D = Dad ... of course

The next ABC Along is D and since it's only been 11 days since Dad passed away of course I'm going to think of him because he's on my mind a lot right now. [BTW, thanks for all the kind words and support you all have given me. I've got some great friends out there.] I didn't have to search far for a picture of Dad and me together since it's hanging on the wall in my computer room at home. It's the last picture taken of us alone together. It was in 2002 and Mom was unable to travel anymore, so Dad came up from Florida to go to his class reunion in Milford, New Hampshire by himself and he stopped by to spend some time with us in Massachusetts on his way North.

I guess I really do look like my Dad ...

And then there's Dad at age 6 with his Dad ...


And then at age 14 with his Dad again. Can you tell Grandpa was in the Navy? My Dad joined the Navy at the age of 18 and then went on to retire from the Navy at the age of 39. That was soon after I had graduated from High School.

And I rather like this one with his Dad and sister.

So here's to all the DAD's out there. Because D is for Dad!

And he's my Dad ...

Arthur Arnold Hendrickson Jr.
November 9, 1928 -- February 13, 2008

Beloved son, brother, we called you 'Sonny'.
You worked hard and played harder than most.
You were a businessman and got all around town.
They called you the paper boy.
You are a Sweetheart, husband, lover, Alice calls you
Art.
You were a Navy career man and traveled
around the world.
You were a Chief Machinist Mate, buddy and
friend to many.
They called you Pop.
You were teacher, motivator and so much more.
They call you Dad.
You were baseball coach, homework coach, chauffeur,
pancake maker, story teller and so much more.

They call you Grandpa, Pop-pop, Great grand Dad,
buddy, chief, and friend.
It has been a good life.

You have lived it on your terms.
Thank you so very much for being you.
You have loved much and are loved greatly

When this life is over, your love will live on in
All of us as we strive to be all that we can be as you did.
We love you.

[writen by his sister, Virginia]

This is Dad and his sister in High School. Milford, NH 1946













And Dad with Mom, 1966 ...





The year before I graduated from High School ... 1966 ... this is the way I will always picture them together.

Ten years ago Dad showed me around Cypress Gardens ... we had the BEST time together! Thanks to Mom for loaning him to me for the day.


I love you and will miss you, Dad.

Christmas added to my stash ...

Since the Holidays are now over I should up date you all on a few of the interesting goodies I got.

First, a lovely oil painting by our son in law, Mike.



You know how I love Art (all kinds) and artistic talent and receiving a gift by the talented person who did it themselves is one of the best gifts ever. [well after all, they might get something homemade from me also] Isn't this oil painting beautiful? Now we have to find the right spot for it in our home and I'm thinking ... the Dining Room.

And here's a beautiful gift the DH gave me for Christmas... well he gave me the Gift Certificate from Seed Stitch Fine Yarn and this shawl pin jumped right into my basket along with all the yarn I got on sale.



What yarn did you say?


and three different colors of Lamb's Pride ...
Never mind how many skeins, LOL. Especially the Cashmere ... you'll just have to check it out in Ravelry or wait until I finally knit up some FO's.

Now I REALLY have to stop shopping! Honestly, a gift certificate for the right place just burns a hole in my pocket and drags some green stuff right along with it. Even plastic can be affected.


So while I work on the next project, here's an up date of me with a few of the grandkids taken at out little family Christmas party.

Aren't they absolutely adorable?



The girls all got Knitted Sock earrings from me and note that they're even wearing them for the picture. And even the slippers I made for the Munchkin fit. They stayed on her feet the whole day too.



So if the Munchkin and her gang are happy with what they got it's now time for me to get down to business and make some FO's appear for 2008.

Happy New Year!

[Late on the New Year's cheer but the new year doesn't start for me until my Birthday ... Tomorrow!] ;-)

I just got the best birthday gift ever ... a call from a sister to let me know that Dad has been off the ventilator for 24 hours now and the doctors say that his condition is "this side of a miracle" ... just what we've been praying for. He may be out of ICCU soon. Of course he's not out of the woods and things are still serious, but this time 2 weeks ago we thought we'd be facing something totally different. There are choices that our Dad needs to make and we would rather they be his choices and that he's at home to make them. We love you Dad!