Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Cccccold!

Goodness, it’s cold outside! Do you want to see what the temperature is right now? This is a screenshot of my phone’s weather app right now. Do you see the “feels like” temperature is -24F. And it’s just supposed to get colder and colder through Wednesday night. Then we will have a nice warm-up for a few days. Winter really just started about two weeks ago here but I’m already done with it. 😂

I took this photo of our balcony this morning. I’m sorry it’s through the screen, but I wasn’t about to go outside in my PJs in the cold. It snowed for 24 hours straight beginning before midnight Sunday night. There wasn’t a huge accumulation, but this doesn’t accurately reflect how much we actually got since a lot of it blew off of the balcony. Since the wind was blowing, it’s hard to get an accurate picture of how much snow fell.

Dennis and Curt went to the church and did a little bit of maintenance work in the bathrooms yesterday and while they were gone, Barb texted me and asked if we wanted to come over and have some chili with them for dinner. Since they only live about two blocks away, of course we said yes. If it had been much more of a drive, I think we would’ve opted to stay home as the roads were getting pretty slick last night. The church is about a 20 minute drive on the interstate from here and they said the visibility was pretty low and the roads weren’t great. That doesn’t seem to bother the guys much though. It’s like it’s something for them to conquer! What is it about men?

The guys are off together again this morning to volunteer at the Open Door Mission and after that they’re going to a young man’s house from church to help him build a table. Those two always find something to get up to! I do hope the roads are improving a bit though, since he lives clear on the other end of town closer to the Air Force Base.

I’m happily staying at home with Zoey and knitting on more mittens…

And showing off the baby blanket I just finished for the mission.  She turned her head, just as I snapped the picture as you can tell by the blur. She doesn’t hold still for very long, but she does like to show off my knitting and crocheting.

This is another blanket using the “Grace” pattern, which is free on Ravelry. I used Caron yarn in the Carrera Marble
Colorway. Using an “I” hook, it ends up measuring about 36 inches square.

Yesterday we were discussing when we might be going to London again to see our kids there. I decided to check plane tickets for March since that’s when “baby J” will have her third birthday. We’ve missed her first two. Lo and behold, the tickets were very reasonably priced so we immediately booked them. We’ll be going during the last couple of weeks of March and we’ll get to spend her birthday with her! We also had to apply for the ETA, the new visa that’s required for Americans to go to the UK. It wasn’t too difficult and it lasts for two years, so I think we’re all set. As much as I dread the plane trip because of the tight quarters, (my long legs just don’t like those tight spaces,) we’re excited to see our kids again.

They’ve been traveling for a long weekend and headed home to London yesterday. We were able to FaceTime with them for an hour or so while they were waiting to board the train. “Baby J” said she wanted us to come for her birthday. Well, that’s all it took! 🥰 As soon as we hung up, I got online. How do you say no to such a cute Granddaughter!!!? As much as I hate flying these days, especially with all of the plane crashes lately, it will be worth it to see her. So, we’re off again. Please pray for me that I don’t get sick. The last two times we’ve flown over the Pond, I’ve managed to sit next to a very sick person on the plane and I ended up sick the entire time we were there.

In other news, all of the test results came back from the endocrinologist, and although a few things were a bit low, she said it would be OK for another year, when I’ll need to repeat the CT scan with contrast and 11 vials of blood again! My next doctor appointment is next week with the neurosurgeon. We’ll see what they have to say. Getting old isn’t for sissies.

Meanwhile, except to take Zoey outside to go potty, I’m planning on staying home and out of the cold. Dennis can go gallivanting around town with his cousin Curt, volunteering at the Mission, helping fix things for other people, etc. I’ll be happily at home in front of the fire with my crochet hook or knitting needles in hand, watching movies and snuggling with my puppy. I hope you are all warm, safe and dry. Spring will come eventually.

Blessings and love, 
Betsy

No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus
Text & Music- Charles F. Weigle

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true.
I would tell you how He changed my life completely;
He did something no other friend could do.

Chorus
No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.

All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me;
All my heart was full of misery and woe,
Jesus placed His strong arms about me
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

Chorus

Every day He comes to me with new assurance;
More and more I understand His word of love.
But I'll never know just why He came to save me,
Till someday I see His blessed face above.

19 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, it is TOO cold at your house!!! We haven't had a real winter in a while and I have found I didn't miss it at all. We seem to all be making up for it now! Chili sounds wonderful and I would be staying close to home too. Your latest blankets are just beautiful.
    How wonderful you are taking another trip to see your adorable granddaughter and sister to be! I'm glad you found a ticket sale. I think that is around the time my daughter's family will be there. I know they plan to visit a lot of soccer things, or should I say "football"? I can't wait to see everyone's photos.
    Keep Warm!

