A Little Knitting

Yesterday, my uncle had a gathering at his home. For the holidays, this is true to form for him. I always have a good time.

Though I felt like crap, this time was no different. I got to see people I hadn't seen in months and others I had not seen in years. Unfortunately, my aunt's mother died a few days ago, so I did not have a chance to see her or to tell her what a wonderful person I thought she was. She was surrounded by loving people so I'm sure my absense in earlier months was insignificant. However, I just really thought highly of her. They decided to have the gathering, even though it was close after my aunt's mother's death because they felt it would be good to have family and friends near and it would help keep them busy. I'm glad they did.

Oh yeah, I said there was a little knitting, didn't I?

Well, we were talking, several of the ladies and I, and one mentioned finding a receiving blanket. Another lady mentioned that she had crocheted a blanket for her son and I said that I had made one for my son as well, only knitted rather than crocheted. My aunt informed me that my cousin wants to learn to knit and crochet and a few of the other ladies said that they did as well.

Since I had a skein of yarn in my purse, (Doesn't everyone?) I did a small demonstration and showed one of the ladies how to cast-on and how, bind-off, and the knit stitch. She learned quickly, but then again, she already crochets. She was afraid to learn to purl because she thought she might get confused so I told her I'd be happy to show her how to do purl at a later date.

We're talking about trying to get together to have a craft night at some point.

I'm also checking for lessons for my cousin, even though I'll probably try to show her.

The yarn that was in my purse was for me to do a little knitting to calm my nerves. I was planning to make a hat for my son for the winter. I figured it would be portable, pretty quick, and easy, which is what I need right now.

Instead, I just cast-on, knit, bound-off, and frogged in order to show how to make the stitches.

The hat will made but it was nice just to show someone else how to make the stitches.

Disney Cruise, Part 2

We took the 4-day, 3-night cruise. We figured that for a first cruise it would be long enough to tell if we liked cruising and short enough to not feel tortured if we did not.

For the most part it was very nice. I'm just not a cruise person. Actually, I'm not sure I'm much on traveling, in general.

In any event we docked in Nassau and Disney's Private Island, Castaway Cay. This is probably when I enjoyed myself the most. My system just likes being on land. Other than that, I seem to feel not quite well. It's not the fault of Disney, though. I'm just sensitive. Hubby and son had no problems.

Since life is still hectic, I'll keep this post short. I'll leave you with two vacation photos.

Disney Cruise, Part 1

Things have been hectic lately, as I've posted previously. They remained hectic up until the moment we boarded the plane for our vacation.

There was so much I wanted to do before we left. Unfortunately, I was rushed and multi-tasking until we got to the airport.

I left may items at home. Some items we purchased while on vacation. Others, we decided we could live without them.

I left my knitting at home. Actually, I did have one needle in my bag. I debated about trying to find a yarn shop when we arrived in Florida. HOWEVER, I knew I'd be more upset if I purchased yarn and needles but was unable to find the time for actually putting them to use.

It was good that I did not take any knitting or crocheting. I was nauseous before, during, and after the flight to AND from Florida. The cruise was nice but my system had a tough time adjusting. I spent a large chunk of time woozy and fatigued.

I looked for any signs of people crocheting, knitting, or even cross-stitching. I never saw anyone doing these crafts during my entire time away. I guess we were all too busy sight-seeing, playing in the water, eating, resting, or participating in other similar vacation-related activities.

We're planning to take the cruise again, possibly next year. We feel like we will be better prepared for packing and planning activities for the next event.

I did take lots of photos. I'll post a few as soon as I find the time to upload them.

Right now, I'm still unpacking, doing laundry, and trying to kill the nausea and dizzy spells I keep having.

I'll get to knit some day.

Good News Only, Please

There has been death all around me, death and sickness. In these past few months I seem to be getting a plethora of bad news.

I've gotten little accomplished other than doing the things from my daily routine, which has also suffered.

I've begun the Flower Basket Shawl but was uncomfortable with my provisional cast-on. I've practiced the cast-on a few times, so I feel a little better about it now. Hopefully I'll find the time to start the shawl again soon.

So...there's really no real knitting or crocheting news, other than the normal knitting at the doctor's office, carrying around projects in my car that I rarely get to touch, and having a few people asking me to make items.

I'll probably see my cousin tomorrow who crochets so I'm going to try to get a little help from her on the blanket I started.

On a positive note, my grandmother turned 93 today. She's still a sweet and lovely lady.

I'm going to try to cherish this and any other positive news I receive.