Yesterday, my son called Sweetums to wish him Happy Fathers Day. While they talked about things, I thought about my own father. He died so long ago. He died too young. My son never knew him or my 47 year old daughter. I was seven months pregnant when he died. I was living in California then,and couldn’t even go to his funeral. But, maybe, that’s best. I close my eyes and there he is. He’s got that bad little boy grin. His shirt sleeves are rolled to the elbow. He calls me “Princess”, “Angel”. He makes me feel like the most wonderful person in the world. All the trials and trepidations of the day have melted away and I am content.
Archive for the ‘Family and Friends’ Category
Thinking About Daddy
June 17, 2013Welcome Sign
May 29, 2013I thought I would make a welcome sign for my son’s front door. I already had a pattern and fabric that I could use. However, once I got into it, I realized that the fabric wasn’t right for him.
I think I’ll give this one to my daughter.
I started digging through my stash and this is what I came up with.
I hope he likes it.
Things Are Almost Normal Again
May 25, 2013That big old house in Reisterstown has finally been sold. Now it’s up to someone else to keep it from falling apart. The new owner is an energetic young woman. I hope she has the stamina for it. And will I miss it? No. Not even that big kitchen. I’ve got a big kitchen here. And it’s much nicer! It did have a pretty back yard, but the back yard here is so much more than just pretty.
I want to thank my daughter for all the hard work in order to make this happen. Thank you so much for the garage sales and craigs list sales to help clear out the house. Thank you helping your little brother clear out and hauling to storage. Thank you helping him find a little house of his own. Thank you for letting him and his cat stay in your loft for two weeks. And thank you for feeding him, too. Thank you for helping him move into his (new to him) row house. Thank you for trying to keep him on the straight and narrow. You are the best of daughters. No mother could ask for a better one. That person does not exist. How ever could I be so lucky to have you for my daughter. I love you so very much. You are the best!
Daddy’s Ears
May 20, 2013It’s odd how seeing something can trigger an old memory. Have you seen the ads for the new movie with Will Smith and his son? Well, they both have my Father’s ears. They’re not big, they’re nicely rounded and they stick straight out—just like Daddy’s. I wonder. Can he wiggle them just like Daddy?
Here We Go
April 27, 2013Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. We’ve been ‘unnerved’ for most of the week. Next Tuesday, all should be finalized and maybe I’ll talk about it. In the meantime, trying to get all the ducks in a row is downright maddening for a couple of old farts like us. Sweetums is probably going to be bald when this is all finished.
Even Dot couldn’t do it.
I also need to get ready for my class at MD Sheep & Wool on Wednesday. ‘Fiendishly Difficult Stitches’ sounds like so much fun! I can hardly wait!
The Happiest Day of My Life
It was 11:30pm when the phone rain. My son-in-law called to say that he was taking my daughter to Hopkins and would call as soon as he knew anything. I went to bed fully expecting to be awakened in the middle of the night. When my alarm went off that morning, I called Hopkins. The operator transfered me directly to her. And she asked, “Mommy, when are you coming?” It so very much reminded me of when she was little and had a ‘hurt’. My sweet little girl had a ‘hurt’ and wanted me there. Only this one lasted fifteen hours. Happily, there was a perfect eight and a half pound baby boy at the end of it.
Those words made this the happiest day of my life!
The Happiest Day of My Life
April 19, 2013A friend of mine was married last winter. She said it was the happiest day of her life. I could tell that she honestly meant it. I was very happy for her. It got me thinking. What was my happiest day? What has made me genuinely happy in my life?
The day I graduated from high school? I was really happy that day. I hated school, all twelve years of it! I couldn’t understand why so many of them were crying.
The day I left home? I was happy and scared at the same time.
The day I got married? The first time I was too young and too stupid. The second time? Hardly. I had known Sweetums for ten years! It was more like, “IT’S ABOUT TIME!”
