Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Ain't it pretty!

We had a snow day today here in Northern Iowa, and I actually got something crafty done!  There were a bazillion other things that I should have done...like take down the Christmas tree, but it fits in so well with the weather we're having right now ;)

Anywhosers, RosMadeMe is hosting a block of the month for a quilt and knitted afghan. I've done several quilt block of the months - the tops are still waiting patiently to be sandwiched, quilted, and finished...and alas, they'll sit a little longer :)

When it comes to knitting however, I have never done anything but knit a row/purl a row, and according to her directions if you know how to purl and knit you can make her blocks. So, why not??  I did have to look up how to cast on, and had to have a refresher on the purl stitch (after I had already done 5 rows - oops!) But, I don't think I did too shabby.  We'll see if I can keep caught up and provide myself with a new blankie come December.

Mom has started radiation and so far so good, school is still crazy busy, and the weather has been all over the map, but that's part of living in Iowa - if you don't like the weather, wait 2 hours and it'll change!

Well, that's all for now. Take care and thanks for stopping by! - Elizabeth

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

I'm still here!

Wow, it has been over 5 months since my last post! I don't even know if anyone even bothers to check in anymore, and I can't say that I blame them if they don't!

If you do happen to check in, here's a run down of the life of "Mamma Bears Fault" a.k.a. Elizabeth.

As stated in my last post, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last June.  July brought her moving in with me and her having a mastectomy and 4 lymph nodes (2 of which were cancerous) removed. Thankfully the cancer was removed through surgery, however chemotherapy and radiation were recommended as "preventative medicine".  So, the first day I was to start back to my K-12 vocal music teaching position, I was with my mom as she had her first chemo treatment.

There are many other words that I would like to use in describing chemotherapy, but to put it tamely, it sucks! And what really sucks is watching someone you love go through with something that they know and you know will make them feel absolutely terrible, horrible, no good, and very bad and needs to go much farther away than Australia!

To make matters worse, my grandfather, mom's dad, became ill and passed away on September 24th, one day before he and my grandmother were to celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately it does not end there. My grandmother developed a bleeding ulcer and was unable to recover. Five weeks after grandpa passed, grandma went to join him in heaven on Oct. 31st.  So not only has my mom had to battle her way through chemo, she has lost both of her parents. Definitely more than one person should have to bear!

I have felt like a spinning top that spins and reaches that really wobbly point but is never really allowed to stop spinning.  Try to be strong and patient with and for mom, which I know I have failed at miserably at times, take care of all the other everyday life issues, and take care of my teaching obligations - won't go into detail, but it has been crazy busy (plus I think I have messed up my back again)!

So, 2012 has been a hard year. It could have been so much worse and for that I am thankful, but I'm happy to say goodbye and so long to this year.

2013 brings radiation treatments for mom, but we are hoping and praying that they are not nearly as hard on her as the chemo, will go by quickly, and that she will soon be on the way to a full recovery.  She deserves it!

On a crafty note the only things I have accomplished since my last post are the making of 7-8 Red Heart Sashay scarves, 5 crochet trellis yarn necklaces, 2 pillowcases, and a wall hanging.  Sorry no pictures at the moment - I have a few on my phone, but haven't figured out how to get them transferred.

Well, if you have stopped by, thank you! I appreciate your bopping in.  I would love to say that I will be a better crafter and blogger, but my attention is focused elsewhere at the moment.

Take care, and may 2013 be full of peace, joy, and love for you all! - Elizabeth