White Christmas

Three months after I was last in Belgium, I came back to celebrate Christmas. My first Christmas with my family since 1983. Lauren's and Emlyn's first Christmas in Belgian, ever. And their wish for a White Christmas came true. So much, though, that their flight, which was right behind mine, was rerouted. While I was waiting forever to retrieve my luggage, I received a text from Lauren that they were stuck in London. Airports closed. Too much snow and not enough resources to deal with the logistics. So instead of being greeted by their family to celebrate their highly anticipated first Belgian Christmas, they were trying to figure out how to get off that damn island. No planes. Not one available spot on any of the trains crossing the Chunnel. Nothing. I was crushed. Thoughts of them sleeping on a crowded airport floor on Christmas eve kept me from really taking in the reunion with my family during our first meal around the large round table. Tomato soup with tiny meat balls. Usually my favorite. Then Lauren called to say she was able to get the airline to pay for a hotel and some meals. They are supposed to get out at 8 tomorrow morning. Back to the snow. There is lots of it. Word is they have not seen this much snow in 40 years. The wheels on my luggage were useless. Lots of cars stuck in the snow everywhere. I took some photos around the house. Snow is beautiful. Snow is fun. But sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.

Yes, I'm still alive and well

Hello - I have not written on here in a really long time. All I can say is that I have been super busy both with work and knitting, and just living life in general. Feeling super healthy for the first time in at least five years (with my 5-year survival from BC just 3 days away). Enough said. Have been through some major shifts in priorities and have figured out quite a bit more in the past few years. Who knew? Life is a continuous learning experience and I enjoy the ride most of the time. Most liberating of all is having decided what matters to me the most; and making choices that feel right, which is now very easy compared to when I was younger. I travel to see my girls when I can and savor every minute I spend with them. They are the light of my life. In August and September, I went to Belgium (to see family) and Portugal (to see my best friend Chris). It was amazing. In a couple weeks I am crossing the Atlantic again; this time to spend Christmas with my family in Belgium for the first time since 1983. Yes, that is a really long time and the main reason for that long dry spell is that I have avoided traveling there during the cold winter months. We have always gone back during spring, summer or early fall, never for the cold winter months. But when I pondered life in recent times, I felt it was crucial that my daughters experienced the "real" thing at least once. And for myself, it was also an experience that was on my "bucket list." So December finds me scrambling to get a lot of presents knitted for my very large family, and shopping for warm clothes. But all is well. Wishing all of you out there a Holiday Season full of love, cheer and family connections treasured.

All dogs go to heaven

All great dogs go to heaven and today time has come for Puppy to leave us. Our 13-year old Puppy showed her first signs of illness less than 72 hours ago and her health declined rapidly. Cancer is taking over her liver and surrounding organs and robbing her of strength and joy and certainly quality of life.

We have loved Puppy from day one, when we picked her out of a basket on Good Friday, 13 years ago in front of Safeway. She was the cutest one of 10 puppies that had a Dalmation Mother and a Sneaky Neighbor Dad!
Puppy has been our best friend and truest companion, and also the funniest, most wacky Pup anyone could ask for.
Thanks for 13 great years of lounging on the sofa, barking at everything and anything, chewing homework, chasing squirrels and guinea pigs, stealing meatloaf and baked rigatoni, destroying retainers and hearing aids, running on the beach, shaking rubber chickens, licking peanut butter off your lips, dancing the Salami Samba with Lauren, and crawling under the covers when you were cold at night.

Because we love Puppy so much, we will not let pain and fear take over her being but will allow her to leave in dignity - on her favorite bed, where she can go to sleep peacefully, in the comfort of my embrace, and leave our home on little hairy angel wings.
Goodbye sweet Pup! We will always love you and miss you!

Born Valentine's day 1997 ~ Left us March 19, 2010 2:45 PM

Patriotic Earflap Hat!

YOU TOO CAN MAKE THIS HAT!

Now available for FREE on Ravelry!

You asked for it! THE HAT!

UPDATE:



This pattern is no longer available.
I apologize for this inconvenience.