Help me I'm drowning...

Throw me a life preserver, I'm drowning in life, family and holiday knitting. I've missed bloggin' with you gals. I've been out of town way too much, my house is barely decorated and while I'm zipping through my holiday gift knitting, I'm still behind. Meanwhile, the days are whizzing by me at warp speed. And inspite of a hearty dose of Christmas music (I play it in the car, in the house, sing them at odd moments), the weather is downright perplexing - it warmer here than in places like Southern California. How can I get completely in the spirit when we're wearing shorts?

Speaking of holiday spirit, I want to celebrate some other holidays that have begun this week. Hanukkah began yesterday (my maternal great grandfather was Jewish) and today is the Buddist Bodhi Day celebration. I tend to embrace many spirtual beliefs across religions and am particularly intrigued by the concepts behind Bodhi day.

December is such a great time of year to become more aware of the world around us and our role in it. How often do you think of how the things that you enjoy came to you? Who made the clothing on your back? Who built your house? Who harvested the coffee that you're drinking? Were any of those people paid a livable wage? Hmmm, I thought as the coffee question was posed to me during a NPR show on Sunday. They proceeded to explain the concept of Free Trade coffee and why one should support it. Now DH and I drink a TON of coffee. And I was ashamed to think that I'm not doing the best job of supporting the industry. Since we primarily drink Starbucks, I made the tiny effort to buy some Free Trade beans on the way home from my recent business trip and will try harder to buy products that do a better job of supporting families here and abroad. I sometimes wonder if my little token will make the difference that's needed. I get lulled by the media into believing that only popular, rich and famous people can change the world. But then again I'm reminded by the fact that Gandhi, Buddha and Jesus were all very simple men who made a tremendous impact. A tiny pebble can make hundreds of ripples :)

Okay, what about knitting? I've gotten several items off my needles. GMa's loopy mohair and Cascade 220 mittens are all knitted and felted and very nicely match her felted tam. I'm knitting a maroon mohair pair for my great aunt and will probably make a pair for my mom that will match her houndstooth tote since they're a quick knit. I converted a fingerless glove pattern from the Irish Hiking scarf KAL to a circular pattern (I hate seaming when I don't have to) and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how they turned out. If I get the okay from the person who wrote the original to post the converted pattern, I will before the end of the week. I think I'm going to knit all of my girlfriends a pair for the holidays (which should help me wrap up the gift knitting). I need to cast on for gifts for my brother and dad and then I'm done. Oh yeah, Thing 1 asked me to knit him a thong for Christmas. WTF!?!?!? Who wants wool or even acrylic for that matter up one's hinnie? I'm thinkin' no. He's digging the fingerless gloves so maybe I can convince him that he wants a pair of those. His favorite colors are pink and black. I thought I might dye some wool those colors and see how they turn out. Holiday knitting this year is so much more fun. Last year it was scarves which I now hate (though I might need to knit up a multidirectional before its all said and done).

Alright, enough for now. I have a board of directors retreat this afternoon until 9 or 10 tonight - yikes! I'm bringing my knitting and may whip it out to help me stay awake. I really do hope to have pictures soon (boo hoo, I miss my camera). And if you have a spare life preserver or even a snorkel, don't forget about me...