Finished a number of gifts last night. This morning Ken helped me get them packaged up for distribution. I have two more to finish by Friday and then two more to finish the following week. Then I’ll be moving on to clearing up some of the other crochet projects on my list including some for when Vicki comes home to visit.
I’ve been anti-computers lately. I think I’ve gotten an overload at my day job so when I come home the last thing I want to do is be on the computer some more.
Having said that, on the drive to visit Vicki my mind wandered to stories and where I was, what I want to do with them, and progress. I’ve been creating a bunch of patterns so I’m going to put them on my to publish list though they probably won’t make it out this year. I’ve got writing ideas I want to work on but a big part of my brain wants to crochet.
Since I need to keep my stress level lower, I am crocheting. Stephanie asked me for cat toys so I’m making them during my lunch hour. People who come in while I’m working on them are just amazed which surprises me. These are simple little things which are easy enough to make. Yet they all exclaim over them – go figure.
I’ve got time off coming up – starting the 23rd. I can’t wait. Vicki will be home. I wish I could get Virginia and Stephanie home as well but it isn’t possible this year. My plan is to spend time with her and crochet. I’ll post pictures when I can on what I get done for her. I have a number of projects which are experimental. I’m hoping they turn out nicely but we will see. Plus I’d like to clear out some of the bins she has of yarn in my craft room.
Once she goes home, I’m going back to working on other projects – a skirt, two afghans and a few smaller projects. I’m also going back to writing after the holidays. I have several patterns to publish, a novel to edit, and two novels to finish. After I’m done with those writing projects, I have a non-fiction book I want to work on. This will take more in depth research and writing but we will see how it turns out. 
Christmas is always a difficult time of the year for me. It stresses me out and annoys me. Yes, my kids call me Grinch. This year I feel even more Grinch-like than ever. Normally I like the lights. They are bright, shiny, and fun. This year – I just want to tell all the people who have them out to stop it. Turn them off and stop wasting money. I said I was the Grinch.
To be fair, the sun in the morning as I’m driving to work has been annoying me. I’d prefer the darkness, the cocoon of darkness always feels so much better to me. It’s like if I can’t see the rest of the world, I’m wrapped in a comfortable blanket of safety. I guess my morning grump and my holiday grump are showing.