Meeting Friends

It all started a couple of days ago, when one of my Facebook friends posted that she was at LAX headed to Memphis.

"Memphis?"  I immediately perked up.  "You're coming to Memphis?  You know I live just South of Memphis, right?"

"I'm closer," Amy chimed in, as soon as she saw the conversation that was taking place.

It didn't take long before we all put our heads together, and decided we ought to get together.  "Hey, we need to invite Christi, too!"  And boom, just like that, we had a meet up planned.

Christi was going to swing by and pick me up, then we'd drive on up to Memphis together, only she got so excited, she left the house two hours early.  She messaged me and said, "Guess where I am."

"Are you in Grenada already?"  Yep, she was here already.  She told me to take my time, and she would just hang out at McDonald's or somewhere until I was ready.  But I was already ready, sitting there watching the clock and twiddling my thumbs.  I jumped into Jimmy and headed out to meet Christi, then off to Memphis we went.

We were going to meet everyone at Otherlands Coffee Bar.  Neither of us had ever been there before, and Christi had gotten driving directions from Google Maps.  Let me tell you, that Google has some strange sense of direction.  She was telling us to turn right when we should have turned left, then getting off at Senatobia, when we should have just gone straight.  Basically, we ignored her and made our own way.

It was a beautiful day for a trip, sunny and not too warm.  Since we left early, we got to Memphis early, too.  We were both a bit peckish by then, and drove around until we found a McDonald's, and stopped to get something to eat. 

Here we have Christi, enjoying her lunch.

I have no idea why I'm making this goofy face, but there it is. 

After we ate, we sat there in McDonald's for a while and said, "What now?"  Christi said, "Let's just go on to Otherlands and wait for them there."  And that's what we did.

We found the coffee bar, and found a place to sit.  Christi pulled out her drop spindle, and I pulled out my knitting. 

We attracted the attention of a lovely young man named Ben, who showed us the necklace he was crocheting. 

Pretty cool, huh?

Soon, Leann and her husband Adam arrived. 

She showed us the Clapotis she is knitting for her mother in law for Christmas. 

Then Amy arrived (with her Doctor Who socks she is knitting for her husband), and the party was on. 

We all knit, and Christi spun, 

and Adam thought he was going to be bored (he thought we would be talking about nothing but knitting), but I think he had just as good a time as the rest of us.  We talked about knitting, sure, but we also talked about football, and comic books, and guns, and nuclear waste, and discovered that Amy and Adam had lived in the same place but not at the same time, and we talked about kids and grandkids, and sheep, and Amy's cows...and Adam taught us how to commit the perfect murder, until Leann pointed out that Bones would figure it out anyway...and we talked about Harry Potter, and the restaurant Leann and Adam had eaten lunch in (it wasn't very good), and people with unusually large heads.  Don't even ask.   

And Adam disappeared under the table.  "Is he down there fixing the table?" I asked Leann.

"Well, somebody needs to," was Adam's reply. "They ought to give you a free cappuccino for doing it," Leann said.  But they didn't. 

All too soon, it was time to leave.  We stood up for the mandatory group photos.

Leann, Amy, Christi, and me

Adam and Leann

Amy and Christi

And we hugged, and we clung to each other, and we stood out in the parking lot another 30 minutes talking, we promised to get together again, and many bitter tears were shed at our parting. 

Then off home we all headed.  Christi and I drove randomly around Memphis for a while until we found the highway, and made it home safely without incident. 

My dogs were very glad to see me, as they were outside and it was dark by then.  Jessie is afraid of the dark, you know.

He's the most neurotic dog I've ever known.

But I luvs him anyway.   

Road Trip!

I needed some new work jeans, so I decided to drive up to Batesville to the outlet mall there and get me some.  Then, kind of a spur of the moment thing, I messaged Amy and asked if she wanted to meet up at Hank's.  I had a gift certificate that I needed to use, so it wasn't a stretch to drive the rest of the way to Southaven.

I felt kinda bad not asking Christi, but it really was a last minute thing.

