My sore throat went away, but I’m still not one hundred percent well. I’ve been trying to take it easy and managed to crochet a few more rows on the Coastal Ripples afghan. I like the range of tones and the overall color palette, but there is one major drawback to changing strands of yarn every two rows:
Loose ends.
I really need to get better about weaving them in sooner rather than later.
I spent all day on our couch. I tried to crochet, but got too tired and ended up mostly napping instead. This virus has kicked my butt.
I wanted to ride my new bike today and test it out on the Black Hill trail, but I started having a sore throat late last night. When I got up this morning, I knew I’d caught a bug. I tried to ward off further symptoms by downing Wellness Formula pills and Zicam tablets and Halls cough drops all day, but at this point now I’m pretty sure it’s a virus and I can’t stop it.
Sean and I did leave the house this afternoon to run a couple of errands and grab some lunch, and when we got back home, I noticed how much our little front yard has been thriving. The rain from the past week did a lot to bring some life back into my plants.
I’m not much of a gardener– I prefer the overgrown wilderness look. I think it makes a better habitat for my gnomes.
Wouldn’t you agree?
Santa Sean delivered.
Hope your inner child enjoyed today as much as mine did!
I have to work tomorrow, but only for six hours. This year, the governor came through again, and full-time Department of Corrections employees received four hours of leave that can be used either on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve. I’ll be using my four hours tomorrow afternoon and leaving at 2 PM, after my Lifers Support Group is over. I could easily just cancel the group, but I know those guys enjoy the hour of support and discussion, and it seems to me that they would especially want to meet on the day before a major holiday.
Anyway, leaving after 2 PM tomorrow means that I don’t have to start until 8 AM, which means that I’m able to stay up a little later tonight and bake these cookies to bring to work.
They are simple shortbread cookies made with two sticks of butter, 2/3 cup of sugar, 2 cups of flour, and a teaspoon of almond extract. I like to fill the centers with cherry preserves, but you can use whatever jam or jelly you prefer.
They are a favorite among the correctional officers who do the pat-downs and searches on inmates who come into our building (and into my office), so I am definitely making sure those officers get their own bags of cookies.
Every year that I have worked at the prison, I’ve always made sure to give a card or homemade treat or a small gift of candy to the correctional officers who work in our yard. It’s my way of showing how much I appreciate them and their assistance in making sure that I get my own job done.
It also ensures that I’m well-liked by custody and that they’ll certainly run to my office if I ever have to hit my personal alarm device.
Tonight I put together these gift bags of candy canes and assorted Lindor and Ghirardelli chocolates. This year I’m also adding a holiday scratch-off lottery ticket.
I think these bags will be well-received among the officers. Especially if those tickets turn out to be lucky.
Sean and I left Ventura and drove back up to Morro Bay this afternoon. When we pulled into our driveway, I saw the rocking chair on the porch and felt immensely grateful to be living in such a safe neighborhood.
Four of the packages were Christmas presents. The large pillow-shaped one on top, though, was the Attic 24 Sunny Yarn Pack that I ordered online from Wool Warehouse just last week Sunday. I was surprised that it arrived so soon. It came from England, and I had expected about ten days for delivery.
I’d been trying to resist ordering it, but seeing Lucy’s progress with the Sunny Crochet-Along on her website Attic 24 totally sold me.
As you know, I am currently crocheting the Coastal Ripples afghan that she designed. Having the Sunny Pack waiting in the wings is now a good motivator for me to finish the Coastal Ripples afghan by the end of this year. Luckily, I have some vacation time coming up. I am very much looking forward to the holidays.
This morning when I woke up, I had a moment of not knowing whether I was in Morro Bay or Ventura. Then I remembered that we drove down from the Morro Bay house last night and that I was waking up in our Ventura apartment.
Sean and I were both pretty hungry, and we had two options: Either go to the grocery store or go out to breakfast. We chose the easier path.
Outdoor dining in the patio area
When the server brings you the check, you also get a post-breakfast treat of mini cupcakes.
Later, we walked downtown and I noticed these in the window of one of the shops.
I had to get close-up to this guy to try to understand the reason for his torn undershirt.
Officer, did you arrest the culprit?
On the way home, this sign caught my attention.
Live animals??!!! What kind of live animals?
Someone please tell me.
In the meantime, I am back to my regular work schedule of four 10s. So glad to have Monday off again.
Happy Sunday!
A few months ago, the city of Morro Bay started implementing plans to build a bike park right next to my neighborhood.
The photo above is an old one. They’ve made a lot of progress since it was taken, and the packed dirt hills have been calling my name every time I drive by. The new park is supposed to open in 2016. So when Sean asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year, the tomboy little kid in me who never owned a bike in childhood said, “I want a BMX bike.”
Hence, this happened this afternoon:
The box was delivered to the house a few days ago, and Sean decided to put it together today.
After it was assembled, he let me ride it for a test drive down the street. And then promptly took it back and said I have to wait for Christmas Day.
The little kid in me can’t wait.
365 Days Handmade 