The Mailman has cometh!

Note: I apologize for the brevity of this post; I have a wicked head cold and between the sneezing, the runny nose and the watering eyes I am feeling more like a cyclops and less like a proficient blogger (I keep seeing the word blooger; you know blogger and booger combined - oh yes, this is why I need to go to bed!). Warming Grace Update Sign ups continue: We now have 111 participants! Yes 111! You knitters out there are blowing me away! I am so excited! We are going to provide comfort to a few little kiddies. I was speaking to my brother the other night and he was telling me that the hospital Grace attends, Alberta's Childrens Hospital, has been on Code Burgundy for the past month. When I asked him what that meant he said that all the beds were full and children diagnosed with cancer were being turned away. Turned away! You find out that your child is ill, ill with cancer, and you are then told that you will not receive treatment at this hospital which specializes in Pediatric Oncology. I was, and remain, stunned. I have always believed that children, being the adults of the future, have basic rights but obviously the right to immediate crisis care is not one of them. There is a new hospital which is supposed to open up later in 2006 with 20 more beds but what are these parents to do in the meantime? Selfishly, I am praying that Grace does not have a relapse that would require hospitalization anytime in the near future - they wouldn't have room for her! I have begun receiving squares (and other goodies!). J has sent three with a mystery envelope for Grace and is making more! Kathie from N Attleboro, MA sent 1 square (and her blank postcard - THANK YOU!) and a book and 3 stuffed pink animals (an elephant, a pony and a cute little Easter Bunny) for Grace! Kathie, you shouldn't have. Dawn, who has not sent in her squares yet also gave me a pink pig for Grace. Thank you so much guys!!! I can honestly say that I don't know quite what to say (and not just because of my head cold!). Please don't feel that you need to send anything other than the squares and postcards. I am so happy and grateful to receive the squares and postcards. More knitters are coming forward with more items for the draw: Joy has offered to make a necklace in the receiver's choice of colour and style (I don't yet have a link to her site). Rabbitch is sending me some handmade stitch markers to draw. Thank you Rabbitch and Joy!!! And, in more good news: Irene from Paris, France has written a blurb about the Warming Grace project on Blogging Baby. Please go check it out! Thanks so much Irene! Thank you seems so inadequate however I don't know of another phrase that could adequately express my appreciation and gratitude at everyone's outright generousity, kindness and enthusiasm in this project...to me this is the epitome of what is right about knitters and the best parts of our society ( if only we ran the world!). Yarn Aboard! I got a parcel in the mail today - for me! The sender; Christy from Florida! This is the same Black and Decker Drill Box that has been all over the world it seems and is doing a fantastic job as a purveyor of fine yarns for Yarn Aboard. Inside the box: 8 skeins of sock yarn! This stash proud woman is so happy to give these beauties a home! There are 4 skeins of Fortissima (solid red and black/red striped), 1 skein of Cascade Fixation and 3 skeins of Koigu (I love the rich tones)! There was also a sticker from the Ron Jon Surf Shop - Nick has his eye on this baby! Thank you so much Christy! Thanks to Amanda for such a great concept! If you have never been to her blog go visit; it is one classy, awesome blog! A quick story: on the way back from picking up the parcel Nick was enquiring about the concept of Yarn Aboard. When I explained to him that the box had travelled all over the States and Europe his response was; "Let me smell the box mom - I want to smell Florida, I want to smell what Germany smells like!" I could only smile. Kids. So, I hope I haven't forgotten anything...I must go rest my mucous clogged head.