Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to all my friends

Hi everyone.......

It has been over a month since I have written. I know, I know..... shame on me for not writing.

I have been so busy with Christmas orders. Finished the last order on 17th and delivered it. Thank goodness I had all orders completed by then. On Tuesday.... my oldest daughter went into pre-term labor..... again.... for the 3rd time within the past few months. This time though.... it looked like "Lindsey" was on her way and there was no stopping her from arriving. But.... with much prayer Lindsey has remained inside for a little while longer. Thank goodness. My daughter is only in her 34th week as of this week. I now pray that Lindsey can remain inside for just a few more weeks..... until her planned delivery..... at 38 weeks when plans are to induce.

I have been out of town all last week to be with/near my daughter in the event that she definitely would deliver. Cincinnati was hit hard by the winter storm last week. What a mess. The entire Tri-State area was under a Level 3 emergency until late Thursday. Friday we were able to go to the hospital to visit my daughter and visited again on Christmas. My husband and son arrived at my parents on Friday afternoon so that we could share Christmas with my parents. I had planned to go home that afternoon.... but stayed with my daughter since she was so upset with her husband not coming to see her at the hospital on Christmas. And of course.... labor started back up again. I could not leave her and hoped that if I stayed we could help relax her and labor would stop again. It worked. So... the new plan was for me and my youngest daughter to go home on Sunday afternoon after sharing Christmas with my sister and family at my parents.

It has been a very eventful month and half. And also filled with finishing Christmas orders, finishing Christmas gifts, shopping, etc. Busy, busy, busy.

Now that the holidays are winding down.... I can get other things caught up and begin to relax again. I look forward to the winter months following the holidays. I take this time to do inventory, make new things for the next years farmers market, shows, etc. Also.... this is the time I work on major household projects..... such as organizing, trying new things and picking up other hobbies I enjoy doing..... such porcelain dollmaking, sewing, embroidery.... in addition to knitting, soapmaking, etc. I bought several fleeces this fall with the intention of working with these over the winter months. I can hardly wait. I also have a sweater to begin knitting for myself. Made with handspun merino wool. I have been spinning the yarn for this project for several months. I also have several pairs of socks to make for my husband and for myself. These are projects I plan to take along with me to the hospital for my next visit with my daughter.

Oh.... and I can't forget all the knitting projects I have started for my grand-daughter. I also crocheted a beautiful light lilac baby blanket with a scalloped border with varigated contrasting yarn. I finished this last week while I was snowed in at my parents. I found this is one way to get knitting done..... get stranded inside because of the snow. I managed to finish this blanket, work on socks for my husband, knitted 3 scarves, started another one. I was beginning to worry that I did not bring enough yarn to work with. I was wrong though.... I had another bag filled with more yarn that I packed with the Christmas gifts. So.... I was all set for alot of knitting.

I have been doing very little spinning this month. Too busy with other things. I had been working on spinning the yarn for my sweater. It is almost all spun. I hope to begin this sweater within the next week or so.

Christmas was wonderful..... with my family and parents. It was memorable..... in so many ways. Especially with the weather we have had here.

Our weather last week...... 4 inches of snow and 2+ inches of ice here where I live. In Cincinnati..... 20+ inches of snow. Where my daughter and family live..... 27+ inches. And here where I live..... the electric was out for more than 12 hours. Some families did not have electric for several days. And other areas nearby.... power has remained off until today. A week without power..... that is horrible.

It has been a very memorable week for the holiday season. I wonder what New Years will bring? A new baby..... soon...... but not too soon.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.... for 2005.