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Who Remembers This?

Yesterday, the Mr. and I went to the mall at the beach.  Although I’d forgotten to take my Ulta coupons with me (dang it), we decided to go ahead and eat lunch at my favorite, vegan-friendly, pizza place, Red Brick.

It was a cold day…even colder at the outside mall with the breezes from the ocean.

On our way to the pizzeria, we stopped at a store to look around.

That’s when I saw this…

Oh word, but I was taken back, in an instant, to my childhood.

I spent hours playing with my Spirograph.  I wasn’t artistic, by any stretch of the imagination, so this toy made me happy.

It meant I didn’t have to freehand to come up with pretty designs.

I think I kept this toy through my teenage years.  I never tired of it because the designs were always original.  I could never remember which hole I’d used for which design.

I nearly bought the box yesterday to place in my classroom.  My students are very artistic and are always doodling.

I’ll probably go back and pick it up or try to find it online for a cheaper price.

Either way, the memories it evoked made me smile.

My childhood was filled with a lot of angst and turmoil.  It’s good when a precious memory rises to the surface and temporarily blots out some of the scars that will never completely heal.

I don’t think they make toys like this any more.

A Princess Meets Her Prince

Today was a special day for an unsuspecting princess.

Ms. L., Rooster’s English teacher from last year, was about to meet Prince Charming, and she didn’t have a clue.

Rooster had planned the whole thing, but he nearly ruined the surprise by telling a friend.

I peeked into Ms. L.’s classroom a couple of times today, but I saw no evidence that the two had met.  The second time, she got suspicious that something was up because Rooster’s friend had been by to check up on things as well.

By lunch time, I had grown concerned, so I hunted down the boy (this is one advantage to working at the same school my children attend) and queried him thoroughly.

“Don’t sweat it, Mama,” he said.  “I’ve got things covered.”

We agreed to meet up at Ms. L.’s classroom immediately after the final bell.

A couple of hours later, I waited…smiling as I saw Rooster escorting the Prince down the hallway.

Ms. L. sat in her room, chatting with students.  She’s a lovely, young Princess…popular in the kingdom I call high school.

She opened her eyes widely as the surprise was revealed…

The story goes that last year, Rooster had done a naughty thing, so he owed her.

He asked me to make the frog for her after seeing it on the cover of the March 2009 issue of Simply Knitting (you can purchase the pattern here).

I hemmed and hawed until I made one for Chicky’s friend’s father (the one going through chemotherapy).

Although Rooster was happy that I had been so generous, he was a wee bit peeved that he still did not have his frog for Ms. L.  By now, he had been promoted to the 10th grade, but he knew he still had to answer for his bad deed the Spring before.

The Ravelympics provided the inspiration I needed, and I got busy.  I tend to work quicker on a deadline (don’t we all?).  I cast on this project February 15th and finished it in the nick of time…right before closing ceremonies on February 28th.

I used Vanna’s Choice in Olive and Dusty Green.  I used I Love This Yarn in Buttercup for the crown.

So, although the Prince seemed a little fearful to leave his country of origin (and he was a bit miffed at the role reversal of moving into his beloved’s home), in the end, he seemed quite happy in the arms of his lady love.

And they lived happily

Ever

After.

The End.