I Got Class...

Or at least I had class all weekend long, Friday - Sunday, with Maureen Mason-Jamieson at Mecca. Wonderful and I learned a ton. I'd have to say my favorite learning experience was Collar Obedience. On Saturday I was too wracked with guilt at not knitting what I should have been knitting to have fun, but by Sunday I no longer cared and was grateful for the little vacation. Then this morning dawned, and I find myself with an empty fridge, a ton of work to do, and Typhoid probably coming today. AACCK!!

BUT - Here is my obedient collar. This is very cool. My model seems pleased. I have decided that my next dog is going to be like this one. With an on-off switch, and minimal needs (batteries is about all, no food, water, walks, vets, or brushes.) We also learned a double pick up that will revolutionize by buttonbands, and alters my opinion of them significantly. Saturday was Japanese Knitting Technique, and I blew it at buttonholes. Well, no, I did not blow it, I MADE them but was not pleased with them. We also learned a tubular bind off that I need to work on as well. I did it but am not thrilled with my results and need finessing. Then on Sunday we had a color theory workshop that was very good, and provided a good refresher on the basics of color, and a few little tidbits I had not known, like that I can drop a cool color into a warm scheme and punch it up a little, but adding warm to a cool scheme is likely to result in a visual disaster.

This was an odd and long and emotional week. It began with Girl's 18th, then headed into this, a new game invented by (step)Son#1 called "Fishing For Stoned Kitty". First he and Girl inebriate Mel/Wilson/Spaulding with large quantities of catnip, and then Son#1 uses cat toys as lures, and tries to actually lift the cat out of the "water" (meaning his red cathouse and off the landing of my poor stairs). It sort of proves my husbands point. He said when we moved in "Great. I just signed a mortgage for a (explitive deleted) CAT GYM". He should have added "Grown Son Gym". Son#1 and his artist girlfriend whom I love to bits live across the state, and we see them only rarely. He came to deliver a computer and brought birthday booty for girl, including one of Leigh's prints that Girl adores. It was a good year to be Girl. Concert tickets, video games, art pieces, cash, a cell phone, and finally, amid tears and chocolate cake, an antique engagement ring from my father. Poor man, he had two rings, one belonging to my great aunt and the other to my grandmother. They were sisters who married brothers, so the rings are similar and probably bought at the same time. But, he has four daughters. What to do?? Luckily - he has only two grandaughters, and so Girl and Niece#1 are the beneficiaries of the heirlooms. Lucky young ladies, I must say.

The week culminated last evening with dinner at my inlaws. My mother in law, knowing I am a bag harlot, gave me this lovely thing, which has wheels, tons of pockets, and cubic miles of internal space, but means that I no longer have a reasonable excuse for not bringing Scunci to classes. It also, I think, means I need more yarn. I mean, it's got a ton of space, and that space needs to be filled with something, right?? I love bags. I adore bags. My husband is jealous I think...she likes me better than him now... (Hah - ha!! Raspberry in your face, Mr. Wonderful!!! Nyyyaah, nyaaah, mommy loves me beeeesst!!!!) It's his own fault. He's a wonderful man (hence the title) but he is very quiet in most settings. I, on the other hand, have no such scruples, and will update her on his health, both physical and mental, and his opinions and attitudes. Really, I think she just uses me to get info on her son...but it works for me! Now I need to go WORK. My fingers are limber, the day is young and I have much to do. I will complete the fronts of Make Tracks, and then start the sleeves. I want it done (blocked, assembled and written in five sizes) by Friday. No Sweat....