Each year I ask those who have beeb part of the fun to share their thoughts.... so here they be for 2004...  and of course, Nicole's Review

From Sarah B: (to refresh your memories - Sarah B is the stepdaughter of Sarah Robinson of Cyprus, our dear friend and member that passed away in March of 2001....  Sarah B found me within a few weeks of Sarah R's passing through the website, having heard of us from her stepmum on their last visit together - so this was indeed a very wonderful and emotional time for us all)

Hi Ginny (Do with this as you will); 
Flying to America to meet people I have never met seemed very odd to all my friends, they were very impressed but glad they weren't doing it.  I arrived at Ginnys house with a little trepidation (thoughts of axe murders) but on arrival was given the biggest bear hug I have ever received.  Mind you the pile of bones in the living room was a little worrying.  Sue C was there on arrival, she reminded me of a 'proper' lady. (webmaster's note - I think had I traveled across an ocean to be with people I'd never met before I'd have had a little more than trepidation....  the bones belong to my dogs.... and I guess I've been put in my place if Sue was deemed the "proper" lady! :>)  ...)
 
People began to arrive in dribs and drabs.  I was great to meet everyone, put faces to names.  I won't describe everyone individually but I would just like to say groups of women (almost - Eric broke the mold this year and made it co-ed but he was drastically outnumbered 13 to1) are not normally my cup of tea but everyone was so warm, funny and talented that I did not feel at all uncomfortable.  Friday night began with Show and Tell.  Instead of feeling inspired I felt glad that I hadn't bought my own balls (webmaster's note again - PHOOEY!), what a talented bunch of people.  But I have come away with some great ideas I have already bought some textured threads thanks to Eric and I have wound a ball to do Harriet's red and white umbrella ball.  The weekends project, the doll (please insert the correct name if there is one Ginny - you are right, a Temari-Kokeshi Doll), divide the ball into a simple 20, my ball had gotten squashed in my suitcase and was a little off round, measured 24cm, so I thought I would be really clever and do a 24.  How difficult can it be to do a pole to pole kiku?  Mind you I felt exonerated to notice I wasn't the only person struggling.  After several attempts I just decided to rewrap the ball over the top of my mistakes and you will be pleased to know that on Sunday night with a simple 16 I managed to do a pole to pole kiku.  Its not a doll yet, one of those yet to finish projects.  Next was the multipole, taught by Sue H, then a version by Paula.  For me it was a Eureka moment, I sat out on my own on Ginny's back step soaking up the sun (and the gin) and the ball just fell into place.  I shall never do anything with it as I like the division pattern.  Then Cathy showed us her version of a complex 4 (and wow, isn't her computer program impressive!) and again it all made sense.  The present (Yankee Swap) and ball exchange I think was guided by a higher deity, God with a little help from Sarah R I suspect was certainly fixing that one.  I got Sue H's ball and present. The ball a beautiful lighthouse and her present a veritable feast of things Japanese and temari.  Thank you, Thank you to EVERYONE involved. (Webmaster's note - there is long history from the beginning of the website between Sarah B here, Sarah R of Cyprus, Sue H and myself - and it seemed to be uncanny that the swaps and exchanges that I went to great lengths to be sure were randomly arranged kept turning out that we were indeed swapping amongst us, with a few others that understood the history being brought in as well..... )    And then there was Karens belly dancing, sorry folks I am not describing this one, you had to have been there.  But put it this way: the sight of Nicole shaking her booty in front of me is replayed in my dreams.  I always felt with this trip that I was completing Sarah R's pilgrimage, I know that it was something that she always wanted to do.  Nearly everything that was done this weekend I wondered what Sarah would have thought, enjoyed or said.  And I have to say it was just perfect.   Sarah R.
 
