First Day and Last Monday

Today was the first day of school. I cannot remember ever feeling chilly during the first week of school, let alone the first day. Today was rainy and cold!

I think I'll enjoy the year, but it's too early to tell. My students were pretty quiet until my third hour class. They had some "issues" coming up from lunch. Well have to work on that.

I got a beautiful surprise though. My dear husband sent me flowers! They are a beautiful bouquet of pink roses, tiger lillies and baby glads. He rarely does things like this, so I was in shock! It's so nice to be reminded that you are special!

Today was also "Last Monday" at the Yarn Shoppe. Our Stitch and Bitch meets in the shop the last monday of each month. I enjoy last monday because I get to play with yarn, eat goodies and see my ladies. I have to say that Susan and Brenda crack me the hell up. "I am Susan" "Do the Math" *sigh*

I have my eye on some Manos for a fall bag. I adore the baby Alpaca. I bought the Knitting Stitches Calendar to look for a pattern to use my Wool in the Woods Helix for a shawl. Last Mondays can be dangerous!

Sigh....a long day

It's that time of year again. The week before classes begin. The week in which teachers come in to discover what messes they need to clean.

By messes you may think I am referring to the piles of things that the custodians moved to "clean" your room. In our school, those messes are common. You leave your room in some sort of order. You take down the bulletin boards, box up the contents of your desk (because you were warned that it may be upended in order to be moved), you label all moveable objects so that with prayers and a little luck you may actually get them back. Yes, we deal with these messes. We even expect them.

The OTHER messes we deal with are the ones that plague us every year, yet we never really anticipate them. These are the messes which involve having 33 students in one section and 8 in another, no books for the course you are teaching, too many books for other courses delivered to your room, computers....but no where to put them. These messes are the more frantic ones. Yet somehow, even though we never truly feel ready, we are.

Tonight was unpack your backpack night. This is our second year doing this before school officially begins. It's a little uncommon for a middle school to do this but it's a good thing. I met many students are parents tonight. I didn't feel like I needed to be able to answer quizes about their child as I usually do when Open House is after the beginning of the year. It was nice.

Hot but nice.

No knitting tonight....it's been a long day!

Okay, I have not got a clue as the to the funky stairstep of the pictures. I believe that Blogger likes to watch me beat my head against the wall of my dining room as I type.....who knows. I shall not complain too much as I am able to post the pictures and for that I am grateful.

From the left....my second Sizzle , socks, and my first Sizzle. As you can see from the photo, the first version of Sizzle is a bit big on me. Yes, I got gauge, I have no idea what's going on. I am making the second in the XS size. I do like the loose version though. It's very comfy!

Finally, we have handpainted sock yarn in yummy browns and reds. I'm so looking forward to making fall socks from this!





Today was our first day at school. I love and hate the first inservice day. It's nice to see everyone again. It also is a quick reminder that I'm not ready. (Well really, who is?) I have a lot to do in my room to get ready for students.

It's also warm today. Take a warm day, add an unairconditioned brick building and east facing windows. It was HOT at school today! Thank goodness we have meetings in air conditioning tomorrow!

Last Day of Freedom

Hand Dyed Sock Yarn and a shot of my stash!



School starts for teachers tomorrow. BLECH How could summer have come and gone already? Time passes much too quickly!

I went into my classroom today and unpacked boxes. It's nice to have that mostly done. The weather even cooperated and it wasn't unbearable as it usually is.

We had a wonderful evening. Dinner on the deck and then a great walk in the beautiful weather. I even got some knitting done! The back of my second Sizzle is to the armholes. I plan to work on it an hour each night or so and I should have it completed by the end of the weekend.

What do you think, bring knitting to Master's class on Saturday (9-4...blech) or not??

Just for fun, let's try a pic...
OMG It worked!! Should I try another? WOW! The curse is lifted...more tomorrow!

Let's see if it works.....

Nope, it's a good thing I am not holding my breath for pictures!


So instead...a WEEKEND WRAP UP

It turned out to be a nice end to the weekend although it was a rough start.
Friday was just icky, weather wise. I felt sick all day, headache and very tired. I even had DH go get me dinner b/c I didn't want to cook OR go anywhere. This is very unlike me. I tried to nap, but of course, I do have an almost two year old at home. Most of saturday was the same, both health and weather wise.
By saturday evening, I was feeling a bit better and we already had a sitter set up. We went to dinner and to see Talledega Nights. I haven't laughed that hard in a while. It was nice to get out and have a date!
Today was beautiful. We got a lot done in the yard and the house. Then we had Bob and Amy over for dinner. Rosemary NY Strip, tomato basil fresh mozz salad, grilled corn on the cob, garlic bread and Pesto Genovese. Then we all went out for ice cream. It's a perfect night and it was a great time!
I can't believe that school starts for me this week. I'm not ready! Oh well, I'll get it all done.
Not much knitting this weekend though either sick or busy. Isn't that the way it is?

Sorry, no pics yet! Eventually the God who controlls Blogger will look upon my face and smile......someday.......

The weary traveler returns

I've been mostly gone since the end of July. Florida, Baltimore, Minneapolis....come and gone. I'm happy to be home.

While in Baltimore, I visited Cloverhill Yarn a delightful shop in Catonsville about 4 miles from DH's Aunt's where we were staying. I didn't expect to find such wonderful yarns or ladies there! They even had a stash of toys for the boy! DH accompanied me. He was great with Grant and even walked away instead of asking how much I spent! *sigh* I do love this man!

Cherry Tree Hill in Life's a Beach pictured above.

Mama-E's Cy*ber Fiber Socks in Clover Hill Signature (no pics, I'm having it out with Blogger and pics tonight and I give up!)
Wool in the Woods Helix in Lottery
and Claudia Handpainted in Black Walnut

Most are sock yarns with the exception of the Wool in the Woods. I'm looking into patterns for a wrap from this. I want something with a bit of texture in it, but not too difficult.

As for summer knitting....I've finished one Sizzle from Wendy in royal blue and am making another in a green Cascade Sierra.

I'm also working on another pair of socks in Knitpicks Parade

Whew...enough fighting with the computer for tonight!

(Susan, I expect a good comment....LOL)