Happy New Year

So it is New Year's Eve. I have no plans other than watching movies, probably a "Lord of the Rings" marathon, and knitting. I don't like to go out on this night because of all the drunks out there; I don't want to be a statistic. So, we will stay home and watch movies.


I decided to list what I made this year. Most of it went to the reservation and the others went to Grandmas who were expecting a new grandchild. Anyway, here is my list.

round crocheted ripple baby blanket - 2
crocheted afghans - 3
children's hats - 7
children's mittens - 5 pairs
quilted child's blankets - 3
baby sweater - 1
baby booties - 6 pairs
dishcloth baby blanket - 1
knitted baby blanket - 2
infant mittens - 3 pairs
infant hats - 5
toddler mittens - 2 pairs
child's slippers - 3
knitted dish cloths - 7
crocheted dish cloth - 1

I know there is more but I forgot to write it down, but this is pretty close. I hope to do better in 2008 than I did in 2007. Especially for the reservation, they need sooooo much more.

Now here is my New Year's Resolutions, well most of them anyway, some are too personal to post on the net.


Lose Weight - I don't care how much so long as I lose some. This is a "have to" one because of the high blood pressure and diabetes. I will use the DASH diet and walk during my breaks at work. I even bought a pouch which hangs from the belt loops of my pants so I can knit while I am walking. The yarn is in the pouch and the knitting is in my hands. I figure I will walk farther if I am knitting.


Keep House Clean - This is another "have to" because I am much happier when the house is cleaner. I feel better physically and mentally, so I need to keep up with it. I cleaned it pretty good while I have been on this break from work, now I need to come up with a plan to keep it that way after I go back to work.


Finish all my UFOs - I am making myself a promise to finish one UFO before I start a new one. There are several here and I really want to get them out of my house. So, before I can start a new project I have to finish an old one. This will be a hard one to do because there is always one more I want to start.


Don't buy any more books, use the library - This is a hard one because I love buying books almost as much as I love buying yarn.


And now for the hardest one of all:

DO NOT BUY ANYMORE YARN UNTIL YOU USE WHAT YOU HAVE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The exception will be wool yarn for hats for a4A because I do not have much wool, most of it is acrylic. The other exception is if I need to buy yarn for a special project, but I am going to try to stop doing so much of that and concentrate on making stuff for the reservation.


Well, that is it. I am hoping that because I have written it down and sent it out to cyber space I will be able to keep most of them. Periodically, I will be posting here about them, just to keep myself honest.

I am wishing everyone a wonderful New Year! Take care and be nice to each other.

My trip to the LYS

I went to my LYS to buy some short dpns to make socks with and came home with this. I couldn't resist! It is soft and cuddly and I wanted it, nothing was going to stop me. I bought it yesterday morning, so had the rest of the day to figure out what I was going to say to Stephen before he came home from work. What did I do, you ask? I started out by telling him about the cashmere they had there for around $40.00 for a 25 g skein, after I got done telling him about that this didn't seem so bad. Don't you just love the color? I am not sure what I am going to make with it yet, probably the stole that is on the Meg Swansen DVD. Or I will just keep petting it until there is nothing left. I got the dpns, by the way.

The NAS group I am with is having a sock/slipper challenge for February and I am trying to make some socks for it. I tried the heel last night and had to rip it out. I had it on 3 needles and am going to try 4 to see if it is any easier. I was tired and trying to watch "The Odd Couple" while I was doing it. Maybe I will have better luck this morning. I am determined to do it because I would like to be able to send socks up there besides the slippers I intend to make.

I don't know what happens to this blog when I post it. I have it all typed nice and neat with spaces between the paragraphs and such, but when I post it they disappear and it does whatever it wants. Maybe someday I will figure this thing out.

I only have 3 days left of my vacation. I am seriously thinking about transferring over to part day at work because they get their summers off. I guess I should explain what "part day" means. Right now I am in full day, which means we have the kids all day long. Some of them from 7 in the morning until 6 at night (which upsets me to no end, but that is a different subject). If I worked part day it is more like Kindergarten. There is a morning teacher and an afternoon teacher. They each have their own class of 20 with a TA to help. If I were the morning teacher I would have my class until around 12, then I would spend the rest of the day doing paperwork and helping out in the afternoon class. (There is a lot of paperwork when you work for Head Start. The government expects everything to be documented). There are no kids on Fridays, so that gives the teachers an extra day to get to all of that paperwork. In full day you are responsible for only around 6 or 7 kid's observations and assessments, in part day you have 20. But, every summer you get laid off and can collect unemployment and stay home and knit. So, I am thinking about going that route this next year. It's something to think about anyway.

