Lynne’s having a “one year since first flying to the US” contest – explain three differences between the two pictured socks and you will be entered in a drawing for some yummy sock yarn and stitchmarkers. Contest closes 6 pm PDT, March 30.

Mim’s having a signs of spring contest. Post pictures of your favorite signs of spring, then let her know about it before 5 pm MDT, April 1, when she’ll randomly select someone to win a “yarn-y prize.”

It’s birthday month at Knittymama’s and she’s having a “best of 2008 so far” contest to celebrate. Leave her a comment with a link to the best knitting pattern/article/blog post/etc you’ve seen so far this year. On April 15, she’ll randomly select a winner to receive an adorable mini project bag or needle roll.

I actually had something to blog, but after finishing my taxes, my brain is utter mush. “Thanks” to Maryse for triggering this “must do taxes now!” thing. 😉 So let’s look at this nice picture of Chaos breathing deep the calming waves of Feliway feline pheromones, shall we? (See the little misty shadows on the left? That’s the stuff.)

“Ahhhhhhhh…” -Chaos

“Like, I feel totally mellow, dudes. You should try this stuff.” -Chaos

The first two people to guess where Kristi’s photos were taken will get 8×10 prints of that location. Get your guesses in by Thursday or Friday of this week.

Holly’s been participating in the 52 Pair Plunge (knit a pair of socks each week from April 1, 2007, to April 1, 2008). This experience has inspired her to revamp the poem “The Charge of Light Brigade” into “The Charge of the Sock Brigade.” Help her add verses to her poem and if your verse is particularly good, you could win some sock yarn!

• Yesterday morning was rough. First, I dreamed about one of my coworkers in a way that left me feeling a titch uncomfortable around him in the office yesterday. D’oh! Second, between hitting snooze the first time and actually crawling out of bed a while later, I completely convinced myself that it was Friday morning. Double d’oh! I was so sad when I realized how very wrong I was…

• After years of searching for US00/1.75mm circular needles for sock knitting, suddenly there are two choices: Hiya Hiya (strangely not mentioned on their own website, but available from retailers) and Addi Lace. Many thanks to Bethany for alerting me to this development!

• Cloud Cult, First Avenue, Saturday, April 26 – who’s with me?? The only person I know who wants to go is FuriousBall, but he’s inconveniently located in New Jersey. Of course, if I miss them then, I’ll be able to catch them June 21 at Rock the Garden in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

• Does it surprise you to learn that, with all the vampire and shapeshifter sorts of books I read, I’m not a fan of horror? Well, except for H.P. Lovecraft, but he’s too darn scary to read very often.

• Have I mentioned that I will most likely be spending several weeks in the UK this September? My stepmom will be teaching at Alnwick Castle (the castle in Harry Potter) and I will have the chance to stay in the castle with she and my dad! I’m also hoping to spend some time with the Paos.

• My ASL I class is done for the quarter. Of the eight sessions, I was sick for one and the instructor had to cancel the last class due to a family emergency. I’ve signed up for ASL I again next quarter, as I really don’t feel ready to move on to ASL II. If the instructor disagrees, ASL II is two days after ASL I, so I can change classes.

• I have been knitting – expect a major bib photoshoot sometime soon, as a plague of babies is about to descend upon my office. Although, since Mayhem knocked a beer over onto my bib-in-progress last night, it looks like I have some bib washing ahead of me, too. I’m guessing it’s poor form to give baby gifts that smell like beer…

“I can’t believe you told about that, Mom. I’m so ashamed… now everyone will think I’m clumsy!” -Mayhem

Um, sweetie? I have some bad news for you – you are clumsy… I’m sure if Chaos ever stops biting your whiskers off, you’ll be much more graceful. (P.S. Probably you should stop nursing from him, too.)

Debby’s husband Chris will be riding in the Get Your Guts in Gear bike ride again this year to support IBD research. If you donate to support Chris’s ride, you will be entered in a multistage prize drawing for custom-dyed sock yarn and other goodies. Contest closes May 26.

Nikki’s part of a Relay for Life team. If you donate to support her team, you will be entered in a prize drawing. Contest closes April 17.

Thanks to everyone who’s already captioned in the “Caption Me, Baby” Contest! You can caption along until 6 pm CDT, March 11. Speaking of cats and captions, here’s a classic. And here are two particularly good lolcats that made me giggle!

Those of you who feel you’re sufficiently hardened to scenes of toy mouse carnage from reading this blog should venture over to the Knitty Professor’s place.

I gifted the STR Mustang Sally Cable Twist Socks on Saturday and they were happily received by my SIL. She’s definitely getting more socks in the future! 🙂

On Friday, my car wouldn’t start when I was ready to go to work at 6:15 am, so I worked from home. No hardship, since it was a bitterly cold day (-11F, not including windchill, at 6:15 am). I tried some different things during the day on Friday and finally tried jump starting the car Saturday morning – all to no avail. So I had it towed to the shop Saturday afternoon and will find out what’s wrong with it sometime today. Frozen fuel line, clogged fuel filter, dead fuel pump, blown fuse – all are possibilities. However, it’s had a few intermittent symptoms (starting back in September) that suggest the fuel pump may have been in decline. Guess I’ll find out later… Maybe working from home today will make the whole DST thing less painful?!

“Y’know, I thought it would be nice to have Mom around more, like this weekend, but I forgot how tiring it is to keep track of every single thing she’s doing. I’m exhausted! Pale and wan! Send tuna!” -Chaos

Thanks to everyone who’s already captioned in the “Caption Me, Baby” Contest! You can caption along until 6 pm CDT, March 11.

Becka’s teaching a class on how to start a blog and is looking for examples of different ways blogs are used. If you leave her a comment with a blog link and explain how the linked blog is used (journal, shop, portfolio, etc), you could win a fibery art prize! Her contest closes March 8.

Jeanne has a fun post in which she ponders some aspects of Ravelry – make sure you read the comments, too!

As usual, I’ve gotten behind on my thank yous, so I’ll start getting caught up today. Last week, Fraro sent me some of her lovely yarn (many, many yards of Black Beauty – how did she guess?!) and some happy spring Regia.

“Stay back, May – Mom said this yarn was too special for your snickity-snick teeth to get anywhere near it!” -Chaos

“Hmph.” -Mayhem

She included this cute card, too – thanks, Fraro!

“Hey, how come this is un chat and not deux chats?!” -Chaos & Mayhem

KnitNana also sent me a package last week – check out the hair ties that she made and the cute knitting t-shirt! Thank you!

“Mom, is my hair long enough to wear a cute hair tie? And no, you cannot put it on my tail. Hmph.” -Mayhem

“Oh, I think it will make a great kitty toy instead!” -Mayhem

Happy weekend, everyone! Don’t forget to “spring forward” if you’re in the US or Canada… *grumbles*