It's Tuesday, therefore I must be speaking to Mom's Doctors

Getting old isn't for sissies.  Being the child of an aging parent who is responsible for their medical care isn't for sissies either.  I know I've said it before, but NOTHING prepares you for being the child of an aging and ill parent.  And so it goes.

It's Tuesday.  Usually, I spent an hour or two getting caught up with stuff around the house and then work from home.  I knew that was probably out the window today as Daughter 2 is having her last day of school  It is a half day.  That means I have to pick her up in car line.  The only good side of this is I don't have to deal with car line until September.  We are now entering the time of year where I am the subject of a three month long psychological experiment where we see how long it takes for me to lose my mind because I never have a minute alone in the house.  Dear Hubby has his office in the basement and works from home a few days a week.  Kids are now old enough that they don't want to do day camp.  By the end of July, I want to hurt someone.  But, I digress.

So, I should have known that today was going to be challenging.  It started with a call from Mom about a health problem last night.  It's not really a problem, it's a side effect of the cancer she is dealing with and she just refuses to accept that this side effect isn't going to go away.  So yesterday, she went to see the nurses at the lovely continuing care community to see if they could "fix" the problem.  (There is no fix, but again, Mom doesn't remember that is the case.)

About 8:20 am, along with my second cup of coffee as I'm figuring out the game plan for the day, I get the phone call from the Lovely Nurse.  Mom was up there yesterday.  She was confused.  (Again, that is a constant state.)  She could not describe her symptoms.  (Again, normal for her.)  But, they think she might have a urinary tract infection so they took a urine sample and called her primary care physician.  The same Doc I have a call into about the side effect of the cancer and whether there is anything to be done about it.

Lovely Nurse think mom needs an antibiotic.  She is going to ask the Doc for one, but my gut says this doc, who is new to mom because Beloved Doctor is now a hospitalist has only seen mom once and doesn't really get the whole picture yet, is going to want to see her.

So, I'm opening the pool -- when are we going to get the call about the appointment and when will we get an appointment?  Today, when I'm supposed to pick up Daughter 2 at school, take her to lunch to celebrate the last day and go to the bookstore (her favorite place IN THE WORLD)?  Or tomorrow, when I have to be at work?

I'm a wee bit frustrated today and just needed to get this off my chest.  No looking for sympathy.  Just needed to vent.

Never Ask: "What's the Worst That Can Happen/"

I'm glad that I've decided to start doing this again.  It's a better venue for stories that are a bit too long to post on Facebook.

As most of you know, I own The Beast -- a 2004 Ford Expedition with a honkin' big V-8 engine and capacity for 8 full size people plus luggage.  I get gallons to the mile, not mile per gallon, but I LOVE MY TRUCK!  

This is the back of The Beast loaded for the trip to RSCM in August, where it hauled two adults, five kids and luggage from Philadelphia to Newport and back.  During the course of the last 10 years, the Beast has served me well.  Transported kids, dogs, furniture, etc.  I really haven't had to do much to it, other than routine maintenance.  Until yesterday.

As I was driving Mom to radiation, a flashing message comes across the message center -- CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.  I have no idea what this means.  The car seems to be running fine.  I continue to the hospital with Mom and do the 21st Century thing when I get there -- I google it.  What I find out is something is wrong with my electrical system.  Ok.  Drive Mom home and head to teach my knitting class in Haverford.

More strange flashing lights.  The radio goes on and off by itself.  The anti-lock brake light flashes.  The dome lights come on and off.  I am not touching any of this.  At this point, the car is still driving fine and I'm wondering if I need a priest for an exorcism or a mechanic.

On the way back home from knitting class, the entire dashboard goes dark. DARK! Speedometer doesn't work.  No gas gauge.  No radio, no heat, no lights.  Now, I'm really starting to think I need a priest.  Get home and call the mechanic who says -- "Don't think I can fit you in tomorrow, maybe Monday."

Well, it's Thursday.  So that means I need to pick up Daughter 2 and a friend and school and drive 20 minutes over to church for Chorister practice.  BTW, I'm also coordinating dinner for 70 that happens between Choristers and Adult Choir rehearsal.  So, I get the in the car and head to car line.  I figure, what's the worst that can happen.  Shouldn't have thought that.  I paid for it.

Those of you who have children know car line.  At Daughter 2's school it is run with military precision.  You do not mess up the flow of car line.  So I pull up into one of the two lines and the car promptly DIES blocking one of the two lanes.  Yep, I am now that mother.  The one blocking car line and screwing things up.

