How Do You Land A Fish?

Things came to a screeching halt after Janet's order to "Land This Fish!".

What does that mean? How do you Land A Fish? Where do you start? MMmmmmmmm.

Light Bulb Moment! Janet's brilliance shines through yet again!
Duh! Fishing is just like knitting!

In order to land a fish you need a fishing hole (preferably a well stocked one), a stick or rod, some string or line, bait or lures, a little skill and luck! Knitting requires a stocked LYS (Local Yarn Shop), sticks (needles or crochet hooks), string--we call it yarn, lures--free coffee, laughs, and again, yarn, a little skill and yes, luck!

Do you go to the local pond for deep sea fishing? Can you catch Alaskan Salmon in Kentucky? NO! You can't stock everything but a good fish market will order it for you.

Suddenly, things became clear. Keep a well stocked pond, have the correct tools for the task at hand, throw in some bait and lures, gather up your fishing buddies, have plenty of refreshments and learn to think like a fish!

Our Fall/Winter plan is ready to "Land the Fish!"
A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work!

It's Time to Land This Fish!

After a month of trying to figure out our fall/winter buy, meeting with reps, going to TNNA, number crunching, forecasting, looking into our magic ball, and number crunching some more, we had a mini-melt down this week. We have spent our entire wad and we hadn't even bought what was on our original plan!

In true take command fashion, Janet announces, "It's Time to Land This Fish!"

Everything came to a screeching halt. Frozen in time and motion-----we looked at each other and did what we do best....We Laughed!

I Am My Own Worst Enemy

I have just returned from four, fun (NOT!) filled days of Flight Attendent Mayhem! The worse part is that I am to blame for most of the madness. I suffered the usual weather delays, which are to be expected, but, the bulk of the nonsense was my own doing!

Here are the highlights:

DAY 1
The first flight to Chicago O'Hare started with a delay due to late arriving aircraft. We were full (of course) and rushing to get back on schedule. Somehow I lost my glasses in the chaos of changing crews, getting commisary supplies and boarding. After fumbling through the snack and beverage service, I was restocking the galley and dropped a six-pack of Coke at my feet. All six cans opened into a massive Coke Bomb that exploded up my skirt. In a panick, I kicked the Coke Bomb which caused a lawn sprinkler type action that extended from First Class to the Flight Deck door. After mopping floor, ceiling, lavatory, boarding door, flight deck door, me and everything/everybody else, I quickly changed into dry hose and underpants-sticky skirt stayed on. The First Class passengers thanked me for an entertaining 50 minutes of flight as they pried their shoes off of the floor and deplaned.

We changed planes in Chicago-thank goodness! I'm sure I'll hear back from the crew that took over our aircraft. The night was still young, and we still had to fly to La Guardia and Boston. Weather delays and air traffic delays further complicated our plans but we arrived in Boston by 1:00 AM.

When I got to the hotel in Boston, I peeled off the sticky skirt and sweater, looked in the mirror and noticed that I looked like a synchronized swimmer with Coke matted hair. ARRRGH!

DAY 2
Our Flight from Boston to Cincinnati was uneventful. But, we had a four hour break before we were scheduled to go to Tampa. Being the diligent Knitwit, I escaped to the shop during the break to take care of a few things and as I was pulling into the airport, my phone rang. I answered the phone thinking it was my friend Janice 859-727-(no glasses)..... but the number on my phone was 859-767-..... Never answer a phone number with 859-767-...that's Comair! It was scheduling and they were changing my assignment. They were sending me to Detroit and they were holding the flight for me to ride as a passenger.

I ran through security, through the terminal to the furthest possible Gate-B33. I was not feeling very fresh, but things got worse. There was no APU on the aircraft (meaning there was no air conditioning while on the ground) and this was my seatmate (my seat-and-a-half-mate). We were nice and cozy in the very back row by the lavatory.

From Detroit, I toweled off, reapplied deordorant, found my new crew and worked the flight to Lexington, KY. Things got better for a brief while.

