The Storm that Has No Name....

The storm that has set records in rainfall, lasted longer than any hurricane I've heard of and is STILL freaking here is not being named. I'm not sure why - maybe it will help us forget quickly, maybe it's just 'that' special and awe-inspiring, maybe the meteorologists are too busy trying to figure out what the heck it's going to do next and when it's finally going away. Either way, it's quite possibly the most annoying storm ever.
Streets are closed, businesses are withering as people stay at home to avoid windy, heavily-puddled roads and slowly go insane with 6 year-olds who are used to going outside nearly every single day. I can name one in particular ;)

The one thing this nasty weather encourages is sorting receipts, cleaning out piles of Maybe-I'll-do-this-someday patterns and hunkering down with one's stash and UFO's to knock them out.

At last count, I have 4 projects laying around ignored that need to be finished to free up head space.
David's Irregular Rib sweater needs to be finished just to free up countless interchangeable cords and stitch markers and also to determine whether or not I need more yarn *before* Lion Brand discontinues the yarn....

The Hearts & Bows blanket might also need more yarn; I need to finish crocheting that one to free-up a project bag and be able to send it off for one of the countless babies that are shooting out of everyone else's pelvises at an alarming rate. Not that babies are an issue with me or anything.....tick, tock...

I received the final set of directions for the Kiila mystery socks yesterday, so I'm home-free to finish knitting those puppies on their massive 3.25mm needles.

And I've got measurements and pattern approval for Mary Anne's Trans-Atlantic Tootsie Warmers (cute, ocean-themed, flip-flop socks). They're also on largish needles (2.75mm) and shouldn't take too long since they're just a scoche above the ankle.

The challenge to all of this is whether or not I can cram these projects into the remainder of my three-day weekend. Granted, there won't be much outside time, due to Florida being in the middle of the next biblical flood and I'm not tempted to drop my few dollars at the extreme holiday sales. At least I'll have something to distract me from copious gawking at channel 13's Doppler X3 and hoping the clouds will find someone else to torture for a while. Seriously, doesn't the Colorado River need water? We could build a new pipeline!

.....in other news!

There's so much going on these days in Ormond Beach!

I've been making new friends, having adventures with old friends, writing new patterns and breaking knit-speed records on the cutest socks EVER!

Thursday before last, I caught Jody knitting some darn cute foldover-cuff socks - the Friday Night Bowling Socks and started my own pair the next day. I went through every ball of sock yarn to find perfect "Sock Hop" colors (the Friday Night Bowling title made me think of "Let's bowl, let's bowl....let's rock-n-roll!!) The pattern is written well and they are such a fun knit, that I was turning the heel before I knew it.

Jody has the cuffed-sock bug, too and is off and designing her own patterns. Rav link.

That went so quickly, that I followed the temptation from Patti and joined Sock Knitters Anonymous group on Rav and started the Kiila sock immediately!

These are published in sections, one bit each week so that we can knit a bit more of the sock and will be finished by the end of may. Great sock, cool directions and fun group!

We've just turned the heel:

In the meantime, Mary Ann threw another sock challenge my way. She's flying to Ireland in June and needs something seriously CUTE and flip-flop-toed to keep her tootsies warm on the flight. If there's something I know how to do, it's prepare to Trans-Atlantic Travel Comfort.

She handed me the following ball of yarn and left me alone with my musings.......

I think she's already got it half-planned since she is taking a Trans-ATLANTIC flight and handed me yarn with oceany, ATLANTIC colors. Hmmmm.......her innocence intentions are just melting away.

I'm thinking waves, white-caps, small-craft advisories, maybe the edge on Jody's socks above without the folding over part........maybe a feather-n-fan variation.

So much to do and create and I STILL need to improve my tan ;)

Happy Birthday, Helen!

Bobby says: Happy Birfday, MOm!

Troy sweetly threw a little Birthday pool party for Helen last week - complete with grilled boca burgers and homemade carrot cake.

And......dacquiris!

Okay, ok - a nice pic of the auld pair: