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Chinook Lace Shawl

Posted on June 30, 2011 by auburnchick

A couple of months ago, I purchased the Chinook Lace Shawl kit from Knit Picks.  This kit included the yarn and pattern I would need for the project…

Because I was so busy with my EPI classes, I did not get to cast on until June 2nd.  I figured that even though I was still working on my classes, I deserved knitting breaks…being so close to the end of my program.

After I finished my classes, two weeks early, I devoted most of my evenings to finishing the shawl.

See, I am a monogamous knitter…meaning that I usually do not cast on more than one project at a time…unlike my friend, Christina.  *cough*

By the time I started working on the edging, I had over 1,600 stitches on my needles.

Did you just faint?

Yeah.

I wanted to as well.

The bind off took me six hours to finish.

I’m not exaggerating.

Near the end, the unthinkable happened.

I ran out of yarn…with two triangles left…

I was not happy.

I have big plans for this shawl, you see.

I debated what to do.

God intervened (He’s good like that…even to knitters).

He reminded me that I have a substantial stash of yarn scraps.

I dug through my closet and pulled out what remained of a skein the Regia yarn I had used for my Guided By Love socks…

The color wasn’t a perfect match, but it was close enough to suit my needs.  I figured that I would be the only one who noticed or cared.

So, I finished the shawl and gave it a bath.

The blocking was easy…

As you can see, it took up my entire dining room table, which is quite large.

I got a lot of ribbing about the size.  Chicky’s Guy Friend suggested that it was perfect for a pregnant woman to cover her belly.

I reminded him that he has yet to ask my permission to marry my daughter.  I’ll get my revenge when he does.

Anyhoo…

I allowed the shawl to dry for two days and then had myself a photography session, complete with tripod and self-timer…

Yes, it is quite large, but the blocking opened up the fibers of the yarn, allowing the shawl to be thin and drape nicely across the shoulders.

I love the fact that I can wrap this shawl completely around me.  It’s going to keep me very warm on chilly days…

Here’s a close-up of the stitch pattern, which was deceptively easy…

Now, let me explain what I think is the reason for my running out of yarn at the end.

This pattern calls for the knitter to go up in needle size when completing the border (the triangles at the bottom).  Well, I’m already a loose knitter, so when I went up in needle size, I think my fate was sealed.  I do not believe that most people will run out of the given yarn.

Besides, I always like to do things the hard way…or so my mom always told me.

If you’re looking for an easy knit, I highly recommend this pattern.  Not only does it come in the earthy tones, but it is also available from the Knit Picks site in a green/blue/purple kit.

So, what will I be cooking up next?

Well, you’ll just have to wait and see!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , | 4 Comments »

Patriotic Hodgepodge!

Posted on June 29, 2011 by auburnchick

It’s time for the Hodgepodge!  Joyce, as always, has done a great job coming up with the questions.  Thanks so much, Joyce!  Now, on to the questions!

1.  What makes you stand on your feet and cheer?

I cheer my heart out when I watch soccer.  I’ve watched Chicky play since she was six years old (she’s still playing too), and I’ve even been known to hoop and holler when watching it on TV.

Chicky's College Team

Speaking of soccer, did you know that the women’s World Cup just started?  The U.S. team beat North Korea yesterday by a score of 2-0.  Go USA!!  (Pictures can be found at the Denver Post’s site.)

2.  What’s your favorite patriotic song?

I love Lee Greenwood’s Proud To Be an American

3.  Do you believe that opposites attract?  If you have a significant other, are you opposites?

I think that opposites and likes attract.  There’s no rhyme or reason to what draws people together.  The Mr. and I are opposites in many ways.  One thing we agree wholeheartedly on is that we both love Auburn football.

4.  You’re going to get a behind the scenes look some place…where would you like that some place to be?

I’d love to see how “magic” tricks are performed.  I am particularly interested in the trick where the magician holds up a sheet, flips it up, and when it comes back down, in a nano second, someone else is standing there.  Interesting indeed!

