In like a lion

Isn't that the saying? In like a lion, out like a lamb... that is for March, right? Well here in Indiana, March came in like a lamb, and now it seems the lion is around the corner. It was so refreshing to have sunshine and warmish weather this weekend, we drove with the sunroof open and wore short sleeves. Of course it won't last long-- snow is already in the forecast for tonight. 

I really shouldn't complain though, my dad sent me photos of their house in Michigan-- that's some snow! It probably won't all melt away until mid April. Curt likes to check the Nashville forecast against ours here and see how much warmer it is there. We will be there someday to enjoy the nicer weather... 

There are probably a lot of things I should be doing right now, and blogging is not one of them. In fact, I should probably eat something before I start doing anything else. 

What's with cleaning?

I didn't get called in to sub today, so I am taking the day to clean house. I have been slacking on laundry for too long, and now I am paying. Which reminds me, the underwear batch it probably ready for the dryer. In the meantime I have been washing dishes, picking things up, and getting distracted on the internet. Next task: cleaning the living room of all my crafting/sewing/knitting things. I was working on stuff this weekend, and the overflow is just hanging out in the living room, much to my husband's disappointment. He'll be happy to see I've tidied up when he gets home from school.

On another cleaning note-- does anyone know a good way to clean the silicone baking stuff? I used my Chefmate cake pan to bake the other day, and it is so hard to clean! Both Curt and I have washed it, and it's still gunky. I think the main problem is the cooking spray, but I have to use that or everything will stick. Any suggestions?

Back to the life of a housewife....

Christmas in February?

So today was February 25, two months from Christmas. I published some Christmas pictures today for my family, and thoughtI'd put some cute ones on here. I hate putting pictures on my blog, they always go wacky and the formatting gets all screwed up. Anyone have any tips?

First, my grandma with the scarf I knit for her. It was a very simple garter stitch scarf and I used the 99 cent Yarn Bee Mosiac Twist yarn from Hobby Lobby. It was so easy to knit, and don't tell my grandma, but also super cheap (I used about 2 skeins = $2), but Grandma loves it so much, and to my surprise, it matches her winter coat perfectly. I choose to do the garter stitch because I knew that would be nice and tight and keep the cold air out. It worked, because she tells me every time we talk how much she loves her scarf, how warm it is, and how many compliments she gets on it wherever she goes. I think a homemade gift, regardless of the price or time, is all about the love that goes into it. Most people don't always get that, but grandmas are always happiest to get a gift that had thought and love,

and that's what I love about grandmas.

And here's a nice one of my parents, sister, Curt, and me. I think it's silly and really captures all our silly attitudes. Especially the look on my dad's face... he's probably the goofiest of us all, which is fitting, because he used to be a clown. His name is Goober. Silly, I know, but that's my family.

Now it's officially time for me to go to bed, I have to substitute tomorrow and I don't know if we are going to get that 2-hour delay I was planning on earlier.

Birthday Surprise!

Curt surprised me with a birthday present last night, and boy was it a surprise because my birthday isn't until March. Exactly a month out, actually. He gave it to me after a long night, so I didn't get to play much with it last night. Today after we got back from church I hopped right on and started downloading widgets and other fun things to play with.

I also finally put some pictures from my camera onto my computer, they've been hiding for too long.

... the first socks I knit. I finished these awhile ago, with a pattern from the book Hip to Knit. The yarn is Trekking XXL colorway 80. 

While I was knitting Finnegan joined me, he dozed off while I finished them up. I think he was jealous that I wasn't making them for him. 

Winter Weather?

Could this computer be running any slower?

Two nights ago we had 50 degree weather and tornadoes.... in January. Tonight we are going to be under a winter weather watch--- 5 to 8 inches of snow on the way. What's with this weather? It makes me wish it was just summer again when we know what the weather will be: a humid 80, just the way we like it. Thinking about summer made me think of our wedding last June.. it was the perfect early summer day. In honor of my memories, I thought I'd post a picture from that special day. If you are looking for a photographer, let me know, I have the perfect people!

The Third Week of 2008

I'm working on my third Purl Bee beret, and I got more yarn today from Hobby Lobby to make another one. I love the Baby Bee Sweet Delight yarn because it is lightweight and very, very soft. They also have a great color scheme. And to top it all off, I found a really cute color that will match my new coat and it was priced at $3.99 instead of the other yarns, which were $4.99. Their mistake, my profit! I also picked up the $.99 yarn to make some simple scarves that Curt can sell at his next concert. We figured we could just try to sell them, and if they do sell, we'd make about $10 profit.

Speaking of deals, Curt & I went to Old Navy the other day and got a ton of stuff on sale! Like a coat just like this but in navy blue. Regularly $78, I got it for about $18. RIDICULOUS!

Curt got a bunch of seasonal boxers for very cheap, which means he can finally weed out the old gross ones from his stash. Now he's going to permanently be wearing some sort of holiday boxers. His collection now includes New Year's, Valentine's, camping, hunting, and Christmas. It's quite the collection. The best part of our shopping spree? -- We had $100 total in Old Navy gift cards, so we didn't have to spend a dime.

Back to my knitting, this is going to be a nice relaxing, extra-long weekend. Now if only I can convince myself to do those dishes. How do they pile up SO quickly? I would give anything for a dishwasher.

Substitute

I work as a substitute teacher, and my husband is a permanent sub at one of the local high schools. Lately they have been very much in need of subs, because I have worked three days in a row this week! While I love the extra money, I dread that call in the morning to come in. Usually it's early in the morning, and I get up with my husband and get ready. However, today the normal 6:45 morning call did not come, 7 came and went, Curt left, and I happily rolled over in bed to enjoy my first morning of sleep in a few days. When the phone rang around 7:20 I ignored it because (1) I was already back to sleep, and (2) I didn't have any way of getting to school because our second vehicle is currently sidelined. A few minutes later Curt called me back saying that they really need someone, and he told them I could come in :-( I was not happy about that, and he had to turn around and come get me.
We just got to school now, 35 minutes late, but here nonetheless. Unfortunately I am in the ceramics classroom, which is covered in dust and clay. I mean EVERYTHING is covered, down to the keys on her computer. The dust is so thick that by the end of the day that I can feel it in my throat and lungs. It literally prevents me from properly breathing, it's a terrible suffocating feeling come 7th hour.
The kids are watching "The Great Debaters" --- not sure how, because I thought it was still only in theaters, but the sub that was subbing for, me, I guess, had it for them to watch. He's a permanent sub like Curt, and he must buy his DVDs off the black market. Too bad the only thing I can see is the back of the TV... I would really like to see that movie.
Curt and I went to see Juno this past weekend, it was really good. I was really looking forward to it, and it didn't disappoint. There were a couple plot issues that I didn't like, and kind of ruined the innocence of the film, but overall it was really entertaining.
I've become very distracted.. back to the substitute thing.
The great thing about subbing? -- I get to knit a ton! I've done so many dishcloths in this school it's ridiculous. Right now I am working on my third Purl Beret from purlbee.com. It's a really great hat, and I enjoy knitting it up.
Time for second hour, I best be on my way...