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  2. Really cold and snowy is the best weather to sit indoors and create such beautiful knits!

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  3. It sounds like you're making the most of this cold weather with cozy activities at home! I love the baby blanket you made—what a sweet and thoughtful gesture. Also, how exciting that you’re going to London for your granddaughter’s birthday! I hope your flight is smooth and you stay healthy! Stay warm and enjoy your knitting and crocheting time.

    New post: www.melodyjacob.com

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  4. Oh my, I can't even imagine that kind of cold. Being born and lived in CA all my life, I just shiver looking at your patio!!! Love you mittins and your cute doggie!! Chili on a cold night is perfect. We love chili and cornbread even in sunny CA. HaHa How fun to look forward to a trip to see family! Sending love, and WARM wishes. Hugs.

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  5. Hopefully March will bring you much nicer weather. It sure sounds CCCCcold.
    I know you are thrilled to be able to go to London again. I hope you can stay well.

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  6. Oh, it certainly is cold in your neck of the woods . . . I'm going to stop complaining about our weather . . . right now! Love the mitten . . . so sweet :)

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  7. What a pretty blanket! Your mittens look great. I am so happy you get to go see your baby J what fun that will be...how can she be 3 already??

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    1. cannot seem to knit those mittens, maybe i need a crochet pattern instead! i would donate mine to Project Linus♥♥

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  8. The blanket is gorgeous: I love the colors. How wonderful that you were able to book a flight to London.

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  9. Thanks for the information on the baby blanket. I love the design. Sounds like a good time to take a vacation for you two. The one thing holding me back on getting a dog, is traveling. I am hearing the cost to board them is very high now, and they require your dog to have a lot of shots to board them.

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  10. Now that is hunkering down weather, for sure! the baby blanket is gorgeous--it must've been a great project because of all the different stitches! Nicely done. So good to hear you are going to get to see BabyJ on her birthday!!!!

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  11. Brrr....that is cold. It's in the 20's here today with a dusting of snow. I'm just getting back from another 2 day babysitting adventure with the Grands and I'm beat after just a 2 hour drive up and back. I can't imagine going all the way to London but it does sound like a fun adventure.

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  12. I love that song. One of the old favorites!! And so true. The blanket is beautiful. What a blessed baby to receive that! And I love the mittens too! We don't need mittens here, but I still love to see them. LOL. Oh, I am SO happy for your test results, and praying the others will be just as good. And I am really happy you will be able to go to London to be with Baby J for her 3rd birthday! What a blessing for all of you! That is so exciting. I hope the weather will be good when you get there, and also for smooth travels. I'm glad you are staying warm and cozy inside with all of your projects. It's chilly again here, but nothing like what you are experiencing. Still, I will be wearing your sweater for a few days again!! So thankful to have it.
    Please stay warm and cozy and safe. (((hugs)))

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  13. I'd be right there with you -- staying home, stitching away. I'm from the south and don't do cold well. I don't even like to drive on rainy roads here because people go crazy and are slipping and sliding everywhere. The baby blanket is such a nice design. You are doing much good in the world with your knitting and crocheting projects. Stay safe and warm.

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  14. It has been freezing here too! Look at all that snow! I love the mittens you have been working on. They are so perfect. We have been spending lots of time at home this winter too and I am starting to get ready to think about spring cleaning. I think we are going to start with having the carpets cleaned. Wish us luck haha!

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  15. We've had four snowstorms here since the year began (the one this past Monday was 8"-10" depending where you live in town) and the temps have been sub-freezing in the teens and twenties for weeks. I'm absolutely done with winter. It gets harder to go through each year as I get older. Ugh. This year my whole family are with me -- enough cold! Time for Spring and warmer temps! And my gardening! The first warm day, I'll probably end up just sitting in my son's backyard for hours! Haha! Baby J saying come on, grandma, you have to come see me - that's so wonderful!! ❤️ Blessings to you and Dennis!

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  16. I too like to stay home when the weather is nasty. The blanket you made is gorgeous! That one yarn distributes those colors beautifully. How exciting to go to see your family again. Bless Dennis and Curt for all their good works! Glad your dr. appts went well. I have tell you...I think Spring is close by! Our temps this next week are in the 60's!!! It's been quite the cold winter here but I think it is coming to an end! Have a great week!

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  17. So good to check in with your Betsy! I understand about the cold weather, it was very cold here, -14 was our low I think. It lasted a week or two, but has moved on, and now, we are getting rain, rain, rain. I love how Zoey is so proud of your creations! Bless Dennis for helping others! So excited to hear of your trip across the pond for a special birthday, how well I understand that now myself as a grandparent! Much love to you dear friend!

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