Giveaway Winner...and Things Going On

    I pulled an interesting name for my Giveaway winner this time. I'll tell you why in a minute....But first, let me say that it never ceases to amaze me how a day can go from up to down, and do all kinds of twists and turns, in a flash....that keep you tossing and turning all night...Yep! Another sleepless night! But with reason this time...
    I had a conversation with my dad on the phone last night. He had his doctor's appointment recently where he had an MRI done {a kind of imaging X-ray} of his lower back. Well, he went back in yesterday to talk to the doctor about the results...and the news unfortunately is not good. :-(
     The doctors may have to do surgery...if he lets them! Which is not at all a certain thing right now! He's going to talk to a specialist soon to get the particulars. Then he'll decide...I could hear in his voice though, how much stress this has put him under. He REALLY doesn't want to do the 'surgery thing' again. He's "Been there/Done that" and is not in any hurry to do it again! 
    I had to hide my sadness when he was talking about being afraid of having to be in a wheelchair when this was all over. If you knew my dad you'd know how devastating the idea of it is for him. :-( So, I was a little bit 'Tossy-Turny" last night, thinking about the decision he has to make. NOT easy!...I'll let you know what he decides, when and IF he decides! :-/ No matter what though, I'm going to try my best to be a good and supportive daughter...as he has been supportive as a father, to one said daughter! (ME!) :-]
    The other thing that was on my mind last night was the bush fires and floods in Australia and the surrounding area. Until some very aware bloggers brought it to my attention, I was completely unaware of  the situation! I was just excited that the Australia Tennis Open was coming at the end of the month, not even knowing about the rain, floods, mud, bush fires,...and the missing and dead! :-( I wrote a poem about it (Below).
    To give you a little reprieve from all the bad news though, let me show you my latest project! I did this one yesterday.

     And, of course, I made a flower for it! :-)

    The flower is not sewn on yet. It's just sitting up here right now. I'm not done with the slipper yet. I'll show them to you when they're completely done...But I'm kinda liking this one!!...{I'm going to be re-doing the other pattern from yesterday's slipper too. In a large size for a man! I'm excited to see what it looks like in the end! :-)}
    I also wasted a little time just making this little purple flower.

     Okay, back to the Giveaway...After shaking it up...and shaking it up some more...In went hubby's hand.

       And the winner is...And you're not going to believe this!

      It's CinLynnBoutique!!....The same winner as last time!!...As I said, whatever name pops up, that's who will win!...So, Cindy, if you want the afghan...it's yours!! :-) Congratulations!! {If Cindy doesn't want it, I have a 2nd name person all prepared to give it to.}
    I haven't decided yet, what the next Giveaway item will be. Maybe a pair of slippers...Hmmmm?! ^_^ I know it will be on February 1, 2011. So, comment away!!! I'll put your names in the box...I'll give you more details soon.
    Okay, all that's left for today is the poem. I added a couple of pictures with it. If you haven't seen them, you'll be jarred...as I was. :-(

Muddy Thoughts

This poem is for those struggling,
evacuated, battling mud.
For those in South Australia,
where they had the recent flood.

My heart goes out to those
in Queensland, and Victoria too.
Tasmania, Western Australia,
and New South Wales, we think of you.

I've seen the waters flowing,
and watched your stuff float by.
I've felt the grief and longing.
And all that I can do is cry.

Hard times are still ahead.
Uneasiness will be your friend.
Good thoughts and lots of love
is what we send, to start your mend.

That "Hang On", tenacious spirit,
through the bush fires and heartache,
is something raging fires,
and flooding waters, couldn't take.

So, while there's organizing,
things and people yet to find;
Know that many of us
have you in our hearts and minds.