Eastburn Adventures

Pretty much every one who knows me knows that I am a Type A, uptight, organizational freak. Everything in its place; order in my world. But I confess, I'm lost. I need your help. I am on a quest for the perfect daily knitting bag. I can't seem to get my stuff organized to suit me. I've got the set of the Knit Picks KIPer bags - good for travel, not great for everyday use. I've tried the knitting tote bags, but the one I have doesn't have enough small spaces. I have small bags for tape measures, row counters, stitch markers, point protectors, etc., but I'm not really happy just throwing stuff into the little zipper bag. I've tried travel bags, backpacks, totes, and even a diaper bag (okay - I'll have to post a photo of this in a future post - it really is a cool bag and probably one of my favorites - doesn't look at all like a diaper bag) - but I'm just not satisfied.

What do you use? What organizational tips do you have for all your "stuff?" Help!

I haven't been knitting a lot lately because I'm trying to get ready for Michelle's visit from Alaska. She'll be here Friday morning, and then we're driving to Kansas City for the Highland Games where she'll compete. Back home on Saturday night and then Sunday we're planning on going to the Sheep & Wool Day at Nathanael Greene Park. Since she's the one who taught me to knit, I'm hoping to suck some motivation out of her!

I did finish Lizard Ridge square number 9, in colorway #115 (Ok, so it only took me 9 squares to start keeping track of the colors! I'm a slow learner!)

Here's what I've got so far - almost 1/3 done!

Dear Ms. Spunky:

This will confirm your reservation at Chateau Eastburnia, arriving Friday, June 8 at the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport. Per your request, a car and driver will be awaiting your arrival to bring you to the Chateau.

We have received your pre-shipment of travel necessities and are pleased to report that your clothes are neatly hung up in your closet, and your unmentionables and socks are in your dresser drawer. We pride ourselves on service at Chateau Eastburnia, and if there is anything at all you require to make your stay more enjoyable, please do not hesitate to ask.

Cafe Rober' is open 7 days a week, and we do suggest that you ask the chef to prepare a special dish for you. We do not believe that you will be disappointed. We also want you to feel that this is your home away from home, and thus, if there are special items you would like stocked in the refrigerator/cabinets, please respond to this e-mail with your list.

As always, thank you for staying at Chateau Eastburnia.

Dear Chateau Eastburnia,

No special grocery list is required. I heard a rumor that the kitchen staff would be on vacation next week. If certain cravings strike and we want to use the kitchen while they're gone, any of the local grocery stores will be able to provide us with whatever we need to prepare a meal. I'm sure Rober' will not mind some help in the kitchen since the staff will be missing.

My only request would be that you please record "So You Think You Can Dance" tonight on Fox with your magical DVR device. It will be on at 7 or 8, and I believe it's on for one hour. That is, unless the Chateau is already planning to record something else.

I thank the Chateau for its kind attention to detail. However, if someone really did put all of my stuff away, I'll feel very bad. The same service was not performed at Spunky's Solstice Chalet. I'm sorry if my guest services have not been as accommodating, and will strive to make them better in the future.

Your's truly,

Spunky

Dear Spunky,

Chateau Eastburnia has received your entertainment request and is pleased to report that it will not be a problem as the Chateau has invested in a dual-magic DVR. We will strive to have the program available for your viewing pleasure upon arrival. However, unfortunately, certain things are out of our control, and the forecast is for heavy thunderstorms late this evening. Should it rain during the program, it is possible that the satellite will lose its signal. Because you are a valued guest, we are strongly encouraging those storms to move out of the area so that tomorrow, and the rest of your stay, will be quite pleasant.

The Chateau is very pleased with its relationship with Spunky's Solstice Chalet, and looks forward to visiting it again in the future. We had no complaints about the service, and have recommended it to many friends and relatives.

Looking forward to your arrival,

Chateau Eastburnia

Michelle made it safely in to Springfield Friday morning, and after having lunch with Robert, we headed up to Kansas City for the Games. No problem. Found hotel - no problem. Spent a few minutes here (want to go back when I have more time). Tried to find the Plaza so we could eat here - yum. Exit closed. Tried another exit. Not where we're supposed to be. Finally made our reservation 15 minutes late. Once we were at the Plaza, I knew where to park, so that wasn't a problem. Dinner was great - yes, we had the chicken lettuce wraps. :-) And we saw one of KC's many fountains.

Then I needed to figure out how to get back to the hotel. (Disclaimer: I have only been in KC 5 times before in my life, and the only time I was driving was when I was with someone who lived there.) When we came up for the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit, Ginger and I made fun of Robert and Steve who got us lost in downtown. They kept seeing highways "up" above us and knew if they made it onto a highway we'd be fine. So they drove "up." If there was an uphill road, they took it, knowing that eventually they'd find an on ramp. Friday night was payback time for my mockery. I followed suit, and drove "up" and got us back to the hotel. Here's a thought - maps don't work if you can't figure out where you are to start with.

Saturday morning was absolutely beautiful. We tried to head back downtown to eat breakfast at this cool diner, Cascone's. Missed the exit. Exit closed. Entered Kansas. Turned around. There was no exit that Google Maps said there was. Got on wrong highway. Didn't matter. As long as I'm on a highway and can see tall buildings, I can get there. Saw tall buildings. The tall buildings were behind me. Took an exit. Couldn't get back on highway from that exit. Turned around. Got back on another highway. Wrong direction. Turned around. Finally made it downtown to the River Market. Another really cool place I'd liked to have spent more time at. No time. Breakfast was good, and we got good easy directions to Riverfront Park where the Games were held. Five minutes, easy. Found Riverfront Park. No Games. No - nothing. Just the river, and a park. Kept driving. Now we're in a very industrial part of KC - not where I want to be. Called OnStar Robert to have him get on the internet and tell us how to get to the Games. This is our conversation.

