It's officially the last day of 2010, albeit very early on that day. I can't say I'm going to miss this year very much. While no major catastrophe happened, in all this just wasn't my year. I didn't knit very much, although I bought enough yarn to knit every day for years, all of which just got added to my collection. (Remember, I'm not calling it a stash anymore.) Money was tight, but not really tight. It's a struggle saving nearly a thousand dollars a month just to cover my "summers off" (read unpaid planning time for those two months, in reality). I still don't understand why my district won't go to a 12-month cycle, instead of a 10-month one.
My health was lousy this year. February saw the start of my knee problems, which continue to this day. I got only one nasty case of whatever was decimating my class, although they went through 3 cycles of it. And of course, just before Thanksgiving, I fell in my classroom, badly spraining my left foot, which put me in bed during the week off for Thanksgiving. Then, I fell going down the stairs at my apartment on Christmas day, carrying packages to my car. My own fault, couldn't see where I was going, and missed a step. I prided myself on not damaging a single package, and not landing on my left knee or foot. However, I spent a miserable Christmas night, worried that I'd sprained or broken my right foot. I wrapped it firmly in an ace bandage, and had to sleep with my right leg bent at the knee, with my foot flat on the bed (not a good position for sleeping, I can now verify), but come morning, it was much better, and it hasn't caused me any trouble since. The only reminder of it are the scabs on my right foot, where I scraped all the skin off it in the fall. Not pretty, but not particularly painfull.
I didn't accomplish as much as I wanted or needed to this year. I seriously need to get my life more organized. My apartment is overflowing in books, knitting magazines, yarn, and school-related items. I need more closet space for my clothing. I need more cupboard space for my kitchen items. I need to get everything organized and put away in its place. (Once I figure out what those places are.) I think I actually need to find a new place to live. One with more room, on the ground floor. The thought of packing up, though, makes me nauseous. I think I'm going to channel a little Scarlett O'Hara and just think about that tomorrow, though.
Politically, this wasn't the year I'd hoped it would be. Obama accomplished a lot, but not enough, and he certainly hasn't found his defining idea yet. He's too concerned with bipartisanship, and not concerned enough with getting his goals accomplished. And the coming year isn't going to be any easier. Harder, in fact, with the "Just Say No" Republican party taking over the House. His compromises make the nay-sayers look better. It's time he stood his ground, and let the Republican party be seen for what it is, these days. All that screaming about the deficit, and how it was killing America, and what do the Republicans demand? Tax cuts for millionaires. Tax cuts for the wealthy inheritors of million-dollar estates. Which of course added billions to the deficit. But you don't hear any Republicans talking about that, now. Gingrich did this "just say no" bit back in the 80s. Shut down the government, even. But his "Contract with America" didn't turn out well for him, since Clinton ended up looking much better, and the Republicans looking very bad, indeed. Obama should stand his ground, and let the Republicans show the American public exactly what they're after. Anybody paying attention to what's coming out of the Republican leaders knows that America isn't synched up to it. And most of us realize that, unfortunately, raising taxes is going to be necessary to save ourselves from ourselves.
California, thankfully, elected the right governor, although I don't envy Jerry the state our state is in. We honestly need to scrap the state constitution and write a new one. And if we have any sense, we'll omit that part that says anyone at all can put a measure on the state ballot that casts certain revenues or expenditures in stone, and removes the Assembly's ability to manipulate funding to match need. Or that tries to amend the state constitution to discriminate against one group of citizens. The initiative process has made governing California nearly impossible, between tying up funds, raising voting numbers for passing any sort of revenue-generating process, and spending millions on lawsuits fighting initiatives that are flat out wrong. (And no, it isn't just the latest gay-bashing initiative that we've paid out for. There was that lovely little initiative not too many years ago that tried to turn priests, pastors, teachers, etc, into immigration agents. Imagine anyone telling me I have to turn in the names of my students to immigration, if I'm not sure their parents are here legally. Not in this lifetime! That was one law that I fully intended not to obey. Fortunately, the courts ruled it illegal for a variety of reasons, so I didn't get to go to jail for civil disobedience.) California schools can't take any more budget cuts, folks. We need a new, sane, state constitution.
So, all in all, this wasn't a year I'm going to look back fondly on. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't good, either. I don't do resolutions, and I'm not betting on anything, either. But, I am hoping that 2011 is a better year. We need one.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
The Holidays
I am officially done with Christmas shopping. I still have wrapping to do, and in my niece's present's case, some cutting and tying (yes, I opted for the hand-tied fleece throw), but I don't have to leave home to do any of those things. I was able to order the Lego kit my sister-in-law wanted online, and it should be arriving this week. But my nephew isn't getting cooking lessons. His mom called me at 6:30 Thursday morning, hoping I hadn't gotten the lessons confirmed (I hadn't), because her son was begging for a particular Lego kit, which they hadn't gotten for him. I tired to order that online, as well, but it was backordered, and wouldn't ship for 30 days. And I didn't want to put a picture of it in a box, along with a note saying it was coming soon. So, I called the nearest Lego store, and bought one over the phone, to pick up. This is how much I love my nephew ~ the Lego store is inside the Ontario Mills Mall, a nightmare mall, to me. It's got 8 entrances, and it's sort of circular, but with random angles, and there are stores along the outside wall, and stores forming an inside circle. The first time I ever set foot inside this mall was with a group of friends who thought it would be fun. Heh. We got so completely lost we had to get security to help us find our way out of the mall and back to our car. I'm so not a mall kind of person.
So, I called my sister-in-law and told her she would have to go with me to get her son's desired gift. She's as much into Legos as he is, and I knew she'd know exactly where the store was, and what entrance to use, etc. And she did. We were in and out in no time!
I have tutoring two days this coming week, and my kids and I are performing Thursday night at the school's Christmas program. (It was the upper grades' turn to do the Christmas program) We're singing three songs, no religious ones, just fun ones. "Nothing Says Christmas Like a Pair of Socks", "We Need a Little Christmas", and "Deck the Halls". My kids really wanted the Deck the Halls song for some reason. Turns out some of my kids have decided that they really, really like We Need A Little Christmas, though. I got to hear them humming it all day on Friday while they worked on other things.
So, I've got 3 days of practice, two days of tutoring, two performances (one at night for parents, one on Friday morning for the school), one party, and then, at last, two weeks off! I still have Christmas cards to write for my colleagues, and two presents to wrap up for two of the teachers I'm really close to before the end of this week, but I'm putting off any wrapping, cutting, or tying for the family until this week is over. My students, like all students, are totally wired by now, and so ready to be on vacation. It's a struggle to get them to sit still even for 5 minutes. While this is understandable, and cute, even, it still makes this last week a very stressful one, especially with the added pressure of performing in the Christmas show. I'll be off early on Friday (it's a minimum day for both students and staff), and right now I'm planning on coming straight home and going to bed.
In other news, I had to take an early afternoon at work right after Thanksgiving to get down to my local courthouse to apologize for failing to show up for Jury duty. With the sprained ankle and all, I completely forgot to call and postpone it, and further forgot that I was supposed to report bright an early the Monday after Thanksgiving. I was on my way to the car at 4:30 Monday when it hit me that I'd just blown it off. They take jury duty very seriously here, and when you don't show up, they will often come out and arrest you for failure to appear. (We had a few years where it was hard to make up a jury because of a lack of jurors, so they got really deadly serious about it.) They also don't accept most excuses for getting out of it anymore, either. Self-employed? Tough. Going to graduate school? Tough. Have small children at home? Tough. I think the only folks who get excused are military, police, and lawyers. The rest of us have to serve. And I don't really mind it that much, to be honest. (Although I do hate the fact that I can't take my knitting into the jury waiting room. Like I'd mess up my needles and yarn to stab someone with one of the needles!) Anyway, I got down to the courthouse, and they were very understanding. They rescheduled me for early April, during my spring break, and even gave me the paperwork to get a refund on the parking fee I'd paid to get into the courthouse. I guess it didn't hurt that I was very apologetic and willing to serve.
The only thing not going well for me right now is my sprained ankle. It should be fine by now, but it isn't. It still swells up from time to time, and it goes from pretty much pain free to nearly cripplingly painful in 2 seconds flat. I guess I'm going to have to go see my doctor about it.
I actually had some pictures to post with this blog, but for some reason, when I click the Insert Picture icon I get a URL not found message, and I can't figure out how to get around that. Oh, well. That's Blogger for you.
So, I called my sister-in-law and told her she would have to go with me to get her son's desired gift. She's as much into Legos as he is, and I knew she'd know exactly where the store was, and what entrance to use, etc. And she did. We were in and out in no time!
I have tutoring two days this coming week, and my kids and I are performing Thursday night at the school's Christmas program. (It was the upper grades' turn to do the Christmas program) We're singing three songs, no religious ones, just fun ones. "Nothing Says Christmas Like a Pair of Socks", "We Need a Little Christmas", and "Deck the Halls". My kids really wanted the Deck the Halls song for some reason. Turns out some of my kids have decided that they really, really like We Need A Little Christmas, though. I got to hear them humming it all day on Friday while they worked on other things.
So, I've got 3 days of practice, two days of tutoring, two performances (one at night for parents, one on Friday morning for the school), one party, and then, at last, two weeks off! I still have Christmas cards to write for my colleagues, and two presents to wrap up for two of the teachers I'm really close to before the end of this week, but I'm putting off any wrapping, cutting, or tying for the family until this week is over. My students, like all students, are totally wired by now, and so ready to be on vacation. It's a struggle to get them to sit still even for 5 minutes. While this is understandable, and cute, even, it still makes this last week a very stressful one, especially with the added pressure of performing in the Christmas show. I'll be off early on Friday (it's a minimum day for both students and staff), and right now I'm planning on coming straight home and going to bed.
