January - off and running, finished book, school starts and more....

David completed and turned in the last 25% of the book this morning. He is so excited to have that off his plate and be able to concentrate his efforts on other things. The draft still has 3 reviews to get through so he has time for changes if he chooses to make some. You can check it out at the below link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Innovate-Future-Radical-Approach-Innovation/dp/0137055153/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262796673&sr=8-1

School starts back tomorrow and I'm very ready for the children to be back in their routines. They, though not overly excited about school resuming, are "kind of" looking forward to tomorrow. Almost 3 weeks being out of school is long enough for all of us, I think!


I'm providing proof that I've actually started socks for myself. This is the "Bayerische" pattern. These are size "0" needles and the cable patterns are single stitch. An eye popper and hand cramper pattern, but Oh! so lovely...
This is the "Four Strand" sock pattern that I think I'll probably end up finishing first. The needles are size "3" and the yarn is a DK weight. This pattern really moves quickly. My first toe up sock...


"Baroque". I just love this pattern. I know you can't see the pattern I still have a bit more to do before it will be noticable. Unfortunately the color is off in the pic, it is really the most beautiful of purples.
I have started another pair of socks called, "Lakeside". I decided against taking a pic of this start as there is even less there than on the "Baroque" for the moment. So when I get a bit further along with the pattern I'll get a pic.

That time once again. Yesterday the decorations started coming down. Normally I have the house void of Christmas decorations long before now, but this year I'm being lazy. I hope to have the rest of the stuff up and put away by the end of today. We'll see...

I went out yesterday to take a pic of the ice we STILL have on the road in front of the house after almost 2 weeks. Our nights have just been so cold. But the days have warmed up just enough to melt a little day by day. Anyway.... While I was taking a pic our squirrel was kind enough to sit still until I shifted positions...

Yesterday was also hand washing day. I just thought this was an interesting pic. in that it reminded me of the days when we'd go run through the laundry hanging on the line in our own back yards. Interesting, now that we have laws saying that we can't hang laundry...

So now my laundry and breakfast rooms become places to lay flat or hang items that have been personally washed.

Monday...

Sunday - All ready for Chinese School and Mom just won't get the picture taking over with!

At last we're here and our teacher is so nice and ready to teach us all we need to know. We're all in the same class.

Here we are. Sitting and anxious to get started. There was one other student in our class and she can understand a little bit of Chinese.

Kaitlyn was basically sent home early (9:45 a.m.) from school today because of her coughing. The teachers are afraid she has Swine Flu. So off we go this afternoon to get proof that she's not a plague carrier and a note to that effect for school tomorrow. Everyone up here is so gun shy of anyone who appears sick. To bad they don't react this way normally. I know my kids wouldn't be sick, as much, if more parents kept their kids home when their own, really were ill.

I'm still struggling to get back to normal. Just no energy. But I am getting better and life does go on...

PS: Kaitlyn has Bronchitis. She'll be staying home tomorrow and then we'll catapult her back into the normal schedule. one more day, one more day, just one more day...