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From Sue C of Atlanta, GA

Some Thoughts on the Third Annual (2004) Temari Stitch-In By Susan C. of Atlanta
So as not to repeat what others describe (undoubtedly better than I could) about the weekend itself, I’ll give you my synopsis of the pre-weekend doings …

        You may already know that I was lucky enough to arrive early at Ginny’s, ostensibly to help her get ready … but “Little Miss Organized” had things well under control.  Yes, we cleaned up the yard a bit, did some shopping, made a few beds, packed up goodie bags, etc. – but it all quickly fell into place as we crossed items off Gin’s list of lists!  By late Tuesday afternoon when Sarah B. arrived from England (we had only checked her progress on the internet about 100 times that day) things were basically ready for the weekend and Ginny and I were lucky enough to have our own private time to get acquainted with one of the most delightful gals I’ve met in ages!  Sarah proved to be a wonderful sport when, on her first evening in America and without having slept for 36 hours, we very unceremoniously plopped a whole lobster in front of her for dinner.  She undoubtedly would rather have had a PBJ (and we did, in fact, have a back-up dinner to offer if she was totally turned off), but after her initial “Yuk” she grappled with those red claws like a pro – and with just the first of many giggles shared that week! 

        Next morning, Gin and I had planned to let Sarah sleep in and get her internal clock adjusted, but she was up and at ’em before either of us.  We finally got it in gear and headed out for Sarah to pick up some gifts to take back to her kids and those who looked after them in her absence. (We all were grateful for their help in making Sarah’s visit possible.)  Barnes & Noble and Toys R Us proved to be the ideal places for this, for Sarah quickly filled an extra bag with lots of goodies, including a blue horse and a Bratz cat (if you don’t know, don’t ask - you’re as out of touch as I was.)  The next day we did last minute shopping for perishables and then gave Sarah the fifty cent tour of the Poughkeepsie area, including the Mall and lunch at Quizno’s (couldn’t satisfy her first request as there was no McDonald’s in the vicinity).  Sarah did shy away from the visit to the local cemetery admitting she had come to the stitch-in with much trepidation – after all we might just be a bunch of axe murderers!  Ginny and I spent the afternoon wrestling with the logistics of getting everyone to the house from the airport – no easy task since this year arrivals were at more diverse times.  It helped greatly that Sue H. and Carol, who arrived at Stewart after 10:00 PM on Thursday, rented a car and drove up together.  They were preceded a few hours by Blair, who came up by limo.  We did our part to help Visconti Limo Service make their budget for the month!  We were on a first name basis with their dispatcher and several of the drivers.  That evening there were three dinner seatings - Sarah, Ginny and I first, Blair at a fashionably late dinner hour, and Sue H. and Carol for the midnight buffet (or, as we dubbed it, “step and fetch it.”)

        Friday morning, Ginny and I went to Stewart to pick up Kathy, leaving Blair, Carol, Sarah and Sue H. (who had known Sarah B.’s step mum Sarah Robinson in Japan when they took temari classes together) to get into what trouble they could by themselves.  Though we all wanted to go to the airport to meet every plane, experience had taught us that extra passengers could mean that someone’s luggage might have to be abandoned.  Never let it be said that temari makers travel light!  (Even Eric had two bigggggg suitcases of temari supplies, with a change of clothes apparently thrown in as an afterthought.)  Once back at the house in time for lunch, we heard that Nicole had called in a panic – her flight from Nashville to Cincinnati, where she was to meet up with Eric, had been cancelled!  After several calls to the airline we thought we had gotten word to Eric that Nicole would not be meeting him – turned out that, yes, he did get a message … that Nicholas would not be coming!  By mid-afternoon things really cranked up as part of the contingency staying at the Marriot - Harriet S., Ryan W. and Marion L., had checked in there and come on up to the house.  It was a time of exuberant confusion, with lots of hugs, old friends catching up and new acquaintances rapidly turning into true friendships.  Late in the afternoon Sue H. and I headed back to Stewart to pick up Eric while the others set out Ginny’s yummy dinner – sliced steak and gravy on hogie rolls, fresh tossed salad and Harriet’s delicious homemade cookies.  Paula drove in from PA about dinner time, so our group was almost complete.  We debated holding off the start of festivities till Nicole arrived, but quickly realized that we’d never get it all in if we did that.  So we gathered in the LR for the warm welcoming address by our respected leader, then proceeded with show and tell.  And, I dare say, such a gorgeous array of temari has never been gathered in one place!  With lots of oohs and aahs and how-did-you-do-that’s and where-did-you-get-that’s time passed quickly and pretty soon Nicole rode up in the limo.  Now we could LET THE GAMES BEGIN, as they say. 

