Thank you to everyone who gave me well wishes this week, today is the first day I haven’t felt the need to rush to grab pain medication all week. I am so grateful that the pressure has gone down and that I’m feeling better.

In an hour I’m going to be on the road. In an HOUR. I’m leaving a day early so that I can spend the day with Carolyn before I head to SOAR. We’ve been meaning to have me visit and it’s just going to work out this weekend, and wouldn’t you know (which I didn’t) that the NJ Sheep & Wool show is today? Woot! We’re going to have so much fun, and it really does break up my trip nicely.

Tomorrow I will be at SOAR and I’m full of mixed emotions. Anxiety (did I bring everything? will they like me? do I have enough money?) battles with excitement (oh my god I’m bringing home a drum carder! i get to finally meet Abby Franquemont and Maggie Casey! oh my god it’s going to be so much fun!). I’m telling you, it’s exhausting. I just have to remind myself to breathe, and to remember that I’m there to have a good time, and that these people are my people, and I am theirs. (Lucky them!)

I don’t have a lap top so I can’t tell you when I’ll be able to post next, but I can tell you that I’ll be taking lots of pictures.

Oh, and I’m bringing a 50 piece bag of mixed Ghirardelli chocolate squares to share. If you’re going to be there, please say hi.

What do you get when you mix no sleep due to extreme earache pain, a 3 a.m. trip to the emergency room and hours to wait until the pharmacy opens?

A day off without pay because all the last of my PTO is allotted to SOAR. Apparently I was this close to my ear canal closing completely due to the severity of the infection. Pain compounded by one’s pulse pounding in one’s ear is no fun my friends.

Hydrocodone is my friend, and man are ear drops annoying. Now, if only I could move my jaw or touch the side of my face without taking drugs. I’ll be grateful for the situation resolving itself before I leave for SOAR this weekend. At least I can eat now.

No, seriously, it does!

While at the Garlic Festival on Saturday, on our way out the gate, my husband steers me towards this booth called “Three Crazy Friends”. Inside are beautiful hand knits and felts, and a woman I start talking to called Nancy. Nancy has a Lendrum like me, and has just bought an electric drum carder, lucky gal. We start talking about how I’m planning on getting a drum carder this winter and…

… she offers to sell me her Strauch Petite with brush attachment for $200. Yes. You heard me. And she’ll bring it to SOAR this weekend so I can take it home with me.

Holy Kizmet, Batman! I just saved around $500. How? Well, I was going to try to afford the Strauch double wide model at almost $700… now I’ll have one that’s smaller, sure, but it’s smaller at around 55% off of retail (assembled) for this model! I’ll “make do” with smaller, yes indeedy. And to think, I was almost too tired to stop, thanks honey! NOW I’m ready to be excited about SOAR.

This weekend I got to spend time with a good friend and her amazing man as I was called on to fill the role of Bridesmaid for the first time. Seeing as I’ve been married just under two years, I remember very well what it was like to be in her shoes. It was wonderful helping her get dressed, smoothing stress, and lending whatever expertise I could. Amy was a beautiful bride, her personality and inner fire were evident in every facet of the wedding. From her “helmet-head hair” to her (Everything is Illuminated) Russian walk down the aisle, Amy did it her way. I was touched that Amy used a few details from our wedding and ceremony, Steve and I were beaming.

I could go into details that mean very little to those who weren’t there, or… I could present you with photos of the weekend, starting with the rehearsal dinner, through the “Passion Party” Bachelorette party, and ending with the reception. Photos are more fun anyway and I’m too damned tired to be eloquent. You will, however, note that the entire bridal party was taught to knit by me, or by someone I taught. I’m all squishy inside.

I’ll end this with saying that while driving to and from Virginia in three days with a wedding in between is no one’s idea of fun, there are certain people who are worth it. Amy and John are two of those people. May their union be blessed always, may their cup run over.

