Finally

I finished the baby blanket that I have been crocheting for centuries now. I think the baby that it was intended for is turning 2 this coming year, but I don't remember the month. The blanket turned out really cute, and girly (it was for a girl). I don't think I'll ever use that pattern again, though. It required too much counting and thinking. I love to just let my hands sew while my brain wanders off to lovely places.

I think I have finally broken the oblong curse. Up until this blanket and one other one, I had been crocheting/knitting the strange long and skinny blankets. They looked great until they were done, and then they were so out of proportion. Rob, who is alway sweet and complimentary of my work, said, "They would be great for snakes or tall very thin people." But this one turned out right for one round and chunky baby. I doubt I'll have trouble finding someone to give it to since everyone in Greensboro seems to be pregnant (except me, and that is as it should be for now).

I got a new sewing machine. It's a cheap and basic one, but it works! And us short people always need new ways to hem up our pants. I think the last pair of pants that I hemmed( hand hemmed, ugh), I cut over a foot of fabric off the bottom. Yes, I got talls, but they were the only ones left that were in my size, and it is so freaking hard to find pants that fit me right. I also have to fix the waist on all the kid's pants since they are so thin. Tall and thin....they just don't make kid's clothes for kids like that.

So, my new project is fixing the applique on the back of my tan jacket and then I want to knit this cool scarf that I saw in Target. I think I can figure it out, but I might need some smaller double pointed needles. I would also love to make some snow hats for the kids. We won't ever get snow here, but they love snow hats, and I would love to make them.

Got to take the little guy for labwork. I know that his counts will be down today. He is pale and fussy.

Have Yourself a Dorky Little Christmas

'Tis the season for dorks (and I mean this as a complimentary term). A season for such things as spice tea, funny hats, holiday sweaters, pot roast, jingly bells, and The Trans-Siberian Orchestra (oh, you know you love them). A season to let that jolly inner dork out to frolic and play in the eskimo way. I have faced the fact that Christmas is so much Christmasier when I let myself get a little dorky. (I'm pretty dorky most days, but at Christmas, I am in rare form)

It has been a year that has required extreme amounts of adultness. And the conclusion is: adults are somber and boring, and I don't ever want to be one.

Our little family of 5 shall stay home this Christmas. We aren't allowed to have any family or friends over because of David's chemo, but we are going to have fun on our own. I have plans, and it's not fair to take away from the older kids' experience because David is sick. They are learning that as a family, you make sacrifices together, but I also don't want to punish them.

David only has one more round of chemo left. After that, if the tumor isn't gone, or if it starts to grow again, we will have to remove his eye. So far, the chemo has been doing its job, though, and for that I am thankful. He is a champ at 6 1/2 months, and the happiest little guy you ever saw. He'll never miss seeing out of that eye since he never has.

Today, we went to Isaac's preschool to watch him perform as "The Royal Decree". He was stately. I'm glad that I got to go, and Rob was able to take a little time off of work to be there too. It meant a lot to Isaac to be there and have us there.

I must admit that I am tired, and all I really want to do is curl up in a little ball and disappear for a few years. Hibernate, or something. I know that this cancer has taken its toll on my body and mind. Yet, my spirit keeps humming this little hum of praise to my God. He is near me. I am constantly reminded of precious things that He has placed in my life. I get down sometimes. It seems like more recently than usual, but He lifts me up. I am amazed, 'cause I am pretty much an idiot - and yet, He is there for me. "The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is the name of the Lord, whose mercy is on those who fear God from generation to generation." Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel - has come to me.

I wish you all a dorky little Christmas!!