We say goodbye

Dad passed away last evening.

There is sadness, some relief knowing Dad no longer has to struggle day to day and peace knowing he is with Mom.

The loss of both of my parents in nine months is too much.   They had a long life together, 64 years in fact.  They had a good run.

And for those of us left behind, we will move forward, one step at a time.

blog changes

Apparently there are changes coming and might impact blogs/bloggers. Have a read:

In 2011, we announced the retirement of Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger sites. We made an exception for Blogger to give readers an easy way to follow blogs using a variety of accounts. Yet over time, we’ve seen that most people sign into Friend Connect with a Google Account. So, in an effort to streamline, in the next few weeks we’ll be making some changes that will eventually require readers to have a Google Account to sign into Friend Connect and follow blogs.

As part of this plan, starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.
We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow.
We know how important followers are to all bloggers, but we believe this change will improve the experience for both you and your readers.
Posted by Michael Goddard, Software Engineer


On the home front, no changes, we continue day by day.

New day New Year

Happy New Year!  Wishing everyone a very good year.

Thank you for all your kind words.  They mean a lot.  I will get a chance to reply soon.

Meanwhile Dad continues.  Yesterday was the first day I didn't go to the hospital.  As it happened being home allowed for phone calls and new arrangements that were able to be accomplished before the holiday weekend.  Today I will visit Dad at hospice.  It's located across the street from the hospital.

Rather than resolutions I decided on a word for 2016.  Mine is purpose.  Right now my life purpose is changing and me with it.

A couple of weeks ago Dad and I had a conversation with Dad saying "When I go visit Jackie....." and Dad suggested I could just put him in the car and take him....and yes, he was meaning his final trip.    He picks his moments for certain conversations.   This week our conversations have been silent thoughts.  Tuesday I believe he knew we were with him.  In the time since, he has moved further away.

Take time for each other.

Not an ordinary day.

Everything changed yesterday.  Dad had a stroke or a seizure and is in hospital.  We're hoping for the best.  

And to all ....

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year!

Raise a glass .....

Happy Birthday Mom!

Remembering you today and always.

the best gifts of all

Thank you Noah and Nate for this year's art projects that have been made into cards.

The best gifts ever!

Staying indoors, warm and dry

On the wet West Coast yet another storm system is hitting the coast.  Thankfully it is just rain and not snow!  Our outdoor lights that should run dusk to dawn are still on, so that implies it's gloomy....and it is.

Grocery shopping and errands were completed in short order this morning.  Anything else will wait for another day.  Soup is simmering on the stove.  Roast chicken is cooking in the oven as well as a cake.  After reading posts about  cassata cake I decided to give one a try.  The recipe I'm trying is one that can be made ahead and frozen, works for me.

I can finally post a picture of my first quilted posted as I know it's been received.  Definitely fun to do.  I'm already thinking of making another one.

Yesterday's mail included  a quilted postcard from my partner Sunny Schroeder.   I love the colors and the quilted design!

Also in the mail this week, from Lynda Ruth, a lovely card, crocheted tree ornaments and chocolate goodies.  Thank you so much!  The ornaments are already hung on our tree.  They look so delicate. And the chocolates might not last past this evening!

This profile of the hummer sort of sums up the day.  Even this little guy looks wet and rumpled.

A good weekend to all.

Christmas is coming ....

Well I don't know how so much time has passed since I posted on my blog.  It has been a busy, productive few weeks.

Here's what I've been doing.....

  fingerless gloves and hat

 more gloves.  Knitted flat and sewn together.  Nice pattern to knit.

Crochet neck warmer.

And  a stitching/finishing marathon.  Some have already headed to their new homes.

 

 

 
 

There are other items completed that I can't post pictures of just yet.  It's been a pleasure participating in exchanges.

We finally have a tree up and decorated.  This year it's a smaller tree that is safely (we hope) displayed atop a round table.  To a puppy everything is fair game and the larger tree would have provided far too much entertainment for Sully.  There is always next year.   

We added more outdoor lights this morning.  Still, the display of lights is simple.  It is one of the pleasures of the season that I enjoy the most.  It's 4:06 pm and yes, the lights all work!

Christmas will bring  a little something for everyone in our family.  Thankfully items ordered have all been delivered so next up will be now wrapping.

And this post is a wrap too.

it's all about the numbers......

Sunday brought the end of daylight savings time.  Getting that hour back, ha, it sure didn't feel like we did. And sunset comes so much earlier.   The temperatures dipped to 3 (36 F) last night and tonight is to provide more of the same.

Sunday marked an important day, my daughter's 40th birthday!  We had a family lunch, cake, gifts and birthday wishes/singing Happy Birthday.  Photos to come.  Just where has the time gone?  I know that Mom was watching.  Among things that I had become guardian of was a Happy 40th Birthday card that Mom and Dad had picked out.  I returned it to Dad the other day so he could sign it.

This post is also my 175th.   Thank you to my followers and thank you even more for the comments that you leave.  They are appreciated.

I still can't post any pictures of the projects underway for exchanges, it would spoil the surprise.  DH works late this evening so I plan to put the finishing touches on one more item.

Dad stops by every afternoon to visit.  Actually I think it's more the time that he and Sully get to spend together.  Every now and then Sully forgets himself and tries to chew my Dad's fingers.  Not a popular move....overall they have  mutual admiration.  I keep trying to sneak a picture but no luck thus far.

Outdoors critters continue to visit, some more liked than others.  Chickadees, sparrows, junko's, even a Northern flicker visit along with the hummers that seem to have moved in.  Not seen but around the skunk, a rabbit and least favored a small mouse.  Even if there wasn't seed in the feeder (and the drop tray attached) I think the patio is the shortcut to greater pastures for the mouse.  I guess it's all part of the great outdoors!  And I don't feel any different about spiders, they do not belong in the house!!

Did you ever have something that you've always wanted, never hand?  For me it's been a spinning wheel.  I've wanted one always.   It's self contained compared to  pottery and the need/space for a kiln.  Working with clay has always been a passion.  Recent years haven't provided the opportunity so it was time to shift focus and consider a spinning wheel.  I guess it came down to timing.  I found a wheel in my price range and the seller was ok with shipping.   As of last Tuesday I have an Ashford wheel. I'm excited to get started.  That said, I must finish the current projects that are due to be mailed soon. After that, the adventure begins.  Hindsight was it is, I should have bought the one I saw in NZ back in 1989.

Stay warm!