Christmas slippers, at last!

I finally finished Hubby's Christmas slippers! Just in time to start this year's presents :)

Good thing we found presents for almost half of our family members so far!   :)

A "little" delay

So I've been playing catch-up with my temperature afghan...
February 16th we got a positive pregnancy test, had to wait almost a month for dating ultrasound, and found out on Saint Patrick's Day that our wee leprechaun is due on the 21st of October, give or take a few weeks.
I've had minimal morning sickness and very little weight gain (yay!) :)  pretty sure I've been able to feel baby since a little before 12 weeks.
We're going to try our hardest to wait until October to find out whether baby is a he or a she. :)
So that being said, I've been feeling a lot better and have more energy now (not as much as before, but getting there.... Hopefully, ha ha...) so I've been cranking out the days on my afghan, and it's so much fun seeing all the colors popping out.
Mad props to Weather Underground for having a weather history section for crazy pregnant ladies like myself who need to catch up on incredibly ambitious crochet projects :)

accountability

Here is a list of projects I am currently working on:

Ask me about them.

crocheted Fan blanket - for Jordan and Christee (about 3/4 finished!)

crocheted driving cap - for uncle Joe (the assembly instructions were terrible...)

hexagon hope chest quilt (because i am insane) - about less than 1' x 1' currently sewn together; lots of pieced hexagons ready, though.

cross stitch from forever ago...

crewel from a few years ago...

two braid crochet blankets ...

accountability

Here is a list of projects I am currently working on:

Ask me about them.

crocheted Fan blanket - for Jordan and Christee (about 3/4 finished!)

crocheted driving cap - for uncle Joe (the assembly instructions were terrible...)

hexagon hope chest quilt (because i am insane) - about less than 1' x 1' currently sewn together; lots of pieced hexagons ready, though.

cross stitch from forever ago...

crewel from a few years ago...

two braid crochet blankets ...

projects as of late...

Lately I am (still) working on:

pillowcase dresses galore!!

sheet-strippy-quilts

afghans:
-Baby Rebecca (almost done!)

-Christee and Jordan (I can take longer on this one, because their wedding date keeps changing!)

-Vincent's 100"

-Kelli & Dennis

-Baby Weeks

Finished:

Christine and Buck!

projects as of late...

Lately I am (still) working on:

pillowcase dresses galore!!

sheet-strippy-quilts

afghans:
-Baby Rebecca (almost done!)

-Christee and Jordan (I can take longer on this one, because their wedding date keeps changing!)

-Vincent's 100"

-Kelli & Dennis

-Baby Weeks

Finished:

Christine and Buck!

My Bucket List of Resolutions as a 20-something:

My Bucket List of Resolutions as a 20-something:

short term: years 25 to 30, ‘Til He Returns / or Calls Me Home:

GOALS FOR MY 25^TH THROUGH 30^TH YEARS (in no particular order)

• Delight in my Lord daily, not getting discouraged when I fail or things don’t “go my way.”

I’ve learned a lot this past year already about the importance of finding my delight solely in Him; surrounding myself with believers, and immersing myself in His word only adds to the beauty I see in His sacrificial, gracious love us-ward.

• Learn OT Greek

On my way, actually! I found a book on sale, and I’ve got the alphabeta down ;) and can read words… Now, on to grammar, vocabulary, and everything else!

• Keep praying for and writing to Ol’ Whoever He May Be, and wait patiently for the Lord to smack him upside the head and get his booty over here… I mean, Wait on the Lord for His choice. ;)

Since at least elementary school I’ve wanted to get married, like most females, but it wasn’t until high school that I realized I need to be praying for him, even if I have no idea he is, or if I am even one of those that “end up married.” Praying for him helps keep my heart in check, and my eyes on the one who made me as the true Lover of my face. Saving my kisses for him also keeps my mind away from dwellation on things of the flesh.

• Start an actual group for people (not just women) to learn to crochet: as ministry, outreach, and fellowship: Check

God has blessed my desire and passion with this already, and the Tabitha Club has been a lot of fun and a great way to connect with women of all ages! I’ve also been able to teach several people the basics of crochet!

