Last night had a little more excitement than I had intended.  Drove into NYC for an event at a gallery in Manhattan (20th between 10th and 11th).  Took me 90 minutes just to get through the Lincoln Tunnel; I'd almost forgotten those days of daily driving hassles.  Parked at a well-lit outdoor garage just a block away.  The evening was sponsored by Jane Ubell (of Madison and Mulholland) and was her 10th Anniversary Gala for her wonderful Hampton Bag Giveaways.  Met lots of interesting people, talked up alpacas and our amazing yarn, of course . . . . and left about 830 to get my car.  Just moments before I arrived, there was an armed robbery at the parking garage.  Swarmed in minutes by New York's Finest, followed by the suit-clad detectives and then the CSI people to collect evidence.  Yellow crime scene tape everywhere.  Needless to say, it took me another hour to rescue my car.  Fortunately no one was hurt.  But I was very impressed by the professionalism of law enforcement in NYC.  They were even better than on tv!

Water Water Everywhere . . . .

It sounds like that is what we are going to have on the East Coast this weekend. It's difficult to know if Irene is really as powerful as the reports indicate, but I can tell you people are getting ready! The lines at the filling station were so long I had to wait to even enter the lot. Stores have people waiting for their next water delivery. Thank goodness I went to the store yesterday. We live on a rocky hill that in winter/ice/snow is less than pleasant -- but during times like these I am very thankful for that hill. What do I plan on doing? I'm skeining boxes and boxes of new huacaya yarn, have three knitting projects that all could use attention, and we're readying a new snail mailing about all the happenings in the store -- not the least of which is a new name. (Watch for updates here if you aren't on our mailing list!) Sometimes changes can be frightening, and my prayers go out to all the people who will be affected by these storms far more than will I, but a weekend at home is a welcome change for me. Having lived in the East for more than 30 years, I cannot remember them shutting down the NYC subway system or Atlantic City casinos. Stay home and stay safe.

All Things Bridal . . .

We are in full bridal mode! With just 12 days to the first-ever Diamond Bridal Faire in Virginia, we are still checking with vendors, designing the show booklet, knee-high in favor ideas and sundry odds and ends like a sound system and chairs. The barn has been cleaned from top to bottom thanks to Vanessa . . . If only it would stop raining so we didn't have to bring our furry alpacas in on Thursday to keep them dry. Yup! Shearing all weekend. After the Faire we will sort fiber and get it shipped off to Blue Hill. New today: bring a pre-1975 wedding dress to display and admittance to the Faire is free! We are excited (and a little scared) at such a big undertaking. Everybody come! And check out the website www.DiamondBridalFaire.com.

Check out my @constantcontact newsletter archive

Check out my @constantcontact newsletter archive

So, I actually did it. All five goals for the week: check! I just have to make file labels for all that filing that is now organized. Amazing. Plus I shoveled out twice. Feeling very successful. Finished another scarf tonight; starting a cowl. Now I can focus on W-2's, 1099's and getting tax materials to accountant. I should easily be able to skein yarn at least two hours a day this week -- plus watch a Netflux movie. Will be at the store next weekend if the snow doesn't foil my plans.

The Year Begins Anew

Here it is: 2011. I like those two little "ones" sitting together, very neighborly like. Less zeros in the equation makes for increased coziness. This fresh start means my "to do" list is never-ending. But I will focus the first week in January on only five. Can't do everything all at once. ;-) #1. Get all Christmas decorations put away by Wednesday. (I've decided some items need a completion date.) #2. Finish filing at home. (I may need some time to plow through that stack; ergo, no firm date). #3. Go back to Jenny Craig. Unfortunately, enough said about that. #4. Organize and plan monthly Fiber Features at the store. This means we'll have a project a month for our customers, and it'll be priced at a discount and focused on in our classes. Hope this can begin in February. Watch for it! And finally, #5. A clean office makes a more productive Me. Both my offices have to be tidied by weeks end. Here it is the second day of January and those five already have me feeling overwhelmed. Can I follow through?? Check back in a week and hold my feet to the fire!

Enlightened Pet Owner Very Surprised

This has been an amazing discovery! My beautiful 10-month old Keeshond puppy, Carmen Ruttkay, was being stubbornly difficult to train. She is very smart, and gorgeous is not enough to describe her sweet face and luxurious coat. But when I would attempt to walk her she pulled on the lead till my arms ached from trying to hold her back. Now touching the scale at more than 30 lbs, I knew something had to change. I took her to the pet store and read on the back of a halter (as opposed to a collar) that some dogs bred for pulling (like huskies who pull dog sleds though snow) just naturally "pull" when their collar strains a certain place on their necks. Whoa!! Keeshonds are originally from the Netherlands and were originally bred to pull barges along the canals. I thought it way too easy to simply swap her collar and change a total behavior pattern, but definitely worth a $24 try. My Carmen was Immediately a different puppy when the halter replaced the collar. She walked cheerfully alongside me -- nary a pull in sight. This morning, after both of us had a good night's rest, we headed out for our daily walk. There was absolutely NO pulling of any sort. She walked right beside me, adapting her pace to mine, looking up approvingly and appreciatively as we enjoyed the crisp beauty of fall. Maybe dog breeders knew this secret all along, but for me it was a discovery of Einstein proportions! Anyone else have this experience?