I know better

You would think that for as many years as I have been knitting and crocheting, I would have learned by now, that I cannot perform either activity well when I'm tired. Nope, I talk myself out of the idea that I could possibly be tired, especially when I have a deadline. The night before last, my daughter called me to have me tell her boyfriend that it's really okay when you have to frog a row. He has just learned to knit. So, I give him my long spiel about how it is practically painless to have to do so, and think of it this way...you get to knit it again!! When they called, I had my Oregon vest in my lap and after hanging up the phone, I realized I had miscounted the almost entire last row I had been working on. Okay, now that one just bites...having to frog a row of stranded knitting, when I had just told said boyfriend how he had two choices...frog it or live with it. I called them back with that piece of humble pie stuck between my lips and told Mike, if it were any consolation, I now had to rip out nearly the entire row of 316 stitches. I got nearly halfway done when it occurred to me...duh....count the stitches between each stitch marker. It all came out to the exact count I needed for each block of stitches between my markers, so what the heck was wrong?!?! So, here's the deal...in this pattern, there are a total of 8 steek stitches, which you can see in the far right area of the pic, plus two edge stitches. Somehow, one of my edge stitches snuck out from under the marker and wanted to be part of the pattern. An easy fix!! I am making lots of progress on it and can hardly wait to learn how to cut those steeks. While I'm enjoying working on this vest immensely, I sometimes yearn for some instant gratification. Ok, maybe not quite so instant, but something different. I want to get back to my coin lace stole, my mystery socks from last year, and maybe even start Scooter another pair of socks. Whatever I choose to do, I know I can't do it without the proper amount of rest and Maggie's approval. The little buggar seems to think she gets to call the shots as to when I get to knit or not. At any given moment, I guess when she starts feeling the need for some attention, she will leap up into my lap and use her snoz to push my knitting out of her way. To know a Dachshund is to know how utterly stubborn they can be, and she will fight me for space on my lap. Refuses to move, period. Right now, it's a novelty because she's a cute little puppy, but later on, it can be a problem, so I don't give into her ordinarily...but because she hasn't felt good, I admit it, I caved. I was going to show you a picture of how she does this, but blogger isn't cooperating. Not sure what has happened, but it won't let me add the pic. Oh well.

Maggie and I have resumed our walks, but I can't seem to get it through that thick Dachshund skull of hers that she has to take it easy. She just gets so excited, especially if we should meet someone on the street. They almost always want to pick her up and I have to tell them she has stitches in her tummy, so please don't. She only has a couple that haven't dissolved yet, and she doesn't even know she can hurt herself by playing too rough. Finally, yesterday, we came upon a wee person just her size. A little 13 month old baby girl learning to walk by pushing a doll stroller. Just the cutest thing ever!!! As the little girl giggled, Maggie couldn't give her enough kisses. I think they have each found a new friend, and I was so glad to meet Amy, Audrey's mom. They actually live in the house behind us to the left and just moved in a few months ago. She told me they just moved from a neighborhood where nobody got to know anyone, and it was very depressing and lonely. They already love it in our neighborhood and I gotta tell you, this is the best place I've ever lived! We have the most wonderful neighbors and have block parties throughout the year. We don't have a homeowner's association, but this past summer when we had a burglary in one of the homes around the corner from us, all of the neighbors banded together and reported any unusual cars in the area, and we kept each other informed. The three people responsible for the burglary were caught and because they were already out on bail for another felony, they are now sitting in jail. It helps that we also have several police officers that live in our neighborhood!

Anyway, I have a feeling Maggie and Audrey are going to be great friends and we're looking forward to our daily walks again!

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to count your blessings!