Friday, November 14, 2014

Home Again

Hello My Friends!

I made it back home safely yesterday afternoon.  On Wednesday, Mandy, Piper and I walked along the bay in t-shirts and jeans, no coats.  We painted all day with all the windows open and the high was 72 degrees.  Yesterday I came home to 10 degrees.  What a rude awakening!  I woke up about 3:00 a.m Eastern time, which was midnight here in Spokane.  Brad took me to the airport and I saw all of the monuments in D.C. lit up during the dark drive.  So pretty!  

I arrived in Spokane a little after 3:00 pm and Hubby picked me up.  I had just enough time to unpack my suitcase before preparing for a potluck dinner here at our house.  After the dinner and a bit of visiting, everyone was preparing to watch a movie and I excused myself andwent to bed!  But...just as I climbed into my bed, Alex face-timed with me.  We  talked for about an hour and I so enjoyed visiting with him.  He is going to Harvard University in February for a few days for work but said it wouldn't make sense for us to fly there to see him since he has to work the entire time.  That's disappointing.  Here he will be on U.S. soil and I still won't get to hug him.  :-(  That's hard on a Mom.  After we talked I finally fell asleep and slept very well until 5:30.  Not too bad.  I was afraid I would be awake really early until I adjusted to the time change.  All told, I was awake about 23 hours yesterday!  I'm getting too old for this!

A few last pictures of Mandy's place.  These next three pictures are of The Londonton Pub, (I think hat's the name).  It's one of the original settlements in the country and is about 2 miles from Mandy & Brad's house.
The old buildings are beautiful.
Just look at the fences.  I didn't get to go inside and explore.   Maybe next visit.
A last vew of the Bay Wednesday afternoon during our walk about a block from their house.  Isn't that gorgeous?
Piper decided to try on Mommy's Ugg boots.  They're a bit big for her don't you think?
Mandy said Piper looked all over the house for me yesterday and kept asking for me.  I had tried to prepare her as best I could that I was going home to Papa and Chloe and she kept saying, "No Gamma.  Sit and stay!"  I'm not ashamed to say I cried several times on the way home yesterday.  I love, love, love this little girl.

When I got home, look what was waiting for me!  A package from Helen at Moonstruck Creations.  I'm sorry the picture is turned.  Try as I might, I cannot get it turned the right way.  I had sent Helen a bit of doily thread and sweetheart that she is, she sent me a package back.  
There is a doily button!  How cute is this?  I love doilies.
Pure British Bluefaced Leicester Wool.  Isn't it beautiful?  I have to find something very special to make with this.
Cadbury chocolates.  Yum!
And little foam shapes.  I sure wish Piper were still here, we would have a fun time making something with these together.  Thank you so much Helen.  This was so sweet of you and completely unexpected.  Blog friends are the best!
I finished the socks I was making in my last post and left them with Mandy.  Now I'm making a pair for myself.  Maybe.  They always get given away before I finish a pair and I have NEVER gotten to keep a single pair of the dozens I've knitted.  I finished the first sock on the plane yesterday and started the second.
This is very nice pure wool yarn.
By 8:30 this morning I had been to the grocery store and washed two loads of clothes.  I've gone through two weeks of mail and filed lots away.  I put a roast into the crockpot for dinner too.  I think I need to give up on catching up on blogs and just start fresh today.  I hope that's okay with all of you.  I love your blogs and hate to miss even a single post but I have so many committments this weekend.  Starting with knitting group this afternoon.  I've missed 5 months and am determined to go today!  Tomorrow is the church craft morning here at our house at 10:00.  I should bake something for that.  Sunday is our church's annual Thankgiving dinner.  We do a traditional turkey dinner for about 300 people every year.  Usually I volunteer to roast a turkey among other things, but this year I took the easy way out and I'm just making a few side dishes.  So it's a busy weekend.  Hopefully Monday will bring a more relaxing time.  Oh, that's right!  Monday I have to take my car to get the snow tires put on.  Okay...maybe Tuesday will be quieter.

Nita is bringing little Sophie over today and we'll be puppy sitting for a week while she and Larry take a cruise somewhere in the Carribean.  Lucky people.  Just as it gets cold here they leave.  

Such is my life.  Busy, but I like it.  It was SO WONDERFUL to see Dennis again yesterday.  I miss him so much when one of us is gone.

Okay.  I've rambled enough.  I hope all is well with each one of you.  Have a lovely day and weekend my friends.

