What I did this weekend...

Isn't that very "teacherish" of me?

1.  I went to the annual Sheep and Wool Festival in these parts.  It was lovely.  I spent money.  I pet sheep.  I drooled over yarn yumminess.  I was crazy jealous of all the spinners I saw.  I had a wonderful, wonderful time.

2.  I registered for my beginning knitting class.  I have the book, the yarn (purple wool), and size 9 circular needles.  Bamboo and not metal.  I am seriously nervous but the nice older lady at the shop told me that if I can crochet, I can knit.  I want to believe her.  The other (much younger) worker person told me that she had a student take beginning knitting last month and is taking a beginning sock making class tonight.  There is hope for me, I think.

3.  I. Finished. Babette.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

;)

See:

I am very, very happy with her, although the border is a little wonky.

Anyone wishing to leave me lovely comments about my Babette may (please) feel free to do so.  :)

I took the day off today and I realized that I only have nine, NINE more days with my kiddos.  That makes me sad.  I predict many tears on May 18.  :(

miss raven is doing well.  she has been very playful of late and this pleases me.  I am looking forward to spending much time with her this summer.

Now.  I am off to make coffee and to try to figure out what is going to fill the void left in my crafting life with the completion of Babette....

How did that happen....

How did it happen that a whole week got away from me?

Spring Break was not as eventful as I was hoping (read:  no beach time for melicity) but I did have a nice time.  I ended up visiting Mount Vernon, Monticello, and Montpelier.  I also made a stop at the Botanical Gardens and the National Gallery, two of my most favorite places in all of the city.

The weather wasn't as nice as I had hoped (read:  no beach time for melicity) but it wasn't raining and it wasn't snowing so I can't really complain.

The week off was much needed, and, despite the unnecessary, un-needed, and childish drama that concluded the week.

What's that you say?  What drama?

All I have to say about that is this:

Feel free to let me know when you will be needing some cleaner for all that glass that makes up your house.  I will be more than happy to send you a couple of Costco sized bottles because it seems that your house is just THAT big.  ;)

I did a ton of work on Babette over the break.  She is looking marvelous and I can't wait to show her to you. I have finished 7 out of 10 sections and am about a fourth of the way through section 8.  Because I am now limited on how many pictures I can add to my blog (without having to pay for more storage) I am going to wait until she is done and show you the final product.

If anyone out there in reader-ville knows how to switch blog hosts to something that will allow me to upload unlimited pictures and want to share that information with me, I would much appreciate it.  I have a lot of pictures from the Break that I would like to show on my blog, but can't afford to start paying for them.

Hope your week is going well!  I promise to be a better blogger this week!  :)

Today...

I received a wonderful, albeit expected, package in the mail:

My yarn for Babette has arrived!

Remember Babette?

I want to start on her in the worst way but she will have to wait a bit longer.  I am currently in the middle of a project for a baby gift and need to finish that (dress, hat, booties, blanket) before I can start on Babette.

Wanna see the yarnny yumminess again?

OK!!!

This isn't all of the yarn but I didn't take a picture of the Berroco yarn.  This is the Tahki Cotton Classic that I am using and I am SO excited to finally have some to work with!

Now I have an incentive to get through what I am working on because I DESPERATELY want to start on Babette!!

Today I also snapped these pictures:

My Lemon Balm coming back!

miss raven and her new man.

Outdoor frolicking in the beautiful weather.

He is kind of cute and he adores my girlie.  Alas, the feeling is not mutual.

"Anything in here for me, mommy?"

My sweet girl and her current favorite toy.

I must have lost a few pounds because I discovered this morning that I could get into (although with some difficulty) my favorite linen pants!  This is good for a few reasons:  (a) I'm tired of being fat and (b) I pretty much live in my linen pants when the weather is this wonderfully warm (EIGHTY PLUS DEGREES TODAY!).

Finally--Once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST BFF IN THE WHOLE WORLD!  I LOVE YOU! :)

To catch you up...

I am still freakishly in love with my shoes.  Remember these:

OMG!  The last three days I have little to NO heel pain when I come home from work.  A-mazing!

Vomit boy came back today.  He, along with two others, were absent yesterday.  He was much better today. 

Alas, the other two are still out.

My stomach seems to be immune to the plague infecting my classroom.  Thank you, Lord!

