TNT-Thursday

I know that I have introduced my friends Cheryl and Renae before, but I haven't yet told you the strong connection they each have to my TNT training.   The three of us have been friends since elementary school..  I introduced Cheryl's daughter, Lindsay, on a previous Thursday TNT post here.  She was the beautiful 17 year old who was diagnosed with AML, which took her young life just 3 months later.  






Today I am going to 'introduce' you to Renae's mom, Barb.
(Here is an picture of Barb in 1955)  Renae and I met when I was just 4 years old and we lived just a house apart until after we graduated from high school. During those growing up years, Renae's family was like my own.  I spent almost as much time at her house as I did my own.  I went on many of their camping trips and Renae came with my family every summer for several visits to our cabin.  I know part of who I am today is because of the influence she had in my life. 

Fast forward now to this picture taken in 1999. It is Renae and I and our moms. (I'm sitting with Barb and Renae is by my mom).  It will be the last picture that I have of myself with Barb.  At this point she was not doing well, and doctors couldn't quite figure out exactly what was wrong. In March of 2000, Barb passed away and it was determined that she had died of lymphoma that had gone undetected.  

And so I run in honor and memory of my second mom - Barb.  

I run in the hopes that with added research there will be easier ways to detect and cure Lymphoma and Leukemia.  I run because I think she would be proud of me and I know that she'll be there with me in spirit as I cross the finish line, cheering me on.  Thanks, Mom.

(Barb- November 1999, just 4 months before she passed away.)

Until Next Time....

Dogs VS Cats

I like cats. I really do. If I could have one,I would. But with two children who are horribly allergic to cats, getting one would probably not sit well with either of them. (They already think I spoil Sumo more than I do them!) I have decided, however, that there is a distinctive advantage to having a dog over a cat when one is a knitter. You can have dangling yarns everywhere and not have it be in any danger!!










I have started the Circle Tote and so far it is going well. I chose a darker purple and am happy with the color combination. It's a slow knit with all of the dangling yarns, but I do LOVE the look of it!! I am using one of my new Signature Needles. (Size 10). They are by far the nicest knitting needle made IMHO. (In My Humble Opinion). My goal is to have this tote finished and felted by the end of the month.



I think after I finish this tote I am going to make a Bubbles Baby Sweater. My friend Jessica made this one from the book Wee Knits 3, which I have ordered along with the yarn to make the sweater. There are MANY sweaters in this book I would love to make. I may just start making some for my someday grandbabies!! (No pressure, tho, R & M!!)




K is packed and leaves early in the morning for 7 weeks. We decided to head out to Parkersburg today as she really wanted to try and help with the cleanup after the tornados that destroyed so much of the town last week before she left. It was very sombering driving through the town. I've never seen anything like it.






This house has the bed of a semi wrapped up the front. A friend told us that there is a 50,000 ton bulldozer that is missing that the tornado did something with. I can't even wrap my mind around the power generated by that tornado.













Seeing this aftermath of the storm reminded me of the photo that hung in the home of my best friend growing up. Her family's home was completely destroyed by a tornado while they were huddled in the basement. (My friend was 4 years old at the time). I'll share a little more on
Thursday in my next TNT update. For now I hope to be able to help in small ways as these people try to rebuild their lives.





Sumo is feeling sad, I think. He sees K's suitcases sitting by the door. He knows he's being left behind...again. What he doesn't know is that there will be extra treats for him tomorrow. That should make him happy.






Until Next Time....

Sunday Ramblings

It's Sunday afternoon and there is a little lull in the action, so I thought I would do a quick update. We have 4 couples coming over for dinner tonight, so most of the day has been spent in preparation. Fortunately both Steve and K are around and do more than their share, so it leaves me with a little free time. I did get the hat done for my niece's baby and the set is ready to go. I still hope to get a hat done for my niece as well. We'll see. I have over a month until the baby shower.









Friday we took A up to Minneapolis so he could catch his flight to Colorado where he will be working for the summer. I love the Minneapolis airport. Check in is extremely easy and it is a beautiful facility. And only about 3 hours from our home. While in Minneapolis I had lunch with 2 good friends and spent some time with my brothers' family. Also squeezed in a little time to go to Amazing Threads. Of course I had to pick up a few things. The first is yarn for another Circle Tote. I know. I know. I swore I would never knit another, but I have to admit that although it's my least favorite bag to actually knit, it is my very favorite bag felted up. So I will plug away at another. Here are the colors I am thinking of so far. Dark read being the main color with black/blue and purple in different combinations for the circles. What do you think? Any other suggestions? (I'm thinking maybe a little darker purple....)