I call AAA.  I endure threats, dirty looks, curses and daggers.  But, there were many who as I directed traffic around the Beast, rolled down windows and asked -- can I help?  Do your kids need a ride?  Do you need a jump?  So for each idiot, there was at least one nice person.

Truck gets towed to mechanic.  Fortunately, Hubby was able to come get kids and then get me at the mechanic and take us over to church for rehearsal.

Mechanic just called.  It's the alternator.  Could be worse.  Car will be ready this afternoon.
No exorcism necessary.  Just a check for the mechanic.

From the Middle of the Sandwich

I'm prompted to start writing again thanks to a friend who muses about my Facebook posts -- most of which these days involve being in the middle of the sandwich generation.  So, here's a quick update and I'll try to be better about blogging.

Three years ago, I learned that God did not mean for me to work full time.  My mother's health was in decline and my girls needed me a bit more.  Therefore, I am practicing law part time and being a full time sandwich.

Here's what 2013 brought for me:

• May - Mom has a stroke same week Daughter 1 graduates from 8th grade.
• June - We convince Mom she needs to move from the Jersey Shore to the Philly area, since living by yourself after you've had a stroke which causes the doctors to say you can't drive isn't a good idea.  
• July - Pack up Mom's house
• August - Move Mom into a lovely Philadelphia area continuing care community in her own beautiful one bedroom apartment (which for the first month, is referred to as The Prison).
• September - Daughter 1 starts high school.  Daughter 2 starts 5th grade.  Back to school craziness.
• October - During weekend that Dear Sister is having baby shower for Wonderful Niece, Dearest Brother-in-Law has a major heart attack, necessitating triple bypass and valve replacement.
• November - Mom has a stroke on hubby's birthday and spends a week in the hospital.  Doctor's release her to rehab and she wants to know why we put her in this New Prison!
• December - Mom has a couple of TIAs.
• January - Philadelphia gets snow, snow and more snow.
• February - Mom spends 10 of 28 days in the hospital and gets a new diagnosis - cancer.  A week after the cancer diagnosis - we had two strokes (including a nasty fall.)

So, anytime I can string two weeks together without having to visit the ER or be at the hospital with mom, are good times for me.

In the meantime, this winter has worn me down so I broke down and ordered seeds from Burpee. Below is my soon to be lovely lettuce blend.  Let's hope I don't kill them.

Bi-Craftual

I've decided to dabble in sewing again.  It was brought on by the fact that a friend of Hubby's has decided that his 2nd career is going to be that of an Episcopal Priest.  He was ordained as a Deacon two weeks ago.  We got the ordination date about three weeks out, so I knew there was no way I could knit a stole in the appointed time.  Sewing was much faster. So I pulled out my trusty Bernina and blew off the dust.

Hubby and Deacon both grew up in Lancaster, PA.  Many of you know this is a hotbed of quilting due to the Amish population.  I thought a piecework stole would be appropriate.  (I don't want to call it quilted because there is no batting and no "quilting" on top.) After searching for a pattern, I realized I was going to have to wing it and figure out how to make this myself.   First task, figure out how big this thing has to be.

According to a variety of sources, I determined a Deacon's stole is worn over one shoulder.  It should be about 110" long and about 6" wide.  Ok.  Now I need a block pattern.

So off I go, searching quilting web sites for ideas.  I came up with this -- Liberate!  To pay homage to Deacon's Lancaster roots, I wanted something simple.  I wanted a 6" square.  I loved the use of triangles -- a reminder of the Trinity.

With pattern in hand, off I went to my local quilting store, Cloth and Bobbin in Narberth.  Cloth and Bobbin is just a few doors down from where my knitting shop was.  I love Johanna, the owner.  She is a great resource.  She helped me determine yardage.

Next big issue was color.  The Episcopal Church is a "color by numbers church".  We have colors for each liturgical season.  Advent is Blue or Purple.  Christmas, Easter and Ascension are White or Gold. Lent is Purple.  Red is used for Pentecost.  Everything else is considered Ordinary Time, which is Green.

My first instinct was to go with Green so it could be used most of the year, but I couldn't find the right combinations of green.  I needed five fabrics to make this block.  But then the reds started to catch my eye.  With Johanna's help, I came up with this combination

I decided to rotate the blocks as I joined them to create visual interest.  I used the dark red (lower triangle) for the backing.

I cut and assembled 13 blocks, back it with interfacing, cut a lining to match, then seamed both sides.  I left the ends open to turn it right side out.  I whip stitched the ends closed by hand.

