Busy couple of days.

It's been a very busy couple of days, and the busyness isn't about to slow down any day soon. I believe I've mentioned that two of my daughters work in offices with a lot of pregnant co-workers. I guess I misspoke. I had no idea that the phone call I received Friday morning, would really show me what a Lot meant...my oldest daughter has nine..yes, NINE! co-workers who are pregnant! And by the end of July, she'd like to have 4 Rainbow Crayon Ripple throws finished, 2 Heart blankets, 1 white sweater set, and 3 pink Sweater sets. Luckily for her, I was on my way out the door for some yarn shopping when she called. More about that later.

Now, add that to the middle daughter's remaining 2 Rainbow Feather & Fan Blankets, and my son's friend who is having a girl...and he travels back August 1st to school. Think I can get it finished? I had to take the Wings BSJ off the needles for the sweater sets (that baby isn't' due until August 14th), and there's also another family member, who's about to have baby girl #4, but not until November. I think I have a bit of breathing room in there somewhere.

Now, on top of the news on Friday, baby girl flew in to pick up her car and head on out back to school within 24 hours. Hi Mom! We're going to the beach Mom! Now, let's get some ice cream Mom! and GOTTA go Mom!...Whoosh! I believe she flew through here that fast!

Now, next to yarn, I love bins. I really like organizing. I started at Home Depot this week thinking I'd found some good deals...3 bins, $5.99 each, semi clear, flip tops...easy to remember what's inside. That was all good, until I looked inside one, and realized that it was busted up. See it right there on the handle area? Nope, not going to work. Don't you hate that? Not sure who I was frustrated with more..the store for having broken stuff on the shelves, or myself for not paying attention.

With all the blankets requested by the oldest one, we headed out the door on Sunday to start the trekking process of finding some Simply Soft white. This is proving to be quite the challenge. Have you noticed how 'grey' and dingy it's been lately? Rumor has it they're trying to correct it, but I'm not sure it's going to happen in time for the end of July deadline. We easily found the rainbow colors, but only 3 skeins of the 'white'. I'm really missing last year's 12 oz whites that I was able to procure for the middle daughter's requested knitted Rainbow blankets. Had I only known.

These are the bins we found at Linens and Things-2 for $10! Now, we're talking...they're larger than the flip top bins, clearer, making them easier to see into, and bonus round....blue! Now, we're a happy camper!

Friday am I was able to find some great 'wiggles' deals. The store had them all on sale $1.99 with an additional 40% off sale! On Saturday, I found the same colors in another store for $4.99. Can we say...nice deal? Love me a good sale price? I'm hoping those will make some really cute blankets post pregnant co-workers. HEY-would you all mind NOT drinking anymore of that water? Time limits people! I do have a 'few' other things to do each day rather than just making baby blankets!

At this point, here's where we are...one white sweater finished, no hat yet, one pink sweater started, wings sweater off the needles, pink heart blanket...pattern is on flip cards and all skeins in the same dye lot gathered....and in a zip bag...and the count down begins!

Now, daughter also picked up yarn for two more scarves...I'm moving to New York Mom! I need more scarves! Yea, they're on the back burner....way back for now.

In other news...when is the last time you've had a fresh pineapple? This was oooooooo so good! and while shopping the other day for the non-grayish white yarn...we came across Berry Krispies! Now, can't wait to make some Rice Krispy treats out of these! I've made a truck load and a half of these while the kids were in school. The oldest daughter used to bring them to many football games in high school. To this day, it's a particular favorite. We'll have to see how these turn out.

Stay tuned..and watch the count continue...5/10 sweaters, 4/10 hats,

6/15 blankets for this summer's knitting...Wish me luck...Hands-don't fail me now!

