What is wrong with people?

Seriously? So last night I was on cnn.com catching up on the national news, and I came across this story. The video made me cry. Any adult who can do that to children has no business being around them. I hope they get jail time. Even the older sibling (who was no older than 4 or 5) who tried to save the younger brother knew what was going on was wrong. How could a parent think it's right?


Then this morning I see this story in the paper. Now I know we don't have all the information yet, but seriously... what is wrong with people? Even in the best case scenario that the child died of natural causes, what made the mother think it's ok not to contact the authorities?

It breaks my heart that things like this happen at all - and that it happens to children just makes it that much worse. It brings out the 'mama bear' in me - I want to help and protect these children, but the best I can do is protect my own!

More Cancer

It seems at least once a year I know someone who gets cancer. Some years it's more than that, but minimum it's once a year. This year it's been more, and yesterday we got the news that someone close to us has been diagnosed. Later this month we'll hear back about that person's bone scan, so we'll know more about the severity.

This familiar and frustrating waiting has me feeling very helpless. We live far from the family, so we can't make meals or visit or anything of that sort. I'm almost afraid to start a prayer shawl since the last person I knit one for didn't make it.

Of course I've started researching this type of cancer and actually know a lot about it since a couple years ago another person close to us had the same type (and is in remission). I find that the more I know, the more I'm able to deal with the bad news and figure out ways to help out.

Getting the news so close to the holidays is hard for me, though I'm sure much harder for others involved. For selfish me, this is the first year in 9 years of marriage that we aren't spending Thanksgiving with extended family. This year has been filled with change, so it would be nice to be grounded again at a big family dinner. We'll be up with family during December, so I'll just have to wait until then.

My heart and prayers go out to this family and others dealing with cancer. And to the researchers trying to cure this awful disease.

Hat Pattern

I've had a bunch of questions about my hats, so here's my basic pattern. Happy knitting!

Super Chunky, Super Easy Hat
Size - fits most
Yarn - Super Chunky or Chunky
Needles - Size 8, 16" circular

Cast on 44. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: K2, P2. Continue rnds of K2, P2 ribbing until the piece measures 7-1/2".
Next rnd: K2, P2tog to end (33 stitches)
Next rnd: K2, P1 to end
Next rnd: K2tog, P1 to end (22 stitches)
Next rnd: K1, P1 to end
Next rnd: K2tog to end (11 stitches)
Next rnd: K2tog 5 times, K1 (6 stitches)
Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches.
Weave in ends.

Finally Etsy!

Back at the end of August I created an Etsy shop to sell knit items as well as accessories. Unfortunately, no sooner had I set it up and my little one ended up in the hospital. This week I finally put up a few items and have plans to add more in the coming weeks.

Check it out!