Catch up!!

OK, so I've been a bad blogger, but at least I realized that before my friend Ellen has to tell me that I've been a bad blogger! (Hi Ellen!)

So, lots to catch you all up on!! First up, my sister came down with my new niece last weekend. Isn't she just precious!! I could hold her all day long!



Apparently, my sister and DH forgot the Pack 'n Play in Florida on their last trip and my other sister wasn't thinking clearly when they first came down. There was no place for Maya to sleep so they had to think fast and make a bed that was the right size for Maya to sleep in....

Tada! Baby-in-a-basket!


And just the perfect size too!! :)

As you all know, well those of you that have been following my blog for a while now, I earned my National Boards Teaching Certificate this year! The county that I work in had an official pinning ceremony for us were we received our official NBCT pins. It was a nice, although at times boring, ceremony. The pin is now officially collecting dust in my jewelry box :) My gf in the middle there called me up the day after the ceremony to inform me that her pin never made it home that night! I laughed so hard when she told me that. She apparently lost the name tag and the pin was on her name tag. She called me up just last night to let me know she did indeed find her pin in the back seat of her car on the floor board.

The state is having a formal dinner for all who have achieved in the state sometime in March and shortly here I should be received my official certificate! I can't wait.



I have several projects on the needles, but these are the three that I am currently working on. Back in December, I decided I was going to match up patterns and yarns so that projects were all ready to go this year. I bagged up about 16 skeins of sock yarns in hopes of getting more socks completed. My official goal is one pair a month, but the more the merrier! I picked this yarn out in February because there were suppose to be my official Valentine's Day socks. Needles to say - I just finished turning both heels last night and starting to work up the leg. I am loving this pattern (Baudelaire by Cookie A.) and the yarn! The yarn is Yarn Love's Marianne Dashwood in the colorway Summer Sangria. This colorway is just luscious!



I'm also in a March sock contest in the Sheila Rovelstad Design group on Ravelry. We had to cast on a pair of socks with green yarn (minimum 25% green in the colorway) so I pulled out my BlueMoon Fiber Arts - Socks That Rock in the colorway Lucky and cast on for Pomatomus by Cookie A. *yes, that's two Cookie A patterns on needles at once* These socks have to be finished by March 31st, but I'm aiming to wear them ON St. Patty's day - St. Patty's Day 2009 that is!! :)




Lastly is a baby blanket my gf asked me to make for another friend. I will have this blanket done before Wednesday rolls around! *I swear it Tulabug!*



Here's a little yarn porn for ya. This is the first installment for the Wullenstudio sock club. Isn't this gorgeous!! This is actually my 2nd skein of it.





The first skein I received was to test knit the official pattern for the sock club! Didn't they come out beautifully!! I just love how the colors blend together so well!



Apparently Frisco thought this pair was for him!



Here are just a few projects that I have finished since my last post.

First we have a simple cowl that I made for my Valentine Vampire Swap partner.


Pattern: Simple Cowl (Rav link)
Yarn: South West Trading Company Gianna
Needles: KnitPicks size 11
Modifications: None

Next up the Christening bonnet for my niece. She doesn't look to thrilled to have this on her head does she? *she sure does have the Billy Idol snear coming along there*


Pattern: Feather & Fan Bonnet by Larissa Brown (Rav link)
Yarn: Patons Silk Bamboo
Needles: KnitPicks size 6
Modifications: None, I did add a wide satin ribbon around the bottom to tie a nice bow on the side and keeo the bonnet on her head.

Just couldn't resist sharing this picture as well :)



Last up are the Christening Booties.


Pattern: Mary Jane Booties by Lucie Sinkler (Rav link)
Yarn: Patons Silk Bamboo
Needles: KnitPicks DPN size 3
Modifications: None.

Next up - something for ME!!


Pattern: Just Enough Ruffles by Laura Chau (Rav link)
Yarn: 100purewool.com Worsted Merino Single (love this yarn!! Just like Malabrigo, but less expensive)
Needles: KnitPicks size 8
Modifications: None

Had another skein and a half of this colorway, so I made a beret to match and looking to make some fingerless gloves with the remaining yarn.

Pattern: Meret (Mystery Beret) by Woolly Wormhead (Rav link)
Yarn: 100purewool.com Worsted Merino Single
Needles: KnitPicks size 8
Modifications: 4 repeats before decreasing.

I PASSED!!!!!

For those of you who remember my struggles with the National Board Certification process for teachers that I was trucking through the last two years - my journey has ended!!!