Here's the finished product displayed on his robe:

Our new Deacon was very surprised and pleased with his gift.  He's gotten quite a bit of feedback on it and has suggested I continue down this path.

When folks at my church saw it, the Altar Guild suggested I consider helping out by making a set of paraments (the "dressings" which go on the altars and lecterns) as well as a set of vestments to match.  Having completed the stole without major tears, I can do this!  Time to get some green thread!

I Left the Phone At Home!

It started out as an accident.  I left the iPhone plugged into its charger in its usually spot when I left the house for an 8 a.m. Continuing Legal Ed class this morning.  I was about three minutes away from the house when I realized it.  My initial reaction was PANIC! 

Then, I stopped and thought about it. School had both my mobile number and my husband's. If something happened to the kids, they would call him when I didn't answer. Not so bad.

So, off I went. Yes, I did have my laptop at the interminable and boring CLE. Yes, there was wireless access, so I was able to avoid the boring topic by looking for ideas for organizing a craft area in the house. Yes, I was a bit miffed when I realized I couldn't call the pharmacy ahead of getting there with the prescription renewals, but so what?

I finished the CLE class at noon. I ran some errands. I came home. And you know what -- I had only missed one call, which I returned. It was liberating in a way.

What did I learn?

• I did not have to have my phone with me all the time.
• I did not have to check my email or Facebook every 10 minutes.
• The world did not end.
• I was able to be in the moment -- for just a short bit of time.

Maybe, I need to do this more often.

Again, Way Too Much Time Gone By!

I really stink at posting to my blog. It seems I only remember to do so when something big has happened. Today is one of those days. My youngest daughter turns 7 today.

She's quite a piece of work. You know when your mom gets mad at you when you're 16 and come home late and screams: "Someday, you'll have one JUST LIKE YOU!!!!" Well, yeah. It happened.

Daughter 2 is independent and free-spirited. She speaks her mind quite clearly - even though she is only 7. Her insights are really on target sometimes-- making me wonder if she is an old soul in a young body.

She is a smart and wonderful child. She is beautiful -- the face of an angel. But, she could sell ice to Eskimos.

She came into the world at 8:34 a.m. on a very cold January morning. She was born on my sister's birthday. She was not an easy baby, like her sister. She seemed intent from expressing her will from her first moments.

She has continued to do so. I love her to the moon and back. I cannot say how happy I am that she is a part of our world.

Happy Birthday to my little girl. Hope the cupcakes at school were good.

Too much time has passed

In so many ways. Today, I celebrate the arrival of my now 10-year-old daughter. This time, 10 years ago, I was patiently waiting for the anesthesiologist to arrive to give me the epidural for my c-section. We talked about the lawyers who handled his last malpractice case -- some folks I knew. I was still practicing law back then.

The C-section was supposed to be at 9 a.m., but we got pushed back when someone else had to push. Literally. So, at 11:53 a.m., she arrived -- 9 lbs., 2 oz. and about three weeks early. She was too big to incubate any longer. She had a full head of black hair and yelled quite a bit. I remember thinking she was so small -- I was going to break her. Then, in the recovery room, I heard nurses talking about the twins just delivered at 4 lbs. each. I felt some relief that she wasn't that small!

And I remember, a few days later when they were going to discharge us from the hospital thinking -- shouldn't someone call Child Services? I have no idea what I'm doing. And we have all learned along the way. Diaper changes, breast feeding, potty training, pre-school, and on and on.

We all figured it out.

She is a beautiful young woman now. Still with a head of very long hair -- mostly brown. She's going to have about 10 inches cut to give to Locks of Love. She is filled, as they say at her school, with the Spirit of Mercy.

She is kind and caring. Always worrying about how someone else feels and what she can do to make things better for them. She is smart and curious, a quick learner in many ways.

I cannot believe it has been 10 years. I am blessed to have her in my life and blessed to have so many others in my life because of her. There was a group of moms I met 10 years ago this fall -- at a new mother's group. They are some of my best friends to this day. We have seen many things together.

I am blessed that my dad was able to be part of her life. We all miss him and the big deal he made of birthdays. But we will sing loudly in his honor tonight as we have pancakes and bacon for dinner -- her request.

I am blessed by her beauty -- both inside and out. I love her more than words can say.

Happy Birthday - Sweetie Pie!

