Siesta Key, Waxing Serious and Why You Should Listen to Your Eleven Year Old's Vacation Plans

Every vacation we take has always been spent in Florida. For those who don't know, Bruce and I went to college there in St. Petersburg at a teeny liberal arts school called Eckerd College. Bruce's parents live in Sarasota so we continue to visit them, as well as my good friend from Eckerd, John. This last trip was bittersweet. We hadn't been down since Bruce's dad passed away about a year and a half ago.

We had great fun going to the pool and the beach, catching up with family and friends, but this was the first time we had to deal with the fact that Bruce's dad, Harry, is gone. The three weeks we spent there while he was in hospice was spent dealing with the business of death and dying, not with the fact that life has gone on without him. The giant hole in the universe was most apparent when we visited their store Asian Arts and Decor Teahouse. It seemed inconceivable that I wouldn't hear his booming voice and see his bright blue eyes light up his face as we walked in the door with his grandkids. It's a big hole, and nothing will ever fill it.

Ella's favorite place in Sarasota is Siesta Key. Even with a schedule packed so tight there was no wiggle room she insisted that we had to visit there our last night. I didn't understand why until she mentioned that she had "happy memories" of it. Grampa Harry always trekked out there with us when I insisted on getting sunset pictures of the kids. I regret that I don't have better pictures of him with Ella, and I'm sure what I do have can be improved upon with a little post production, but here's what I have, and I'm glad that I do. He was a Dad with superpowers...a Grandpa who could make the kids fly until he left us at the age of 90. The world is a quieter place now, and as his daughter in law, I will miss him.






His last words to me were, "Take care of my grandbabies." And, I will.

A Hat for a Sick Boy

Poor little Brucie. He's been infected by the Summer Funk that the two youngest members of the family have been running about with. So, my timing couldn't have been more perfect in finishing up this fabulous hat. Made from yet another awesome free Ravelry download called A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend, it knitted up like lightning. It's a wee big big so I'll be doing another one. At least little sickie has a handknit hat to keep his widdle head warm now. Granted, it's 90 degrees outside, but still. It's the thought that counts.

I'm not even going to go into the conversation that ensued between Lynne and me via YIM regarding altering the pattern. It quickly fell to a lowly place involving ribbing, and pinching, and lots of LOLing.

Blogging Blues

I'm annoyed. My blog looks like, well, like doo doo. I know what I want but I don't have the skills to make it happen, and the last thing I need is another hobby, so researching how to do this myself just isn't in the cards.

Now that I'm starting to sell some of my creations this becomes even more urgent a matter. See yet another ugly blog, here. Someday soon hopefully there will be some action over there at apples + octopi.

Early morning griping over. Thanks, my peeps, for listening.

The Craft Apple

Doesn't fall far from the craft tree, now does it? I can't even blame Bruce's side of the family for this one. Note the realistic Play Doh poo balls.

Dress for Lily

Finally! I have my sewing mojo back. Man, the flu and its evil cousins bronchitis and ear infection really messed me up. Five solid weeks of being sick and not being able to breathe. Blech.

Anyway, I have finally finished my TBW DIY OT Fairy stuff as well as the Easter Dress i promised Lynne. Here are some pics of Lula modeling the dress. She hated it before it was finished, but by the time it was done I had to pry it from her form. The ruffle is pure Lily.

Bird Flu

Yes, the turkies have all been felled by the A strain of influenza. Now, this makes me want to sing "Take the A Strain", while gobbling at the same time. As you can see from the picture, Lula has been one sick turkey.

Anyway, there will be no further stupid clever blog posts from either Lula or me for a while. At least until my second round of prednisone kicks in and I can sit without toppling over.

Take That, Yarn!!

Haha!! I am triumphant! I have conquered the evil fiber and managed to create something that is not even vaguely penis shaped with it!!

A bazillion thanks to Lynne, who proved during this project that it is possible to teach knitting via phone. This hat for the lovely Lula taught me how to knit in the round, on circular needles as well as double pointed needles. There were definitely moments where I considered a DIY lobotomy with the needles instead of knitting, but I'm so proud now that I persevered and finished. I want to name it. And sleep with it.