Remember this?

This was in the recent box of goodies that my postman brought to me.  I must say, I do have a very nice postman for he truly did come to the door, knock, and hand me the box with a hearty, "Have a wonderful day!"  This makes me sad for the USPS and their diminishing business.

Anywho.

I bought this whole book for ONE little pattern.  May I present to you.......

Babette

I will admit, I am apparently WAY behind the times with this one as it was pretty popular several years ago.  Two things make me hesitate starting on this blanket:

1. The yarn that is called for in the pattern is OMG freaking expensive.  Like, seriously, it would cost me close to, if not over TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS to make this blanket.  I don't want to use cheap old acrylic, either, because I want this to be something really special.
2. My hatred for all things granny-square connecting.  Look at this picture again:

Do you SEE how many squares there are to connect?  And that isn't even the WHOLE picture!

*headsmack*

But it is sooooooooooooooooo beautiful, isn't it?  It is calling my name, luring me in with it awesome gorgeousness!

This book I got because, well, I am supposed to be trying to lose weight.  I have another of these books and I do like it so I am hoping this one will be an added bonus to my arsenal of weight blasting weapons.

We shall see if it works.....

sigh

Today...

will be bulleted for your reading pleasure ease.

You're welcome.

:)

• Today was a good great day.  We had an all school assembly and, since I knew it would be Christmas-themed, I went all out.  Santa hat, Christmas pin, and ornament earrings that flashed on and off.  Oh.  The kids L.O.V.E.D.  it.  I so rock and am the coolest teacher on my hallway.
• SS was there today.  This is the second day in a row which means that she will probably be absent tomorrow.
• I found out after school that SS's mommy complained about me (again) to the principal.  Yesterday I was in a generous mood and gave out candy in math.  I rarely do that because I don't want to deal with the sugar high so candy in my classroom is a BIG treat and a BIG deal.  Anyway.  I made them wait until the end of the day to eat their candy (remember...I don't want to deal with the sugar high).  SS got a lollipop and had it in her mouth when mommy came to pick her up.  Mommy asked where she got it and SS told her that I had given it to her.  Mommy said "Oh, that was so nice.  I hope you told her thank you."  They met the principal on the way out and he made a comment about her having candy.  He asked where she got it and SS told him that I gave it to the class.  Before he could say anything, Mommy says, in a very sarcastic tone, "Yeah, she gives them candy and then sends them home for us to deal with."  Um.  Yeah.  I have no words.
• Totally random.....I am currently eating dessert....Pumpkin spice pudding.  O.M.G. so amazingly delicious.
• My babies are just about finished with their picture frames.  In case you didn't know, they are all painting/decorating unfinished wooden frames (from Michael's) for their parents for Christmas.  I took all of their pictures and printed them out at Walgreens.  I have six kids who need to finish up tomorrow and then they will wrap them on Thursday.  They are pretty excited and have done such a good job.  I'm really proud of them.
• I got my first Christmas present today!  One of my students gave me a gift card to Target!!!!  Whoo-hoo!!!!  You know how much I love me some Tar-jay!! :)
• As you know, the scarves are FINISHED!  As promised, here are some pictures!  Enjoy!

 The NINETEEN scarves

 redskins fans

 eagles fan, packers fan, um... origami fan

 for the girls

 more girls

 the last of the girls

 the two jumbled scarves pictures, just because

I really, really hope the kids like them! :)

Good night!

Good things come to those who...

don't complain, moan, kavetch, scream, yell, stamp their feet...

I have been neglectful in the picture taking uploading of late but I finally got my behind in gear and got everything in the camera on to the computer.

Now you can be entertained without having to read through all my blah, blah, blahing.

Here is an update from the weekend:

Saturday--felt great.  Met a parent at Starbucks, mailed my swap package, went Christmas shopping for the niece and nephew, came home.  Around noon began to feel like crap.  Tried to talk the cold out of invading my body.  It didn't work.

Sunday--moaned, complained, kavetched about my cold.  Watched football.  Rejoiced that the redskins lost. Rejoiced that the giants lost.  #*#$(#$( that the Cowboys lost.  Rejoiced again (and more emphatically) that the giants lost.

