Happy Holidays to You and Yours

If I was a plane, I'd be a jet plane...

Going to leave in the morning for Atlanta to see the Tigers (I hope) whup the Vols. Don't tell anyone, but I am bad luck for LSU in Georgia. Every time I've gone there for a game, they've lost. We'll see if my streak continues. I have to leave to fly out of NOLA at about four in the morning, so I should be trying to sleep now. Hmmm, come to think of it I haven't slept in about three days.
Note to self- see doctor as soon as new insurance kicks in because, self, I think you are bipolar and though you feel great now, your ass will be stuck in bed, wallowing in misery again, soon enough.
In less morose news, there's still no word from the schools I've applied to. Well, one sent the affirmative action routine but that's expected. I thought UNO would have at least sent me some email questions now. (I have a sneaking suspicion they already have people lined up for the job, and that's ok because I know those people and they deserve it. Yeah, Amy and Jerry, I mean you.)
Oh well, keep sending the vibes.

I'm here, I'm alive.

I'm positive that teaching first grade is not and never has been the job for me. It just may kill me by Christmas.
However, looking on the bright side of things, hating teaching so much has pushed me to apply for a few faculty positions that I would have been afraid to go for if I were still sitting at my government desk. Send vibes, say a prayer, burn a candle for me. You know I'd do it for you if you asked.
Here are the schools I send to (in no order if you are a school snooping on my blog) Illinios @ Chicago, Nicholls State, LSU, UNO, and Kennesaw State. The Louisiana schools are all in driving distance from where I live now, so not having to move would be nice. I did not send to any schools in either of the Dakotas or Iowa. I'm afraid of those states.

In knitting news. I finished my Widdershins and the Skull cap. Widdershins came out great. Expect photos. Skull cap will be frogged. I got some compliments, but I had to explain the pattern too much. I want it to be obvious, "Hey cool skulls!" There will be no photos until its perfect.

Also, any advice for a girl bully. Yep, G is pushing kids around. The teacher gives her class daily reports, smiley, straight, frowny faces and an explanation. G gets straight or frowny faces most days. Frankly, I don't know what to do. She couldn't visit my sister in Texas over break because she got too many straight faces and she got another one today. She's punished almost every evening. And it's not little things. It's hitting, pushing, kicking. I"m at wits end. She's going to get put out of freaking KIndergarten! HAALLPP!
What really sucks is that I know how her teacher feels b/c I"m getting it on the other end from my own students. I"m so tired of fussing at children.

Good Frackin Grief!

When I told everyone I was leaving my job here with the state, I got a few offers to continue analyzing data by private contract. This is where the money really is, so I agreed. Because, well, I like money.
The problem (why does there always have to be a problem?) is that I will be leaving the software that I use to do my analyses when I leave my job. After talking it over with hubs, and mostly talking it over in my own head, I decided to check out investing in my own software licenses. The other option would be to cleverly disguise myself as a grad student and sneak into the computer lab on campus to use their copies.
There are two programs that are most commonly used. Each has its benefits and drawbacks and I usually end up using a combination of both for each analyses, one to set up and create new databases and the other to run the analysis and make pretty visuals.
So, my sleuthing uncovers $800 for the easy-analysis program for *COUGH* ONE YEAR *COUGH*!!!!!
And a much less reasonable $7000 for the other data-management program for ONE FRACKING YEAR!!!!
And lets not forget that these programs won't run on Mac, which I own, only PC, which I don't own. That's another $1000 for the computer with enough memory to handle the data.


Excuse me, I just died for a second there.

Since my first super-lucrative contract will only bring in $2000 payable on delivery, I guess I will be sneaking into the computer lab until I can save up for the legit copy. Pajamas- check. Flip flops- check. Coffee- check. Yep, I can still pass for a grad student. Oh, except I'll be the only one in there doing work instead of checking myspace. I hope they haven't started checking ids since I graduated...

Anybody know anything about small business grants or loans?

