Pages

Sunday, December 29, 2013

A Different December

Well, this December and the year of 2013 is drawing to a close! What a strange month this has been.

Fireworks on the Vancouver skyline
After much scurrying around at home to get ready, I went to Vancouver on the 13th  to look after my Dad post hip replacement surgery and found that he was delayed from being released from hospital. So my 'job' became driving to the hospital daily and assisting him there until I drove home nightly. Home was a hotel/ motel room, which was comfy but not home if you know what I mean.  Finally he was released to go home and the job of physically getting him to his place fell to me and my mini van..... and it all went very well actually. He's very fortunate to not have any stairs to navigate. I have some experience with all this as I had a left hip replacement in November 2001.



Once home, Dad settled into a routine and so did I.  I would arrive in the morning and would prepare meals, clean and keep him company. Dad and I had some great chats together.

I stayed in touch with Bruce by twice daily phone calls as I was simply too tired to write emails!  Then I lost the cell phone and that created a bit of a panic until we got it's service cut off and black listed.

Due to Dad's release being delayed, I had to add a couple extra days onto my stay as where he needed the help was at his home. My sister came and did some additional cleaning and vacuuming which was very helpful.  Dad seemed to be doing just fine and progressing, but at age 83 healing is a much slower process.

Finally on the 22nd I was driving to the ferry for home and despite the heavy traffic I got on the 3:10 pm ferry and  walked in the door at home at 7:30 pm. It felt *so darn good* to be home!   Bruce had lit up the studio so I could see my looms in there and I even took a minute to just sit with them.

my view coming home!

I was very tired  but the next day we had to get our Christmas groceries, then relax for the next few days. We had a prime rib roast beef on Christmas Day and made lots of phone calls to friends and family.

Our next treat was to go and see the movie: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in 3D on the 27th with a dear friend.  Now that was great and we have agreed to meet up for the third and final part next Christmas.

We came home later that night to learn my Dad had been taken back to the hospital and now we are waiting to learn what is happening.

New Year's is just around the corner and we will be spending it with friends over a turkey dinner and hoping for a better 2014..

January is the anniversary of my starting this blog way back in 2008 and I think its time for a small celebration!
Anyone who leaves a comment on this post , and possibly another post between now and January the 8th, will be entered into a draw to receive one of my guest towels.  So be sure to leave a clear way for me to contact you.

Here's a taste of what you may receive.... it will be one towel and you will have a choice of colours.




PS: Bruce found the cell phone way back in the back of van where it had slid. The carpet in the van is beige and the black phone had slid to the only black spot where the seats attach and so it was hard to spot!  *phew*


45 comments:

Unknown said...

Congrats on your blogiversary. I very much enjoy following you and admire your beautiful hand weaving.

Barbara....Massachusetts, USA weaver

isabel said...

Gorgeous towels! Happy New Year :)

Isabel (email address is in my google account profile)

Dianne said...

OMG those towels are gorgeous. My guests wouldn't get to use one though as they have a habit of taking my towels with them, don't know why.
Hope your Dad is on the mend and that 2014 health fix-its go well for you. xx

Theresa said...

Susan, Boy, hat a busy holiday complete with all sorts of challenges. I hope your Dad hea;s just fine after these beginning bumps. Fingers crossed and here's to hoping for a wonderful 2014 to you and yours. Give that Callie girl a trat from me too please!

Hilary said...

Great minds think alike, I just posted a towel giveaway myself!!!!
Know about that elder care....thinking of you.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the blogiversary. I enjoy following your weaving and stories, plus seeing pictures of pretty Callie. I hope your Dad turns out OK, and is able to heal soon. It's just a lot tougher the older we get. Wishing you the best in 2014.
Lora

Judith said...

Given all you've been through, you certainly sound so cheerful and upbeat. It's one of the reasons that I enjoy reading your blog. The other is your beautiful weaving. Those towels are works of art. Thanks for the chance to win one of them.

Cindie said...

I hope you find out your Dad is doing well in the hospital and will be back home soon - surgery like that is tough at any age but at his age a harder recovery.

I wish you and your family all the best in the new year.

Meg said...

I'm sorry to hear about your father. As you know mine passed away this year and if I had another chance to go help him, I would in a heartbeat. Unfortunately we didn't have a close relationship for years so even though I was there in Feb/Mar, we didn't have nice chats and that's a burden I have to carry.

