Ahhhhh... the Thanksgiving holiday. Where I give thanks that I get to spend time with my family. And spend time with them, I did. I got to Ohio on Tuesday, and stayed til Sunday. And I was sick for most of the trip. It was a good time, aside from the sickness, but I was glad to be back in my own apartment Sunday night, chilling with the kitty cats. Since I was mostly sick, I got some knitting done. I finished a holiday project (thought I'm ripping it out because I'm not all that pleased with it) and I also finished Clapotis! YAY!!! She's currently sitting in a basket waiting for ends to be tucked in, a good washing, and blocking. But she's coming with me on Sunday to New York! I get to go back there for business next week, and I'm sooooo looking forward to spending time there. I can't wait to see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. And I'm planning on catching a movie or two while I'm there. I might hit a yarn shop or two, and I totally plan on doing a bit of holiday shopping, though I'm not sure where. It's New York - it isn't like I can't find somewhere to shop, right?

After a strange, tiring, sick day at work, I got a phone call tonight from Chelsea, asking what our plans are for tomorrow night. She and I are apparently having marathon concert week. At least, it's a marathon for me. First, we're off to the 9:30 Club to see Iron and Wine. Then, on Thursday, we're heading to the State Theatre to see Bettye Lavette (yes, I spelled that right). I'm excited for them, but.... TWO WHOLE CONCERTS!! In ONE week!!! That's a record for this late twenty-something girl. And... to prove that I can still hang with the youngins' out there... I'm also teaching the days following the concerts. Should make for a fun class. Either I'll be slap happy or really really groggy. I'm hoping for the former. Anyhow, the point of my story. As I'm talking to Chelsea she asks, "Are you going to wear your Clapo-tee tomorrow night?" Ummmm... yea... I haven't even weaved in the ends. So, after getting off the phone and making a run to Whole Foods for cough drops, I weaved in ends and steam blocked the Clap. (I'm calling it the Clap these days... it makes me chuckle)

She's beautiful. I love her. I cannot wait to wear her tomorrow night. And I'm definitely... definitely taking her to NYC with me this weekend.
I thought by this time of the year, I'd be gift knitting. And yes, I have done some... but the past two days have been rather selfish days for me.

I'm knitting me a pair of socks. I've been wearing my last pair, and I can't get enough of how good homemade socks feel on my feet. I really, really doubted that I would like making socks. But I'm addicted.

To begin with, this week started as your typical "first week back from vacation" kind of week. I was truly, truly exhausted. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were spent finishing up the loose ends on a project that I've been messing with for month's now. I'm hoping that this is the end of the hard part, but it is bound to need revisions sooner or later.
Wednesday night was knitty meetup! I was a bit scared when I first got there, as no familiar faces were greeting me at Mayorga Coffee, and, because of the torrential rain we were experiencing in Maryland, it didn't seem like anyone would show. But Lara and Chelsea showed up, and much joy came of the night. We were joined on the fake leather sofas by some random man who wanted a couch to sit on while he worked on his laptop. His chuckles at our conversations made the night worthwhile. And, to make the night even better, I got plenty of work done on Clapotis.

It doesn't look much different from the last time I showed it here, but its longer. Trust me. As of this evening, I'm on the last repeat of the increase section. Almost to the home stretch now!
Thursday and Friday, I had to teach a class that I've never taught alone before. I helped to write the course material, and did plenty of editing on it, and prepared many of the screenshots for the technical demonstrations, but I was NERVOUS when I started. For starters, I was presented with a rather unusual class. Everyone was older than me, and that's a rarity when I teach. And it made me very anxious that they probably know more about the business applications of the software I'm attempting to teach them. But I know the software inside and out, so I really shouldn't have been nervous. After I got through the first chapter, my nerves settled tremendously, and I was able to teach. However, as I was getting on the elevator during the lunch break, one of my students started interrogating asking me some questions.

Student: What's your background, Amy?
ME: I mostly worked with SAS as a reporting tool -
Student: No, I mean do you have a graduate degree?
ME: Well, no...
Student: Do you have a bachelor's degree?
ME: Yes.
Student: In what? Computer Science?
ME: Yes, I have a degree in Computer Science.
Student: Well, where did you get the business knowledge for this class?
ME: Um... I used to consult for the government -
Student: Where did you learn to teach?
ME: Practice...

The elevators came and I immediately ran to the back of the elevator with my tail between my legs. OUCH!!! I felt like that woman had slapped me harder than Scarlett O'Hara slapped Prissy! I ate my lunch while fuming over what the woman said. However, I decided it was best just to relax about the whole thing, because I didn't want to let it ruin my day. When I got back into the classroom, my student came up to my desk and started talking to me again.

Student: I just wanted to let you know that I do a lot of training...
ME: Oh, do you?
Student: ... and I know how hard it is. The reason I asked about your background was because you're doing such a wonderful. I just assumed you had a degree in education.

