CONGRATULATIONS!

First of all, I'd just like to thank all of you for taking the time to visit my blog and sharing your thoughts/feelings. I really appreciate your time.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Unfortunately (fortunately?) I didn't eat too much this Thanksgiving. I hadn't been feeling well for a few days before, so I just couldn't enjoy things like I normally would have. (It sure sounds good now, though ...)

As for the contest: I'm sorry I'm posting late. I just didn't feel up to posting this weekend. We do have a winner though.

And the winner is ....

... ALL OF YOU!

I will be working on e-mailing each of you today, but if you read this before I get you e-mailed, please get me your mailing address. I'm not sure what all the prizes will be still (and, mind you, they're nothing spectacular), but I hope to get all packages in the mail this week.

I hope you had all fun with this idea. I hope to have another contest soon.

As for knitting, I'm still working on my Cascading Leaves socks from the Townsend Sock Knitalong (see button on left). I'm on the cuff of the second sock, and hope to have it finished this week. I'm also still working on the pair of camo socks for my son.

It's amazing how much I didn't feel like knitting this weekend. And sad, too. Since now I'm back at work and WISH I was home knitting. Go figure!

Let Us Give Thanks!

Wow! It's been almost two weeks since my last post.

I definitely need to thank Kimberly for drawing my name in her recent contest for the new S&B Nation book. Love it! Thanks so much.

Also, I'm afraid that I never thanked Ann for the wonderful RAOK I received some time back. It included a knitting journal, ball of Sockotta, a package of hot chocolate and a card. Very sweet! It definitely made my day.

Lately, I've been in a little slump again. A little depressed at times. Wondering what I should be doing. For this reason, I've decided to make an effort to concentrate even more on the positive things in my life. I have so MUCH to be thankful for. My home, my kids, my family, my job .... Every morning that I wake up, every bird I hear singing, every laugh, every smile ....

Anyhow, I've decided to hold a contest. I'm not sure what the prize will be yet. And it will probably be a surprise until the recipient receives, but here's the deal:

If you would like to enter, please leave a comment telling me three things you are thankful for. Do a little soul-searching. What I'm hoping is that every one of you will benefit from this. I know there are many situations in life that can get in the way of our "happiness." But if we can all try to concentrate on the positive aspects, however small they may seem, just imagine how that can change our lives!

I will be taking "entries" until Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 25, 2004), and will announce the winner sometime on Friday.

I hope you all have a blessed day!

In the Knit of Things

To some it may seem a little scary, but I bet I'm thinking about knitting or knitting-related subjects at least 75% of the time. WOW! There are much worse addictions, don't you agree?

Okay. So I took a vacation from the socks I was re-knitting. Instead, I'm working on the Cascading Leaves pattern by Jeanie Townsend. WONDERFUL lady! If you are into knitting socks at all, you just HAVE to check out this group: Townsend Socks Knit Along.

I'm using a yarn that I received in a bottle swap a while back. It's working up great. My daughter had picked out the yarn for socks for her, and I think she will be very happy with the final product.

I had an Avon booth at a craft show this weekend. I think things went very well. If you've ever thought about selling Avon, or if you just love to use their products yourself, click on my link to the left for more information.

One Nation, Under God ...

I've read many blogs over the last couple of days where the author's thoughts on the election have been shared. Here is mine:

I voted for Bush. I believe he is a man of God. I believe he's made the best decisions that could have been made in the situations that have come up during the last four years. I believe that he is the right person to lead our country right now.

I must also say that, regardless of who was elected president, God is the one who is always in control. That's where I put my faith. Not in one man, one country ... but in God ...

Blah!

That's what I feel about my blog. I really need to go out to mom's and use her digital camera.

This weekend I ended up splurging again. I decided, "What the heck! I already know how to knit socks on two circs, why not try the Magic Loop?" So I bought a 32" addi turbo size 2 and the Magic Loop book. And I also picked up the book Bags: A Knitters' Dozen.

My LYS had just gotten it in, and I just happened to see it as I was getting ready to check out.

Well, as soon as I got home, I just HAD to start on one of the bags. (I can't remember the name right now, though ... Will have to post that info later.) This summer I had picked up some yarn at Aurora Yarn Supply that I knew I wanted to knit into a bag. Yarn + perfect pattern = bag.

It's been a slow start to re-knitting the sock I frogged last week. It's been pretty stressful at home, so I just haven't had much relaxing knitting time. That and the fact that I've had a sinus infection since Saturday that's just been kicking my butt.

If anyone has any good ideas for rewards/punishments for a 12-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy, I would definitely appreciate all comments. There has been a lot of change in our family over the last year or so, and its been hard on us all. But I am having a heck of a time getting my kids to obey me, and most mornings and evenings as of late have left much to be desired in the way of "there's no place like home ..."