That's CLIFTON to you!

New name. New-feeling life. It feels like I've broken through some wall into "Married." Kinda like when I was a child, and we'd be driving the hours long drive for our beach vacation. When I'd see the big sign saying, "Welcome to North Carolina!" I thought something should be different - then much later we'd come to the big sign "Welcome to South Carolina!" I felt we were breaking through an invisible barrier of statehoods.

And now I've broken the invisible barrier into "Clifton." It does feel different. I'm saying, "Hi, this is Jennifer Bryant... uh, Clifton." I spent a day changing my name via City Hall, Social Security, DMV, bank and gym - two name changes submitted at work (payroll and actual work/email). What a headache!

Our honeymoon was lovely. Wonderful. Perfect weather & sunshine. More buffets and food than would fit in a month of Weight Watchers points (gained 8 pounds!). We've made it a whole week now! Still glad to be married. So far, so good!

Counting down single days

I get married in less than a week. Yippee! I am excited. Although Chuck & I have been together nearly three years, "Married" is different from "Dating" or "Living Together." Married carries responsibilities - and a new name for me.

It will definitely take some getting used to being a "Clifton." Who? Me? I've been a Bryant longer than I was a Dowdy (my maiden name). For me, it has no attachments to my first husband - other than it's the name of my children. So I'm switching to "Clifton." Chuck has a hilarious time with all kinds of special privileges "because I'm a Clifton!" He says that his dad used to make up rules like "We can pass this slowpoke, because we're Cliftons!" I'm looking forward to all those imaginary perks with my initiation into the Clifton clan next Tuesday. Don't be surprised if you see my little white Honda whizzing along passing everyone (as usual) - my official excuse next week will be "Because I'm a Clifton!"

We Wuz Robbed!

October 25, 2011. The day that strangers went through my house looking for stuff they could steal to sell. Ick. They went through my clothes drawers, pulled mattresses off the box springs, and I'm sure they got pissed off I had very little worth stealing. The Wii and WiiFit where I started exercising before I was brave enough to walk outside. The PlayStation given to me by Ramona after we lost Anna so I could take my mind off my problems. Two sets of wedding rings & engagement rings from other husbands. My digital camera and iPod Touch - which I haven't used much since I got my snazzy iPhone. Chuck's bicycle (but not mine). His air compressor. My nifty OTT crafting light that he just got me for my birthday (not even a month ago!).

When I got home from work, the two screen doors on the porch were wide open, and the house door was open too. I went in - noticed the door jamb hanging by a sliver. I figured Chuck had gotten off work early, was in the middle of some fix-up project (as he always is). I called him, and after several tries he finally convinced me it wasn't a prank - then I noticed our change basket was missing from the coffee table. I called 911. The most amazing thing is how well anti-anxiety meds work when you take them. I remained calm while talking to the police officer, as I kept discovering things that were missing. Relieved my TV and computer were still okay. Glad I'd had my precious iPhone with me at work.

After the police were gone, I decided I had to have Mexican food, so off to San Marcos we went. I managed to avoid the Points of a margarita, but overdid it on nacho chips. All in all, I'm still calm. We now think a neighbor may have seen the 3 guys who did the stealing in a gray Camry. I'm pretty sure I'll never see my things again. But I still have my pictures, my books, my yarn. I'm okay. I just KNEW things were going too well for me lately!

Date Set - Countdown begins!

With all the wedding bells in the air when Jes and James married, Chuck & I decided to tie the knot in November. This November. First things first - we got hotel reservations for Thanksgiving weekend to honeymoon! We went back and forth, over and over trying to get someone to make the ceremony legal - which is all I care about. Quick. Legal. Over - let's celebrate! We started with the date 11-11-11 - pretty neat date, but couldn't get an officiant. I didn't want a church wedding (seems silly to me to have my third wedding in a church) - and ministers want you to do the pre-marital counseling - which I'm sure is a valid and good thing to do - but not for me. I don't get along with church anyway. We switched the date to 11-22-11, and I arranged for one of the Court Magistrates to come to our house and marry us at 5:30 that day. Witnesses will be few, close family. Quick. Legal.

Wednesday we visited James and bought two nice wedding bands. Today, we're going to the Clerk's Office to get the official marriage license. We don't have to take an eye exam or pass a written test - just show ID and pay the fee.

