1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Either. I really love wrapping gifts and try very hard to make the wrapping suit the gift and the receiver. And it must be glitzy and pretty, too.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Always real.

3. When do you put up the tree?
It used to be whenever I caught a cold between Thanksgiving and Christmas. OK. Not really, but it always seemed like I was tramping around a tree farm looking for a tree with a running nose. Now that I’m living alone, I don’t decorate, except for a wreath outside my door.

4. When do you take the tree down?
New Year’s Day. Except now it’s the wreath I take down and not the tree.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Yes, but only homemade. I don’t like the stuff that comes in cartons. I’d prefer Tom & Jerry’s, and that batter has to be homemade, too. I know… picky, picky.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Oh, that’s hard! When I was about four years old, I received a red dress that had gold rickrack on it. It was meant as a Christmas party dress, but I instantly thought of it as my princess dress and would have lived in it had my mother allowed it. Second favorite was probably the year that my cousin made us all new Christmas sockings because ours were rather old and tired and really needed replacing.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
#1 Son. He needs many things but doesn’t often like to ask for them. And some of the things he wants are beyond my expertise.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Bro and his family. Every year I buy them tickets to a local Christmas concert and we go together.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes. I have a lovely nativity. My mother gave it to me one piece every year until the set was completed, starting the first Christmas I was married. I display it on the piano, which is just the right size and shape.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Email. If I remember. I usually call close friends and family.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I can’t think of an actual gift that I haven’t liked. But a dog I’d had as a teenager passed away on Christmas eve. That was not a very happy year.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
It’s a tie between A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Sreet and White Christmas.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I start early and finish before Thanksgiving. Nothing else in my life is as disciplined as my Christmas shopping, trust me. But I refuse to go into a mall between Thanksgiving and New Years. Refuse. The discipline was ingrained before online shopping became available as an option.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes. Not often, but I have regifted things that I can’t use to someone who can. I am more likely to exchange it, though. But either happens very rarely.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My mother’s peppernuts.

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, multicolored.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I’ve always loved We Three Kings. For some reason the minor melody touches me. That’s probably tied with Sleighride. In a more modern vein, The Trail Band’s original tune Dancing ‘Round The Christmas Tree has my toes tapping.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I love staying home. But for a few years #1 Son and I went to Las Vegas for Christmas and had a wonderful time.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
You betcha! I once got a speeding ticket because I was trying to remember them and recite them to #1 Son — he was about 3 at the time — and not paying attention on a hill in a neighborhood that was marked 25MPH and had a speed trap at the bottom.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning. When I was a kid we once opened the presents on Christmas Eve and then couldn’t figure out what to do Christmas morning. The family decided unanimously never to do that again.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
People who are so intent on getting the “perfect” present that they don’t care how rude they are as long as the objective is accomplished. That’s why I don’t go to malls during the season.

22. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I love hand-made ornaments of all kinds.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?
It’s always hard for me to think of things I want, beyond my family safe and around me. Even when I was a child I had a hard time coming up with Christmas lists.

24. Angel on the tree top or a star?
When I was growing up, we had a star. Now I have an angel that has been on my tree for years and years. It’s always the last thing that goes up on the tree, and the first that comes down.

25. Favorite Christmas dinner?
A re-do of Thanksgiving, except with carrot pudding for desert instead of pumpkin pie. Last year, though, I made a big every-vegetable-in-the-world stew, and it was pretty darned awesome.

I have been slammed this week — slammed I say — by meetings and teleconferences and discussions and training and study. And they have wanted me to get a bit of work in on the side. I tell you this, gentle reader, not so you will commiserate with me, although you may if you so desire. I tell you this as a poor excuse for why I am so far behind in telling you things that in ordinary circumstances I’d be shouting from the rooftops immediately. (Actually, I usually like my day job, even though it does not involve knitting.) Please hang with me while I catch up over the next few posts.

Last week Sharon, who blogs at Chickenlips Knitting and dyes amazing yarn as Stitchjones, gave me this You Make My Day Award. And that what I so love about the internet community — especially (as I’m sure you could guess) the knitters. When I’m just having one of those days, something like this pops up and brightens everything. I am so grateful.

By the way, Sharon’s new online shop is up and getting ready for business, so go over and check out the amazing things that she can do with color.

The official rules of this award are: Give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times.

There are so, so many people whose blogs I love that it’s very hard to limit myself to 10. Yes, yes, I know how I usually am about those rule things. But once I got going, half the blogs on the internet would be listed. So I will name only 10. Some of these writers may not even know I’m lurking around and reading. But each and every one makes me smile.

