The Gift Of LIfe...

I don't know if I mentioned that Kirstin has been working very hard organizing a blood drive for the past several months. Well, Saturday was the BIG DAY. Starting at 9:00 am, friends from school and church came to give blood and show their support for her and all the work she put in organizing the drive. She had over 60 people show up.. which I think is tremendous!!

Over half of the people who gave were high school students and I bet 85 % of everyone who came was giving blood for the first time. (She did a great job recruiting!!!)


Here she is with her friend Amy who dressed up as a 'Super-Hero Blood-drop' and welcomed people as they arrived.


Her brothers were very supportive of all of her efforts. Aaron drove the 90 miles home from college to show his support and to help set up give!

Here he is giving his gift of life.



Ryan showed up early with one of his college buddies to help set up and to give blood. He also recruited several of his friends to come and give as well!

Such a great encouragement to his sister!!







Aliya came and gave blood for the very first time. She was so nervous!! I'm not sure if she will do it again, but I am very proud that she came and donated. Again, such a huge support for Kirstin




Steve and I were there the whole time and ran the canteen where we gave everyone juice and homemade cookies and made sure they didn't pass out! We were very busy!!

We both took breaks from the canteen and gave blood as well. Here's Steve giving blood.

No picture of me on the bed, but trust me, they got my blood!! I donate quite often, usually apherisis. I started donating shortly after one of my best friends daughter died of Leukemia at age 17. I will never forget watching her get the platelets and seeing color return to her cheeks and her energy level rise. It truly was life coursing into her veins. I vowed then to become a lifetime donor. It is neat to see Kirstin continue to carry this torch. (And several of my brothers are now very active donors as well). Take the time. Give the gift. You won't regret it.

After the Blood Drive, Kirstin, Aliya and I hopped in the car and drove to Galena for 24 hours of movie watching; knitting and just having 'girl time'. (Oh, and did I mention eating junk food???)

I used the time to make my first proto-type of the bag I have been designing. It is my attempt to make the 'perfect' bag for Kirstin to carry. Several things I am going to change in my next bag, but I am really liking it so far. This one is knit with 2 strands of Paton's SWS yarn. I am loving the colors. May have to make one for myself with this yarn.




Cast on a Kitty-Pi bed for my niece's cat, Cougar. Cougar is a Siamese that looks IDENTICAL to the cat I had for 15 years growing up. If Ryan and Kirstin weren't so allergic to cats, I'd have a siamese as well.

Sarah likes purple, so that is what I am making the bed with. Boy, sure hope Cougar likes it!!

(If you click Here you can see a gallery of kitty's 'modeling' their beds. Gee, maybe I can send a picture in of Cougar and his bed....)




Also worked on and finished a bag for my Bag Me Kal... the Philosophers Bag. I think I need to felt it a little more, but I really like the colors.



No progress to show on the Fair Isle carry-all bag. Needed to do knitting that didn't take much concentration. Hope to make some progress this week.

Well, need to clean up dishes from the Sunday Night Youth group that meets here at our house every Sunday night. Made Mexican Lasagna. Will share the recipe next post. Goes great with the cornbread rolls from my earlier post.

Until next time......