Preparing

I tried really hard to get a good picture of the newly-hatched robin babies that are nestled in the holly bush right outside my back patio railing, but their mama was getting really upset with me before I got a good shot. I decided that cease-and-desist was the best tactic. So instead you get to see some of the yarn I've been spinning off and on since my last post. One day was so beautiful here, just warm enough with the most wonderful breeze, that Scout and I camped out on the back patio with my spinning wheel. It was heaven! I think I'm progressing with my spinning. The yarn I'm producing it getting thinner and thinner. I'm really looking forward to the time when I have the techniques down so I can spin the weight I want. Right now it's mostly hit or miss.

This week is all about preparing to go to Maryland Sheep & Wool. I've had little errands to run, ends to tie up, laundry to do, and packing. A friend and I are flying there (not my favorite way to travel), so I'm doing the best I can to make the trip as comfortable and fun as possible. I'm thinking about downloading some movies for my big Ipod, but I've never done it before. Is it worth spending the money on the digital version?

Also in the preparation plans is getting Scout ready for Puppy College. We met with the owner and trainer on Saturday, and Scout was amazingly well-behaved and relaxed. That certainly made me feel better about leaving him there. I've been trying to enjoy every minute with him since I know he'll be gone for a least a month. I really have to resist the urge to send him with his own suitcase full of home reminders. He's a dog, not a person, right? It's going to be so hard to be without him here.

I've still been knitting on the toe-up socks and have less than an inch of ribbing left to go on each of them. I plan to use my trusty sewn bind-off on them. I'd planned to swatch for the Alberta vest to take to Maryland, but I just haven't been in the swatching mood this week. I think I'll take the Tea Leaves Cardigan I've already started. Top-down cardigans are just engaging enough to not bore me to death while still being very soothing to knit. Plus, who could be stressed while knitting Malabrigo?!

Ok, I'm off to do some more preparations before heading to my hairdresser's to get my roots touched up! More soon!