Thursday, February 25, 2010

Mystery Knitting Project...Once Again


Hi there!

Well, here is the next part of the pattern for my mystery knitting project. It sounds like you are enjoying seeing this put together piece by piece. I'm glad, because I am having fun showing you bit by bit. *Ü* So, what do you think these are? I like the texture of these pieces, although having to knit one and purl one slows me down. For someone who is not the fastest knitter, this can get a smidge frustrating. I'm happy to say I fell into a groove and the second one came together much faster than the first. The end result is definitely worth the time it took, I think.

Not only have I been working on this knitting project this week, I was also working on another one, but in crochet.

I'm teasing you yet again, but for a good reason. I promise I'll show it off soon. Meanwhile, enjoy this little snippet.

~~~~~~~~~~~
In other news, my dad emailed us Sunday to let us know he was flying out to International Falls, MN on Monday. My grandmother got pneumonia a week or so ago and wasn't responding to treatment. The nurse told my dad that she was in the process of dying. He spoke to her on Saturday, when he got the call and she recognized him, but she hadn't eaten for several days, so it was not looking good. He arrived on Monday evening and saw her. She recognized him again, but couldn't speak at this point. I'm sorry to share that she passed away on Tuesday morning. My dad was at her bedside and said it was very peaceful. My grandmother was 98 years old and had a good long life. I had seen her a few times, but growing up with her living in MN and us in CA, visits were few and far between. I got to know her better than my other grandparents who died either before I was born or when I was very young. One thing I'll always remember are her "bangs." She made bread from scratch and always took part of the dough to create deep fried donuts, which we called "bangs" in my house. Talk about one of the yummiest treats one can have! Yum! Rest in peace, Grandma, I love you, but know you are with my mom now and watching over us.

Yesterday I had a strange feeling in my throat. It didn't exactly hurt, but it didn't feel right. So, I laid low as much as I could so as not to allow it to burst into a full fledged sore throat. (I normally volunteer at the school on Wednesdays, but didn't want to infect Jessica's classmates-so I stayed home). Thankfully, today it feels back to normal! Yay! (and whew!)

This week has been Spirit Week for the girls at school. They wore "crazy" hats one day (really they weren't that crazy but I didn't tell them that). They wore pajamas one day, yesterday school colors and today they get to wear a professional sports team shirt (Go Broncos!) As part of Spirit Week, they will be having an assembly after lunch where the teachers compete against the students (chosen by raffle tickets they earned by participating in the above days) in various activities. I didn't know about it until too late last year, but I agreed to help today, so I'll be going to that. Right after school is the Sock Puppet Making Class the girls wanted to take, then we have swim class. It's gonna be a busy afternoon! But it should be fun.

Last night I attended an informational meeting at our elementary school. It has been selected to become an IB (International Baccalaureate) school, Primary Years Program. It is a program that focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. What it means is that our school will shift to being a kind of magnet school where they will teach units of study that incorporate all the subjects and additionally, they will be taught Spanish. It's a more rigorous academic program. It sounds like an enhanced version of what they already do there, but there is a ton of support for the staff to make it work. There is middle school that has the IB program (not our home school though) and our home school high school also offers the same type of program. Because our elementary school is our home school, the girls are automatically in the program, and they will offer 100 spots for other students. It's going to be interesting and exciting to see how this works. The teachers are staff are very excited about this, which is terrific.

Okay, I've got to gather up supplies for the puppet class, so I will close for now. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope to share again in a few days. In the meantime, I appreciate your time and encouraging thoughts.
Photobucket

11 comments:

Alanna said...

I couldn't not comment about how sorry I am for your loss of your grandma. 98 is a full life and I'm glad she didn't go alone.

The new IB program for the grade school sounds interesting. I'm sure your girls will do well.

I'm glad you're feeling better and that the throat thing didn't turn into something worse.

Take care and I'll be catching up with you real soon.

Carolyn said...

Jeanne I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your grandma. Wow 98 years! I know it must have been a comfort to your dad that he was their with her. My sister & I were with my mom when she passed. It was sad yet comforting!

I'm glad your feeing better!!

Oh and the last brown thing you're making? My guess is... they are arms. This is fun!! Can't wait to see it finished.
Is it a Bunny?? With Easter coming it could be... Right! :)

Sarah said...

Ohhhh I am SO sorry about your grandmother Jeanne!!!! Not that it lessens your loss but it sounds like she had a full life and was not in pain. So glad your dad could be there.
I am guessing a bunny...!!!
Glad you are not sick...sadly I feel terrible today and Amy and I are sharing the couch :0(
Take care Jeanne

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Jeanne,

I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers - may sweet "bangs" memories bring you loads of comfort!

I'm glad you were able to shake it off - I think you did just the right thing - helping your immune system fend whatever off!

As for the new "parts" - hm. They look like ears to me! BIG ears! LOL

Anke said...

I am so sorry about your Grandma, although 98 is really a ripe old age and it was so nice that your Dad could be there with her
I am getting a kick out of your mystery knitting project, can't wait to see the finished project.
Btw., thanks for doing my proof reading, I so appreciate it. I always type things so fast and I think I proofread but I guess I don't until it's printed and the kids point out my errors :)
Try some chicken soup next time you get that scratchy throat thing, it really helps :)

Kathi Carlson said...

Thanks for the email. I'm so sorry about your grandma and so glad your dad was there for her and for him.

The school program sounds awesome. Your girls are lucky. And it's cool that your superintendent was once a student. There's nothing like a little hometown/school pride!

Happy too that you're feeling OK. It doesn't sound like you have time to be sick.

Finally, the mystery knitting project... Are those wings? I had to study them pretty hard, and that's the best I could come up with. An owl, maybe? You're probably laughing at me ... Go ahead. I'm having a chuckle, too.

Have a great Friday, sweet friend!

Lisa said...

So sorry to hear about your Grandma but hoping you find comfort in knowing your Dad was there. I LOVE Bangs! I keep popping them in lol
OK is the next clue a piece of a shawl? or some kind of wrap?

Laurel said...

sorry about your grandma. as for the crochet, I'm guessing a bunny.

Kim Burmeister said...

Oh, Jeanne! So sorry to hear about your grandma. I love how you shared your memories about her. God Bless!

Okay to your knitting...what are you making? It is killing me. I can't wait to see it.

You are a busy mom with your volunteering. I bet your girls love to see you at school. I know my boys love it when I visit and help at their school.

Kelley Eubanks said...

I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother! It does sound like she has lived a long life... I hope to live that long! :)

stampmonkey said...

Jeanne, I'm so sorry to hear that your grandmother passed away, but am glad that your dad was able to be there at the time and that you're doing okay. Even though you weren't all that close to her, I'm happy that you have such a fun memory of her!

Your bunny ears may have given your mystery project a name to some, but I'm not so sure I'd have been that smart. ;) It's nice to see them attached to such a sweet face.

Glad your sore throat didn't turn into anything and that you were able to participate in the girls' Spirit Week at school --sounded like a lot of fun for everyone!

The IB program sounds like an honors program of sorts, and if it's successful enough for the state to continue it, I have no doubt that it would be very beneficial to the students. Very cool that two out of the three school your girls' will attend have the program so transportation and timing won't be an issue.

sending big hugs to you, Jeanne!