New life, 12:00

Last week I geave notice at my current job. I've decided to go back to teaching. Literally, I'll be back in the same classroom I left 8 years ago. I'll be across the hall from the same teacher but it all seems very new and scary.
I never had that moment when I knew what I wanted to be. No, that's a lie. I knew what I wanted to be, but I gave it up for a "real" career and family life. The past 12 or so years have been a lot of wandering. Not aimless, always forward, but wandering the same. I had goals and I met them. Unfortunately, I forgot to live my life during all that goal-meeting.
I've decided its time to slow down and live my life. Teaching won't be easy and it definately won't be slow, but for the first time ever- it won't be about me. There will be no degrees to finish, no promotions to earn. I've got 15 First-graders to turn into Second-graders. And that's it.
And when I get home, I get to be a mommy. I'll finally have time to spend with my kids. I'll also be able to take care of them the way I want to.
If this sounds like I'm trying to convince myself, that's because I am. I'm at the lovely point where I've jumped ship and now I have to swim to shore. I know what lies ahead is best, but the uncertainty makes me doubt myself. I worked hard for all those degrees and part of me feels like I'm throwing all that away. I'm giving up a respectable career and promotion to get back in the "trenches." That shit is scary. It feels like I am still wandering, but now I'm not going forward. I'm getting erratic. I think its going to take more conditioning to get me comfortable with this decision and realize that it doesn't matter what's best for me anymore (and that this change isn't a bad thing). There are other people more important than me in my life.

Back Amongst the Living

I've been in bed for a whole week with strep. My kids had it too, but they got shots and were running about after one day. For some reason, I had to get oral antibiotics and it took me until yesterday to break the fever. YUK! One good thing is that I was able to be home so the internet guy could come and get things straightened out. I'll be posting pics soon.

In other, completely unrelated news, Yay for LSU being voted number one in the country in the coaches and AP polls! This is the first season in a long time in which I've made every home game. We even took all three kiddos to the Tulane game Saturday. They were sooo well behaved! Good thing, because I was watching the game so closely any one of them could have run off and I might not have noticed! LOL!

I think I'm going to pick up the skull cap again tonight. I'm ready to move that off my plate. I still need to redo the bind-off on Widdershins, though, so I might just get that over with. (Not like I don't have to finish staining my bathroom counter or tile my kitchen backsplash. Why would I want my house to be finished for the party on the 27th when I can be knitting?!?!)

Might be some job changing on the horizon. I won't post any details, but I was in anxiety-attack mode all weekend before calming myself down with the mantra- it's going to be alright! I'll keep you posted when I learn more.

I ganked a meme!

Totally ripped off from ShadKitty

Full disclosure, I'm a huge fan of themoviespoiler.com. So, if I haven't seen these I've probably read the spoiler and know what happens in all of them. Also, I think the over 85 limit is a bit low, but I acknowledge I have no life- and have seen many of these more than once- so I can't really argue that point. Also, completing this has made me realize how much I really don't like sequels.

The rules: SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 films, you have no life. Mark the ones you've seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own blog, paste this as a note. Then, put x's next to the films you've seen, add them up.Have fun!

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
() Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
() Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 8

(x) The Princess Bride
(x) AnchorMan
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
( ) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 14

( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
( ) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 16

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
( ) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 21

(x) Finding Nemo
( ) Finding Neverland
( ) Signs
(x) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
( ) Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
( ) I, Robot
(x) Robots
Total so far: 25

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
( ) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
(x) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
(x) Joe Dirt
( ) KING KONG
Total so far: 31

(x) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
(x) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
(x) Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber
Total so far: 37

( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
( )Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 40

( ) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
(x) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
(x) Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 48

(x) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
(x) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Sleven
(x) Ocean's Eleven
( ) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
( ) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
(x) Curious George
Total so far: 56

(x) Independence Day
(x) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
(x) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
( ) Maid in Manhattan
( ) War of the Worlds (the original and not the crappy remake with Tom Cruise)
(x) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 62

( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
( ) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 71

(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
( ) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
( ) Spider-Man 3
(x) Sky High
(x) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
( ) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
(x) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 83

( ) Swimfan
( ) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
( ) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
(x) Krippendorf's Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 87

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 93

(x) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
(x) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
( ) Three
Total so Far: 97

( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 100

( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
( ) Waterworld
Total so far: 102

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 104

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
(x) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 111

(x) The Matrix
( ) The Matrix Reloaded
( ) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal
Total: 114

Hey Britney

Quit acting out some wierd Life Comes at You Fast commercial. That is all.

Arrrrggghhhh....

My pirate name is:

Iron Charity Vane

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. You tend to blend into the background occaisionally, but that's okay, because it's much easier to sneak up on people and disembowel them that way. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Still no photos.

