CRAZY BUSY!!

I have had alot on my plate this week, so this will be a quickie post. I cast on the Adamas Shawl courtesy of my secret pal, and I'm chugging along quite nicely. Only 8 repeats and the border to go. I'll be sure to post a pic soon. And I've been working on a really great something all week as well...more about that later...:-). Of course I have cast on another pair of socks, as well as some soon to be felted slippers. Thank God spring break is over or I'd never get anything done!

Secret Pal Strikes Again!!

As I opened my package yesterday, my 5 yr old said to me " mommy...who's that from?" "My secret pal!" I said. " Wow mommy you have the bestest secret pal in the whole world! Papa doesn't even buy you presents like that!" My heart just about melted! From the mouths of babes! Kids don't lie. I truly do have the "bestest" secret pal. I swear you can read my mind! I was just the other day craving some lace, and I had no clue what I was going to work on. Descision made! The Adamas shawl it shall be. I love this pattern. And I adore the Knit Picks shadow. The colour is soooo perfect for me! I can't wait to wrap myself up in it when we sit around the fire (which we do every weekend around here). As I type this I am stuffing my mouth with those awesome jelly belly chocolate thingies.......so good! I've had their jelly beans many times, but I had never spotted these yummies. I'm addicted! Tommorow is my Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy night to myself, so that luscious smelling candle will be lit while I knit and veg in my chair. Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou!
Man...I never thought secret pal could be so much fun! You have me stumped though pally pal....I have no clue where you're from, cause every time I get a package or card you put my address in the return address spot (sneaky....very sneaky...) Can't wait to find out who you are so I can properly thank you.
Soooo....without further ado....here's the photo. I'm off to cast off my jaywalkers, and cast on that shawl.

This week has been awesome!

Funny how things in life work out. This week as been full of stuff that I wish I could talk about ( but can't just yet). There are a couple of neato things going on that I can. For those of you that have scoured my sidebar, and know my blog well, you may have noticed a Come Visit My Store link. Yes a store! All of the items here are completely original, and designed by me. Wait...Here's the best part...10% of all sales at my store are going to a new charity I am spearheading. " Cathy's Wish" .

Cathy was a brilliant, selfless, loving, beautiful 30 year old when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her husband and mine grew up together, and are still very close friends. Being newlyweds, they were extremely anxious to start a family, despite some "female problems" Cathy was experiencing. 2 summers ago Cathy and her hubby came over for a bonfire and BBQ at our place, and they excitedly let us know they were getting ready to start a family as soon as she saw her doctor and got the green light. About 3 months later, after having cysts remove from her ovaries (and doctors not even suspecting any permanent damage, Cathy got very ill. She was rushed to the hospital (the same day I brought my daughter home after giving birth)and had every test in the book run. The next day would devastate everyone who surrounded her, this beautiful soul. She had Cancer. Not just cancer, but cancer in her spleen pancreas and liver. Doctors gave her 2-5 months.
Now how do you go from vibrant happy go lucky newlywed, ready to start a family, to 2-5 months to live in 1 week flat? Funny thing is, Cathy never complained, never made herself feel like she was burdening anyone. "I'm just going to fight as hard as I can, and take one day at a time"she said. That is exactly what she did. She never missed chemo, refused to wear a wig when her hair first fell out, continued to shop, and take care of her husband. Even when things got really bad, and the doctor's told the family to convince her to stop chemo, she kept going.
A group of people at work (she also worked with me) got together with her family, and decided that if Cathy was going to go, we could do something to make her happy, and feel free just for one last time.
We sent her and her husband to Vegas to see her idol Celine Dion in Concert. Celine met with her for a half hour before the show.
" It was AMAZING!!" she squealed to me on the phone once they got back. "Celine was so nice!". " We couldn't go outside too much because of the drugs I'm on, but that's OK it was perfect anyways,"she said. This trip was more than just a trip. It was the last time she and her husband would be "alone", the last vacation she would take, and the last bit of normalcy she could wish for.
Cathy died September 23 2005. And I can't think of a better way to remember her.
Her brother in law got to thinking...there aren't any charities around to grant wishes to young people (ages 20-40)who are in their last days. The impact of granting these wishes is so real. I've experienced it first hand. Having something good to remember when things get really bad is worth every penny one could spare.
So here we are, trying to establish something good, while at the same time, offering some really cool stuff. I hope you get the chance to drop by.
We are still in the tweaking stage, and will have even more cool knitterly stuff to offer soon. Treat you secret pal, treat yourself!

Here's Me Gold Medal!! Arrrgh!!

Funny how gold is making me talk like a pirate. First words that came to mind...sorry. But It's beautiful isn't it? Well done Franklin