Knitterly updates

My knitting is slowing down now that homework is ramping up. Also around the corner is the rush of school field trips at the WATER Center once Labor Day is over. I do have one project 50% complete - an RPM sock using J. Knits "Kansas" colorway and Lang Yarns' Jawoll superwash for the cuff, toe and heel. You can purchase these awsome yarns at Wichita's newest yarn shop, Twist.

Personally, I am unhappy with the way the gusset connects with the foot so I think I'll stray from the pattern a little on the next foot. I dislike the row of purls that it called for between the ktog/ssk and the main body of the foot.

I still have a ton of "Kansas" left...even with one sock to go... and am toying with Eunny Jang's entrelac pattern for my next project with this colorway (along with some solid colors of Jawoll).

Also...exciting news. My friend Jess dropped of our tickets for the Yarn Harlot! Wahoo!

Back to School

I think my knitting is going to suffer for the next nine months. Darn education.

School starts up again tonight and the courses I'm enrolled for look to keep me busy. As it stands, I am nine hours into my Masters in Resource Interpretation from Stephen F. Austin State University. This is an on-line only program that was developed for the National Park Service Park Rangers. Since the National Parks are spread out all over the States, it is logical to have classes in a virtual classroom.

This semester I'm taking two courses again (in the Spring I can only handle one....work is too hectic during those months). Curriculum Based Interpretation should be familiar enough - I have been customizing my programs to school standards for a number of years. However, Interpretive Planning will be a huge jump for me. This is a concept that I have been struggling with while trying to operate the WATER Center's education program.

Nine hours down, enrolled in six, fifteen and a thesis to go. I'm thinking 2010. Sheesh.

Finished Objects

I finished up the Lacy-edged Tee (knitpicks) and whipped out some booties and the Unbiased bag (kintty). I also lined the Unbiased with a cool piece of fabric that my sis wove some years ago. If feel so strange to actually FINISH something. I need to keep going on this trend.

Busy Busy

I haven't decided why my life is so busy. Do I take on things I shouldn't? Do I get assigned things that I can't get out of? Do I have too many hobbies? Do I have poor time management? Who knows. All I know is that:

• four grants due
• need to complete trail grant project - meet with Eagle Scout this week
• spinning class in Lawrence
• grad school starts back up next week - need to buy books
• Christmas knitting
• finish posters and displays for WATER Center exhibit hall
• RFP for 2007-2008 WRAPS position
• Develop position description for 2008-2009 WRAPS grant

Sigh...it is too depressing to type it all out. It all due on or before 8/31.

Back to work.

Kitty Loooooves Finished Projects

I finished a Mason Dixon Baby Kimono knit in Paton's Paradiso (discontinued...boo hoo). It turned out so cute! I adapted it and made it a little more outdoorsy. The way I knit it, it will probably fit a 12 month old. I'm working on a pair of booties to match.

The funny part happened when I tried to take a picture of the finished project. Kitties love yarn.

Shot #1:


Shot #2:

Shot #3

Ugh.

Babysittin'

Last week we had the opportunity to babysit for Kris and Jess' baby boy, Finn. He, he, he...ya think we are ready for a kid?

Don't eat Spicy Food Before Bed

Sorry for the lack of postings this week - everytime I think I'll have a moment to sit down at the computer, something else happens.

I do want to use this time to pass on some sage advice - don't eat pizza before bed. I realized this long ago but had sorta forgotten what spicy food does to my dreams. I end up having the worst nightmares and Tuesday night was no different. That night I had gone out with the Wichita Paddlers for a Tuesday Night Pizza Meeting at Godfather's. Mmmmm.....pizza.

After a very restless night (I won't go into the horrifying nightmares and freaking out that there HAD to be somebody breaking into the house) and being woken up at 4:30 am by the brat-cat (Typhoon) dropping a wooden toy down the wooden stairs (how did she manage that????), there came a hilarious dream:

Pat and I had just received two little girls in foster care - one was two years old and the other was a baby. We were playing with them in the living room and trying to get acquainted. I asked the toddler their names....her name was "Aloe Vera" and the baby's name was "Crochet."

No pizza before bed. Period.

Room Ready

Although I do not feel ready to have a child...I guess the room is. Over the past couple of months, i sold some of my backpacking gear on eBay to fund our new hobby - parenting. We moved the guest bed out on to the landing and moved the hide-a-bed into the guest room. It means that the guest area is less than private but I have already gotten used to the bed being at the top of the stairs. It does provide guest with access to the TV, though.

I refused to repaint the walls so I had to rip out the wallpaper that I LOVED to put up something less Victorian and more kid-friendly. We are borrowing the bed from Lecia and were given the changing table by her friend Angie. I think we have everything but a car seat, diapers and formula. I figure it is best to see what age we get before buying that stuff. The other side of the room (not shown in the picture) is where the couch is. Above the couch are two big Ikea Lova Leaves - so cool!

Our temporary license came in the mail on Friday - so I guess we are official. Hopefully our Foster Care Worker will call us soon so that we can meet her and start learning the process.

Guess I better start knitting kid stuff!

"P" is for Procrastination

I know I put things off. Most of the time it is not deliberate. Okay...it is deliberate. But, sometimes I'm just busy. Since last Friday, I have prepped materials and supplies for yesterday's Senior Wednesday Program - "Edible Wetlands." The Interns dug the cattails last Friday, I soaked the roots all weekend, peeled the tubers on Monday, ground and dehydrated the tubers all day Monday (my day off) and cooked late into the night Tuesday night. I finally finished my PowerPoint on Wednesday at 10 am.

The program went off without a hitch - it was great. Then I came to the realization that I had a whole NEW program the next day (at 1 pm) about mussels. Luckily it will be with kiddos. I was naive enough to think that maybe these kids would be able to carve their own shell button or something. Last night (when trying the idea out), I realized that shells are crazy-hard. Plan B - scrimshaw. We'll see how it turns out.