More of everything

More tests.  More waiting.  More crafting.  More working.  More more more more.  I wish I had less some days.  At least the one 'more' that I've been really enjoying is taking more pictures...

The little tree from last year is now in Hobbit's room for the holidays.

I've got everything out for Christmas so we started December all ate up with the spirit.

Even the animals have their stockings up and are waiting for Santa.

I started the week like this... stay tuned, it's grown and I'm tickled over it.

I spend the nights admiring my tree.  I do love all the ornaments and their special meanings.

From the new ones we just picked up within the last five years...

All the way to the ones my mother made when I four years old.  These are my treasures.

Certain ones make me cry - like this one because it reminds me of Peanut and I miss her at Christmas.

To the silly things that Hobbit does to make up for Christmases long past.

I love my tree and all the memories that it holds and shares each year.

This photo is now out of date because I've got a few rows of green on it past the variegated!

I told you it grew!  Who would have something so simple would be such fun.

So here is hoping for a week of less.  A quiet, simple week with the only thing in the "more" category is rest.

All my blessings

My wonderful family, posing as I requested for our first family portrait - ever!

Yesterday was simply amazing.  I found all of my blessings in life under one roof.  I have amazing parents, a wonderful brother who married a sweet woman, an awesome husband, and fabulous kids.  The time we are able to all get together is precious.  I enjoyed yesterday so much and I hope that we won't have to let six and a half years pass by again before we are able to get back together.

We truly are a silly lot.  God, I love my family so much.  Thank you for making them mine!

Happy Thanksgiving

glitter-graphics.com 

I pray that you are surrounded by those you hold most dear. When I give my list of thankful things, y'all are definitely at the top!  I hope that you have a blessed day and stay safe.

Tell-tale sign

Gratuitous puppy shot - he's so cute!  I love his snores.

It's such a tell-tale sign that things are out of sorts around me when my blog gets quiet.  I don't mean for it go quiet like it does but it's just one of those things that happens.  It's like something has got to give and this is where it goes.

I've been sick recently.  Nothing to alarm anyone about - I'm not alarmed anyway but I'll let you know if that changes Monday afternoon after my appointment.  I doubt it though so don't worry.  Anyway, this thingamajig has worn me slap out so I've not done much of anything besides go to work. I get up early, go to work, do what housework I can during my breaks, get off work, cook supper, help with homework, get Hobbit in bed, and then I'm a zombie on the sofa for a good hour before I just kind of doze off and Pokey sweetly toddles me off to bed.  Then I get up the next day and do it all over again.

This new doctor has had me keep a food journal.  It's rather pathetic on the entries but I've kept up with it.  Still feel crummy but hey, I'm doing my 'homework' like a good girl.  I keep looking over it for a something, anything, that looks like a common thread that would have me feeling horrible but I come up empty.  She was trying to tell me it was either food allergies, appendix, or ovaries.  Now how those three things would cause me to feel constantly nauseous, cramped up, and exhausted (along with other details that we'll just smile and nod over) I just don't know.  I would have thought at the ripe ol' age of 41 that if I had a food allergy, I would have known about it well before now.  I'm no doctor but I took Health Education back in 10th grade and my ovaries have nothing to do with my belly.  The only one that makes sense would be my appendix but honestly, I saw my husband go through it all six years ago and it's nothing like what he was going through.  I'm just lost.

I think it is coming along nicely.

So that's why it's been quiet around these parts.  I'm just basically a Petri dish it seems.  Hopefully there will be some kind of answer or direction on Monday because I am completely over it already.  It has been cropping up every few months for years now but since it was getting more severe and more common, I thought it best to have it checked out.  Y'all know I'm stubborn and don't like going to the doctor but sometimes, it just reaches the point where you have to go and get poked.

On the upside, I did start a shawl yesterday.  Pokey wants to gift it to a coworker for Christmas so I thought it best to get started now so I can have it done in time.  I really like how this heathered hunter green is working up.  I have some darker rainbow variegated to use as well.