My jaw about dropped to the floor!!! I thought for sure she meant what she said in a very demeaning way. But it was nice to get the compliment. The class ran very smoothly after that, except for the one guy... but he was sort of an arrogant man, so I'll let him slide. He actually stopped me at the end of the day to pimp his business, putting his business number on the board "in case anyone needed a SAS consultant". Ummmm... yea... we don't need your services. He also stopped me in the middle of teaching the next day to let me know that our website had a typo. Thanks, dude. I'll get right on that. Seeing as how I have NOTHING to do with our web site. But whatever.
By mid-afternoon Friday, I was completely spent. The exhaustion of my week of relaxation on the cruise was clearly catching up to me. And I started to feel it in my throat. I was sick sick sick on Friday night. However, Chelsea and I were going to the Sugarloaf Craft Festival the next day, and I wasn't letting a little bug get me down. So I didn't.

Pictured above is a beautiful picture of a sunset(?) and boats, some lotions for my tired, aching muscles, a lavendar soy candle to relax me, bookmarks with AMAZING textural photograhs (and one of the Plaza in NYC), and a sheepy ornament for Christmas. I was thinking of giving it as a gift, but forget that! It's MINE!!!
We got to the show around one and didn't leave til almost seven!!! We had a big day. Chelsea ended up with some great stuff, for her, her family, and some new additions to the family that will be coming her way at the end of the month. We (well I) had a blast!!
Today was the day for my Combination Knitting class with Annie Modesitt (pronounced mod-uh-set). I did learn some new things about knitting - a few things about casting on, a new bind off method that I love, how to make a bobble (not really practical for me, but whatever), and especially a bit about Annie Modesitt. She's a very nice woman and an amazing knitter! That woman has some speed!!! Go Annie GO!!! I bought her book, and she signed it, telling me I was a "very good knitter". Now, I'm not sure if that's what she tells all the girls (and boys) in her classes, but I felt special. She even gave me a hug! Awwwww..... Sadly, I didn't get a picture with her, but I got a picture of her.

The class was lovely and fun, and I'm sure there will be pictures up at Knit Happens soon enough!Edit: Ummm... yea, I just checked. There's a (not half bad) picture of (me and) the class at the Knit Happens blog. I'm in the black sweater on the left side of the group picture. Fun fun!!!To begin with, this week started as your typical "first week back from vacation" kind of week. I was truly, truly exhausted. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were spent finishing up the loose ends on a project that I've been messing with for month's now. I'm hoping that this is the end of the hard part, but it is bound to need revisions sooner or later.
Wednesday night was knitty meetup! I was a bit scared when I first got there, as no familiar faces were greeting me at Mayorga Coffee, and, because of the torrential rain we were experiencing in Maryland, it didn't seem like anyone would show. But Lara and Chelsea showed up, and much joy came of the night. We were joined on the fake leather sofas by some random man who wanted a couch to sit on while he worked on his laptop. His chuckles at our conversations made the night worthwhile. And, to make the night even better, I got plenty of work done on Clapotis.

It doesn't look much different from the last time I showed it here, but its longer. Trust me. As of this evening, I'm on the last repeat of the increase section. Almost to the home stretch now!
Thursday and Friday, I had to teach a class that I've never taught alone before. I helped to write the course material, and did plenty of editing on it, and prepared many of the screenshots for the technical demonstrations, but I was NERVOUS when I started. For starters, I was presented with a rather unusual class. Everyone was older than me, and that's a rarity when I teach. And it made me very anxious that they probably know more about the business applications of the software I'm attempting to teach them. But I know the software inside and out, so I really shouldn't have been nervous. After I got through the first chapter, my nerves settled tremendously, and I was able to teach. However, as I was getting on the elevator during the lunch break, one of my students started interrogating asking me some questions.

Student: What's your background, Amy?
ME: I mostly worked with SAS as a reporting tool -
Student: No, I mean do you have a graduate degree?
ME: Well, no...
Student: Do you have a bachelor's degree?
ME: Yes.
Student: In what? Computer Science?
ME: Yes, I have a degree in Computer Science.
Student: Well, where did you get the business knowledge for this class?
ME: Um... I used to consult for the government -
Student: Where did you learn to teach?
ME: Practice...

The elevators came and I immediately ran to the back of the elevator with my tail between my legs. OUCH!!! I felt like that woman had slapped me harder than Scarlett O'Hara slapped Prissy! I ate my lunch while fuming over what the woman said. However, I decided it was best just to relax about the whole thing, because I didn't want to let it ruin my day. When I got back into the classroom, my student came up to my desk and started talking to me again.

Student: I just wanted to let you know that I do a lot of training...
ME: Oh, do you?
Student: ... and I know how hard it is. The reason I asked about your background was because you're doing such a wonderful. I just assumed you had a degree in education.

