I'm not getting sick...I'm not getting sick...

My manrta for the day. Think it will work? Me either. sigh

I've started the first cheesylove sleeve in order to avoid picking up the neck stitches. I'm hoping that by doing one sleeve before that, it will break up the SSS (second sleeve/sock syndrome). We'll see. I do love the pattern and got lots of compliments about the body at the Fiber Arts Club at school.

Monday, when we were out of school, I knit up a purple cotton chenille flower washcloth from my Weekend Knitting. I had bought the yarn from Threadbear with this project in mind. It's very cute and quick. One afternoon and evening of knitting, and it was done. :)

Now, to keep me from getting too bored with my cheesylove, I've started A Classic Clioche from Knit One, Felt Too in Silky Wool. Has anybody felted with this yarn yet? Lemme know. I know I should do a test felt, but, honestly, I'm too lazy. The wool content is close to other yarns used in the book, so I'm figuring it will work. Maybe I'll Tag Rob and see if he knows.

I'm tired, sniffly, and getting achy. I don't want to be sick!

Woohoo! School is closed!
Maria called me at 5:45 Am to tell me we are off today. This ice storm hit our area beginning yesterday evening. It had rained all day Sunday and the temps kepts creeping downward. Poor Miguel, though. He was called at 2:30 AM and told to come in an hour early. He went in around 4:30 AM. I'm assuming he made it because work hasn't called back. I'll bet he had a helluva time clearing his truck. Last night, the 10 o'clock news was already showing iced-over cars in this area. Brrr. I'm cold just thinking about it.

What will I do? Work on cheesylove. I'm about 1 inches above the heart pattern on the upper back. I also have some bills to write out and some papers to grade. Plus, I'm putting stew in the slow cooker to simmer all day. I've already had my first cuppa hot tea and will make another one with breakfast.

Gotta love snow/ice days! We might even be off tomorrow, too, as they're expecting more precip today and the temps not to rise above 34 degrees.

So....sleepy...
I really didn't sleep well last night! First, I went to bed later than normal because I wanted to see President Bush's State of the Union Address. Great speech, but I would still change a couple of things...but won't go into that here. Then, Miguel got up early (2:50 AM) to go into work. I am such a light sleeper, and I couldn't fall back asleep until almost 5 AM. Slept in a little until 6:35 before grabbing a (HOT!) shower and hitting school. I had a parent coference at 8AM (which began 15 minutes late...). *shakes head at thinking of the kid and parent* Had a brief faculty meeting after school and then stayed until 5 PM to finish writing a world history test.
Scarfed a Publix sandwhich for dinner. Miguel is out of the house using his Christmas gift certificate from my sis and BIL. So, it's off to a hot soak in the tub (lots and lots and lots of bubbles!!), a good book, a couple hours of knitting on cheesylove, and then an early (Tylenol PM-induced) slumber.
Thank goodness tomorrow is already Thursday (and Friday is finally payday!)!

Today was the second meeting of the Fiber Arts Club. There were a total of 7 people there, including Daye and myself. We had one knitting student who wanted to learn cables. Also present were our media specialist and her parapro and a mother and daughter. They were all righties so Daye helped them the most. I am a rightie, too, however I knit Continental. I did help the one girl with the cables, and she left with the beginnings of a simple four stitch cable scarf. We had a great time of laughing while learning. I didn't get any knit on cheesylove but will continue some this evening. I am a third of the way through the heart pattern. :)

FOs!
Here's a look at my "Prairie" Homespun poncho and hat.

I finished the hat this morning. The pattern is from the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns. I've worn the poncho a few times at school and have gotten rave reviews. The pattern is from The Knit Stitch. Next, I need to make a matching scarf to protect my neck during the cold soccer season.

Next, here's a promised picture of the "Touch Me" mittens and scarf set.



I LOVE how soft this yarn feels. It does, however, have two drawbacks. It loves to shed. It also is very slippery. My woven ends do not stay put. The yarn is so lick I can't keep the ends inside when I wear them. But, I do love them! The mittens are also from the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns.