I Had A Dream

Queen of Beads
Originally uploaded by knithound

For the first time since my father died last year, I dreamt of him last night. He was sitting in his favorite recliner and we were talking. He had on a golf shirt with a breast pocket for his glass case. He had his glasses on and there was a martini (half gin, half vermouth) on the side table next to him. I remember hearing the sound of his voice and his lively, bright smile, but I do not remember what he was saying to me. I remember feeling very good about the conversation and very happy when it ended.

I don't know why he came to me last night. I wish I could figure it out. I gave blood on Saturday. His birthday (which is also the shop's birthday) was on Sunday. One of my students was recently diagnosed with cancer and I'm making her a wrap. Maybe each of those has a part of it.

But I do know that it has been one year and two months and I still cry when I think about him. I miss him terribly.

However, today, my new kit from Blue Moon Fiber Arts arrived -- the March Socks that Rock kit. Maybe opening some new sock yarn will make me feel better. I'm not sure.

Here's a quick pic of the January sock - Queen of Beads. I'm very pleased that I finished them before the next sock arrived.

The Power of Facebook

Last month, after a call from a reporter doing a story on technology, I decided to join Facebook.  Instantly, I found a whole boatload of people I went to high school with.  (OK, it's not that hard, there were 585 people in my HS graduating class).  

But, I was able to connect with some friends who I see regularly now.  So last Tuesday morning I go to post a birthday wish on a friend's wall.  I see a note from her brother, saying, for updates on Martha go to . . . a blog he had set up.

Turns out over the holiday weekend she became severely ill and was in a medically induced coma on life support.  She came close to death a few times.  She is a mother of four -- two are the same age as mine and friends at school.  She and I practiced law together.  

By the power of Facebook, and yelling out the window at car line, I was able to spread the word.  By 8:30 Tuesday evening, a month's worth of meals had been organized for the family.  Emails blasted through.

Now, on Sunday, a week after she was admitted to the hospital, she is off the ventilator and regaining consciousness.   More than 10,000 hits have been counted on her blog set up by her brother with updates.  More than 250 comments have been left for her on a special comments site.

This couldn't have happened five years ago -- it may have been more than a week before anyone found out about her illness.  

Too often, Facebook is used for stupid stuff -- what we had for lunch, etc.  But sometimes, it's value cannot be measured.

Continue to recover, Martha!  We'll keep praying. 

Too Tired to Say Anthing

Except that the Girl Scout troop has sold about 1250 boxes of cookies, that the store has been nuts, that I'm doing my first crochet birthday party this weekend for 10 10-year-old girls and I haven't had time to do much of anything.

Oh, did I mention the mini blanket for the baby doll that needed to be knit to hold the 100 pieces of yarn for the 100th day of kindergarten?

I'm tired.

It's Been A Year

It's been a year and a day.  Dad died on January 28, 2008.  I miss him every day.  It still hurts.  Somehow, I thought it would get better.  I know in time it will, but there hasn't been enough time yet.  The photo above was taken on the annual trek to Florida in Spring 2007 with the kids.  It was done on Easter Sunday.

I find myself crying at odd things -- when Amazing Grace is played at church.  When I see an older man who looks like him -- baseball cap covering the mostly bald head with a big smile for passing children.  

In the snow and rain we drove to the cemetery in North Jersey yesterday.  In the rain, I stood and cried.  I really didn't want to bring the kids with me, but there was no school due to the weather.  We all stood and cried.  Loving hubby took the kids back to the car so I could have some time alone with Dad.  

We headed home and to have a Mass for dad at church.  Except the Rector forgot.  Ok, I'm human too, but I'm very angry.  I know that I should get angry at anyone, especially clergy, but I'm really ticked off.  I might get past it, but I don't know.  I haven't been this angry since I stopped practicing law full time.  

The hurt is deep.  I miss him terribly.  I love you, Dad.

Belated Happy Birthday to Daughter No. 2

I am remiss.  Last Thursday was Daughter 2's sixth birthday and I did not post her birthday wishes.  I guess I knew I could buy myself some time because she does not yet read.  But what could make a mom more happy than her six year old being super excited about getting a ball of worsted weight yarn and size eight needles.

She wants to learn to knit.  I'm having one of the teachers at the shop work with her.  In my view, it's one of those things you don't teach your own kids -- like driving.  Too dangerous.

Happy Birthday Pumpkin!  I'm proud of you.

They Stole Our Tree

This is not the tree we took home.  This is the one we picked out that someone else, after removing all identifying markings, cut down and took home.  I hope if falls on the head of someone in their house -- I have very little Christmas spirit about this.  

