Grades Posted!

Well, I gotta say that I am pretty proud of myself. This just goes to show that I do MUCH BETTER in my classes if they are project based rather than test based.

 SPRING, 2008       3615-TEXAS STATE                                  

    CI   3310   PUBLIC EDU IN AMERICA    3.00             3.00  B    9.00
    MU   1311   FUNDAMTL MUSIC           3.00             3.00  A   12.00
    RDG  4320   LIT ED CULT DIV CH       3.00             3.00  A   12.00
                          SEM TOTALS:    9.00             9.00      33.00  GPA 3.67 

So, I’m really happy about that. I knew that I would get a B in the Public Ed class because I made a C on 2 of my tests. But I made 100’s on all of my projects!

However, I’m really nervous about my health for next semester:

BIO  1421   1040   200P- 315P —-H– (Bio lab)
BIO  1421   0005   330P- 445P –T-H– (Bio lecture)
MU   1312   0001   800A- 850A -M-W-F- (Music Theory)
MUSE 3120   0001   400P- 630P -M-W-F- (Marching Band)
MUSE 3131   0001  1230P- 145P –T-H– (Symphonic Band)
 HOURS: 09.00

Yeah…. that schedule. Look at the times that I have to be at school. I honestly think that I’m going to be killing myself, but this is all that I could get since I waited for my audition results to register. STUPID. I look back now and think: “I could have registered, and then made schedule changes after I learned my results.” Did I do that, no.
Either way, those classes are necessary for music education; but now I worry that I will audition and still not make it in. Then what? Ugh.

I’m gonna go practice.

What’s Important?

I picked up Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom today and have yet to put it down besides getting the boys bathed, fed, entertained and then ready for bed. I have about 70 more pages to read.
This book highlights a lot of ways that I try to look at my life, and also points out what is missing at times.
One of the points it highlights is how people, especially in American culture, become SO absorbed in other people’s affairs on TV, radio, etc. And it asks: Is it really all that important?
This thought brings back my recurring emotion of how much I wish the media would just go away most of the time. Yes, I like to be entertained, but I am definitely not bound to any tv show. I have NEVER watched a full season of any show. I so often think about: Why do people get so crazy about Jennifer Aniston’s newest beau, or JLO’s booty, or even the baby announcements of celebrities? I response is, “Oh, really? That’s nice… what happened in my immediate life today?”

The points that it has highlighted (so far) is that fact that I have become somewhat dependent on technology. It’s something that troubles me. Yes, I love it; but I actually think that life could be a bit easier without it in a lot of aspects. The book describes how Morrie fills his day with interactions with humans and nature more than the computer screen or cell phone. I questioned myself on this, and I spend almost ALL but a few hours on a computer. Work=computer, communication=computer, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I do spend time with my children, but I think that some cut backs are going to be happening soon with all this computer stuff. It’s a new phase I suppose.

One of my favorite passages from this book right now is on page 40. The tension of opposites.
Here’s a small blip from that page:
“Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn’t. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted.”

I gravitate toward that because I’m at that phase in my life right now. There are so many things that catch my eye for what I want to do, but as soon as I start on one path, I’m lured into something different. So, the dilemma becomes: Should I continue on the path that I started until it is fulfilled, or is there something more fulfilling at the end of the newer path?

Either way, just some food for thought. If you have not read this book yet, I highly recommend that you do so.

Get Fresh! Bag

A dedication for all you organic and sustainable people out there! Much love to my peeps!

Pattern: Get Fresh! Bag
Yarn: SWTC aMAIZING (100% corn fiber!)
Hook: H (5.00mm)
Ravelry

Pondering Pursuits

Music:
I have been practicing my clarinet again to audition in November. In the meantime, I am signed up to be in the marching band as well as the symphonic band this coming fall. I’m REALLY excited about that, but I am really worried all the same that I will not be accepted. . . AGAIN. I’ve never been told that I’m a bad player, in fact it’s always been the opposite; however, at this moment my spirit is a little crushed and I find myself wanting to know what it is that I should be doing with my future. Ugh… I know. “Here she goes again” is what I’m sure many of you are thinking. WELL, I’m sorry that I’m indecisive!!

So, I do want to be a music teacher. YES. I just keep having this gut feeling that I should go back to the regular teaching track and stick with that. The problem is that usually my gut feelings are right. But at the same time, I feel that I would not be as happy teaching the regular subjects as I would be if I were to teach music. Predicament? Yes. Advice needed? YES.

The other problem that I have which is related to my indecisiveness is the fact that I NEED TO GET OUT OF SCHOOL. I feel that so much of my time has been wasted for unnecessary courses because I can’t make up my mind. Here are the thoughts that generally swim in my head as a daily basis about what I would like for my future:
1. How can I make a decent living while doing something with fiber arts?
2. Should I switch back to being a regular teacher. . . . . ugh. . . I want to be a music teacher!
3. What about a librarian? I like books, I can catalog things!
4. How do people make a living without having a regular job????? WHAT BANDWAGON ARE THEY ON?
5. I wonder if I could open a yarn store in Montana. Hmmm.

