Extreme Knitting Redhead: Snowfall

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Snowfall

Just a sneaky peek at what's going on around here. The pile of snowflakes grows and grows. Why are some purple and white? That's a secret at the moment! There are about 50 snowflakes in the pile now. They are great for doing when having a coffee break or whilst watching TV as each one only takes about 15 minutes. They still need starching and blocking though so I've got a fair bit to do before Friday.

The snowflakes have been joined by some crocheted chain and some knitted i-cord.

The last of the knitted Christmas presents is about to be started. It uses a chunky yarn so it should be a quick knit (it require more balls than I've shown but I don't want to give anything away). It was a last minute idea and it makes me smile thinking about it.

The Christmas decorations are up with just a few finishing touches to go. This year I decorated the beams in the music room using garlands of fir twined with poinsettias.

4 comments:

Unknown said...: I have recently come upon your blog and I'm intrigued on so many levels. I'm from the US and I also am committed to raising awareness and fundraising for Alzheimer's research. I'm actively involved with the Alzheimer's Association, and I was so moved when I read your mum's story. But I felt a particular connection when I came across your blog, because in 2009, I ran my first ever marathon, and it was specifically for the purpose of raising money for the Alz Assoc. (Prior to training for the marathon, I had never run further than 5 miles!)

Furthermore, I am an avid knitter, just like yourself! It's wonderful that you have a blog to share your story and your inspiration with others! Thank you for sharing.

~ Lori; December 11, 2012 at 9:08:00 PM PST
Susie Hewer said...: Hi Lori,

Thank you so much for leaving a comment, it's always lovely to hear from like-minded people.

I am sorry to hear that your life has been touched by dementia but I am pleased to hear that you too are helping to raise awareness on the other side of the pond. Very well done for completing a marathon and for such a good cause. Be warned though - they can be addictive (says the woman who only ever intended to run one!).

In terms of research into dementia I always think that it's a global challenge and discoveries in one country can help scientists in another country. Let's carry on trying to beat it. Good luck with all your endeavours.

Susie
x; December 12, 2012 at 8:25:00 AM PST
Unknown said...: Happy New Year Susie! I appreciate you sending a comment back! I recently replied to your comment through email, but I didn't realize it doesn't work that way, and unfortunately, you never received my reply. But I was trying to tell you that my husband and I were taking our girls to London for New Year's Eve this year. I thought it would have been great to meet for coffee while we were there, and I'm sorry we didn't get that opportunity. We had a great trip though, albeit a quick one. We arrived Friday and left Wednesday morning. But we definitely want to come back because there's so much to see!

I read through some of your recent posts. It sounds like you have a very busy year ahead of you! You are quite the inspiration. I may steal a few of your ideas!

Also, the tree with the purple and white snowflakes was just amazing. It was such a great idea and a beautiful way to raise awareness and honor your mom.

Hope you had a great new year!

Lori; January 11, 2013 at 8:11:00 AM PST
Susie Hewer said...: Hi Lori and a Happy New Year to you too! What a pity about your email but I'm glad you all enjoyed London. Maybe next time you're coming over to the UK we could try to meet up. Happy running and knitting for 2013.; January 12, 2013 at 7:10:00 AM PST

Mum's Story

In 1997 my mother, then aged 81, had a series of minor strokes. Shortly after that we started to notice behavioural changes notably memory loss and confusion over everyday items. We thought it was just old age finally catching up with her. Then she started wandering and had violent mood swings. Although she already lived with us it became obvious that she couldn't be left alone for long and so I left my job to care for her. The next few years saw a gradual decline into the blackness that is 'vascular dementia'. My normally placid mum became violent and aggressive. She had psychotic incidents where she would see imaginary people (children hiding in her wardrobe, Russians sitting on the stairs, women stealing her clothes) and she would shout at them and sometimes throw things too. She was so convincing that we used to go and check that there wasn't anyone there! When my sister died mum did not know who Judy was or that she was her daughter. There came a point when I suddenly realised she no longer knew that I was her daughter and this was a terrible time for me. In the last 2 years that she lived with us, life for us all became almost unbearable as she needed 24 hour care - she couldn't be left alone at all because she would either wander off or hurt herself, she never slept for more than 30 minutes at a time during the night, she became incontinent and incapable of doing anything for herself. Finally my husband and I realised that we could no longer provide her with the care that she needed and she went to live in a special care home where the team did a splendid job caring for her in the last few months of her life. There she lived a zombified existence unaware of who she was, what she was or where she was. It was heartbreaking. She died in March 2005, the day after her 89th birthday.

Thank you for taking the time to read mum's story and I hope you'll dig deep and sponsor me using the link below to help find a way of beating this destructive disease.