I haven't even put the memory card back in the camera since I last posted (what was it, Monday?) So I'm breaking my loosely adhered to rule of "blogging pictureless". But hey.. I'm blogging today. That has to count for something, right?

Really, not much going on around here. The winter crud has moved through each of us, one at a time. If "slow and steady wins the race" then germs kicked our ass this winter. Seriously, it seems like forever since we've simultaneously all been "healthy". This past week's flu recipient was Connor. But this was his third really awful illness this past winter - The poor kid just can't catch a break.  He is on the mend however. So much so that he and I ventured out today to do some errands.

Our first stop was a yarn sale. Many of my local knittas knew about this.. it was the big news in yarny circles. Elegant Needles in Skaneateles cleared its stock over the past few months to move out of the building and make way for the building to be remodeled. The leftover skeins over 2,000 of them... reported to be wool, blends,.. even the word "Rowan" was let out of the bag, were donated to St Camillus to be sold there at one.dollar.per.ball.

Regretfully, Connor and I left late. So late, that by the time we pulled in to the parking lot, 30 minutes after the sale started, women walking out told me not to even bother.. nothing was left. I saw at least 10 people carrying out large boxes, and I mean LARGE boxes filled to brim with yarn.  Oh well.

I thought about heading up to Sheep Thrills or Mission Rose, but in the end, Connor and I just headed to the bank, the post office, the market.. then home.

Now before I leave you with my favorite youtube of the week, I need to show you these. Incredibly silly.. but I want them! And squee.. this too! I've long wanted one of these, but every one I've found was well over 100.00!

Now.. on to youtube..

Four years. Wow.

And here I find myself on my fourth blogiversary with absolutely nothing to say. Even my pictures.. meh! I meant to take them earlier in the day, while the natural light was perfect and plentiful, but it just didn't work out that way.

Go With The Flow socks by Evelyn Clark from the Spring 2005 issue of Interweave. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you may recognize the yarn. Its Cider Moon Flurry in "Peas and Carrots" which started out as Roza's Socks last September. They just weren't turning out, so I ripped, skeined and washed to get rid of the knit kinks. As soon as it was dry, I cast these on.

The Lucy Bag. Oh my am I excited about this one. So excited that I'm nearly done! Why so excited? I've wanted this pattern forever. Literally. I went to buy it at my then, local yarn store in Madison, Lakeside Fibers, but they never had it in stock. Seriously, as soon as it restocked, it would be gone again. Even online, every time I looked.. out of stock. Finally, on Saturday, I found Mission Rose had it in stock. Its being worked in my fave felting yarn, Patons Classic Merino.

How cool are these socks? Really, just how cool? And how cool is Anna Zilboorg (yes, that Anna Zilboorg!) for coming up with this pattern as an incentive to donate to Barack Obama's campaign! Anna sent me this this .pdf file with additional pictures and information on how to get your very own copy. A great group to donate to the campaign through, is the Ravelry Knitters for Obama group. If you can't manage to get/open the .pdf (it happens sometimes), just forward your email donation acknowledgment to campaignsocks AT swva DOT net, and she'll get the pattern out to you.

I'm working these in Berocco Comfort DK, but its 50/50 acrylic and nylon. Not exactly an ideal fiber for socks. But I also picked up some Dale Heilo (100% wool) .. so a second pair is on the horizon.

Dylan's kindergarten musical. Not the greatest video, as it was taken on our digital camera. A little shaky too since this really rude person in front of us kept moving around and just standing up.. right in the middle of the audience, taking pictures with like 10 different cameras. Richard kept trying to move the camera, hence the shakiness. Anyway, it sure was cute.. and Dylan had a blast.

Meh.. blogging has been last on my list for well over a month now. But I do have a few posts lined up for this week. Really. I've started two pairs of socks. And I finally got a pattern I've been searching high and low for. Oh.. and this week is my fourth blogiversary, so I'll have to blog on that day at the very least!

Picture taken at 7AM this morning, of my dining room window. As always, click for big.

It's c-c-cold.
Brrrrrrr.
I wish I had fur.
I wish I was a bear with furry furry hair.
It's cold...It's c-c-cold.

~ Barney The Dinosaur

Carla = Bad Blogger. You know its bad when you're actually expecting that phone call when it comes (thanks Janet!) There are no real reasons however, for my little hiatus. Sure I've been sick (again), but there is also this little thing going on called the democratic primary (maybe you've heard of it?) in which I'm ever so slightly obsessed. Polls, pundits, blogs... goodness, I wish it were November already. I'm dreadfully behind in personal emails, responding to blog comments, and my bloglines "need to read" list is at a record high.

Today school was canceled, surely because of the sub zero wind chill, so I'm off to coerce the tribe into stepping away from the XBox, to watch a movie with me.

Its a new year. The kids have returned to school. Connor's therapy schedule goes back to normal. Richard's office and teaching schedule return..

Its a relief, and also a little sad. Vacation is over.

But... the contract project was finished and shipped off (Its a horrid pattern. I wouldn't suggest it to anyone. I'll talk more about it.. if, when, it makes it to the site or catalog.) The previous one I returned is now up on the site, but I'm not telling which it is until I receive my catalog. This all means, I can go back to knitting what I want to knit.. when I want to.

More relief.

I've started another Gretel, a woven stitch scarf, which will likely be frogged - its not coming out the way I expected, the second basic sock is on the needles. I have plenty to keep my hands busy.

With that said, I haven't made resolutions, but I have set goals for myself. They are..

Get organized or be more organized. I'm sick of looking for obscure paperwork. Or for seasonal clothes for the kids. I need to organize them better in the attic so that they can be pulled out easily.

Make a routine and stick to it. Connor's sensory issues demand this. And some behind the scenes family happenings will also require this.

Be more creative. Not just knit already published patterns. Finally get down to brass tacks with the shawl design mulling in my noggin and get.it.done.

Spin more. And ultimately use more self spun yarn (which means BUY LESS commercially spun yarn.)

Family menus, where we all eat LESS meat.

Cook more. I love to cook.. I should be more adventurous in the kitchen.

Research buying a violin. I want to learn to play one. I've put this goal off for years.. its time to research buying one and actually learning!

Daisy had a great post yesterday about the feast of St Stephen.. a very interesting read. But it also included an oooooold vid of St Stephen from youtube. Old, but oh so good. I turned it up and twirled all the way to the coffee maker for a refill.

And if religious debate is your thing, there is a good one in the comments.

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated this morning. This is sad. And scary. I can't organize my thoughts on this.

I finished a sock last night. More on that later if the natural light improves.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Loren tagged me for this meme.. simply show your desktop. Its a mess huh? Unlike Loren, who cleaned hers up first.. I just went ahead and grabbed mine. I got my wallpaper from helloyarn.com (just in case you'd like your very own colorful and fibery desktop!) Now.. who will I tag? Hmm... Nan, Kelly, Nancy, and Lisa (who is trying to blog more, so here is an excuse to blog Lisa!)