SAGE Fine Gifts and Yarns - Falmouth, Massachusetts

When I'm on vacation I always love to visit yarn shops. This year I had many to choose from.  I knew I was only going to be able to visit one. I decided to "visit" them on Facebook first.  I am so happy I did.  I found one Facebook page that I just loved. It was so well done.  It was so welcoming.  The name of the shop is SAGE Yarns.  It is located in Falmouth, MA. What a gorgeous little Cape town...I mean the shops all lined up on Main Street would make a husband run in the opposite direction.  I thought how lovely it would be to visit again with a carload of girlfriends!!!

In order to be able to visit the shop we had to travel 25 minutes South of the Bourne Bridge (our route home).  Can't say there weren't grumbles from the driver...but I'd not "shopped" at all during our vacation and I really wanted to visit the shop that was so inviting on Facebook.

Sage Yarns is at 263 Main Street in Falmouth.  It is right across the street from Falmouth's beautiful town green. The little tourist Cape town was teeming with visitors.

Sage is not the largest yarn shop I have ever visited but it is just as welcoming in person as it was on Facebook.  The displays are marvelous with lots of samples to tempt it's customers. Berroco is probably the largest supplier...and why not the company is just a hop, skip and jump away in Uxbridge, MA.  Berroco also has Norah Gaughan.  I have to admit that she is my favorite designer!  

The owner of Sage was busy giving several women a knitting lesson. She stood nearby as her students learned several cast-ons. As a knit teacher it was a joy to listen to her deliver her instructions in a clear, calm, encouraging way.  Her students were enjoying being taught.

I wanted to make the beautiful Gap-tastic Cowl by Jen Geigley (Free on Ravelry). I was hoping for Cascade 128 which is a bulky weight yarn that I thought would be in my price range.  Although SAGE Yarns did not have it they did have several other bulky weight yarns.

While looking at the bulky weight yarn I spotted a really pretty yarn by Plymouth Yarn Co called Gina that I just loved.  The scarf sample in the front picture window was made of it...in the exact color combination I loved.  That was it for me.  I knew my husband was anxious to "get on home" so to the register I went with my four ball of Gina.

The gal who helped me at SAGE Yarns was a delight.  She was patient, knowledgable and very cordial.

While I waited to be rung up several local children came in. One thought I worked there - I seem to get that alot! - and asked me if I could direct him to "where Waldo was".  I just loved that...it seems they were having a contest in town which had the children go into local shops and try to find where Waldo was hiding. Then they listed it on their contest form.  Sweet I thought.

I was able to take a quick picture of the lovely owner of SAGE Yarns. Of course I left home withOUT my trusty digital camera and so I had to take it with my new IPhone. Now I just have to figure out how to get it off there and onto this computer to include it....

One more thing before I go...a truly wonderful knit shop is always there for it's customers...it is always encouraging and teaching it's customers to be better and happier knitters.  I would encourage you to read SAGE's blog.  Here is my favorite post:

http://sageyarn.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/fo-seedling-pinkie-blankie

You will learn something very special if you visit this blog...and you will be very very happy if you visit SAGE Fine Gifts and Yarns....I promise...and I don't do that very often.

Family and Cape Cod

Each year in the month of July our daughter Jessika and her family fly from their home in San Carlos, CA to Cape Cod for a two week vacation. The first week they invite my husband and me to visit.  It is always something we look forward to. We get to "live" with our two little granddaughters for an entire week.     Ah JOY!

                              Natalie                      Piper


Photos of the girls receiving their "wings" from their JetBlue pilot -  IN THE COCKPIT no less!!


This year was extra special for me.  Piper, age 7, really wanted to learn to sew on a "real" sewing machine.  I found a really pretty fabric from Timeless Treasures with really brightly colored beach umbrellas on it.  It had all the colors Piper looks so lovely in: hot pink, lime green, bright aqua and bright yellow.

I did the "cutting out" and she did the sewing.  She was so proud of herself and I was so honored to watch her grow before my eyes.

