During the darker, colder evenings of last week I managed to finish off the misty afghan.
If I'm honest I am a bit previous in saying 'finish off' because I'm ignoring the fact that there are still lots of ends to sew in on the back. From the front it looks finished though…
I'm really pleased with how this has turned out and it's my favourite blanket so far. I love the muted colours and I'm enjoying looking at it draped over the sofa or on the bed.
I'd definitely make another blanket in Cascade 220 – it's a nice yarn to work in and is very reasonably priced which is a good thing considering how much you get through when blanket making. I want to take a picture of the whole thing but I need to hang it up somewhere outside and it's just been too damp and dull to get any decent pictures. I'll keep trying and will post any new pics on my ravelry project page.
Thanks for coming back to visit despite a longish break from me (again!) and thanks too to those who have emailed me and asked about Toby. At the moment I am being reminded that he finds life harder in the winter months than the summer ones. He has hardly been out in the garden at all during this last month, disliking the feel of wet surfaces and finding the ground too cold beneath his feet (he simply won't wear shoes to go in the garden – in his mind those are what you put on to go out of the front door not the back door). It will probably be spring before we hear the squeak of the swing ropes or the creak of the trampoline springs again.
Without his garden playtime Toby gets more easily agitated and frustrated and no doubt very bored at home and because he has no interests it takes full time adult intervention to keep him busy. Keeping him occupied him is the only way to limit his repetitive stimming behaviours which include hand-biting, strange hand movements, banging his chin, pacing or moving around the room with a skip and making repetitive moaning or clicking noises. These bouts of stimming can last hours or even a whole day if he is not distracted and they can be hard to live with and make it impossible for anyone to relax. So much more of my time is currently taken in being with things like playing tickles. Toby loves the anticipation of being tickled though you do have to watch out because he can suddenly switch to being very upset or aggressive if the stimulation becomes to much for him. The other reliable way to keep him busy is a bubble bath and he'll happily have 4 baths a day, playing in there for half an hour at a time. It's a great way to keep him occupied and is good for me too because I can sit and knit while watching over him.
We are still getting our 6 hours a week of respite though it is becoming harder to get it allocated at weekends and school holidays as the facility where he goes is now full and the demand for prime slots is fierce. It is frustrating and depressing to be forced into taking respite time after school (when it has far less of a positive impact for us) but as in everything you have to find the energy to fight for what you need and I will keep on fighting. Luckily whilst Toby is at school life is calmer and more relaxed and I knit virtually constantly as it's a great antidote to the full on activity that starts when he arrives back home at 4pm.
Anyway, that's us at the moment. I'll pop back soon and show you some of the wristwarmers that I've been making with all of the sock yarn that I couldn't resist buying recently um, have had for ages (incase H is reading this because he thinks I need help with my yarn addiction but I know I'm not the only one who finds it to tempting to resist!) *waving hello* to all you fellow yarn stashers out there xxx
little cotton rabbits 
What an amazing blanket! I love the pattern and colors! Keeping Toby and all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
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The pleasure that the acquisition of new yarn gives should not be looked upon as an addiction. We are far too hard on ourselves – a little pleasure never hurt anyone. I, like you, feel that urge to purchase beautiful yarn (especially if I see on on Posh Yarns site on a Sunday night) but it is my one weakness and I strive hard to reduce the size of my yarn stash so that I can justify make room for my new lovelies.
Don’t feel guilty – diamonds, apparently, are coveted by many and I much prefer yarn…
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As one who has cupboards and chests full of fabrics, wool and all the bits and pieces that go with it I would only encourage you to keep buying especially in times when life isn’t going as well as you might wish.
Your work is splendid and a true inspiration. I can only think that the many people like myself who enjoy reading your blogs and viewing your pictures would be only too delighted to offer help with respite (I have a friend who went through a similar situation with her daughter who is now in her 20s)although of course we know it’s not possible. But we can buy bubble bath! If Toby ever needs top ups please post the favoured make and a PO box.
All the very best and thanks again for Little Cotton Rabbits.
