All Manner of Pressing Issues

Can you find the little guy that greeted me when I watered my geranium Saturday?

(Click the image to enlarge.)

Well, I knew I would do it sooner or later. I knitted a sweater vest. It sounds dorky I know, but I think it turned out to be very cute. Give me credit for it not being a holiday themed “teacher” sweater! I love the yarn (Manos) I knitted this with. I think the variegation is absolutely beautiful! I passed this sweater on to Mom for her birthday.

Tonight Richard and I went to see Fireproof. I didn’t even know what it was about it before I watched the trailer. After I watched the trailer, I knew it would be a great movie (thanks, P.D.!!). Richard thought it would be sort of hokey, but he took me anyway with a smile on his face! We both really enjoyed it. I hope a lot of people will be able to go see it (the theater was packed tonight!!) because I think the movie provides some really practical advice on improving all marriages.

Richard is cracking up over SNL, so I better go see what’s so funny!! Y’all go see Fireproof and let me know what you think!

I am watching the debate and it is making me so tense! It’s not getting especially heated or anything, but for some reason the going back and forth is stressing me out.

I am so glad I have a knitting project to keep me from going completely crazy!!!

Today was the first day of fall. This morning when I was on my way to school, the DJ mentioned enjoying the last 4 hours of summer. Apparently the first day of fall comes at 11 a.m. I learned something new today.

Typically I look forward to the first day of fall like a child looks forward to Christmas morning because in my mind the first day of fall means I get to wear boots and long sleeves. Every year I am disappointed because it’s still too hot to wear boots (or long sleeves) on the first day of fall in Arkansas. For example, it was 85 degrees today. On the first day of fall, it was the hottest it has been in weeks. Great timing, huh? As I sit here staring at my darkened fireplace, I can only dream of the day when it finally cools off for us to get to use it! I suppose I could start a fire and turn the air way down!!! I have a pumpkin and an orange candle on my mantle. I thought that would bring fall weather, but it hasn’t worked yet!

I am getting the itch to plant pansies. I know it’s too early but I am really tired of the flowers I planted in spring. They look really overgrown and the planters are ready for a fresh look! I am forcing myself to wait a couple of more weeks until I plant pansies!

Last year when the leaves started changing (in November) Richard and I got some coffee and went for a drive in the country (outside the city limits is in the country to us!). I talked his ears off while we took in the beautiful leaves. We even got to see a herd of cows running toward their food (that was a funny sight). The picture on my blog header is one I took that day! Hopefully we’ll get the chance to do that again this year!

Welcome, Fall!

The Yarn Mart has several classes lined up for the fall! All of the instructors are very friendly, fun, and helpful! If you’re in the area, I hope you can take advantage of the classes being offered!

BEGINNING KNITTING  (Cindy & Newby)
Every Monday Night 6-7:30, $12.00 per class,.
This class is for the new knitter and new knitter projects.
6 spots available

TUESDAY Knit Night w/Lisa
Every Tuesday 5:30-7:30, $12 per class
Every Tuesday come and get 1-on-1 help with any project.
7 spots available.

FELTED SLIPPERS (Lisa)
Monday Nights (9/29-10/6) 6-8:00, $30
Great Christmas Gifts!
Learn:  Wrap & turn, short rows and felting process

SOCKS ON DOUBLE POINTS (Miss Kay)
3 Saturday Mornings (9/27,10/4,10/11) 9:00-10:00am, $25.00
Knit a top down sock with double point needles.  Learn: double point knitting, increases, decreases, short rows and the construction of a sock.

Pop Over Mittens (Linda Buzbee)
4 Sunday (October 5- 26) 1:00-2:30pm,  $45.00
It’s FUN, it’s a Pop Over. Start on your Christmas Gifts early.
Learn to knit on Double Point Needles and short row shaping.

12 PATTERN SAMPLER THROW CLASS (Lisa)
7 Sunday Nights (October 5 – November 16), 5-7 $90.00
Learn 12 different knit patterns & techniques: lace, chevron, zig zag, cross over lace, textured rib and more. Also blocking and seaming.

Advance sign up & payment is required.
Class fee doesn’t included materials

After 4 days of no internet, we are finally back online! Somehow the storm damaged our modem. We purchased and installed a new one today. Well, I say we, my Technology Coordinator (aka my husband) took care of it.

After being absent on Friday, my kiddos (all 21 of them) were very “active” on Monday. After two days of boot camp, I think we’re straightening things out though. Last Thursday I had no voice and then I was absent on Friday because I couldn’t talk. Monday morning when my students were waiting on me to open the door when the bell rang they all were crowded around the door with their faces up to the window. They were yelling to me through the door, “Does your voice work?????” and when I nodded yes they all clapped and cheered and were saying, “Her voice works!!” It was really sweet.

Have you ever read the book Miss Nelson Is Missing? It’s about a class of children who are behaving badly (spitballs, paper airplanes, squirming, giggling, etc.). Their teacher, Miss Nelson is too sweet to crack the whip, so she disguises herself and comes to school as Viola Swamp for a few days. The children began to miss Miss Nelson terribly. When she finally came back a few days later they were so happy to have her there they were really well behaved. Every time I read it, I try to figure out how I could do the same thing in real life. I mentally go through my closet trying to figure out what I could wear and where I could get a wig. It’s really pitiful. My kids aren’t “bad” enough to go to that extreme!! We just need a few more days of boot camp to get our routines down (I gained 8 students a few days ago). Hopefully I am not the only teacher who thinks about trying out the Miss Nelson Theory.

I finally finished The Sweater. It turned out a little smaller than I planned. I made the 6-12 month size because the little darling was born at the beginning of August and I was thinking he wouldn’t need a sweater for a few months, so I should make the bigger size. Well, I think it’s too little. His parents swear it will fit, but I am convinced they’re just being nice.

This has been a very busy week! I have had meetings every night. I’ve been running a lot which has helped clear my mind. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to Friday afternoon!

P.S. Here is a link to a good recipe I used this week!

Our internet at home has not been working because of hurricane Ike. Hopefully it’ll be up and running soon! I’ve got at least one knitting picture to share.

Remember last year when I was fussing about our hot weather in October? Well, I have nothing to complain about this year! The temperatures have ranged from the mid 70’s - lower 80’s with no humidity. It’s been heavenly! I am hoping to get to plant pansies soon!!

I hope everyone is having a great week! I plan to be back soon with lots of bloggy business to catch up on!

I am very happy to report that everything went well Wednesday when I got the 7 new students. I now have a class of 20. It’s cozy in the classroom with 20 students to say the least, but so far so good. Thank you so much for your prayers. Keep them coming!

Unfortunately I have completely lost my voice… and when I say completely…I really do mean completely. It was a tough day at school trying to manage 20 children…7 of them new to my classroom… with no voice. We made it through the day. However, at the urging of our speech pathologist and music teacher I am taking a sick day tomorrow. I typically don’t miss school unless it’s for professional development, so this is a huge deal (to me). I decided my children are better off with someone who can talk to them and read to them (instead of making them listen to a book on tape!). I really do think my students had a good time figuring out what I was saying though when I was pointing at things or making motions to get my point across–since they’re first graders, I couldn’t write messages to them! For the most part, we were able to keep our regular schedule and do our normal work which I was really proud of them for. They were very sweet and really tried to cooperate. Anyway…I left my sub very specific plans, so hopefully all will go well tomorrow.

For now, I am sitting on my couch, resting my voice and drinking hot herbal tea. Tomorrow will be a repeat of that. I am having flashbacks from when I was 5 and had my tonsils removed–except then I was eating strawberry ice cream–not drinking hot herbal tea.