Monday--went to school.  Worked very hard at not ripping fourth grade heads off seeing as how it isn't their fault that I am sick.  But wait...it probably IS their fault that I am sick.  Oh well, too tired to care.  Have a raw nose due to all the blowing.  Opened swap package.  Took the following pictures:

 miss raven received a t-shirt that says "Cookie Taster", a squeaky toy, and a rawhide bonie.

I received a hank of Malabrigo silky (in wisteria) and a cowl pattern, two dark chocolate mint bars, two notepads, two candles, a crocheted birdie, a crocheted snowflake, and a handwritten note on a handmade card.

Finishing post.  Drinking coffee, making English quiz for tomorrow.  Still 6 scarves left to crochet.  Can't do any tonight.  Too tired........

More pictures.....

 My favorite Chihuahua and her big ears.

 My Halloween pumpkins.  Yes, I know it is December.  I'm late.

 The ginormous puzzle that my students put together (almost) all by themselves.  We were studying birds in science.

My BFFF.*

Good night!

*Best Furry Friend Forever.

Because she is my BFF...

I will post not once, but TWICE today.  AND include pictures.  Because she asked so nicely.  And called me during class this morning....

So, this weekend I went to my favorite LYS, which is located roughly 20 minutes from my house.  Over the river and through the traffic.  I love walking around Old Town and had to snap a few pictures of the fall decorations/scenery:

I could totally envison this on my porch.  If only I was rich enough to afford it:

How cute is this pumpkin?!?!  I LOVE it!

For those of you who don't understand the concept of seasons (ie.: anyone who lives in El Paso, Texas), this is what happens in the FALL:

I meant to take pictures inside the LYS but alas, I forgot.  Mostly because I was too busy trying not to drool on everything.  Here is some of what I purchased.  (The last two pictures aren't from the LYS but from a chain craft store.  I had a coupon and I loved the colors.)

I also bought a drop spindle.  Right now I not only suck, I totally BLOW at spinning.  I am hoping that I will get better with practice.

I did buy another yarn at the LYS but I am saving that picture for tomorrow's Yarn Along post.  I actually have something to show tomorrow and don't want to get ahead of myself.

Work update:
     My kids took a history test today.  They totally rocked it!  Almost everyone passed.  I only had one student who didn't.  Yea them and yea me!  Thanks for the prayers!  Keep them coming because tomorrow they have a Science 9 weeks exam and an oral presentation.

There you go, BFF.  I  miss you too!  It has been WAY too long since I have seen you and me no likey that.  :(

Tonight's post is brought to you by the letters...

R.A.N.D.O. and M.

Strap in and try to keep up with the thoughts bouncing around in my cranial cavity...

• Did I tell you I have a pen pal?  She is from England.  How super cool is that?  So far I know the following about her:  she is from England, she is an artist, she breeds butterflies, and some other stuff.  I owe her a letter and yet here I am, blogging.  You're welcome.
• We went on a field trip a few Friday's ago.  We were supposed to go to an outdoor place but, alas, it was raining.  We ended up going into the city to a couple of museums.  All's well that end's well, though.  The kids had a great time.  My class was very obedient and amazed the museum staff with their good manners and their brilliance.  I was, of course, modest in my acceptance of the praise they received.  ;)
• On the aforementioned field trip I had two parents who sat a few seats behind me on the bus.  The whole way into the city the talked about how much they disliked my school and how their children weren't learning anything.  I wanted to turn around and say, "Excuse me, I can hear you."  Nice, right?
• Making up for those parents was the parent who gave me a FIFTY DOLLAR gift card to Michael's craft store so that I can purchase supplies for art.  I was surprised and thankful.  It has already been put to good use and I have a Christmas project/gift for their parents now.  Score!
• Last night it was so cold that miss raven and I slept with a sheet, a duvet, and TWO crocheted blankets on top of us.  Neither of us wanted to get out of bed this morning.  I had to...she didn't.
• My principal and I were supposed to have a meeting with the mother and grandmother of Speshul Snowflake.  Mom decided yesterday that she would go ahead and invite another parent to the meeting as well.  My principal told her in no uncertain terms that was unacceptable.  A few minutes ago I received an e-mail asking us to "re-schedule" the meeting due to a doctor's appointment.  Mm-hmmm.
• I have also discovered that this mother is trying to stir the pot with my other parents.  Fortunately, the other parents have seemingly rallied around me.  Phew!
• I'm drinking hot chocolate.  Not coffee.  No, nothing is wrong with me.
• We just finished studying insects in science.  I found three caterpillars in my yard and brought them to school about two weeks ago.  Yesterday we discovered that one of the caterpillars had come out of it's chrysalis and emerged as a beautiful butterfly (don't worry--we let it go.)  AMAZING SCORE!  Guess who is getting the coolest teacher of the year award? ;)
• I baked and frosted 48 cupcakes over the weekend.  And didn't eat any batter or icing.  Yes, I am proud of me.
• I participated in another Coffee, Chocolate, and Fiber swap on Ravelry.  Here is what I got:

