Vacation is Almost Over

I am sitting here typing this while grumpy pre-teen is looking over my shoulder. I guess he wants to be sure I don't write anything bad about him. He doesn't realize it's already too late!!

Anyway, we leave for home tomorrow and I am so ready to get back to my own bed. It's been a nice trip, but I am exhausted. I did get to visit my favorite yarn shop in Illinois- Nancy's Knitworks in Springfield. They moved to a much larger store and their inventory has increased. It's only gotten better- not that it was bad in the first place. I did pick up some lovely yarn to make DD and her cousin some scarves. I got myself some sock yarn and indigo dyed yarn that I have no idea what I am going to make with it. Another reason I can't wait to get home- my extensive pattern collection.

DD spent 2 nights with her cousin and was thrilled. Cousin still can't find her AG doll. DD was hoping that they were going to have a big sleepover dolls and all. They still had fun even though they couldn't have a dolly tea party.

DH has spent the last 2 days trying to fix BIL's computer. Apparently, there are multiple problems, like the virus program that is over 2 years old and no longer works. There are also multiple cookies that need to be blocked, too. DH can't believe BIL let the computer get that bad, but then DH is always keeping ours cleaned up and such while BIL doesn't care until it's too late.

Y'all have a great New Years. Be safe and appoint a designated driver. And, no knitting under the influence, either. It's no fun to have to try and correct those mistakes with a hangover;-)

Happy Holidays

Yeah, I know it's Christmas, but I'm Jewish, so you get the generic. We are visiting the relatives in Illinois, and it's going pretty well. DD had one minor upset with her older cousin. Seems cousin wanted to play with the much younger cousin who lives here rather than the one visiting from Texas (DD). DD is tired. We got her lay down and rest for a few minutes and she calmed down. Then both cousins left and she has the grands undivided attention.

Grumpy pre-teen has disappeared into the computer room where gramps keeps the PS2. We hardly ever see him except when he's hungry. He got some really nice gifts from the family, but is more content with the old PS2 games.

DD got her wish- the pink leopard from Build-a-Bear Workshop. The grands bought her both the big one and the little one that goes with it. Auntie bought her a Mrs. Claus BABW dress so the leopard is not naked.

And, I got the best present ever- my MIL is taking DD to see the new "Alvin and the Chipmunks" movie. I don't even have to go!! I have never liked the chipmunks, so I am relieved that MIL is taking her. I've also been knitting American Girl doll clothes and BABW sweaters for DD and her cousin. They are really cracking that whip for new clothes and sweaters!!

Have a great day, y'all!!

KANG's generous knitting spirit

I tried to post these pics yesterday, but I didn't follow the directions very well. Here are the pics of what my fellow Houston knitters donated for charity. They are truly amazing. Did I mention that we knit 41 washcloths??

Generosity of Knitters

I belong to the Knit at Night Guild (KANG) in Houston. I recently asked my fellow knitters to bring hand knit washcloths to our last meeting so I could donate them to a local woman's shelter. I received 41 knit washcloths, assorted toiletries, 7 pairs of crocheted slippers, 4 of the cutest scarves, one hat/scarf set and some other things. Makes me proud to be a knitter and crocheter.

Puberty has started

Well, it seems that puberty has hit our household. My son's hormones must have gone into overdrive in the last few days. He used the bathroom early this morning and at noon it still reeks of (almost) teenage boy. I went and bought one of those alternating scent warmer things that plugs in and set it on high. I was going to set it on low until I walked into the bathroom. His sister refuses to use that bathroom now, too. It's gonna be a fun, and stinky, couple of years.

Well, we are in the big countdown to the holidays. Thanksgiving is next week and we decided to stay home and let the grocery store do the cooking- turkey in a box. Hannukah starts Dec. 4th and I am not ready for it at all. I thought it started the 8th. Have I been finishing anything?? No, just starting whole new projects because they look fun!! My DD's cardi still sits there with the first front half done and the second waiting to be cast on . DS's sweater is still in the some assembly required stage- it hasn't even been cast on. ANd all those washcloths are still in their respective skeins, too!! Knitting ADD has reared it's ugly head, adn at the wrong time of the year, too. I thought I was going into an insomnia cycle earlier this week and I usually get tons done when I can't sleep, but it just turned out to be one night of sleeplessness due to hamstring soreness. Maybe I should get off the computer and onto the sofa and knitting!!

