what have i been doing?

well mostly getting ready for school. The month of August has FLOWN by. My SIL left at the beginning of the month. It took a couple of days to recuperate from all the running. We're not so used to late nights and then being out all the next day and we (and the kids) were tired... so we spent a couple of days just getting our legs back, so to speak.

That next weekend first a little rest and relaxation and renewal with two of my best friends from college... it was WONDERFUL. We picked up just where we left off over 20 years ago. I can't say how good that was for my soul. Now we're staying in touch with facebook, although I may drop them a text message now and again, just to haunt them!

Then I got home and one of my dear friends and colleagues passed away from cancer. It was a shock to all of us. It was merely one month from diagnosis to death. I spent that week in a fog. I still can't believe she's gone.

The rest of the time was spent in full steam preparation for the kids and myself for school... uniforms - check, school supplies - check, open house at the kids school- check, meeting the new teachers- check, get my classroom in shape - check (or thereabouts) lesson plans - ongoing check (which is why I've been awol.... it's a long story that I'm not ready to complain about now, because there is no time to do so)

I was really leary about this year and was in my principals office my first day weeping a bit. Of course some of that could have been because my baby went to kindergarten that day and I didn't even get to say goodbye because I have to leave before the kids are awake.
But then last Tuesday as I was driving to school I saw this:

I took it as a sign that things would be OK this year....And for the first inservice day I knit the wallet in the Cat Bordhi book A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting. So I learned the invisible cast on and can now use that to knit toe up socks!

The baby still doesn't want to be at school although I picked him up after his first day and he was all smiles... but he doesn't like the fact that he's learning Mandarin Chinese. Well we're all doing things we'd prefer not, and we have to do them the best that we can. I remind him of that daily.

My first 3 days with students was fine... I hope it continues that way. I know it's the honeymoon, but......
The schedule is nuts. I meet with each class for about 90-100 minutes for 30 consecutive days, then don't see them the rest of the year. So I need to cram a lot of stuff into a small time. I'm still waiting on the recorders to be delivered. I have some really fun plans with those!

The kids and I visited mom today with the sheer intent of finding her hearing aid. It's been lost for a month. THere was an angel on my shoulder because I found it after about 4 minutes of searching. SO Mom left for church and we stayed and I cleaned out a little more... could you find everything mom? I tried not to put too many things in new places. Cleaned the cat litter since she can't. Today I also started the winter sling bag from the same aforementioned Bordhi book, on the way home while DH drove. I want to put the wallet in the bag so I'll be felting them at the same time. That möbius strip takes forever to knit! I'm hoping the end result rocks.

OK that's it for now... I'm beat and have to pack my lunch and finish some school work and be out of the house by 6:15 tmrw...

what are we doing fun today?

we've been on the go like crazy.

Monday we went to see the Iron Pigs . The game was tied 3-3 in the 5th.... and the tie broke in the top of the 15th.. they lost! We sat on the picnic patio with the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the American Chemists Society.

Tuesday we went to Coney Island. First the aquarium. The only thing we didn't get to see was the children's petting part. We didn't arrive until about 11 because the traffic was pretty backed up. It worked out OK though because there were lots of groups from schools and day camps there and they cleared out earlier than we did. This is part of our membership for the zoos in NYC area. There are plenty more pictures.


After that we went up on the boardwalk and hit a few amusements. The kids did some and DH and I went on the famous Wonder Wheel. Of course we took a swinging car... there is one point when you're coming down that feels like you'll continue right off the edge of the ferris wheel. Cool views..and interestingly enough it's made from steel from Bethlehem Steel. I thought the price was a bit steep for one ride. Now I understand the allure of places like Hershey and Dorney Parks.



After that he and I and DD went on the Cyclone Rollercoaster It was SO much fun. There is a discount for second ride if you do it right away. Instead of $8 it's $5... We only did it once... but i LOVED it!




Wednesday, DH and I went into NYC while my SIL watched the kids. I wanted to take him to see Wicked for his birthday, but he didn't want to spend that much on tickets. So we took a bus in (waited at the depot for 2 hours.. .darn Bieber lines, that's a whole other story though...) stood in line about 10 minutes at TKTS and got 50% off tickets for West Side Story.. a show he really loves. We ate lunch at the Olive Garden I love that you can have as much salad as you want. Saw the matinee and then walked up and in and around Central Park, about the city etc after the show. We took the night tour bus and crossed the bridge into Brooklyn (that bridge crossing felt almost like an amusement park ride! You are so high up!) We really had a blast and I took lots of other pictures...

Thursday I took a friend to her doctor appt. and then ran to the doctor myself. My legs were swollen and had little spotted red broken blood vessels that originated from my sock line looked like this. None of the docs could figure it out, but after some research, my symptoms point to Henoch-Schönlein purpura. The swelling has resolved and the spots are lighter... I'm not worried.


Friday we went to dinner at Mama Nina's for DH's birthday. Later we had a cake for him. We feted him with breakfast in bed and some Argentine gifts, soccer ball, water bottle, bag, lanyard etc and I made him this necktie.





Pattern: My own - will post later
Yarn: I spun during last year's Tour de Fleece. Top was bought at Milana Hilados in Buenos Aires
Needle: US1
More details to follow.


Yesterday we went to Bushkill Falls
We hiked the red trail, ate lunch, went mining for gold, played on the playground, ate ice cream. The weather was perfect and DS2 lasted almost until the end of the hike (good thing because he isn't a lightweight)

We saw a doe in the woods. She couldn't have cared a bit for all the 'human' noise around. It was a perfect day for the hike. Weather was incredible! And we all slept VERY well. SIL and I stayed up to watch the DVD the Blindside... beautiful story. Bullock deserved the oscar she won!

My SIL leaves tonight and the rest of the week is the start to prepare for back to school for all of us. I have a few fun excursions left though b4 it all ends....

I'll post the tie pattern later :-)