Lots of Ideas

I always seem to have a running commentary going in my mind. Sometimes it just drives me nuts. I'll think about something, (usually while I am out doing errands) and think, Oh I can blog about that, or see something really interesting, or hear something on the radio. It goes on and on. Maybe I need to keep my mind occupied in other ways.

We took down our Christmas tree today. I had enough of the pine needles and watering it. It was starting to grow some interesting spider webs too, though we never saw big spiders, just little tiny ones. It's out of the house now, and the house has been vacuumed and swept from top to bottom, but less than 5 minutes later, I spy pine needles. I will be picking them up and vacuuming them for weeks.

I have some finished objects to share, and some that I have started, just tonight even.

First off, the cabled hat for Robert. I used the same yarn, just a different color, probably bark. It is a dark chocolate with flecks of cream in it. I finished it Friday night.



I knit a second scarf from Scarf Style. It is the same pattern as the previous silk scarf, just a slightly different color. I gave it to my aunt yesterday for Christmas. I think she liked it. I am pleased to give away my knitting and know that it is appreciated. I think I finished it on Tuesday and had time to block it nicely. It is the same HandMaiden SeaSilk, knit on size 6 needles, with the variation of stockinette stitch on the wrong side, instead of the pattern in the book. The pattern is Midwest Moonlight.



I almost forgot the started item. Marble Arches from the Rockin' Sock Club at BMFA. It was the October package. I have started one sock, and I don't like it, it is going to be too big. I did the medium size, so I am going to rip it out and do the small size. It is hard to get started. You cast on twice as many stitches, then K2tog, or P2tog to get back to a normal number of stitches. It's those K2tog and P2tog that kill my hands. Maybe I will start them on DP's instead of the circs and see if it is a little bit easier. This is only the second sock that I have started from the club. I am hoping to make some headway on them and maybe another pair before February when the new year shipment comes out. I realized that I had made 3 pairs of socks for myself this year though. I thought it was only one, so was pleasantly surprised.




We have had the most laid back week. Robert had to work Christmas Eve, briefly, then we have had a whole week and then a few extra days to just do nothing. Christmas Day was the usual, open presents, think about dinner. We had our next door neighbors over for a late dinner. I think we finally ate around 4:00 pm. The rest of the week was an absolute DO NOTHING week. Well, except Wednesday, I had to go to the chiropractor, because I hurt my back. It is almost back to normal now. And Friday had several appointments including a lunch date with friends. Other than that it was a lazy week.

After tomorrow, it will be back in the swing of things with piano lessons, and a new dance class. John still has one more week off before the college starts back. That was my favorite part of Christmas vacation while we were in college, the 3 weeks off.

I hope you all have a Happy and Safe New Year.

Six Weird Things About Me

AAAHHH, I was tagged by Suz. (And I just realized I can't spell weird/wierd, it doesn't follow the rules!)

"THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the "6 weird things about you." People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog."

1. I didn't drive or get my license until after I was 18.

2. I collect recipes, from magazines, newspapers, internet.....but I don't use very many of them. They sit in boxes and collect dust, until I get frustrated and put them all in the recycle bin without going through them.

3. I never finished college, but I did go to a trade/technical school and came away with a certificate for Medical Assisting. I even took the state or national boards for it and passed.

4. When I crawl into bed, I have to read for at least 15 minutes. If I can't read, it takes me a very long time to fall asleep. I try to go to bed before everyone so I can read.

5. I love G**gle, and will make up excuses to look something up on G**gle. I used to think we needed an encyclopedia set, but not anymore.

6. I have this funny condition. I CAN go into a yarn shop and not buy anything.

Hmm, who do I tag? Sidsel, Kristin, LavenderSheep, Sheri, Rebecca, and Brandie. If anyone else wants to do this meme, consider yourself tagged and let me know when you do it.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve here and I think we are ready for Santa. The cookie plate is prepared, though the Egg Nog is still in the fridge.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends near and far.

I Love the Scarf and Hat!!

I finished up John's scarf and hat from the Irish Hiking Scarf KAL. This was a pretty easy knit, repetitious enough that I didn't have to continually look at the pattern, but not too boring either. He likes it alot, though it will be wrapped as a Christmas present.








