Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Busy Stores

Good morning everyone! I’ve been busy the last few days running errands. I have volunteered to teach the first through third grade Sunday school class beginning in January, so I spent a couple of hours at the Christian bookstore yesterday looking over curriculum. Then I went to Michael’s and realized all of their yarn was half-price, yesterday only. Of course I had to buy a few skeins. This morning I went to the Dollar store to stock up on a bunch of school supplies. Pencils, glue sticks, crayons, construction paper, scissors, etc. It’s amazing how much you need to teach little kids!  The church would provide some of it, but it’s easier to just take my own back-and-forth and then I know what is in my classroom each week.

The Dollar Store was jampacked with people and then of course, it’s next-door to Michael’s so I had to stop in there. Because I can never pass up Michael’s. Ha! Today they have all of their fancy boxes on sale 70% off. So I picked up one or two of those. And then, Hobby Lobby is just next-door to Michael’s, so I went over there and bought some scrubby yarn so I can make some dish scrubby‘s for small gifts.  I keep a basket of dishcloths by my front door for anybody who stops in at the holidays to choose from. I would like to throw a few scrubby’s in there too.  Using my 40% off coupon it was only a little over two dollars for a skein of the scrubby cotton.  Then it was on to the grocery store to pick up a few things for tomorrow and Sunday evening. Whew!  I’m finally home!

Tomorrow night, instead of having regular Bible study, we’re all getting together to watch the new Netflix movie “The Christmas Chronicles.”  Dennis and I have already watched it and it was pretty cute. So we’re going to have finger foods tomorrow night and watch the movie together. Sunday night is the men’s tool exchange and women’s ornament/kitchen tool exchange at church. We’ve done this every year since we’ve been in Spokane, which is 25 years. It’s lots of fun and we have finger foods there too.

That was a lot of rambling wasn’t it?  On to more fun stuff.  I’ve started the first sleeve on Dennis’s sweater.  It looks more gray than brown here. The sun is shining brightly today so I don’t know why the colors are all wrong in the photos.

 I finished the 10th square for the KAL yesterday.  Only two more squares to go!  I like this basket weave pattern.

It was quite frosty outside both yesterday and today. I took this photo of a tree in the backyard to show you the  hoarfrost that covered absolutely everything including the sidewalks.

And I’ve left the best for last!  I had a wonderful package show up in the mail on Monday. It was a brown paper package tied up with string! It really was.  It came all the way from Lorraine and Gerard who live on the Isle of Lewis. Look at all of the goodies she sent me.

There is a gorgeous hank of brown yarn from one of the sheep right there on the Isle. The sweet notebook and the needle case are both made with Harris Tweed from the Isle.  The little gift tag is beautiful and has one of my favorite Bible verses on it. She also included a sweet singing angel ornament and a lavender sachet. Everything was made with Lorraine‘s own crafty hands.  Am I not the absolute luckiest woman ever? This was so unexpected. I need to think of something very special to use this yarn for. Thank you so very, very much Lorraine.

I’m almost ready to change my mind and put the Christmas tree up. I’m really missing it this year. For those of you who are interested, the test I had done last week came out negative for inflammation in my bones. Which is very good news, but obviously they still don’t know what’s causing my back to spasm so much. The neurologist called yesterday and said he wants to wait until I see the spine doctor again, which isn’t until January 2. I appreciate all of your wonderful thoughts and the prayers that you have said for me. I still would appreciate them. 

After being out and about for a couple of hours this morning, I will be down for the rest of the afternoon because of my back.  It’s quite frustrating. But, I know I have it better than a lot of people so I really don’t mean to complain about it, I just thought I would give you all an update because several people have asked.

I hope you’re all having a wonderful Monday and enjoying lots of Christmas cookies!

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  Matthew 6:3-4

Blessings, Betsy

15 comments:

  1. You've really made a lot of progress on that sweater!
    My back has been just terrible ever since Thanksgiving. All that cleaning did me in. It's really taking the fun out of the holidays. I have to go lie down every few hours just to handle the misery. Ugh. Hope you feel better. Back pain is just terrible.

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  2. Wow, you're knitting a sweater and finishing all those squares, too? Hope your back feels better soon; there's nothing worse than an achy back!

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  3. I watched the Christmas Chronicles when you mentioned it in an earlier post: I enjoyed it. It sounds like you found some good bargains on yarn, and the surprise package goodies are fabulous.

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  4. Oh....that SHEEPY yarn gift! WOW. Hope your back lets you decorate a bit soon! Bless you Betsy!

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  5. Am enjoying Christmas cookies from my friends Swiss dad, so special Betsy.
    Love the brown paper parcel tied up with string (these are a few of wonderful things, acc to sound of music!)... its contents are so loving and precious.
    Glad re tests and praying for a solution for you dear precious sis.
    Surely we are in God’s hands.
    Prayer hugs,
    Shaz in Oz.x

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  6. PS love the pbasket weave pattern too, and when was in US so loved the 40% Vouchers for Michaels and Hobby lobby. Unbelievable really!
    Xxxx

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  7. That was a beautiful surprise gift. I can't wait to see what you choose to make with that beautiful yarn.

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  8. What a lovely gift to get in the mail! You have been busy...hope they find the cause of your back problems, so you can get some relief:)

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  9. It's been cold and frosty here in the mornings too! I got a pkg from Lorraine too but decided to keep it til Christmas. I have stayed away from shopping at Michaels and Hobby Lobby...both apart from each other. I remember where those stores are there in Spokane. Well, I'm glad your tests came out negative...but oh my, why still the pain? Prayers it subsides soon my dear friend! Hugs!

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  10. Aren't you a lucky one to get a package from Lorraine in Scotland! I love her and her blog. That brown yarn would make a nice hat or mittens. I haven't had one Christmas cookie yet, I have plans to make some chocolate chip cookies so need to do that soon. Dennis' sweater is coming along nicely! Is it really brown? The photo comes off as it's grey. Now don't overdo, my friend. Take it easy. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  11. I love the idea of having a basket with your knitted cloths and scrubbies. I generally have a basket that holds biscuits/cookies wrapped in cellophane but this year I have left a small basket of the surplus soap that I have made. I imagine the shops will get busier and busier as we move closer to Christmas.

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  12. You had a busy day of shopping. Lucky all those places are right there together. Sounds like you got some good bargains. Lovely gifts from Lorraine. I know you will put that yarn to good use. Sorry to hear that your back problems continue to be ongoing and bothersome.

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  13. What a sweet and lovely surprise! You are making great progress on the sweater Betsy - keep at it when you can and it will be finished in no time. Your latest block pattern is very pretty - pattern and yarn choice.

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  14. You sure packed a lot shopping into your morning outing! So sweet of your friend to send you those gifts. I think you will make a wonderful SS teacher! Nancy

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  15. Your industry and creative makes continue to "WOW" me dear Betsy! I admire all you accomplish in spite of the physical challenges you have. And as you reflect the Lord's presence with you I am encouraged. Thank you. I am so glad you received the love gift from Lorraine and Gerard! Thanks for letting us admire it too. :) xx

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