In other news, I had to take an early afternoon at work right after Thanksgiving to get down to my local courthouse to apologize for failing to show up for Jury duty. With the sprained ankle and all, I completely forgot to call and postpone it, and further forgot that I was supposed to report bright an early the Monday after Thanksgiving. I was on my way to the car at 4:30 Monday when it hit me that I'd just blown it off. They take jury duty very seriously here, and when you don't show up, they will often come out and arrest you for failure to appear. (We had a few years where it was hard to make up a jury because of a lack of jurors, so they got really deadly serious about it.) They also don't accept most excuses for getting out of it anymore, either. Self-employed? Tough. Going to graduate school? Tough. Have small children at home? Tough. I think the only folks who get excused are military, police, and lawyers. The rest of us have to serve. And I don't really mind it that much, to be honest. (Although I do hate the fact that I can't take my knitting into the jury waiting room. Like I'd mess up my needles and yarn to stab someone with one of the needles!) Anyway, I got down to the courthouse, and they were very understanding. They rescheduled me for early April, during my spring break, and even gave me the paperwork to get a refund on the parking fee I'd paid to get into the courthouse. I guess it didn't hurt that I was very apologetic and willing to serve.
The only thing not going well for me right now is my sprained ankle. It should be fine by now, but it isn't. It still swells up from time to time, and it goes from pretty much pain free to nearly cripplingly painful in 2 seconds flat. I guess I'm going to have to go see my doctor about it.
I actually had some pictures to post with this blog, but for some reason, when I click the Insert Picture icon I get a URL not found message, and I can't figure out how to get around that. Oh, well. That's Blogger for you.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Post-Thanksgiving/Black Friday
Thanksgiving was quiet, just my brother's family and me. My brother did all the cooking ~ he's turned out to be quite a good cook, and he really seems to enjoy it. One of the things I'm thankful for, every Thanksgiving.
Black Friday came and went, while I stayed home. Well, except for a brief trip to the grocery store for a few staples that I needed to get through until payday next week. Since I sprained my foot, I wasn't able to get out earlier for much of anything, so I really had to go out yesterday.
I've never participated in the insanity that is Black Friday. I can't even imagine getting up to go shopping at 3 am, which is when some stores opened yesterday. I don't like crowds. Actually, I get claustrophobic in crowds. I don't even do malls during the holiday season. I guess I just don't understand the logic behind lining up in the cold dark (and it's been really cold lately!) for a chance to fight over what you want to buy, and then stand in line hours to pay for it, and then fight for another hour or so getting out of the place and home. Of course, I don't actually want anything from those stores, not as Christmas presents. The folks I buy for don't need or use anythng from general stores, so there's just no reason at all to participate in the frenzied shopping experience that is Black Friday.
My nephew is getting cooking lessons, from a local place that offers a variety of lessons for kids. I haven't decided what my niece will get, yet. Her mom said she was lusting after a "hand-tied fleece" throw, but I'm not sure about making one of those. My brother is getting a variety of cooking related items ~ a salt sampler, a mini-smoker that goes right on the BBQ, etc. My sister-in-law will probably get a Legos kit she wants (my nephew and his mom are Lego fanatics). Two of my friends are getting personalized notecards (already purchased and arrived) from Silhouette Blue. My sister is getting the scarf I knit for her. Her kids will get gift cards which they can use to get something they'd like. I don't know them all that well, since they've almost always lived far away, and I see them rarely. And my brother-in-law? I still haven't figured out what to send him, and the time is growing short for that.
So, it isn't yet December 1st, but my Christmas is pretty much set. No last-minute panic needed, thank you very much. Which means I'll be guilt-free knitting this month, no deadlines, no "I should be doing something else" worries. I don't even put up a tree at my apartment, since my cat considers any plant-like item to be his personal toy. I tried it once, and lost more than a dozen cherished ornaments when he pulled the tree over climbing on it. I do love my cat, but I'm not risking more broken ornaments and coming home to a trashed tree. I did, however, come across a pattern for a very cute knitted Christmas tree, which I might actually make this year to go with the small one I made using alphabet blocks and tiny ornaments several years ago. (He can't knock it over, since it's heavier than a tree and it's solid, unlike a tree. It comes out every Christmas, and so far, he's swatted it a few times, but otherwise left it alone. So, other than figuring out what I can have my students make for their parents, I'm looking forward to a relaxing December. (Well, except for report cards which have to be written quite soon, and the hectic class party I have to organize for my students.)
Black Friday came and went, while I stayed home. Well, except for a brief trip to the grocery store for a few staples that I needed to get through until payday next week. Since I sprained my foot, I wasn't able to get out earlier for much of anything, so I really had to go out yesterday.
I've never participated in the insanity that is Black Friday. I can't even imagine getting up to go shopping at 3 am, which is when some stores opened yesterday. I don't like crowds. Actually, I get claustrophobic in crowds. I don't even do malls during the holiday season. I guess I just don't understand the logic behind lining up in the cold dark (and it's been really cold lately!) for a chance to fight over what you want to buy, and then stand in line hours to pay for it, and then fight for another hour or so getting out of the place and home. Of course, I don't actually want anything from those stores, not as Christmas presents. The folks I buy for don't need or use anythng from general stores, so there's just no reason at all to participate in the frenzied shopping experience that is Black Friday.
My nephew is getting cooking lessons, from a local place that offers a variety of lessons for kids. I haven't decided what my niece will get, yet. Her mom said she was lusting after a "hand-tied fleece" throw, but I'm not sure about making one of those. My brother is getting a variety of cooking related items ~ a salt sampler, a mini-smoker that goes right on the BBQ, etc. My sister-in-law will probably get a Legos kit she wants (my nephew and his mom are Lego fanatics). Two of my friends are getting personalized notecards (already purchased and arrived) from Silhouette Blue. My sister is getting the scarf I knit for her. Her kids will get gift cards which they can use to get something they'd like. I don't know them all that well, since they've almost always lived far away, and I see them rarely. And my brother-in-law? I still haven't figured out what to send him, and the time is growing short for that.
Friday, November 19, 2010
A Very Clumsy Day
Well, I knew this day wasn't going to be my best when I spilled half a (tall) cup of coffee at 5:30 this morning. It was confirmed when I dropped the wand part of my mascara down the sink drain at 6 am. But it was made crystal clear when at 9:30 this morning, in front of my students, I stepped down from the stool I had been reading from only to find my left leg wasn't there ~ at least I couldn't feel it at all ~ and promptly fell down, hearing a loud "snap" as I did so. All my kids rushed up to me, trying to help. Picking up the papers and clipboard I had dropped on my plunge to the floor. Picking up the cup of coffee (with lid) I had been holding ~ didn't spill this one, though! I had to sit for a few moments before I could even consider getting up, since my foot was really painful. I hauled myself up, and sat down in a kid's chair, since my left foot wouldn't hold me up.
Of course, I told the kids to calm down, I would be alright, and just needed a few moments to recover. And then I noticed my foot swelling up. So, I asked one of the kids to go next door to get my teaching partner (who broke her foot at school last year) and when she arrived, I had to tell her I'd at the very least sprained my foot, but might have broken it. (We both laughed about this, and when the teacher on the other side of me came in a couple of minutes later, we warned her that it was going to be her turn next year.) They sent one of my kids to the office to get the wheel chair, and then wheeled me up to the office.
I ended up at the clinic that handles work injuries. I insisted on driving myself, which made my principal very nervous. I called once I'd arrived and been put in the waiting room, so that he wouldn't be worrying about me driving. So, an exam and an Xray later, the good news is I didn't break it. The bad news is I sprained it badly, with ligament damage. And the swelling isn't swelling, but a large hematoma, which the doctor said would probably "express itself as bruising". Yay for me. They wrapped it and made me wear a "shoe". They wanted to put it in a boot, but I convinced them I wouldn't be able to fit it in my car. Those boots are huge!. I am vertically challenged, so I have to have the car seat as far forward as possible, and in my Corolla, there's no way I could fit my foot in the boot in the space left between the seat and brake/gas pedals. They gave me extra-strength Tylenol and Darvocet. Haven't taken either one, and probably won't. Pain meds don't generally work for me, anyway.
This is, of course, the leg I've been having so much trouble with, with my knee. And I noticed just a little while ago that my knee is swelling up, too. At least, more than it usually does by the end of the day. No pain yet, but given this week, I'm expecting that to kick in when I try to go to sleep later. (This is the week I also received a jury duty summons and a speeding ticket).
I had lots of plans for next week, since I'm off work for the whole week. Was taking my niece and nephew down to the Natural History Museum. Was spending a day making cookies with my sister in law. Now, I have to stay off my foot, and be back at the clinic Tuesday morning. Not what I was looking forward to. At least I don't have to take sick time at work, and write lesson plans for a sub.
Maybe the rest of this week will go really well. I mean, if bad things come in threes, I've met the target, right?
Of course, I told the kids to calm down, I would be alright, and just needed a few moments to recover. And then I noticed my foot swelling up. So, I asked one of the kids to go next door to get my teaching partner (who broke her foot at school last year) and when she arrived, I had to tell her I'd at the very least sprained my foot, but might have broken it. (We both laughed about this, and when the teacher on the other side of me came in a couple of minutes later, we warned her that it was going to be her turn next year.) They sent one of my kids to the office to get the wheel chair, and then wheeled me up to the office.