I modified the pattern just slightly by going down at least one or two needle sizes and dropping one of the cable repeats on the scarf. It turned out to be a good size for him. I used 4 balls total of the Kathmandu Aran. After 2 balls for the scarf, I started on the hat just to make sure I would have enough yarn. The hat took less than 1 1/2 balls, so I used the rest of the second ball to finish the scarf. Then I did wash and block it a bit so you can see the cables more.

One of the other items that I finished last week was a vest for CIC and finally got a picture taken of it today.

Christmas Bells

"Christmas Bells"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

(The original poem, complete with all seven stanzas)

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"


Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"


Please go here to read the story behind the poem, it is eye-opening, tragic and uplifting.

The reason I came across this piece today, I was listening to Frank Sinatra sing this song in a very slow and somber tone. Almost like he might have been singing it after a USO event during one of the wars. It really made me stop and listen to the words. So many times today it seems like Christmas is all about getting, getting, getting. Rush here, Rush there. Ignore the pedestrians while I try to get to that parking spot. There is so much more to Christmas than just that, but that is a whole 'nother post or two!!

Well, most of it.......

The rain is back, after a nice week of weather. Not too sunny, a little cold, but overall not too bad at all. The only thing I don't like about this time of year is the rain. I think it's a love/hate relationship. I like it if I can stay inside, love the green of Oregon because of the rain. I don't like to be in it, especially if it is windy.




Kim and I finished the cookies first thing yesterday morning, then went out to put up outside Christmas lights (before the rain started). I normally don't do it, Robert and Kim usually do it, if we do it at all. This is only the second year we have had lights up, and I don't remember having them up last year. Today we just need the engineer to figure out how the extension cords should go and if we will have enough cords or outlets to light it all.

I started a scarf last night, ripped it out and restarted it. The Irish Hiking Scarf. It is an easy knit!! I started it with the needles suggested and the number of stitches. After 3 repeats, it was 10 1/2 inches wide, when it should have been 5 1/2 inches wide. I went to the KAL site into their archives to see if else had that problem. Yep, but the suggestion was to get a couple of repeats done and the cables would pull it in. Are you kidding me? So, I went down two needle sizes and cut out one of the cable sections. It looks much better. I think it is over 12 inches long now and I'm not even done with one skein. I am using Kathmandu Aran by Queensland Collection. Color is 120, a soft grey tweed. It is so soft to work with. Hmm, must the bit of silk and cashmere in it with the merino. I bought enough to do the hat with it.

I love this time of year

The colors, the music, the baking........

This wreath is so ugly, but it's a tradition around here. I made it the summer that I was 18. I had never done anything like this before. I don't know why we keep it, but dh won't let me get rid of it. Maybe it needs some more filler/greenery.



I don't like this arrangement as much as the other one I did. I think it's droopy and missing something. I'll work on another one here before Christmas.





I am tired of the music on the radio, so went online to find something different. It does have ads to get you to become a VIP member, but the songs are somewhat different. Live 365 Radio. You can search for other genre as well.

Harry Simeone Chorale Christmas is a Birthday
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch by Thurl Ravenscroft sung the song.
Julie Andrews
Frank Sinatra
Tommy Dorsey
Bing Crosby
The Beach Boys
Brenda Lee





Kim and I are going to a cookie exchange on Sunday. We baked 5-6 dozen of these sugar cookies tonight. These are a favorite from dh's childhood. Tomorrow we are making snickerdoodles. YUM!!

Your a Mean One, Mr. G.

Your Grinch name is:
Crabbycrab Crankynoodle

Find your own Grinch Name.


The rest of my families names are pretty funny.

There is
Peevishgrouch Crankynoodle

Stingyfrown Crankynoodle

Gloomycrab Crankynoodle.

SNOW DAY

Well, not quite, but almost......

This is what we woke up to this morning.



I have another picture just like this, but it doesn't have that funny big white spot on the middle window of the van. It took me a while to realize that it was actually a snow flake coming down. It was snowing little flakes when I went out to take these pictures.


