derailed....

Have you been on a roll where you can't stop or you'll lose your train of thought? Well, I was derailed. I was on a role with this pattern before I left for Palmetto's tat days but now I've lost it. I guess it's destined to be a coaster. Part of the other reason I haven't been able to pick it back up is the faint feeling that it looks like a pattern I've seen before. Like something done by Mary Konoir.

Finally figured out..

I finally figured out what to do with all the little witches hats that I made last year- bookmarks are it! I added a tail using the 1st 1/2 stitch to make a spiral chain. I want to make pins with the hats but can't find the right kind of background. Its very frustrating.On another note, I finally got one of my cats to the vet on Wednesday. I had an appointment on Monday for Suzie but she disappeared. I tried to get the other cat in the travel box but she fought and I have the scratches to prove it.

On Wednesday I got very serious and locked up Suzie so she wouldn't disappear. Once at the Vet's there were some injections and a pill to kill the fleas for 24 hours. She also got revolution. I'm very serious about getting rid of the fleas so I've isolated the one that's been treated (Suzie). The other cat (Cow-Cow) is very suspicious of what's going down and I can tell she's wondering where's Suzie? Unfortunately, Cow-Cow wouldn't eat the ground up concoction of pills and sardines that I made. There was a serious flea medication mixed in the sardines to help kill the fleas quickly so she'll have to do with the Revolution drops until Monday when I can take her to the vets. Suzie will have to stay inside until then.

Ironically enough, as Cow-Cow is revolting against the care I'm trying to give her there's a starving stray cat in that's practically begging to visit the vet. Its in a bad way due to fleas. I can see its ribs and the fur on its hind legs is practically gone. The stray's head is huge and should be a large cat but the fleas have just eaten it up. The stray had no problems walking into the travel box to get some sardines, wasn't angry when I closed the door and didn't run when I opened the door. I figured someone should benefit from the flea pill so I offered it Cow-Cow's meds but it wouldn't eat the pill concoction either.

I cannot have another cat so I've called the animal control and we've arranged a pick up on Saturday. I did a bad thing and named it Wicked...never name a pet you aren't going to keep. I can hear my sister's voice calling me the Cat Lady in the back of my head...

To Market, To Market...

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,

Home again, home again, jigity- jig;

(Mother Goose)

When I was a little girl and we went to away for a day or longer my mom would always say that poem just as we could see our home. So now I'm home safe and sound but busy trying to catch up to whatever happened when I left. Fortunately, I had a great time at Palmetto's and came back with enthusiasm for everything...even changing the kitty litter (maybe that's taking it too far).

My mom and I figured that we drove approximately 3900 km for the entire trip from Ontario to Myrtle Beach to Winnsboro and back. It was definitely worth the trip to attend the Tat days! I had a great time and everyone I met was great! Thank-you so much to the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event happen. I'm sure you are all exhausted but please don't stop. Give bribes, take hostages, or use blackmail but please don't stop.

There's just too many things to think of right now but there was lots going on. You never had a reason to be bored. There is no experience like sitting around talking to other tatters about tatting. Just for tips and tricks alone you can't beat it! I have so many more tools to use and thank-you to everyone who shared their ideas. If you have never been to a tatting seminar its definitely worth the drive to attend one in your area. The first one is the scariest, especially if you have to drive more than a few hours. After that you're hooked...just like crack!

I may or may not have gone beyond my original purchase list but I have a pile of stuff that I brought back. There's a huge pile on my table. I couldn't resist buying more hand dyed thread and goodie bags rock!

My mind is spinning with knots.

Here's the plan...

This Saturday I'm starting my trek towards Winnsboro and TAT DAYS. I'm generally not a fun person to have a conversation with just before I go on vacation. I hate due dates and a vacation is a definite due date. In order for me to go away with no interruptions all patient files have to be up to date (naturally a daily thing) but also the treatment plans need to be crystal clear so Sal (the other Chiropractor) can take over seamlessly.

I also have the delusion that my house will be clean (not) or at least not embarrassing. It was clean until we started to do some more repairs last weekend. Then we basically tore everything apart. My current plan is to shove everything under a bed or in my newly built closet. The good news is that everything tatting related is packed and my clothes are kinda picked out.

The last obstacle are my flea-bitten cats (despite using the flea drops) that have converted into outdoor cats over the last few months. They refuse to come inside and it may require starving them for a few days to get them inside. I will also have to do some serious flea intervention. Usually when I go away they are happy to remain inside with lots of food, water and kitty litter. This may not happen so the last ditch plan is to beg my neighbor to feed them daily.

I'm leaving on Saturday heading for my mom's house. We will head out on Sunday to visit my niece and nephew in Niagara Falls and then leave on Monday in the general direction of South Carolina. The basic plan is spend a few days in Myrtle Beach then head to Winnsboro on Thursday for the Palmetto Tat Days. There may be some shopping on the way...we like to shop.

There is a vending room at Tat Days and since I like stuff I try to make a plan for what purchases I can reasonably make. For instance, I do not need any more shuttles and unless there is a desperate yearning for a very special one I am not purchasing any (other then the ones I've already ordered). Thread is something I don't need a whole lot of at this point in time but I've picked a few colors that I would like to add to my collection. There are a few pattern books that I want to pick up so they've gone on the list as well.

I've been watching a lot of A&E lately and they have this show called Hoarders on Monday nights. Basically its about people who obsessively collect things. Its a very scary show because some of these people are living in very unsanitary conditions and even when their houses are full they are bringing home stuff or buying things because its cheap or just in case they need it. These aren't people you would meet on the street and think are crazy they're normal people. Its scared the crap out of me so I'm not buying or bringing home anything that I'm not immediately planning on using. I've already achieved SABLE (stash accumulated beyond life expectancy) in tatting supplies so I'm being particular.