You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

My Grinchy socks are done! They're so cool looking. Absolutely not colors that I would pick or put together, but I love them anyway. They're the Spiral Eyelet Sock pattern I found on Ravelry. And they worked up so quick. I'm very glad that they're done - I was feeling very guilty about working on them when I should be knitting Christmas project 2, 3 and 4. So here they are.

As for the Christmas knitting, Project 2 is just over half done, Project 3 is about half done, and Project 4 was started tonight. Got a bunch done too - hope I can get it all done on time.

Got the Christmas tree yesterday. Very muddy. But it's a big, huge, real tree. It'll come inside and be decorated later this week.

Tonight, I got a very special surprise present from my Auntie Anne and Uncle John out in CA. A very pretty blue bag. Which held a very pretty little blue box with a white bow. And inside is a very pretty little blue suede bag. Which contained the very very pretty silver necklace. So a very big huge thank to my wonderful aunt and uncle. And I think that fulfills my quota for the word "very" for like, a week.

And that's it for me. (Very upset that my Steelers decided not to show up for the game today, so I won't talk about it.)

Getting There

Happy December. Can't believe it's December already. Where has the year gone? It's not yet feeling like Christmas to me. I'm playing the music, watching the sappy movies, it's just not there yet. Although, the 6+ inches of snow that they are predicting may help. But I'll get there.

I feel like I haven't been accomplishing anything with my various knitting projects, but then I took stock and realized I'm making some headway. Christmas Project 1 is 95% done - just needs sewing and blocking and it's done! Christmas Project 2 is 50% done! No pictures to prove any of this because recipients may or may not read this blog. After Christmas you'll see all.

I made a bunch of ornaments yesterday. They're just so cute. Ellie is requesting a garland of them to hang at the condo - I don't think that'll happen, maybe for next year.

I finished the first Grinchy sock last night during "The Amazing Race." And can I just say that this season is a really good one. I was getting worried after the last few seasons that the show had run its course, but this season is redeeming itself. Thank goodness those blondes are gone.I spent Saturday evening working on SotS. Not quite to the halfway point with clue 6. I'll get it done eventually. I've found that it's best to work on it while I'm watching sports. Started so well while the Indians were still playing, and then tapered off when they were done. And got going again while watching college football. And now that's done. Don't know what I'll do now.

So, up next on the needles - Christmas Projects 3 and 4, finish CP2, and then some Fair Isle mittens for me, and a hat for Kaylee. Yes, I am going to attempt another hat for Kaylee. Fingers crossed that it fits this time around.

A Close One

Wow. That's all I will say about last night's game. Very glad that my Steeler's Monkey socks were complete and being worn to give a little mojo to Jeff Reed. Yikes. Here they are:Wonderfully warm and comfy. Gotta love hand-knitted socks. And when I finished them on Sunday night, I started theseThe pattern is "Simply Ginny", in the Grinchy Socks that Rock. Digging them so far.Had a crazy day at work. 3 minutes into the girl's BB game, an opposing player landed funny and dislocated her knee. Squad called, they took her away. She was the calmest, best athlete I've ever dealt with- especially considering the severity of the injury. And then a little later on, one of my girls was bitten. That's right, I typed B-I-T-T-E-N. Someone totally pulled a Mike Tyson during a basketball game. And then we won by more than 40 points. Craziness I tell you.

A while ago I was tagged by my cousin Laura. I've never done the blog tag thing so here goes. Something about 6 random things, I won't be tagging anyone because I don't know anyone who blogs to tag who hasn't been tagged, so if you'd like to play along, consider yourself tagged.

1. My favorite book is "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexander Dumas. I had to read it for freshman English and loved it. I read it at least once a year.

2. I don't like when dogs try to lick me. Can't handle the slobber - probably another reason it's good that I'll never get a dog. I can tolerate the hand licking to a small extent, but NOT the face. Gross.

3. I hate decorating the Christmas tree. For a good long time, I have been responsible for putting the lights up, and the last few years it has fallen to me to do all of it. I think that if other people would help, I might not get so frustrated and stressed out. But, as it is, I am expected to remember the exact placement of all 5 children's assorted ornaments, and if I forget where one goes, or leave one off, I get ripped. And then I stress out. Bad holiday stress. And then there's the fact that I have to take the tree down again - and that's just depressing.

4. I can't wear nail polish. I pick it off within hours of it drying. And then I end up gouging out my nails in my attempts to get all of it off. I think the longest I've been able to go is like a day.

5. I have a problem walking out of a craft store empty handed. And Target. Always have to pick something up. Most of you understand the craft store bit - between my knitting, beading and scrapbooking, but Target? I can't explain it.

6. I love the Food Network Challenge shows. Doesn't matter what kind of challenge - fruit displays, extreme cakes, benihana - love them. Will watch them multiple times. Good tv.