As I came inside, I looked up and saw blue sky and it's snowing at the same time!!




This one was taken just a little bit ago, 10:40 AM PST. It had stopped snowing for several hours, and just started up. Now, it's done again for a while.

Turkey Soup

I made out menus for the week, trying to use up some more of the turkey that we have left over from Thanksgiving. I make a pretty good chicken noodle soup, so I thought, why not make it turkey noodle this time. Here's my Turkey Rice soup recipe. (I didn't want to do noodles)


1 TBSP olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 carrot, cubed about 1/2 inch, or about 15 baby carrots
5-6 small to medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
Approximately 46 oz chicken broth, (I used one can(14.5 oz) of some brand, and one box(32 oz) of Pacific Natural Foods chicken broth)
1 1/2 cups cut up turkey (I used the dark meat)
1/2 cup instant brown rice
1/2 cup half and half or cream
1 can (14? oz) creamed style corn
salt and pepper to taste

Saute the onions and celery for several minutes until the onions are almost opaque, then as you have them chopped add the carrots and potatoes. Saute them for a few more minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the rice, lower the temp to low-medium and let it simmer/light boil for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes and rice are done. Add the turkey, the creamed corn, the half and half, and salt and pepper. Let it warm for about 5 minutes, then enjoy.

About Me

I saw this on FluffyKnitterDeb's blog.


1. FIRST NAME? Tammy

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? A Song "Tammy's In Love" by Debbie Reynolds
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Earlier today when I reread part of my blog about grandma

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Nope, I go to fast and it looks like it

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Turkey breast

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS
WITH YOU? I think so

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Besides this, nope.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No, but I have experienced something like it when I was in 12th grade. I jumped headfirst off a rock face, tied to the rock climbing ropes, but with no helmet (we didn't use them back in the 80's.) I was told by my best friend that my head came with in inches of the rock.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Oatmeal

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Headstrong, but not otherwise.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Bordeaux Cherry

14. SHOE SIZE? 8 1/2-9

15. RED OR PINK? Red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I procrastinate and get angry at my kids, though I have gotten better about the anger.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Grandma

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No, but if you do on, let me know so I can come read it on your blog.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black jeans, Christmas denim shirt, black shoes.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Leftover turkey dinner

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Christmas music nonstop on the local Christian station.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple

23. FAVORITE SMELL? Grapefruit, Polo on dh.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Penny

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Hair, smile.

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? Yes, though I haven't met her in real life.

27. FAVORITE DRINK? Coffee

28. FAVORITE SPORT? Oregon State Football YEAH BEAVS!! They won the Civil War game today.

29. EYE COLOR? Blue

30. HAT SIZE? No clue….

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No, they don’t like my eyes.

32. FAVORITE FOOD? Potatoes and rice.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter, warm fires, and snow. Not the rain though or the wind.

36. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Fudge

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The latest Artemis Fowl, The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer

l41. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? The green of the armrest.

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? A Movie on the Hallmark Channel. "Thicker than Water" (I think) It had Melissa Gilbert and Lindsey Wagner in it.

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Love ya mom.

44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beattles

45. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME? Minnesota when I was a kid living in California

46. WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Great listener?

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Modesto, California

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I took it from FKD's blog

Two Weeks

WOW, it has been two weeks since I blogged. Well, I do have an excuse.......I just haven't felt like it, so there. I have been somewhat busy though. That last Sunday that I posted, we had dropped my parents at my aunt's home so they could get in a last minute visit before flying home. I think I came home and did all of the laundry and cleaned house to try to get back to a normal feeling around here. That same week, I had two Drs. appointments, one for a regular checkup and the other with the chiropractor. My back has been hurting since September right after we did all of that applesauce. I got it fixed though, for the most part. The chiropractor did a number on my back. He said I had a subluxated L-5, so it was lower back. He really whopped it into shape. It hurt so bad for almost another week, then all of a sudden it stopped. It feels much better now, unless I stand for too long.

We have skipped volunteering at the library for a while. Our volunteer coordinator told us to just take a break and come back when we feel ready. I am not ready for it, but Kim is ready now.

