Thursday's disaster

Okay it's really Sunday or Monday's disaster...it's just not over yet.
Dealing with the pool being broken. It's now empty thanks to my son and his friend dropping cement pavers into the bottom and breaking one of the pipes. Talented boys hitting it just right. The house was built in 1897 and is in constant need of maintenance, yet here we are dealing with another disaster. I don't know how much more I can stand.
There is good news too.
Four days and counting til school is out. Claire made great language arts progress this year so got this cool present. She worked hard this year.

Wednesday

5 more school days to go...
Went to Yarn Deli tonight for help figuring out the handles for my cabled bag. Thank you....
Here's the bag with one handle done.

Fourteen Years

It's been quite a ride...
Love you Paul.

Memorial Day

Only 7 days left of school before summer vacation. Quiet day. We were invited to a barbeque. My son and husband should have gone. They were going to jam with some of the guys there. There really isn't anything for me to do there. I didn't really feel like going anywhere. I just don't care about much of anything these days. It would be nice if we'd prepared the back yard to have a little fun. Oh well, there's always next year...or not.
I hope it feels like summer soon. I need to start getting ready for vacation. I am just not motivated...
Did a little knitting today. It's Noro Iro with an extra strand to make the color stripes. It was a little thick to knit comfortably. Can't figure out how to attach the handles with the pattern directions. They are somehow crocheted around and attached to the live stitches.
Weekend cooking

Near miss

We started our Memorial Day weekend by visiting a friend and another friend's yarn store. Today on the way to Designer Handknits in Riverside, my daughter and I were very lucky to miss being rear-ended on the freeway by just one car. We heard a horrible braking and crunching crash, only to see the car behind us pulling over to the side of the road. The car behind them had the entire front end smashed in and the windshield destroyed. Then a young boy got out of the crashed car. This was the fast lane. I hope everyone was alright. We called 911 immediately. The car that had been hit stopped and the driver got out. It was a Mercedes SUV so I think they probably were able to drive again on their way once the reports were filled out. It was a place in the road where traffic always slows down due to construction around a poorly designed freeway interchange. We were all slowing at a reasonable rate. The driver who crashed must have been distracted as traffic slowed.
I was too busy describing the accident to the 911 operator to get too worried, but my daughter was shaking until long down the road. It was a good day, we were spared.

Closing Night

My daughter as a wall with a chink in it and our friend and teacher David playing Thespia (who speaks to her love through the chink in the wall).
It seems like every time the kids do the play they are better than the last. Unfortunately tonight is the last night. Once again they were wonderful. It is amazing how they exude personality and confidence on the stage. I don't know where they get it. Acting is definitely not something I ever was good at. I am very proud of my daughter. I am more amazed by her all the time.

A MidSummer Night's Dream

Okay so it's not midsummer yet. My daughter's drama class is putting on their latest play. My daughter has two parts, a fairy and Tom Snout(an actor who plays a wall in the play within the play) I am so proud of her

Another busy day

The school year is winding down...actually winding up til the end. Placement tests and new procedures to give and have meetings about, studying for final exams, end of the year trips and parties, Academic Pentathlon awards (tonight- we did great!), books to carry back to the library and check in, walls to strip, boxes to pack, classrooms to close. Let's not forget my daughter's play tomorrow and Friday nights. Midsummer Night's Dream...can't wait to see her in her fairy costume. a little tweaking on the underskirt to be done, but other than that she's ready!
Here's another picture of the newest orchid blooming, LC Canhamiana 'Azure Skies'

Late May flowers

The flowers are just getting richer in color if that is possible.

Self Respect guess I should get some...

At least all the orchids haven't died yet...