        Before I send you off to read other folks’ notes of the weekend activities, let me share just a couple of my overriding thoughts … This is absolutely the most wonderful, sharing and caring group of friends that I expect I’ll ever know!!! This handful of people has more creative talent than the entire chapter of my local embroidery guild.  I had a ball (pun intended) and can’t wait till next year!!!!

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From Paula G/Wyomissing PA
In terms of my thoughts on the 3rd annual temari fest, it was the best ever! More people, more ideas, more sharing, great comraderie, new friends, and lots of fun.  I came home (although I haven't unpacked yet!) with many new temari designs to try. Your incredible organizational skills were put to the test, and it was fabulous! Paula

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From Karen, Plainfield CT

I learned a lot with the lessons; I learned from Eric, to look at different threads and such with more imagination. I liked the project of the little lady (Webmaster's note - the temari/kokeshi doll project). (I lost my little lady's head. I know it is in the house because I already had to retreive her from under the TV cabinet.  I am so lucky MY head  is attached permantly to my neck or I would be looking for it also.) (Webmaster's note again..... one head, replaced).
 
The food was so delicious and I was so happy, as I was eating my bag lunch on my drive home, that you insisted on me taking one. I enjoyed  the company of everyone. It was so nice to meet the names and put the face on.  The gifts and trades were wonderful also. The store bucket was a delight. I was happy to have brought some spending money with me. The door prizes were great too. All  I can say I was so relaxed for a few days after I came home. Take care, love ya, Karen

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From Harriet, Cornish, ME

Third time around and I'm still amazed at how quickly the Stitch In week-end goes!  I believe there are many reasons for this: Lots of planning by Ginny and Sue C.  Lots of 'show and tell' threads, Temari balls and containers.  There's no way to describe how all this stuff....along with bodies gets placed in Ginny's living room.  On top of all the 'how to' sessions and games, there's lots of laughter...It's amazing how cohesive we are....coming from all different directions.
I think there are too many images in my head to describe....Best I leave the words to those who write descriptively. For me the week-end has become one of the highlights of my year.  Harriet, who got hung up in a veil.

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and last but not least- from Nicole, Nashville TN

        Well, after months of planning and dreaming about my trip to Poughkeepsie, I was on my way!  My unbelievably wonderful (and really cute) husband, David, took me to the airport, unloaded my bags and waved good-bye as I went to the curbside check-in only to be told, "Sorry, ma'am.  That flight has been canceled."  Which led me to begin frantically waving and hollering at the departing van.  Fortunately, David can't keep his eyes off of me (or I was REALLY loud) and he went to park while I went in to untangle this dilemma, sure that it would be a simple matter of reticketing on the later flight that would still make my connection in Cincinnati, where I would be meeting up with Eric.  The man at the curb suggested I should use the convenient courtesy phone to get things settled in a hurry.  I figured that it would be best to go straight to the counter to talk with a live person, but after standing there for quite a bit I decided to give the phones a try.  All this while David was standing guard over my luggage and being patient.  After an exhausting phone conversation, during which I offered to ride in the bathroom or fly the plane, I was sent to another airline that could get me to Cincinnati on time.  Now the agent at this counter was less than helpful and after being generally dense for at least two minutes told me that I couldn't get on the plane because my luggage had to be checked in 30 minutes beforehand.  I replied that it was a full 28 minutes until the flight left, but apparently those two minutes were crucial and she wasn't in a particularly good mood.  It got worse after that, but I think you've had enough details.  Suffice it to say that I didn't burst into tears, but did manage to well up a bit when I was put on a flight that didn't arrive in Newburg until 9:30 that evening.  And the agents were unable to get a message to Eric that I wouldn't be meeting him in Cincinnati - (Ginny was able to get a message to him, but it was relayed that Nicholas wouldn't be meeting him, which I figure he managed to interpret.)  And now my husband had to take his sad and pitiful wife with him to work for a few hours, while I tried to get a few maris wrapped for the weekend.  (One good thing is that I discovered his client-of-the-day's fireplace hearth made a great rolling spot for making really round bases.  I have now determined to get a brick to keep in my temari workbasket.)  So, several hours later I finally made it on the plane and I was on my way. Nothing's going to stop me now-except maybe Shelly, the limo driver. 

