Happy 2011

So here we are at the start of a new year. I am anxious, yet excited to see what this year brings. Last year was very tough in so many ways that I was really glad to see it end. My horse survived his accident quite well and has mended nicely. I owe Lisa Stock more than she can ever know for all she has done for me/him. I re-connected in a small way with my youngest daughter. It's not like it used to be and I don't know if we will ever get back to that place, but my heart prays that it does as I miss our closeness more than she can ever know. Indy is struggling, but struggling in the right direction. She works hard at being the best mother she can and continues to overcome the demons of her past. Sadly, I have had no contact with Jason for over a year. I have granted his request to be "dead" to him. Made me quite sad but I am resigned to the loss. Unfortunately as a result I rarely see my oldest grand-daughter Zoey, twice in the last year. Zack seems to have been influenced by his parents and I never hear from him unless I am texting or emailing him to ask what he wants for birthday or Christmas, haha. He remembers me then. Knitting and crochet keep me sane during the insane times of my life. I can honestly say I am unsure of the future, but I am striving to make the most of what is in front of me.

Mid way through summer!!

Hard to believe we are over half-way through July!! This year is flying by. Avalon continues to do well, but it's been too hot to do much riding. I am a wuz!! Took Zoey and Keely to Deanna Rose and we had a blast. It was so much fun to see the two of them together, they have missed each other. Hadn't seen Zoey in over 6 months, boy has she gotten taller. I can't believe she will be starting kindergarten in the fall!!

Have been knitting and crocheting all summer, despite the heat. Good thing my home is air conditioned!! Sometimes I get so obsessed with a project that I can think of nothing else until I finish it! I made this sweater for Samantha Collins soon to be born son. I love the way it turned out.

I got a new to me car this week. Finally convinced Gary that we could be a 2 SUV family again!!! It's great to be able to have so much room!! (and be able to see around other cars at stop lights!) Of course I can't seem to keep him out of it. Every time I go out to go somewhere he is in it!!

Indy and Keely moved to their own place after 4.5 years with us. It's odd not having them here but I confess that I am in heaven I miss Keely, but love having a neat home again. It's sure different when you have a little one living amongst you.

Spring

Hard to believe that it's 5 months into the year 2010!. I have been busy knitting, crocheting and making daily visits to the barn. After a nearly 20 year affiliation with White Fox Manor I moved my horse to Church Hill Farms. It's a beautiful facility where horses get to live like horses! I had no idea what Avalon had been missing. Unfortunately after 5 weeks there he was kicked in the pasture and fractured his elbow. After successful surgery at K-State he has been on the mend for 2 months now. The first month post-surgery he spent confined to his stall. This last month I have been hand walking him for 15-20 min a day. In 2 days the vet will xray his shoulder and if all is well he can be turned out. That will be a gooooodddd thing as he has definitely gotten cabin fever and is ready to get out of the stall.

Since I go out every day to walk him often times I have to take Keely with me. There is an adorable pony who is owned by the barn owner's daughter Brandy that Keely and Lisa's grand-son Connor ride (he is Connor's pony). Pony's name is Champ and the kids love him. She has been out several times to brush him, lead him aro

und, and rid him bare back. Unfortunately due to being estranged with my son and youngest daughter, I have 2 other grand-daughters who haven't been able to enjoy this fun time yet.

I have been knitting and corcheting like mad to cope with the stress that comes with family issues. I have made numerous cloths, a few hats, a couple baby sweaters and blankies, embellished socks for little girls and am currently working on 3 afghans.

KrisKnits...

KrisKnits...There are some wonderful patterns on this site. Visit and enjoy!

Getting settled into the new year..........

It's hard to believe another year has come and gone. We welcomed our 5th grandchild in November, it's 3 girls and 2 boys. We are so very fortunate to have healthy, happy grandkids. I did some knitting for him, blankies, coccoons (which his mom loved), some burp cloths, wash cloths and these little mittens and of course the hats!

Adapting the above pattern I made some booties for my friends Tom and Mary's dog Buster. Tom enjoys cross-country skiing with Buster tagging alone. Hopefully these can keep his tootsies a bit warmer!

The first week of January I donated 31 hats and 5 scarfs to the Blue Valley Multi-Service center to donate to needy people. The center not only services people in the Blue Valley are but they also support the Salvation Army shelter in Johnson County. They will definitely get used as we have had one of the worst winters in many years so far. Keely and Papa had lots of fun playing out in the snow on the days when the temperature was somewhat reasonable. She loves the snow and could stay out for hours.

I am really enjoying volunteering weekly at Children's Mercy South Hospital. I am working in the Child Life In-patient department so I get lots of interaction with babies, children and their parents. It is so rewarding to be able to be a part of making a not so great situation a little bit bearable. The Child Life department is instrumental in helping children and parents deal with the stresses of hospital stays.

My horse Avalon is moving to another barn at the end of this month after living most of his life at White Fox. I have been at that barn for over 20 years so it is definitely a change. Johnson County Parks and Rec raised the board by $100 a month which I find intolerable. I wonder if they are trying to find a way to close down the facility. Fortunately for me I have a friend who has a small boarding facility (about 35 horses) and she had room for me. Not only that her rate is going to less than what I was paying. She also lined up a teenage girl to half-lease him since I don't ride very much. I have a feeling though that I will get out there more often, at least I hope so. We shall see....................

Off to do some knitting and corcheting, HAPPY 2010!

October 31st

I made scarf and hat sets for the three grand-daughters. I also made several burp cloths and little wash cloths for baby-to-be Liam. Of course add that to the several papooses and car seat size blankies I have made him so far. Working on several afghans right now, not sure what I will do with them once they are finished. I am so pleased to have knitting and crochet as an outlet and stress reliever. It makes me happy!



October is over and what an interesting month it turned out to be. Keely had an absolute blast on the last day of the month (Halloween) to have her Papa rake up a big pile of leaves for her to play in and then to top of the day he took her Trick or Treating (mommy had to work, boo hoo) She was the prettiest Dorothy ever and loved it.

Children's Mercy

After having such a fortunate life I have found another way to give back some of the blessings I have received. Last night I finished orientation to volunteer at Children's Mercy South. I am so excited that I am on pins and needles waiting to hear from who will be my supervisor. I will be working once a week as a Child Life inpatient volunteer. I have also found a good outlet for my knitting/crochet compulsion. They will take any blankies/blankets/afghans I wish to donate. I have a bazillion hats done that I plan on taking down to the police department and asking if they want to have to distribute to anyone they might come across who is in need. Have finished 3 hat and scarf sets for the grand-daughters, but haven't the pictures on this computer so will post some pictures later.