Middle School Basie Tribute Jazz Band Concert at RCC

My son was chosen for a middle school honor band who rehearsed for this concert at Riverside Community College with the RCC jazz band and a high school honor band. It was a wonderful show and of course, my son was the best up there!!!Waiting to start
Playing his solo

Academic Pentathlon

Today I left home at 6:45 am to drive to Amelia Earhart Middle School for the Riverside County Academic Pentathlon. I don't think my 6th grade team did as well as past years. A couple of them said they didn't even finish all the questions on some of their tests before time ran out. The Science Super Quiz looked dismal. My partner coach thinks they're trying to put one over on us by pretending they didn't get their questions right, but I don't know...I guess we'll find out for sure on Wednesday. I hope they didn't really tank. No pictures or names of kids. Got home about 3:30. I'd feel better donating my time if I felt we'd done well.

Sea World Field Trip

Went to Sea World with my classes today....tired...pictures tomorrow. Good night.

Here's those pictures I promised...We saw the penguins being fed, manatee feeding, fed seals and sea lions, rode the Atlantis ride, played at Shamu's Harbor play area, and saw the dolphin show. Not too bad for a half day...
You know while watching the dolphin show and seeing the 5 female trainers, I was reminded of my friend Christiane Covington who was the first female dolphin trainer at the San Diego Sea World over 25 years ago. She volunteered for over a year before being allowed to work with the dolphins. I don't know if she was ever paid at all. I admire the dedication she showed working so long with no reward to attain that goal.

Knitting Night at Yarn Deli

My daughter and I went to Yarn Deli tonight. I didn't do a lot, but had a couple of questions answered so that I could start a new project. I have this thing about doing everything in the round these days. I always want to redo patterns without seams. Thanks Sharon for helping me (us all) so untiringly.
Here's my progress on the Dropped Stitch T-shirt body that goes with my sleeves. I can't wait to finish this to wear!

Yarn Swap

Okay the big news was really my son's concert at school. He was great! The Jazz Band did two songs. They really sounded good together. I was impressed. But as soon as they were done my daughter and I hightailed it out of there to the Yarn Deli for their first yarn swap. We ended up bringing home about twice the yarn we took. Now I need to find space to put it. I hope I use some of what I got.
I also hope I left my camera at school 'cause I can't find it to show you my new stash and the newest knitting...(camera was in the car door, so I didn't find it when I looked for it in the car last night)

Drop Stitch Progress

I worked on the sleeves to my Drop Stitch T-Shirt from the SNB calendar. The stitches have been dropped and sleeves are bound off. There are ruffles knit into the front and back of the lower arm edges. You can see the size difference between the sleeves from pre to post dropping stitches. I knit the sleeves both to 12.5 inches to start. I haven't measured the finished sleeves, but they look substantially larger to me.

The color is closer to true in the progress shot, rather than the finshed sleeve photo.

Happy Mother's Day!

I am absolutely thrilled that I have such amazing children. I feel blessed in a very deep way. They came into this world through me. All different. Though I have raised them, they have been who they are from the beginning. I miss the babies they were and am gleeful to watch them step into their lives. I am sad my mother could not be here to see how they have grown and thrived and what good, talented people they are. I am, as she would was, so proud to have be a part of their lives.
I received some special gifts too!
Went to my cousin Mark's house in the Duchess. He had planned a little Mother's Day, Graduation, Birthdays party. He worked all day getting ready. A couple of the guests of honor didn't come. It was very low key. His daughter Chelsea has certainly bloomed, from the silent, sullen girl to a vivacious, communicative young woman. I guess film school and boyfriend Adam have been good for her.
Here's my view on the way home.The Duchess

Missed everything today

I was supposed to go to Designer Hand Knits sale this morning. I couldn't sleep last night. Once I did go to sleep I slept through the time I could go. Then was supposed go to my daughter's friend's bridal shower. Thank goodness my daughter took my younger daughter with her because I just wasn't up to going.
Instead I sat around closing the little bags I made on my sock knitter, felting them, and dyeing them. Kind of cute, eh? I hope they will hold something once they dry. That's it for the whole day. I am so boring.