I have been posting a lot of stuff to my Ravelry account. I posted some yarn and some needles yesterday. I just need to go back and take pictures of the yarn so I can post that. I have posted a few projects and even joined a group, although I haven't really done anything much with them yet. But, I am having fun and my favorite part is the library. I like the way the pictures of the books I post come up. Pretty cool stuff!

I guess that is about it. Need to do some cleaning and take a shower. We are talking about getting a female canary for my male one. I feel sorry for him. He looks so lonely. I just hope he doesn't stop singing when we get her. I love to listen to him in the morning.

Oh yea, we went to the movies last night. We saw "National Treasure". What did I think of it? I would suggest you wait until it comes out on DVD before you watch it and then think about it before you do that. It really wasn't all that great, infact some of it was pretty silly. They sure didn't have much trouble getting into the Queen's office, the President's office and kidnapping the President, and driving through London at break neck speeds crashing into everything and everyone. Then when it was over all was forgiven. Like I said it was pretty silly.

Take care everyone and be nice to each other.

Christmas Happenings

Here is Stephen when we attended the Moscow Ballet's "Nutcracker" We went to the Flint Center this year. I saw them one time before at Chabot and really liked them. This year they weren't as good. I think next year we will go watch Oakland Ballet"s "Nutcracker", when I saw them a few years ago they were great.

I had a quiet Christmas this year. My oldest DD and her family we not able to make it up here from Southern California so it was just us and my younger DD and her family. They didn't come over until around 4:00 so we really had a quiet day. It was nice, though, I was able to relax and enjoy myself.

I recieved the first ever yarn related gift from my youngest DD. She gave me this

Amazon.com: Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop DVD: DVD: Elizabeth Zimme

and this

Amazon.com: Knitting Lace with Meg Swansen: DVD: Meg Swansen,Cully Swansen

and I have been happily watching them and learning from them. Yesterday I was able to knit in the round with 5 needles using two different colors of yarn to make a pattern in a little hat I am making for afghans for Afghans - Campaign. It was great fun! I showed Stephen when he got home from work, but he didn't seem to be too impressed. Of course I need to RIP it because I but the design too close to the ribbing, but at least I was doing it. I am also going to finally make a Pi shawl. I have had the yarn and have wanted to make one for years, but could never make the beginning cast on. Now that I have seen Elizabeth make Emily Ocker's crocheted cast on I think I can do it. I just need to get all my supplies together.

I am off until the 2nd and have been busy getting caught up with cleaning and knitting. I want to sew a couple of aprons for my classroom. I want to turn the dramatic play area into a restaurant for the kids and the cooks will need aprons. I also have to make some menus and a sign for it. It is just a matter of getting started and then I will get it done. Maybe today.

I did a little shopping yesterday. I am always amazed at how uncrowded the stores are during the week. I usually don't get the chance to shop then because I am at work. It seemed funny to be there on a Thursday morning. I bought some things for the house a dirty clothes basket for Patrick and a chest for Stephen's games I also saw what I am going to get my youngest DD for her birthday, now I just need to go back and get it. I usually send flowers, but I think she will like this instead. I hope so at least.

That's about all. Take care and be nice to each other.

Christmas Tree

Here is a picture of the tree which is finally finished. It has only taken me since Monday to finish it. I have been too tired when I got home from work to do it. But, today we got off at 11:30 after we had first aid training and I do not have to be back to work until the 2nd. Yea! I really am looking forward to this break. I hope to get some sewing done, some major knitting done and some cleaning done. Should keep me busy until it is time to go back.

