Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 50

Ask and You Shall Receive

My friend and gifted knitting designer, Nicky Epstein, is in town for Stitch and Pitch.  (She tosses out the opening pitch at the Seattle Mariners game tonight—go Nicky!)  Nicky, along with her husband, Howard, and Bob and Jean Dunbabin, who own Cascade Yarn Company, were at our home last night for a pot luck in Nicky's honor.  Wouldn't you know it, rain was forecast.  Twenty some people were scheduled to spend the evening on our deck.   It simply couldn't rain.  It would ruin everything. 



And so I prayed.  St. Thomas Aquinas couldn't have prayed harder.  I boldly asked God for sunshine between 4 and 8 p.m.  The morning of the pot luck I woke to dark, threatening clouds.  My windshield wipers were swishing as I drove to the office.  I prayed harder yet.  Noon looked like evening.  Dark, dark, dark skies.  At 3 p.m. blue skies showed faintly in the distance.  At 4 p.m. we had glorious sunshine, which lasted until a little after eight.  Then the clouds returned.



Ye have not because you ask not.  I asked.  God is good.  

Knitting & Relaxation

I've been knitting on this incredibly complicated Aran sweater for my grandson, Collin.  It was supposed to be for his birthday last month, which tells you how long I've been working on it.  The sweater has been giving me fits and false starts from the beginning.  I was up to the shoulders on the front and read the pattern again. That’s when I realized I'd made a mistake when I cast off for the underarms. I debated if I should leave it or not and decided I would rip that whole section out and start again.



After I ripped it out and reread the pattern I realized I'd MISREAD the stupid pattern and had ripped out about 100 rows for no reason. It took all the restraint I could muster not to toss the sweater onto the floor and stomp on it. Will someone kindly remind me again how relaxing and fun knitting is?

More Driving with Jazmine

My sixteen-year-old granddaughter, Jazmine, is attending summer school.  This morning I picked her up on my way into the office.  I was a few minutes early and thought I'd let her drive, as she needs the practice.  Our last adventure behind the wheel was traumatic, but I've recovered.  Jazz was extra cautious this time.  She went 20 mph in a 45 mph zone.  (Mind you, this is on Mile Hill Drive with a nice downhill slope.)  The line of cars behind us stretched from Port Orchard to Seattle.  I bit my tongue and let her drive.   When we neared the high school, where the speed zone is 20 mph, Jazz speeded up to 50 mph.  I grabbed hold of the dashboard and screamed, "Slow down!"  She eased off the gas, and we screeched to a halt in front of the school.  Her final words to me as she climbed out of the car were:  "I can hardly wait to read your blog!"

That Righteous Feeling

I walked two miles in my swimming suit this morning. (If that isn't enough to make you gasp in horror I don't know what is!)  I should explain that I was wearing a jogging outfit over the swimsuit.  I was up at 4 a.m. and ready to beat the water at the local swimming pool into submission only to discover the pool was closed for repairs.  Since I was already up and awake, I dragged Bogie out of bed, attached the leash and took off.  There's no feeling more righteous than exercising early in the morning! 

Bleary-eyed

I think I must be getting old and crotchety. The neighborhood fireworks frenzy went on well past midnight last night. Just when I started drifting off someone would set off another firework and I was instantly alert. (I think I've watched the movie Red Dawn one too many times.) Even though I'm bleary-eyed this morning, I'm eager to dig into my day after a wonderful holiday weekend.

Nurse Debbie Takes Flight

Wayne is settled in for the day with the remote, telephone, computer, pillows, pills and other paraphernalia at his side, and I'm off to Seattle to visit my cousin, Shirley.  It's her birthday.  She recently had hip replacement surgery, so instead of our usual birthday treat of buttered popcorn and a movie we’re planning dinner at her apartment with plenty of chatter and laughter.  Shirley is a former nun and the inspiration for my book CHANGING HABITS.   No one can be around her bubbly personality and not laugh.  It's going to be a good day.

Nurse Debbie

It's a dark afternoon in Mudville, and I'm not talking about baseball.  Wayne is in pain, bad, bad back pain with a bulging disk.  To put it mildly, when my husband is hurting he isn't exactly Mr. Personality.  My job is to get him to doctor appointments, medical tests, pick up prescriptions and offer him lots of sympathy.  Oh, and cook him all his favorite meals, too, and to bring him whatever he wants or needs.  It would be even better if I were a mind reader so I could anticipate his needs, but alas I am not.  One thing I've discovered about myself:  I am no Florence Nightingale.  I fear that another week of this and I'll turn into Nurse Ratched.   Pray for me, friends.  Pray hard! 

Driving with Jazmine

My oldest granddaughter, Jazmine Lynn, has her driver's permit.  She was with me the other day and said, "Grandma, let me drive so you can relax."  Relax.  You've got to be kidding me!  An entire spiritual renewal took place two minutes after Jazz got behind the wheel.  I haven't been this close to God in years.  In fact, when Jazz ran the stop sign, my entire life passed before my eyes.  I wanted to tell her she missed the stop sign but my mouth was so dry I couldn't speak.  We arrived at the store, and Jazz parked and smiled over at me.  "Look Grandma, I only took up one parking space this time."  Note to Jazz:  Next time I'm driving.

The Dating Game

My daughter, Jody, introduced me to the young man she's been dating recently.  (Jody was divorced several years ago, and I deeply admired everything she did to save her marriage.)  Wayne and I have waited patiently for her to get back into the dating scene, praying God will send a good man into her life. 

 

She's been talking about Greg for a few weeks.  James, her youngest, is a fabulous athlete, and Greg is one of his basketball coaches.  I assumed he would be tall.  I mean, he is a basketball coach!  When Jody asked what I thought of him I told her I thought he would be taller.  She smiled and said.  "That's funny, Mom.  He said the same thing about you."

Hobbies are a good thing

My dear husband has made a momentous decision.  He's decided to take up golf.  First thing Monday morning, he went out and purchased golf clubs.  We hadn't even finished unpacking the car!  Then yesterday Wayne and his best friend, Norm, were out at the driving range, swinging their clubs and enjoying some “man time.”   Wayne was enthusiastic and excited, and I think this will be wonderful for him.   His new hobby may be a good thing for me, too.  Let’s see--more time to knit, shop for yarn,  play with the grandkids. . .