A few more FO's

Two of the last things I was able to finish before leaving home, was to knit up two more cloths from the Garden Clothes to knit book. This time they were the cardinal and the Michigan Cherries. I really like that book. Such cute designs! With Father's Day the day after I had to return to California, I was trying to finish these in secret. Do you know how hard it is to knit in private with family around? The cardinal was for my Dad, and the Michigan Cherries for my Uncle. Both of them are special to me. My Dad is going through Chemo and Radiation right now for bladder cancer. Today he should hear from the doctors if they're going to follow up with surgery. Hold a good thought/prayer please. His birthday will be this July, and he'll be 79. I'd like a lot of birthdays with him yet! Excuse this photo of my parents. It was only after I got home, I realized this was the only one I'd taken of them! It was on my cell phone, so it's not by far the best one I've ever taken and it was quite late at night. I wanted the kids to see that Grandpa was doing pretty good despite his 'glow in the dark' status. In fact, now that both of my parents have gone through radiation, I've taken to calling them the Glow in the Dark Twins. Humor...ya gotta have it, huh?

The second cloth, the Michigan Cherries is for my Uncle. He's become quite the caretaker these days, and I wanted him to know how appreciated he is by his family. The day I left Michigan, these two gentlemen were heading off to the ball park to watch the 'Old Timers' baseball game. Last year they saw several games, but this was the first one they were able to go see this year. They love it! Sitting in the ball park, with the very old rules. No gloves, and very different pitching rules from what my kids used in Little League. They were really looking forward to it in the days preceding the game. Once I landed in California, before I made it to baggage claim, Dad was calling to see how my flights had gone. Yep, the game, too had proven to be all they were hoping for. Beautiful sunshine, great game, and two very good friends enjoying the afternoon, sans the wives. Sometimes a guy just has to hang out with the guys I guess. Thinking about it now, I sure wish my son would have been able to have been there with Grandpa. For a kid who loves that game so greatly, they would have really enjoyed the event with each other, of that I'm certain.

On the way home, I got in some airplane knitting. Yep, another Rainbow Feather & Fan blanket.

Right before I broke off the end of my toenail. OUCH! Who knew that you could break a nail without knowing how or exactly when..and then have it hurt so much? Trust me, learn from my mistakes. Don't try this at home, children!

Yesterday afternoon I managed to get the blanket finished. Well traveled little blanket..May you keep a little one warm, snuggly, and and toasty...once the heat wave is through!

Now, for some good news to look forward to. Back on April 9th, I posted about the Baby Jiffy Knit sweater. I've been in contact with NMCRS about posting the pattern. Watch the blog soon! Wink Wink...something is in the works...(insert a big old grin here).

Visits, Laura Memorial, and Grandpa Tonys!

Visiting home for those 8 days, brought a lot of great memories, and new ones as well. I had a chance to watch a video with my niece of her performance with her school production. In it she wore a shawl that I'd knitted as part of her costume. She did a fantastic job with her role! I then got to visit a few of my cousins and catch up on news with them, help to get strawberries ready for jam (yummy, I might add), and sit in the back yard of another cousin's house while she strung up lights and I knitted away. She started some crocheting afterwards, and I only got 2 mosquito bites! And let me tell you..that's pretty darned good for me! I am always envious of how green it feels back there without having to pay for watering the yards. Here in southern California, we're in the 8th year of a drought, and they've now asked us to ration our showers this summer. Can you believe that? I'm thinking the stores better not run out of deodrant. ulg.



The next day, turned out to be a very emotional day for me. I was unprepared for getting hit so hard. In fact, its part of the reason I've not written just yet about this experience. If you look on the left side of my page, you'll see lots of yahoo groups up there. The AC4C group is but one of them. We were knitting and crocheting and sewing up items for a hospital which just so happens to be down the way from where my parents live. I asked if I would be able to drop off my donations while in town, rather than have them included with the groups' boxes that will be sent shortly to them.



One of our memebers had resently passed away. It is in her honor that we were donating things for this group. I had the opportunity to go the Bay Medical Center and meet with Patti. Patti is a nurse that has been working with the Precious Reflections group since 1991. They work with bereaved parents after the loss of their babies in pregnancy and infant loss. She took me around their Birthing Center and explained what the group provides. I was amazed that this is being offered. Why? because it is so opposite of my experience when I lost a baby back in 1983. My experience was so horrible, and I found myself getting very emotional as Patti talked to me.