I also picked up a new Cascade yarn - Heritage - I hadn't seen before. It's a wool/nylon sock yarn and the 4 colorways they had were beautiful. I settled on this green one, but it was tough. I am thinking that it may be a scarf for a friend of mine who I would love to knit something for. But I'm undecided. I have also signed up for 'Summer of Socks' so need to be thinking sock knitting at some point!











As I mentioned, we have friends coming for dinner. Here is what is on the menu for dessert: Little chocolate shells filled with a mascapone cheese filling and fresh raspberries. We'll also be drizzling a little chocolate over the top when we serve them. Yum. I had something similar this past weekend up in Minneapolis so we are trying to duplicate it somewhat. Not really a recipe at this point, but I may write it down later.




We've been enjoying the blooming flowers that finally are in abundance! K has done a fun job using them and some fun empty beer bottles to decorate our window sills. The smells are lovely.














Sumo continues to enjoy having extra people around. He doesn't realize that it will soon come to an end as K heads East on Wednesday and it will be back to Steve and I. But he still has us at least!! (And I am the one who gives him treats.....) He is showing off the baby hat I made, but seemed quite relieved that I didn't make him wear it. He must keep his dignity you know!!












Until Next Time....

TNT-Thursday

Well, it is Thursday and time for an update. Unfortunately with all of the storms our internet is down and it may be a bit before they can get us back online. We are doing our training runs and just this week sent out our support letters. (We got our first one back today! Thanks Mom and Dad!!) That will be my update for today... stay tuned next Thursday for my next TNT update when life looks to have settled down a bit and hopefully our internet will be up and running. (Hopefully I'll have a regular post later this weekend. I have more knitting to show!!)

Thanks to all for the Anniversary wishes!!

25 Years!!!

Yes, today is the day. Our 25th Wedding Anniversary! Hard to believe that it has been that long. Steve had taken the day off so we could do something 'exciting', but as it turns out we spent the day driving 500+ miles to Omaha and back to move R & M into their apartment for the summer. And it was a great day. We had lots of time together to talk (and knit) and we even stopped by the mall in Des Moines and got a treat. Now to start on the adventure of the next 25 years!!!








I have a few pictures of finished items to share. The first is my Chevron scarf - finally off the needles and I love it. I immediately cast on another in Noro sock yarn. I really don't like the feel of this yarn, but I hear that it softens up when washed. I miss the feel of my Wollmeise yarn. I miss the Wollmeise for that matter. Come back to us Claudia!!!












I also finished the baby sweater already!! My first sweater! I need to add a couple of little buttons, but wa-la! I am making a matching hat and will finish it tonight and share it in my next post. I think I will even have enough yarn left to make my niece a matching hat as well. I'm going to need to order more of this yarn. It feels so yummy. I'm hoping a baby sweater counts for Sheri's DIC Kal!!



Looked out yesterday and there was K and Sebastian on the deck looking in the back door. She loves to spend time with him when she is home on break. He'll be 10 years old this August. Wow. Time sure does fly.




Thanks for those who voiced concern over the recent storms. We were very close to some serious tornados on Sunday. A town less then 10 miles from here was almost completely destroyed. (And several other towns around us had major damage as well). We had only the inconvenience of no internet for a few days but our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who are affected. Tornado season always has me a little on edge, especially since we live in the country and can't hear any sirens.

Until Next Time.....

Enjoying LIfe

Things have been busy around here with everyone home, but I've been enjoying every minute with the kids around. And we've been keeping pretty busy! It's very different parenting grown children... I have no responsibility for them really, and just get to enjoy the wonderful young adults that they have become. One of the many perks is that they have been very willing to help with the cooking. R & M treated us to 'Raclette' the other night. Yum!



Here is the Raclette grill.... One puts vegies, meats etc.. on top and then melts a variety of cheeses in the tray below and then puts it all over a cooked red potato. (Or at least that is what we have done!) It is a nice meal for lingering at the table and having conversation.