5.  How far would you have to travel to ride a carousel (merry-go-round)?

I have no idea!  I don’t really care about carousels, so I don’t know where the nearest one is!

6.  When was the last time you saw fireworks?  What was the occasion?  Do you enjoy fireworks?

Gosh…another question that requires me to remember something.  My memory is just not working very well right now.  Let’s see…the last big show I saw was last summer, when I attended the Christian concert series at the beach (blogged about it here).  Michael W. Smith gave a concert on the final evening, and it was followed by a fireworks show that was amazing!  There’s nothing like fireworks over the Gulf of Mexico.


7.  Of all the ‘beauty products’ you own, what item do you consider to be the most overpriced?

Would perfume be considered a beauty product?  If so, then I’d have to answer this way.  I don’t own expensive perfume simply because it costs an arm and a leg.  I suspect that consumers are mostly paying for the marketing associated with this product.

8.  My Random Thought

I just finished knitting a rather large project, and it is currently sitting on my dining room table, pinned and blocked out.  It’s drawing the most interesting comments from my family…not the nicest comments either.

As a knitter, it would be so nice to be “understood” and “appreciated” by those closest to me.  It can be discouraging to hear comments that are disguised as “teasing.”  Call me sensitive, but that’s how I roll sometimes.

I think that as humans, we should try to look for positive things to say to each other, even if we don’t “get” the things that other people are passionate about.

Sigh.

It’s frustrating.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , | 8 Comments »

Anahita’s Woven Riddle – A Book Review

Posted on June 28, 2011 by auburnchick

Hello, my name is AuburnChick, and I’m an English teacher, but I haven’t read much, for pleasure, during the last four years.

Shhh…don’t tell anyone I said that.

😉

It’s not because I haven’t wanted to.  However, when I took online classes to finish my Bachelor’s degree several years ago, I got burned out from all of the reading I had to do.

At the same time, I taught myself how to knit.

Listening to audio books is just not my cup of tea.  I have difficulty focusing when books are read aloud.

I do so much better when I can see the words…allowing them to seep into my mind and soul.

When I started teaching last year, I discovered how much I had missed my books.

Then, EPI took over my life.

Well, that’s over now, and I finally have had time to reacquaint myself with my former hobby.

Before I closed up my classroom for the summer, a book on one of my bookshelves caught my eye…

The main character of this book is Anahita, a seventeen year old girl growing up in rural Iran during the late 1800’s.

Anahita is told, by her father, that it is time for her to marry, and that the khan has asked for her hand.

Instead of meekly complying with her father’s wishes, she asks for permission to choose her own suitor, through the clever use of a riddle, which she weaves into her wedding carpet.

Although this book is intended for “young readers,” I found this book quite enjoyable.

In fact, parts of the book were breathtaking.

As a knitter, I appreciated the many references to yarn dyeing, spinning, knitting, and, weaving.

Because I taught Muslim students last school year, I appreciated the history, told in story form.

Another thing I love about this book is that all proceeds benefit development enterprises for woman and children who suffered after the 2005 Iranian earthquake.

If you’re looking for something to read this summer, I highly recommend this book.  It was an unexpected treasure that I found tucked away right in front of me.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

In Christ For the World

Posted on June 26, 2011 by auburnchick

My pastor, Tom, preached another amazing sermon this morning.

Today’s verses were Acts 9:1-19…

Acts 9

The Conversion of Saul

1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened.

One of the key points that Tom pulled out of the passage was that Ananias, a disciple, was told to go and minister to Saul. Despite being afraid of Saul, who had persecuted scores of Christians, Ananias went, albeit somewhat in fear, so that Saul (later to be renamed “Paul”) would be healed of his blindness and, thus, be sent into the world to spread the Gospel.

Tom emphasized that Ananias was called to action.

I think that, as Christians, we often allow ourselves to become complacent in the knowledge that we have accepted Christ as Savior.

We also become quick to identify ourselves as Christians and to “witness” somewhat superficially.

Yet, God calls us to so much more.

