Snow!

Yesterday there was no snow (hence, why I went for a run). Today I woke up to this:My cousin is flying back to our lovely city tonight from her home state of Florida. When we talked yesterday she was happy that there was no snow. That means no delayed or cancelled flights. I hope that doesn't happen! Her flight gets in late tonight (it will still be 2008) and then we are going to celebrate the New Year together with my hubby!

Me VS The Wind

So, being that I want to actually keep running even after I met my goal of a 5K, I went out to the track this morning to run. Well, that's not totally true....
I got up, looked out the window with every intention of running. I thought I might do the lap around my block that I plotted out to be a little over 3 miles. However, seeing snowflakes drifting by made me hesitate in my running ambition.
So, I sat down, read my book, had a mug of tea, and looked up the weather. OK, so it's only 29 out. I can still run.
I got dressed (in my running gear), and went out to the track.
It is 29 out, however, no one said anything about the wind!
I did part of my run before I was about to be blown off course.
I headed home feeling defeated since I didn't get my whole run in. However, the small redeeming thing is that I was OUT there in the cold on VACATION trying to keep healthy after our food marathon from Thanksgiving until Christmas.
Maybe, I can run father tomorrow...

Mario Cart Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

Look what we got from Santa:

Power Outage

Yesterday after I posted, we lost power. The wind was whipping and so power lines were knocked out. In my neighborhood only four house lost power...mine was one of them. Since it was light out when the power went out I was able to dig out my candles in the event that it didn't return in time for night.
I was so mad because I had made dinner early to take over to my husband at work. However, after I bumped the hot oven rack with my finger, I dropped the whole dinner on the floor. All that work gone to waste. Just after I got that all cleaned up, no power.
So, we went out for dinner, since it was also might cold in our house.
We never got our power back last night. When I got up this morning still no power... the house was a whopping 54 degrees. I was getting dressed so we could go out and think about a getting a generate because we were worried about our pipes freezing and bursting with another night without power. However, the furnace kicked out and our power was back!!! YEAH!!! Now, I'm sitting here with a heater on my feet to get them warm again!

Christmas and Family

We drove home for Christmas on Christmas Eve. It was a great time! Christmas Eve we went over to my brother's to exchange gifts with him and his girlfriend. It was a great time.
Christmas morning we opened gifts with my family and then went over to Hubby's family to exchange gifts with them.
After gifts, my family came over to Hubby's family's house for our annual Christmas party. I love it! We have the best time and Hubby's Mom's makes the best dinner! It's just a lot of fun.
Now, we are getting ready for New Year's! Yeah!

Christmas Is Coming!

Today was the last day of school!! YEAH! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.
Hubby and I will drive to our hometown to celebrate Christmas with our families. Tonight I am doing the laundry, washing dishes, and wrapping the last gifts! We got the last gift on Sunday. I still need to ship out gifts to friends overseas...
Tomorrow night we are going over to my brother's house to celebrate with him. Christmas, we are going to my in-laws for their big Christmas party. I love the party because my family hosts everyone for Thanksgiving, so my in-laws host all of us for Christmas. I think it's so great and fun! That way we can all spend time together. Hubby has to work tomorrow morning and then we can head out for his parent's house. It should be a good time!

Thank you!

Oh Lake Effect snow, thank you so much for large amount of snow you have dropped on us! Thank you also to all the schools that closed today. It's very nice to get an extra day off!

I worked a lot yesterday on my market squares #2 bag and my pink lace shawl. I'm so sick of my lace shawl not being done, that I have started to work on the boarder in earnest now. I want it done! I want it in my finished projects on Ravelry.

Here's how my bag is looking:
No pict of the pink lace shawl since it looks the same... the boarder is getting there, but I still have three more sides of it to knit. Slow goings.

Sick (again)

I think my body knows when a vacation is coming up. I managed to get sick right before or during my time off. What is wrong with me??
The snow has continued to fall making my little world look like I'm stuck in a permanent snow globe.
Today, I'm just relaxing and knitting. I'm hoping that my sickness goes away in time for me to drive home for Christmas. It's coming soon! I think I'm done with holiday shopping. I got the last gifts yesterday.
Now, I just have to get to the post office and ship them all out!

