Miscellany
THINGS: This week was parent/teacher conference week at school. For me, this means 1) a bunch of emails as I coordinate the teachers’ treats, 2) some baking on my part (Cowboy Cookies w/Halloween M&M’s instead of chocolate chips, and 7-Layer Bars with about 11 layers), and, most importantly, 3) sweating a bit in anticipation of the actual conferences. Both went great. Thing One has improved a LOT in math, going basically from a D to a B+ just since school started. Woot! She’s also focusing much better and doing much better at getting her work done in a timely manner. Since Mrs. G moved her to the front of the room in a different pod, she’s less distracted by social stuff, most likely b/c a) she can’t see as many people, and b) she’s sitting with a girl she thinks is bossy, so she’s not as inclined to be social with her. Thing Two is doing really well, too, though we had to have a little talk afterwards about how it’s not really appropriate to talk at school about how babies come from the mama’s uterus.
YOU TUBE: So, Hubby was watching a bunch of 80’s rock on YouTube the other night. Pretty funny. A bit scary, too; I still know 90% (OK, 98%) of the words to Sister Christian. Anyhow, if you have ANY doubts about guitar-playing and its…uh…symbolic significance for men, watch this Aldo Nova video. Even if you disagree, it’s great fun to laugh at his silly clothes.
BOBCAT’S MOM: Hubby and I are still on call. Mrs. G is definitely in the final stages, though she seems to rally a bit on the weekends. On a related note, Bobbi’s commissioning me to use the leftover yarn from her mom’s garterlac shawl to make her sister Cindy a scarf for Christmas. Kind of a nice, sentimental tie-in, eh? Sure, the yarn’s crummy, but it’s the sentiment that’s important.
KNITTING: I’ll have pictures tomorrow (assuming the assault on Thing One’s room doesn’t kill me), but it’s going pretty well. Mostly. I’m having much more compassion on knitting designers who don’t come out with new patterns as quickly as the public would wish. Knit a few inches. Frog. Knit a few inches. Frog. Knit a few inches. Frog VEEEEERRRRYYY carefully so the wool doesn’t turn into sheepy dreadlocks. Repeat. Sigh.
Anyhow, I’m about ready to start the decreases on the green hat that matches the embossed twining vine leaf scarf. I’ve also re-started the fisherman’s rib scarf (16 stitches narrower, so I’ll actually have enough yarn to finish it) and have about five inches of it done. Sometimes, ya just gotta knit something simple. I really love how squishy this ribbing is. Ubersquishy. I’m also feeling serious baby gift stress. I need to make things for:
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Chen-Chen’s son (I missed the shower and promised I’d have something special done before he’s born)
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Suzanne’s son (How could I *NOT* make something for this kid, I ask you?)
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Marianela’s son
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Julie’s son
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Tanya’s son
Yes, there’s a bit of a baby boom going on. I hope there’s no one else I’m unaware of….
THE CRUD: Thing Two’s still coughing up a lung. If she’s not improving by Monday, I’ll take her to the doctor. I’m sure it’s just “kindergarten cough”, but she’s been coughing a long time. Hubby’s doing better.
ME: Not only am I old and needing bifocals, but I’m falling apart. The dentist says I need to get my fillings replaced b/c they’re 30+ years old and wearing out. And I’ve been breaking out more than is normal for me, too. And my back’s a mess. Yupp. I’m coming apart at the seams, folks.