I had a little trouble along the way.  I got halfway out the door when I realized I didn't have any shoes on.  Yeah, if I'd been going to Wal-mart, it would have been OK, but not so good going to Southaven.   I went back inside and found my shoes, and was halfway out the door again when I realized I didn't have my gift certificate to Hank's.  That was the main reason I was going up there, so I would have been upset if I'd gotten there and realized I didn't have it.  I went back inside and got the gift certificate, and finally was on my way.  I got about 20 miles up the road when I realized I didn't have a knitting project.  Sigh...

Anyway, I got there, and the first stop was Books -A- Million, where I bought this:

It is a cookie jar, and when you close the lid, it makes the TARDIS sound and the light lights up.  Naturally, I put some Jammie Dodgers into it.

Amy said she has one too, and her boys always seem to know when she's trying to sneak a cookie.

Fancy that.

I also picked up a few things for Cody's birthday, which is next month. Since he doesn't read my blog, I feel safe showing them here.

After a brief walk through of Sportsman's Outfitters, at which I didn't buy anything, I went on to Hank's, where I bought this yarn on clearance for half price.

And some more soldier hat yarn.

Since I had forgotten to bring a project with me, I bought some more circs and started this hat with this yarn, that I also bought.

And Amy and I talked, and visited, and laughed, and checked the scores of the ball games on our phones, and missed Kat and Christi, and ate delicious burgers at Huey's, and all too soon, it was time to come home.

And do laundry.  Sigh...


In the meantime, I watched lots of football and worked on the sock I'd intended to take to Southaven.

On a completely unrelated note- well maybe not so unrelated since I have mentioned football already-- here is an artsy fartsy progress photo of Kyle's blankie. 

Steelers colors. 

Right...

Road Trip!!!

The plan was to go up to Southaven and go clothes shopping.  I can't even remember when I got new winter clothes.  I've been wearing the same skirt to church for about 15 years, and have about three sweaters I wear with it.

So I wanted to get some new clothes. 

I jumped into the Jimmy and headed North.  About half way between Coffeeville and Tillatoba, I realized I'd forgotten my purse.  No purse means no driver's license, no credit cards, no checkbook, no money.  No money, no shopping.  I had to go back and get it.  Naturally, I had to drive 20 more miles before I found an exit to turn around.

Not really.  I was only about 3, but it seemed like 20. 

I came back, got the purse, and by that time,  I needed to fill up my gas tank, and I felt like just giving up.  But I didn't.  I persevered and finally made it to my destination.

Naturally, any trip to Southaven includes a trip to Hank of Yarn, and a visit with Amy.  This time, Kat got to come, too.



Amy had her two boys with her, too.  They were quite taken with my shirt.

"Miss Becky, where did you get that shirt?   Mama!"

"Thanks a lot, Becky!"

And we knit, and we talked, and we laughed, and an inordinate amount of our conversation centered around our various dogs for some reason...but we had fun. 

After we'd visited for a while,  we went our separate ways.  I continued my quest for new clothes, but got very discouraged very quickly.  I just couldn't find anything I like.

I've ranted about this before.  I'm too old for the teenage hooker look, and not quite ready for the cotton housedress.  After I'd gone into about three stores, I gave up and came home.

In the end, my haul from Hank's is all I bought. 




New yarns for the blankie.



And another hank of Jojoland Fantasia, to make another Braided Swirl Tam. 




And a few more KnitPicks Harmony needles.

Still, it was good to get out of the house.  I keep saying I'm going to try to be less of a hermit.

Well, it's a start. 

Road Trip!!!

So, my big plans for the weekend were to shampoo my carpet, because yes, one of the critters puked in the middle of my living room yet again.

But then Christi said, "Are you coming to Hernando for the Fiber to Fabric Fest?"  And just like that, my plans were changed. 

I went to Hernando, and Christi was there, and Amy was there,



and other people were there, and there was a llama



And there were alpacas





and goats



and bunnies.



People were spinning,


and weaving,



and felting hats.

 

and beading.



This lady was doing traditional rug hooking, which isn't like latch hook.

 

This one she was planning on donating back to the Desoto Arts Council.  She asked me, Amy, and Christi to add a few stitches to this rug, so that we would be a part of it.





And yes, Amy is wearing Tiger ears.  We were keeping up with the LSU game on our phones, and I think people thought we were crazy, but that's OK, because we know we are. 

