According to my NBC news channel, Las Vegas is "on sale" because of the economy. Some people might want to skip it totally, and go with an online casino (link deleted - apparently these people no longer want web traffic sent their way . . . ). Thanks to the internet, now people don't have to fly to get to their fix!

Speaking of NBC news, the Health and Fitness Expo is in full swing this weekend at the Washington Convention Center. The Boy and I love this event. I like that there are serious things for adults to check into, like glaucoma screening and diabetes awareness booths, but there's also a TON of things for the kiddos to do, to bring home the fact that we all need to make being active and healthy a part of our lives.

This year, I took the opportunity to meet up with an old friend from high-school (Hi, T!!!!) and his cute-as-a-button-son. The boys are close in age (6 for me, 4 for them), and had a ball running around the indoor track, playing a bit of tennis, getting golf tips, and playing a bit of 'smash-em up' soccer. They were appropriately worn out at the end of the day, and enjoyed each others' company very much. It was great to get back in touch with an old friend, and to find that we still enjoy each others' company as well! I'm looking forward to a renewed friendship!!

In knitting news, I had to do some frogging to my Spicy Snow White. I didn't really have things set properly when I joined the sleeves to the body, and kept trying to MAKE it work, but with ribbing, you just can't do that! Those stitches show, and it wasn't looking so pretty! So, this morning I spent about 45 minutes ripping it back, and putting the stitches back on the needles. Now I need to figure out the stitch marker placement again - and correctly this time! - so that I can knit the whole neckline again. What makes it even worse was that I had so little left to go on this top! I'd even done the cute little picot neckline!!!! Oh well, next time it will be right and will be something I'll be proud to wear!

The back - the part that actually WAS turning out properly!!!


The front, neckline, where you can SO tell that it was not turning out correctly. You could also tell at the underarms, where the sleeves had been joined, that I was flubbing it, and the ribbing decreases didn't match up. DANG!!!!

I really need to get this finished, because I'm itching to start a new project and can't decide. Surprise, surprise! I may have to put another little poll up to see what you all think. There's so many choices running through my brain right now, and what with the new wheel and all, I feel like I will never get to everything I want!!!

Speaking of the wheel, I am almost finished spinning up the CMF roving, and getting a bit nervous about plying them together! I bought two new bobbins to assist when I finally am ready, because all three bobbins the wheel came with are currently in use. Don't quite know how I thought I was going to ply without an empty bobbin!!!!!!!

I picked it up last night at my spinning meeting. I also got some Ashford hand-carders that I've been wanting. I really, really, really want to learn the long draw, and to use rolags to do it with, so I broke down and got them when I saw them at Cloverhill. I also got 6 more ounces of Corriedale to use with them. I had some previously that I got from our trip to Canada. It's not an exact match, but I can ply the two together (or use them together with the carders!!!!) and get something lovely for a rustic project. I can't wait!!! There's also other things I'd like to do with the carders. I think they'll come in pretty handy with roving that has become a bit smushed or matted/felted in dyeing or shipping. I tried them out this evening, and the rolags are so light and fluffy. I had to resist starting one of the new bobbins with that fiber!!!!

I can become QUICKLY addicted!! Oy!

:O)