I hope he is well again soon.

Linda said...

Many thanks for writing your blog. I love seeing weaving's possibilities!

Sarah Hamlin said...

Your weaving is beautiful!
junkforsarah@yahoo.com

Kaaren said...

Towels are beautiful and the hemstitching makes everyone know they are hand woven. Happy anniversary.
kaarenreid@earthlink.net

Unknown said...

Beautiful towels-I enjoy your blog!

Jem on Ravelry

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary! I'm so glad you post so I can see your beautiful work.

Another Susan with a Spring (wormsoup on ravelry)

Unknown said...

Happy New Year Susan! Thanks for the blog and your advice on all things!

barbara said...

Hi Susan - Happy New Year to you and Bruce! Hopefully, the latest news on your Dad is not too worrisome; and that he is out of hospital again and on the road to recovery. How nice you came home to your studio lite up; what a nice welcome for you! I too just saw The Hobbit The Desolation of Smaug - great movie. When I backpacked and hitch-hiked around N.Z. many years ago, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings were the books of choice by everyone in the hostels - who ever thought then 38 years later we would be watching movies of the stories! Great stuff. Take care and enjoy your New Year's Eve celebrations. We are having winter here in the East, in the past 10 - 12 days we have had 5 snow storms to deal with; lots of snow around; thankfully we on PEI missed the large ice storm. We are cleaning up today from another storm, and they are telling us to expect another one on Thursday night going into Friday Morning. A truly "old fashion winter", like we have not seen for many years!!! All the best in 2014. Weaverly yours ...

Tobie said...

Your dad is lucky to have such good daughters.
And your towels are just lovely.
Happy New Year!

heather said...

Hello from south of the border!(Washington state) hoping you have a happy new year and a speedy recovery for your dad. Congratulations on your blog-aversary! I have learned so much from you in the last few years. You have shared answers to questions I didn't even know I had. :) teaching myself to weave has been a such a rewarding experience. In searching the Internet for weaving content ,I was surprised to find so many talanted blogging weavers sharing their craft as well as their lives with so many. Thank you for sharing so much with so many of us :)
Heather
hemmer6802@comcast.net

Louisa said...

Happy Blogiversary, Susan! All the best to you and Bruce in the New Year. Hope your dad eventually has a good outcome from his surgery.

We loved Smaug too. Don't want to wait a whole year for the last installment!

DebbieB said...

Happy Blogiversary, Susan! I'm very glad you started your blog way back when - I've found lots of "nuggets of wisdom" here! Glad your Dad is doing well - hoping for a healthy and prosperous New Year for you and your family.

Loree Jackson said...

Hope your dad is feeling better. I know what it's like to have to travel to take care of a sick parent :(

Unknown said...

Susan - Congrats on your anniversary. Your blog is one of the most instructional weaving blogs I have found, and I need all of the weaving help that others can provide. Pat

Anonymous said...

Susan, I am hoping that news about your Father is good news and that he is well on his way to recovery from his surgery. How sweet of Bruce to light up your loom studio for homecoming, he is a very thoughtful guy.

I send all of you and Miss Callie wishes for a splendid and happy new year.

Pretty sure you know how to contact me! I love each and every towel you weave (but you know that).

Hugs dear lady - by the way how is your sweet little grandson doing?

Susan said...

Wow 23 comments and counting!

That's wonderful... so now I know how to get you all to write! I have to bribe you :) Nah, just kidding... the give-away is just once a year at the anniversary date.

My Dad has been taken back to the hospital and they are investigating his situation and suspect he may have a deep infection. This is not good news for anyone let alone an elderly 83 year old man and we aren't sure what is next in his treatment.

Martha: I didn't see Ethan this Christmas as there was a flu or cold bug in his home and so I didn't want to pass that onto my Dad.... or bring home to Bruce ahead of his coming surgery in January. He's growing like a weed and talking 'jibber jabber' all day with the odd real word thrown in and doing just fine!

Thanks everyone....
Susan

Rachelle said...

Glad you found the phone in the end and that your dad is doing well.
Hope this coming year is a good one for you and your family.
Rachelle - New Zealand - learning weaver
sable at xtra dot co dot nz

Unknown said...

