Swim Mom Knits

Success!

I managed to finish the baby blanket just in time.  My nephews arrived on Friday morning last week.  Although they gave their momma a rather rough time, she ended up with an emergency c-section after 20 hours of labor.  Conner weighed in at 5 lbs 2 oz and Chase at 5 lbs 14 oz.  They are so tiny it is like holding a doll.

The boys were happy to see the babies although Nate didn't think they were worth his time to hold.  The baby blanket got much use in the first couple days, although not by the babies.  I went to the hospital to see the new dad curled up under it dozing.

I have been knitting on a couple of projects.  I am on the front right section of a lace cardigan for me and I cast on for a vintage style jacket for my Aunt.  She bought the yarn and it is NICE.  I will have to get pictures soon.

Nate and Ben have been entertaining me the past couple of weeks in the morning.  My parents gave me their old electric piano in the spring.  The boys have discovered the fun of playing a disc full of music in it.

Nate also learned how to wink.  I will miss watching him pull down his eyelid to simulate winking.  But it still pretty cute to watch him wink.

The other big excitement last week was McTeacher night.  This is when McDonald's gives back to the school and the teachers help out.  So we went and the boys got their faces painted.

This was my favorite picture.  Ben's tordedo is chasing Nate's shark.

I am totally excited that this week is a short one.  I really need to get a jump on my Christmas shopping.  Black Friday here I come.

 

Success At Last

I finally finished the second baby blanket for the twins today.  Just in time.  They are going to make their appearance on Thursday.  (This is the doctor's choice since she isn't due until December).  I am totally excited.

The blanket is out of Socks That Rock.  I have no idea what colorways.  But I love them.  However, I don't think I will ever again make a baby blanket out of sock yarn.

Crap, computers suck

So the computer I used to make (and I thought post) my last post lied to me terribly.  So here I am again.  This fall has sucked beyond measure and I have been sticking my head in the sand and not being social at all. 

Let's start with the good things though.  I started my new job and it is going really well.  My youngest started kindergarten and is mostly enjoying it.  Although he did tell his teacher he wants to go back to preschool because it is to much coloring in kindergarten.  The twins have stayed in their momma longer than I think anyone really thought they would and in less than two weeks if they still have not made their appearance then the doctors will be helping them along.  Mind you this is still not full term, but poor momma has looked full term for many months now and has been mostly in bed for the past few weeks (not doctor ordered but recommended).  Ben had some fun and dyed his hair.

 

Yep, crazy crayon, fire engine red.  It was fabulous.  But alas, with the swimming it faded within a month.No it is a gorgeous coppery color women pay big bucks to try and get.  This all started with the youngest being with me at the hair dresser while I was getting color and the hairdresser and myself trying to get Nate to color his hair.  He refused and no amount of bribery would get him to agree, but the oldest wanted to do his.  Up next is cookie monster blue for Ben.  And Nate after seeing the reactions that Ben got from people has decided he wants to do his hair now.

On the less happy side, my FIL passed away unexpectedly in September.  This has been extra hard on everyone with all the other deaths that has happened this year.  And to make matters worse, my MIL's dad was in the hospital at the time for heart related troubles and we are told that the main artery in his heart is 90% blocked. 

That is the real reason I haven't posted this fall, I just haven't been able to face the world more than necessary.  Nate keeps making up songs about his dead papas and how much we miss them and how he is sad.  The songs are actually pretty good.  Ben is just having a hard time altogether.  And Shane and I are trying to keep both mothers from losing it while trying to have a life together.  This weekend, I had to tell Shane that we were going nowhere  and doing nothing for either family.  It is our weekend.  For the past five weekends, one or the other of us has been gone helping one of the mothers with something.  And I don't resent helping them, but I definetely needed to spend some time with my husband.

I have been knitting but mostly on the baby blanket for the second twin (the first one is done).  I have no pictures of it because I lost my camera cable and just found it.  I am on the border of the baby blanket and as soon as I have it done, I will post pictures.

