Can't wait

I still have miles to go before I sleep, but next week I'm going to Canada by way of western Massachusetts and Vermont.

So Sore, So Tired, So Satisfied

We braved the crowds and went to the first IKEA in Massachusetts. It was head-meltingly packed with people a lot of whom seemed to be there just to play tourist. Which I don't get. We *had* to buy some furniture and *knew* IKEA had an exact piece that we needed. You couldn't have paid me to go there otherwise.

Although I did get an opportunity to work on my socks made with this yarn. This is the first time I've ever worked with a yarn and needles this fine for socks and it's been a "learning experience". But I'm finally getting it down and hopefully, no more learning will occur.

Thar's Ticks in Them Thar Hills

We had an afternoon of hiking and seeing if we'd gotten our money's worth for a donation to some newly acquired Audobon land. As it turns out, it's an absolutely lovely spot, worth every penny and home to some unfortunate wildlife.

I'm driving home and I notice there's a black speck on my right hand. A moving black speck.

"Hon? I think I have a tick on my hand. Can you check and if it is, do something with it?"

The Spousal Unit is holds my hand up to the dimming light of the windshield and yanks the tick off. Then she starts scrabbling at her lap. Did she drop the tick? I don't want to know. But I've got to ask.

"What are you doing?"

"(mumble)...There's a bunch."

"A what?" I feel a tickling sensation on my hand. "Oh gross, here's another one...can you get this one off too?" Holy crap, this is an infestation.

"I had two on my jeans. They're real deer ticks too, not that big ones."

"Never mind that, get it off my hand!"

We did the strip down when we got home. Hear that Google? WE TOOK ALL OUR CLOTHES OFF. Hot looking for ticks and avoiding Lyme disease action. You should try it some time, dancing around in front of each other and full length mirrors, all our clothes stuffed in the washing machine. A good time was had by all.

Next time we go hiking it's going to be the beach. NO WOODS.

I think I'm sick.

Fever, aches, sneezing, sore throat. But none of it really bad enough to stay home from work. Not bad enough to be worth the aggravation of hearing, "Oh, can't you come in? We need help wiping our asses and you're the best ass-wiper we have."

I know I've been bitter and dull recently. It's just that when I'm active and busy at home is when I'm happiest. When I'm knitting or painting the bedroom or making cookies. By the time I've settled down and I'm ready to write, I'm usually exhausted and that's when I get moody and cranky and possibly a little despairing of the future.

But don't get me wrong. I am having some good times and fun projects. I've started socks with some beautiful yarn and tiny needles. I'm getting really enjoyably obsessive and will have perfect, beautiful socks that will undoubtedly take me six months to make, but that's okay, because they will be perfect beautiful socks.

Now I'm babbling. I really do have a fever. Off to bed.