Somethings never change

Received a panicked phone call yesterday from sib's. Another financial crisis. Desperate need for money. The same kind of call my parents received regularly when they were alive. The same call I've received since becoming executor of their small estate. I could plug the dike again, but not much longer. It makes my head feel like its going to explode. I dread seeing their names pop up on caller id. And I can't imagine what will happen next time crisis arises and I say no.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We are spending a quiet holiday at our Florida home. It is our new "norm". Last night we went to the square and listened to music and danced. It was delightful. Then home to open gifts. Every Christmas since the girls were little and spent hours under the tree shaking presents, their Dad told them the gifts were filled with socks, underwear and a poster. So every Christmas some of the packages contain underwear. A Christmas tradition.

The unexpected gift was that we decided to splurge and surprise them with Ipads. We haven't seen them speechless upon opening the last gift of the night since either of us can remember. That was truly a gift for DH and I. So last night and today will be filled with exploring the wonderful world of apps.

Another Christmas tradition is taking place today as well. Every year since DD1 went to college, DD2 dyes DD1's hair over the holidays. Usually a shade of red. This year it is a lovely merlot/magenta.

So, how ever you spend today celebrating or no, may it be filled with good things.

The wonders of multitasking

I wouldn't have been able to do this a year ago.

How cool is that! reading a book and knitting a sock at the same time. Granted neither the book not the simple sock require a great deal of focus, but still how cool!

One down

One to go. Dd2 has arrived safely. We stopped at Costco on the way home. My fridge no longer looks like something from a sitcom.

I turned the heel on the 1st of a pair of socks.

Christmas Cold

It is really unfair to wake up with a sore throat, chills and achy so close to the arrival of DD's. It is really unfair so close to all the Christmas festivities. So I will stay home today, potting, drinking loads of liquids, and dust and mop.

It is even more unfair because today is spectacular! Sunshine, blue sky, and finally not so much wind.

On the knitting side. Finished the wrap except to do a crocheted edge around the arm holes. And give it a vineagar wash. Pictures will follow. Cash on a pair of stock. The pattern is Denizans of the deep. I purchased it on ravelry.

I have yarn out for a scarf, a gift. After the rough feel if the wrap yarn I'm going for uber soft.

No FO's and lots of whining.

The wrap vest is just plain tedious at this point. I don't mind massive amounts of stockinette. Truth be told I rather enjoy it. But this vest has not been fun. I've had to wing it on the number of rows to adjust for my size/yarn weight/tension. I lost/threw out my pattern with my notes on the first half of the vest, so I've had to do the knit measure/count/compare/rip and re-knit approach to sizing for the second half of the vest. It is the sort of thing that does not result in happy dancing around the house. But I will muscle on!

Today there was a drop in temp. So had to bundle up when I walked the dog this am. DH turned the heat on in the house.

This afternoon, Motherbear. I am bringing a neighbor who is interested in resuming knitting and looking for a charity.

On a positive note, the sun is shining brightly. I am not on a golf course cursing the cold. My camellias are blooming. This variety reminds me of a "MOD" flower from the 70's.

What a lovely day for snowflakes!

They are hanging on my Magnolia tree. The tree is covered with buds this season, so I'm really hoping they bloom soon. Sadly they seem to bloom one flower at a time. And the blooms are short lived.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

We have a set of 3 lite trees, from Home Depot in front of the house. Our neighbors on either side have the same. Looks very festive at night.

I have a small amount of decorations in the house. Storage is so limited I haven't shipped down much from MN.

In the back yard I hung some big bright ornaments on the palms. While humming Christmas carols. And thinking how much easier it was to do when one isn't wearing mittens.

care to join me for coffee

The neighbor gave me some wonderful gingersnaps that just cry out for a cup of coffee. Not the healthiest breakfast but ever so wonderful.

DH is off getting something to stake down the lighted Christmas trees in the front yard. He will set up the neighbors this afternoon. I plan on putting out our meager FL Christmas decorations. Tonight we have the BIG neighborhood party. About 250 folks. I will go over and assist with decorating, the party starts at 5. Sunday is a smaller neighborhood potluck holiday party. I'm making a Stromboli from a recipe in the paper. If it is well received I'll share it. The base is a Pillsbury pizza crust. I'm hoping that it will be delicious so it can be my "go to" potluck recipe.

Finally Things with pictures

Short socks! For some reason held side by side these socks do not look like they are the same size. But they have the same number of rows and they fit! So they will not be a gift, they will be for me. I have another skein to make a pair for dd2. I will make sure that hers look the same a well as fit the same.

My wrap proceeds. I have made a bunch of mod's to the pattern for sizing. more rows at every step. The yarn will have a nice drape, but definitely needs a good vinegar bath. It turns my hands green while I'm knitting.