As Tom pointed out, a doctor who practices medicine on himself does no real good to others.

Such it is with our knowledge of God’s saving grace.

But, merely telling people about Jesus isn’t enough.

We must show people…in practical ways…in everyday actions and words.

Now, I cannot claim to be the biggest saint around.

My family would be the first to tell you that my halo is cracked in places.  In fact, I tend to fail in this area with regard to the people I care for the most.

Sigh.

Now I want to share something with you.

One day, about three months ago, I was told by someone to “leave my Christianity in the car.”

Folks, I have to be honest with you.

I told that person, and the other people in the room at the time, that my faith is not a sweater that I can slip off whenever I want or for the convenience of others.

As a daughter of the King, saved by Christ’s blood on the cross, I carry His message with me everywhere.

I learned, during the last twelve months, the very lesson that Tom spoke of today.

The best way to share God’s love with people is through actions.

For me, this extends to my interactions with the students in my classroom…when I take pictures of the band kids during football games…attending soccer games and photographing my soccer kids in action…baking brownies for students who improve their test scores…the ways I show I care are only limited by my creativity.

I know that I am not the perfect wife, mother, or daughter.

But, I try…aiming to do more than just spout off Christian “legal speak.”

This life we Christians lead is not for ourselves.

Oh, sure, we do start out that way because we need to be redeemed from the sentence of hell that our sins require.

However, after our own salvation has been taken care of, we must look to the world.

As Tom said, we are not all called to be the Billy Grahams of the world.

However, we are called to touch lives…one at a time…through sincere, meaningful connections.

That is the example that Jesus himself set with every person he met:  the woman at the well, the blind man lowered from the roof of a house, the woman who touched His garments as He passed by…

This is why I cannot leave my faith in the confines of my home or my car.

My love for God permeates my entire being, affecting, as often as I allow, my very actions.

This is the call for every follower of Christ.

Filed under: Christian | 1 Comment »

Oh the Life

Posted on June 25, 2011 by auburnchick

Oh the life of a teacher on summer break.

It’s tough, let me tell you.

Staying up until the wee hours of the morning…

Knitting…

Reading…

Watching movies.

Sleeping in until early afternoon…

Waking up and starting all over again.

Dang…

Life is tough.

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

A Yarn Celebration

Posted on June 24, 2011 by auburnchick

So, as you know, I am officially finished with my alternative certification program.

In fact, I danced the afternoon away a few days ago.

Well, I wasn’t finished celebrating, oh no I wasn’t.

See, such a milestone as this one deserves a BIGGER indulgence.

For a knitter, this means YARN SHOPPING!!

So, on a somewhat rainy morning that turned more and more sunny the closer I traveled to the beach (which isn’t far from my house, by the way), I headed to the two “real” yarn stores closest to me.

By closest, I mean over an hour away.

Hello, my name is AuburnChick, and I transverse great distances in pursuit of fine yarn.

The first yarn store on my route was not my favorite of the two.  The place is nice enough, but the selection is a wee bit limited compared to the other store.

Still, I found myself lovingly petting a skein of Tilli Tomas Rock Star…

Although the yarn desperately wanted to come home with me, I resisted.  The $40 price tag was a huge reason for this.

I decided to check out the other yarn store, which is my favorite.  I know.  I keep repeating myself, but I have to.  See, the other yarn store is my first love.  It is the place where I purchased my very first skeins of “real” yarn.  It is where I bought my first set of “real” knitting needles and pattern book as well.  The shop is small but very inviting and packed with a GREAT assortment of very nice yarns.  I really wish I lived closer, because I would love to attend knit nights with the ladies who run the shop.

Anyhoo…what I saw when I arrived this afternoon did not disappoint…

That is a basket of Frog Tree sock yarn.

Now, if you’re not a knitter, you must understand something about yarn shopping.

It.

Is.

Fabulous.

It is an experience that requires the interaction of sight and touch.

When I go yarn shopping, I can’t even think about projects until I walk around and touch everything.  I simply refuse to knit with or wear yarn that is not soft.