So, in no particular order:

Bogie at Knit Flix
Kat at As Kat Knits
Knitnana at Knitnana
Larissa at Stitch Marker
Helen at Knitting In The Shadows
The Mother of Chaos at Tales From The Den Of Chaos
Julie at Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History
HPNY Knits at When the going gets tough, the tough get knitting!
Shelly at Butternut Woolens
~Kristie at Guilty Pleasures

And the 11th, dear gentle reader, is You! To know you are reading this makes me smile. Big time.

I was tagged for this meme by Cindy over at Knit For Joy, who knows I’m a sucker for a good meme.

The Band Meme

You are about to have your own band’s CD cover. Follow these directions to the letter. It’s fun and requires no thought at all. Go to……

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
   The first article title on the page is the name of your band.
2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
   The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.
3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
   The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together, and post the result as a comment in this post. Also, pass it along on your own blog, because it’s more amusing that way.

And there you have mine: that amazing album You Have For Sure by Locally Finite Measure.

I don’t know. I think it sounds definitely alternative. My punk son would be proud.

I’m not going to tag anyone specifically. If you see this and think it’s fun, go for it. Be sure to post your results!

Ah… knitting. It is such a quandary, gentle reader. Do I continue knitting away on Wings Of A Raven Dream? Do I get my rear in gear and finish Lenore? Do I throw my long-standing sock-monogamy to the wind and cast on the new Blue Moon Rockin’ Sock Club pattern (it is very, very cool!) even though Lenore is still on the needles? Do I knit that hat I’ve been meaning to knit for over a year that is becoming more and more clear in my alleged brain, and thus get one more non-sock FO before the end of the year? Do I finish one of the UFOs? Do I throw caution to the wind and cast on something like a sweater?

A riddle inside a mystery wrapped in an enigma, I tell you. Stay tuned.

Since I can’t decide what to knit, I thought this iPod meme from Knitting In The Shadows was fun. According to the rules, if you are reading this you must consider yourself tagged. You will now be treated to a glimpse into the actual well of lameness that is my music library.

The iPod Meme

If your life were a soundtrack, what would the music be?

Here’s how it works:
1. open your music library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. put it on shuffle
3. press play
4. for every section, type the song that’s playing
5. next section — press the next button
6. don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool

Opening Credits:

My Uncle Used To Love Me But She Died – Roger Miller (I’m sure this has deep meaning… somewhere)

waking up:

Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen

first day at school:

Changes In Latitudes – Jimmy Buffett (I was not fond of school)

falling in love:

Uptown Girl – The Wind In The Willows (obscure music trivia – Debbie Harry before she was Blond / not the same as the Billy Joel song)

breaking up:

Who Do You Think You Are – Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods (and every day sees another scar)

prom:

Jim Dandy To The Rescue – Black Oak Arkansas (long, long ago I gave some cigarettes to and bought a cup of coffee for Jim “Dandy” Mangrum, BOA’s lead singer. I imagine he thought he was going to get lucky, but that was not to be. I was a good girl. That night. Sexy guy, though. I doubt he reads knitting blogs, but hi Jim from the Idaho Falls girl.)

life’s okay:

Another Saturday Night – Cat Stevens (ain’t that the truth)

mental breakdown:

Tell Me Something Good – Rufus featuring Chaka Khan

driving:

Why Can’t We Be Friends – War (road rage?)

flashback:

Werewolves Of London – Warren Zevon (I saw a werewolf drinkin’ a Pina Colada at Trader Vic’s. His hair was perfect.)

getting back together:

For Pete’s Sake – The Monkees (no comments from the peanut gallery!)

wedding:

String Of Pearls – Jimmie’s Chicken Shack (I start to sing and cry and then it makes me laugh man)

birth of child:

Wooly Bully – Sam The Sham And The Pharoahs

final battle:

Dixie Chicken – Little Feat (I have no idea what to make of this one.)

death scene:

Loves Me Like A Rock – Paul Simon

end credits:

Not Fade Away – The Rolling Stones

Disclaimer: The links on the song titles go to MP3s where I could find them. The links on the artists go to CDs. It’s all Amazon. Buy something and I get a couple of pennies.

Kat tagged me for this meme. So here are the answers to 38 things about me that you may or may not want to know.

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night? Linda at Tangle Thursday Knit Night, who shares my abiding fondness for blaring Jethro Tull on the car stereo.

2. What were you doing at 0800? Working. Fortunately I sometimes get to work from home.

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Working. See above.

