Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Better....

Hello my friends,

I thank you all for your well wishes and prayers for Dennis.  He seems to be on the road to recovery and has been back to work all week.  He is really tired at night but hopefully that will pass soon.  I'm still not sure if it was the flu or just a particularly nasty virus but I don't wish it on anyone.  Today I'm washing all of the bedding AGAIN in the hottest water I can and on hot in the dryer.  I'm hoping by doing so will kill any lingering germs.

I have to admit, the turning point seemed to be when I started using some essential oils recommended by a friend.  I diffused them and put some on his temples for his headache.  The headache was gone in less than 10 minutes when none of the medication had helped at all.  I think I'm becoming a believer.  After all God gave us plants and the Bible even talks about using them.  I've always thought of it as "ooga-booga" stuff, but hey, if it helps why not try it?

Anyway, life is returning to normal around here.  Dennis started teaching another class of Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey last night at church.  We've been teaching it for about 10 years now and it's amazing the difference getting out of debt makes in people's lives.  I'm also always amazed at the predicaments people get themselves into when talking to the people attending the class.  (Shaking my head.)

Some goodies arrived in the mail this week.  Debra made some lotion bars for my best friend who tried mine and loved it.  She has very sensitive skin and is so grateful for these bars of lotion and soap!  Debra, you are the best with such a huge heart to do this for someone you don't even know in the midst of lots of  "stuff" happening in your own life.  I thank you so much my friend.  I'm sorry the photo is sideways.  I tried to correct it but it keeps turning it back to this view.
 And then I won this beautiful skein of yarn from Kim Napier at Napier's Knits and it arrived Monday.  Isn't it beautiful? It is hand-dyed by Kim and is 85% Superwash BFL, 15% nylon. She  called it "Partly Cloudy."
Has anyone wondered what my "mystery project" was in November?  It was a "Portage" sweater for Mandy for Christmas.  She loved mine when I visited in the fall so I made her one for herself out of a blue marled yarn, where mine was a brown marled.  Isn't she beautiful and the sweater fits perfectly.  I think she likes it.  The pockets are a great favorite of both of us.  Piper took this picture a couple of days ago because I forgot to while I was there.  I think she's a budding photographer.
 I finished the "Beautiful Shells" toddler blanket that I started last week.  A free pattern on Ravelry, it's 38 inches square and made with Caron Simply Soft yarn in brown, blue and cream.  This one will also go to the Crisis Nursery.  I wasn't sure about the colors, but really liked the way it turned out.
 I started the Beachcomber shawl that I bought as a kit last fall from Knit Picks.  I don't know why, but I wasn't enjoying the knit much, so I've put it in time out for awhile.  The colors aren't "my" colors and it uses Cot-lin yarn, but I don't know if either of those things were a factor in why I wasn't enjoying it.  I'll drag it out again before too long and give it another try.
 A better picture of the finished object, or at least what it's supposed to look like if I ever finish it.
 I made a pair of mittens last night but still have to finish the thumb on the second pair.  I just couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to finish them.  I've decided I really need to focus on making some mittens for awhile.  I let myself become distracted on making other things and I'm way behind my monthly goal of at least 10 pair a month.
Isn't this cute?  Brad and Piper were at Home Depot last Saturday and she was building a firehouse.  She adores her Daddy.
Last Friday was pajama day at school.  Here she is in the jammies that Papa, (Dennis), bought her while we were there a couple of weeks ago and the Princess Jasmine slippers I bought her when I visited in October.  She is such a sweetie. 
She also came down with a cold yesterday.  She was so worried about Papa last week.  She face-timed with us daily, doctor kit in tow.  She told me I needed to go to the store and buy Papa grapes because it would feel good on his throat and make him better.  Lots of other advice too, all of it good.  You can tell she's been listening to her Mama, the nurse.  The next day she called to see if I had bought grapes! :-)  She didn't forget one word of her advice.  She even had a clipboard that she "wrote" all of her orders on!

We sure love this little girl and I'm sad that she's sick again.  She had the flu when Mandy did a couple of months ago, but there are so many germs out there in pre-school land.

I'm going to make some deviled eggs today for our ladies lunch at church tomorrow.  I made them last month and was surprised at how popular they were, so I'll make them again.

We also have a ladies retreat on Saturday and dinner with friends Saturday night so I'm hoping Dennis continues to improve and that I stay healthy.  I wash my hands A LOT!!!!

I hope you're all well and having a wonderful January.  We've been having a rainy week but that's fine with me.  It's not SNOW and that's a plus in my book!  :-)

I just want to thank you all again for the prayers for Dennis.  I truly believe they helped him recover so quickly.

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1

Blessings,
Betsy

18 comments:

  1. Glad Dennis is doing better. This winter has been HARD for so many people. My brother had bronchitis for about 5 weeks! The sweater you made Mandy is gorgeous! And, I love that Partly Cloudy yarn - very pretty. Stay well!!!

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  2. I'm glad Dennis got over that horrible virus.. it's a very scary thing with so many losing their lives from the flu. I think your Beachcomber shawl will be pretty when it's done. I'm sorry Piper is sick.. poor little darling.. hope she recovers fast. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Piper is adorable. I think she likes the pjs from Papa!!!