Susan, I wish for you a healthy, easier 2014!!

Michele

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary of your blog! As a new weaver I find it most interesting and informative. Hope you have a great 2014!

Bobbin Doctor said...

As a "newbie" weaver, your blog has provided me with much inspiration and a lot of experienced knowledge.

Best wishes for a wonderful and productive new year and many thanks for your countless contributions to our weaving community.
Steve P, Minneapolis, MN

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the blogiversary, and glad that your dad is recovering well. My mom is looking at a knee replacement in the near future and has admitted that the idea makes her very nervous.

Gorgeous towels, btw!

Sue

Peg Cherre said...

Hoping the return to hospital isn't a big deal, and that 2014 brings you and your family health and happiness.

...and me one of your gorgeous towels! :-) You know I read you regularly and drool over your work.

rene said...

Happy New Year with lots of weaving! Love your stuff!

Lisa W said...

Hey Susan! Happy anniversary:). I always love seeing your projects. These towels are gorgeous!

Lisa

Debi said...

Congratulations on your blogiversary! I hope they find an easy, quick treatment for your Dad! My Dad had to have his gall bladder taken out the week before Christmas! The surgery went well, but some of his blood work numbers weren't good because of infection. His last dr appt was today and he and my Mom are leaving frozen Northern Wisconsin to head to Illinois. They missed their first ever Christmas with family this year. Then they will head to us in sunny warm Arizona for a few months.

Donna said...

May your Dad be back home again soon, Susan.
That was a very special welcome, indeed, that Bruce prepared for you -- such a sweet guy!
Congratulations on the anniversary of your blog. Definitely a favorite of many! It is almost as fantastic as your woven treasures :)
Donna

Beth said...

Susan,
I am pretty much at the same point in life. That of helping my 81 year old Mom and 84 year old Dad. Both of my sisters work. I lost my job 2 years ago so, it all falls to me. While it has been straining at times, I'm grateful to have such one-on-one time with my parents. Your story gives me strength. Glad you've had some down time and good times.
Beth

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary - as an "old" weaver I continue to learn new things from you. Hope your Dad is soon on the mend. Best wishes for the new year with good health and healing at the top of the list.

Capt. Dave said...

Best wishes for a healthy 2014 for you and your family. Elaine

Lynnette said...

Sorry to hear the news about your father....fingers crossed for a good outcome for him. Hope you are resting and taking care of yourself and we'll be able to see those looms up and running.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your blog's anniversary, thanks for the giveaway. Your weaving inspires me as a new weaver!

Flyin Bobbin said...

Just found your blog by tracking you down after you left a comment for Thistle Rose Weaving. Lovely work. Will be reading attentively about your dad--mine is 85 and your story is familiar to me. Am looking forward to your 2014 blogs!

(email in my google acct profile)

Carla said...

Congratulations on your tenacity with your beautiful fiber blog. I follow you faithfully as you seem to remind me to slow down, get it right, maintain the flow. I tend to get too impatient and want results NOW. Your work is always well thought out. Thanks for being there and slowing me down. Carla

Padre Wayne said...

Susan - As always, I love reading your blog. I hope your dad continues to heal - and that you're enjoying some downtime (and weaving time!) at home with Bruce. And yum... standing rib roast for Christmas. Yorkshire pudding?

Cheers, and yes: A better 2014!

ro said...

Your blog was sent to me by a friend. Congratulations on the anniversary of this wonderful blog.
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you enter the new year, and you work through your family events and health situations. I wish you peace.
I would like to email you at a later date for your thoughts about the Gertrude loom and using the 20+.
I have recently acquired a Gertrude loom, with out the 20+. I will email you privately on that.
I think you are the perfect person to ask about it.
Your work is is beautiful, and I commend you on this wonderful blog. I look forward to every new blog post. Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.- R.Spinelli


Babbz said...

Thanks for such a wonderful blog. It's part of my weekly Friday evening reading of fiber blogs and drinking wine wind down from the work week...
Best for the new year!

Helen (babbz on Ravelry)

Allison said...

Your towels are lovely! Congrats on your blogiversary! I need to focus more on weaving only things I love this year- not just the things that sell fastest!

So glad I found your blog and I look forward to seeing more of your weavings!