Knitting for the time-challenged

Not being able to find enough time to knit seems to be a common lament among knitbloggers. I confess, I didn't understand. After all, I found time to knit in the thick of perpetual motion December, and if I could do that with my insane schedule, what's everybody else's problem?

I get it now. I'm as excited about knitting as ever, so it's not for lack of interest. Things have slowed down a little with work and work-related activities, but I feel like I'm having difficulty finding time to knit. Is it the lack of deadlines? As much as deadlines stress me out, they provide excellent motivation. (Donna, what was it you said the other day? Deadlines give us permission to quit?) I charged through December determined to get all of my Christmas gifts finished in time. I succeeded, although I sacrificed a fair share of sleep, something I'm smart enough to know I can't do right now. True, I'm not getting enough rest, but it's more than last month.

And maybe that's it. I cast aside hours I should have been sleeping--hours I picked up over those of you struggling to find the time--for knitting. Come to think of it, I'm not sure that work has slowed down a little, just my perception that it had because certain major tasks were out of the way. So it's gotta be the sleep, but deadline-free knitting is a contributing factor. Anyway, I can empathize with the time-challenged knitters.

A distant deadline wasn't an issue in something I did today that all of you--or the American readers--are going to hate me for. I finished and submitted my federal and state tax returns. (I haven't been able to get a form for the city return yet.) Granted, my returns are pretty simple to calculate, I use free e-filing to expedite the process, and I'm getting a refund. Still, this is a hassle I like having out of the way. My one tax tip: be sure to grab the telephone tax refund. I probably would have missed it if did my federal return by hand.

So, some money is on the way, and some "money" arrived in the mail today. That's right, I received the $150 Best Buy gift card I won playing McDonald's online Monopoly game. Sending in the winning piece and paperwork was one of those things I almost forgot in the December rush. Kudos to the fast food giant's prize redemption center. The turnaround time was shy of a month, which isn't bad considering how long companies take to send rebate checks, if they ever send them.

I read somewhere that businesses like gift cards because they entice recipients to spend more than the balance. I can see why. I've been wanting a laptop for awhile, so it's tempting to apply the prize and some refund money toward one. The good thing is I'm in no rush, and I'm not wild about bringing more stuff home with a future moving date awaiting.

I took another minor step toward that move by purchasing some plastic storage tubs. Target had them on sale, so I figured I ought to get a few in case I get the urge to tackle the junk stacked in my spare room. I also bought a smaller one for my scrap yarn, which is currently stashed in a cardboard box. I'm afraid that it won't all fit in the 15 quart container, but it's a starting point. At least I'll feel a bit more organized.

The scarf I'm currently knitting is about 75% finished. If I can keep my eyes open long enough, I may complete it tonight. Then I can dig into my new Knit Picks yarn. OK, enough blogging. It's knitting time.