March

Is March going out like a lamb or lion in your area?  Here in my part of Illinois, we had a calm, sunny day with temps in the 40's. 

Between both Hubby and DD#1 having medical procedures, my own doctor appointments with more tests and the non-stop migraine, it has been a rough month.   Unfortunately, the migraine is still just as bad and nothing is breaking the cycle of pain. 

Two weeks ago, we woke up to more than 5 inches of heavy, wet snow.  My photos don't capture the beauty of the snow and the dramatic looking sky, but as much as I dislike winter weather, I had to admit the snow and sky were beautiful!  It didn't last long and was mostly melted by the next day.

The triplets turned 1 on March 16th! 

Last year, I helped a friend by painting more of the wooden butterfly wings and helped him sell them at several craft markets.  He has spent all winter making more wings, so I've been slowly painting again.

My friend has also made a new style butterfly as well as four different sizes of each.  He is planning on selling at three craft markets this summer and fall. 

I have been stitching a little bit at a time, but have no progress to show.  I was able to knit another baby hat too. 

Snapped this pic of the pups the other day.  They thought I had food and were trying to get some, but all I had was a folded paper, lol.

DD#2 is settling in and just went back to work after several weeks of leave.  She spent most of her leave just relaxing at her new home.  She volunteers at a local shelter and fostered Charlie, a senior dog with special needs, for a couple of weeks while he recovered from surgery.  DD said he was such a sweet, relaxed dog while he stayed with her.

Hollie is still here with us for a while longer.  We're still making plans for visiting DD and taking Hollie to Texas. 

Thanks for all your continued prayers and keeping us in your thoughts.  I owe some of you apologies for not replying to your comments on my last post.  I am sorry, with the constant migraine, I just didn't get much done since my last post.

Until next time,

Take Care & Happy Stitchin!

February

Good Morning, Dear Friends!

I pray you are all doing well.  It has been a rough couple of months for me.  I didn't think my migraines could get any worse, but they have, and it's crippling.  I have been back to my doctor, had more tests done and no issues found.  Unfortunately, there are still no medications or treatments I can take other than OTC pain meds.

During our frigid polar vortex, this frosty, frozen artwork was on one of my windows.  Our weather has been brutal with many snow and ice storms, several power outages and school has been canceled 10 days since January 12.  We've been lucky to have a few days of warmer weather sporadically mixed in and I can't remember ever having such crazy weather in one season.

SHE'S HOME!   SHE'S HOME!   SHE'S HOME! 

DD made it home from deployment on Sunday, Feb 10.  Unfortunately, we weren't there to greet her.  DD had told us to leave for Texas late Feb 11 or early Feb 12.  Got a call from DD at 4:24 am on Monday, Feb 11 asking if we could pick her up from O'Hare airport in Chicago!  What a wonderful surprise!  DD had asked that we not tell her sister that she was in our area because she wanted to surprise her.  Somehow, we managed to pull off organizing a family dinner without my oldest DD finding out until her sister walked in.  There were lots of hugs and lots of happy tears!  We were so thankful and excited to be together that we didn't even think to take photos, lol.

When DD deployed, we brought her vehicle back to IL and DD's plan was to drive back to TX.  Due to the snow and ice predicted for that night and the next day, DD decided to leave for TX right after dinner.  DD also decided to leave Hollie with us until DD gets settled in.  Since DD's lease ended when she deployed, she had to find housing when she returned and is now busy moving in.


Our family celebrated Christmas at my niece's house.  The triplets were very active and such a joy!

Hard to believe the triplets will be celebrating their first birthday next month.

They all weigh about the same now, all are crawling and one is even walking.


I challenged myself to learn new things this year.  I started off by learning to knit a hat.  Big needles and bulky yarn made the learning process easier (and quicker).

Wanderlust Toque

by Lisa Hofelich

Yarn - Lion Brand Hometown

Color - Dallas Grey

US Size 15 - 10.0 mm Circular Needles

I'm happy with the way it turned out, but I can't say I enjoyed knitting it because it was a struggle for me.  I struggled because I can make the knit and purl stitches, but am not comfortable holding the knitting needles.  Being a crocheter, holding the yarn and knitting needles is so different than holding a crochet hook.  I have tons of bulky yarn and I may make more knitted hats to donate.

Stay Safe!

Until next time,

Happy Stitchin!




 

December

I had all these plans to get everything done and be ahead of the holiday rush, but work and the constant migraine got in the way.  Right after Thanksgiving, a large project came up at work and became the priority above everything else.  Unfortunately, the migraine has not improved and I've had to cut back on everything I usually do for the holidays.

I give a stitched ornament to my family members for Christmas every year.  In November, I finally settled on an alternative finish for the little cross stitch designs designed for the sleds.  I had stitched these little designs a few years ago, but hadn't purchased sleds for all that I had stitched.

I purchased the wood slices at Hobby Lobby and then wood burned Merry Christmas on the front and my initials and the year on the back.

We celebrated Christmas with hubby's side of the family yesterday.  As the kids have gotten older and in their own homes, I have been making ornaments for each one of them as well.  I was happy to hear my nephew tell my mother-in-law how nice his tree looks with all the ornaments I've made for him.

Hazel(nut) celebrated her 2nd birthday on Dec 17.

I received this quilt from my mother-in-law for my birthday.  This quilt belonged to an elderly neighbor whose mother and aunts had made it sometime before 1894.  It is in very good condition and there are only a few spots where the fabric has worn. 

The triplets are 9 months old!  They are settled into their new home and we will be celebrating Christmas there.

We've heard from DD and the tentative plan is for her deployment to end and her to be back in the States in early February.   We're praying that the plan stays the same, but given current events, there is uncertainty.

From our family to yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!