Speaking of work, there are some changes that will happen when we go back. The major one is that Tawana will no longer be in the same room with me. She was transfered to room 1, and one of the co-teachers from that room will be in our room. The reason being they do not want two strong (me and Tawana) teachers in one room and two teachers who can barely control the kids in another. So Anu (my other co-teacher) and I will get Laura in exchange for Tawana. I am actually upset about it because she is not much of a teacher. She is "tired" all the time, will sit with just one child and let the other teacher take care of the other 19 children and not do her share of the paper work. So, we will see how it goes. Oh yea, did I mention that this teacher is only 25 years old? Should be interesting.

Well, back to wrapping and watching Christmas movies. I think I am going to watch Scrooge tonight. The one with Albert Finney. It is my favorite version. Have a great evening everyone and be nice to each other.

FOs and Wips

This is a hat and booties I knitted for Tawana's soon to be born 7th grandchild. The yarn is Caron's Simply Soft and the pattern is from this book:Amazon.com: Morehouse Farm Merino Knits: More than 40 Farm-Fresh Designs: Book. It is a great book, I have made several items from it and would recommend it to anyone.

This is a scarf I made yesterday for the reservation. It is made out of one skein of Homespun on size 19 needles. Worked up very fast. I made the whole thing while watching "Lord of the Rings". I have another one lined up to do because I have a lonely skein of Homespun I want to use.

And lastly a Wip. The baby blanket I am making for Tawana's grandbaby. It is made out of Red Heart in the patten I posted a couple of blogs ago. I am hoping to finish it this week and get on with some other things I have in line for the reservation.

We are cleaning today, shampooing the carpet then we can put up the tree. Stephen is on his way to get Zoe who will spend the day with us. She called and wanted to come over, so of course Da is on is way. LOL! Take care everyone and be nice to each other.

Depression

I spent this weekend knitting. I know that I have a million things which need to be done around here, but I did none of them. I just sat, listened to a book on tape, watched the same movie as the book and knitted. I don't understand why I do this. I just get very depressed and want to not even move. I also spent a lot of time sleeping. If I had my choice that is what I would do all the time. Unfortunately, my body won't let me sleep that much, although I sure can sleep a lot. So, I knit. It is the only thing other than sleeping that makes it all better. Right now I am sitting here trying to think of a reason to stay home so I can knit. I won't though, I will go to work and hate every minute of it. When I get like this I don't care about anything and the only reason I knit is because I can't sleep.

So, what have I been knitting. A baby blanket for Tawana's soon to be grand daughter. A baby poncho with hood for the same baby. I had that one almost done and had to rip back to a couple of inches from the beginning because of a mistake. I did finish a wool baby hat which will be sent to Afghanistan to a children's hospital there. I am also working on a shawl for the elders and a dishcloth baby blanket for the rez.

I found some very large (3 gals) Zip Lock bags this weekend and have been using them to put projects in that I will be working on later. I got this idea from the Yarn Harlot http://www.yarnharlot.ca who says she does this all the time. I didn't know they made them this big. She says they even make them big enough to put an 8 year old in but I wouldn't recommend it. The 3 gal size is big enough to hold all the yarn, needles and pattern and whatever else might be needed for that project. For instance I put all of the wool into a bag because it will all make up into hats and a baby blanket to be sent to Afghanistan instead of the acrylic that I use for the rez. I was thinking that when I use up all of the yarn I have (in about 40 years LOL) I will only use wool for the rez. They know how to handle it and most of them have to do their laundry by hand anyway. But that is in the future and I need to get all of this used up before that happens.

I was supposed to go to breakfast at IHop with the people from PITC. This was our last time to be together and the class is all done so we were going to meet there to have a little get together and the agency was paying for breakfast. I decided not to go. Why? Well, I have not heard from any of them since I transfered from up there. Not even Terri, she never even called me to say if the baby has been born yet. So, why should I go? I am tired of being used by people, from now on I will help IF I can and if I either can't or don't feel like it I won't. I have a baby blanket and a blanket for her older grandson sitting here and they will both go out in the next box to the rez.

Well, now that I have depressed you I will go get ready for work and maybe get a little knitting done before I leave. Here's a little information about me which will let you know how weird I am. I will leave here an hour or more before I have to be to work so I can sit in the car, listen to a book on tape and knit before I have to go in. Now, is that strange or what? I wish I could find a job where all I have to do is knit. Unfortunately, I am not really good enough to do it professionally, just good enough for me. But, then again I guess that is all that counts.

Have a great day and be nice to each other.