Sunday Snaps

We started the week helping Butch feel like he was a part of the family and his world was once again secure...

I failed my Order of the Phoenix Mission but I started it super late due to change of pattern so it's my own fault...

By mid-week, things were starting to get into a groove with everyone, even our newest family member...

I finished an epic shawl in a week thanks to Quidditch motivation...

We chaperoned Hobbit's first ever school dance.  She had a wonderful time.

It's been cold enough that I periodically get to rock my awesome new hat and cloak...

and we ended the week with someone finally feeling right at home.

Let the dust settle already

My word, it has been crazy around here.  Deadlines, projects, things I can't tell you about yet, family, illness and unexpected surprises have been running rampant around here.  What to share first, oh, I know...

My assistant, hard at work today.

Allow me to introduce you to Butch.  He is a 6-year-old Bagle Hound... Beagle and Basset Hound mix... and the newest member of our family.  You see, our dog sitter called to take me up on an offer I made about a year ago.  Butch's original owner was in poor health, in and out of hospital care, which resulted in Butch being at our sitter's a great deal.  I had said last year that if he ever needed a home, to please give me a call.

Last week, his owner passed away.  That fact is sad enough but the heartbreaking part is that Butch was left with the body for several days before anyone bothered to check on him.  It breaks my heart on so many levels.  Our sitter received the call and she went to get him, with the next of kin's permission, so Animal Control would not put him down.  When she had him, she called me to let me know what happened and asked if the offer still held true.  After hearing the story, there was no way we could refuse to let Butch into our home.  We all agreed that since he knew our dog sitter fairly well that it would be best if he grieved for a few days at her place before transitioning him again.

We picked him up on Saturday night after I got off work.  He smelled like death, literally, but he got along well with Buddy and Hobbit.  He let me take him out in the yard on his lead and he even wagged his tail by the end of our visit.  When we went to get in the car, he jumped right in and sat down with his head on Pokey's lap.  We gave him an oatmeal bath straight away to help with the smell and he's been settling in nicely.

Now, I had a severe allergic reaction to supper on Sunday night, early Monday morning, which has had me down for the count for the past few days.  Today is the first day where I can be vertical and not feel like I'm going to toss my cookies.  Me being me, I went in to work because I felt bad for not making it in on Tuesday.  Thankfully, my days off this month are Sunday and Monday so I only missed one day.  I'm doing all I can to make it through today.  I have managed to eat 3/4 of a Cinnamon and Sugar pop tart.  Granted, it's taken me the better part of two hours to get to this point but the fact still remains, I'm doing it.

Sneak peek at the color scheme on my shawl

I'm on the final rows of a shawl that I started on the 6th for Quidditch.  I am crossing my fingers that I have enough yarn to do all her repeats for the edge but either way, I've managed to pull out about 1.100 yards when it's all said and done.  I really love how it's coming along.  The colors are just so happy.  Initially I wasn't sure if I would like it but now that it's about done, I really do.  I hope that I will be done with it by tonight but those are some super long rows I'm working with now so we'll see how it goes.  I think I will make it but thankfully the edging is set so that you can stop wherever you need to and it will still look wonderful.  I would love to have the full ten rows but I'm on row four now and just connected my fifth and final skein of Rose Garden.  I have enough of the green left to do a final row so wherever I get with this last skein, that's where the end will be before I do the last row in green.  I'll share it with you when I'm all done.  I promise.

I ordered some yarn from the UK to make myself a sweater.  I hope it arrives in time so I can get the sweater done to wear to Pokey's annual Christmas party that his company throws.  It was a nice enough event last year and this year it will be early in the season instead of on my birthday.  I can wear the cute dress that I wore last year but I need a new top/sweater to wear over it.  Everyone there was so intoxicated that they will never know it's the same dress.  Needless to say, we didn't stay long after supper was over.

