Cat lovers unite!

Two weeks ago I posted this picture of Merry as my avatar in Facebook and on my page in FB's Fairyland game. Since that time, many total strangers have come out of the woodwork to share their cat pictures and stories.

I have talked with people in England, Australia, Indonesia and across the US about our spoiled felines . We all agree that we are excellent staff for the fur people who run our homes :-)

Merry has a very swelled head after receiving many compliments on his beauty. I have not shared with his adoring public that he finds the bathroom floor and tub equally as attractive for deposits as his cat pan!

Things are slowly moving in to a routine after the traumatic events of a few weeks ago. Nicole is making herself crazed trying to keep up with a full time college schedule online while working full time and commuting 3.5 hours from Phoenix. She'll soon be through orientation at the hospital and will have more control over scheduling her work around school requirements.

The summer heat is beginning to ease here in Arizona (at least in the evenings and mornings). That means that the activity level of the community has now kicked in to high gear. I've had events to attend every night this week which keeps life interesting. I'm always amazed when people say there is nothing to do in our community. We obviously aren't living in the same place!

Nothing new on the knitting front other than another pair of socks for Rowan. I'm being a knitting slacker these days. Hopefully the cooler weather will inspire me to get moving. Hope all is well in your worlds and you are looking forward to a wonderful weekend.

Sometime routine is good

It's not a very exciting day today and I'm good with that. Routine is sometimes the glue that holds us together. The turmoil of last weekend has roiled through the town all week. People are holding memorials, raising money, making food and generally doing all of the things we do to comfort ourselves in times of tragedy. Nicole keeps putting one foot in front of the other and trying to help out those who can't.

She's due back today for her next group of work days so I'm picking up the house, cleaning and getting ready for the weekend. I awoke early for some reason so went to the grocery store early before the heat and crowds set in. Holiday weekends in our community are a good time to hibernate with all of the visitors! My daughter brought us all of her Buffy seasons so there may be a Buffy marathon in our future.

I started another pair of socks for my grandson and realized yet again that I don't need any more yarn! My stash likely will likely outlive me! On the other hand, I always have a project available :-) I need to start another pair of fall socks - so many great colors in that palette.

Today I'm taking everything off of our bedroom floor to clean the carpets. We will not discuss how long it has been since that happened. Everything from the closet is sitting in my living room and needs to be sorted. I've been putting this off for years because it involves bags of pictures and other memorabilia that I have no idea what to do with. Keep a good thought for me. If you see a massive cloud of dust bunnies hanging over the Southwest you'll know I finally got down to the floor :-)

Hug the ones you love

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks as Nicole started her new job and we all adapted to the changes in our lifestyle. We seem to have worked out the shower schedule and have enough bandwidth to accommodate the extra computer. It isn't ideal but what in life is? We are figuring out how to make it work because that is what family does (at least in our family).

My 55th birthday was last week. Just writing those numbers gives me pause. In my head I'm still 40-45. In my father's head he's 75 not 92. I guess it isn't so unusual that the changes time makes in our bodies aren't matched by the vision in our minds. It was a quiet day, sort of. Nicole was off work for the day and was studying. Since she studies by talking through the ideas she's reading, we wound up chatting most of the day. Although the dinner out was nice and birthday presents fun, the gift of a day with my daughter was the best.

This weekend we were harshly reminded of how quickly life can change. My daughter's new boss, the woman she went to high school with, who took a chance on a new grad to mentor, was gunned down by the father of her children, along with 5 others at a birthday party. It's been all over the news. You may have heard about it and thought, "how sad..." but our family, our community is reeling from the blow. Facebook is full of anguished questions of former classmates and friends of the victims. How does one make sense out of something so senseless?

Nicole was not due back to work until this morning. Instead she hit the road shortly after receiving a call requesting help at the hospital. Some people couldn't work after hearing the news. Most were in shock and leaning on each other for support. Nicole wanted to do what she could to help because that is who she is. Although my heart hurts for her and all of those so immediately touched by this tragedy, I couldn't be prouder of Nicole and the poise and compassion she brought to the situation.

Now the questions will begin. Why didn't someone do something sooner? How could this have happened? How does one pick up the pieces and go on with life? In an instant life can change. We don't know when or how. What we can do is hug the ones we love, tell them they are important to us every day and live fully and joyfully.

Have a good day. Live. Laugh. I'm thankful for each of you and the joy and friendship you have brought to my life. Just thought I needed to say that.

