgeon was wonderful, kind and compassionate, but everything that happened afterward was a big problem including an overnight stay that was never supposed to happen, excessive bleeding, three catheters, no food for over 38 hours, and last but not least a UTI that occurred last Monday that left me crying on my bed. When I notified the surgeon's office they never called in an antibiotic until 22 hours later, thank God my general practitioner called one in right away. When the surgeons office finally called the medication in it was for one I am seriously allergic to that would cause respiratory distress. It has taken me much longer to recover due to all of this but I am on my way. Saturday I finally felt like a human being again, but did a bit too much so yesterday I was down again. Today I am feeling better so we will see what tomorrow brings. I have not worked yet as you can imagine, no lifting anything until I see my doctor on Thursday. I plan to have a nice long chat with her about all that has happened, especially as most of it has been an issue with her office not with her. Still through all of this, and I it has been very difficult, I have had my son's and their partners here taking care of me, my dear friend and babysitter stayed the night with my dogs Friday night, and was here Saturday morning and evening, and Monday evening to take care of me. I had a wonderful friend take me to the surgery and walked the halls with me hoping I could get things moving so I could go home. I have had so many calls from my sister and friends checking in on me sometimes two or three times a day, letting me cry, feel sorry for myself, and to see if I needed anything. It has been rough, especially with legal issues to deal with before the surgery that left me sleepless and depleted even before I headed into the procedure. Of course those have followed after the surgery as well which has not helped my recovery. Even with all this I am grateful for my healing, for my family and friends, and for all the blessings in my life.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Take care my friends and Happy Halloween.</p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-64839303974769898822022-10-09T16:47:00.000-04:002022-10-09T16:47:09.410-04:00Checking in..................<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQk--Yp9iHBJmyv6sgMVNd2hDVVwE9C3rDYQ-xJVhv89qMsXiBfEIHqjru1EnNNWVPZ0hfrNBWqOY_w5dUqtLfWAGWTDJRk-WOqnCgjiO-pguajP0i8vOhCjRN2pxxWL1tbj5q047mvVaq4te6GlW5VLdb2LqWlbNOTGXKOeqbVZxrxUMFa4VY75OPzg/s2048/IMG_3056.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQk--Yp9iHBJmyv6sgMVNd2hDVVwE9C3rDYQ-xJVhv89qMsXiBfEIHqjru1EnNNWVPZ0hfrNBWqOY_w5dUqtLfWAGWTDJRk-WOqnCgjiO-pguajP0i8vOhCjRN2pxxWL1tbj5q047mvVaq4te6GlW5VLdb2LqWlbNOTGXKOeqbVZxrxUMFa4VY75OPzg/w480-h640/IMG_3056.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEsZmUFJ1oK284X-pUpqdog40nosRQaP6ULuFOYJirJqdizRuLHUA4Rhhbaj6JSqmj-8Byj1Oac1Zln8WKnGuehCLSmDGJkQyW-5GR2mYJX0Z6ISWwRFCmE3S8-HpAwS5MAaGFA8FNpQl3gsOOX5xEzJUpam2GztuDi_8nQM4s-6bSsNHNa0nI7KEfg/s2048/IMG_3054.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEsZmUFJ1oK284X-pUpqdog40nosRQaP6ULuFOYJirJqdizRuLHUA4Rhhbaj6JSqmj-8Byj1Oac1Zln8WKnGuehCLSmDGJkQyW-5GR2mYJX0Z6ISWwRFCmE3S8-HpAwS5MAaGFA8FNpQl3gsOOX5xEzJUpam2GztuDi_8nQM4s-6bSsNHNa0nI7KEfg/w480-h640/IMG_3054.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkz_doCQG8Nu6me4o5jFXArnGjN9hJBKIbasMGEijEYEX9XXd9sOfeD1lna4j6pHdhwNB-7VnzYQiyR5-HmkEC2bnw-zjT5J6McjREmau6jYjMe7JoyR5Qi-bc3TKIDa0jlFS0rUwHsTks0ly_pBarFKoAynaLjEEGpeWBsuGFDmxL3BETPOLj88G6w/s2048/IMG_3040.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkz_doCQG8Nu6me4o5jFXArnGjN9hJBKIbasMGEijEYEX9XXd9sOfeD1lna4j6pHdhwNB-7VnzYQiyR5-HmkEC2bnw-zjT5J6McjREmau6jYjMe7JoyR5Qi-bc3TKIDa0jlFS0rUwHsTks0ly_pBarFKoAynaLjEEGpeWBsuGFDmxL3BETPOLj88G6w/w480-h640/IMG_3040.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8zjFomizAPxxIhOdXhvi5ZaDvm33LoDpAMcT2Vqtqzz0Ofgu7ptnS9e4buK489IHB_U29NQxL5YbpN0ubBnUswLSMpZz6kOOY-CtdC24LPymHBh3H02bS4DiY3N-XcTW_iNTZvbNnU_f839CI7M5T0pGj0wTwFa8O9nTv4j9cU1fElZ5CS1eQqcJnQ/s2048/IMG_3039.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8zjFomizAPxxIhOdXhvi5ZaDvm33LoDpAMcT2Vqtqzz0Ofgu7ptnS9e4buK489IHB_U29NQxL5YbpN0ubBnUswLSMpZz6kOOY-CtdC24LPymHBh3H02bS4DiY3N-XcTW_iNTZvbNnU_f839CI7M5T0pGj0wTwFa8O9nTv4j9cU1fElZ5CS1eQqcJnQ/w480-h640/IMG_3039.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNL70lFOlBrCMzkqbkPoDHMzeP90C5_NfKxwjIQzFc6t81VepcnN2T5nVx072Ou0NCCSck8MALzz4KfC2mnXsFh4HRcKvig2M24xCnpBoSSk-BW9w6-keY6Q2uZfKyDYBMAtcvwDzngqFrmRS_3EdVEHcjmFgGmTtyyoOvB4AruwGloL0ARAIWiwgXA/s2048/IMG_3026.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNL70lFOlBrCMzkqbkPoDHMzeP90C5_NfKxwjIQzFc6t81VepcnN2T5nVx072Ou0NCCSck8MALzz4KfC2mnXsFh4HRcKvig2M24xCnpBoSSk-BW9w6-keY6Q2uZfKyDYBMAtcvwDzngqFrmRS_3EdVEHcjmFgGmTtyyoOvB4AruwGloL0ARAIWiwgXA/w640-h480/IMG_3026.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Thank you to all of you who keep checking in on us, especially as Hurricane Ian headed our way. We were lucky that he did not quite make it this far, but so sad for those who were immeasurably impacted by the storm. He was supposed to hit us dead on, but would have hit a cold front before reaching us which would have likely made him less intense, instead he took a turn east about 2 1/2 hours south of us and boy did they feel the horrible impact. We had this tree down and lots and lots of branches but we were fine, and although loads of people surrounding us lost power for several days we did not miss a beat. My oldest son and his girlfriend came to stay with us and it was wonderful because just knowing they were here if things got bad made me feel much more safe and secure.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy continues to have difficulty with the school. They frequently call and disrupt my work day with minor offenses, things I deal with about every hour of my day. The teacher continues to teach him far below his ability level so I still have to teach him at home to keep him even close to a typical fifth grader. If they would meet him at his intellectual level half of the problems would be gone, I keep reminding them that on a weekly basis. I have a parent teacher conference on Monday, wish me luck.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy got to go to his first fishing tournament on Saturday. It was for children with special needs. Mr. Jason, a lovely man, helped him catch two fish! We got second place in the length category. After Mr. Jason left it was all Mom and Little Buddy. We did not catch a thing but we had fun on a beautiful sunny morning in October. I must love that boy because I had fish goop all over trying to bait the hook. We released every thing for those who are concerned.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am not feeling well so I will leave you all. I hope you are all happy and healthy and enjoying the beautiful weather wherever you are.</p><p style="text-align: center;">And as per my last post, to the person who left the ridiculous comment, respect is earned it is not a given. 30 years of lies in a marriage no longer warrants respect of any kind. There can be attempts to be civil, for the sake of family, but respect, no I don't think so. And I am sorry you are so small that you have to hurt someone you don't even know. I am thinking of you and sending you love that you can do better. </p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-76476438702064730632022-09-11T18:05:00.000-04:002022-09-11T18:05:15.340-04:00I'm out for now...........<p> After opening up about the trouble Little Buddy is having in school I received a very snarky comment. My post is down and I won't be posting for a while. It is not worth the stress when I am already having a hard time. Best wishes to you all.</p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-81698840998840230882022-08-14T16:22:00.000-04:002022-08-14T16:22:11.538-04:00Returning to our new normal................<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTGDh_AQG8igJMF27hAGeiCBlC6tpYIp-ZRZym8Pwj5hPkPpRXLPYLvp4vkD0clYf03zobLktovRoct645ySx8qkil_tnf3lVL5Uzeq1EIRJ9FzxkFOZSEmJwkydMt5EpNI_1s3p81KBwEPlFO9VzHI6iaIPCiBn6Z7xdT8YGvgeV7OAkVV41JUCf6Q/s2048/IMG_2904.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTGDh_AQG8igJMF27hAGeiCBlC6tpYIp-ZRZym8Pwj5hPkPpRXLPYLvp4vkD0clYf03zobLktovRoct645ySx8qkil_tnf3lVL5Uzeq1EIRJ9FzxkFOZSEmJwkydMt5EpNI_1s3p81KBwEPlFO9VzHI6iaIPCiBn6Z7xdT8YGvgeV7OAkVV41JUCf6Q/w480-h640/IMG_2904.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmkQSteOoz_owzoAU5yKPG3izM9WWPq5Bpi1c6FsAT6MlZIpWbavv7Wivz4QueglYFwfprbl0F37j5LTiKXLJRE9m5ctRdQ8HnZNddVQSY_OUg0d_roZxuk8kmjvLQI_M8k6mDnEQUlssosca5thtbnWmGZd48vOxxdkCyjwXFnlRQZiboXmFbjSv9w/s2048/IMG_2894.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmkQSteOoz_owzoAU5yKPG3izM9WWPq5Bpi1c6FsAT6MlZIpWbavv7Wivz4QueglYFwfprbl0F37j5LTiKXLJRE9m5ctRdQ8HnZNddVQSY_OUg0d_roZxuk8kmjvLQI_M8k6mDnEQUlssosca5thtbnWmGZd48vOxxdkCyjwXFnlRQZiboXmFbjSv9w/w480-h640/IMG_2894.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzltZO-zoXfRPYQhKstuRLEOQYfVtaPX-kko1ZUAcBB_biHnNMig05Fb0QDDOxCGnt1JgTOJJz1Az-IA_Ss4y2ohyiznwqnrGTvhVMudJp6C4Hx-dHxBdB9AjVN34qCU9_iSXsiTS_0cJnYEOnSllFwUURSF3Dv5R8kp-ACPNPfEb32GSy69PvGjpWg/s2048/IMG_2890.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzltZO-zoXfRPYQhKstuRLEOQYfVtaPX-kko1ZUAcBB_biHnNMig05Fb0QDDOxCGnt1JgTOJJz1Az-IA_Ss4y2ohyiznwqnrGTvhVMudJp6C4Hx-dHxBdB9AjVN34qCU9_iSXsiTS_0cJnYEOnSllFwUURSF3Dv5R8kp-ACPNPfEb32GSy69PvGjpWg/w640-h480/IMG_2890.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zGWIgUhfMFBK5S0PIhwJmamI-DQri-MViicn4jgodB4KdS075P1GBK4ILldJEvTZ68IMhlaQlm378UoOjPQ80YR-rFeGoVHJw6jC-z1Z43IckBBi6_dPoqdi84GCTIZLDJDQ24pMVBLxgbUuzakuhUFa4GSpuF0nQ9Xw1ds7L3N4RuCX1XbEvg4J4Q/s2048/IMG_2865.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zGWIgUhfMFBK5S0PIhwJmamI-DQri-MViicn4jgodB4KdS075P1GBK4ILldJEvTZ68IMhlaQlm378UoOjPQ80YR-rFeGoVHJw6jC-z1Z43IckBBi6_dPoqdi84GCTIZLDJDQ24pMVBLxgbUuzakuhUFa4GSpuF0nQ9Xw1ds7L3N4RuCX1XbEvg4J4Q/w480-h640/IMG_2865.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpop3QpWrlSnRk6nS1NqjO5RGrQCYrdtsmZVd_-ZHO9WPH327cKpEAKftjqyaY3ld4eMNo81kO4Ie-9omGeoTaW6B0HeVMMZSlru8Wtfk5LoqgnWsysCJLu7ICpHUIwO6RI4ACQ_Cd_5facZOjYKxkoMQNtgPJKKSaFN53Emomcy5zdEHKvgBClgBKCQ/s2048/IMG_2864.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpop3QpWrlSnRk6nS1NqjO5RGrQCYrdtsmZVd_-ZHO9WPH327cKpEAKftjqyaY3ld4eMNo81kO4Ie-9omGeoTaW6B0HeVMMZSlru8Wtfk5LoqgnWsysCJLu7ICpHUIwO6RI4ACQ_Cd_5facZOjYKxkoMQNtgPJKKSaFN53Emomcy5zdEHKvgBClgBKCQ/w480-h640/IMG_2864.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello everyone! How are you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are still recovering here from Covid. Yes I have been back to work and Little Buddy has started school but the fatigue is very real and so is the brain fog. This week I had difficulty writing up and evaluation on a beautiful baby girl who has a crooked skull and shortened neck musculature due to her positioning. It was a breeze to talk to this new mom about this beauty and all her issues but boy I could not write about it. It is a bit scary. Little Buddy developed a cough this week when he did not have one when he was positive, but he did have a stuffed up nose and I think it is finally all letting loose in that little head of his. Still we move forward because what other choice do you have?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This will be a short post, see fatigue above. Little Buddy did start fifth grade in his new school for children who learn uniquely. Even starting this past Wednesday we still do not know if he will receive a scholarship and how much it will be. It is a Department of Education issue with the state of Florida, no surprise there that our government is not working smoothly. Still I have been a wreck calling people, online chatting and frankly there is nothing I can do. So we have to withdrawal kids out of public school, where they can't be taught with these issues and then not know the amount we can get to help them in private school, and of course knowing early enough you could put them back in public school if the amount was not sufficient, but now I can't even put him back in the school I took him out of. It is a big sh*t show if you ask me and I told the scholarship people that, nicely of course because it was not the fault of the poor woman I was talking to. I asked them to record my call and give it to every supervisor on up to the top not that it will help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We did make one more early morning beach trip last weekend even though I was told we go to the beach too much, and we have gone way to many times this summer, I think the grand total is three or four at the most. For someone who was so crabby about going he sure had fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This has been a busy weekend just getting things done around here. With Little Buddy in a school about 35 minutes away it eats into my time to accomplish things around here. Plus I am picking up a few kids on Friday because if I am that far south I might as well make the best of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you are all well. Stay safe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-51652379798055696202022-07-27T18:16:00.000-04:002022-07-27T18:16:34.735-04:00Covid, the gift that keeps giving............