You Never Know

You just never know, so be ready. 

You never know when a smiling, sitting still baby...

...is gonna really start moving!

So be ready to grab those cheeks, even if you miss the picture!

You never know when lots of things are going to happen. 

This week, something unexpected happened, and a friend passed away suddenly. He had just turned 58 and buried his own father just days before. I grieve for his family and friends, and for myself...and the thing that really struck a chord with me was that you just never know which moment is going to be your last. If I knew for sure when that moment was coming, I could rest in that knowledge. "I don't have to be ready for 32 years, 6 weeks, 3 days and 47 minutes...I have time," I might think to myself. But I do not have that luxury...or would it be a curse? I mean, would I actually prepare, or would I put off the things I need to do for 32 years, 6 weeks and 2 days? I mean, we all procrastinate, right?

I try not to put things off, but each time someone I know is plucked from this life sooner than I think they should be, it is like a splash of cold water in my face followed by a punch to the gut. What if that was my husband? My child? Or me? Am I ready? Have I done what needs to be done, said what needs to be said, loved who needs to be loved? I am fond of saying, "I could step off a curb and be hit by a bus tomorrow. The information you need is in the green folder," but there is so much more to it than that, isn't there?

One more hug. 

One more I love you.

One more conversation.

One more phone call or text.

One more shared meal.

One more vacation.

One more prayer.

At some point, there will be no more me. At some point, there will be no more you. Are we ready? Probably not. Maybe we are never totally ready for that final goodbye, especially when we are the ones left behind. But you can be ready to go all the time, if you know where you are headed. Do you?

You know where I am going with this, I know you do, and I can never force you to believe what I believe. I would not try to force you to believe, because I know that I will never be powerful enough to change your mind if you disagree...and I will continue to love you, even though you may continue to disagree with me. But I believe that what I believe is the absolute truth, and I believe that you should at least consider it. Have all the details before you throw away the idea that God loves you, and that he sent his Son as the Way, the Truth and the Life...so that we can be forever connected with that love. 

If you have not read the book, read it. 

See for yourself. Ask questions...all the time.

It is a long book. Start soon, because you just never know, friends.

::Steps carefully off soapbox now, looking both ways for buses.::

Here I will say that you just never know what Pretty will say or do next, but you can be fairly certain that there will be knitting. After all, this guy is moving around, so we need to fill his world with all the pretty knitty toys and things!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Goodbye, Fiesta Lime Squeeze

Back in 2011, right around my birthday, we bought a new car. There is absolutely nothing noteworthy about this...we buy new cars all the time. I have lost count of how many new cars we have owned through our marriage, but I can only count two that I really, really loved to drive. The first was a sentimental Chevy Lumina minivan in the early 90s, and it held a special place in my heart as the first car that I picked out all by myself (because Sweetie was deployed, and we really needed the van with the kids!).

The other car that I loved was a Ford, which is super weird, because I am traditionally a Chevy gal. But this little Ford Fiesta was my favorite because of the color name: Lime Squeeze Metallic. I was once in a tiny fender-bender in this car (not my fault), and as the officer was taking my info, he asked, "What color is your car?" 

"Lime Squeeze Metallic," I answered, tipping my chin, lifting my eyes and gyrating my brows up-and-down-up-and-down. 

"I'm going to write 'green,'" said he, after a considerable silent stare. (That stare said, "Your car is green, Lady. Green. Settle down now.") Ahhhh! Memories! What a party car!

You've seen that car in many blog photos throughout the past 8 years, sometimes as the star, other times as a prop or photo-bomber, but this right here is your last view (and mine, unless I happen to see it tooling around town with another driver...), which I snapped as we drove off the lot in our new ride this past Tuesday:

Goodbye, Lime Squeeze Metallic 2011 Ford Fiesta, and thanks for the memories! You will be missed, but we are looking forward to having at least one car in the driveway with All-Wheel Drive this winter. So, hello Sparkling Silver 2020 Kia Sportage...I hope we also make many happy memories together, and that we can get out of the driveway on a snowy day when we need to!

What do you drive, friends? And why do you love it? I would love to hear all about your car memories (as long as they are G-rated)!

Whatever, you drive, I hope that your weekend is good! Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Picture of knitting, because...you know, it's a knitting blog!

How Can You Tell?

How can you tell when our grand kids might be coming for a visit?

Well, it could be the knitted toys that start showing up, like a beagle with dangly legs...

...or a tiny window kitty.

Or it could be that the cats are getting nervous...

Maybe it is the heart-shaped ice I've been making?

It could even be the sign by our back door.

But I think the most telling tell, when the girls are on their way from a faraway state, is the soap. 

The gummy bear soaps have arrived, and the kids will be here soon! We are all so excited, and the 4-year-old may or may not be looking to see what kind of "trouble" she and Pop Pop can find on this visit...

With a house full of love for the next few days, I am going to cut this short, friends. There is still so much to be done! But I hope that you are having a good weekend so far, and that you are finding joy where you can.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Wow! What a beard! Looks like trouble...

Busy as a Bee!

This time of year, I typically see a lot of bees...like this one!

Watching the bees buzz from bloom to bloom makes my head spin...they are so very busy! It is not so different for me...especially when cuties like this

have given me their list of knits to knit!

My boy is in town, just for an overnight, and he was video chatting with his 4-year-old. I overheard him say, "Well, Gramma is right here. Let's check the status on that..." I came around the corner, and he handed me the phone.

---"Gramma!"

-----"Sweet Pea! Hi!" 

---"Have you finished my list?"

-----"I have knitted a unicorn and sent it to you!"

---"Yes, but have you knitted the kitties?"

-----"I have not started the kitties, yet."

---"You should start them. You can start with the little ones."

Lol! Well, I guess she told me! So, once we drop her daddy at the airport, perhaps I wills start on the cat knitting! (Or the pug/beagle knitting for the 8-year-old...there is no shortage of items on the lists!) Whatever I start with, I had better get busy, because they will all be here for a very short visit next weekend!

On that note, I am gonna buzz right out of here, and find some yarn! I hope that you are keeping busy enough, and still finding some time to enjoy the season, wherever you are. Drop a comment and let me know what is on your needles this month! Are you knitting Beagles and Kitties and Pugs? Oh, my!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Selphie Saturday (Grandma Edition)

So, that title is pretty explanatory...

Selphie One (June 2018 - Peanut)

Selphie 2 (June 2019 - Sweet Pea)

Selphie 3 (July 2019 - Nugget)

It is a good Saturday to be a Grandma! How is your Saturday going? If it is good, send me a selphie!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!