Snow and More Snow

Ah, a week ago I was in sunny Florida for my cousin's wedding. It was a great trip! We made it to the dinner that we thought we might miss. The food was good. The ceremony was nice. The church was an old converted movie theater. We saw some wacky art in the lobby:Here's the ceremony: My cousin is the groom. He looked great! This was my first time to meet his bride. She was really sweet and likes the Spice Girls too! She's cool in my book!

Finding our way to the reception was fun...they had directions on the back of the program, but we still had a hard time finding our way. My brother drove his girlfriend and I to it. Thank God I had some one to haul me around. I couldn't have found it on my own!

I saw a Winn- Dixie on our way:This person in a monkey suite selling hair products:They had the reception at their hotel (next to our hotel!) and the center piece on our table were Calli Lilies. The other tables had mini cakes. Here was their cake:

My brother stole my camera and took the cake pict. After that there was lots of dancing and fun to be had.

The next day we were going to go to Disney...however, Disney is WICKED expensive!!! So we went here:

My brother looks so happy standing next to me! We are at the Kennedy Space Center. I made him stand in the picture with me...

Here he is with his girlfriend:We found this whack sign:And, I held the world in my hands:

After the space center, we went to Cocoa Beach! The clouds looked so cool on our drive there:
We even saw the Disney Cruise line leaving port for some place nice. Here's Cocoa Beach:

Time to fly home:And now this today:

Ready, Set, GO!

I'm all packed, my knitting is squeezed in, and I've got my ONE baggie of under 3 oz. liquids ready! My brother and his girlfriend are on their way already. My brother called me to ask if I can get him so wedding wrapping paper, as he only had a carry-on and TSA (oh, my favorite people in the WHOLE world) shredded his wrapping since they thought his gift was a bomb.
Nice (recall this summer... gifts from Japan had the same thing happen to them).
My mom called me and she is on her way... she also had some issues. She didn't know that you can only have ONE baggie 3oz. or under liquids. So, they stopped her.
Great.
Now, my cousin and I are gearing up. I double and triple checked the TSA website to make sure that I can get though without too much trouble. Yeah, well, they always lose my baggage, so let's see what fun my cousin and I can find!
I hope that they don't lose it this time... it's a direct flight!!!
I'm sure they could find a way to lose it. They have in the past.

Getting Ready!

Friday I fly out with my cousin to Florida to attend her big brother's wedding. I am so excited about going to Florida this weekend. We are going to Disney!!! The wedding is a nice excuse to get together with my family, and it's also a nice excuse to go to DISNEY!!!!! I can't wait!

A New Decade Has Come

Well, the Earth did not stop turning, nor the sun stop rising. Life is good. Actually, I'm happy about today that I thought I would be!

My hubby gave me my gift last night since he thought I might want it for the ball. It goes with my dress so perfectly!! He got me a past, present, and future diamond necklace. I love it!!!!!

The Holiday Gala was a great time. We had great food, and great company. My new dress was perfect, and it will great for my cousin's wedding next week.

I woke up early today, and went to work out with my trainer. That was great. After I got home and showered, my parents came up to spend the day with me. They helped me put up my nutcrackers and my Christmas tree. My house is now ready for Christmas.

After we did that they took me out for lunch. It was so nice of them. They even got me a cake. Check it out:

It is so cute!!! I saw this cake when I was home for Thanksgiving, and said that I would love a Cookie Monster Cake for my 30th birthday! See I don't have to really grow up yet, do I!

Last Day of My Twenties

Today is the last day of my twenties. Tomorrow I will enter into the world of thirties. I am not so happy about this. I feel like it means I have to grow up and act like an adult now (Ha ha, no such luck).
I have enjoyed my twenties a lot. I finished college, did a home stay in Japan, got engaged, when to teach in Japan, lost my grandfather, got married, became a wife, bought a house, got our first 4 pets, got my masters, found a "real" job, found that I really love my jobs (teacher, wife, caretaker to small helpless rabbits) and run my first 5K. I have done a lot. It's been a good time.
As unhappy as I have been about becoming an adult (yes, 30 = adult, in my world), I am excited to see what I will do next! I have a lot of ideas about what I want to do, but now let's see what I accomplish.
Next, I know I'll be in Disney celebrating my new decade (OK, I'm really going to my cousin's wedding, but I am still going to Disney next week!!!).