OK.  The Sunday after Thanksgiving we pile everyone in the car and drive about 45 minutes to go to a family-owned Christmas Tree farm near home.  Have been going there almost 20 years.  Love the place.  Love the people.  Follow the instructions for tagging our tree.  Put multiple white ribbons and a sold tag on the tree with our name.

Sunday, pile everyone in the car to go cut down and bring the tree home.  Can't find the tree.  Check the photo we took on the cellphone.  Still can't find the tree.  Come to the grim realization that some idiot took our tags off the tree, cut it down and took it home.

The folks at the farm were very apologetic.  Had any of the tags been left on, they never would have sold the tree.  But someone was sneaky.  Someone who deserves a lump of coal in their stocking.  

What kind of person cuts down another's tree at Christmas?  I'm not happy.  I'm not having a Christian attitude and have wished that many bad things happen to these people.  Next year, we'll just cut it down on the spot and take it home.   

Christmas Crazies

OK.  It's that time of year.  You know the time, when you don't have a moment to breathe.  Yet, this year, that seems OK.  I've kind of been dreading this Christmas, what with my dad dying this year.  

So, here we are, off to the races.  Thursday, the giving tree gifts are due at school.  Got the shopping done, now have to wrap.  (That means finding Christmas wrapping paper at home.)  Saturday - husband's holiday party for his company -- two hour drive each way.  Fun.  Still need to find something to wear.  Sunday, pick up Christmas Tree. (Need to find boxes with lights and decorations).  

Before next Wednesday, need to get older daughter black pants and shirt for holiday concert.  Need to go to holiday recital for both girls for piano.  Need to figure out what I'm cooking for Christmas dinner.  Need to do Christmas cards.  Need to buy gifts.

The busyness of it all would normally make me crazy, but this year not so much.  I miss my dad so much.  He loved this time of year and it will be very hard not to have him with us -- singing loudly and off key at Christmas eve services.  But being busy keeps me from crying.  

Well, no time to blog-- must do something Christmas related!

Some Photos, as Promised

I promised photos and here are some.  Still don't have a photo of the cardigan for daughter 1.  However, here is dear husband showing off his Intercostal Mitts.

Now, we also have one of three coffee cozys -- lightly felted, for holiday gifts.  

Three felted coffee cozys for paper coffee cups.  Used remnants of Cascade 220, knit in the round on size 5 needles.  Will be teaching a workshop at Ewe and I on these on December 7.  The intent is to get a cup from the recipients favorite coffee shop, put in a gift card and put the felted sleeve on the coffee cup.  Very quick and easy.  Horeshoe cable, owl cable and standard CB4 cable.  Handfelted in the sink with a bit of Eucalan.

I have six of these in my future for holiday gifts -- maybe more.  Need to get them started.

Happy Birthday, Big Guy!

Today is my husband's birthday.  It is not one that ends in zero, like last year's which required much fuss and a big party.  This morning he received birthday hugs and kisses from the three women who share him and some special handwarmers I knit.  

See, DH owns 25% of the shop.  He says it's so I can ask him to move boxes to the basement, move stuff in the stock room, change lightbulbs I cannot reach, etc.  So to justify his ownership interest, he is now the proud owner of a pair of Intercostal Mitts.  These were the perfect gift, as he hates to wear gloves or mittens, particularly when driving.  To make it even better, I knit them from Jade Sapphire 6-ply Mongolian Cashmere in the Film Noir colorway.  I used just over one skein.  Had I been more careful, I could have gotten them out of one skein, but I didn't.  Looks like I might have enough left over to make myself a pair of Fetching, which I have always wanted.

Now, about the birthday boy.  He is the love of my life.  He is my soulmate.  We met online debating whether Bill Clinton should have to testify in the Paula Jones suit during discovery on a political list-serv.  Eventually, we realized we only lived about 20 minutes apart and had dinner.  That was 11 years ago this past May.  We'll be married 11 years in January and I couldn't be happier.  He is my best friend.  He is a wonderful father and we are very lucky to have him around.  How many other men would put up with their wife buying a yarn store instead of practicing law!  Truly, a rare breed.

The Intercostal Mitts are a quick fun knit.  I cast them on at the shop on Wednesday and only knit on them at the shop as I had time.  It turns out my husband notices what I knit.  When I pulled out a project that was not my sweater, he announced "That's not your sweater!"  So much for stealth knitting at home.  Anyway, I don't get a whole lot of time to knit in the shop, but was able to whip these out.  Cast off last night around 6.  I'll try to pry them from him for a photo.  

