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.