Once we were done having fun in Hernando, Christi decided to drive up to Hank's in Southaven.  I wasn't planning on going, but she put the hoo doo on me, and I went.  But I'll save that part of the trip for tomorrow.

I took more pictures than this.  If you want to see the rest, the album is here.

The Quadrifecta

Is that even a real word?

Before I begin, let me just say that after nearly 8 long and faithful years, it seems my Point & Shoot camera has finally decided to give up the ghost.  Thus, the photos are not the best quality, but I'm posting them anyway.  Let's take a moment of silence to remember the Kodak EasyShare that has been my near constant companion since 2003.

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Are we all done? Good. Now, back to the party...

My dad used to call those people The Weather Guessers, and he's got a point. See, my forecast said sunny and mid 70's, so I dressed for... well, for sunny and mid 70's. It never got sunny, nor did it get mid 70's. Thus, my first stop was to Wal-mart to see if they had a jacket or sweatshirt left somewhere in the store. I got lucky. I got this puppy on clearance.

It was marked down to $7, but when I got up to the register, the cashier took an additional 50% off. I ended up paying $3.50 for it.  And it's been worth every penny, too!

On to Hank's.

Laura was there first.  Hank was running a wee bit late, because her husband had taken her out for breakfast and got to jawing.  So, I invited Laura to come sit in the Jimmy so she wouldn't have to stand out in the cold wind.  See,  her husband had dropped her off and left her there on the sidewalk, standing, alone, in a strange town...ummm, OK, that's not really how it happened, but it makes for a more exciting story.  Anyway, I invited her to come sit with me in the Jimmy, and we got to know each other a bit before everyone else got there.

Soon after, Amy arrived, then Kat and the three musketeers plus one were together again! 

That's Amy, me, Laura, and Kat.  Unfortunately, Amy couldn't stay long, but she did bring me presents!  Woo hoo!

She had told me when she had gone down to the Spring Game that she had gotten me something, but I'd completely forgotten, so it really was a surprise.  And looky, Christmas ornaments!  

I really like this one.

On the way up there, I saw a man in a white truck with a couple of big ol' LSU decals on it.  He was wearing a purple shirt and hat.  I thought about Amy when I saw him, and told her about it.  She said, "Yeah, that was my husband!"

Amy had to leave, so then it was on to the serious business of visiting and knitting.  Here is a very dark Kat working on her sock.

I have a lighter picture, but she was making kind of a funny face, and somehow, I don't think she'd   want me posting it.

Here we have Laura making new friends.  This is Ann on the right.

 
She will be moving to Birmingham (I think that's where she said) soon, and was very excited to meet Laura.  She said, "Now, I'll have a friend in Alabama!" Because, you see, Laura is from Alabama. 


And this is Hank, the shop owner.  She's one cool chick, she is.

After we visited, and knit, and petted yarns, and talked, and laughed a great deal, we went out to lunch.  I apologized for taking them to Burger King, but they said, "No, no!  You're the one with allergies.  You eat what is safe for you."  What good friends I have!

I took them back and showed them that shopping place behind the Wal-mart, but the only place we stopped was JoAnn's.  I was going to get some new yarns for the blankie, but once we got in there, it seemed that I've already bought everything they have. Then it was back to Hank's to wait for Laura's husband to come pick her up.  He's got to teach Sunday School in the morning, and said Laura would have to drive so he could study the lesson.

We were very sorry to see her go, and hope she can come back sometime.

So, Kat and I were knitting and visiting with some of the local folks, when Hank came over and asked us, "Have any of you ever dyed before?"  I replied, "No, we're all still alive."  Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

*Sheesh*  Um, nevermind...

Anyway, she invited us to come watch her hand paint some yarn. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of the finished yarn. It was really pretty, though.

All good things must come to an end, as they say, and soon it was time for us to leave. We hugged, and clung to each other, and many bitter tears were shed at our parting. OK, not really, but we did threaten Hank that we would be back, and next time, we would bring MORE people with us.

I'll have a better P&S by then, too.

And finally, the moment you've all been waiting for:  what I bought!  I think I showed great restraint in only buying one hank of sock yarn.