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I wish I could knit. All I need is something else. Wishing you luck in stashing!
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this blanket is absolutly gorgeous ♥
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Waving back Julie, yes I’m an addict too! 🙂
I’ve just come over from Ravelry where I spotted your finished blanket. It is beautiful and I just love the colours, definitely many of favourites in there!
Sorry life is harder for you at the moment, it must be very frustrating for Toby not being able to get out into his beloved garden to play. It really is a shame that you can’t get a bit more help when you need it! Great though that he enjoys his bubble baths. 🙂
Vivienne x
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I love the colours in your blanket. Moreover, I love how it looks in your minimalist room and have just spent 10 minutes showing my husband the photo of your woodburner and how great it looks against the white wall – something I’ve wanted to do with ours for ages!
Hope you have some dry, fine weather soon so you and Toby can get out for some walks in the woods.
Becky x
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The queen of yarn beauty. That’s what I’ve been calling you 🙂 The fact you are able to create such beauty amidst your busy, busy days makes you even more impressive in my eyes.
My thoughts are with you, Toby, and the rest of the family.
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The blanket has turned out beautiful!
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That blanket is exquisite Julie… and there is nothing wrong with a yarn habit! There could be many things worse. Wishing you easy times with Toby. x
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Your blanket is wonderful, I love the muted colors too. I think you are truly amazing, your knitting and your commitment to Toby and what is best for him go hand in hand. I will pray for sunny respites for you this winter.
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Ooh,I hae been loving this blanket for months, and now, ta-dah, it is finished and so, so beautiful! Over the summer I bought some ‘misty’ yarns so I could start my own, but I’m not quite happy enough with my crochet skills to start it yet! Feel I should practice on something more ordinary first. I have decided that I can only justify yarn purchases by avoiding certain coffee shops.i love having a large, fancy latte, but worked put that if I forgo 2 or 3 of them, I can have a skein of something lovely and longer lasting instead! I’m keeping a tally of my efforts!
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As a bit of a ‘lurker’ on your blog I never really comment but that blanket is so beautiful I just had to. Sending love to you and your family (and hoping it sends a wee bit of strength as well)
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Waving right back … my name is Annie and I’m a yarn addict!
Your blanket looks marvellous Julie, beautifully made and the marriage of colours is just perfect 🙂
Here’s wishing you luck in the respite care ‘draw’ x
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Your blanket looks gorgeous, I am going to attempt a blanket soon in cascade and am glad you got on well with it as its quite reasonable isn’t it. I may have visited tangled yarns after you mentioned it a few weeks ago and some wool may have jumped in my virtual basket then winged it way to me but don’t tell the other half. Sarah x
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Your blanket is beautiful. I’m actually making a granny square blanket so I see all the work it means. The colors are very well chosen. Congratulations !
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Beautiful afghan, and lovely room to put it in too 🙂 I just had to giggle when you mentioned your yarn addiction. I didn’t think I had that problem, until I started cutting out the “Michael’s” coupons, and shopping during their yarn sales. Oh my — how much yarn is it legal for one woman to own? I’m sure I’m pushing the limit!!
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Love the way the Misty Afghan turned out. Wishing you the best with Toby and your family.
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What a stuuning blanket – beautiful colours. I have got as far as buying crochet needles, but still have yet to try and remember what my grandmother taught me!! I have a similar addiction to fabric – never can resist that odd fat quarter or 2!
Praying for some sunny spells for you all. x
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The blanket looks beautiful!
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haha i have to smuggly new yarn, fabric and craft supplies into the house!, ali
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Your Misty is beautiful! Epic! It seems to go on and on in the pictures! Oh, weaving those ends in is always such a drag! x
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What a beautiful blanket! I love the muted colours with the little pop of brightness within each square.
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What a wonderful blanket. I sure it will keep you warm this winter. You are a wonderful Mother with Toby, please keep strong.