My jaw about dropped to the floor!!! I thought for sure she meant what she said in a very demeaning way. But it was nice to get the compliment. The class ran very smoothly after that, except for the one guy... but he was sort of an arrogant man, so I'll let him slide. He actually stopped me at the end of the day to pimp his business, putting his business number on the board "in case anyone needed a SAS consultant". Ummmm... yea... we don't need your services. He also stopped me in the middle of teaching the next day to let me know that our website had a typo. Thanks, dude. I'll get right on that. Seeing as how I have NOTHING to do with our web site. But whatever.
By mid-afternoon Friday, I was completely spent. The exhaustion of my week of relaxation on the cruise was clearly catching up to me. And I started to feel it in my throat. I was sick sick sick on Friday night. However, Chelsea and I were going to the Sugarloaf Craft Festival the next day, and I wasn't letting a little bug get me down. So I didn't.

Pictured above is a beautiful picture of a sunset(?) and boats, some lotions for my tired, aching muscles, a lavendar soy candle to relax me, bookmarks with AMAZING textural photograhs (and one of the Plaza in NYC), and a sheepy ornament for Christmas. I was thinking of giving it as a gift, but forget that! It's MINE!!!
We got to the show around one and didn't leave til almost seven!!! We had a big day. Chelsea ended up with some great stuff, for her, her family, and some new additions to the family that will be coming her way at the end of the month. We (well I) had a blast!!
Today was the day for my Combination Knitting class with Annie Modesitt (pronounced mod-uh-set). I did learn some new things about knitting - a few things about casting on, a new bind off method that I love, how to make a bobble (not really practical for me, but whatever), and especially a bit about Annie Modesitt. She's a very nice woman and an amazing knitter! That woman has some speed!!! Go Annie GO!!! I bought her book, and she signed it, telling me I was a "very good knitter". Now, I'm not sure if that's what she tells all the girls (and boys) in her classes, but I felt special. She even gave me a hug! Awwwww..... Sadly, I didn't get a picture with her, but I got a picture of her.

The class was lovely and fun, and I'm sure there will be pictures up at Knit Happens soon enough!Edit: Ummm... yea, I just checked. There's a (not half bad) picture of (me and) the class at the Knit Happens blog. I'm in the black sweater on the left side of the group picture. Fun fun!!!

I just got back from my cruise to Bermuda. That sentence is not a happy one - I wish I was still on the ship! And it isn't really *that* true. Yes, I did go to Bermuda. But I got back on Friday. Its Monday. Today is the first day I've felt up to writing about my trip. I have been EXHAUSTED since I got back Friday. The trip was so fun it wore me out, I guess.
We left on Sunday, the sixth out of Baltimore.

The weather the first day was beautiful! I was so surprised since Baltimore had temperatures in the 50's and 60's, but we were far enough south. I guess that Bermuda is on the same latitude (or longitude, I can never remember which is which) as Cape Hatteras, so it was quite warm. We got to Bermuda on Tuesday, and WOW! It was gorgeous!

However, it looked like it was going to rain. Mom and I went back to the boat after shopping a bit, and decided to get facials. There is pictorial evidence of this, however, those pictures are not going to make it to my blog. After the weather cleared up (and so did our pores), we got a pretty surprise.

We sat in the beautiful solarium the rest of the afternoon. It was a little chilly and damp for sitting in the sun. I got some super-secret knitting done. I guess it isn't so super-secret, even if I do show a picture. The person I'm making it for won't know what it is...

We got the usual towel animals in our room.

All in all the cruise was great. On the last morning I woke up VERY early to see the sunrise.

Honestly, it was well worth the lack of sleep, however, the wind... oh, the wind. It was whippin'. I had a hard time getting a picture without my pashmina flying off in front of the camera. The wind pretty much RUINED the weather on the last day. But we made the best of being indoors. The cruise offered Arts and Crafts classes. Whooo hoooo! I was there. I did some beading during the rough waters. All I can say is THANK GOODNESS for dramamine. For about two days after I got off the ship, my body thought that it was riding the choppy water.
Before I wrap up this post, I want to send a personal message to my Mom. Thank you so much for coming to see me, for cruising with me, and for being so wonderful and fun last week. You really are a great mom! I appreciate the facial and the drinks (I almost misstyped that as drunks) and everything else you always do for me. This trip is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life. *sniff* I love you, Mom!

And hopefully, they're good ones. I've been wanting to change the layout of my blog, and I've done so. It took me a while to figure out exactly what it was I really wanted it to look like. I'm somewhat happy with the layout changes, and the logo changes, but I'm still not THRILLED with it. So it may still undergo some changes over the next month or so. For now, I'm happy with it.I've been knitting away on Clapotis. I'm more than halfway through, and I absolutely love this yarn!

The dropped stitches look lovely. I was afraid the mohair in this yarn would make the stitches all fuzzy and stuck together, which it has, but once I worked with the stitches a bit, they came apart and weren't too hazy.

I also treated myself to a new toy.

My new swift! YAY!!! I spent my Saturday night winding hanks into balls. Fun, fun night, let me tell you.