<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg448XvDYPwjobzL-oS77ShptxKQ_ZIj0hwHmxrmXEwocGtoVvdoyLYSfQIBzZx6QoOa0ZWyJUrChZLuvFivums1OBDi0F_qsdnDQtCYCi2TR8c3Vi-a19EOjT3MDne1Zpij5sGmrvOU0j0pCMOJWJoAe49762v2-1FpUMgCTvQFeIp4euyFlOLBCwXzA/s2048/IMG_2860.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg448XvDYPwjobzL-oS77ShptxKQ_ZIj0hwHmxrmXEwocGtoVvdoyLYSfQIBzZx6QoOa0ZWyJUrChZLuvFivums1OBDi0F_qsdnDQtCYCi2TR8c3Vi-a19EOjT3MDne1Zpij5sGmrvOU0j0pCMOJWJoAe49762v2-1FpUMgCTvQFeIp4euyFlOLBCwXzA/w480-h640/IMG_2860.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZOMKQanKz8WbXRTXfNASUDCzwiV7JSgOfguuBcpxFA86ZEnbKWLUqqfUqurJVZ4Ugy5UpAl1ELq0sJX3k2jKdaMBNuF8oEghpvfm74-18Zr8pZQFY7IQjTJQzGcz9lf7ZH6xTtxgg7lHOXmr5s_KEHZp5xMAtS0I50ka5qgQvF32XfKs8u_ju10uaA/s2048/IMG_2857.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZOMKQanKz8WbXRTXfNASUDCzwiV7JSgOfguuBcpxFA86ZEnbKWLUqqfUqurJVZ4Ugy5UpAl1ELq0sJX3k2jKdaMBNuF8oEghpvfm74-18Zr8pZQFY7IQjTJQzGcz9lf7ZH6xTtxgg7lHOXmr5s_KEHZp5xMAtS0I50ka5qgQvF32XfKs8u_ju10uaA/w480-h640/IMG_2857.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2sFEaQcKpTQrWjvcacuHq0iKhThuMgdX_2F73Wr-_sUqRW4R4cdSO0otuW-glRThhN8Gxg4z_FOuCuvGjwxKRBHrZk4ZkDei_qpuEhhSUvlSicXFzrT-aueTJ_mJknvbwD0oS40WbzSZiSxP2MQJC6SmnHrv78II-huoKIfUB4QODhgAn2flBphPlQ/s2048/IMG_2851.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj82cRxdUZ0V6jsczBzkcfK-1mYMyHq-XdAuYedZBo2ETbM3RWkMk7BKPZrBoEKTJdx-dI9rsypVeffJRX4N3zSBEMz-yNqcyEKlVFCCL6nVUZC0LzMJIQt34EnXTjr0UVGKDPiEAIESVuUnhISqPpFuPVKu3Yd3Zcl1QEjbgAd3woG3PBTLOZukVT0w/w480-h640/IMG_2809.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkybo_f_UDU39TSTcLnBa8F587XDvVoippw1-vSUNL4ROTI2w60YjhSyQXcUYfO8m6-f6Ip6ChapzCLd7zC8r1uyWVZ7FmbUByYDVUCGObnq3R3EFEcledNR-pg85arJT8KJXQXco2U_xW4jm-wpOFSPQJK5IV27ZtgEuCHzMcpWzPjC4HAy_RHdUO_g/s2048/IMG_2855.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkybo_f_UDU39TSTcLnBa8F587XDvVoippw1-vSUNL4ROTI2w60YjhSyQXcUYfO8m6-f6Ip6ChapzCLd7zC8r1uyWVZ7FmbUByYDVUCGObnq3R3EFEcledNR-pg85arJT8KJXQXco2U_xW4jm-wpOFSPQJK5IV27ZtgEuCHzMcpWzPjC4HAy_RHdUO_g/w480-h640/IMG_2855.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Well my friends my sweet, darling boy has passed on his Covid germs. Believe me when I tell you he was coughing and snotty all of two hours Sunday morning when he tested positive. Other than not having a great appetite, which could be my cooking, and sleeping a little longer than usually he is just about perfect. Me, well not so much. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I started to feel a bit peaked on Monday evening, nothing bad just a thought of not feeling well, I tested myself and I was negative. Tuesday morning was beautiful out and I felt okay, not great but okay and I tested negative again so I took a boy with wiggles to the beach very early in the morning, far, far away from others. Those ladies in the photo look near us but they were at least 15 feet away, up a small sand hill and upwind of us. All our germs were blowing out to sea. We spent most of the time in the water and then headed home before anyone could come close to us. It was a success except it takes a lot of work to get Little Buddy into and out of the water, but by the time I was getting him out he was leaning on me and I had to help hold him up I was feeling weak. After a return trip home, we now live about 15 minutes away, we had a bath and shower, lunch and some reading and then I was ready for a nap. I never nap, like never, but it felt so good to just lie down and rest. Meanwhile one little boy was happy to get on his computer early and let me be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am officially positive now and the little one who brought it into the house is feeling just fine, well that is except when he gets tired of reading Harry Potter and fake coughs. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have loved being home. I have said many times I work so much I would just love to be home more, wish granted I'd say. I love spending time with my special boy. We are writing a book this summer and are already on chapter 24. The book is all about made up rescues and adventures, he has difficulty writing anything that is not factual so I have been really impressed how he has blossomed in this area this summer. Plus typing is a skill he will need to be proficient at so he is typing every chapter. We had a drawing contest the last two days and I have shared with you his picture of me just in case you have forgotten what I look like. We take turns picking something to draw, he has a hard time making decisions so this is good for him. I have been graded, 0% F on every drawing I make while a little boy I know gives himself 100% A.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have been reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. He is new to this series, a gift for his birthday from me. He started them with his speech and language pathologist so she gets a video summary of each chapter after we read it so she is up to date on what is happening. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The beach has been great therapy-wise, swimming, running and walking upright in the water, and just some good sunshine and vitamin D. We won't be back for a while, I am just to darn tired. Actually I am so tired knitting, reading and even watching a show seems hard but I am fortunate I know. Yes, I have a stuffy, runny nose and a bit of a cough, a frog in my voice and a headache but I am thankful it isn't worse. Thankful I am in this wonderful house where I feel healing is coming faster. I am thankful for vaccines that we have both had that have greatly reduced our illness. I am grateful for special time together unfolding at a really lovely pace. I have completed all my continuing education for my professional license, that was before I felt really poorly of course. I have ordered school supplies and school uniforms. I got myself out of jury duty due to my special needs son, I made him out to sound much worse than he is, don't tell on me, and I have worked out special behavioral services for Little Buddy if he indeed goes to the special learning school. See lots of things accomplished so now I can just rest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Covid is everywhere, I am lucky we are going through it at the same time and before school starts. So much to be thankful for even when I feel like a helium balloon slowly losing air and sinking from the ceiling to hover just above the floor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The flowers are from my giant crepe myrtle tree, milkweed in my garden and lovely purple flowers on three big bushes out back. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay safe my friends. Mask up and stay safe.</div>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-49473038354903271482022-07-24T07:23:00.005-04:002022-07-24T08:18:20.443-04:00Catching up.............<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7A-_cVhhJRH2qJoFdoKTGEuz2pdj1avrDPdLM2vAem43ca2k5W-9eSpz1VAglJN9MmTOJDVcvqurZENCUWBQAUoQjJtLrnTWvvT0ZYr9GX9emYbhA3MJ9IdwMnQAZhw80bBPmDMbUBjqK68oFQA6Bb2HKFPWUJVFYxSujwFz0eoqwF3CiujZrucEsw/s2048/IMG_2848.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7A-_cVhhJRH2qJoFdoKTGEuz2pdj1avrDPdLM2vAem43ca2k5W-9eSpz1VAglJN9MmTOJDVcvqurZENCUWBQAUoQjJtLrnTWvvT0ZYr9GX9emYbhA3MJ9IdwMnQAZhw80bBPmDMbUBjqK68oFQA6Bb2HKFPWUJVFYxSujwFz0eoqwF3CiujZrucEsw/w640-h480/IMG_2848.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1_lhPAic6lGBXdeRw1YZsFG2zVfO6IPnaQjz3LmuRdYWf5F-WKpjdNWoIVGX8RZFAXDa4yyc9eR3proM1v5Hf7JhFh8hL8Iu0lZsRTjP2Z_gFalvKKc9VBcP0-Gs1KTgRAvvppXP2qoZqPjfXbh51Ed1MNMJvUyMTyyWJj4wSKLgu90-rkCtNcD-wA/w480-h640/IMG_2832.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfrP-yTSGKZ8TxUOWFX17uWihs-hm5YHjRrfafYemCcISA_HBse7f6PsOz_D4oEasQwGWTaTQq3bPbK6TdsoGbdAXe0IGFXmcQhdaeBuhULt2DfcYyUkbmwyK97hgZ1S4ZNDi1fpttq-No3pEDm2WZ1d7FZxjl9EtsuwQZuXwruDNPGaDNYsMhwRwpQ/s2048/IMG_2830.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfrP-yTSGKZ8TxUOWFX17uWihs-hm5YHjRrfafYemCcISA_HBse7f6PsOz_D4oEasQwGWTaTQq3bPbK6TdsoGbdAXe0IGFXmcQhdaeBuhULt2DfcYyUkbmwyK97hgZ1S4ZNDi1fpttq-No3pEDm2WZ1d7FZxjl9EtsuwQZuXwruDNPGaDNYsMhwRwpQ/w640-h480/IMG_2830.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-0us4KgqFAuS6m1pWXIYaFpzT5jKiWJ5KBcRsW1wccEw-hBZT8fZ6YTxnOpTSvpOQxGNNMjJmL1MT9MDGk44-w85Hp4_vSjF3DdrFTXy34yLTAniPsDEs9ilx3bA6S8vPnkLiZ87MgVzvDuuYPT0pQvm4oQgLDOQ-XdS0OL0qEMKYahkps7zKv84Hg/s2048/IMG_2822.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-0us4KgqFAuS6m1pWXIYaFpzT5jKiWJ5KBcRsW1wccEw-hBZT8fZ6YTxnOpTSvpOQxGNNMjJmL1MT9MDGk44-w85Hp4_vSjF3DdrFTXy34yLTAniPsDEs9ilx3bA6S8vPnkLiZ87MgVzvDuuYPT0pQvm4oQgLDOQ-XdS0OL0qEMKYahkps7zKv84Hg/w640-h480/IMG_2822.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Hello! How are all of you doing? Here is a bit of a catch up with things around here in no particular order as my photos seem to load just the way they want, not the way I want.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Work has been mixed for me. Lots of families out with Covid, last week I missed an entire day due to that. It rained that whole day and Little Buddy and I enjoyed a day at home, me puttering and cleaning, him in his pajamas watching shows, playing, reading and all that. It was really nice, I think just what I needed. This week lots more out but I never seemed to be able to make my schedule work so I had an afternoon off. My little ones have been crazy, I have lost a bit of my patience, is it the heat? Are we all sick of summer? Do we need a better routine with school starting soon? Was it a full moon? Who knows but it has been a bit rough for all of us.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy got exposed again at camp. I can't tell you how many times this child has been exposed to Covid by sustained close contact. Seems two of the teachers got it and one child. He had a stuffy nose at the beach so I tested him when we got home, no Covid maybe just too much salt water. Camp might be canceled for the week, I am still waiting to hear.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy and I finally made it to the beach. I work so much that time is limited and on Friday when I am off there are important errands to run or appointments to keep. Saturdays have been rainy, he is not easy to get on or off the beach, we can't run off if it starts to storm so we can only go on brilliantly clear days. Yesterday was just such a day. We were there by 8:30, played in the sand and then the water for over an hour. Little Buddy had the best time. He swam and swam, threw big rocks at me and walked and almost ran in the water. I miss our pool where he did so much therapy during the summer. Two hours was just enough for him, we headed home for a bath and some relaxing time because he told me he just needed to relax all day. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The boys had haircuts last weekend and boy did they need them. Hank is once again losing his hair on top of his head. We went to the vet on Friday and she doesn't seem to know what is going on. And he is licking incessantly, I mean it is driving me crazy so she gave him a shot for that. I have not seen much improvement yet. His food has not changed which was the reason last time this happened. I am now going to try a chicken/rice blend and get off the fish blend. It just might be he can't tolerate that anymore. They were both so stressed with the move, but we have been here almost three months so they should be settled in by now. We also have different grass here, might be a whole combination of things. If they could only talk and tell us what they need!</p><p style="text-align: center;">And Luna my grand dog spent the night last night with her new collar on. She is not , how can I say it without being offensive, well she is not a real feminine girl, so the collar makes me laugh. She is a big tomboy and rules the roost when she is here, so the pink bow collar just makes me smile.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Have a wonderful week.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Update: A cute little boy just woke up not feeling well. He has tested positive for Covid so we are hunkering down for the week. I have to cancel all my patients, yikes! Hopefully he will recover quickly. Stay safe.</p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-8018611730263578452022-07-09T17:45:00.000-04:002022-07-09T17:45:03.725-04:00This and that in no particular order................<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCafUay4mCu6oDiKYnbhLAfa2TdrB1Y1yb7bJwWQHrqOSJZOV3kLSErGW6YbcWhWB7L-BZ2vZda2d42I1ot4_DUwxHyFB3_9b1JsyJnvyvodWYB1jdYfsuT3x9PPLTZ766dJ2eDmk-QkNQwJoHg_WL-anA63JQOd3JKqsjBKKGeSJ4orBf8NpPg6GZfA/s2048/IMG_2785.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCafUay4mCu6oDiKYnbhLAfa2TdrB1Y1yb7bJwWQHrqOSJZOV3kLSErGW6YbcWhWB7L-BZ2vZda2d42I1ot4_DUwxHyFB3_9b1JsyJnvyvodWYB1jdYfsuT3x9PPLTZ766dJ2eDmk-QkNQwJoHg_WL-anA63JQOd3JKqsjBKKGeSJ4orBf8NpPg6GZfA/w480-h640/IMG_2785.JPEG" width="480" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaow8PJTdTrPzjgLXxzbR2T7t6n7bPdZg-_9_WPLSa41806uLIU58IGzAVa8Eh6f8W0XPaC6MgpmgkeKiJ5D6vhSg_ywlLMeztLgECRqgXqmz9OLG3KnG0AE2g0bFO3Z3F6QeBa7AD1xZZC_OPI3lN3CmHYplTa55cAGRgXYJbQUS_11trJp0HwYrL4g/w640-h480/IMG_2789.