Yarn Along

While pregnant with Emerson, and in the weeks after her birth, I knitted a simple striped garter stitch blanket for her. For the past year it has gone everywhere with us. Unfortunately that dear blanket came to a sad end after our disastrous camping trip (two words - tummy bug.) Yes, that lovely little blanket managed to get thrown in the washing machine with the acrylic blankets. Unlike the acrylic blankets, it turned to felt. I was horrified when I pulled it out the machine. But what is a knitter to do, except knit another blanket?

Thus I had in mind to knit Emerson a new blanket for her first birthday. I ordered the wool and already had the pattern, before I found out about my naughty eyes and the required surgery. Now, two weeks post surgery, I have been working on it little by little for the past week as my eye allows, hoping to have it finished by the 27th. There will be a wrapped book (once I choose the perfect one) and this beautiful hand knit bonnet by Greer at Typically Red as well. Surely no one will notice the missing blanket should it not be ready? 

While my eyes can not bear to read for very long yet, I am listening to 'The Happiness Project' on audio book, read by the author Gretchen Rubin. Once again, thank goodness for audio books!

And you? What are you reading and knitting?

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Joining in with Ginny.

Raverly notes here.

5/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013." Che and Fidel.

Cohen: Many shoppers smiled and commented when they saw Cohen asleep a midst the shopping bags in the trolley while Emerson sat babbling in the seat. I loaded groceries and baby in to the car. Still he slept and I knew I had to capture this moment. 

Emerson: A moments pause amid continual movement.

I'm cheating a little with the first image, which was taken before I had surgery. And it's another asleep image of Cohen. But I couldn't resist.

Grateful for

- positive news at my check up at the eye clinic 

- a small area of focus in my vision

- friends and family who have taken over the reins of cooking, cleaning and child wrangling while I recover from surgery

- happy yellow flowers on my table from a friend

- towels straight off the line, still warm, and so fresh smelling

- how a shower can make you feel better

- babies laughter - arguably the best sound in the world

- audio books of 'Cloud Atlas', 'The Great Gatsby', 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' and 'The Happiness Project'

- the entertainment afforded by a four year old's imagination

- garter stitch - as soon as I had approval from the specialist I cast on my next project, with 7mm needles and 10 ply wool, which I can work on for short periods of time before my eye tires

- so, so very grateful that my friends and family are safe after the floods that Queensland experienced again recently

Hoping you are all safe and well, dear readers, with much to be grateful for too.
I'd love for you to share something you are grateful for in the comments.

One week on...

It has been a week since retinal displacement surgery on my right eye. Everything is still a blur. My eye throbs, waters, and has lost focus. My left eye sight is partially veiled by a grey curtain, beneath which it looks like Vaseline has been smeared, this is a result of the retinal detachment (yet to be operated on). My right eye remains sensitive to light, blood shot, and swollen. I've spent a week in bed while the world went on without me. I've been listening to audio books and pod casts, but I still feel at a loss, as I cannot read or craft. It will be some weeks before I can again. Tomorrow I have my second check up at the hospital, and the second surgery should booked then also.

Thank goodness for family, friends, and audio books (Fiona had to type this for me).

3/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013." Che and Fidel.

Cohen: Buried in the sand by Dada and loving it. "Let's do it again!"

Emerson: Our little sand eater. She can not be deterred. 

For Dave's last day off work we went to the beach. It was cool and windy, the sky full of clouds. I kept thinking we should have brought the kite. There were sprinklings of rain as we made our way to the surf club for lunch. The next day it was business as usual, and the sun came out.

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PS. The winner of the giveaway, care of random.org, is comment four - ErinGain. 
Erin please contact me with your address so I can get your beads in the post! (christina-lowry (at) hotmail.com)

Suddenly

Knitting in the waiting room

In one moment your life can change dramatically. One unexpected moment. And as you will be reminded it could always have been worse, and it will get better. Statements which both comfort and frustrate. Though I am grateful. There is still the shock of it, the why me moments, the acceptance of it, the plan of treatment. The questions, concerns, hypotheticals. Quite simply, the retina has detached in both my eyes and they require surgery within a month of each other. (Those readers who are less squeamish may be inclined to watch this You tube clip of a Scleral Buckle.)

I noticed on the weekend that when I closed my right eye the vision in my left eye was blurry. I'd had floaters for quite some time, but this was not uncommon for me and I always mentioned it at my yearly optometrist appointments. Monday morning I rang the optometrist and couldn't get an appointment until Thursday afternoon. At my appointment I was diagnosed immediately with retinal displacement of my left eye. Within minutes the optometrist was on the phone to the hospital, inquiring whether they could operate on me that night. It was frighteningly sudden. In the end, I was expected at the hospital first thing this morning, with the possibility of surgery today.

I spent much of today in the waiting room at eye casualty, my sister beside me. Six pairs of eyes peered in to mine and it was confirmed that both eyes were affected and required surgery. The right being less damaged needed repairing first to ensure it torn no further. The left, the damage being done, will be improved by surgery, but will never be the same again, I will have permanent vision loss. The first surgery is now booked for Monday morning.

From Monday I will be stepping away from the blog for an undetermined length of time. (I have portraits to post on Sunday.) My vision is not expected to return to normal for up to six weeks. (No knitting!?!) So dear readers let me ask of you, if you have floaters in your eyes, or flashes of light (whether your eyes are open or closed), or see grey curtains across your vision please see an optometrist and mention them when you book your appointment. I will check in when I can to update you, here or via Facebook and Instagram.

Yarn Along

I have been adding rows to this stripey blanket when time allows. I'm at that point where it doesn't feel like it is growing, in spite of the many stitches I have added lately. My logical brain says it will be finished soon. However, my eyes insist that the ball of wool hasn't been getting any smaller, despite my best efforts. A knitting black hole perhaps?

 In terms of reading I am more than half way through Life of Pi for book club. I am reserving my judgments until I have read further. The reading material above was waiting with our mail upon our return from camping. A flick through Country Style always gives me the itch to rearrange the furniture and nick knacks in the house, browse the aisles of ebay for a vintage treasure, or else book myself in to a B&B in some far away country town. Those urges have been lessened this month as we have (finally) purchased curtains for the lounge and master bedroom, as well as a ceiling light and two rugs. I am pouring over the pages though as we plan our kitchen. Those two beautiful books were won in a giveaway hosted by the lovely Jodie at Ric Rac. They are very sweet looking books and I must admit I've not read I can jump puddles. I believe it is next on my list.

And you? What are you reading and knitting?

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Joining in with Ginny.

Raverly notes here.

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Don't forget to enter my giveaway in the post below.