We haven't gotten the internet hooked up at home since the move and I don't know how to get my camera to work on my office computer. It reminds me of the Mac comercial where the cute Mac guy is trying to introduce the cute Japanses camera girl to the nerdy pc guy. I don't remember how it ends. I think pc nerd runs away or something. My point is, and there is one, I have a Mac at home because I lost three computers to viruses. (Stupid brother-in-law looking at porn). Anyhow, when I plug my camera into my Mac the photos upload automatically. When I plug my camera into my pc at work... I don't know but there's computer language and smoke and the blue screen of death- you get the picture. Except you don't get pictures, until I get internet at home. Comprende?
And just as I finished the skull cable hat. Well, we'll call it prototype 1. It's too small and the yarn wasn't stretchy enough and I'm going to tweak the cables some more. I like the evil little YO eyes on the skulls, but I'm not thrilled with the shape of the skull cable part. I went out at lunch and bought some Cascade 220. I hope it will work well with the cables. The silk/alpaca I used on the first hat really smooshed everything together. Send good vibes for this one. I'll have a finished pattern for you soon, I hope.

My name is...

When people talk about loving their job...

so much that it doesn't feel like work, I don't EVER believe them. I just don't think its physically, mentally, or spiritually possible to do the same thing every day for the rest of your life and love it each time. It's GOT to feel like work at some point.
I'm hating on the whole idea of emplyoment right now. I don't even know why my boss is bothering to pay my salary. A student worker could do anything I do for minimum wage. I was hired to do research, but all I've done for the past year is check others' calculations. Last week, they let me put labels on cds. Every time I come up with a research proposal, they tell me to put it on a back burner, like there's something on a front burner I should be doing. It drives me nuts to do nothing all day and think about all the things I need to be doing at home. Then I get home and I don't have two seconds to get anything done because its so crazy. I feel insane.
And before you suggest it, I can't really do anything fun in my "downtime." They don't care if we do actual work as long as it looks like we are working. No knitting, reading, etc. I've got lots of interactive grocery lists in excel, organized by department even, but that only goes so far.
Anyway, I'm sending out some apps- one to Chicago (faculty), one to Austin (research), and one here with my current agency which would technically be a promotion, but in a different division (research). I'm kind of nervous about taking a job involving a move since we just moved in to the new house, but my husband is supportive. I've also spoken to one of my former professors about taking some adjucting gigs. We'll see how that pans out.
In the meantime, there are two papers I should be working on in case I get accepted at a conference, or to submit to journals. Maybe those can keep me busy for a while.

Fun stuff:

• Still working on the skull cable hat. Found some more things to tweak.
• Need to make duvet covers for girls' bunk beds. Have black and white toile and ticking. Need time.
• Getting motivated to start swatching for fair isle sweater.
• Internet down at home. No photos for you.

Ok. That last one wasn't exactly "fun stuff," but it fit with the bullets.

Good, Bad, Ugly

RS_Knits Yahoo group is starting to pick up. There has been new activity and new members the past few weeks and it looks like we might be able to schedule some meet-ups. I've also picked up a chart I made a while back for a skull-cable pattern. I'm working on a hat. I've already frogged it back once, but the second version is looking good so far. This is good.
Work sucks, on the other hand. One of my "friends" got offered a promotion that was previously aimed at me. There was a huge conspiricy to cover it from me. She finally told me and has since been very hyper-sensitive to everything I say, finding insult in very innocent conversation. I've decided to put this relationship on a back-burner because it's small fish right now. I haven't been offered any teaching jobs, which surprized me based on the shortages and my qualifications. Maybe the "right" job hasn't come along yet. If you guessed "bad," you're right.
Ugly is home life right now. I just typed a whole explanation and then realized I'm not ready to externalize it yet. I try not to focus too much internally (someone said depression is the highest form of selfishness), but I think I need to examine my motivations more before putting any details out into the universe. One day I'll find someone to confide in. I just don't have that amount of trust in anyone yet.

So the yarn I mentioned in the previous post hasn't come in yet...

But I've got the design all charted. I'm trying to decide what kind of neckline I want.

Unfortunately, I only have time to think about knitting while I'm at work and, of course, I can't knit at work. I can't knit at home either because we finally got occupancy permission for our new house and we've been slowly moving stuff over/ trying to clean up/ getting used to kindergarten and daycare/ otherwise going nuts- this week.

The girls' new bunk bed won't be in until tomorrow, so if we sleep in the new house tonight they'll have to camp on the floor. I really only want to bring the stuff that I intend to keep, but we're going to fast it looks like all the crap will come over too and I'll have to get rid of it later. So the new house will probably start of as cluttered and messy as the old house. *sigh*

Oh, and since it's August- here's some photos of the balloon races in Baton Rouge.

Please excuse the wonkiness of the photos. I took them with my phone while driving down the freeway at 70mph on my way to work. See what I do for you?

Boy, when I come Back...