About 5pm last night, I got the official email that said scores were being released mid-morning on Friday, November 21, 2008. "CRAP! That's tomorrow" is what ran through my mind when I read that.

Got to work this morning and realized I had forgotten to bring my candidate ID number! *FUCK* I can't check my scored without that!! I rummaged my office to find old copies of the entries because I knew the ID number was all over those entries. Thankfully, I found it.

Went to the site and of course, tried to log in at 7:15 this morning. *Well, that could be mid-morning somewhere!*

I then contact my two girlfriends who also went through the process to see how they were holding up.

Every time I walked by my computer, I tried to log in. Till at 9 AM when I got it! I dropped down in my chair and said a little pray and hit button. First thing I saw:

"Congratulations!
You are a National Board Certified Teacher®!"

I screamed! I have no idea what the rest of the letter said, hell I still haven't even bothered to look at what score I got - I PASSED!!! And that was all that mattered to me :)

*continues to do the happy dance around my office*

Finally a free weekend!

Thank you everyone for your well wishes and comments over Mr. X. Somewhere inside of me *probably in my feet since the thought seems to get squashed whenever I'm walking around* I know that eventually it will get better and hurt less, but right now all those feeling are so close to the surface that it just doesn't seem possible. Anyhoo, enough about him, I want to enjoy my free weekend and not think about him again all weekend *fat chance, but I can try*

Wow, it's been so long since I have had a completely free weekend that I just don't know what to do! For so many months my weekends have been consumed with working on my National Board certification. I had spend months working on the four entries that were required for the portfolio portion and then spent the last two months studying for the assessment test. Almost every Saturday for the last two months I met with the other four media specialists that were also working on the boards to study for the test. This is the first Saturday I was able to actually sleep in till 10AM! That was N-I-C-E!

Now, I am just chillin' on my back deck with a latte, my laptop, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's new book Casts Off (I finished reading her other book, Knitting Rules, a last weekend) and contemplating what I should do today. I received an email from my LYS yesterday that included a discount coupon (I think it was for 25% off, but can't remember right now) so I might go and drool over some yarn a little later. I do need to go and get some Cascade 220 for a felted bag that I need to make for my ITE IV pal. I'm thinking of knitting her a nice size tote to carry around her knitting. *well, what else would a knitter carry around* She pretty much likes the same colors I do, so it might be a little hard to part with the finished piece *laugh* I think I'll call my gf KozyKitty and see if she wants to join me!

I might also make a stop over at JoAnn's Fabric. I saw in this weeks circular that their purse handles are on sale. *I can't resist a sale, then again what woman can* Then later this afternoon I really need to take stock of all the UFOs I have around my house! Last weekend while I was trying to straighten up before my sister and her family came over for dinner, I noticed I had bags of UFOs all over my house! *as any addictive knitter/crocheter would* Some of those projects I hadn't touched in months *some, I'm ashamed to say may even have been years* Once I have all my UFOs gathered together I will need to decide which ones I really think I will finish and which ones I will probably never touch again *if that's even possible*

Afterwards, I need to go through and take stock of my stash, for several reasons.

1. New colors for Project Spectrum started June 1st. I need to see what red,black and metallic yarns I have in my stash and figure out what I'm going to make with them. Off hand, I do know that I purchased a handpainted wool/silk yarn from Mystical Creations a while back in a colorway of red and black. I want to make a shawl with it. So I have one spectrum project on the ever growing "To Knit" list.

2. I want to start thinking about Christmas gifts for family and friends. *I know, I know - June just started and I'm already thinking of December* I just know me, if I don't get started now I'll be in some department store or mall on Christmas Eve looking for something to buy the person who's gift I never got around to. *I detest shopping malls and department stores between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I try my hardest NOT to have to go unless absolutely necessary - like for toilet paper*

I might be going out to dinner at Don Pablo's with my gf Tracey tonight. She's working till 4:30PM and said she'd call me afterwards. I haven't been to Don Pablo's in quite a while *my mouth is already salivating over the cheese quesadilla and a beer. Have to have a beer. It would be unthinkable not to have a beer, or two, or three with Mexican food*

Then, of course, there are the normal weekend ho-hum things that need to be done around the house - the laundry, the grocery shopping and the vacuuming *Domestic Goddess I am not*

My coffee swap partner got her package yesterday. I had so much fun shopping for her. You can see all the goodies on her blog. I seemed to have turned into a swap ho, but it's so much fun finding goodies and treats for people who have the same love of yarn and crafting as I do.

