I had hoped to write a few more articles concerning TdF training, but house buying and work responsibilities have had precedence.

Tonight, I dug out all the fibers. And I was in the process of taking pictures, but my camera battery pooped out on me. Good thing to remember, keep an eye on my camera battery meter. Don't want to miss out on a day of photojournaling waiting on a charge!

This evening, I put together a simple spreadsheet to help me keep track of my spinning goals. The columns are DATE, TIME (total time spinning during the day), SPINDLE, FIBER ID, PHOTO, BLOG, RAV UPDATE. The last three columns are check boxes to remind me to blog. I also highlighted days of rest (Jully 11th and 18th) and the challenge day (July 20th). In addition, I'll be micro blogging and taking lower resolution pictures on my iPhone and twittering to my grippingyarn. Follow me if you like, and I'll follow you back. We can support each other.

I have yet to do my samples. I'll get cracking on those tonight based on the photos I was able to take. Fibers still waiting to be photographed will be sampled tomorrow.

My new revised goals, all on various support spindles.

1) Spin 4 ounces of Corgi Hill Farm merino/silk/firestar blend in the Olive Heather colorway. (for Team Corgi)

2) Spin up 3.2 ounces Corgi Hill Farm  merino/angora/silk blend in the Dusty Red Rose colorways. (for Team Supported Spindlers)

3) Spin up 4 ounces of camel in a light brown, and .75 ounces of vicuna (YES VICUNA!), and ply them together for a unique luxury fiber. (for Team Spindlers) - This will be my big challenge.

4) Photograph and blog regularly, and update Rav with pictures and progress daily.

5) Don't lose my mind while we're trying to close on a house during the last week of the tour.

My tools.

1) Spanish Peacock Russian in Bloodwood

2) Three Treasures supported/semi suspended Gripping Yarn spindle with copper cap made of White Pear wood. The workhorse.

3) A Spinner's Lair Tibetan made of Walnut and Rosewood.

4) Various Gripping Yarn Rose spindles... Bloodwood, Cocobolo, etc... probably also have copper caps.

I'm ready for the 2nd... almost.