I come back with a vengence! Call me Samuel M*therf*cking Jackson.
I've got an itch to knit again. And this time I'm going to throw it down Eunny Jang-style. I've just ordered twelve, count 'em, TWELVE skiens of Palette from KP, all in different colors, and I'm going to design me a fair isle. I've got ambitions for a full sweater, but come on- this is me. You'll be lucky to get a vest. No sketches but think along the lines of Venezia.
I've also got designs on a cabeled boat neck where the whole thing is knit in two tubes. Think tubey, but with two holes in the top tube. One for the neck and one for the bodice. Oh, and a herringbone jacket.
I've decided to set aside time to knit each day. I need to reclaim some sanity. Maybe a half hour before bed. Do you think that will be enough? Talk amongst yourselves.

In other news. What's up with House, MD? Would anyone in the real world put up with crap like that from a coworker without knocking him on his ass at least once. And they're all, "We love you. Let us be your friends!!!!" That show is thisclose to jumping the shark for me.

No posts lately, blah, blah, blah...

Bad Blogger, yada, yada.
In real news, we are almost done with the house. We have the elec and plumbing all hooked up and should begin moving in within the week.
Haven't been knitting much because I used to knit while M was in gym class and she went and got kicked out. Behavior problems. Yeah, proud mommy<> me.
I finally got a Ravelry invite. I'm ShannonAnn there, so add me if you're on. I'll try to do something interesting in the mean time so you can laugh and point.

No motivation to write.

Enjoy these photos instead:

Widdershins in Socks that Rock: Lucy

Wavy Lace Stole in Cascade: Lana D'Oro Alpaca

Endpaper Mitt in Knitpicks: Merino Style(?)



Final Spoil package of awesomeness from Staci:

Kidnapping attempt mentioned in previous post: Successful!

Wish me luck.

I posted a while back about maybe wanting to take a teaching job so I could have more time to spend with my kids. Well, a position opened up at a small regional university (the univ. where I got my BA.) andI applied for it. They weren't very clear about what courses are involved so it would either be my dream job, or something I'm not even qualified for, and it will involve supervising student teachers, which is not my goal in life. (Not so sure about the grammar in that last sentence.)
Of course with Univ. ads, you never know about teaching load, salary, tenure requirements, or any of that good stuff so I might not even want it in the long run. But right now I have a really good feeling about it.
So anyway, feel free to send any positive vibes my way.

As if you care...

If anyone visits this site, it's probably in hopes of knitting content or delicious yarn pron. Of course there's seldom any of that. In truth, I did finish one endpaper mitt, and I'm up to the instep of some Widdershins in some loverly Socks That Rock in Lucy.

But I don't have photos.

I also don't have photos of the great stuff my PRGE pal, Staci, sent me this weekend. Purse kits for my girls (they love) yarn for a clapotis (I love) and more random, yummy yarn to do with as I please ( I also love) Oh, and a dragonfly clip. How did you know I have a secret love of bugs? I'm pretty sure I didn't put that on the questionnaire.

I do however, have a few house photos. The house is of course, getting most of my attention these days. Especially the studio, which just got cabinets and a lovely pink marble countertop.

Yes, that's MY studio. For knitting, painting, sewing, soaping, and other general craftiness. The blue-green walls are an homage to my love of all things Tiffany.

Another thing I am loving is my guest bathroom sink and countertop. The sink is from overstock and the counter is granite.

Isn't it lovely? The faucet will look like bamboo and I will paint a few strategically placed Louisiana iris on the wall in a corner.

My kitchen is also coming along. We just need the granite on the island. We won't have wall cabinets on the right, just open shelving.

We also need to figure out what to put on the wall behind the stove that will tie in the slate floor with the granite counters. Here's a close-up of the antiquing I did on the island:

Here are two exterior shots so you can see the final color. Eventually, we'll put up black shutters and have black rockers on the porch.

Here's the front.

And the back/left side ( I don't know what's up with the gray stuff at the bottom):

In other good news. I might get to meet my PRGE spoilee in person! Kate will have to drive right through my town when she moves later this month, so I am trying to figure out how to kidnap her and take her to lunch! Wish me luck.

I can't believe it!

I treated myself to a lunch break at my local MegaBookstore!(tm) and while perusing the loverly selection of knitting-related print, I. got. bored. What? Uh, yeah, furreal. I had to leave the store even to get something to eat because nothing, not one single book, compelled me even flip through much less purchase.
I looked at some new things like Runway and Twinkle City, and some of the old Vogue Quick Knits. All I could muster was, "meh." Maybe I'm just saturated. I know my "to knit" list is way longer than my "will knit" list will ever be, but that's never stopped me from dreaming before. It just seems that nothing in the new books is, well, new.
Come on guys, inspire me! Or else I might have to try to design something. And, trust me
NOBODY wants that!