There are other things bubbling in the background that I wish I could share with you but I just can't at the moment.  I will soon though, I'm sure.  Okay, it's time to get back to the grind, though I am surely feeling a lot worse for wear the longer I am upright.  Fingers crossed that I can make it through today... that's my goal, anyway.  How about a song to get things in a good direction for the rest of the day...

The realization of a little goal

Back in 2011, I took a tiny step towards one of my big dreams.  I don't know if I've ever shared my particular dream of getting my own pattern book published but it is one of my big dreams.  It has a timeline too so it will become a reality.  This is one little step towards that big dream - and it is just as exciting as I thought it would be, maybe even more.

Three years ago this past August, I submitted a pattern for a book that was going to be published regarding gift knitting in America.  I did it for the experience, fully expecting to be rejected but I was going to use the feedback as a learning tool to improve going forward.  Today, all these years later, what I got was not a rejection but the book that has my original design published pattern in it...

American Gift Knitting by Beth Moriarty of Planet Purl

Yep, my pattern is in there.  That book is in bookstores, on the shelves, waiting for purchase.  I will admit, I giggled and cried and jumped for joy when this package arrived.  I couldn't believe it.  I am now an officially published knitwear designer.  My silly little pattern was chosen from the hundreds of other entries and they said, "Hey, I really like this.  It has such potential.  Let's run with it".  It is such an honor that I am having a difficult time putting it into words.

It's hard to believe that what started out as this has now become something so amazing.

So to all of my fantastically creative friends and family, if you have a dream of becoming bigger than what you fear you can be I am here to tell you that you can absolutely do it.  My daddy was right when he said that the worst they can tell you is no which will leave you no worse off than you were before you started - and that is philosophy that I use to this very day.

Never be afraid to do what you think is impossible or that others have told you is impractical.  Never be afraid to try because you only fail when you fail to try.  Even a lack of success is beneficial because you learn from it and move forward for the next time.  My next step?  Well, it's already being sketched out... and by my deadline of 2017, I hope to have some even more exciting news to share - possibly sooner, you just never know.

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

Different definitions of luxury

Just something mellow and relaxing on this mellow type of Tuesday.  It's actually been kind of a crummy work day but I am trying really hard to not let it bother me.  My day here is almost over and the best way to stay above it all is to find something fabulous to listen to and get lost in.

I do, however, hope and pray that they call Pokey for an interview regarding that internal position at his company.  It would be a great advancement which would bring him joy, as well as taking some of the necessity pressure off of me which would bring me great joy as well. 

Truthfully, I miss being "just a housewife"... my days were busier and more fulfilling than what I do now which is basically sit tethered to my desk so I can listen to people who believe themselves to be privileged whine over how they aren't getting their way regarding luxury items such as international travel, boutique hotels, and off the charts dining reservations.  To these types of people, "things" bring them joy and make them feel accomplished... to me, I'd rather have a tidy house, completed laundry, and a home cooked meal around the family table.

One day, I'm sure I'll be granted the luxury of being a housewife again and until that time comes, I will do my best to endure the daily grind of ungrateful people... giving thanks that I am not them and taking comfort in the little things... like going to work barefoot every day.

Such fun

Okay, so I'm still dealing with Miranda Hart deciding to pull the plug on one of my most favorite shows.  She is so hilarious and if you have a subscription to Hulu then you simply must watch all three seasons of "Miranda" - you'll thank me for it if you've not yet seen it.

This past weekend we went up to see Peanut at school.  It was Parents Weekend and while there were many things that I would love to have changed about it all, getting to spend that time with her was wonderful.  How do I know that it was a blast - I didn't take hardly any photographs!!

We spent the morning wandering around St. George Street.

Peanut's roommate, Peanut, and Hobbit deciding if there is something on the menu they like.

My beautiful Peanut.  My word, I'm so stinking proud of her.  She's grown into a fabulous young lady.

My precious little Hobbit.  One day, she'll be all grown up too - my word, how time flies!

