Tuesday, December 12, 2006

please excuse my absence

We have been away. Last Monday DH received a call that his mother was dying, so we scrambled to find plane tickets to Montana and flew away. We actually had to fly to Spokane and drive to DH's hometown, about four hours away, so we didn't get there until Tuesday. When we arrived, we found MIL sitting up and smiling, thrilled to see The Bug and feeling much better. Fortunately for all of us, she rallied and was stable and feeling reasonably well when we left. We were granted more time to spend with her, and DH got to sit with her and talk for hours, and she got to see her youngest grandson, and we are thankful.
I didn't get as much knitting done as I would have liked. I didn't touch Tendrils, but did make a dent in the last ball for Clapotis. I spent way too much time chasing Bug away from all the detritus that forms the household of an old woman. Unfortunately it was a little too cold for him to play outside much, especially since the ILs don't have a fence, and the Bug had his eye on the neighbor's swingset. He had to burn off all that toddler energy playing with the VCR, shredding MIL's magazines, unloading all the cabinets in the kitchen, and banging on the china cabinet full of hummingbird figurines. Poor FIL was at his wits' end - there was no place for him to find peace. I think he was glad when we finally left.
Anyway, this is my artistic Clapotis picture.

Fluffy Bug

It's all I have, though with some diligent effort I think I can finish that puppy this week. It would be much easier if that pesky work thing didn't get in the way.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be off reading the 300+ new blog posts on my Google reader. Whew.

Oh yeah, and I have some yarn to give away for the Red Scarf Project. Keep an eye out for some form of contest or another. Maybe I'll just make you comment and then pull a name from a hat. I'm lazy like that.
Yeah, that's it. Leave a comment in this post (only this one, I'm too lazy to compile names from other places) and any names in there before Boxing Day (12/26) will be placed in a hat. The first one Bug chews on will get three balls of Knitpicks Swish in either brick or bright red. I'd prefer you use the yarn for the Red Scarf orphans, but really, it's up to you.
(ETA: I should probably not have tacked that little yarn giveaway on the end of a depressing post - thanks for the well wishes, but you get entered in the contest even if you only write GIMME THE YARN, BITCH in your comment. Although I might spit on it if that is your comment, and you win...)

44 comments:

Norma said...

My warmest thoughts to you and your DH and his family.

Thank you for the donation of the yarn. Regardless of how it's used, it came from you with warmth and love. XO

Anonymous said...

Well, I'm glad the DH's mom is doing better, but I know that kind of stress is hard...and to keep up with the Bug to boot!

Thinking of you and yours.

Anonymous said...

Well, I will say that I am placing an order for yarn as we speak. I would like to knit my scarf during Christmas break. If I win, I will vow to use the Swish for next years scarf. I am one of the lucky ones to have been adopted.
This knitalong spoke loudly to me.

Anonymous said...

Getting that kind of phone call is so very tough, so I'm glad for you that your trip turned into a family visit.

And how sweet and generous of you to offer up that yarn. Sounds like a nice yarn to knit for RSP and if I win, that's what I'll do. I'm planning at least one more scarf for that anyway.

Carole Knits said...

Norma sent me. Gimme the yarn . . . oh wait, that's not what I want to say. I want to say that I'm sorry you're having a stressful time. Now, gimme the yarn. ;-)

Anonymous said...

I just came over from the Red Scarf blog.

I'm happy for you and your family that the visit ended up being a good one and your MIL is doing better.

How generous of you to offer up yarn for the Red Scarf Project; I have already knitted several scarves for the project and plan to knit at least one more after Christmas, so that is definitely what I'll use it for if I win.

Nicole said...

Norma sent me too. It's good that your family got to spend some quality time together. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Anonymous said...

That happened to me, too! My sister's partner called to say she was on her deathbed, and when we arrived, she was walking down the street to meet us!

This visit with your MIL was important to all involved, and I'm so glad she's doing better now. I hope you have a lot more time with her.

I can't promise the yarn would go into this year's RSP, but if not, then definitely next year's! Thanks for offering up a prize!

eliza said...

(i'm referred from norma.)
best wishes at this holiday time, and thanks for being so generous and charitable when you have all the right to be focused on your own life...

:)

Anonymous said...

I'm glad your MIL is doing better. I'll say a prayer for y'all

Love your blog

Angie said...

Good thoughts to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

You don't know me, but I'm SO glad to hear your MIL is doing better. I just lost my father about a month ago. When I read the first sentence or two of your post, I thought for sure that's where the story was going - thank goodness it wasn't! I'm glad you all got that gift of extra time. :)

Beautiful Clapotis, and a lovely picture of it! I'm starting to think I'm the only knitter in the universe who hasn't made one, heh.

Unknown said...

Wishing your DH and family peace and comfort in each other in the days ahead.

Anonymous said...

That's the first Clapotis I've seen in a solid color (I guess I don't get out much?) and it looks gorgeous.

Best wishes of all kinds.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'm glad that it turned out to be a lovely (if stressful visit) and not something worse.

Unknown said...

How nice of you to offer yarn for the Red Scarf project!

Anonymous said...

Would love to be added to the yarn pool. Sorry for your rough time!
Cbknits80@yahoo.com

Kate said...

I love the knitpicks swish superwash - I already made a scarf from it for the red scarf project & it worked out really well :)

- Kate

Anonymous said...