John signed up for classes next term. He's taking his second lower level writting class, and a Biology class with a lab. He might try for a PE class as well. He also wants to get a job. He actually asked for help figuring out what he could do, so I made him a long list of places to try. Mostly stores, grocery, Target, coffee shops, etc. I've actually stopped in to two of the places to ask if they were hiring, and they were, but you have to be 18. What's with that, when Oregon's law says 16. I am hoping he will try Starbucks and get a job there. YUM!!

Speaking of Starbucks......there's a new one at the little shopping center I frequent when the kids are at piano lessons. There is also a new store called Tuesday Morning. I love Tuesday Morning!!

I was out with the crowds this morning, not as early though as some years. I didn't have anything in particular I was looking for, but Kim had clothes on the brain. She came home with several sweaters and shirts, and I did actually find some add-ons to my Christmas dishes. A really cool pie plate with a little bird that vents so your pie doesn't overflow, and two covered tea cups with their own little infusers. I bought two instead of four because I think that Kim and I will be the only ones to use them. If I'd known there were all these goodies to go with them, I might have spent more money. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't know. We wandered the mall a bit, it was fun. I think I need to go more often, just to wander the stores.

Ok, back to last week. I had our knitters group over with their families for an evening dinner of soup and side dishes like bread, salad and desserts. I made Taco Soup and a Hungarian Mushroom soup. Both are really good, very hearty and vegetarian. I had a good time, I think everyone else did too. It was great, everyone was able to come, there were 9 adults and 7 kids. We will probably have another get-together before Christmas.

This week has been different in both good and bad ways. It was a nice break to not have my parents here for the week before Thanksgiving. My mom likes to go, go, go, and I don't. We had dinner at the neighbor's house last night instead of at our house. It was a very relaxing Thanksgiving Day, but it was different. My brother didn't come over. He said he didn't like the holidays. We missed him last year because he was in Malaysia working. I don't know about him, but I know this year has been kind of depressing and I think it will get to be more so for a while. Tomorrow would have been grandma's 91st birthday. I can't believe it has been 3 1/2 weeks already, it feels like a lifetime has passed, yet it feels like it was just yesterday. We normally spend Saturday at my aunt's home visiting, but they are gone already for a short vacation. Without grandma around, there is no reason to go over tomorrow.

I have been doing some knitting.......I started and finished this. It is a variation of the Midwest Moonlight Scarf, out of Scarf Style. I saw it in a store, really liked how they had the sample, so did the same thing. What they did, was to purl the back side, so there is a definite front and back to the scarf. I enjoyed the pattern, it was a very easy 8 row and 8 row repeat. I used SeaSilk. It is a very soft yarn to knit with, definitely a luxury item. I don't remember the color way at all. I got two different skeins to make two scarves. I even have a small ball of it left over from the first scarf after 25 repeats. These scarves will be gifts. I better get moving on the other one. The only thing I don't like about it, having to block it out.







I also learned how to do a little bit of this.........



I was asked at church to be on the flower committee and they will train me to do arrangements for the front of the sanctuary. I had fun, though it can be intimidating. I won't have to ever do it on my own if I don't want to. That's a good thing!! Next Friday night when we have the second class, she is going to show us how to do a Christmas arrangement with flowers.

I finished my two quilt blocks that were due for October, what a bad quilter I am. Fortunately my swap partner was understanding about it. I need to do the next two now. I think they will go faster as I have the patterns chosen. I can't show a picture yet of the ones I finished. Next week, after Leeanne gets them in the mail.

This weekend is for relaxing and knitting. They are saying we might have some snow Sunday through Tuesday. If it happens, it won't be much, and it won't last for long. It will be nice though. The rain has been horrendous this year. We did have a couple of days of this though this last week.

November Calendar

There's a contest going on at Chappysmom, post your November calendar picture. Our calendar is a National Park one from National Geographic Society. I like November, it's Crater Lake National Park, which is in Oregon. I've been there once, when John was about 8 or 9 months old. I think it was his first camping trip, and my brother went with us. Thinking back, we just had a pickup truck with 3 seats. The carseat took up one, the driver took up another and there was one in the middle by the stickshift. My brother must have ridden in the bed with all of the camping gear. I'm glad it was summer and somewhat warm.

