Isabel's Socks

Well now sweet daughter - I do appreciate your precise and high talent - the socks are works of art. I had just gotten out of the shower, got on some new navy jeans and this hot damn white shirt I bought at Fam. Dollar - and what should appear in the package - but a pair of somethings done with love. I've got them on now, and they are not in the least bit scratchy, nor are they too hot or too cold. They are a three bears, just right! Thank you so much for something that I'll really, really use. We're going up to the cabin, and then, they'll show their true worth! Thank you sooooo much.

This is the note I got from Isabel when she got the socks. When rereading the email, I realized that she had sent some pics. So thought I would post them here.

Fluted Banister Sock Progress

I haven't really worked on this too much since before my surgery, but this is the progress from then. As you can see, I have picked up the gusset stitches and am now working on the decreases. I have about 5" left, which at this point, goes rather quickly. Should have this done sometime tomorrow. I think this pair will be for my mother for Christmas. They are a nice weight, so they should keep her little footsies nice and warm!!

Deck the Halls

We waited days to find the time when we were all around and for me to fell stable enough on my feet, to be able to trim the tree. Please excuse the nightgown and robe, as that was all that I was comfortable in.....still is that way after almost 3 weeks.

This is What Became of My Nice Candle Centerpiece

During the power outage, we burned many, many candles. Although candle centerpieces are attractive, the candles certainly do not burn well :(

Scarf for Corey

Corey hates having his picture taken, so I told him I would just take one of the scarf. Well, I moved the camera up, he made a goofy face and I snapped the photo. I told him I was going to use it.....so here it is. I used Lion Brand Wool Ease in Barely and Edwardian on size 11 needles. Of course I finished it after the big snow storm the week before.

Horrible Wind Storm

Thursday evening, the northern part of Washington was hit with severe wind warnings. The area that we live, close to the Straits of Juan de Fuca, was to get gusts of wind 70-90 mph. That is strong. The warnings were true. We have trees down all over town. We ourselves, had 8 more trees downed along our drive. Remember, just 3 weeks before, we had the rain and snow storms, that downed 6 or so trees, just along our drive.

Power outages were felt around our small town. Mostly on the west end, where we live. Our power went out at 12:45 a.m. Friday morning. We kept the house warm by keeping a fire in the fireplace all day. We were told late in the afternoon, Friday, that we would have power again by 5:30 or so. Well, that turned into another 8 hours or so. It was cold. It is amazing how dependent we are on electricity and all the "modern" comforts we have!! Phones, computers, TV, hot coffee and warm food. My husband David asked if this was about as close to camping as I would go........you got that right!!!

Has it really been so long.....

Since my last post? Apparently so, and now I remember why!!! My surgery has taken a large chunk of time away from me. Physically and emotionally. It has been a harder road to travel than I thought it might be. Well, originally the surgeon thought that he could do the hernia repair with only 4-5 laprascopic holes. Turns out that he actually needed 11. There hernia was so large that it required a large piece of mesh to repair it. So the holes are all around my abdomen and the mesh is attached around them. The surgery was delayed almost 4 hours, which was difficult, sitting and waiting for the time to come. Not to mention the fact that I was starving and dying of thirst!!! I wasn't wheeled into the OR until almost 4 p.m. I spent the night in the hospital, mainly sleeping, with the combined effects of the morphine and the anesthesia wearing off. On Friday the surgeon asked if I was ready to go home, and I explained that I wasn't, so I stayed an additional day in the hospital. I came home on Saturday and sleep most of the time for the next 4 days. Don't think I have ever spent so much time in bed as I have during this ordeal......even with the birth of my four kids!!! Now it has been 18 days since surgery and I am feeling much better. Still am not able to wear anything too binding around my belly. Mainly I am wearing my nightgown and robe. I do have a pair of really large, black, elastic waisted pants for when I need to go out in public!!

I do feel that "something" just isn't right in there. I am feeling a small bulge, have been running low-grade fevers, had the chills, have been sick and the loose bowels for the past week. I do have a follow-up appointment tomorrow, so I hope that all is okay, and that I don't have any sort of complication. Will post more when I know.