Happy Halloween

... and a very Happy Birthday to my sis in Atlanta. She turned 39. The scary one is next year. She, of course, had to remind me that I am, and always will be, her older sister... sigh. But on the bright side, our older half-sis will be 60 in 2 years.

Plans for Halloween- handing out candy. The ol' hamstring is still sore and I am still supposed to be on crutches, so Trick or Treating is out. DS, the master of disaster, has offered to help hand out candy as his penance for the Tostito incident that led to the torn hamstring. DH will be wandering the neighborhood with our little Cheetah girl.

Knitting-wise- I am on the second sock in Opal's Tiger sock yarn. I started wearing my handmade socks when it got cold, and fell in love. I had been hesitant- all that work and then it gets a hole or something- but, all that money spent buying the yarn, and all the time spent making them, it seems a shame to leave them hiding in a drawer.

Y'all have a safe and happy Halloween.

The Joys (?) of a Band Mom

...or, please pass the Tylenol, extra strength. As I sit here and type, my DS is sitting next to me practicing his clarinet. A series of squeals and squawks can be heard through out the house. Now I know why my parents banished me to the farthest part of the house. I may permanently deaf in my right ear by Hannukah.

I've been doing some serious knitting while waiting for the hamstring to heal. I have finished 3 Christmas stockings. Two were sitting in the UFO pile and the other I started from scratch. My DD's sweater is coming along nicely. I've finished the sleeves and the back. All I need are 2 fronts and a hood. She loved the buttons I picked out- silver flowers.

Can't say much else is going on. I'm still not able to drive, so I've been staying home and going a little stir crazy.

The Dangers of Tostitos...

...or it's just not my year, this year. So far this year, I have slipped on a banana peel, had a serious reaction to squid, had my rear car window smashed by an errant golf ball by some idiot who thinks he's Tiger Woods, and to top it off, I am now unable to leave my house thanks to a Tostitio. Here's the story-

Monday, the maids came (I'm spoiled) and cleaned the house- vacuumed and such. My 12 yo DS is a total slob. The rug on his side of the kitchen table is littered with all kinds of food particles. I try to clean it up as often as possible, but DH lost the cord to the rechargeable vacuum!! So, Monday night, I ask DH to get out the Halloween decorations so I can start putting them up. He disappears into the black hole- our garage- and I am left playing food referee with the kids. Basically, this means telling them to get back into the kitchen with their food. DD tried to sneak Cheezits in, but got caught, and as I am sending her back to the kitchen, I notice that DS is trying to hide a snack from me. I tell him to get back into the kitchen. I notice DH struggling with a box, so I get up and head to the back door. That's when the Tostito's decided to stage an attack. I put my right foot down on one the size of a quarter that DS has obviously dropped, and my right leg goes shooting out in front of me. I land on the floor in a half split in extreme agony. DH rushes in and I tell him to call 911 because I think I broke my leg. Ambulance arrives, good friend arrives and takes kids upstairs, and I am whisked away to the ER. At 41, I haven't done splits in over 20 years. Morphine, Toradol and Phenergan ease the pain. X-rays reveal no broken bones. I'm sent home on crutches and "good drugs."

So, I have been housebound ever since. It hurts to drive. It hurts to sit. It hurts to lay down. It hurts to walk. I have been doing mindless knitting and crochet to pass the time. At the rate I am going, all my holiday knitting might be done by Thanksgiving. "Always look on the bright side of life..."

It's Amazing...

...how bad you write when you are tired. My last post is awful. I think it was the three hours of sleep the night before. I kept myself up all day- no nap- so I slept well last night.

Road Trip- a friend adn I are heading out to Austin mid-October to join in a Knit Out at Borders. We think it will be a great trip. To make it easier on ourselves, and because we plan to have a few at dinner, we are spending the night. She's going to leave her car at my house, and I hope the bad golfer doesn't get her car like he got mine. Funny thing is, they are starting beginners classes at the club, and I would pay for this gut to go. It's cheaper than replacing my car's windshields every so often. I could aslo clean out the garage, but then I would have to dump my stash.

