on top of everything else

This weekend is the Garden State Sheep Breeders Festival. Which means booth and breed display and all that jazz. I signed up months ago, then promptly didn't get my act together until last week.

This year I opted for the bare minimum. I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to pull off a booth but around Wednesday of this week, I started to delve into what I had and what I needed. Bottom line: I need a lot more, and everything I need (roving, items for kits, etc.) will be arriving early next week. It's typical timing for this summer of missed connections.

Our dining room table reflected the half-hearted effort, a far cry from my usual disaster zone, but I think my husband was relieved that it wasn't as bad as usual.

Though I did discover making a batch of felted soaps is a great way to lift your spirits. The fresh clean smell of soap? The symbolic washing your hands of your problems? Lots and lots of cheery suds and colorful wool? Whatever it was, it worked wonders yesterday.

I headed up early this afternoon to try and get myself organized. Thanks to Robin yet again, the breed display is set and ready to go. All that's missing is some sheep. The victims volunteer breed representatives, Lambykins and Lucy, are in the barn and none too happy about it, but it will make early-morning loading a lot easier. I hope to get them quickly settled tomorrow morning so I can concentrate on finishing up the booth.

The booth is largely done, just needs some final adjustments. Val always has the booth to the left of me, and we make a "living room" between our two booths where we can hang out with any friends that stop by. Earlier this week I was worried that I wouldn't even make it up there. Now I can't wait. The weather is supposed to be lovely. I always enjoy these weekends of talking sheep and wool and enjoying the fruits of all our hard work, and I think this weekend especially will be a most-needed respite from this summer.