From Singapore to Oregon, USA

Yesterday on top of the mail was a notice that we had to go pick up a registered package at the post office. Now why didn't the mailman leave it here? John was outside raking when the mailman came by. I have no clue except that we had to sign for it? Anyways, Robert took the van to work and I had him stop by to pick up this mysterious package. He came home with a package from Singapore, from my tea swap pal.



Our daughter was so excited, she wanted to open it right away. I had her wait until we were done fixing dinner. We literally dumped it onto the table. Inside we found a note from Emy, beautiful pink cotton yarn, and a beautiful claret/almost burgundy colored yarn. There was Jasmine Tea from China, Lungching Green Tea from China, Milk Tea, Celebration Tea from India, and Meiji cocoa. Lemon biscuits/cookies, cheese crackers, and Two & One chocolate cookies, Green Apple Mentos, Milk Chocolate Krispy (it has rice cereal in it), Milo Nuggets, which look like chocolate candies or little snacks.




Emy, you need to know that this was very special to come this week. If you've been reading here at all, you'll know that my grandma passed away last week, and this week we had her memorial service. She spent many years in Singapore working at a hospital there, while Papa Joe, her second husband was serving as a surgeon all over that area. It had special meaning coming from Singapore!! Thank you so much!!

Here, There and Everywhere

I totally lost my post. I had most of it written up and started having problems with my connection, thinking it was automatically saved, I cycled my computer off, pulling this up to find that it was all gone. There was no draft or anything!!! URGH!

Sunday saw us renting a small moving truck so we could move some of the bigger/heavier items from my grandma's room. We ended up with a curio cabinet, two small rocking chairs and a bookcase that matches one already in ds's room. It rained off and on, but nothing major. The major storm was headed our way though later that evening, with heavy winds, and lots of rain over several days, enough to cause serious damage on the coast; east of Mt. Hood, and in several areas of Washington.

Here's the mess I made Sunday after we got back with our treasures.



The bookcase that was on the living room wall, is now in the dining room, to make way for the curio cabinet.




Where you see the pinkish chair, it is still there as well as my yarn stash in a chest behind the chair.

The piano is back where it was before I started moving things around weeks ago.

Kim has organized the various knick-knacks that we have acquired over the past two years as grandma was trying to simplify her home. They look very nice with all of the family photos she has added. In the drawers, cupboards and pullout, is more of my knitting supplies, and various magazines.

On Monday Kim and I headed back to the east side where we helped my aunt, mom and dad clean out the rest of grandma's room. We came home with an almost full backend and back seats of our van. Some of the stuff was to go home with mom and dad, some to stay here with us. One of the items is a beautiful engraved table with elephant heads for the legs. It poured most of the day.

Tuesday saw us driving to Seattle for an exhibit of The Dead Sea Scrolls at the Pacific Science Center. It rained cats and dogs on us, fortunately I was not driving!! We saw flooded rivers and stuff floating down those same rivers. There was only one spot in the road on our way home where the water had come up onto the roadway. It was part of one lane on I-5, so it wasn't too bad. The Dead Sea Scrolls were interesting. They had some hands on activities, but we didn't stay too long in that area. There were audio things that each of us carried so we could punch in the number of the specific area and depending on the number, it would be an adult version or an easier family version. In the area where the pieces of scrolls were, they had very dim lights and the lights on the scrolls were rotating off and on. They have special conditions that they keep these fragments under so they don't deteriorate as quickly.

Wednesday afternoon we attended the memorial service. It was quite good, except for the music. I think the CD player was on its last legs. The pastor had an exceptional talk about grandma knitting her life together and passing the knitting on to us. I think it really spoke to Kim and myself the most. I wish I could remember more of it, and I wonder if it was recorded at all. Highly unlikely. My uncle read a remembrance of grandma's life, and later my mom did another one of her own memories. That piece is saved on one of the computers here at our house.

Sunday we will take them to the airport and we may be able to get back to some semblence of life around here. I hope anyways.

Finished Objects

I am so tired, I can't seem to recover at all this week. Half of the time I can't remember if I have done everything else I am supposed to do. This weather that is rainy, windy and dark doesn't help either.