Peanut's roommate soon learned to just 'go with it', as Peanut told her.  She was a sweet girl.

My most awesome - and oh so sexy - Pokey.  I loved having my family all together around the table.

My girls being silly - Peanut is stooping so Hobbit can get her arm around her.

A legendary 4 hour game of Monopoly that ended with Hobbit, who has never played, being victorious!

This game was epic... can you see why?

Peanut showing Hobbit her room - and yes, she drew most of those images on her wall.

After the epic game of Monopoly, we all watched a family favorite - Undercover Blues... someone fell asleep with her puppy.

Spending time with my whole family together brings me such joy.  I love having my entire heart in one spot instead of split across the state.  The only thing that would have made it perfect would have been my parents being able to go too.

Next year, we're just going to hang at my folks' house instead.  Too many tourists and not enough quiet family time... but I'll take any time I can get because I know pretty soon, what little time I have will be gone as well.

Hug your loved ones - call them and tell them you love them if they aren't close by - but never take your family for granted.  The time comes all too quickly when they aren't so never wait for tomorrow what you can tell them today.

So proud

Hobbit has had a most exciting week so far.  She received an award at school for her achievements with the Sunshine State Young Readers program... and she finished her first ever, all-by-herself, crochet hat!

Yessirreebob, my stash is in trouble now!  Hobbit is definitely hooked.

Sunday Snaps

Remember that He sees and rewards all selfless and charitable acts by His children.

Wealth

Oh my goodness.  Y'all will not believe this but the other day, when my luck was just beyond belief, the most amazing thing happened.  I didn't tell you about it then because I had already written my blog post of the day and I thought that this deserved it's own.

You see, Pokey stopped by the grocer to pick up some water and to get spending money for Hobbit's field trip.  When he got out of his car, he saw a scratched lottery ticket on the ground.  Apparently none of the numbers matched so the person who scratched it thought it was worthless and just tossed it on the ground.  My husband noticed a symbol on the card that indicated you win whatever the dollar amount totals on the card so he picked it up.  When he took it inside to the customer service desk, they gave him $100!!  Yep, someone basically threw away $100 and my husband was blessed with finding it.

An entire blanket full of neon rainbow goodness.  I can't wait!

After he came home with the water and funds for Hobbit, he turned to me and fanned out the winnings.  He told me the story and then said "Go buy yourself some yarn".  Seriously!  It was perfect timing because I have been wanting to make rainbow mitered granny blanket for months now but the amount of yarn needed was just too much.  Now, I could do it!  I was so tickled - I kissed my husband, grabbed my purse, and was off like a flash to Jo-Ann Fabrics to get my neon yarn.

I told my Ravelry friends about it and one said "it was the universe paying you back for giving the blanket to the horrible lady".  I don't think it was universe so much as God blessing me for being selfless and doing something charitable for a person who has given me no reason to be kind to her other than it was the right thing to do... and like many of His children before me, I did it basically begrudgingly but I did do it... and I learned from it.  It made me think of a quote by James Parnell - "Keep close to the Light and own it alone to be your teacher, guide, and counselor in all the way through which you are to pass, and in all things that you are to do. Stand in the denial of self and all its goals; and own the Light, which leads into singleness of mind unto God away from selfish ends."

Once I finish a few of these WiPs that I have laying around, and a Christmas present or two, I am going to sit down and make myself that blanket.  Every time I finish a square or snuggle under the finished product, I will smile and think of how blessed I truly am in this world.  To be a person of wealth means so much more than having monetary fortunes, it also means to have a life full of love and blessings - and by that definition alone, I am truly wealthy.

Happies abound!

My "travel" bin of projects.  It "goes" to work with me every day.

Today has been rather wonderful.  Lots of fabulous things have happened today.  It all started with an email.

