Two more finishes

I have managed to finish Son's peacock mantis shrimp and the final Christmas present, a glasses case for A.




I think I am all stitched out for a while. My fingers hurt! I'm kind of amazed that I managed to finish all of these amidst all the hospital back and forth stuff. It took a marathon sewing session Christmas Eve, but they got finished.

Whew.

And speaking of finishes, two weeks ago I gave my friend L her tray, only a dozen years late (in my defense, I went through engineering school from BS to PhD during that time, moved twice, and was working toward tenure). Here's L showing it off:

Are we off this roller coaster yet? And, why on earth now?

Dad came home from the hospital (for good, we hope!) Christmas Eve and we had a wonderful day with family and food. He looks and sounds stronger, and says he has turned the corner. We sure hope so. It has been a trying couple of weeks.

So now that I can relax a bit, why am I having dreams about tenure review? Two nights in a row--the first night, the whole committee showed up in my class and I wasn't prepared, the students were misbehaving, and the room was the wrong one. The second night, I was somehow taking an exam for a class I'd never attended. I never had a dream like that, not during undergrad or grad school or ever. So why now? Who knows.

I did manage to finish some handmade Christmas presents--a Mayflower notebook cover for Eldest Daughter and a London skyline tote for Youngest Daughter. Still finishing a peacock mantis shrimp paperweight for Son. That has to be done by Thursday night so he can take it back with him Friday. Here are pics:

Back to the ER again

with a bump in the road to recovery. We are praying that it is indeed only a bump.

It's a tough time. Lots of other things are going on, and lots of my dearest friends need a ton of prayer, facing some very serious health issues. It would all be too much, but for God---but for God.

Breath of Heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me
Breath of Heaven


Breath of Heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your Holiness
For you are Holy
Breath of Heaven

Ah, the sound of life calming down

We've started a new term already--but this time, I don't have those classes that end at 8 p.m. I am done by 6! It's heavenly.

Dad is getting better day by day, and Eldest Daughter got a new-to-her car, so things are settling down a bit. I found out I was shorted on my grant money this summer, so! Pennies from heaven! I already spent them, having a long overdue security system installed in the house.

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Youngest Daughter and my family, even if I did get up at 5:30 Thanksgiving morning and drive to UniTown to cook a 22 lb turkey for 12 people. Dinner was wonderful.

Lots of cool research stuff is happening, and I've managed to make headway cleaning the house. So all is looking up.

And, last but not least, I finally figured out that the reason my left contact was bothering me so much over the last two weeks is that it's really my RIGHT contact. Ah. Much better.

Off to a hockey game tonight. I hope they win!