So that’s only a few. Do you see the problem? I keep wanting something different.
I know that throughout life people will most likely come and go between jobs/careers/tracks.. and whatnot; I just wish that I could do lots of different things and still make enough money to survive.
Money. . . that’s a whole ‘nother can of worms that I won’t open right now for the sake of keeping this blog at a less-than-novel length.

MY Summer Curriculum

Podcasts:
I recently became addicted to podcasts, and Stash and Burn in particular. I’m trying to catch up on all of the podcasts by listening to them at night before I go to bed. This is the most opportune time because I have the least chance of being disturbed by certain small people in the house, and it is also my time for knitting and crocheting.
Well, tonight I listened to the Episode 09: Spring, Sprang, Sprung where Jenny traveled to my little hometown of Austin, Texas! I was really excited! She mentioned a few friends of mine, and I’m delighted to keep such great company.
Jenny was impressed by the “stashless Staci“; Julia and Caro. Well, Caro isn’t in Austin anymore, but she was at the time! We miss you!

Overall, I’m thoroughly enjoying all these knitting podcasts. I have also started listening to Cast On with Brenda Dayne, and I’m debating on Lime ‘n Violet. I have them all downloaded, just haven’t really listened to them yet.

YARN:
I’m really happy with the outcome of the yarn I dyed on Sunday. Whaddya think? I think I’m ready to try some acid dyeing… but I just WISH I had the set up for it. Scout has one of the best (read: most favorite!) set-ups I’ve seen. It’s tremendously inspiring.

First up, Neopolitano (before and after re-skeining)
100% peruvian wool - worsted:

And there is also this beauty:
Irish Spring (superwash sock yarn)

I’m really pleased with both. Not sure what I’m gonna do yet with the Neopolitano, but I have a couple of ideas.
And I REALLY love the green and brown together. I’m on a green kick right now for some reason.
Maybe I’ll make a Babette Blanket?? Or sell it, or socks? I dunno yet. It’s still too fresh .

Time for Myself

Dyeing:
The boys went with their dad today, so I got lots of me time! I usually do every Saturday, but half of my Saturdays are usually spent knitting in the morning with friends. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE knitting with friends, but today I got to knit and dye and listen to some podcasts.
What made it even more pleasant was the fact that today was a beautiful day, so I opened my bedroom window to let the breeze and bird chirps float through my room as I sat and knit. Perfect.

Okay, so I mentioned I did some dyeing.
I dyed some sock yarn.
I dyed some worsted wool.
Hopefully I’ll have some purty skeins on here tomorrow for you to drool over. (read: I think they came out great!)
Here’s a sneak peek:

Knitting:
I’ve officially cast on a pair of socks using the Scout’s Swag that I won a few months ago! I’m doing the Jaywalker socks by Grumperina, and I’m really surprised at how easy it is. I’m still getting used to SIZE 1 needles, but I’m totally stoked!

School:
My last day of this semester is tomorrow!!! I think I have locked in all A’s, but I may have a B. I’m not sure yet. Either way, this semester will give my droopy GPA a boost. And since I’m not taking any summer class (shame, shame… I know), I feel like a huge weight is off of my shoulders right now.
I’ve already got designated books and knitting projects picked out, so I’m excited to do different things right now.

To start: I’m currently reading “The Creative Family” by Amanda Soule.
It’s fantastic! It’s packed with great ideas for the little ones.

Comin’ Right Up!

Crochet:
I have started the market bag that will become a class at TKN within the next month. Staci and I were to do these together, but apparently she can’t hold her horses. It’s okay though, I told Stacy that mine would be better. haha! okay. maybe.

Either way, it’s gonna be really great because I’m making it out of SWTC aMAIZing yarn which is 100% corn fiber. Totally vegan, totally Austin, totally awesome. Here’s a shot of the very beginnings:

I’m currently using a size H (5mm) hook, but I think for the class I might have them use an I, because the gauge is a bit small. What do you think?? We’ll see. I really like the tightness of the smaller hook since it is a sport weight yarn.

Birthdays:
It’s apparently birthday season right now because most of my friends and my family are getting older. So, to prepare those of you who love me, I have put my Amazon wish list on this blog through the use of a convenient button to your right. If you DO plan on getting me something, by all means buy used, I promise I don’t mind (unless it has markings on the pages… then please don’t because I can’t stand that.) lol.

I’m not sure about what I’ll be doing for my birthday this year. I thought about having a get together at my/parents house, but I worry about bugs and whatnot during June; and by that I mean mosquitoes. I HATE those things because they love me. So any ideas will be greatly appreciated. My birthday is on a Wednesday, and I want to have the party on a Friday night.

That’s all for now.

Party!

Party!:

Last night we celebrated Meg and Staci’s birthdays, and it was a blast! I didn’t drink anything but water, so it was entertaining to watch the people around me get quite drunk. One poor girl left her shoes and walked home without realizing it! lol (she lived down the street). So, here’s a bit of a highlight of the night:

Knitting:
I finished my first pair of socks yesterday in time to wear to the party! They match quite well with my blue crocs, thank you very much.