The day we left for home Piper, Natalie, and their parents visited the Chatham Library and Piper selected a cookbook.  She wanted to make a special dessert for her parents....ladybugs from strawberries, grapes, and chocolate chips.  Adorable.

Chatham 2013 was awesome.

Yarn for Life?

You must be pulling my leg..or maybe both of 'em.

Nope.

You have a chance.

Today I received an invitation from Love of Knitting Magazine
to enter a contest they are having.

At first I thought, "Oh Why. You NEVER win anything. Never"
and then I thought, "Oh Why Not. Nothing ventured, Nothing won."

So if you are of the mind to enter go here:

http://www.loveofknitting.com/contests/yarn-for-life-2013

Oh...and if you don't win the TOP prize they are also offering "Yarn for a Year"...not to shabby either.

OK. So maybe I was feelin' a bit fancy free today..it sure is better than the other way I've been "feelin".

Until next time...

L

Tomorrow

I'm going to try once again to get my "groove on".

I just haven't been able to get it going.

I try each day.

I say, "today is the day" and then by night I say...

Tomorrow

Gosh It's Good to be Home

Yep. Rick was able to come home for the first time in a long time today.

First thing he wanted to do was sit at his desk and balance the checkbook. Yippee!  Better him than me.   I've NEVER been able to do that.

Next he just wanted to sit in the sunshine. His room at the "home" is tucked into a corner with a huge butterfly bush in front of the window...only problem is that right now it just looks like a big stick bush..nowhere near green or attracting butterflies.

It was so wonderful having him home.  This house needs more than one person wandering around in it.  It has been really hard for me to get anything done since Rick has been at Blair Manor.  I'm always worried about how he is doing, or if I'm going to be on time for visiting.

With 30 more days to go though I know I have to better get my "act" together.

Here's a picture of the Big Guy in his favorite shirt.

It's Saturday

I have to admit I am at loose ends today.

The sun is shining.  The wind is blowing.  It's still chilly here in Connecticut but at least it's not gray and dreary.  That's a plus in my book.

I've spent most of today sprucing up the house because tomorrow my hub gets to leave the nursing home for two or three hours!!  He decided he'd like to watch our favorite team, the Lady Huskies of UCONN win another game and get closer to another championship win.

Today I am alone though.  Sure there are lots of things I'd like to do..but I find myself anxious to get to the "home" again and see Rick.  Thinking of him there just makes me nuts.

Tonight I am bringing some steamed freshly caught Atlantic Salmon and lots of healthy dark green veggies.  I'm telling you this guy is going to stay healthy if it kills me!

So here I am with these tips for helping you get over a bad day, month, or in our case YEAR:

 Do something good for someone else, even though you may not want to. Do a favour, help them find something, give them an item which will help them in some way. Start the flow of positive energy.

 Eat the best chocolate you can get your hands on. In bed. Or in the bath.

 Turn up music you really love. Play it so loudly that it soaks in through your skin. Dance in your pyjamas. Feel the pain lift.

 Have a romance in your head.

 Volunteer.

 Buy a remote control for your camera & dip your toes into the pool of narcissism.

 Call a friend & ask them if they want to have a slumber party.

 Throw yourself head-first into a creative project. Something that you’re excited about but which feels a little too big for you. You’ll be so consumed by it that it will fuel you for ages.

Until next time...

Getting a Little Closer to Home

Today I received a phone call from Rick.  "I am being released today."  Then he filled in the details.  He is being relocated to a health care facility in the next town from ours.  He will have to remain there for the next five weeks...35 more days.  His physicans have prescribed five more weeks of intravenous anti-biotics.  The VA, Rick's only source of prescription drugs will not pay for them.  Medicare will only pay for them if he is confined to a health care facility.  He was told that he must sleep there and receive two infusions per day, one at 6am and one at 6pm but between those infusions I can take him home.  This has made him VERY happy!

I am now awaiting the call to "Come Pick Me Up!"

More good news soon I hope...

