My Heart Swells

Thanks to a lot of hard work by my friend Linzi, a lot of Mom-preneurs came together last night in an effort to raise enough money to purchase an iPad for a little girl undergoing special treatment.

It was a great night of good will and such love and camaraderie that it made my heart swell to near bursting just to be fortunate enough to have been part of it.

Not only did we help a little girl but we grew our own circle of friends and colleagues and I was privileged to meet some very extraordinary women who provide a very diverse group of services.

Everyone provided something for the silent auction and it was fun to see what was there.

What was really cool was that it was all women.  We banded together and helped one of our very little sisters.  I am sure that this will be something she remembers the rest of her life and I am sure that one day she  will look for situations where she can return the favour by helping someone else in need.

Thanks to everyone who contributed last night and an very big thank you to Linzi for bringing us all together to share a night to think of someone else.

Keep your sticks clicking.

Betty-Anne

Fund Raiser Tonight

Hi everyone.  I have been very busy knitting away more than usual these past few weeks.  I am preparing for a fundraiser for a local girl who has been going through a very difficult time.  I have posted her story below and I hope that you take the time to read it.

A very dear friend of mine is opening her home to a number of Mom-preneurs and we are all working together to help raise money to make this little angel's dream come true.  

Now the knitting is done - well it is never done but I have enough things prepared that hopefully I can get some sales which will all go towards the purchase of the iPad.

It does not take a lot of effort to do a lot of good.  Knitting which I enjoy is so easy for me to do that it feels good to be able to use it to help others.

Keep your sticks clicking.

Betty-Anne

Here is Kathryn's journey:

Kathryn is 9 and was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma Stage IV in June 2008 at 5 years of age. She underwent 10 months of intensive treatment including 12 surgeries, 8 rounds of high dose chemotherapy, two bone marrow transplants and 12 rounds of radiation. She was in remission for 17 months. Unfortunately in September 2010, the cancer returned in two lesions on her spine. We were told at that time that she would never be in remission again and they were giving her quality of life. Despite their comments, after 24 rounds (5 days per week every 3 weeks) her scans showed there was no evidence of disease in February 2012. She underwent 10 rounds of radiation to her spine to help ensure that the cancer cells were gone. In August after another set of scans showing no evidence of disease, her oncologist told us that she had applied to the National Institute of Health in Washington DC to ask for compassionate use of a new therapy (which is now part of the original treatment routine in newly diagnosed kids) on Kathryn. This treatment is called Immunotherapy. It is complicated so I won't try to explain it except to say that it is extremely painful and requires her to be on morphine during the whole time she receives the medicine The purpose of giving her the Immunotherapy is to kill any lingering cells which many have escaped the chemo and radiation and to keep her in remission forever. This treatment is very hard on her and the pain is almost insurmountable at times. She is a Grade 4 student at George Kennedy and plans to attend school full time while not at the hospital getting treatment. It is our goal to make as many of her wishes come true as possible. The iPad is another wish that you are making come true and for that we are truly grateful to everyone. Thanks again for doing such a special think for our brave girl.

Inspiration - You Just Never Know

Wow, it's true.  You just never know where you are going to find your inspiration.  I was at my favourite Starbuck's this morning when I met this very sweet lady (hi Judy) who was wearing the most incredible shawl.  It was just so elegant and cozy and soft.  Such a great combination.

Anyway, being as shy as I am, I walked right up to her and asked if I could feel it.  Naturally she dumped her latte over my head.  Only joking.  She was kind enough to humour me and allowed me to manhandle her shawl and then she even helped me measure it so that I could plan my pattern in order to create my own version of this shawl.

Now I must figure out if I am going to use a tweed, which is spectacular for the fall, and also if I want to use the twining technique.  So many decisions.  What fun!

Anyway during all this feeling and measuring we traded details and I am very excited to have met Judy from Arbonne and can't wait to get designing now.

Have a great day everyone and remember clicky sticks are happy sticks, so keep your sticks clicking.

Betty-Anne