A Good Day

I think a good day is when you put on a coat you haven't worn in a year and you find $11, a fortune, a sucker and an old macaroon that's hard as a rock.

What's even better is the fact that I found that $11 allowed me to purchase a really unique fused glass ornament made by a local artisan.  Isn't it cool?

Someone on my Christmas list is getting it as a gift...but can't say who since I'm pretty sure they read my blog, when they're not chasing around two of the cutest kids on the planet.

Thus began last Saturday, when I pulled a coat off the rack to head out to the Annual Santa Train, which my company puts on every year.  Now, it's a pretty rare occasion that I wear a coat (it's genetic...I'm looking at you, Mom), but on this day it was pretty freaking cold (go figure) so I decided I would suck it up and wear one.  In the craziness of that act (and the fact that I was running late, as always), my brain got swirly and I neglected to snag my camera off its hook, so the only pictures I have of the day are from my iPhone.

Here's the Depot, before all hell broke loose we were descended upon by a record-breaking number of people, mostly Yukoners.  We had 458 people who rode the train, which is about 100 more than our previous record.  We were not prepared for the flood of people, which resulted in a standing room only situation.  But people piled on anyway and everyone seemed to have a blast, just like every year.

My good friend and co-worker, Blaine, is the decorating guru. I take no credit for any of this.

Here is the train pulling back into the station...I kind of like how the letters are blurry, even though it's just creeping in...

And here was just before that, with someone's big fat finger in the shot.

For a much better write-up (and more photos) from one of our resident foamers, click here for the my friend Allyson's blog post on the day.

Oh, I almost forgot...Santa came early to our house!  I came home yesterday to this wonderful surprise from Jeff!

Our old recliner was super skank and my knitting corner was starting to get really sad and unusable.  So Jeff decided to get me a brand new plush and oh-so-comfy chair for Christmas!  I'm in love...with both Jeff and the recliner. ;)

Thanks for bearing with me for this post full of grainy photos...Oh, I almost forgot...What did that fortune say that I found in my pocket?

Focus on the color purple this week to bring you luck.

A much needed break...and the cutest little lamb you've ever seen.

Whew.  It's been a helluva fall.  I know it's been so long since I've posted, but I really did need to take a much needed break.

I was more burned out than I have ever been and was truly just worn down to a nub and had nothing left after what was a very very emotionally draining summer.  Not only was my day job stressful (and that's an understatement), I was putting way too much pressure on myself in the knitting realm as well.  And after a long day at work, I was coming home and forcing myself to knit so that I could finish up some designs that needed to be finished and I finally had just had enough.

So, knitting and I broke up for awhile.  During my time away I had time to examine my relationship with knitting and how it can sometimes border on the unhealthy.  While it has always been my passionate pastime, during this time of discontent it became my crutch, and many things in my life suffered because of it.  I used it to shut out the frustrating parts of my life, but in the meantime I also shut out the good things as well.  I could go on....but I won't.  Who wants to rehash all the gory details? I sure don't. I'm in a better place now and that's all that matters.

So, now that I'm back, I'm slowly easing myself into things.  And I'm reminding myself that knitting is supposed to be fun.  And if I'm not having fun, what's the point?

Okay, so, before knitting and I took our break, I made a cute little lamb costume for my new niece for Halloween.  I didn't follow a pattern per se, but I did take a look at the Child's Lamb Costume by Margot Stevens (Rav it) for inspiration.

And I think it turned out freaking adorable, if I do say so myself...

I used Knit Picks Swish Bulky held triple stranded on size 17 needles...and afterward my hands hurt so much I wanted to cry.  But it was all worth it after seeing that cute little face all bundled up in handmade wooly goodness!

I think my most favorite part was the tail...

*sigh*  I miss my little lambie.