I So Wish I Had Some Great News...

Rick is still in the hospital.

Fighting an infection in his incision.

Infectious Disease (sounds scarey doesn't it?) wants him to receive intravenous antibiotics for another six weeks.  The VA - Rick's only prescription insurance - will not pay for it. Medicare will but he must remain in a hospital or "care facility" (the politically correct name these days for a nursing home). No way I said will I send him there.  He has already stopped eating because the food is so poor here.  He is not prompted to get up and walk every two hours during the day. Lord knows what kind of care he'd receive somewhere else.  He NEEDS to be sent home.  He needs yummy food and someone who cares enough to get him off his butt and up getting the exercise his new heart needs.

I have tried so hard to stay up....to be so grateful that he made it through the surgery and that the "big one" is no longer a treat.  Sadly though so many many other worries now fill my days.  Word to the Wise:  Don't get old without excellent health care insurance.  One illness will drown you.

I pray constantly for just one little bit of luck...no matter how small.  I find myself trying to find any little thing that will make me feel hopeful.

I know there is sunshine somewhere.  I just know it.

I'm Worn Out

I think it is time for me to stop trying so hard. Being a 24 hour care-giver has nearly worn me out.
No matter how hard I try there always seems to be one more thing I need to do.

It's time to select a book, chose a warm soft blanket and read a while.  I need the book to just "take me away for a little".

I'll be back soon, hopefully with something interesting for you to read.

Getting Better Day by Day

So most of you know my husband Rick has had triple by-pass open heart surgery....on March 11th he became one of the "Zipper Society". The surgery was a complete success and he is now home recuping.  I still can't believe someone opened up his chest and made his unhealthy heart healthy again...I mean how much of a miracle is that?

As soon as it was decided that the surgery was to take place our daughter Jessika packed her bag, packed one for her littlest daughter Natalie as well and they boarded a night flightto "help her Dad" get through this major surgery.

It meant leaving her eldest daughter, Piper Jolie Welcome Levinson, age seven (March 4th) at home with her Dad,  Peter.  Each day Peter made a collage and put it up on Facebook so Jess could see and share their day:

Today's Piper's favorite holiday. What to do? Make a leprechaun trap! The leprechaun didn't fall for it, but he did leave a note. (The pot of gold on top is actually a trap door.)

It's Pizza Friday!! On top of that, P got an awesome lego set from Grammy and set right to work. Quick break to pick up the pizza and then right back to it until it was all done. The little cat in the set is now named Taylor. The bird started off as Chirps, but later became Katie because the bird is a girl. (And Chirps is apparently a well known boy's name in the bird world?)

Now I ask you....how many Dad's would do this?  PT Levinson is a one in a millionhusband, Dad, and son-in-law.

Here is what it looked like when Jess and Natalie arrived home Tuesday, March 19th.

All together now. :)

1

I loved sharing this lovely story with you all.  I am a very lucky Mom!

See you all shortly.  I have compression stockings to put on, a heart-healthy meal to prepare, and some meds to dispense.  Mouse-making is on hold for now....

Linda

Hub Recuperating in ICU ByPass Surgery Successful

Phew! What a last couple of weeks.  After fighting to rid himself of the C-Diff bacterial infection, Rick had  Triple By Pass Open Heart surgery on Monday, the 11th.  He is still in the ICU but getting stronger each day.  Poor guy has now been in one hospital or another for nineteen days.  That is a long time for anyone.  He is so itching to get home.

Our daughter, Jessika, and her youngest daughter Natalie flew in from San Carlos, California last Wednesday.


 Natalie got to see snow for the FIRST TIME. She was totally delighted:

Her Mommy made her her first snowman:

It's such a good thing that Jess remembered to bring along winter togs. She borrowed a snowjacket and snowpants from Natalie's best bud, Soren, and also borrowed his little sister Rosie's snowboots and mittens so Nattie was all set and really ready to PLAY.

It has been amazing having Jess and Nattie here with me. 