Thursday evening I got a call that a good friend of mine was on the way to the hospital to have baby #5. Two hours later she called to say that they had a little boy. Two hours. That's it. Life is not fair. Anyways, I don't know if I had kids when I was really really young or if my friends are just having them when they are old, but many of my friends here have very young children. Me? I'm waiting for the grandbabies!




My niece is expecting a baby in a few weeks and I got the yarn and started a sweater for her. (She knows that it is a little girl). I can see why so many people are making sweaters out of this Dream in Color Classy yarn.. it is wonderful. My gauge is a little off, so it is going to be a little bigger than I thought, but that's ok. She'll grow into it!







I've been enjoying the cool spring that we've been having and have spent a few days knitting in the sun. Sumo loves to be at my feet wherever I am, inside or out. My family may think otherwise, but I think Sumo loves me best. (And, no, it's not because I give him treats, although I'm sure that doesn't hurt....) It's because I'm always here.








We're having a fairly lazy weekend. Playing some games, going to graduation open houses, knitting and starting to think about packing up the kids as 3 of them leave the nest again this week. Gotta soak them up while I can!!




Until Next Time....

TNT Thursday

Ok, ok, I know that it is Friday, but it has just been one of those weeks. (Have you ever had one of those weeks?) But I still wanted to give you an update on things. Today I thought I would share a little more about Team in Training.


Team in Training is first and foremost a fundraising program. The primary objective is to raise funds for blood-related cancer research. They work hand in hand with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society whose mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Since it's establishment in 1949, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has awarded over $550 million dollars in research grants. And great strides have been made. One of the most incredible research advances has been the increasing cure rate for children with acute lymphocytic leukmia (ALL). In 1960, less than 5 percent of the children with ALL survived. Today, over 80 percent of the children diagnosed with ALL are surviving! That is AMAZING! And that has been in my lifetime.

The heart of the Team in Training program is the patient that those who are training and raising funds train in honor of. An Honored Patient is someone who has been diagnosed with leukemia or a related cancer and has agreed to be a Team's inspiration. As I mentioned in a previous post, Jared is our Honored Patient that our team is running for.




And now to my training. When I signed the dotted line to run this marathon I was not exercising at all. Nada. So I have a long way to go. Team in Training provides a coach who comes up with a training plan and helps in every way he can to ensure that you will cross the finish line. Slowly but surely I am getting stronger. Tomorrow will be my 'long run' of the week and I'll be going 5 miles. Each week my long run increases. During the week I do shorter runs with some cross training on off days. It feels good to be exercising again and to be doing it for such a great cause.


Next week I'll 'introduce' another one of the special people that Steve and I are running in memory of.

Until Next Time...

(If you are interested in donating to my Team In Training efforts, please click on the Team in Training logo to the left of this post. And thank you in advance for helping in the race to find a cure!!)

Knitting and Shopping

These are two things that I enjoy. I haven't been able to do much of either recently, but yesterday I got a little of each in. I'm still plugging away on my Chevron scarf.







Wollmeise yarn has so much yardage that it seems to be going on forever. (Which is a good thing....) I think I am nearing the end, however, and may finish it today if I can squeeze in some knitting time here and there. Here is all that is left of my large skein that I started out with. Pretty exciting.












K has also cast on a chevron scarf out of yarn from The Knittery. The colors are beautiful. It has a very different look and feel than the one that I am doing which is one of the fun elements of knitting.













I have decided to make a baby sweater for my niece who is expecting a little girl next month. I ordered some Dream In Color Classy in the Wisterious colorway. I think it will be beautiful. I am going to do the Child's Placket Neck Sweater pattern by Joelle Hoverson from her Last-Minute Knitted Gifts book. Here is a small sample picture of the sweater. I hope to cast that on as soon as the yarn gets here and have it done by the baby shower we're having in July.

I went to a new fun store yesterday. They carry bags by Anne Taintor. Very fun. This is one I picked up for a tattooed friend of mine. I hope to give it to her tonight. There were several I would like to have bought.




Well, off to the grocery store and then to do some cooking. Today is a big day for M as she has an interview for a 5th grade teaching job next year at the elementary school our kids went to. It would be the perfect job.

Until Next Time...

