Smiles have been in short supply this week, ever since a nasty, never-ending stomach virus took hold. But Lily, bless her sweet kitty soul, has willingly spent those days in some variation of this pose.
Just as the Moderne Log Cabin has been there for me, each evening taking the edge off a week of single motherhood crashing headlong into career. And while much progress has been made, it’s good to know yards of garter stitch comfort remain.
Bronzed Green and Block 8 await…
As I said last night in my Facebook status, “That’ll teach me to besmirch Florida!”
Yesterday was, all in all, a bad travel day. The sister and brother-in-law arrived at the Mpls. airport only to find that their plane to Orlando was canceled. They were sent home, having been given an afternoon flight for today. (Terrible weather out East to blame.)
Since we were traveling from the other side of the country, all was well weather wise. (Which, being the extra cautious soul I am, I confirmed online before we headed to the airport.) All was going well — fastest trip through security ever. But then our plane to Denver had a mechanical problem. And we waited. And waited. Talked with some fellow knitters headed home to Chicago via Denver. Put in a Herculean effort at keeping the over-excited kid busy while we waited 3 extra hours to board the plane. By then, all hopes of Orlando on Saturday had been quashed by the gate agent.
Finally we left ABQ and arrived in Denver, where United put us up for the night at a Marriott. No luggage = no swim suit for the kid (and, of course, the hotel has a pool). My little carnivore’s mood improved vastly, though, when she discovered she could use the meal voucher to order a steak sandwich via room service. And, better yet, eat it while watching TV. (No parental judgment please, a mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do!)
Headed to Orlando today (god willing) but first plane they could get us on leaves at 5:35 tonight. At least they booked us in first class.
On the knitting front, yesterday was also a bust. Started back in on Deep Peace, my first foray into lace knitting. Or should I say, my first foray that wasn’t quickly abandoned? Here’s where it stood when I set it aside for the Ravelympics:
Even though it’s not a complicated pattern, it proved too challenging with continual conversation from my spirited kid. Think I got about 8 rows done before I realized I had lost a stitch in the process. Going to cast on the other project I brought (thankfully in my carry-on) — the Geodesic Cardigan, which is much better suited to multi-tasking. It’s going to be a trying day; no need to handicap my patience!
Have you ever been so in need of a vacation that you don’t even care where you’re going?
Let’s just say, it’s been quite the week month year around here, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to be headed out … even if the destination is one of my least favorite places on the planet. Orlando, Florida. Home to hellacious humidity and crowds. (And, yes, I realize that bemoaning a FL vacation in mid-March separates me from about 99.5% of the human race. Then again, what’s new?)
Izzy, on the other hand, couldn’t be more excited at the prospect of Disney World and beach time with Auntie and Uncle. Evidence: Caught sleeping in her new sun hat this evening.
And you could say my excitement is building, as well. Evidence: Two knitting projects and a book I’ve been waiting to savor.
And the Gold Medal goes to … Izzy! She started and finished a catnip mouse during the U.S. vs. Canada hockey game. That’s right, during a single Olympic event. (And the crowd goes wild.)
And her mom? Well, she quietly boasts another 2-1/2 blocks (99 garter ridges/198 rows). Meaning the Moderne Log Cabin blanket is now 45 percent finished. Yep, 55 percent left to go.
This sucker (when finished) will keep a small village warm.
Just to be clear: I haven’t thrown in the proverbial towel on my Moderne Log Cabin blanket.
Rather, thanks to the wise words of McMary, I’ve reframed my perspective. The new goal? A personal best, which really couldn’t be more achievable given that this is my first Ravelympics appearance. So let’s see just how much I can get done in the remaining Olympics week. And let’s be smart about competing — like the marathon winding session this morning of all remaining blanket yarn (with an assist from Izzy).
As the weekend comes to a close, here’s the current standing: one block (#5) down and another well on its way. Not to mention a renewed appreciation of the miles of Zen this project offers.
Oh yeah, and just to appease that crazy type-A part of my personality, I made and attached the tassels on my trio of hats WIP. Knitting was done a few weeks ago, but I just don’t enjoy making pompoms, tassels, etc. Seriously, the amount of angst (and procrastination) produced by these finishing details is crazy.
yarnandyarns.com 