I ended up at the clinic that handles work injuries. I insisted on driving myself, which made my principal very nervous. I called once I'd arrived and been put in the waiting room, so that he wouldn't be worrying about me driving. So, an exam and an Xray later, the good news is I didn't break it. The bad news is I sprained it badly, with ligament damage. And the swelling isn't swelling, but a large hematoma, which the doctor said would probably "express itself as bruising". Yay for me. They wrapped it and made me wear a "shoe". They wanted to put it in a boot, but I convinced them I wouldn't be able to fit it in my car. Those boots are huge!. I am vertically challenged, so I have to have the car seat as far forward as possible, and in my Corolla, there's no way I could fit my foot in the boot in the space left between the seat and brake/gas pedals. They gave me extra-strength Tylenol and Darvocet. Haven't taken either one, and probably won't. Pain meds don't generally work for me, anyway.
This is, of course, the leg I've been having so much trouble with, with my knee. And I noticed just a little while ago that my knee is swelling up, too. At least, more than it usually does by the end of the day. No pain yet, but given this week, I'm expecting that to kick in when I try to go to sleep later. (This is the week I also received a jury duty summons and a speeding ticket).
I had lots of plans for next week, since I'm off work for the whole week. Was taking my niece and nephew down to the Natural History Museum. Was spending a day making cookies with my sister in law. Now, I have to stay off my foot, and be back at the clinic Tuesday morning. Not what I was looking forward to. At least I don't have to take sick time at work, and write lesson plans for a sub.
Maybe the rest of this week will go really well. I mean, if bad things come in threes, I've met the target, right?
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Moth Damage
Well, I lost 5 sweaters to moths, but I have 3 that can be saved by darning. My yarn seems to be fine, however, so at least that has no loss.
I still don't know how I acquired moths, but I'm putting up cedar blocks everywhere, and I've made a schedule for refreshing them that should deter any new invasions. I suspect that I might have gotten them from yarn bought on EBay, so if I buy anymore, it's going in the freezer upon arrival. I also informed my landlord, so the next time they spray they'll include something for that (he says). I still haven't found an adult moth anywhere, however, so I'm going to keep looking. I put up pictures of what they look like in both my craft room and bedroom, so I can remember what they look like. (Although I'm tempted to use them as impromptu dart boards!)
After the upheaval of the moth invasion, I can't find either my yarn winder or swift, so the sock yarn I've bought is going to sit for awhile until I can locate them. I just don't want to wind 400+ yards of fingering weight yarn by hand, and of course, my handwound balls are not beautiful or easy to use. I've just never figured out how to hand wind a center pull ball, so I'm at the mercy of my winder/swift.
I picked up some Vesper sock yarn in the Wild Berry colorway, (Since the yarn isn't available anymore, only a thumbnail was online, and enlarging it blurred it a bit) which I'd planned to use for the first socks I knit.Well, after the first socks I experimentally knit, anyway. I'm looking for some so-so yarn to use for the first trial socks. I figure I'm going to be ripping out many times, so I don't want to use a really good yarn for that. I have lots of yarn, but almost none in fingering or even sport weight to use for this, so I may end up just buying a ball of Kroy, and using that.
My sister's scarf is done and on its way to VA. It's wrapped up, so she'll have to wait for Christmas to open it. I'm just glad it's on its way. No pictures, since I still haven't located the charger for my cameras' batteries. I guess I really am going to have to bite the bullet and go buy new chargers. It just seems to me that since both my cameras are Nikons, they could at least use the same kind of batteries, so I'd only need one charger. Oh, well.
On another note, I've been following a video-cast (vcast? vidcast? who knows?) done by TheKnitGirllls. I really enjoy their show, which is up each Sunday. Leslie and Laura are fun to watch, plus they showcase a lot of new stuff ~ books, yarn, fiber, fiber festivals, yarn shops, etc. Laura's book reviews are also interesting. I like that she shows the inside of the book, highlighting several different pages or patterns. It's almost like being in a bookstore, browsing it yourself. If you haven't caught them yet, head on over to TheKnitGirllls.com and check them out. They're also on iTunes, and they have a Ravelry group, as well.
I still don't know how I acquired moths, but I'm putting up cedar blocks everywhere, and I've made a schedule for refreshing them that should deter any new invasions. I suspect that I might have gotten them from yarn bought on EBay, so if I buy anymore, it's going in the freezer upon arrival. I also informed my landlord, so the next time they spray they'll include something for that (he says). I still haven't found an adult moth anywhere, however, so I'm going to keep looking. I put up pictures of what they look like in both my craft room and bedroom, so I can remember what they look like. (Although I'm tempted to use them as impromptu dart boards!)
After the upheaval of the moth invasion, I can't find either my yarn winder or swift, so the sock yarn I've bought is going to sit for awhile until I can locate them. I just don't want to wind 400+ yards of fingering weight yarn by hand, and of course, my handwound balls are not beautiful or easy to use. I've just never figured out how to hand wind a center pull ball, so I'm at the mercy of my winder/swift.
I picked up some Vesper sock yarn in the Wild Berry colorway, (Since the yarn isn't available anymore, only a thumbnail was online, and enlarging it blurred it a bit) which I'd planned to use for the first socks I knit.Well, after the first socks I experimentally knit, anyway. I'm looking for some so-so yarn to use for the first trial socks. I figure I'm going to be ripping out many times, so I don't want to use a really good yarn for that. I have lots of yarn, but almost none in fingering or even sport weight to use for this, so I may end up just buying a ball of Kroy, and using that.
My sister's scarf is done and on its way to VA. It's wrapped up, so she'll have to wait for Christmas to open it. I'm just glad it's on its way. No pictures, since I still haven't located the charger for my cameras' batteries. I guess I really am going to have to bite the bullet and go buy new chargers. It just seems to me that since both my cameras are Nikons, they could at least use the same kind of batteries, so I'd only need one charger. Oh, well.
On another note, I've been following a video-cast (vcast? vidcast? who knows?) done by TheKnitGirllls. I really enjoy their show, which is up each Sunday. Leslie and Laura are fun to watch, plus they showcase a lot of new stuff ~ books, yarn, fiber, fiber festivals, yarn shops, etc. Laura's book reviews are also interesting. I like that she shows the inside of the book, highlighting several different pages or patterns. It's almost like being in a bookstore, browsing it yourself. If you haven't caught them yet, head on over to TheKnitGirllls.com and check them out. They're also on iTunes, and they have a Ravelry group, as well.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
I have moths!
You can only imagine my horror when I arrived at school yesterday morning, and sitting down in the brightly lit lounge, I noticed several holes in my wool jacket. On further inspection, I found lots of holes, some small, some very large. Moths!
I don't understand how this happened. I keep my wool jackets and sweaters in sealed plastic bags, and they're all cleaned before being sealed inside. So how did those damn moths get in there?
Needless to say, I came home as soon as possible from school, and started packing bags of wool garments in my freezer (after I'd removed enough food to make room for some bags, which means I'll be cooking a good bit this weekend). I stopped on the way home and picked up lots of small cedar blocks, which I stuffed into cupboards, closets, and the bags I couldn't fit right away into the freezer. I tell you, I'm terrified of opening those bags and finding what damage has occurred.
I'm also tucking cedar blocks into my bags and tubs of yarn. I'll be inspecting the yarn after I get through the clothing. I can't believe this happened. All I can hope is that the damage is limited, and I won't have to be shopping for a new wardrobe any time soon. And that my yarn is okay. And that I don't need to invest in a lifetime supply of mothballs (assuming I can find those around here.)
I didn't sleep much last night. I kept imagining I could hear the little beasts munching. And as I was driving home today, I realized I didn't bag my wool pants. I thought of the sweaters, but for some reason, I just never connected pants to moth-danger. So, I 'll need to go through all my wool pants, checking for damage, too. And the wool area rug I have in the living. And ~ OMG, I just thought of all the fabric I have in my sewing room.
I'm 58 years old, and this is the first time in my life I have ever encountered moths. My mother never had them. Growing up, none of the neighbors had them. I've never had them. I don't even know anything about them. Guess I'll be searching the Internet tonight, looking for information.
About 11 o'clock last night, I sat on my bed and just cried. Maybe I'm being ridiculous, but this just hit me really hard. I absolutely loved that wool jacket I had to toss in the trash bin on the way from my garage to my apartment yesterday. (I couldn't take it off at work, because the top underneath was a little too skimpy to wear while teaching 10 and 11 year olds). I itched all day yesterday (and I know that's ridiculous, cause those moths don't bite people ~ at least, I don't think they do!)
I don't even know how long to leave the bags in the freezer. I know I'd read on somebody's blog about freezing the little monsters, but not how long they had to be frozen. So, I'm leaving them there until Saturday afternoon. 3 days. And when they come out, the next batch, now marinating in eau de cedar, will go in. I need a little time before I jump in to looking for damage in the wool clothing. I don't think I can handle that right now.
I'm also trying to get ready for parent conferences, which start next week. Ive got tons of material to sort out, reports to print out, forms to fill out. That's what I'd planned to do this weekend, rather than cooking up most of the contents of my freezer, and inspecting many of my most favorite sweaters for moth damage.
I don't understand how this happened. I keep my wool jackets and sweaters in sealed plastic bags, and they're all cleaned before being sealed inside. So how did those damn moths get in there?
Needless to say, I came home as soon as possible from school, and started packing bags of wool garments in my freezer (after I'd removed enough food to make room for some bags, which means I'll be cooking a good bit this weekend). I stopped on the way home and picked up lots of small cedar blocks, which I stuffed into cupboards, closets, and the bags I couldn't fit right away into the freezer. I tell you, I'm terrified of opening those bags and finding what damage has occurred.