Enjoy your week. Deb M
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your blanket is really amazing!!!! Love everything about it!!!
hugs and kisses, Ale
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Julie, I really love your blanket – I wish I had the patience to make me one – oh yeah, I would also need to learn to crochet…..details. Thinking of you with Toby, praying for a breakthrough and so glad knitting brings you some peace. Your animals were wonderful, they just keep getting better!
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Silly little comment, but have you tried taking Toby out the front door, walk a little, before taking him to the backyard? Is there a way that this can be done? Just trying to help…
I have beautiful 3 year-old, after many years of infertility and in-vitro treatment, and fears… and she is so marvellously healthy, that I feel very sad for ‘friends’ who do not have this joy. And it is hard enough when they are healthy…
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Julie your blanket is so beautiful. I love the calming colors. Speaking of YARN, a good friend of mine has 15 year old twin autistic boys. One stemming behavior that they enjoy is wrapping a 12 inch piece of yarn around their fingers repeatedly. She prepares a Baggie full of multicolored pieces which she uses as a reward for them. They enjoy choosing their color and then SHE enjoys a few moments of quiet activity time. This is one stemming behavior that can bring a little calmness to their day. My prayers are for you, Toby, and your family. I love your blog!
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I absolutley love your blanket. The colours are so calm and soothing. Just the thing to have a sneaky snuggle in when times get a bit frantic with Toby! I’m also so glad to hear that there is plenty of knitting going on – I have the yarn bug back at the moment and am enjoying the soothing meditation that the needles bring. Disaster though on the Welted Mittens! I thought I’d be clever and use a ball of yarn from my {sizeable} stash and have run out before finishing the second one. I’m so cross with myself, grrrr.
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Your blanket is beautiful!! And I admire your positive writing! I also look forward to seeing your handwarmers, you make such beautiful things. So you don’t have to excuse yourself for not writing so often, I will check back on you regularly. I do hope that you and your family get some help in attending for Toby, although no one can take care of him the way you do yourself! And you are most certainly not alone in your addiction, my sister, my mother and I absolutely share that with you!!! Just looking at my stash makes me happy!!! (and it is not just yarn, I love fabric too)
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I’m inspired to make a blacket… the colours of yours are so subtle, like little splashes of colour on a misty winters day.
Take care,
C x
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One word – Beautiful. I love the colours in the blanket. Perfect for snuggling up in, on a cold winter’s evening.
I daren’t look at my wool stash for fear of realising my addiction to wool shops!
Just wanted to ask Julie, what 4ply yarn would you recommend for the bunny egg warmer, as Rowan have discontinued their 4ply cotton? I am making one for a friends little boy for Christmas and I’m struggling to find a pretty bunny colour I like.
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I love that yarn, the colours (like you say) are so gentle and muted – did you order it in from the US?
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Julie, you are such a great parent and you are doing so well. Keep looking after yourself. And if it’s just yarn you need to cope and no other tranquillizers please buy some more!
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Oh, and I do love your blanket of course!!
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love the pictures here.
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Such gorgeous colours – a cross between Autumn and Winter – and it looks super gorgeous all folded up neatly.
Sorry to hear things are tough with Toby – I wish I had the knowledge and words to help though from my experience with my little ones wellies are always associated with going out into the back garden and shoes out through the front. I’m not too sure if that would help though. I do hope things get easier though.
Take care
Nina x
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Generously sharing….giving worldwide pleasure to lurkers…strangers.Here is the outward evidence of a life so worthwhile and well lived. Playing the dealt cards with love and grace.I salute you.
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Blanket is beautiful Julie and when I finally get some time to make things for me again a blanket like this is certainly on my list thanks to your inspiration and there is nothing wrong with collecting good quality wool. Some people collect shoes others collect handbags but you can only use one at a time. Look how many different colours you can use to make a beautiful Afghan such as this.
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The blanket is so so stunning and gorgeous, congratulations! It looks wonderfully snuggly and huge, the colours are divine and all of your hard work has certainly paid off, it’s a beauty!
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A big wave back to you Julie.
That blanket is exquisite – oh! the colours!
