Stitch, Bitch n' Die! play review

Last night Pat (dh) and I attended the play "Stitch, Bitch n' Die" written by Joseph Scrimshaw (the last night it was showing - for now). It was on stage in a small "dinner theater" attached to the Bryant Lake Bowl. Pat got a bit of grief from the ladies we sat near (from Woodbury: Nancy & Carol, I think) because he didn't have a knitting project with him. He told everyone around him that he was 'dragged' there, but he admitted to having fun & thoroughly liking the play afterward.

Crowd watching prior to the start of the play was 1/2 the fun. My guess is that 75% of the attendees had a knit or crochet project with them. The play billing said to BYOK (bring your own knitting). Everyone was really friendly & people often ran into someone they had seen at a recent knitting event (Yarn Over, Melville, Yarn Harlot, etc.). People chatted with each other about the projects they were working on, discussed yarn and identified their LYS's.

The play: It was a laugh out loud comedy that we thoroughly enjoyed. It was REALLY funny! They had some fun with knitting terms and "spun a good yarn. The name of the shop was KUI - guess what that stands for? The setting was an evening knitting group, with a the usual wide variety of knitters (levels of abilities, ages, personalities, gender). The knit shop was a combo knit and wine bar - wish I could find one like that around MN! Of course, based on the title, it is a murder mystery, so someone had to die. The play wasn't super long, so I don't want to give much away, but I highly recommend going to see it. Hint - the butler didn't do it.

After the curtain, the playwright let us know that they are planning on bringing the show back to the stage in a few months. Keep an eye out for it, it was definitely worth the price of the ticket! The food was pretty good too (did I mention it was a VERY CASUAL dinner theater?).

Sorry if this review doesn't provide you with enough detail - I know that writing reviews would never pay my mortgage!

Snow again???

I am feeling like I am living in the movie 'Groundhog's Day'. Except for the constant repetition of that day, it is a snow day. I woke up and it was snowing AGAIN! Ok, I get that I live in MN, but this seems a bit late for more snow, and it keeps coming down. At least it is 'mostly' melting - but not completely. Funny how this week I took pictures of spring flowers, contacted the lawn guy, the tree guy (arborist) and got a bid on fixing up my deck. I bet this weather really doesn't help their businesses much!

Make lemonaide from lemons - a day to knit and read!

Friday Fun

Well, I am almost done with my 1st monkey sock (by Cookie A.) - I really like how it looks. I have been reading actual books this week, so actual knitting isn't occurring. The almost finished sock is re-motivating me.

Speaking of socks - I am looking for an interesting sock club. Mostly I like unique yarn, but fun patterns are good too - just not to 'out there'. Let me know if you have any great ideas.

Still raining, but at least everything is turning REALLY REALLY green.

Spring has sprung

Yesterday as I left the house I had a wonderful surprise - some crocuses were blooming!
YEAH!
Well, for me that means a quick trip around the yard to see what's coming up. LOTS! Even though it was (and still is) overcast, I feel spring in the air - it lifts my spirit.

Mid April Musings

It is Thursday, which for me is my last work day for the week. This week has been full. I am working hard on just getting healthy. Unfortunately, I was unable to stick to the 24 hour schedule I get paid for - bad me.

I attended a lunch-time seminar on A Heart at Peace at work this week. The corporation I work for has interesting 'workforce inclusion' groups. This workshop was sponsored by CERG (Christian Employee Resource Group). These groups are themselves unique, but the workshop is what I mean to talk about.

First, the definition of stress that was presented: our response to situations, environment, life. This may not be new to anyone, probably not even me if I think about it, but it was a timely reminder. No one can stress me out, situations aren't stress inducing, I have a choice on how to respond. There is so much written lately about the negative effects of stress. I always find it interesting that the Bible addresses our "modern day" issues: A heart of peace gives life to the body. (Proverbs 14:30) I have been thinking about that quite a bit this week, I think I need to start making some different choices.

The speaker (Betsy Lee of Prayer Ventures) went through 3 keys to finding & maintaining peace in your life.

1. SLOW DOWN
   Ruthlessly eliminate hurry in your life. The extreme pace of today's world creates a hurried environment which includes clutter, multi-tasking & diminishes our capacity to love.
   
2. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS (5 stress stoppers)
   
   • exercise regularly
   • make time to relax & play
   • cut down on over committing - choose wisely
   • be more open & honest in interpersonal relationships
   • have unhurried quiet times with God
3. ASK FOR HELP!
   Don't be an island in the sea of God's love.

This week, I have been thoughtfully & prayerfully considering these tidbits of advice. I can see how my choices are negatively effecting my life. I know in my heart that my responses to life have been unhealthy. My family & friends have been feeling my diminished capacity to love, them and myself.

