Thank You!

I was totally blown away when I found this in my mailbox the other day.

The other day, The Yarn Harlot mentioned that you couldn't complete the phrase, "Knitters are..." I can. Knitters are the knicest people EVER! (yes, I left the k on nicest on purpose.) This came as a suprise from Peggy. Perfect timing too. It came the day before my root canal #9. A day when I really needed a smile.

Cloud Bolero

Cloud Bolero.

Here it is on a friend home for her Spring Break. She humored me with trying on my sweater. I can't get a shot of the back when I'm wearing it myself.

I didn't get close ups...so here it is on me this Thursday when I wore it.

This was fun. I might make another. I could see making it longer...and I saw one on Ravelry with sleeves.

I made it through.

If there ever is such a thing as a perfect root canal, this was it. I can only attribute it to the prayers that were said. I have something to show you...but with the vicodin I took last night, I'm not sure when I'll really feel awake. Thanks...to those of you who prayed.

Today's the day...

I expect it to be nothing less than great. I think I've called in enough prayer support for me to know that when I'm powerless to pray...then intercession is being made for me. M will be home with 2 this afternoon, and the boys are with my mom. If I make it through with minimal pain, then I should have 4 or 5 hours of good knitting time. Otherwise the painkillers take away my ability to count. Maybe I should CO real quick this morning for a felted purse. That's what I knit after all the other dental appointments. All mistakes are hidden in the wash. =0)

Since it is Wednesday, here's my WIP list:

• Clapotis: I've dropped 9 times. I had joined the KAL, but didn't realize there was a deadline. I won't finish by then. I'm still OK with that. I'm enjoying this as a movie knit. Last weekend we watched August Rush. I LOVED that movie. Have you seen it?
  
• Pillowcase lace: Awhile back, some anxiety drove me to read knitting books. I had picked up 3 balls of Paton's Grace (one in each kid's color). I thought we could use it in a spool knitter. But, it didn't have enough give. I love the color variations...and realized that the weight of mercerized cotton met the yarn requirements for the Pillowcase Lace in Weekend Knitting. Somehow this makes me feel all homey...especially when I think of the heirloom pieces that were my great-grandmother's linens. I've knit almost 2 repeats...but I hope that wasn't enough to satisfy my appetite. I don't want this to linger as a WIP.
  
• Lily Cardigan: The one knitting notion I don't have is this. I know it works to make a quick one with some yarn. I really just need to order one. I can't keep track of the 4th row increases without this so it's resting for a bit.
• SquareCake: I'm waiting on a replacement part for my Little Sister set. My #5 dpn's are too short for this project. This is resting too, but it's in a glass jar on a shelf so no one bumps stitches off the needles.
• Jaywalkers: I'm ready for the heel on the 2nd sock. This is usually where I get hung up. I can't just pick it up and knit to Idol. I have to actually count the first row of the heel. So it' sits until a day when I can count.
  

My Cloud Bolero is a FO. And I took photos yesterday on a guest model. I also finished a bucket hat that I just need to felt. This was a from pattern that I received from Ursula in my FFBE box. I made the hat for 2...and I hope to make one for myself. I'm not attaching the flower to the hat before felting. I like the idea of being able to change it out. Hmmm...now that I think about it, I'll CO for a hat for me. There's no real counting there. I'll go rummage my stash of wool scraps. Happy Wednesday to you.

Hard Days

I know that I'm not the only one having hard days. And I know that when I sit back to count my blessings (M, my kids, a house to live in, etc.) I can see that I am truly blessed. In spite of that, I feel like I've had more than my share of hard days lately. Ok...for the last 2 years. I want so badly to be the cup overflowing person. I'm really trying. And I'm reminding myself that "the testing of [my] faith produces endurance."

So, for a little background. I don't know if I've ever written about this here, but my teeth really suffered after my pregnancy with 2. Actually, I had to make an emergency trip to the endodontist when I was 5 months pregnant. Then, I started to visit regularly when she was only 5 days old. The short version -- I had 8 root canals, 9 crowns, and assorted other fillings as a result of my 3rd pregnancy. Our dental bill was similar to the price of a compact car. I was so grateful to finish my regular trips to the dentist just before my little girl's 2nd birthday. And then I've had a few cleanings with good reports. So I was a little sad this time when I had a small cavity. I went in on Friday for the filling. My dentist drilled...and drilled...and then looked at me and said "CRAP!" Seriously, that's what she said. But, I have a different relationship with my dentist since I saw her every 2 weeks for a year. She called my endodontist...and he could see me right then. So, I left with a hole in my mouth and drove the 6 miles between the offices. I tried to do the root canal right then, but without the "happy pill" that I normally take. I couldn't do it. I was to nervous, and started freaking out. He can't work on me when I'm shaking. So, he filled my tooth with cotton, and packed it shut. And I have to go back on Wednesday. I'm in pain...probably not the tooth since he was able to clip the root...more likely the 4 shots I had (2 at the dentist, and 2 with the endodontist). This will be my 9th root canal! It's hard to wrap my mind around that. I spent a good part of Friday evening crying. I feel like crap for not being able to just take the drilling. And I don't really have the luxury of another day to have the appointment and recovery time. And I feel like a bad mom for all the things I've not been able to do since 2 was born...first the teeth, then I had 2 1/2 clean months before my knee...and I just started to drive like a regular person (not with my left leg)...and now another tooth. All this with losing my Dad, and the anniversary of my Gram's death...its just too much to handle for me. Part of me wonders why I need such lessons in endurance. Is it ironic that this was my Good Friday experience. If you've read this far...sorry for the dental woes...but go read this blog, especially this post, it has been so helpful to me lately.