I have had a few setbacks this week and was feeling a bit discouraged and defeated, but working on this tiny little hat for the Preemie Project, reminded me of all the blessings in life that I do have. The saying on the little 5" Torquay plate says it all ;-) It is hard to believe that this tiny 3 inch hat would actually fit a baby, but it will.
One of the biggest disappointments, is that I will not be able to be a vendor at the NETA SPA. My husband wasn't too keen on me going away for a weekend and leaving him to care for the dogs and the puppies, but he was willing to do that as he knew how much I wanted to go. This week however, 4 of the adult dogs became very sick. I rushed Dora to the emergency vet the other night, as I was worried sick about her. What came back is that they have Giardia. The kicker is, I think that they may have picked it up at the vets when I had the girls in for xrays. Of course, it could have been dirty water from the warm, melting temps that we have had as well, who knows. The bottom line is, my husband pretty much put his foot down about having to take care of sick dogs and medicating them. Although, they should be on the mend by then, I know that this is not the year for me to be away........I would be too worried. Needless to say, this has been a shi**y week for me, in every sense of the word. I apologize for my lack of responding to comments.....I really have not felt very well this week, but I appreciate each and every kind word!
Because I have been dyeing like a crazy woman in anticipation of the Spa, I will have new fibers to sell here. This bunch that you see on the left, "Woodrose", is one that I dyed earlier in the week. When I looked at the fabric that came from a stash sale, that I made a nice dent in, 2 days later, I had to chuckle as the colors are virtually the same......what does that say about me.....LOL?. I do have a bunch of these rovings, but only 4 of the balls with the brighter green. (that was a dyeing error...grin)
One nice thing to smile about this week is the Unloved Sock Swap. At the PO earlier in the week was a package from Finland. I couldn't remember ordering anything, so I couldn't imagine what was awaiting me.
Ahh......the sock yarn swap! Inside the package were 2 skeins of Regia cotton yarn, 8 beautiful buttons and the prize......a tiny pair of knitted fairisle mittens pin. I am beyond impressed that anyone could do color work on such a small project. Thank you Lene! As you can see, the little preemie hat was made with this yarn and the rest will be a pair of socks for my youngest daughter, Hannah, who loves the yarn. She is one who appreciates a pair of handmade socks!
Puppies...
Thankfully the Giardia did not seem to affect either of the mothers, nor their babies. You can see that Bliss's litter is growing.......can you believe this baby lounging on his back?? LOL......he is one dude that knows how to relax!
I will leave you all with this little collage of Bliss's kids at 12 days. Although I will not be participating in the Knitting Olympics, I will be with you all in spirit, cheering you on and raising my wine glass to your successes!
I love the little hats. I had premmie twins 3 years ago. My little girl did not survive but my little boy did. He is the Liam on my blog!!! You wouldn't believe he wasn't even a kilo when he was born. It is my honourable opinion that these hats save lives. They are so tiny and precious - thankyou. We're in Australia but I'm sure the people you donate them to appreciate them just as much.
Give the puppies a kiss and a hug for me.
My prayers are with you.
Jo
Posted by: Jo | Monday, February 20, 2006 at 05:03 PM
So sorry you won't be there. My Sheba had Giardia when we got her at the shelter. She was an unhappy camper for a week or so, but recovered reasonably quickly. Lamb & rice food helped.
Hang in there.
Posted by: mamacate | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 02:14 PM
so sorry you won't be at SPA...maybe our paths will cross at the NH Sheep and Wool in May? Hope all the canine members of your family are better...those puppies are just yummy. My dog is always on her back (and she is 6 years going on 6 months (behaivor wise). Gotta love those herding breeds.
Posted by: sharon | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 01:41 PM
Sorry you had such a grotty week, but I'm glad they're all on the mend now. I think looking after pups is worse than children at least you can keep them relatively "under control." There's no chance with animals is there, I hope this week is less ummm...messy for you ;)
Posted by: Tracy | Monday, February 13, 2006 at 06:11 AM
Wonderful puppies; hope all dogs are better soon.
And those rovings... Oh, my. Gorgeous as usual. I'm still working on my Black Cherry. I should have the first ounce finally spun by the end of the week. It's spinning up beautifully, very easy to spin thin.
Posted by: Alison | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 05:02 PM
Hope things are on the mend for you AND the rest of the 4-footed household!
Posted by: Anne | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 03:44 PM
Can I have the green ones????????? Rotten weeks suck- and sick 4 legged babies are hard- they can't tell you what hurts and what would feel good. Sorry you couldn't go to your show- but on the more selfish side...I'm heading straight to your roving site w/ a big grin on my face! Hope this week goes better for you (bet you're snowed in, too) and have you ever done MD Sheep & Wool?
Posted by: Mindy | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 02:16 PM
Honey, I'm so sorry. I was looking forward to seeing you...and not just for the fiber.
Take care. Hope all the little ones are feeling better.
Posted by: Juno | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 02:06 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about your horrid week. Praying that it starts to look up for you and that the pups all get better soon!
I just love all the colors in your dyed rovings!
Posted by: Spinner Gal | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 09:13 AM
Scary thing to have FOUR dogs get sick at once, especially with puppies in the house. Glad it's no worse and hope they recover fast. Sorry for your disappointment but I can see that staying home was the best choice in the circumstances.
Posted by: Leslie | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 08:56 AM
Oh I am so sorry to hear about your disappointments. I hope everyone recovers fast. Your Preemie hat is great, I knitted a couple for my nephew when he was born he weighed 4lbs. But their were super tiny babies at the neonatal unit he was in for a few days. I couldn't believe how the preemie hats just engulfed those teeny babies.
Your Puppies are soooo adorable. It is hard to be blue with such sweet things around.
