It's the last day of the year. . . and I'm just sitting at my computer, surfing the web, knitting and drinking my coffee. What a great way to start the day!! I've been researching ideas to upgrade my web site. I would love to post a place to make comments after each entry instead of the tag board, but I haven't quite figured it out yet. Maybe because I use a web building tool instead of straight code. Anyhow, when I do figure it out I will make the change! In the meantime, I did decide to join the book-a-week e-mail group again. I wasn't sure if I was going to since I haven't been reading too much lately, but I did enjoy reading the messages. So, I joined figuring I have all year and maybe through the summer (when school is over) I'll read a lot again!

As for knitting, I haven't finished any projects in the last couple of days, but I've made some good progress. Last night I decided to do a swatch for a new sweater with some yarn I bought a few months ago. I was so excited to start it, sat down and made the 4"x4" swatch - or so I thought. My swatch turned out 3.5"x3.5" :-( If I put the yarn on larger needles, then it was too loose. I guess I just picked out the wrong yarn for the sweater. So, some time this afternoon I plan on going through all of my old magazines (and I have a lot!) and seeing if there is a nice pattern for the yarn. If not, I guess I'll just have to put the yarn aside until a pattern in the future jumps out at me. But if I have to do that, then I'll need to do another yarn store trip soon so I can start some type of sweater!! I like having at least one big project on my needles to work on at home, and a few small ones to bring with me to work on either during lunch break or while waiting to pick up the kids. Although, that last one doesn't happen too often anymore as my oldest drives and my youngest has her permit. But once in a while I do need to wait and it's nice to have a project in the back seat so I'm not bored! Oh, and the football projects as well! That has to be a fairly easy project that I can work on while cheering for my team! Oh, that reminds me. . . I do need yarn to make a vest for my father for father's day. . . I guess I'd better find that pattern and maybe concentrate on that. . .and a sweater!!

This past weekend was my first one off from everything (soccer, school, work. . .) for a long time! Saturday was rather nice. I got up early, watched some football and knitted, and then our family went golfing. Talk about funny! Of course, I came in last, but by the end I wasn't doing too bad. Both of my girls did very well. But the best part was that we all had a very good time! Sunday I spent *again* watching football and knitting. Now, my favorite team is the 49ers, but they were out of the running early on. So, I've been rooting for Green Bay. What a day for them! They had a good win, but even better, the Arizona Cardinals beat the Vikings to let Green Bay go on to play next weekend! Go Green Bay!

Okay, enough about football. . .on to the projects I finished! Lets see. I finished my daughter's blue/green socks.

And, I finished a hat (to be sent off in a couple of weeks when I make one or two more), and one and a half socks from a toe-up pattern (which I will say I didn't like doing as much as the cuff down, but at least I've tried it!). I also cast-on a shape-it-scarf (thick, pretty yarn; but I may try it again with a ribbon yarn), a hat to match my diagonal scarf, and some rainbow socks! I probably won't get to work on them too much this week, but there is more football this coming weekend. . .

On a final note, here is a funky picture of me in my new sweater I wore on Christmas! I guess it's time to cast-on another sweater. . .especially since I have two bags of yarn waiting to be two more sweaters. . .

It's a good thing I didn't work today - otherwise I wouldn't have time to do two posts in one day - and I almost forgot about the Friday Five!

1. What was your biggest accomplishment this year?
Oh that's kind of hard. . . it would be finishing school, but I've only finished 59 of my 60 units! I have many small ones. . . but I guess my biggest would have to be getting my convertible car!

2. What was your biggest disappointment?
My dog passing away :-(

3. What do you hope the new year brings?
My degree!!

4. Will you be making any New Year's resolutions? If yes, what will they be?
Nope!

5. What are your plans for New Year's Eve?
Probably the same as last year. . . close family over at the house, play games, watch movies. . .oh the excitement! Actually, it is nice :-)

I am so frustrated! I had a nice entry all done up, and the computer hiccuped and it was gone! So, let me try to do this again. . .

Christmas came and went very fast! It seems like I spent forever getting ready for it, and now I'll spend almost as long cleaning up after it! But it was very enjoyable. The family celebrations went well all around. Most of my knitted gifts were given before the actual day, but a couple of pairs of socks were given to my parents (from my Mother's hint on my tag board!), and a tea cozy knitted from a pattern I bought from the KnittingFairy on-line.

On Christmas day I was able to wear my sweater that I finished the day before. If the picture that was taken turns out well, I will post it here. If not, I'll just have to take another picture!! Also, since I don't do well sitting still at family functions, I brought along some socks I was (am still) making for my oldest daughter out of the self striping yarn (I almost wrote "self stripping," but I looked it up on dictionary.com!) It's interesting how working on socks brings people over to talk (and not just at family functions). It seemed to bring up conversations of old argyle socks, toe up patterns, and turning heels. Which then led into other knitting topics, and then just talking in general. It was very nice and relaxing all the way around :-)

I hope everyone had as nice of a Christmas that we had. . . and I hope New Year's Eve goes just as well!

My top news for today is that my daughter's high school team won their tournament this week! Since my oldest is one of the team captains, she took the trophy home for safe keeping until they go back to school for a game today. So, I took a picture of them with it!

As for knitting. . . I finished every gift (Christmas and birthday) that I was working on and I'm almost done with my own sweater!! I'm hoping to finish it tonight so I can wear it tomorrow for my husband's family gathering. I'll post pictures of some of my projects after Christmas. . . and maybe even one of me in my sweater if I get a decent picture tomorrow! It just feels so nice to be done with those "have to finish" gifts!
So, on that note I thought I would put up a picture of my Christmas tree (can you tell I have some time to take pictures again!)


Happy Holidays Everyone!

Well, it's Monday morning again - and it's the last full week before Christmas! At least I finished both of my classes on Saturday, so I thought I would have time to knit. Not really. I went shopping with my husband Saturday morning, then with the whole family Saturday afternoon. Bought and decorated the tree Saturday. Cleaned my house (with the help of my Mom - thanks Mom!) Sunday and then went out to dinner for my daughter's 18th birthday Sunday night (I can't believe she's that old!). I was able to knit a bit at coffee on Sunday morning (my weekend break with Bev), and a little during Sunday night football. But not enough to keep up with the projects I need to have done!! Tonight is my anniversary, so I won't be knitting at dinner tonight. . .aahhhh!! I guess I'll be working on scarfs Tuesday and Wednesday night since my girls need them before the week is out. Then it will be back to my other Christmas projects that I've been trying to finish. . .then to my own sweater (which is together with just the neck left to knit - and that's on the needles!), some socks partially done, another shell I want to start, a shawl I have the yarn all wound and ready for, another shawl that I bought some yarn for on e-bay last month, and. . . I could go on and on!