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Lauren Upton (Ms. South Carolina):I personally believe that US Americans are unable to do so, because uh some people out there in our nation don’t have Maps and I believe our education like such as in South Africa and the Iraq everywhere like such as. And I believe that they should uh; our education over Here in the U.S. should help the U.S. ah, or should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and Asia countries so we will be able to build up our future for our children
I wish I could say that things have quietened down so much with the recent change of events. The sisters kids are back with the sister, who now has way more drama than any one person can imagine. It’s so hard to listen to her hurt, and just not be able to help. I am at a point where I have to put this space between us because she is not taking the steps forward that are needed. It’s tearing me apart inside. I want to put everything in it’s place for her, promise her that everything is going to be alright, but I can’t. I’m not even sure at this point if things are going to be alright. I can’t deal with the tears, and the helpless feeling, and the guilt that she’s pushing at me. She makes me feel guilty because things are going “ok” for me, when she doesn’t really know what’s going on with me because I haven’t told her because of her own issues. UGGH
On a knitting note, I have started two more Christmas presents. I need the simple projects right now, and if I finish these by next week, I am WAY ahead of the game. Pictures to come, I promise. I’m so excited how these are turning out.
Today was orientation for the oldest into middle school. As I was dropping him off, and explaining that I would be back for the parent section, I was promptly interupted as he said, “Found Gabe and Alex.” Slam. End of discussion.
He’s growing up.
I feel like I’m on a blogging spree…. So, I was thinking about the SP11 questionaire, and a blog post that I read earlier today, I’m sorry I don’t remember where or who’s it was…. and it asked about times and places you knit in public that might not just be the best idea …. like say in a meeting, or in your office when my kid is sick in the ER waiting to be seen… I know I know…
When I learned to knit, it was after seeing the Stitch n Bitch book at Barnes and Noble on the Plaza in Kansas City. I was walking with a friend when I just laughed at the book, and she told me I need to FEEL the fibery goodness that comes from knitting. Quickly abandoning the book store, we headed to the Studio and window shopped. I was in love, so after dropping her off back at school, I went back, sat in one of their chairs at the table and said, I’m not leaving until I know how to knit.
Now this wouldn’t normally be a bad thing, but I learned to knit during finals! I could not study my geology until I finished my row. And I had only been knitting close to two hours. I had/have a problem.
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love anything soft. It’s all about texture, you know? I love natural fibers.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A glass vase with yarn in the bottom.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I would say I’m intermediate, tho I normally choose easy projects. Life is hectic now, so mindless knitting is GOOD! I learned by going to a yarn store and saying, I’m not leaving until I know how to knit!!!
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
It’s all in my mind! LOL AND it’s L O N G!
5. What’s your favorite scent?
Grapefruit. Apples. Peaches. Funny how things change.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Not so much, I love ice cream, tho.
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I’ve tried spinning, a few times, and I’m just not very good. I make stitch markers. I, also, paint, and do photography.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I heart anything Dave Matthews Band. I like Rush, REM, The Ramones, My Chem, Deathcab for Cutie. And yes, I can play MP3’s.
9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?
I still love oranges, yellows, and reds. AND most things pink. With all the boys around, I need pink!
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
ATM, I have four kids. 3 boys, and 1 girl. And I have two dogs, a chihuahua/terrier, and a beagle.
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes!
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Anything that is easy for me to remember the pattern! I’m all about simple, and easy.
13. What are you knitting right now?
Calorimetry from knitty, and a felted flower kit.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
YES!
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I don’t like aluminum. I used to say circs, but I’m not picky right now.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I do, yes.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
It’s old.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Any that family come together.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Frogs. I love frogs.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I normally get whatever book I “need.” I don’t have any magazine subscriptions.
21. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
Not right now, no.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Love socks. I’m a size 7 US. I can measure if you need me, too.
23. When is your birthday?
August 3
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what’s your ID?