My short stay over night, was greeted in the morning by a nurse patting me (I hate being patted on the head...feels so degrading, puppy dog like) and telling me, "That's ok dear, you can always have another baby." I wanted to scream. I did burst into tears and tell her to get the hell away from me. I didn't want her anywhere near me again. It was time for me to grieve for the baby I wasn't going to be able to hold. In fact, they never let me see my baby. I am convienced that it was a girl, but they never would tell me. Two weeks later, at my check up appointment, I was left for well over an hour in a waiting room filled with very large tummies of babies on the way. I stayed in the chair for a long time, silently crying until I couldn't take it anymore. Sobbing I went to the receptionist and hollared at her for making me sit there for so long past my appointment time when I was there after losing a baby. Only THEN, did they bring me into the back to an office while I waited for the doctor to catch up on his appointments. He was way behind that afternoon, and that didn't help matters. The rest of my 'recovery' was left to me alone. At home. Only a few friends and members of the church called to offer their condolences, except for having to call home on my Mom's birthday to tell her that I'd lost the baby. Nothing else was ever provided to help me through that time. By the time I'd gotten back after my visit to Bay Medical Center, the other day, I was not doing well. After all these years, it hit me really hard. (I can't believe, I just told the world all about this...)



Now, onto the visit with Patti.


First of all, I have to say how wonderful and comforting her personality was during our visit. At the birthing center, each room is private for both labor and birth in the same room!, providing there are no complications. In the hospital the rooms have oak cabinets, an 'entertainment center/wardrobe unit, and bassinet waiting for the baby's arrival. There is also a small table and 2 chairs, and 2 rocking/recliners for daddys and mommys to use. On the walls, in the hallways and in each room were photos of happy, healthy babies all over the place. Such an inviting atmosphere! Warm and inviting, and personal. And here's the best part...to quote Patti, "Our new wing will be opened soon, and is just going to be beautiful!" "Better than this?" I asked? I could hardly imagine.



However, for those parents who aren't fortunate enough to bring home their little bundles of joy, they have this support group available. It's the only one available in the area, and other hospitals send their parents over for their services, too. Each family is given a tiny bracelet that reads 'Lil Angel' on it. Then the baby is wrapped in a handmade blanket and presented for the parents to say their goodbyes. In a small room next to the nurses' station they kept a bin of pretty blankets that had been donated to the group. I left Patti with a tiny BSJ, hat and the purple Just My Size Preemie KBB Blanket I'd made a few weeks ago. She told me that they don't usually get outfits for the babies to be dressed in. I hope this small one will help a family through their loss better than I was able to so many years ago.



She then went on to explain that once a month they meet as a support group with dedicated parents and professionals allowing the parents to grieve at their own pace. Every May they hold a Memorial Walk to honor the life of those babies lost, and in December they gather together at one of the local churchs for a Memorial service where each family is presented with an ornament to remember their child. By now, I was fighting tears as she described how this program was available. I told her that in such an unfortunate time for these parents, what a wonderful program they had at their disposal! How I wished something, in fact anything remotely similar would have been available for me years ago. Leaving the short meeting I had with Patti, I thanked her for having this program. As a parent who'd gone through such a loss, I hope they will continue this service for as long as it's needed. How different would my experience have been had I not felt so alone back then! Thank you Patti! I don't know if you'll ever know how much your time with me helped me with my own process, that apparently, I still have to work through.



Now, after getting to Mom and Dad's afterwards, Dad was finished with his chemo and radiation for the week. Being rather worn out, I was ready to hit up Grandpa Tony's! We were all ready to lighten the mood! I'm telling you. In my opinion, there is nothing to compare to a glass of Vernors and Tony's famous Steak sandwhich to make a girl feel like she's home again! Thanks Mom and Dad! That capped off a great visit home! To quote Rachel Ray.....YUMMO!

Drive by Pictures of Home.