I'm also tucking cedar blocks into my bags and tubs of yarn. I'll be inspecting the yarn after I get through the clothing. I can't believe this happened. All I can hope is that the damage is limited, and I won't have to be shopping for a new wardrobe any time soon. And that my yarn is okay. And that I don't need to invest in a lifetime supply of mothballs (assuming I can find those around here.)
I didn't sleep much last night. I kept imagining I could hear the little beasts munching. And as I was driving home today, I realized I didn't bag my wool pants. I thought of the sweaters, but for some reason, I just never connected pants to moth-danger. So, I 'll need to go through all my wool pants, checking for damage, too. And the wool area rug I have in the living. And ~ OMG, I just thought of all the fabric I have in my sewing room.
I'm 58 years old, and this is the first time in my life I have ever encountered moths. My mother never had them. Growing up, none of the neighbors had them. I've never had them. I don't even know anything about them. Guess I'll be searching the Internet tonight, looking for information.
About 11 o'clock last night, I sat on my bed and just cried. Maybe I'm being ridiculous, but this just hit me really hard. I absolutely loved that wool jacket I had to toss in the trash bin on the way from my garage to my apartment yesterday. (I couldn't take it off at work, because the top underneath was a little too skimpy to wear while teaching 10 and 11 year olds). I itched all day yesterday (and I know that's ridiculous, cause those moths don't bite people ~ at least, I don't think they do!)
I don't even know how long to leave the bags in the freezer. I know I'd read on somebody's blog about freezing the little monsters, but not how long they had to be frozen. So, I'm leaving them there until Saturday afternoon. 3 days. And when they come out, the next batch, now marinating in eau de cedar, will go in. I need a little time before I jump in to looking for damage in the wool clothing. I don't think I can handle that right now.
I'm also trying to get ready for parent conferences, which start next week. Ive got tons of material to sort out, reports to print out, forms to fill out. That's what I'd planned to do this weekend, rather than cooking up most of the contents of my freezer, and inspecting many of my most favorite sweaters for moth damage.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Bits and Pieces
The weather has turned to fall, at last. Steady days of cool temperatures. Some rain, but not too much of it. And it's clearing up every day. Which is good since I'm planning on going to an outdoor event, a local craft fair, on Saturday with my sister-in-law, so we're hoping the forecast is accurate.
One of the things we're sure to see, since we've seen them every year we go, is a bunch of knitted scarves, wildly overpriced. Cheap yarn, easy stitches. $40 and up. Basically a couple of dollars worth of yarn, and maybe an hour's worth of knitting. I've never seen many of them sell, which is both good, and sad. Good that people recognize that the product isn't quality, but sad that with an upgrade in yarn, and some interesting stitches, those scarves would sell well. And yet, every year, we see the same old cheaply made scarves, by the same vendors. Obviously, they're selling enough to continue, but not enough to put a little effort into upgrading their stock.
I'm surprized that they're allowed to return every year, given that this is a small, upscale community venture, called the Village Venture after the Claremont Village, where it's held every year. Lots of small shops and boutiques and restaurants line the streets of the Village. No chains, no outlets, all high-end products and services. And yet, they allow a vendor of cheaply made "handmade" items in every year. If I enjoyed knitting scarves, I'd be tempted to compete with them, but knitting the same thing over and over simply doesn't appeal to me. Guess they're safe from me!
Oddly enough, I am, presently, knitting a scarf. To send to my sister in Virginia. Where it does get cold enough to need a scarf to wear with a coat or jacket. I'm making this one in cashmere from the Lion Brand LB collection. With reversible cables, which are so much easier than I thought they would be. I picked up a copy of Lily Chin's book, Power Cables, which clearly shows how to achieve a wide variety of reversible cables. Very interesting, although I'm not sure I see the point in using reversible cables to make a pullover sweater, since you're the only one who will ever see the reversed cables, but still, it's neat to know. And I recommend the book to anyone who's interested in cables, or cable construction. Lots of information, and some patterns. Not that a pattern is really necessary for a scarf, but there's lots of information on constructing the cables in any width, with mandatory repeats info and ideas for using them. Just a really useful book.
I decided to knit this scarf before launching any of the items on my to-do list, since this has to be done for Christmas pretty early to mail it to Virginia to arrive in time. Better to be done early than to be looking for a mail service that can do miracles. And I am still knitting a little bit every now and then on my Vogue Early Fall sweater that's on tiny needles. (3s) Progress is hard to see on that, but there has been some progress. Tiny needles are so not my favorite, but I just fell in love with this sweater, so tiny needles it is. I just can't knit for hours with them, so I have to have something to switch off to with larger needles. The scarf is on 7s, which are much more comfortable for me.
Sometime between now and January 1, I'm also going to knit my first ever pair of socks. I've got some beautiful hand-dyed yarn and the DPNs ready to go. I just have to overcome my fear of DPNs (all those sharp pointed sticks!) and my confusion over how to figure out what size/number of stitiches to make to fit my feet. But I'm determined to knit one pair of socks in 2010.
And now I'm off to bed, since it's after 11, and I have to be up in less than 6 hours, getting ready to face my 32 10 year olds for another day.
One of the things we're sure to see, since we've seen them every year we go, is a bunch of knitted scarves, wildly overpriced. Cheap yarn, easy stitches. $40 and up. Basically a couple of dollars worth of yarn, and maybe an hour's worth of knitting. I've never seen many of them sell, which is both good, and sad. Good that people recognize that the product isn't quality, but sad that with an upgrade in yarn, and some interesting stitches, those scarves would sell well. And yet, every year, we see the same old cheaply made scarves, by the same vendors. Obviously, they're selling enough to continue, but not enough to put a little effort into upgrading their stock.
I'm surprized that they're allowed to return every year, given that this is a small, upscale community venture, called the Village Venture after the Claremont Village, where it's held every year. Lots of small shops and boutiques and restaurants line the streets of the Village. No chains, no outlets, all high-end products and services. And yet, they allow a vendor of cheaply made "handmade" items in every year. If I enjoyed knitting scarves, I'd be tempted to compete with them, but knitting the same thing over and over simply doesn't appeal to me. Guess they're safe from me!
Oddly enough, I am, presently, knitting a scarf. To send to my sister in Virginia. Where it does get cold enough to need a scarf to wear with a coat or jacket. I'm making this one in cashmere from the Lion Brand LB collection. With reversible cables, which are so much easier than I thought they would be. I picked up a copy of Lily Chin's book, Power Cables, which clearly shows how to achieve a wide variety of reversible cables. Very interesting, although I'm not sure I see the point in using reversible cables to make a pullover sweater, since you're the only one who will ever see the reversed cables, but still, it's neat to know. And I recommend the book to anyone who's interested in cables, or cable construction. Lots of information, and some patterns. Not that a pattern is really necessary for a scarf, but there's lots of information on constructing the cables in any width, with mandatory repeats info and ideas for using them. Just a really useful book.
I decided to knit this scarf before launching any of the items on my to-do list, since this has to be done for Christmas pretty early to mail it to Virginia to arrive in time. Better to be done early than to be looking for a mail service that can do miracles. And I am still knitting a little bit every now and then on my Vogue Early Fall sweater that's on tiny needles. (3s) Progress is hard to see on that, but there has been some progress. Tiny needles are so not my favorite, but I just fell in love with this sweater, so tiny needles it is. I just can't knit for hours with them, so I have to have something to switch off to with larger needles. The scarf is on 7s, which are much more comfortable for me.
Sometime between now and January 1, I'm also going to knit my first ever pair of socks. I've got some beautiful hand-dyed yarn and the DPNs ready to go. I just have to overcome my fear of DPNs (all those sharp pointed sticks!) and my confusion over how to figure out what size/number of stitiches to make to fit my feet. But I'm determined to knit one pair of socks in 2010.
And now I'm off to bed, since it's after 11, and I have to be up in less than 6 hours, getting ready to face my 32 10 year olds for another day.
Friday, October 8, 2010
On Franklin Habit
I'm home sick today, so I was browsing blogs to fill up my day. (I'm achy and coughing and fuzzy-headed, so reading and knitting seem like too much for me right now) I got to the Panopticon, and stopped. I love his humor, I marvel at his skill, I enjoy his style. So, today, it surprized me a bit to experience a vague sense of shame after reading this post, It Gets Better.
Not personal shame. I've never done anything like what he describes in his post. It's just shame that anyone who shares my profession, teaching, could ever say the indescribably sick, cruel things that Franklin describes. And that it was supported by the school itself just leaves me gasping.
I know that there's a large group of self-proclaimed "Christians" who feel the way the teacher felt. I know they are loud in proclaiming their right to tell us all how to think, live, love, feel. I just never gave them any respect for their agenda. To me they aren't Christian, they aren't democratic, they aren't right. And most of all, their arrogance just amazes me.
Admittedly, my religion is complicated. I wasn't raised in any particular denomination, or with any truly religious upbringing. My father was an Anglican, my mother a Presbyterian. I went to church irregularly, with lots of different friends, so I pretty much got a taste of a wide variety of Protestant religions. I didn't belong to any particular church or religion, however. When I was an adult, I decided to join the Catholic church. As it turned out, the one place I felt closer to God was inside a Catholic church.
I didn't just "join", however. I was blessed to have found a church that didn't have the regular program for inducting new members. I got assigned to a deacon, who met with me once a week, to explore my beliefs, to determine if I was really meant to be a Catholic. I loved it. We talked about a wide range of issues. We grappled with the Church's support for the death penalty (I'm opposed), and my belief that abortion is a woman's right (they're opposed). I learned more about myself and my spirituality in those conversations with my deacon than I had learned in the 30 years before. I am a Catholic, with some disagreements.