        When I arrived at the Newburg airport I discovered that the Visconti Limo Service (the choice for all our events) had assigned Shelly to drive me to Ginny's.  Now, I could tell things were a little off when he started asking me if I knew how to get there.  Having never driven there myself, the best I could do is say, "Well, I know we go over the river and go somewhere past Fishkill."  He started looking at Ginny's instructions and got a bit confused so I suggested he call her while I gather my bags.  I got back to discover he was "pretty sure" he could find it, but he'd need me to navigate.  The blind leading the blind.  We did manage to get there, and never even had to turn around (we just went around the circle).  The only unscheduled stop was when he discovered that the sproingy noise we kept hearing was the trunk lid flapping when we went over bumps.  I had visions of my temari, threads and underwear in a jumble and scattered from the airport to Ginny's.  ("Ethel! is that a UFO?"  "No, Henry.  Just enormous underpants with shiny things hanging from them.")  Fortunately everything stayed securely in place and he stopped to close the lid.  The one scary time was when he turned of the interior light we'd been using to read the directions after a wrong turn and I thought he might be ready to murder me and didn't want any witnesses.  I think he considered the fact he couldn't find his way out of the subdivision and decided he needed me as a hostage.  I believe his words upon arriving at the house were, "Get me out of here!"  So while I collected my hugs, Paula got in her car and led Shelly back to the main road.

         I dropped my suitcases and headed for the fun of show and tell, bringing along the all important nametags that I had made.  I went to get a well deserved glass of sangria and ginger-ale that Ginny made for me while everyone found their nametag.  Well, everyone except Blair who had ceased to exist by my reckoning.  Oh, and Sue C. from Atlanta had somehow become Sue from Poughkeepsie, much to Ginny's delight.  Once I got settled, Ginny pulled out the wonderful 2004 Stitch-In bag full of goodies from everyone and promised to go through it with me on Saturday.  After that I got to meet  all the new attendees and greet all the old-timers.  I could tell we were going to have a super time!  I had been telling Ginny for a year that we had to have Eric there, and I could already tell those who hadn't met him were under the spell of our resident guru of texture.  Sarah was a delight with her red hair, delightful accent and very tasteful pierced nose (which I am now considering for myself), I could tell my orange toenails had found a kindred spirit.  Blair and Sue C. were quietly stitching and occasionally laughing suspiciously, which was their mode of operation for most of the weekend.  Ryan and Paula both had new fabulous hairdo's since I'd last seen them and newcomers Marion, Carol, and Karen didn't look too overwhelmed by all the commotion.  Harriet was minding her own business and making something incredible, and Kathy and Sue H. were holding "my" spot on the couch and already turning out lovely work.  And Ginny was soaking it all in, the sheer delight of having all her chicks in the nest for the weekend.  I pulled out my tackle-box-o-fun and my threads to show and told the story of the latest acquisitions (which I can share with you another time).  After that it was time to send the hotel folks on their way and settle in for the night.  I found that I was sharing the sofa-bed in the living room with Karen, who proved to be a great roomie.  After Carol and I stayed up yacking for quite a while, I headed to bed with Karen and my teddy bear, Sweetie.  Karen and I were both prone to get tickled when we were sleepy, especially when I kept asking, "Are we asleep now?"  We both finally drifted off, although I have a sneaking suspicion that Karen my have videotaped me when I was asleep.  (We kept teasing her about videotaping everything, but I sure did enjoy watching the day's highlights with her before we went to sleep!)

