Two Things

Just two things for the blog this week.

Number 1: This sweater is FINISHED!

(And the crowd goes wild!)

Number 2: I am going to Disney World for my anniversary!

(And the crowd goes wild!)

Yes, I have my magic bands and luggage tags, my travel companion and knitting for the plane,

so I am all set! I cannot wait to be in the Magical Land of Walt Disney World, and I promise to tell you all about it when I return!

Until then, thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Enough

I was so worried about running out of the blue yarn on this sweater, but I had enough to make it through the hem, with a little help from my friends!

I ended up combining ideas, and I "stretched" that blue with some of the grey, but I was careful to end with 12 rounds of blue on the very bottom. It looks great, and the fit is PERFECT!!! I am now working on the sleeves, and I hope to be able to wear this one in the next couple weeks...yippee!

In non-knitting-knews, my brother-in-law had his hearing this week. He changed his plea from not guilty to guilty of two counts of aggravated murder with gun specifications. His sentencing won't happen until April, but he will have a minimum of 26 years in jail and a maximum of life without parole.

Also, someone turfed the lawn at the house where the crime happened. Coincidence? Probably, it's a rural-ish area, and kids are kids wherever you go. Still, it adds one more level of "what's going on?" to an already stressful time, to be sure.

I'd like to say that I've had enough already. I'd like to say that I don't want to see my family's name(s) in the news, or in court, anymore. I'd like to say that I just cannot take any more of it. Of course, that is not my decision to make. God will let me know when I have had enough. Even though I feel run down and weak, He reminds me that His strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and I remember that He is good, all the time. 

To relieve some of the stress of the winter blahs and family issues that are well beyond my control, I believe that I will knit. I will knit like the wind! I will finish my sleeves and block my sweater so that I can be super cute in it, with some really soft leggings. That sounds like a good plan to me! Since the weather will be super nice today, I will likely go for a walk as well. A little fresh air and exercise can work wonders on stress and help to lower my shoulders a bit. :)

I hope that you also have a chance to get in a little knitting and a bit of exercise today. It is always good to see you, and to share a little of this life with you!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Running Out

So, I am still working on this sweater...

...although I did take a little break to work on a couple hats, including this one:

Pretty cute, huh? Same cat, different hat! (Still the only cat "willing" to model for me...lol!) But back to the sweater. I am now nearly halfway through the blue yarn, and I have 6 more inches to knit before I do the final ribbing. I am pretty sure I will run out of the blue, so now what? I have another skein of the grey variegated in my stash, and I am toying with starting some blue and grey stripes, then ending with the grey variegated (which also appears in the top of the sweater). What do you think?

I have had dilemmas like this before, and things generally work out pretty well. This time, though, I am worried about adding the light color to the bottom of the sweater. I really liked the idea of the weighty blue finishing the hem. Perhaps I could rip back a few rows (egad!), start a section of grey/blue stripes, then finish off with the blue...oh, I just don't know! Seriously now, any thoughts?

Worst case, I will likely call up my friends at Knit Picks and get myself some more of that blue. lol!

In other news, please pray for my Sweetie and his family this week. Things are starting to move with my brother-in-law, and we are not sure what the next steps hold exactly. Even so, we look forward to the day that he receives his sentence and there is some closure for the family.

I think that brings us full-circle from last week. A second hat, a sweater update, and all I know (which is very little) about what happens next in our family drama. I pray that your family is not experiencing the level of drama that ours is, and that you are doing all you can to stay healthy this winter.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health.

One Year

One year ago tomorrow, our family received devastating news. I won't re-hash it all here and now, but here's a link, if you don't know the story. This past year has been a year of ups and downs, ins and outs, and many dips in the road, as you might imagine. A roller coaster ride.

On the hilltops, there were visits with grandkids, new clothes and a new job that I love.

In the valleys were death, depression and a job that I did not succeed at.

Through it all, God has been my rock and my salvation. God and knitting...

The 23rd psalm, the one that you hear at funerals, has comforted me. Indeed, even though I walk through the valley (not around the valley, or over the valley, or under the valley), the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is with me. He has been my comfort and has granted my tormented soul much needed rest at just the right times.

Knitting for my granddaughters, and for myself, has brought joy back into my life. Some of my most fun knits have come from this last year, including some dolls,

A sweater or two, this one still in progress...

And even a chemo hat, finished just last night, for a friend's mom. By the way, the cat was even less content than she looks at the thought of modeling this knit! lol!

Finally, the truth of the verse that you see on signs at big games, John 3:16 has been reinforced into my life as I have grown through this most difficult year. "For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" with Him, in Heaven, eventually.

Waiting for the eventual is hard, especially in an imperfect world. However, I am learning, day by day, that I am up for that challenge. With daily prayer, study (and knitting), I'm gonna make it after all...just like Mary Tyler Moore did in the newsroom. I wonder if Mary knew Jesus? I wonder if you do? If you do not, I would love to introduce you. I want my friends and family to find lasting joy, even in difficult times, and He is the only way. Besides that, even though it may be selfish, I would like to see you in Heaven someday...it would be grand to praise God forevermore by your side!

A little preachy today? Maybe. But after the year that I have survived, I felt a strong pull to offer hope to anyone out there who may also be struggling. Take it or leave it, you were born with a free will. "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, (Joshua 24:15)" and we will find our joy in Him.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!