2008 flows into 2009, looking back and thinking forward!

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As the close of 2008 is upon us, I thought it appropiate to do some reflection. Looking back, this is my dads side of the family. Can you see the German oozing out all over! lol. Goodness me. To the far right seated with his pocket watch chain showing, the head of the family (no question there...being the head, look at how even seated his authority shows!) is Wilhelm Heinrich Mader. He was born in Germany, immigrated as a single man alone to this country, at the age of 20. The year of his immigration was 1850. Six years later in 1856 he became a US Citizen. Physical descriptions of him indicate he had blue eyes, a large nose, oval face, and was 6 foot 1/2 inches tall. Looking at the picture, it's apparent he was indeed a big man; especially for those times. And thus my story starts to unfold. This picture is a treasure, one I feel lucky to have. One of Wilhelm's son's was a professional photographer and thus...we do have family pictures from that time sooooooooo long ago

As the days unfold in our new year of 2009, I'll tell more of the story...this is the beginning.

Further reflections of the year:
It's been a difficult one regarding my mom's health; both physically and emotionally. I hope the new year brings new hope in that direction

My daughter will start her last symester of grad school and we're planning for her graduation in May and what comes after. Presumably a move from Baltimore back to her beloved St. Louis and a job. Where or when that story can be told is unknown to us currently.

I have tremendous hope for the future of our country under new leadership and look forward to President Obama and his very capable team. I know much hard work is needed to make strides in any direction, and know the changes can't take place over night.

I hope the year 2009 brings us closer to solving some of the problems that face this country, high un-employment, health care for the masses, improved education, and a shot a peace in our life time. War is most certainly NOT the solution.

I hope and pray our men and women abroad come home soon, stay safe and return to their loved ones.

I did not make my charity goal, though I came very close. It's possible if I stay off the computer, and don't do my cleaning, or my laundry I could wip up some squares, or rectangles, or finish a couple of my works in progress; but...I don't think I can let that be my goal today. I've read with appreciation some words from Bunny, and Ghost and a few of you other special blogging friends and am not beating up myself over it. I will do what I can when I can and always strive for more; but not feel badly if I'm unable to do more.

2009's charity goal will probably remain the same number 200 items, it's nice to have a goal to work towards. I'm thrilled to have met so many new people this year here in the blogging world and love seeing how many people are willing and able to help each other. That gives me tremendous hope for our future.

Happy New Year one and all!
Please be safe

Please check out my 2nd blog, a local charity drive, The Bridge Project.

Working on stuff....and

Working...
Pink booties, got 3 knitted, need a 4th and need to stitch them together. 2 Different sizes, one newborn, one larger newborn. Probably will go to....? Must check my list,

Pink short sleeve sweater, crocheted....will go to.........wherever I send booties.

2 tone blue scarf, knitted nice and thick and warm for The Bridge Project. Wish you could see the design, doesn't show up in pictures.

Purple cap, I made for my daughter; but it's not quite large enough for her...fits me pretty well.......though purple isn't the color I needed to go with a red coat. It might go to one of the charities. Still thinking.

The fun super soft orangey shawl was a Christmas gift for my great-niece. Knitted with Red Heart, bright and lofty. Fun yarn to work with.

The black, white, and grey scarf is one my daughter is working on for The Bridge Project. She might get it done in between working on lesson plans and cover letters for job applications. Love the yarn.

Slogging through with just 5 days to go!!!

Slogging around here in Central Ohio, we've had tons and tons of rain. Warmer then normal temperatures of late which is both a good and bad thing. It's good for the homeless to be less cold, but it's bad for others and they tend to dress inappropiately and get sick...forgetting that's still really winter. Plus, I hate the cool damp, I deal better with cold then damp.

5 days to go til we say adios to 2008 and welcome in 2009. I'm still short of my charity crocheting and knitting goal. I did manage to make a little sweater yesterday (temporarily without camera, so no pictures), knitted a pair of booties to match (though they need to be stitched up), got a 2nd pair of booties started (got 1 bootie done but need to make the 2nd and get them both stitched)...day before I worked on candy corn ghan and made some really good headway on it...though still not finished and thus it probably isn't going to get done in time for this years goal...took time away from charity kntting to knit a shawl for my great niece for Christmas (picture later when I get my camera back), and daughter wants another hat...though I have the yarn at hand, have been putting it aside in hopes of getting a few more items done for the charities before the close of the year.

