SNOW SNOW SNOW

My apologies to all for taking so long to post again. My apologies also to anyone that tried to come to the shop the last few days or today after we closed up early. Snow has blanketed the lovely Pacific Northwest. Yes, I own a 4-Runner but, no, I don't care to drive in this stuff. It is not really my driving I am worried about - it would be all the other idiots that don't know the meaning of a little space and or how to slow down during in climate weather. My vehicle is to make sure my children, husband and myself arrive at our destinations safely (and looking good) not to assure that the morons on the road have something to bounce their uninsured piles of scrap metal off of. (oops - did I get a bit testy??)
I have tried to make the most of the snow days - I was able to finish several Christmas projects and not ship my children off to some strange foreign land with no return address - tempting as it as been, they still are pretty cute when they are sleeping. Tomorrow should bring a fun filled day of snowballs and snowmen right up until 1pm - then the whole world shall stop for Seattle Seahawks football in the SNOW!! Love the football - especially in the snow or mud.

It's August

OK everybody - it's August and it is time to get crackin' on those gifty items for this winter!! I have a few on the needles right now - can't tell you what they are because some people that shouldn't see might. We are full of ideas at the shop so stop on by and let us give you a hand.

Our visit with Debbie Macomber was so much fun!! Thanks to all that stopped in and helped us make it such a huge success!! A special thanks to those that took picture - we were so busy we didn't have much chance to snap photos ourselves.

The much anticipated Stitch n' Pitch is fast arriving - we can hardly wait! Not only will it be a fun day at the ballpark but it is also my birthday. Seriously!! It will be so much fun to spend the evening with a bunch of fiber fanatics - almost as much fun as the birthday party a while back at the Rocksport or the Jose Cuervo camping trip. If you must know about the Rocksport or the camping trip please ask - they are both very long detailed stories that hold much amusement at my expense to everyone who was there but I am willing to share. :) If you can't laugh at yourself amongst friends ---

Hope to see you all at the game!!

The Curve Ball

I'm sorry I haven't posted for a while - life has thrown me a huge curve. I had the wind knocked out of my sails on Monday, June 30th as the strongest, most influential man in my life -my father - passed away. As we spent the past week getting ready for the celebration of his life, we spent quite a bit of time reflecting on him, going through pictures and sharing memories. I realized more in the past 7 days what an amazing, caring, fun loving person my father was than I honestly had ever seen in my life. I guess the saying is true that you don't know what you got 'till it's gone. Don't get me wrong - it's just that things definitely take on a new, deeper meaning when they are no longer there.
Daddy was the fixer of all things wrong. He fixed skinned knees, broken hearts and speeding tickets - yes - speeding tickets. (I got a big one once that he laughed at and then paid for because the story behind me getting it was so funny) I think back on several times in my life when all I wanted was him. On 9-11 he was on his way back from Alaska - I didn't feel even remotely safe or at ease until I knew he was back across the boarder. Having him around made everything - I mean everything - seem like it would all be OK. Things have a way of working themselves out.
Several years ago he took 6 of his grandchildren to Disneyland. Last Januay he decided he needed to take my girls - they weren't around for the first trip. This past May Dad, Rose and Ann took the girls on their greatest adventure - the flew to Disneyland and spent three fun filled days playing with Grandpa. They were all beaming when they got off the plane but especailly my Dad. He had successfully taken each and everyone of his precious grandchildren to the greatest place on earth!
I will miss my Dad always but he will live on through his 5 children and 8 grandchildren.
Thank you Daddy for being my Dad - for being the best Dad you knew how to be. Thank you for instilling the values in me and my children that you did. Thank you for showing me through yourself how to be a better parent to my own children. Thank you for teaching me to be strong but not too strong, to brave but not too brave and most of all to always have fun no matter what you do. I love you dearly and always will - you will live in my heart and in my memories forever. Scope out the good fishing spots in heaven - someday many, many years from now I will see you again. I love you!!

AN "F"