So, that’s what I did…enjoying the peace of the day…my mind free from the concerns of assignments.

My only assignment of the day was to buy nice yarn.

The store had a couple of knit shawls hanging over the shoulders of mannequins.

What a great way to sell some yarn!

I fell in love with the Shetland Triangle shawl that was made in a red, DK weight yarn.

Ok, so that’s not the red one from the store, but my head was so much in the clouds that I didn’t get a picture of it.  I am showing you the above picture because it really shows off the stitch pattern.

The gal working in the store explained that the original pattern calls for a lace weight yarn, but that she had used seven skeins of a heavier, glossier yarn that provided a nice drape and more stitch definition.

As she pulled out the book that is home to the pattern, I realized that I already own the book, Wrap Style…a giveaway I had won during a New Year’s Eve KnittingHelp.com knit-along that I had participated in a couple of years ago…

Although I didn’t buy the yarn for this project, I have tucked the pattern away in the back of my mind.  I will definitely knit it in the future.

Meanwhile, I continued to shop.

The other shawl that was hanging up was the Ishbel…

Because the sample was knit in just over one skein of Malabrigo Sock yarn, I decided this would be a good way to go.

For some reason, I am finding myself drawn to shawls.  Chicky thinks they look like things that old people wear, but I counter her contention by saying that a shawl adds a touch of class to an outfit.  I think shawls are beautiful accessories that can be used to dress things up a bit.

With the Ishbel in mind, I picked out the following yarn…

Isn’t that just divine?

Sigh…

Can you say happy?

But the happiness did not end there.

The Frog Tree yarn kept calling me back.

I kept touching the yarn.

Finally, I made up my mind.  What kind of knitter would I be to leave those frogs there?

Here’s another picture…

Cookie A. didn’t know it, but she was with me when I made my decision…

You might remember that I test knit a pattern for Cookie’s book last summer.  I have not had a chance to knit a pair of socks since.

I intend to rectify this situation.

Immediately.

One final item that kept calling my name in the store was the following…

That, my non-knitting friends, is a shawl pin.

I have found myself in need of one of these do-dads in the past, and it looked lovely against the red shawl in the store.

It came home with me too.

And home I am…happy as can be.

Final thoughts on my shopping adventure:

As I composed this post and researched the shawl patterns, I decided that I am going to use the red Malabrigo to knit the Shetland Triangle Shawl.  I looked up the pattern on Ravelry (yay for this web site) and discovered that other knitters had used two or fewer skeins for this pattern.  I will probably knit eleven or twelve repeats.  More research will be done, but I am pleased with my plan.

The Mr. knew of my shopping adventure because I went ahead and told him about my plans yesterday.  When he walked into the house this afternoon, he asked to see the stash because, in his words, “I know it’s here somewhere.”

LOL

Then, he asked me how much I spent.

I balked.

He then threw out a number.

Dang.

He’s good.

He got it, spot on, minus the price of the shawl pin.

His eyes bulged a bit.

Then he left the room…to recover, I presume.

Either way, his reaction was much better than I had expected.

At this point, I sincerely doubt that I will ever get my Master’s degree.

No, it’s not because I think I’m not smart enough.

It’s because every time I complete a set of college courses, I spend all of the future proceeds I would have been earning…ahead of time.

teeheehee

Celebrations are definitely much better when there is yarn involved!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

0 Weeks To Go (aka Finito)

Posted on June 23, 2011 by auburnchick

So, I’m jumping ahead by two weeks.

I can’t help it because I’m just too darned excited to wait.

See…today…I got feedback on my final assignments…

And…

I’m…

DONE!!!!!

I did not have to resubmit any of my last three big assignments!!!!!

I got the news via email this afternoon, and at first, I was rather calm.

I posted an update on Facebook with a link to this song…

Why that song?

I don’t really know, except that it’s on my Wii game, Just Dance, which I bought with my Christmas money in December.