• See the Grand Canyon - again: Check.

I went on a day trip this spring (2009) after spending the night in Flagstaff at a coworker’s house, and it was amazing. Next time, though, I am taking someone with me. Big things like that are much better shared!

• Lose 40 lbs.

I’ve somehow made ten disappear, but I would like the rest to just leave, as well.

• Get a master's degree and my teacher’s certificate

Some people may not hold much to getting online degrees, but this is the path I’ve chosen (for now), and I’m on my way to getting it done! I’m single, 25, and the only thing tying me down is the need to get a teaching certificate so I can get an actual Teaching Job wherever He can best use me!

• Run a marathon. Or something similar to a long distance

This will help me beat my body into submission, because I don’t want to be a pear on my 30^th birthday. Hehe.

• Shoot something besides skeet

I want to get a hunter’s license and shoot something. And say “I shot a something” and not just be telling tall tales. I am working on getting into a hunter’s safety class to get this one started J

• Write a book

I’ve started numerous books, but for some reason cannot get past the first few chapters. Disciplining myself with daily and weekly writing goals will help me hone my writing skills. Hence, part of why I blog…

• Be a better listener and a better questioner

I want to learn how to listen better because so many people come to me for advice (yikes!) and yet I still somehow let myself get distracted by the things of this world rather then dropping what I deem necessary to give myself to the people that trust me with their souls. I also want to learn to be better at asking questions that make sense, especially if no one else is doing the asking in a group of people.

• Spoil my nieces and nephews

…But in a good way. I want to use the time God’s given me to bear my friends’ burdens, helping out where I can and when I can, and encouraging them in being the best mums and dads they can. Even though I’m not a parent, I can ease their burdens by listening, visiting, sending packages, and washing dishes.

• Be more consistent with my written correspondence

I enjoy writing letters and notes to people, but so often I let other things get in the way; Getting things in the mail besides bills can be the highlight of a terrible day, and I love being able to be a tiny part of a smile on someone’s face. J I can understand Paul when he said, “I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”

• Memorize the book of Romans.

I’m a little more than 1/32 done! I started awhile ago, but left off before I went to North Dakota

• Study Navajo and Arabic, and keep up with my Spanish and Russian

I love languages, and how they work; I have a few books I would love to work on while I “have time,” I would like to learn at least the basics – phonics, grammatical structure,

• Go to Turkmenistan, or at least South America

I might not make it to Central Asia (monetarily) in five years, but eventually I would love to go there. Call me nuts, but ever since I did my 10/40 window project on that country in my senior year of high school, that country has held a special place in my heart. That is also part of why I took Russian…
And if an opportunity arises, I’d love to go to a country in SA or CA, specifically somewhere in the Andes where there are indigenous peoples. We could crochet together.

• Have my “own place” again…

There’s nothing wrong with living at home, but it’s harder to have people over spontaneously to feed them or randomly workout, or just to have secret conversations about all things under the sun,… Basically, I just want my own place for ministry purposes, and a place to keep books

• Go to a few more National Parks – namely, Yellowstone, Glacier, Arches, and revisit Theodore Roosevelt (North and South Units!) And also perhaps visit Alaska.

I love that God put so much detail into the world He formed, and the few national parks I’ve been to have opened my eyes to how Big He is. I also just miss the sky.

• Make my own version of Edwards’ Resolutions: hence, this list.

He was younger than I when he resolved such-and-such, and having something in writing will keep me accountable. Also, anyone reading this must needs feel freely obligated to ask me how things are progressing in the various bullets J

tests and babies.

So I haven't had internet at my trailer for almost a week. Which is not good considering I have two huge tests to study for, and I can't email myself my lessons to the school computer to print off.... Stinky.
So we spent the majority of the week working on our salt dough maps. They actually are turning out better than I expected, and I think the kids actually possibly enjoyed them.

