Wednesday, April 11, 2018

A finish!

Sunshiny Wednesday.  Finally.  We've had clouds and rain for many days in a row, and it's supposed to return soon, but for today the sun is shining and I'm going to enjoy it.

Because it's been so cloudy here it was hard to get a good photo of my finished Beachcomber shawl but here it is anyway.  It ended up over 5 feet long after blocking!  I didn't even stretch it out to it's full potential.
 I like the lace sections even though I misread the pattern and didn't do as many repeats as called for.  I discovered that AFTER finishing the picot bind-off and wasn't about to rip it all out.  I think it would have been too big if I had done them all anyway.  At least that's what I'm telling myself. :-)
 The colors still aren't "my" colors and even though I like it finished I know I would never wear it so it's being given as a birthday gift this weekend.  The Cotlin yarn from Knit Picks was very hard on my hands, even after using hand lotion constantly while knitting on it.  Both of my thumbs were bleeding before I finished it.  Although the fabric that results is beautiful, I don't think I'll be using this yarn again anytime soon.
 We had hail last weekend!  That's pretty rare for Spokane.  Especially hail that was almost nickle sized.  Now, when we lived in Omaha it wasn't unusual at all to have large hail and if your cars were outside  much, they usually has some hail damage on them.  That's not the norm here though.  It sounded like it was going to come right into the house it was so loud. 
 It looked almost like snow when it was done.  I didn't get a picture of the end of the storm when the grass was completely covered.
Here's my handsome Alex participating in a festival in Japan.  It's hard to believe that he's going to be 30 in December!  Do all of you Mom's feel that way?  He's the baby!  If he's 30 what does that make me?!  Well, actually it makes me 58 and I can't change that fact.
He's such a good guy.  He face-times several times a week and really seems to want us to retire to Japan and live with him.  That's not going to happen although I love to visit there.  It's nice that he wants us though isn't it?  I have promised him that if my back improves enough to fly that I'll go visit him this fall.  I want to see his new apartment and the town he lives in.  He spends two weeks a month in Tokyo and two weeks in Towada-shi and I've never been to Towada.
I need to clear up a little confusion about the camping trailers.  I think because of the information about the new lake rules and costs, some people thought we are selling our lake trailer. Nope.  We're keeping the big trailer at the lake at least for another season and hopefully longer.  We're selling the little one we bought last year for weekend trips because we've discovered we're just not using it.

So far the calls have been few and far between because the weather has been so yucky.  However, in the past few days we have had several calls from people who want to see it over the weekend.  Hopefully one will want it and we'll be able to  sell it soon.  We've talked to several RV dealers that we trust and all say our price is very good, even too cheap, so it should sell quickly when the weather breaks.

As for my chiropractor visits, I have have great hopes.  I see him again this morning.  I have muscles hurting that haven't hurt for years.  He says that's normal because everything is moving around in my back.  Monday when I woke up my stomach muscles felt like I had done 100 sit-ups.  Well obviously that hadn't happened!  He seems to know what he's doing and I will be so excited to actually be able to move around again without pain.  Thank you for all the sweet thoughts and prayers.  You are all the greatest!

We've had a houseful for over a week now.  After being empty-nesters for over 10 years it's strange to be doing school runs and fixing family dinners again.  It's been good though and everyone seems to be getting along well.  Chloe is exhausted from playing with them.  The house closing is supposed to be April 20 and then they will be here until around the 25th or so while the movers deliver their furniture.  Gosh, the house will seem huge and empty with just Dennis and I!

I almost forgot to tell you all about a fun giveaway Teresa is having on her blog.  She's giving away handmade beads and they are gorgeous. Pop on over an give her a visit.  It's Teresa Kasner on my sidebar.

I hope you all have a lovely day and are seeing some new spring growth in your area.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

Blessings,
Betsy

19 comments:

  1. Love your shawls. What a great gift to give someone. I know they will love it. Praying that your back gets better soon. Glad that the chiropractor seems to be helping, that is good news. Alex has so much going on and seems so busy, but it's sweet he always has time for you both. What a good son he is to want to have you two live with him when you retire. I know there is no way you are leaving the US when little Miss P is here. :) Hope your day is filled with many blessings sweet friend. ((hugs))

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  2. Your son is, indeed, handsome and thoughtful. I hope you'll be able to visit him in Towada. The area is beautiful.

