Take A Deep Breath

I actually have no idea where to start - it's been a horrendous week or two -not actually sure how much time has passed - first Cannon had to be put down, took a few days to recover from that - then Emma got really, really sick with the flu, cold whatever it is that's going around. Then I got it and it put me to bed for 4 days - so sick, that I had a tiny note on the shop door telling people I was closed due to illness - I could not move. Then while I was lying around feeling sorry for myself I realized my website was no longer. Just a happy message from my hosting company saying they were working on it and that the problem had nothing to do with me - except a problem like that has everything to do with me. I tried to be patient and was finally told they weren't even sure if it could be resurrected from it's grave - however, it is back after much phoning, emailing, crying etc. It's not quite working perfectly but I'm on it and expect all to be well by the end of the day. I've switched to a super duper server so hopefully the problems are a thing of the past. And now that I am just raising my head from the bed - my husband informs me that he's now sick. And yes, I know, much, much sicker than I ever was.

Despite all this there has been good stuff going on behind the scenes - as I indicated in a previous newsletter - Pick Up Sticks is in for a shake up. I have decided, after sending out a survey to over 1000 customers and lots of careful thought to become an even more specialized shop than I already am. Over the course of the next few months all of the commercially produced yarns - big name companies, not Indie Dyers, are going to be put on sale for 20% off until they are gone and slowly new and exciting hand dyed yarns from around the world will replace their spots on our shelves. I'm looking at all weights, all fibres and all hand dyed or hand painted. It's what I love best so why not offer you even more of what we all love! Samples have been pouring in and I've found some good ones for sure! I will also be expanding the hand dyed yarns I already carry to include more of their weights and fibers - a big change like this will take time but one thing for sure is once the new yarns start arriving there will always be something new and exciting here to see. There will be a newsletter going out tomorrow to announce all the items that are on sale with the actual sale starting on Saturday. 2011 is going to be a fantastic year for Pick Up Sticks - hang on knitters!

A Really Yucky Day

This morning I woke up to the phone ringing - it was Laura telling me that Cannon was colicking and it was very serious. We tried hard all day - the vet was here numerous times, Emma gave him natural remedies every 10 minutes for 2 hours. Finally at 5:00 pm, the decision was made to let him go. RIP Cannonball Fire - you were an awesome horse and we'll miss you!

Not Better But Equal

This post equals the number of 2009 posts and although, I could post twice today - that seems like cheating. Seems I've developed a Repetitive Stress Injury in my right thumb joint which makes knitting and pretty much anything painful.....the knitting marathon for those sweaters for Liam and Quinn have done me in. I'm supposed to rest it and then in the New Year I can get a brace or I can get laser treatment but I do not have to stop knitting. Thank goodness! This morning I was moping around thinking I can't knit anymore, that means I have to sell my business and what will I do with myself, blah, blah, blah - yup, I can be slightly dramatic when the need arises.

Last night I was working away on Umaro - I know, I'm not supposed to be knitting but really - ignore Jared - I don't think so....... Emma comes in the family room with a plate of pomegranate seeds. She tipped the plate slightly and guess what? Yup brilliant pomegranate juice all over me and Jared - I mean Umaro :0 She was really, really sorry and a quick rinse in cold water got the juice off the blanket and off the ball of yarn I was knitting with - lucky for her! And now I have to wait until everything is dry to knit anymore....so my thumb will get some rest.

Do you all have plans for New Year's Eve? Not us really, my dad is coming over for appetizers and dinner - and then it's probably Greg, me and Emma with Dick Clark's Rockin Eve. Happy New Year to all of you - may 2011 be happy, healthy and prosperous for everyone!

This post brought to by the pony.....

We love Gidget as I'm sure you've all gathered by now - Emma's show season starts in February so this was our first schooling to get ready for the new season. A schooling is where they take the ponies and horses off property to another barn/arena to have lessons. The change of environment is good for everyone - gets the riders used to the reactions of the ponies and gets the ponies used to being away from home. The jumps are fancier and bigger so it's good experience for everyone.

Here she is all dressed up in her fancy clothes - Emma's coach is a very traditional British riding coach and so the ponies and the riders are to be dressed in sedate colors. Navy wraps and Baker Sheets are the standard dress for shows and schoolings - I have to say, all the ponies look pretty amazing dressed in similiar colors.
The trailer couldn't come into the driveway because the day before it got stuck all over the place so the girls walked their ponies to the property entrance to get loaded - it was a beautiful day and a beautiful picture.

And the sepia - just because I figured out that setting on the camera while watching.
To Creative Hands - Emma's hat from the last post was bought at the Royal Winter Fair - cute eh?

Knitting Complete

Here is Quinn's Sweater - same as Liam's but Tanis Green Label. I'm very happy to report that she loved it - she put it on right away and didn't take it off. She loved the puppy buttons - I caught a glimpse of Liam outside today and he was wearing his sweater too. So all is good in the knitting department except for my hands which have been aching since Christmas day - I've been trying not to knit too much but Jared has been (ok so when I say Jared, I mean Umaro)looking longingly at me practically begging for attention. I cast on a pair of socks for Greg in Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 - so nice and soft but they aren't far along - truly I feel guilty knitting them because Jared gets so jealous - :).

A wonderful Christmas was had by all, everyone was very happy with their gifts - I ordered myself a Kindle 3G from Amazon - it won't be here until the end of January so I'm very anxious!

Emma got this cute hat from her big sister - she's been wearing it everywhere. My mini vacation starts tomorrow (store is closed until Tuesday, January 4th)and I am really looking forward to it.

There's still a few blog posts due to catch up and surpass last year so you haven't heard the last of me yet.