One week and three days…

 …until CHRISTMAS!!!!  WOOHOO!!!

It’s honestly my most favorite time of the year.  🙂  

This will be the first Christmas we’ve been able to manage (gift-wise) without worry and struggle, too.  As much as my in-laws get under my skin, I have to say they really saved us this year when they stepped forward to pay for the new transmission we needed on the truck/SUV.  We didn’t have to touch the Christmas money we set aside last year and we’ll be able to pay them back when our income tax money comes in.  

All of us, except hubby and Ally, have had the stomach-flue fairy visit these past two weeks.  No fun, people!!  It seems that every time I get sick these days, it’s so much worse than the last time.  The body pain and chills were the worst.  I’m a cold weather person, I can’t take the heat, but these chills had me wishing it was 80 degrees F outside!  Ugh!  So glad that’s over now (except for the darn pain left in my stomach) and we can get on with the Christmas preparations.

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the "stomach-flue-FAIRY"…

I’ve always hated those evil things!!  I’m not the only one, either, am I (Whispering Open Diary friend)?  Ha-ha!

Both of my sisters are coming in by the end of next week!!  I have to buy like four cans of Lysol to spray the whole house down, but we should (have the evil elf killed) be ready when they get here.  I’m so excited! 

On a sad note: I found out from my "Cyber Son" that his cancer has spread to his pelvis, femur and lymph nodes.  It just breaks my heart so much.  If ever there was a time I wished for a fairy Godmother, it’s now.  We can’t change the will of God but at least I’d be able to go and visit him one time to be with him when he leaves this world.  The thought of him dying alone, with just his one guardian with him, makes me so sad.  I spend my days texting him on the cell phone, trying to encourage his faith in God and not fall too far into depression, but it’s difficult.  When you’ve lived your entire life never being able to trust or depend on anyone – never being taught to know, love or trust God, always suffering…well, it’s just difficult.  The fact that he has even a little faith is almost a miracle, considering.  He tells me he no longer "needs" people and he’s ready to die although he no longer "wants" to.  In a weird sort of way, that’s a good thing.  It means his focus is on God and the journey ahead.  Still…it breaks my heart.

He’s recovering at home, right now, having had brain surgery last Sunday to repair a bad vein which was the result of his past abuse.  Even though his abuser is hundreds of miles away and can no longer touch him, the abuse seems to continue as if it has a malicious life of its own.  I can only hope that God’s good mercy will give him an eternity of peace and happiness to reward his perseverance.  

He’ll be starting a new regimen of chemo in a few weeks.  Since he lives in such a cold weather state, I’ve crocheted him a thick hat in his favorite colors – orange & black – that I’ll be sending to him today as a Christmas gift.  It’s nothing much, just a hat, but along with it will go my love and prayers.  

He’s such a special boy.  He doesn’t deserve this…but…it’s in God’s hands.  I guess that means that I have to trust a little more, too.  

I’ve been crocheting like a mad woman all week.  I have three more hats to make before I have all my gifts finished for my Godchildren.  It takes about 3 hours to do each one, so, that’s not a problem.  

I finished the mittens I was making for a friend.  🙂  They came out much nicer than I had hoped.  My only hope now is that they’ll fit her son.  

Here’s the hat I made for my Cyber-Son:

…and the beret beanie I made for my sister:

That beret took me FOREVER to figure out.  The instructions I had for it were all screwed up and I kept coming up with a huge warped circle that looked ridiculous.  I kept ripping it out and redoing it until I got it right.  Now I have to remember how I did it so I can make two more.  ha!

Poor Wesley will have to wait a little longer to get his blanket.  I still have a couple weeks worth of work to do on it.  It will end up being the thickest, warmest blanket I’ve ever made.  Won’t have to worry about that kid getting cold this January.  

Just…have…to…keep…the…scissors…hidden…

Lastly…Liz decided to surprise her brother by making his/her bedroom door look festive for Christmas:

Have a happy weekend, my friends!!

Until next time…