Fearless Fibers Yarn

If I Win the Lottery

We've all played the game. You know the one: "If I win the lottery . . . "

It usually starts with a few quick, warm-hearted, altruistic thoughts and then proceeds to the real fun. Thoughts of financial security. Working only if one chooses. A dream home. Travel. Whatever one's own fantasy life may be.

For me, the If I Win the Lottery game is pleasant but shortlived. I'm a simple gal and really don't have any grand dreams for material things. Don't get me wrong. I'd be thrilled to win the lottery and I'm sure I would find some incredibly frivilous ways to spend some of the money. But I don't dream of owning a mansion or a Rolls Royce or fabulous jewelry or any such thing. I'd likely travel a bit, but I'm mostly a homebody and don't really enjoy travel much.

There is one luxury, however, that I would want if I won a honkin' big lottery. I would want to hire someone to do a bit of light housekeeping and cooking. I hate cleaning and I'm a terrible cook. I wouldn't need someone to do everything for me, but a bit of help in those areas would be a dream.

I now have one more thing to add to the list of tasks for this dream employee. I can see the ad now: Housekeeper Plus Wanted. Duties include light housekeeping, occasional cooking and other miscellanous duties. Must have impeccable references. Must be experienced with and enjoy weaving in yarn ends.

Oh my, how I hate weaving in ends! And I just wove over 200.

At long last, I finished up the Ripple Stitch Afghan that I started a year ago. I made this at my husband's request and had intended on finishing it for this past winter. I came close in December when I put myself on a strict "no new project" rule for the month and made good progress on the afghan in that time. But then I fizzled. I faltered. I slowed. And then stopped.

It's wasn't the knitting that got me. It was the mere thought of finishing the knitting and facing weaving in all of those ends. There are five colors in each repeat of the ripple stitch, which means 10 ends to weave in for each repeat.

I did a few here and there along the way and should have forced myself to do all of them that way, but I was living in some sort of knitterly denial. It won't be so bad. It will be much quicker if I do it all at once at the end.

It's done now and I'm very glad to have it behind me. Whew.

On a side note, if you're wondering about the little creature in the photo, that's Indie. He's the new love of my life. We got him two weeks ago at a local shelter. He's about 4.5 months old or so and he's the world's best puppy. My new best friend.

I've wanted a dog for such a long time, but never had the right set up. At last, with our new home, the time was right. My workshop and inventory are completely separated from the rest of the house, so the dog has no access at all. We have a nice sizable yard that's fully fenced. I'm home almost all the time. At last, it was time for a dog. We searched quite a while and met many before we found Indie. We knew immediately that he was the right dog for us and brought him home a few days later. He's already settled right in as one of the family.

But don't worry. I won't be giving up knitting lace and socks and winterwear in favor of doggy sweaters! Not my style. I promise.