Seventeen Years Ago Tonight...

Husband and I said I Do seventeen years ago tonight. We were just kids, only 22 years old and almost fresh out of college. Marriage takes work if you want to make it last. It's not some fairy tale like TV or Hollywood would have us believe. The last seventeen years have been hard and easy, good and bad, but it has all been worth it. I can't imagine my life without this man beside me. There is no one else on earth I'd rather share the joys and even the pains of life with than my husband. I hope that when daughter chooses a husband, she finds a man that is as wonderful and loving as her father.

We enjoyed our weekend in Asheville. It was darned cold, though, and it rained, sleeted, and snowed all day Saturday. Biltmore House was gorgeous as ever. We enjoyed the tour very much. I think we all liked the wine tasting at the Biltmore winery much better, though!! Husband and I came home with three bottles for ourselves, a bottle of grape juice (daughter's favorite) and a bottle of wine for a Christmas gift.

We visited Earth Guild where we bought a new reed for the loom and a kniddy knoddy for me. I think these things are going to be wrapped up as Christmas gifts. We went to Yarn Paradise in Biltmore Village. They are still on the second floor of their building while the bottom floor is undergoing renovations. The Biltmore Village area suffered a lot of damage this fall due to flooding related to all those hurricanes that bashed Florida. We drove over to Black Mountain, too, and visited Wild and Wooly, formerly The Naked Sheep. The store changed locations last year and changed names, too. I must say that I was sorely disappointed with the new location and yarn selection. The new store seems terribly crowded to me, and I think they've cut their stock in half at least. I did manage to find some sale bin yarn. I got 12 skeins of Koigu KPPM for $4.50 each. I found two variegated colorways and two solids.

We visited one of the galleries in Black Mountain and saw lots of woven items, knitted hats, and felted hats and a purse. I was amazed at the prices--quite expensive! I guess I looked at those items as a knitter and person knowledgable about the cost of materials. Based on what looks to be a three times cost of materials markup, I'm gifting someone with a $100 purse for Christmas! Mom found a gorgeous yet very simple woven chenile scarf that she liked. It was made in jewel tones and black and was very striking! The price tag on it was around $50. We stopped off in Columbia this afternoon and purchased materials to make one for her (as a surprise Christmas gift) at A.C. Moore. I hope husband can get it whipped out in time!

Speaking of A. C. Moore, I was very impressed with their selection and quality of yarn. They have some of the major brands. I even found 100% feltable wool and some to die for mohair! *sigh* Thankfully, I resisted the urge to buy more yarn. I really need to knit through some of the stash first. I did pick up another knitting bag or possibly it will be a spinning bag. How could I go wrong in getting a great looking tapestry bag for only $4?? Daughter got herself a little tapestry tote bag purse for about $2.50.

The Christmas countdown has officially begun. Daughter has only 4 1/2 days of school this week. I only have 8 more work days, but possibly will spend one of those days working from the beach. Having a portable job does have its perks! I'm really not into Christmas at all this year. It just feels like a big chore to get through. I decorated at the beach but haven't even put a stocking up in the house. I have more Christmas gifts left to buy than are already bought--and I couldn't care less! Forget Christmas cards. I wrote the obligatory cards to the employees, but that's it. *sigh* I'm just looking forward to time off work. I could do without the rest. (And don't go feeling sorry for me just because I'm more bah humbug than deck the halls. I don't feel a bit sorry for not being in the Christmas spirit!)