In other knitting news, after I finished the wedding stole, I cast on a hoodie for my older daughter.  Knit in Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed Chunky.  Great yarn to work with.  I rewrote the pattern as I went.  All went well until we got to the hood.  I ripped it four times before I got it right.  It's done.  She loves it.  Maybe I'll get a photo of it someday too.

Also in the works, a pattern for a child's ponytail hat.  As you may notice from the photo of the girls with the bride from August, both girls have very long hair and tend to wear ponytails to school, which makes wearing hats in cold weather tough.  I'm working on a modification of the Hannah pattern from magknits in worsted weight yarn for elementary aged girls.  Will be posted soon.  

Finally, on the knitting for me front -- which doesn't make noise often -- I'm knitting the Dandy sweater from the Kaffe Fassett Colourscapes book.  Wow, it is lovely.  I'm about halfway up the back.  Will keep you posted.

And -- dear husband -- happy, happy birthday.  Let's celebrate many more together.  I love you.

I Voted - Did You?

At 7:40 a.m., I was voter number 70 at my ward/precinct polling place.  I vote at about the same time on both primary and general election day -- usually before 8 a.m. as I bring the kids to school.  Usually, my voter number is under 20.  

One precinct in Philly reported that by 9:15 a.m., 115 of 500 voters registered to that precinct had voted.  WOW!

This may be the most important election of our lifetime.  Please go stand in line and vote.  Wear comfortable shoes.  Bring a sock to knit on in line.  But please, exercise your right to vote -- even if it's the only exercise you get today.

Exercise, but Don't Sweat

Folks who know me IRL, know I have very strong political views. I have voted in every primary and general election since I was eligible to vote lo those many years ago. Havent. Missed. One.

Don't intend to miss one either. I'm thrilled that both my girls (ages 9 and 5) are talking about the election and who they are going to vote for in school. I'm hungry for the updates of the board in the fourth, fifth and sixth grade hallway tracking the presidential candidates progress.

We live in a swing state and are being inundated with commercials from both sides. Some of you in states already declared red or blue may feel that your vote does not count. IT DOES.

This is a unique opportunity. You can exercise without breaking a sweat. Take some extra time on Tuesday, go to your local polling place and pull the lever, push the button, punch the chad --- whatever it is your jurisdiction does.

What matters is that you go vote. I'm not going to opine on my view here. I'm only going to say that in my almost 30 years of voting for presidents, this may be the most important vote of my lifetime given the economy, the international situation and everything else we are facing.

Please, go vote.

On the knitting front, I am knitting the hood on the hooded cardigan for the 4th time. Ripped it out three times. Should be done soon. One thing I can say - Debbie Bliss Donegal Chunky rips and re-knits really well. Pix to follow.

Remember to get some exercise on Tuesday.

Another Half of Sandwich

I've mentioned before that I'm part of the sandwich generation.  We'll here are a couple of updates from the deli counter of my life.

1. Dear husband calls MIL on Thursday evening to see how she is.  She announces, "I'm in a nursing home now."  Well, yes, Mom, we helped move you into the assisted living home.  You did?  P.S.  Friday morning she fell, hit her head and spent a few days in the hospital and is now in rehab.  
2. Mom comes to visit for dear daughter's birthday.  See above post.  On the way home, she rolls into someone at a red light.  When the light changes, she pull over on the other side of the intersection.  The other car is still near where she hit it.  Mom drives away.  Her reason:  "The other driver didn't get out of the car and wave to me, so I assumed everything was fine."  

Is there a service I can register with which will take my car and license away from me when I'm 80 to avoid the burden on my girls to have to deal with it?  

On a better note, Daughter 1 wanted a hooded cardigan.  She choose Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed Chunky in a pretty purple.  Front, back and sleeves are done.  Now I must join the blasted thing before I can pick up for the hood and do the button bands.  I hate joining things, but it must be done.  Will post a photo when sleeves are on.

To all my Jewish friends -- may you and yours be inscribed in the book of life for another year -- much health and happiness.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Pea!

It's hard to believe I've been a mother for almost a decade now.  (Some would disagree on that point, but I digress.)  My oldest daughter turns 9 today.  I can't believe how time has flown.  

She went from being a baby with Don King hair (lots of it -- stood straight up) to a beautiful, smart young girl who makes me proud.  

I know she probably won't read this, but that's ok.  When she's 16 and surfing in cyberspace, maybe she'll find this note from mom.

Michaela -- I am so proud of you and who you have become.  You are a shining light in my life.  I love you.

Mommy