Well, for someone who didn't know what to do with her free Saturday, I sure as shit filled it up pretty quickly! Well, time to head off the to the LYS and squeeze some yarn! I might have more to say later :)

What a freakin' weekend!

Let me just say right now, this was a weekend that I never want to repeat in my life! Just annoyance after annoyance with dabblings of depression, anxiety and lots of WTF!! If you read my Friday posting you pretty much know that night ended in emotional upheaval loaded with tequila. *uggg, my stomach quivers just at the word*I spent Saturday sweltering in my house because the AC went out *does her best Wicked Witch impression... I'm meeelllttttiingggg*. The depression from Friday night seems to be dragging on with every little things that reminds of me of Mr. X and has me in tears. I seem to be getting slightly worse with that instead of better. I think I know why too *I'm mean, besides the fact that he squashed my heart and it hurts the a MoF**ker*

These last few months I have engrossed myself in completed my portfolio and studying for the assessment test for National Board Certification *and the main reason why I was going for that was because I THOUGHT I was going to be moving to the Chicago area... color me stupid!* This weekend marked the ending of my over-saturation with technology, collection development and literature. Now that I have no studying to really fill up my alone time those memories are hitting me really hard. I'm usually OK when I'm at work, out with friends or family, or hanging with my knitting groups. It's those moments when I'm alone that are the toughest. It sucks! I know my therapist is probably going to suggest medication for the depression, but I don't want to go there. One reason is because I want to get through all this pain so that I can remember to be on guard and not such a trusting dumb ass in the future. Secondly, I don't want to deal with the sexual side effect *yeah, not like I'll be getting any of THAT anytime soon either* or the weight gain. I have enough problems with my weight, I certainly don't need to add to it!

Anyhoo, I spent Sunday cleaning my little house because I had invited my older sister and her family over for a grill out. Nothing spectacular, but I had a craving for lamb chops and my potato salad *I make a mean potato salad* And since I needed to be home Monday for when the AC man came out it just made sense to invite them over. So this gave me an excuse to give the house the detailed cleaning I've been neglecting because I have been putting so much energy in National Boards, and it gave me an excuse to clear off all my portfolio stuff from my dining room table and take it back! Frisco tried to help, but was easily distracted.
That is one of his favorite toys.
So Monday I grilled lamb and chicken legs *yummy* and I made my potato salad along with baked beans, corn and mandarin orange salad. Almost a good day, I put the beans on the grill to soon and by the time the chicken was done the beans were burned! *grumble-grumble* Luckily I had another can in the pantry that I was able to pop in the microwave. Had to, my niece called me earlier that day and asked for them! After dinner I tried to teach Gabriella how to knit *heaven help me* I was not easy considering every two seconds she was up and in front of the TV watching the Amanda show *apparently prime time entertainment for the kiddies*. By the time they left, I think she got the hang of knitting. We'll see what the working piece looks like next time I'm at her house.

As if that wasn't enough, this morning was the morning of the BIG test. Some higher power really did NOT want me going to testing center this morning. *Here's where the WTF factor comes into play* My alarm clock goes off, but the time isn't lit up. *You would think that would have set off alarm bells, but nooooooooooooooooooooooo* I hit the snooze button and rolled over. Thankfully, the alarm rang again and this time my brain registered the fact that the time was not flashing on the clock and that my room was unusually warm. I attempt to flip on the TV to watch the Weather Channel. No TV *brain still not fully functioning* I try to turn the fan on... nothing. Flip the light switch... nada *brain screams WTF!?* My first thought was "what the hell did the AC man do to my electricity." I stumble out of bed and into some clothes and walk around the house to try every light switch and racking my brain for where I might have a working flashlight. (my house can be like a cave, not much natural light due to lots of trees). I find a flashlight *Alleluia! It worked too!!* Nothing from the breaker box. Try looking around the neighborhood, but can tell much. Dig out the cell phone and call BGE. That's when the brain goes berserk! *Oh my god, did I pay the electric bill? I know I have been severely preoccupied, but I'm sure I paid it.... didn't I?? And of course I can't check my online banking because I have no electricity!* Turns out the whole block was out. No idea why. But when I get back from taking the test everything was working again. *yes, I paid my BGE bill, of course I checked after that panic attack*

So, after the test we all went out to lunch to celebrate. We needed it after that test. That was another WTF! for the list. I'm pretty confident that I did OK, but I was pretty confident about other things in my life and boy did they blow up in my face! Unfortunately there is nothing I can do but sit and wait. Results from the whole process don't get announced till sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas! Then I have to decide... well, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I'm still shooting for not having to decide anything because I will have earned enough points to not have to think about that bridge!

