HOT and FRUSTRATED

Well, we had a hell of a winter and now, to make up for all that cold, we are sweltering in record temps! It's been over 100 degrees for the last three days and in the 90's most other days. We had such a wonderful summer last year, I had started to actually like the summer. But, it was just a fluke. Real MD weather is here. It is hotter here than Texas. To make it worse, Mel is cold! Tell me, where is the justice!

I spent all day yesterday on the phone with Cheapoair trying to see if we could cancel our flight to Hong Kong. Turns out we have to pay over $500 to cancel and then they supposedly would send us a refund of around $1400. I say supposedly because, per the complaints on the internet, our chances of seeing the refund are slim to none. So, as far as I can see, we have three options. Lose all our money, try to collect on the insurance or just go. Frank and I will talk some more tonight.

New York for Zhenya's wedding - how interesting. Much more involved than I thought. Many stops to make to get the whole thing certified. Now she can put in for a spousal visa to England which will come faster than one if she was only engaged. Lunch was unbelievable. I have NEVER seen a filet mignon that big. But it sure was delicious.

We did a lot of walking which was good for both of us. We also rode the subway and took lots of cabs. I tried Chinatown on Saturday but it was just too hot for me. I even got ill from it. An hour at an air conditioned Starbucks did wonders for me.

I forgot my knitting in the car at the train station so of course as soon as the wedding luncheon was over we headed for a knitting store. I bought yarn for a cowl and asked the lady who worked there to download the cowl pattern from Ravelry for me. I had to TEACH her how to do it! Do wonders never cease?

It was nice being back in NY and all the good foods. We had dinner on Friday at the second street deli. Potato latkes and a knish for me. Oh, and of course chicken soup with matza ball. Delicious. Brought back memories of my grandmother's house.

Stuff is starting to come in from TNNA. I got the yarn from Berroco for Denise, some of my Lantern Moon stuff and my Nameste needle case. Tilli Thomas should be in this week. I also got the lamb's wool. That is so soft I want to sleep with it.

I restarted Becky's sweater last night. I decided to make it exactly as the pattern calls for instead of in the round. I am just not good enough to change a pattern. I hope to get really moving on it now that I am less afraid of it.

I am going to visit Becky for a scrapbooking weekend in September. It would be nice, and a miracle, if i could have it done by then!

Knitting retreat is up and of course, I signed up. Cannot wait even if it is the same weekend dad and frank will be on their cruise! Nestle will be happy because she will get to come too!