All sorts of things small and large I'm grateful for today

In the last few weeks, my dad's been sick. After a series of tests and getting a CT scan on Monday, his doctor's office called him and told him "You need to go to the ER and admit yourself to the hospital. You have a tumor."

So Monday, we went to the ER with Dad. It was 3:30 in the morning before he was admitted- but we had William go home to get some sleep when it started looking like a long, drawn out process. So we went and got him after he got some sleep and he's been staying with Dad at the hospital. He has a cot that's too short for him, but it's exactly where he wants to be. He and his grandfather have a very close relationship.

He's been poked, prodded and because of his tests, didn't get to eat for over 24 hours that first day.

I'm grateful for his night nurses. Who stopped when I said "He's hungry and getting cranky, when is the window he can eat?" and they called and tracked down the people who were doing the next round of stuff to find out. They've also been talking to him when he needs to talk and bullying him nicely when he needs bullying and telling him how proud they are of him. They are the ones who saw how William fit into the easy chair and brought him the cot to sleep in.

I'm grateful to whoever stocked the vending machines with ice sandwiches- so even though the cafeteria was closed, we could get him ice cream when he could finally eat.

That Doctor with the impossible name and the leather jacket? The lung specialist who is very positive, encouraging and talked to Dad, TG and William about what was happening in a very matter of fact "We can handle this" way and then talked to them about Assassin's Creed? I'm thankful for him.

The radiologist, who showed William the "Targeting System" on her hand, the dot tattoos, and was also very competent and cheerful. I'm grateful to her.

My friends, when I couldn't say what was happening because my dad is so private by nature, just that "Dad needs prayers" who stepped up and are praying, drumming, and wishing for him? I'm grateful to them.

We know a little more now. Still not enough to have a clear plan or prognosis, but we know more than we did Monday. By next Monday we should know a lot more. He had his biopsy today done by that very cool doctor who plays Assassin's Creed.

The lady in the chapel, when William needed a break from being strong, who told William that God is on everyone's side, and that if he needed to speak to a pastor, he could just go down there any time and ask.  Thank you.

The day time nurses are pretty amazing too. They also always take whatever time is necessary with him, and to answer my questions.

Ball Jars- okay, this is a little thing to be grateful for, but it's still there. Those big quart green jars, and the wide mouth lid and straws. You know what they can hold? A full batch of Campbell's Chicken and Stars soup, and the straws are big enough to suck up the stars. So when TG made Dad his favorite soup, he was able to eat it without having to mess with a spoon and trying not to spill on his hospital gown.

My family.

I'm so grateful for my family.  I'm grateful that I get to spend today with my family, eating the very best the hospital cafeteria has to offer.
My husband who thought to buy dad some chocolate as a treat and has been short sleep trying to work and take me back and forth to the hospital and still manages to hold me tight and be my strength.

My daughter, who wanted to know what she could do because the rest of us had stuff to do, and was thrilled to make his first full meal this week. His favorite- a Boar's Head Golden Classic Chicken sandwich, Chicken and Stars soup and Cherry Kool-aid.

My son. The first time Dad saw him, right after he was born, they were connected. Dad gave him ice cream when he was 3 months old even though I told him not to, William and Dad take care of each other, and have for 23 years. This is hard for William, but he's being very strong for his grandfather.

My brother, who stepped up to the line. Who hung up on me and ran on foot to the hospital when I called because it was quicker than getting to his truck.

Dad, every cranky, contrary, whipsmart, stubborn bone in his body. Because he's survived some impossible things, and because he's going to do his best to survive this one because he has so much to live for- because he wants to spend more time with TG, with William, with all of us, he wants to know what happens next.

So this is really long now, and I'm sure a lot of people didn't read it. But here's the big thing-

Where there is love, where there are family or friends, there is a reason for gratitude and appreciation. 

Money bag gift box

I've loved those cartoon style money bags for years, and planned on making this box a few months ago then forgot. I hope you enjoy it!! You can put gift cards, cash, chocolate coins or candy bars in it.

