Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Vacation?

Good Morning!  It's a dreary, rainy day here in Spokane, but I'm playing with my Piper and all is well with the world.  Look at this tree in our neighbors yard.  It's certainly loaded with berries.  I keep hearing conflicting reports of how severe the winter is going to be.  Because of these loaded trees and fuzzy caterpillers peoplle say it will be lots of snow and cold but then others say because of el niño, it will be warm and rainy.  I guess time will tell.  I'm ready to be cozy and curled up by the fire knitting, crocheting and reading.
Mandy and I took Piper to the playground  Sunday.  She loves to go up and down the steps and the slide.
We  were trying to get a good picture of her dress.  Brad's grandma, Pipers great-grandma, sent it to her for her birthday.  Isn't it cute with the ladybugs all over it? Piper loves it.
I finished Alex's wristwarmers....
...and started a pair for his girl friend for Christmas.  This yarn I actually a deep purple, but no matter how much I changed the saturation I couldn't get the color right.  Alex's were finished in a couple of hours, but these take much, much longer with the lace pattern. It's an 8 row repeat so not too bad but still takes lots of concentration, (and size 1.5 needles!)
Trying Mommies clothes on.  This is one of her favorite passtimes lately.
Dennis and Mandy have Polly the dog and the two cats at the veterinarian this morning to get their health certificates to fly.  Piper and I went to the post office and mailed some crochet thread to a blog friend in England while they're busy at the vet's.  When we came home, this is what I found.
Chloe was so sad.  All the other animals were gone and she was left all alone.  I really don't know what she's going to do when we take them all with us to D.C. next week.  They've been here since the 4th of July and she's gotten used to having lots of playmates.

Dennis is on vacation this week.  His anniversary date at work is this month so he had to take the vacation now or lose it.  He has worked some from home, has taken phone calls here and actually went into the office for awhile yesterday, but for the most part we're just hanging around home.  Yesterday we spent two hours at the financial planners office finding out what we need to do to prepare for retirement in a few years.  That was an eye opener for sure.  This is the first time we've ever taken a vacation and just stayed home.  Usually we camp, go visit relatives or go somewhere fun.  We've been talking and we both realize that if this week is any indication, there is no way he can do what I do.  And this is even having Miss Piper around for entertainment.  I get up early and do my housework and any errands I have and then most afternoons I'm able to knit or read.  My always busy husband will be bored out of his mind soon.  He can't just sit still.  Example-he went into the OFFICE yesterday while on vacation.  We need to figure out a hobby or part-time job or volunteering somewhere or something to preserve both of our sanities.  :-)
Mandy, Piper and I have our tickets to fly to D.C. next Thursday, October 30.  I'll come home November 13 and then Hubby and I go on vacation, an actual vacation, in December.  I'll tell you about the plans for that trip when I get back from Mandy's new house.  She wants me there to help with Piper and to help unpack the house.  Also the actual trip there with Piper, the dog, two cats and all the luggage.  I'm sure we will be quite the spectacle at the airport!  The new house is all done and Brad had the walkthrough yesterday.  He's face-timed with us and shown us the house and yard and it's a beautiful home.

And now it's time to fix lunch.  I'll be back soon!

Blessings,
Betsy

30 comments:

  1. Oh sweet Chloe. She will be fine with you two again. ;)
    I am glad the new home is great!

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    1. I hope she's not bored with just Hubby and I. I'm looking forward to seeing the new house, it should be fun.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  2. I had to laugh when I read that you don't know what your husband will do when he retires. It's quite an adjustment initially but after awhile, you get used to the new rhythm of your lives. I love the gloves. I think my granddaughters would both love a pair of those.

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    1. I'm looking forward to him being around more, but I do think he'll be bored with my routine. The pattern for the purple mitts is Cranford Mitts. The brown ones are Honeycomb Wrist Warmers. Both are free on Ravelry.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  3. The gloves are beautiful, Betsy!!! I have an idea for Dennis...teach him to knit and crochet, Betsy :-) I can just see the piles of wonderful items you two would produce to bless others!! My mind boggles a bit trying to imagine how you will transport the pets for the move. I hope you have a non-stop flight. Praying for blessings for you and yours. xx

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    1. Thank you Gracie. No non-stop flight for us. We have a 55 minute layover in Seattle, then it's all the way to DC. Originally we were scheduled to go through Portland with a 2 hour layover-much better, but the airline changed us. I hope we make it because it's the only flight to DC!
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  4. Piper, as always, is simply adorable! I Sooo very cute! We share your concerns about planning for retirement. It is such a BIG milestone in one's life...
    Godspeed on your upcoming journey with your family!
    Blessings,
    Aimee
    PS: On my phone the purple looks as you described it; on my laptop it looks lighter. Perhaps it's your monitor?

