Wednesday 8 April 2009
So long for now
I've not blogged for ages and have really got out of the habit. I'm not even sure anyone reads this blog any more, but I'll type this little message anyway.
I'm not going to be blogging for a while. Other things are going on at the moment. Some people already know why, some will find out shortly. Having a change of scenary for a while and going to do lots of thinking. Blogging won't be part of that.
Thanks.
Goodbye.
Saturday 21 March 2009
Long time, no blog
Last Friday things went into overdrive when Ofsted announced they would be coming to school. I have worked like a demon for a week. I was in school at 8am Saturday and Sunday making sure everything was ship shape. I've been staying at work until 8pm and getting up in a morning at 4.30am. I feel exhausted. They were with us Wednesday and Thursday and everyone was nervous and stressed. I put everything I had into the inspection and was interviewed by them twice.
Yet, did they come and see one of my excellent lessons? No! I feel completely dejected and flat. Other members of staff are saying it's better not to be observed, but I really don't feel like that. I feel like I wanted to make a contribution. I feel all the hours were pointless. The kids were brilliant, I wanted to show them off.
Yesterday at work I couldn't be bothered. I just feel so drained. Also, we were told by the doctor looking after Ezzie's mum to meet him on Friday at 5pm. Basically, he thinks she has cancer of the pancreas. He can't be sure because there is no reliable test, apart from operating which he doesn't think is a good idea. If she has, then she has two years to live. I just cannot believe we have all the hospital stuff to expect again. Ezzie feels that his small family is shrinking at a terrible rate. We both really hoped 2009 was going to be a better year, yet it's already not turning out that way.
Sunday 1 March 2009
Anything but marking
Yesterday I had a nice surprise. I ordered some knitting books on the net and was told they would not arrive until May. The website said they were in stock so the possibility of them arriving in May was disappointing. Yesterday there was a knock at the door and two of my books had arrived! It was most exciting.
Mara had shown me her copy of the sock book and I'd wanted it ever since. There are some gorgeous socks in there. I'm on the second Nutkin sock at the moment, but after that I'll be knitting something from the book. Every single pattern is gorgeous and it suggest suitable yarns for the patterns, which is a great help as well. This book is probably going to contribute to my lack of marking this weekend.
Saturday 21 February 2009
Half term review
Unfortunately the owner told us that with the economic downturn, business has been really slow. This is such a shame because this house is stunning and the breakfast was lovely. (If anyone wants to go and stay somewhere nice in Whitby, I can pass on the details.)
We did a lot of walking and we were lucky that it didn't rain. After the snow the paths were incredibly muddy and that got on my nerves a lot of the time, but we still had a great time. I got to wear my finished houndstooth gloves, which I am still really pleased with and proud of.
During the time away I started a new sock. This is Nutkin and is my new pattern for February. The yarn is from the Knitting Godess - 4 ply superwash merino in Same Difference, colourway Raspberry. I like the yarn but I reduced the number of stitches to 60 and the socks are now really tight. These will be for my mum as she has really skinny ankles, feet and legs.
Last weekend I went home to visit my family. I'd made my cousin some Bradford City socks from King Cole, Merino blend superwash wool, Double Knit. Shade 32, dye lot 33603 is the claret and Shade 10, dye lot 34483 is the amber. My cousin loved them.
I loved knitting these socks. The yarn is gorgeous, it is just so soft on your fingers. As its double knit it also knits up quickly and on fewer stitches. I've bought a lot of this yarn because I have some uncles who also want Bradford City socks now.
So, that's half term almost over. In two mornings' time I'll be getting up for work. It doesn't appeal, but never mind. I've had a lovely half term.
Saturday 7 February 2009
Snow allows knitting
It is definitely no longer a sock. Fair Isle socks are just not going to happen but at least I've learnt that through the process. What I especially like is the fact that I've designed it. I've written the pattern down as I go along so I can make its twin identical. It feels very satisfying. I definitely need some gloves in this weather.
Tuesday 3 February 2009
February Fair Isle
I have also completed the blue socks for my friend Carlos. They will be sent to Switzerland at the weekend and will come in very useful in the Alps.
I was given a lovely present recently from Knitbird, which will come in really handy for my future self-designed socks. The stitches are really easy to use as they have big photos and have one stitch pattern per card. Very transportable. Thank you Knitbird.
Monday 19 January 2009
Older and wiser?
I've not been blogging much as last week was manic at school. We've had a health drive and all sorts of activities were organised. It went really well, though it did affect my health as I was not sleeping for all the worry. As far as I am aware, there were no glitches, so this weekend I took it easy and caught up on some sleep.
My friend Di has been in the UK for a few weeks. Her holidays in Australia are during our winter as it is their summer. It was really nice to spend time with her and such a shame that she has now gone back. She still wants me to go out there as it'll be another year before she can visit here again. I want to see her, but I have no appetite for Australia or the inevitable long journey. I need to think about what to do.
This weekend a group of us went with Di to see Slumdog Millionaire. What a film! It was brilliant, from start to finish. I haven't been able to stop thinking about this film. There are some awful moments in it and I couldn't watch parts of it because it was too grusome, but if you can go and see it, I strongly recommend it. The child actors at the beginning are amazing. It has every human emotion and a great story as well.
Tonight I'm missing my Mandarin class. I'm off to the theatre. I have been working hard on my Chinese recently and am learning more of the characters. It's hard going, but it's bound to be. I just have to accept that progress is slow but that with perseverence I will manage it.
On the knitting front, it won't surprise you to see more socks. I may be older, but a leopard doesn't change its spots, especially an old leopard. These socks are Opal Acapulco 1306 and are for a friend at school's wife. The yarn has been in my stash for over a year and I can't even remember buying it, but I think it looks great and I'm sure the recipient will like them. I've still got quite a bit of yarn left so I am going to make some stashbusters using black yarn.
At the moment I am knitting a pair of socks for an old friend I met many years ago in Switzerland. We've not seen one another for nine years, but we still have contact from time to time. I'm sure he will love these socks, but he'll be surprised that I made them because I knew him in my non-knitting days. They are Regia 4 ply Line Steps Color in 05368. They initially look plain but there are odd stripes and dashes of colour, which I think gives them depth.
When these are finished I'm going to finish Ezzie's pixie socks as I have Second Sock Syndrome at the moment and he keeps reminding me about it. I'm then going to start some socks for me. If I don't blog before next week, Happy Chinese New Year!