Mommy Wars Revisited

I'm a working mother. I tried to stay home with my first two kids and was. bored. out. of. my. mind. I couldn't wait to get back to work, to have real conversations, to feel some semblance of sanity. By my third child, I realized three months was the max. I nursed all of my children for a full year each and my sister was able to alternate caring for them with my husband. I chose to work, not because of money, but because I needed more to do in a day than what staying home offered.
MSN today has a report:

NEW YORK - If the typical stay-at-home mother in the United States were paid for her work as housekeeper, cook and psychologist among other roles, she would would earn $138,095 a year, according to research released Wednesday.

I've been a stay-at-home mom. I was raised by a stay-at-home-mom. I've also been to a psychologist (perhaps as a result of my experiences with my own SAHM.) I can tell you, a psychologist, my mom ain't.

I can understand lumping housekeeper, cook, nanny, maybe some other things into the monetary value of mothering. But when you start to sneak in specialized professions like psychology or nursing, who are you really trying to kid? A SAHM can kiss boo-boos or stroke developing egos as well as I can, but until they put in the hard core academics and hours it takes to earn an LPN or PSYD, let's not call a chicken a duck. And let's not inflate the hypothetical salary of someone who chooses to not earn one so she can feel important. Because that's what this is really about isn't it? SAHM's wanting to feel like what they do has value. And, believe me, it does have value. Only its just to you and yours. You cooking and cleaning and raising your own kids, doesn't mean a hill of beans to me. Just as my salary shouldn't matter to you. I don't try to make you value my choice, don't inflate yours to try to sway me.

Someone help me.

I'm in as much need of the Rowan 38 magazine as anyone with a too-long project list and not enough time in a day can be in need of anything. Which is not a lot of "need" per sey, but a whole bunch of irrational "want." Which is why I don't want to pay $22 for a backorder copy. I tried to bid on one the other day, and thought I had it in the bag, but I remain unfulfilled. Someone was obviously watching the auction, and I was not, because they beat me by a measly $6.
If anyone out there has an unloved copy (not too unloved, I don't want anything you housetrained your pets on) and might be willing for a pattern, book, or yarn trade, please let me know.
I really need to knit Kaffe Fassett's Brocade. And you know you won't get to it and the other patterns in the book are really ugly anyway, so why would you hold on to it. Release your rowan 38. It needs a good home, really it does!!!!

Hmmm...

Seems Annie Modesitt is trying out for Project Runway. Wouldn't that be interesting. I can't imagine she'd be able to knit many of the challenges, but I can think of a few challenges where the designs just begged for some fibre. Does Moods even sell yarn?
I wonder if I'd root for her because of the whole knitting thing. I can't really say she's my favorite pattern designer, she's really not. In fact, there are only a few of her designs I would consider knitting. I can't say I've considered any come to think of it.
That said, if you poke around her blog, you'll find some of the things she's bringing to the tryouts and they look fine enough. I hope she doesn't bring the felted mitred jacket *woof*.

Took the Plunge

Well, not really. But I'm considering it.
I've completed an online application to test the teaching waters. The paperwork to get my certification renewed is on my desk. I've contacted an old friend to pitch an idea about High School courses in Statistics and Psychology. And my stomach is in knots.
In case there was any doubt. Teaching is a suck job. I have theories about why teachers don't get respect and those theories mostly sit with the fact that teachers are largely unaccountable for their product. If a doctor fails to cure all of his patients, if a lawyer loses all of his cases, career suicide. But a teacher can fail to bring her students up a grade-level and gets to blame the students, parents, society. Imagine if a doctor said, "well, Joe was already sick when he came to me, of course I couldn't cure him."
But, I digress.
The pay is less than what I make, although not bad with my Ph.D. and experience.
Lesson plans, grading, other people's children, other children's parents, no freedom to eat or use the bathroom when I want. And other teachers like to whine! I hate whiners! They cut up in meetings, complain about paperwork, backstab, you name it. Anything they fuss at students for they are worse. And I know, because I did all that at four different schools, three districts, and even a private school. Plus I had a job in state professional development training teachers.
So if I'm such a hater, why am I considering going back?
Good Question.
I am bored in my current job. I'm BLOGGING now for Chrissake!
The hours and commute suck. People hate me b/c I'm state employed (for real, my mom introduces me to other teachers as the enemy). And most importantly, my babies are starting school. My sister watches them now and all three have stayed with relatives all their lives. I'm feeling super guilt about having them in school all year and summers too. I fell like teaching will allow me to have precious time with them that I don't get now.
Now don't think I'm kidding myself. I know during the summer they'll be watching tv, or at friends', I'm no June Cleaver. I never said the guilt was rational. They might be better off in a camp with structure and activities. I also feel a tug to do it right this time. I know I wasn't that bad, parents have told me they wish I would teach again. But with the shortage, I think I'd make more of a difference with 25 kids than trying to get the adults in charge to change like I'm doing now. Ironically, I left the classroom b/c I wanted to affect change on a larger scale. But guilt is a mo fo and it makes you do wierd things.
Like apply for a teaching job.