Sending special thanks to each and every one of you who have sent well wishes and spent time praying for us.  We so needed it...and we are so grateful..

Linda and Rick

Hub in Hospital CA Trip Shortened

Really things are so distressing I just can't bring myself to write about them,

It's Been a While

Why is it that I am so unwilling to share when times are difficult?

Is it like that with you too?

I guess I find that I just do not want to cause anyone else discomfort of any kind.

My holidays were pretty miserable.  There is just no other way to say it.  A family rift caused great pain and I was unable to see the three grandchildren that live nearby.  After nearly fourteen years of weekly, biweekly and so many weekend sleepovers I can't even count - the house was empty of children and the happiness they brought.


I made it through the season of mousemaking and actually saw a rise in dollars over last year.  It came very very late.  I had almost given up hope...but it came.  I was able to buy presents for all five grandchildren.

We also had a huge plumbing problem in our basement - Yep that is where my Workshop is.  I had to carry basket after basket of raw materials upstairs and work on the dining room table.  That did not make for pleasant relations with my husband who "hates" my business!

The main pipe that removed waste from our home was broken outside and inside the basement.  We had several plumbers come to give us estimates - $5,000. was the highest and $900. was the lowest. Living on a fixed income meant that we didn't even have the money for the lowest bid.  That meant emptying twice daily a disgusting pail of waste water.  We did this for over three months.  One day I saw that my neice had used a plumber and mentioned his name on her Facebook page.  That very day I called and wonder of wonders the wonderful woman (wife of plumber #2 of 3) listened to my problem and immediately called her hub who was miracle of miracle "between jobs".  He and his brother came and FIXED THE HORRIBLE PROBLEM ON THE SPOT.  I was so nervous.  I only had $414.00 in my business account and nothing in our personal account.  My hub was at work and knew nothing of this.  I rushed downstairs to tell the plumbers that I had very little money.  "No problem", they said in unison. "We'll work with you."  Well you can just guess what happened then - Yep. Lots of tears and so many thank yous. I'm still making payments but the balance will soon be zero.

Can you even imagine how wonderful it was not to have to empty that disgusting pail twice a day? I realized I had just experienced a Random Act of Kindness.  Sure I had to give them all but $14.00 from my account and make weekly payments but it was so so so worth it.

It has been hard for me just to hold my head up since my husband lost his position at the bank nearly five years ago.  My whole world collapsed.  We lost all of our 401K plan.  We lost all of our credit. We now have one ten year old car left.  My husband was a VP Asset Based Lender. Now he works from 1-10 at Walmart.  He has to stand all day on cement.  He is 69.  He is depressed. He now relies on the Veterans for his insurance and medical care.  I have to pay 3/4's of my social security monthly allowance for my insurance.  If I didn't I wouldn't be able to pay for the hypertension, anxiety, diabetic meds that I must take each day. I am now on a quest to lose 60 pounds.  I am told that if I do I will no longer have to take half of my meds.  Sounds like a GREAT reward to me.  So hello fruits, veggies, legumes. Farewell bread, pasta, and rice.  I'll miss ya.

Thanks to the CT Housing Authority we were able to stay in our home.  Our mortgage rate is still over 7% but if we honor all of our payments for the next six years the $37,000. in arrears will be "forgiven".
In six more years I will be 70.  My husband will be 75.  Sometimes I wonder if we will make it...at other times I think, "why shouldn't we make it".  If we had had to surrend our home we would have had zero equity and no place to live.

We are never given the promise of an easy life.  I realize so many others have it so much harder.  Thank the Lord I have a strong constitution and enough drive to keep me going for a while longer.

I am so grateful now for each day I am given.  I try very hard to be grateful for any thing that doesn't force me under the bus.

I started this long and wandering post to tell you about a terrific post that a fellow artisan at the Old
Farmhouse Gathering Team (on Etsy) wrote this morning.  I hope you will all stop and read it.  It is
just wonderful:

http://handofbelapeck.typepad.com/blog/2013/02/worth-repeating-be-still.html

Linda