Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Yarn Along - Progress, Packing, and Pain

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?


Progress

 

I have reached a length to where I think I can put this aside while we are on our trip.  Last weekend our 3rd daughter was home for the 4th of July holiday and some how contracted food poisoning. I spent the better part of 2 days with her and knit.

 
 
As you can tell, there is significant progress.  I really don't want to haul this blanket with me on the trip.  I will be doing a lot of walking and carrying a smaller purse.  There is just no room to put this. But, I am pleased I have made this much progress.  When I return I should be able to knit on it for 2 weeks and be finished just in time for the shower.
 
 
 
I have begun the Aranami Shawl again, this time in Blue Sky Alpaca.  This project will accompany me on the trip.  You can see that the first wedge is complete, so picking up stitches and adding wedges will not take up room. This alpaca is divine!
 
 
Packing
 
We leave for Boston on Friday and then drive up through Maine on Saturday, arriving in New Brunswick, Canada in the afternoon.  Our destination is a village called St. Andrew by the Sea.  Not only do they have the course Mr. Golfer wants to  play, but the oldest yarn shop in Canada is there!
Cottage Craft Woolens has been there for 97 years!  I believe I will be bringing home wool!
 
Pain
I have had Fibromyalgia for 27 years.  At times it has been really severe and other times manageable.  These last few months the pain in my back has been so bad that at times I could hardly get up from a sitting position.  Today I went and saw the acupuncturist.  I have seen Tom before, but it has been a while.  In fact it has been so long that he is now not even using needles. All the therapy is administered by electrical stimulation with a roller ball and pads.  It was so pleasant and I came out being able to bend.  I will see him again on Friday before we leave and then when we return.  It took me a long time to get to the point where I could accept this.  Being an RN, I am sold on Western medicine.  But the outcome is amazing and obvious.  I am weakening for sure.
 
 


I have just about finished this story by Grace Livingston Hill.  It has been such a joy to read fiction that is clean and without innuendos of any sort.  I should be ready to begin this next novel in  a day or two.  The Enchanted Barn is supposed to be one of her most popular stories.


I most likely won't post next week as we will be on our way home.  I love Wednesday posts the most.  Seeing what everyone is knitting and reading really excites me.

Thanks Ginny for the link up!

21 comments:

  1. AHHHHH!!! Maine! And CANADA!!! What a great trip!!! (The week after we get back from Kenya----we leave for Cape Cod and Maine....yes, we are totally insane!!!!) I love that shawl!!! Wish there weren't so many colors....I'd be hauling that for sure!!! Have a great time! (can't wait to see the treasures from that yarn shop----PLEASE take photos!)

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    1. Steph, I have not been to Cape Cod, but would love it! Do you have family there? Your trip to Kenya sounds amazing! I am anxious to here the details on return.

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  2. I love, love, love Grace Livingston Hill and the Enchanted Barn is one of my favorites!
    I am so sorry your Fibromyalgia is flaring up, I had a co-worker who suffered from it greatly. I pray that it doesn't give you any grief on your trip!
    The blanket is gorgeous, just gorgeous! You are so very talented.
    I hope your daughter is feeling much better, did she every track down the cause of the food poisoning?

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    1. We just keep finding more things in common! I am feeling better this morning and yes, Caitlin is doing much better. Looking forward to the 23rd. My husband had to be in court in Sherman this morning. Wish I didn't have the little ones today; I would have gone with him!

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  3. I am glad you got some relief; I find that a merger of biomedical and naturopathic medicine to be helpful; that blanket is wonderful; your trip sounds most lovely and I hope it is a great time! Still praying for you daily! :)

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    1. Thank you! I also was given kava kava and Valerian Root. I slept very well!

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  4. Wonderful! FYI, RE your East Coast Question ~ live in NJ near NYC. my email in the blog world is roosjeblog AT yahoo DOT CA for more info... :)

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  5. Your shawl is just stunning and really coming along.
    Have the best time on your trip. I leave next week for Va., it seems to be the season of travel.

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  6. Ah! Where in Va.? One of our favorite states!

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  7. I love the color selection for your shawl!

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  8. That shawl looks like it is going to be so comfortable. We just went to New Brunswick last month on a cruise. We had so much fun. The tidal drops were amazing! Definitely check out the Reversing Falls if this is your first trip up there. Have fun!

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  9. Adding St.Andrew by the Sea to my list of places I need to go visit! :) The blanket is absolutely gorgeous! I love the colors you've picked for the shawl too. And I'm glad that you've found relief for the pain. I know a couple people with Fibromyalgia. But there's no acupuncturist nearby or I'd be sure to recommend they check into it. Happy traveling and happy knitting!

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    1. Thank you! Yes and now since it is needleless it is even better!

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  10. What a lovely title and description of your blog. As mother's we go through so many stages of being needed. I'm sorry your daughter got sick over July 4th weekend. I did too! I ended up in ER getting fluids administered--yuck!! Your project is beautiful.

    Lisa

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    1. So sorry for the illness! Yes mothers do go through stages and I am finding this one the most difficult!

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  11. Dropping by from the weekly yarn along. I am loving your blanket and can't wait to see it finished, but I understand that bulky knitting and travel don't go too well together. The shawl will be amazing and can't wait to see that one finished as well. I may have to add it to my ever growing ravelry queue.

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  12. The blanket and shawl are both gorgeous! Got a question about the shawl (as I've seen it on Ravelry and love the pattern); is it made in lots of small pieces OR rows OR can it be make in one piece? I hate seaming...

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    1. Janet, the shawl is made in pieces, but you pick up stitches for each segment. No seaming but lots of ends to weave in! I do them as I go, so as not to be overwhelmed at the end.

      It has really been a fun knit as the sections go together.

      Hope you give it a try!

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