We won't be traveling for New Years, though I wish all who are happy and safe travels. We will be eating out for New Years Eve. Made our reservations yesterday at our favorite resturant, which is close enough for us to walk...though we rarely do.

Looking forward to a massage today, both daughter and I are getting a deep tissue one. Had a fabulous one when she was home for Thanksgiving. We were both in need then, and it was such a good one; we booked ourselves another. It helps my neck and back alot (with all the arthristis for me, her's is mostly tension).

Happy New Years one and all. I'll be making my way around to everyones blog here again in the next couple of days.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

It's sure cold here today, sunny but cold. We had freezing rain again last night; but thankfully it started after my daughter arrived safely from Baltimore. We had a nice dinner and enjoyed having her friend join us. They traveled together and now, she's heading on home via Greyhound.

I've got more cards to address, keep doing them in batches chipping away at it. I've started a ghan for a gift which I think isn't going to happen. I need to make hat, scarf or shawl for my great niece for Christmas and I am sure running out of time.

Please hop over to my other blog (The Bridge Project) to see how awesome people are.

Going to dinner tomorrow with good friends before they head out of town for the holidays. Heading to the basement now to do more laundry. Geesh........thought I was done with it yesterday; but no...I was wrong.

Have a good day, be safe and stay warm in your travels if you're heading to other places this wkend to celebrate the upcoming Holidays.

Nice Mental Picture

This sunset is from several months back when I was in Florida, trying to relax after the hectic first round hospital stay for Mom and her surgery; as you know it got much worse after that. I never got the opportunity to edit and share any of the Florida pictures and since it's bitter cold here in Central Ohio this morning this picture is as close to seeing sun as we're going to get. Thought it might make me feel warmer.

Also thought seeing the sun might help us all relax as we prepare with extra errands, longer work hours, and stress of the upcoming holidays. In truth, the holidays don't stress me out; as I'm not one to do lots of cooking and baking etc, but...dealing with Mom has stressed me out.

I'm working on several projects hoping to meet my goal for charity items; but am doubtful that I will succeed. Might get close though.

Working on a blue knitted scarf for The Bridge Project, got one bootie done and need to make it's mate, working on Candy Corn off and on for Victory Camp, and have odds and ends here at the ready suitable for more scrafs.

Hope you're staying warm, keep stitching and enjoy the sunset.
Sandy

The Messiah

We flew into Baltimore early Sat am, caught up with our daughter after her dress rehearsal and got lunch in Federal Hill at The Rope Walk. Back to the hotel for a little visiting while she and I graded papers. Then she dashed out to pick up a friend coming in from DC on The Metro and we met for an early dinner in Towson at Cafe' Troia, then headed to the concert. The Handel Choir of Baltimore performed The Messiah in Towson at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Flight was quick and thankfully on time -- uneventful, the best type of flight
Lunch was very good, bet The Rope Walk, a historic tavern is fun in the evening. I would indeed recommend and return to this tavern. Cafe'Troia is listed as one of the top 10 Italian Resturants away from Little Italy. Frankly I thought it far superior to the 3 resurants I've eatten in in Little Italy and highly recommend it. Nice, quiet, good service, good food, and prices aren't bad. Pretty much what one expects at a fine resturant.

The concert was FABULOUS! Seating, left much to be desired though. Hard church benches, wooden narrow no cushion; very hard on the back. Beautiful old church with wonderful acustics; but with the large pillars lots of places where vision is impaired. For such a longgggggg concert, would much have perferred an auditorium witih a real seat, for comfort and site.

Our daughter was thrilled we made the time to pop in and out for this special concert. She and the choir have worked hard with lots of extra practices during a very busy time of the year, making life hectic.

Worked on scarf for The Bridge Project and a sweater for a newborn (need to check my lists and see which charity is up next for the donation.

Have a good week, happy stiching, happy shopping.