So... Summer is over?! Say it isn't so. I just can't believe it. I just can't believe that the new school year is here, already.

Yesterday, after I took Andrew to school, I came home and stood in the kitchen.  Feeling an overwhelming amount of sadness.  Although, extremely grateful, I just can't believe that I am left with only one child at home.  I decided to blast some music like I have in the past.  I chose the Brett Dennen station on Pandora and the first song was "Nothing Lasts Forever".  Really?!  I know this!  But, Please!  You don't have to rub it in!

So, I turned off the music and read my old "back to school" blog posts.
Cried a bunch of tears. (Pure torture.)
Made my annual back to school brownies.
Wandered around the house.
Tried for 45 minutes to get contacts into my eyes.  (New to me.)
Wandered around the house.
Sat on our new sofa.
Tried for 20 minutes to get the contacts out of my eyes.
Wandered around the house.
Finally, I knit a few rows.
And, all of a sudden, all felt good in the world.

Remember this sweater?  I started it back in April.  Then ripped it out back in June.  (Remember our friends who like yarn, too?)  And, finally finished it at the beginning of August.
I love the high/low aspect of this sweater. Anything that covers my behind is always a welcome piece of clothing!

Pattern:  Elen
Yarn:  Sanibel, color #1320, horizon
Needles:  US 7
Size: medium

So, I spent the last week getting two of my three settled into college.  Yes, college!  I still have to say it a few times.  I just can't believe it.

Charlie will be a Junior returning to The Ohio State University.  And, Libby is starting her first year at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

It was a tough week, but seeing them happy makes it so much easier.

Now, I get to put all my focus on Andrew.  :)

 Thank you so much for all of your comments and emails regarding out sweet Trouble.  Your kind words, thoughts and prayers are so appreciated.  There really is so much love and goodness in the world.  I am forever grateful.
(Can you believe this heart tomato!)

Also, I had quite a response to the pin stitch markers.  (Over 300 requests!)  My goal is to make sure everyone who has emailed me, gets a set.  It might take some time, but eventually, they will land in your mailbox.  ;)

Happy weekend, friends!

I can't believe how hard this post is to write.  I have wanted to come to this space, but just couldn't bring myself.

A week ago today, on August 1, our sweet Trouble died suddenly and unexpectedly.

Four days earlier I had her at the vet because of a weird cough.  The vet thought perhaps she was developing asthma or that maybe she had a tumor resting on her lung.
Then, last Sunday she didn't want to eat.  (Except for the few bites of alaskan king salmon Andrew fed her right before the photo was taken.)  She didn't sleep all night.  In the morning I called the vet for something to help her breathe.  At 9am, I was on the phone with Charlie (also had my mother on the other line) when Trouble brought herself downstairs.  Her breathing was labored.  I went to get Andrew out of bed to help me get her to the vet.  She died 30 seconds later.   Her sweet heart just stopped beating.

It truly is heartbreaking to lose a pet.  We are forever grateful to have been blessed by this sweet girl.  She brought so much joy into our lives and taught us so much.  This last year, since her return, we felt as if we were on extra, special, bonus time with her.  What a gift.

Please go hug your pets,  give them a treat and take lots and lots of photos.  You truly can never have enough.