Don't Blink You Might Miss It

I'm always amazed at how quickly life can shift. Last week I was an empty nester and now my daughter will be living with us part time and working at our local hospital. HUH?

The good news is Nicole has a job as an RN. She started today. The other good news is that we get to see her more. The other good news is that she will have benefits and be financially solvent. The other good news is that she is starting the RN to BSN program at Arizona State University online this week. That is a lot of good news.

There will certainly be adjustments for her SO and the pets, especially this first six weeks while she is orienting and training. There will be adjustments for Guitar Guy and I after 5 years of having no children at home! There will be adjustments for all of us as we learn to co-exist as adults, not parent and child.

I've learned to be careful not to blink or I might miss what is coming next!

Now I remember humidity!

I landed in Iowa and my hair started curling and frizzing. Heat and high humidity combined with occasional sprinkles have reminded me how much I hated my hair when I lived in the Midwest! Cleaning out my dad's garage storage cabinets also resulted in the rivulets of sweat that start with any activity in this kind of heat. There is a reason I worked at a swimming pool when I was young :-)

I've spent with the last 5 days with my dad, as I do about every 3 months. We get done what errands he is able to do and spend lots of time eating and talking. Every time I arrive I can see the incremental losses in motion and ability since I was last there. His mind, as sharp as ever, dwells in a body that cooperates less every day. Emptying the dishwasher has become an energy-sucking chore. Getting the top off of Tupperware is almost impossible. Walking to the mailbox requires a 2 hour rest. Days are long with few visitors and yet he perseveres.

We talk about the news and argue politics. We remember good times and talk about the struggles of life and aging. We share memories of my mother and laugh at old pictures. Underlying the love and companionship is the pang of loss and the shared awareness that time is short. Each visit could be the last, The hugs goodbye are tight and tears glisten in our eyes.

But softening the sorrow is a little boy with blonde curls, who at 14 months has boundless energy and a giggle that lightens the heart. He hugs his great grandpa and says "hi" 40 times in an hour. He is the legacy - continuing the love that binds family together, carrying the love of music and gadgets, stories and hugs.

Life is good.

Hibernating

July is one of those months when I try not to leave the house any more than I have to. It also is the month when Guitar Guy goes to guitar camp leaves me on my own for a week. This is what happens when I am left on my own too long - the table explodes with all of the projects I pull out to do (including figuring out how to sell pre-loved junk on e-bay). I eat a lot of cereal, stay up late and sleep late, never turn on the tv and do exciting activities like sort out my knitting needles!
I started a new pair of socks for Rowan since he now will sometimes leave them on his feet. This yarn came in a toddler sock kit but I didn't like the pattern so am doing Riblets from Ravelry. Basic K3 P2 ribbing - easy and stretchy for grow room.
Also finished a Classic WWII watch cap for my son using Dream in Color worsted (Shiny Moss). Should keep his head cozy next winter and match his jacket.

Other than the usual meetings, I've just been working and getting ready to go back to the Midwest to visit my dad and the kids. Amazing how fast 3 months can go when one is busy or knitting while watching Bones.

Nicole just got back from her 9 day trip to Greece and I still haven't heard the travelogue but she posted a bunch of great pictures on Facebook. Seems to have had a wonderful time and wants to go back again. She tactfully pointed out that I might want to start getting in shape now if Iwant to go back with her. Evidently Greece is full of stairs and not many elevators. I probably would not survive that in my current shape (soft and doughy). Something to think about - tomorrow.

Is it hot enough to whine yet?

I shouldn't complain. We haven't had a day over 120 degrees (which is unusual for this time of year). I know CA has been sweltering as has the East Coast but Arizona is hot. Somehow every year I put out of my mind that I should wear oven mitts to touch the steering wheel. I forget that errands really need to be run VERY early in the morning or late in the evening. I think the heat is a little like child birth - once the cool weather arrives the pain of summer slips away in the joy of glorious days.

Since it is so blasted hot I, of course, decided to knit my son a new winter cap using worsted wool :-) I think it has something to do with sitting under the ceiling fan, drinking a cool drink and watching Season 3 of Bones and the first season of Castle. There is some work in there too, but the heat makes me pretty lethargic.

Nicole is off to Greece for her vacation. Today they were going to the Acropolis. Hard to believe my little girl is half a world away! According to Facebook they arrived safely and are having a good time. When she returns from Greece the search for work begins again. So far, she has been rejected for every nursing job due to lack of experience. Keep your fingers crossed (and toes if you have the flexibility and inclination).

I'm off to go through my stash and see what I want to start next. The wool is calling...............