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHKzT9ZS45T9vMO0SgWyoqUtfXqH5jPPKfuLhrMT8Qn0s0oIYXYA_pdgQ6TGZwZ132zmTJXGun80mnDqpjmjBY8BcB9_f2IdZDH2DlDmvxglVe2u_6alHsjZacYOWzSQvxzH8lplTVdonteWQWcw9X5AC5KT3SiNaiqVGcXs3GdPVbj0fA_lMFTaPcQ/s2048/IMG_2801.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHKzT9ZS45T9vMO0SgWyoqUtfXqH5jPPKfuLhrMT8Qn0s0oIYXYA_pdgQ6TGZwZ132zmTJXGun80mnDqpjmjBY8BcB9_f2IdZDH2DlDmvxglVe2u_6alHsjZacYOWzSQvxzH8lplTVdonteWQWcw9X5AC5KT3SiNaiqVGcXs3GdPVbj0fA_lMFTaPcQ/w480-h640/IMG_2801.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So much going on but nothing of any real importance. Little Buddy continues to grow and thrive, what could be more rewarding than that? He has his quirks, like separating M&M's by color before eating them, but don't we all have something?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />He has had a very fun week. Last weekend the Fourth of July was celebrated here in this neighborhood for several nights of close and loud fireworks, I had a buddy in bed with me as he doesn't like loud noises. Actually I had three dogs, and a little boy in bed with me, lets just say no one got much sleep. I found one exploded firework on my grass and one on my roof, my brand new roof. I told you they were close. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last weekend was also my birthday. We went to the Clearwater Aquarium with a friend of mine who has season passes. It is good she did as it was very hot and one little boy I know was not very interested in the dolphins, rescued sea turtles or otters. He was much more impressed with the elevators. We did see a virtual short movie about humpback whales. You can see him with his head gear on reaching out to touch the whale. We only stayed an hour. Clearwater Aquarium was made famous by Winter the dolphin who was caught in a crab trap and had to have his tail amputated. He was rehabilitated with a prosthetic tail and lived many years helping children and adult amputees. Sadly he caught a viral infection early this year and passed away. You may have seen the movie, A Dolphin's Tail, which is a very, very loose interpretation of the real events. At the end of the movie they have the real portion of the story, showing the rescue, rehabilitation and the people who worked so hard to get that tail right. That is the fascinating part.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dad was away this week so I had to scramble for childcare help. My babysitter had Covid the week before and was not feeling great, and I also leave at 6:30 in the morning which is a deterrent for almost anyone. So Little Buddy came to work with me on Tuesday, not my full day but to two houses that are super kid friendly. He got to hold a baby I work with and was delighted. He could not understand how this baby could be three, or that he can't see. He also got to go to the house he was in straight out of the hospital. He loves his first family and they adore him. He got to play with the girls I work with and see the preemie twins that are now there in foster care that I work with as well. He went swimming and had the best time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That night he was driven up to my friend Lynda's house were he spent two nights and a very long day. She has a ten year old neighbor who came to play which was so wonderful for Little Buddy. He doesn't have friends that come over, only those at school or camp so this was extra special.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy loves fish so I made salmon for the very first time last weekend. He loved it, so it is on the menu for dinner again tonight. I need to start upping my game in the cooking department, my old regular meals are just that, old and regular.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My son sent me flowers yesterday as a late birthday present. He was out of town visiting a friend on my birthday and got wrapped up in things with his buddy. I got a really late text from him wishing me a good day. I know boys are different but this hurt my feelings a bit. I don't expect a party, dinner or presents, just a simple birthday text is all. Actually several other good friends and even my dear niece forgot my day. This has been a rough year as you know so understand I know I am being over sensitive. So flowers were ordered to help lift my spirits and they did. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The news continues to depress me. A 10 year old pregnant after being raped by her father had to go out of state for help, thank God she could go out of state, that will not be an option for many, and a judge should never tell a ten year old that she should consider this an, "Opportunity". Ten year old girls should be watching Disney shows and playing with LOL dolls, not preparing to have a child. A child that frankly their body may not even be prepared to hold or give birth to without serious physical repercussions. Hasn't she already been traumatized enough by her very own father raping her? Shootings at a parade killing innocent people and children, shootings everywhere killing innocent people and children, it is all so overwhelming, but I make myself know about it all because it is a privilege to bury your head in the sand and pretend all is well, it is a privilege to go about your life because it doesn't affect you. And that is dangerous, pretending all is well and you can't do anything about it all just lets all of this keep going on and getting worse. I know you can't sit in a deep depression about it but you still have to have an awareness of what this country has turned into. Without awareness there will be no change.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay safe my friends, those I know who have had Covid recently have been pretty sick. Stay safe. </div>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-56996543590765951152022-06-25T16:09:00.007-04:002022-06-25T17:10:06.687-04:00The way I see it...............<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yPO8LsWtwAF_l23TLGofTICHUFMkLE_PBP_Ml113syLXXRAbBlN9EwbyAZ20TZdAtwRNHLBK_sHLJeBYffawaFGnVxJdTMe5Mcngh4UhlPfap5EaHcp7QA5Q5ros-2EbCCwxeWwdyFKjxXuxm6tE05TPJb2ioFKCoktqccaoDZMqJ_fudHp-JIT-4Q/s2048/IMG_2720.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yPO8LsWtwAF_l23TLGofTICHUFMkLE_PBP_Ml113syLXXRAbBlN9EwbyAZ20TZdAtwRNHLBK_sHLJeBYffawaFGnVxJdTMe5Mcngh4UhlPfap5EaHcp7QA5Q5ros-2EbCCwxeWwdyFKjxXuxm6tE05TPJb2ioFKCoktqccaoDZMqJ_fudHp-JIT-4Q/w480-h640/IMG_2720.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">While I wanted to celebrate a very special birthday yesterday the day was overshadowed by the news that over 50% of the population in the United States have had the right to make decisions over their own body and health taken away. I will forever remember this day with this news, not that Little Buddy turned 11, but this horrific news.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Pro Choice or Pro Life are interesting terms to me. I am very much pro life and at the same time I am emphatically, without a doubt, pro choice. I see a side of this that many of you don't. A side that is going to grow and grow and create more and more problems for our society. I don't understand how you can be pro life but believe that assault rifles have a place in our society. We can protect a bundle of cells with no viability but children can get mowed down with their heads severed in school because it is our right to buy assault rifles. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I am pro life because I believe that all children should be cared for with Universal Healthcare instead of having services stripped away. I see the children whose parents can't afford healthcare or even food. One family I know fed their child carrot water because they could not afford formula, obviously this boy will have developmental and intellectual issues the rest of his life due to malnutrition, he is suffering every day. There will be more of this to come, a lot more, yet we are forcing women to have babies that they know they cannot take care of financially, physically, mentally or emotionally. Babies they can't even feed or afford diapers for. Our system even wants to reduce school lunches, sometimes the only real food a child gets all day. Can you imagine what will happen to all these babies as they grow up without proper nutrition?</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am pro life and I believe in supporting children, and their mothers, no matter their age, with good mental health services. Those services are also being cut, everywhere. Can you imagine a 12 year old being raped by a family member and having to carry a child to term? Giving birth to her brother? Her sister? Her niece or nephew? Trauma based care is so hard to get with the lack of services available, the lack of good mental health professionals that get paid a fraction of their worth. How is this child going to ever survive this on top of the abuse she has already suffered? How is her child, who will most assuredly be significantly delayed for the rest of its life, how does this child make it? Where will the money come from for services to help this little one?</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am pro life but I think having to carry a child to term at the expense of your own physical health is so ridiculous I can barely comprehend it. How many women are going to leave their children motherless because a bunch of non viable cells or a child that will never live outside her womb are more important then the physical children she already has. She will leave this earth and leave her children without a mother due to no decision of her own.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am pro life and I cannot fathom why we are forcing more children into this world with no thought to climate change and the affects climate issues have on our ability to feed these babies with safe foods, clean water and temperatures that they can tolerate. How can a mother provide for this baby with rents skyrocketing and no childcare benefits? </p><p style="text-align: center;">In the world where we in the United Sates are so ranked so high as far as infant and mother mortality, how is this situation going to improve that? It is all going to become much, much worse. Women will die, their babies will die. Are you ready for that?</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am pro life but I see the children who have been thrown up against walls so hard their retinas burst. They are physically abused so bad they sometimes don't even make it, and when they do they are barely living. Do you not see how this is going to happen more and more frequently because the choice to have a child was not theirs?</p><p style="text-align: center;">Do you think this affects men? Absolutely not, it is always going to be the mothers responsibility to raise a child. Will men have to pay support if they have sex until they know a child has not been created? Frankly, many of them don't support the children they know they have. Will men have to have vasectomies at the age they can start having children, what is the 10 or 11 to ensure no one gets pregnant? And only have it reversed when they become responsible adults? No, it is always, always going to be the woman/girl/child who has to handle the decisions forced on her.</p><p style="text-align: center;">There are over 100,000 children in foster care, almost 120,000 actually, that number is about to skyrocket. The system we have in place is already overwhelmed. Are you going to adopt one of these children? Are you pro life enough to turn your world upside down and bring these troubled and often emotionally and/or physically challenged children into your home? I can talk this way because I did. I did bring a child into my home who was exposed to drugs and alcohol on top of all the brain damage he suffered due to the decisions of his birth mother. He is lucky to have found a home. Are you willing to provide one? Many of these kids end up in residential facilities or group homes with no real family, or are often abused in the very homes they were placed in for safety, they then drift out of the system with nothing to help them. The cycle will then repeat itself with the next generation. Get ready my friends, because this is all going to get a lot worse for these babies who will grow up with little support. Where are your prayers then? Are they helping these poor children?</p><p style="text-align: center;">I am pro life, I am pro choice, but this has just made my job a whole lot harder. The numbers of trauma based children, physically challenged children and babies, drug exposed kids, and babies exposed to excess alcohol is about to skyrocket. Will you be willing to pay more taxes to help these kids get the services they need? I'm not talking a prayer service or a local diaper drive. How are you going to dedicate your life to helping these children having children, or the mothers who will suffer emotionally, mentally and often physically to have a child that they were not prepared to have. