Even a good day can end badly. Today was a good day - good work stuff happening, and though my hair is still shitty I am adjusting to the sight of myself and no longer want to burst into tears. Social events are on the horizon. My patio will be done soon. Next week will be the last cabinet, trim and lighting. This is all good. (It would be better without the Ugly Haircut but there ain't a damn thing I can do about that.)

So tonight I took the dog out to pee and instead of peeing he decided to pause in the yard to watch a car drive up the street. He is very nosy and any activity, pedestrian or vehicular, means a long pause to study it. It might be someone who likes dogs and will give him a tummy rub. So I stood near him. In a new fire ant mound. I have at least four, maybe more, bites on my toes. I shrieked, swore, brushed them off as fast as I could and dragged the dog into the house. I immediately sprayed Benadryl spray on my feet and took two Benadryl, they are already itching and burning enough to make me insane. I slept so well for two nights in a row. Sleep for the next two or three nights? Forget it. One fire ant bite will wake me up in the night, a few on each foot is beyond description. The last time I had this many bites was when I put my hand into a hidden mound while weeding and they swarmed into my gardening glove. I gave up gardening gloves for all but trimming spiny things after that. Damn nosy dog. And the worst part is he did not pee, so I'll have to take him back out before bed. He is very sorry now and giving me the sad little dog eyes. He didn't mean to make me scream and swear like that, honest. He is a Guilty Little Dog.

My feet are on fire and itching like you wouldn't believe. Come on Benadryl, do your thing.

Actual knitting content (pause to let you recover from your surprise....) The best online customer service, hands down, comes from those guys at Threadbear. I had asked for some Cascade 220 to make a blue and green bag with a small striped zippered bag to match, and Rob took a picture of my selections so I could see, and offered suggestions in a totally non-bossy, non-"Achtung! I Am Ze Yarn Shop OWNER!" way. We were already on the same page, but the photo of my choices helped enormously becuase in the online swatches the colors were too close to call. In the picture I could pick a preference. This is customer service that goes above and beyond - anybody can put in an automated order-taking system, these guys give friendly custom consultations without being asked. I don't know how they do it.

In actual knitting time, I am almost done with the chocolate truffle bag. I am about an inch or two from the I-cord bind off and handles, then this one will get the Magic Kenmore Ride this weekend. I know some people loathe I-cord but I think it's fun.

I'm also halfway through the second striped pouch from scrap yarns, but this is bad because I haven't put the zipper into the first one yet, and the weekend is filling up with command performances at the garden center and Goodwill and cleaning the pond filter.
I love my house but I can understand why people buy condos. If I didn't hate Condo Commandos with such a passion I'd consider one.