Saturday, November 30, 2019

So Thankful!

What a lovely Thanksgiving we had! Complete with cousins (cousin photos compliments of Tom Apathy Photography!)... 


and Pop Pops and Pappys and Grammas, oh my!



in-laws and out-laws and Pencil-Nose...


And so much good food...

Time together that started with four of them running the Cleveland Turkey-Trot! (I stayed in the warm house with the children, so I have no actual pictures of them running, lol!)

Now it is just down to getting ready for the next holiday, so I believe there will be baking today...and (of course) help from the girls, who are in town until tomorrow...yay!

There is still quite a bit of shopping to do, candy-making, cookie-baking, and a little knitting too...but what would Christmas be without a little bit of "gotta-get-it-all-done" stress motivation? Lol! How are your holiday preparations coming along? Watch for my updates on Facebook and Instagram, and here on the blog!

Whether we meet all the deadlines or not, I am glad you stopped by today. I hope that your heart is full, that your home is warm and that you will have ample opportunity to Knit in Good Health!

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your heart be full of love, your mind full of gratitude and your belly full of your favorite holiday feast today!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Birthday Fun!


Last week, this goofball turned one year old!


Of course there was a party, complete with themed food, 

and a full house!

People were wall-to-wall when it came time to open presents, so it was a challenge to get a photo of the Birthday Boy by himself (sans other peoples' hands, legs, and...ummm...backsides)...


But we all had a great time! That boy's mommy and daddy know how to throw a great party! They even invited all the cousins...

Birthday Boy (on the right): Dude! You made it to my party! Did you know I'm one?
Cousin: Yeah. I turned one last month.
Birthday Boy: You did?!?!?!
Cousin: Don't you remember? You were at the party?
Birthday Boy: Oh. Oh, yeah...that's right...it was a, uh party. Right Pappy?
Cousin: Nevermind. Happy Birthday, Cousin.
Birthday Boy (to next guest): Dude! You made it to my party! Did you know I'm one?

The other cousins were more actively involved, you might say...

Birthday Boy: Ummm, those are my presents, little girl.
Cousin (dark haired girl): I know! I'm helping! Aaand, I am your cousin!
Birthday Boy: Ummm, you are opening my presents...
Cousin: I know! You have great presents! Aunt Jess, can I play with that one?

Cousin (with blonde hair): This is a really cool truck!
Birthday Boy: I know. Ummm, you seem to be touching it.
Cousin: Well, you pushed it into me...
Birthday Boy: I know. There is nowhere to go! Have you seen all these people?

The whole day was so much fun, culminating with a little dude and a Mickey Mouse banana cake...which was yummy. The pug was hoping for a taste, for sure!

So, that's what we did last weekend. Today, I have other things going on, like clearing a space for the Christmas tree...right...here!

I assume that the tree will come out soon, since it now has a space...but who knows? Remember that one year that putting the tree together (all three pieces) took me two weeks? Hahaha! Hopefully I will be quicker than that in 2019! Are you putting up your tree this weekend? Next weekend? Or are you skipping it this year?

Whatever your holiday traditions, I know that Turkey-day is next on most everyone's agenda, so I hope you have all your shopping done for that at least! And thanks for taking the time out of your holiday schedule to stop by and check into the blog!

Now, gift-giving season is here...sooo, Knit in Good Health, people!
I can't believe I nearly forgot to show you the birthday monsters!


Saturday, November 16, 2019

Happy Birthday Boy!!!

This boy, right here, is having a birthday soon...his first! 

And these girls have come into town for the party!

That means this Gramma and Pop Pop will have a very busy weekend, and we could not be happier!

Of course, it also means an insanely busy weekend, so this will be a short post...but it is backed by an abundance of joy!

I hope that your weekend is joy-filled, and that you have something to celebrate.

Thanks for stopping by, and knit in good health!

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Family Friends, Faith and Donuts

When I was a little girl, I had some very special friends. One of these lived in my town, but not super close to my house, so a play date meant getting Mom to drive me to her house. On summer and weekend visits, I sometimes snuck my PJs in with my toys, in hopes of extending the visit to a sleepover...the phone call went something like this:

"Mom, can I spend the night at Kathie's house?"
"Well, I'm very busy, and I can't stop right now to bring your pajamas."
"That's ok. I brought my PJs and toothbrush!"
"(stunned silence...)"

In truth, and to be fair to moms everywhere (who are NOT idiots), I am sure she was not stunned after the first couple times. Still, she remained silent for a moment, probably trying to gauge whether the other mom and dad were ok with having that extra kid overnight. 