One fo my Knit Sistahs over at LSSK asked me to make her a pair of socks and autograph them because I got on the Harlot's blog. Any ideas??

Yarn Harlot in Houston!!

Yup, the Yarn Harlot made it to Houston, and was absolutely fantastic. Went with a good knitter friend, and we had a blast. First we went to Chili's and had dinner- with margaritas (one each)- and drove over to the venue. We were giggling like maniacs. We sat near my neighbor, another Harlot fan. I won a lovely door prize before the talk, too. It was a scarf pattern with the yarn. 100% cashmere yarn. I was being stalked in the parking lot for the yarn. Usually I'm the one doing the stalking!

The talk itself was hysterical. We laughed so hard. We were practically howling by the end of it. I may have howled when she told us about a comment she had from an elderly lady. Then we went and had our books signed and pics taken. Still can't figure out how to download pics very well, so hopefully next time. I found out she was going to be in Atlanta the following night, and almost went on a road trip to visit my sis in Atlanta just so I could see the Yarn Harlot again. Glad I didn't- over 700 people showed up!!

As for the spider soaps, let me explain- first and foremost, my family is a huge Halloween fan. My sister was born on Halloween. So we celebrate in a big way. Our house gets decorated, I carve pumpkins, we have a Halloween tree. Get the picture? Well, this year for my sis's birthday, I am making soap for her and her kids. I saw the spiders and thought they would be great to embed in the soap. So, when the Yarn Harlot wrote about being terrified of a spider in her shower- the one that turned out to be her hair- I knew what I was going to do with those spiders. Living in Texas, spiders are the least of our worries. Scorpions, water moccasins, and hurricanes are a lot scarier. In fact, spiders are nature's way of keeping down the mosquito population in Houston. Good thing, too, with all the West Nile virus and such. So, spiders don't scare me. If they get too bothersome, a whack with a shoe keeps them in line.

But there is something more about my morbid sense of humor, and it has to do with birthdays. Sis was born Halloween, Mom was born the Ides of March (when Caesar was killed) and I was born Friday the 13th. No joke. My daughter was due close to Halloween, but came 9/22, thereby breaking with tradition. But she was born on her great-grandfather's birthday. And, she was born between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and this year her birthday falls on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. We did celebrate early. So, you can imagine the fun we have with birthdays. My son was born on May 5th, Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day. Occasionally mine falls on Mother's Day and my hubby's falls on Father's Day, so we have lots of fun with birthdays around here. And, one of my husband's cousins gave birth earlier this year on our wedding anniversary (15 years!!).

My Knitting McGyver Badge- Level II

This is how I may have earned this badge. I was substituting at my fav HS. They had installed new A/C's that year, and nobody could make them work properly. If one zone was hot, another was freezing. Science was always hot. One of the science teachers asked if I had an extra barrette, so I loaned her mine, not realizing it was the only one in my bag. I did have a pair of bamboo knitting needles, though. A couple of quick twists later, my hair was up. And, yes I did walk around all day with a knitting needle stuck in my hair!! None of the kids said a word. I guess they were afraid that if I could put my hair up with one needle, then 2 needles would make me dangerous. On the down side- I couldn't knit on my break because I couldn't find the needle. Absent-minded professor- forgot the darn thing was in my hair!!!

And if you're wondering- I did cry at the bus stop as the bus was pulling away. I'm a big softy when it comes to my kids. Ask me tomorrow about our afternoon adventures in riding the bus as a Kindergartener. It's a long one, so I'll save it!

School Starts Tomorrow

I still have some sanity left, so I think I may be fine. But, I've had a huge reality check concerning my DD- my baby. I think I am going to cry at the bus stop. Friday at meet the teachers, I was tearing up, and today talking with a friend, I started all over again. It's gonna be a tough morning. I am having lunch with another friend, so that may help. Unfortunately, all my teacher friends go back to work tomorrow, too.