My choice is to "Seek peace and pursue it." (Psalm 34:14)

Sally Melville workshop today!

I attended a 2 part workshop today with Sallly Melville. SUPER FUN!

The morning was about designing & flattering fit. I found many of her tips, techniques, etc. very interesting and I am going to play around with the different elements to see if I can find my most flatter styles.

For the afternoon, we worked on stranded knitting. It was fun to see both 'throwers' and 'pickers' having to try each other's method and then all of us combine the two 2 color knitting. I learned that for me, a color in each hand works best. If I go to 3 colors, it would be 2 in the left and 1 in the right.

We also learned about stranding while purling back (if doing Fair Isle flat). I guess it is how South American knitters do ALL their patterned knitting. The method we were taught has you wrap one or more of the yarn colors around your neck. From there you don't hold the yarn near the needles, you have yarn around middle finger on right had for tension, both arms in front of you so the yarn coming down from the neck is taught. Insert needle as if to purl, lift up yarn color you want with left thumb grab with right needle and pull back through loop. This was amazingly simple, fast and the only weird part was that the stranding was on the side facing you.

All in all it was a very enjoyable day! For tonight I am going to try to get to bed early so I am somewhat 'with it' for work tomorrow morning at 6am. My projects test lead has moved on, so my work load has increased - UGH!

Happy Birthday to my brother Corey! 39?

The final results are in and...

RESULTS:

• It is April 12 and there is fresh snow on the ground.
• I had a lung x-ray yesterday and have a 'slight' touch of pneumonia.
• I may also have whooping cough - those results won't come back until next week.
• The trust issues I spoke of a while back are on the right track.
• DD's grades are out - she made the B honor roll by the skin of her teeth.
• DS's room is still not put back together!
• Mocha the puppy loves me, the rest of the family, well????
• I am still employed.
• Knitting is my stress relief.

Today I would like to rest, work with DS on his room, read and knit. Because I am a wife, mom and homeowner I will be doing laundry, house cleaning, trying to get my garage opener to work, running children places and hosting a sleepover.

MOTIVATION: I am registered for the Sally Melville workshop tomorrow!

UNCLE!

I give! UNCLE! I don't know what else to say, but this winter is really doing a number on my health! I was coughing again yesterday, followed by a lovely asthma attack. Woke up this morning really stuffed up and added a sore throat over the day. I think I am dealing with cold and allergies, but it has begun to feel like the illnesses that will never end! I have been dealing with something since January. I am going to lay down (yes - it ONLY 5:15pm).

Rainy Days & Bill Pay

Today I made the mistake of making it 'bill pay day'. With the weather so dreary, I have learned that you shouldn't do these two together. I hardly want to waste a nice day on paying bills, but until a few debt's are paid, the two together are depressing.

I am almost done clearing through my mess (piles in my bedroom). So, the good thing is that, by the end of the day I should have two icky jobs done.

Fun Lunch & A New Knitting Group Begins...

So, today was a pretty great day if I just block out work.

I met my new SIL for lunch. So very happy to have her as a part of the family! We had a great chat. She knits too (not the only reason to like her)! It is just so fun that I may get to be in touch with my db's family more now that she is a part of it.

After a hectic run through G-boy's school for taco dinner and viewing of the Arts & Academic Fair projects, I headed over to church. A fellow Raveler organized a new knitting group & we are meeting at my church. First Thursday's from 6-9'ish. We had eight people drop in - our first gathering. It was great fun. I especially like the introductions where everyone had to say their real name and their Ravelry name. What a fun way to meet new people who share the love of all things yarn!

Tomorrow is my normal off day, but the kids are off school as well. I am still planning on knitting in the morning, just have to work the kids into my plans the rest of the day. I have some ideas, like bribing them with DQ if they will go with me to AT Yarn Tasting!

Someone asked what Yarn Tasting was the other day. At the Amazing Threads LYS, twice a year they hold this event. For one day, hand knit projects are on display and if you are interested in one (or more), you can purchase the yarn and pattern for 20% off. I am just going to look (if I tell myself that enough times, it might actually happen).

The Birds

Anyone remember the Alfred Hitchcock movie? It was the creepiest movie I ever saw as a kid. This morning, I awoke to what sounded like thousands of birds outside. The sun was out, the snow sparkling and there were birds everywhere! They seemed to be competing as to who got to eat the crab apples off of 3 trees. Swoop in grab an apple or perch for a second then get bumped by the next bird attempting to get at the tree. It was kinda cool - but VERY loud.

I am going to blame being awakened by this noise for the fact that I was a 'blonde wanna be' this morning. I couldn't find anything and was late for everything that had a start date before noon. I am home now, with no plans on leaving. I don't think I can be late for bed?

(p.s. the color orange brings to mind craziness for me)