Christmas Time 2013 The Rest of The Story Part II Bella’s Visit

Christmas Time
2013
The Rest of The Story
Part II
Sunday, December 29

Bella’s Visit

We originally planned a “stay over at grandma’s”  for the Friday after Christmas.  But, because of our trip to Virginia, we had to move the date to the Sunday after Christmas.
We met Derek and Bella at 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Plumstead Grill.  This is our usual meeting place.  It’s about half-way between our homes and saves all of us some drive time.
It was a cold and rainy day.
Bella no longer needs to use a car seat. She is nine years old and I am only a head taller than her.
On the ride home, Bella was ensconced in the new iTouch that she got for Christmas.  She was desperately trying to get past  level 28 of “Candy Crush Saga”.
We stopped at the grocery store so that Bella could pick out whatever snacks she likes.  We usually don’t keep that kind of stuff in our cabinets.  She chose White Cheddar Cheese Nips and Brownie Bites.
When we got home, Bella had a meatball sandwich.  I made them especially for her.  She says she loves my meatballs.

After lunch I asked Bella if she wanted to learn how to knit.  She told me that she thought she knew how to finger knit.  I Googled a video on finger knitting for her.  She picked it up right away.  In a short time, she had completed a scarf for her mom.
She asked me if it would be faster to knit on needles.  “Well, I could teach you, I guess,” I said.
Finally! For nine years I have been patiently waiting, impatiently, for her to ask me to teach her how to knit.
As I gleefully, (I couldn’t help myself) sauntered (okay skipped) off to my stash closet, I had visions of the two of us, shopping for yarn. I imagined us giggling over dropped stitches, and the one or two secret hidden mistakes in our latest projects.  We would Skype together to show each other the progress we were making on our WIP’s and brag about our FO’s. We would debate over whether or not to frog that UFO* that has been at the bottom of the basket for EVER.
 “Have you seen ‘What’s Hot Right Now’ on Ravlery?” She would ask. “Oh yes,” I would answer.
“I am just going to have to make that cute little hat.” We would both exclaim at the same time.
Back in the living room,  I coaxed myself out of my reverie.  Bella was eagerly waiting for me. With a spare set of circs** and some leftover sparkly yarn, I demonstrated the garter stitch for her.   She watched intently and then asked if she could try.
She was very comfortable right away.  And after only a couple of rows, she was knitting as if she had been doing it for, well, longer than only a few minutes.
As I sat and watched her, she asked me if I could get my knitting and sit with her.
I sighed and thought to myself, “It doesn’t get any better than that.”


Since the weather was so crummy, we stayed in and watched “Beethoven’s Fifth”.  Apparently, this one was number five in a series of movies about a St. Bernard dog, named Beethoven.   It was cute.  Bella liked it.
I noticed, though, that unlike me, she had put down her knitting and was now playing something on her Nook.

At first I must admit I was a little disappointed.  “Had I already lost my knitting protégé?”  I wondered.

But as I watched this sweet girl, I reminisced about how it felt to be curious and excited.  I  recalled how much I looked forward to try new things.
Her giggle over the antics of that silly dog was contagious and I couldn’t help but laugh along with her.

That’s what the young do, you know.  They make us forget and force us to remember.

So, maybe someday, Bella will look back on this day as she proudly wears her first hand made sweater and have memories about the day I taught her how to knit.

*WIP - Work in Progress
FO - Finished Object
UFO - Unfinished Object
**Circs - Circular Knitting Needles

Christmas Time 2013: The Rest of The Story - Part I: Fredericksburg VA

Christmas Time 2013
The Rest of The Story
Part I

December 27
Trip Home From Richmond Virginia

We decided to stop to see Johanna and Steve.  They live in Spotsylvania, Virginia.  The town center of Fredericksburg is only a few miles from their house.

On the way, we drove through the historical Civil War Chancellorsville battleground parks.  Ross is a history buff.  He was pretty excited about that.

Johanna and Steve live on about 12 acres.  The road to get to up to their house is more like private rustic pathway which winds through the woods.

As we walked up to the steps of the front porch, it was so still and quiet, I could almost feel the hush.
That is until we rang the doorbell. We were greeted by the chorus of the pack.  They have five dogs of varying sizes and breeds.  Gracie, Sadie,Maggie, Heide,(or lil one)and the one boy Mylo.

Johanna & Steve’s Backyard

We sat and visited for a while then we went outside to see the back of the property and to visit the two ladies who live in the coop.