I would love to knit the scarf for the Red Scarf project and think this is so sweet of you to offer the yarn for someone to make it.
I hope you and your family some peace and happiness during this holiday season and glad to hear your mil is doing better and you all got to visit with her.
Kathie in NJ
kathieholland@optonline.net

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your MIL. I was wondering where you had been!

I can't wait to see the Clappy finally done. Get going!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful clapotis! Really glad that you're thinking of the Red Scarf Project for your give away.
Happy & healthy holidays to you all!

Woolybelle said...

I would be honored to use the yarn for the Red Scarf project. My husband and I are both adopted and very grateful.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see your MIL is okay! I wish I had that option when I dropped everything to see my Grandmother. :( Hmm, red yarn for the RSY? Why I'd use it for a long skinny Clapotis like the dusty pink one I made!! (BIG GRIN!)
=:8

cb said...

Norma sent me, too. I'm glad you and your family had some wonderful time with your MIL. It makes all the difference.

I have 2.5 scarves finished for the Red Scarf Project and hope to make another, too. The students served by the project inspire me. Thanks for your kindness in donating your yarn.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to hear of your panic but glad it turned out better. It's best to make the trip because you never know. If chosen, I will knit a scarf for RSP. I have one that is half done now. Shouldn't take long to complete. Rose P (aka Raven B)

Anonymous said...

Best wishes to all of you! My kid was just like yours when she was littler -- I was right there with you when you wrote about the hummingbird figurines! Hope he chews on my entry, but even if he doesn't, thanks so much! An unusual number of my friends were adopted as kids, and it's because of them that I participate in the Red Scarf project. (not a blogger -- it's elizabeth[dot]a[dot]durand[at]gmail[dot]com)

Anonymous said...

~prayers on the way for your MIL~

Anonymous said...

Twenty-seven comments??? And here I thought I'd let you down by not chiming in sooner....

As far as the, uh, domestic bliss goes? 'Tis the season is all I have to say.

Bitch.

;-)

Anonymous said...

I like that your contest is just for us to post a comment. Now that is the kind of audience participation I can handle!
Also glad to hear MIL is doing better, breathing in some kid air can really revive you, eh?

Unknown said...

Best wishes to you and your family. Thank you for this contest. What a great project!

Anonymous said...

GIMME THE YARN BITCH! With that out of the way, I love the Clapotis! I so need to make one of those. And what a great idea to give away yarn for the red scarf project - I've actually been thinking about doing that project. Now I need to for sure...

janna said...

Hey, I'll take that yarn. I've already bought yarn for a Red Scarf (to knit after Christmas) but this way, I could knit two!

Heide said...

If I win I promise to make the world a safer place for small fuzzy animals and to do all that I can do to promote literacy... oh, yeah, and to knit a scarf too!

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I'm glad your MIL is doing better. It's wonderful to have time with folks.

I would love the yarn you're giving away. I just finished a red scarf and am working on another one. I don't think I would have a problem doing another one before the deadline.

Thanks!
Happy Knitting!!

Anonymous said...

I have a pile of scarves and was Googling for a place to donate them, and your blog came up. I'd love to have more yarn to make more scarves for donations. Chew on my name, Bug! Chew on my name!

Anonymous said...

Bug, my name is very tasty...chew on it first!

I would be thrilled to get more yarn for the RSP, and I've been wanting to try the Swish.

Elizabeth Spinner

Anonymous said...

I have already completed a scarf for the Red Scarf 2007 and would love to be gifted more fiber to make another!

Thank you for your generosity!

Heather said...

Fantastic idea! I just found out about the Red Scarf Project today and I'm all over it! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Glad your MIL is doing better. That kind of call is heartwrenching.
Would love to crochet a scarf for the Red Scarf project with your generous donation!

Anonymous said...

Reading about your little one and your little one's grandmother reminded me of one of my favorite Christmas memories. I was only 3 at the time, but my grandfather had moved to my hometown and my parents desparately needed to be able to Christmas shop. My first meeting with this man was to stare at his kneecaps and to be served bananas in milk for a snack. He passed 5 months later.
I'm glad your MIL is doing better and gladder still that your little one got to spend some time in her home. Who knows what memories will be kept!
May your holidays be cheerful and your knitting, well, may your knitting not give you fits.

Virginia Simpson

Kelley said...

I just learned about the Red Scarf Project--what a wonderful idea. I'm definitely adding it to my to-knit list!

Life's a Stitch said...

Count mein, please. I like your selection method.
Li

Lisa said...

Just the thought of her loved ones coming to visit was perhaps just the medicine your mother in law needed to heal what ailed her. Glad she was feeling better and you all could have a good visit. Aren't toddler's fun? My little granddaughter is 2 and such a hoot! Thanks for the generous donation of the yarn.....whoever wins it!

Anonymous said...

I was trying to find a scarf pattern to knit for a fellow and ended up on norma's blog. But he's not expecting it any time soon, so if I win the three skeins I can scarf-knit with "good" yarn for RSP. (I can tell him I was practicing - before using WoolEase for his scarf. haha.)

Good health to all of your family in 2007/

Janey
janeyknitting AT yahoo DOT ca

Sorry to have to sign myself as anonymous, I can't remember what my blogger account name is.