4. What happened to you in 2006? At the beginning of 2006 there was the first publication of Judy’s Magic Cast-On. And #1 Son moved away from home. I don’t thing there’s any relation between those two things. They’re just both significant.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud? I love you, but you can’t sit on my keyboard while I’m typing. (To Captain Kidd, one of the resident cats.)

6. How many beverages did you have today? Three cups of coffee and two glasses of water.

7. What color is your hairbrush? Red.

8. What was the last thing you paid for? Lunch yesterday — a turkey burger and fries.

9. Where were you last night? Tangle for Thursday Knit Night until 9:00, then home.

10. What color is your front door? White. Boring, maybe, but nicely set off by the dark gray-green siding.

11. Where do you keep your change? In an antique post office box that has been turned into a penny bank.

12. What’s the weather like today? 50’s. Foggy this morning and now drizzly.

13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor? Butter Brickle. Unfortunately no longer available. Cherry Garcia runs a distant second.

14. What excites you? Knitting! Fiber! Friends! Kids! Books! Work! (yes, really) Turning leaves! Blue skies! Life!

15. Do you want to cut your hair? No. But it could stand a little trim.

16. Are you over the age of 25? Oh, my! That was long, long ago!

17. Do you talk a lot? Sometimes too much. Other times not enough.

18. Do you watch the O.C.? Never have.

19. Do you know anyone named Steven? Yes, several Stevens and Stephens.

20. Do you make up your own words? Of course! What would be the fun in using the same old ones all the time?

21. Are you a jealous person? Not usually. But sometimes. I try to get over it quickly.

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’. Alice.

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’. Karen.

24. Who’s the first person on your received call list? #1 Son.

25. What does the last text message you received say? From #1 Son yesterday — huh? — thus revealing the depth of our typical texting communication

26. Do you chew on your straw? No. But I eat my ice.

27. Do you have curly hair? Mostly yes. Except for that one recalcitrant straight lock.

28. Where’s the next place you’re going to? The Blue Moon barn sale!

29. Who’s the rudest person in your life? There are very few rude people in my life. I can think of one. But I will not name that person.

30. What was the last thing you ate? A piece of licorice chalk

31. Will you get married in the future? I don’t plan on marrying again. Once was enough.

32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks? Happy Feet

33. Is there anyone you like right now? I like lots of people. I don’t have any romantic designs, if that’s what you’re asking.

34. When was the last time you did the dishes? This morning.

35. Are you currently depressed? No.

36. Did you cry today? No. Not planning to unless I watch a sad movie tonight.

37. Why did you answer and post this? Because Kat tagged me and it was a slow blogging day since I’m still slogging away on The Great Green Glob.

38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey. I’m tagging a random (very, very random) five out of the whole long list of amazing PDX Knit Bloggers. Gentle reader, you should visit these fine fiberistas!

• Cindy @ Knit For Joy
• Bobbie @ Tiggywinkle Knits
• MonicaPDX @ Animorphia
• Melissa @ Days Of Tea And Knitting
• Karen @ Knit Bitten

Rockin Girl Blogger

Today I would like to pick Leanne of Curious George Knits as a Rockin’ Girl Blogger.

Back in early 2006, Leanne was in training to compete in the Ironman Canada triathlon — that’s a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride, ending in a 26.2 mile run. Any one of those would do me in, let alone all three one after the other. In her post of March 10, 2006, Leanne wished her readers an enjoyable weekend. She would not post after that for quite awhile. On her way to the coast with her husband and one of her children to enjoy their own weekend, their car hit a patch of black ice, spun into oncoming traffic and was broadsided. Husband and child walked away from the accident. Leanne’s pelvis was broken in five places and her foot in two. The triathlon was, needless to say, off. Even walking would be a struggle.

Over the days and weeks and months of her recovery, Leanne kept us informed of her progress with amazingly good spirits. She was realistic, but not fatalistic. And she knit. For awhile she knit a lot, because there wasn’t much else she could do. But as her pile of FOs grew, she also worked hard on getting better. Every small milestone was noted, and the next goal was laid out — over and over and over: walking with a walker, then walking with a cane, visiting the LYS, going to the grocery store. I can remember how excited she was one day in the LYS when she demonstrated how she had progressed from simply walking to skipping.

On August 26, 2007, a mere 17 months and 16 days after the accident that left her unable to walk — let alone run or bike — Leanne crossed the Ironman Canada finish line in Penticton, Canada, with her family around her. Because of the miracles of modern technology (the race was streamed over the internet), I saw the big grin on her face as she finished.

Leanne, you rock!