Something for Me and Other Stuff

Thank you, those of you who voted for Aunt Sharol.  It feels like it's been two weeks since I posted; this past week has been loooong and full of stress. 

I debated about admitting this in public because I think this is a weird, old-person situation, but I had a kidney stone last Sunday.  I had one several years ago, before I'd had kids, (way before I was old,) and I remember the event and how I felt, but I didn't remember the pain.  This time, I knew what it was just based on location but the pain was so sharp that I could hardly breathe, which caused even more pain as my hands started cramping up from lack of oxygen!  (That might have actually been the worst part.)  The pain started at church and a handful of people were praying for me, including my little boys, and luckily it was gone within about half an hour.  I drank a lot of cranberry juice that day.  I've heard that this is the closest thing to childbirth that men experience.  They're not getting off lucky, that is some horrible pain.  And no beautiful baby to hold at the end!  I'm all alright now, but note to self, I need more water and ruffage in my diet. 

I've been working for a month on a sweater for Marly and I believe it is no longer a big secret as she took it to TNNA.  (If you check out Marly's blog, you can see my sister modeling two of Marly's latest hat patterns.)  Hours and hours I've spent on that sweater, and can't even show you a picture.  For one thing, it's still sort of secret, and for another, I don't have a single picture of it done!  Hopefully I will have a chance to photograph it when she gets back from Ohio.  But here's a sneak peek, which Marly did approve: 

On Wednesday, my dad had a heart attack.  My dad is in his early sixties, and good health but you just don't know what is going on inside, sometimes.  Fortunately, he was helping someone build some wood furniture and the wife was a nurse and recognized the signs.  He was flown to a great hospital and immediately had surgery, and is doing great.  A lot of friends and family came to the hospital, and many more were praying for he and my mom.  We are very thankful for our network of pray-ers.  There was not really a lot of panic, either.  Panic never helps.  The only people missing from the hospital was my sister, who ironically was flying to California for her job, and her husband who did offer to come up but didn't make it before the main hoopla was over.  She is the one person who always gets tragic news, like "someone died," or "your dad had a heart attack," on the phone at work.  It never fails.   

I knitted all the way to the hospital, at the hospital, and all the way home.  And then all night long, and got the sweater mostly done by 5:30 a.m., at which point it was in Marly's hands on the way to the airport.  Unfortunately, there were some finishing bits left for her to do, but I trust she'll forgive me.  I know she would if she knew how many hours the hood took! 

Then there are the little things.  We're trying to organize a block party on our street, and between the four houses in charge, we cannot pick one weekend day that will work for everyone.  Not one.  Why I'm in the middle of this, I don't know, but somehow I am.  And then we've had a deluge of rain the past few days, which has pummeled the garden and flowers around the yard.  I don't know when it's due to stop, I hope everything can recover.  Although it looks like it is going to be a less than ideal year for the peony.  Again.  At least my other alliums broke out before the storm came in. 

Oh, some good things happened last week, though.  I finally started on Something for Me.  And I realized, I could show you pictures!!  Unfortunately I did not have it done by yesterday evening, when I was hoping to wear it to a wedding.  But fortunately I recognized early on that it was not going to happen, and did not worry too much about it.  I think I might be about halfway.  I am hoping to have it done for next Friday.  Once I'm done, I'll tell you all about the details.  (Thank you, Larissa, for replying to my questions about gauge and drape.)

Another item on the happy side of life, we went to a family wedding last night.  We had a great time.  My sister and her husband were there, and my parents, and lots of cousins,  including Cousin Brian, the strongest man in Colorado.  Or so I assume; he placed third in a world competition so he's probably number one in the state, right?  Everyone wanted their picture taken with him, including these little cousins.  I realize that comparing him to little children really does not illustrate to the rest of you just how big he is, but it does show what a great personality he has.  

So the week ended on a positive note and we're looking forward to the new week ahead!  I hope you are all well and happy!  Ah Monday.  I can sleep in.