        Well, Saturday morning I woke up early, burst into song and danced merrily around the house, spreading joy everywhere I went.  Okay, maybe it wasn't EXACTLY like that.  More like I woke up, threatened to not get out of the bed (right in the middle of the living room where we stitch) then finally crawled out with my teddy bear and found some coffee, while not biting anyone's head off (I think.) I remember a haze of breakfast foods, including what Susan and Ginny referred to as the stinky bagels (they were actually yummy onion bagels, but very pungent in the AM).  Then I left Sweetie politely working on a kiku and went upstairs to get a shower.  When I came down, I found him tossed aside (women can be so cruel)! (Webmaster's note - Ginny rescued him and gave him a place of honor on top of the sofa where he figured prominently in many photos) and the morning's stitching already underway.  I continued to ply my senses with coffee as Ginny and I sat in the dining room so she could show me all the goodies in my gift bag.  All the little gifts were amazing!  As we went through them we both mentioned how disappointed we were that Carolyn had not been able to make it this year, and how creative her temari ball magnets were.  Ginny then moved on to the living room, and I stayed in the floor looking at the threads and other items.  No more than 5 minutes passed before I looked up and saw a woman who looked remarkably like Carolyn walking toward me from outside.  Now, I KNEW she was busy and it couldn't be her, but I couldn't imagine Ginny had a neighbor that looked so very much like Carolyn.  All these thoughts went through my mind while my mouth was gaping open and I was staring at the stranger.  Finally, she spoke and I came to my senses and gave her a big hug.  We started getting so tickled that I think we alerted Ginny that something was up. She got her hug then snuck Carolyn into the kitchen before anyone else saw her (I think.)  Ginny went back into the living room and gave Carolyn a grand introduction and everyone was delighted to see her.  All this time her dear hubby, Dennis, was very patiently and somewhat timidly standing by the door.  He may have heard too many stories about us to come too close...  We told him how wonderful he was to let her come, and he replied , "Let her?  She said she was coming with me or without me!"  What a good sport.

         Now in the meantime, Sue H. had clued everyone in to the beautiful doll with the scroll for Ginny that she had hidden in her bedroom.  Everyone had drifted in there to sign it and look at the hat, and we had to get Carolyn in on it, too.  So Sue H., Carolyn, Kathy and I all disappeared into Sue and Sarah's bedroom.  We thought we were being really sneaky until Ginny knocked on the door and Sue H. hollered, "We're getting dressed!"  Quick thinking, but somehow I wasn't sure what Ginny would think about the 4 of us all changing clothes together, especially since my suitcases were sitting in the other room.   Of course that got Carolyn and I started again, but we managed to settle down pretty quickly.  Since we only had Carolyn there for a little bit, an executive decision was made to present Ginny with her new hat right away.  We got her in the living room and told her that many of the Stitch-In attendees and alumni had gotten together to make something for her to signify her position as the leader of our little community.  We then presented her with her new top hat that Barb Suess had created by hanging the teenies we sent all around the brim, and using fabric to spell out "Mayor of TemariKai" on one side, and GITS on the other, with fabric temari balls on the top with one of Carolyn's flatworked temari with a long tassel.  It was a site to behold!  The teenies were in every imaginable color and thread.  It was such a hoot!  You truly do have to see the pictures to appreciate it.

        Soon after that Carolyn had to leave us and we got down to the business of making our temari-kokeshi dolls.  Now these were made by stitching a pole to pole kiku (or regular one) and adding a little wooden head and tassel arms.  Sounds easy enough.  Everyone else was just whipping out those pole to poles so I though I'd give one a whirl, although I'd never tried it before.  Now, have you ever known how to do something, but been unable to get your body to actually DO it?  Well, in my mind, I knew that making a pole to pole kiku was a simple matter of crossing at the obi and stitching as normal.  Somehow that didn't seem to be working and I found myself muttering and then outright cursing, renaming this project as the "damn doll."  Now I really don't curse in my real life, but somehow this project was bringing out the worst in me.  It certainly didn't help to have everyone else making them perfectly.  I think I even saw Carol C. making one with her toes and Blair doing it with one hand tied behind her back.  As each person finished their kiku (in about 5 or ten minutes...) they would disappear to the porch where all the parts were waiting to put our little people together.  (I was a bit alarmed to hear Harriet declare that her little man was definitely Jewish, until I realized that she was talking about his hat.)  I finally put my "damn doll" away for a while and got ready for lunch.