The song is so upbeat, and because I’d only gotten to play with my Wii for a week before my EPI classes started, the song reminded me of my life pre-EPI (i.e., before I started living with the stress of weekly assignments).

After posting my Facebook update, I sat, alone in my house, and looked around.

It was quiet.

My mind was a little empty.

Then, I spied my dining room table…

That table is a mess, I know.  For six months, it held the most important, necessary items of my life…my EPI binders, important EPI folders, and various other things.  During the school year, the table was often littered with textbooks, lesson plans, and tests that needed grading.

And yes, you might even be looking at a bit of knitting on that table.  I allowed it to come out and play…especially during the last couple of weeks when my workload was lighter.

As I caught sight of my table, though, I got a lump in my throat, and then the floodgates opened up.

I suddenly realized that I had reached the end of a long, stress-filled journey.

Tears of joy and relief streamed down my face.

I called the Mr. to share the news that I was done.

He was kind and didn’t make fun of me as I cried on the phone.  He’s been down this road with me before…three years ago when I finished my last classes at Troy.

After hanging up, I finished my happy cry.

Then, I did what any girl with so much pent-up stress would do…

(Sorry for the poor picture quality. The camera would not play nicely with the TV.)

I fired up the Wii and danced…

And danced…

And danced.

I danced, all alone in my house, for thirty-five minutes.

It felt good.

I could dance, guilt-free.

Sure, I still need to study for my Professional Education Exam, but from this point forward, I will not have weekly EPI assignments to complete.

After my solo dance party, I took on another task…

Yep.  I cleaned off the table.

This is the first time since November, when I put that plaid tablecloth on it, that I’ve seen my entire table…all cleaned off.

The sight was lovely to behold.

It represented the simplicity that had suddenly inserted itself into my life.

My six months of certification classes taught me so many things.

I never thought that I could think so deeply about anything.  Teaching requires so much self reflection.

I never thought that I could think at such high levels.  Teaching requires people to use higher order thinking skills.  So much for being a dumb blonde, eh?  This program blew my self perceptions to bits.

When I first began this program in January, I cried.

The first two weeks of EPI, I nearly quit.

I’m not kidding.

I seriously questioned my desire and, mostly, my ability to teach.

I, quite honestly, did not think I had what it took.

God became a real presence in my life during the last six months.

Not that He hasn’t always been real to me.  I don’t know about you, but there are just times when He feels closer…or rather that I am closer to Him, for He never moves.

I stuck to God like glue.

I had to.

I never would have made it through this program with His help.  He rescued me so many times when I was stuck.  As I struggled through self-doubt, He confirmed that yes, I am supposed to teach.

God also used all of YOU in this journey of mine.  I want to extend a sincere thank you to every person, IRL or bloggy friend, who encouraged me throughout this process.

I won’t forget the day, before I started classes, that an administrator (and friend of mine) at Podunk High School said, “Nathalie, if anyone can do this, YOU can.”

Her words replayed in my mind many times.

My friend, Jane, whom I have the honor of working with and who is also a fellow EPI graduate (last summer) went out of her way to encourage me.  I cried more than once in her classroom.  She was a daily source of support.

To all of you, THANK YOU.  Your prayers sustained me…of this I am sure of.

Please continue to pray for me as I study for that last exam.  It’s my final hurdle to my permanent teaching certification.

For now, I think I’m going to play a bit…perhaps dance some more.  Feel free to fire up your own Wii or Kinect or maybe just your radio.  Do a dance in celebration with me.

The EPI thing is officially finito!

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: , , | 5 Comments »

Summery Hodgepodge

Posted on June 22, 2011 by auburnchick

Last week, life happened, Chicky got violently ill, and I just did not have the energy to do the Hodgepodge.  But, I’m back!  Thanks, as always, to Joyce for hosting this fun meme.  Play along by posting your own answers on your blog and then linking back up at Joyce’s!

1.  Summer’s here-whoohoo!  What’s your favorite sight, aound, AND smell associated with summer?

Sight – Clear blue skies over the Gulf of Mexico at the world’s loveliest beaches!

