Remember high school? Yeah, I hated it too. I never understood why I cared so much about what some people thought! I wish I had the strength then that I have now.

Now, I do what I want…when I want and I let others’ opinions (mostly) roll off my back.

So, why have I been struggling to knit a Clapotis or Jaywalkers? Don’t get my wrong – I do love them. And, since they are so easy I can see why they are popular. But as I frogged both items this weekend – not at the same time, that would have been traumatic! – I sort of felt relieved. I realized that I was knitting them because I felt I had too. I was wanting to fit in again! I didn’t want to finally get to join Ravelry and be the only kid wearing the Sears brand in stead of Levis! I mean, look! Right on the front page – Jaywalkers!!

I decided that I’m going to be the adult that I am – and resist the temptation to knit things just so I can be part of the crowd. However, if I don’t get into Ravelry soon I am going to die!!! My life will be incomplete!!! I’ll never get happy again!!! (smack!) Ok – I’m better now. I promise to act my age! 😉 Well, maybe not MY age but older than high school!

So, what am I knitting now??

See, I never did update my progess bars.

Here are some photos from my life the past few weeks….


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We had our family picture taken for our church. Here is another one:
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J1 after his Honor Court

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J2 listening during his award ceremony

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Last week at our Knit Night – Ashely was sharing about her arts. She brought some of her beautiful woodwork, first projects (we could not get her to model them) and finally her wonderful photography and scrapbooks! Tammy is here too – admiring Ashley’s photography. If you live in the Woodland, CA area and would like to join us each week – check out: Woodland Textile Arts Guild (Wtag).

Just to clarify – no, I was not talking about Yarn Thing! 😉 I told Marly I love her music – it’s like she got in my head and grabbed all my favorites! In fact, I can’t even tell you which podcasts are bugging me – because I unsubscribed! I didn’t want anyone to freak out about what I was grumping about – it’s more about giving myself permission to not listen to every single knit (lost, firefly, etc) podcast out there. It’s ok to have my favorites and let others find theirs!

Head
– Yep, still hurts! Talked to a guy last night who said caffeine can help with migraine – but better to find my triggers and deal with them BEFORE they get to this stage. He’s not a doctor or anything – just a guy who gets headaches too.

We’ve had some significant Scout activities around here the last week or so. J1 received his scouting emblem (now I need to teach him how to sew it on his uniform) and J2 received his bear rank. So, J1 is working on his Tenderfoot and First Class scout ranks (he might be able to complete both this summer!!) and J2 will be a Webelos I next Fall. J3 and I will be Tigers next Fall too! Also, we are preparing for J1 to attend Camp Wente in July – looked at the opportunities up there – he’s going to have a BLAST!! If you have a young man in your family – check out scouts – it’s a great opportunity for them to learn so much and gain TONS of confidence!

Yarn
…well, I’ve been knitting…but not completing much! 🙁

  • Music & Lyrics’ Shrug (aka Big Shrug) – well, I put it away for the summer…it was getting big and hot in my lap….but I pulled it out yesterday. It’s like an old friend and I want to wear it the MINUTE it get cold next Fall (November?) so I’m going to keep working on it!
  • Cascade Fixation Socks – Red – I made a mistake. Argh – so they are going in the drawer – TIME OUT!
  • Clapotis in Knit Picks Shadow. Turns out the yarn is too whispery for this pattern – I really didn’t like it. So, I’m going to cast on a true lace scarf for my Secret Sister. Frogged it yesterday! sigh
  • And somehow yesterday – I was able to see straight long enough to go with Ruth to Rumpelstiltskin’s in Sacramento and buy some Lorna’s Laces in the Watercolor color. And, then somehow I cast on and knit for a bit on Jaywalkers for me! Hey! I never said I was going to be a monogamous knitter! 😉

The only downside is that I need to update my progress bars again!
I’ve got photos to post – but I’ll do it later….

I’m grumpy. I’m tired of being nice and I’ve had a headache for two days! So, I’m going to blow off a little steam here. Your choices – you can either move along and ignore this…or indulge me my grump-fest!

  1. “Say what you mean, and mean what you say!” No, I don’t think I need to clarify
  2. Everything in my life is NOT defined by my grief. Please give me a break and don’t attribute every action I have or word I say to Joshua’s death. I was struggling before he died – I continue to struggle with certain things today. If you don’t understand what I’m saying….then I’m not talking to you.
  3. Podcasts are really bugging me lately. I’ve decided that I’m giving myself permission to only listen to those with
    • decent topics
    • quality audio
    • Further to that…if you can’t figure out how to moderate the volume between your favorite music and your audio – don’t play the music! It HURTS when you are wearing headphones!
    • interesting personalities – whining is not attractive and I won’t finish listening!

    Just because someone has the ability to podcast – does not mean they SHOULD podcast. I don’t care to listen to your personal ramblings.

  4. Why does my coffee taste like an ashtray today?
  5. Why do I think I know what an ashtray tastes like?
  6. 2 days of headache – no wonder I feel like the wicked witch today

OK – I’m done grumping.

Lots of random thoughts …


… Homeschooling …
J2 will finish 3rd grade on June 15 and start 4th grade 1 week later! LOL Poor kid! Actually he probably won’t even notice! I’m going to do 3 to 4 weeks of school and then a break so we are pretty much going to a year-round schedule but some longer breaks as needed to match everyone else’s schedule.
Here is what we are planning for curriculum:
Bible – well, I still don’t have a plan – anyone have an idea?
Math – Saxon 54
Science – Apologia ‘Exploring Creation with Astronomy’
Social Studies – Beautiful Feet’s California History
Language Arts

  • Spelling – AVKO Sequential Spelling
  • Phonics Pathways
  • Narration & Story Writing
  • Appletree

That’s all I’ve got planned so far.


… May 29 …
May 29 would have been Joshua’s 5th birthday. 🙁 We are supposed to be going to the Cabin this weekend – but I don’t want to go.


… Knitting …

  • working on the Clapotis – it’s a great mix of mindless & mindful knitting.
  • Found this today – Sci Fi KAL – can’t wait try try out the patterns!