As far as Spanish, though, I'm pretty sure I am a terrible teacher. I am going to try and tie in the vocab we are learning somehow with the inauguration on Tuesday. At least, maybe having them read about dicatators and presidents of various countries we are studying, but in Spanish. and maybe writing a bit about them.

and we need to get to estar, but I think most of them are still confused by "ser," MEH!

so these tests I am taking this coming Saturday are (1) secondary "professional knowledge" - meaning, "how to teach high schoolers" and (2) "subject knowledge" - meaning Spanish (for me.)
I am NOT looking forward to spending a Saturday morning/ afternoon taking these tests, especially since I am very doubtful as to a positive outcome. But I will rejoice, because pass or fail, my God is amazing and has somewhere in the world for me to be... as far as my "talents" go. whatever they are.

And I'm pretty sure "kids" and "languages" and "creativity" are what I am meant to be. if that makes any sense.

So right now I am trying to listen. and look for something that's out there.
and save a little money, pay my bills, crochet a ripple blanket, listen to amazing music, learn myself the piano, and plan a trip to Mexico.


And not think too much about relationships, babies, houses, and everything that everyone else seems to be getting themselves into these days.
meh! :) which is "hem" backwards, which is what I did two nights ago to two pillows, a sweater, a long-sleeved shirt, and my life.

2008 (and some smilebox)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Sooooo much. I traveled a bajillion miles - from Michigan to North Dakota and from North Dakota to Arizona,

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I resolved to be more genuine. Which apparently some people noticed. I told a man I had fallen for him, had some good conversations with people about very real things, and sang in front of people.... Next year I resolve, hmmmm... to ..... get married? :-p

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
only like everyone. haha - Tracie and Danielle and like 15 kids at church ;)

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Granny - she was close to everyone, though...

5. What countries did you visit?
Almost went to mexico. Maybe this spring, if i can get some people to go with me. hehe....
and maybe almost went to Canada (on the west side)

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A husband? Or maybe something more tangible like a job that uses my degree and doesn't require a vast amount of random certificatings...

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
-Hiking in the badlands and seeing a thorny fruit and checking it for edibility
-eating prickly pear
-crying and laughing with some of the most amazing people in the world
-"giving up" a summer to gain the most incredible summer ever
-being called "mom" and
son" by my students
-God's provision of a job, and his provision and safety with my coche

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
somehow (thanks, Abba!) landing a job that uses Spanish in a new (slightly warm) location :)

9. What was your biggest failure?
I don't think I "failed" anything, except maybe nothing that i can think of....

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Only a really weird flu or virusy thing that made me leave (unwillingly) at fifth hour, drive cautiously the three miles to my trailer, spend several hours vomiting up my insides, and sleeping until 2 in the morning...

11. What was the best thing you bought?
a keyboard that teaches you to play the piano. And several million cookies and cream ice cream cones in Medora.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My students - for turning in their letters so swiftly! Now it's up to me to make sure they get some in return...

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A few people. But I'm praying for them, and I know God is working in them.

14. Where did most of your money go?
books and pillowcases and yarn and souvenirs, haha.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
my BFF Christee meeting - dating - and getting engaged to - an amazing man
two of my really good friends having babies
several more of my friends getting married or pregnant
getting a job in God's wonderful timing

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
The Medora Musical, ha ha ha ha.... I mean, really. :) Or maybe the "Medora" song. One Voice. Mylo Hatzenbuhler. The Motivator (haha). Watching Monk and all manner of television at the PP. Also, moustache bingo, which i know is not a song - but it IS usually accompanied by the music of laughter (gag).

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. Happier or sadder?
happier

ii. Thinner or fatter?
Less muscly, but not really "Fatter."

iii. Richer or poorer?
More able to pay my loans.... if that makes sense...

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
TAWG. Spending more time in the Word

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spent time by myself. Even though that wasn't that much...

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
with a ton of crazy and wonderful cousins.

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
my mither

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Kinda. More like I fell in like with the idea of a person. Or two...

23. How many one-night stands?
I went out at 1 in the morning to watch a meteor shower. No one went with me, and it was beautiful. But to answer the question, none.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Crossing Jordan (reruns) and the Office. hehe.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I am not a hater. I hug.

