Spring has Sprung!

Have you ever seen a more hateful look? I have no idea which one of us it was directed at. Maybe all of us. It's been known to happen.
A finished project! I found this yarn at a LYS and fell in love with it. I didn't want to spend a fortune on making something with it, so I opted for the old scarf. This is the first time I've dropped stitches on purpose. It just didn't feel right. I finished it a week or so ago, but yesterday was one of the first sunny days we've had in a long day so I took advantage of it and took pictures.

Mom and I were talking about hostas the other day and when we would start to see them. I told her probably in another month. Lo and behold, when we pulled into the driveway that night, the lights from the car were shining over in the 'hosta patch' and R noticed they were shooting up. I'm so excited to have the hostas back!

Daddy's Day

Since Daddy passed away on a Sunday, I always think of him more on that day than others. I love this picture of him. It's proof that on one day of his life he did the dishes! Actually we have another picture of him taken about 15 years ago washing dishes too. I'm so glad that both times he was in the kitchen working were documented!

We've been busy trying to get things back to 'normal'...whatever the heck that is supposed to be now. We've been reading, watching movies (liked the new James Bond movie - lots of action), knitting, making bracelets and getting geared up to do some school with Luke, much to his dismay.

Today the sun is actually shining! What is up with that???? Aredhel and I have been e-mailing one another about finding some plans for an Ark. Yes, it was looking that desperate. Hope spring has sprung where you are.

Bracelets!

Ginger is checking in to see how everybody is doing. Actually, she's scratching her ear, but it does look like she's being slightly nosey to me.

We have been making bracelets. When my Mom's best friend was up here after Daddy died. Deb taught us how to make bracelets. It was a nice, relaxing way to pass an otherwise stressful time. Naturally we have been knitting too, but bracelets have turned into a quick creative outlet, so we've added them to our list of crafts.

R made this one out of some gem chips (I think that's what they are called) that we got from the rock and mineral show last year.

R made this one using Deb's stash while we were in Florida. The beads that look black have sparkles in them. So pretty.

I found these clay beads at Michaels and thought I would do something with them. I think it turned out pretty good!

I made this one in Florida with Deb's stash. Kind of springy looking.

This was my first one. I like the silver hearts.
Like my pink shoes? They decided to peek into the picture!

This is my ladybug bracelet. I really like this one.

R made this one. My sister sent the pretty blue beats in the 'box o' crap' that she mailed to us. I thought it turned out very nice.

R picked out these clay beads when I picked out the shell clay beads. She said it reminded her of quilt blocks. I really like this one. Well, hey, I like them all!

I made this one in Florida using Deb's stash. She had one just like it and I really liked it. I thought it would look good with jeans. It does. It gets a whole lot of wear.

I made this one Saturday night. The little sun charm is so cute. I didn't mean to have so much silver, but it looks okay.
R made this one from some beads in her stash. Fancy smancy!

We used magnetic clasps for all of them. I ordered them from a lady on ebay and man, she is FAST! I ordered them on Friday night - late - and they got here this morning! Unbelievable! She will get a good review from me! The only problem with the magnetic clasps is you can't wear them near the computer, if you have a pace maker or if you are pregnant. The computer is my only problem there - so I'm careful. One morning I got the toaster out and was stuck to it for a second! Oh - and if you are wearing a watch, wear it on the other hand. I guess it could mess with the insides of your watch.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

What did you have for breakfast this morning? R and L decided we needed green chocolate chip pancakes. Believe me, green pancakes are a whole lot easier to eat than green eggs and ham! Mom made those one time and Daddy, who never complained about any food Mom put in front of him, told her never, ever, ever to do that again! Notice the gold next to the plate??? We have a leprechaun who comes and visits us every year to give us some gold. It doesn't last long, but it's great while it's around!

My sister called and told me she is sending me a 'bag o' crap'. Hmmm, wonder what that means? She's been cleaning her crafting room so it can only mean good things! Stay tuned....I'll let you know as soon as I do!

Weird Weather

When we got back from Florida, we walked right into a winter wonderland. Snow was everywhere! Icicles were hanging from the roof and the wind chime on the back porch was one HUGE icicle.
Then spring decided it couldn't wait. The snow melted, the icicles fell off the roof, and the temperature climbed...and climbed...and climbed. We went from heat to a/c in a day or two. Unfortunately, the a/c didn't want to cooperate. $200 later and a new capacitor, we have a/c. However, spring has decided it wasn't ready after all, and it is dropping back down to heat weather. The capacitor is necessary for the heater too, so it was money well spent.

The daffodils have all bloomed and will probably get frost bite. My forsythia is blooming and I am so afraid it will get zapped too. It's still in the pot, so if I need to move it to a better place I can. See that beautiful blue sky? It was gone by late afternoon and replaced with rain clouds.

