Sad News

I just found out a knitter friend of mine past away yesterday from colon cancer yesterday. She was diagnosed after having emergency surgery to remove her appendix and was pretty quiet about things at first. I remember sitting in the LYS on a knit-in night and hearing Nancy talk to another knitter, their conversation caught my attention when I heard Nancy mention cancer. I had noticed Nancy didn't seem well but no one seemed to know much.

A few months ago, my comadre told me that she had heard that treatment wasn't working and that Nancy was on pain management. Nancy made every effort to come to knit-ins (better efforts than I do and I'm healthy) and put on a smile while she was there. But you knew she was in pain and struggling.

The first time I met Nancy was probably in 2004 when CB took me to my first knit-in. I had been working on a first attempt at a blanket for my cousin's new daughter and made some horrible mistakes. Nancy sat down, analyzed it and told me that it was best to start over. She said not to worry that it happened to everyone and we pulled out the needles and started ripping back. I felt like I was a horrible, novice knitter, but had realized I was among friends.

The last time I saw Nancy was maybe a month ago. She came to a knit-in that I was at (with my comadre of course) and she looked tired and weak. We all sat around, knitted and it almost felt like Nancy was there to say good-bye. When we left I went over to Nancy, she told me to take care of myself, I told her the same and stroked her hair (which was quite thin) and squeezed her shoulder. CB and I walked out in tears and just gave each other a huge hug! CB saw her one other time, a day she brought Katharine to the shop, it was Nancy's first time meeting this beautiful little girl.

Nancy and her best friend Laurel would crack CB and I up. They were like an older version of the two of us. One blonde, one brunette. Both full of life. One married with a family, one single but with a family of friends that truly cared for her. Nancy's family didn't live in the area so her friends were her family. I can only imagine what Laurel is going through.

Nancy was supportive of everyone, knitting and otherwise. One night I was in a horrible spot and mood. Nancy asked me if I was okay and I said no. Her response was it was okay not to be okay and to go with the mood. She just got it sometimes. She would ask CB how I was doing after that and was happy to hear that I dusted myself off and am so happy and at peace now. What amazing woman...and I didn't even mention what a fantastic knitter she was!!!

I can only hope that Nancy now has the peace that she so deserves. I will miss her terribly and I know I'm not the only one. Be well dear friend...be well...

Sunday Night, blah

I hate Sunday nights. Always have, probably b/c its the end of the weekend and Monday morning is just a few short hours away. Although this is a super short week b/c my shoulder surgery is Tuesday morning so I'm only working on Monday.

Not the greatest weekend for me, but not the worst either. Dad & Mary were supposed to come visit on Saturday but they ended up in Vermont and not New York. I did get the apartment cleaned and ran a bunch of errands. And did I mention the knitting I got done?! :)

Today I went to Steve's house to check on Zippy-Cat. Zippy is doing well, very lonely. Its hard to be in the house, let's just leave it at that. Afterwards I went to CB's and went to get pumpkins with her wonderful family. Alex and I fed the animals (goats, sheep, a donkey, calf) which was SO much fun!!! Caught up on my bills and am now trying to get some dinner in my stomach...its only 8:05 pm and I haven't eaten since breakfast. Not that I'm hungry, but I must eat.

Massaaaaaahhhhhhhhge

I went for an hour massage last night. Steve had gotten me a gift certificate for a local spa for the holidays last year and I hadn't used it. It was wonderful and I've scheduled another one in 8 weeks, partially b/c I loved it and partially b/c I still have $$ left on the gift certificate. I've found the problem with going for a massage, driving afterwards. :)

Tonight I'm going to dinner at CB's house and then she and I are going to the Spinning Room for the knit in. I know, I know its the high holidays and I'm knitting. I can't go to services (need to belong to a temple for that) and since I can't do that, I figured being with support and wonderful women is a good thing for me. Also, this may be my last knit in for a while b/c my surgery is Tuesday.

So for now, knit on!!!

Drive by...

Been quiet lately as I've been swamped at work and not signing on at home much. Still knitting away and I need to do as much of it as I can b/c...

I have shoulder surgery scheduled for the 2nd. They are going in to scope it, clean it up and hopefully revers the impingement I have been suffering from.

Not too happy about it, but I can't live with the pain and lack of movement in my right arm. So I'm scheduled and trying to get ready for this. I hope to only be out of work for a couple of days but I'm going to need help with Lupe and just doing a few things. This sounds easy, but I live alone and I don't like relying on people. Going to have to get over that real soon.

So, that's the story for now...need to update more, I know...

Knitting...knitting...and some more knitting

Spent the last 2 evenings knitting at 2 separate knitting groups. Last night was at the Spinning Room in Altamont. We were celebrating one of the knitters 99th birthday (which is today). Betty is amazing and completely inspiring. I truly hope that we are there again next year to celebrate her 100th birthday. I had to leave a little early to come and walk Lupe. It was nice to be around such supportive women...although there is one man that was there. Liz had quite the turnout and there was lots of show and tell.

Tonight I left work a little early and went over to Trumpet Hill to sit and knit for a little while. I also wanted to catch up with the Shopkeeper as I know her from before she opened the shop. It was a small group which was nice. Again, I had to leave early to come and walk Ms. L.

I'm just about 1/2 done with my second sock and am starting to feel inspired about finishing my sweater, modern log cabin baby blanket and maybe even lace. I hope to have more time (which it appears that I will have) to knit. I truly adore knitting and I want to get better at it. It makes me feel closer with my grandma and its a very productive hobby.

So, if you are a knitter and are on Ravelry, come find me, screen name kbeth.

First post in July?!

I was reminded by Courtney that I haven't posted at all this month...oops! It wasn't my plan, but its just the way my month has been going.

Went knitting last night and man did I have a blast! The women that hang out in the shop on Wednesday nights are just so amazing! And Courtney and I weren't the youngest there...there was a 10 year old knitting away. My latest sock is coming out great...just want to knit and not work...*sigh*

I had a curveball thrown at me today (not literally, although that could happen as well, just hope I can swing my bat when happens)...Steve wants some time to himself in his "normal" surroundings. Which means, I have to find some where to go this weekend. I appreciate that he needs time to reflect on things and to be alone (something he HATES doing), but a little more notice please?! :)

So, my wonderful cousin Randi has agreed that I should go visit them. I'm SO excited since I haven't seen her since 2 days after Dara was born (which was in October). She has been through so much (treatment, giving birth, surgery, more treatment, more surgery), I just want to give her a huge hug and not let go. There are only a few people that I would want to be around right now and she's up there on the list (after Aunt, brother and a couple of dear friends...can't include Mom or Steve, but they would have been #1 & #2). I'm taking a 1/2 day tomorrow and driving up to NH for the weekend. I can't wait!!!

See you all on the flip side...wish me (and Steve) luck!!!