My next class

The syllabus was posted yesterday for my next class and it is very heavy on reading. Pages and pages of reading. Much of it is on line but I printed out the first week's worth because I spend so much time on the computer that I didn't want to read on the screen. These classes are very challenging, my brain feels like it is being stretched like silly putty.

There's a nip in the air!

There is a definite nip in the air and I think fall is upon us. Which means hockey will start soon, which makes me very happy. I am in between classes presently, one week from today my next class starts. So until then I wait. And I get caught up on things I have set aside during the last class. But it still feels odd to not have homework.

Diva's on Saturday was nice. I had purchased some kits from Chris that are ornaments that you hand embroider. I forgot how much I like to embroider. Very soothing, and it's not about being fast. Nice to slow it down once in awhile.

Working on a short story, will hopefully have the rough draft finished today or tomorrow and then I will start another story I have an idea for while I let the first short story simmer on the back burner before I edit it.

I apologize

Again it has been forever since I sat down to write an entry. I have no excuse, I can tell you that school was been all consuming. I did not realize when I signed up for this that it would take so much time, it seems I am constantly with a highlighter in one hand and a book in the other. I went for weeks without knitting! Now I realize that I need to take time for what I enjoy in life as well as school and work. There will never be enough hours in the day but when I fall in bed at night exhausted I know that I have lived a full day, and if there was some laughter thrown in the mix then it was a good day.

I also realized yesterday how much I miss going to the mailbox to get a letter. Remember when you waited for a letter from a friend? Remember, GASP, pen pals? Before instant communication and facebook and facetime and skype and emails. An actual letter would arrive in your mailbox, something that someone took the time to sit down and write just for you, to tell you what was happening in their life. I am not saying that I do not like instanct satisfaction of email, or texting, but I miss pulling out my stationary and writing down my thoughts and mailing them off. It was almost therapeutic. Email isn't the same. With letters you had time to think before you sent it off, most of the time if you were angry with the other person and you wrote it all out you never sent the letter. With email it is so easy to shoot off an angry line or two. How many friendships have been destroyed with email?

Those are my thoughts this morning. Monday begins.

It's been awhile

Yes, it's been awhile. All of a sudden life got busy. I started my first grad school class 4 weeks ago. And it's been a blur, work, homework, posting online, and I love it. I am learning alot, and Jim has been a huge help with things. 4 weeks down, and ??? to go. Taking 1 class a term will make it a 3 year journey. I am fine with that, I want to be able to enjoy each class and learn as much as I can. This is definitely a totally different animal than my first degree in criminal justice. English and Creative Writing. In 3 years I will be done! Knitting has taken a back seat but I am still working on things, just not as much as I was.

Getting ready for school

My first class starts April 2. So I am getting ready for class. Meet my supervisor:

And this is Mr. Pickles:

Mr. Pickles is holding my markers, which I am sure are essential for success. And Jim is very happy that he is sharing his library with me.

Pumpkin doll finished!

My friends' daughter has a favorite book they read every night, and there is a doll in the book that Ariel loves. So I was asked if I could make her one. I took a picture of the page of the book the doll was on.

Then I got to work. I have a book on knitting monsters that was written by Rebecca Danger, http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Knitted-Monsters-The/dp/1604680091/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331520240&sr=8-1 I picked one that was closest to the pumpkin doll shape and then adapted it to make the pumpkin doll. I delivered it today, so we'll see what Ariel thinks.

Must pre-order this book!!!

http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/knitting/yarn/LauraZander/KnitRed.asp?showLarge=true&specPCVID=34746
I ordered my copy, it will be here in June. Heart disease is a huge health issue for women!!!

monster!!

Finished another monster!  This one is knitted, from The Big Book of Knitted Monsters by Rebecca Danger. Very cool book and it was a gift from my friend Pat. Here is the new guy. 

zebra

Finally finished the zebra!  Laker blue and gold.

I seem to be having an issue with my new app for posting to my blog.  We'll see if this works now!

morning cuddles

We like to start our day with morning cuddles.

It's a great way to start a day!

I am going to sew a bit today. I bought fat quarters at the Moose yesterday. Thanks for the great sale Chris!

Testing new app

I bought a new app to post to my blog easier, thought I would give it a try!

Hope this works!

New blogging app

I bought a new app to post to my blog easier, thought I would give it a try!

Hope this works!

American Girl doll outfit finished!

One thing finished, she's very cute! Wool coat, beret, mitts, and scarf.

The more I think...

the more I add to my list of things I would like to get done this weekend! There is the quilt that needs binding, and the fleece baby blanket I am putting a crochet edge on that I want to finish. And the 2nd monster kit Jim bought me for Christmas I would like to knit up. And my novel that I am working on that I would like to get to 10,000 words and is only at just over 5,000 words. So I guess since it is cold, I may as well stay in and work on some things! And since now I have posted everything I need to work on, I guess at the end of the weekend I will have to post what I have finished. :-) Nothing like pressure from the public to keep you going.
I have so many projects on the needles:
-A scarf for an AG doll
-The zebra
-Mittens
-A second sock that I even forgot I had knit the first of the pair
With freezing temps outside it's a good time to stay in and work on things.

Tired of being sick!

I am on my 2nd round of antibiotic and I really have to admit that I am tired of taking medicine. 3 more days of it and I will be done. I was off 2 days this last week and was so wore out I didn't get anything done. Seems like a waste of 2 days off, doesn't it? Today I am working on putting a crocheted edging on a fleece blanket. I got the edging done and now I am handstitching under the raw edge. Next time I will fold that edge under so I don't have to do this part. This is the first time I have done this, I bought 4 pieces of fleece over a year ago in Toledo when it was on sale. Time to get it out of the closet. The weather here has turned cold, and I know that someone will be able to use the blankets, 2 will be toddler size and the other 2 pieces of fleece are large enough to cut in half to do 4 baby blankets.
Tomorrow is a holiday, so it will be nice to have an extra day to work on projects.