R: Where are you? T: Don't know. This is the street I'm on; this is a cross street. R: Go back to this street and turn north. T: I don't know which way north is. R: Which way are you going? T: I don't know. R: Do you see this street? T: I just passed it. R: Turn around. T: Okay, now what? R: Turn west. T: Which way is west? R: What street did you just pass? T: "street name" R: Okay, Babe, you're going the wrong way. T: No kidding. R: I'm trying to help. T: I know. R: Wait a minute. I found you. You're in completely wrong part of town. T: Yeah, I KNOW THAT! R: Turn around. T: AGAIN? R: Yes.

Finally - with Robert's navigation, we made it to the Games. They were at E.H. Young Riverfront Park - NOT Richard L. Berkeley Riverfront Park. WHAT CITY NAMES TWO PARKS THE SAME NAME?

We were stressed, but we were there. Michelle danced (#797).

This is her hand knit Kilt sock (she didn't knit it; her friend Carin did. Carin said Michelle has to knit her next pair.).

We watched Border Collies herd sheep.

This Clydesdale liked Michelle a lot.

Left the Games. Ate dinner. Got back on the highway to come home. Wrong direction. I turned around. By that time, I was very good at it.

Spunky and I are having a great time running around town, shopping at the Battlefield Mall, visiting Simply fibers (Carol is back from Market and promises there will be lots of sock yarn in the fall), and just hanging out.

Although I'm not getting to knit a lot with all this shopping (I love helping other people spend their money), I did finish my 10th Lizard Ridge square!

This is Noro Kureyon #115. I love these colors!

Last Friday I got up at 4:15 a.m. in order to get Michelle to the airport by 5:00 a.m. Is it me, or should those times only occur once a day? Yawn. After I got home, I was too awake to go back to sleep, and fully intended to go back to work. However, only after slowing down from vacation did I realize that I was sick. Really sick. I stayed home and slept most of Friday and Saturday, and it's only now that I feel like sitting up at the computer for more than a couple of minutes. I don't know if this was just a cold or sinus infection or flu, but it knocked me for a loop, so I haven't accomplished much of anything. I didn't even feel like getting in the pool for first warm, sunny days we've had this summer!

Anyway, hopefully next week I'll be back in the knitting groove. For now, I'll just leave you with number 11 (Noro Kureyon #188).

Okay, so maybe this past week wasn't back to "normal" as planned. I'm still fighting this cold/sinus infection thing, so I just haven't felt like doing much, or at least I haven't felt like blogging about it. Which makes the blog really boring. Sorry!

I'm struggling with my knitting projects that are currently OTN because they're all fairly big projects, and it seems like blogging about another few inches on a scarf or sweater is boring. But that's all I've got to share, so here goes:

The Irish Hiking Scarf:

I'm having a little bit more fun with this one because I've learned to "read" the pattern on the scarf itself, so it's going much faster now. Except that twice I've been cruising along and forgotten to do the cable row so I've had to tink and redo it.

My So-Called Scarf is making progress as well (hmmm, maybe my problem is making scarves in the summertime? I blame this one on Kate - she's the one who talked me into it!). I do love this yarn, though - Lorna's Laces worsted in the Gold Hill colorway.

Here's a close-up shot:

Okay, so maybe I won't give Kate too much grief about it. :-)

Last Friday we went to the Springfield Cardinals game with Steve and Ginger (completely forgot about taking the camera). We lost, but it was a lot of fun and the fireworks display was awesome.

I also got a new cell phone (finally)! I'd been wanting the Blackberry Pearl because it's sooo cool, but the data plans were outrageous, and for what I was really wanting it for, it wasn't practical. So I got the very cool LG AX8600 in green, which is also an MP3 player (which lets me use my own music for ringtones), plays video (so I can download those YouTube and Knitting Help videos to have with me all the time), and also has web access so I can check my e-mail (and once I figure out how to set it up) my blogs that I read for when I'm away from the computer.

As always, I read the instruction manual cover to cover so I can learn all the cool things about my new toys. This was number 2 under "Important Safety Precautions":

"Never place your phone in a microwave over as it will cause the battery to explode."

Gee, I'm glad they warned me about that!

So last night, while sitting in the dentist's office waiting for Robert's root canal (yuck), I managed to put another few inches on the Irish Hiking Scarf. No picture - it looks the same, just a little longer. It wasn't until I'd been there for about an hour (and talking to my niece Lisa who works there) that I realized yesterday was June 25.

No big deal - June 25? It's not a holiday or anything. NO? It's only 6 months to Christmas, people! I feel the need for a plan. I've been, for the most part, following my Knitty Resolutions from January, but I didn't put Christmas knitting on that list. Since we're trying to save money for a delayed 5-year anniversary trip to Maui for next April, and since I've got plenty of yarn in the stash, knitted items seem like a good plan. Hmmm, I'm thinking 2 pair of Fetching, a couple of pairs of socks, the Short-Row Hat for Lola (she already knows this) - okay, that's definitely do-able - but I'm going to have to work on a specific list.

Whew! No need to panic. Yet. :-)