I haven’t had a chance to make any more squares, and it’s looking like it’s not gonna happen… I already brought the seven over that I made, and it looks like 2000+ have already shown up. Wow!

In my stupidity this morning, when I leaned over to pick up a book off the floor, a muscle in my back decided it didn’t like me much. It decided to cramp or spasm or something, so it’s causing pain. Even after a visit to the doctor and some decent meds, it still hurts. GRRR! So frustrating!

On another note, I only have 17 more rows left on the Hidcote Shawl… guess I better update the progress bar. No clue what it’s going to look like, right now, it’s all bunched up on the needles. The colors and yarn are gorgeous, but that’s about all I can tell right now. I’ve switched back to some simple cross stitch projects since I can’t concentrate very well right now. I’ll try to contain my insanity somehow… maybe tomorrow I can finish the shawl!

I know it’s been a while, but I’ve been insanely busy with work and life.  I’ve got several Hokie Healing squares completed, I just need to deliver them.  I worked day shift three days of last week, then worked Friday night.  Then I’m night shift tonight and days tomorrow, so you can guess, I’m not sleeping much!  I also went to a baby shower on Saturday, watched kids and reorganized large portions of the house on Sunday, so the weekend wasn’t much of  a break.  At least my yarn stash is organized now– I used a 4 drawer dresser that I have and it’s now in the attic completely organized!  Yay!  Anyway- back to the daily grind…  just figured I would tell everyone I’m still alive!

I picked up my yarn for the hokie healing blankets today.  I got two hanks of Cascade 220- one in maroon and one in orange.  I’ll have fun doing some textured patterns in those.  I also picked up a hank of Cascade Jewel Hand dyed in orange and a hank of Rowan Summer Tweed,  I believe. I don’t have the label with me at the moment, I just remember it’s a cotton/silk blend.  I should be able to get several squares out of this!  I started with the summer tweed and I’m doing a basic textured stitch that’s  a repeat of 3 stitches.  The Cascade Jewel will probably be used for a very basic square- possibly just stockinette.  The cascade 220 I think I want to do at least one cabled pattern and one lacework, beyond that, we’ll see how much yarn I have!

I was on the VT campus on Saturday, and it was difficult to be there. Seeing the memorials just made me cry all over again. I was wonderfully surprised by how many people had signed the boards and left flowers… it really is amazing!

Burruss Hall with the flag half mast

The memorial on the drillfield– 33 candles over 33 hokie stones…

Tent on the drillfield with all the signatures…

Norris Hall, where the worst of the shootings took place. You can see the fencing they have put up around the building. The parking lot where I was sitting is where my husband used to park every day when he worked in Randolph. Behind the bushes on the left is the large lecture hall where I took organic chemistry. It’s just hard to believe I used to walk down those halls…

If you would like to see the remainder of the pictures, they are located in my gallery here.

Also, if you know how to knit or crochet, Mosaic is accepting squares that will be made into blankets for the families of the students killed as well as for the students who were injured. Information can be found on their website at http://mosaicyarnshop.blogspot.com/ I’m sure any additional squares would be quite welcome!