To Plant Or Not To Plant

That is the question I ask myself each year. I am not a gardener by nature. I have a black thumb to be sure. But there is something rewarding about a garden. And K really wanted to plant one this year, so I called the 'Killer Tiller' guy to come till up the garden.






We went out and bought all kinds of fun plants. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, squash etc.. and got it all planted. (Mmmmm, I can just about taste my first tomatoe/potato chip sandwich of the summer....) Sumo LOVES days like this when we are outside all day and he can just lay around and watch us work.







Of course, after the work is done, we do our own share of laying around! The hammock is especially wonderful on a day like today!









Today Steve and K worked on a new flowerbed. They rode their bikes up to Farm and Fleet and picked up all kinds of beautiful flowers. (Steve fitted K's bike with a crate yesterday and she was itching to try it out!)








They both love to work outside in the garden and flowerbeds. I have to admit that it is not something I necessarily enjoy. I'm just glad that they do!















I was tagged by Cheryl and Annie97 to play in a meme...here it is. (I'm following MOST of the rules... I've decided that instead of choosing 6 to tag, I will challenge those who haven't been tagged yet to play along....)

1. What was I doing 10 years ago? Well, let's see. The kids were 8, 11 and 13 so I was in the very busy time of life of driving to school, soccer games, etc.. and cooking and doing laundry and trying to keep up.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today- not in any particular order?
Knit, take a nap, calibrate my new running watch, play a game and go see the new Narnia movie.

3. Snacks I enjoy. KettleKorn; chips and salsa; M&M's; scones; just about anything that is not good for me!

4. Places I've lived- Minnesota; New York; Tokyo, Japan; Iowa

5. Things I would do if I were a billionare: pay off the mortgage; give to charity; buy a fun convertible 2-seater sports car

6. Peeps I want to know more about: Everyone who reads my blog should consider yourself tagged!! Feel free to answer these in the comments section or on your own blog!

TNT Thursday

I have designated Thursdays as 'TNT-Thursdays' in hopes to update you on the marathon we are training for with Team in Training. We are running in honor of 3 people who were affected by Leukemia and Lymphoma and were very close to us. I hope in doing this that I can raise awareness (and funds) to help fight these diseases. Medicine has come a long way, but there is still a long way to go!!

Leukemia. It’s a word that didn’t conjure up many emotions 10 years ago. I knew it was a form of cancer, but beyond that I really didn’t know much.

That all changed on Wednesday September 22, 1999 when we got the call to let us know that Lindsay had leukemia. Lindsay? Not Lindsay! I was in shock - speechless for a few moments while Steve tried to figure out what news I had received that had caused such a reaction. As I told him the news that Lindsay, the beautiful 16 year old daughter of our dear friends Steve and Cheryl, had leukemia I could see his medical mind racing. His first question was what kind of leukemia (I didn't even really know there were different kinds!) I asked. "AML" I said. The look on Steve's face said it all. If there was a 'good' and 'bad' leukemia. This was the 'bad'.


A bit about leukemia:

Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. It is characterized by the uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells. The major categories of leukemia are myelogenous and lymphocytic, each of which can be acute (A.M.L. and A.L.L.) or chronic (C.M.L. and C.L.L.).

Acute leukemia progresses rapidly, resulting in the accumulation of immature cells that are unable to function in the blood and marrow. This results in anemia (shortage of normal numbers red blood cells), impaired ability to fight infection (shortage of normal numbers of white blood cells) and easy bruising and bleeding (shortage of normal numbers of platelets).

Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly and allows a greater number of more mature, functional cells to be made.

So, Lindsay had AML - Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. She was admitted immediately to the Children's Hospital and started treatment. The next 3 months were spent waging war on the bad cells and trying desperately to put the leukemia into remission so that Lindsay could receive a bone marrow transplant. Steve and Cheryl had a steep learning curve as they spent hours in the hospital trying to understand and make sense of every test; procedure etc.. that Lindsay was having to undergo. They started a page on Caring Bridge to journal about their experience and to keep friends and family updated. One can not even imagine what it is like to watch one's child go through something like this, but through her journal Cheryl gave us all a glimpse. (I will be sharing some excerpts from her journal in future TNT-Thursday posts). Strengthened by their faith in God, they walked through this dark valley as we all prayed for Lindsay to be cured. She was 'cured', but not in the way that we had prayed. Lindsay passed away on December 20, 1999, having fought the good fight. No more pain. No more sorrow. And we will see her again.


