Day Thirteen (or Back in Austin)

I'm back in Austin. Wahoo! Not really, but I have to do something to get excited around here. I'm staying at the usual place, with plans to hit up some really good food joints. I need to NOT SHOP while I am here, I have too much to fit in my suitcase already, but I did bring an extra one this time. I'm driving a Chevy HHR which is kinda funky and so not something I would normally drive. I have to say though that the cool factor is much better than the Toyota Corolla I had last time. I'm just glad that it's going to be a two short weeks, rather than one two week time frame.

Other than that, I'm starting to do the Artist's Way while I am here. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get a jump start on it and be able to continue once I am home on a more regular basis. I don't think I want to be a writer, but I do want to create visual works of art. Photography, painting, collage, who knows.

Day Four (or Homeward Bound)

I'm packed. And repacked. And packed again. It still won't all fit in the three measly suitcases, one extra large purse and a damn computer bag. Sigh. I'll be back in Austin in a week, but only for a short visit, so I guess I need to bring an empty suitcase with me. I'll know for sure in a little while if the bags are over the weight restriction.

I'm so looking forward to being home this next week. There are so many things that I want to do before the BBSis and kiddo's get there. And, I just want to be home. Snuggled under the blanket listening to the rain fall on the roof. My own bed, my own kitchen, my own honey...

Anxious to get going now that I'm packed, hoping that the flight doesn't have "issues".

Day Two (or Austin Recap)

It's a rainy morning here in Austin and it suits my mood to a "T". I am anxious to return home and be snuggled in on the sofa with a fire in the stove and the mist in the trees. I know that my suitcases are going to be overweight (just like me) in spite of me leaving things behind in Dallas because I just can't stop myself from shopping. I think I am going to have to put all my books, notebooks, and magazines in the carry-on just so that the check bags will be pass the weight restriction. Ugh.

This trip, I was inspired by my sister and am purchasing items for rubber stamping. They have the works in CA, I am sure, I just don't know where to look for them. I mean, I've looked in Michael's and Joann's and the selection in CA is far inferior to that here in TX. I managed to increase the collection by about 10 rubber stamps, not including what was purchased at Stamp Club on Sunday. We spent the whole weekend playing with paper and ink, glue and rubber stamps, scissors and watercolors, with no other expectations for the weekend. It was fun, inspiring and relaxing at the same time.

And then there was the trip to Hill Country Weavers - Open late on Thursday (thank goodness!). And thanks to Mapquest, I was only mis-located once, but able to get back on track and find my way down there. The facility is an old home that has been stripped down to walls and concrete floors and stuffed full with bins and racks and tables of yarn. The selection and choices were just amazing. I finally was able to pet some Classic Elite Yarns, and decided that I really really want the Posh in the pink print, but before I indulge myself, I need to finish one of my larger projects. That, and it needs to have the pattern picked out for it - there's no way to justify that price without having something special picked out. Even so, I managed to walk away with 4 skeins of Miracle in Caribbean Sunset, 1 skein of Plymouth Encore Worsted in color 1444 brown with blue slubs, and 3 skeins of Queensland Rustic Wool, color 04 a tonal green yarn.