    Love the shawl. I've never heard of the yarn, but you've put it on my radar as some to avoid.

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  3. The shawl is beautiful. It's very summery. Too bad about the yarn. Yikes. It sounds painful.
    For the record my baby (the oldest) turned 40 this Christmas and I'm still not over it.

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  4. #1 I love the Peace bible quote.
    Your son is so handsome. Too bad he and my Al can't meet!!
    I think the shawl is amazing! I love the finish so much Betsy!!

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  5. I'm sure your friend will be thrilled with her beautiful new shawl. Just the thing for this up and down weather AND in the summer when everyone has the air conditioning turned down to "fast freeze" in the restaurants.

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  6. Love that shawl! I think we swapped your rain for our sunshine..... Nice photo of your son. Oh, and BTW 58 is YOUNG!!! (Hope your muscles feel better now.)

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  7. You are very kind to give that shawl as a gift after so much work, the cost of the yarn and the pain you endured to make it! Thanks for the mention of my blog giveaway. Alex certainly is handsome!! I just wish he'd come visit you more often. :-) Have fun with your houseful of people. We are like that all the time now with 7 of us co-habitating here! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. Such a beautiful shawl and generous gift, made with love. You are blessed with a very handsome son, I am praying that you will be recovered enough to travel and visit him. We are at the hospital today for Gerard's assessment prior to his rehabilitation, the sun is shining so it should be a nice drive.

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  9. Good Morning, I am so glad to read that you are not selling your lake RV.... I had read somewhere (probably FB) that you were selling one -- and I remember how upset you were at all of the new lake-rules-regulations. I was so disappointed since I know how much you two love the lake house... I had forgotten that you even had another RV --although when you mentioned it today, I remembered when you purchased it...

    Sounds like the chiropractor is helping you... That's GREAT...

    Have a great day/week ahead.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. I think your shawl is beautiful. I have some of the cotlin, but haven't worked with it yet.
    Have a wonderful and blessed week, my friend.
    HUGS

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  11. I pray God's healing hands on your back Betsy. And your shawl is pretty. I am sure you and Dennis will be inspired by The Holy Spirit on what to do when everyone leaves.
    Do have a super blessed day!

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  12. Hello sweet friend! We didn't get the hail that you got last week, but we did get some random snow. And today it is raining like the dickens! Always good to visit with you and see what your busy hands are crafting! Your gorgeous shawl is amazing! I can imagine how hard it must have been to craft it with the wool so rough on your skin! It looks like the season of "springter" continues here, with it being so cold and rainy! Do you have any blooms outside yet? Hugs to you today :)

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  14. Hi dear Betsy.
    Love the shawl stunning creation.. not my colours either but great gift 🎁 to one who does wear them!
    Alex is special...
    Praying much for back with relief, not just pain.. praying too much care taken of you in all aspects of it.
    Very trying day here... but our great Father God shone through brightly.
    “When I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me. “ praise Him.
    Hugs Shaz.xxx

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  15. Your shawl is pretty! I could use one this a.m. as it's chilly inside and more so outdoors, again! More rain and wind today, just like yesterday. Will not go out to tulip farm as I'd planned. Glad you are healing up and nice photo of Alex and an update on him. Take care and stay warm and dry! Blessings and prayers, my friend!

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  16. A nice looking son. I know you must really miss him. Hope your back improves so that you can visit him soon. I think if my hands were bleeding I would give up on making that shawl! I am one of the ones that thought it was your park trailer you were selling. Glad you can enjoy it another year. Nancy

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  17. Oh, my, it just hurt me to think of your poor thumbs bleeding from working on that shawl! It surely is so pretty, though, and I know whoever receives it will love it and cherish it! I can't believe your hailstorm! Whew, that sounds awful. We are truly starting to see Spring here, and it is so beautiful. Winter is reluctant to leave all over this year, and I am always sad to see it go...I love the stillness of winter. But, all seasons are beautiful in their own way, and I just feel blessed to see another one come in. God bless you, sweet friend. :)

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  18. Busy times BEtsy, you are so wonderful to house this family for so long. Glad your back is doing better my friend. Have a lovely weekend.

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  19. I shy away from cotton and linen, too, because they are so hard on my hand muscles and skin!
    My son turned 30 in December, and I'm still in denial. It is so sweet that he wants you to retire to Japan and live with him. Clearly you are an awesome mom!
    I'm 58, too! He's my eldest. My baby is just 28.

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