One Final Concession

I do it every time. I see a vacation on the horizon and visions of sugarplums dance in my head. I think of all the things I can do with that free time and I start planning. Before long, I've crafted a list that resembles the following:

1. Finish *insert knitting project name here*

2. Clean out the fridge.

3. Organize stash.

4. Spin 2 lbs of yarn.

5. Organize knitting patterns alphabetically, by type, yarn and desirability.

6. Learn Mandarin.

7. Re-carpet the living room.

8. Knit a lace shawl, block it and enter in a state fair.

9. Volunteer to knit ten sweaters for the homeless.

10. Bring about world peace.

I overreach. It's a bad habit and one I can't seem to break no matter how hard I try. Fortunately, I'm a forgiving sort who doesn't hold myself up to lofty standards. Still, I probably should be more embarrassed by how little I manage to cross off my School Vacation Lists. I suppose the lace shawl failure is something I could reasonably explain, if nothing else...

This past vacation was more of the same, achievement-wise. I can't even really blame Christmas since that was waaaay back at the beginning and there was ample time afterwards to be more productive. I had a sinus-thing going on, but it wasn't the worst illness I've ever experienced. It was really more of an annoyance than it was a true malady. I was down, but not out. There were some weather issues and a couple of cats who seemed to need more attention than one might think, but I also don't feel like those roadblocks were anything that should have kept me from the doing of great things.

I guess I got to feeling a little guilty about it today. Here we are at the end of another vacation and I really should have something to show for it. Something other than fifty candy wrappers and a pile of cracker crumbs...

So I pulled out one of those UFO's that had been crying from the knitting basket and finished it off. It seemed like the right thing to do. And, since it took me less than thirty minutes to wrap it up, it didn't really take away from the stuff I wanted to do on my last day of vacation. I felt very, very responsible for having made a good choice!

Very Responsible Fingerless Mitts!

The yarn is a mix of Daletta of Norway and Classic Elite Commotion. The pattern is incomprehensible since I sort of cobbled it together as I went along. And yes, I'm as surprised as anyone that they match. There was a bit of an issue with the thumb cast-off but it isn't really noticeable so I'm going to pretend it never happened. I love my Very Responsible Mitts!

We shall ignore the fact that I was supposed to have these done as a gift or that I am keeping them for myself instead of following through on the earlier goal. The giftee received a lovely, lace scarf for Christmas and was thrilled to the gills and my hands are cold. I was responsible all around. I prefer to bask in that golden glow rather than focus on where I may have crossed over to the dark side.

Six weeks to go until the next school vacation. That one will be shorter in duration so I won't have nearly as much time in which to do stuff. I'll probably be much more reasonable with my list making.

I'll leave off the shawl and maybe that fridge-cleaning stuff...

SA