Lyndsey has arrived!

Hi everyone...... On January 10th my new grand-daughter, Lyndsey arrived. She arrived 5 weeks early but very healthy. We are truely blessed to welcome such a precious little miracle into our lives.

While I was in Cincinnati for the labor/delivery and several days after.... I had a sudden severe onset of asthma that required for me to go home and not to remain where I had hoped to help out my daughter and family for awhile. At first I was not certain if this was a cold or asthma. Turned out to be severe asthma and still was best for me to go home, visit my doctor and pick up prescribed meds, get lots of rest. I was so disappointed about the timing of this.... but, I realize I have to take care of myself also.

So.... the last 3 weeks I have been struggling with trying to get this severe asthma episode under control with no success. I have had to go to the doctors again, more meds and still having difficulty. This flare up appears to not want to settle down and it is getting very nerve wracking to not be able to do things as I normally do as I am a very active person.

The good side to all of this..... lots of completed knitting projects. I managed to make 3 pairs of socks, working on a 4th pair. Also almost completed a shawl for myself. Started a cardigan sweater from a Philosophers Wool pattern. I am using my own handspun for this sweater. Really is a pretty sweater..... using my own handspun Merino wool yarns. Knitted several more scarves for to sell at shows. I am now planning more projects, using some of my handspun yarns.

Spinning..... I am working on more yarns for the sweater I am knitting. Also started spinning some of the dyed wools I bought from past fiber events.

My husband bought me a belated Birthday gift..... Fricke Petite drum carder with brush attachment. I love this drum carder! It arrived last week and I recarded some wool into lovely fluffy, soft batts. I managed to get to a local supplier this past week to pick up more top wool for dyeing and spinning. Also picked up a sample of raw fleece to "experiment" with. I washed this sample up and carded it. Lovely! I need/want to go back to the supplier this week to buy more of this wool. Very soft, clean, no vegetation at all. I "must" have more of this wool. I wish this place had soft, blueish grey wool.... they only have white/cream wools. I am not complaining.... I would love to have a blueish grey fleece for a project I designed this week. So.... I am on a search for this and hope to order something this week.

I am planning to start working on a pair of knitted/felted slippers soon. I need to either spin wool yarn for this or buy some of my favorite wool.... Cascade 220.... for this project. I have a pattern..... just need the wools. I love wearing slippers around the house and thought it may be nice to make myself a new pair.

One of the pairs of socks I completed are for my sockapalooza pal. I hope she likes them. I have to graft the toes shut and these will be done.

I also joined Secret Pal 4. I need to write another blog entry for answers to the survey questions. I will try to do this soon. Yesterday we received our pals names. I already have ideas of what to send to my pal. These types of exchanges are so much fun. I love putting gift packages together for others. It is especially nice when we are participating in these types of things with others that enjoy knitting, spinning, etc.