Ready, set, go?

Are you ready for it? The first full week after the holidays when all the decorations have been stored back in their places, and students here in the US return back to the classroom. I know I'm ready to get back on track with my usual routines. I'm not one to make those New Year's resolutions; I prefer to think of them as goals and having been down with the crud that's going around, I really didn't focus as much on those, as I did on getting healthy again. I'm feeling so much better today, and ready to jump back on that horse! Okay, I'm not exactly ready to launch into a full on gallop yet, but I am ready to begin some chores that have been neglected. Scooter and I put Christmas back into it's respective storage containers yesterday. While he removed all traces of it from the outside of our house, I undecorated the tree and gathered glittered snowflakes and assorted pictures, cross stitched pieces, handpainted sleds, etc. throughout the rest of the house. The only tell-tale signs that Christmas visited our home when I had finished packing, were a glass ball ornament that apparently lost a wrestling match with Snicks, and he obviously had hidden his new Santa hat under the tree. He hated that thing, and I'm not sure if it was the fact his ears had to be put through cutouts, or he was ending up with white beard strands between his teeth. There was no way I was going to get that snapshot of him wearing his new hat that even came with little paw mitts, for next year's Christmas cards. All I got for my efforts were a few claws left behind in the tops of my hands. I wish I could show you some cute adorable pictures of a well-behaved cat in a ridiculous Santa outfit, but he was going to have none of it. Scooter just sits and encourages him by slapping his leg and saying "uh huh, that's m'boy!"...Geez.....enough about the terror disguised as a cat...

There were times during my convalescence that I felt up to knitting, so I'm happy to report that I'm nearing completion of the second sleeve on a sweater I'm making for one of my granddaughters, which only leaves picking up stitches for a neckband, and then seaming it all together. I'm quite pleased with it so far, and if all goes well, would love to make her another one in a different color. I've found one of the best yarns to use for children is Encore Worsted, because of its easy care and durability. So, I chose a light pink (one of her favorite colors) and used a pattern I found on Ravelry called Girl's Shrug, that I believe was designed by Martin Storey. The instructions can be a bit confusing in how they're worded, but all in all, a fairly easy knit that I'm enjoying quite a bit.

Now, back to those goals.....one that I'd like to get started on fairly quickly has to do with a contest that Dawn at http://knittinwolf.blogspot.com/ is having. I'm hoping to pick out my yarn and pattern today so I can get a lapghan or two sent off to her soon. Check out her contest and help a forgotten senior citizen at the same time! How awesome of you to do this Dawn!!!

I was going to post a bit more today, and talk about more of my goals for the new year with you, but I think I'll wait for another day, when I'm feeling a little stronger and not coughing as much. For now, I hope this post finds you and your loved ones well!