24 March 2014

on a happier note ~ posted by Melissa

I realized when I posted yesterday that it's been almost 2 months since I've visited with you all ~ far too long to have come back with such a sad story.  Thought I'd fill you in on what's been happening around here while I've been away (if you're reading this and yours is one of the 35 messages in my ravelry inbox that has not been returned...I'm sorry...I promise to get to each and every one of them!).

Ongoing health issues continue at our house and we've been immersed in doctors visits and hospital stays and after 7 months of this craziness, I think we're both about to lose our minds.  If you're in the loop, surgery #3 was 2 weeks ago and if this one did the trick, we should know by the middle of June if this entire thing is finally behind us.  If you're not in the loop, I'll spare you all the gory details ~ suffice it to say, we're beat and ready to start living life again.

There have been bursts of sunshine thanks to some dear ravelry buddies who know just how to cheer a gal up ~ who can help but smile when they get care packages such as these:


Fellow bloggers Will & Jeff sent a box of hugs ~ 2 skeins of 'sock sanity stash filler' from Will (I've already cast on the Black Bunny Fibers!) and a huge hank of yarn hand spun by Jeff (have I mentioned how lucky I am?!).  Still don't know what I did to deserve the two of you but like I said, you are on the 'homemade jam forever' list!

And then there's fellow blogger buddy Kelly Lightbeam who threw a little of everything in the box I received from her:


Minnesota chocolates and tea with the cutest little Tea-Rex tea diffuser ~ I will have fun using him!


There was also this lovely skein of berry colored handspun from her local guild's sale (I think?) and a ball of mohair to work into my Color Play Mohair Churchmouse Scarf that I cast on for easy hospital knitting.

But my favorite thing of all was the artwork her daughter Chloe made for me:


I've been working on the last bit of organizing in the knitting attic (my closet finally has shelving!) and when I'm done, I will find a special place to hang this brightly cheerful painting by a sweet girl.

I've been knitting ~ Spire is still on hold.  It's just too much for my brain to handle at the moment.  Hopefully soon we'll get to know each other again.  Until then, I've made a shawl:


 

And I've been churning out socks like nobody's business ~ they are the perfect stress knit, I think:


My sock drawer is beginning to fill up ~ I love to open it and look inside...it makes me smile :).

These are my newest additions (links under each photo are to my ravelry notes & more photos):

 
My Cup of Tea ~ with yarn sent to me by mysistersknitter (thanks again, Andi!)
 

Simple Skyp Socks ~ there will be more of these!
 

Hermione's Everyday Socks ~ I had to copy you, Jesse (moo-HA-HA!!)



And my newest pair just cast on last night with the yummy Black Bunny Fibers Yarn that Will sent:


I've joined the 10,000 other folk in love with Grumperina's patterns and started my first pair of Jaywalkers
 
I think that about catches us up to speed.  Spring is here, the sun came out yesterday and stayed for an encore today so for the moment, there's a smile on my face and hope that tomorrow will be a better day than the last too many bad days in a row.  I really appreciate everyone checking in that's been taking the time to message me on ravelry.  I do read all your emails and like I said, I will answer each and every one of them when life gets back on a normal track for us.  I'm so glad to have made so many cherished connections online ~ I'm ever so thankful for my virtual circle of friends and your friendship.
 
 
Happy Spring and I'll try not to be gone so long next time!
Melissa

17 comments:

  1. Oh it is so good to hear from you. I hope the surgery worked! Holly Molly you have knitted so much! It all looks so beautiful. You got so many wonderful gifts! Isn't the knitting world the most wonderful place! I'm glad it has brought us together.

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    1. the knitting world is wonderful ~ I'm glad to be a part of it & I'm glad you're part of mine, Andee :)

      did you know you can get even more knitting time in if you aren't sleeping well? those short sock rows come in handy when you're up in the middle of the night and need to wind back down for another date with the pillow...

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  2. I am so inspired by your pile of socks. I want to knit some yellow socks now :)

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    1. I don't think a person can have enough yellow socks :)
      pair #2 is on the needles ~ ha!

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  3. please give my love to your guy and i'm glad to know you're resurfacing even just for a bit, beautiful knitting in full force. no need to answer any of my rav mails, either. just to know you're still smiling is enough. xoxo mimi

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  4. Hi Melissa, Nice cheery post. I'm glad to see that you're doing good. I know it's been an ordeal. My Spire has been on hold for reasons similar to yours. Harold is doing better but the past months have been so stressful. I've been doing some mindless knitting of my own. Hugs to you!

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    1. I think of you two often, Andrea, and appreciate the emails updates you send out. The last one held such good news...I hope that still is the case and things are getting better every day.

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  5. There is nothing like knitting to soothe worn nerves and unite friendships far and wide. May health and happiness surround you and your family :)

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  6. I love your 'Chloe' art! and such a nice 'box of hugs'! Take care, I'll try to keep up in the next few weeks.

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    1. bon voyage...won't we be lucky if we get a blog post from you from Europe!!

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  7. Ooh, those socks!!! You make me proud. As I read this I've been working on a pair of Simple SKYPs as well.
    It's difficult to get onto the computer when you're just trying to find your groove. That's totally okay. But it is nice of you to pop on here, and it seems obvious that you are well appreciated. Here's to happy knitting. I'll go practice harp a bit with you two in mind. Soon I'll be helping people visiting hospitals by playing for them!

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    1. Jas wants to know if you're playing Oh, Danny Boy :)

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  8. I've been thinking about you and Jason soooo much. Thanks for the update and he will certainly be in my prayers. You too -- of course.

    Socks are therapeutic. I'm glad you caught the bug. Don't you love turning the heel? The Kitchener stitch? I need to start another pair. Been so hung up on hats and those crazy lace projects. Socks are a breath of fresh air. Like you, I love to open my drawer of socks and smile, but mine are all so well-worn now.

    If Jason enjoys fiction, then pick up Genesis (by Beckett) for him. Short but fascinating. Not biblical. Don't read reviews!!! My son-in-law brought the library book from Denver, a couple of years ago. Said, "You gotta read this, Penny, you will like it!"

    I read it, Audra read it, my neighbor's daughter read it, her father read it -- and then bought one. The only person who could not get into it was Anna Marie -- weirdo.

    You hang in there. HUGS!!!

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    1. thanks for thinking of us, Pen ~ we're trying to find every little reason to think THIS is the time all of this will be behind us finally

      I do love sock knitting, especially turning the heel and the Kitchener stitch ~ I know some people don't knit socks because they dislike those 2 parts...maybe I could start a business 'Heels and Toes' and do those sections for these folks??

      thanks for the book review ~ I've passed it along to Jas ~ he's read more books these last months than I could have thought possible!

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  9. I would do the same, Mel. Try to get plenty of rest if you can. You will cope better if you do, though it's probably easier said than done. You already have one strike against you being a knitter. We just can't seem to put those needles down.

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