It's Twilight Time

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH............Edward! Last night, my hubby took me out for dinner and a movie. We FINALLY saw Twilight. It's one movie that we could agree on.
I was so bummed the other day when we weren't able to go. Last night was the first book into movie that my hubby as both read and seen! It was so awesome.
Seriously, read it, then watch. Two thumbs up here! Love, Love, LOVE! ^_^

Thanksgiving and Shopping

I had a wonderful thanksgiving at home with my family. It was so nice to get together and eat a nice meal together! My mom made a turkey, potatoes, squash, yams, and pumpkin pie! It was so yummy!!! My mother-in-law brought over a cherry cheese cake and wine! My uncle come over too and he brought over a key lime pie! We had enough food for a small army. We always have left overs! My favorite day after meal is the turkey soup that my dad makes.
Black Friday found us hanging out at home. Normally we are all over black Friday shopping, but this year we had my Nana with us. Nana had asked me to bring our Wii home so she could try the bowling game.
Nana's complex that she lives in has a Wii. They have Wii bowling leagues. She really wanted to join one, but she didn't know how to play. In the past few days she has become a pro at bowling! Even my mom joined in the few. Both Mom and Nan bowled a lot when they were younger. My great-grandfather owned a bowling alley back in the day (look at what I learned by playing Wii!) Both of them had really high scoring games every time! So, Black Friday found us playing Wii so that Nana could join a league when she got back home.
Saturday, Mom and I did go shopping. We had a great time! She got most of her Christmas shopping done, and I just bought a CD. I discovered used CDs are so cheap! I haven't bought a CD is years! I always download my music (legally) from i-tunes. Mom and I spent the day at the mall.
I did find a dress for my cousin's wedding next weekend. My mom got me the dress, and she also got me the shoes. I am very excited about this dress. I will be wearing it this coming weekend to my Husband's Christmas party for work. It should be a good time. This year we are going with another couple. I am looking forward to going. Every year, we go, and every year, the food is amazing!
Sunday I got the deal of the day! I got 5 DVDs for $20! They were all used ones, but so what! I got some great ones! I got Underworld, Underworld: Evolution, Dawn of The Dead (I'm watching it now!), Constantine, and Freaky Friday!!! They didn't have Queen of The Damned or I would now be watching that one too! This store had a ton of used DVDs. I am so happy that I could build up my movie collection! I love me some good vampire or zombie movies!!!! YEAH!

A Thanksgiving Of Sorts

I have checked for food allergies. I bought pumpkin pie, rolls, cranberry sauce, and sliced deli turkey. My kids at school have never had a thanksgiving dinner, so I am giving them one tomorrow.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It's just a time for us to reflect on all the blessings in our lives. I have a lot to be thankful for and so I am taking this time to share this with my students.
However, they are more excited about the food than the meaning behind it. Oh well, you can't win them all.

Knitting Life Away

I have been trying to catch up on all kinds of stuff here! I have been working on Hey, Teach! Yesterday, I finished it!! Here it is with just it's button band done:Here it is with it's buttons sewed on and 100% done:

It came out so cute! I love the fit and the color. I did extend the body by two inches so that it would hang a little longer than the pattern said. I think I will wear it to work tomorrow with a black long sleeved shirt.

Now that my "big" project is done, I did want to start one or two of the projects that I bought yarn for a while ago. However, I have a little time this morning, so rather than casting on something new, I had the brainstorm to work on something that I haven't finished.

I have a few choices...

One is this sock:I do admit that I picked this up and worked on it about two weeks ago. I have FINALLY turned the heel and am now working on the gusset. This is sock one of two.

My next choice was my pink lace shawl that I have been working on forever:

This is the project that I really did want to work on.There's just one problem... I can't find my pattern!!!! I have no idea what I did with it. I have the book upstairs, but I had a photocopy of the lace chart in the bag with it. Now, the chart with all my row counts is MIA. I guess, I'll have to send out a search and rescue mission for it.

