Life is Different

Life is different without Mom.  I don't know how to feel, so I'm going with the flow.
Christmas was noisy as usual--all the kids came home except Kubota Man Jr.  who was on call and couldn't leave the city.  The food was great, some of them played board games (NOISY) some of them watched movies (NOISY).  And I hovered on the sidelines, happy in the presence of my family, and horribly sensitive to the noise.  This is the first time ever that I was glad to see my family all leave.

I had the funeral arrangements to make.  I determined that I would have a Celebration of Life.  I spent several days choosing photos for the slide show, and choosing music. That was sad and joyful at the same time.  I went through all of Mom's photo albums, from her childhood through all the kids' weddings, and the grandkids, and the great-grands.  She loved kids.  I wrote the Eulogy.  I must admit that it was beautiful.  The whole process was good for me, opening rawness and healing, all at the same time.

The Celebration of life did take place on my birthday--I wanted it that way.  Afterwards Kubota Man and all the kids and grandkids took me out for my birthday to Montana's, and I got to wear a birthday Moose Hat--I'm sure Mom was with us enjoying that.

Suddenly all was quiet again, and I hovered around the house like a ghost, not knowing what to do with myself.  I decided to go with it and only do what I felt like doing.  Well, that isn't housework, it's KNITTING.

I finished DD2's black cabled hoodie (a duplicate of the ecru one I made her a couple of years ago), one she requested.

I can't do better with photographing the black pattern.

I made her a skull scarf (illusion knitting--from most angles it's just a grey and black striped scarf), a last minute addition to Christmas knitting, but ready for Christmas.

And a last-minute gift for a friend who usually gets baking, but both she and her hubby have to lose weight, so, being the friend that I am, didn't tempt her.  She loved the mitts--her first hand-made gift.

Richard's scarf--totally reversible--same cables on both sides.  In the meantime, the hat and one matching mitten are finished (no photos yet).

As a reward to myself for stash-bustin' and not buying yarn for almost a year, I started my Marina sweater--it's about 5" long, but I won't take a picture till a whole pattern repeat is finished.

The pictures above are my Philosopher's Wool Mandala sweater.  I have joined a KAL to finish PW projects that have been languishing.  The body consists of 8 squares, the sleeves are larger squares.  The squares are knit on circular needles from the outside-in (sort of like a tam).  I've had this kit for a long time, and don't like things so bulky any more.  The third photo is the bottom of the sleeve with ribbing attached.  I don't like how that is so bulky.  I am working on two ideas to solve this:  either re-chart the sleeve to incorporate shapings (I have both sleeve squares finished), or take the sewing machine, sew a tapered seam and then cut out the excess.  The second option is fast and easy, the former one is teasing my intellect.

Tomorrow I am going to the city to join one of my knitting groups for knit and chat, and then some errands.

For my birthday, DD1 bought me a lovely book: Chicken Soup for the Soul:  The Magic of Mothers and Daughters.  This year I plan to go back to my old habit of leaving my readers with a thought.  In memory of Mom and in honor of my daughters, I will select these from that book.

Till next time: Kids spell love T-I-M-E.  (John Crudele)