The Nana Report

After coming home from the hospital a few weeks ago, mom saw her oncologist and they decided on a low dose, weekly dose of chemo, instead of the high-powered dose every 3 weeks in cycle. So far, she's having a much easier time of it with Paxotere, this new chemo drug.

The newest hitch is that she found a lump in her breast last week. Yeah, crazy isn't it? Why can't my mom get some breaks??? On Tuesday of this week she went for a mammogram so we're hoping to hear back from that pretty quickly. Prayerfully it will just be a glad that is swollen or irritated, and NOT more malignancy.

One highlight to her week is that over the weekend my brother came up to visit with his 4 children. They stayed with mom and dad which is pretty rare and was a huge treat for mom and dad. Generally they say with my brother's ILs but his wife stayed behind for some job training so they got to stay with Nana and Papaw this trip. It was a delightful visit and mom was all a-buzz about the kiddos.

5 years

In all the craziness of the last months travels and birthday and day to day life, Don and I managed to celebrate our 5th anniversary of marriage.

This photo was taken at one of the two adult-only moments we managed to squeak in last month, a wedding of one of Don's coworkers. It was an interesting day to say the least, but much needed time with my hubby. A couple weeks later, a week after our actual anniversary, we enjoyed celebrating our occasion by having dinner out. Alone. Date nights are so nice, we really should make an effort to do it more often. Of course, once you figure in the cost of a baby sitter and a real meal out in a non-smorgasboard environment, you're pushing the budget of a one income family of 5.

I love you, Don! Now more than ever! Thank you for being my eternal companion.

Bag-O-Rama

Not so long ago I said 2 things that now seems just down right silly, regarding knitting. I said I am not the type to start something new before I finish knitting another. And I said I would probably never knit socks. Riiiiight. I have 3 bags planned for felting on the needles at the present time. And I have 2 skeins of Socks that Rock waiting in the wings for after holiday knitting is done.

I picked up this delicious wool yarn by Debbie Bliss while at Stitches last weekend. Its called Soho and is in colors of purple, pink and a nice variegated mix. The plan: Felted Bucket Bag I've just cast on the bottom yesterday. I'm a bit under the weather at the moment so I'm getting more "sit still" time that usual, so I've used that to knit a good bit. I'm very pleased with the progress as this one is a Christmas gift.

My second French Market Bag, I wanted this one to be in wintry colors as the first one definitely screams "fall!" I'm using Butterflies and Bullfrogs in Prairie by Lornas Lace, the yarn I picked up on the farm escapade last month. I plan on using it from just after Thanksgiving until the crocus bulbs begin pushing up their greens in mid-March.

Also, the recycled alpaca from my good friend L is now on the move. I have only just cast on and worked a few rows in garter stitch for this lovely Baby's Got a Brand New Big Bag. Can't wait to see how it turns out. No hurry on this one as its not for Christmas.

Sunset Lancaster County

I stepped out my back door last week to toss something into the trash and was greeted by this beautiful sunset across the Lancaster County sky.

The Two Black Sheep

Wow, I'm so very honored! Two of my knitting circle buddies (Heather and Becky) have decided to open a yarn store here in Lancaster Co, PA in the next year. Heather asked for submissions for a store name, just for fun. I submitted a number of names, as did others in our stitch n bitch. She picked her favorites then opened a poll so knitters could vote for the favored name. Turns out I won the contest!!! I submitted The Black Sheep and it was a top voted choice. They have decided to name the store The Two Black Sheep. I'm so honored. Oh and I get a prize too! A skein of Socks that Rock from Blue Moon Fiber Arts... only the most yummy sock yarn in the world!! Wahoo!

I wish the girls a fantastic success with their endeavor. I'm so proud of them. If you'd like to keep up with the goings on you can find them here: The Two Black Sheep