So, that brings us to my last choice:

Mystery Stole #4. I did pick this up again this morning. I have been kind of bad about working on this since I found out that when I get to clue #6 I have to put this half on a holder and start the whole thing again! Serves me right for losing the pink lace pattern. I'm hoping to tackle a few rows of this so that I can get closer to clue #5... I'm stuck on clue #4 right now. About 30 more rows and I'll graduate to #5. Woo-hoo!
It's a great day to sit inside and knit! I seem to be so busy every weekend, that sitting and knitting seems like a luxury today!

Extra Day Off

Today is a wonderful day! I get the day off! How have I been spending this glorious extra time? By sitting around sick (again!). Oh joy!
I knit a little bit, went with Hubby to his doctor appointment, knit some more, played some video games, and now I'm back to knit.
It's a very nice way to spend a day at home. It's very overcast and crappy looking today. I think I will knit some more.
Not very exciting today.

35 mins 42 seconds

That was my time for my race bright and early this morning!!! I DID IT!!! I ran the whole way and didn't stop for anything! I feel so awesome now and am thinking about doing the Turkey Trot in my hometown with my brother in a few weeks.
The best part is that I set a goal for myself, and I saw it though to the end! Yeah me!

My Faith In Humanity Has Been Restored

Everyday before I leave my house I put on my watch and my chain maille bracelet. My watch weights about a ton, and my bacelet a little less, so my arms are balanced out. I find comfort in their weight and balance.
However, I went shopping after school for a few things, and as I was driving home I realized that my right wrist seemed lighter and that my chain maille companion was no longer there. I admit to pulling a U-ie and rushing back to the last place I had been (Ok, I was also frantically searching my car, and calling the store at the same time). I reached the store with no traffic accidents and rushed around looking in every place that I had been.
This bracelet is worth a little something, but it has more sentimental value than anything. I made it last year as my birthday gift. Since I made it I have worn it everyday. Silly, I know, but I really like that bracelet.
I was not able to find it as I rushed around and the clerk asked me to leave my name and number in the event that it turned up.
So, back to the car, calling the next store that I had been in before this one. Driving over there to search their parking lot and the store. In my mad dash back to the next store, the clerk from the first store called me.
"Um, did your bracelet have an "S" shape clasp?"
"Yes!"
"Um, is it sliver?"
"YES!!"
"Um, I think I found it."
He indeed, did have my bracelet! Some kind soul found it and turned it in. THANK YOU!!!

Dear Kind Soul,
Thank you so much for returning my bracelet. It means a lot to me to have a total stranger help me in that small way. I know I will never know who you are, but your good deed has not gone unnoticed. Your kind action has restored my fading faith in people doing random acts of kindness.
Thank you again!!!
Sincerely,
Rabbit

I Can Do It!!!

Oh, I can so do this run thing! I went with a friend after school to run around her neighborhood. It's the first time that I run the full 5K!! Now that I know I can do it, I can run this whole race on Sunday!!! YEAH!!!! I feel great and I'm really proud of myself.

It's Go Time!

I did it! I registered for my first 5K!!! My race is on Sunday at 8:00 am. Ugh, for so early. I'm going to see this thing through to the end! I'm excited now!!
I plan on running outside tomorrow after school. I still have not run the full 3.1 miles, but I'm getting closer. As long as I finish this race, I'll be happy and be able to check it off my list of things to do!

Updates On Life

I feel like I haven't posted in forever! Life has gotten crazy busy here again, and I finally have a moment to catch my breathe!

Last weekend I got a call from Wrapknot to start our knit along. It was prefect because I was supposed to be finishing my dress for our evening outting (to the goth club!), but as hubby was sleeping, I couldn't sew. So, we cast on Hey, Teach! I've been trucking along on it this week. I love the color, and I did extend the bottom part so that it's a bit longer.

Here's how it looks so far:Wrapknot and I are meeting again tomorrow to work and talk and laugh some more. It's always fun to get together and knit! ^_^

In other news, my running is getting better. I did my first outside in public run today. I ran 3K or 2.something miles. I'm getting closer to my goal of 5K. However, the weather here is getting colder (35F /1C this a.m.) , but I was out there doing it! My friend walked the track while I ran. We are going again on Tuesday. I'm proud of myself for sticking with it. I even bought new running shoes...they make me look faster than I am! ^_^

Halloween was great! I made my dress and veil. Hubby wrapped up my black roses so I could be the Bride of Dracula. It was cool. The kids at school loved it. My shoes were the favorite. Here's me:Anyway, I'm going to try to post more, sooner rather that later! ^_^

Happy November!

