KNITTING WITHOUT DOG HAIR IS NOT AN OPTION

I took that picture last night before I went to dinner with my family - yes, all the white stuff on the mountains is fresh snow. I had to defrost the windows of my rental car this morning. The rain froze over night. LOVE THE WEATHER!!! I know, weird... But knitters like to wear knits (normally) and with those temperatures, I can wear several layers. ;-) We'll see what I find in Atlanta in 12 hours...

Local time at the Munich Airport: 08.15am

I am all checked in, waiting in front of the Delta gate. Boarding starts in one hour. Enough time to blog a little.

I am leaving with a sad eye and a laughing eye. I am ready to get home, cuddle with Hermione and Noah for a reaaaaalllllly long time and sleep in my own house. YAY! And of course, I am sad to leave my family behind. Even tho' this week was really stressful and draining at times. Too many people asking me how I am and how I am dealing with Irwin. Plus, the last time I left Munich I had just found out that Irwin died and I had to go home to a very sad and empty place. I still wonder if this is all a bad dream and if - when I get home tonight - he will be there waiting for me, yelling at me why I bought all that crappy IKEA furniture... I want him back so bad. I don't want to be the one alone at family celebrations. It is really tough to see how happy my brother and his wife are. Even writing this make me teary. Don't get me wrong, I am so not jealous that they are so happy - they deserve it. I just hate for my happiness to be gone. OK, Claudia, get a grip, you are at the airport and you still have a pretty decent life.

With fabulous parents

An adorable and feisty niece

And a very cool nephew

Since my mom had visitors from out of town to celebrate her birthday, every day was full of activities and the week flew by in a heartbeat. It was nice to see uncles, aunts and cousins again. But fitting so many people under one hat is truely a challange. I don't know how I always end up wearing the "event manager hat". I am sure egos were bruised and feelings got hurt, but that's life, people. If don't like what I do for you, do it yourself and stop complaining.

I am coming back for Christmas and I am looking forward to that. It'll be fun to spend some time in the snow, have lots of Gluehwein and watch the kids unwrap their probably gazillion gifts.

But first I have the Germans come visit me, for Halloween and Thanksgiving. I am totally excited and very inspired to get a bunch of projects around the house finished.

One last word on my knitting. I have been buying yarn, of course. I have been knitting. I am in the process of test-knitting two new sock patterns and I am wrapping up the pattern for "Dr. Bob's socks" with Jane's help when I get back. I want to publish the pattern soon. Very soon, if time permits.

When I checked in with Brett yesterday, he told me that Atlanta has gas again at the gas stations. Dangit, I thought I could stay home for a day or two... ;-)