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I have already dedicated my life to this, what are you going to do to help besides pray and rejoice that women/girls/children have had a fundamental right taken away from them? A fundamental right that will be cataclysmic to society as a whole and cataclysmic to the very children you are rejoicing that will be born. Will you be wanting your daughter, granddaughter, niece or little girl next door to have a baby when she has been raped? Will you tell her to lay back and enjoy it like one politician has said?</p><p style="text-align: center;">What is next? Imprisoning women who have had a miscarriage? Not allowing women access to birth control? <br /><br />Let this sink in, an 18 year old has more rights to buy an assault riffle than a woman/girl or child has making choices and decisions about her own body.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It doesn't stop here, and when your particular fundamental right gets taken away remember this day, June 24, 2022. This is not when it started but this is when it became a reality. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-76616767460147659872022-06-18T20:49:00.000-04:002022-06-18T20:49:04.876-04:00A vey involved week................<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjreK4Bsq_6WMvmwq8H6bn84HzUArc1kvCyzZrfUGYqEb8ctkNmgATeYaQnXyQFpfLADfhaHb66SCzFZan1MJw2ht_oPRZ5bNRHHqTu75gymXJh_zgO1ex1S7fZjkAmhhD2O5wXtqbS4rU7OyV9wXHMG0fAug2iDpvx4jo49KuWjT4_BCWsff3NpJdbOQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjreK4Bsq_6WMvmwq8H6bn84HzUArc1kvCyzZrfUGYqEb8ctkNmgATeYaQnXyQFpfLADfhaHb66SCzFZan1MJw2ht_oPRZ5bNRHHqTu75gymXJh_zgO1ex1S7fZjkAmhhD2O5wXtqbS4rU7OyV9wXHMG0fAug2iDpvx4jo49KuWjT4_BCWsff3NpJdbOQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX0dQrCUmmtaDr8hMDovI2kqzCgs9_b0Zy312DXBDzLK3lVVWofizO5V90IRN5pnpTV87608vJ1hbsEhl-5KPFu0TEVwOyyGQgbziw0ZblqNjrfyLHJO-qaqTgrBBKrCOn5uJr6-oCUTFKuYrse93oQDk2htkMftulwAeR5_jQM1tUHTikjpvSboBX0g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX0dQrCUmmtaDr8hMDovI2kqzCgs9_b0Zy312DXBDzLK3lVVWofizO5V90IRN5pnpTV87608vJ1hbsEhl-5KPFu0TEVwOyyGQgbziw0ZblqNjrfyLHJO-qaqTgrBBKrCOn5uJr6-oCUTFKuYrse93oQDk2htkMftulwAeR5_jQM1tUHTikjpvSboBX0g=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2Jdunl6ADX5KsTq_NTJ0mmm4Ge32nLSE1QqcmUdYfIe6XGc5FI8W7JTMvhQM7ybVO_uv7mOn5uA3q1bb8lwOXPqrBNlXBb3RG9EG6MHwViSK88W8hONwesXFLUKSEiH3bZPOmwDqHr-bt3oX-Ezbed16YLgQtveFBkPt3CWmr4e4pPnBhmXFtkNUGLA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2Jdunl6ADX5KsTq_NTJ0mmm4Ge32nLSE1QqcmUdYfIe6XGc5FI8W7JTMvhQM7ybVO_uv7mOn5uA3q1bb8lwOXPqrBNlXBb3RG9EG6MHwViSK88W8hONwesXFLUKSEiH3bZPOmwDqHr-bt3oX-Ezbed16YLgQtveFBkPt3CWmr4e4pPnBhmXFtkNUGLA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNZIRvpspMOgcmd0caw0Xv1ynO46CmS7qDcdIotYDTnjMA2gaI04Nv7EiO5A7bc1bCUuyYZ0UuoceIUm_-1YBqKnQKUdvWi9Y7xxR_QQwq0WWBEKUh30BMtSPCBPyZMn_2NdLIKS9zy0-ZzqDFOQNSkLw6mKemGKmrYOHgGHGReUXQ9FNMf17CBpwNrw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNZIRvpspMOgcmd0caw0Xv1ynO46CmS7qDcdIotYDTnjMA2gaI04Nv7EiO5A7bc1bCUuyYZ0UuoceIUm_-1YBqKnQKUdvWi9Y7xxR_QQwq0WWBEKUh30BMtSPCBPyZMn_2NdLIKS9zy0-ZzqDFOQNSkLw6mKemGKmrYOHgGHGReUXQ9FNMf17CBpwNrw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI7BeBfe9k9Zq-TLrFtPmB1wPDkVGcf1qTRftwh4OPafvHuVYRhCHlF9FGmMNPfDq3Ll5WqckhnDtD1yxdDhgQH4o3YCGS0P_t_bN3wxtYOxpuhKGTEUunJ79ydrQoTPx1z793CLd5OgxBbzQKT7YJnsjpCi4gAXLBdWqYxQHQcADzcIBtO-h5ESGhUg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI7BeBfe9k9Zq-TLrFtPmB1wPDkVGcf1qTRftwh4OPafvHuVYRhCHlF9FGmMNPfDq3Ll5WqckhnDtD1yxdDhgQH4o3YCGS0P_t_bN3wxtYOxpuhKGTEUunJ79ydrQoTPx1z793CLd5OgxBbzQKT7YJnsjpCi4gAXLBdWqYxQHQcADzcIBtO-h5ESGhUg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Since my computer got fixed a few weeks ago my Picasa doesn't work so I have to download photos from iCloud, and put them in a folder and submit them here. No editing, no watermark, which really bums me out but there you have it. You see everything like my phone camera sees it.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Lots of crazy things have happened this week. The electricity in Little Buddy's room and my garage went out on Monday. I knew it was the circuit breaker but did not know how to fix it. I asked my next door neighbor to assess the situation so I knew what to say when I called someone and he offered to fix it. He is an interesting guy, quite a bit older than me, loves his motorcycle, lost his wife of 39 years to cancer 6 years ago. His house is a bit messy, he is always fixing things right out in his driveway. He is a bit scary looking at first glance, but the sweetest man ever. He went to Home Depot, bought the breaker and put it in. But the system was still tripping so he called a friend. His friend came at 9:15 and they started over. At 10:15 they felt it was still being tripped so had to come in and unplug things to see what happened. I had two guys I really don't know in my house at 10:15 at night and I wasn't at all concerned. I figured they were either going to murder me or I had two new guardians, or at least Little Buddy does. It was all fixed by 10:30 with me promising to contact them if it went out again. No payment was wanted, just a, "this is what we do, we help people when they need it." Turns out when we pushed the garage fridge back in place we knocked the old socket off the wall so everything in the freezer went bad. I of course did not know about it until Thursday so you can imagine the mess and clean up duty. And Little Buddy's ceiling fan did not work after the power went back on, so it ends up I do have to get an electrician after all, but that's okay, it will be nice to have everything safe again.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I missed my headache Botox shots on Thursday because I have shingles yet again. My fifth time to be exact. The first time was years ago and it was all over the bottom of my face, neck and chest. It was missed diagnosed as poison oak so they kept giving me steroids. It kept getting worse and worse, actually cracking in areas but I just got more steroids. What I would have given for anti viral medication to make it stop itching, hurting and cracking. Each time I get it it looks different so I take a while to realize what it is. This time was on the back of my neck and on my head on both sides. I can't see back there so I had no idea what was going on until way too late. I thought it was bites, a reaction to new city water, or poison something. Mine hurt a bit but mostly they itch like the dickens. My neurologist asked me why I got them so bad, did something happen? Was I stressed? I could have manically laughed but held it together. He is adorable, 37 warm and lovely. I keep telling him if his mother ever disowns him I will adopt him and I mean it! But no shots mean more headaches until I can get these shingles to disappear. He did give me nerve pain medication he swears will help, I am crossing my fingers it does. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy had his Botox shots for his tight leg muscles yesterday. It was good that his computer was delivered yesterday to help him be distracted enough he did not think about them. Actually it is his biggest brother's computer that he used in college. He has not used it for several years so when we moved I thought it was a good idea to get it updated and ready for this guy. $300 later it works like a dream and should last him for years. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We went to the park near us this morning for one very hot hour. The feel like temp was 105 degrees today so we did not stay long. It is 3 minutes from our house and is an inclusion playground fit for kids of all different ability levels. It has been closed for renovation since we moved it. We spent a very hot hour there and then headed to the grocery store where I had help from a cute little boy who pushed my cart and scanned all my food. Now if I could just get him to bag things I think he might have a new job!</p><p style="text-align: center;">There has been little knitting this week, way too much emotional ups and downs that continue to wear me out. I have no reserve anymore so it is not taking much to make me feel depleted. When I was feeling better last week I made the stone path and the stone border in my backyard. I have since added the last two flat stepping stones making it a total of 10, and moved those rocks around to fit around the new stones. It looks better and prevents me from stepping in dirt as I round the corner to my side yard. The backyard is full of weeds, dirt and a bit of grass. It needs to be mowed a lot as the weeds have those pieces that cling to dog fur. That was my job early this morning before the heat set in.</p><p style="text-align: center;">That was my week my friends. I hope yours was better. Still with all that has happened I am so grateful for my family, my fur boys, my new home, work and my friends and that includes all of you!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Have a wonderful Father's Day tomorrow if you are celebrating. I miss my Dad, he would have been a rock for me and helped me get through all this mess. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-46516926215159959962022-06-12T15:33:00.003-04:002022-06-12T15:33:40.225-04:00Knitting and life in general..............<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aomLsR386zsFMHFnhGWDVFEq6Zz3kYQu1brst6Cel9NH4TPQiOF4CT5ytRmT_OL9PuZopwv84RfOLBUgZa88aJ5IDVMQA3Guxa8Ah1NiTlJJGuHhloYgesOMQSJSEHG80K2LXU0cyfpmNFw-ldeEg8ty9zqu7msY5vtMPY-mcW3dEfp_wQH7WFuefA/s2048/IMG_2635%20-%20Copy.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aomLsR386zsFMHFnhGWDVFEq6Zz3kYQu1brst6Cel9NH4TPQiOF4CT5ytRmT_OL9PuZopwv84RfOLBUgZa88aJ5IDVMQA3Guxa8Ah1NiTlJJGuHhloYgesOMQSJSEHG80K2LXU0cyfpmNFw-ldeEg8ty9zqu7msY5vtMPY-mcW3dEfp_wQH7WFuefA/w480-h640/IMG_2635%20-%20Copy.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGw0pT3jXRC2Ea7tBIDgSeSUttFZT-VI-ZFSzdNykiY0jag6UMjnLjt8sIXC_CCUUF_69msm3Dc0_MdWuvldSBhbZ-pEwnAaia2vd0liyPL1DShbm86zPm-PZx-ULrK4vgq6qa5xxifrqnN5gR5D2gQDQnXLEIqXw3NMLbyCvo8n2Igx-8epwWbLRLw/s2048/IMG_2634.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGw0pT3jXRC2Ea7tBIDgSeSUttFZT-VI-ZFSzdNykiY0jag6UMjnLjt8sIXC_CCUUF_69msm3Dc0_MdWuvldSBhbZ-pEwnAaia2vd0liyPL1DShbm86zPm-PZx-ULrK4vgq6qa5xxifrqnN5gR5D2gQDQnXLEIqXw3NMLbyCvo8n2Igx-8epwWbLRLw/w480-h640/IMG_2634.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgj_FFG3q4pYfByNqM0cR-EanS3CTjpdN7xG_hnysDLdkbr0Gh_KdDj8mWeb_hIfBW0vI51qzPEHed-blMOhSLmtdXSe_HyrMxwzUPyxys6VtogW_Ee5b3rKqrlf2Xi9YVHVcWe2v9WkziKu_zGmk6-dcR7Q26uJa6AA8n_Q3aoMBUL2NxDP9orG-vqg/s2048/IMG_2683.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgj_FFG3q4pYfByNqM0cR-EanS3CTjpdN7xG_hnysDLdkbr0Gh_KdDj8mWeb_hIfBW0vI51qzPEHed-blMOhSLmtdXSe_HyrMxwzUPyxys6VtogW_Ee5b3rKqrlf2Xi9YVHVcWe2v9WkziKu_zGmk6-dcR7Q26uJa6AA8n_Q3aoMBUL2NxDP9orG-vqg/w480-h640/IMG_2683.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8ZTW8Os8G7YOtzUl9yngjmI1pdIEJ8eL_EfjowfPAEePqq52R66HGm8XHeitgIoI7ZmoMqBCGqicxIjjOcHbcmL1WoDCReY-C_biHwE7DXM4agcOH-UrAZek63-TnbbYf7FH5AVfkvcF1gaaIfzFfr5m1-Yrwlk7Y3W814eA65bEJ8ENRJKRFE4uWQ/s2048/IMG_2682.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8ZTW8Os8G7YOtzUl9yngjmI1pdIEJ8eL_EfjowfPAEePqq52R66HGm8XHeitgIoI7ZmoMqBCGqicxIjjOcHbcmL1WoDCReY-C_biHwE7DXM4agcOH-UrAZek63-TnbbYf7FH5AVfkvcF1gaaIfzFfr5m1-Yrwlk7Y3W814eA65bEJ8ENRJKRFE4uWQ/w480-h640/IMG_2682.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpv-8uAj2JXdOGqJpXt-W_iwVY4ZgFa9abpt9jwvzsLIvpQCQJIXygch-620kxVrKWNih1Urycimz_o0aMmiZoOfW-386clrgNAiqt7WjZik7X-Ha0C681ghf5Nwu3E8Y7twR7ophby21wREXQOfjFQlV1ZHOtqxo9814_It7xH8lq-Tsy4Fhz3l2kog/s2048/IMG_2685.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpv-8uAj2JXdOGqJpXt-W_iwVY4ZgFa9abpt9jwvzsLIvpQCQJIXygch-620kxVrKWNih1Urycimz_o0aMmiZoOfW-386clrgNAiqt7WjZik7X-Ha0C681ghf5Nwu3E8Y7twR7ophby21wREXQOfjFQlV1ZHOtqxo9814_It7xH8lq-Tsy4Fhz3l2kog/w480-h640/IMG_2685.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RfSAQJK3rMttrJnKqG9Wm6t28qSrQ0vShgoPaemxP8iK4n-lk3i3KxCRrf2m8nrltWfo6poxW4K7ZnE-gRj21ZIYYRIACUJNaOt-DJf7AtK20Rey0_kh17gCtR8e1B9utzJHo4akwZj3U0l3QWRfaCVblSmFTVQl_tvDqqLfojF57lGXi8wdG3FyHw/s2048/IMG_2686.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RfSAQJK3rMttrJnKqG9Wm6t28qSrQ0vShgoPaemxP8iK4n-lk3i3KxCRrf2m8nrltWfo6poxW4K7ZnE-gRj21ZIYYRIACUJNaOt-DJf7AtK20Rey0_kh17gCtR8e1B9utzJHo4akwZj3U0l3QWRfaCVblSmFTVQl_tvDqqLfojF57lGXi8wdG3FyHw/w640-h480/IMG_2686.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzzq8gcp2Ir9RCWGEGTIhdjkw3bJbN6ozERu6iA0YZm895lB6oGbYTBU670c3kIbkGaJ-FNYN80Xg6ZvjhABqvTBB_MhMaLfTXk9OG3vwXpR70GTBF3LQH5SXQrTazc_36OkSLeYg2MwIZdXYDtvUYBk9GV2pkxu1PwUsHJnhf3jUKfpoPDCfwvuaSw/s2048/IMG_2687.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzzq8gcp2Ir9RCWGEGTIhdjkw3bJbN6ozERu6iA0YZm895lB6oGbYTBU670c3kIbkGaJ-FNYN80Xg6ZvjhABqvTBB_MhMaLfTXk9OG3vwXpR70GTBF3LQH5SXQrTazc_36OkSLeYg2MwIZdXYDtvUYBk9GV2pkxu1PwUsHJnhf3jUKfpoPDCfwvuaSw/w480-h640/IMG_2687.