Oh Happy Day

I really have nothing to talk about today. I ran into an old friend when I stopped at the super market today. It was kind of funny, since I called her last week just to say hi.
This week is going well. Nothing to special, but nothing too boring. Yesterday my hubby bought me flowers (Oriental Lilies). I love lilies, but I know that I'm highly allerigic to Casa Blanca Lilies. These smell amazing! I so love the smell, but I'm not getting to close. I don't think that I'm allergic, but hey, one never knows!
I've been working hard on my Mystery Stole. It's coming along so well!!
In other knitting news, my spinning friend Wrapknot and I are going to do another knit along. This time we are going to do Hey, Teach! I am exxcited about this project! It should be a good time! ^_^
Tonight I'm not running... I need one day of lazy! Back at it tomorrow! >_<

Family, Wine, and Dinner Parties

Ah, families. Last night I had my Uncle, Aunt, Mom, Dad, and cousin over for dinner. It was a blast! My Aunt and Uncle are here visiting my cousin. Since she moved up here they wanted to come and see her. They picked the best weekend to come up here. The leaves are so beautiful and rich with color.
My family came up early in the day so that we could ride our bikes along the path by the beach. I took them on a path that our walking club from school has walked a few times. The first half was all down hill... you can guess what happened on the way back up! We weren't the only ones with that idea. It seemed like everyone who lives with a 100 mile radius was out there walking, biking, running, or walking a dog. The paths were crowded, but with the number of nice days dwindling, it was nice to see so many happy people out and about.
After our ride we headed home so that I could make an apple crisp for dinner. Since, Hubby and I went apple picking on Saturday, we have a lot of apples to work with.
Dinner was quite the event! I love when we have family get -togethers. The stories and memories that are shared are so special.
I hope that my Aunt and Uncle come back and we can do it again soon!!!

Run Lola Run

Well, my goal of that 5K is getting more attainable by the day. This week I have tried really hard to go in 3 days after school to run/walk on the treadmill. I am getting closed to the 3 miles that I need to be up to for the race. On Wednesday, I did 2.5 miles, and tonight I made it 2.8
I now have a running program that I am working on. It's full of drills and sprints, but I know it is good for me. I just want to have the endurance to make to the end of the race still running. I'm still walking a little less than half the time right now, so I need to get the running part up before I'm race ready!
I wasn't going to tell people about my crazy race goal, but then I thought if I tell people, then I will be committed to do it! My coworkers are asking me about my training, so I have to do it! Good job me!
I learned the weird thing today... there is a National Punctuation Day on September 24! Who knew that?? I think that's great! I can celebrate it with my kiddos since I am an English teacher! It will be celebrated like I celebrate Pi day (March 14) with a wacky tee shirt! ^_^

Running

Well, I think I have lost my mind... I went to the gym on Sunday for a retest of how much I weigh, and how much muscle vs. fat I have. I was talking to the trainer and I mentioned that I would like to SOMEDAY RUN a 5K. What was I thinking??
I am now signed up with a personal trainer to get me in shape and start to train for my 5K. I want to do it before my 30 birthday (which is in December). I called my cousin and asked her if she would run it with me. She said no problem. She has done them before, so it will be easy for her. I am going to try to run across the finish line.
I am starting to run on the treadmill for now, but I want to get to outside running soon before the weather gets too cold.

No Resting

This weekend has been non stop!
Friday night, I went out with some former coworkers to a corn maze. It was a lot of fun! We had dinner first, then we drove out to the middle of nowhere and explored the corn maze in the dark. We did it last year and it was a good time. This year the weather was a little colder, and it did start to rain on us by the end. I was very tired by the end.. I think we walked about 5 miles! We collected 11 out of 12 pieces of the maze puzzle. This maze they show you the map for a second and then you are on your own. You have to collect the pieces if you want to find the exit! When we got to the exit, they had a table with all the pieces so that we were able to get a completed map.
Last night I went out with Goth Girl for some sushi. We had a great dinner and laughed a lot. I love to hang out with her! She has a great sense of humor and a wonderful outlook on life. After we were going to meet my cousin, but after stopping at her house, her cats triggered my allergies, so that ended my night. Too bad, I was excited for her to meet my cousin.
Today I have been catching up on my house work and getting back to a routine of going to the gym.

