Wishful Thinking

Saturday brought the first class of the February Baby Sweater, and I half-heartedly thought about casting on for the adult version. The amount of projects that I have on the needles (note: I lie about what I really have posted in the side-bar) and what I should have on the needles made me pause, and instead, I cast on for the baby version for friends of Lola's who are expecting in May. Actually, I cast on twice: first in Pandora Rose (the chartreuse wasn't playing well with the stitch pattern) and then in a yarn called Fiesta, which I received in a swap. I think it will look lovely on a little girl in mid-October, and I can probably bribe Lola into taking some picture.

I'm trying to be a better teacher with my knitting classes and typed up some notes about the sweater. The problem is since it's an Elizabeth Zimmerman pattern, the notes are longer than the damn pattern. And, for once, I gave out the email address as well as the blog address in the notes if my students had a question over the week. For some reason, I've kept this very separate from knitting classes, but I think that is changing slowly. I mean, there are the names after all. How do you explain to people that you use a pseudonym on a "secret" blog (and really, it's only secret from our family) or that you chose the names you did because you and your sister have soft spots for strippers? Actually, it's getting easier every time it trips off my tongue.

I haven't the foggiest idea what to do with the two cakes of yarn in the photo. The top one is called "October" by Chameleon Colorworks and the bottom is by Cascade Heritage Paints in "Forest". Both could be made into socks, but I would like to find something new to do with the sock yarn. The Cascade could make a lovely pair of gloves or a Baby Surprise Jacket . . . suggestions?

We had parent/teacher conferences at work this week. Parents, teachers don't look forward to conferences any more than you do. We are most likely just as nervous sitting across from you as you are from us. Conferences went pretty well this time around, and during a down moment, one of my team-mates asked if I was looking forward to the girls heading to college in August. This is still very hard for me to talk about, but I told him that I was in a way, but it still petrifies me since so much of my adult life has been defined as being their mom. I don't know how I will handle it when they leave, and that terrifies me. I'm really counting on family and friends to help "manage" the situation. Otherwise, it's just me and Blue Moon.

The Flyer leaves for Orlando on Tuesday and will be gone until Sunday. It's his first trip in ages; that will mean no sleep on Tuesday but stretching out the rest of the week across the bed. Since he is flying into Orlando, I can stock up on Lush's Ultra Bland without heading into Manhattan. Call it a Valentine's Day present, baby, and we're even. I'm thinking about getting him this for Valentine's Day - gives him something to look forward to when he gets back.

Enjoy your weekend . . . the weather here is rather sublime and my favorite temperature: mid-50s. The Flyer and I were rather impressed with the icicles from the trumpet vines out front. Clearly, they were taken a week ago as most of the snow has melted, leaving us with the icky gray road salt mixed with mud.

Ava

PS - Lola and I were bit by the "25 Random Things" on Facebook, so I decided to post it tomorrow on the blog for the "100 Things About Us" . . . we're 50 short - give us some time. Drop us an email if you are on Facebook and we'll add you to the friends' list.

Comments

[Gemma Bryan]

Can I be your facebook friend... please pretty please??

[Tonia]

I think you will find it bittersweet when the girls leave in August. For me when our last left for college 3 years ago I was a mess. I really thought that I was going to need chemicals to get through it- Blue Moon was not going to be enough! We had spent so much of our married life raising the boys I was really concerned about what we would do when it was just us again. I cried a lot over the craziest things- finally figured out that I could make my own schedule and plans again. I could sleep without listening for everyone to get home safely on Saturday night. I still missed the hustle and bustle and could hardly wait for everyone to come home for Thanksgiving but by the end of the weekend- wow was I happy to see them go! You will adjust and looking back will be amazed at how quickly you settle into this new phase of your life.
PS- the hubby is enjoying it too- there are benefits to an empty nest!

[tricia]

Tom has been gone since September, and I still burst into tears at odd moments and most of the time I miss him rather desperately. So all I can say is I have broad shoulders.

Chameleon colourworks( did you notice how I turned that into Canadian) would look nice in the Knotty gloves. The heritage would look fabulous in a fair isle sock. I know, I know but go look at Istanbul or Latvian wedding dance at Red Bird Knits. She is on ravelry. Her socks take my breath away.

[carlitadee]

That's gonna be such a sweet sweater. :)