"Yours, Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, Lord is the kingdom: you are exalted as head over all."
1 Chronicles 29:11

Blessings,

Betsy

16 comments:

  1. Wow, you are so busy, love the beautiful gift from Helen, the wool looks magnificent. Beautiful photo of Piper. Have a great time at the thanksgiving dinner.

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  2. So glad you are safely home. I hope these socks stay with you. :) They are great!

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  3. Oh my goodness.. you are really remarkable.. it would take me a week to get over the travel to DC and back. And you jump right in and do a ton of things. I teared up thinking about you missing Piper and her looking for you.. wah. I hope you plan a trip to Portland someday soon so we can give you some proper hugs. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. WOW! You are amazing Betsy! You inspire me, touch my heart and make me laugh :) Blessings as you live your life to the fullest. I am grateful for our friendship. xx

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  5. I just got 2 books by Erika Knight and there you are with her beautiful wool. Lucky you and what a nice gift your friend sent. I too love the doilies.....I'm making one right now and hope to make many more. I got confused as to where you went and where you live but I guess it doesn't really matter except I know you are missing your granddaughter. You'll be able to Skype her I'm sure. Glad you got home safe and sound and whose fault is it that you have no hand knit socks for yourself? LOL! I love the yarn you're making your current pair out of. You should keep those for you!

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  6. So glad you had a safe journey, but I can just imagine how much you are missing Miss Piper.

    Thank you so much for your lovely comments about the little things I sent to you, it was such fun looking for things I thought you would like.

    Hope you get some rest and catch up with your sleep this weekend.

    Much love to you and yours, Helenxx

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  7. Betsy I love how committed you are to your family, your friends and of course your church. Here you just got home and you are jumping in full force. I hope you get some rest amongst all you have to do. I know you miss your girls terribly, not even time heals that.
    Hugs to you and glad you are home safe and sound,
    Meredith

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  8. Welcome home! I know how conflicted your heart is. Missing your daughter and granddaughter. Time to busy yourself with what was your normal routine. The busyness of the holiday season will certainly help to keep your heart from feeling too heavy.
    So sorry your won't be able to see your son while he is here. Being a Mama is hard stuff! Even when they are grown, they are our babies!!!
    Enjoy your church celebration of Thanksgiving, and keep busy!
    XO Kris

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  9. So very thankful you made it back safely home. I know you are enjoying getting back into your routine again...but I do understand that you miss your sweet little Miss Piper, too. She is just too adorable in those boots! Sorry you won't get to see your son after all. I know you were looking forward to that trip. Love the socks and I look forward to seeing what you make as you settle back into home. Blessings to you always sweet friend. :)

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  10. Welcome home! I don't see how you do all the things you do. I would be a mad woman without a few days rest in between things. I just do NOT like to go-go-go. I want to stay-stay-stay! I guess it takes all kinds. You keep those socks, you hear? Enjoy a pair for yourself and appreciate them every time you put them on. I'm still on a blog break, but I have lots of things saved up to show when I come back.

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  11. I'm glad you made it home safely. It sounds like you've been very busy and now it's time to rest and relax before the holiday. Take care, Betsy.

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  12. That place looks like a dream! So amazing.

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  13. I'm so glad you made it home safely my dear friend. I know you miss Piper and Mandy but I think you are happy to he home again also. I'm sure you will miss them so very much. However, the holidays are always so busy that hopefully will help to fill the void a little.
    You have so much to do and prepare for the holiday. I hope we get yo see you. Lots of love my dearest friend.

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  14. aw, I found your blog of you coming home. I'd be tearing up too, missing your sweet little granddaughter. I'm glad mine are close. Yes, it's ok to just read what is updated on our blogs. I'm glad you had a good visit with your daughter and hopefully you got most of the painting done. That is alot of work for you to do while just being there a short while. Take care!

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  15. My goodness, if I had done all you did while at Mandy's, I would be still be sleeping. Just a few short days in GA with the grandkids and I was worn out. It is so hard to leave those babies, isn't it? We left on a Tuesday while the oldest was in school so I talked to her on Monday night about not being there when she got home. She teared up and I almost cried myself. But I promised her I would call when we got home and talk to her which I did so that helped. Mandy's house is pretty and I love the fact that they are so close to the bay and to a park. I know it's going to be hard on you with them (especially Piper) begin so far away. Hugs to you. Sharon

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  16. wonderful post Betsy so glad all went well loved reading it all and pray you get to keep one pair of sock for your dear self - you generous heart, Shaz in oz.x

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