Remsen Barn Festival Of The Arts

Today when I got up Hubby was already up and ready to go. He wanted to go out and had found this festival in Remsen. We had a bit of a drive to get there, but the ride was easy and drizzly. We worried that the weather would be bad all day, but the sun did shine for a little while today.

The festival had a HUGE craft show. It was a great place to go! There were jewelry booths, woodworkers, food, and funky art work. We even ate some new foods. Hubby tried the Bison chili, while I had a Bison hot dog. It was pretty good, but the roll was a little stale.I also tried some alligator jambalaya. It was pretty good.

Here was an old school jigsaw that was in shop that sold puzzles:

We also saw Buffalo Chips (poop), used to help campers start fires....eewww: We saw a lot of Halloween things at the festival today. Even thought it did rain, we had a great time!

Fiber Fest Part 2

Here where some of the photos that I took last weekend when I was at Fiber Fest on Sunday.

The free horse and wagon ride around the fairgrounds. Yarns!

Fibers!

FIBER FEST!!!!

Ahhh, it's that time of year again! Thank God this only comes once a year, or I'd be broke all the time!!! It was a beautiful day out and I made a bee-line to the Just Our Yarn ladies.

Last year I bought two beautiful skeins from them and I debated about buying a shawl kit with beads in it. Well, a year later, I am still in love with that shawl, so of course it came home with me. So did another shawl kit from them. I think their yarn is just amazing. I love how it looks, how it feels, and most importantly, how it knits!

I also got a needle felting kit... I tried doing it at our guild's retreat, but I didn't have my own supplies. Now I do!! I got a kit to make a little lady bug. I'm excited about this because I see homemade Christmas ornaments for this year! I think that would be fun to make and fun to give. I love to give homemade gifts because they take more time and thought than if I run to the store and pick out something. (Actually, I have most of my Christmas shopping done... everyone is getting something from Japan... shock!)

I met one vendor who hand makes shawl pins from wood. They were so stunning, and the price was so reasonable. I picked one out that can be reversible. His wife also made some cute wreaths with yarn balls on it.

I tasted some homemade soup by a group that teaches women who have come from rehab for drug additions how to be responsible by making and selling the soups. I was really touched by their program and the stories that these women were telling. It was awesome. I met one women who has been clean for 11 months now. The soup was also amazing! I normally avoid split pea soup like the plague, but I tried it and I've had a change of heart about split pea... I think that all the spices they put in it help me with that one!

My plan was not to spend too much, but I failed on that... oh, well... it's only once a year that I can see all these great yarns and fibers! I'm off today to man the info booth with my spinning friend.

Here are some shots from yesterday that I took.

Yarn!

Fiber!

Saturday Fun

Yesterday, my cousin called saying they wanted to go the Saturday market. I've only been to the market on Tuesday because it's not so busy. However, on Saturday, there are more vendors and a lot more people! It was awesome. We ran into a few former students as well as some former coworkers. It was nice to see everyone out and about. My cousin and her friend were overwhelmed with all the stuff. I bought some incense and a huge bag of beets!!! I am very excited about the beets since they were the last big bag that the farmer had. I love beets! I cooked up a few last night, but I still half a bag to cook up!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
After the market, we drove up to the beach. We had lunch close by, and then walked the pier. It was a very gray day by that time and it wasn't the nicest weather. We did sit outside for a while though. My cousin and her friend brought books to read, and I brought my knitting. I am almost done with the ribbing on the second leg warmer. Then I can start the cable part! Of course, my cousin wants them too, so I'll have to get some yarn and make her a pair too.
Hubby and I spent a quite evening at home. He was working on some computer programing and I was knitting my mystery stole.
I love this mystery stole. It looks cool, and the way the pattern changed from clue 1 to clue 2 is really neat. I think it looks like ocean waves the way the lace and beads work together on it.
Next weekend is Fiber Fest!! I'm manning the info booth with my friend on Sunday. Should be a good time!

First Full Week!