Oddly, given its history as the oldest surviving Christian church, you don't find many Catholics running for office to impose church rule on everybody. You don't find Catholics shouting hateful anti-gay messages at the funerals of US soldiers. You don't find many campaigning against marriage equality (although the Church is opposed.) You do find some protesting abortion, however. Now, I'm not claiming that Catholics are better. You don't find many Episcopalians, or Methodists, or Presbyterians out there doing that, either. It just seems that the people in that "Christian" group belong to johnny-come-lately religions, rather than established ones. Maybe they roar so loudly because they are newbies, feeling a bit insecure. Maybe they've crafted a "religion" that fits them as they are, enables them to give nothing of themselves, that gives them a "feel-good" reward for being themselves, and they use it to shout their frustration and envy and hate to the world.
I guess what I'm saying is that I just feel that religion is being used as an excuse for human desires. It's a cover-up, a misdirection. These people, with their arrogance and their hate are using religion as a cover for their desire to rule the world the way they like. There's no real Christianity in any of their dogma. There's no hope, no charity, no love in their diatribes on "right living". It's all hate, intolerance, and prescriptions for living the right life.
Intolerant people have always been among us. You can find them in every walk of life. It used to be, however, that we pitied them for their limited understanding of life and love. Now they're attacking us for not being intolerant, beating us over the head with a Christ I can't recognize.
As a teacher, I am appalled by what Franklin endured at that despicable high school. As a human, I am appalled by a society that gives support to a group of intolerant, narrow-minded people set on destroying our society. When are we going to say ENOUGH!
Not personal shame. I've never done anything like what he describes in his post. It's just shame that anyone who shares my profession, teaching, could ever say the indescribably sick, cruel things that Franklin describes. And that it was supported by the school itself just leaves me gasping.
I know that there's a large group of self-proclaimed "Christians" who feel the way the teacher felt. I know they are loud in proclaiming their right to tell us all how to think, live, love, feel. I just never gave them any respect for their agenda. To me they aren't Christian, they aren't democratic, they aren't right. And most of all, their arrogance just amazes me.
Admittedly, my religion is complicated. I wasn't raised in any particular denomination, or with any truly religious upbringing. My father was an Anglican, my mother a Presbyterian. I went to church irregularly, with lots of different friends, so I pretty much got a taste of a wide variety of Protestant religions. I didn't belong to any particular church or religion, however. When I was an adult, I decided to join the Catholic church. As it turned out, the one place I felt closer to God was inside a Catholic church.
I didn't just "join", however. I was blessed to have found a church that didn't have the regular program for inducting new members. I got assigned to a deacon, who met with me once a week, to explore my beliefs, to determine if I was really meant to be a Catholic. I loved it. We talked about a wide range of issues. We grappled with the Church's support for the death penalty (I'm opposed), and my belief that abortion is a woman's right (they're opposed). I learned more about myself and my spirituality in those conversations with my deacon than I had learned in the 30 years before. I am a Catholic, with some disagreements.
Oddly, given its history as the oldest surviving Christian church, you don't find many Catholics running for office to impose church rule on everybody. You don't find Catholics shouting hateful anti-gay messages at the funerals of US soldiers. You don't find many campaigning against marriage equality (although the Church is opposed.) You do find some protesting abortion, however. Now, I'm not claiming that Catholics are better. You don't find many Episcopalians, or Methodists, or Presbyterians out there doing that, either. It just seems that the people in that "Christian" group belong to johnny-come-lately religions, rather than established ones. Maybe they roar so loudly because they are newbies, feeling a bit insecure. Maybe they've crafted a "religion" that fits them as they are, enables them to give nothing of themselves, that gives them a "feel-good" reward for being themselves, and they use it to shout their frustration and envy and hate to the world.
I guess what I'm saying is that I just feel that religion is being used as an excuse for human desires. It's a cover-up, a misdirection. These people, with their arrogance and their hate are using religion as a cover for their desire to rule the world the way they like. There's no real Christianity in any of their dogma. There's no hope, no charity, no love in their diatribes on "right living". It's all hate, intolerance, and prescriptions for living the right life.
Intolerant people have always been among us. You can find them in every walk of life. It used to be, however, that we pitied them for their limited understanding of life and love. Now they're attacking us for not being intolerant, beating us over the head with a Christ I can't recognize.
As a teacher, I am appalled by what Franklin endured at that despicable high school. As a human, I am appalled by a society that gives support to a group of intolerant, narrow-minded people set on destroying our society. When are we going to say ENOUGH!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
No more "stash"!
What I have is a collection of yarn, just as I have a book collection, a magazine collection, etc. Sharon and I were discussing this in an email, and her post today (you should go read it!)made me reconsider what to call all the yarn I have accumulated. I think "stash" has a slightly negative connotation, whereas "collection" doesn't. So, from now on, I will talk about my collection, rather than my stash.
In other news, it hit 115 here yesterday. We didn't even let the kids play outdoors. They were offered the use of the cafeteria (air conditioned) or staying outside, but only in the shade. 115 is simply too hot to do anything. And it isn't even really cooling off at night. It was still 93 at 9 pm. Sleeping has become problematic. Oh well, they're forecasting 90s by the end of the week. Oddly, that sounds cool to me!
In other news, it hit 115 here yesterday. We didn't even let the kids play outdoors. They were offered the use of the cafeteria (air conditioned) or staying outside, but only in the shade. 115 is simply too hot to do anything. And it isn't even really cooling off at night. It was still 93 at 9 pm. Sleeping has become problematic. Oh well, they're forecasting 90s by the end of the week. Oddly, that sounds cool to me!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Yikes!
108 yesterday, heading to 110 today! This is generally when the really hot days of September cool off to the warm, but lovely days of October. What the &!*$ happened? Obviously, no knitting is happening, or going to happen for a while. We may be down to the mid 90s by Saturday, but I'm not holding my breath. It's too bloody hard to breathe in this heat as it is.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Where did Fall go?
Knitting weather has disappeared. We had just over a week of very cool (for SoCal) temps, but starting the end of this week, we're back into the 100s. It got up to 104 today, and, without a/c, it was just too hot to even think about knitting. It's supposed to hit 106 on Tuesday. The "big" cool off toward the end of the coming week means it will only be in the mid-90s.
As if I didn't have enough yarn or patterns, I picked up a Maddy Laine pattern and some Store yarn to make it, and it arrived this week, just before the temperature sky-rocketed. I'd planned to make it this weekend ~ it's her Vest Alternative pattern, a quick one with bulky yarn. I haven't even swatched for it. Don't know when I'll get to it, with the temps this high.
As if I didn't have enough yarn or patterns, I picked up a Maddy Laine pattern and some Store yarn to make it, and it arrived this week, just before the temperature sky-rocketed. I'd planned to make it this weekend ~ it's her Vest Alternative pattern, a quick one with bulky yarn. I haven't even swatched for it. Don't know when I'll get to it, with the temps this high.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
I'm still here!
I'm still blogging, I just haven't had anything knitterly to blog about. School is very busy, and I've had afterschool or evening meetings at least 3 times a week since the beginning. Was due for another meeting today, but the principal got tied up in a district meeting, so, 10 minutes after our meeting was supposed to start, we got word it was cancelled. (Actually, other than the late notice, all of us were relieved ~ one was sick, one had a union meeting to get to, the rest of us were just tired, tired, tired.)
The yarn and patterns from Elann arrived days ago, and other than opening the package and oohing and ahhing over the yarn and patterns, I've done absolutely nothing with them. It hasn't really been the weather's fault, either. The days start off chilly, warm up to the 90s, then cool off early in the evening. Perfect weather, actually.
I'm just busy with lesson planning and grading papers, and reading essays about the students (written by them), and cataloguing the answers to several inventories they've completed. Oh, and enrolling all of them in a program I bought (way back when I had money) that tests them in a myriad of language arts skills, and produces incredibly detailed reports. Now, I'm just trying to get access to our computer lab so they can start taking the tests. And waiting to find out if I'm getting any new students, since the deadline for reorganization was Tuesday, and we haven't heard a word either way. I don't want to give up any of mine , and if truth be told, I don't want any of the other teacher's students. But, of course, I don't have any choice in the matter.
Anyway, getting home between 6 and 9 pm nearly every day, and filling those few hours of my evening with school-related work has made knitting take a back seat. I even forgot a knitting group was meeting Wednesday, and I was supposed to go. Didn't go, didn't even log on to Ravelry to tell them I couldn't make it. Not good.
Maybe I'll have some time this weekend to decide which project to start first, and actually start it. Or maybe I'll just do a swatch party, and see which one I like best after that. (I don't always do swatches, particularly not if I bought the yarn specified, but I know I should.)
If I don't start this weekend, I likely won't get anything done until the weekend after. I've got yet another long meeting Tuesday after school, and Thursday is Back to School night, and the meeting that was cancelled today will be rescheduled, probably for Monday, since the Tuesday meeting needs the results from this group, so....
The yarn and patterns from Elann arrived days ago, and other than opening the package and oohing and ahhing over the yarn and patterns, I've done absolutely nothing with them. It hasn't really been the weather's fault, either. The days start off chilly, warm up to the 90s, then cool off early in the evening. Perfect weather, actually.