I checked my work email this morning and was tickled to learn that I will be off on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.  I got exactly what I wanted for the holiday bid.  I actually only requested Thanksgiving and Christmas Day since I get off work at 4pm but my big boss is fully awesome and I was able to get all three.  Granted, I'll work New Year's Eve and New Year's Day but that's fine because we don't do anything on either one and I get holiday pay for working them - double bonus on the holiday front!  Those are quiet days because people are not calling their friendly neighborhood concierge, they're out enjoying their friends and family so it's a very easy shift... generally speaking.

The second bit of happiness came in yet another email, though this one was personal.  I heard back from one of my crochet blogging idols regarding a note I wrote.  You know how my daddy also says "You don't know if you don't ask and the worst they can say is no"?  Welp, I asked and was told YES!!  I can't go into details but it's safe to say that I have been happy dancing all day long.

Then good little happy things just kept popping up for me - being able to switch my day off with myself so I can take Hobbit to the orthodontist for a one year review, "Friends" is going to be added to the Netflix library, and my husband's paycheck is going to be way more than we normally get thanks to his bazillion hours of overtime this past pay period.  Oh yeah, life is rocking some very good mojo.

I even started a new shawl - for myself - last night which I am betting was the precursor to all of this awesomeness.  Nothing says fabulous like a new handcrafted pretty for yourself.  Granted, I have now put myself on full stop startitis until I complete something but it was sure good to get the one in under the wire.

Some days are just sprinkled with awesome - this one got a double scoop!  Hopefully my good luck will rub off on you, so be sure to enter the Felt So Good giveaway before it ends at midnight tonight!!

Grinch effect

I finished the lapghan that I was working on last night.  I really do love how it turned out.

You know that line in the most classic of holiday tales where the spirit of Christmas isn't found under a tree and they all gather 'round and sing in the town square while the evil one looks down on them, realizing that all his ugly works have done nothing to people of the village... the end result was his heart growing three sizes that day.  I hope this lapghan has the same effect.

I'll be honest, I loved how it turned out so much that I wanted to keep it for myself.  I couldn't though because then I'd be the grinchy one.  Instead, I took this one single photograph of it at 11 o'clock last night, folded up the blanket, and placed it in the passenger seat of my husband's car so it wouldn't get forgotten.

She may not be the nicest woman...  She may not be the person that everyone wants to work with because she avoids doing her job constantly...  She may constantly spout negativity into a room and have an excuse for everything... but she has been hurt.  She has undergone one surgery to cement and set her wrist.  She's going to undergo another to repair a hernia.  She's been told that she won't be back to work for several months.  She's sore.  She's sad.  She's scared - about finances, family, and her future.

I hope this thousand yards of yarn will bring her some comfort.  I hope that she will find a bit of peace as she rests under the weight of it.  I hope she finds warmth in her soul when she looks upon it.  I hope she moves forward in life with a gracious attitude.  I hope it simply brings her some joy and then, just maybe, her heart will grow a little too.

Sunday Snaps

This week has been crazy busy.  Taking a page from Tinkerbell's book, just relaxing.  Join us, after you enter the giveaway.

This past week has been crazy busy, and our weekend hasn't been much slower.  We spent all of yesterday out of the house.  The Odyssey of the Mind coaching training went from 8:30 in the morning until 2:30 in the afternoon.  After that, we had to swing by the house and let the dog out before we headed up to my parents' house to Hobbit.  We shared a quick supper with my mama - Daddy is in Texas for a few weeks to lend a hand at his old company while the person who took over his spot spends time with his dying wife, so very sad - and then got home just before 11 o'clock in the evening.  I tossed Hobbit in bed and was not very far behind.  Pokey stayed up though because he asked me to drive up since he was tired and took a nap the entire time.

Today is simply laundry (a necessity) and crafting (another necessity, in my world).  I hope to either finish the blanket or a bird... or both, who knows.

Felt So Good

Okay, after I typed that, I started singing this...