Today I have some wrap ups to show you. These are really horrible pictures of Kim in her costume, but we will work with it. Instead of doing a head piece, she chose to wear a gold chain, doubled up with part as a necklace and part coming up as a head band.





Today I woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep. I FINALLY finished these. The cat chose just that moment to come sit in front of the stove. He must have wanted to be in the picture.


Pattern: Cedar Creek Socks by Kaci.
Colorway: Rainforest Jasper STR sock club
Needles: Addi's 40" 2.5 mm 2 on Magic Loop. I forgot to go down a needle size for the foot part, but I will live with it. I have ripped these too many times already. I put them on as I finished each one and have been wearing them since noon.




This is how much yarn I have left. I have heard of some in the sock club who use the whole skein and even the little keychain of emergency yarn.


I also finished this book this morning. I like Monica Ferris. Her murder mystery series starts with Crewel World. I think there are at least 8 books. All centered around a needlepoint/knitting shop and a murder to be solved by the shop owner. Each book also has a pattern of some type in the back, this one is a knitting pattern for a US flag pillow.

Blood Donations

I thank God that my grandma did not have to go through extraordinary measures. She wanted to go quickly and preferably in her sleep. I think that's how most of us want to go. I got an email from my aunt when I checked this morning. She is so strong and has been through putting grandma into assisted living, moving her to a second assisted living home and now this. But she is human and I think this is going to be hard on her. I stopped at a newish little shop in the Pearl District and bought some goodies for her. I'll try to remember to post a picture after I give them to her.

I found some red yarn, superwash I think, and I am going to make some grandma socks for myself. Red was one of my grandma's favorite colors. And one of her patterns that she used frequently for baby blankets, Feather and Fan, like the shawls I made this summer. (I am using mine quite frequently now, especially as I sit at my computer) I am going to make Feather and Fan socks. I think there is a pattern somewhere, but I'm not going to search it out. I think I can figure it out on my own.

Now on to the original subject of this post. On one of my sock groups, a woman posted about blood donations, a blog contest, etc. Check it out here. As a younger woman, I couldn't give blood. My dad gave all the time, every chance he got. He probably got one of this 50 pints pins, he gave so much!! Then in 1990, he had to have a heart valve replaced. We didn't know previously that he had this problem with his heart, but we did know that I had it from the time I was a small girl. That's why I couldn't give blood. Anyways, after dad's surgery, he has been on Coumadin a blood thinner, and can't give blood anymore. After I had my surgery, they were able to repair mine, so several years later, I started giving blood. I don't give all of the time, I never seem to have my iron count up enough, but I try anyways. I'd say that it's a once a year occurance when my count is just right. So, if you can, go give blood this year. It can save someone's life.

Lois Evelyn Johannes November 25, 1915-October 31, 2006

Taken in 1990. John might have been a year old, maybe.



Several years ago, with my baby girl.



Thanksgiving at our house when she could still get into our house, probably 3 years ago.



Last years 90th birthday.

I know some of you know already, grandma passed away yesterday morning around 11:00 AM. If you don't want to read about it, please stop now.


Thank you all so much for the prayers. They have meant a lot to me. My grandma has been in the Portland area for just 8 years. When I was a child, she was in the mission field in Asia, so I didn't get to see her too often. When she came home on leave, she'd spend several weeks at a time with us. It was during those times that she taught me to knit. So, when she moved to Portland, we were able to become closer and she was able to get to know my children and husband.