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There has been some knitting as I have traveled these rough times. I think there was a cardigan I forgot to take photos of that I finished. And now my new obsession is this super simple scarf made by Diane Augustin of Yarn Happy-Bead Happy. It is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-easiest-scarf">Easiest Scarf</a> and it is a free pattern. I have noticed this scarf for years in the door of my local yarn shop. The colors of the self striping yarn were so vibrant and it looked so simple. When I was going to visit the store and everything was 30% off because they were closing I went a bit crazy with yarn for sweaters and yarn for this scarf. The scarf yarn price on sale was a smidge over $10 which I think is a huge deal. Especially when you have oodles of teacher and therapist gifts to make now and in the future. I made four scarves for end of the year teacher and assistant presents, plus one for Little Buddy's principal. She has been such a cheerleader for him all these years and really has an amazing group of teachers under her which I think is due to her leadership. These are so, so easy to make. There is a two row repeat that even I have not screwed up too many times. I bought a lot of this yarn, Uneek Cotton, hand dyed self striping yarn. The hanks are 275 yards and that is all you need to make this scarf, that and size 7 needles. The last scarf is for my friend and realtor Claudia. She helped me find this beautiful house, held my hand every step of the way through the purchase and all that that entailed. I have another one in the same colorway on my needles for a dear friend dealing with health issues. I really don't have to think while knitting these, just let my needles move as I watch episode after episode of Heartland on Netflix. What a beautiful show, just the horses and the scenery have me hooked. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy is growing up so fast. I try to pull him on my lap for a snuggle and it is getting harder to wrestle him in place. He has never been much for snuggles but I still try to get them when I can. He is going to camp two days a week to help with the non-verbal children and to be a junior counselor. Not sure he is much help but he sure can talk, and talk, and talk. I am thankful for his teacher Ms. Lori for inviting him for this great opportunity. So much has changed in his life these past few months, the stability of camp is good for him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The boys had their first bath at this house. I have an area off my screened in porch that is just outside the screen door you can see in the last photo. It is tiled and I have a wired shelf out there with a few plants that were left here and watering cans and such. There is a hose there so I decided to give it my best. One dog at a time with his leash on, getting the spa treatment while the other waited on the other side of the screen nervous they were separated. Then the wet dog went inside the porch and it was on to number 2! I was quite pleased with myself that I did it and that I now have two clean boys. They are a bit like dust mops, they pick up everything from outside then come in and jump on my bed leaving a trail of leaves, grass and mulch. I have to vacuum everyday. But they are worth every minute of care and clean up because they are so full of love and really help calm me down, well when they aren't feasting on toilet paper because the bathroom door was left open anyway!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It has been a rough week here due to the situation I find myself in so I am signing off. I am emotionally and physically exhausted this week and weekend and need to rest up before my busy week starts. Take good care my friends, these are just such stressful times in the world, try to take care of yourselves. </div>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-64352325507045767132022-05-30T16:02:00.001-04:002022-05-30T16:02:58.860-04:00No more sad stories..........<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e9NfmooUUe3wEbP1mREbCrxcCjwL0T5b1toGc1hO7U4a-DpDpJNldbq-PLByyi2iRtcJ8L5yp_tyC3wKIb3gpzYeY8OcovDkeH_gTE_wwrlUYAb96fysXm2RCDAqGFiPiSpe7GSqNopKRCrDh7ZjExx9qyXsmg2Y41K4cvb495TegGJYvOmxWrXcUQ/s2048/IMG_2661.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e9NfmooUUe3wEbP1mREbCrxcCjwL0T5b1toGc1hO7U4a-DpDpJNldbq-PLByyi2iRtcJ8L5yp_tyC3wKIb3gpzYeY8OcovDkeH_gTE_wwrlUYAb96fysXm2RCDAqGFiPiSpe7GSqNopKRCrDh7ZjExx9qyXsmg2Y41K4cvb495TegGJYvOmxWrXcUQ/w640-h480/IMG_2661.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-HYZEhC3-_j6ojUZn5RUGKAMJ7KbawGOtPh3MZi1-xE_5OHfay6LZcxBhelMoKluLY0751NulsO02xwdEuNgqxpuM-PeIx2RpDcXFJ3P4pcTdsyaR63tgKpVRY5ffOyxsRUATaGtfMfbLoEjryHrouxkMxaYwAmen8cs5JpIXkRfyK2XBqbcC__F9g/s2048/IMG_2647.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYx7oSP3dVuRuFkHcsPR64idngAdYUyg1KP_HqknqsUzifVkLb2bpZXmGTONTkKXwglXSIQ3dBj_GHz7SfdhCk3X8On235nBRLTN43kw4hUACBpNCTNve_rg9sw5eD8905QScqNrKyU8dhggiIwLben8aawLCaS6ud5RolRcTHk9AFncECZVEawe84aw/s2048/IMG_2665.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYx7oSP3dVuRuFkHcsPR64idngAdYUyg1KP_HqknqsUzifVkLb2bpZXmGTONTkKXwglXSIQ3dBj_GHz7SfdhCk3X8On235nBRLTN43kw4hUACBpNCTNve_rg9sw5eD8905QScqNrKyU8dhggiIwLben8aawLCaS6ud5RolRcTHk9AFncECZVEawe84aw/w480-h640/IMG_2665.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No more sad news, onward and upward so they say. Thank you all for your kind words and support. It is hard to move forward but there is no other choice, so here we go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought you might like to see the front of my house, it is older, about 43 years and it looks like it from the street, still it is cozy, and lovely and in a very safe place. I had to get a new roof, and repair many things on the outside and in but that is all okay, less for me to deal with later on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little Buddy's room is very cute. He is using my middle son's bed and dresser. We brought his cubbies for books and my friend gave him the desk and larger cubbies. They all fit perfectly. His other room in my big house was more of an extra media room, it was on the first floor so it was best for this little one who can't navigate stairs really well. It did not have a closet because it wasn't a bedroom, but now he has a real bedroom. It is close to the bathroom so that is helpful. He can even get himself in and out of the tub independently so that is a big step.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While I was not able to bring along much of my furniture I was thrilled to bring along several big pieces that fit beautifully. I had 12 foot ceilings in the big house, here they might be 8 or under, still things fit and I was able to bring along many family treasures that mean a lot to me. Claudia got sent a few things and my niece did as well, so not as many things are here for my kids to go through when something happens to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The big pine piece in the bedroom used to hold hymnals in a church. It is big, I mean really big but it fits perfectly. It holds all my kids photos and special things from when they were growing up. Another thing they will have to deal with when I am older or gone, but at least now it is all organized. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little Buddy is having difficulty with adjusting to everything. But we are trying to make it work for him and keep him as stable as possible. Yesterday we got to spend two hours playing a racing game at his biggest brothers apartment. Oh boy you can see the joy on that face!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you again for all your loving comments and kind thoughts.</div><br />Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-26908330556640169452022-05-27T16:04:00.002-04:002022-05-31T07:45:37.489-04:00Moving on......................<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYfBixcUO6icgAejznp2uhtsc9-KbZS4bcOZ_CsCQYvrxXa-g_oN_Wll1NKEfz2lVf5LTuNpzurqEx1KuzQyJ7PknvcnvKoH-4FINzFWK_ytC9BdDvX4mA4DO0bbZ99TZIsHbC38zp8Y2Q1Adx2zxmYRDV9YtHQfVvM6HK8MvDB-jbqiQ4DPp1OMo0Q/s2048/IMG_2631.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYfBixcUO6icgAejznp2uhtsc9-KbZS4bcOZ_CsCQYvrxXa-g_oN_Wll1NKEfz2lVf5LTuNpzurqEx1KuzQyJ7PknvcnvKoH-4FINzFWK_ytC9BdDvX4mA4DO0bbZ99TZIsHbC38zp8Y2Q1Adx2zxmYRDV9YtHQfVvM6HK8MvDB-jbqiQ4DPp1OMo0Q/w480-h640/IMG_2631.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fgaEuI6-fdhzN03S72yspXuOsXenwn7kjhyzXnc5zodtLbsqZGaHpmTHkaNJbOfpluY45OPwWkx7Q9yiQiie-UKI0np7FUURDFtPTstYVkL9ykn8Iz7SfXg5Wyqyz5SrU20lwj5ipakOCSbpJjbxi6zQlWcOK-tnp_bCfYymOm3OHpC-26c5DNsz0w/w640-h480/IMG_2621.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYn950GNvmM8BSVsF6AJaR6DowM_SZ88EY-efjdHFLv92IYTdKqKJHSrHTHjJjdth8fKPxAIoDcaTdNrGcFlHgxg1FeRvbU8rAIj66u9tQxHLXF2dtbrElQiLZvfXEcrfXsWo89VfzTxC5o0rqZLXNKuoagCDyyt1mLeVB-Jqwdxy8OyjWLynaFsB7A/s2048/IMG_2638.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYn950GNvmM8BSVsF6AJaR6DowM_SZ88EY-efjdHFLv92IYTdKqKJHSrHTHjJjdth8fKPxAIoDcaTdNrGcFlHgxg1FeRvbU8rAIj66u9tQxHLXF2dtbrElQiLZvfXEcrfXsWo89VfzTxC5o0rqZLXNKuoagCDyyt1mLeVB-Jqwdxy8OyjWLynaFsB7A/w480-h640/IMG_2638.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_a55xyH7RHv7KPfw-Ljb9Y39gZRi5iQ3E0s-uBDDRD06D-gi6pnY2gwqkamGhSrhsC-GVsi_qsMRTN9ziaQnjDYzRICN_luDf-rVlmR72VtTVQYa605VinfeLblqkWkyDcwFJd_aJMOD14-CN6z3mY-x4qL8wdsxwDRKX3HBQYt4GzWRTxLqkWgwzHA/s2048/IMG_2640.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_a55xyH7RHv7KPfw-Ljb9Y39gZRi5iQ3E0s-uBDDRD06D-gi6pnY2gwqkamGhSrhsC-GVsi_qsMRTN9ziaQnjDYzRICN_luDf-rVlmR72VtTVQYa605VinfeLblqkWkyDcwFJd_aJMOD14-CN6z3mY-x4qL8wdsxwDRKX3HBQYt4GzWRTxLqkWgwzHA/w480-h640/IMG_2640.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I'm not sure where to start after all these months so I am just going to jump in here. I have never been someone who has a way with words, far from it I admit. I work with my hands reforming crooked cranial bones and spines, I work on babies development and bigger kids with their fine motor and calming skills, words don't come into play unless I am writing reports. So hang in there with me if you can.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First off a very special thank you for those who have been concerned about Little Buddy and me, your well wishes, check-ins and love have been felt from afar. You all mean the world to me and during this difficult time just knowing I could visit all of you has helped me so much. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Much has changed in the last year. My husband and I are going through a divorce, well we will be soon. After 30 years of marriage I have had enough of all the things that I have worked thorough for years to keep my family together. I won't go into all the details because who really wants to hear all that stuff. Just know that for 30 years I have tried hard to keep this family together at great, great cost to myself and I finally reached the point in August that I had had enough. There was a red line that was crossed that I just could not make myself work through yet again. As my sister Claudia said after I called her once again in tears, " Haven't you finally had enough?" There was a big swear word in there too but I won't include it here in this post. Yes, my sister I have.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I tried hard to make it at least one more year to get my middle son through law school but at least I made it until he got through his finals for the first semester of this school year. I tried to make it until Little Buddy was just a bit older, but he can't live with all the stress and negative energy, he already has so much to deal with. I tried to make it a tad longer for my older son, so he would not feel responsible for me or for Little Buddy, but I didn't. And I can tell you the law school bubble has helped my middle boy deal with this all in a manner he can handle, submerging yourself in school is a sure way not to get too involved. My oldest has taken on a sense of authority, he has my back and even more importantly he has his brothers. He is an adult, as he reminds me and he will take on any responsibility he wants, I no longer have a say in that. He has been my rock, along with my sister and dear friends, even though I try very hard to not let my kids get in the middle on anything.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have stunned neighbors and friends, I just told a few people I work with and have worked with for years. Everyone sees the side of my husband he wants them to see, the funny charismatic, successful guy he wants them to see. He is not a bad man, he is just a very difficult husband and even though I have been reminded over and over this is tearing apart a family, I know it is best. Because keeping a family together for so long comes at great cost, mentally, physically and emotionally. And as I have wondered for years, when is it my time to find peace? I think the answer is now, or soon anyway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy and I moved to a new home three weeks ago today. It is beautiful, the perfect size and place for us, and Hank and Bear. It is a tough market to buy in, and I paid way, way more than I should have. But I paid for a safe neighborhood, a safe place for us to lay down new roots and a place for my family to be happy in. And really it is so hard to get a home, we were so, so fortunate to find this one. I feel blessed it was available and that I beat out the other 16 cash offers on this new place. It has 3 bedroom's and 2 baths, it has a two car garage which is essential if you want to get a special needs little boy in and out of the car in a rain storm. It has a back yard that is fenced in with no one behind me but a lake I can't see, trees and a rehabilitation center off the the left that I can't really see either. It has an office space in the master bedroom for me and loads of my yarn. It has an extra bedroom area where my oldest can work from two days a week. And most of all it is closer to where we hope Little Buddy will go to his special learning school when they move north in a year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have posted these photos, in no particular order as I really wanted you to see where we are and know we are going to be just fine. I left a 6 bedroom house with 5 bathrooms, an outdoor kitchen and fireplace and a pool and pool deck that needed constant cleaning. I had no idea that you could clean an entire house in under an hour, or that it would be fun to cut your own grass. My life is about to get a lot easier. