Long Weekend

Wow, in knitting not so much~~ the scarf grows longer everyday, and I could cast off at any time.I I am regretting my decision not to do a pattern stitch on my pi shawl, I am swimming in an ocean of stockinette done in the round, knit every stitch until I go to hell.  But I also have the Noro scarf and some other stuff to keep me from losing my mind.

School, meh.  We have started final exams already and they are over on Wed, then two weeks of immersion curriculum.  Yee haw.  

My Thursday was interesting this week. I went for my first bikini wax.  

 5 Things I learned at my bikini wax:

1. Things I don't want to hear

a.) Oops

b.) Are you ok sorry about that

c.) Let me put a little something on there for you

2. Having a drink first was not a bad idea

3. If I am not scarred for life from 1-a it was totally worth it.

4.  Men do not want to hear it about it

5. My summer boss does not consider a bikini wax a job related expense that he should pay for out of petty cash.

  

OOps it is sideways

Guess what came in the mail today? disagree (1) and my pint glasses.  My friend and I made smoothies.  We used ice, juice, baby food (apple mango kiwi) and peach schnapps.

Yummy

Knitting Happens

From the top: Noro Striped scarf, half done.

Scarf for a grad present, jsut started

Pi Shawl still small

Deportment and Charm School

As I have mentioned before I work in a high school.  One of the things we require of the freshman is a two week immersion course called Career Paths.  (The rest of the school gets to pick their immersion curriculum).  In Career Paths teachers are faced with a group of 14 and 15 year old students who have just finished their first year of high school.  And now they are charged with explaining to them that the next three years are very important to them and they need to pick the classes that will get them into the college, vocational school, job or military career that they want. To that end these students research a college and career choice and do a report.  

In my humble opinion this is bullshit.  I propose that all the freshman be made to learn some basic etiquette and social skills.  I live in a poverty level community.  Which is not to say that everyone lives at the poverty level, but many do.  I beleive that rather than teaching students to use the internet to do research, which they already know how to do, they should be taught basic social standard.  Please, thank you, you are welcome, take your hat off at the table (indoors really), put your napkin in your lap at a meal, how to tie a tie, how to sit if you are wearing a dress, I could go on and on, but I think you know what I mean.  My theory is that these basic skills will get them further in life in general than researching a college.  Young people need to know how to eat in a restaurant and not look foolish in front of their new boss.  They need to understand that saying please and thank you will get you further in life than updating their myspace.com page.  I do understand we are in a digital age, and that some social standards have changed, but basic manners and etiquette will never ( I hope) go out of style.

Travel Story Part Two

Once I got to Colorado, I was able to get to my hotel and relax.  However no one else in my family was as lucky.  My aunt was delayed from her departure city for three hours, missing her connection in Chicago, my cousin never made it out of Rhode Island, my brother missed his connection in Boston, and my parents were delayed at Bradley because Air Force One was there.

Eventually everyone made it (except my cousin) and the marriage was held, with only one downside, it was too windy and cold to get married outside.  (windy, as in blew over a motorcycle in the parking lot windy).

It was a great trip, too fast, but great fun.

Sleepover Update and Travel Story Part One

First the sleepover went quite well.  Who knew that some children actually lay down and go to sleep?  My own child has NEVER done that.  My own child's sleep patterns are so non existant that he had to go to sleep lab for a sleep study.  (Aside, $1200 later they told me he has "onset sleep insomnia" and "restless leg syndrome."  Onset sleep insomnia?  You mean he doesn't fall asleep? Isn't that why I brought him here?) However the guest at said sleepover announced at 7:45 he was tired, lay down on the couch and went to sleep.  I was amazed!!                                

Now for the travel story.  I had to fly to Colorado Springs for a wedding this weekend.  I was flying on a "white Knuckles" airline from my hometown to Boston, to Chicago, to Co Springs.  I head off to the airport at 5:30 am.  I check in.  I am told, "The pilot had a death in the family and we have to fly another pilot here from Hyannis, MA, there will be a slight delay."  Ok no problem, I have a healthy layover in Boston anyway.  I get to Boston, get on the plane to go to Chicago.  We are told that there is some "weather" in Chicago and we are going to slow down a little so we dont' get there too early. Then the next thing I know we are landing in . . . Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Which can I point out, NOT CHICAGO!!  However I was not to upset when the pilot comes on to announce, "We are just going to top off the gas tanks and head on our way to Chicago with only a short delay to our flight."  Top off the.... WAIT we were RUNNING OUT OF GAS???  

FF to Chicago, where, we have been assured, everything has been delayed, so even if we are late, no worries.  Chances are the connection has been delayed.  Except for that ONE flight, mine to Colorado Springs.  I did however make the flight (with 4 minutes to spare).  

And what  a great place to get married... the pitcher's mound

FInished!

I finally did it.  I can honestly say that I do not know why I did not finish this sooner, oh wait could it have been the fact that it was freaking cold out until recently? The yarn is Peace Fleece dk in salmon.  Which has a bit of bias that makes the cable section pull to one side a bit but it is much better after blocking.  I will get pictures of it on soon.  Now the only thing on the needles is hypotenuse, which will be done soon.  And next up is pi shawl. 

In mothering I am hosting our first sleepover tonight.  I must be crazy, I am hungover and I agreed to an 8 and 9 year old sleepover?

School Vacation

Holy Knitting Batman!!  I actually made real honest to goodness progress on the tank yesterday.  The back is bound off except for the straps and I have reached the split for the v neck!!! My plan is to finish it today.  woo hoo!!

In other news, my brother's wedding is a week plus a few days away.  I am actually looking forward to the trip to Colorado, even though it will be a quick one.  Fly out and back in three days. 

School vacation and knitting go together like peas and carrots, and after Feb break being bandaged from surgery I am so looking forward to the next seven days!!!

Knitting for jewelry

I knit this hat for a friend's hubby, and he loved it so much he asked me if I would make another one, and he would pay me.  So I said sure, bought some black yarn swathed up two samples let him pick his yarn and now I am going to make him a hat.  In the meantime he is wearing the other hat all over town. I get an email from a friend of his who saw his hat and wants to know if I will make her a hat in exchange for jewelry as she owns a jewelry shop and makes jewelry.  So I look at her jewelry, start drooling, and make her a hat.  Life is good.

I continue to slog away at hypotenuse, and prosperous plum tank.  I got lovely yarn goodness for my birthday that doesn't yet have a plan, and yarn for a pi shawl that just hasn't been started. 

In mothering, I bought a camelback backpack, the kind that you can fill with water and there is a tube that goes to your mouth and you can drink as you want... So Noodle takes it and drinks 1.5 liters of water, asks for a refill, another 1.5 liters, and asks for a refill... I finally said no, and now I am afraid to peek into the bedroom, I hope he hasn't wet the bed. I mean he is almost nine years old.  I also had to break down and buy some clothes for him.  He pulled out some shorts the other day and put them on, certainly time for new clothes. Thank god for old navy on line, free shipping etc etc