A Few Sheep Shy of a Farm

Sorry to be away for so long, and to leave things on such a sad note. Things here have been at least as crazy as ususal, possibly crazier!

Right now we are getting ready for the big Birthday party this Sunday. Our little guy is going to be 2 whole years old! Its hard to imagine that 2 years have gone by already. He’s gotten so big and so fast; just amazing.

We’re having family and a few friends and doing a cookout with many of his favorite foods. He doesn’t really understand quite yet about birthdays . . . doesn’t seem to have that sense of anticipation that something is coming. I think that will start to happen next year and have kicked into full swing by 4. For now, he knows something up, mostly because we’re running around trying to get everything ready!

I’ve done very little knitting lately; there really just hasn’t been much time for it.

Though I do have a few things to share:

For starters, my yarns are now available at 2 Local yarn stores!!!! And we’re talking with several more about adding them. I’ve got 13 colorways that I worked up that are only going to be available in shops, not over the internet. That way the shops have something unique to offer their customers. I’ve also had several new sock patterns recently and more to come, including a free kids pattern that I’ll be posting soon if things work out.

I do have several things that I want to take pictures of to share with you, though to be perfectly honest, at this point its likely to be early next week before I get a chance. I’ve got somthing I need to finish writing up for a submission (stay tuned, thats for an August publication and I’ve got just 2 more prep days for the party. With D working doubles both the next 2 days and another childs party to attend on Saturday and all the food and gift shopping left to do, and playgroup tomorrow morning (he desperately needs kid time) its going to be just a bit nuts.

I’m just hoping that we get that thunder shower they have been promising us since last night and the cooler weather they keep saying is going to come with it. It was something like 90 here today . . . . okay gotta go drink more water. See ya soon.

Kathryn M. Merchant

April 21, 1921 - June 9, 2007

Today was Gram’s funeral. It has been a long hard day for all of us. There were many tears and even more stories and even a few laughs. Many little things happened today that she would have loved. I truely believe she enjoyed watching every minute of today - and in her own way I’m sure she was laughing and crying right along with us. We are all going to miss her so very much.

Sorry to be such a bummer on a knitting blog, but please realize, my Gram was a hugh part of my childhood and a big part of my life. She is the first person I’ve lost that I don’t remember living without. She has just always been there and now she isn’t. And I loved her so very much.

I’ll get back to some knitting and other stuff in a few days when I’m back online. Who knows maybe I’ll even have some photos & stuff.

My grandmother passed away this past weekend. She was 86 yrs old. This is her almost 2 years ago with our son when he was only a few days old. She loved this little guy so much! And we all loved her. She was such a constant in my life; she was the third parent in the house when I was a kid; I just can’t quite grasp that she’s gone. Seems so strange that I won’t be able to call her next time I want to make her fish chowder recipe. I never did get it straight, though I’m sure I have it written down somewhere. It just became habit to call her and have her talk me through it when I made it.

The wake isn’t until Thursday and the funeral is Friday morning. Feels like we’re all kind of in a “holding pattern” until then, just flying in circles and trying not to crash. I didn’t post this sooner because I just couldn’t. We’ve known for months that this was coming but somehow that hasn’t really made it any easier. Gram is the first person we’ve lost in 18 years, since my cousin died of cancer when I was a kid.

I’m coping by doing the things that just have to get done around here. Thank goodness my MIL is doing most of the cooking, since in this mode I tend to burn more than is edible. Yesterday I spent a chunk of the day spinning. I was going for mindless and something involving a sense of touch, but I picked the Merino/Angora blend and had to focus a bit more than I planned on. I think I did about 2 oz. I’m planning to ply it today and once I get a chance dye it up in a semi-soild burgandy color. Its going to be a Christmas gift scarf for someone special, won’t say who in case they read this at some point . . .

I’m off to do another load of laundry (funny how the laundry pile doesn’t care what else is happening and gets to a point it demands attention) and then take the baby out in the yard for a while. Perhaps the fresh air and sun shine will do us both some good.