This last picture was taken last summer at the beach when Chris Tomlin came and gave a free concert.  My area was hit hard by the oil spill, so BP paid the local tourism council a bunch of money, which the council used to bring in some popular Christian singers.  We had three days of amazing music and worship…with the most beautiful backdrop ever.  I blogged about my experiences here, here, and here.

Sound – Actually, I love the absence of the sound of my alarm clock as I sleep in during the summer…one of the advantages of being a teacher!

Smell – I love to smell barbecues grilling during the early evening hours as I drive through my neighborhood.

2.  Fireflies or lightning bugs…what are they called in your neck of the woods?

Honestly, I have no idea!  I might be more inclined to guess firefly because there is a local restaurant (I think) named Firefly.

3.  What is something from the past week that reminded you of your childhood?

About a week ago, my bloggy friend, Dustina, posted a picture on Facebook.  The picture was of the “tent” that her daughter and a friend had made inside the house.  The tent was made of blankets that had been arranged on top of furniture pieces and by other means.  This reminded me of the summers my sister and I spent in our rooms, sleeping under similar tents.  In fact, I shared the picture with my sister.  She reminded me that we had a tin of crayons that we used to use to hold down the tent, and the tin frequently fell down. knocking us on the head.  Still, there was something magical about being under that tent and sharing the dreams of childhood with my best friend…my sister.

4.  Define “the good life.”

Hmmm…tough question, Joyce!  What is the good life?  I think the good life is simply reaching a point in your life when you are content with what you have and who you are.

5.  Tell us what we’d see if we took a snapshot of your desk/work space.

Ever since I began my teaching certification classes in January, I have had two work spaces.

The dining room table (please take note of the Christmas tablecloth, which I will remove in two weeks and never, ever look at again)…

And my couch…

I will be finished with my classes next Friday.  I cannot wait to be able to sit down at a de-cluttered table and couch!

6.  Peaches or watermelon…yes, you have to choose.

Currently, my preference is watermelon.  But, in the days before I was lactose intolerant, there was nothing better than fresh, summer peaches sprinkled with a healthy dose of sugar, immersed in light whipping cream.  Oh.  My.  Word.

7.  Ever been skinny dippin’? 

Nope.  Never have and never will.

8.  My Random Thought

I think this season’s Bachelorette is…um…not too bright, as far as relationships go.

Is anyone else watching?  First of all, I did not care for her last season.  She’s very work-oriented, which is fine, but she does not strike me as someone who is ready for a relationship.  She is self-destructing in front of the audience’s very eyes…sending guys away who shouldn’t go and staying hung up on Bentley…GAG.  Even my 19 year-old daughter is frustrated with her actions.  I feel badly for Ashley.  She lacks self-confidence.  She needed to have it before going on the show, allowing the guys to roast her, and then making them “fight” on Monday night’s show.  Gag.  I need to turn off the TV on Monday nights, but it’s like I’m watching a train wreck…I cannot turn away.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 12 Comments »

Lofty Sales

Posted on June 21, 2011 by auburnchick

Chicky went shopping yesterday and came home, excitedly telling me about cardigans she’d found on sale for $4.88 at Ann Taylor Loft.

She didn’t pick up any before she left, but she really wanted them, figuring they would be great to do her student teaching in when she returns to school.

I figured it wouldn’t hurt to have a sweater or two for myself as well, so I headed to the store today.  Since she had to work, she left me her debit card with strict instructions, written down to ensure understanding, on the colors, sizes, and styles she preferred.

When I walked in, I spied a woman looking through the small rack.  I made a beeline for it, snatching up three colors…right out from under that woman’s nose.

teehee

I don’t think she appreciated my tactics.

What can I say…I’m ruthless when I want something.

Anyhoo…the sweaters were very picked over, let me tell you, so I got what I could…

When I got to the register, the sweaters did not ring up for $4.88, as marked on the tags…

Nope…I didn’t get the price advertised.

Each sweater rang up for $3.45…30% off of the clearance price!!

