Christmas is almost here, and I’ve been procrastinating.  I still have one more hat and two more ornaments to make.  Instead though I’ve been working on other stuff.

My third Sockhat Slouch is coming along nicely.  I have not, however, blocked the Olympia Cowl yet, unfortunately.

Also, the Quick & Simple Granny Shawl pattern is being tested for errors now and will be available soon.

Ok, so I’ve made 2 hats so far for the Pussyhat Project, which is a movement to knit, crochet, or sew 1.17 MILLION pink cat hats for the Women’s March on Washington DC this January 21st, 2017 (the day after that asshat is sworn into office).  I REALLY wanted to go myself and protest for women’s rights but it would be too expensive to drive up there, find a place to stay and places to eat, and get to and from the event.  Since I can’t really afford to take more time off either (more on that in a bit), I decided I’d do my part by making hats.

Using super bulky yarn (Big Twist Yarns Natural Blend Solids: 80% acrylic, 20% wool) I hope to crochet a bunch of these quickly.  I’ve already got 2 down!

That is the first one, and you can see it was a little long so I had to roll it up, but it doesn’t look bad with a brim.  My second one, however, is smaller so doesn’t need the rolling.

I’m using the Black Cat Slouch Hat pattern but if you go to the Pussyhat Project website they have free patterns for different weights of yarn for both knitters and crocheters and directions on where to mail your finished hats.  Just remember they have to receive your hats by January 14th so that they have time to distribute, so account for shipping time!

If you in any way oppose the way Donald Trump speaks about women, or if you fear what his new regime will bring to the progress women’s rights have made over the decades, please consider making a hat.  Using this pattern you can make one in a day, and the ladies there will be outside in potentially very cold conditions and will need thick warm hats.  Please, if you have some pink wool lying around that you haven’t found a project for yet, consider making a hat for the Pussyhat Project and be a part of something incredibly important for women all across the world.

So, like I said above, I can’t go to the march and it’s because (aside from the expense) I just took a whole week off work to go to Arkansas with my mom.  Her sister is very sick and was rushed to the big hospital in Little Rock, where we visited her for a few days and then went to attend to some of her finances, etc. and fortunately see some other family members, too.  My aunt is still in the hospital system and may not be able to move home, so if you pray or anything like that please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

While in Arkansas, we passed a store called “Liquor & Boots.”  It’s a stand-alone store but it has two outside doors, one for the liquor section and one for the boots section.  I failed to get a picture of it since we were driving by, but I thought it was hilarious.  This sign made me laugh out loud, too:

So thanks Arkansas for that laugh!

When I got home there were more laughs to be had.  My dogs Zero and Roll were playing and I got the best picture ever:

Bahahaha, it looks like Zero’s about to eat his entire head!  Hehehe she’s really very sweet to Roll and gentle while playing, this just captured a hilarious moment.

Didn’t really feel like there was any time away from work so I’m just as burned out as usual, which is taking a toll, but Christmas break starts this Friday and I get the whole week after that off, so that should be a proper relaxing vacation.  In the meantime I’m going to try my best NOT to return sass with sass or potentially snark, but I’ve already failed a couple of times at restraining my rebuttals over the past 2 days.  Not that I’ve been unprofessional or anything, I just don’t feel like taking shit anymore and it is not OK for older staff to treat me like a child or talk to me disrespectfully.  I’m going to start standing up for myself, even if it’s to people “higher up” than me.

OK I’m done.  Off to start that last Christmas hat… or snuggle with Roll.  He beats Zero at the snuggle game — she just sticks her butt on you.  See you soon!