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)