Question....why does a person, ok, namely me. Spend 5 hours dragging a niece all over the countryside looking for a replacement pattern book that must have been left on a plane, since it's no where to be found....only to discover it's sitting a mear 4 blocks away from where said person is staying? Which I might add..is next door to the best restaurant here in town...in my opinion..ok mabye not the best..but it's my favorite...gotta loveeeeeeeeeeee their steak sandwhiches.

Cuz after driving all over kingdom come the other day, I was whinning to my cousin that I couldn't find a replacement one. She told me to go look at Robbys Hobbys. When I asked her why I spent the other 5 hours searching without any luck? Her answer: cuz you didn't ask me!

Smart mouth. Love you too cousin. However, in her defense...and only because she apparently gave me the tip of the trip, I have now learned of this 'treasure trove'. This is the 'old fashioned' kind of hobby store that has EVERYTHING! All things Red Heart, rug yarn, plastic dolls to crochet around to put on your bed, candlewicking, plastic models, glue and paints, remote controlled cars, cross stitch, beads, jewelry fixings, candle making..and apparently the only copy of the book I needed on the face of the earth! Next time...I'm calling cousin M first. 5 hours of shopping in stores that don't have what I need? Crazy time...

So, now that the book is safely back in my hands...I thought I'd go tootle around town to see what was what while Mom and Dad were off to the radiation treatments. Dad's doing pretty well, all things considered. He's not a fan of the fatigue factor. I keep teasing them about being the 'glow in the dark twins' now that they've each had their 'turns' with radiation.

I did find the best signal for my cell phone in town...it just happens to be in the center of the bridge over the river! Ahhhhhhhh..not the best place to hold a conversation. Definately not practical.

If you look in this picture, you'll see a cement bench next to the sign in the front yard. This is a couple of blocks away from Mom and Dad's. Last night to be able to talk to my daughter, I sat on this bench, tilted my head towards traffic sideways..and could talk to her for the first time in days. I think I gave myself a kink in my neck. And the call still dropped several times. Ok, back to our little tour.....Here is the place I worked my senior year of high school for awhile, until we got our sports teams back and they didn't want me taking a few Friday nights off for marching band at the games.
This is down town...(Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore...sure doesn't look like Southern California here) Back in junior high school, this is where we would go sledding and ice skating down the hill. It was also the first place I was allowed to go without my parents tagging along. It's also the place...where if you were a lucky girl...you got your first kiss...when you went inside here to warm up and get some hot chocolate. *Ahem* of course, I never was a lucky girl. *ahem* This used to be called the Nut house. I remember going there to pick up HUGE bags of popcorn to pop and sell during wrestling tournaments. We used to have a bridge where the fence is, until a barge hit it my senior year of high school. The Red Lion is where Beth and I used to go for Chocolate Cokes on Saturday afternoons.That's been closed for awhile, now. They were good! I'd never had them before. Mill-End was the original overstock.com store back then. It's the only place that I could find my white knee boots for my majorette outfit. So much of the store smelled like smoke. Have you heard of 'fire sales'? Yep, they earned their name. But I had to have those boots. Loverly-right?The Empire is also closed. I saw my first Steve McQueen movie there. There so many places that have changed in town.This is our old library, also closed. It was were we all flocked the night before our Econ stocks project was due, cuz none of us did the assignments every week for the 8 weeks we were supposed to keep track. Ya, high school smarts. Even the high school is now a Junior high and the junior high is an elementary school these days.This was where my dad worked. It was on the corner of Catherine and Thomas streets. My name is Catherine, and my brother is Thomas. Our youngest brother is Peter, but the other street was Henry, and he had no desire to change his name.hahahaha...so, they named the alley Peter's Alley, and then Peter's parking lot when the houses were torn down later on. That is still opened. ahhahaa...lots has changed, but Grandpa Tony's is still there and it's still home. Even if Mom and Dad have moved to an apartment across the river from where my old bedroom used to be. AAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhh good to be home for a little visit. And they're still playing baseball down in the park at night. Grab a cold one...I'll meet you in 5!