Its been a long week between school, work, teaching and homework and there've been so many times I've wished I had a few extra minutes and enough spare brain power to post! I've been keeping a mental log of things to share with you during my down time this weekend though, such as 1) interesting facts I've learned in class and the new ideas they've sparked and 2) odd and strange things I've seen recently ;) And while we're talking about future blog posts, any thoughts of things you'd enjoy hearing about? If I can figure out if there's a way to post audio files I have something to share with you



I did make a card though last Friday after class before diving into the homework, and this morning made one of the same design for Cynthia's birthday which is today.

Lookin forward to a relatively quiet weekend (lol its amazing how my definition of that has changed...) to read, go see a movie I've been looking forward to, and catch up on lots of little odds and ends, so stay tuned for more posts ;)

Contemplating...

I thought I'd share a blog post by a friend of mine that has been very thought-provoking for me the last few days, as well as my thoughts on it...


*Am I cynical? More so than I used to be? If I were honest, I think I'd have to say yes. I used to be very pessimistic, now I think its more that I want to be optimistic, but I am afraid to be so. I am afraid to hope and face disappointment *again* which brings me back to the question of trusting God and His intentions toward me. (Ring a bell from Captivating, those of you who have read it?)

*Things at my house and in my world seem to be in constant upheaval these days, and so it was very encouraging to me to be reminded that God's gifts, and His grace, do not fall with the tides of life. They are always there, being offered, but I must actively receive them.

*And along the same lines, I needed the reminder that we are to expect conflict. I think sometimes I take it almost as a personal insult..."Why are You doing this to me???"

Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts on what he wrote, either on these topics or the others!

Wordless Wednesday

"Save a life, don't knit and drive"

I got back into knitting mainly as a curiosity thing, because there was this hat that I really wanted to make and wondered if I could do it. But in order to do that, I needed to brush up on my knitting skills and learn a few new techniques that were included in the pattern. Shortly after the accident Lindsey asked if I would teach her and somewhere along the way my knitting and I became permanently attached. I now understand the temptation to knit and drive (at least at stop lights, though I have yet to actually do so) and my brother says that he should know how to knit since he’s watched me do it every morning at breakfast.

There have been two interesting knitting experiences in the last week or so; one was helping a random stranger in the library with her knitting. She was extremely nice, very friendly and so relieved to have some help with her project that she wanted to know what other days I work in case she runs into more problems with it!

Several months ago two of the moms we work with asked if Lindsey and I would have a class to teach their kids to knit. About 40 emails later, we were able to find a day and time that worked for all of us and we headed off to a wonderful afternoon.

We all met in the parking lot of the yarn store and before going in, we showed them a little about different kinds of yarn, what they were made from, which ones would be good to use for their first project etc.

We gave them their needles (the ones my little cousin and I had made over Thanksgiving) and both the moms decided they wanted to learn as well so they got the two fancy pairs (the ladybug set on the end are mine).

Debbie’s son, William, was so excited to finally be learning how to knit that as soon as we got in the store he was off down the aisle, and and reached the yarn section long before any of the rest of us!

Everyone had a great time picking out their yarn and all except Debbie ended up with variegated yarn

Then it was back to Beth’s house to her fabulous school room (they just started homeschooling this year so we’ve had a lot of fun chatting about that at work). We all sat around in a circle on the floor and got to work casting on and learning the first stitch.

They all did a great job and really enjoyed learning. I, of course, had fun observing personalities and other things that came out during our time together…how obviously spoiled the one is as an only child and how that affects his personality and the way he interacts with others, and one of the kids who usually has a very difficult time concentrating on anything was so easily able focus on her knitting (and the excitement that brought her mom who has been desperately trying to help her in this area). It was so much fun to get together with all of them outside of work and to get to know their kids better. The best part by far though was the delight that all of them had in learning the task at hand. I think I could safely say they all enjoyed it greatly and several of them you might have to watch out for…it was such a hit they just might attempting knitting and driving…when they’re older thankfully

I think I could safely say they all enjoyed it greatly and several of them you might have to watch out for…it was such a hit they just might attempting knitting and driving…when they’re older thankfully

It's a quiet Sunday morning and I'm sitting here at my desk eating my bowl of oatmeal, finding myself amazed at how *suddenly* my lavender sprouts are shooting up since I stuck the toothpicks in to help them stand up straighter. They're getting bigger and stronger and have all kinds of little shoots making their appearance. And my brain quickly becomes enveloped in thoughts of and plans for spring...starting my flower seeds earlier and indoors and having a tray of seedlings in little cups...thoughts of where to plant them in the ground since containers worked so poorly last year...that I need to buy a big bag of earth and maybe learn to use the tiller...and oh, those little daisy-growing-kits I have would be perfect for a prize with the kids at school...I should plan a special outing with mom to get lunch and go to Logan's to buy basil and tomato plants, and maybe some flowers too... And so now my thoughts are yearning towards spring when we have yet to enter winter (which in NC is known as January).