An Apology and a bunch of other stuff.....

It is already Sunday again and I haven't posted for a week. I so want to apologize for being such a neglectful blogger girl; not writing on my blog and but so much more importantly for not visiting very many other blogs for what seems like a few weeks. I am so sorry. Between being sick, my CFS flaring and the accompanying paralyzing fatigue, trying to stay on top of the Warming Grace project and simple day to day tasks I have been able to do little else. I feel so disconnected and disjointed. I miss my old routine (which I was barely on top of anyway!). I try to whine little. I try not to complain too much about this freaking illness that eeks away at the quality of my life. I am feeling a little whiny right now (actually I would like to curl up in the fetal position and wail). Getting my head cold was probably the camel breaking straw (and after all these years I still don't always catch the signs) - I am still sick (I have earaches in both ears - painful really - since Wednesday night; still mucousy, blah, blah, blah) and I cannot begin to explain the kind of fatigue I experience - it is this life sucking, brain fogged, dragging my ass through each moment horrible crap. I am so sorry. I am going to endeavour to get out there and visit all you lovely bloggers. All I want to do is sleep (but that isn't happening well either - it all comes crashing down at the same time) and get rid of my joint aches. At the same time I feel so disillusioned with all that is happening in our world. As I look out my window and see nothing but green grass, trees and nature I feel despair for the natives protesting as they continue to receive no compensation from our government for all we have taken from them (I am a 9th generation Canadian but, still an immigrant) and feel that protesting is their only option left; 4 more Canadian soldiers dead (not including the thousands of American soldiers killed as well as the other Canadian soldiers killed and civilians) because as a society in general we can't figure out how to get along and greed and power rule the world; all those sick and suffering; the levels of poverty which will only get worse with global warming, the rise in gas prices and our ongoing inability to truly care about each other's suffering and to engender proactive ways to resolve them. How are we going to change the world for better for our children? And what kind of children are we raising? I am in a mood. Again I am so sorry. The knitting community warms me. And my friends. And my family. And my 'ole dog Gryphon. I am very fortunate. Today is my best friend, Carole's, birthday. Happy Birthday Carole! Carole is amazing; she is kind, patient, generous, compassionate and loyal. We laugh a lot together. She is there for me and is so incredibly tolerant of all my illness related failings. Carole rocks. She is always up for an adventure and she has enthusiastically allowed me to lead her astray. My friendship with Carole is a gift. We had planned to meet on Friday and stay the night at the Crowne Plaza before going to the DKC's Knitters Frolic yesterday. They had an incredible rate ($130.00 for both of us for the one night!) and I knew I wouldn't be able to drive down from the farm on Saturday. I had to really push myself to get there on Friday (I am so tired) but you know it was really worth it and I kept thinking about my buddy Carole! We had a nice dinner in our room (Ed and Nick were there to help celebrate) and then this lemon pie thingy for dessert. We gave Carole some really groovy gifts; a Jordana Paige messenger bag, 2 skeins of Artyarns, 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces and 2 skeins of Fleece Artist (and if I was more with it I would have taken pictures!). Thanks to Amy from Make 1 Yarns and Village Yarns for the goodies! The Frolic was good. I ended up not staying for the whole day; I really wasn't feeling well so I bailed halfway through the day which was a good decision (I didn't get to my last class but Carole got the handout and took notes, lots of notes). I have to say this was the first time I have missed a class; I usually go regardless of how I am feeling. The weather was so crappy (rainy, foggy and generally miserable) and the drive was long. I took a Celtic Cables class with Fiona Ellis - she is amazing; and a Chart Reading class with Joan Kass - she rocks too! I saw so many awesome people there that was definitely worth it. The Market was bigger than last year and there was lots of stuff to see. I am sorry I was not able to truly appreciate it all. Village Yarns was there and I got to see Karen, Julia, Patrick and Wanda; Ann and Carol (FinishTouch1@aol.com) were there with their amazing blocking kits and Carol's cool buttons; Needle Emporium had groovy stuff for sale and I saw not only Julie, but also her sister Beth and Bev Nimon (I have a photo but I know they will kill me if I post it so I won't!). It was great to see Bev and she was wearing this amazing sweaters (details I cannot remember) ; but then Bev always looks amazing. I did pick up 2 skeins of Mountain Colors sock yarn I had ordered a while ago from Julie. It is so nice. Ellen from Needles and Pins was there and Gloria, who also teaches at Village, was helping her out. There is no question that how I felt had an impact on my minimal amount of shopping. I bought some Soak. If you can get your hands on this stuff; do! It smells lovely and wool washed with it does not have that wet wool smell after. It comes in 3 fragrances; Flora, Aquae and Citrus. You have to try it. I also got a skein of 100% Alpaca from Hidden Touch (hiddentouch@magma.ca) to make a scarf for Ed. It is so soft; it is lovely. I am truly sorry I wasn't able to peruse more. There was a lot of great wool there and I wish I could have bought some. I can tell I was not well; I came home with next to nothing! I have to say though that I was so glad to get home yesterday and just curl up. I always hope that tomorrow will be a better day. Warming Grace Update When I got home look what was waiting for me (see below)! Okay it wasn't waiting outside but I am starting to get squares, lots of squares. There are 146 knitters registered and I admit I am getting excited about how great these blankies are going to look! I want to give a HUGE shout out of thanks to J, Kathie, Janice, Francesca, Carole, Celia, Birdsong, Joanne, Jessa Lu, Jessica, Samantha, Katie, Christina, Monika and Rhonda for your squares! They are beautiful and so soft! All the extra goodies are amazing. I promise to take pictures and get posting but I so wanted to make sure you know how much this is appreciated! You are so wonderful.