The KnitNurd: With a heavy heart

We got the call from my sister-in-law on Sunday, September 7th, that my husband's younger brother wasn't doing well and the hospice doctor didn't hold out much hope for him surviving beyond a week. He was in end stage liver failure, and there would be no transplant to save him. We told her we would be there as quick as we could get from northern California, to Pocatello, Idaho, but I was scheduled for some minor surgery on Monday, the 8th. It all worked out perfect to where we were able to load the fur kids up, clothes, and an ice chest full of drinks and hit the highway on Tuesday. We arrived late that night, and spent the rest of the week watching Steve bounce back and forth. One minute he seemed lucid and was talking to us, and the next he would become very agitated and spew horrible things at us. We understood though that it wasn't Steve, rather the disease and the drugs that had taken over his body, and now his mind. Each day, a hospice nurse would come in for two hours to give us all a break. It was exhausting looking after him, but we wouldn't have had it any other way. On Friday, my sister in law and I treated ourselves to long overdue pedicures, and from there, we went to one of our favorite home decor stores. I surprised myself this time and didn't go overboard. Most of the time, we spent preparing food for out of town relatives, making grocery store runs, and visiting with my father-in-law who was about to lose another son. Their neighbors were wonderful, mowing the lawns (5 acres), and also bringing us a fabulous dinner! Unfortunately, the hospice doctor was right. Steve's body couldn't fight anymore, and he passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loved ones, on Sunday, Sept. 14th, at the age of 60. We all miss this wonderful man with a huge heart, beyond words!!

A couple of the treasures I brought back this time was a basket to hang from my front door. I usually always hang wreaths, but decided to do something different this season. I made a trip to my local Hobby Lobby and picked up some beautiful fall flowers to arrange in the basket. On the front of the basket, there is a plate that says "Welcome"...perfect!

I love decorating, but Fall is probably my most favorite time to do it. I love everything about it...the pumpkins, leaves in the yard, squash soup, knitting and wearing the pieces that come off my needles. On our way back from Idaho, we stopped in Reno to have a nice dinner, and picked up some fall scents for our Lamp Berger oil lamps. I'm not completely opposed to burning candles, but I prefer my lamps as they clean the air in your home, as well as burn clean, which means no discolored walls like you get from candles.
I also brought these darling pumpkins back from Idaho to add to my collection of all things Fall...

I had been looking for a mug tree, or something similar to hang coffee cups from. While I was at Hobby Lobby last week, I found this cute little hanger, which could be used for anything, but it works for me for my cups. It's already proved to be very handy!

I'm in total re-decorating mode again, but I'll save the rest for another post. Let's get into the knitting part....

While on the road to Idaho, hubby prefers to drive, which leaves me with quite a few hours of knitting. This trip, I decided to cast on for a poncho for my sister in law. Ever since she saw mine when we all went on vacation to the Oregon coast last summer, she has wanted one. I knew that particular poncho would take a good long while, since it's miles of stockinette, and I wanted her to have one to wear this Fall. So I chose Rosa's Caponcho, by Emma Fassio. It works up fast, is an easy pattern, and is flattering to every figure type. All I had left to do was weave in the ends when we arrived, but I waited until we had visited some with family and friends. It was such a wonderful surprise for my sister in law, and she loves it so much! The hem rolls on it quite a bit, and I offered to block it out for her, but she wanted it left in. She likes it! I left her with instructions on how to do it should she change her mind.

After I finished that, I picked up my Ditto cardi, by Berroco Design Team, and worked on it, during those idle moments when we could all just sit and visit as my brother in law slept. I nearly finished the entire body of it and yesterday, I finished one sleeve, plus cast on for the second one this morning. I'm very pleased with it so far, and am certain I will have it finished in time to wear for the chilly days around the corner.

It was a rough week, but we all got thru it. We all got to say our "see ya laters" to Steve and are just so thankful he is no longer suffering. RIP my brother!