My yarn stash is looking a bit depleted at the moment which I’m quite pleased about as it means I can choose some more:)
I’ve recently crocheted a small blanket and knitted a rabbit which I’ve donated as a raffle prize.
I’ve been in hedgehog mode too.
My little granddaughter has discovered where my yarn lives and, with a ball of wool in each hand, looks like she’s training to be a cheerleader!
I, like so many of your followers, wish we could do something useful to help with regard to the respite care difficulty.
It sounds a bit lame just to say I’m thinking of you – but I am. xx
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It’s gorgeous. How about some ‘back door only’ shoes like those rubber sandals or flipflops (if he doesn’t mind the feel of those)? 🙂
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I loved the blanket, it’s so beautifull that there’s no word in the world that can describe it!!! I must say I’m also a yarn stasher too. I also wanna tell you that you inspire me a lot, I always find confort in your posts, I admire you so so much and I think Toby couldn’t have a better mom than you. Kisses and best wishes,
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Just sending a lot of love to you and appreciation of the most beautiful Afghan
Kindest Regards Linda
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It is good to hear that you are getting some time to breath and knit. I can understand how much Toby needs from you, i watched my Great Gran go through the same thing with her last son. I hope that things get easier for you, in all your goings on, and that you have much yarn to pet while dreams of many knit projects dance in your head!! (comming from the lady who has enough fiber to last three lifetimes and has only been knitting for just a year!)
~Tara Wurster
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What an amazing eye for color you have. A joy to look at.
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Hi,
Will you please post a link to your Blog at The Knitting Community? Our members will love it.
Members include: knitters, knitting enthusiasts, experts, groups, circles, organizations, etc.
It’s easy to do, just cut and paste the link and it automatically links back to your website. You can also add Photos, Videos and Classifieds if you like.
Email me if you need any help or would like me to do it for you.
Please feel free to share as often and as much as you like.
The Knitting Community: http://www.vorts.com/knitting/
I hope you consider sharing with us.
Thank you,
James Kaufman, Editor
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Hi Julie. I have a stash which is now officially ‘beyond life expectancy’. But I read in a book that we owe it to the planet to cut energy use by insulating our houses with yarn stashes! In my case, as my yarn is hidden (!) in the attic, I’m doing my bit . Best Wishes. X
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So soft and inviting! Misty beckons one to wrap up in it and relax. Simply lovely!
🙂
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My sister who is autistic hates winter too. Getting your shoes dirty is a big no no. While she is a adult (54) and not as bad as Toby she can be hard work at times. Music is her big thing. She has a record collection to make any DJ green with envy.
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Your blanket is beautiful, Julie – I’ve been admiring it on Ravelry for some time now. You have such a knack for putting just the right colours together.
As for the yarn addiction, I prefer to think of my stash as my collection now – it’s nto necessarily going to be knitted up into anything anytime soon but if people can collect stamps, coins and beermats why can’t we collect beautiful yarn?
Wishing you all the very best with Toby on these wintery days. I can fully understand his frustration at not being able to play outside as I think fun outdoors does us all good. You are a great Mum for your lovely boy and I think you deserve the occasional yarny treat :o)
xx
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I say it all the time, and all the time I mean it – your colour choices are perfect.
I simply can’t imagine how hard you work on a daily basis for your family. You are an incredible woman.
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I love your calming sense of colour!
I laughed about the bubble baths. My daughter was always a nicer person in water, so that meant swimming and baths and wading in our little river. I even had a dishpan on the deck for her to wash her toys as a calming, engaging activity.
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The blanket is perfect for a very cold weather! The color combination is beautiful. Your pattern designs are lovely and catchy to the eyes. Hope I could knit too. Thanks for sharing!
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Julie
I still love the colours of Old China. As I said I am working on a version of my own and am almost finished. I am inspired every time I visit your site.
I work with special need children but I don’t live with them. No one will ever know just how much love, dedication and courage it takes to care for Toby, but you are breaking down the wall, you are allowing others like myself into your life to see these overwhelming challenges you are helping us, all to understand. You have on many occasions shared with us Toby’s likes through your photos. He is a very special young man in his own way with his own strengths.He is extremely lucky to have you, H and Amy to share your love with him. Surround him always……….
