Petunia rambles on and on….

In an unexpected move, I mean really totally unexpected and shocking, actually – the sun came out today.

Thousands of local people stood outside in the cold and wind to witness this event, looking skyward in wonderment at the miraculous happening.  Small children were frightened by the brightness and cried piteously.  People were seen holding their hands up near their foreheads, shielding their eyes from potential damage.  Cars were noted early this morning in ditches beside the roadways and one might wonder if this shocking event was the cause.  (Although the radio did report that they were getting calls from drivers claiming there was “black ice” on the roads)

I encountered this astronomical rarity early in the morning, while driving to work.  I was protected from the blinding event when I was directly facing the glowing orb, as it was late enough, after 7:30am, the sun was high enough and my car’s sun visor blocked the dangerous rays.  But when the roadway veered a wee bit to the right, the sunlight streaked in at me through that damn tiny gap between the visor and the upright part of the vehicle that holds the roof up there. 

My choices were clear.  Either drive off the road or drive with my eyes closed.

I finally did arrive safely at work, and immediately checked with the National Weather Service website.  Fortunately, their forecast indicates that we won’t have to worry about this happening again for quite some time.  In fact, its predicted that cloud cover, rain, sleet, snow and ice will pretty much block out the sun for the forseeable future.   What a relief!

I’ve limped and dragged myself into the new year!! 

Christmas came and went, with all the children home.  We were desperately hoping to be able to spend some time with the wee boys, who we hadn’t seen in several weeks.  When you’re used to holding them in your arms every day, several weeks is a long time.  Alas, twas not to be.   Most oddly, their father came to pick them up early on Christmas Eve night, he who’s never been early before and only twice in all the years I’ve known him has he ever even been “on time.”   As I was already showing signs of a medical problem, and Pop was covering for me in the kitchen, I didn’t get as much time as I’d like and he got almost no time at all with the boys.  Pop had to work the next day, and by the time he got home Friday evening, the boys had already been collected from their father and taken back to their new home.  We had expected that they’d be with us for the weekend.   I’m glad Bri stayed for a few days – that helped, just having him around.

I’ve been dealing with a medical issue.  Wasn’t feeling right at Christmas time, and it didn’t get better.  As expected with my luck, it got worse instead.  By the time I got to see my doctor last Monday morning, I was thinking “do I have a surgical emergency here?”   Unfortunately, that was my doctor’s first thought, too.  Damn, I hate it when I’m right!  Off I went from the doctor’s office directly over to get a Contrast CT.  I had to wait there for the results to be read ASAP and those results bought me a bit of “breathing room.”  I was permitted to wait to see the surgeon until mid-week this week, instead of directly after the CT as first feared.  He will schedule a “go in, look around and see what’s there” sort of procedure.   What fun!  Could turn out to be something minimal.  Or not.  Definitely will cause me to miss more time out of work, though, and I already have major dental surgery coming up, too.

Getting old is really becoming a pain in the ass.

So, when I wasn’t in pain, I was knitting.  Finished the knitting part of the February Lady Sweater, and all ends are woven in.  It needs 3 large buttons.  If I was smarter in the morning, I would remember to take it with me when I go out to work, and then I could stop on the way home, taking it into the store for button selection rather than use the “Oh, I’m sure this will be the perfect size/style/color” method.  This method has worked poorly for me in the past.  Finished several colorwork hats, too, developing skill.  It’s getting better, but I still see room for improvement.   I also started a “Knitting Basket” by Lucia Tedesco, pattern is a free download on Ravelry.  It is acres of mindless stockinette, good for working on when watching TV or when brain cells have gone on holiday.  I had several skeins of Royal Purple Paton’s Classic Wool already in my stash, too. 

When I began to feel a bit better, we started working on the recently-vacated back bedrooms.  It needs to be done, and much stuff that was left behind needs to go before we can bring our own goods here from storage.   Bri went through some of the stuff, the few things that he had left in the closet of his old bedroom.   Much of it was bagged up promptly to go out with the trash, and the rest he took with him when he left after Christmas. 

The highlights of it all – well, we did get to see the boys, regardless of how brief it was.  In addition to the kids all being home, my brother and his wife came over – always good to see them.  AND on our Christmas Eve which was her Christmas morning (early!) friend PomPom “skyped” to wish us all Happy Christmas – what a lovely surprise.  I dragged all the kids (uh, excuse me.  The grown up offspring) over by the ear in front of the webcam to show them off!

Here’s one of the gifts I received, a 9” photo frame from a handsome son.

 

It’s sitting on one of the most expensive placemats I’ve ever purchased.

of Christmas is seeing it through a child’s eyes, one who still sees the wonder of it all.

Nick.

Alex.