If you have some free time, check out:

This.
But don't blame me when you pry yourself away three days later and find your cat ran away because you neglected her.
(and don't stop at the snowflake, the other stuff is awwweeesssooommmeee too.)

Wow, how late is this?

I had to pick this up from the post office on Saturday because my mailperson didn't leave it at my house. Yeah, I don't know either.

Needless to say I was very excited and was trying not to get my hopes up after being burned last year.

but...

Of course I shouldn't have worried. My Pal Rocks! and S/He timed it perfectly with my birthday.

Under the wonderful birthday message was a handmade (?) scarf, a gazillion packs of decaf coffee (!), a great pink and black bag (had to hide it from my girls), and two skeins of brown and ivory alpaca yarn. I think they were Berocco Ultra Alpaca, but now that I'm writing it I can't remember and I can't quite make out the label in the photo.

I put the yarn in the bag and it reminded me of some yummy Neapolitan ice cream. I'm going to have to get a skein of pink and make something in that colourway.

Thanks Secret Pal! You seriously Rock!

Dilemma

There is a phenomenon I often ponder. I call it "no comment syndrome." I notice this when someone is accused of some wrongdoing, evil, or other nasty badness. The accused has an option of responding to the accusation in a number of ways. They can say, "I did it. Take me to the gallows straight away." They almost never say that. They can scoff, "Well I never. How dare you accuse me of such a thing." This is common, whether the accused is actually guilty or not. Or they can take the third road becomming more common by the day, "no comment."
What I ponder in this situation is why someone would take the no comment route. In my mind, it always implies guilt. If said person were innocent, why wouldn't they deny? If said person were guilty, again, why not deny- unless you are making a sworn statement *cough* scooterlibby *cough*.
Now the concern is all mine. One of the PRGE Participants, Kate, has gone and pointed her finger at me. ACCUSED me of being her secret pal. She's even listed the reasons she thinks I am guilty. Pretty good reasons at that. What can I do? I can deny, and maybe that would be lying. Or maybe it would narrow down her hunt for her true pal? I can admit. Maybe again that would be a lie taking credit for the great package her true pal has already sent and feeling like I abandoned my true pal?, or maybe it would be true, and thus, spoil her suspense.
Now you see my delimma. The reason I am spending so much time on this problem is that I, like Kate, am dying to figure out my pal's identity. My pal has sent me a wonderful package full of alpaca yarn, decaf coffee, a great little bag, and a handmade scarf. All wrapped in a birthday note. (I'll upload the pics tomorrow.) It was sent delivery confirmation and no return address, I guess my pal likes to live on the edge. I think I might have a guess, but I'm nowhere near as bold as Kate. so I'm not putting that out in the universe just yet.
Every day I scour the blogs and comment on a few to try to get some clues. But my pal is way to smart for that. The CSI guys would have been proud of how I examined the package to try to pick up dust, a cat hair?, ANYTHING. Nothing.
In summary,
I am in Louisiana and I like LSU, its where I got my master's and Ph.D.,
but I haven't lived in Baton Rouge for three years.
I started commenting on a few PRGE blogs when this exchange started,
and have noticed a few new comments on mine. (Kate, are you MY pal trying to divert my attention?)
I sent my package with confirmation,
I think we are all supposed to do that to keep off the deadbeat list.

So, Kate, I hope I have answered your question.

And thanks to My pal, whomever you are! I loved all my gifts!

Somebody's getting a surprise!

Well, I guess they should be expecting it. It's my first care package for the new Punk Rock Gift Exchange. I finished putting it together this weekend and would have mailed it yesterday if my FM had not kicked my butt twelve ways to next week.
But, I'm walking again today (although slowly) and made it to the post office during lunch to mail the goodies. Delivery confirmation- just to be sure.
Bad news is the one and only LYS in this stinking town is closing an hour earlier. 4:00! Don't knitters work around here?!?! So I'll have to do some creative lunch shopping for the next package. I wish I could have faxed it, I'm so impatient to know if he/she will like it. Want to know what's in it? Ha! You'll have to wait until the recipient blogs about it.
Oh, my other pal (the one who will be gifting me- I hope) sent me an email. Very cryptic... I'll have fun playing whodunnit.