26. What was the best book you read?
some of them by Grace Livingston Hill

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Mylo Hatzenbuhler (haha) and James Newton Howard

28. What did you want and get?
to see my family for Christmas :) :)

29. What did you want and not get?
a man. Well, kinda. That's weird.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I didn't see very many. We just watched Wall-E. Cute! Batman: Dark Knight and Australia were both amazing. I think that was the extent of my filmage. Was Ratatouille this year?

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I .... something lame like watch tv and talk to people on the phone. I had a few people over the day after and we looked at some rocks I found. ...

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having a Starbucks closer than 2 hours away. bua ha ha...

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Pretending to dress like a grown-up professional-yet-sexy woman?? ha.

34. What kept you sane?
crochet and text messages. :)

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hugh Jackman, Jude Law, Chad Willow (ha ha - only because he is cool. I don't know, lol.) ???

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Obama the Llama. No, seriously. hehe.

37. Who did you miss?
My mom. Christee. Kel. Lesley. My girls (and guys) from this summer. My church people that didn't email or write to me. (seriously?! ) the people that did write to me. my brothers growing taller...

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Callie and Kim and Seth... and Betsy and Jeff...

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Letting someone lead is really, really hard sometimes. But it's easier with your eyes closed, especially when the other person wants to lead. :)

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"One kid dreams of fame and fortune
One kid helps to pay the rent
One could end up goin' to prison
One just might be president.

Only in america
Dreamin' in red, white, and blue
Only in america
Where we dream as big as we want to.
We all get a chance
Everybody gets to dance
Only in america.
-Brooks and Dunn"

plarnsenger bag,

Another fire drill! That makes three!
And it is "spirit day" which means that there is chaos and half of my classes are going to be out working on floats - and we have a test in here on Monday.... meh!

I am going to try to use this time - before the pep rally, at least - to plan for next week. And, since we don't have books yet, to use the Paso a Paso website to make up some vocabulary handouts and worksheets using the aforementioned vocabulary.

So I call the kids in my classes "children" - like when it's time to get started, I'll say "Alright children, get out your packets,..." and funny times - some of them call me "mom" now - "Okay, mom." hahahahahah. this makes me smile. :)

I went to my first lady Pirates volleyball game last night - It was confusing because they played to 25 for each match.... our girls are pretty good - the other team was decent, too - we had several long volleys going there for awhile.

I am mostly done with my plarnsenger bag - my plarn messenger bag... :)
yey.
i am going to make some mittens.
and keep working on my blanket. and the baby sweater that I started....
for a girl baby.
The girls in my 1st hour just happened to have "John Tucker Must Die"with them, and I just happened to bring my DVD player... so they are watching it. Danielle (who brought it) has hot pink hair. :) hehe.

Back to making up stuff to learn next week! :)
and making students turn things in! :)

and maybe going to the football game tnight. if i can find someone to go with - I went to the bonfire last night and no one really talked to me, and I couldn't find any "teachers" to hang out with, so I left.

Baby Fun

I crocheted these booties and the bear a few months ago for my friends Gabe & Beka's new baby, Gabe.

I didn't even use a pattern for the bear, and look how he turned out! :-D

Baby Fun

I crocheted these booties and the bear a few months ago for my friends Gabe & Beka's new baby, Gabe.

I didn't even use a pattern for the bear, and look how he turned out! :-D

Day One

I need a place to show off.

I've decided that since my brain is far more right-sided than anything else, I am going to be sharing lots of pictures of my current milliion projects underway.

and i am definitely planning on putting up photos of my UFOS. (unfinished objects). As proof that I can finish something-or-other.

for example, the wavy shades of purple afghan was finally finished this past December in time for my friend Tracie's wedding. I'd originally started it as a birthday present for the same friend a few years ago.

Day One

I need a place to show off.

I've decided that since my brain is far more right-sided than anything else, I am going to be sharing lots of pictures of my current milliion projects underway.

and i am definitely planning on putting up photos of my UFOS. (unfinished objects). As proof that I can finish something-or-other.

for example, the wavy shades of purple afghan was finally finished this past December in time for my friend Tracie's wedding. I'd originally started it as a birthday present for the same friend a few years ago.