What can I say, I'm a child of the 80s and this was back when he was yet to not be a "Cougar". Old school tunes for the win... but I digress.  What brought on this musical moment for me - I've got another awesome book to share with you!

I know, you're drooling now too... it's okay, you're not alone.

It's actually entitled "Felt So Good" by Tone Rorseth.  If you are trying to cut back on your crafting and have no desire to try something awesome then this is definitely not the book for you.  You will get completely sucked in the moment you turn the first page, daydreaming about all the magnificent things nestled between the covers.  The tongue in cheek title isn't just a tease, Tone fully delivers.

I want to live in the room where those star hang and that beautiful view resides while wearing the colorful cuffs!

Every area of your life is covered - cute accessories, unique jewelry, mind-blowing decorations, and amazing ensemble pieces.  All told, there are over 70 fabulous projects - complete with pattern pages.  The photographs are exquisite, making it beautiful on a whole other level entirely.  You will never look at felt the same way again.

These two items need to be in wardrobe right now.  My life won't be complete until I make them!

I have never done felting of any kind, at least not on purpose.  My husband felted a beautiful sweater that I bought him from our first Christmas when he helped do the laundry.  He washed it in hot and then tossed it in the dryer.  That sweater was worn by our then 3-year-old Hobbit for many years... after that, it became a cozy for his Nook.  That is mere child's play compared to what is found inside this book.

It is a good thing that you can't die for awesome overload because this book would be lethal!

Would you like to have your own copy of these amazing felted and wool designs?  I knew you would.  All you have do is...

a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner will be drawn on October 17th so be sure to get your name in the hat. Just a reminder, when you leave a comment, it won't show automatically so don't fret that it's not there. It will show up shortly. This contest is open to residents in the US only due to publisher paying shipping. Be sure to leave me a valid way to get in touch with you - either email or Ravelry ID.

Good luck everyone!!

One hundred five

That is how many hours my husband as worked during this pay period... and he still has one more day to go.  That is just crazy.  I'm tired from the earlier shift conversion but I know he has to be exhausted.

Here it is so far.  Not bad for a night's work.

I decided on what I am making for his coworker who was in the accident.  I went with a simple ripple blanket.  I've been mistakenly called a saint for doing it so let me clear things up just a little... I'm not.  The woman I'm making it for is, well, mean.  She is many equally as nasty adjectives to boot.  This is not a gift of love that I was moved to make.  It's more of a "hey, you're crafty and it's what crafty people do".  It's not nice to speak ill of someone who is down but it's also not right to take praise where you shouldn't.  I'm not a saint, I'm simply doing a duty... truth be told, I'd rather keep it for myself.  I know, I'm horrible now too...

At least Buddy thinks I'm totally spectacular... silly puppy.  If he only knew...

Wednesday Wound-Up

Lots of things to wind up and it's only three days in to the week!  Monday started off super busy, as we all had work/school and then as soon as we were done we had to head to Hobbit's school for an Odyssey of the Mind meeting that was followed by the weekly Hollow Diner.  I swear, her school does some pretty awesome stuff.  Yesterday, after work, we all ran to the grocery store to pick the stuff we couldn't get at the one store on Sunday.  Both nights led to late suppers and exhausted family members.

Today was better.  Today was slower.  I think this was because we had nowhere to go today after work.  We're enjoying the nothingness of tonight and we'll enjoy it again tomorrow because the weekend is going to be busy again.  We're meeting my folks at a halfway point to drop off Hobbit on Friday night because on Saturday morning, Pokey and I have a Coaches Training/Meeting for Odyssey of the Mind all day Saturday.  Then on Sunday, we're driving up to get Hobbit back for the week.  It's just nuts.

I did manage to get some crafting done.  I made a Autumn wreath for my front door area.  I don't have a lot of decorations any more - over the years I thinned things out as they got old and kept meaning to replace them but never have so now I'm down to minimal items and the need to make new stuff is creeping in hard.  Anyway, I made this wreath this week and I really love how it turned out.