Am I nervous? Sure. Am I sure? Mostly. I find myself unable to trust or believe in anything or anyone as completely and fully as I was capable of in my youth. Too many broken dreams and promises, too many heartaches and heartbreaks, too many tears. I do remember the day I married my first husband. It was a golden August day. I remember looking up at him, with the sun shining all around him in a golden halo and knowing for sure and certain that it was the right thing. And it was. The right thing for me that day at that time of my life when all I wanted to do was be a grown up - free and on our own and in love. What it really meant was getting a job and working fifty weeks a year - then we grew up and grew different, and I'd prefer never speak to him again. We did have two gorgeous, wonderful daughters who remain the best thing I've ever done. They gave me the brightest hours - the darkest hours.

So here I go again. Trying to trust. Trying to believe. I know if I fall, he will catch me.

So long, CGOA

Sadly, this was the last day of the Crochet Guild of America Fall Conference in Greensboro. I can honestly and enthusiastically say that I enjoyed every minute of my time there! The people, the yarn, the shopping, the lovely handwork all around, the opportunities to learn and make my work better & easier - and everyone was happy to be there!

Today was my morning class with knit & crochet rock star, Lily Chin. She was adorable in a crochet mini dress! The class was "Crochet Tips & Techniques" and that is exactly what her three hours were jam packed with.

My class yesterday was a technique, then two hours to practice that one thing in a few different ways. Today, Lily was a non-stop fountain of ways to make our crafty lives easier & faster & better. There were ideas for starting & ending & everything in between. Fantastic!

Naturally I had to return to the market floor after class to snag several recommended items. This kind of shopping is my idea of fun.

So I sadly end my weekend of geek love. I enjoyed it all, and my brain is brimming with new ideas (much like my yarn basket is brimming with new stash). Now I have two days of vacation from work to play with yarn, practice new techniques, and celebrate the grand holiday that is my birthday! What a great weekend!!

CGOA Day Two

I drove back down to Greensboro (again in pouring rain) this morning. I reviewed the shopping floor. I got my book "Crochet Border" autographed by the author, Edie Eckman. Next was a meet-up for Ravelry users where I saw Drew Emborsky, the Crochet Dude. I sat beside a lady from England & met a lady from Australia! Crochet rocks!

Then it was time for my class - the PULAD method of working two-color designs without cutting yarn. Neat! We made samples.

I swear the road home from Greensboro is twice as long as the road there! Tomorrow is my last day - morning class.

CGOA Day one

I took the day off work to go to the Crochet Guild of America's Fall Conference at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro NC today. My plans were made months ago when I signed up for two classes. I've never seen a CGOA event this close to me.

Today was my day to shop & look around and gawk and revel in a world where I'm not the solitary crocheter - where Ravelry is well-known, where other people love this stuff as much as me!

Without a timeline, I drove through pouring rain to the KCC, arriving around 10:30. I registered & got my goodie bag (yarn in a jumbo totebag from Lion Brand. Then I headed to the conference shopping floor. I was not disappointed! As I walked into the hall, the first thing I saw was a rack of free shopping bags! I turned toward a wall of crocheted items - candidates for "peoples choice" award. And there was Doris Chan who I've seen on several tv shows. I shopped around the room systematically (of course). I bought an ergonomic crochet hook I've seen advertised, but not available at Hobby Lobby. I was like a kid in Santa's toybox. I fondled lots of yarn. I lusted over high-priced yarns. I signed up for mailing lists. I saw Edie Eckman who wrote three of my favorite crochet books. I bought a keyring crochet hook, and decided $32 was too much for cool earrings. I smiled at my fellow shoppers. While taking a break to rehydrate (very important while drooling over yarn), I saw a sign announcing a Knit & Crochet Fashion Show starting in an hour. So I went back to the yarn and books and patterns and crafty ideas for more touchy-feely fun.

With about 15 minutes to spare, I snagged a front row seat at the Show. I talked to the lady next to me about other shows she's been to and we found we have our Sunday class together The show started and much ooohing and aaaahing followed. I loved it. I then went and ordered 4 skeins of one of the featured yarns from the show. And I bought a DVD of the Mosaic Crochet technique which I've heard good things about - and it's by the woman who'll be teaching one of my classes.

Feeling tired, I made a final lap around, still resisted the earrings and headed out. Still grinning ear to ear. The rain had stopped, which I took as a sign I should have a late lunch at Moe's!

Once home, I emptied my goodie bags and spread out my loot like a kid after Halloween. Four tote bags, a NantucketBagg, two new hooks, 4 skeins yarn ordered & 2 in hand, keyring hook, CGOA pin & bag, a DVD, and a pile of pamphlets & handouts & free patterns & adverts for future shows.

Tomorrow promises to be equally thrilling.