Dark, Cold, Windy, Rainy..No sleep here.

Yep, I'm unable to sleep so here I am blogging this late at night. I already flickr'd and ravelried so I might as well let everyone know we're having some crazy weather tonight. We really need the rain, it's the wind I'd be happy without. It sounds like the top floor of my house is going to blow right off! I just went downstairs and brought our dog into the garage to sleep, the poor baby was all wet (she's happier outside, even when it's storming) but I want her to get some rest!


Finally I can post pictures of some of the knitted items I finished for Christmas presents. There's two pairs of socks for my Best Friend Julie in CA. I sure hope they fit, I tend to knit socks on the small size. LET ME KNOW JULIE!!

Below are Lesley's Socks, really the first lace sock pattern that I've done. I loved working them up, they were a fast and fun knit. I shortened the leg part because I like my socks to just go to the ankle or so. Any longer and I can't wear them so I only make them that one way! LOL! These are made out of Lorna's Laces Red Rover (which really isn't RED, more like "hot pink red". ) I should've gotten Poppy or Tulip....

Next are just basic St st socks done in Austermann Step yarn. I liked the colors for her since her favorite color is Red, and she's a February B/D gal so the purple and pink totally fit in there. I really messed up on the toe's though (can you see?). I didn't even notice that one had more Red on top than the other until I had already fastened off. Boy do I suck sometimes. **That's why I made her the Lesley's too, they were my "see, I'm not a total dork" socks! She's a rock-n-roller though, I think she'll wear them even with the toes not matching up "exactly"! That's why I sent them to her anyway!

Below are some more Lesley's that I just finished up this weekend for my MIL for Christmas. I hope she doesn't read my blog and see them ahead of time!! She has small feet, so I hope I did okay. I love the lacy part of these, it just makes me happy happy. To be honest, some of the patterned socks that I see out there are just so funky. They remind me of elephant legs or something, just not very attractive! Like some skin disease! ewwww. These are just right. Elegant and stylish.

These are done in Dream in Color's Smooshy. I had blue dye on my fingers as I knit these, so I hope they don't lose too much color after washing. I didn't have any trouble at all with the Classy (worsted weight) so I hope these stay like they are, they're just the most gorgeous color.

More knitting is under way. I did a lot this weekend even with a migraine and other health issues. I was already cutting it close and then I added a scarf for my brother to the list.

I think I'm nuts.

Random Wednesday

Still knitting things I can't show so I'll introduce our newest additions. Sasha & Sophie. After we got back from CA this past summer we finally got what we'd been promising the girls for a couple of years. We got them on August 2nd and they were about 5 or 6 weeks old I think. Now... they're HUGE.

These are different kinds of cats. We were told they were literally born in a barn and are probably part siamese, part tabby - but their body shape and spots (YES! Spots, on their backs and tummies!) are different than what I've seen before. I actually thought they might be part racoon, their tails are stripped like a lemur.

My youngest kept calling them something, then she showed us a picture the other day and we were blown away. They look related to something called an Egyptian Mau. That even explains the extra flab of skin before their hind legs. How funny huh? We thought so.

I had wanted to "cop car" kitties (black & white) but these are proving to be loving and sweet and tearing up the house just the same. We luv our Sasha & Sophie.

Wow, is it warm!

I don't know if my knitted items will come in handy for some that I'm knitting for! Yowza! We're in the low 70's today! I turned on my car's a/c when I went to the library and to pick up my daughter from school! One day the heater, the next day the a/c. Crazy weather!! Santa's gonna have some bermuda shorts on when he goes thru here! LOL!

Finished my FIL's hat and boy did it get bigger after washing! (**Just an FYI for those who ever use Cleckheaton Country 8 ply!) Prior to washing it I was worried, it just seemed that it would be too small. (Actually I had doubts the whole time about my choice of pattern and had re-started this hat too many times.) I was so crazed thinking about when I could get across town to the LYS for more of this color, but miracle of miracles, it worked out!

I started on my MIL's present this weekend and The Big Guy accidently pulled out one of the bamboo needles yesterday....putting it back was out of the question. It's dark yarn, size 1.5 needles, lacy pattern - you get the idea. So, I just started over and now I'm glad I did. Things happen for a reason and I think they would've turned out too big had that not happened (I went down a needle size). Now we're back on track and giving each other happiness. (Me & My Yarn, already forgave The Big Guy!)

Okay, back to knitting! Pictures will be posted after gifts are rec'd.

Half asleep over here....

I had forgotten to post my last present to myself . I got these a few days ago and have already started using my size 6 circular to redo my FIL's hat. I gotta say, these 16" circs have some VERY. SHARP. tips!! I sometimes use my right index finger as a stopper when I'm pushing the yarn up on the left side as I knit. I'm glad my nail is long right now, that helps to avoid the flesh! Ouch! My options haven't stabbed me this bad, these suckers are dangerous! I still love the smoothness though so I must persevere. I was using my old Susan Bates circ and the drag was driving me crazy (that's partly why I ordered these). It's funny how our tastes adjust when it comes to needles. It's always fun to try new ones though and I'm sure I'll figure something out to avoid the pain.

I've been really tired this week but I did get things done as far as getting cards sent out, packages mailed to family, and bills paid. I just feel like I'm sleepy no matter how much rest I'm able to get. I'm still not sure if this is from Fibromyalgia, but when I hurt (as my legs and arms have been lately) it's just not easy to feel good at all.