The birth of my children? Well. Yeah. They are definitely high on the list. But, my daughter came so fast, I never had time to think about it. My son took longer, four hours, but I was twenty years older this time. I think maybe this was Sweetums’ happiest day, even though he was a wreck. There were so many doctors and nurses coming in ad out that it was almost comical. I truly believe that if someone said to Sweetums, “You can go home and hide under the bed now”, he would have. Somehow, he managed to stick it out to the end. He only turned green twice. That’s my Sweetums. You gotta love him.
The day my son received his college diploma? I was really happy. I quite honestly never believed it would happen. But, he did it. And I am so very proud of him!
Still not there yet. But, you know. You’re going to have to wait. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not. I need to make carnitas, and , well, I really have to pee. Love you.
Still Making Stuff
April 4, 2013
Sometimes I pick up kits just because there’s something in them that I haven’t tried. I made this beach bag for my daughter. I had never worked with screening before. It was a bit of a challenge, but I was very pleased with the results. And my daughter couldn’t be happier! She says it’s perfect. It has twelve deep pockets and plenty of room for the wet sandy stuff you have to haul.
Here’s the inside. I covered all the rough edges for protection. I would definitely make this again. I wonder if that shop has any more of those kits.
Next, I tried working with iron-on vinyl. I HATED it. I won’t be trying it again. It was a real pain in the ass.
Sweetums is about to die from starvation, so I guess I had better feed him.
Is It Spring Yet?
March 2, 2013I’ve been grumpy for weeks now. And, well, it’s just not a good idea for me to blog when I’m like that.
After several bad choices, I believe we have finally been able to hang the bird feeder and suet where the squirrels can’t reach, but we can still fill them. Sweetums attached a bracket to the deck railing and put a long metal pipe through it. I can hang the feeder on the hook on the end of the pipe and then, push it out far enough that the squirrels can’t jump to it. (Here I am doing a happy dance. Would that I could with these knees.) There is one problem. It is almost impossible to get any pictures without disturbing the birds. But I have enjoyed watching a large variety of birds.
And so have the girls.
Finding a place for the suet was easy. There was a hanging basket at the kitchen window when we bought the house.
Flo likes to sit in the sink and ‘talk’ to them.
Sachet Bag?
February 10, 2013A little kit for a sachet bag came with one of my club kits. I looked at it. I said, “That’s nice.” And tossed it into my knitting stand. I really had no use for it. I’m not a sachet bag kind of person. Since I go through about fifteen panties a week, I couldn’t come up with a reason to make it. Then Sweetums bought a case of Snapple in plastic bottles, and I thought, “New water bottles!” I only had a few left from the case of green tea. I just keep refilling them.
There was just one problem. My old bottle holder was too small. 
I got the directions for the bag and measured my bottle. I didn’t have to change anything. Well. Not exactly. When it was long enough, I purled one row, then started decreasing. When I was down to three stitches and the bottom was mostly flat, I cut the yarn with a ten inch tail. I thread it through the three stitches, tightened it and wove in the ends. The kit came with a little satin ribbon. I tossed that in with the wrapping supplies. I got some leftover sock yarn and made a twisted cord instead. Many years ago, I realized twisted cord was much better than ribbon for knitted items.
Now. Is this too cute? Or what.
Christmas Yarn
February 9, 2013Normally, the thought of getting yarn for Christmas from a non-knitter is downright scary, but my daughter asked what I wanted. Many years ago I bought an ounce of qiviuk yarn at a fair. I made a close-fitting wimple to wear on cold winter days. I could not believe how warm and soft on my skin it was. It helped me make it through many cold windy days while waiting for the bus or train. I do not miss those days. So I showed her the website and different options that would make me happy. She cringed a little. We don’t go crazy with Christmas presents, but we do try to get something special and are not ashamed to ask for suggestions. I told her to get her brother to go in with her. He’s usually clueless as to what to get anyway. I think I saw her breathe easier. Needless to say, on Christmas morning, I was a happy camper.
I made this beautiful shawl with three ounces of Qiviuk and Mulberry Silk from Windy Valley Muskox. The pattern is called Bigfoot Shawl from Wrapped In Comfort, Knitted Lace Shawls. The main pattern is only a four row repeat and was quick to knit on a size eight circular needle. I bound off on a wrong side row and had about one yard left.
