Thanks to all who participated in the contest hosted here and at www.mi-spa.com/blog.  Mimie and I had a great time putting this promotion together and hope to do another one later this year.

We both had a great response from all of you – we are both grateful for not only the participation but the comments.  Comments are what keep us bloggers going!   Today we cross-referenced all of the comments from both of our blogs to make sure qualifiers (a) posted on BOTH blogs and (b) Were within the time limits.  There were over 60 qualified commenters.  We used a random list and numbered you in that order.  We then used a random number generator to get the “winning” number.

I am thrilled to announce that Michelle of Granby, CT is our winner!!  Woohoo Michelle!  I expect everyone to clap and cheer for Michelle!  Please share your congrats in the comments!

Michelle – you can contact me at kathy DOT elkins AT yarn Dot com if you’d like to select the color of Southwick and I know Mimie wants you to select your fragrance for her portion of the prize so please be in touch with her.

I just have to say – I have been overwhelmed not only with the response to the contest but also the heartfelt and very personal memories everyone has shared.  I have read each and every one and even if I didn’t comment back, it doesn’t mean I wasn’t moved with your memory.  Honestly – there were some that I started to respond to and felt that my words just didn’t measure up – weren’t enough.  Mothers and daughters are an interesting combination. 

I have a very good relationship with my mom, although she is aging and in some ways failing.  She was never a lovey-dovey kind of mom, she’s very practical, organized, get it done without complaining kind of person.  In fact, she had zero tolerance for complaining in general.  I don’t have a particular Mother’s Day memory to share, but I do cherish the endless Scrabble games we played together.  I know she’s also a tad bitter that I ended up with two boys and no girls.  I think she was looking for payback – lets just say I had my moments 🙂

Although I hate to choose between my own two boys, I have to share what is my favorite memorty to date.  When Jackson was in 1st grade, his teacher had them create an “ornament”.  Funny enough it was made from yarn.  They blew up balloons, dragged the yarn through glue, wrapped the balloons with the yarn and let them sit.  When dry, the balloons were popped and each “ornament” had a special message attached.   More on that in a minute.

That day, I was rushed to pick the boys up – they were still at separate schools and we had an appt of some sort – probably dentist.  It was warmish and raining and I was flustered.  Jackson was so excited to show me his “present” but I was concerned about keeping it dry from the rain, getting to the car and onto wherever it was we needed to go.

Once we got to the car he asked me to look at his creation.  When I saw what he had written it brought tears to my eyes.

In case you can’t read it, here’s what he wrote, “I love more than a mosquitoes love me” Jackson

Now, I’m sure many of you are thinking this is an odd ode to his love for his Mom.  Not really.  See, without ample bug spray, Jackson gets eaten alive by the mosquitoes.  He gets frustrated when this happens and when he was little always asked why the mosquitoes bit him.  I told him it was because he was extra yummy and they just loved him too much.  Who knew how much those silly words were sticking with him.  His creation has hung in our kitchen window every single day since that Mother’s Day 4 years ago.

What’s that kid doing now?  Stressing me out!  I thought once hockey season was over and the ups and downs of being the mom of a goalie were over we’d cruise through baseball.  I figured he’d play an infield or outfield position, I’d sit and watch, relaxed – maybe even knitting.  Well, not so much.  Look what position he’s starting to/hoping to  play:

He’s suppose to debut tomorrow.  I guess the good news is that I’m the only one feeling the pressure – he’s embracing it.  My apologies for the blur.

Congrats again to Michelle and my appreciation to everyone who participated!

Kathy