I'm expecting Daye to call me this afternoon. She wants to borrow my ball winder and swift (Thanks Rob!) to wind some new hanks of "Silky Wool" she bought to make a sweater. It will be the first time I will have used my swift. Yippee!

I thought I would share a site I "stumbled" upon through Firebird. Check out Klepography. I'm not usually a fan of photography, but...WOW!

Today we had our first meeting of the Fiber Arts Club.

Actually, it was Daye, Candy, and myself. It was just like last semester in Daye's office. Daye got her office aide, Candy, to knit, and when I was taking a break during my planning period, I would sit in the office. The three of us would talk, compare patterns, and just relax as the needles went clicking along.

Candy has a new class. Daye has a new office aide. Fourth period is just not the same this semester. At the meeting, though, it was all back to normal. We did add one more to our group. One of our math teachers had knitted in her younger years. All she needed was a quick demo, and then her fingers remembered everything. It really is amazing how that memory stays with you.

We stayed until 4:30. Daye worked on her cardigan. Candy worked on her scarf. Carlene worked on her swatch of knits, purls, and casting off. I worked on my cheesylove sweater. We left much more relaxed than we had been even an hour earlier. Next week I expect to see those who were not able to make it today. I can't wait for next week!

Happy Sunday!
I've been remiss at posting. Sorry. Life has been (when is it not??) hectic. We began our semester on the 6th of January. I'm teaching a sheltered (for ESOL students) World History class for the first time. It's grea having a new challenge and relearning my history. However, it's also been time-consuming. I spent three hours at school onSaturday trying to catch up. Got some good work done, but it will be a busy semester.

As for knitting, I haven't had the oncentration to pick up cul-de-sac. I have been working on cheesylove from knitty. It'a a great V-Day sweater, and I had bought the yarn a few months back. I'm working it in grey Wool Ease and the pink I have in Lana G. mohair. Yum!

Tuesday Daye and I are beginning our Fiber Arts Club at school. Any locals want to come out and help teach knitting? Email me. So far, we're expecting about 6 teachers and a few students. Yippee! I was also offered a paying! job teaching knitting in the Adult Community Ed program in the fall. But with starting my Specialist, I doubt I'll have time. It was certainly a compliment for it to be offered to me though. Something I'll keep in the back of my mind (he was offereing $20 per hour and I could make my own schedule. Not bad, huh?)

I went out and saw "Chasing Liberty" yesterday with a friend. Cute movie! The male lead, Goode, was hot! I don't say that often, but yum!! It's a fun movie that gets my recommendation. :)

This morning I switched over to Mozilla Firebird. It was time for a change, I really like it. The pages load much more quickly and I like the Stumble! feature which generates random pages according to your specific interests. Try it out! :)

Anyone out there watch "Six Feet Under"? I've gotten hooked! I've been renting the episodes from Blockbuster. I'm halfway through the first season. I told Maria about the series, and she's already gone out and rented the complete first season. Can't wait to see more.

Well, that's about it for now. Take care and drop me a note anytime. :)

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2004!

Last year was pretty terrific. Good health, great vacations and visits from family, got married and bought a house, and met some really wonderful people in the course of knitting. And I know 2004 will be just as grand.

We spent New Years Eve at home. Miguel invited those family members and friends not in Mexico (about 15 at last count), and I invited Maria. Maria came, and no one else did. Poor Miguel. Not only that, but he fell asleep from 11 pm until just before the ball dropped in NYC while channel surfing. Sad...

Apparently, though, he has not learned his lesson because he has invited everyone over again this afternoon for a cookout. *shakes head* The weather is glorious (65 degrees and partly cloudy), so even if no one comes (or if everyone shows) it wil suite me just fine.

I have finished my poncho and love it! It took a while to put on the fringe, as expected. It's so soft and cuddly that I can't wait to wear it out.

In other news, I have begun Cul-de-sac! I figured I would have to rip out at least once or twice as I learned the pattern and what the heck it wanted from me. Yup. Twice. *sigh* It's slow going, and as other people put it, it's not a very good project to work on in front of the tv. And yet, I do try...

Have a great New Years Day, and an equally exciting, yet peaceful 2004. :)