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is still much to be worked out as far as days Dad has Little Buddy, when he is with me, but we will get there. Most important to me is making sure my children adapt to all of this as smoothly as possible, it is my main priority every single day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy has been accepted to his new school. He has a scholarship that I won't know the amount of until July. I had to withdrawal him from the school he has been at his whole life today, that was very emotional but they promised me they would try to get him back in if the scholarship money isn't enough for his new school. We are no longer living in the zoned area for that school. They have loved my little boy a long time even though he can be difficult at times. In the middle of all this I had to apply to get him into his new school, apply for a scholarship while my computer was broken, apply for special therapy services to help him with transitions and mild behavioral issues, all of which I could not have done without the constant support of my dear friend Holly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had so much support from my friends and my wonderful sister. They all listened to lots of ranting and raving phone calls, some just crying with little words. They have all been there for me and I have been very, very blessed. I have a sister who will come down anytime I need her and lets me talk as long as I need to. Holly, who will drop everything to load documents into her computer and fill out applications for me, and help me process all that is going on. My friend Cathy who checks on me morning and evenings to make sure I am okay and came over to move very heavy oak furniture to the perfect place after the movers left, even though she has painful hands and wrists. She brought over her daughter and son in law the day after my move to get Little Buddy's room ready as soon as his floors were done. They put together his bed, fixed my closet doors and hung bigger pictures on the wall for me. My friend Georgette has a wonderful man in her life who owns a construction company and popped right in to fix Little Buddy's sagging ceiling, put wood flooring in the smaller bedrooms and replace my roof. And my dear friend Lynda, gathered boxes for months, kept her brand new pots and pans she could not use in her new house just in case I needed them and kept Little Buddy overnight the day I moved so I could get loads done before he saw his new house. I am blessed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So we are onto new adventures now. I call this the, "Adventure House" and that is how I am trying to think of it all. An adventure that eventually will provide me with the peace I have been sorely missing for years and years. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know that with all that is going on in the world, war in the Ukraine, horrible horrible shooting's killing people because of the color of their skin, their ethnic background, or dear beautiful children in a school, I know that my news is not all that important. But you are all my friends and I needed to finally let you know what we are going through and how we are. I know many of you have been dealing with so much and I have prayed and sent love to all of you. I appreciate your friendship and loving thoughts so much.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My boys, including the ones with fur will all be fine, I will be fine although much the poorer because of this house, but we will all be okay. We will find peace eventually and I will finally be able to take a few deep breaths and relax, if I can ever even figure out how to do that. I remember each night that my boys are safe and that my 10 year old did not get killed or injured at his school this year, there is so much to be grateful for.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It might take me a while to get fully back to blogging, but know I am reading all about your lives and sending you love. Thank you for being there for me and my very special little boy who got, "sporty" glasses today. You are all so wonderful and mean the world to me. </div>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-89161473560288279552022-02-04T18:58:00.000-05:002022-02-04T18:58:00.171-05:00Checking in and a few projects..................<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim5NJNc4XmmbS64-S80TUJviJlDAcuxfAJ5NRf7vp8zRkFy2QV16WhwgBmIhQ5zTscBAietr-kELIo8y67U0zkIZUJ0dPisy0NT7fBG7Qu1s_HbD7fqT7DVPLhtCHHIgxj4D-ziIJvtPA_iBJO5Y54byABjf4mWXUWpNmrN4t8__U6oYiX8ocvZp0XEA=s3942" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="3942" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim5NJNc4XmmbS64-S80TUJviJlDAcuxfAJ5NRf7vp8zRkFy2QV16WhwgBmIhQ5zTscBAietr-kELIo8y67U0zkIZUJ0dPisy0NT7fBG7Qu1s_HbD7fqT7DVPLhtCHHIgxj4D-ziIJvtPA_iBJO5Y54byABjf4mWXUWpNmrN4t8__U6oYiX8ocvZp0XEA=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: center;">Hi my friends. Looks like I am now down to writing once a month. I'm sorry about that but I have to admit I am just so exhausted on every level. Work has been crazy although as of this week I have discharged two kids so that should lighten my load a bit. Emotional stuff continues and I am busy trying to sort things out. Life will get easier but I fear for the next six to eight months or so I am just going to be a bit of a mess. But I know that things will eventually even out and I will find my safe and peaceful place once again. Hope you can all hold on until things settle down.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Here is my growing Little Buddy, writing apology notes for the second day in a row. We are trying to make some medication changes with this little boy that might be affecting his ability to be a nice and respectful friend. Don't let that smile fool you he can be a pistol. He refused to write notes and told me he is done writing apology notes. Well that was excellent news for me because that means he is done being a pistol at school, right? He is growing, and that might be affecting him as well. There is always so much to think about with this little guy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTbx2FhGtIk_Go1eHwA_-Fs2iIPwogHS6k468BiXzRhM3dOsUoEUW71QYiJdtKeTobHBhrhMVzwFfj-FdfJYQttbJg8WGKNsM2fSIHRHjMt93zK94HivUgkjc0SspTfuq2_sW4ddgzBUPaWSceJaLkhHfKP7pkJ5d6AVuahKEj1LoLRSBecibP_ztsKg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTbx2FhGtIk_Go1eHwA_-Fs2iIPwogHS6k468BiXzRhM3dOsUoEUW71QYiJdtKeTobHBhrhMVzwFfj-FdfJYQttbJg8WGKNsM2fSIHRHjMt93zK94HivUgkjc0SspTfuq2_sW4ddgzBUPaWSceJaLkhHfKP7pkJ5d6AVuahKEj1LoLRSBecibP_ztsKg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKzcVJAoesMmNth0c2SSNPyJUiWCpyAuosvuFvanZPNimSAFVMN2Hzhc0Q1_ae-Q1nUxP5wjIa0vGZVDHdFYcl7bQuUhWtWspEFLugfippLZCHD4s81JO_craYEnJMDw718dv1ZE1Zbcr9CodYzIjY710Jg67lxPR0OjpoUJ7oS8DNJTcqcxrdjPuGTA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKzcVJAoesMmNth0c2SSNPyJUiWCpyAuosvuFvanZPNimSAFVMN2Hzhc0Q1_ae-Q1nUxP5wjIa0vGZVDHdFYcl7bQuUhWtWspEFLugfippLZCHD4s81JO_craYEnJMDw718dv1ZE1Zbcr9CodYzIjY710Jg67lxPR0OjpoUJ7oS8DNJTcqcxrdjPuGTA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I have been very busy knitting. This is a shorter version of the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harebell-3">harebell</a> sweater. I finished it in the middle of January. I used Berroco Remix yarn in the color New Leaf. Just over four skeins of yarn used. I used size 8 needle for the body, size 7 for the bottom, front and collar ribbing and size 6 for the wrist ribbing. I started the bottom ribbing at about 12 inches form the arm edge, you can make it shorter or a lot longer like the pattern states. I have already started another one.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3Knbiut-5ngMeq-n85MRsmezR6tSWcEjVo7IXPuENaBnyyQKHNo_OUagcEqBad-3Z5ha1m7uFrXeeUjlsfanhQCS8toQA_8wBpMsDGbenijLLhvhQBlAdcB8TbUzrB6d6jMTfYpkzsJE-iOT7YAUDM06QQn4hplPo6Khuss0IqIo5AmUtH6ZIP76hRA=s3575" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3575" data-original-width="2458" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3Knbiut-5ngMeq-n85MRsmezR6tSWcEjVo7IXPuENaBnyyQKHNo_OUagcEqBad-3Z5ha1m7uFrXeeUjlsfanhQCS8toQA_8wBpMsDGbenijLLhvhQBlAdcB8TbUzrB6d6jMTfYpkzsJE-iOT7YAUDM06QQn4hplPo6Khuss0IqIo5AmUtH6ZIP76hRA=w440-h640" width="440" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSsHgeJol_9H3IQz1NPL_rQ723v35-fqyYrCnmKyAxqy6evCRkJNb8tgHV3VNATXyGN9JHFuYpXlej0yEmqq3XYYrYUDlbgtWbhgO6Z0wa8vOLlNzkfEe2k4U16-p6283lK5NEz7nyX_8Nnan8ZZgzfsx3LgYHLeQ_uEb92udlSZ_Bwmm-zMmyBCMZww=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSsHgeJol_9H3IQz1NPL_rQ723v35-fqyYrCnmKyAxqy6evCRkJNb8tgHV3VNATXyGN9JHFuYpXlej0yEmqq3XYYrYUDlbgtWbhgO6Z0wa8vOLlNzkfEe2k4U16-p6283lK5NEz7nyX_8Nnan8ZZgzfsx3LgYHLeQ_uEb92udlSZ_Bwmm-zMmyBCMZww=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Another baby blanket ripple has been completed. This one for another great niece or nephew. Made with Berroco Pima 100, in the colors mint and Sea Holly, the colors are more vibrant than these photos. A size H Hook was used and almost the entire 1,090 yards of yarn in the five skeins purchased for this blanket. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKdWNRYg7qqbA_tx5yrJmf2QNEoP91Ohyov4gjbcca7AreYJjwID7As9rm4JEmAxglCsIFN0-fbcmFxZFXWjfjuA4ywPXWWVFXZCQLmZlSiqb9PYQL_p2fYsIvzUT7nPYMxitco8rpFWQndLrhkubGNaSCtb_CRUJrMF-itmwR-uvvhXelPf6dUb9N6A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKdWNRYg7qqbA_tx5yrJmf2QNEoP91Ohyov4gjbcca7AreYJjwID7As9rm4JEmAxglCsIFN0-fbcmFxZFXWjfjuA4ywPXWWVFXZCQLmZlSiqb9PYQL_p2fYsIvzUT7nPYMxitco8rpFWQndLrhkubGNaSCtb_CRUJrMF-itmwR-uvvhXelPf6dUb9N6A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And just for fun because I had this faux fur in my stash a crochet cowl with a big button you can button anywhere you want to create all sorts of fun wearing options. Made with 48 yards of fun fur, bought to make gnome beards for Christmas presents, but I used pom poms instead. I used the biggest hook I had, a size S and made it seven double crochet stitches across, until I ran out of yarn. It is soft and fun.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUfuPfdU2q3LlzXG2AuH6_3BX8juRaYskzH-o3UIQ1B3w7g7RCV6p7mbGdJDFSyUFR6wkGf19gC5WHjHYgiTql3I5tG_AE5LT5un9UoSvioYg0h9XQqQPG3tLTt4EIOmCME0DJ6G7AUMZcvF6DNRdlu49ViBuAQWWU_-4XiK1g2aMbK1b82mWSrSLSrg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUfuPfdU2q3LlzXG2AuH6_3BX8juRaYskzH-o3UIQ1B3w7g7RCV6p7mbGdJDFSyUFR6wkGf19gC5WHjHYgiTql3I5tG_AE5LT5un9UoSvioYg0h9XQqQPG3tLTt4EIOmCME0DJ6G7AUMZcvF6DNRdlu49ViBuAQWWU_-4XiK1g2aMbK1b82mWSrSLSrg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">These two got a quick bath this morning. It was finally warm enough to do it and they were smelly. Last week we hit freezing several days in a row and it was much too cold out to be spraying them down with a hose, mostly because I get drenched.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Take care my friends. I am reading all about your lives and am cheering you on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-66264475535174238492022-01-09T15:31:00.001-05:002022-01-09T16:18:08.637-05:00Moving forward with grace..............