And on the 12th day.....

I finally went to the doctor.  I made it through Christmas Eve dinner and our family gift exchange, but on the 25th, I just crashed.  So, on the 26th, I was seen in Urgent Care.  (Yes - a pretty popular place after a long holiday weekend).  The doctor thought I had pneumonia by the sound of my lungs, but gratefully, the chest Xray showed only bronchitis.  So, on strong antibiotics, and codiene cough meds that knock me off my feet, but I am hoping to be 100% very soon.  I used to be able to keep on going, and shake most things.  Something about this aging process seems to be making that technique a little more challenging.......

I heard from my New Mexico kids, who seemed to enjoy and appreciate their handknit gifts, and handmade gift bags.  Course, they are such sweet souls, they would have faked it perfectly had they not liked them, but I think their words were sincere.

Likewise, I think my DD's mittens fit well.

I had not shared a photo, as I feared she would see them.  She has often mentioned that the mittens were cute, as she saw me knit up other pairs, and I know she really likes Cardinal birds too.  So, I hoped these would be a good match.  I altered the length, as she has very short hands, and I think they fit nicely.

SIL's socks were an exact match of those I knit for my son.  They fit him nicely.  He put them on and wore them the rest of the evening after having opened the gift.  They both mentioned that he had taken handknit socks that I had made him previous years on a recent skiing trip to Colorado.  Nice when your knits are used and appreciated!  

BG enjoyed his castles quite a great deal.  He was so quite, studied all the options and all the different parts and pieces for the longest time.  Made this grandma quite happy!  This photo was taken a couple days after Christmas, when he came over to find them assembled and ready to be played with.  Assembly was no quick or easy task, I might add!

 Many hours of play will be spent with these though.....I just know it.  Playmobile toys are pretty pricey, but not lacking on any details or features.....plus you can continue to add on as the child's interests widen.  He should have lots of fun - for a long time!

And finally.....

My Christmas socks are done.  These should have/could have been done well before Christmas, had I just felt well enough to actually knit on them, instead of staring off into space and just existing, while the body ached and I felt horrible.  All that knitting time wasted!

We are continuing to have winter weather.

 I am enjoying it, but not having to go out and about, not feeling well enough to even try, has made it more enjoyable.  I manage to feed the wildlife, and help Sofee manage the elements, and that's about it!  Course, sometimes I don't get the breakfast out quite as soon as expected, so these guys come aknocking.......

Sofee has given up chasing them.  I guess she has decided that they can co-exist in peace.   At least they have to stay out in the snow, and she's nice and toasty warm inside, under covers. 

I'm taking down the Christmas decorations, including the tree today.  Then going to work HARD on getting some knitting mojo going.  So, will be back next week with (hopefully) a new project to share with you.  I really need to have 2013 be the year of the Stash.  So, that's my goal.  I have lots of nice yarn, as well as tons of lovely fiber that needs to be spun up.  Hopefully I'll keep to that goal.  We'll see.....

Hope you all had and continue to have a nice Holiday season.  I expect 2013 to be better.....it's been sort of tumultuous out there in the world this past year.  I'm setting a higher bar for next year.

Take care - k