It’s been awhile…again.

Hello! It’s been a hot minute hasn’t it? Our life is so chaotic right now. When I have been home I have just collapsed into my chair and done basically nothing. I have finished the Christmas ornaments for our family, but I don’t dare post them here in case someone’s reading the blog. I’ve also finished embroidering a set of tea towels that is also a Christmas gift. I’ll take pictures of everything and post them after Christmas. Both of these projects have been great carry along projects.

I also have started the Stephen West garter squish blanket that is a free pattern on Ravelry. It uses a lot of yarn because you hold two strands of worsted yarn doubled using a size 15 needle! I have never used a size 15 needle before and it takes some getting used to, but this does make a wonderfully squishy blanket. This will be a Christmas gift for Dennis‘s mom as she is always so cold.

Here we are in mom‘s apartment. You can see my toes and that’s it! She loves her new place. This is just a little part of the living room and kitchenette. It’s about twice this big and she has a very large bedroom and bathroom too. She is truly loving the apartment and the meals that are provided. I was there yesterday helping her with her laundry and she said she wishes she had done this years ago.

This is where I am right now. I’m watching Pamela‘s Adoring Crochet on YouTube while I finished hand sewing the Christmas ornaments. Today is the first day I’ve been home in weeks. We do have Bible study tonight, but I don’t have to go anywhere until then. I hope I didn’t just jinx myself. 😍

As you can see I’ve hung up my crocheted autumn leaf garland, as well as put out a few pumpkins for fall. You can also see Zoey’s bed and toy box.

Dennis signed the papers on Mom‘s house on Monday and the new buyers are supposed to sign on Friday. Less than 2 1/2 weeks from when we listed it! Meanwhile, there have been a couple of inspections this week and I’ve been calling to get utilities shut off and insurance canceled, etc. This doesn’t include our daily, at least once a day trips to see Mom. Hopefully that will all begin to slow down now. I have filled up the gas tank in my car three times in the last 10 days! That definitely cannot continue.

In addition to all of this, while Dennis has been doing the final things around Mom’s house, I have been looking at apartments and over 55 apartments for us. We finally narrowed it down to two possibilities, but the cost is prohibitive at the one we really like. The manager told us rent went up 7% last year and they are planning another 7% increase for this year. With the uncertain economy and not knowing what’s going to happen over the winter, I think we decided just to stay put in the house for the time being. Maybe things will change in the spring or maybe we will decide just to stay here. Meanwhile, we have bought a locking mailbox that attaches to the house so that if we decide to go camping we don’t have to worry about our mail. That is a concern in this area. In the past, our mailman was very good about just delivering our mail to mom’s house if we were gone.

I am so sorry I haven’t been around much lately, either writing here on my blog or commenting on your posts. I have been reading them, but I’ve been falling asleep while trying to comment and then what I write makes absolutely no sense! So many of you have told me you understand and this is just a period in my life I’m going through. I have to admit, I have seriously thought of just giving up blogging altogether because life has been so overwhelming. Dennis has been encouraging me to just stay with it and pop in when I can. Hopefully, since we’re not moving again right now, the worst of it is over.

Here’s a funny from FaceBook that I thought you would appreciate.

“This discounted yarn is very challenging to crochet with. The cuteness is distracting, yarn moves around a lot and yarn actually farted once. Would not recommend.  1/10 stars.”

Isn’t that hilarious? The yarn matches the puppy’s fur so well. 💜💕💜 Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday! Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Blessings and love,

Betsy