Fiber: “Froth” Wool/silk blend from Miss Babs, touch of Firestar hand-blended in.
Wheel: Lendrum DT, 10:1 ratio whorl
Weight: 4 oz / 116g
Yardage: 396 yds
Diameter: Fingering
Techniques: Spun inch-worm worsted

This skein, the first of at three (I think), represents my foray into Epic Knitting. Epic Knitting is when you hear your mouth saying things to your mom like “I really want to knit you a wedding (renewal) shawl and I REALLY think it’ll be awesome if I spin the yarn myself!” Yes, this is Epic. You know you’re participating in an Epic project when you then decide that you will hand blend in crystal Firestar because a nice Merino Silk blend isn’t enough for something of this Epic magnitude. It’s Epic when you are spinning so fine that the particularly ornery blend becomes intimate with your one last nerve. Oh yes.

So, anyway.

The fiber is an 80/20 Merino/Silk blend I got for a pretty reasonable price over at Miss Babs. No one else that I could find sells it for less, so I thank thee, Miss Babs! I bought the crystal Firestar there as well. The shipping and service were great, so I can say that it was a very positive first experience with Miss Babs and it certainly won’t be my last.

I love this roving, despite how cranky it makes me to spin its slippery yet sticky beautiousness. Despite how completely and utterly clean and well blended it is, it is the sheepiest smelling wool I have EVER spun with. Seriously. It smells like a sheep that just came out of the bath. I have caught myself, more than once, sticking my nose in the bag to take a quick whiff. Is that like huffing, only it won’t kill me?

The yarn has a very subtle sheen to it, exactly what I was looking to do with the addition of the Firestar. It shimmers under the light, but it’s not overly flashy. It reminds me of that marketing phrase about makeup that gives you that “not wearing any makeup look”, but in a good way.

I almost didn’t go ahead with plying the yarn because despite how hard I tried to spin it superfine, it Navajo plied up at about fingering/sport weight, not at all the lace weight I was going for. My spinning friends assured me it would be fine, and I agree. I’m already working as hard as I care to here, I’m not going to drive myself insane. That said, the yarn is too bulky for the shawl mom originally wanted so we have adapted our mission to include the Print o’ the Wave stole by Eunny Jang. I am breathing an internal sigh of relief here, let me tell you. I get a nice mindless main body repeat (the better to actually finish it), mom gets her favorite feature of pointy edges , and I get to try something new knitting on said pointy edged border.

I think it s a win-win. Now, all I have to do is spin two more of these and knit the shawl before February of 2010. You laugh, but I know me.

I have been found guilty my internal judge and jury of being a lazy wench. Perhaps that is unkind. What I should really be ashamed of is my lack of prioritization. When the going gets too busy this gal plants her butt firmly on the couch and either watches TV (series on DVD) and knits/spins/crochets, or reads. Preferably in the same room with my husband so I can sneak sideways appreciative glances. Hey, we all have coping mechanisms, mine work for the most part, but leave me with things undone. One of those things is putting up posts about finished skeins. So, starting this week (probably around Wednesday) I’ll be digging up the photos I’ve already taken and writing up a post for each of the skeins I’ve finished since spring.

SOAR is creeping up quietly, very stealthy like. There was a massive uproar in my little world when I found out that my travel buddy and roommate Michelle wasn’t going to be able to attend after all. It kind of poleaxed me, I was so looking forward to sharing the experience with her! But unfortunately health and finances have conspired against her and I was looking for another woman to room with. The room rate hike and gas would be coming out of my shopping money, so you can bet I was anxiously searching for a roommate, found in a very nice woman who has the same name as me! (Just spelled slightly differently.) I can’t believe that it’s only 18 days away! I’m still not really “excited” about it, maybe it’s just too overwhelming at this point. On an intellectual level I know should be excited, on an emotional level know that once I’m on my way there my normal enthusiasm will kick in and I’ll be scaring the other attendees with my manic glee. I will really miss sharing this with ‘Chelle.

