Maxed Out

Chappy had fun playing with his friend Max this weekend.

It helped (from Chappy's point of view) that it wasn't quite so chaotic as it was last time we visited. I think that, like me, he prefers smaller, calmer gatherings of friends rather than the larger, more chaotic free-for-all that happens when you put three highly energetic, playful dogs together. With just him and Max, it was a little more to his taste.

(Which isn't to say, Shelley, that we wouldn't have loved to have seen you--or that I think three people is "too many," but that CHAPPY was more relaxed....)

Certainly, Liz and Max were excellent hosts. Not only did Liz cook enormous amounts of yummy food (and yes, Liz, after my waffles this morning, I DID make it all the way home without feeling like I was starving), but Max ran interference each time Ivan the cat ventured out of the bedroom . . . Chappy still has yet to really MEET a cat, and so his first reaction is to shout, "Ohmigod! What's that!!?" And naturally, cats don't really take well to being barked at, so . . . we really didn't see much of Ivan until late on Saturday night. But still, we thought it was very nice of Max to help Chappy out . . . Apparently, Ivan "runs" the household, but Max makes a point of protecting his friends from the cat. Ivan never actually did anything to Chappy--he just tentatively showed his face, was barked at, and had Max bravely chase him off . . . (Ivan? We're sorry. It's just that Chappy's never met a cat, and so he was loud and rude about it. We apologize.) Unfortunately, Liz says that Ivan makes his displeasure about all of this known later on, once the guests have left . . . (Max? On Chappy's behalf, I apologize. If he'd known Ivan would make your life miserable, I'm sure he would have controlled himself--but he really does appreciate your coming to his rescue.)

It wasn't all four-legged chaos, though. (We won't discuss the hurried trip to the petstore to buy a replacement leash.) We also got quite a bit of spinning done--with our helpers, as you can see. Chappy posted himself behind my Little Gem to watch for that pesky, ever-slipping drive band, and Max "helped" Liz with her plying.... (And, I must tell you, that Shetland she's spinning? So, so gorgeous in person. As is her Celtic Dreams.)

My spinning? I finished one bobbin (that's 4 oz, half of my 8 oz bump of roving) of my Big Yellow Taxi. It's not perfect, but it certainly looks pretty. (Two pictures, in slightly different light, for you.) As you can see, I didn't exactly get the two bobbins even, so far as yardage goes, but, well, what can you do, right?? Next, I'll spin the other half of the roving, and then, it's back to the Merino-Silk....

Meanwhile, Chappy is very, very happy to be home. Unfortunately, he got sick in the car again, just like last year. Poor boy. He used to get carsick on a sadly regular basis when he was a puppy, but has since mostly outgrown it . . . but on the way home last year, he got sick at right about the halfway point in Philadelphia. This year, he got sick when we were only about 45 minutes from home . . . although, luckily, at that point we weren't on the highway anymore, so I was able to pull off into a handy gas station to clean the car. Good thing, too, because it was pretty stinky. Luckily, I'd planned ahead and had some Clorox wipes, paper towels, and a plastic garbage bag in the backseat, so I had everything I needed to get the stink out of the car. (Mental note: Next time, remember hand-cleaning wipes.) But still, this is kind of discouraging. We had made excellent time, too--about 3.25 hours as opposed to the 4.5 hours going down (massive traffic jam just outside Baltimore on Friday), so it's not like he'd been in the car for such a long time . . . I'm not saying a break to have stretched his legs might not have been helpful, but still!

Poor boy. He enjoyed his visit but he really, really didn't enjoy the drive. Or the bath when he got home. Like I said, that, um, mess was kind of stinky....

But, let's not think about that, shall we? Let's concentrate on what a good time we had! Not to mention how fabulous Chappy looks on the pale, pale green of Liz's couch. Really, it's a wonderful color for him....

And, Liz? Thanks again! For the Rowan magazine, the Spin-Off back-issue, the hospitality, the banana for the car--everything! (And, oh, those cannoli chips-and-dip and the Riesling . . . so, so yummy....)

Comments

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

Sounds like a fantastic time! And, you even had waffles on waffle day! :-)

[Beth]

Well, you know I'm envious. Need I say more? Maybe you just need to take Chappy on lots more long car rides - desensitize him from the "trauma".

[Jessica]

Sounds like a fun time (except the getting sick part of course)! Your spinning looks great too. :)

[Ina]

Sounds like you had a great weekend. (Well, except for the transportation issues - aren't those Chlorox wipes handy?)

[JessaLu]

Poor Chappy :o( Also poor you for having to clean it up...yick :o(

[Kim]

Sounds like a fab weekend! Big Yellow Taxi is looking great! Chappy does look handsome on that green sofa with the red wall behind him. Too bad about the barf in the car. Poor Chappy (and poor you having to clean it up)

[Lizzy B]

I loved having you two over for the weekend, and Max already misses Chappy! He ran into the guest room first thing this morning and looked around really well just to make sure Chappy didn't make it back while Max was napping! :)

It was a really fun fun weekend and I hope we get to do it again soon. And thank you for the tea! And that Big Yellow taxi is BEAUTIFUL! And oh so soft! You did a great job on it even with all the help you got with the plying. *grin*

[Sheila]

Sorry Chappy got sick. But it sounds like you both had a good time. It's always a plus to not hit traffic when going to or from Baltimore.

[Christine]

Sounds like a fun weekend! Sorry that Chappy got sick though.

[Chris]

Obviously you need to stop letting Chappy read in the car! ;)

[Teyani]

sounds like you had a wonderful weekend.
Poor Chappy - I wonder, to they give animals motion-sickness pills too? too bad for the little guy.
Your Big Yellow Taxi looks like it turned out great.

[Carol]

Sounds like a great weekend, except for the trip home part, but that's kids for ya! The yarn looks really nice!