The last of the hats, new handspun and whatever

Here is the last of the hats:

This one is my favorite.  The pattern is Limpetoile and the yarn is the fabulous* String Theory Merino DK in Jade.

Connor went back to college yesterday, after his week home on mid term break.  He took the collection of 5 hats to his BGFs and the tweets/emails are trickling in. 

I miss him already, but he is really happiest at school.  He likes to be busy and this term is turning out to be very successful for him academically. 

He did get a haircut.  Before:

and after:

So much better. 

The week was fairly quiet with Griffin snowboarding in New Hampshire for most of it.  Griff had a terrific time with Mo and Ed and he was able to navigate the return trip home (3 hr bus trip to Logan and then alone to bag check and all that) without a problem.  Even though the weather wasn't as snowy as he would have liked, they snowboarded for 4 days in a row and on bigger mountains than we have. 

I did manage to ply together about 6 ounces of singles on the new Matchless.  The fiber is Merino/Tencel 50/50 that I should be carrying in the shop soon.  I really like the color shifts in my yarn:

The yardage is somewhere between 1400 and 1500, I should know, but every time I tried to count it, I was interrupted. 

This is sort of a lead in to something I have been trying to talk about for awhile now.  I am struggling with the day to day stuff of our living with my mother.  She has become a bit erratic and confused.  I/we are dealing with it**, but she is very stubborn and can be non compliant about doctors orders and will frequently do the opposite of what we have agreed to. 

I am not a patient person, but I am trying.  Between her, the boys and the Gary, I feel more and more that I need to be on duty 24/7 and that there must be some sort of plan in the works to overthrow me, although I can't imagine who would want to take over.  It's just a long stretch of being bossy and it's wearing me out.

I know that this has been brewing for awhile and my blog neglect is directly related.  I know that you all support me and I'm sure that there is lots of advice and commiseration, but I think I/we need to get Mom off one particular medication and see if that is the culprit because I think that it is.  If not, I just need my sister to give me the occasional break so I can get myself ready to accept that this time will be challenging. 

So bear with me, if you can.  I will blog when I can or have something to show and if things turn around the way that I hope they will, I'll make it up to you.

* I loves this yarn because the yarn is bouncy, the dye doesn't bleed and the colors are layered without pooling drama - it is DK but it is on the heavier side of DK, almost worsted, which works for a loose knitter like me.

** Called my sister the other day and told her to come help with this or expect a phone call from the train station in Toledo some night.  I never said who would be on that train but my sister will be here in a few weeks.

Comments

[Anne]

Beautiful hat and handspun, of course. Big hugs on the Mom front. I know how challenging family stuff can be, especially those parents that are dragged kicking and screaming into aging gracefully.

[Kitten]

My dad is there too. He never makes egg salad though. (In fact, when we were little and my mom would go out shopping on the weekends, we'd beg her to leave us lunch so he wouldn't have to make it for us.)
Lovely hat. How can someone look so grown up and so young at the same time?

[Sue B]

I hope you will make time for yourself in all of this. Your handspun is stunning! Can't wait to see what you make with it.

[Mary]

A change in medication may very well help, and calling on your sister is not failure, even though sometimes it feels like it. Just remember to breathe whenever you get stressed and you will manage.

[Natalie]

Lovely hat - of course it's a WW pattern. And you already know that I think your new handspun is superb. Sorry to head about the mom situation - the constant need to be on duty is exhausting. I hope you're right about the medication.

And completely unrelated but hopefully funny to you, lately in situations where people are less than lovely I've been thinking of them in my head as CBs. Luckily none of them are next door to me.

[donna lee]

Getting old is sucky for everyone involved. Your mom is such a sweet woman (from everything you've said) and it's sad to hear of her failing. I hope it's the meds and can be made better.

Great hat! I need a hat, although this winter had been so mild I've done ok without one. I made one humonguous hat. I think I'm not a good judge of how bit my head actually is.

[CindyCindy]

Understood, but remember, we love you so we have unwanted advice coming out of your ears. Ask Cookie;-D

[margene]

You are in a challenging time. Don't you just love being called the sandwich generation?
I have two cents to give, but I'll keep it to myself.
The handspun is exceptional. Nice work.

[gayle]

I've done the caretaker thing, too, so I know what you're talking about. Sometimes it really IS the meds - hopefully that's the answer for you. If not, you know we're out here for you.

[Cheryl S.]

So sorry for all you're going through.
*hugs*

[Melissa]

Love the handspun. Hope the med change helps and that things can calm down for you. Do remember to take some time for yourself. Trying to help anyone having an issue (medical or otherwise) is trying for all.

[kmkat]

Take care of yourself and your mom and your family as you need to. We will be here when you have time and drop in. Although I miss my parents, sometimes I am glad they left this mortal coil before they needed custodial care.

[Kym]

Keeping you in my thoughts, Joan. I only had my mom living with me for 5 weeks . . . and I felt completely overwhelmed and challenged by her needs. I can't imagine what it must be like to be "on" ALL the time. My heart goes out to you as you find your way through this time. Hope the med fix does the trick!

[marianne]

Another gorgeous hat!
Connor looks pretty fabulous in both photos :D
Griffin.. out there being all wise to the traveling bit, way to go, Griff!
I really really REALLY hope it's the meds.
Love you no matter how often you post, please know you and yours are in my thoughts daily.
That handspun is GORgeous!
xoxox