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    1. Retirement can be scary! Especially when they start talking about how much you have to have saved because of inflation in the future. It probably is my computer showing the color different. It usually is. :-)
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  6. Your Piper is a sweetheart. Much like you, I am ready for some cold. A nice warm wood stove and a good book are all I need this winter :)

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    1. I think she's pretty cute too. As much as I miss summer and the lake, if I can't be there I'm ready to "nest" at home.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  7. Your son and his GF are going to look so stylish in those fingerless mitts! I do hope they take a photo wearing them and send it to you. About Dennis being bored after retirement. I was worried about Dayle too.. but right after retiring he was all abuzz with activity, baking bread from scratch, doing all kinds of projects and then.. each year he took it more easy and relaxed more. I wish you and your entourage a stress-free trip.. but I know that it's not going to be easy. I just hope it goes fast and it's over fast. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Good idea Teresa! I'll have to ask for. Picture of the mitts. That's good news about Dayle and retirement. Maybe Dennis will be the same way-I hope so. Thanks for the good wishes for the trip.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  8. I so enjoyed seeing all your pictures!

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  9. Wow my dear friend you have been busy. I will pray that your trip goes well and that you really enjoy your time with them in DC. I love the wrist warmers. They will be very excited t get them... Who would not ?
    I'm writing the pattern for my washcloth I just posted the pictures but I just knitted as I go Nd didn't have a pattern. I will write it and will let you know when it is in there. Have a wonderful rest of you week.
    Ps: miss Piper is absolutely adorable. What a cute dress.

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    1. I hope they both like the wrist warmers. It doesn't get very cold in Tokyo, but cold enough I think these will feel good in the mornings. I'm looking forward to your pattern. The washcloth is beautiful.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  10. My husband and I took early retirement and we have never looked back we often wonder now how we found time to go to work. We have so many hobbies and travel a lot we always fill our day. I am sure once you start to plan you will both be fine.

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    1. That would be nice but although we've been saving since we got married, apparently it's still not enough to retire early. I'm hoping he will find something he loves to do, (like I am with playing with yarn).
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  11. Oh I love the mitts you are working on. What patterns are you using? I know they will be much loved. Thanks for the info about the patterns, I have added them to my ever growing que! Awww sweet little Chloe, I know she'll settle back into it just being the three of you again. Little Miss Piper is alway so adorable and full of smiles. I am glad you will get to travel with them to their new home and help get them all settled. Sending prayers your way for the trip that all will go as planned. Blessings to you always sweet friend. :)

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comment. I think after a period of adjustment Chloe will be glad to be an "only child" again. :-)
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  12. "Dreary" and "rainy" do not go together in my mind! I love the rain! Love the gloves, and Piper is too cute in that dress. I haven't made any gloves in a long time, but I enjoyed it when I did. Maybe that's something I can do this winter and I'll be over my thread addiction. Right now, though, I have another doily on the hook and I'm waiting for another pattern in the mail, also a doily. Hope you have a good trip and Chloe isn't too sad while you're gone. Enjoy your time with Piper.

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    1. I think because it's a cold rain it feels more dreary. It's a reminder that winter is indeed coming. Alex's mitts were really fast and easy-just a few hours. The others were much more I tense with that lace pattern. Not hard, just trying to count with a toddler around "helping" can be challenging. :-)
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  13. Hi Betsy, it sounds like you've been busy. I hope your upcoming vacation will be relaxing. I don't have any retirement advice but if my in-laws are any indication, some people just need to stay very busy to be happy. I think they retired too young, but that's just my opinion. I'm glad they've found some good pastimes for themselves recently because they seem happier than they were. I hope you have a safe trip to the east coast and that everything goes smoothly for them settling into their new home.

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    1. Oh I hope too. I'll know more details when I return from DC and will share then. I think Hubby is someone who will need to stay busy. Thanks for the well wishes.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  14. Wow Betsy,so much going on. I know you are sad to see the time with Piper and Mandy at your house coming to an end, and Chloe will not be the only one who feels lonely. Maybe Chloe needs a new brother or sister? When my husband was semi-retired I swear I almost shot him, he was in my business all the time. Now he is working more but still seems to be home the times I am off work. He needs a hobby too.
    Hugs to you and hang in there, oh and I hope the Winter isn't too bad!
    Meredith

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  15. Hi Betsy! My goodness, you have a busy few weeks ahead of you! It will be nice to be there for Piper and to help set up house a bit for your daughter.
    Does your husband like to golf? Fish? My husband has several interests, so we won't be driving each other nuts. But he is still a good ten years away from retiring.
    Love the wrist warmers too!!! Have fun and treasure every moment with your little sweetie pie!
    xo Kris

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  16. Oops, forgot to say that the wristwarmers are lovely!

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  17. You are so talented! I love the feel of yarn in my hands and have been trying to teach myself how to knit. Currently I'm working on a scarf, all in plain basic stitch. Your mitts are lovely!

    We had a little snow last Sunday already, but has really warmed up. I enjoy winter, but won't mind if fall stays around for a while yet.

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  18. Very busy times for you all!

    Thanks so much to you and of course not forgetting Piper for mailing the crochet thread to me - you are such a brilliant friend! I have been truly touched by you doing this for me.

    I had great fun with my daughter choosing something which I hope you will like and will mail it to you this week. I guess it will arrive while you are away but hopefully it will be something nice for you to open when you get back.

    Hope you have a wonderful trip!

    Helenxx

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