Sadness.

From Kim's husband--

Dear friends and family,

I am very saddened to say that Kim's body lost her battle with breast cancer 5:47AM Thursday morning. She remained amazingly courageous and strong to the very end. She did everything she could to hold on for her family and friends, but her cancer was too aggressive.

The kids and I already miss Kim very much. Please keep us in your prayers

Even though I never met her in person, Kim has been my friend for many years on our mommy board. It seems so unfair that her young children will always have the holidays intermingled with thoughts of losing their mom. She was brave and strong and amazing, even when she was in great pain. We miss you, Kim.

You Are a Trifle

No doubt, you have many intricate layers. But deep down, you're a little squishy.

What Holiday Food Are You?

OK, so that's a funny little quiz thing. I just can't help myself. I know a lot of people find them annoying, but I think they're fun.

Not fun, my friend Kim is in the hospital. (She's who I had you lighting candles for a few posts ago. Light another if you're so inclined.) She's half a country away, and I wish I could go and hold her hand. She's on a respirator and if she doesn't improve, she doesn't want to stay on the respirator. It's so close to Christmas, and she has three young kids. If you're the praying sort, please pray. I'm not sure what to pray for. I'm praying for comfort for her and her family, no matter what happens. And if you're not the praying sort, please do whatever you do. Vibes, thoughts, calming feelings.

Thanks to everyone who commented on yesterday's post. If anyone else wants to make me feel better, please do! Heh.

Here's another silly blog thing. Makes me sound really flighty, huh? I like parts of it. I always told everyone I was going to be an artist when I grew up when I was a kid.

You Should Be an Artist

You are incredibly creative, spontaneous, and unique. No one can guess what you're going to do next, but it's usually something amazing. You can't deal with routine, rules, or structure. You're easily bored. As long as you are able to innovate and break the rules, you are extremely successful. You do best when you: - Can work by yourself - Can express your personality in your work You would also be a good journalist or actor.

What Should You Be When You Grow Up?

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Royal Highness Lara the Apocalyptic of Bow under Bumpstead Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

I have no pictures for you today. Just another silly blog thing.

I'm thinking about quitting the blogging. Life has been too challenging lately. Too much to do, not enough time. I may keep to this once a week thing, but I just don't know if it's worth it.

I have been knitting. I finished my Tangled Yoke Cardigan and I started my Mr. Greenjeans. The body is done and half of one sleeve. I made a little progress on my Secret of the Stole last night.

Is life really supposed to be this hard? Please tell me your life is hard. :p I'm working on ways to make things easier on myself. That's not something I'm very good at. I tend to make things hard on myself . Even in my hobbies, I pick the most complicated thing and say, "I want to do that!"

Kind of like homeschooling four kids. I'm glad I'm homeschooling them. I know I made the right choice. I also know I'll be making a good choice if I put them in regular schools next school year. (This will only happen if we move.) I'm just irritated that I know lots of people are watching and when I do that they're going to say, "Oh, I knew it wouldn't last." Like they're waiting for us to fail. I don't want to care what they think, and I don't really. What other people think will have absolutely no bearing on how I choose to educate my children. I'm just annoyed that so many seem to think homeschooling is ridiculous or just too hard. Yes, it's hard. No, it's not the only choice, or the best choice for everyone or every child. But it is the best choice for us for our current situation. If we decide something else is the best choice when things have changed, it's our business, and no one else's. The kids are getting a good education, and they are well-rounded. They're not going to become criminals or social outcasts because they are being homeschooled. Wonderful things are happening in our family because of homeschooling. And it's hard. Just because it's hard doesn't mean it shouldn't be done.

For Kim

My friend Kim has been battling breast cancer for two years. Yesterday, they decided to suspend her treatment because it's not working. They're trying to get her in a trial.

She's a young woman, mid 30s. She has three young children and a wonderful husband. She is an inspiration. She could use all of our thoughts and prayers or whatever other good vibes you can spare.

The mommy group we're a part of started a candle lighting group online to show our support. Feel free to light another.

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! I love to decorate for it. I love to dress up for it. I love to make the kids costumes for it. Carving pumpkins!



I did none of those things this year. I was getting ready to throw myself a big pity party. Then my kids decided to make some cute Halloween decorations and get out some of my favorites. They made vampire potatoes. Hee-heeee. Don't let the lack of pumpkins stymie your Halloween spirit. (Oooooo, spirit. Heh.) And I'm going to go to a movie this weekend with one of my very favorite people.



I may have just ordered a "begin to spin" drop spindle kit on etsy. *whistle* And that may have required me to sign up for the etsy account I was avoiding getting. Too dangerous! Of course, it may spur me to make some things to sell on there. I'm going to think about that.

(The cross-stitch pieces are a small sampling of my Halloween pieces over the years. I've stitched way more for Halloween than for Christmas. Even if I don't have real pumpkins, I'm going to have virtual ones!)

Did I show you my blanket?

I finished it a few weeks ago. The children have heeded my warning not to try to to sneak it off to their bedrooms. This is officially a couch blanket. Only to be used in the living room. (Otherwise I would never get to use it.)

It's based on the Mason-Dixon Knitting log cabin blankets. I used an applied i-cord border. Quite nifty. Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in the old colors. Less than three balls each of six colors used.

And for a bonus picture, my sock drawer. I was having trouble getting it closed, so I cleaned it out. Wonder why it was so full? Could it be all these hand-knit socks that have been added in the last two years? I got rid of about 15 pairs of regular old socks that I just don't wear anymore. You can see a few of the regular ones left in the top right corner there. I cropped out the pile of running/workout socks. I'm counting 20 pairs of hand-knit socks. I think they were all in there. All of mine, that is.

I think if we ever finally move and get the rest of the furniture out of storage, the hand-knit socks will get heir own drawer and the other socks (mostly workout socks) will go in a drawer with the workout clothing that is threatening to take over the undie drawer.

I need to knit three of the four kids a new pair (of socks, not undies) since fall has arrived. (M already has her Monkey socks.) Q has requested General Lee socks (the car, not the man.) Luckily, I don't have to dye the yarn this time. Twist has orange sock yarn the right color! So happy to have a LYS.