Sewing room

I have finally finish cleaning up the sewing room. Here is a shelf that holds a few of my favorite things.

A place to sit quietly and knit. The shelf next to the chair holds my knitting books.

A few more of my favorite things.

The yarn closet before I put the curtain up. I have more yarn stashed all over the house, but the is the bulk of it.

And my sewing machine. The one that I can now use because I can finally get to it. I probably should have taken before pictures just so you could see how bad it really was. Now that I am into cleaning I am going to tackle the computer room because it is where we put our tree and I want to get it up this weekend. But, first I am going to do a little knitting just to be able to use my new clean room. Happy, happy, happy!

Take care everyone and be nice to each other.

The Review is over!

So, we got through the review. What a relief it is to have it done for another three years. Our site did very well. There was only a couple of things they found, and they are fixable. But, Cal State was way out of compliance. I don't know what they are going to do about it. The problem is that if one site is out of compliance, then the whole agency is. They have 45 days to fix it all or I don't know what will happen. I know the agency will be fined, but I'm not sure if we can be shut down. I guess it all depends on how bad it is. And from what I understand it is pretty bad. So, we will see what happens. But, I keep thinking that I might want to start looking for another job.

I started a knitted scarf today. I know, I know why did I start another project when I have so many already started? Well, I found a blog online where the owner posts a different scarf pattern every month. I really wanted to try this one out and I am glad I did. The pattern will make a great baby blanket. And I have some white soft yarn that will be just wonderful for that blanket. So, guess what I am going to start next? I even sat during lunch today and figured out how many stitches to cast on and what kind of border I wanted around it. Now, I can't wait to get started. I think they call this disease "startitise". I just keep starting new things and never finishing anything. Well, that isn't true, I do finish stuff, but never as much as I start. Maybe there is a 12 step program for people like me.

Take care everyone, have a great night and be nice to each other.

Ramblings for a Monday Evening

Here is a bad picture of Da and Zoe sitting on the bed, eating pizza and watching Shrek the Third. She spent the weekend and we all had a pretty good time. She came in on Sunday morning and woke us up, I still haven't forgiven her for that one. LOL. I think the only reason she comes over is because we have cable. But, I can't prove that one. So, I probably should be quiet about it.

Speaking of grandchildren, I just found out my 10 year old grandson made the honor roll. A very proud grandmother is sitting here writing this. What a great job he did!

Well, we spent all of last week getting our room ready for the review. I mean my co-teacher Tawana and I cleaned it from top to floor getting all the areas ready and in order. We busted our butts for three days. They (the review team) are here (they come from all over the country) and were at another site today and are supposed to be at ours tomorrow. I sure will be glad when this is over and we can get back to the job of teaching.

We had four days off work, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. What did I do all four days? I cleaned. As though I didn't get enough of it at work, I spent my days off doing the same thing. I cleaned the hall closet, got rid of almost everything in there. Well, not really, just the cross stitch stuff. I don't do it anymore and I am going to send it to the reservation so they can have it. Hopefully they can use it up there. There is bound to be someone who cross stitches.

After I finished the closet I actually tackled the sewing room. What I found out, and this came as a surprise to me, was that we really do have a floor in there. I was truly amazed. I had Stephen take the doors off the closet in there and I will hang curtains because it makes it is easier to see what is in there. I had to buy 5 more crates to hold all of the yarn and it still did do it. I have it in baskets in the hall closet, in a large basket here in the computer room, in baskets on book shelves in the sewing room and some in bags in the bedroom. But, at least it is organized better and I can see what I have and can get to it easier. Now if I just had the time to knit it all.

I still need to go through the stuff that I am sending to the reservation and get it boxed up. I want it out of here ASAP. Before I change my mind. I look at it and remember how much fun I used to have cross stitching and collecting all of the fabrics, thread and kits. But, I just don't do it anymore. I really am trying to down size so that when we do move it will be easier.

What am I working on now. A very pink baby blanket for Tawana's grand daughter who is due in February. I have several other projects in the works which I will list after I finish going through them. One of the things I did this weekend was to go through some UFOs (unfinished objects) and decide that I would never finish some of them so I rewound the yarn and will use it for something else.

