A year of firsts

Sorry I've been mia. Work has kept me very busy up until yesterday. I'm not complaining. I'm so very grateful to still have my job especially in light of the fact that many friends, family, co-workers and colleages are losing or have lost theirs. I'm trying hard not to get overwhelmed but some days its hard than others. I've been given notice that I might only have a couple of months before I need to start looking, depending on funding. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and am sending a blanket prayer to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation.



The year of firsts reference is to our first year without Mavis our beloved Pembroke Welsh Corgi we had to put to sleep last December. Not a single "first" went by without someone in our family remembering it. The first Christmas was the hardest, the first time we dropped food on the floor and she wasn't there to slurp it up, the first snow that she didn't get to roll in, the first trip to the beach without her, the first fourth of July that we didn't have to calm her down from the fireworks, the first Thanksgiving. The last of the firsts was this weekend - the first anniversary of her leaving. I still get choked up when I think of her. I miss her so very much. The Things want another dog and I can't bring myself to do it yet because I'm not ready to have to make the decision to take a life again anytime soon. I doubt myself everyday, that I did the right thing. I pray for her forgiveness if I was wrong. Our lives are richer for her having shared it with us and yet missing something now that she's gone.

Okay, this entire post isn't an entire downer. Just needed to get some stuff off my chest. Since I posted last a lot has happened. I celebrated my 39th birthday (40 is coming fast), Thing One got his learner's permit (yikes!), Thing Two is hitting puberty (ack!) and I've cast on for a few projects. See, I am still knitting...

The penguin was part of a birthday gift to a dear friend, the chalet socks are for me and hubby for the holidays and yes, the thrummed jacket is finally finished but I'm still weaving in a zillion ends.

Heifer Holiday Fundraiser

Team Ravelry for Heifer International is having a donation drawing for a WONDERFUL FIBER ARTS BASKET!The contents of the basket include:
Addi Pearls Jewelry Kit
Poems of Color Knitting in the Bohus Tradition book by Wendy Keele
Handmade chicken and egg tape measure
Two 25g Rowan Kidsilk Spray shade 571 (taupe)
Two 25g Rowan Kidsilk Night shade 611 (pink)
Two 600m Fleece Artist “Suri Blue” 50% Suri Alpaca, 50% Blue Face Leicester hand dyed pumpkin/harvest orange
“Tulips” Baby Cardigan kit with pattern and Dream in Color “Classy” Worsted Superwash Merino wool
Red and Green standing Knitting Basket
Chichi the Pig pattern

We are raising money for Heifer International, an organization dedicated to ending world hunger.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

1. Each donation drawing entry is $5. You may make as many donations as you like.
2. You can make multiple entry donations through the Team Ravelry Donation Link (or single entry donations through Pay Pal).
3. Scroll down to the middle of the page using the Team Ravelry Donation Link on the Heifer International site.
4. The first donation option listed is: General Team Donation. This is where multiple entry donations are accepted. Follow this link through to make your donation.
5. Your donation will be made in private. Heifer International will provide the Team Leader, indigomuse, with the information needed for donation drawing entries and winner contacts.

HOW CAN I GET MORE INVOLVED?

• Make as many entries as you possibly can to win the fiber arts basket!
• Tell as many people as will listen about this important cause. Ask them to enter the donation drawing too!
• Join our exciting team! Your name and donation amount will appear in the list of contributors.

The donation drawing closes at midnight EST on December 21, 2008. The winner will be announced December 22, 2008.

Please, help us help others by ending world hunger one family at a time! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to PM indigomuse (if you're on Ravelry) or e-mail her at indigomuse@msn.com.

To see pictures of the basket contents, visit the Team Ravelry Heifer Blog.

Thanks and good luck!