So besides lunch, what am I planning to do??? I plan to get my knitting together and start all those holiday projects. I have socks to knit, and sweaters for everyone in the house except DS, who informed he doesn't want another one. He's 12 and I can understand- sorta. I also have quilts to quilt and birthday shopping for DD who turns 6 on 9/22. She has a Build-a-Bear leopard that is going to get a blue and white cheerleader outfit. Blue and white are her school colors, and yup, they are the Leopards. And, I've got patterns to type up- a Spider Guy one is in the works. And pumpkins to carve- I buy the carvable ones at Michael's. They last forever, and bounce. Thankfully no one has tried to smash them, but I have dropped them a few times. So, I am pretty much trying to keep myself occupied until 4 pm when I have to pick up DD at the bus stop.

Hanging in there

Well, we are in the home stretch to the start of school. Due to the incompetency of the TX legislature, we had a lovely extended summer this year. They all have nannies- I don't. And my usual baby sitter got her driver's licence and we haven't seen her since! But come Monday, the little darlings start back to school.

DS is starting Middle School- 6th grade. He has been threatened that I will find new ways to embarrass him if he so much thinks about acting up. I basically have a pair of ripped jeans- accidentally, not intentionally- and I threatened to wear them with "granny panties" in front of his friends. I'm not a small woman. I shop at Lane Bryant, so you can imagine how well that is going over.

DD starts Kindergarten. We figured out it was possibly cheaper in the long run to have them spaced out- hopefully DS will have graduated college when DD starts. Everyone thinks I am going to be a mess at the bus stop that first day. Yeah, right. I cried when DS got on the bus for the first time, then I went home and went back to bed. I was hugely pregnant with DD. It was wonderful to have the house to myself, quiet and no one running in the room every 5 minutes to "check on me," or ask for juice (big bro won't get off the computer long enough to help his sis!). So, I will be celebrating big time. If you stop by my house, I may serve you a mimosa!! Until then, I feel like my sanity is slowly slipping away.

Penguin Quilts, too

It's been awhile- over 30 days. My countdown clock is at 25 glorius days. School resumes and hopefully my sanity returns.

Anyway, As the title of this post suggests, I've been quilting. A friend of mine wanted to make a U of TX quilt for her son's best friend who graduated from there. Well, she is officially stitching the binding on as I type!! We "birthed" that quilt in about a week's time- taking time for lunch, the weekend and the occassional movie. And does this quilt have a little story:

We live in the Houston area. We could not find one yard of UT fabric anywhere- Plenty of A&M, but no UT. I had to go to Waco to take care of my mom while she was recovering from knee surgery. I found UT fabric there!! 3 different prints, to be exact, and this where it gets good. I called my friend and she said get 4 yards. I got 5 instead. We carefully cut and pieced the top and then layed the finished quilt top on the leftover UT fabric. We had just enough for the backing. Needless to say, that called for a quick celebration- ice cream!! SHe's thrilled. I think the recipient is going to love it, and her son can now stop grumbling about all the UT fabric in her house.

We are now onto different quilts for her grandkids. These will be so much easier because we don't have to do a lot of piecing like the UT quilt. But they will be fun, and the kids will love them.

As for knitting- I finished a pair of socks, and have been working on the MS3 and the Pacific Waves Shawl from elann.com. I've also got another pair of socks loaded up on the needles. Those stay in my purse for those long waits in various places around Houston.

Only 58 Days

That's how many days are left until school resumes. My kids have officially driven me to the brink of insanity. They had a full out brawl in the back of the car today over nothing. So they are now in separate rooms "thinking" of the proper way to behave. I actually found a countdown clock I could personalize and put in the first day of school!!! That may keep me from the abyss...

As for knitting- it's all mindless now since every time I start to count, I get interrupted by those famous words "I'm telling!" I started a cardigan and have been working on baby hats and blankets. I've also done some beading. But nothing exciting is actually going on around here. So... nothing more to write about.

Tag, you're it

Well, just got involved in a dishrag tag. Our teams are set, and I guess everything will get going soon. Can't wait to get started!!!

I've been knitting baby bibs like cray lately. No, I'm not pregnant, and no, I am not planning on getting pregnant. One of my good friends has a grandson, and I have been knitting bibs for him. My husband's cousin just had a baby, too. She was born on our 15th anniversary- such a smart girl. She gets a bib and an afghan, when I get them finished. It's summer, so I don't think she needs a blanket immediately.

