Category: Family & Friends

Posted in Family & Friends, Randomness

Baby steps.

Posted on by kokomeau

I’m here with my Sarah as she begins her transition to life without Rick. The week after his passing went by in a blur with friends and family surrounding her. She asked me to stay later than my intended date of the 12th, so I am here until the 15th. We drink coffee and talk, she runs her dogs, I knit, we do errands and watch movies. And all the time I try and picture her here in this beautiful log home alone. And it kills me. Carrie said it best, through tears, “I know Rick is in a better place. But you’re here without him, and I don’t want you to hurt!“

It’s how we all feel. And there’s nothing we can do except keep in constant contact, let her know she’s loved and that we’re here for her if she wants or needs us. It is all baby steps for her now, and she knows it.

Posted in Family & Friends, Randomness

March 3rd, 2012, 12:35 a.m.

Posted on by kokomeau
                                      “They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death is but crossing the
                                                     world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still.”–William Penn
Posted in Family & Friends, Randomness

An event.

Posted on by kokomeau
 
                       “The world is a quiet place…its images forever fixed. They do not vanish. They can
                               be remembered, and they can be foreseen. Nothing and no one are lost.”    
                                                                                                                                                                   ~Mark Helprin
 

She is losing her beloved. While they knew each other a lifetime, their time together was too short. How is this fair? I can think of a few people that deserve his fate more than he. Why is that? Why one and not another? Why is there no answer that will satisfy?

She will be forever changed by this. How can she not be? She will join the unenviable club of women who were left too soon, too young, too unexpectedly. She will see the lives around her go on. People driving their cars. Shopping. Having lunch. Laughing with friends. She will wonder, how do they go on? Don’t they know how the world has changed?

I’m grateful for her children; they will keep her focused, keep her HERE.

I call her the steel magnolia. She will never be the same.

And there is nothing I can do.

Posted in Family & Friends

All good things must come to an end.

Posted on by kokomeau

Well, it’s over. My wonderful visit with my ‘knittin’ sista’ is now a memory I’ll cherish. The first week went flying by, so I was grateful for the second week (although I’m sure by then she was missing her husband, her kitty, her dog and her mom.) But I sure did enjoy her while I had her! We were usually up and knitting by 5:00 a.m.

      

She was able to start and finish a darling sweater:

And I started a baby throw full of small squares which she helped me with to the tune of getting HALF of it done before she left! We visited yarn shops, St. Augustine‘s historic city, Ponce Inlet, went on bike rides, sunned ourselves on the beach … why, she even tried boogie-boarding until she decided that just wasn’t her cup of tea. So while Thom and I played in the ocean, she took Sadie for walks on the beach.

For my birthday she treated me to a great production at the Flagler Playhouse. She even taught me some great recipes in the KITCHEN! Anyone who knows me knows that’s not a room I get much use out of, but I learned to make quiche, crepes, frosting, chicken dinner and more!

Homemade apple crepes!

And while we did make an attempt at eating right, sometimes ‘it’ just got the best of us, and we caved.

WHAT?!?!!

But between walking beaches and shelling, visiting craft shows and quaint towns, bike riding, swimming and knitting, I think she had a good time. I sure hope so, because I certainly did.

Poor Thom.  What’s he gonna do with me now?

(See “Photo Albums” for more.)

 

 

 

Posted in Family & Friends

The first day was like a day and a half.

Posted on by kokomeau

She’s finally here! After waiting through the WHOLE day, we picked Anita up around 9:45 p.m. Wednesday night. We thought we’d have plenty of time to get to the airport, but by the time we left the house, my FlightTracker said she’d be arriving sooner than we’d expected. Six miles from the airport we spotted her plane in the air! So when we got there, I jumped out at the terminal and beat cheeks up the escalator just in time to see them begin to come down the long walk from the causeway. Thom quickly joined me, and together we watched a LOT of people meet their parties; and I mean a LOT. We couldn’t believe how many people that plane held! Anita was near the back of the pack, and for a split second we wondered if we had the right plane.

But there she was! How great was it to see that piece of Gaylord, that piece of my knitting family, my lovely friend! The next two weeks will fly by, I’m sure, but I’m going to thoroughly enjoy them!

Posted in Family & Friends, ImagiKnit

MY CASH REGISTER SYSTEM

Posted on by kokomeau

What brilliant soul thought high technology would make our lives easier, more manageable, and less stressful? What foul forward thinker said computers are the way of the future? And what right-brained techno-geek believed we needed computerized “CASH REGISTER SYSTEMS” instead of the tried-and-true push-button, handle-grabbing, bell-ringing registers of old? I want to find him and string him up by his ‘mouse.’ (And believe you me, it’s a HIM!)

Things are going swimmingly at ye ol’ yarn shop. I’m having a great time. I’m there before 9:00 every morning (well, mostly) until the early-evening hours. We’re in full swing by 10:00 a.m. I get excited when I see Santa the UPS guy bringing boxes of goodies. I love seeing my mailman put envelopes in my box like I’m a real store. I happily and cheerfully greet all who come in. This part of it is all good.

The thing I’m waiting to conquer — the thing I’m hoping to get past — is the sinking feeling every time someone walks up to my “CASH REGISTER SYSTEM“ to make a purchase. I know; I know. This should be a great feeling; right? I should be thinking, “Yippee! Someone liked what I picked out enough to give me money for it!” That’s what I should be thinking.

Instead I’m inwardly groaning and praying, “Oh, God, please let the “CASH REGISTER SYSTEM” work this time! Please let the scanner read the bar code! Please let it be a bar code I did right!” (Another story for another day.) “Please, no ERROR message! Don’t let me appear the incompetent fool I feel right now!” — all the while smiling and making small talk like I’ve been doing this all my life and of course I know how to check them out. (Do they have an Oscar category for Inept Shop Owners Pretending To Be Knowledgeable Shop Owners? They should.)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Knitters are the best. In two weeks’ time I’ve managed to give incorrect change, give no change at all, give the wrong receipt for credit cards (they have the signed copy), give no receipt at all, even sworn at the “CASH REGISTER SYSTEM” in what I thought was under my breath. Through it all my knitters have been patient, understanding, even kind in their responses to my ongoing frustration with that which would make my life easier.

Posted in Family & Friends

THEY FIT!

Posted on by kokomeau

Twins’ 1st b’day and Sean - Wallabys

My little twin neice and nephew turned 1 year old this past Saturday. They’re the babies I was making those little Wallaby sweaters for. The smallest size in the pattern is a size 2, so I’ve been a bit concerned they were going to be too big.

I GUESS NOT!!!

I’m so thrilled with how they turned out for them! I’d have to say they do run a little small, now that I’ve seen them on. Thank goodness they can wear them now in the cold season; otherwise, they’d have outgrown them too soon!

Aren’t they darling?  (My brother, too, huh?)