I love the itty bitty Finland mittens too! I hope things get better in your world soon. Your angora looks super soft now I wish I knew how to spin. :)
Posted by: paula | Sunday, February 12, 2006 at 02:19 AM
Sorry to hear about your week. Feel better. Thanks so much for posting more puppy pics. I have to admit scanning back often to check for them. Love the premie hat!
Posted by: Diane E. | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 11:34 PM
Hang in there. Hopefully things will improve quickly. Next year for SPA for you.....
Posted by: Donna S. | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 10:36 PM
I will miss seeing you at spa but totally understand. The dogs come first of course. Besides, we'll always have the Frolic. LOL The puppies are adorable.
Posted by: Marie | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 09:32 PM
Hugs!
Posted by: Chris | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 10:22 AM
I love your hat and I love your plate. I love your puppies and I love your fluff!
(feeling the love yet??)
I love your wonderful gift and I love that you knit for preemies!
And you, of course! Feel better!
xo
Posted by: sandy | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 09:58 AM
I hope you are feeling better. The little hat turned out so cute. Love the FI mitten pin!
Posted by: wool winder | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 09:58 AM
I'm so sorry that you won't be at Spa, and that the kids are sick. I'm glad the pups have been spared. They are growing so fast!
Posted by: Laurie | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 09:22 AM
Oh my! I've had giardia from mountain streams. It's not fun or pretty...poor you! I do hope they are on the mend quickly. I heard dogs couldn't get giardia.
Posted by: margene | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 08:17 AM
The hat is so darling and will be so appreciated. The pups are sooooo cute - makes you wanna just squeeze 'em!! I hope the sickness gets better soon. It's so rotten to miss the fiber thing when you've done so much to prepare for it. Thank goodness I can't touch that roving because I do NOT need something new to obsess about! The colors are really beautiful Kim. :)
Posted by: Laura | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 02:03 AM
Oh! And the hat is adorable!!
Posted by: Jean | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 01:55 AM
ugh. My stomach just sank when I started to read that. So sorry about your week, Kim. Thank God they'll be okay. And nothing cheers one up more than fat little puppy bellies. Thinking of you... have a good weekend.
Posted by: Jean | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 01:54 AM
I am sorry about your turn of events. I hope the doggies get feeling well really soon. Thank you for the cute pictures.
Posted by: Isela | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 01:07 AM
Umm..... You can't post pictures of orange roving when I'm busy with the knitting olympics, okay? And the puppies? As much as I know missing SPA is a disappointment, there are those of us who would love some time with those tiny folks.
Hang in there.
Posted by: Cassie | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 12:31 AM
UGH - Giardia is no fun for anyone involved! (Ex-vet-tech here so I know how bad that is!)
But that puppy tummy must make up for a lot! I just want to leap through the screen and rub that cute belly.
Is there any way you can post puupy breath on the blog?? :)
Posted by: stephanie | Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 12:09 AM
I've never heard of Giarda, but if any of your dogs had to get it, I'm so glad it wasn't the new moms or the pups! I do entirely see your husband's point, though. Staying home with puppies is one thing, new puppies and sick adults is entirely another. And, the preemie cap? Speaking as a former-preemie myself, my Mom still tells stories about how very tiny I was before they let me come home. It might not seem possible, but it WILL fit!
Posted by: --Deb | Friday, February 10, 2006 at 11:21 PM
I'm sorry you had such a crappy week........but the babies are beautiful.....chin up. Cyberhugs from Chicago!
Posted by: christine | Friday, February 10, 2006 at 10:53 PM
Indeed crappy weeks are going around. Here's three cheers for a better week next week! I'm sorry your dogs are sick. :( What a bummer.
On a more positive note, what a cute little hat that you knitted for the Preemie Project. :)
I'm sitting here tonight and my own sick puppy is laying next to me... except mine is actually 6 and human. :) He's been home today with a 24 hour stomach bug and I've been home with the flu. Despite both of us feeling horrid, we've had the luxury of just cuddling all day long.
... anyway, what I'm getting at is that every time I see a knit for the preemie project, I feel all warm and fuzzy because it's such a great cause. My own son was born three months premature and weighed just 20ozs. at birth.
I know from experience that some parent... and preemie... will treasure that hat someday soon. God Bless you for contributing. :)
Posted by: Liz | Friday, February 10, 2006 at 10:12 PM
So sorry you're having a rough week. Bummer about SPA - was hoping to come and introduce my self (and stock up!) There is always next year. Hope the pups continue on the mend.
Posted by: Pumpkinmama | Friday, February 10, 2006 at 10:04 PM
I'm sorry about the sickness and I'm especially sorry you won't be at SPA. We'll meet another time,I'm sure.
Posted by: Carole | Friday, February 10, 2006 at 09:46 PM
I'm sorry you won't be able to get to the fiber weekend - but hey, that means I can buy some!
I'll be hoping the pups stay healthy. Take care of yourself. I know that's hard with sick dogs - they sure know how to make us worry.
Posted by: Beth | Friday, February 10, 2006 at 09:12 PM
Oh, Kim, I'm so sorry. Crappy weeks must be going around.
Posted by: Norma | Friday, February 10, 2006 at 09:00 PM
listen I can more then relate to those doggies have the trotts from the cysts....
I am so sorry
I am also sending tons of sympathy to you
feel better so you can enjoy them babies
I know they make me feel better when I come here
vi
Posted by: vi | Friday, February 10, 2006 at 08:48 PM
The little guy on his back has the right idea, nice full belly, comfy spot, good nap - ah, what a life! :)
I hope therest of the dogs are okay.
Posted by: Donna | Friday, February 10, 2006 at 08:15 PM