         

          I know that some of it is hard to see, so let me explain my booty...well, you know what I mean.
               --1 knitted pumpkin tape measure

               --1 handmade bar of lavender soap

               --2 bars of chocolate, 1 with coconut and 1 with raspberries

               --1 bag of chocolate cappuccino coffee

               --1 hank of gorgeous blue-green yarn

• The Cowboys suck again this year.  The Eagles seemingly suck worse.  The Redskins seem to not suck.  It's backwards world in the NFL.
• My niece will be 4 soon.  She has discovered Hello Kitty.  Guess what she is getting for her birthday?  Let's just say I took a little trip to Build A Bear on Sunday.  Oh yes,  please pause and admire me for my amazing brilliance.  ;)
• I need some crochet time before bed.
• Goodnight from me and her:

       

I am so lame in coming up with post titles...

that this is best you get tonight.

Sorry.

So.  I have a (kind of) Yarn Along for you today.  On the hook we have this:

And for the book we have this:

The hook is almost done (THANKFULLY!) and the book I have yet to start.  Slacker, I know.

The book intrigues me though, and I bought all three in the series.  I love history and I am sure I will love these "what if" stories.  "What if Napolean hadn't lost."  "What if the Civil War had turned out differently."  etc.  It makes one think.  And thinking is good.  Trust me on that...I am a teacher.

:)

Speaking of being a teacher....And I was.

Speshul Snowflake CAME TO SCHOOL TODAY!  Wow!  But, because of the degree of "Speshulness", there HAD to be drama with the child today.

I had to tell the angel to spit out the gum that was being chomped upon.

Apparently, that was the wrong thing to do.  I am so awful.

I also, oh horrors, had the gall to tell the child to sit properly in the desk.

What was I thinking?!?

And the dear, sweet child, decided that, instead of working on homework at the end of the day (oh the irony of this as it was THIS child's grandmother that accused me of giving too much work and not enough time to do it and her poor grandchild was so over-worked and over-burdended...but, I digress.)  Instead of working on homework, Speshul Snowflake decided that a better use of the time given would be to record all my transgressions from today in a diary:

• 8:20--Miss Olsen told me to spit out my gum.  She makes me so mad.
• 9:45--Miss Olsen told me to sit correctly in my seat.  She gets on my last nerve.  She thinks she is so smart.  I am going to tell my mom on her.

Lest I feel "Speshul" about being in said diary, the names of two other children were also included, as they somehow managed to commit sins against Speshul Snowflake.  Needless to say, I was not happy and let that be known.  I told the darling that the diary had better go home and I had best not see it at school again.

A few minutes later I started the class packing up to go home.  Speshul Snowflake comes to me with hugh crocodile tears proclaiming much sorrow over the diary.  I told the dear that I could care less about what was written about me because Snowflake had no right to be mad at me at all, seeing as I how I wasn't the one who had done something wrong.  I was more concerned about the fact that two other children were being made to feel bad about things they had "done" to make Snowflake mad.  I told the child that, if something had been written about her, she wouldn't like it one bit (and believe me, I would hear about it.)  Of course, I just "don't understand", but she is very sorry and will keep it at home from now on.

Mmmm-hmmmm.

Oh!  Before I forget:

And my personal favorite:

The wings go on tomorrow.  Phew!

I did some research on the internets this evening and found a really cool Fall Art project involving twigs and seeds.  They did such a good job painting that I am thinking of trying this.  I'll keep you posted.

There, BFF.  Two nights in a row.  Are you happy?

:op

Nighty night!!!

P.S.  Thanks to Ginny for hosting the Yarn Along!