Thank you!

Thank you! There were so many well wishes for Dennis and his surgery in my last post. You're all so kind and we both appreciate each and every one of them. He's doing very, very well. On Tuesday we returned to the hospital and the surgeons office where he exchanged the HUGE, bulky cast for this. He has not had one bit of pain since the surgery and hasn't taken even a single tylenol for pain. God has indeed been with him, because looking at the next photo, I don't see how it can possible not be very painful. If you have a queasy stomach, I suggest you pass by the next bit. 😵‍💫

How can that NOT hurt? But there is very little swelling. Last time, he couldn't wear his watch from June until October because the swelling never went away and it was from his fingertips to his wrist. The stitches should come out next Tuesday. He'll probably have to wear the splint for 6-8 weeks, which is into January! He's already bending his fingers to his palm and the thumb top joint to touch his fingers! It is truly wonderful. He even went back to work on Monday!

Switching gears, last night was Miss Pipers very last elementary musical. Next year she'll be off to middle school! When did that happen? This is a really blurry photo because it's zoomed in so far. But she's still cute isn't she? The theme was Music in America. This song was about rock and roll so they wore sunglasses. So cute!

The kids were great, but of course, both of us Grandma's thought she was the best one there. She even had a speaking part. Brad's parents were there too, along with the two of us and Brad & Mandy. I'm going to miss these musicals.

Here's a broader photo that shows how far back we were. The big dog is the schools mascot. They are the Timberwolves. 

And now for some crafting. I finished the very last Christmas gift! Mom's socks. Just a plain vanilla sock pattern as it's what she likes best. Yesterday we picked her up and took her to Cheddar's for lunch. She loves it there and so do we. She couldn't remember we were going to lunch even after a call at bedtime the night before and two reminder calls in the morning. She said she would be waiting at the front door, which she usually is. I had to go all the way up to her room, to find her watching TV. She had completely forgotten we were going to lunch and scolded me all the way back to the car for not giving her more notice so she could dress appropriately. She looked fine. She always looks nice. She seems to have taken another memory hit. She goes along fine for a few weeks or a month, staying about the same and then something happens and we notice that she's forgetting even more. It's such a sad thing.

On Monday I decided that baby J needed a crochet toy from Grandma when she gets here next week. I made a couple of these bunnies a few years ago for Nita and Lori, my friends in Spokane. I picked up the yarn and started crocheting it on Tuesday. By evening, I had a bunny. It's far from perfect, but it's so soft and cuddy and almost as big as she is! I used Bernat Blanket yarn (#6 bulky) and an "N" crochet hook. I think she'll love it. 

I also made a start on Piper's new sweater this week. If I finish it before Christmas I'll just give it to her but if it's close to Christmas I may wrap it up for her. The color is really a deeper sage green than this photo shows. I couldn't get it to photograph correctly. She chose the pattern and has asked for a sage green, a red and a white cardigan. This girl has worn my sweaters almost daily since she was tiny. She loves them and I love making them for her since she wears them so much. This is the "Pure Comfort Cardigan" by Andrea Yetman and is a free pattern on Ravelry. It has an unusual shawl collar and I hope I can figure it out when I get to that part! :-) I'm about halfway through the stockinette body. Just plain knitting and purling back and forth. I'm using Yarn Bee Simply Flawless in Desert Sage from Hobby Lobby. She's growing up and every time I make her a sweater it's taking more and more yarn. 🧶🧶🧶 I just don't understand it!?

Today we have the Veteran's Day program at the school this afternoon. We were able to go last year for the first time and they really put on a nice program for the Veteran parents and grandparents. They even put every Veteran's photo up on the big screen for all to see. Both Dennis and Brad's dad, also a Dennis, are military veterans. I love going to watch the children sing. They look like they're having such a great time up in front. I was thinking we could give Piper a ride home afterwards, but she's on safety patrol duty today. Anyone else out there who were on the safety patrol? Dennis was captain at his school safety patrol and I was a captain at mine!

Well, that's our week since I last wrote to you. Sprinkled in there are also Sunday School and church, two different Bible Studies on Wednesday and Thursday's. I crochet sleeping mats for the Open Door Mission on Tuesdays with some ladies at our old apartment building. Helping Brad and Mandy whenever we can since they're both busy with work. Taking care of Mom and going to doctor appoints. Life definitely is keeping us busy here in Omaha.

I did manage to get the Christmas cards finished this week too and they are stamped and ready to mail out the day after Thanksgiving. We have yet another new address this year, so I wanted to get them mailed early. The last move. We want to promise that, but I don't want to say something that may change. Our plan is to stay here till the end, but you never know what the future holds.

I'm in daily prayer for Israel and all of the people affected by the horrible massacre there. Also for the innocent people in Gaza. I pray for all of the kidnap victims and their families and hope that they will soon be back home.

Take care my dear friends. I so appreciate each one of you and the fact that you take the time to come visit me here. I'll be back soon. Meanwhile, take care of yourselves and keep a watchful eye open at all times.

Blessings and love,
Betsy