THANK YOU HAROLD!

Harold - NOT a sock monkey. Harold is a Sock Goblin. Harold was my life saver this weekend as I had one of those weekends I like to call "the weekend from hell!" Aside from stopping myself from leaving my teenage sons on the side of the road in some remote area and driving off, or better yet, checking in to how much they're worth on the black market, the weekend ended on a relatively sane note.(I just KNOW someone is going to read the above and report me to social services...) However folks, Harold came along and believe it or not, all my diabolical plans for my sons seemed to disappear as I was creating him. There's something rather therapeutic about sitting in my room, away from the craziness of my household and coming up with yet another Sock critter. Harold just happened, Harold made me smile, Harold made the issue with my two boys become a matter to be dealt with once I was in a calmer frame of mind. Thank you Harold!

Author's note: I LOVE my sons - I do! Like most semi-normal parents though, I have moments of "I didn't fricken' sign up for this crap!" The difference between losing it and keeping sane is knowing when to step back and take the time to get to a calmer frame of mind... I think my boys should thank Harold too...

ARDENE, ETHEL & CHESTER

ARDENE: Born - February 10th. Ardene rhymes with sardine. She and her brother Schmoyster spent alot of time avoiding school throughout their childhood... Come to think of it, I would too with names like those. Don't parents think before they hand out names?  Anyway, that about sums up Ardene.
ETHEL & CHESTER: Born February 11th & 12th respectively.  Ethel and Chester are a happily married Sock Monkey couple who met at a convention for "Kids With Really Bad Names" and have been lovebirds (or lovemonkeys) ever since. Actually, that's where they met Ardene. The three monkeys hit it off and now work hard at promoting "Good Name Calling" to expecting Sock Monkey couples everywhere. In their spare time, Ethel and Chester play in the local Backgammon league while Ardene sits at home with her brother Schmoyster and plots revenge on all the Sock Monkeys that teased them in their childhood. I'm kidding! Really... they just hang out and come up with thoughtful and beautiful names.....like "Jessica"!

LAUREN, WOODSTOCK & BEEKER

LAUREN: Born - February 7th. Lauren is a quiet and soft spoken Sock Monkey. She really doesn't say much at all. We can only assume what her past was like as she rarely talks. I hope it wasn't too tragic. Although, there are rumors that Lauren is the one who accidentally opened the cage that started the "Great Sock Monkey Massacre of '82". Guess we'll never know....
WOODSTOCK: Born - February 8th. Woodstock...yup, the name pretty much sums up this Sock Monkey. An old hippie-rocker from way back who took far too many "medicinal" products in his prime. Woodstock enjoys lazy days - which is everyday and loves watching "CHarlie Brown" reruns on TV. His favourite character? Well Woodstock of course!!
BEEKER: Born - February 9th. Beeker was the first Test Tube Sock Monkey created that turned out surprisingly normal. His eagerness to help and please people is always appreciated. Aside from his fascination with lab rats and human organs, he's a great guy to have at parties. Oh yeah, if he asks you if you still have your liver, just say no....

DAITA, CHEX & LOLLIPOP

DAITA: Born - February 4th. Daita was sent to me from my lovely cousin Caitlind. He came with his own story which I will share with you. 
           "Daita is from outer space. He loves cats, painting and watching Star Trek."
That's all folks. Short and sweet - think I'd better leave it that way instead of embellishing his story... Thanks Caitlind!
CHEX: Born - February 5th. Chex held the title of the 'World Checkers Champion' for many years. He was undefeated until some upstart from "Bacon Cove, Nfld." whooped his butt and stole the title. It was not a pretty sight watching a grown Sock Monkey cry on National TV.  Chex has now taken up 'Connect 4' and will only play with children under the age of 3.
LOLLIPOP: Born - February 6th. Lollipop is one of the loveliest Sock Monkeys around. She will do absolutely anything for a friend - including cut and streak your hair for an afternoon of your company. Her smile is always genuine and welcoming. Lollipop rocks and we totally love her!!

Author's note: Wow - I didn't have anything bad to say about Lollipop. Odd.  I think I'd better do some more research - everyone has a skeleton in their closet somewhere.....

AMADEUS AND A BOX FULL OF MONKEYS

This is my grandson Amadeus being tortured (by me of course). I'm sure one day he will have nightmares about boxes and sock monkeys.... If he does, I will deny everything. Grandmothers are sweet and kind - they don't do anything that could possibly leave you in a corner rocking in the fetal position....nope, we are nothing but kindly old folk...

 I LOVE my grandson and he's such a good sport!!

Georgie's note: Amadeus's mother was here and assisted in the mayhem so therefore I am not the sole torturer in the above adventure. Good thing he wasn't in with the January batch - there were a few biters in that crowd...

MARSHMELLOW, BRADLEY & MR. BUBBLES

MARSHMELLOW, BRADLEY & MR. BUBBLES:  Born - February 1st, 2nd & 3rd respectively.  Welcome to the life of an Albino Sock Monkey! These three monkeys hail from Spruce Grove, Alberta where they live on a quiet acreage and grow lavender for their homemade Pot Pouri business.
Being an Albino Sock Monkey is not always easy and they do have to be careful around people with shiny bald heads, lots of bling and can't go anywhere near tanning beds.
On an average day, these three monkeys can harvest a lavender field the size of a football stadium, in just under an hour. Fast little monkeys aren't they? You can check out their line of Pot Pouri products on their website, www.REALLYSMELLYSTUFF.com . Happy shopping!

Author's note: Okay, once again the website is made up, don't go there....I did. So, unless you want to find out "what that smelly stuff is under your toe nails", don't look it up. Wait though, if  you have smelly stuff under your toe nails, you should probably check it out.....seriously.

"LITTLE JOE"

This is "Little Joe". He was made from a really cool pair of baby socks I found, and I thought it would be neat to try and make smaller Sock Monkeys. I took the picture beside my coffee cup and then with my hand in the picture so you'd get an idea of how small he is. These were socks for 6-9 months old. I'm sure I could go smaller BUT, for now I'll stick with this size. Sorry folks, no key chain Sock Monkeys yet!

Little Joe will find a good home I'm sure, until then, he hangs out on my desk and when I'm not looking, searches my room for my stash of sour chews. I'm on to you Little Joe....

Author's note: If you like the cup, it is one of Brandon Ashcroft's creations. He is a very good friend and incredible potter. This colour is "Raspberry" but he also throws in blues and browns. Being a huge fan of his cups, and mugs, I had to buy a coffee cart in which to display them all as my cupboards were overflowing. You can check out Brandon's incredible creations at: One Quarter Studios through Facebook or do a Google search.