<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL8VxDxrN2nMYy7OhJyMgkwTjnLFjsxOBli0zdb6dVDjy1wK-9H4fzleXB6j2XX96PRts3Z9T2FEWfWE7WHGptAWaNViEQUx2L4gHRMqxStfKB9t_iUrzMPjo6sxlKrUqwNTAA3Zi1skh6HbeEb-G5MyC63Iv7MXPsoL8dnKx1nHHd3HW2d9IddrE0nA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL8VxDxrN2nMYy7OhJyMgkwTjnLFjsxOBli0zdb6dVDjy1wK-9H4fzleXB6j2XX96PRts3Z9T2FEWfWE7WHGptAWaNViEQUx2L4gHRMqxStfKB9t_iUrzMPjo6sxlKrUqwNTAA3Zi1skh6HbeEb-G5MyC63Iv7MXPsoL8dnKx1nHHd3HW2d9IddrE0nA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixcktf6wxduYCL8y8KY6J5P2ZV_GaQGNqjumt-2hW2tK-w8V_GZpW8iB68FgpH2MrPbVQudt9OH5k5k1MkxMyYBazVQKeYmbRBfK2WWCUUBgIS-Ca-r5orhDt-WWt_h9GBiUMx4HvXqy6QJYRFnjKwr2agZLMD8_4I4DOdL74Db4HSTW5UiKAVyl5_Pg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixcktf6wxduYCL8y8KY6J5P2ZV_GaQGNqjumt-2hW2tK-w8V_GZpW8iB68FgpH2MrPbVQudt9OH5k5k1MkxMyYBazVQKeYmbRBfK2WWCUUBgIS-Ca-r5orhDt-WWt_h9GBiUMx4HvXqy6QJYRFnjKwr2agZLMD8_4I4DOdL74Db4HSTW5UiKAVyl5_Pg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU-UGhxPA9dTDcGLUPZE4srWOTW8V4M7lWy6omGbSYO3Kya7uv7QHtkbG-v072yMAyQ1xz4xcaTQnA7X-Q1haUHsVmMtBlg_6vouS4GgeaHQXHYoQeACuTdxH6NieBg5b5LNkv1k-NnNiI3onpMFoABTwjbL5DkNg8TgoZKvyeHRWcvSqwzvncGJtV5Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU-UGhxPA9dTDcGLUPZE4srWOTW8V4M7lWy6omGbSYO3Kya7uv7QHtkbG-v072yMAyQ1xz4xcaTQnA7X-Q1haUHsVmMtBlg_6vouS4GgeaHQXHYoQeACuTdxH6NieBg5b5LNkv1k-NnNiI3onpMFoABTwjbL5DkNg8TgoZKvyeHRWcvSqwzvncGJtV5Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIwimE614La9upt8obijPqG6StEBgbGwLFQvi_H2SuB9qImW2GhNgyL-WTTg1Vr-x_ExBmjniqkCeS9n9SxNsHlybvFTpQnRN3fHqZWA-ycYSuUygyD55W2E7ZrsA2OeyjCX1FB-bdUE_zILNpV7pydHEJc7e8QMEACBmsaX-s0zE6WXdVAzgDvmiDqQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIwimE614La9upt8obijPqG6StEBgbGwLFQvi_H2SuB9qImW2GhNgyL-WTTg1Vr-x_ExBmjniqkCeS9n9SxNsHlybvFTpQnRN3fHqZWA-ycYSuUygyD55W2E7ZrsA2OeyjCX1FB-bdUE_zILNpV7pydHEJc7e8QMEACBmsaX-s0zE6WXdVAzgDvmiDqQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvx-W1a8P9NMPWmPZan8tkyewDeDZZ17TH0O_S-prGaKqokjdiNsl_dBbYmAbvsqKqxipQnMUjLoj5dnWKe3nhyhXl6AmXW76s5lOGQj7uqVap24DMrFtHXqwJBx-ja_K1xsi4kmHG7AwbWSFDruQBjcz0Ajm0dySfHmZhgioQbTpkAmyBthfnq4EcyA=s3088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvx-W1a8P9NMPWmPZan8tkyewDeDZZ17TH0O_S-prGaKqokjdiNsl_dBbYmAbvsqKqxipQnMUjLoj5dnWKe3nhyhXl6AmXW76s5lOGQj7uqVap24DMrFtHXqwJBx-ja_K1xsi4kmHG7AwbWSFDruQBjcz0Ajm0dySfHmZhgioQbTpkAmyBthfnq4EcyA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hello, my friends and welcome to 2022. Little Buddy and I have been busy on my few days off during winter break and the weekends, going to lots of parks and riding his bike. It is gorgeous here, please don't hate me as it will be horrible here just as it is getting beautiful where you live. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today we went to the park for the playground and went for a walk on the boardwalk of Lake Tarpon and walked far enough we made it to the five-story lookout tower. Little Buddy didn't even hesitate, up he went, step after step until we made it to the very top. At the top we were above most of the trees with just a few pine trees still hovering above us. It was so beautiful outside; I wish you could have all been there to enjoy it with us. Here we are, selfies I never take, but we were happy and having such a wonderful time I wanted to capture the moment, even not showered and make-up free. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been knitting and buying yet even more yarn to really up my stash. I found out that my favorite yarn store will be closing, they are retiring to spend more time in their home in North Carolina. So of course, I have been buying more yarn for sweaters and now will go back to get some to make for baby blankets for the future. My stash is getting quite magnificent! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know many of you pick a word for the new year. I have done this in the past to just forget about it after a month or two. This year I am picking a phrase, <b><i>moving forward with grace.</i></b> I am moving forward on many levels this year whether I want to or not. There will be decisions about new schooling opportunities for Little Buddy, selling our home and moving to a much smaller more manageable place. There are years of things to sort out here before that can happen and a new roof that must be on before we can put this house on the market. Many other changes are happening as well, but those are all in the future and no need to be discussed at this point. Right now, one little boy is my priority, making sure he is in the right place for his education and transitioning him to a new home, none of which will be easy. So, I am asking for grace in my life every day, to handle all of these major changes with grace, peace and ease, none of which I feel I have an abundance of.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am still here, thank you Barbara for checking on us. I want to wish you all a wonderful 2022, certainly it has to be better than the last two years. Stay safe. Two family members of mine have had the latest version of Covid and they have been very ill. Stay smart and safe. </div>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-54912459646894081582021-12-24T15:51:00.001-05:002021-12-24T15:51:11.960-05:00Merry Christmas<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzKtqzoqXjEhAgWYh802K1yKo4AIEHa1TsTM8rh5M_n7-FZQlFAWFE-duZ-rdpuP50u1VrG6XAtK5-FMo9U-Iwxsi_TlMsa74HIggkWmAuRO2h_dt-5d4Zk5sxPHjvROlJRYoLpQpdpsjFTKrd0mQMLcqbO9jZPXMDYAru7oTLRHNZvf9VBf1UAY0Xig=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzKtqzoqXjEhAgWYh802K1yKo4AIEHa1TsTM8rh5M_n7-FZQlFAWFE-duZ-rdpuP50u1VrG6XAtK5-FMo9U-Iwxsi_TlMsa74HIggkWmAuRO2h_dt-5d4Zk5sxPHjvROlJRYoLpQpdpsjFTKrd0mQMLcqbO9jZPXMDYAru7oTLRHNZvf9VBf1UAY0Xig=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas my friends. Hope all of you celebrating have a wonderful and peaceful day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifCCAc8H37GxAwVLBJVsLa_6nKpy2J8zsYcJi5jueKs-AWceTpEpfFe8vVylZ0diIc8azA6jTRnsVv-JGREH5I3J4W2PM9QcIvXsG3aEHl6tMqLDSwA1HLLhbbB488ly2I-nIjoYMDzg44hsuSXq27ciBiq8ZSS6xPFWn9sFHAgDEya897oK21Azqtug=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifCCAc8H37GxAwVLBJVsLa_6nKpy2J8zsYcJi5jueKs-AWceTpEpfFe8vVylZ0diIc8azA6jTRnsVv-JGREH5I3J4W2PM9QcIvXsG3aEHl6tMqLDSwA1HLLhbbB488ly2I-nIjoYMDzg44hsuSXq27ciBiq8ZSS6xPFWn9sFHAgDEya897oK21Azqtug=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br />Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-26081358531000561142021-12-12T15:39:00.002-05:002021-12-12T15:42:05.818-05:00Checking in..................<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI_0oRd9kBtSK_U8gttvjmTEX9S4X99WoULGhRLkAt0mlp28Hzj6jC-AKwoNzSEzuxpenIqjwc0PGKpUX4n6Sx6iprm-XM6k1ozQoLQP8hAhwo_w4PAn9tctJ72JtiAZ5ZV5n4oiO7L2HRxsUovDtSt154VqABm0eN12KlLGK56a9h44tgbHfwSJhnPQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI_0oRd9kBtSK_U8gttvjmTEX9S4X99WoULGhRLkAt0mlp28Hzj6jC-AKwoNzSEzuxpenIqjwc0PGKpUX4n6Sx6iprm-XM6k1ozQoLQP8hAhwo_w4PAn9tctJ72JtiAZ5ZV5n4oiO7L2HRxsUovDtSt154VqABm0eN12KlLGK56a9h44tgbHfwSJhnPQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I am checking in to tell you all you are missed. I really miss the opportunity to visit and have a bit of a back and forth conversation in the comment section. Life continues to baffle me and create great stress and fatigue. This little boy brightens most of my days and gives me a real run for my money on others. It is a good thing he is cute because that far out weighs the bad times and all the stress his many complex issues create. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN_1GZEIClfcIr0JItwUxVb_aw5LWekQwecNnEP4XZEFXz6Qnqpz_UlGg8Sl-SHNYITiLxyZkZXj8C3lzEVQRxhY9_oHnwBN2DK1DEYLVH2F6aolqdd23IVJvMswZiAvI4GyroXDOWeUIDCAC7eKvk5kMdPSTMAiOCJcFap2VhTS-gw5qUcgqHRQ7tDg=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN_1GZEIClfcIr0JItwUxVb_aw5LWekQwecNnEP4XZEFXz6Qnqpz_UlGg8Sl-SHNYITiLxyZkZXj8C3lzEVQRxhY9_oHnwBN2DK1DEYLVH2F6aolqdd23IVJvMswZiAvI4GyroXDOWeUIDCAC7eKvk5kMdPSTMAiOCJcFap2VhTS-gw5qUcgqHRQ7tDg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsthdJLd-amyNctCMz6GEkvgVHYDSzOoQPDxvjKeGby0g_JoPxzGSwMc0vWhu9czb7sJz-zGmRvARknC_DyO9u38-gQRELMtl5-JdkxsxIMEc6LCFJccOBRGrII7Fp-D8g_Eg7Yl-jkGnEtM4f2BGW_Z4E8dSI-8x2z6Hf9LjaGfBIYXoUVBA6hR2f-g=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsthdJLd-amyNctCMz6GEkvgVHYDSzOoQPDxvjKeGby0g_JoPxzGSwMc0vWhu9czb7sJz-zGmRvARknC_DyO9u38-gQRELMtl5-JdkxsxIMEc6LCFJccOBRGrII7Fp-D8g_Eg7Yl-jkGnEtM4f2BGW_Z4E8dSI-8x2z6Hf9LjaGfBIYXoUVBA6hR2f-g=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /> Eighteen of these cuties were made last week and put together last Sunday. They are for friends, teachers and therapists all of whom take great care of Little Buddy. They are super fun to make and very easy. I made them last year as well. You can find the pattern for these here at <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gnome-christmas-tree-ornaments">Crochet Gnome Christmas Tree Ornaments by Ashley Parker</a>. I used Big Twist Twinkle Yarn in the color silver and a size G hook. The 380 yards of yarn made all 18 of these hats with just a smidge to spare. The pom poms were purchased at Joann's over the year, when I saw one this color I would pop it in my basket.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYrviZxi65ugmk2rGYeQVQv_sGjXh1TVwAWBkHaLK1aU_5fUkiQWU58bW7PXAYbGH1b102Hs9ziPqFdC3adVME8ry1_c3KJSzRarkO04D48HFz3mym2mAwHwhNY5vFCFhmBhEKyOPcLEQ13hY7m1CO97vJeMnWzSCR1rVIvfhBBVs8AROPv4YbZA5ijg=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYrviZxi65ugmk2rGYeQVQv_sGjXh1TVwAWBkHaLK1aU_5fUkiQWU58bW7PXAYbGH1b102Hs9ziPqFdC3adVME8ry1_c3KJSzRarkO04D48HFz3mym2mAwHwhNY5vFCFhmBhEKyOPcLEQ13hY7m1CO97vJeMnWzSCR1rVIvfhBBVs8AROPv4YbZA5ijg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioMB99NtgxClD865mo6IUcrVf9UBi243HvbSgzafz8Wk2YSjbi8J_vd10-edDa5X0N9gGbxkpyeXharxG4YaiyEOfcgqoEkhNhlcQu7OXG-T5KpGPPdQogQLoWGWneXg7G82VCI3-Mz70fIjw-FgCFEHMY6zBaqAwo9oXHgtBXagJaYq0oNqoSse6k6A=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioMB99NtgxClD865mo6IUcrVf9UBi243HvbSgzafz8Wk2YSjbi8J_vd10-edDa5X0N9gGbxkpyeXharxG4YaiyEOfcgqoEkhNhlcQu7OXG-T5KpGPPdQogQLoWGWneXg7G82VCI3-Mz70fIjw-FgCFEHMY6zBaqAwo9oXHgtBXagJaYq0oNqoSse6k6A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU9YFJDjxpHiyCgTgFr6jaFTHdnPvLFEAGE6FHXEfLKR6MeDZ_vh0sElrhwVSjWTPaUr_nb6MK6lnJ_hzo6NLy9K44zDka2vvG9H80ATH7yzYzYVQrYD7sotRjYm9PrAAY7xxDcBbLJ-SEqqy_wSVpvyuesewA8bOoEFqumHXx568iTIXxKbG136tGMw=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU9YFJDjxpHiyCgTgFr6jaFTHdnPvLFEAGE6FHXEfLKR6MeDZ_vh0sElrhwVSjWTPaUr_nb6MK6lnJ_hzo6NLy9K44zDka2vvG9H80ATH7yzYzYVQrYD7sotRjYm9PrAAY7xxDcBbLJ-SEqqy_wSVpvyuesewA8bOoEFqumHXx568iTIXxKbG136tGMw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harebell-3">Harebell</a> #6 is off the needles as of yesterday (sorry for the wonky photos). After playing yarn chicken with my last Harebell made of Berroco Remix I decided to make this one an inch shorter in the body and arms, yet I failed miserably and lost the yarn chicken game. I had to take out the ribbing in a finished sleeve, feed the yarn into the next sleeve and find a way to make it all work. I added dark stipes of a deep purple wool I had in my stash from projects to the wrist ribbing, and added deep purple flower buttons to match, also from my stash. Is it a major yarn deficit or a creative design element? You choose.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Made with size 8 needles for the body, 7 for the bottom ribbing and front ribs as well as the collar, and size 6 for the wrist ribbing. Five skeins of Berroco Remix in the color Periwinkle, all of the 1080 yards of yarn were used, if indeed there were 1,080 yards of yarn in these skeins. Another one is getting started today, but this one will be more waist length so there is no chance of running out of yarn again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiau8yaky7pSDRDfDcMKvvOh5hMe_tMbZErFnBSCuxNiLp95ZWX5uirvbY5CqB76BfwmMkIRl1IHdnmN7IlmxjLIG1388XT9tw2pe1MST_IseZxKb3ipokOW_zT_UzHiJSvNp4fjguXrUdysnsEKFho5E1okl5l3LaAHFiDfGodcqsbpAhwiWjZd9k2tw=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiau8yaky7pSDRDfDcMKvvOh5hMe_tMbZErFnBSCuxNiLp95ZWX5uirvbY5CqB76BfwmMkIRl1IHdnmN7IlmxjLIG1388XT9tw2pe1MST_IseZxKb3ipokOW_zT_UzHiJSvNp4fjguXrUdysnsEKFho5E1okl5l3LaAHFiDfGodcqsbpAhwiWjZd9k2tw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">For years I have used up as much of my stash as I could. Weaning myself from buying yarn unless absolutely necessary. But now I am on a yarn replenishing project with a vengeance. Yarn makes me feel safe, I know that might sound silly but in all the turbulence of my life right now yarn is making me feel safe, and more in control. So here is my yarn cabinet full as can be. There is a basket of cottons and another with a bulky velour type yarn from Lion Brand not seen in this picture and that is it, my complete yarn stash. A stash that I just might keep adding to. There is no rule on how much yarn anyone can have and if I calculated this right I have about 20 sweaters to make over the next several years and a few shawls and cowls, oh and one velour type crocheted throw.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYZHhjvZXDvIk4d-V0bS2MRuvctROxpaQJ8Tqpw3hY9r1zJudukIOcK5iEUebyIX86tocViu7L0MEWeVYE4nbpZnVNK_wxYDfIW-gIVLnCOP0Hnq4-8wK2Q8Ez_WX8bWUo_psIVx2ySMgQlCrnjD-_G-6r1dSCwc04bdvuEXO77MEhDAO8aNxNNlBYLA=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYZHhjvZXDvIk4d-V0bS2MRuvctROxpaQJ8Tqpw3hY9r1zJudukIOcK5iEUebyIX86tocViu7L0MEWeVYE4nbpZnVNK_wxYDfIW-gIVLnCOP0Hnq4-8wK2Q8Ez_WX8bWUo_psIVx2ySMgQlCrnjD-_G-6r1dSCwc04bdvuEXO77MEhDAO8aNxNNlBYLA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9576Va6B7OYX-8aLC5o5wU2Mck806IXqaOIaeYjUmV81pDMdMjhdi0rjoo_NCKa8HRhtmseIZPM-Mk3E4knAnpJYyM5b_cxgOgBJ_xNozxnhMXE94dnOoBxUTX23gv4O2O0ZtIAQNiS-8dubSaeM1M-AsmKI2vhmxScVUJ5JqGamWmUAnxaNC6jAFdA=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9576Va6B7OYX-8aLC5o5wU2Mck806IXqaOIaeYjUmV81pDMdMjhdi0rjoo_NCKa8HRhtmseIZPM-Mk3E4knAnpJYyM5b_cxgOgBJ_xNozxnhMXE94dnOoBxUTX23gv4O2O0ZtIAQNiS-8dubSaeM1M-AsmKI2vhmxScVUJ5JqGamWmUAnxaNC6jAFdA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">And just in time for the holiday's my various Christmas Cactuses are thriving. You know this is not my favorite time of year or my favorite holiday, yet I only have two more things to purchase and everything to wrap. I have been pushing myself to get it done, which is not easy with my current work schedule, all of Little Buddy's many complex needs, and my current state of mind. Still I am calling it a win that my boys and their significant others should be happy with their presents, and Little Buddy with his many surprises.