I could not believe it!  What a deal!

I started to leave the store, but I took one more look at that clearance rack, which was very slim in offerings by this time.

That’s when I spied a couple of pairs of black slacks…marked at $4.88..

One of them was in my size, but I was leery of the length.

I tried the pair on.

To my astonishment, the pants fit…perfectly…which very rarely happens to me.

Naturally, I decided to buy them.  I would have been stupid not to.

Again, I did not get the price advertised because these were ALSO 30% off, making them $3.45!!!!!

Look at what they were originally priced at!  Oh my gosh!  It’s almost like I won the lottery of clothing sales!

I’ve got to hand it to my Chicky.  She’s one smart cookie.  She’s shopped on clearance racks for the last few years…just like her mama.

I am so proud.

I learned something today.

As much as I loathe to shop for clothes, I think it would behoove me to get out there a little more often.  Finding sales is as much about being in the right place at the right time as it is being on the lookout for coupons.  It’s also about finding classic pieces that will withstand the ebb and flow of clothing trends.

I think that Ann Taylor Loft is one of my new favorite stores.  I can’t wait to go back!

Filed under: Saving Money | Tagged: , , | 4 Comments »

2 Weeks To Go

Posted on June 20, 2011 by auburnchick

With two weeks left to go in my teaching certification program, things are starting to slow down, kind-of.

Last week, Chicky was very sick.  I had very little sleep the first part of the week, so I lost two days of work.  I simply could not think.

By Tuesday, Chicky was starting to feel a teensy bit better, so she went to work.  I got in the “zone” and started working on one of the toughest assignments of my problem-based learning course.  For this assignment, we, the teacher candidates, had to put ourselves in our students’ roles and devise two solutions and four justifications for the problem our lesson plan encapsulated.  For me, this meant coming up with two different ways to help displaced hurricane victims assimilate into the school system.

I am so thankful that I took good notes during the early part of this assignment.  Research is my thing, and early on, the creative juices had flowed.  Like a writer with a bunch of ideas floating around, I had captured my thoughts into a notebook.  This served me well for this assignment.

Still, I had to think.

It was hard.

Chicky came home from work, feeling a little puny.  I remember offering her something to drink.

An hour later, Chicky looked at me and said, “Well, Mama, I was only at work one day, and you’ve already forgotten about me.”

I had been deep in the throes of the assignment and had completely forgotten to get her drink!

That’s how EPI works.

With my brain finally engaged again, I completed that big assignment.

My wonderful instructor, Ms. A., gave me feedback almost immediately.  I had done everything perfectly and did not have to resubmit anything!

Happy Dance!

Hence, I had the green light to work on the FINAL two assignments for the course!

Well, I got down to work and finished those assignments, which are actually not due until this coming Sunday, a full week and three days early.

Cha Ching!

I still had two itsy bitsy assignments to go.

One was for my Diversity class.

I was antsy.  I could not do my assignment until someone else did the assignment too.  I needed to respond to someone’s posting.

I did what all anal people do.

I emailed my group members, praised them for the good work they’ve been doing, and promptly asked them to turn in this assignment early so I could finish this class.

Yes, I am rather brazen, am I not?

Well, one of the gals immediately responded by posting her assignment…less than thirty minutes later!

See, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.  😉

So, I posted my response.

I had one left to go.

I had one more posting to respond to in my problem-based learning class.  About the time I finished my other response, someone had posted the assignment in my PBL class.

Yay!  I responded to it and then sat back in relief.

My Classroom Management teacher had sent me an email telling me that my final two assignments were good to go, so I was officially done with that class too.

At this point, I had done all I could do.

I am currently in a state of flux.  I am awaiting feedback on four assignments.  I may still need to tweak my assignments to get full points, and you know I will because it’s all about perfection for me.  😉

For now, I am free.

Kind of.

While I wait for the feedback, I am studying for my final State test.

Meanwhile, I continue my countdown…t-minus two weeks and counting…

Filed under: Teaching | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

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