First up we have an additional entry for Grits ‘n Sticks.  Lorette posted her entry a day or two ago but I was slacking off and didn’t link to it.  Bad blogger.

So, we have a whopping three entries.  (I think I’m going to get a complex over this!).  And if you want to feel really silly in your life, use a random number generator to choose between three people.  Seriously.    It makes one feel a bit goofy.  But not goofy enough to stop celebrating Grits ‘n Sticks!  Long live the grits!

So…. prizes…..

Our Best in Show goes to …..

P.J. for her Sponge Bob themed entry.

And the second prize (via a random number generator…..) goes to  Debi.   (Take a look at those cheese grits, they look yummy!

Debi and PJ, let me know what color you want for your prize yarn and email me your shipping address.

_____________________________________________________________________________

In other news…..

I still haven’t touched  the Forest Path Stole since the last update.  I have been working on those socks I showed you the other day plus another pair of socks as well.  I’m actually trying my hand at writing  my own sock pattern.  I kinda enjoy the effort but I also kinda wanna light the whole thing on fire.  Lighting things on fire.  Seems to be a theme around here lately!

Anyway, I have been avoiding knitting because, for one, I had work to do.  I had a lot of patterns to list in the shop.  We had gotten in some new patterns for shawls and such.  In addition, we added a pattern for a felted handbag and some felted knit toys.  Each of these patterns has been sitting on the corner of my desk for WEEKS…. WEEKS, PEOPLE!…. and I decided that if I was actually having to move inventory in order to dust my desk perchance I ought to actually list that inventory and try to SELL IT!!!! 

I was just being lazy.  As per usual.

The other thing I have been trying to conquer is something that has had me completely stumped.  Writing a newsletter for the shop.  I know I need to, I know it is important, but I have a total mind block.  Well, I consulted with my friend Lori (a marketing guru in her former life) and she gave me some ideas that helped me to move out of my state of paralysis.  So, I might actually finish the darned thing this week but no promises.

In the category of family drama, it appears I may need to be heading back to NC soon.  I think my mother is going to need surgery on her ankle.  This month makes 1 year since my mother fell down the embankment behind her house.  She broke her ankle in three places, required surgery and spent a week in the hospital.  At the time this occurred, Stepfather was scheduled for back surgery and he could barely walk.  Stepfather’s surgery had to be postponed for a few months because my mother couldn’t even drive a car. 

This began a long 12-month saga of family drama that included not only these events but my mother (while still walking with a cane) having to take on the complete care of my grandparents, then Stepfather’s illness and well….. you know the rest.   And here we are at the 12 month mark since this all began and it appears that there is a problem with my mother’s ankle. 

I noticed when I was in NC that the ankle was quite swollen and it is painful even to light touch.  And, joy of joys, there is a definite protrusion on one side.  Not sure (because, above all else, I truly stink when it comes to anything orthopedic.  And. I. Mean. Stink.)  but I think one of the screws in her ankle might have moved out of place, be working its way out of place, or something  such as that.

Mom sees the orthopedic surgeon on Thursday.  If she needs surgery then I need to go to NC.  She has no one to help her, lives in a 2 story house on the side of a mountain and I am her only child.  She’ll need help. So, off we’ll go.  Just waiting to hear.

Well, typing more and more on the blog worked for a while as a means to avoid writing the newsletter.  Too bad writing that little thing didn’t flow as freely as blogging.  I know, I could just have a store blog.  I’ve thought about it but I just thought a newsletter would be better.  (Yep. Regretting that high and mighty decision.  Me and my blankblankblank standards!)

Back to work.

P.S.  You folks like your Mama Llama.  There was such excitement that I had to place a new order.  So, I decided to add more colors.  I’ll let ya know when they arrive.