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I miss you all, I really, really do. I wish you the very best as you travel through this holiday season.</p>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-19234548251956060742021-11-12T18:38:00.001-05:002021-11-13T07:11:09.603-05:00A lost tooth and a new sweater........<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b7IzOEdKDim92BqubrUWWDkUC2SnlCFyT3ugFgyFegb6z4NPsFWjMWos2-bvHEpKlINXd55F19oxf9Kn9u3ubt05j0jr8h8-qyH6CxB45GGKgEQ1hqdUgjFhkYMR05O6ii-1FCWCH-ok/s2048/IMG_2158%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b7IzOEdKDim92BqubrUWWDkUC2SnlCFyT3ugFgyFegb6z4NPsFWjMWos2-bvHEpKlINXd55F19oxf9Kn9u3ubt05j0jr8h8-qyH6CxB45GGKgEQ1hqdUgjFhkYMR05O6ii-1FCWCH-ok/w480-h640/IMG_2158%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2R9Jy_OTfX-t643S25AZ9d30z_cO97XS_lvbE2BT1CSC2oa2EdL0OUhian4ckMGtBUg15v30excXySCfpclCa6Xc42nIWkuPZDSCKtbXg32y0gMzSXfd7Ox3MjTBv4WKbhgLjwq-VYX1/s2048/IMG_2161%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2R9Jy_OTfX-t643S25AZ9d30z_cO97XS_lvbE2BT1CSC2oa2EdL0OUhian4ckMGtBUg15v30excXySCfpclCa6Xc42nIWkuPZDSCKtbXg32y0gMzSXfd7Ox3MjTBv4WKbhgLjwq-VYX1/w480-h640/IMG_2161%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIjf3tATSpe15uv0LxrUDn6LaCBFYwhvGRGVZXgphkq7OxP7HY2s17Xd2g42SS4qFufzmpbWGTxvfOrn3RcdMVzSTwGGVM9zKTYLnfOFyCvRjFiNMnBjY3fVmOrGsBpEh_8E5YkJ1YIj3/s2048/IMG_2163%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIjf3tATSpe15uv0LxrUDn6LaCBFYwhvGRGVZXgphkq7OxP7HY2s17Xd2g42SS4qFufzmpbWGTxvfOrn3RcdMVzSTwGGVM9zKTYLnfOFyCvRjFiNMnBjY3fVmOrGsBpEh_8E5YkJ1YIj3/w480-h640/IMG_2163%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGgrWefqb3EyMwXgA39IW-QQjg57EoI0cNGcruRV-Q3ZuCtAL7jtWvVapJEIA9XcfsQzszKExDM3V20Sg2Aa10NcyOqAEFwwlv8L52IxuVfcZ89A4nA0lbMGdDvxccEWuGcLgL9EHFJy4/s2048/IMG_2165%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGgrWefqb3EyMwXgA39IW-QQjg57EoI0cNGcruRV-Q3ZuCtAL7jtWvVapJEIA9XcfsQzszKExDM3V20Sg2Aa10NcyOqAEFwwlv8L52IxuVfcZ89A4nA0lbMGdDvxccEWuGcLgL9EHFJy4/w480-h640/IMG_2165%25282%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Just popping in for a quick hello. I hope you are all enjoying Autumn or Spring depending on where you live. Life continues to be really busy and challenging for me right now. I feel sometimes I am holding on by my fingernails, which are very short by the way. So for now and for the foreseeable future I will pop in to read your blogs and post a quick post now and again. Not the way I like it but it has to be this way for a while, I hope you all understand.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Buddy lost a surprise tooth last weekend. The Tooth Fairy paid a visit but I believe one of his coins was knocked behind his bed. He is a coin man right now, sometimes its bills and other times coins. The Tooth Fairy has to have a stash of options, just in case. He can tell you to the penny how much money he has, he is a smart one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had another finish. While I am not blogging much I am knitting like a maniac. Knitting soothes my soul, it helps when things are overwhelming to me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harebell-3">Harebell</a> number 5. Every time I make this sweater I get off count, I think there might be a problem or error with the front increases on the size small because making this one, and a new one I have gotten far off stitch count. When I made the size medium with thinner weight yarn it all worked out perfectly. Still I am knitting on and adapting as much as I can. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Made with Berroco Remix in the color smoke. Size 8 needles for the body/sleeves, 7 for the ribbing at the bottom, fronts and collar, and size 6 for the ribbing on the sleeves. I made the arms a bit too long, and actually ran out of yarn on the second sleeve ribbing and had to use a similar color for the last 4 stitches of the bind off. I should have been paying attention and realized bigger needles makes the whole thing work out much faster, thus my lack of attention at the sleeve length. Still no one will know and that is the closet I have ever come to running out of yarn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Five balls were used for a total of 1080 yards of yarn. Remix ix a super affordable and lovely yarn. I am using it again to make number 6, in periwinkle. Each yarn choice makes this sweater look completely different even though I am using the same pattern. It is my favorite pattern by far.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you are all well, I miss you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-39626079874086056982021-10-30T13:39:00.003-04:002021-10-30T18:15:12.587-04:00Happy Halloween Weekend<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_EM8q0_LFlBxxGXdSgJIqGidyXf24qWYRY5SVw9En2n-1IUiCAcDppGG5Id2gfG0j5TK16UBIWaOHIaiMiEaMRIZGf1Sgdj8TVEpmi1jTGA4QLGr3wDxOc1hVrBRw_Xb-s0__iYwrt1G/s2048/IMG_2133%2528Edited%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_EM8q0_LFlBxxGXdSgJIqGidyXf24qWYRY5SVw9En2n-1IUiCAcDppGG5Id2gfG0j5TK16UBIWaOHIaiMiEaMRIZGf1Sgdj8TVEpmi1jTGA4QLGr3wDxOc1hVrBRw_Xb-s0__iYwrt1G/w480-h640/IMG_2133%2528Edited%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvxs2uNS_CXbn-eEQd6lIQFWgLelRBnS-KAJZk2SdEz3qvebAptyNqF0-9U7Wc4vE0qbnI0BmhiyD89O2KBOjGbCrPUsPkXIXFpY0_gBaGpp-Suf1lHMdeOX2NZXdUR0vGuOI6jWv6cyz/s2048/IMG_2130%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvxs2uNS_CXbn-eEQd6lIQFWgLelRBnS-KAJZk2SdEz3qvebAptyNqF0-9U7Wc4vE0qbnI0BmhiyD89O2KBOjGbCrPUsPkXIXFpY0_gBaGpp-Suf1lHMdeOX2NZXdUR0vGuOI6jWv6cyz/w480-h640/IMG_2130%25282%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIFJTxESM0Rit-THf-0agSin55dpvEmWbi28UXElf9Nt4lQDhxSh3kEDLFdna6ShyGefcvBH_dKMFgoY8famE3doDWLYZwMqzWbIGm-vJeRmBCAY0V9oAhpRZdzkeeKcRVDux_vJAwELt/s2048/IMG_2127%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIFJTxESM0Rit-THf-0agSin55dpvEmWbi28UXElf9Nt4lQDhxSh3kEDLFdna6ShyGefcvBH_dKMFgoY8famE3doDWLYZwMqzWbIGm-vJeRmBCAY0V9oAhpRZdzkeeKcRVDux_vJAwELt/w480-h640/IMG_2127%25282%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZWjdAjj3TGZoyxC4UdJA4kRg1K3iVkeUnbuotLqOO3cwApobAew3VgeYyqkraGsx38x75J0cmgbohuRdDfj9i_Nx0_ptKSqSHQJcp6VGGODRbxvy-jZk1QvjTwlLrtZ5FOiCod-ZSKAy/s2048/IMG_2121%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZWjdAjj3TGZoyxC4UdJA4kRg1K3iVkeUnbuotLqOO3cwApobAew3VgeYyqkraGsx38x75J0cmgbohuRdDfj9i_Nx0_ptKSqSHQJcp6VGGODRbxvy-jZk1QvjTwlLrtZ5FOiCod-ZSKAy/w480-h640/IMG_2121%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Halloween Weekend to all of you from my Minecraft Creeper. This Creeper had a party this morning at his social gardening club. Apparently he didn't have all that much fun and didn't want to participate very much. I guess that is just how Creepers are. We came home and immediately washed that itchy green paint out of his hair and he was back in pajamas by 1:00. Today will be a quiet day. It is the first coolish day we have had so far this Autumn. It isn't even 70 degrees out! Add in a bit of cloudy skies and I feel we are full on into cooler weather but I am sure the joke is on me there, this is Florida and it always seems to be warmer than it should be. The boys and Luna were not thrilled with the photo shoot. Well the boys are used to this sort of thing, but Luna did not want to be a bunny for Halloween that is for sure. Look at her grumpy bunny face!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish you all a good weekend whatever you do. And I thank you for visiting even with my lack of commenting on your blogs. I am still dealing with a whole lot and my energy levels are almost as low as they can get. Stay safe my friends and thank you for visiting here in this space of mine. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And a Happy Birthday to my oldest son tomorrow. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday and his birth on this day was an extra special treat. He will now be known as Mr. 28!</div>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787570018101441310.post-27572434049427450212021-10-17T18:37:00.001-04:002021-10-17T18:37:35.033-04:00Pumpkin Patch and park............<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtvQEVgqMtGms0_q6kswQMHKPqFknl6zq7AvNRFLrYgGPUE4O-fCEOY8okThQS55pG_uZ1U9f1GjBhBf6OfXj1wMq4J-7YiN9XEvY3mc3A8ns_un9M5aNzHAaKQHhnJv8p4CAiJZHAYBR/s640/IMG_2083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtvQEVgqMtGms0_q6kswQMHKPqFknl6zq7AvNRFLrYgGPUE4O-fCEOY8okThQS55pG_uZ1U9f1GjBhBf6OfXj1wMq4J-7YiN9XEvY3mc3A8ns_un9M5aNzHAaKQHhnJv8p4CAiJZHAYBR/w640-h480/IMG_2083.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoENWGHDVOkr4vOO7n15srZgJk08IebiAhOexbN5ONPdwWzh8EG_2qOtCjbpk0ti4O4aKwPVwf0hYMwk7gUgm5hdZnDWx9X04Pt3TcJvItPFgtmXRdfPj6t8jDO_0hyphenhyphenBXTDxXej97Zt5q/s2048/IMG_2097%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoENWGHDVOkr4vOO7n15srZgJk08IebiAhOexbN5ONPdwWzh8EG_2qOtCjbpk0ti4O4aKwPVwf0hYMwk7gUgm5hdZnDWx9X04Pt3TcJvItPFgtmXRdfPj6t8jDO_0hyphenhyphenBXTDxXej97Zt5q/w480-h640/IMG_2097%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wdUVZB7JTuydzhaUgFfIW1HYa6kg842J5WHfYLAjkzP_UupwsyHlpcVdE5TS0ST9OEoxFZQOulrsbbAwggnNdknxuClkOSbdM3msHYIJGczcpCs76ZPo6ifsclKtlV4Aw0ublxtPey4g/s2048/IMG_2095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wdUVZB7JTuydzhaUgFfIW1HYa6kg842J5WHfYLAjkzP_UupwsyHlpcVdE5TS0ST9OEoxFZQOulrsbbAwggnNdknxuClkOSbdM3msHYIJGczcpCs76ZPo6ifsclKtlV4Aw0ublxtPey4g/w640-h480/IMG_2095.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0r3j1hVk2Q7fMUyX2qU3p-plVqsL7jPYvxJiSSPmWCjoYbtUVDgQc_r0lywKoqsVGpLO5ypdQwVUBn215QC2GmSogw1HOaJPD9IoYR_VaokFeSmmbQmGTBLGOBbCobpLn3CL6JMfJeQy/s2048/IMG_2100%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0r3j1hVk2Q7fMUyX2qU3p-plVqsL7jPYvxJiSSPmWCjoYbtUVDgQc_r0lywKoqsVGpLO5ypdQwVUBn215QC2GmSogw1HOaJPD9IoYR_VaokFeSmmbQmGTBLGOBbCobpLn3CL6JMfJeQy/w480-h640/IMG_2100%25282%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ-hJGdw838hw1-AnJ6toZQJfGfaxbd-swiZdvX_UpI153eB3ZJ9ztojlJeIaAHDVlvfNUTpoLqd2Usg83l2zXJZhWjZy19-NMNgJovLn41AipVZ6thRpkVVbSPUwoKFo-d7KPgxGAAL-/s2048/IMG_2102%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ-hJGdw838hw1-AnJ6toZQJfGfaxbd-swiZdvX_UpI153eB3ZJ9ztojlJeIaAHDVlvfNUTpoLqd2Usg83l2zXJZhWjZy19-NMNgJovLn41AipVZ6thRpkVVbSPUwoKFo-d7KPgxGAAL-/w480-h640/IMG_2102%25282%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Just popping in quickly to show you my very own pumpkin patch. I made the first 12 last weekend and 9 more this weekend. The first batch were made with a 3/2 rib, so knit 3 and purl 2, the next side is knit 2 and purl 3. I varied the stitch count, 35 being the largest, knit until it was 9 inches. I liked the 25-30 stitch range working to 6 or 7 inches. I even did a smaller version of 15 stitches knitting until it was 5 inches long. After making the rectangle of your preferred size, sew up the side seams and then catch the bottom stitches every other stitch so you can pull it all together tightly. Next turn it right side out and stick that long tail through the bottom, right at the center, it will look like a little hat at this point with a tail sticking out the top. Stuff your pumpkin, place the long tail on a needle and pop it thorough the stuffing right in the middle. Catch the top stitches and pull tightly, use a bit of a knot to hold it all together and there you have a pumpkin shape. Be sure you leave long tails of yarn at the beginning of the cast on and after casting off for sewing up the sides and shape making. I made 4 stitch I-cords of various lengths for the stems. You could also use bits of sticks, crochet a stem, whatever works for you. Sew the stem on and there you have it, a fun pumpkin. This weekends patch consisted of 5/5 rib. Five knit, followed by five purl, following the pattern on the alternate side. Most of these were 25 stiches and about 6 inches long, but there were a few smaller. I have given almost all of them away, just a few left for myself. Pumpkin making is so much fun and a lot less messy than dealing with real pumpkins.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used Lion Brand Wool Ease for this project. Two skeins each of Mustard, Spice and Kale. Size 13 needles for the body and size 11 double pointed to make the stems. I-cords are super fun to make. So just shy of about 600 yards of yarn used over two weekends to make my pumpkin patch that is no longer in my house. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Funny, I was watching Gilmore Girls this weekend and happened upon the episode where Stars Hollow has a Knit-a-thon, perfect episode to knit to!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Boy and I had a trip to the park today. It was the first day that it wasn't horrendously hot and humid. We went on the playground and then took a walk by the lake. It was a beautiful day to be outside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a good week my friends. I am still not really pulling it together so know I am reading about your wonderful lives, just not commenting or spending a lot of time on the computer. </div>Mereknitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.com21