Retirement and the Start of My New Life

The last day of school was not sad. There were no tears or long goodbyes.
I just walked out with my flowers,balloon and chair to my husbands waiting van.



I thought of my 36 years and what it all meant. I guess time will help me understand.
Today was the start of the Understanding.
When I got home from spending time with First Born and her constuction war zone this was waiting for me at the door.


In my 36 years of teaching there were some wonderful people that entered my life.
Mr.JV was one of those wonderful people. His kind,caring soul has shared the births of my girls as well the passing of too many of my loved ones.
His puns would help me get through some hard days and when help is needed he is always there.
Thank you Mr.JV for being a good friend and a class act!

Here is First Born getting Ela's room ready.



Ela is not the only thing under construction!



This is what the construction war zone looks like. For better pictures check her blog
HERE



This is my husbands new family. I love to hear him play!


Have not had much time for knitting but did finish this little hat.



These are a few examples of crochet beading I did prelupus.


I gave away many things I had made.
Here one can see the different textures you can make with the use of different size beads.

I hope some day to be able to do this kind of work again.

WWKIP And More

What would a post be these days without a picture of First Born's growing belly.
Some people want a child and it just happens but we don't seem to have that kind of luck. It took my husband and I six years and a miss to have First Born. First Born and her husband had a difficult time as well so this little girl is very special to us.




We went to stix-n-stiches to Knit In Public and had a great time with First Born and Pat.



I left with some great yarn on sale!



A good friend had a surprise 60th birthday party. There was a knitting birthday cake(First Born has a picture here on her blog) and these yarnie cupcakes were given out at the end.

I went to a party my school gave for the retiries just the week before. Those who planned it did a great job but I just didn't want to be there because I didn't like most of the people that were there and I'm sure they feel the same about me. This birthday party came at just the right time! It was filled with love and joy for my friend and such welcoming people.


Look what I won!!!!!


I entered a contest Impausible Yarn was having and won this beautiful yarn. I'm feeling a pair of gloves!


First Born has always been an Alice and Wonderland nut so I will be passing these on to her.


Heather is such a sweet person and added this cute Alice bag!
Thank you so much you made my day.


These are vintage Alice fabrics.


I think I will make a bag out of them.


This is a cute little baby hat by Jennifer Sauselein and can be found here for free.


This is a blanket I'm working on for L out of washcloth patterns.


I'm two days away from the end of my school teaching life. I will soon start my grandbaby teaching life and can't wait!

More Gifts!

Our little L is getting bigger and at 23 weeks is keeping First Born up at night.



When I started to clear the attic I found a box of booties made by my Mom and my Aunt.
They were crocheted and knitted with love for my girls and I can't wait to see my grandbabies in them.



I finished the Autumn Leaves sweater for L. Made with Rowan Kid Classic yarn it is super soft and warm.


This great pattern by Nikki Van De Car can be found here for free.


Now that I'm 58 and retirement is days away I gifted myself something I've always wanted but never dreamed I would get. Not one but two Michael Kors bags.


This is part of his classic tote.


I love the lock and a key comes with it!


There's enough room for me to take knitting with me.


The second one is a satchel and was on sale so I just couldn't pass it up.


It's smaller than the tote but still tons of room.

I hope this is not the start of a bag frenzy!!!

New Toys!

On my "When I retire" list is learning to quilt.
I got this beautiful Janome sewing machine.


I hope to take lessons this summer.

Also on my list was "learn to Text"
So I got me an iphone


and lots of cool apps


even a stitch counter!!!!


I also got this great floor steamer by Haan.
The floor must be clean for Eloise!


On the knitting front I finshed a Whirligig Shrug by Stefanie Japel in 3 month size.


I'm going to start a 12 month size next.



This is my second Oden finished.


I add a crochet trim to the sleeves.

Spring has Sprung

This is what February looked like!



Now we're here!
My Azaleas are over 60 years old and every year are more beautiful!


First Born is also blooming with her First Born!


Yet another sweater for the baby is almost done.
This is my second Oden Baby Cardigan by a gifted designer Lena Lundbladh who is one of the original Lesser Known Skeins. This free pattern can be found on Ravelry here. The fabric this pattern makes is great for a baby sweater because it's warm yet soft.
Her great blog is here check it out.


Almost two years ago I had an idea to start a group for fiber artists who blog.
The Lesser Known Skeins is now a group on Ravelry here
and also has a website here.

First Born started the website but was unable to keep up with it because of all the stresses of being a 5th grade math teacher, working on her Library Science degree, husband,house and now Baby on the way.
I reached out to the LKS for help and Sara was kind enough to help. She is doing a great job keeping my dream alive and I can't thank her enough!
Check out her great website here.

Road To Retirement!

On April 9th my world changed!
After 36 years of teaching in the public school system my retirement papers were filed.
Those who have gone before me have always said, "When you're ready you will know!" They were right,I know I'm ready!!!

I will miss going to work with my daughters and seeing some of the people I work with, but there is so much I don't like about teaching in a Middle School that makes leaving a good thing for me and my students. Time to let the Young Bloods take over.
I am sad for the Young Bloods and what they face in public education today.
The Govenor of New Jersey wants to make needed changes in the budget but feels he must bully teacher to make those changes.

Stand strong Young Bloods!


On the knitting front I just finished another Top Down Raglan Sweater by Carole Barenys.


I just love this pattern!
It's free and so easy a beginner can make it.


I made it from Zara Filatura Di Crosa yarn. The colors and feel of this yarn is amazing and great for baby sweaters.


This is a little hat I made out of some left over yarn.
The pattern is from Natural Nursery Knits by Erika Knight,a beautiful book filled with special baby pattern.


This is a sweater I'm making with size 17 needles out of Loop D Loop yarn.
The pattern is Dumplin by Kim Hargreaves and can be found in Rowan Babies.



On the Grandma front.
I got this great Grandma photo album/memory book and can't wait to start filling it up.
I also got Martha Stewart's new sewing/fabric book. I love sewing and hope to take quilting lessons this summer.

Not sure how much time I'll have in the Fall when the baby comes.