A lot to talk about, including a wonderful SP package, but at the moment I’m having trouble keeping water in my system. I’ll update when I’m feeling human.

New age.

New driver’s license. (No picture. Sheesh.)

New socks!

Yes, I went outside in my socks on my birthday so I could share an appropriately colored picture. Because I care. And because it’s warmer than it should be for this time of year. It’s normally snowing.

I love these socks. They make me happy, and they fit very well. Also the first sock I’ve done in something other than stockinette or ribbing. I feel accomplished! And, and the striping match up better than it appears there - I just had one sock pulled up less than the other. One just has a few more rounds of green on the toe.

All my fears aside, it was a very lovely birthday. Well, except for the part where I spontaneously burst into tears at midnight. :I But Mike had the day off, and spent it with me. We went to one of my favorite restaurants for lunch (Taste of Tandoor, for those in the area) and then to the yarn store. Where Mike bought me my gift:

A black leather Knit Knack Sack, which I’ve wanted for ages. Yet another set of size 1 needles. And that section of overwhelming gorgeousness?

Schaefer Anne. Mike picked it out. I didn’t see it, but when he handed it to me, I fell in love instantly. He says it’s “very Tina.” I agree. And I have the most incredible husband ever. He didn’t complain ONCE in the yarn store, and when I couldn’t find anything that spoke to me, he actually told me, “It’s your birthday. You have to get something! How about a book? Or some needles?” Then he went to ask about the Denise needles I was looking for, but they were out. So he left *his* cell phone number with the shop and he’ll get them when they get a new shipment.

I love that man.

We were going to go out for dinner, but I was tired, so we came home and I had a nap. Must be getting old. *smirk*

Updated to add: When sent out for snacks, Mike brought me back what we’ve come to call “Happy Cake.” Yet another term we’ve picked up from the nieces. He picked this one because it was not only obviously happy to look at, but on the box read “It’s what happy tastes like.”

Apparently, happy is both chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Yum.

This was the highlight of my weekend:

My nephew Liam turned three. I was in the hospital when he was born, and I was knitting then. Both have come a long way.

Honestly. This is getting stupid.

Third night of raging insomnia. And by that I mean that the past two “nights” have seen me getting to sleep at noon or later. Mix this with a generous dash of having plans with other people (let’s say, the in-laws), and it’s not a happy thing at all.

Tonight was fun, though. Spent the evening with Katie and Adam for dinner, small talk, and yarn untangling. And I volunteered for the untangling. Heh.

It started with Katie posting a plea to the LiveJournal Knitting communtity. It seems she received a hank of lovely hand-painted yarn as a Christmas gift. However, with no swift, it quickly became unmanageable, even with a very patient husband who was willing to sit and hold yarn. I (laugh with me now) posted a reply telling her I’d come over with my swift and winder, and we’d quickly show the yarn who was boss.

As a note - I have a swift and winder because Mike is nowhere near as patient as Adam. Which is why he bought the swift. We knew there was no chance of him sitting quietly, holding yarn. You’d have more luck with a small child.

So, Mike and I, after getting over whatever Death Flu we had, made plans for tonight. Excellent dinner, lots of fun. Then Katie pulled out the yarn.

Regretfully, I didn’t get a picture then. After spending half an hour looking for an end, we decided to cut. And spent two or so hours working from the cut end. So, what do I have now?

Click for the full horror.

Yeah. That’s my desk. It was decided that I’d take it home to work on, as everyone but me had to work in the morning. If I get this finished, I reserve the right to call it a Finished Object.

Becky, where are you when I need you?

And in the present tense?

Yeah, I thought so. Insomnia. Yes, it’s almost 1pm. Yes, I’m still awake.

I think I’ll do laundry, since I don’t think I’m capable for much else. Of course, since the light bulb above the washer has burnt out, it’s a really good time to do laundry. I need to get Mike to change it sometime soon. I’m too short.

Oh, and extra brownie points for whoever (other than Erin) knows where the title and first line are from.

Or something.

Still have the flu. Finished Dad’s scarf. I think I’ll go back to bed.

This is what has kept me from posting lately:

Plus we both now have the flu we got from the one standing up. *sigh*

Here’s some of the Christmas knitting, in various stages. Click for bigger pictures.

Mike’s Mom’s Coronet, knit with Mission Falls 1824 Wool:

Becky’s Branching Out, with two views I’ll share. This was knit with KnitPick’s Andean Silk. Very yummy! Unblocked:

And blocked:

Note: I went back a bit after taking this picture and blocked it more severely. The lace stands out even more now. Blocking is magic with lace!

And Tammy’s Airy Scarf (from Last Minute Knitted Gifts), knit with Rowan KidSilk Haze.:

As for the rest of the gifts, you’ll have to use your imagination. Mike’s Grandmother got a pale pink version of the Airy Scarf. Mike’s sister Wendy got the blue Madison Scarf I showed in an earlier post. And her husband Marshall and Mike’s father got the green and grey socks, respectively. Okay, Marshall got socks. I’m still trying to find the mate for the grey one…

I must say I’m glad my father is a patient, understanding man. After all - he raised three daughters. *grin*

The bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, bars…

Yes, I’ve cracked. As if you’re going to figure out that I’m parodying Poe’s “The Bells.” Of course, it’s noon, I haven’t slept yet, and it’s not all from Christmas knitting. Heh.

I’m really surprised that I’m as far as I am with it, considering that Mike and I have been herding small children most of this week. I think one gift might not get done in time. I can live with that, all things considered. And there will be pictures later. After I figure out where I packed the camera cord. Or see if, in a house with four desktops and two laptops, if they might have a similar cable.

I’m off to see if I can get a nap and figure out why my parents do not seem to have any antacid. Which will probably prevent that nap…

At least I got As in both my classes this semester. Yay!

Blarg. Brain dead.