We are so blessed to have had Lindsay in our lives for as long as we did. Here is an early picture of our oldest son R with Lindsay at the Minnesota State Fair. I can look at this picture and then close my eyes and hear their little voices and their squeals of delight as they 'flew' on this ride. I'm pretty sure the next picture in the sequence was R giving Lindsay a big ole kiss on the cheek!




Our families are close. Together with our friends Renae and Mike, we form the Triple-R Gang. (All of our last names begin with R.) We often went camping in the fall; to the cabin in the summer and have rung in many a New Year's together. And when we get together we can still feel Lindsay's quiet presence because I think a little piece of her lives in all of us. And we are blessed.








Lindsay is one of the reasons that we are running. It may be too late to find a cure for Lindsay, but we also race for all of those whose lives will be turned upside down this year by the diagnosis of leukemia. We race to find a cure.

Until Next Time

Fun With Fiber

Llamas. I have come to take for granted looking out each day to the pasture full of these beautiful animals. They are looking particularly beautiful these days with their new haircuts! (Not that you can see it in this picture). The 'llama girls' have gotten almost all of the shearing done for the summer. The llamas sure appreciate having that wool taken off when the Iowa summer heat and humidity hit!



I have taken four of the fleeces and have it boxed and ready to send to a fiber mill to be prepared to spin. It will probably take 4-5 months before they have it back to me, but it will be fun to play with when it does come back.







Sumo is spending a little more time outdoors with the nice weather, but still seems to prefer to be where we are. He also loves to spend time in the doghouse that is built in to the corner of the garage. He can go in and out as he pleases through his dog door. I can still remember trying to show him how to use the door. It was comical.












His favorite spot is on his bed on the front porch. From here he can keep an eye out for squirrels; dogs walking down the road; UPS trucks etc.. Occasionally he still will get up and bark for whatever reason. For the most part, however, I think he's retired and just enjoying a lazy life. And that's ok.












Until Next Time....

Happy Mothers' Day!

Well, it is Mother's Day today, so I wish all mother's a very wonderful day. Especially my own mom!! Happy Mother's Day, Mom!! I think we have a quiet day planned around here. Steve said he and the kids would be cooking dinner and I could curl up and knit and not have to do a thing. Twist my arm!!!


We've been getting the kids moved back home and settled. Our son A moved back Thursday; R & M moved in on Friday and yesterday we went and picked up all of K's things. (She has finals this week and will be home Friday). It's been quite nice when we've gone to pick up the kids - they've had their stuff boxed and ready to load. Within a half hour we've been done and ready to go out for a quick bite to eat or something.




Like maybe Coldstone. Steve and K each got a creation with Cake Batter Ice Cream. Now I know that lots of people are crazy for this flavor but I find it quite disgusting. Sorry. That's just me. I skipped the ice cream and went for a Raspberry/Mango Smoothie at the House of Aromas. Yum!













Steve has been working hard in the yard, and it's been nice for him having the kids home to help.
He also gets a lot of help from his 4-wheeler which he uses for everything. It is quite the work horse, but very fun on the side.







I've been busy getting the bird feeders cleaned out and filled. Saw our first Orioles the other day and so that feed is out and has already had many visits. I just LOVE Orioles! I also enjoy the Gold Finches and have a wonderful feeder that can hold tons of finches at one time, and is often full!! Many had flown away when I went to take this picture. Usually every perch has a finch and there are some waiting on top and on a nearby feeder etc.. Let's just say I go through lots of thistle!!











I did get the black and gray Lucy bag felted the other day and am quite happy with how it turned out. I need to find a button for the front and it will be ready. Slow progress on my scarf, but hope to have some knitting time today while I smell the wonderful aromas of dinner being cooked in the kitchen and the beautiful sound of dishes being done from afar.












Steve and I continue to train for the marathon. I am starting out very slow... just ramping up and building my endurance. (If you didn't read my previous post, we are training to run the San Antonio Marathon with Team in Training.) I am sad that Sumo is too old to train with me, but he always welcomes us back after a run. (And I take him for a short walk for a cool down). There was a day he would have joined me!!



Have a Wonderful Day!!

Until Next Time....