If blogging were a graded class I would get an "F"!!! I tell you I have ZERO self discipline! I think to myself "gee - I need to blog today" - does it happen - NO!!
If blogging were a sport - I would be cut from the team.
If blogging was like cooking - my children would starve!
If blogging were like driving - I wouldn't be getting the AllState good driver rebate - heck I won't get that anyway - wrong insurance company.
If blogging was like yard work - who am I kidding - Pete does most if not all of that.
THANK GOODNESS blogging isn't like knitting!!! That I do all the time, as often as I can, when and wherever I can. Yes , folks, knitting is my drug of choice. I can't have enough projects, I can't try enough things, I can't touchy feely enough fiber. My hands twitch when I need to knit, I get cranky if I don't get to knit enough. I have even thought about taking the bus to the shop so I can get some more knitting time in my day. Paperwork shmakerwork - I GOTTA KNIT.
I knit so much I can't keep up with the new yarns flowing into the shop - I'm like a kid in a candy store, like the girls in Disneyland - I look at the new yarns and see all the wonderful things they can become. I CAN"T GET ENOUGH - thank goodness I own a yarn shop. Who needs gas money? I need to win the lottery to keep up with my fiber habit! I need a maid, a cook and someone to do the laundry. I need someone to take the kids to and from school. All these things keep interfering with my precious knitting time.
I was thankful today to see the headlines that it is colder in Seattle than Siberia - means more guilt free knitting time!
I am actually starting my holiday knitting now. Go figure - maybe I can get several more hand knit gifts done this year. I even got a little sewing in for my sisters birthday present. Oh Wait - it's just a present this year - she says she doesn't have time for a birthday. HA! There is always time for a birthday! This year my birthday will be spent with a bunch of fiber fanatics at the Stitch n' Pitch game - I can't wait!!
Stop by the shop and check out all the great new yarn when you get the chance. Like I said - I have great ideas for all of it and I am willing to share them! Want something a bit smaller just in case we actually have one day of summer this year - try the Great American Aran Afghan knit along. We are tackling one block a month - manageable pieces. There is always socks too!! Join our sock swap.
'Till I get around to blogging again - HAPPY KNITTING & CROCHETING
Beth

LYS Tour

Oh my gosh - where do I begin? We had so much fun meeting everyone that came out on the tour. It was toasty hot to say the least but everyone was in good spirits and seemed to be having a great time. Many long hours went in to planning the tour and making it such a huge success. Thanks to all involved in the planning and to everyone that participated. It was exhausting to say the least but more fun that a barrel of monkeys! We are still trying to recover. :)
In June we will be starting the Great American Aran Afghan knit along - we can hardly wait! We will be selecting a different block each month - some more challenging than others - it will be tons of fun. Hopefully everyone can can start with us next month but if not, join in anytime.
Saturday, June 14th is Worl Wide Knit in Public day. We are planning on taking over the sidewalk in front of the shop and camping out - should be fun.

2 Days to GO!!

I can't believe that the LYS tour is in two more days!! We have been frantically working on getting things ready. We are so excited and looking forward to the tour. It was so much fun last year. I have been knitting, knitting, crocheting and knitting to get ready. I think me fingers want to fall off. I did take a break and read "Twenty Wishes" - FABULOUS book. I love a book when you feel like you know everyone in the story. Debbie Macomber's are like that - I read them all.

We had a wonderful Mother's Day - we had dinner at Granny's house and we were so happy that Sharon was able to join us. She is such a treat. Deffinately one of the great things to come out of owning the yarn shop - fabulous new friends. Spending the afternoon with such a delightful person as Sharon was a pure bonus.

The tour starts in 2 days and in 7 days the girls are heading to Disneyland. I'm excited for them as well. They are going to have a blast! Maybe I can rest when they get back - sounds weird I know - rest while they are gone - not possible - too much of the worrying type mom for that.

Maggie - I think I might still call in sick - what do ya think??

Life Goes On

Sadly, on Sunday April 30th sweet little baby Maddison passed away. Today Mom & I chose to close the shop for little bit this afternoon to attend her memorial service. We felt honored to be asked to attend.
Since we learned of her passing, I have been doing a lot of thinking. Thinking about my own children. I now look at them just a little bit differently - they truly are precious gifts. When they start getting in a mood & fighting I find myself pausing just briefly to listen before I go play referee. When the girls are off giggling and playing I find myself lingering just a little longer to hear that sweet noise before I join them in a cup of pretend tea and that plastic play food sandwich. I hug them just a bit longer (maybe harder too) and at bedtime I kiss them one extra time on the check after they are asleep.
My children drive me crazy, push my buttons and plum wear me out by the end of the day but I wouldn't want them any other way. I have found myself thanking God each night for my three precious ones and sending a prayer Rachel's way to help her get through her loss.
Hearing the stories of how strong Rachel was in caring for baby Maddison made me question my own abilities. Could I do what she did? Would I have the strength? Thankfully my parenting journey hasn't taken me any further than a couple of ER visits at it's worst. I pray each day that I will never have to test my strength and courage in such a way, but if I ever do I will think back to Rachel & Maddison to search for guidance.
Thank you Rachel for showing me how to be a better mother. Maddison's time on earth may have been short but she touched the hearts of many and although I only saw her through pictures, she has left a lasting footprint on my heart.