GALLIPEAU/PIPP THANKSGIVING SINCE 1946

I never posted this back in November 2010 - and I want to now. For most of my life this is what I remember - Nan's birthday and Nan and Grandpa's anniv. celebration. I love this picture. It is taken at my parent's home. Sometimes we went to my grandparent's home for Thanksgiving.

Signs of Spring......and an attitude change

So I thought that maybe it would cool to start sharing all the signs of spring that my heart searches for during these late winter months. Since we had such a mild and blessed winter the spring sign that I took a picture is showing up a little earlier than normal.

I had good prayer time while driving to work and am trying very hard to make changes in my attitude, my words, my deeds etc. I am no longer going to search all over the internet for horrible stories - the world is full of darkness, distruction and just plain evil and I need to stay positive, happy, filled with the goodness of Christ and how can I have a positive attitude and speak of Christ's goodness when I have my head stuck in the events and darkness of this world? I am working hard to let no negative words flow out....about people, things or certainly no negative opinions which NO ONE needs right?

Knitting my foolish fingers off!

I am turning into a knitting mad woman! Making great progress on the helmet hat - actually ran out of wool and I will be leaving here in an hour or so to go to Joanne's to get the rest of the wool to finish this helmet hat. I am sooooo darn close! I already have a project for the left over wool! I have also started and will probably finish tonight - a pattern I got off someone's blog. It is called a barn bag.

This is really cute and fast to work up. In this picture it is made with cotton wool, but I think with the left over wool from the helmet hat I am going to make another one of these bags only bigger and then felt it and see what happens. I am starting to get brave aren't I? I have to find someone who wants to buy or trade for sock yarn. I really have no desire to make socks again.....well, at least fingering weight. It's off to Joanne's - never need a reason to stop and smell, touch and buy yarn!

The sun is out and I have a day off!

So, having now decided that yes indeed, I HAVE been bit by the knitting bug again, I rallied on and finished my felted pin cushion! I love it! I will now be searching for the perfect colors and button to make one for a fair entry. Yesterday Scott and I invited Abby and Richard up for dinner to celebrate Richard's birthday which was on Saturday. We had a wonderful time, as always, and look forward to the summer months when we can entertain out on the deck under the summer stars. It was warm and cozy by the woodstove tho......almost too cozy. Started to get sleepy around 10:30pm and had to send the young folks on their way. Knit a little and then I headed to bed myself. Today I have the day off and having done all my housework and cooking/baking etc over the weekend, I am actually just going to do some things that I have been wanting to do without guilty feelings! Scott is busy finishing up his studying and tests for his other inspection job and Jessica is at work for the morning. I have done the basic clean the kitchen after breakfast choirs, did three loads of laundry and I am now on my second cup of coffee and thinking about going upstairs and rummaging thru my atterns to see what my next project is going to be. I want to go to Joanne's this afternoon and am tempted, but I don't know. So today is about enjoying myself and meditating on the good things of the Lord. The weather is just beautiful outside (all be it a little cold). The sunshine soothes my soul!

Shhhh......don't say it too loud......

I think my desire to knit is starting to come back! It went away right after the passing of Fiona, my knitting buddy. She took a lot from me when she left.....she was so much a part of my heart and soul.

Getting through a mild blessed winter and adopting Misha and Raina ---- the black cloud is leaving and the house feels full of frisky life from the girls. I have picked up my needles again and have finished and felted three projects already. Instead of just wanting to crawl in my bed and sleep like a hibernating black bear, I am staying up a little longer in the evenings and getting up a little earlier to once again become a part of my family's life and I'm taking back my own life. If you have never dealt with diagnosed depression and seasonal anxiety then the above words will not make sense to you. God is always faithful to hold me up and guide me through these dark times in my life.....and He is ALWAYS the light I cling to during the darkness that covers my heart and mind until the real sunshine of spring and summer come! I love you Jesus.

WINTER HAS COME.......

YUCK!

UP DATING-THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY!

My darling Fiona is gone. She fought hard this spring and summer agains aging kidneys and she lost the battle on our anniv. 7/11/2011. It doesn't seem to hurt quite so much now, but still at times - mostly late at night the thought of going thru winter without her is almost unbearable to me. But, this time of the year, it doesn't take much to rattle my world. The darkness is settling in and with it comes the cold and snow. I love and miss you Fiona - wait for me on the other side won't you?

When Fiona "left" I stopped knitting and don't feel at all inclinded to do it without my knitting buddy. :-(


THAT WAS THE BAD AND UGLY - NOW HERE COMES THE GOOD!!!


In Jan. 2011 I was given Mrs. Tiggy Winkle - my very own hedgehog! She is a retired breeder from the Peavey Farm and she became a wonderful sofa buddy at night! Her and I would cuddle and fall asleep at night - sometimes Fiona would join us as well. It became the thing I looked forward to in the dark winter months. She would coo and snore in my ear........(Tiggy, not Fiona!!!! )



This is Tiggy being entered in a Progressive

photo contest. She did not win! Pooh!

The in May 2011 I was given one of Tiggy's off spring - his name is Pippin! He is smaller and younger than Tiggy - and not as friendly, but he is coming along nicely. I am being patient with him because I believe no one handled him that much. They do not "meet" because they would try to do the "nasty" and that would not be good for ANY of us!!!! lol


Then in December 2011 our one remaining cat, Molly (Boooolllleeee) (who really was Scott's cat) had to be put down because her one eye had totally gone blind and the other was about to. It was her time to cross over the Rainbow Bridge.

My house was totally empty of felines and it felt awful!!!! Jessica works at PetSmart and found these two adorable Russian Blue 9 mon. old sisters that were there for adoption. It didn't take very long and before I could blink an eye - those sisters were in my home filling it back up with cat love and life. Misha and Raina - two different girls, and so full of life and love!

There are learning to live in a home and they are pretty much taking over, which is what cats do!

I thank God for the ups and downs of my life in 2011. The crushing pain of losing Fiona and the joy of getting Misha and Raina. The ups and downs of my spiritual walk....... the fact that Jesus remains faithful and true in all He promises He will be for me. I am thankful for my family, friends, work and church family.

Okay, 2012 ----- let's see if we can do this together! Let it be a huge year for spiritual growth, church growth, a new church building, and me getting on fire for knitting again!!!! :-)