Vacation Prep

We’ve been on vacation all week, and it is fantastic! The weather has been beautiful, and I really feel that I have enough time to get some things done around the home AND spend lots of time relaxing or doing fiber arts. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve posted though, and some interesting stuff happened before my vacation too.

On the first day Viking was allowed to run (August 1) he broke a toenail at the bone. It was still attached to his foot, and we were a little worried that he would have to undergo anesthetic to have it removed. About a week later though, Kevin came home from work and the nail was gone. Viking still favors that leg some, but it is the same leg as his knee injury, so I think it is just still somewhat stiff. The day he broke his nail is also the date on his adoption contract. Even though we hadn’t received the contract yet, we took him to our vet and signed the paperwork quite a bit later.

Viking’s nail disappeared while I was out of town at a Professionalism Course for the Casualty Actuarial Society. I was a little nervous before I left, just because that’s the way I always am before a social event with people I’m not already comfortable with. I had a great time though! I made some friends right away. I consciously decided that I would offer to drive them back to the hotel, and out to dinner. Everyone accepted, and we hung out and chatted all night. Talking to them, I realize that I am both very lucky and screwed over at my current job. They all have much more lenient or generous study programs – but I never work overtime and I enjoy my co-workers. I am also able to afford a spacious home and two pretty new cars. I had been getting complacent about my job – wishing I could quit and just knit and spin all day, but now I remember how much I actually like doing my job!

When I got home from the course, I had new socks waiting for me! My sockapalooza socks arrived!

My pal was NotThatKat. She sent not only the greatest socks I own, but two boxes of fruit-flavored candy (Skittles and Twizzlers) and two bars of soap with a washcloth. The candy was my favorite kind – I generally prefer fruity to chocolate. I have also been looking at lots of handmade soap online, but kept deciding to save my money. The socks are amazing – perfect size, perfect colors, perfect fibers, and the perfect pattern. The yarn is Fleece Artist and the pattern is Math Whiz. Thanks again, pal!

I started new socks too. The Simple Trekking Socks I bought the yarn for along with my Sockapalooza yarn. This is a terrible picture, but you can see the progress.

We have been spending a lot of time in the basement lately (the air conditioning is broken) and the dogs are allowed on the furniture down there. Trill looks pretty comfy, huh?

I am going to save all the stuff I’ve accomplished on vacation for a post tomorrow. I will probably be spending tonight photographing my stash for Ravelry.