Took a needlepoint class yesterday. I know how to needlepoint, but this one was for techniques to make this really great Texas piece based on vintage postcards. One of the suggestions for finishing it was a purse, so I am leaning in that direction. I'm not sure, though. We'll see.

I know posting has been few and far between, but I have an excuse. My mom, who lives in Waco, had knee surgery. I have spent the last 3 weeks taking care of her. Her house is sadly computer-free, and I had to go to the library to check my e-mail and such. It was just too much trouble to try to post anything. Anyway, I am home temporarily and hope to post a pattern or two in the next few days.

Eagle Dishcloth

Go Cypress-Falls Eagles (Houston, Texas)- need I say more?

Supplies:
Sz US 7 needles (I knit loose, so I use sz US 5 or 6)
Worsted weight kitchen cotton

CO 38 stitches

Knit 6 rows
Row 7 K4 P30 K4
Row 8 K
Row 9 K4 P17 K1 P12 K4
Row 10 K6 P1 K4 P1 K1 P1 K2 P1 K21
Row 11 K4 P16 K2 P1 K2 P1 K1 P2 K2 P3 K4
Row 12 K7 P1 K1 P1 K1 P1 K1 P2 K1 P2 K2 P1 K1 P1 K15
Row 13 K4 P6 K1 P2 K1 P1 K1 P1 K2 P1 K11 P3 K4
Row 14 K8 P13 K1 P4 K1 P1 K10
Row 15 K4 P5 K1 P1 K19 P4 K4
Row 16 K8 P20 K10
Row 17 K4 P6 K19 P5 K4
Row 18 K9 P18 K11
Row 19 K4 P7 K18 P5 K4
Row 20 K9 P17 K12
Row 21 K4 P4 K1 P3 K17 P5 K4
Row 22 K9 P16 K5 P1 K7
Row 23 K4 P2 K2 P5 K16 P5 K4
Row 24 K9 P15 K5 P3 K6
Row 25 K4 P2 K2 P1 K20 P5 K4
Row 26 K9 P19 K2 P2 K6
Row 27 K4 P2 K4 P1 K4 P1 K13 P5 K4
Row 28 K9 P14 K4 P5 K6
Row 29 K4 P3 K22 P5 K4
Row 30 K9 P22 K7
Row 31 K4 P3 K22 P5 K4
Row 32 K9 P21 K8
Row 33 K4 P4 K10 P2 K8 P6 K4
Row 34 K10 P7 K3 P9 K9
Row 35 K4 P6 K8 P1 K1 P1 K7 P6 K4
Row 36 K10 P7 K3 P7 K11
Row 37 K4 P7 K8 P2 K6 P7 K4
Row 38 K12 P15 K11
Row 39 K4 P8 K14 P8 K4
Row 40 K13 P12 K13
Row 41 K4 P10 K11 P9 K4
Row 42 K15 P7 K16
Row 43 K4 P13 K5 P12 K4
Row 44 K
Row 45 K4 P30 K4
Row 46 K
Row 47-51 Knit

BO





Copyright 2007, Terri Brimm, Knitted Penguin Designs
Items made from this design not to be sold without owner’s permission.


Here's another pattern for you, in time for Independence Day, graduations, eagle fanatics, whatever. Sorry about the pic, but I think I need a new camera. I could have used a lighter color, but the school colors are green and gold. Of course, I no longer sub there, but still, it's a fun design, and I would make it again for any one of the kids who treated me respectfully.

Keep a lookout. I might be posting more patterns as the months go by. I've got some ideas, and lots of time on my hand right now. Keep on knitting!!!

Feeling Sluggish

Since my last post, Mom's Day has come and gone, my birthday was the same day, so double the presents and attention!! I loved every minute of it. And because I am such a penguin fanatic, DH overloaded me with penguin stuff from lamps to signs to figurines and a few t-shirts. The kids were very good, too. I also got a couple of gift cards that I spent at Knitpicks.com. Gotta love their Options set. My in-laws are sending me a gift certificate from there, too, so I can go crazy and hopefully get all the little extras I don't have- the entire set of circular needles!!!! I have the binder and the interchangeable circs.

