Time Out for Family

You probably noticed that last week was a book review marathon here on the blog. Five reviews in one week because some of the publishers decided to change the original release dates. Why the first week of March looked like the ideal time to release all those books into the wild, I don't know, but I did get them all reviewed.

You're probably wondering what's going on here at Casa Kittling. How's Denis? Has Karen arrived yet? 

Denis is doing well after the first surgery. He says that his spine "feels solid," and I've seen him working with the hospital physiotherapists to stand unaided while brushing his teeth, etc. There has been a slight hiccup in the scheduling of the second surgery, the one that will be building Denis a new vertebra to keep the shape of his spine, so plans are afoot to move him to the rehab side of the Banner medical complex. (I'm writing this on Sunday, March 9.) Denis is looking forward to getting down to work on improving his mobility, and I don't blame him one bit. I think he's been going slightly stir crazy doing little but lying in bed or sitting in a chair.

Our niece Karen will be arriving tomorrow evening, and I can't wait to see her. I'm hoping we can get out to a few places besides the hospital while she's here. It's a shame that Denis won't be able to come with us, but I know that seeing another smiling face will cheer him up even more. (After all my visits to the hospital, some of the Dial-a-Ride drivers and I are becoming good friends.)

So... I've been busy, and I'll be even busier the next two weeks so posts here will be few and far between. Before I go, I want to show you something I made for Karen. I told her to leave plenty of room in her luggage. It's a pattern I've shared with you before, and the yarn is 100% acrylic from Michael's. The yarn is so soft and warm, and I love the name of the color: Tickled Pink!

Karen's afghan

Closeup