Take care
Shining Brightly
Jennifer Kingston
Utopia Canada
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The blanket is wonderful – I have enjoyed so much the whole growth process of it, thank you for sharing it! I hope all goes well for Toby and your family. Maggie
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I’ve always admired you as a person & as a yarn crafter. I continue to be inspired by your colour choices. You just have the most fantastic knack of creating things that look perfect. I can only hope to create something as wonderful as your Misty afghan one day. Sending my best…
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Golly you’ve been busy Julie! Your misty afghan is delightful – as are your autumn bunny dresses and your Shalom! I’m sorry to hear that Toby is finding the colder weather so restricting – sending you lots of love and best wishes as always. Lucy xxx
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It is too beautiful for words! The colors are so peaceful and relaxing! The perfect thing to look at during the winter months.
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Please tell H that stamp collectors don’t use their stamps. Why should you use your yarn? We all get great pleasure taking our stash out and looking at it, arranging it, and putting it back away again! Love the Misty; again an amazing choice of colour. You are so talented.
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Julie, your blanket is exquisite. I’m thinking of you during these tricky months. I’m in awe of what you do for Toby. It’s great that there are still things he can enjoy a little during winter. SO looking forward to seeing your wristwarmers x
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Probably the best afghan / throw that I have ever seen! lovely colours, beautiful work! I love the idea of your son having up to 4 bubble baths a day… those little breaks are essential aren’t they… hugs, Jill x
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I makes me furious when I hear tales of cut backs which affect valuable respite care for children like Toby. Such a necessary and important tool (for Toby and for you) and its so wrong that you have to fight for every bit of what you get. Makes my blood boil!!! I’ve mentioned my brother to you before I’m sure. Even at 29 he still likes his swing time (it’s sometimes the only thing that soothes his mood) and its a nightmare when the bad weather puts pay to outside time. So much more draining to watch them indoors all day.
Would you have space for something like this for Toby:
http://www.specialneedstoys.com/uk/indoor-swinging/648-doorframe-suspender.html
so he could swing indoors?
Here’s hoping for a swift winter and a return to more Toby friendly climes.
xMx
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Beautiful! I love the color combination.
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The blanket is lovely x
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Beautiful blanket – well done you for finishing it. x
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Ha! I LOVE your comment about having the yarn ahem ages. Much of my yarn was bought long, long ago too!
Your blanket is really beautiful and perfect for all of this weather we’re having at the moment. I’m glad that you are able to find a bit of peaceful time to knit, it sounds as though you need it at the moment.
Very best wishes
Katie x
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The blanket is stunning! You are an amazing mother. I was lucky, and still am lucky, to have a fighter for a mother. You are in good company.
~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
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Your misty is beautiful, such perfect colour combinations. We do not have an addiction, we are wisely buying the perfcet yarn when we see it and sometimes have to wait for the perfect project to suit it.
Sending my love and hope you get lucky in the lottery for some weekend respite xx
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The blankett is very lovely! And I am certain that it is lovely to wrap around oneself those chilly autumn and winter evenings:)
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Dropping in for a super fast hello. Wish I could stay longer but life is quite hectic right now and well…….. you know how it goes.
Thinking of you a lot. Sending hugs to you across the vast ocean. XXX000
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Reading this I am so frustrated for you. There has to be a way to get you more help. I can’ t remember if you are involved with a church- maybe the women there would help,or even just provide more support for you. I echo the other poster in asking for an address so I can show you some long distance TLC. My twins have your rabbits and I treasure them.Moms have to stick together because we are truly in this together. Hugs from the US. Vicki
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I have visited your blog for a few years and love your little creatures you knit. I have a 13mth old son, and we also find it hard to be occupied now that it’s cold outside and we can’t go for our daily walks to the park. I admire your patience, selflessness and love for Toby. It sounds like you have some very hard days. I’m sure you’ve helped many people by sharing your struggles and joys.
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