We got our PRGE pals today!

I was reading my secret pal's poll and decided, as long as it is, its still not enough information. I learned she likes *blank*, but what KIND of *blank*? So I spent a few minutes going over her archives and there it was: ************!Then I remembered that when I switched over my blog, I didn't bother to move any of my old posts from my other blog and what if my pal wants to learn more about me (and perhaps see cute pictures of my kids?). Well, I think my old blog is still accessible- at least it was yesterday- at www.shannonssoaps.com/blog. Just in case, you know, you want to get really personal.

PRGE Poll

I'll probably take a few days to work on this since it is soo. darned. long.
1. How long have you been knitting/crocheting/spinning?
Five or six years, give or take.
2. Do you consider yourself a beginner, novice or experienced yarn artist?
Novice. I'm above scarves and dishclothes, but have trouble piling up the fo's.
3. What fibers (materials) have you knit/crochet with?
Cotton, wool, acrylic, viscose, bamboo, banana, alpaca
4. What are your favorite yarns?
Knitpicks! Merino style, elegance, and wool of the andes (I'm a cheap date.)
5. What fibers are you dying to try?
Cashmere
6. Do you prefer solid, self striping, or handpainted yarns?
It totally depends on the project. I guess I would have to pick handpainted because those are usually more luxurious and the color combinations are more sophisticated than with a run-of-the-mill self striper.
7. What fibers do you dislike?
I'm not an acrylic cheerleader, but I'll use it with little cajoling. I also find raw silk a bit testy (and there's only so much you can do with raw silk.) Do I have to mention novelty yarn should be banned in the free world? Because I think THAT should be obvious.
8. What are your favorite colors?
Chocolate brown, bubblegum pink, black, red, purple, olive green, robin's egg blue, there aren't many I don't like.
9. What are your least favorite colors?
rust, mustard, teal, all the obnoxious ones.
10. How did you learn to knit/crochet/spin?
I'm self-taught
11. What projects are you currently working on?
Endpaper Mitts, DNA scarf, wavy lace shawl
12. How old is your oldest UFO?
Years old What is it? It is a triangle shawl from Vogue Vintage Knits I started for my mom in her school colors (she's a teacher) Will it ever be finished? Well, she teaches at a new school that is the rival of the old school so there's not a huge demand for a shawl in the wrong colors (it might get her car keyed). Its a shame, too, because there are only a few rows left to do.
13. What is the most heartbreaking project that you ever frogged?
The Hush, Hush from knitty. I ran out of yarn and couldn't find a substitute. I think that's a recurring theme with this project.
14. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I like to knit with straights better, but you can't beat circs for convenience.
15. Do you own a swift and/or a winder?
Not technically, but my five year old does a good job.
16. Where do you keep your needles?
In an overstuffed mug. I really need something better (hint, hint).
17. Do you enjoy helpful hints about your knitting or does it just piss you off?
Generally, they piss me off unless I ask for them.
18. What techniques are you still a virgin in (lace, cables, ect.) and are you interested in trying them?
I am working on my first fair isle project now, the endpaper mitts. I'd like to try intarsia and I have a pattern for a world map afghan that I'll get to one day.
19. What knitting magazines do you subscribe to?
None, and I've put myself on a strict no-new-magazine diet until I get some things done.
20. Are there any books, needles, yarn, patterns that you are dying to get your hands on?
I'd love some knit picks circs. I have the size 0 and I love them! Now I need to get the other sizes, and two of each so I can try to make some socks on two circs.
21. Do you enjoy knitting socks? I've started about 3 pairs and never got far enough to even mention. I think the dpn's were holding me back. I'm doing the endpaper mitts on 2 circs and it's going much smoother. How big are your feet? US size 5.5.
22. Do you have a wish list?
I do.
23. What are your non-knitting, crochet, spinning hobbies?
Sewing, building my dream house, making soap and lotion
24. How do you feel about sports?
I'm an LSU fan and usually attend all the football games. I like basketball and used to be a good golfer. However, I am not athletic by any means.
25. What is your favorite season? Fall/ Spring, Beautiful sunny and cool weather. Least favorite season? Why? Winter and summer suck *ss in Louisiana. Winter is rainy and cold, summer is ridiculously hot. Last year the water in my pool got too hot to swim in!
26. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween, of course.
27. Do you like handmade gifts? Who doesn't?
28. Do you wear jewelry that isn't real? Yes, but I never underestimate the good stuff.
29. What are your favorite foods? I have a huge sweet tooth but I am banned from my favorites- chocolate and coffee- due to a fast heart rate. (Sometimes I cheat.) Scents that you love? Gardenia is my favorite, evah!
30. What is your family situation? Do you live alone?
Married with 3 children ages 5, 3, and 1, and a part-time chihuahua.
31. Do you have any pets? see above.
32. What kind of music do you like? Just about anything except country. I like to listen to college radio. Can your computer/stereo play MP3's? Yes.
33. What are your favorite movies? When Harry Met Sally, Breakfast Club, Kill Bill v.2. TV shows? Ghost Hunters, Heroes, CSI (although they are starting to lose my patience. Come on, perpetual zoom and clean up on photos?) Actors? Ed Norton, Val kilmer, guys who can play a range. I don't understand how Jack Nicholson and Robert DiNiro are called actors when they are always. the. same. guy.
34. What do you collect? music boxes, bells, vintage patterns (sewing and knitting- I'm a vintage size 14.)
35. What do you do in real life -- besides knit and blog? I'm an education research analyst
36. When is your birthday? March 19 Is it a national holiday or just another day? it should be a national holiday!
37. Do you have any allergies, medical conditions or disorders that your pal should be aware of (ie. diabetes, food/pet allergies, ect.)? I am not allowed to ingest caffeine in any form- chocolate, coffee, soda, although those are my most favorite foods on earth. (Due to an abnormally high resting heart rate.)
38. Are there any scents, phobias, or sensory thing (ie, the way certain objects feel) that your pal should be aware of?
Violin music is unbearable to my ears. The sound of it makes my body want to cough up my soul.
39. What is the most difficult thing that you have ever knit/crochet? There's nothing that doesn't get easy with practice. Each project is hard until you get the hang of it.
40. What is your personal style? Classic but quirky is there a time period/fashion movement that you take your cues from? all ranges. I really like the 20's through 60's, I know that's a wide range. I collect vintage patterns from those eras and knit/sew them.
41. Anything else that you would like to say? I like violets, skull and crossbones, coffee mugs, I can't help but steal pencils and pens (its a teacher thing), and I'm addicted to paper stationery, especially personalized and handmade.

