Year-End Wrap Up And Other Thoughts

I know the year is coming to an end - I'm even looking forward to attending it's farewell party at my brother's in NY city on Friday - but some people are just getting too much of a jump on the new year. My latest magazines are February issues! And at Stop-and-Shop, the valentine's day candy is already being put out!! I feel behind because I'm only thinking about New Year's resolutions and sales at the mall / stores!

I had a thought last night, that I mentioned to Dan, as a possible New Year's Resolution: Not to buy any yarn this new year, to only knit from what I have, but if it was absolutely neccessary to purchase an emergency skein to do only that, if as a gift for a secret pal... I suppose that's the ultimate yarn diet... While there's nothing wrong with purchasing the pretty yarn, "for something special, I just don't know what yet" I have limited resources and space. I did mention to him that if I did do that, I would have to be rewarded with quite the yarn spree :) Today I'm thinking I might go through my stash and sort / assign what I've got with what I'd like to make...

And while I'm thinking about that, wouldn't I love to try my hand at the designs in the Donnelly sweater - I'm nowhere near ready to try a cable aran sweater (I managed my Irish Hiking Scarf, but that's all), but maybe as a pillow or something... I've got some Donnelly blood in my veins.

But that's on top of all the other dumb errands I have to squeeze in today / tomorrow - get the stuff done now that I can't while school is in session. And I'm trying to get the month of January done in terms of lesson plans. January already feels shot - we've got a dinner date with friends the next weekend, a family visit the weekend after that, take down the Christmas ornaments, restore order to the apartment, SuperBowl... Maybe some valentine's candy would help :)

In my actual knitting, I finished one sock the other day and got through the leg of #2 last night, I think I can get the heel turned tonight. Pictures will come back, just have to charge the gizmo.

Post-Christmas

This holiday season was different for me for a lot of reasons - waking up without my family was one. But I loved waking up with Dan. We split up the families - saw my mom's side on Christmas Eve and Dan's mom's side on Christmas Day, then saw my Dad's folks at my parents house Christmas Night. Worked out well. The only snag is that I have somehow caught a cold. I know it's from one of the school kids I just don't know which one. Little stinkers and I did a big lesson on handwashing / not getting sick with them too. Oh well. I've been on the couch all day and Dan's been making me lots of tea, bringing tissues, etc. I hope he doesn't catch this.

My knitted gifts were a big hit - my secret santa at work loved the knitted flower washcloth, my mom loved my Irish Hiking Scarf, and my brother fit the Broad Street Mittens from knitty.com like a glove!!

Because of the cold (it's a doozy) I've been too achey to knit, but I'm feeling slightly better now. I'm thinking I'll pop Shrek2 in and knit something. I've got a sock that is almost up to the toe (maybe 1 - 1.5 inch), I started a scarf with some yarn from my SKP2, I've got the purple sweater that if it ever actually ends up a sweater I'll be amazed, a pillow for Dan, and a glove for Dan. These are things on the needles. But of course, I want to start something NEW :) Maybe in the upcoming year I'll be more organized with the knitting projects...

Returned, A Married Woman

The wedding was perfect! The honeymoon was beautiful - we went to San Fran, CA and Hawai'i ~ It was like right out of a movie!! And I adore being married to my husband - it still seems a little surreal, but it's wonderful!!




That's my husband!! His college roomate and me. I don't have a good picture of the back online - it was a corset!! Oh wait - here, from the designer's site :



I was able to knit without any problems at the airports, in the airplanes, a little bit by the pool, and each night before bed. I have 99% finished the Stitch Diva poncho - just have to make the cords. It's curling a bit - can you block somethign like this? I don't know how much I'll actually wear it, and I may even leave off the cords...

I've got just a bit left on the Broad Street Mittens for Brother#1. I should be able to take care of that today. As well as a flower washcloth that I want to make as a secret santa gift for work. And tonight I think I'm going to an actual stitch-n-bitch!! yay!

And today continues to be wonderful - SNOW!! No school for this teacher :) It's nice to have the break (finish the knitting, plan the next projects, etc) but now I think I may have created a to-do list for myself that is too big: go get copies of the marriage license from town hall, go to the post office to change my address and send out RAOKs, go to the library, go get wedding photos reprinted / enlarged for wedding gifts, work on school goals / future lesson plans, laundry, ironing, clean the bathroom... It's all good though! Even if it's 9 degrees!