Getting on with it...

I've had it. I need to get this off my chest, because let me tell you, it's been a heavy burden to bear. Before you worry that I'm pregnant, dropping out of graduate school, and/or about to reveal a giant tattoo, what I mean is that I need to finish the Hike sweater. It was two years ago this weekend that I bought the yarn, at the annual Acorn Street sidewalk sale, and yet here is the sweater, still not finished. And so close to being finished - in fact, finished except for the finishing. It's the seaming that has be stymied, because at this point I'm quite adept at picking up stitches. I am a bit concerned about the zipper, but I'm sure I can do it, or do buttons instead (unlikely, since I already bought the zipper). There was a bit of a rash seaming incident last fall, wherein I seamed the sides (well) and the shoulders (poorly), without heeding the instructions that suggested seaming the shoulders, then setting in the sleeves, then doing the side seams. So I put the whole mess away. Again. For long enough that Jennifer suggested I pay her to seam the thing for me. Which I really almost took her up on. Still might, honestly. But, I should and must learn to do these things myself. Right?
So, Wednesday night I retrieved the sweater from behind the sofa and removed all my previous seams. I began again. I even got out my book of finishing techniques. I did the first shoulder seam three times before it was acceptable to me (not perfect, but acceptable), and the second shoulder is even better. Then I tackled the first sleeve, which went fairly well, and I'm halfway through the second. This took me all night. It was a slog. And I'm not positive I'm happy with it yet, but I'm charging along and assessing as I go. And I feel good about at least trying to finish this, which is by far my oldest UFO.

My friend Heidi is coming to visit this weekend, and I'm really excited to see her. She is my first visitor who is not a) related to me by blood, or b) travelling with someone who is. I really hope the weather cooperates for us. It's been raining all morning and it's looking like it's going to be a bit chilly. But, it's been stiflingly hot in Chicago so maybe our misery will be a welcome relief for Heidi. The apartment has been cleaned, and Dave has lost the use of his precious quilt for the weekend (hehe - this means I get my down comforter!!!). Tomorrow we'll be watching the naked cyclists (yes) at the Fremont Solstice Parade, but otherwise the weekend is open. I'll be sure to let you know what we get up to. Let me know if you'd like to see the naked (but painted) cyclists, or if the blog should remain family-friendly!