Dysfunctional? Yes, but sooo much fun.

My family has never been big on sensitivity. I learned early on, and the hard way, that my mom would never give me a shoulder to cry on. Not a leaf on my family tree has so much as a caterpillar of sympathy knawing on it.
Yesterday, I got a phone call that my grandmother took a spill and broke her leg? hip? no one was sure just yet, but surgery was definately in the cards. While most people would have made the drive to the hospital in worried silence- at least- I piled into the car with my parents and made the hour-long trip LAUGHING THE WHOLE WAY.
You see, my grandmother fell down an escalator. I don't know if you realize, but that's funny stuff. Imagine an old lady going ass-over-end down the whole length of an escalator and not find something funny in it. Okay, its just me? Whatever.
It only gets better from there. You see, all 6 of my aunts and uncles and every cousin had the same first question upon hearing the news: Oh God, was she wearing underwear? I won't explain why that's a valid question, but leave it to suffice, you can't NOT laugh when someone says that.
To our defense, my Maman (that's what we call her, my kids call her Maman Doris) was making some of the best jokes. From telling the paramedic, "Honey you ain't THAT good looking" when he had to cut off her pants (and underwear, she WAS wearing underwear!) to telling me it crossed her mind to yell, "I've fallen and I can't get up!"
But all jokes aside, she's got a broken hip and will need surgery today. She's also a diabetic so recovery will be a bit dicey.
I started the endpaper mitts in Knitpicks Merino Style when I got home. Flog me later. I had a rough day.

Welcome to my new place!

While I am sad to see my old blog go the way of the dinosaur (I wonder if that means dinosaurs are 404), I understand that sometimes it is necessary to walk away. I can't promise I'll be a better blogger because of the move, but you never know, do you?

In news related to throwing in the towel, I am resigned to frogging the Brown Cabled Cardi that I was not enjoying.

The cables in the photo weren't really visible and when knit up, well, they looked like crap. They were branchy and organic, while I like my cables neat and somewhat symmetrical. I think I would get along with Starsky better. I am also trying to not cast on for Eunny Jang's endpaper mitts because I have a million ufo's flying around at the moment.
Don't believe me?
wavy lace stole
tweed coat
sofa slipcover-no pattern
dna scarf
duro dress
and too many other socks, scarves, stoles, and Knucks to count.
I'm uncontrollable.

BTW- Britney, WTF?