H ho ho...

 

Hope everyone has a great Christmas, or whatever festival of excess is your choice. Off to do vast amounts some last minute preparations so that tomorrow I just have to assemble and cook the things that really need done at the last moment. I mean, just how many people really want a roastie reheated in the microwave? (Delia'd be turning in her grave - specially as she isn't dead, come to think of it....)

Well, on that cheery note, have a good one, lets hope less of the world goes to Hell in a handbasket in 2007

India

And further more...

 

...I have decided that I am not doing things that make me feel like c*** just to make others feel good, particularly when the 'others' are generally people that I don't have much to do with.

For example, Christmas cards. I love getting these from friends and family who live far away, especially those whom I get to see only rarely. I love getting the 'year-in-review- letter, although some folk don't ( as evidenced by the discussion on the Rowan forum recently...). What I don't like is the giving and receiving of cards in the workplace. I don't see these people from one week to the next. I doubt very much that they care whether I live or die. So this year I am not giving workplace cards.

For example, the second - Secret Santa. When it comes to doing this with my yarny friends, I really enjoy it. I know that care, consideration and good wishes go into each parcel selected. I love it. Secret Santa at work - Cha toil leam SS, idir, idir, IDIR!!!!!! Every single year I get the chocolate raisin-cr*****g reindeer, the blow up French maid's outfit yada, yada. Every year I spend time and money making sure I have brought a present that 99.95 of people will enjoy - ie good quality chocolate or alcohol. What makes it worse is that I have to plaster a smile on my face and pretend to be delighted that I feel screwed over - yet again. So, why was I doing this? Was it for my pleasure? No. So, I decided that rather than feel stresed and grumpy about the whole thing, I would be sensible and opt out. And that is what I have done. And I feel much happier, too.

I decided that I still wanted to give some of the people at work a small gift - because I LIKE them. Not because I HAD TO DO IT! So, I made up some small parcels of tablet when I made the last batch for the family.

And guess what? I am left feeling full of Christmas cheer, instead of like Scrooge. :0)

SP and FO

 

Look what Postman Pat left for me today: Given the postal mayhem that happens at this time of year, I wasn't expecting anything to arrive before the New Year - what a lovely surprise, especially as I am off work unwell - again! But enough of that just now.

One of the great things about Hershey bars is that both Mr and Master India loathe peanut butter with every fibre of their being - so I can take my time and savour each and every square. Fortunately, they don't like yarn either, so I can savour all of that fibrey-gorgeousnous, too.

So, we have some C*eye*ber fibre sock yarn, which I am knitting up all ready. Talk about perfect timing, I had just finished the socks which you'll see below. This new yarn being green, I decided to go for the obvious and am knitting the Embossed LEaves socks form Interweave Knits (Winter 05, I think). There are 3 balls of soysilk - I think that'll turn into a scsrf, but I'm not sure. This is the second lot of soy yarn I've received via SP, and it's really growing on me. The colourway is perfect, too. What else was in this bundle? Well, amongst the other goodies you will spot Sweater Design in Plain English, which I had first seen courtesy of Kathleen a few months ago and had put on my Amazon Wish List. There is such a cute mouse - he'll be living on top of the pc monitor - I figure it's the only way to keep the cats away from him. Lots of other bit's'bobs aimed at sheer bliss and relaxation will also be put to very good use - so a HUGE thank you to SP9 - I feel thoroughly spoiled.

I have finished a couple of things lately - the only problem with finishing, though,is that some blocking needs doing. This is the scarf that I knitted for my mum's Christmas. I've been trying to convince myself for some time that blocking was an irrelevancy, but I finally gave in - witnessed by this soggy heap in the bathroom. It only sat there overnight, and it is now pinned out in my bedroom. I also finished these socks - which are definitely NOT being blocked.

Saturday and Sunday nights were spent in A&E following incidents of tachycardia nd arrythmia. I wonder if this is related to coming off the propranolol which was being used for migraine prevention. However, I reduced the dose by 10mg a week over lots of weeks, so I am not sure. In the meantime, while I wait for a cardiology referal, I'm back on the propranolol.

This year has not been as good as it could be, but a heck of a lot better than it might have been. So, I'm counting my good fortune, and hoping for an even 'better' year in 2007.

Hope y'all have a great festive season, India