So the holidays are over and I am back at work (blarg). I survived the hellishly long drive from Dallas to Des Moines and back (11 hours, each way), and got to experience riding Amtrak down to Austin for New Years. On occasion the holiday spirit confuses me greatly. I love Christmas I really truly do but it always shocks me how once it is over, ITS OVER. So much build up and then *wham*, happy times over please resume your regularly scheduled program. Despite that I had a lovely time with my family, indulging in all of our particular brand of family traditions. 21 people in the house this year, it was fantastic! (I feel I should note that they weren't all staying in the same house)

My parents decided to gift many knitting things upon me this year, which was fabulous not only because new knitting stuff is always good but also for confusing the crap out of the rest of my family. Have you ever tried to explain what a swift does? In a way that conveys to non-knitty/crafty people why you are excited to get one? I'm pretty sure I failed on that score though I was slightly more successful in explaining my glee over the blocking mats. The fact that I should never again find myself standing over my bed, armed with a hair dryer, at 2 o'clock in the morning, trying to get my sweater to dry so I can go to bed is deeply satisfying. ^_^

I will hopefully at some point get pictures of various people with their Christmas knitting and will post them here. Oh and I did finish the pink socks! At 10 o'clock on Christmas Eve, which isn't really all that bad. Though in order to do that I did end up knitting in some places I'd never done before. I'm sure the people at Acme Tools got a kick out of seeing a girl with obnoxious bright pink yarn stuffed in her coat pocket knitting away while her mother bought last minute Christmas gifts.

Hope the holidays were merry for everyone else!