working on a gift that will not be done for Christmas

I opened up a bag of fiber to clean.  One complete fleece.  I know I should have started working on this a year ago because it is hard on my hands but I did not.  

I got a bit of it washed and cleaned.  I kept picking dirt and grass out of it when I walked by when it was drying.  More cleaning and picking as I was carding. 

Then, there was trying to find a drop spindle to use to make yarn for a rug.  This whole fleece is slowly being turned into yarn for a yoga rug.  My best friend is so excited.  My hands are tired already.  And when it rains has hard as it did this last weekend, it seems to take forever to dry.  But there is not deadline which is a good thing.  Miss N will be pleased.