My last chemo treatment was the end of February and in March I got a clean PET scan and so I finished my treatment for non hodgkins lymphoma. Phew......it's over but it still lingers in the form of doctor check ups and side effects from the intense chemo. But I am doing my best to ignore all that and just LIVE. And so as you will see in this blog post I have taken the LIVE thing to the limit and have been doing it to the fullest of my ability! I give you fair warning that this post is photo heavy as I catch you up on the last few months.
My first celebration of life came with my oldest daughters engagement. Such an exciting time for her and our family absolutely adores her fiancee. She met him while in Canada and so she will be moving there after the wedding in September of 2016.
Emily and Allan |
After getting the clean PET scan I decided to attend the Daily Audio Bible Womens Conference in Georgia. I needed this time so badly. Just me and God and a place where my heart could begin to heal and be made full again. The chemo sapped the life right out of me and I really needed to get my joy back. the retreat was amazing. Words can not describe how God met me and ministered to me during those 4 days. The women I met where sincere and real and although we came from different places in life instant friendships were made. Not only was the retreat refreshing spiritually but also physically. I walked daily, climbed Sharp top Mountain, zip lined into the lake and swung on a huge swing 40 Ft. up in the trees. I made sure to get photos and videos so my kids believed me! I was so blessed here and so thankful for my family at home that made it possible for me to attend! I am making plans to attend next years conference already and want to bring all my daughters with me!
the gorgeous retreat center |
getting ready to be pulled up into the trees and swing |
at the top of Sharp Top Mountain |
Since the retreat I have been getting stronger and the kids and I have been doing so many fun things! Last weekend was Connecticut Sheep and Wool where a new furry friend might have hopped into our car to join our family! Mister Happy Jackales......a German Angora......can't wait to spin his fiber!
our new baby |
a beautiful Shetland fleece to process and spin |
Hannah Grace and the cutest one week old lamb in diapers! |
Emily, my oldest daughter, and I also have been spending Saturdays at American Needleworks Studio
I have been teaching drop spinning and wheel spinning there. It is a lovely studio full of all kinds of fiber and the people that love it. Spending time there has been so good for my soul. I met the owner Jim, right after my clean PET scan......perfect timing! God is so good about giving us just what we need.....I have to remember His timing is always right. Being able to share my passion for spinning with others has been so healing for me. After not feeling very productive for the last 8 months it is amazing to teach!
And through all of this there has been knitting and spinning! I am spinning more now that I am stronger and I am so happy to be back at my wheels! My bits and pieces blanket is growing and I have a lace shawl on the needles that is taking all my concentration to work through. But I am so thankful I can do it!!
bits and pieces blanket |
merino and silk 3 ply |
polwarth ready for plying |
Josephine Shawl |
falkland |
knitting socks from a sock blank from Gale's Art |
enjoying spinning on my new turkish from Thomas Creations The fiber is polwarth from into the whirled |
Even though I have not posted in the Yarn along for months I have been keeping up and reading many of the posts each week. Your projects and posts inspired me when I could not knit myself. I look forward to jumping back in here and keeping this space dust free now!
This weekend I have decided to head to Maryland Sheep and Wool!! Two of my younger kids will be coming with me and we are so excited! Are any of you venturing that way this weekend?
I'm excited to grab my cup of tea today and sit down and be inspired by everyone's
links at this weeks Yarn along........Happy Knitting!!