Sick Day

Took the day off to go to the doctor today. Yay, maybe I'll get better now. With a little help from Azithromycin. Having a fever the last eight days was a royal pain.
I spent a little time with my circular sock knitting machine. I am trying some feltable sock yarn to make a few little bags for things like cameras and cell phones.
I am getting to the end of the sleeves for my Drop Stitch T-Shirt sweater. I am nervous to drop the stitches and bind off by myself. Perhaps I'll search the web for a tutorial and try it anyway. I just have to decide exactly how long I want the sleeves.

Thought I had to get ready for my mobius class tomorrow, but it is cancelled for the time being. Nancy will be having her anniversary event later this summer when I'll be at camp in New York. I have a class planned at Old Forge Hardware in July. Anyway Designer Hand Knits is having their sale tomorrow. There just won't be the number of classes and events Nancy had in the past. Her anniversary sales/event is so fun! I hope I don't miss it when she does have it.

This week was Spirit Week at our school. My son thought this was a good representation of a nerd for Nerd day. I think it's a little over the top for a nerd. What do you think?

Today's Doings

Finished the little anime cougar. What do you think?
This is a beautiful Laelia purpurata that was at the Orchid Society Meeting tonight.
Here are a couple of amaryllis blooming in the yard today.

No Yarn Deli tonight

My daughter was late getting back from her camp experience so we didn't go to Knitting Night at Yarn Deli.
Hey, check out Designer HandKnits on Magnolia Ave. in Riverside on Saturday. It's Nancy's anniversary sale and event. I will be teaching a class in mobius basket knitting. Last year there were all kinds of fiber and textile booths in the breezeway outside the shop, good food, and always great company! See you there?
I did work on the strap of my green bag from the sock knitter. I wish I knew how to knit flat things on it. This strap is taking forever on size 1 needles.
I have been checking out the Zimmermania blog and am impressed by some of the items I have seen there and the recommendations of knitters to read Elizabeth's books. I am interested in understanding the geometric angles and shaping that she is so good at. With that hope I ordered some of her books. So far a couple of the patterns I've read seem enigmatic. I hope I catch on. In other knitting news...I knitted the anime cougar I adapted from CraftyAlien's SWAT kitty pattern. Here he is without his eyes, nose and mouth. I think he is going to be great! I had to make a cougar, our school mascot is a Cougar.

Shhhh...

My daughter is still up at Science camp so I was able to work on the socks I am making for her birthday. I finished. Don't tell! Now I'll have to remember where I hid them until the end of June.
Oh, and about Mother's Day honey. Have I mentioned how important having a finished bathroom is to me? A plug that fits the tub, moldings back in place, tile or even a crappy plastic enclosure, a new toilet, paint, floor.

Lucky day!

Well, my daughter got off to Science camp with half her classmates. It looks like they'll have great weather while they're there.
I got to my district math meeting. My son was offered a spot in the Basie Tribute Jazz band led by a music director at Riverside Community College. Talk about a lucky kid!
As soon as I get over this bug, I'll be really excited. Okay I am really excited, just grumpy and achey too...

Seis de Mayo

I am under the weather so I just moved around in slow motion today. I did take a tube off the sock knitting machine and hand knit the bottom closing and a short ribbed cuff. I am now working on the shoulder strap. It'll be a "pocket" to wear with clothes that don't have any pockets built in.
Another new project started. I found this T-shirt pattern looking through the SNB calendar. I am using Revue superwash merino DK weight I bought at Yarn Deli. I am altering the pattern by doing the pieces in the round instead of sewing seams later. I'll still have to sew the sleeve to the body...or do I? (Sharon?). I'll have to make sure I have the right multiples of stitches for that to happen evenly.
I've been carrying this project with me for about 2 weeks with all the needles and yarn. Finally, I started. This is how far I knitted on both sleeves today.

Views on Saturday

I finished the entrelac bag with a few adaptations. I added an entrelac flap to fold over and button down. I suppose if I were to make another I might make it per the pattern and put a zipper in the top instead...I like this one though. With the red showing through while I block it, I may have to line it.
Here are the new blooms for Saturday.
A beautiful pink epiphyllum
A yellow and pink alstroemeria
A pale lavender iris with a blue lavender beard