Click the image below for a larger version, print it on card stock and follow the instructions for assembly.

Home mandala to color AND Groovy Mandalas is available!!

First, the big news!! You can order and get copies of Groovy Mandalas NOW! I got some copies in the mail yesterday and will do a giveaway soon. But yay!! Groovy Mandalas is ready to order. The very last mandala in the book is my favorite one that I've ever drawn. It's complex, intricate, inspired by hippies like my mom and incredibly groovy.



Still hard at work at the color-by-numbers mandala book, but took a break to draw this mandala for you all.

Click the images below for larger versions to print and color. 

Small jpg version-

Large transparent PNG version-

Printable Veteran's Day gift box

I'm still hard at work on another coloring book but wanted to post a printable box today. I asked TG for ideas and she's still excited from voting so she said "Something patriotic!"

Since Veteran's Day is coming up soon, I decided a gift box that could be filled with chocolate or other treats as a small thank you to the men and women who have served this country so well would be appropriate. I hope you enjoy it. I plan to fill it with hand written coupons for some of my husband's favorite things like "30 minute back rub" and "Roast turkey breast with apple sausage stuffing for dinner" for him.

Click the images below for a larger version, print on card stock, cut out, score folds, fold, glue!

Christmas Crochet- giveaway, review and blog tour!

It's the season to start really getting ready for Christmas. Edie Eckman, the author of some of my favorite crochet books* has written a wonderful collection of patterns to start decorating. Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home and Tree is full of easy to accomplish, quick stitched patterns that look good and fit the season perfectly.

My favorite kind of crochet books have both written instructions and international crochet diagrams. This one has both. The written instructions are easy to follow, and the diagrams are clear, and easy to read. The patterns are good for all levels. For people who have been crocheting for a long time, things like the snowy looking 3 dimensional tree decorations will work up in an evening, and putting together enough socks and mittens for a sweet, homey advent calender can be done in a week of evenings. For beginners, they can get practice in following diagrams and simple shaping techniques using worsted weight yarns and simple stitches.

My son is just learning to crochet using another book from Storey, and he's going to help me make the Advent calender.

There are some wonderful Christmas stockings in here as well, and they are also made of worsted weight yarn. You'll find a pattern for everyone in your family so they can all have a different handmade stocking that suits their personality. Bright stripes, polka dots, a complex looking peppermint colored stocking done in seed stitch, some gorgeous single color stockings that use embellishments or texture for interest, and my favorite- the flame stitch stocking which has texture and great color work.

The Christmas tree ornaments are great. My favorite are the felted ornaments. They are worked in motifs and make a great take along project and a good project for beginners since felting is so forgiving. The little birds are another favorite, folksy and simply too cute for words.

The styles are on trend for a homey, comfortable Christmas. Bright colors and easy to find yarn are a winner.

I made one of the snowflake motifs from one of the stockings in thread to decorate a simple headband /bookmark made using 1/8th blue elastic and a button center.

I've been so busy working on a big project, doing some of the small and quick projects from this book is very relaxing.

Storey Publishing gave me a copy of this book to review, but will also give one of you a copy! USA only. Comment on this blog post with your crochet decorating plans for the season to enter or click the Ravelry link below and comment on this blog post with your favorite project. On Monday, November 17th, I'll put all the names in a stocking and let my daughter draw one winner to receive a copy. Don't forget to include some sort of contact information on the comment. Ravelry name, Facebook name or email address.

You can also check out the rest of this blog tour in the next couple of weeks to see projects from the book and get more chances to enter and win a copy!

Check out this book on Ravelry!

Facebook: Edie Eckman and Storey Publishing

Twitter: @EdieEckman and @StoreyPub

Instagram: @StoreyPub

3-Nov Don't Eat the Paste

4-Nov Moogly

5-Nov Liberty's Yarn

7-Nov Rambling Designs

10-Nov Plus 3 Crochet

11-Nov Crochet Dynamite

12-Nov Jenn Likes Yarn

13-Nov Crochet Nirvana

14-Nov Yarning4aSmile