Andrea

Just back from a week in St. Louis at my mother in laws house. She is the most amazing woman. A well known and respected artist and a woman before her time. When we visit now we experience the toll of Parkinsons, Dementia and Macular Degeneration, but when I look at her I still think of the vibrant and creative woman I knew from the past. I'm so happy I was able to know her as she was before this slide. Another lesson to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment.

Is this our Bobcat

We have a couple Bobcat that cruise across our patio many mornings. When I saw these pictures in the morning paper I wondered if maybe it was one of ours. It's pretty amazing to look out the window and see one of these amazing creatures only about 10 feet away. They don't seem to be too concerned with humans and will gaze at you for a while before they wander off.

On another note....I've packed for St.Louis today as we fly out tomorrow morning. I realized that I don't really have a hat so immediately cast on for a simple slouch hat called "Cheeky". This will give me a little something to do while sitting in airports and flying tomorrow. It will take a little adjusting to the cold weather. Hope I finish my hat quickly!

Lace-O-Rama

This year I thought I'd miss the pre Christmas knitting frenzy, but somehow one item leads to another. I wanted to make something little for a couple of the gals at the club where we work out.....well, naturally it snowballed into something for about 8 of the gals at the club. What fun it is to give something that you've actually spent the time to make. Cowls and fingerless gloves were the items this year. Last year it was 5 pair of felted slippers and at below zero in Wisconsin it smelled like wet sheep for quite a few days.

I'm really getting into lace knitting lately. Pretty soon I'll have a closet full of shawls and shawletts. Took me a while to get to the point of actually using a chart, and I'm still doing pretty simple ones, but at least I'm not totally afraid of charts now.

Shrubbery

Today two large Mesquite trees and 15 new shrubs and a few cactus were planted around the house. We could easily have planted 4 times that amount, but this filled in a few areas. The guys planting (it's like digging into concrete) were amazed to see me running around with all the pots moving them here and there to find just the right position. Hey, I lift weights at the gym, I can move shrubs......plus that was my workout today.

I also finished a little shawlette for Jack's mom today. We'll be seeing her in St.Louis next week for an early Christmas. This shawl was super easy, super quick and is wonderfully light and airy in the new Cascade Eco Alpaca. I'll need to make one for myself...and maybe all my sisters.

My sister Nancy is doing really well. I talk to her pretty much every night and we laugh and chuckle a bunch. I'm so glad she can stay positive thru all this. She hopes now to be released from the rehab facility right before Christmas and will live with Kathy and Colin for a bit. The good news yesterday was that they took the red tag off her walker and put a green tag on. Green is good!

The Shocker

Nancy, my sister who lives in Australia and who I just saw last month had a stroke about 9 days ago. I've been learning a great deal about strokes as I've been fortunate enough to not really know anyone who has had one. Still trying to figure it out. She plays tennis, golf, walks a bunch, eats healthy, and was actually at her Dragon Boat racing practice when it happened. She should have a full recovery as she can move everything and is actually doing quite well other than the intense headaches which go along with strokes. I'm so glad my sister Kathy and her husband Colin live near and are there to do the massive support . Quite a shocker.....but she is positive and is ready to get into some intensive therapy.

On a lighter note, our Javelina fence guard was installed today. We didn't really want to put anything there, but it works pretty well. Also busy with knitting small items for little Christmas presents.

Remember to keep exercising, eat healthy, and keep a happy and positive attitude!