The blanket has become one I seem to make a lot. It is my own recipe and I find it very easy to do. Using WW yarn and appropriate needles (I use a US9) I cast on 150 stitches. I then garter stitch 12 rows. Then I k10, k10, p10,k10,p10,k10,p10,k10,p10,k10,p10,k10,p10,k10,k10. On the next row I do just the opposite: k10,p10,k10 and so on always keeping the first and last 10 stitches on each row in garter stitch for a border. I do this for 12 rows. Then I take another color yarn (usually varigated) and garter stitch for 6 rows. I then use the first color yarn and repeat the first part. I continue working in this way until it is as long as I want it and then I finish with a 12 row garter stitch border. I hope this makes sense, if not please feel free to contact me and I will try to help you.

OK, I am going to go pack up the stuff I am sending to the reservation, read some things that I need to refresh myself on for work and get some knitting done. Take care and be nice to each other.

It's been a long time!

I sure haven't been keeping up with this blog. I promised myself I would when I started it, but so much for self promises. I do have a few excuses, though. Work, school, PITC, Next FAIS and on and on and on. Sometimes I feel like I am meeting myself coming and going. Then, of course I have to find time to knit. I even go to work an hour early so I can sit in the car and get some knitting done. Is that strange or what?

So, anyway I am going to try to keep up and at least post once a month. I also want to add more pictures of what I am knitting/crocheting. I want to keep a record of what I have made and what I am doing with my time. I don't have any pictures right now, but hope to this weekend.

I have been busy with work. We are getting ready for our Review. This happens once every three years and is a big deal. It means whether or not we get to stay open. The government sends several people from all over the country to go over everything we do with a fine tooth comb. This will all happen on the 26th of this month, so until then we will be busting our butts to get ready. Fortunately, we do not have any kids tomorrow or next week so we should be ready. I sure will be glad when it is over.

Still plugging along with the Algebra. I HATE it though. I should be studying for a test on the 19th, but what am I doing? Anything to get away from it. We only have a few more classes and then I think I have part of December and most of January before the next class starts. I never, ever, ever want to take another math class again. I am only taking these because I need them to transfer.

Stephen is doing pretty good after his surgery. He will be going back to work on Monday. Now that he is off the drugs for his leg he is making much more sense than he did when he was stoned. But, then again he is not as much fun.

A full weekend coming up. We are going to Zoe's school tomorrow night for some sort of function and then she will be spending the weekend. I also need to study, do some paper work for work, pack the boxes for the reservation's Christmas stuff, and so on and so forth. Hope I live through it.

Take care all. Be nice to each other!

Hello All! I am posting a picture of the mittens I am sending up to the reservation. They will keep seven pairs of little hands warm. I have several other items made, such as hats, slippers, blankets and such, but will wait to send them until I have a box full. But because we are having a Mitten Blitz it is time to send these.

Anyway, I wanted to get the picture posted before they go out either tomorrow or Saturday.

Have a great evening everyone!

This 'n That

This is the second time I have tried to post this, so hope it works this time.

I have been pretty busy, working, PITC, knitting and life. But, for a week at least I am on vacation from work. I have been looking forward to this for a very long time and I intend to enjoy every minute of it.

My grandchildren will be staying with us for a few days. That is if they don't drive me crazy and I send them home. I put them to work this morning, cleaning out the garage so we could organize the stuff for the pick up on Tuesday by Sallys. I also had them crushing cans for recycling. Poor things, they acted as though I were making them do the most awful thing imaginable. On Wednesday we are taking them to Santa Cruz, so that should get rid of some of the trauma. I mean what kid doesn't like death defying rides on the boardwalk and a whole ocean to play in?

I am hoping to finish the school bags I want to make and send to the reservation. I have them all cut from unbleached muslin and want to tye dye them before I sew them. I have 40 cut, so hope to get them done in the next week or two. I also have a bunch of school supplies to send up to them and I will get the first box sent off on Tuesday. Wish it were more, but it is the best I can do for now.