"Well, if Kathie's parents don't mind..."
"They don't mind! Thanks Mom!!! (click!, before she could change her mind) I can stay!!!"

After some years, Kathie and I even started started referring to our moms as "Mom" and "Other Mom." Our moms were friends, too, and I felt perfectly at home in both houses. It was especially fun when I stayed at Kathie's on a Saturday night, because I got to go to church, and there were donuts after! As a kid, I thought the donuts were one of the best parts of the visit. Looking back, there was something far more important on those Sunday mornings.

I went to church with my mom most Sundays, but at our church, I never felt connected to God. I could get to Him, I was told, if I went through the priest and memorized the right prayers. But Kathie's church is where I first learned about a personal relationship with Jesus. When I finally went in search of that relationship, at the age of 27, it was that kind of church I wanted to be a part of. I am so thankful to Kathie and her parents for loving me and welcoming me into their family, even during my awkward years, helping to build the foundation for my faith today.

Last month, Kathie's dad passed away, and it feels like I've lost a spiritual parent. Her dad was not as involved in our childhood shenanigans as her mom, and I was not particularly close to him, but today I am so appreciative of the man he was...of the way he modeled what a man could be in my life. I am sure that he was not perfect, even though I don't remember witnessing his flaws...but he was a good man, a godly man, and a great example to me. 

Today, Kathie and her family have had one last goodbye to their dad, husband, grandfather, uncle and an all-around great guy. I was able to stop in for visiting hours, and it was great to see and hug them all again. But I know that my visit is just a small part of this day...so I wanted to take a moment here to leave some words of thanks for Kathie's dad, Frank Koci:

Thank you for being committed to Christ and to your family. 
Thank you for sharing your home, your food and your time with me.
Thank you for living your faith in a way that showed me that dads do love Jesus.
Thank you for loving your wife and children, and the extra kids who showed up on Saturday night...PJs in hand.
Thank you for raising a daughter who has loved me through thick and thin, because she learned that love never fails from you.
Thank you for never saying, "What? Pam again? Doesn't that kid have her own home?"
Thank you for taking me to church and being part of my introduction to Jesus.

I suppose it goes without saying that I am also thankful to Kathie's mom, the "other mom" of my childhood, for all of this and for the fun times and good conversations we had in your kitchen through the years. I am a little sad that adults don't pack a set of PJs and plan "impromptu," Saturday-night sleepovers. If we did, I would pick your house...because friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them.

Kathie, Betty, David, Bob, extended family and all of you who have come along since we stopped having sleepovers, I offer my condolences and prayers because I know that Frank will be missed. I also look forward with you to the day when we all get to heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

Blog friends, if you have In-Real-Life friends like Kathie and her family, treasure them and the memories you have made together. And if you do not, may I introduce you to Jesus? He wants you know that he has people here who are just waiting to welcome you into the family, and he is eager to welcome you into a relationship with him. He invited me with donuts and a second family.

Thanks for stopping by, and if you knit, Knit in Good Heath!

Saturday, November 2, 2019

November?

When did this happen?

Last week, as far as I know, I was writing something about snowpocolypse and setting goals for my knitting...then I think I took a nap...and now it is November? Just a few weeks ago, I am sure it cannot have been more than that, I was putting away the Christmas tree and starting my January sweater, and now it is time to start planning my next January sweater? When did this happen???

Maybe it was the #MondayswithAiden that made it go so fast. Just last week he was the tiniest, newest member of our family, all baby fat and snuggles, all the time...

...and now he is off and running! 

I mean walking...

No...I mean running!!!

But still snuggling a bit, here and there, too...but there is little recent evidence of this, because I am not good at the art of the selphie. See Exhibit A:

That right there is me not even knowing I was taking a picture, let alone pointing it in the right direction. Luckily, Dollface did not get this gene, and neither did her boy! See Exhibit B:

But I digress...I think I was saying something about how quickly this year is flying by, right? Right. Is it just me, friends? Or are all of you ready for the holidays looming on the horizon with yet another new year just two months away?

Perhaps I should just give in and put up the darn tree! Once I get that out of the way, then I could just knit in peace while I wait...no! Must. Be. Strong. Turkey, then tree. Turkey, then tree. Turkey, then tree. OMGosh! I HAVE TO BUY A TURKEY!!! IT IS NOVEMBER!!! Am I the only one freaking out here?!? 

Wait. I know what to do. I'll knit a monster. Yes, that will help. Pardon me, friends...and welcome to November. I will just be over here, knitting monsters and trying not to lose my mind...how will you be keeping it together?

Whatever works for you, thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Photo evidence that I can selphie...kinda! lol!