It's autumnal, right?

Now my little screened in front porch is all yarny and seasonal - two fabulous things that are unique to our little home.  Here is a peek at what it looks like when you come to visit...

Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, doesn't it.

For someone who is not a fan of Halloween at all, I think putting that much love into some awesome bunting is worth noting.  Granted, I made it two years ago but look at how fabulously it has held up being outside for two seasons.  I've been debating making some in just random fun colors because the screened area has hooks all around the top that I could use to secure it.  It would be inside the screened section too so that would protect it a bit from the elements.  Still debating so we'll see.

I made some silly little ornaments this past week too.  I needed something quick and small for Quidditch and these two fit the bill.  Nothing spectacular, just cute.

Maybe I'll just make a ton of them and hang them from the hooks on the porch.

 I'm still plugging along on my Christmas Tree Skirt.  I'm about halfway there now.  I've just finished the 2 rows of white and am moving on to the crimson.  I took a progress picture to update my Ravelry page and you just can't see the different colors.  It all looks black - even with a bounced flash.  Oh well, here it is anyway...

Yes, I made it overlap on purpose to fit nicely over the legs of the new tree.  It should even out then.

See, you can't see the first row of crimson or the one between the two small rows of green, can you.  Oh well.  I know it's there and when I have it done, I will take a proper photograph in the sunshine which will show it off in all it's glory.

I need to find a nice pattern for a lapghan to make Pokey's coworker.  She was in a head-on collision this past week and has been in the hospital.  I wanted to make her something but I am just stumped as to what.  I initially thought shawl but then his friend at work said a lapghan so we'll see.  I've got a skein of purple, her favorite color, in my stash.  Maybe I can figure something pretty out.

Time to scoot.  I'd like to get a few rows in before bed tonight.  I hope you're having a fabulous week so far.  I'll see y'all tomorrow.

10 days straight

What I've made in September for HPKCHC

Oh my stars, am I whooped.  I come back from a fabulous vacation to work 10 days straight.  It's exhausting.  A new month means a new schedule and some times, it just works out that way where you work one week that is very long during the transition.  This was one of those times.

Poor Pokey has it worse because he is on his 13th day as of this morning.  They did a system change the week we got back and he's been dealing with that every day.  Today was supposed to be his first day off as well but unfortunately, one of the women he works with was in a head-on collision returning from lunch yesterday.  She's in pretty bad shape - broken knee, wrist, and possible internal damage that we have yet to be updated on - so prayers for her healing would be greatly appreciated.  Pokey's boss had originally asked someone else to come in because she has nowhere near as many hours banked as the rest of the team but she said no.  She's an ugly soul anyway.  That left Pokey.  He could have said no as well but it's not his nature so he's currently opening the doors and smiling at customers as he gets his day started.  It is raining so I hope people just decide to wait until Monday to deal with their cable.

Even with all the hustle and bustle, I've managed to craft a little bit in the evenings to keep my sanity.  I made a little owl ornament and a bathroom rug when we got home from Disney.  Currently, I'm making a new Christmas tree skirt because we bought a beautiful new tree for this year.  It's a gorgeous one with crimson berries, pine cones, and even snow on the branches!  To celebrate our new tree, I decided it needed a new skirt... that and it's three feet taller than our last little tree so the old skirt would look silly under it.  Here's where I am so far...

Not bad for two days worth of work.  I hope to have it done by month's end.  Just taking it slow.

I've got some Christmas knitting to pick back up on too which will break up working on this skirt nicely.  Granted, I've been working on the Christmas knitting since about June so here's hoping it won't take until next June to finish - I am so painfully slow at knitting.

Time to get started on my day.  It will consist of cleaning and laundry because I need to get caught up from the past 10 days.  Plus, I'd like to spend Sunday doing nothing at all so that Pokey can recharge on his only day off before we're all back to the grind on Monday.  At least things will even out now and I can get back to my normal routines.