Progress Pics

Well, I didn't drop of the face of the earth this time.  I just got bogged down with workshops and preparing to switch schools.  Plus birthday parties and all sorts of family fun.  Anyways, I have pics of updates, high point trophies and birthday parties.

Plus, my husband and I got to go to the movies!  I think this last happened two years ago.  I swear how does it work that one minute you have all this time and the next nothing.  We went to see Get Smart which we both enjoyed.  I got to see Hancock on my girl's night last week and found it to be hilarious.  Although I will admit not everyone with me that night enjoyed it as much.

Nate had his first meet of the summer.  He finished dead last in all of his events and had to be helped by one of the big kids in order to keep the rest of the parents from freaking out.  That was his backstroke in which he merely treaded water backwards barely moving.  It wasn't bothering him, but it was taking a really long time.  I didn't get any pictures because I was taking video since the grandma's couldn't be present.

Ben just finished his conference meet and he qualified for the state meet in August.  He has managed two high point trophies this summer and that was one of his goals.  He also had his 11th birthday in early July. 

Tomorrow we have a meet in Effingham.  I am not looking forward to sweltering in the predicted 95 degree heat.

I have been taking pictures of Ben during his races, but you can never see more than his arm or a blur of body.  I think I may need to invest in a high speed camera before he gets to far along with this swimming.

As far as knitting goes, I am still working on the first baby blanket for the twins.  We did get word that they are both boys.  Yipee!  They will be taken early (and once again yipee for mom.  She is huge already and not even halfway yet) so I need to get moving on finishing at least this first blanket. 

I did manage to finish this scarf which was given to my Mom's best friend for all her help during Dad's illness.  The picture doesn't do the scarf justice, but I love the model's pose.

I have also started a silk wrap for my mom.  We bought the yarn ages ago and I finally decided I needed to work on it.

Technology is Fun

Next year I get a tablet laptop for use in my room at school.  I got one this week to play with in the meantime and learn how to use.   This post is coming to you from that laptop.  I love playing with new technology.

Ben got his first High Point Trophy last weekend.  It was a little disgraceful to watch him swim with all those swimmers who only swim during summer season.  There wasn't one full year swimmer at the meet and Ben just blew them out of the water.  (pics later when I get back home).

I just learned last week that the town I live in has an opening for a math position at the high school.  I applied for it and have an interview this weekend.  Even though it would likely be a good move financially, I am just not sure that I want to switch school because I really enjoy where I teach.  It has totally loaded me with guilt.  I am hopeful that the school will be good to teach at and have the same level of technology that I am getting at my current school so that I could accept the job without feeling to nervous about the whole thing.  I am mostly nervous about hating the people I teach with.  I am not sure I could take twenty years with people I don't get along with.  I am also worried about teaching in the same tiny town I live in.  I am not sure I want to live in a fishbowl.  Anyways, I guess I will just wait and see.

In the meantime I am working solidly on the baby blanket for one of the twins.  We find out tomorrow what the twins are -- boys/girls and identical/fraternal.  Then I will plan the second blanket.  I also started on my mom's silk wrap.  I have had the silk yarn for quite a while but had just not been working on it.

Nope, I didn't leave again

That was an little bit of a break, not actual leaving of the blog again.  To top off the fun of the first Father's Day without my Dad, my SIL's father passed away the Friday before.  So I have been doing the family thing and trying to get through the holiday.  On the plus side, I got to see the nephew again and watch the pregnant SIL waddle her way around.  It is to funny especially considering how early she is (not even in her 4th month yet) and how big I got myself.

Last night I went to see Guys and Dolls starring Doug Wilson (from Trading Spaces).  It was quite a good show.  He and his family have decided to relocate to the town I grew up in.  We stopped for dinner first and while we were waiting to be seated, Doug himself came in.  I was of course paying no attention and one of the ladies I was with pointed him out.  At which point, I said "oh it's Doug" and he heard me.  I laughed and laughed at the look he gave me which clearly indicated that I wasn't the first to behave so silly.  This could be why I never see celebs when they are out and about.  I am so clueless to other people unless they are bothering me.