    Glad to hear that Dennis is much better and hope those nasty buggies STAY gone.

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  4. I'm glad Dennis is better and sad that Piper has a cold. It's all going around. Had two co-workers out yesterday and one yesterday but she's back today, and feeling much better. I've been tired all week and not walked at all outdoors. So cold and just need the rest! My co-worker, Lon, is more than likely going home on Sat. I called him this evening. He was happy to hear from me. I might go to his house on Sunday, as it's his birthday! I need to look up essential oils as well. They are supposed to be good. Duterra is one of the better ones, what I hear. Take care and love all your knitting and love that sweater you made for Mandy! Cozy! hugs and blessings, my friend! x :-}

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  5. Lovely gifts Betsy... how good is the Lord in blessings from above.
    Thrilled at Dennis getting better. I use natural meds for some things too. Some work, some dont... but same for presecition meds too!
    Love the sweater for Mandy and both your girls are beatiful... in heart as weel as clay vessel... which is much more important.
    Hugs and ongoing prayers esp for Piper.
    Shaz.xxxxxxxxx

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  6. I am so glad Dennis is on the mend, I too am a great believer in the power of prayers. Although I am sure Nurse Piper had a lot to do with it, she is such a sweetheart. Take care and have a wonderful day.

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  7. Oh, dear friend! I am SO thankful Dennis is healed! Praise God!!! I pray for you, faithfully, every day, and just so thankful God has sent the answer. I do trust He will continue to keep you well and not allow you to get sick. I am so sorry little Piper is sick, bless her heart. Mandy is so beautiful, and the sweater is just amazing! You are SO talented, my friend, and your beautiful handiwork blesses SO many! The baby blanket is so pretty. I wonder if this is like doing a big granny square...I have made baby blankets (crochet) that I just keep going around and around doing the granny square pattern. My aunt taught me that...one time I even made a huge full-sized one for my husband that he cherishes so much. So wonderful to visit with you tonight and to hear the wonderful news about Dennis. I will surely continue to pray for you both. Sending much love your way!

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  8. Hi Betsy, So glad to hear Dennis is doing better and that you didn't get it! I am still struggling to get over a cold with a bad hacking cough. I am kind of like you with my feeling about essential oils but maybe I should be a little more open minded and look into it. Hope Piper is back to feeling better soon. Such a little cutie! Nice sweater! Take caree of yourself! Nancy

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  9. Mandy's sweater is lovely. The style looks comfy, especially with those great pockets.

    Good to hear that Dennis is feeling better. Giving the sheets a hot water wash is a good idea.

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  10. Praise God that Dennis is feeling better. Oh yes, prayers most certainly help, and I will continue to pray that you do not get it, too. Love the shawl, I will have to look that one up. The yarn sound nice, too. Some projects just need to sit in time out for a while until you are ready for them, I won't even bother to tell how many of mine are in time out. :)
    Little Miss P is always so cute and smiling, and very wise for her age. I still love that she is a knitter, so cute. Wishing you a day filled with many blessings sweet friend. ((hugs))

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  11. Thanking the Lord Dennis is better. It's hard to see our loved ones sick. I'm exploring essential oils. I have lemon, orange and lavender essential oil. I use them for making sugar scrubs. I was always suspicious because some people can be so cue "Twilight Zone music" about them.

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  12. Wow, so many beautiful projects you're working on! I especially love the sweater you finished, both the style and color. The Beachcomber is a beautiful pattern, hopefully it will become a more enjoyable WIP! I'm glad to hear your home is healthy, sending some extra prayers!:)

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  13. I missed the post about Dennis being sick. Glad to hear he is on the mend. They are saying there's lots of nasty bugs out there this year. I keep telling my kids to make sure they are washing their hands. My Colorado boy has had so many colds, ever since he got bronchitis awhile back, it's like he picks up anything and everything going around. He's totally into natural treatments and doesn't much like to take real medicine unless absolutely necessary. I use essential oils for many things, even making cleaning products. They really do work. Diffusing is a great way to get the benefits of many different oils. Love that sweater you made for Mandy. You are always making such wonderful things with love.

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  14. Portage + Mandy = 100%
    Piper + advice = she's right and so caring
    Prayers + Dennis = On the road to better
    and Partly Cloudy + Prize = Magnificent !!

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  15. Love the mittens that you make . . . having a pair of handmade mittens must be a treasured gift that your loved ones treasure. I could not find an email for you so you will need to copy and paste this into You Tube, here's the link to the Quilt as you go that you asked for,
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji8BLS2rNHA
    Connie :)

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  16. Lots of lovely things to see on your post and so glad hubby is on the mend Betsy
    Lynn :-)

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  17. Hope Dennis continues to improve and hope you stay far away from that 'bug'....

    Piper has the cutest smile in the world.. She's just SO pretty!!!!! (I know that you know that.)

    The sweater is gorgeous.... I have an old sweater which I wear around the house.. (It's not pretty nor hand-made like the ones you made).... This old sweater is heavy and it does have POCKETS (which I love).....

    I mistakenly bought a pair of slacks once and found that they had NO pockets... I certainly haven't worn them very often....

    Have a great week.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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