Taken From the Front of The Property

Whenever we are visiting a new area, I always look for local yarn shops.  It just so happens that Fredericksburg has a nice one.  It’s called Old Town Yarnery.  From their website:

"Old Town Yarnery, located in the historic center of Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a full service yarn shop  displaying a wide range of fibers, colors, and textures. In addition to yarns, we offer knitting needles, notions, and classes. " 

  The shop has an ample and truly nice selection of quality natural fibers. I liked one of the sample scarves on display.  It’s called “Nottingham" and it was designed by Alex Capshaw-Taylor.  The pattern can be found on her website. “Worldknit & Handspun.  I bought three skeins of Cascade Eco Highland Duo in shades of brown.  It’ll be added to my stash and hopefully “Nottingham” will be one of my first projects of the new year.

  After lunch at  a local burger joint, called “Vivify Burger Lounge”, we began our homeward bound trip. 

Me and My Sissy

Tomorrow: Bella’s Visit

The Day After Christmas 2013 Dear Kenny and Ty

Christmas Time
The Day After Christmas
2013

For The Record Part IV

Dear Kenny and Tyler,

Today, December 26, 2013 was probably one of the most important days in your Dad’s life.  I know it was a happy day for you also, but you may not remember it.  So, perhaps you might read this on a someday and you will be able to feel that particular day all over again.

One thing I can tell you, and I suspect that you have always known this, your father loves you very much.

Maybe, by the time you read this, you will have experienced a little bit of this life.   You might have children of your own.  If you do, I hope you can only imagine what it might feel like to be separated from your child.

As you probably have figured out by now, life isn’t exactly predicable and it’s hardly perfect.  But, like your father always says, “It is what it is.”

Your father never wanted the three of you to live so far away from each other.  It was not his choice, but it was one he was forced to accept.

So before today, it had been a while since you and your dad were together.
Oh, you probably remember the phone calls, and the computer face time visits, but , you know, it’s not the same as real hugs and kisses.

I think I will leave it up to you and your dad to talk about the time before this visit.  I only want to remind you of what this day was like.

The day was planned.  Your dad drove his Honda Pilot from your Grandpa Deak’s house in Franklin Park.  Pop-pop and I drove our car (the red Lexus) from Barnegat.
Your mom and Brandon drove the two of you from Grovetown Ga.
We were all going to meet in Richmond, VA.

Your dad left at 5:00 a.m. I know he wanted to make sure he was there when you arrived.
Pop-pop and I left at 8:00.   It was about a six hour trip.  Although we hit a little patch of snow and a few accident traffic jams, I was so excited.  I had not seen you in over a year.

As we were driving, I kept thinking about how emotional your father must feel.  I wondered what it would be like for you.  I hoped you would be okay with leaving your mom.

When pop-pop and I got to the Westin Hotel, you and your father were already settled in your room. It was number 628.  We called and you came down to the lobby.
I have to tell you, when you ran up to me and snuggled in my arms, well it was one of the best moments in my life!


I thought my heart would burst as I watched you with your dad.   It seemed that the three of you couldn’t get close enough.  It was as though you wanted to crawl inside of each other and never let go.  You kept touching him, as though you wanted to make sure he was really there.

We had lunch in the hotel restaurant.  It was more like a cafe.   You both said you weren’t hungry.  Your dad ordered a turkey blt with french fries.  He asked if you wanted some of his fries.  You said no.
Then the funniest thing happened.  He put some fries on a plate, actually three fries.  Kenny, you would look at the fries, but you were not going to give in and take one.  Ty, you put some pepper and salt on one and started munching.   Kenny, when you thought we weren’t looking you reached over and took one.   Your father and I looked knowingly at each other, you know the way parents do, and smiled.

After lunch you wanted to go in the pool. Pop-pop went in with you.

Later on, you came over to our room, number 641.  You stayed with us while your dad went out to get dinner for you.  You both played on your new Mini iPads that you each got for Christmas.


We spent the night in the hotel to rest up for the trip back to New Jersey.

The next morning we went to breakfast.  You both had pancakes.  Tyler you had bacon.  Kenny, you said you didn’t like bacon, but Tyler said, “Yes, you do Kenny.”

After breakfast we packed up and headed on home. We passed each other on the road a few times.  Your dad rolled down the window and you waved and shouted out at us, “Hi Grandma!  Hi Pop-pop!”











By now, I’m sure there would have been plenty of visits.  It probably would have become a routine.  But I have a feeling that each time you saw each other it always was like this day.  Reunions are like that.  Especially when two kids are with their dad.