All's quiet on the Houston front, so I think I'll go steal a few minutes of knitting time. Wish I had more to write, but since quitting my job, I've been a slug.

Belated Happy B/day

Forgot to mention that my DS turned 12 on the 5th of May- Cinco de Mayo. He missed his granddad's b/day by one day. All I can think of is the 12 hours of labor, 2 epidurals (the first one was misplaced) and the forceps to help ease that big head out- ouch. He's now at the point where I have to threaten him to take showers and the teenage years are looming. Every once in awhile, puberty rears it's ugly head- the crankiness, the noise, and the odor. Boys stink, literally. He did smell so sweet in the beginning, except for that toxic poop that is now toxic gas that he delights in delivering at the most inconvient times.

DS is actually a good kid. He's smart, reads all the time, and is heading into 6th grade where he'll be in the advanced level classes. He's also a whiz at computer games, and tormenting his younger sister. Gotta love him- and we do!!

A Pattern, As Promised

I know I promised this one before Easter, but hubby has been gone, so... blame him;-)

Bunny Face Dishcloth

This one is for my DD. I made her a bunny face soap and it needed a washcloth to go with it.

Materials:
Worsted Weight Kitchen Cotton in your child’s favorite color
Sz. US 6 needles or size to make a farily firm cloth. I use US sz. 5s because I knit very loosely.

Cast on 40 stitches.
Rows 1-6 Border, either garter (knit all rows) or seed (odd rows- K1 P1 across, even rows- P1 K1 across)
Row 7 B4 P32 B4
Row 8 B4 K32 B4
Row 9 B4 P32 B4
Row 10 B4 K32 B4
Row 11 B4 P11 K10 P11 B4
Row 12 B4 K10 P12 K10 B4
Row 13 B4 P8 K16 P8 B4
Row 14 B4 K6 P4 K1 P10 K1 P4 K6 B4
Row 15 B4 P4 K7 P1 K8 P1 K7 P4 B4
Row 16 B4 K3 P4 K2 P3 K1 P6 K1 P3 K2 P4 K3 B4
Row 17 B4 P3 K6 P2 K2 P1 K4 P1 K2 P2 K6 P3 B4
Row 18 B4 K3 P8 K1 P8 K1 P8 K3 B4
Row 19 B4 P3 K26 P3 B4
Row 20 B4 K3 P3 K6 P2 K4 P2 K6 P3 K3 B4
Row 21 B4 P3 K11 P4 K11 P3 B4
Row 22 B4 K3 P11 K4 P11 K3 B4
Row 23 B4 P3 K26 P3 B4
Row 24 B4 K4 P24 K4 B4
Row 25 B4 P4 K24 P4 B4
Row 26 B4 K5 P7 K1 P6 K1 P7 K5 B4
Row 27 B4 P5 K6 P3 K4 P3 K6 P5 B4
Row 28 B4 K6 P5 K3 P4 K3 P5 K6 B4
Row 29 B4 P6 K5 P3 K4 P3 K5 P6 B4
Row 30 B4 K8 P4 K3 P4 K3 P4 K7 B4
Row 31 B4 P7 K5 P1 K6 P1 K5 P7 B4
Row 32 B4 K8 P16 K8 B4
Row 33 B4 P8 K16 P8 B4
Row 34 B4 K9 P14 K9 B4
Row 35 B4 P9 K14 P9 B4
Row 36 B4 K10 P12 K10 B4
Row 37 B4 P10 K12 P10 B4
Row 38 B4 K9 P14 K9 B4
Row 39 B4 P9 K14 P9 B4
Row 40 B4 K8 P16 K8 B4
Row 41 B4 P8 K7 P2 K7 P8 B4
Row 42 B4 K7 P8 K2 P8 K7 B4
Row 43 B4 P7 K3 P2 K3 P2 K3 P2 K3 P7 B4
Row 44 B4 K7 P3 K2 P3 K2 P3 K2 P3 K7 B4
Row 45 B4 P6 K4 P2 K3 P2 K3 P2 K4 P6 B4
Row 46 B4 K6 P4 K2 P3 K2 P3 K2 P4 K6 B4
Row 47 B4 P6 K4 P2 K3 P2 K3 P2 K4 P6 B4
Row 48 B4 K6 P4 K2 P3 K2 P3 K2 P4 K6 B4
Row 49 B4 P6 K4 P2 K3 P2 K3 P2 K4 P6 B4
Row 50 B4 K6 P3 K2 P3 K4 P3 K2 P3 K6 B4
Row 51 B4 P6 K3 P2 K3 P4 K3 P2 K3 P6 B4
Row 52 B4 K6 P3 K2 P3 K4 P3 K2 P3 K6 B4
Row 53 B4 P6 K7 P6 K7 P6 B4
Row 54 B4 K6 P7 K6 P7 K6 B4
Row 55 B4 P6 K6 P8 K6 P6 B4
Row 56 B4 K7 P4 K10 P4 K7 B4
Row 57 B4 P32 B4
Row 58 B4 K32 B4
Row 59 B4 P32 B4
Row 60 B4 K32 B4
Rows 61-64 Knit or Seed stitch
Bind off and weave in ends.


