My saga began with pride, which was quickly followed by the fall. Of course I can do this! Why bother with a lifeline or markers? Rip rip rip. When it was time to add the variegated yarn, I did not like the color combination. Tink tink tink. I do not live close to an LYS, so it was wait wait wait. When I finally found the match, I assumed that because the yarn name said "lace" that it was the lace weight. Wrong wrong wrong. I forged ahead anyway. Knit knit knit. Upon completion, since I had 2 weights (they were very close, but not exact) when I blocked the shawl it had a definite shape to it. Upside down. Laugh laugh laugh.
What did I learn (besides p2togtbl)? Patience. Trust. Charts trump words. One pattern, many interpretations. Lots of smiles.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Julie!