I'm just busy with lesson planning and grading papers, and reading essays about the students (written by them), and cataloguing the answers to several inventories they've completed. Oh, and enrolling all of them in a program I bought (way back when I had money) that tests them in a myriad of language arts skills, and produces incredibly detailed reports. Now, I'm just trying to get access to our computer lab so they can start taking the tests. And waiting to find out if I'm getting any new students, since the deadline for reorganization was Tuesday, and we haven't heard a word either way. I don't want to give up any of mine , and if truth be told, I don't want any of the other teacher's students. But, of course, I don't have any choice in the matter.
Anyway, getting home between 6 and 9 pm nearly every day, and filling those few hours of my evening with school-related work has made knitting take a back seat. I even forgot a knitting group was meeting Wednesday, and I was supposed to go. Didn't go, didn't even log on to Ravelry to tell them I couldn't make it. Not good.
Maybe I'll have some time this weekend to decide which project to start first, and actually start it. Or maybe I'll just do a swatch party, and see which one I like best after that. (I don't always do swatches, particularly not if I bought the yarn specified, but I know I should.)
If I don't start this weekend, I likely won't get anything done until the weekend after. I've got yet another long meeting Tuesday after school, and Thursday is Back to School night, and the meeting that was cancelled today will be rescheduled, probably for Monday, since the Tuesday meeting needs the results from this group, so....
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Knitting Content, this time!
Not that I've actually started knitting, of course. But I have bought project books and yarn for several knitted objects, and that counts, doesn't it?
This one is from Cornelia Tuttle. I love cables, so this is a natural for me. And it uses chunky yarn, so that appeals, too. Araucania Nature Wool Chunky. In this color:
Next, I got the yarn for my Twist Red Oak sweater, in this lovely Mallard Peruvian Chunky from Elann.
I also picked up some Ella Rae Classic wool in two colors, for two different projects. First, this one in the color shown, Pearl.
Next, a simple top, in a forest green:
So, that's what I've got planned for the next little while.That's in addition to the two I mentioned earlier, both from VK Early Fall issue. So I should be set for knitting until Christmas, at least.
I'll be starting a knitting class after school for any of my students that want to learn. They'll have to provide their own needles, but I have lots of yarn they can use. I'll get them started on garter stitch projects ~ scarves, phone cases, placemats, wash cloths, any simple small project that gets quick results. They need that in order to feel successful.
(Blogger is being a pain today, and I've had to redo this post twice now, so I'm hoping the third time is the charm!)
Friday, August 27, 2010
Not much knitting in this post, or in my life, right now
Wow, I just found out that I'm ugly. At least according to an ad by some Minnesota Republicans, who think that all Republican women are good looking, and all Democratic women are not, with Dem. pictures displayed to the the tune of "Who Let the Dogs Out?". Kathy Ireland, who refuses to be categorized as Republican or Democrat, was furious about this ad, because 1)it labeled her as Republican, and 2) it was disgusting. Apparently, the pictures of Democratic women were manipulated, unlike the pics of the Republican women.
The ad's been out there for a few days, but I haven't heard any one from the Republican party denounce it. Shame on them.
I don't mind being labeled a Democrat (I am one), and I frankly don't care what some crazy Republicans in Minnesota think of my appearance. I do care, however, that something as crazy and as offensive as this ad goes unnoticed by the party that it represents. And I care greatly that the state of political discourse in this country has sunk to the level of using appearance as relevant to anything. I've already been depressed by the low level of intelligence being displayed by many people in the news. (A note to some of them ~ Hawaii is a state in the US, folks. Like Kansas. Or even Minnesota)(Another note to some more of them: Religion is a private affair, and no one is entitled to demand of another what religion, if any, he or she practices. And being a Christian isn't a requirement for any job in our government, anyway.)
I don't think Obama walks on water. I don't agree with all his policies. I think he should do more to alleviate the crushing effects of the current economic recession. I think he's way off on education. I do support the health care program, however. I'm a teacher, and I see all too often the results of not having health insurance ~ kids with poor health, but no help in getting better unless that kid gets so sick it's life-threatening, and then it's just a trip to the ER, a one-shot chance at a cure. Missed days of school, poor attention (it's hard to pay attention in class if you feel lousy), and, of course, the spread of anything that child has that's contagious to every other student in class ~ and to me. Universal health care is a necessity. Lack of insurance wastes lives.
I also don't demonize all Republicans. However, I have to admit, I am disgusted by the brand of politics the Republicans seem to be playing lately. Block every move by Obama. Use deception and fear to motivate votes. Lie, and then lie about lying. Never admit you were wrong. Change your story, and then question the intelligence of anyone who calls you on that change. Use a double standard ~ you can do no wrong, but if a Democrat does what you're doing, castigate him for being a) lazy b) a spendthrift c) a tax-and-spend demon.
So far, the Republicans have chosen to bash Hispanics and women ~ who's next? Oh, wait, I forgot, they also routinely bash gay people. And Muslims. I can hardly wait to see who's next.
Okay, so there hasn't been any knitting content in this post. That could be because I've finished the baby blanket, haven't started anything new, and I don't have a camera that works to take pictures of said blanket. And, then, today is the first day below 100 degrees this week, and knitting in 107 heat (I don't have AC at home) is sort of a masochist's heaven, so I haven't been inspired to knit anything. I had to force myself to finish the blanket, because it's due tomorrow. If it hadn't been, it would be languishing in it's bag, too.
I've also been busy setting up my classroom for the new school year that begins next week. Tuesday for the kids, Monday for me. So far, I have 34 kids scheduled for my class. Theoretically, I can have one more, although in practice I could end up with 37 or 38, depending on enrollment. At least, I don't believe this new prinicpal we have would let us stay over the limit, unlike the previous principal. I taught one year with 37 kids. Don't let anyone tell you class size doesn't matter. It matters a lot. 35 is too many ~ more than that is just a nightmare. This year, thankfully, I have a straight 5th grade class. Last year, it was a combo, 4th and 5th. Under the current CA standards, combo classes are impossible. Each grade level's standards consume a full year of instruction. How can anyone expect one teacher to teach two full years of standards in the same time as it takes to teach one year's worth? I was glad to see that CA did adopt the Common Core standards, however. They're much easier to meet than our current ones, and much more developmentally appropriate for the students. They won't, however, be in place this year, or probably not even next year. And our district can't implement them on their own, since the state test, which is required under NCLB, is still using the old CA standards. Still, it gives me something to look forward to, someday.
The ad's been out there for a few days, but I haven't heard any one from the Republican party denounce it. Shame on them.
I don't mind being labeled a Democrat (I am one), and I frankly don't care what some crazy Republicans in Minnesota think of my appearance. I do care, however, that something as crazy and as offensive as this ad goes unnoticed by the party that it represents. And I care greatly that the state of political discourse in this country has sunk to the level of using appearance as relevant to anything. I've already been depressed by the low level of intelligence being displayed by many people in the news. (A note to some of them ~ Hawaii is a state in the US, folks. Like Kansas. Or even Minnesota)(Another note to some more of them: Religion is a private affair, and no one is entitled to demand of another what religion, if any, he or she practices. And being a Christian isn't a requirement for any job in our government, anyway.)
I don't think Obama walks on water. I don't agree with all his policies. I think he should do more to alleviate the crushing effects of the current economic recession. I think he's way off on education. I do support the health care program, however. I'm a teacher, and I see all too often the results of not having health insurance ~ kids with poor health, but no help in getting better unless that kid gets so sick it's life-threatening, and then it's just a trip to the ER, a one-shot chance at a cure. Missed days of school, poor attention (it's hard to pay attention in class if you feel lousy), and, of course, the spread of anything that child has that's contagious to every other student in class ~ and to me. Universal health care is a necessity. Lack of insurance wastes lives.
I also don't demonize all Republicans. However, I have to admit, I am disgusted by the brand of politics the Republicans seem to be playing lately. Block every move by Obama. Use deception and fear to motivate votes. Lie, and then lie about lying. Never admit you were wrong. Change your story, and then question the intelligence of anyone who calls you on that change. Use a double standard ~ you can do no wrong, but if a Democrat does what you're doing, castigate him for being a) lazy b) a spendthrift c) a tax-and-spend demon.
So far, the Republicans have chosen to bash Hispanics and women ~ who's next? Oh, wait, I forgot, they also routinely bash gay people. And Muslims. I can hardly wait to see who's next.
Okay, so there hasn't been any knitting content in this post. That could be because I've finished the baby blanket, haven't started anything new, and I don't have a camera that works to take pictures of said blanket. And, then, today is the first day below 100 degrees this week, and knitting in 107 heat (I don't have AC at home) is sort of a masochist's heaven, so I haven't been inspired to knit anything. I had to force myself to finish the blanket, because it's due tomorrow. If it hadn't been, it would be languishing in it's bag, too.
I've also been busy setting up my classroom for the new school year that begins next week. Tuesday for the kids, Monday for me. So far, I have 34 kids scheduled for my class. Theoretically, I can have one more, although in practice I could end up with 37 or 38, depending on enrollment. At least, I don't believe this new prinicpal we have would let us stay over the limit, unlike the previous principal. I taught one year with 37 kids. Don't let anyone tell you class size doesn't matter. It matters a lot. 35 is too many ~ more than that is just a nightmare. This year, thankfully, I have a straight 5th grade class. Last year, it was a combo, 4th and 5th. Under the current CA standards, combo classes are impossible. Each grade level's standards consume a full year of instruction. How can anyone expect one teacher to teach two full years of standards in the same time as it takes to teach one year's worth? I was glad to see that CA did adopt the Common Core standards, however. They're much easier to meet than our current ones, and much more developmentally appropriate for the students. They won't, however, be in place this year, or probably not even next year. And our district can't implement them on their own, since the state test, which is required under NCLB, is still using the old CA standards. Still, it gives me something to look forward to, someday.
