Friday, June 20, 2014

Finished!

Happy Friday to you all! 

 It's been a busy week here in Spokane.  I have some pictures to show you in my next post of some gardening things Lori and I have done at the lake but today it's all about the runner.  Yes!  It's finally finished.  All 60 squares and three days of crocheting nothing but border stitches.  Now, it doesn't look very attractive here since it's still blocking and my blocking mat wasn't nearly large enough for this behemoth.   I was back to the old fashioned way of towels and sticking pins into the carpet!  I had to scoot it over close to the bed so that I could have room to maneuver my not so small body along the runner to pin it.
I do like how it turned out though.  I think a little tweaking with the iron and starch when it's dry and it will be just fine.  What do you all think?  It's just over 9 feet long and 18 1/2 inches wide.

A little closer.
I have some not so happy news from this Grandma too.  Brad, Mandy and Piper have put their home in Portland up for sale and are moving to Washington D.C.  Brad has a new job there and Mandy's plan is to be able to stay home with Piper instead of her being in daycare.  This Grandma is heartbroken. Portland is about a six hour drive from here, but I drove it happily to see them as often as I could.  D.C. is clear across this huge country and I won't be able to visit there very much at all.  Hubby's not about to let me drive that far by myself.  Thank goodness for Facetime.  Mandy calls at least once everyday on Facetime so we can talk to Piper and she can see us.  I am just so sad about all of this. Every one of my kids so far, far away.  Brad starts work on the 30th and Mandy & Piper are coming to stay with us for a week so the realtor can show the house at anytime without disturbing anyone.  So...we get at least a week and probably more if the house sells quickly and they need somewhere to stay while house hunting for a new home in D.C.  I need to count my blessings in that fact.

Now a happier picture.

This is Chloe with her friend Mattie laying on her blanket at the lake.  Mattie is Lori & Paul's dog and is "almost" as sweet as my Chloe.  They're best friends.  When I called Chloe to the car yesterday to come home, she ran back and laid down by Mattie as if to say she would rather stay right there.  I understand that feeling.

Have a lovely weekend my friends.
Blessings,
Betsy

14 comments:

  1. Oh my Betsy, that is way far to go to visit, but so nice she can stay home and care for her. I live in Vegas and my grand kids across town and I hardly see them. When my son lived here for awhile I saw them every week. I so miss seeing them!
    I'm taking Alex to a knitting class this Saturday. So that will be fun.
    I love, love, love the runner! It's awesome.
    I love your dogs friend, they are sweet.

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  2. Oh my Betsy, that is way far to go to visit, but so nice she can stay home and care for her. I live in Vegas and my grand kids across town and I hardly see them. When my son lived here for awhile I saw them every week. I so miss seeing them!
    I'm taking Alex to a knitting class this Saturday. So that will be fun.
    I love, love, love the runner! It's awesome.
    I love your dogs friend, they are sweet.

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  3. Betsy! The crocheted runner is BEAUTIFUL!!! Bravo!!! I know that the upcoming move is difficult, but am so proud of you for being the wonderful mom you are and loving your children wherever they are...Bravo, again! Chloe is precious, and I am glad you love her so well. xx

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  4. Betsy, you are one generous and lovely friend to make that for someone. It's gorgeous! I'm so sorry about the kids moving so far away. You know I can totally relate, having my daughter take my only 2 granddaughters to Ohio.. 3000 miles away. We only get to see them once a year. Them moving has broken my heart more than any other thing in my entire life. But hopefully you'll get to visit more than I do. Hang in there.. you have us, too. ((hugs)), Teresa

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  5. Oh, my gosh! Look at that big beautiful thing! That is a LOT of stitching, my dear. You did a wonderful job. Wish I could see it in person. I'm sorry about your son and grandbaby moving so far away. That's just terrible! I know Teresa has never gotten used to her granddaughters moving so far away from them. Wish I could give you a hug. Nothing else can really help with that kind of news. At least you have sweet little Chloe for hugs! Doesn't she look cute with her friend. Aww.

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  6. Your runner looks great--very pretty! Sorry to hear about your family moving from the PNW. I truly do understand and empatize with you as our granddaughters didn't always live in Oregon and our grandsons moved away many years ago. Hugs.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  7. The runner is fabulous! I am sad for you also about your family moving so very far. :(
    How sweet the two buddy dogs.

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  8. The runner turned out so well! I know you are sad about your family moving so far away. Though, I am glad to hear you will get some extra time with Piper for a while.

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  9. Oh Betsy, my heart will ache with you. I know that feeling, and it is awful. Gennifer and Jake were recently thinking about moving to Boise Idaho. Jake is from there, and they lived there the first year they were married. I was heartsick. Of course, I would miss them, but the girls...oh my...we are so lucky to be able to see them so often and to have been a part of their every day lives. But thankfully, they bought a house here, only 1 mile from us. We are so blessed. But you never know. One must follow that job in today's world. I am so sorry for you.
    The runner is fabulous! Such a work of art!!!!
    I loved seeing Chloe and her pal on their bed. So sweet. Can't wait to hear about your garden at the lake. We are going tomorrow to put the boat in the water for the summer.
    XO Kris

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  10. The purple runner is beautiful! I like the finish stitching around the outside. The receiver of the gift will enjoy it. Good job! Sorry to hear your kiddos are moving across country. That's kinda hard for you. I'm glad ours are close, for now. I know my daughter-in-law wouldn't mind seeing her family but hasn't for 5 years now. Your dog and friend are adorable. Glad they are good friends! I found yarn today as I was clearing out a mess from one room to the other. Oh dear, can make something out of it or give it away...leftovers of a project from years ago!
    Have a good weekend,especially first day of summer!

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  11. I'm lost for words Betsy!!! Well!! nearly....that is an impressive runner....what beautiful work...really stunning.
    I so feel for you Betsy...I just know that feeling...and well!!! My daughter met and married her husband when visiting the States and she moved to Chicago. My only child on the other side of the world! Spain to Chicago is a long way!!! As fate would have it ....she did return to me here in Alicante some years later and with the greatest of gifts ... a grand-daughter!!! She lives 15 minutes away now.

    keep well

    Amanda xx

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  12. Hello Betsy, Your runner is absolutely stunning. A beautiful art piece indeed. How sad that your family will be heading off to the East coast. It is certainly a very very long ways away. It is good that you will be able to have some quality time with your granddaughter before they leave. Higs judy

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  13. Oh sweet friend the runner is awesome! I so love it. You did such an amazing job on this. :) I am very sorry to hear about your loved ones moving so far away, but like you said...thank goodness for FaceTime. :) Awww Chloe and Mattie are just too, too sweet. :) Wishing you a most lovely day sweet friend...blessings always. :)

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  14. Such sweet pups!

    Egads, Betsy! That is one gorgeous runner! I would not have the patience for such a big project. As you can see from my post yesterday, I like quick and easy. The giant granny is the only thing that I will be working on long term.

    Sorry to hear about your family moving so far away. But hey, look on the bright side, at least it's still in the United States of America. Ha! Could be Japan. Or Kuwait. :) My mom still doesn't have a computer or even a phone for texting so if I can't catch her by telephone, then I don't have any contact with her at all. It's good you are able to do Facetime every day. And there's Skype, too.

    Take care, Tammy

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