Chicago bound…….
August 19th, 2008at last. The last week before a show can be frantic with all the packing going on the same time as work for the next show continues. I must be sure there is enough dyed yarn to keep Adrianna busy while we are gone and most importantly, things have to be “in order” when I walk out the door to get in the truck.
Despite all the work, we found time for a belated birthday celebration dinner for Crystal while at the same time being surprised by Alissa with a newly completed sweater. Persephone, designed by Alissa and knit by Merry Moore just barely made it to the sample container for Stitches Midwest. We had a nice dinner and a few toasts to the birthday girl AND got a new sweater to show off at Stitches. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Amid the packing and continuing construction on the new yarn studio and shop, we also had scheduled some concrete resurfacing to the old decks around the swimming pool. The company had been advised that the work had to be finished by the 16th or started after our return from Stitches. Well, in true construction fashion, they didn’t show up until Thursday afternoon. Preparation for the work was tedious and when they left that first day, everything was shrouded in plastic and tape for the next days work. What we really needed at this time was for it to rain. Not only did it rain on Thursday night but also lasted until noon on Friday.
No concrete workers on Friday but Dena and I still had a big day of dyeing to get done. Seventy pounds of Acero later, the small grassy area beside the dye deck was covered with wet yarn. All of our drying racks had to be moved to accommodate the concrete work that was yet to be done. For two days now, the chairs, tables, umbrellas, potted plants and yarn racks had been moved to new temporary locations.
No problem. I can handle a lack of order as long as it is for short periods of time. The disorder of the backyard being the icing on the cake when added to the stacks of packed containers in the house, the ironing yet to be done and my desk looking as if all the files have been emptied of their contents between the computer and the printer. Did I forget to mention the yarn from the previous 2 days needing to be packed into containers and labeled for Adrianna to reskein and label. I did mention that I HATE DISORDER. Friday came and went and Saturday found us checking the drive frequently for our concrete crew. Nada by 9 am….10:30 am…but finally by 1045 we have men! I was determined to not hover by the windows to watch the progress. Not that I don’t find it entertaining, watching men work, but laundry awaits.
It was approximately 2 hours later when I first became alarmed. There had been lots of prep, spraying and more prep but nothing had quite prepared me for a color that was not what I had remembered requesting. Maybe it will dry darker was the hopeful voice in the back of my head. When all was said and done, cleanup finished and instructions given (nothing heavy to be put on the new surfaces for 5 days) did we go out and have a good look.
Lo and behold, the color is WRONG…WRONG…WRONG! So, my angst continues. I can’t put anything back in place until we get home from the trip but when I do get back we have to tackle the color issue first. This was not my plan and when it isn’t part of the plan, I can suffer major mental trauma. Not only that but after a 18 hour reprieve, the rain starts again and just keeps coming. At least the grass won’t need watering while we are gone and maybe the yarn will finally get dry…. someday.
Did I mention that getting on the road was a blessed relief?









