Monday, August 23, 2010
A little of this, a little of that
A new fan has made a huge difference in the temperature in my home. I've almost finished the baby blanket, well in time for next Saturday's shower. Now I'll need to find a box or bag to fit it in, so I can wrap it up for the shower.
As for why blogging has declined so much, many people say it's because Facebook and Ravelry have become the places to post, instead of on blogs. That's discouraging. I am a member of both, but don't post much to either place. I much prefer blogging. I hope others come back to blogging once the weather cools and people begin fall/holiday knitting.
Both my cameras are not working due to low batteries and my inability to find my battery chargers. Nikon cameras don't use regular batteries, so I have to either buy specialty batteries or their battery chargers. (My cameras use different batteries/chargers) I can't afford to buy new ones until October, so I'm hoping I'll find them soon. I usually take pictures of all my students on the first day of school (and next to the last day). I use the first day pictures to label places I display student work And I can't take any pictures of my knitting projects until I find/buy a battery charger. Guess I'll stock up on extra batteries once I'm back to work and getting paid (October 1st). I really, really need to find those chargers!
I've been watching the news, with all the flooding in Pakistan and China, and the much warmer weather we've been having all over the eastern US, and wondering when people will realize that global warming is real and happening now. Today, a reporter for the NYTimes was writing about the Arctic melting so much faster, and the water warming so much more than usual. He claims it will make it harder for the Arctic to freeze next year. There go our polar bears. And I worry about the whales, too. They rely on the much colder Arctic waters for food. If the water is warm, what will happen to their food source? We need to start working on the problem now, not when it's too late. (Soapbox moment ended)
I'm going in late to work on my classroom today, taking care of some personal stuff this morning. One of those things is to begin organizing my stash today. It's all over the apartment, in containers, plastic bags, knitting bags, etc. I'm not sure I even know what is in my stash, so it's time to organize. Won't happen fast, though. I have an enormous stash! I was browsing Ravelry and came across their "Flash your Stash" thread. I love what some people have done to organize their stashes. One woman has a woodworker DH, and he built her these incredible cabinets for her yarn collection. I am sooooo jealous! Since I don't have a woodworker, much less a DH, I'm thinking IKEA for me. Again, though, that's in the planning stages until income resumes. But once I've gotten my stash altogether, I can at least figure out what I'll need to house it all. And I can work on the plan until then, anyway.
I also bit the bullit, and began going through all my knitting magazines, tearing out the patterns/articles I want to keep, and discarding the rest. I have to admit, I had to wonder why I bought some of those mags, because in some of them, I couldn't find a single article, pattern, or even an ad that I wanted or would even consider keeping. Obviously, I need to do a better job of scanning the mags in the bookstore before I buy them. Especially now, when the price of those mags has reached the same level as a book. I don't mind paying that for a magazine that has patterns and articles I will use, but for ones that don't? What was I thinking?
As for why blogging has declined so much, many people say it's because Facebook and Ravelry have become the places to post, instead of on blogs. That's discouraging. I am a member of both, but don't post much to either place. I much prefer blogging. I hope others come back to blogging once the weather cools and people begin fall/holiday knitting.
Both my cameras are not working due to low batteries and my inability to find my battery chargers. Nikon cameras don't use regular batteries, so I have to either buy specialty batteries or their battery chargers. (My cameras use different batteries/chargers) I can't afford to buy new ones until October, so I'm hoping I'll find them soon. I usually take pictures of all my students on the first day of school (and next to the last day). I use the first day pictures to label places I display student work And I can't take any pictures of my knitting projects until I find/buy a battery charger. Guess I'll stock up on extra batteries once I'm back to work and getting paid (October 1st). I really, really need to find those chargers!
I've been watching the news, with all the flooding in Pakistan and China, and the much warmer weather we've been having all over the eastern US, and wondering when people will realize that global warming is real and happening now. Today, a reporter for the NYTimes was writing about the Arctic melting so much faster, and the water warming so much more than usual. He claims it will make it harder for the Arctic to freeze next year. There go our polar bears. And I worry about the whales, too. They rely on the much colder Arctic waters for food. If the water is warm, what will happen to their food source? We need to start working on the problem now, not when it's too late. (Soapbox moment ended)
I'm going in late to work on my classroom today, taking care of some personal stuff this morning. One of those things is to begin organizing my stash today. It's all over the apartment, in containers, plastic bags, knitting bags, etc. I'm not sure I even know what is in my stash, so it's time to organize. Won't happen fast, though. I have an enormous stash! I was browsing Ravelry and came across their "Flash your Stash" thread. I love what some people have done to organize their stashes. One woman has a woodworker DH, and he built her these incredible cabinets for her yarn collection. I am sooooo jealous! Since I don't have a woodworker, much less a DH, I'm thinking IKEA for me. Again, though, that's in the planning stages until income resumes. But once I've gotten my stash altogether, I can at least figure out what I'll need to house it all. And I can work on the plan until then, anyway.
I also bit the bullit, and began going through all my knitting magazines, tearing out the patterns/articles I want to keep, and discarding the rest. I have to admit, I had to wonder why I bought some of those mags, because in some of them, I couldn't find a single article, pattern, or even an ad that I wanted or would even consider keeping. Obviously, I need to do a better job of scanning the mags in the bookstore before I buy them. Especially now, when the price of those mags has reached the same level as a book. I don't mind paying that for a magazine that has patterns and articles I will use, but for ones that don't? What was I thinking?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
The Heat is On
Well, knitting is on hold for a little while. The weather's getting progressively hotter (over 100 today), and my one and only fan died last night ~ just too late to run out for a replacement, of course. So, once the stores open today, I'm off to find a fan ~ no easy job, actually. Fans disappear from stores once the heat climbs into the 90s, and it's been there for almost a week now, so the pickings will be slim, I'm sure.
I couldn't sleep much with the heat ~ one thing about SoCal weather is that it truly doesn't cool off much at night. It was still in the 80s at 10 pm last night. It's 66 right now, just after 5 am. So, I gave up the attempt around 2:30(75 degrees), and tried to do some knitting on the baby blanket. Somehow, having a large amount of blanket in my lap just didn't work for me this morning. But hey, at least I know it will keep the baby warm this winter!
As I've been catching up on blog readings, I've noticed that quite a few folks have either stopped posting at all, or are posting much less often. Are blogs fading out? Are people just too busy trying to keep a roof over their heads in this dismal economy to blog? Is it just the weather? Will we see an upsurge in posting once it finally cools off?
I couldn't sleep much with the heat ~ one thing about SoCal weather is that it truly doesn't cool off much at night. It was still in the 80s at 10 pm last night. It's 66 right now, just after 5 am. So, I gave up the attempt around 2:30(75 degrees), and tried to do some knitting on the baby blanket. Somehow, having a large amount of blanket in my lap just didn't work for me this morning. But hey, at least I know it will keep the baby warm this winter!
As I've been catching up on blog readings, I've noticed that quite a few folks have either stopped posting at all, or are posting much less often. Are blogs fading out? Are people just too busy trying to keep a roof over their heads in this dismal economy to blog? Is it just the weather? Will we see an upsurge in posting once it finally cools off?
Friday, August 20, 2010
I'm still knitting
the baby blanket. It's gotten summery at last here in SoCal, and I've begun working in my classroom to get ready for the start of school on August 31st, so I've slowed down. I really only have another 5 or 6 inches to go, and I have more than a week to finish, so I'm sure I'll be done with it in time. The heat, however, makes it hard to pick up a lapful of blanket to work on in the afternoon. I've taken to getting up in the very early am to work on it, when it's as cool as it's going to get.
I never made it back to pick up more of the Michael's yarn for a cardi, but that's okay. I have a huge stash, and I'm sure I'll be inspired by something from it for a new cardigan. And I've gotten all those lovely yarns from Elann to play with, as well as some yarns I got on EBay, so I just gave the Michael's yarn a pass.
I did cast on for the sweater out of the Vogue Knits Early Fall, using USDK. Yikes, using 3s! They're so tiny for a sweater project. It was almost scary using them. And the thought of using tiny needles for a long sleeved pullover made me, ummm, wince. That's a lot of knitting time devoted to this project. Good thing I really love the sweater, and the yarn. One thing it's made me do, too, is schedule one of the big-needle cardigans from that same issue as the next thing on my list. Maybe I'll start that one after the blanket is done, and I've gotten the pattern memorized in the USDK sweater. It will provide relief for my hands, switching to the big needles and back to the little needles.
Anyway, I'm off to knit a few more rows of the blanket, and then head into my classroom for a few hours. Enjoy your weekend!
I never made it back to pick up more of the Michael's yarn for a cardi, but that's okay. I have a huge stash, and I'm sure I'll be inspired by something from it for a new cardigan. And I've gotten all those lovely yarns from Elann to play with, as well as some yarns I got on EBay, so I just gave the Michael's yarn a pass.
I did cast on for the sweater out of the Vogue Knits Early Fall, using USDK. Yikes, using 3s! They're so tiny for a sweater project. It was almost scary using them. And the thought of using tiny needles for a long sleeved pullover made me, ummm, wince. That's a lot of knitting time devoted to this project. Good thing I really love the sweater, and the yarn. One thing it's made me do, too, is schedule one of the big-needle cardigans from that same issue as the next thing on my list. Maybe I'll start that one after the blanket is done, and I've gotten the pattern memorized in the USDK sweater. It will provide relief for my hands, switching to the big needles and back to the little needles.