        We mightily attacked the 4 food sub sandwich, and managed to put a pretty good dent in it.  Then it was outside to a perfect day and pictures of our temari.  We looked a bit like vampires as we blinked in the sunlight and I had a chance to admire everyone's work that I missed the night before.  Then I headed back in to get some balls marked for our after lunch sessions.  Now I've had the good fortune to watch both Sue H. and Paula mark multipoles before, so I kept one eye on their proceedings while I was marking some balls and trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with my little kiku lady.  I told myself that maybe if I just kept stitching it would all come together and proceeded in that vein for a while more.  In the meantime Paula was doing a super job of explaining the multi pole and had many of them to show us, which of course made me decided I had to do a multipole....later.   Then Kathy showed us how to do a "Complex 4" and had typed up fantastic instructions for it.  That project is also on my "later" list.  I spent the rest of the afternoon looking through the temari library and finding several patterns to try...later.

        Supper was Italian style with lasagna and Chicken Marsala with all the trimmings.  It was wonderful to have everything brought in, so all we had to do was heat and serve.  The nice thing about being at Ginny's home is that everyone was able to pitch in and work together and keep things flowing smoothly.  After dinner was our annual play time.  We started with the Yankee swap with new and improved rules.  There were lots of laughs as we all rolled and passed and groaned and finally got to open our presents.  The way it worked out left no question that Sarah R. was up in heaven pulling a few strings, and everyone gave and received beautiful gifts.  While we were all still admiring our loot, Karen slipped out and then we heard some lovely music and next thing you know she had appeared with her belly dance scarf and jingle belt and did a wonderful dance for us.  We were all so thankful that she shared her art with us.  Then, of course, those of us feeling brave had to give it a try!  Thankfully, no one was injured by my hip popping but I'm afraid if a coin had broken loose someone could have lost an eye!  I did manage to save Harriet's honor when she had something akin to a wardrobe malfunction, but I couldn't figure if it was worse to dance facing Eric, or with my backside pointed in his direction.  Finally I figured he was a big boy and could close his eyes if we were too much for him to handle.  (Oh!  My eyes!  My eyes!)  After we all finally settled down, it was down to serious business, with the Annual (duh!) TemariKai Trivia Quiz.  After all was said and done, I found myself in a tie with Carol C. for the most correct answers.  Of course, she was the answer to one of the questions that I missed, so I thought the question was unfair and should have been thrown out, making me the winner.  (I am a wee bit competitive...)  After several tie breaker questions that we both missed (since Ginny wouldn't accept my answer of "the third button from the left")  Carol managed to come out the winner.  (We actually considered arm wrestling for it, but I figured anyone who lives in Alaska could kick my fanny with ease.)  After that we had drawings for doorprizes and I scored a temari embellished zinger from Barb S.  After that we exchanged our NY GITS and spent a lot of time admiring all the thought and heart that went into each of them.  (I am now the proud owner of an English rose from Sarah the Great.)  Next, is was time for the "Make Ginny Cry" portion of the evening, so Sue H. presented her with the Kokeshi Doll whom we had all signed.  All in all the evening was a wonderful time.  Everyone started drifting off to bed (or the Marriott) and I got started on breakfast preparations.  The smell of bacon kept folks visiting the kitchen, and Blair and Kathy helped out (although I think they were afraid of me in my chef role.)  By the time I hit the bed I had everything ready to pop in the oven.  Karen showed me the video of the bellydancing and declared me a natural, and then we did our "are we asleep yet" routine until we really were.

