Restful, but lonely day

I should be used to this by now.
Boxing Day is Dad time......fact!
Although earlier, I made more fudge......we had almost run out.....but then sent it to my ex's house, with Oliver and Edwin....along with his Yule gifts and two!boxes of truffles!
So....busy until about 2pm, then I had to sort out a pressie for my friend...she unfortunately has her birthday in January....(she lives in the USA.....so postage can be a problem,).......however, I've started her gift....already have something......
But I'd forgotten how long it takes to source the threads needed for a cross stitch project.
Deep into the project now.....Hope that she likes it.

Hat

I finished the earflap hat I was making. I did have to pull it back twice as I got the increases in the wrong place, the first time, the second time I lost track of where I was. My son's gf looked aghast as I just pulled it off the needles and pulled it back. I just had enough yarn to finish it, but there was none spare for pompoms and ties.

However, although I am satisfied with the result, I couldn't see myself wearing it, ever, I'd have different colours. So I put it in the staffroom at work with a note saying if anyone wanted it, they could have it, just give a donation to Children in Need.

Before I did this Sam tried it on, she loved it, but would like a black one. Today I went to the market, bought a huge ball of black wool and a circular needle. Am sure have the correct size in my workbox, but the this moment in time my workbox is buried under a pile of things. And once I knit one black earflap hat, I'm sure that there will be more requests and the black wool will soon disappear.

I also managed to put quite a few more stitches in the remaining birth sampler I have been cross stitching for work colleagues. This last one is taking some time; as it is mother and baby giraffe and the colours are very close. The effect is worth the effort though.

The other thing I have started to do this week is sort out seasonal presents. With only Oliver to sort something major out for now, and my youngest niece. I no longer buy anything for my other nieces and nephews as they are all over 21.

While I was at the market I found three prefect Xmas cards for Mum and Dad, and a couple of good friends. All three are humourous, and although they were expensive, I am sure they will be appreciated.

At last

It's come through, at last, the date for my operation.
So now I can order the parrot!
I have to go in the evening before, and will probably be in for 3-4 days after the operation.
So, I won't get to blog while I'm in the hospital, obviously, but might have some funny tales to relate afterwards.
One of the other technicians is having an operation on the 6th of December, a couple of days after mine, so if we manage it to the technicians Christmas meal, we can bookend them. Although I don't know If I'll be able to as I know I have to put no weight on the leg for two weeks, and the meal is just outside the two weeks.
So that gives me two weeks to sort out pressies before Xmas. I have a couple of things for Sam, but need another idea.

Busy!

I seem to have been busy doing stuff all day today.
Doctor's this morning for another doctor's note, as he says I can't work until after my operation.
Then I went to the cheapy supermarket, they had some wonderful small packs of wool, so I bought some, and am going to knit a scarf as a pressie for someone.
Then I went swimming, and after I ate, went to the supermarket. In the middle of that I wrote up my latest book, that I've read, in the book blog, and my friend came across for a chat and a brew.
Now it's getting towards teatime here.
My friend took the dogs on the beach for me, while I went to the shop. I wish I could make it down to the beach. I will do soon.