Weekend Fun

This past week was filled with not much fun on the whole, but the weekend was fun.  My mom and I had to take my sister and niece home to Chicago since my BIL left them stranded at the farm.  Since it was Mom's birthday on Friday (especially since Dad left us five days prior) we decided we needed to do something special.  My sister decided on Medieval Times.  Now I studied medieval history and this is right up my alley.  Mom just wanted something to take her mind off things and something where she could have a little drink (no matter how overpriced).  So off we went, with no camera except those in my Mother's phone (which she doesn't know how to use).  Nate and Cam being 5 and 4 enjoyed it the most.  Nate proclaimed his desire to attend every night they are open.  Although at one point during the joust when a knight was "knocked" from his horse, Nate proclaimed "hey, he did that on purpose!"  Mom and I laughed the whole evening away.

The next day we took a trip to The Fold.  This is my favorite non-local store to visit.  Because she carries Blue Moon Fiber products.  After much debating I came home with some STR heavyweight, a couple of books and some ribbon yarn that my son picked out.  My sister bought some fiber to spin and a couple balls of Baby Cash DK for a bonnet for the niece.

The ribbon became a decorative scarf for my Mom's BF.  She and her husband did the farm chores everyday and Barbara cooked enough food to feed an army while Dad was ill.  So I wanted to do something special for her.

The STR is for the baby blanket.  I am making an enterlac blanket pattern from an XRX book.  I have never done enterlac before.  It is way fun to watch the pattern emerge from what I was sure I was doing wrong.  I remembered reading somewhere that you have to have faith and just follow the directions, so that is what I did.  It appears to be working quite well.

In Memory

Over the past year I have had lots of changes in my life.  First, a new job.  Then two new babies were on their way (niece and nephew).  But after that the news was no good.  My Aunt was diagnosed with cancer.  This was her third bout of cancer.  Each one was different and each time she won the fight.  Right before Christmas, when my Aunt was in the hospital we got a shock.  My Dad was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer.  He passed away this past weekend.

So this column is in tribute to my Dad.  The most wonderful Dad, Papa and person there is. He could always make me laugh even at the end when he was miserable.  I spent much time helping my Mom take care of my Dad over the past few weeks and am glad I did.

Papa Pig was dubbed by my oldest son as his way of differentiating his grandparents.  The papa with the pigs and the papa without pigs.  My mom was never thrilled with the name, but my Dad thought it great.  For 5 years my oldest son had Papa Pig all to himself and was spoiled as only the only grandchild could be.  Yet when more came along Dad shared the love with all.  He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

And I think he had a hand in the news I got today, my SIL who is newly pregnant found out today that she is having twins!

FO!

So I thought I would start this with happy.  A FO!  Not just any FO, but Ben's sweater.  Now, he really wanted to wear this sweater so he has been bugging me all winter (and I had to baby blankets to finish).  I finally finished it this week.

This is made out of Classic Elite Royal Tweed.  I started it last fall and finished Monday night. I did have to rip out the cuffs and make them longer.  I am sticking with the theory that he grew while I was making this.  He only ever seems to grow taller with longer arms and legs.

Holy *%^&!

Seriously, how much time has gone by!  All right I am letting go of the guilt and all that goes along with not posting and starting fresh.

This past 7 months have been full of way to much fun and not as fun stuff.  Teaching is going fairly decent.  I got rehired for next year which is always a perk.  I have really enjoyed parts of it but I miss having students that actually care what their grade is.  So many of my students are content with a D.  How are you supposed to make them care?  If you lower your standards, they just lower theirs.  It has been very frustrating.

I got a brand new newphew in February (six weeks early).  My neice arrived close to her due date.  Both are doing good and hopefully I will have permission from the parents soon to put up some pictures.  They are to cute.  Both are smiling and fun and have stayed with their Aunt on more than one occassion.  (I love the little babies).

Nate is in swim team and t-ball this summer.  We went to his first t-ball game on Saturday.  It was to much fun to watch.

Ben went to State with swimming.  He is planning on going to swim camp this summer.  A week away on a college campus, it should be interesting.  He has been away from home for that long on numerous occassions, but never without any relative present.

The not-so-fun part will come later.