Endings and Beginnings

As my former in-laws are preparing for the funeral, they are going through a lifetime of photos. Melissa sent me this one of my parents with Meredith, which was taken in 1987, making her three years old. My parents were in their forties, but look even younger to me.

Melissa loving on Ollie, and Ollie being a good sport about it.

Meredith made me this beautiful quilt for Mother's Day; I think it's gorgeous! She used one of my thrifted sheets for the backing. Hmm, maybe I'll do one this summer.

Yarn I didn't need, but somehow bought one day last week, maybe in my sleep? Love those colors and it is quite soft, just perfect for baby knits.

Today is our team day, which means we are cooking on the grill and mainly just hanging out with the kids. Normally team days make me nuts, but this year's group has been so sweet that I'm looking forward to it. Plus, I know it's my last middle school team day, so that makes it even nicer. I can't believe I only have two more days this year! It's been a crazy fast year and I'm not quite ready for it to be over, but ready or not, here it comes. Now it's time for me to look forward to my new adventure. But first, summer!

 

Sunday

Melissa and I went to the beach this afternoon to take a short break, and I finished up my latest Honey Cowl.

We both took a dip in the Bay; it was chilly but refreshing.

Steve planted wild flowers in this space just off of our deck and I love how they look.

Meredith and Ryan were here for the weekend and I got to spend some quality time with Ollie. I love her sideways look!

Melissa loves her too!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

He Loved and Was Loved

James Wesley Powers

June 3, 1931 - June 8, 2012

 

Changes

I think I've mentioned before that I requested a transfer from 8th grade science to high school English, and I found out this morning that the transfer was approved. I'm excited and also a bit apprehensive, as I've been at the same middle school for my entire fifteen year career. I taught English and science the first three years, but when our school went to single subject teaching, I chose science. Now I'm ready to teach English again, as a way to use the other side of my brain I think. Anyway, it's a bittersweet time for me as I pack up my room here for the last time. I'm excited at the new opportunity, but I'm also sad about leaving my friends and my comfort zone. Hopefully, I won't regret my decision.

My cousin surprised me with flowers, to congratulate me on the transfer.

I did a lot of knitting during the SOL testing, just as I had predicted, but unfortunately, I ran out of yarn before I finished. Luckily, I found some of the discontinued yarn on Ravelry, bought it, and now am awaiting delivery, so I can finish the darn thing! Why such a simple project has been so difficult is beyond me.

 

In other changes, my former father-in-law is at home under hospice care and only has a few weeks left, or so we've been told. I have been visiting every day after work and my oldest daughter is coming in town this weekend to see him as well. While it's a sad time for our families, at least we have this time with him now, although for his sake, I hope he doesn't have to suffer much longer. Such a difficult time.

 

 

June? Already?

I started Weight Watchers again last weekend, which is probably why I am a bit obsessed with food and recipes right now. I've made roasted beets and ate them cold with a gorgeous, rich blueberry-ginger vinegar. I've also eaten a couple of batches of swiss chard with eggs for both breakfast and dinner. And these are delicious too! I have been enjoying the iced coffee concentrate I made last weekend. As much as I love iced coffee in the morning, I decided I needed to cut down on my coffee shop visits and this recipe has helped a lot.

 

I went summer clothes shopping crazy at Target this week too, but I'm not regretting it a bit. I found the skirts I'm going to live in this summer and bought four different colors in the one style, and two in the other. Done and done. I don't know about you, but I prefer skirts to shorts these days. Not sure if it's an age thing or a comfort thing, or a bit of both, but skirts are definitely my favorite.

We had over four inches of rain over the past three days, but it stopped during the night and while it's not exactly sunny, it's a lovely, cool and breezy morning, perfect for opening all of the windows. Steve and I went to the Portsmouth Library book sale yesterday and then walked along the waterfront. There was a farmer's market and flea market going on as well, where I bought a bunch of lavender, an old market basket, and a wooden rolling pin. The lavender bunch was so pretty, that I took multiple photos of it.

Here it is with the kimono at a coffee shop,

in the basket on the river walk,

sticking out of my knitting bag, before I'd bought the basket,

and even while I was taking a picture of the Norfolk skyline!

 

Cheeky little bunch!

Obviously I'm still working on the baby kimono, but should be finished soon. Not sure why it's taking me so long, as it's really a quick knit. Must be all the running around I'm doing. Luckily, I'll be back at work tomorrow, and will be able to get some work done on it while my students are taking their last SOL test!

 

Friday? Already?

Wow. This week flew by. Melissa and I ate out last night, and when we got home, we took a short walk on the beach. I love how it's still daylight at 8:00 p.m.

She was surprised that the water was warm enough to enjoy.

Trumpet vine against the sand.

Rather than finish any of the three wool baby sweaters in progress for the newest baby boy, I decided a light weight kimono would be better. I'm almost finished with it, thanks to some group work in my classes this week. At home, I have been spending too much time on the iPad to make much knitting progress. Bad knitter. But at least I am knitting, and I used stash yarn. Good knitter.

TGIF, everyone!

 

 

Happy Anniversary!

May 30, 1958

And still together, after all those years.