Holiday Cheer, Zits & All

Sweater Grrrl
What a weekend!

It was pretty nice and quiet- Alan had to work, which was a drag. But I got my first facial ever- and my mother (who misses nothing) commented that the new skin products I have been using are really working! So that was exciting, being as I have been slapping anything and everything on my face to deal with the breakouts since I was …17? So 13 years and three dermatologists later, I finally found something that works. And in the end, it was an aesthetician who figured it out on my first consultation. No, I’m not bitter!

The positive- I got a lot of work done on various projects. I am feeling very creative, and since this is usually the time of year that I do a TON of holiday baking, I am attempting to find healthier outlets that won’t result in 10,000 calories worth of holiday temptation hanging out chez moi.

So I got some beads and stuff to make stretchy bracelets, as well as some green acrylic yarn and some charcoal Thick & Quick- the latter because hubby and I are trying to get healthier, and are walking outside early in the morning. He keeps complaining that his ears and head are freezing. So I made him a hat on one of my looms and am in the process of knitting a matching ribbed scarf. (Which at least requires me to purl) It’s going really swiftly, so the Thick & Quick is definitely living up to its name! I had never used it before, and I am very pleased with the way it knits up. (Plus- I am sort of getting warm fuzzies from the fact that I could make something for my hubby that he needed.) Then there’s a thrift store sweater that I am “re-working”. The sweater is a pretty pink with a nice eyelet openwork pattern, but it had kinda granola-crunchy-looking butterflies and flowers embroidered on it with yarn and then wooden beads stuck all over it. I just had to rescue it! I plan to cut all that crap off and then run narrow black satin ribbon through some of the eyelets for a Cheap & Chic Parisian Retro look. I also really like the funky beaded bracelets I made, and I am considering making more to give as little gifts this Christmas.

Speaking of which, I have been nagging my family to get me their x-mas lists, and my brother is still dragging his feet. And my husband, who is supposed to get lists from HIS family, had still not come through. Grr. I want to get all this shopping DONE, out of the way, finito, so I don’t have to mud-wrestle with the good matrons of Fresno County over the last Emeril-endorsed pepper-grinder or whatever.

While I am grousing about the joyous holiday season- This is the time of year when I deeply regret living near Riverpark. HOLY MOLY! I cannot take the usual freeway exit anymore, I have to get off the freeway a few exits earlier and go into stealth mode just to get home.

Back to Christmas gifts- my sister has asked for a number of “knittable” items, including a scarf (yawn) and a yoga mat bag. There’s a pattern in the new S&B that’s perfect (yes, again). I just have to get the right yarn for it. Well…and figure out how to knit lace. I may add some sparklies, just for kicks. But I better hurry, Christmas is a’comin’