So there we all are at the Olney Grille. All expressing our "WTF was that test" and of course drinking. *yes, amazingly after Friday I was able to down three beer at lunch - well shit, I wasn't going back to work after THAT test*

Afterwards, I was seriously drained and needed a pick me up. So I went to the local Borders and guess what section I ended up in?

*Shame on those of you that thought I would be in the sexual content area! ... I was too drained for even those stories *wink* not to mention not really in that playful state-of-mind*

Here's what I came home with:

I even went next door to JoAnne's and picked up fabric to line my Larger Than Life bag with... when I get done with crocheting and putting all the pieces together that is. I still don't know how I want the straps. And I managed to walk out without spending a dime on yarn! *definitely a miracle for me* I am looking forward to summer, knitting and mindless reading.

It's Outta Here!

Finally, finally, finally! I have this gret big gorilla off my back! At 6:21 PM today I dropped off my portifolio box at FedEx and it is on it's way! I have pics but haven't downloaded them off the camera yet. Too tired! And I really want a drink to celebrate!

I'm not much for words today. Should have more soon as I know have time to enjoy life again! *grin*

Almost there...

So far, this has been an exhausting week for me. I've been burning the midnight oil to get this portfolio completed. There are so many little details and specifics when it comes to organizing these entries. I think there is something seriously wrong when people are just as worried about how they are packing the portofio as they do to making sure their writeups contain all the necessary information to support and prove that you, in fact, up holding the required teaching standards.

In these entries, everything has a cover sheet. Then those cover sheets require explanations of what is being attached. Some of those explanations can go right on the cover sheets, others need to be attached behind it, BUT don't use staples or your entry will be unscorable! Ridiculous! The focus of the portfolio and the high stress factors should come from planning the lesson correctly, analyzing and reflecting on your teaching practice and the 10 pages written commentary on the lesson (multiply that by 4 for the different entries). Escentially a 40 page paper.... I didn't want to go back for my doctorate because I did want to write a thesis paper! I must be crazy!

NB Portfolio almost complete!!

It has been a long, hard haul, but I have my National Board portfolio 95% complete!! ALLELUIA!! For a while there, I really didn't know if I would actually get it completed. Shit just hit the fan in my life this year. Why is it that whenever I have something major to accomplish, everything else goes to pot? I know there's the saying out there that "God never gives you more than he thinks you can handle" but, come on... GOD, Don't trust me so much! The year started out with my grandmother, who lived with us on and off while I was growing, slipped into a coma in October. Not a single doctor in Italy could tell us why. No stroke, no heart attach, no blood clot...nothing, nada, zilch as for why. Then my brother-in-law is in and out of the hospital. On December 28, my grandmother passed. It was very hard. She was my last living grandparent, and my favorite. On February 28, my boyfriend of almost 2 years, breaks off our engagement. Talk about just wanting to give up and spend the rest of your life in bed. You think God could have stopped there, but noooooooooooooo. One week later a friend and co-worker of 6 years lost her battle with cancer. So yeah, I was in a SUPER depression funk for most of March. But somehow, someway, I managed to teach all the lessons I needed for NB. I have all my entries written up and have been sent off to various people to get feedback, and I still have 4.5 more days to edit and tweak till the absolute deadline to mail this sucker off. Friday I will definitely need to pull out and wear my t-shirt that has the slogan "Sometimes I amaze myself" written across the chest, because that is what I am feeling right now. And this monkey will be off my back just in time for Spring Break! Then I can go back to knitting!!

Of course, spending all this time planning lessons, video taping them and writing them up did not detract me from SEx of yarn! I tend to purchase a good amount of my yarn online through various stores or ebay. This was an ebay purchase that I took a chance on. I can't remember if I found this yarn or if my friend KozyKitty told me about it. It's 100% merino wool and it looked as if it would be as soft as Malabrigo Merino yarn which is super luscious soft! I just loved the color combo of the turquoise and black that I took the chance and order 2 skeins to make the My So Called Scarf with it. It finally got here this weekend, but I've been so busy with NB that I didn't have the time to post till today. This yarn is just as soft as the Malabrigo! I was ecstatic! Talk about willpower and not succumbing to the yearning of wanting to playing with this yarn and foregoing my work! Temptations!! As if God hasn't toyed with my life enough at this point! I just need to hold out a few more days and then I can bite the apple in the garden and eat it all up. YUM! *laugh*