Well, I thought I would share with you all what it's like for an Etsy knitter to attempt two measly days away from the office. On Friday morning we had all the best intentions to leave the house by 11am for a leisurely drive to Key West, me using the term leisurely in the loosest way possible, considering we have to strap down an unwilling 20 month old and somewhat willing four year old for a three hour drive. Instead of packing the night before (NO - knitting all night again!), I was trying to pack an hour before we left, this with two kids hanging on both legs, AND finish up about five orders AND get them packaged AND attempt to sneak out to the post office when they're not looking. Never combine half filled suitcases with sneaking out on young children even for five minutes - it brings up all sorts of abandonment issues and then there's lots of crying.
At about noon we were still nowhere ready and then I suddenly remembered our poor pup Pepper. Who would take care of him? Luckily, and please take me up on this fantastic recommendation - Miami has a service called Cageless Boarding - where your dog gets to spend the weekend with a fanatical animal lover who showers him with treats and walks and love and a soft bed to sleep in - and no kennel. Love it!
I packed a whole suitcase of supplies just for knitting (how many items can one person possibly knit in two days???) and attempted to knit the whole way down to the Keys. But my youngest in the back was having no part of that, and has proven to us that she is an actual descendent of Houdini - managing to wriggle out of the tightest carseat known to man. So I spent the last hour coming up with the most ridiculous ideas ever to keep her distracted and partially restrained.
On our first night I was so thrilled to be out of my house and in a public place where people actually HAVE FUN I had one too many rummy fruity things and that blew a whole night of knitting. Oh no! So the next morning I sent the kids to the pool with their dad and then worked as fast as humanly possible, knowing full well that he can only handle those two adrenaline junkies for about 20 minutes before he makes up some excuse to bring them back to me. As in, "she told me she needs to go poo poo". Hon, the kid poops in diapers - she's wearing one - what's the problem??? But who can resist the look of sheer desperation in a man's eyes - especially when the welfare of your children is at stake? So that's the end of knitting for the morning.
In the afternoon I threw all caution to the wind and allowed the girls to (gasp) watch Spongebob Square Pants while I snuck in some stitches. Happy to report, that square yellow dude is not half as offensive and horrible as I've imagined him all these years.
In the evening we ate all kinds of things we shouldn't have, like too much shrimp, frozen key lime pie on a stick dipped in chocolate, and retired home with belly aches and only a marginal desire to knit. But little people refused to sleep and a wedding party going on outside our hotel room kept everyone awake until late late late, so another night of knitting was blown.
In short, tomorrow I believe I'll be packing up my suitcase of supplies, as I'm pretty sure no knitting will get done in the car as I wrestle same 20 month old for the ride, and I'll be happy to see my comfy couch, pleasantly organized supplies, and hopefully an early kiddy bedtime so I can get back to the grind. Better luck next time!
