Let's play a game....

where we pretend that we are going to avoid the infamous 'IT' by starting Yule knitting early. Now I know what you are thinking (insert hubby's hysterical laughter here), yeah, right. No, really. Let's start now. I have 7 adults (immediate family only) and two children to knit for. That's 8 adult socks, 6 monster socks (you know who you are) and 4 little socks to knit. Plus packaging and extras to obtain and kids toys to make. Plus the wedding shawls to finish, baby blanket to make, and sock monkeys to finish. No stress here.

Let the insanity begin.

a hug for Mom

Okay, if any of you are related to me, do not tell Mom. This is a surprise. If you are Mom, OOPS!

I've knit her a hug. I can't be there in person next week, so I'm sending the next best thing.

Pink, because she loves pink and well, she's fighting breast cancer. Alpaca, specfically Shibui Knits Baby Alpaca, 3.5 skeins to be exact. The pattern is Lady Eleanor from Scarf Style. I simply inserted a lace pattern (cats paws) every other tier and increased the cast on number to 63 stitches to accommodate the lace. I love it. I hope she does too. Hopefully it will keep her warm after surgery and remind her that her oldest daughter loves her very much.

Now off to the post office to get it there in time.

Preparing to embrace the Crone

Yep, that's what I'm doing. For those outside the loop, I am in the midst of experiencing my final menstrual cycle. Sorry if that's too much info, but it's the truth. They have been so bad for so long, that I have finally scheduled myself for surgery in just under two weeks. A couple weeks of discomfort, several months of no lifting (which means restricted duty at work, as I won't be able to lift patients), and voila!, no more girl stuff. I will still get the bitchies, but if my mom is any gauge on that score, well.....

During the down time, I will be knitting up a storm. Three weeks of not being able to much of anything, include going to work. I am already lining up the projects. And then I go back to work, to do mostly chart audits and such. Or as my supervisor put it, 'she's my bitch'. Gotta love a job where the people you work with are real, not pretending to be nice and PC. I love the people I work with, I really do. And the fact that they will let me work restricted duty is a definite plus.

Mom is doing well. She's decided to kick the 'Big Ugly'. Her lumpectomy and sentinel node dissection is scheduled the same day as my surgery. E will stay with her and take her home. At least she gets to go home. Not me, two days in the hospital. Have you seen what they feed vegans???? I'll be taking my own food.

I'm hurrying to finish a pink Lady Eleanor for Mom. I want to get it to her in time for her op, so I can send her a big hug. She'll need it. I know I will.

So if anyone has any suggestions on welcoming the Crone into one's life, I'm all ears. Aside from knitting the Hecate shawl (purple with silver beads), I'm at a complete loss. Thanks, M