Yes, daaydreaming. Two “a’s”
Here are pictures of the scarf I made for my cousin for Christmas. I am really pleased with how it came out and I hope she is too. I am, also, making her this …. calorimetry, to go with it.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcalorimetry.html
So, at a job interview today, I was asked… Outside of your family, who are you? My first thought was…. isn’t it all about family. I’m so intwined with my family, I was really stumped. I knit, but I’m a mom that knits, while the kids play. Or, I read a lot, but mainly so I can hang in the same room with the kids while they are watching their shows. It was really odd. My family is everything, they are my center. I would be lost without them. Yes, I am my own person, and I choose to spend my time with them. MOST of the time, it’s not a chore, and it’s where I belong and I am happiest. I just couldn’t seperate myself, and that’s why I probably won’t get that job. We aren’t even going to talk about the personality test thing, which I had too much fun taking.
Today was one of the longest in my life. I watched my sister come to the realization that her decisions are hurting more people than just herself. I was watching her closely, hoping that she was fully hearing the words, fully hearing meaning comprehending and not just thinking this was going to pass on by without consequenses. Tough love maybe, something that has been too hard for me because I hate to see her cry, but that has been needed.
So, I have four kids now. My little family has grown, so quickly. I’ve been working hard to make dinners at home, and well, every meal. I was lax when it wasn’t so many to feed. The whole shower situation that was tough with two, I just haven’t thought about how it is going to work during the school year. And having a three year old, OMG, it’s been a while since Ethan was three, and I forgot the constant need for attention. She is wearing me out alone.
With the oldest at a friends for the night, I took the youngest ones to Chuck E. Cheese. Here are some pictures…. What does one when there is chaos all around? If you are me, you knit, and ignore all the noise. That’s my Lindsey scarf, the first of my Christmas presents. YAY thinking in August and not mid-December.
And finally, flowers that I got on my birthday that are so pretty!
This is my niece, isn’t she just a doll! We have been spending a lot of time together lately, and it’s been so much fun having a girl around, since I’m normally around all boys. We’ve been coloring a Dora jewelry box, pictures to come soon, A LOT of pictures. So, KK was napping this afternoon, and a Hannah Montana video came on, ( I know the boys were watching it, and she wasn’t even awake…. ) well, she had been sound a sleep, and she sits right up and sings the song, word for word, then turns right back over and goes back to sleep. I thought I was going to wake her with my laughing, and my crying because I was laughing so hard, there were tears!
Also, we have been coloring velvet Elvis paintings, ok so not Elvis, but Dora again. They have Popsicle sticks for puppets, and she took them out of the plastic and said, “Look, Aunt Dana, it’s for your nails!!” And she was so excited. All afternoon we have been filing our nails with popsicle sticks. I think tomorrow I’m going to have to break out the nail polish and paint her little toes.
She’s good for my soul.
I wanted that job at the retirement home so bad I could taste it. I’ve been going after it for almost a month, and I just got word that I got passed on. It’s hard to handle because I know this is a job where I could have learned so much, the environment was fantabulous. So, I’m pouting. I’m sad. And darn it, I STILL want that job. Now, I just have to keep looking for something kinda the same, and one that makes me want to be there. *pout pout pout* GRRRRR
I’ve been working on a scarf for my cousin for Christmas. Hey, Steph, this is the karaoke yarn that you sent me, the green stuff, and OMG, I LOVE IT! Then I ran into a problem, I didn’t have enough for the pattern I am using because well, one I sort made it up, and two, I had no idea a scarf would go more than 200 mtrs, you know. The GOOD news is… I found some at my LYS with the same dye lot…. SWEET. I’ll be posting pictures soon. It’s coming out so nice.
I posted some pictures of some of the first projects that I made. I think number three, four, and five. The scarf – three. The purse – four. The hat – five. Also, a picture of me and my uncle being silly, when I was way young.