I got two magazines in the mail last week sometime and have yet to turn one cover. This is totally out of the norm for me, I can devour a knitting magazine in no time once I pull it out of that mailbox! I think it's partly that I'm feeling bad, partly that I'm a bit stressed due to the holidays, and partly that I'm just getting tired of knitting lately! Wait!! Did I say that??? Well, I think it's just the pain thing that's making it tough. I WANT to do more, but my body says "owww, do we gotta?" instead.

I always love to read, but I've really been a reading machine these past few weeks, it's just been a sanity saver for me since the knitting sometimes hurts (although I just figured out right this second that that could be WHY I'm hurting since it's hard to put a good book down and I sometimes don't get enough sleep). Still, being able to get lost in a good book is amazing. I just finished one on Edward II and Queen Isabella, (can't remember the name right now) and also one on the Plague of London. I have another Queen Elizabeth I mystery that I'm ready to start tonight.

Reading Goal: I better start trying to pace myself and know when it's quitting time, I'm my own worst enemy.

Knitting Goal: I'm hoping to finish my FIL's hat, AND work on something for my MIL before the holidays are here! I'm almost sure I can maybe somehow unbelieveably pull this off. Oh and I still owe my Big Brother a scarf from last year (which Totally rang a bell once my Mom reminded me of it just the other night)...I don't think that one's gonna happen until after Christmas but i have ideas which is a great start.

Here's to some marathon knitting! (I can always hope!!)

Random Wednesday

Well, since no knitting is getting done and I feel kind of like I could sleep for days - I thought I'd do a random day like a lot of other bloggers.

At first I thought, "that's not me! I'm not competitive!" Then I remember how I always look out the window at what the neighbors are putting up (I drive my husband crazy!). I'm a Leo, total Bossy pants and have to be in control. This totally does fit me! But I love Clark so I'm happy!

See why I can't blog?

Sasha always does this.....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Yea!! We finally got the tree up in the front room, and the lights done outside as well. It's taken a bit for us to get moving but we're getting there. Hubby had to buy new lights for the tree though because we lost the ones we've used for years! Total Bummer, but I like the new Micro ones as it turns out, so change can be good I suppose. We keep it pretty simple, here's a view of the front, you can't see it in the picture but they're around by the garage too. Hubby didn't do the bay window this year, maybe I can get him to do it next year! LOL!

We're using our smaller tree this year since this is our kitties first Christmas . As curious as they are, I just have a feeling the tree may be in peril at some point. I'm going to keep the ornaments down to a minimum also...just to be on the safe side if it goes TimmmBurrrr. I know who'll be picking things up if that happens . Misc Info: We had to quit using real trees years ago when my girls had infant asthma, we've gotten used to it and are happy to just put it away each year.

On the knitting front it seems I'll have to restart my FIL's hat. I totally messed up the top by just not paying attention (and being way too tired to be knitting anyway). How hard it is it to mess up a hat??? Believe me, it can be done. That "knitting gut feeling" we all have, it's there for a reason and it helps to listen to it . I can just be a little hard headed when I'm tired.

I'm done with the fancy part of one of my Girls Best Friend Anklets. Slowly but surely some knitting is getting done. I restarted my SitCom Sweater in the Medium size as well. Although, I just washed and measured my swatch (I ACTUALLY did one this time! That's gotta be worth some points Santa! ) and I think I may go up to a large after all. I'm so wishy washy!! I like positive ease in things or I won't wear them. I hate to feel strangled or to show my "gotta lose it someday" weight.

I received one of my Christmas presents to myself the other day. Really, when you have a husband who tries really hard, but you've been together long enough to know he HATES to shop and doesn't always pick up on the seventeen hints you gave, it's just easier all the way around if I say "Hey! Look what you got me!!! I LOVE It!!" It gives him happiness and me too. We both win!
I'm a big Quincy Fan, I wish they'd put out more episodes but it seems that may not happen. I haven't gotten to explore the books yet, I think I'm waiting until after Christmas so I won't feel guilty! LOL!

I'm reading The Knitting Circle right now. I know it's been out awhile but I happened upon it at the library on Saturday and thought what the heck. I'm into historical reads, fictional or not, so this really isn't my norm. I like the book so far but don't much care for some of the language used in it, gosh you got a good storyline going here, why throw that in? But I have to remember (or just guess) people really do talk like that in normal conversation even though I don't (I'll excuse Gordon Ramsay just because he makes me smile for some reason, that accent I suppose!). Believe me, I'm no saint, mainly when I'm driving I say a few baddies but some words I just don't see coming out of a ladies mouth. Anyway, I just wish people could know they had a good thing without it.

I recently got a message thru Ravelry from a gal that works at Schaefer yarns about my "Itchy Anne Socks". She sent me a sample of their new Heather yarn to work up since I wasn't thrilled with Anne (Me + Mohair = ITCH. ) That was really nice as she also sent a pattern as well. Kudos for customer service! But, I don't think I'm going to buy any anytime soon as it's around $28.00 a pop, (that's a bit more than I usually spend for sock yarn). I also wonder how this one holds up with the color bleeding since I know that's a major issue with the Anne Colorways. I'd have to research it more before taking that plunge. We shall see! If anyone's tried it let me know K?

Now I'm off to finish this book and maybe work on those socks....Can you believe ONLY 23 DAYS until Christmas?? Where did the time go????