Back to being a lazy wench, I have gotten very little progress done on Steve’s Sweater of Doom and the Prairie Star Afghan. I want to be good and finish them, but I’ve run out of emotional steam on the blanket and the sweater became my nemesis long ago. Our friends need to buy season four of NCIS so I can at least get my blanket mojo back. I can say that at last try-on (last night) Steve’s sweater is at the point where I need to get fancy for the last few inches before ending the hem. Then, blessedly, I’ll be able to start the sleeves and we all know how quickly those go as you decrease from the shoulder down. THANK THE GODS because I am seriously hearing the call of holiday knitting. I have one pair of holiday socks done (worsted) for mom and Steve is hinting that he’d really like his sweater in time for Christmas. I can do this. I really can. Half an hour a night on each of them will get it done.

I will end this with a question. If you had designed a beautiful scarf, and maybe a hat too, that was specifically created to knit with handspun, and you loved it beyond all belief and were going to wear it to SOAR and Rhinebeck, would you consider not blogging it, and possibly even not wearing it at said functions, because it’s the first thing you’ve ever even considered submitting to KnittySpin? Holy cow that made no sense at all. So, I guess what I’m saying is that I have something I’ve created that I love and think is worthy of being submitted to KnittySpin, but unfortunately they won’t be taking Fall themed submission until next spring. I really think they’re good enough to submit, simple but perfect for simultaneously variegated AND barber-poled handspun, which we all know can be hard enough to work around already. But I really want to wear them out in public… does anyone know if that violates the “no blogging, no pictures” clause? Bah. I already know the answer, ‘cause I’m totally going to blog being at SOAR and Rhinebeck, and even if I’m good, someone’s going to take a picture of me in them and possibly blog it. *le sigh* I guess I should quick knit something else to wear and put it away for safekeeping.

I love it when it finally gets cold enough to put the comforter back on the bed. We leave the windows wide open until the very last minute and then start leaving them open only a crack until it’s truly cold out. I just adore jumping into bed when it’s chilly in the room, snuggling up and sharing body heat.

Last night was the first night I slept with handknit socks on and it was wonderful. Look at me all coordinated. I wiggle my wool clad toes at Old Dame Winter peeking her head around the corner and say “Bring it on!”

What is your favorite thing about Autumn?

This is a multi-faceted question for me. On a knitting and spinning level, I’d have to say it’s the return of “wool weather” and Rhinebeck. I adore Rhinebeck with the passion of a thousand fiery suns. I love that it is packed to the gills with people everywhere you look. I love the jostling, I love the hugs and squealing of friends you don’t see often, and I love the shopping. Plus there’s the thrill of competition.

On a personal level, I love the return of layered clothing and wearing jeans whenever I’m not at work. I always look more put together in the cooler weather. I don’t mind so much being plus sized, but jiggling thighs on display whilst wearing shorts is not my idea of attractive. I feel like Wonder Woman in a pair of great fitting jeans.

On a REALLY personal level, I like the challenge of seeing if I can beat the depression. I am living proof that it is possible to manage stress and keep it all together pretty well. I know everyone thinks that I only do as well as I do because I have Steve, but I’ll have you know it’s perfectly possible to screw things up regardless of your SO status. Autumn used to be the beginning of bad things for me. Now I strap on my fighting leathers and say “are you feelin’ lucky?”

Wanna see photos of WOOL 2008?

WOOL 2008

If there’s anything there you want a copy of just let me know and I’ll share the Kodak version of the album. You can order prints there at a very reasonable price. Have fun browsing, it’s almost like being there, just imagine the sound of the waves.

When I return from W.O.O.L. I have a very hard time summing up the weekend, this time even more so because I’m exhausted and not feeling so hot. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t have a great time, I really did. Let’s give it a go though, before too much time goes by and it gets even harder.

Mom and I had a good drive up to Lake George that went by very quickly, despite us taking a wrong turn every half hour or so. We stayed calm, had fun, and got there in one piece. Everything was just as I remembered it from last year. The first thing out of mom’s mouth was “it’s so peaceful here, I could just sleep all day!” (mom is an insomniac at times) She had the foresight to pack us a small lunch so we sat on the dock to eat while waiting for the other guests to arrive. First to arrive were Harriet, along with her friends Rosemary and Carrie. After that it all started to speed up and before I knew it, there were a good 15 or more guests, with more arriving between Thursday and Friday nights.