DAY 3
Steve Meyers, (Tall Steve, Knitwits Maintenance God and Belinda's Husband) was in Lexington and he picked me up for lunch. We went to Ramsey's, a great Southern Down-Home Fried Food Emporium/Diner and chowed down on fried green tomatoes, creamed corn, kale, mac 'n cheese and meatloaf. YUM! Then, I dragged him to a pie shop and knitting shop called Magpies. Thanks Steve, you are a true friend and trooper!

Above is the weather map as I was leaving Lexington for La Guardia. It's hard to see-but the map is all clear except for the BIG GREEN BLOB right over Lexington. Remember the storms on Thursday night? Delay, turbulence, New Crew #3....the fun never ends.

We bumped and bounced to La Guardia and then to Savannah, Georgia. We got to Savannah around 1:00 AM and got into the hotel van that was just like the "Jon & Kate Plus 8" van. Cool!

Not Cool! We got in the wrong van. We were at the Baymont Suites and we stay at the Staybridge Suites. It's now 2:00 AM!

DAY 4

Easy Day! All I have to do is deadhead (ride as a passenger) to Cincinnati!

Arrive at Savannah Airport to see the above departure board. Flight #6500 to Cincinnati is CANCELED! :(

Savannah to Atlanta, two and a half bour sit, Atlanta to Cincinnati. No Glasses!--cannot read chart to work on Shop Owners Waistcoat Sweater in Size Medium!

Thank goodness I grabbed some size 11 needles and some Baby Alpaca Grande on the 4 hour break (Day 2)!

When life doesn't go as planned....KNIT!

I finished the Baby Alpaca Grande Flaired Vest as we taxied to the gate in Cincinnati.

Checked Out & Back in the 41017!

The Last Leg

I'm on the last leg of my four day trip and I plan to be back around lunchtime. I finally found a computer to use but I have to keep it short--my ride to the Savannah Airport leaves in a few minutes.

I had no idea that I woulld be in Savannah, of Lexington or anywhere else I've been for the past few days. The powers that be took me off of my original assignment and put me on someone else's trip. It worked out better for me (and the others involved) in the long run but I missed my laptop computer and yarn friends.

My next blog is "I Am my Own Worse Enemy". Stay tuned!

Guy Yarn Rep Knits!

Thomas, the yarn rep we met with today, is a young, good looking, guy knitter! And likes to knit for his fiance. He did want to get a workout in before he hit the road again, so we kept focus and finished up somewhat quickly (for us at least). I owe him an apology for doubting his knitting skills, he really knew his stuff and was a pleasure to work with and get to know.

We actually have lots in common. We knit, we workout, we're on the road too much with yarn and suitcases and we have plans for writing a book. Go figure---I thought he was just going to be "Yarn Dude."

Thomas commented on the "Southern, down-home" hospitality of the shop.
Perhaps that is why I too enjoy the shop so much. It truly is my home away from home.

Live. Laugh. Knit!

Knitting and Sauvignon Blanc and Blabbing

Before you click on this link, be warned that the guy is annoying and the video is looooong. Ignore him and listen to the knitting part (first few minutes).

http://tv.winelibrary.com/2008/11/13/knitting-and-sauvignon-blanc-episode-577/

Many of you have been asking about my flight attendant friend, Marci. She has been doing well at Drake Rehab. The updates have been fairly vague, but I understand that she is eating on her own, walking with some assistance and making phone calls. She may be able to return home in the next few weeks. Amen! Rumor has it that she will be taking her first outing since the accident. She wants to go to Skyline Chili--I think she's baaaaack! Thank you for your kind thoughts and concern and continue praying for a full recovery.

Because of Father's Day, there was no competitive adult kickball this week, so Janet, Sarah and I ventured out of the 41017 and saw UP after we closed the shop yesterday. Janet's movie preference usually runs toward animated mice, Sarah and I like movies that show only at the Esquire--but we all agreed that UP was fabulous! A must see for ALL ages!

