More New Starts

Once again it's been a long week. State testing for my students is next week. Lots of last minute review and checking progress. I volunteered for a program they put on to motivate students Thursday night, too bad hardly anyone came. I haven't had much time to knit. I started three pairs of socks last weekend. They are my own designs. They aren't very far along. Hope I can finish them soon.
Here are two of them.
April Showers Socks
Granny Square Socks

Look at my New Socks!

I finished my Tabi Anklet socks. Aren't they cool?

Spring Break is Over. Come On Summer!

Here are some orchids blooming in my back yard

Went back to work and school today. My students are so cute. They went to camp over the break. One says, " I learned how to fall out of a canoe." Priceless. One fell out of a bunch bed and fell down a lot. Another almost fell off a horse. When asked who went to camp and did not get hurt most raised their hands.

I have two new pairs of socks started. My Earthy Tabi socks out of Arucania Ranco Multi and Jeanne Townsend's Maple Leaf socks out of Claudia Hand Painted yarn in the Jungle colorway. Neither will win design of the year with the yarns I'm using, but they'll be decent socks. Don't get me wrong the yarns are nice they just don't play up the patterns I'm knitting.


Went to pick up some dance shoes after school. I ordered them while on break. I don't like them. They fit alright except the strap hits at the fattest part of my ankle. Really, it's not the shoes. When did I get elephant feet? I don't suppose dancing with slim ankles down, will it?

It's Snowing in Taos!

Now it's really Snowing!!!These pictures are from our balcony.

Yesterday in Chimayo

We spent two days in Santa Fe and now are in Taos. The weather is flipping between rain and snow. It is lovely. We stopped at the chapel in Chimayo yesterday on our way up. We drove through the New Mexico national forest too. Lots of cool shopping and great food! Missed two yarn shops that were closed one in Santa Fe and one outside Taos. Got to three and but only bought yarn at two. Needle's Eye in Santa Fe and La Lana in Taos. Needle's Eye had some Koigu sock yarn I bought for a pair of spring socks and La Lana has local hand-spun. I found some sport weight wool/silk and some slightly heavier mohair/wool all in light blues and spring greens.
I also finished my Annetrelac socks last night!

The Travelers Return in Time to See Me Off to New Mexico

Well, Hubbo and the kids are back. They got back late last night. The had as good a time as you can going to a funeral. It's a nice thing to have family to share life's ups and downs with. They were so happy to have spent time with their aunt and uncle, cousins and husband's aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Today my daughter and I head to San Diego to meet up with my sister-in-law and niece before we all take off for New Mexico. I've been doing laundry and packing all day today trying to be ready. I think I've got done what I can for now. At least we have clean clothes to take with us and I have a couple of knitting projects to carry along. My cameras are charging and I just need to put a few more things away and bathe and dress.
At least I finished my Jaywalkers before leaving. I am going to wear them. My Noro Entrelac socks are getting there. I just had to get other things done today.

Mourning takes many forms

This is a strange time of year for death. Spring with new life is in the air.
My parents both died in the fall. My husband's father died around Christmas time. Those seem like normal times to die, just as the Earth is slowing down or in the middle of it's sleep.

My husband's mother died this past weekend. It wasn't expected and it wasn't unexpected. She has been in questionable health since she had a stroke when he was five years old. That was a long time ago. Still, she was the last of our parents living. I couldn't leave work immediately because of testing and grading all being due this week. I even had to get the kids to finish final exams before they could leave. Luckily my husband's sister was good enough to hold the funeral for a day so they could get there. I am sad I didn't go with them. I sent my babies with their father to say good-bye to their last grandparent. And I wasn't there with them. I kept getting voicemail when I tried to call them to talk. I think it went alright. The Kennedy family is a large one. I guess my kids got a lot of support. They finished up the services today and spent some time with immediate family playing guitars and cards. I am glad I sent them.

I, on the other hand was able to have lunch with my older son and daughter today. A privilege I don't get often. I took a dance class. Went to my LYS for Knitting Night. Went shopping.

I took bereavement leave. I was told when my father-in-law died that he wasn't "immediate family" so that I was not entitled to leave. This time I decided to go anyway. Who are they to tell me who my family is or isn't? I wish I'd taken more time when my parents were ill and dying. Not me, I have to always live up to my responsibilities to my job. More and more responsibilities, with never a simple thank you for the time and energy they sap. I guess it's my fault I permit it.

So, I here honor the passing of a woman, mother, grandmother. May she have found the happiness she didn't find in life. With this passing, our parents are all gone. There is no one left to ask about things we don't remember from our pasts or about our ancestors they knew. I feel the loss of them all anew. They were such amazing people. The world is emptier without them.