I made it though my first full week with all my kiddos. Turns out this is one of the best schools I have ever worked at. The school is really big into respect and the kids are held to a higher standard for talking to adults. I love it! The whole school works as one unit to make these kids great! I can't get over the team spirit and how people really rally for everyone to succeed! I've never seen anything like it. I am so happy there!
In addition to making though my first school week, I have also made it though the first clue of Mystery Stole 4. I finished the first clue last night and was able to start clue number 2. It looks awesome. Here's how it looks now:
Hubby helped me pick out the color for the yarn. I really love this color. It's a nice shade that will go great with a black sweater or coat.
This is my first mystery stole. I was told about it last year, but I found out after it was closed to new members. I like the idea that I don't know what the whole thing will look like. It's totally knitting on faith. I think it's a great idea!
It's been a great week! I'm feeling very happy and finally things are going right for me!!!! It's a great feeling!

Oh, The Insanity

Last night my brother and his girlfriend came to visit us. Well, really his girlfriend (here after referred to as B.G. as in Brother's Girlfriend), my good friend (now know here as Goth Girl) and I went out to the goth club. My brother and husband stayed here playing Wii.
B.G. is also a stand up comic (did I mention that my brother does stand-up?), so one never knows what she is going to say! Hilarity ensues where she goes. This became evident after a few moments in the club. Goth Girl saw some friends she knew so she was talking with them, while B.G. and I made a new friend. Our new friend felt the need to tell us about his outfit. He told us he was going for a beatnik kind of look (seriously, we could have guessed that without his help). He whipped out sunglasses to finish off his trench coat and beret look. This poor boy is no quitter. Even after *SEVERAL* mentions of our respective boys, he still tried to pick us up! So, B.G. started to have a lot of fun with this. He had no idea what she was mocking him to his face.
"So, you where do you work? What do you do? What kind of job do you have?"-B.G.
"I work for a food library."-Beatnik Boy
'WHAT??? What is that?"-B.G.
"Oh, it's a super market."-Beatnik Boy
"So you in a band? Play an instrument? Guitar hero?" B.G.
"No, but I know someone in a band."-BB
"Hum, everyone under fifty knows someone in a band."-B.G.
Oh, it went on and on and on. He didn't know when to quit. Then he told us all about his Prince Valiant hair-do. How he cuts it himself because no one can get it right. Well, his mom use to do it, but now he can. HELP US!!!! Goth Girl and her friends rescued us after a while, but B.G. thought it was too funny (she had a great time telling us over and over in the car everything that was really funny to her and I since Goth Girl missed a bunch of it when she was chatting with friends!!). We went to dance and that was great! I love dancing!! Goth dancing is crazy fun because no rhythm is needed. This is good for me.
Anyway, as we were getting ready to go home at a ungodly hour that I don't think I've seen except for college, we *FOUND* Beatnik Boy again. I think he was searching for us. B.G. went to the bathroom while Goth Girl and I were chatting. Beatnik Boy came up and tried again.
"So, you like have an e-mail address so we can keep in touch?"-Beatnik Boy
"Nope. I don't have a computer. My husband and I are way behind the times."-Me
I was waiting for Goth Girl to say "yes, you do" but she saw too busy snorting into her hand to keep from laughing. B.G. came back at that point and announces "HOW DID YOU FIND US???"
"Oh, it's a kind of small place."- Beatnik Boy
Dear God, please give this boy a clue. He needs it.

Back To School!

Ahhh, the first day for teachers! Tomorrow the kids will start! I met the people in my new school and tomorrow I will meet my new kids!!
In other news, I got my yarn for the Mystery Stole 4. I'm ready to go! It should be cool. This will be my first one and I loved how #3 looked, so I thought I should get in on this one.
I'm off to play Wii and relax before tomorrow's craziness starts! ^_^

Look What Followed Me Home.....

New Start

Yesterday I went on a job interview. I felt it went really well and I felt that I did the best that I could. The school that I was with last year had an interview, but they did not call me for it. It hurt to know that I worked so hard for them for two years and I wasn't given the chance for full time.
Four hours after my interview yesterday, I received a call asking if I wanted the job. I was very happy to take it and I feel so great about this new start. A new school, new people, new kids. How much better could it get? It's a short term job, not the whole year, but I'm happy that I can start the year working.
This is great news!