This is Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Burgundy, to knit a new pair of Baudelaires with. You may recall, I knit my first pair in Knit Picks Essential (now called Stroll) and they fuzzed so badly that you can't even make out the pattern any more.  So I want to knit a new pair.

Now, you didn't really think that was ALL the yarn I bought, did you?  Nope, my hat making kick continues, and here are 5 of the 6 balls of Cascade 220 Superwash I got to feed my need.

But wait? I said 6 balls, didn't I? So where is the sixth? Here it is, already being knit into a hat.

Yeah, you're feeling me, baby...

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Road Trip

Christi has been bugging me for months now to come visit her in Columbus, and today was the day!  But before I could leave, I had to attend to some very important business.

I had to get my new True Blue sticker on my car.

That done, I was off to Columbus.  It's about as far as it is to either Memphis or Jackson, and it was a very scenic drive.  It had been years since I'd been to the Eastern part of the state, and I enjoyed the drive very much, but finally, I arrived in Columbus, and found myself at Yarns Downtown.

This was the first time I'd ever been to Columbus, and I loved the old fashioned downtown architecture.  I didn't take any photos, though.  I really should have.  Once I got inside, I found a very pretty yarn store.

Lots more yarn than this, too, I just didn't get photos of all of it. It was big, open and airy.  Lots of yarn stores seem crowded, but this one had plenty of room.

As soon as I got inside, Christi came out and said, "May I help you?".  Then she realized it was me, and she grabbed me up in this big old bear hug and exclaimed, "I'm so glad to finally meet you in person!"  Now, you know me.  Normally I'm nervous about meeting new people.  I always worry that I won't be able to think of anything to talk about, but not to worry.  Right away, it was as if I'd known her for forever.  We were chatting like old buddies within just a minute or two.  Even when we ran out of things to talk about, we just sat and knit and watched the Food Network until the conversation started again.  That little voice in my head, the one that always says, "hurry up and say something--don't let the conversation die" never showed up.  It's not often that I meet someone that it's OK to be quiet with, but Christi was one of those people.  She even gave me a little ball of leftover sock yarn for the blankie.

This one will go in my sister's blankie.  I had some other yarns follow me home, too. 

Cherry Tree Hill supersock in Indian Summer

Heritage Hand Painted Sock Yarn from Cascade Yarns.  There is no color name on the label that I can see.  Just a number:  9903  Whatever it is, I love this color.  It reminds me of spruce trees in winter.  If I were going to name this colorway, that is what I'd call it:  Winter Spruce

This is King Cole Splash DK weight, in the seaspray colorway.  I'd never heard of this, but Christi said that it is dyed so that it makes patterns when you knit it--more than just stripes and brocade.  There was a pink color that makes little roses.  She didn't know what the blue makes, but it was my favorite of the colors.  I think it will end up being a scarf.  I don't know, though.  I haven't decided. 

I did love this yarn.  It is cashmere and was soooo soft.  I loved this color, too (the gray and yellow one).  But in the end, it stayed on the shelf.  

In case you didn't get that, here it is again:

Yeah.  Moving right along...

I'd chosen today to go because football season will be starting soon, and my Saturdays will be full, but Christi told me that SEC football is always on in the shop.  The owner is an Ole Miss fan, and Christi is a State fan, so Saturdays ought to be fun there!  I think I should plan on going on Egg Bowl day.  And as you know, I'm an LSU fan--when it comes to SEC.  My first loyalty is to the Longhorns. 

I'm sure Christi would have loved for me to stay until closing time, but I needed to get on home. We had just one last mission before I could leave. 

Yep, we had to get a picture together.  When I went to visit Amy, we never managed to get one. 

I got home and discovered that Scarlett had had a very bad shed.  So into the snake sauna she went.  She didn't have to soak very long, though, and her old skin peeled right off. 

The best news, I found out one of my Facebook friend's husband is stationed overseas, and they have the Green Beans Coffee cafe on his base.  I pestered her to death until I got all the pertinent information, then promptly went and bought him a coffee card.  I told her I was going to, and she said he'd love it.  The last time he'd called her, he asked her to send him their coffee maker, and she said she wouldn't.  Won't he be surprised when he gets his card?