I was there at 9:00 AM because I took my mil to the airport early. My aunt took the opportunity to go work downstairs while I was there. (She's an RN in the social services department) The nurses let me stay in the room while they bathed her and let me apply lotion to her back. I think Marie, the head nurse knew what was happening and it would be soon. My aunt came up when the doctor made his rounds, and the decision was made to cut the oxygen completely off. She only had a little bit anyways. My aunt took the oxygen prongs off, and went back downstairs. It was a matter of 45 minutes. I had been watching her breathe, noticing it was different than yesterday, Marie came in to check on us, went to get another drug to administer, and while she was gone, the breathing changed again. Just as she came in, grandma was taking her last breath. I had spent time reading the Psalms to her and telling her about our latest knitting projects, John's class and Robert's work. I don't know if she heard me or not, but I like to think it made her rest easier. She was very peaceful about it. I went home and got Kim, knowing she wanted to be there. When we got back, my brother was there, though not in the room yet. I think he would have really broke down if he was by himself. He is upset he didn't know sooner, but he isn't mad at me. We went to lunch afterwards, it was awkward, but I'm glad he's around right now. I really hope this doesn't make him go further from the family. I think without grandma here, he won’t want to come to anything family related. Anyways, I think everything is taken care of for now, there's nothing else I need to do this week. Next Wednesday we will have a small family memorial service. My mom, aunt, Kim and I will go through grandma's room at the assisted living home and clean it out on Monday. I am exhausted and my face feels like it needs a face-lift. I feel like I have lived through a weeks worth of stuff in two days.

Update since I wrote this out yesterday. I am having a harder time of this than I thought I would. It's almost like what I think I would feel like if it was my parents. Today I kept myself busy by taking my son to his class at the college, sitting in the knitting shop waiting for him, taking him clothes shopping, to lunch and shopping for his late birthday present at the big mall. I had fun. My son has other interests so it's not very often that it's a mom and son day out. Tomorrow, I will fill my day with housecleaning, laundry, cooking, and quilting. I have to get ready for my parents staying with us next week.

Baby it's cold outside!!

Even with the woodstove going full blast, I am chilly. I think I need more layers. I'm wearing my Rogue tomorrow. You know, I don't have a picture of it, I'll have to remedy that. The temp. tonight is supposed to be down to 29 F. That's cold!!

I just got a call from my uncle. My grandma had another vomiting episode tonight and she aspirated, meaning it went into her lungs. She may not make it through the night. I haven't called my brother through all of this. I was going to call him today to let him know she was in the hospital and I got distracted. I called him tonight. I wish I had called him sooner. He has such a soft heart when it comes to family members who are ill. Why was I putting it off, was I trying to be the big sister? Who knows. I hope it isn't too late.

I was going to show a picture of my beautiful daughter and me, dressed up yesterday, but that's for another post.

Parties and Costumes and Illnesses

I am mostly finished with the costume.....Some trimmings to do with the scissors and some understitching to do to hide edges, but she wore it yesterday for several hours at our first party of the season. We hosted our little knitting group here yesterday afternoon. EVERYONE CAME!! You have to realize that these women are very good friends of mine, and all of our schedules are now so different that we haven't met as a knitting group in a very long time!! (We used to meet 2X month) Occassionally we will meet on a weekend morning for coffee, but not everyone can come. The kids looked great in all of their costuming, and stupid me didn't even think to get out the camera for pictures. HOWEVER, there are two parties today/tonight and I will take a picture of my daughter in her costume.

I counted up my hours of working at BMFA, and it came to almost 38 hours over the last month!! All I have to say...I am exhausted!! I fell into bed last night, read to dd for about half an hour and couldn't keep my eyes open. It was 8:30, I was on top of the bed with a cuddley blanket. At 11, when dh came back to bed, I was still there, not even in the PJ's. I tossed and turned a bit after that, but then slept straight through till 6:30 or 7:00 this morning. Still tired, but awake enough that I couldn't go back to sleep.

Incredibly blurry picture, but this is what I feel like. Hmmm, is he yawning and stretching, or his he mad?




On another note, my mom was in the ER this week. She must have had a bought with Pneumonia or something like that. They got her on antibiotics and she is feeling better. Funny thing is, she hadn't been sick before this. Then we found out that my grandma was actually admitted to the hospital this week. She lives across town from me. I try to see her about once a month. Sometimes it is less. Anyways, she has lost about 10 pounds over this last year, and her doctor wanted her weight back up. She's been trying, but as you get older, you lose your taste and smell and appetite. She apparently was very dehydrated and has a bowel obstruction. Poor thing. I think they are going to keep her until Monday, then return her to her home at assisted living. I've heard rumors that my aunt is looking for a rest home or convalescent hospital for her. I guess it would be a place where she has even more care than she is getting now, more monitoring of her food, bathroom habits, etc. Not my idea of fun!! I always told myself that I would never work in one of those places. I hated visiting them as a kid.