How Did You Do That?

Yesterday after my cousin came home from her mini-trip around the state I had the great pleasure of helping her move in to her new apartment! Her car was by far the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. Mind you, this car has been parked in my driveway for almost a week, but seeing it being unloaded was the best source of humor!
Her car was LOADED! I'm talking packed so full she couldn't use her rear view mirror, the shocks were at their limit and she wedge everything in any spare nook and cranny that she could find! I watched her pull out a vacuum, 2 lamps, a guitar, a TV, 2 tables, a computer, clothes (man, I thought I had a load of clothes!), a comforter for her bed, kitchen dishes, a coffee maker, cameras, a huge bag of shoes, and boxes of other stuff! It was so insane! We couldn't open the back doors of the car when we started for fear of stuff just tumbling out. It was like a clown car with how much she had in there. Once we got it all in her room she looks at me and says " can you believe all this just came out of my car??"
"NO...if I hadn't helped with it, I couldn't believe it!" Seriously, if we ever move from this house, I want her to help me pack! We wouldn't need a moving truck at all!!!
After all that hard unpacking, we went to see the movie Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. It was so cute and happy. I was very very very excited about seeing the preview for Twilight... Edward=yummy!!! I however, was very disappointed that we will be in Florida when it comes out!!! I SO wanted to go with my friends here the day it came out! Oh well, my cousin says she will go with me that day (but I promised Hubby to see it with him, so I guess I can't see it opening day!) when we land in Florida. We are going for her brother's wedding. I excited because my brother and his girlfriend are going to be there, and we are thinking about a side trip to DISNEY!!!! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhh, that might heal the pain of not being able to the Twilight opening night with friends. Maybe, just maybe.

Knitting in Public

I did go to the beach on Saturday! It was seriously the perfect day!!! There was a beach volleyball contest going on:A sailing regatta was also taking place, families picnicking, and a coach with his soccer team playing on the beach were all part of the lovely day. I found an empty picnic table and worked on my ripple sock that I started while I was working at school. I've been working on it while I wait for my cousin to do different things at her new school. Today she moves into her apartment, so she won't need rides from me anymore... well, maybe!

Here's how my sock was looking when I started working on it at the beach:Here's how it looked when I finally headed for home:Seriously, look at how amazing the beach looked:

Beautiful Day

It is the perfect day today! The sun is shining, the sky is bright blue, and it's not too hot, not too cold! Today is a great knitting at the beach day... I'm thinking to take my projects over and sit near the sand and water (I'm not sitting in the sand and ruining good yarn!)! I just want to spend the day in a lazy way. It's guild meeting day, but I don't feel like driving all the way over there to sit inside today!
I SHOULD get out in my garden and weed it. It looks so bad! Three weeks of no care and the crab grass is creeping into my flower beds. I did pull a few weeds the other day, but not enough to make a difference in how horrid my garden looks right now. My roses however, are growing like no body's business. I'm excited that they might bloom one more time before the weather turns. I hope that they do because they are so beautiful to look at and smell!
Anyway, I'm off to the beach for the day! Knitting and swimming sounds great today!

Crazy Week

This week has been busy and fun! My cousin came to stay with us for a few days before she moved into her new apartment for grad school up here. It's been wonderful to have her here!!! Normally we only see each other once a year, about Easter time when I would go down to Florida to visit my Nana. Since she is moving up here for school, it's been great to see her and hang out with her.
We've been just catching up and laughing a lot! My cousin is a very sport girl, so I had her teach me to play tennis. I had a old racket from my Nana that will work for now as I learn to play. It was so much fun!!! I had a great time and I'm sad that we can't play more this weekend since she is so busy with other things.
Today is the first day that I've had to sit down since we came home. It's been nice just relaxing and knitting a bit.

More Photos!

After leaving Tokyo we made a short flight up to Hokkaido (my most favorite place in the world!) Here is our trip to Furano:
We went to the Lavender farms and we even ate some lavender ice cream!We saw this giant Buddha when we were driving from Furano to Obihiro. I loved it and had to get a pict!

We visited the "Love Station"... yes, it really says Love Station!

We also made a stop in Happiness!