My Gosh the time flies. . .

My hubby and I took our first vacation together in I don't know how long - 10 years probably. We were meeting my friends from the PeRnell fan club in Michigan. We left June 22 and came home Saturday the 27.

We took the Express Ferry over to Michigan. I stopped at a gas station and received excellent directions out of Muskegon. We met the gang at Kmart and then followed them to a Chinese buffet. It was so good to see Jean and Herm and Leona and Steve from Florida. When we got to Jean's house Jean and I decided to go swimming. Jean has a pool inside a pull barn. I think we probably were in the pool a good hour. Lots of gabbing.

The next day we road to Port Huron and I was in yarn heaven. Jean said she gave me an hour and I was done in 40 minutes or so in Mary Maxim. I bought yarn for hats and fingerless mittens for my upcoming craft fairs. We journied up a few miles to a beach on Lake Huron. Jean and I stayed back while the rest of the gang walked along out on Lake Huron.

Wednesday we met Cyndie also from Michigan for lunch. It was good to see Cyndie again. I met Cyndie years ago at a get together in California. Cyndie hadn't met the others so it was nice to get acquainted. After our visit Jean drove us over to a mall with the largest Christmas store I've ever been in. Then another yarn store for me to look around and naturally buy more yarn.

Thursday was our down day and we relaxed with a picnic outside. Then the rains came. It was a big news day and if you know me I'm a news junky. The TV kept going out because of the storms. We amused ourselves.

Friday, we left and headed out to Shipshewanna, IN. We found the park where I rented a log cabin for the night. Then we headed out looking for another yarn store. I got turned around and took the wrong highway. Finally Tom said I was suppose to be on County Road 3 not 9. Here was this yarn shop out in the middle of no where. We got there a bit past 4 and I asked if the store was going to close. There were other knitters there so there was no hurry.

I never saw so many horse and buggies. I was told that the Amish don't want their pictures taken so I didn't take any photos. There was a lot of shops and really too many to explore. At 91 degrees I was ready to return to our cabin in the woods.

Saturday I wanted to check out a couple more stores and then we were on our way home. Tom finally broke down and drove without yelling and swearing. It was a pain going around Chicago and then into road construction on I94. We were glad to get home and find everything was okay.

I arranged for the neighbor to check my mother everyday. Scott was suppose to come over Tuesday and he didn't. Sherry was over on Thursday and took mother to Milwaukee. Friday Sara came over with the baby. My mother did well but after all the planning I felt like an only child. I'm the oldest of five kids but I might as well admit that I'm the only one who takes care of my mother.

The 4th of July was very low key for us. We are used to doing something with family but not this year. Everyone had other plans. We went to the parade and saw my daughters kids. Tom and I had lunch at the Ivanhoe. Then we went to see the new Dillinger movie. Tom decided to go to the fireworks. Mother and I watched the fireworks in Milwaukee the night before.

I have so much to finish that I've started knitting. I'm going between two purses, two handwarmers and four sets of socks. I'll be surprised if anything gets done.

My husband, son and I practiced putting up the tent for the two outdoor craft fairs I'm going to be in. Now sonny boy has to make weights.

Well I'm off to knit and listen to a book on tape.

Easter New Beginnings

I'm finally back. It's been a hard few months. I've had friends with life alternating problems. I never thought I would see so many with changes. I hate change anyway. I'm also struggling with an elderly parent. As we all know life isn't fair. I have friends who have had to deal with an elderly parent and my advice was always put them in a nursing home. My mother said she'll do anything I want as long as I keep her home.

I've been busy knitting and I mean busy. Now I'm back to enjoying selecting items to knit.

I turned 62 years old and I have to admit it's not a bad age. If I don't think about my age I'm 39 years old. I year I liked.

Easter was very nice. We joined our Daughter-in-laws family for brunch at the Baverian Inn near Bay Shore. There were 13 of us. My grandchildren are such a joy. My granddaughter boldly went on stage and had her photo taken with another family. What a kid.

Happy New Year!

My beautiful grandchildren on Christmas Eve.

I'm hoping 2009 is better then 2008. I really shouldn't complain because I was able to see my friends and my health has been good. I don't want to get on the scale right now because I probably gained a few pounds. I couldn't resist the cookies and fudge.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND THE BEST IN THE NEW YEAR!

Giving Thanks

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. We (husband, mother and me) went to my sisters home for dinner. This year we went around the table saying what we were thankful for. As usual we ate to much but I didn't gain or loose weight.

I test knitted a pair of Thrummed Mittens. What a challenge for me. The first pair I followed the pattern and it was wrong. I had to tink. The second mitten wasn't much better. But I persisted and knit another pair and adjusting the pattern a little. My success is above. I am going to knit another pair but I need to make some socks and a Christmas stocking for the new baby. I have the pattern picked out and the yarn selected.

Some times it pays to live near Lake Michigan. While every one else is getting snow we are getting a bit of rain.

Well I must get back to knitting. I spent the evening downloading photos on my etsy account and posting photos to my ebay account. I hope I sell something. I did sell a book on Amazon. Yippee, only got $4 for a new book. On to tomorrow.

Craft Fair

Last Thursday at McDonald's a lady asked us if we sold our knitting items. We said we donate items. The lady said there was a craft fair at the school (today) her kids attend. Several of us went together and put things in to be sold. I was the lucky one. All the wash cloths I made last summer were a hot item. Also, the above socks went to Beth. She saw me knitting them at McDonald's and wanted them. I asked my sister to help me. It was an interesting day. There were two men who took two tables. They had home made items from all over the world. Would I do it again? Yes, it was fun and not a big fair.

Thanksgiving is in two days. Where does the time go.

Campaign is over!

Although my recent finished scarf is red I'm a blue person. I had chills November 4th. I was happy with the outcome of election. I know not everyone feels the same as me.

I'm also blue in the mood department. I've been told I've fallen into a donut hole and have to pay full price for my meds until January. I'm not eligible for any programs. I contacted the drug company because they have a plan. GSK sent me two letters saying I made to much money. What the heck? I'm way below the maximum I can earn. I had all the paperwork that they wanted and in my eyes I qualified for the much needed medications. What did I do wrong? The answer from customer service was that my tax papers couldn't be read. Now why would I send something that couldn't be read? I'm beginning to think that GSK thinks I'll go away and just give up. No way! I faxed the tax papers and I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that GSK sees the light and helps me. Right now I'm on a generic generic of my medications. If I post from the funny farm you'll know that GSK didn't care about me.

On the bright side I'm still knitting. I may want to sleep all day but I enjoy Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday when I get out and talk to my friends.

New Baby

Yesterday my daughter gave birth to a son named Conall Thomas. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 4 oz. 19 inches.

I had a procedure yesterday morning never dreaming that the baby would come two days early. I wasn't able to go see Conall until my husband got home from work. My son and and his kids met us at the hospital. I couldn't drive or make big decisions. My camera doen't work any more. I bought a new camera and it's true you get what you paid for. I bought the cheapest and worst camera made. The camera is going back.

Today I went to the hospital by myself and was able to hold Conall for some time.