It was nice to see new faces and old, friends I made last year as well as friends yet to be. For the most part, everyone that attends is someone I wouldn’t hesitate to invite over to my house, this year was no different. We all come from such different walks of life, some guests having children my age, some guests being in their mid to late 20’s, early 30’s, just like me. Age or profession don’t seem to matter though, the unifying factor of yarn is enough that everyone feels welcome right off the bat.

The weather was gorgeous the entire weekend, and I do mean GORGEOUS. 80F from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., rapidly cooling to around 50F overnight. There wasn’t a speck of rain while we were there, simply amazing considering this has been an extremely wet NY summer. The lake was wonderful, I think there were at least two or three of us in there every single day until Sunday.

As always, the fireworks on Thursday night were awesome! While waiting for the fireworks some of us lay on our backs on the dock, just taking in all the stars. Even with all the lights from Lake George we could see the Milky Way. If you live in a high-light area and you’ve never seen the Milky Way you are in for a treat when you first see it. It’s like a blanket of stars above you, with the black lake surrounding you. Absolutely amazing.

We had a few glitches during our stay, mostly revolving around the public fundraiser Wiawaka was running on Saturday. Having the public on the grounds was fine, but having our building designated as the public restroom was not, especially when people started trying to come into our living room area, or (as mom nipped in the bud) into our rooms to ‘see what they look like’. I addressed the issue with the new director, but I encourage anyone who attended and was unhappy to also send an email to Wiawaka about the poor planning. I love the place, but things won’t change for the better if they don’t know what went wrong. We will most assuredly not be staying during an event weekend again.

I won’t dwell on the negative though, everything else was great. The food was very good, the grounds were lovely as always, and the staff was pleasant. We had a very exciting destash swap/sale and silent auction, but unfortunately the demos never really gelled. People seemed much more content to march to the beat of their own drums and that was fine by me! The show and tell evening on Friday night was a blast, with so many more people it was really exciting to see the lovely projects and handspun that were passed around. Diane, competition knitter extraordinaire, was hilarious as she modeled her alpaca vest. Said vest was magical in that it fit both plus sized and small sized guests alike. Spooky!

My only personal lament is that with that many more attendees I felt much more “on” all weekend and much less able to relax. Such is the price of being Cruise Director (as I call it), and I accept that price as what I pay for being able to have this kind of event. I did get to enjoy spinning like the dickens, I finished not only the purple Romney Diane gave me for my birthday, but also some earthy colored Buckwheat Bridge stash fiber I’d brought to trade. Then I got to start some luscious green and gold Merino from Carolyn of Seekay Craft, with some of Jessica’s Zarzuela Fibers superwash Merino waiting in the wings. Both were snatched during the fiber feeding frenzy that was Friday night.

I’ll wrap this up with the thank you section, starting with all those who donated. Your donations to the silent auction were VERY much appreciated, and people had a lot of fun bidding on the items. We had everything from knitting and spinning kits to yarn, and my personal donation of a murder mystery book that is solved by sheep called “Three Bags Full”. A special thank you to Nancy, champion spinner, who donated two skeins of tequila sunrise colored lace weight, two-ply handspun. Thank you to the guests who were so generous in their donations! We raised just shy of $200 for Wiawaka, helping to offset our stay. Thank you to Robin who organized all the women who joined us from the Spinning Room in Altamont, NY. You ladies were awesome! Thank you to everyone who I’ve forgotten to thank. Oh, and thanks to mom (who learned the joys of whacking yarn), for taking a risk and joining us, I had a lot of fun with her.

Thank you to everyone who was patient and understanding of each other, and the limitations of the venue. I know, trust me, I know… it can be hard to be surrounded on all sides by women, in a semi-rustic environment. Your positive outlooks helped make managing the event that much easier for me. Thank you to all my guests for attending, and for helping to make the event a success. Being hugged and told how magical the event was by more than one guests makes everything worthwhile. I hope to see most of you again next year!