Did I show you these socks? RL and R bought the yarn for me while they were in Florida visiting his Dad before he passed away. They bought it at a yarn store in Cocoa Village. When RLs Dad died and we went to Florida in January, I decided to knit the socks on the trip. They are my Florida socks! They are quite comfy too.

When we went to Florida for Daddy's memorial service, R and I snuck out from time to time and went to the greatest JoAnns ever! Their cotton yarn was on sale and I HAD to get some. You can't pass up yarn on sale, ya know! This is a little hard to make out, but the yarn reminded me of Clemson colors. Since my BIL went to Clemson and since I was in the mood to make one of the hanging towels from the latest Mason Dixon book, I made this for my sister. Now I have to figure out what to do with all the other great cotton yarn that managed to sneak into my luggage!

We also learned how to make some really cute bracelets while we were in Florida. Mom's best friend, Deb, taught us. She opened up her bead supplies and let us have at it. She had the neatest stash of beads! It was incredibly nice of her to share all of it with us as well as to teach us how to make neat bracelets. I'll have to get some pictures soon of the three I made while there. I've got some ideas swimming around for some I want to make, so once those are made, I'll snap some pics of those too.

Thank you to everyone who left comments on my last few posts. This has been a very difficult time for all of us. This new life has its ups and downs. I cannot believe all of the legal things that have to be taken care of during all this grieving! Most people we have dealt with have been wonderful and very understanding though. Thank you.

Trying to Get Back in the Swing of Things

We're back. We're also trying to get back into the swing of things. Things will never be 'normal' again, but we are trying to make a 'new normal' if that is even possible. We went to Florida for a memorial service for my Dad. Wow! What can I say???? It went better than any of us could have ever imagined. My Dad was an Elder at the church in Melbourne for years. We called and asked if they would mind if we had his service down there. They were so obliging. The women of the church provided a wonderful dessert buffet with a chocolate fountain - which thrilled the children and my cousin to no end! The minister did a wonderful job. My cousin David, who came from Tennessee and is a minister in the church there, did part of the service too. He told us so many things about Daddy that we had never heard before! What a rascal he was! He had us laughing until we were in tears - happy tears. My Mom stayed with some dear friends and they helped us put a DVD together. We dug up many pictures that hadn't been seen in years, if ever. My sister selected a song, R selected another and then I selected yet another. Mom agreed to all of them. Those songs were played with the DVD. So pretty. Then it was open mic time. I am telling you...so many stories! I was so proud of Mom. She got up and talked about how she met Daddy. My sister got up and told many stories, but the one that sticks out the most was when Daddy helped her learn to ride her new bike. She crashed and burned and stomped into the house. A while later she looked out the window and Daddy was popping wheelies on her bike! That's my Dad! Then it was my turn. I do NOT do public speaking! I was able to this time and I know it was because Daddy was with me. He could talk in front of anyone and I knew he would want me to do this. Between 150 and 200 people were there and I actually spoke in front of all of them without fainting! What's up with that? Then R decided she wanted to talk. I was so impressed with her! That's the first time she has ever done that in her life. L wrote something beautiful for me to say for him. I was so proud of both of my babies! We saw friends we hadn't seen in years and years. Some of the engineers who worked with my Dad and me over 25 years ago came. Good thing they told me who they were or I might never have guessed. Want to hear what a small world it is? My 4th grade Sunday school teacher grew up in a small town in WV. It happened to be the same small town my FIL grew up in. She also happens to be the SIL of my Mom's best friend! Are you keeping up? Well, she dated my FIL when they were in high school! I could not believe it! She was at the service and I was able to catch up with her.

The people all volunteered their time to speak, lead singing, set up, prepare food and clean up afterward. They also prepared food for the family after the service. A tree was planted in my Dad's honor at the church near the play ground. The church also made a donation in my Dad's name to the National Stroke Association. My Dad's little sister donated Gideon Bibles in his name and a couple of cousins made donations in his name to different schools in their town. I am amazed at the outpouring of love that has been shown to all of us. Hallmark must have noticed a surge in their card purchases this past month because all of our mailboxes have been busy!

We spent the week down there with RLs Mom. I think she was happy to have people in the house again. She's about a month ahead of my Mom in the grieving process. She's lonely and I feel so sorry for her.

We are all trying to get back into the groove. RL has returned to work. R is working on some crafts and is dreaming of her garden. L is reading like crazy and drawing again. We will probably try some grief counseling. Anybody tried that before? How did it go? Knitting is starting to make a come back in my life. I'm not doing much more than dishcloths though. I just can't concentrate on anything more than that at the moment. Please keep us in your prayers. Every one of them helps!