Copyright 2007, Terri Brimm, Knitted Penguin Designs
Items made from this design not to be sold without owner’s permission.

Why I Quit My Job Today

10. Burn out

9. Kids are getting worse every year- rude and crude.

8. Cussed out by a kid that heard only 1/2 of a private conversation that I was having with another teacher. Did I mention that the conversation was private???

7. Harassed by another kid who knew he wouldn't get suspended because he had maxed out his days. I do not need this kid telling me I need Jenny Craig- it's none of his business

6. Both kids above would not be disciplined because they are special ed, and know they can get away with anything.

5. No support from administration. They let all the kids get away with anything and everything.

4. Having to cover auto tech, ag, shop, and boys PE, which I didn't sign up for!!!

3. Did I mention no support from administration??

2. Seriously cutting into my knitting time.

And the number one reason I quit my job-

Taking out my frustration on my own kids and making them cry for no good reason.

Banana Peels and Squids

It's been awhile since I've posted. I've been busy. Now about the title-

Banana Peels- I work at a local high school part time. Basically, I'm a substitute teacher. Most days I enjoy my job. Then there are those days when the kids are complete morons. A few weeks ago was one such day. One of those morons left a banana peel on the floor in front of the office. I was the one who slipped on it. I went crashing down to one knee. No injuries to report, just a little bruise to my knee and a big bruise to my ego. 20 minutes later, as I was walking to one of the classes I was covering, a group of the kids were standing around and one of the little jerks pops off and says "That was the one who slipped on the banana peel." Lots of laughter followed. Being the adult I am, and also being in a position of limited authority, I promptly turned around and let them know it was not funny, and second, they "were probably the ones who left the banana peel on the floor in the first place." Absolute silence, except for the coach passing by who was trying not to laugh.

Squids- This one is not as funny, and no morons were involved. Let me start off by saying that I have a seafood allergy. Every year, the biology department at the same HS does a squid lab, and they end it by making calamari. Somehow for the last few years, that is the day when I sub in other science classes. I always went home nauseous those days. This year, I was subbing in Bio. Since I am "just a sub," I usually get out of running the labs. So the first three classes had notes instead of the lab. 4th period came, and the co-teacher said she would be running the lab. Fine.... Herded the students down to the lab (no morons in this class- they are very good), and walked into the room. Eyes start watering, I feel like I am going to throw up, heart's pounding. I step out of the room, and the Science Dept. Chair sees me. I wave him over and tell him whats going on. He sends me to the nurse. My blood pressure was high, and my lips were tingling, a sign of an allergic reaction. I spent the rest of 4th in the nurses, got through 5th doped up on Benadryl, and went home at 6th (the regular teacher's off period). I took another dose of Benadryl and slept the afternnon away. I think this school is trying to kill me;-)

I've got some patterns for knitted dishcloths, and as soon as hubby shows me how to upload them, they'll be posted. Just in time for the other Spring holiday- you know the one with bunnies, not the plagues- I have a bunny face.