I got up at 6:45 this morning and got the day’s business taken care of. A little after eight I checked with Nadine about a ride to Ellie’s. Her schedule would be determined by whether or not her grandson Jared was working. If he was, she couldn’t leave the dogs alone all day. Joyce is in Virginia this week. Jared wasn’t working so she picked me up about 9:30. We had to head up towards Port Orchard so she could pick up her prescription and then back to Ellie’s.
By time we got there several of the gals were already there – Deanna, Grace, Ginger and Kathy. Jackie came in later as did Susie. Ellie was rather subdued today having just gotten the news that her daughter Brenda has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Brenda has a handicapped young son so this is definitely a double whammy for their family. Ellie wants to go to Detroit to be with Brenda but doesn’t feel George is in any shape to be left alone. A difficult situation. This came on top of finding out last night that one of our knitting gals at church as just been diagnoses with ovarian cancer. This is her second bout with cancer although I don’t know that kind she had the first time. I was sure sorry to hear about that. There is WAY too much of that stuff going around!
Anyway, we all yakked away. I was knitting on a hat. Ellie is still knitting on the lace sweater. I think she is making it for Brenda. She just added the sleeves onto the body and was bemoaning how tight it is trying to do it. I told her about my recent experience with that problem on my Lee’s sweater. I assured her it gets better after a couple of rows. She also has to figure out the changes in the pattern created by adding the sleeves. She finally decided it wasn’t something she could knit in the midst of all the conversation.
Grace showed us all how to make tassels. I’ve made them before but her way seemed pretty good if I can remember it next time I want to make one! Deanna showed us her beautiful crazy patch blocks. The two she had today are in black and white and were absolutely gorgeous. Of course I forgot to take a picture. I did, however take one of the grandson’s hat she brought which she wants me to make one of for four or five of the grandkids. Susie was knitting on the sweater she was working on a couple of years ago (or was it three years?) when she, Ellie and I went to the Port Orchard Knitter’s Retreat. She’s only about six to eight inches into it after all this time but life got in the way (her brain tumor two years ago) along with other interests. She is out of the neck brace and arm sling since I last saw her. Ginger was working on some pretty redwork embroidery for a quilt. Jackie worked on a crocheted dishrag and Kathy was knitting a circular neck scarf. Nadine just visited with everyone.
We had our usual yummy lunch. Grace brought turkey chili. There was also a great bean dip and tortilla chips, a veggie tray, a breakfast “pizza,” Ellie’s poppers, mini pizzas, cookies, three types of cakes that Silvia (from church) brought over last night, and a toll house type brownie. Then there was what I brought that was a total dud. I took a package of mini hum bows. I’m guessing I shouldn’t have thawed them out last night because when I opened up the bag they were rather a big glob of dough. I separated them as best as I could and steamed them but they left a lot to be desired. They didn’t taste so bad if you could get past the way they looked. Oh well…..
Nadine and I left a little after three. I came home with five or six partially filled garbage bags of yarn that Deanna brought me from Roberta’s – her relative who passed away a few weeks ago. I left those out in the garage until I can go through them – hopefully tomorrow. There was also a box with all kinds of knitting needles. There was also a box with all kinds of knitting needles, tapestry needles, etc. Some of these can be used with the church knitting group I think.
Bill had to go into Gig Harbor today and get the car tabs. I thought they expired on the last day of the month. Wrong! I went to pay them online yesterday and realized the old ones would expire tomorrow. Oops! From there he went shopping at Metropolitan Market and World Market in Tacoma and Albertson’s on the way home. He is infatuated with the muffuletta sandwich from Metropolitan Market. They are, indeed, very good. They originated in the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1906 and today the original one is only available at Central Grocery on Decatur Street there. Bill brought one of them home, but he also bought the olive salad that goes on them, some ciabatta bread, some meats and cheeses so we can make our own version of them.
I talked to Cousin Bill tonight. Beth and Jason were out somewhere. He was recuperating from their outing yesterday. They went to some lake and walked to the lighthouse or some such. I was sorry to hear that his pulmonary function took a downturn but at least the swelling in his legs and ankles has gone down some. I guess these are all just bumps in the road that the patients normally go through. His mom will arrive tomorrow and he’ll have more company next weekend. I told him we’d wait until he was more up to having company without having it wear him out. I know they mean well and want to see him but it is hard on him.
As I move along now to watch a movie, I leave you with the last couple of pictures from Madrona. This was the view of Mt. Rainier out our hotel room window in the daylight and at sunset. It is a spectacular sight! Local Indian tribes called it Tahoma which means Great Spirit. Tacoma is the pioneer pronunciation of Tahoma.
Begin to weave and God will give the thread. - German proverb
Hi Diane. Was finally able to get out cyberwalking again and wanted to check on you and see what you were up to ... 
Hi Carol, I get a "lump in my chest" reading your thoughts that you share .. thanks for reminding us how life is a 
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog
God Bless~ 