Anyway, I'm off to knit a few more rows of the blanket, and then head into my classroom for a few hours. Enjoy your weekend!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Another Elann Great Buy!
Elann is having another Sample Pack sale, this time on light-weight yarns. Cashmere! Silk! 6 skeins for $18. I've worked with the baby cashmere and baby silk ~ they are incredibly soft and lovely to work with. I keep telling myself that I promised myself no more yarn buying until November, but some of the colors are sooo luscious! But I'm going to be disciplined and exercise my will power. For the rest of you, you have until August 19th to grab some of this delicious yarn. (I am so dreading what must be coming next ~ the Chunky Yarn Sample Pack. I do love chunky yarns. I'm not going to look. I am not going to look. I am not...)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Quick Update
I made a mistake in my earlier post today. The KnitOne CrochetToo yarn isn't for a free Elann pattern, it's for #23 in the Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2010 magazine. (#22 is on my list, too! As are the 3 Lutz & Patmos chunky cardigans. For once, a VK I'll keep for more than the articles!)
Progress, and a diversion
I've managed to knit almost 15 inches on the baby blanket, and I do really like the look of it. Unfortunately, late last night (or early this morning, since it was long after midnight), I ran into a problem. A missing stitch. Not one I can easily just add back in, but one I can't find where it went missing. So I have to rip back until I have all the stitches. All 126 of them. And I just couldn't face it.
While I was out buying the yarn for this baby blanket, I ran across a Michael's brand yarn called Loops & Threads. They had a really bulky warm cream yarn that I bought a skein of to try out. It's acrylic, which I don't knit often, but this yarn feels incredibly soft, and being machine washable and dryable does appeal to me. So, last night while I was feeling very frustrated with the blanket, I tried out this yarn.
And this afternoon I have 18 inches of a moss-stitch cardigan front on my needles. No pattern, just something in my head I'm working out as I go. (Does anyone else do that?) I love the nubby look of the moss stitch, and this yarn really accents that nubbiness. Of course, now I'll have to go back to Michael's and get more yarn, praying that they 1) have the same dyelot and 2)that they have enough yarn for the whole cardigan.
Like I really need to buy more yarn. But then, I didn't buy any for nearly a year or so, so maybe it's okay. I just seem to be making up for lost time rather rapidly. I've also been to Elann a couple (3?) times in the last week or so, and bought some lovely yarns. I got 13 skins of a Knit One Crochet Too USDK (that's the pattern I'm making, too)yarn in a gorgeous shade of wine. I'll be using that to make one of the free patterns I found on their site. And I went back a day or two later to get Elann's Bamboo Fusion for a Maddy Laine pattern. They are having a full bag sale on the Fusion, just $18.15 for a bag of 10 50g skeins! I also picked up some of their Pegasus, as well, for a cute little cropped cardi I want to make. And a day later, when I only meant to look through their free patterns (honestly!), they were offering a sample (6 skeins) of their mid-weight house yarns for only $15, so I got one of those, too, in lovely shades of purple.
I don't actually feel guilty for buying yarn. It lasts forever, and if I don't knit it today, there's always tomorrow. Or next year, or whenever. It's just that it's August. August and September are my "no unnecessary buying" months. As a teacher, I don't get paid between July 1st and October 1st, so these are lean months. This is so not the month to get bitten by the yarn acquisition bug! So, I'm promising myself that once I get enough of the bulky cream yarn to finish the cardigan, I'm not buying anymore yarn until November. (October's check is always spent before it actually gets here, so...) Moral support welcome!
While I was out buying the yarn for this baby blanket, I ran across a Michael's brand yarn called Loops & Threads. They had a really bulky warm cream yarn that I bought a skein of to try out. It's acrylic, which I don't knit often, but this yarn feels incredibly soft, and being machine washable and dryable does appeal to me. So, last night while I was feeling very frustrated with the blanket, I tried out this yarn.
And this afternoon I have 18 inches of a moss-stitch cardigan front on my needles. No pattern, just something in my head I'm working out as I go. (Does anyone else do that?) I love the nubby look of the moss stitch, and this yarn really accents that nubbiness. Of course, now I'll have to go back to Michael's and get more yarn, praying that they 1) have the same dyelot and 2)that they have enough yarn for the whole cardigan.
Like I really need to buy more yarn. But then, I didn't buy any for nearly a year or so, so maybe it's okay. I just seem to be making up for lost time rather rapidly. I've also been to Elann a couple (3?) times in the last week or so, and bought some lovely yarns. I got 13 skins of a Knit One Crochet Too USDK (that's the pattern I'm making, too)yarn in a gorgeous shade of wine. I'll be using that to make one of the free patterns I found on their site. And I went back a day or two later to get Elann's Bamboo Fusion for a Maddy Laine pattern. They are having a full bag sale on the Fusion, just $18.15 for a bag of 10 50g skeins! I also picked up some of their Pegasus, as well, for a cute little cropped cardi I want to make. And a day later, when I only meant to look through their free patterns (honestly!), they were offering a sample (6 skeins) of their mid-weight house yarns for only $15, so I got one of those, too, in lovely shades of purple.
I don't actually feel guilty for buying yarn. It lasts forever, and if I don't knit it today, there's always tomorrow. Or next year, or whenever. It's just that it's August. August and September are my "no unnecessary buying" months. As a teacher, I don't get paid between July 1st and October 1st, so these are lean months. This is so not the month to get bitten by the yarn acquisition bug! So, I'm promising myself that once I get enough of the bulky cream yarn to finish the cardigan, I'm not buying anymore yarn until November. (October's check is always spent before it actually gets here, so...) Moral support welcome!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Wow, two posts in two days!
Just a quick update. The 4th time was the charm, after all. Yay! I'm about 4 inches in on the blanket now, and it's whizzing along. Plenty of time to finish before the baby shower! (Yes, I'm so relieved to be able to say that, after the tough time I had getting started on this baby blanket!)
I just looked at the First Fall issue of Knitty, and I've downloaded the pattern for Victoria. I'll be shopping my stash for this one, but I really like the look of it. And it's not like I'm in a hurry for it ~ SoCal doesn't need cardigans until maybe December. Although, it's been a pretty cool summer, temperature-wise. Mostly 70s and 80s, with a few 90+, and even fewer (maybe 3?) that reached 3-digits. Odd, really. Maybe the weather is saving up the really hot days until school starts up again. September is usually warm, often hot, so we'll see.
Anyway, back to the baby blanket.
I just looked at the First Fall issue of Knitty, and I've downloaded the pattern for Victoria. I'll be shopping my stash for this one, but I really like the look of it. And it's not like I'm in a hurry for it ~ SoCal doesn't need cardigans until maybe December. Although, it's been a pretty cool summer, temperature-wise. Mostly 70s and 80s, with a few 90+, and even fewer (maybe 3?) that reached 3-digits. Odd, really. Maybe the weather is saving up the really hot days until school starts up again. September is usually warm, often hot, so we'll see.
Anyway, back to the baby blanket.
Friday, August 6, 2010
I'm back! Again!
It's been more than a year since I last posted, and I did some blog reading today and found out I'm not alone in being missing for so long. Several of my regular reads have been "missing" longer than I have! What have we all been doing??
As for me, I had a really tough year at work, a combo class of 35 4th and 5th graders who hadn't learned their social graces yet. It was a long, difficult road to success in June, I tell ya.
Anyway, I'm finally recovered from that year, and I've started knitting again. (I was so frazzled most of the year that I even stopped buying yarn!) But, the daughter of a friend is having a baby, and I decided I was going to knit her son-to-be a nice little blanket.
I found a pattern I liked in Love of Knitting magazine, summer '09, found some yarn I liked at Michael's, a chunky color-spattered really soft yarn, washable of course, and started in. And restarted. And restarted. I tell ya, it made me crazy! It seems such a simple pattern, but I consistently messed up 3 times.
Thank goodness I started this project very early. The shower isn't until August 28th, so I have time, but I just never expected to have this much trouble with such a simple knit. This must be revenge of the Yarn gods for abandoning them for a year!
Maybe the 4th time is the charm? I'm about to find out, once I finish this post. Oh, and eat dinner. I had so much trouble with Blogger today, it took me hours just to get to this blog. Another consequence for dropping out for a year, huh? Anyway, I'll be posting more regularly, although I make no promises. School starts up again on August 30th, so who knows?
It's good to be back!
As for me, I had a really tough year at work, a combo class of 35 4th and 5th graders who hadn't learned their social graces yet. It was a long, difficult road to success in June, I tell ya.
Anyway, I'm finally recovered from that year, and I've started knitting again. (I was so frazzled most of the year that I even stopped buying yarn!) But, the daughter of a friend is having a baby, and I decided I was going to knit her son-to-be a nice little blanket.
I found a pattern I liked in Love of Knitting magazine, summer '09, found some yarn I liked at Michael's, a chunky color-spattered really soft yarn, washable of course, and started in. And restarted. And restarted. I tell ya, it made me crazy! It seems such a simple pattern, but I consistently messed up 3 times.
Thank goodness I started this project very early. The shower isn't until August 28th, so I have time, but I just never expected to have this much trouble with such a simple knit. This must be revenge of the Yarn gods for abandoning them for a year!
Maybe the 4th time is the charm? I'm about to find out, once I finish this post. Oh, and eat dinner. I had so much trouble with Blogger today, it took me hours just to get to this blog. Another consequence for dropping out for a year, huh? Anyway, I'll be posting more regularly, although I make no promises. School starts up again on August 30th, so who knows?
It's good to be back!
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