Christmas

Christmas eve there was a huge crash and rumbling outside. Laney shot up and screamed for me - Ah the perfect opportunity....
"It's ok Laney. It was just the reindeer on the roof."
The gutter couldn't have fallen off the house on a more perfect day. :o)

Made a few sets of mini mitts and felted snowmen for everyone in the family.

Mom loved her shell tank. The vest fit Mike (sigh - of relief. Now I don't have to make another one unless I want to.)

Finished the Leaf Lace sweater, so now the baby can come any day now... Unless I have to finish the 3 piece set to beat the supersitition.

Adulthood (alternative name "Merry Christmas to me")

Yet another thing that has made me a grown-up this year...

Good bye.
May you serve another lucky Subaru owner and live another 160,000 miles.
You lived through my mother commuting to graduate school.
You lived through my learning how to drive a standard.
My first accident.
You lived through living on Nantucket - salt air, dirt roads, wet bathing suit butts, sand sand sand, doghair doghair doghair.
You lived though a 11,000 3 month cross country drive.

Our last ride in it:

Welcome the new...
Subaru Outback Impreza Sport. 2005.


We pulled out of the dealership and Delaney says, "Wow, this car is smooooooth." :o)

NYC

There is something about the city at Christmas.

We got to see the tree.

Walk around.

The boys went to Caroline's Comedy club.

And Delaney got to enjoy this....

Leaf Lace Baby Set

Being a grownup.

Parenting:

I got some really great advice about parenting a couple of weeks ago:

"Let the universe teach your daughter the lessons."

As soon as this advice sunk in, I cannot believe the weight of stress that was relieved.

No more fighting to get a jacket on before we leave. If she doesn't want to wear a coat, let her be cold. She will eventually ask for one. Who cares what the other parents think.

ahh. It is really working. Delaney and I are getting along really well and having fun! I am also really enjoying her last few days as an only child. She is so amazing and fun and optimistic and caring.

Other grown-up stuff:

I will write about it in generalities because it is hard to write about this part on a public blog because it is very private, but it is about forgiveness and letting go, caring and compassion.

I came to a realization the other night about an incident that happened this spring and I think that I am finally starting to cope and move on. It gave me the strength to confront (in a good way) one of the players involved. I feel a relieving sense of closure and peace. What a perfect time of year for this growth and new beginnings.

In other knitting news:

Vest for FIL is finished, and has an alternate giftee incase it is too small = Ameran.

This flew off the needles in under a week.

Crochet fan scarf # 3 for a co-worker's wife is finished. I don't think that I will ever tire of crocheting this design.

Delaney's Christmas list

When questioned what she would like for Christmas from Santa she replied:

A new blue Cinderella watch
and
a real snake.


Yup.


She boggles my mind. She is a princess and a biker chick wrapped into one. She will pick the gaudiest, Vegas-style glittery light up shiny things and then act so tough you wonder how a 3 year old can be so brave.


Wonder what the baby will be like....

Advent 8

Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer - the 1964 version. It is nice continuing on with tradition and watching the same Christmas movies over every year. I enjoy the routine and can't wait to watch "It's a Wonderful Life."
On a side note: it is interesting to observe how politically correct or gender conscious or socially conscious we have become since 1964. Rudolph's mother was expected to stay at home while all of the MEN went to go look for him. There were other comments in the movie hinting that women were weak and subordinate.

I swatched and c/o for a present for my father-in-law. My MIL suggested he might like a vest, so I did a little research to make a very plain one (per her request), and here I go. I am going to make it out of the wool we brought back from Ireland. I am expecting it to go fast because I will be knitting it in the round.
I wish my own father would like to wear sweaters or vests, but it is just not his thing. He would rather be wearing a stinky NY Giants shirt. Oh well.

Baby is moving around a lot. I wonder when she will decide to be born. I hope before Christmas, I would love to just be home for the holidays and not have to work. I don't think that I am that lucky though. I am leaning towards one of the names, based on its meaning and uniqueness. Anyone have any ideas?
I can't wait to meet her!

Advent day 3, 4 + 5

3: Delaney and I set up some snowman Christmas lights up outside.

And I worked on Christmas presents on the same theme...

What are these? Santa and Father Christmas/Elf Needle felting kits for the class on Friday!

4: Decorated the tree.

5: Letter to Santa. We will also be sending our Holiday cards out to friends and family. :o)

Advent day 2: Tree

Got our tree from the Willimantic Midget Football League. Am and Delaney put it up. When I left for work they were letting the branches fan out from being tied. Hopefully all of the lights will be on by the time I get home. :o)
I also got a wreath for our front porch. The seasons are so much more enjoyable when you decorate for them!

December 1: Advent Day 1

Delaney pulled out the stocking from her advent calendar, so we hung up the stockings I made last month.
An elf also snuck in while we were sleeping the other night and left Delaney a Christmas tree for the kitchen table. I suggested that we make a tree-skirt for it. She wasn't too thrilled about it; but when I asked her how the elf was supposed to leave surprises if there was no tree-skirt, she quickly changed her tune.
(I'll update with pictures later)

Also, check this out!
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/delaneysduds/roley-poley-santa-ball-ornament

Class for it will be on Friday, December 5th at 5 pm. Yarns with a Twist, Chaplin, CT. You just pay for materials. It will be roughly $10-$15. Bring your needle felting accouterments.

Also, made him too...