Victoria, Here I come

I purchased my tickets for Victoria, British Columbia last night. I fly into Vancouver and take a long ferry to Victoria. It was substantially less expensive than I thought it would be. In fact, I would most likely be able to afford to go visit the girls each summer at that price.

Next, I have to get a passport, which is required. And then I need to take some time to work on my laptop so that it has everything I need. I hope to post daily during that time so that you can see how lovely Canada is.

Right now, I can’t bear to work on the laptop because my work computer shit the bed and I’ve had to spend the last few days dealing with that. UGH.

I had a particularly glorious day on Monday. I spent the morning tidying up and then took off for the thrift stores. I was in search of 100% wool sweaters. Some to felt for needle felting. And some to harvest for recycled yarn. I couldn’t believe how cheap it was. I bought 12 sweaters for the price one skein of sock yarn.

Two of the sweaters are handmade. No tags. And they are made quite well. One sweater is a blue mohair cardigan. I thought it would be great to use this yarn for a pair of fuzzy feet slippers for me. I wasn’t sure if it was a acrylic blend though. As I went to rip it apart, I saw what a nice job this woman did making this sweater and I didn’t have the heart to go through with it. So, now I’m wearing this when I have to go outside briefly. Like to the garage etc. and I don’t want to put a coat on. This sucker is warm! It will replace an old torn up cardigan of Sam’s I’ve been wearing for the last several years.

I also was in search of those awful thin acrylic scarves that your mother used to wear. People also use them to learn to juggle. Thrift shops used to be stuffed to the gills with them. But, alas. No scarves. I plan on finding some and adding snippets to my yarn as I spin for some bling. I am inspired by Ozark yarns. If you can find any, let me know.

After thrifting, I treated myself to lunch at an Indian restaurant. Delightful. Oh. I also ended up at a LYS and bought some Noro Kureon sock yarn. It is quite twisty. It was a major pain in the ass to wind into a cake.

I was thinking that I’d go to the KC Fiber Guild meeting tonight to hang out with the spinners. But, it is just too damn cold. I had to drive to the office to swap out computers today and I about froze my fingers off carrying that stoopid computer around in the cold. I know where the meeting is held, but the thought of carrying my wheel in the dark in an unfamiliar place in the freezing cold sounds unappetizing to me. I’ll wait until the weather isn’t so gross.

Next, I will be in search of laminate flooring for the family room. One of my girlfriends at work suggested going to Sam’s or Costco. BINGO. It’s much cheaper there. Thank you M8K. I’ll be checking that out tomorrow.

So, I think I WILL be able to afford the trip, the new floor and a CSA membership after all. I’m excited about the CSA membership. I hope to post a bunch about the surprises I get each week in my bag.

And what have we been cooking? I made a fabulous Chicken and Cashew stir-fry on Monday night. Last night it was crab salad with Asian dressing. Tonight? We are ordering a pizza. I am sick to death of doing dishes by hand.

Long Weekend, Part 2

Another long weekend. Aaah. Today was my second Saturday.

Yesterday, I went to Cottage Fiber for a Spinning lesson with my wheel. Another woman was there for a lesson at the same time. This is going to take lost of practice as you have to move your feet separately and your hands separately. It’s kind of like riding a bike. I’m really awful at it right now. But, if I keep practicing, I know I’ll have my Aha! moment.

We made New England Clam chowder and fish sandwiches for dinner last night. The clam chowder was wonderful. A definite repeat.

It was busier than I’d seen it at Cottage Fiber. Customers came and went. I got some needle felting supplies and doodled around with that.

I found out that Noro has a new sock yarn. I must have it. It’s crazy since I already have three socks going right now. I’m on the home stretch on the Clown socks, though. I added some embroidery to my coat. I finished the Chinese New Year beret. It is very floppy.

The puppy was up at 4:45 this morning. I hustled her off to the Exercise pen but, it was too late. I was awake. What is most annoying is that she comes to the door but won’t come in. So, I have to stand there coaxing her in with the door open several times. Hoo boy, I want to smack her.

The part for the dishwarsher is on back order. The damn thing will be another five business days. UGH.