        Sunday morning came all too quickly!  I got the breakfast dishes in the oven to bake and then tried to pull myself together enough to be presentable the rest of the day.  Now, the breakfast casseroles were a bit overdone on the bottom (I forgot to adjust for dark baking pans) and the rolls were underdone (no excuses for that one) but I figure one over and one under comes out to just right, on average.  Thankfully everyone was gracious (and hungry) enough to enjoy it all and then it was time for our group photo.  Paula had snuck out on us, but Harriet's husband, David, once again performed his official photographers duties, which involved having a half dozen or so people hand their camera to him so he can try to make sure everyone gets a shot on their camera.  Soon after that the tears started and we had to continue with the good-byes.  We got the first airport set off, brown bag lunches in hand, and our remaining drivers on the road.  When things were settled down and put away, Sarah and I got to work trying to figure out the pole to pole kikus.  After about 5 rows of ribbon floss, mine was still just wrong.  I decided to start trying to just push it all around until it actually started looking like a kiku, and the light bulb finally went off.  So I un-temaried three rows, pushed the last two around and then restitched the correct way.  Meanwhile, Sarah was tentatively stitching hers and asking me for enlightenment.  (HA!)  Ginny and Sue left with the last batch of fliers, but I was in the stitching zone and couldn't get out of the chair (sorry.)  I finished the pole to pole, added an obi with a bow in the back and took that sucker out on the porch to turn it into a wonderful, darling doll.  (She graduated from "damn" to "darling" after I figured out what the heck I was doing!)  That finally completed, I could relax and enjoy our evening of yummy leftovers, a movie, and then Iron Chef.  The cleaning fairies had made their way through the house while I was goofing off (I'm lucky I didn't get tossed out with the trash...)  Somehow the graffiti on the bathroom wall stayed.  Sometime Saturday, suspiciously after Carolyn's visit, a post it appeared on the bathroom wall reading something like, "Nicole likes it kinky.  For a good time call (ginny's number)."  It was modified throughout the weekend and ended up reading, "Nicole likes it kinky, so she stitches with bunka.  For a good time call (ginny's number) and ask for Blair."  The perpetrators are still at large.  I wonder if the statute of limitations will be up by next year...

        Oh, now there was one more funny thing about Sunday night.  Somehow, Ginny and Sue C. had missed Sue H. teaching her icon pattern, the Cherry Blossom.  Now, this pattern is quite long as it is written on TemariKai, not because it is difficult to do but it is difficult to explain in writing.  So they were determined to sit down with her and go through it this time around.  Meanwhile, I repeatedly assured them that I could help them breeze right through that pattern, and would be completely capable of helping them after Sue H. had to leave.  Well, after she left I discovered that perhaps I didn't quite know how to explain it so well after all.  So, feeling completely incompetent, I started making one, just to see if I really DID know how to make one.  That certainly kept me occupied during our movie and TV time!  From now on I don't think I'll admit to knowing anything.

        Monday morning found us all trying to pretend that we weren't leaving, but we eventually had to face the truth that Sue C. and I had to go, especially when the limo driver showed up at the door. (This was our favorite, Chuck, who knew his way around.)  We took the long ride to the airport (I only cried once) and then parked ourselves by the lottery vending machine.  We played until time to head to the gate, and Sue warned me that she always got extra attention at airport security.  (She looks like such a terrorist!)  Then she said, "You go first."  Now I may have seemed a bit suspicious since I had second thoughts about carrying  on the plane the 5 pound bag of Chex Mix that Ginny gave me.  I'd already tried to share it with the folks at the ticket counter, and then the security folks. They must have thought I had a prohibited item mixed in with all the cereal and pretzels, because while Sue The Suspicious breezed through, I got wanded and had to take my shoes off and had my blood pressure shoot up 40 points. I got worried about the wand, until the security officer assured me it wasn't any sort of internal probe...  Apparently they deemed me too ditzy to be a threat, so I got to pick up my shoes, Chex Mix and lucky (ha!) lottery scratching nickel and slink to the gate.  Sue sat with me while we waited for my plane to board, and I worked on my "I really do know how to make one of these" temari, then we had more hugs and I was on my way home.

        So now, almost a month later, I've found a home with my mom for my darling doll, I have a finished my 'yes I can" temari, and I can't wait until next year!  I've told Ginny before that I'm not sure I would have stuck with temari this long if I didn't have the group.  I sometimes think I just do the stitching so I have an excuse to visit will all my friends from talktemari.  Even though I feel like a kid at the grown up table on Christmas Day when I come to the stitchin, I wouldn't miss it for anything!  Thank you to Sue C. and Ginny for all the hard work, and hugs to all the attendees.  See you next year!