I kinda feel like I'm juggling a gazillion balls in the air right now. We're working on Fall/Winter buying, Knitting Boot Camp, Christmas in July, Fun Run/Walks, the daily routines of the shop/Comair/home, flying four days a week, blogging and knitting. "Busy, busy..Touch Trolley..Touch Galley..Get Nothing Done!"

Today, we see yet another yarn rep. He (John? or Tom?) looks like the kind of guy who has never set foot in a yarn shop. He ain't no Kosher Cowboy! I'll take two aspirin and make my way over to the shop for another day of head spinning buying. Then, I'll do laundry and pack my bags for tommorrow's trip.

Someone please remind me to pick up my uniforms at the dry cleaners!

Now for the random thoughts:
Knitting Boot Camp-lot's of interest in this gem! We're thinking to start in September, evening and weekend sessions. Any thoughts? Post comments.
Christmas in July-Get a jump start on your Christmas gift knitting! Two programs. First, "The 12 Gifts of Christmas"-shop favorite projects to make, embellish and finish by Christmas. Kind of like Craft Camp for Grownups. Saturday workshops with different staff knitters. Second, "One Skein Wonders with Elizabeth"-using the 101 One Skein Wonders and One Skein books, each project you complete (with Knitwits yarn) will be rewarded with a Yarn card stamp! Memberships not required.
Scarf It Up Fun Run/Walk-Team Knitwits! Join the gang as a participant or volunteer in this benefit for Scarf It Up for those in Need! Details at shop, fun and free t-shirt guarenteed!
New Stuff-Our TNNA finds are arriving in drips and drabs. New yarns, notions, books, kits and felted rocks! Stay tuned-it's worth the wait!
4Th of July Holiday Hours- shop closed July 3rd-6th.

Questions? Comments? Feel free to post!

I know that it is hotter than Hades out there, but knitting is an all-year round, indoor/outdoor sport. Grab your yarn, needles, head for the movies, pool, beach, ballgame or Knitwits (fans have been found) and Get Your Knit On--or grab a glass of your favorite wine and work on a mindless project (not lace).

I Don't Get IT!

I've been bringing my laptop on trips with me because I think I have a Blog Addiction. I tell myself to bring lappie so I can get some Knitwits accounting done---but, truth be told--it is because I can't really blog on my iphone.

When I try to get on-line at the hotel or on a break at the airport, I have a heck of a time trying to figure out how! Wi-fi, VPN, LAN, error, passwords...I just don't get it! I just want to connect!
I need a little "Pocket Pandora" to help me out.

Young Steve's business card reads IT Specialist. I apparently don't get IT! Whatever IT is, I don't have IT!

On the bright side, I have knIT! When it comes to knitting, I feel like a knIT specialist. I can figure out SSP, TBL, CB4F, etc. So...if you run into a knit problem, you can blog or e-mail me. If I can connect my computer, I'll get back to You!


Now, a message from Guest Blogger, Jill.

Today I did something very brave. For me, that is—a librarian by training who just hates, hates, hates to have her books mistreated. Today I decided to take my Cookie A’s Sock Innovation book to Staples and have them cut the spine off. Why did I do it? Think of it as preventive medicine. My book’s binding was beginning to show signs of wear. This measure, drastic as it may seem, was meant to keep my book healthy. Staples replaced the spine with a nice spiral binding. And they put mylar covering on the back and front for extra protection. Now my book, which has already seen a lot of wear, has a tough binding, opens out perfectly flat and it will be much, much easier to photocopy. Cost? $2.99. For $2.99 I’ve got a more usable book that will stand up to heavy use. How long did it take? Oh, maybe five minutes or so. A great investment of time and money, if you ask me.

(imagine picture HERE)

I showed my husband the book when I got home. He said, “Hey! You’ve got a Teacher’s Manual now!” I guess that’s true, since I’m leading the Cookie A sock knitalong. We’ll be starting a new sock soon… anyone is welcome to join, although you have to buy the book and be willing to be adventuresome. I promise the socks you make will be beautiful and teach you lots! Now I am going to need to look at my knitting bookshelf and figure out what else needs a visit to Staples…. As long as the book has a good margin, it should work just fine.

Jill