Happy Birthday First Born

On this day 17 years ago, I was barely 21, having my first child. He was and still is such a joy to be around. Happy Birthday John.

Love

Mom

Birthday Week

October is birthday month at our house. And in our extended family as well. We probably have 15 birthdays in dh's family alone, with a couple on my side.

We are going out for lunch today at Macaroni Grill, and my kids are taking me to the movies later. I really want to see "One Night With The King". It's about Queen Esther. I saw the trailer and it looks great!!

This quiz really isn't me. I hate yellow, well not hate, but will not wear it, or use it for any purpose, I dislike it that much. It looks a lot better as autumn leaves. And my weakness? I feel very satisfied in this time of my life!! I think I can stick to things, I'm not that bad about it. So, this quiz is a pretty bad one in my opinion.

Your Birthdate: October 23

You're not good at any one thing, and that's the problem. You're good at so much - you never know what to do. Change is in your blood, and you don't stick to much for long. You are destined for a life of travel and fun. Your strength: Your likeability Your weakness: You never feel satisfied Your power color: Bright yellow Your power symbol: Asterisk Your power month: May

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

What a weekend!!

This last weekend was never-ending!! For 8 or 9 years I have gone to The Women of Faith Conference held in Portland. It is an amazing experience to be with 10's of 1000's of Christian women, and to hear inspirational speakers and wonderful music. This year when it came time to order tickets, my daughter wanted to go. This is the first time she has shown any interest. She had a BLAST!! She wants to go back next year. YEAH!! My friend Laura went with us as well. She moved up here in January. I've known her for 13 years. She came to my home a couple of days after dd was born, when dh had to go back to school on the weekend. She brought food, did my dishes and just made my day. She doesn't remember it at all, but I sure do. Anyways, it was a great, emotional weekend.

Why is it that you will do anything for your child, within reason? I'm making this this week. It is ALL cut out, I did that yesterday. It is a beautiful blue (almost periwinkle or the blue gown that is in the Disney version of Sleeping Beauty) satin, with a beautiful pink, flowered brocade for the front skirt and inside sleeves. Once it is done, I will take a picture of her modeling it. My incentive came from the woman at the craft store last week. She said I could do it, so here I am. Now for a head piece to go with it. I have no ideas about that. If anyone reading here does have ideas, please let me know!!

Have a good week!! No knitting going on, maybe later today at my aunt's house.

A Little Pillow Talk

Our nephew that was up for Labor Day weekend has a birthday coming up next week. When he was here, I took him out to do errands with me one day. At the craft store, we were looking through the clearance bin of bundled fat quarters, came across this cool military/army guy type of fabric. I let him choose two, (thinking they were the same material) and I chose several as well as some other stars and stripes. Well, he forgot about them once we got home, so I thought about making him something out of them. When I opened them up the other day, I saw a Navy, USAF, and Marines, but no Army. Hmm. I wonder if they have any that are Army, so I headed back to the craft store hoping that they did. Well, they did, but it was in a package of 8 different patterns, several I already had, or in a bolt. The gal working the quilting section asked me what I was looking for, so I told her. "Do you want me to cut you a fat quarter?" Wow, I was speechless!! I didn't know she could do that for me. Needless to say, I said yes, and I will know from now on that if I don't see something in a fat quarter, I can ask for it to be cut. From there I headed over to the yarn section and met a really nice sales associate there as well!! She told me if I ran into any problems with my sewing to just come in and one of them would help me. I am so impressed with this store, and I let them know!! They aren't the big box stores at all!! Anyways, once I got back home, I finished cutting out my blocks and pieced this together over the course of several days. There's even a placket on the back so you can take it off and wash it.










As an after thought, I really hope his mom is ok with all the military guys. We have several in the family that are serving in different branches for our military now, so I think she will be.

Happy Birthday Honey

Today, 40+ years ago, my dear husband was born. I am so glad he came into my life while I was in high school.

I hope your day is a good one, honey.

Happy Birthday