I have been knitting a lot lately. Besides the baby blanket I finished, I also made a pair of mittens and a hat which will be sent to the rez. Along with the other items I am making my first Baby Surprise Jacket to send along to the rez. Well, I can't say it is my first one. I started one before but couldn't finish it because I couldn't understant the directions. So, what is the difference this time, you might ask? I bought the DVD "Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket with Meg Swansen". What a wonderful video this is. Meg goes over the making of the Jacket step by step. She makes one as she is explaining everything, so you can see exactly what to do. I am almost finished with the knitting, and still want to put a collar on it and an I-cord around it. I also want to make the matching hat which Meg shows how to make. I highly recommend this DVD. I will post pictures when I am done.

Almost time to get dinner for this crew, then we are going to the Marina to walk. Hope everyone has a great evening.

Baby Blanket

I finally finished the baby blanket I was making for a co-teacher who is about to become a grandmother for the first time. Don't know how well you can see it, I am just learning how to do all of this. The colors are blue and yellow. It is my own design, very simple and easy to do. Hope she likes it.

Now for some confession. A few weeks ago I declared that I would not buy any more yarn for 9 months. The only exception would be if I needed some for a special project, such as the baby blanket. Well, I have already broken that declaration. On Saturday, before I picked Terri up to go to PITC (Progran for Infant and Toddler Cargivers) training, I stopped at the thrift store and they had bags and bags of it. All worsted weight, just the kind I use for my charity work. I couldn't resist. I bought a lot of it. Of course all the time I was doing it I was telling myself that I would use it up in no time and that it was soooooooo cheap and so on and so on........ Now I have to find some place to put it. The one thing I can say for myself is that I didn't buy it all, I actually left some of it there. But, this is an addiction and I problably need to find a 12 step something to end it all. That would be if I actually wanted to end it all.

The other thought that came to my mind about the yarn was that it probably belonged to someone who loved to knit but she died leaving it all for her family to deal with. Her family didn't know what to do with it so they gave it all to the thrift store. I can't stand the thought of that happening to me, if Ican't take it with me, (and believe me I am going to try) I hope someone I know can use it. I need to teach someone in my family how to knit so that they will want the yarn when I go. I tried to get my Grandson Andy to let me teach him, but he said no. I didn't try very hard, though, so maybe if I beg and plead he will be more willing.

Not much went on around here today. We slept in until around 10:00, then got up for a little while, checked my email, knitted a little and had something to eat, after such hard work I laid back down and slept for about 4 more hours. Can you say I was tired? This past week has been a killer. Then I had training yesterday, so there was no time to rest. I have a week of work then a week's vacation. I can not tell you how much I am looking forward to that.

No Title

Still haven't finished the baby blanket. My arms were hurting last night, so didn't get too much done. Besides, we went out to eat and then to Borders and then to Best Buy, and didn't get home until after 9:00. I watched the rest of Ghandi (GREAT! movie) then fell asleep. I usually get some knitting done when the kids are napping, but I actually had to do some work today. Can you believe that? I had to work during work hours. How lame is that?

So what is going on around here tonight. I need to do my homework for PITC, pay some bills and I want to get some more done on the never ending blanket. I am also thinking about walking around the Marina, but will have to wait to see if The Husband wants to go. I have recently been diagnosed with Diabetes and need to learn to watch what I eat and get more exercise. Yea right! That has proven to be easier said than done. I am also haveing problems testing my blood. It has become hard to get enough blood to test. Whenever I stick myself only a little comes out. So, I wind up sticking all my fingers and then the palm of my hand trying to find someplace that will bleed enough. I see the nugtritionist in a couple of weeks, guess I will ask her about it.

We now have 20 kids in our class. That is just about double of what we had last year. But, even with more kids, I am enjoying this time so much more than I did last year because I do not have the same idiot, back stabbing, lying bitch of a co-worker. What a relief it has all been to not have to watch my back and worry about what she is going to do next. As a matter of a fact, Crystal and I usually have a good time. I don't feel so stressed out all of the time. So, I guess that is a good thing.

New Blog

So, this is the first posting to my new blog. I hope it turns out OK. Actually, I am killing time waiting for the other half to get out of the shower so we can go out to dinner. I need to go to Borders to get a book one of my parents recommended, so we might as well get dinner while we are out.

I want this to be a knitting blog. I hope to be posting pictures as soon as I figure out how to do it. I am working on a baby blanket for a co-teacher who is about to become a first time Grandma. It is almost done, so when it is I will try to post a picture.

So, anyway this is my blog, for better or for worse. Hope someone enjoys it.