Books:
Since I will not be going to school this summer, I plan on reading a lot more than I have in the past. I really enjoy reading, but somehow have lost the time for it. So, i’ve already bought a few books that I plan on enjoying.
The best part is that I was introduced to Good Reads by some of my friends, and it couldn’t have come at a better time! If you enjoy reading, you should sign up.

What A Week.

Kiddo:
My eldest became slightly ill on Sunday, and it has progressed quite rapidly to a double ear infection complete with cough, runny nose and fever. And it’s not your normal fever. It’s 103′F one night, and then a constant 101 for the rest of the day despite the amount of children’s tylenol I force him to take.
So, we went to the doctor today (that’s how I found out it was an ear infection causing all the trouble), and he’s now happily on antibiotics. Thank goodness for penicillin, huh? Yes.

What was really troubling is the fact that he hadn’t eaten hardly anything for two days. NOTHING. Just apple juice and water. He peed only twice today. However, he quickly got back up to speed once he started to feel better around 7:00pm tonight, and happily munched on everything I could find for about 2 hours. Needless to say, he’s full and quite asleep. Mommy is happy.

Knitting/Crocheting:
As you regular readers know, I have been working sporadically on the Cobblestone Pullover (CP), and I’m finally on the sleeve. I’m having to adjust the pattern to work accordingly with my 6′5″ guinea pig, and I’m praying that everything turns out okay.
The body is sized as a medium with a length of about 18″, and I’m adjusting the sleeves to increase at the “large” size, but am only going to increase until I reach the “medium” number of stitches. Make sense?? Doesn’t to me either, but that’s what I’m going with! The sleeves will be approx. 21″ long. I hope I have enough yarn!!!

I’m also working on the tunisian crochet scarf, and yes, I’m still in love with the stitch. But I’m extremely unhappy with my tension issue on the left side of this thing. It happens to be wavy at the moment, and luckily it will block out because of it’s woolly goodness.

Oh well, that’s why I’m practicing on a scarf; to find out these tricky little details.
I think on some rows I’m making the live stitches too loose, and then too tight on the next forward row. Ah well.

School:
Is almost over!! As of May 5th, my life will revolve mostly around kids, knitting, clarinet, and work. I like that combination okay… I could definitely live without the work aspect though.
I’m all set besides a one page paper (should take me about a minute!), and an “Integrated Unit” in which I’m part of a group of 3 making up 15 lesson plans that correlate regular subjects with music components. Sounds easy, right? That’s a yes and no answer. I find it easy, but it’s the presentation that I dislike. I have to pick one of my favorite lessons and present it to the class, which isn’t a bad thing, but I’m just sooooo ready to be done with it already.

Last but not least:
I am on page 70 or so of Knitalong by Larissa Brown. I really don’t want to put it down, but sometimes I just don’t have a choice in the matter! lol. This book is a must for any knitter or crocheter… hey, crocheters have CAL’s too ya know. It has great patterns, references, ideas, and inspiration. I’m thoroughly impressed with it, and it really makes me want to be a member of a KAL.
So far the only KAL I’ve been a part of is the Malabrigo March Madness KAL, and it turned out okay, but I only made one scarf, with 4 skeins leftover because I just didn’t have time to make all the things I wanted to. And when I had the time, I decided to change my designated patterns! I’m a bit indecisive I guess.

Okay. That’s all folks. Good night, and by all means, good knitting!

I love Saturdays

Saturdays . . .
. . . are my official day to do whatever I want. The boys are with their dad all day, and I have free ranging privileges!
Generally, Saturday mornings are specifically reserved for knitting with my friends, and this is a big part of why I enjoy Saturdays so much. I look forward to these mornings to help me get out of my zone of school and mommyhood, and take the opportunity to use foul language and discuss crafting in general that no one else understands besides this special group of friends. Rephrase: Everyone else thinks I’m crazy for loving crafts the way I do.

Today was a special day because it was Meg’s bday! So we took knitting to Opal’s this morning for a treat.

Speaking of crafts:
I have started a small tunisian crochet scarf to practice the stitch. So far, I’m in love. I’m making this out of Malabrigo…mmmmm. So much faster than all that PSSO mess that knitting requires to get the same effect!

Also, Stacy special ordered a Cascade Sierra color/yarn groping chart for me to decide what to do upcoming baby blankets in! Super thrilled about that.

Traffic Citation:
If you haven’t heard, I got a ticket yesterday (Friday) for my expired stickers. Ugh. I almost made it a year on the inspection!! I promise my car isn’t in any violation besides expired stickers.
So I got that done today. Did you know that expired inspection fines are about $137!?!?!?!?! Geez…. hopefully I’ll get it reduced to $20 by proving that I got it inspected today. I’m ALL about saving that much money.

Okay, that’s all for now. Sorry for the novel.