Thanksgiving Week...amazing!

Hope everyone has had a restful and happy holiday.

I have had a perfectly marvelous week!
Monday I had dinner with a former student, who graduated in '97, and she informed me that she was taking me to see Mannheim Steamroller for my Christmas present. How cool is that!! [I LOVE Mannheim Steamroller, second only to Barry Manilow]

Then Tuesday, another former student ['94] came to school and brought lunch and visited for a while.

Wednesday I stayed in my PJ's ALL DAY!

Thursday, Thanksgiving, Momma and I went to a friend's for dinner. The food was great and the best thing about it was that it was all cooked by someone else!

Friday I had lunch with another former student ['95]. He now lives in LA and is a TV producer. It was exciting to see him and hear about all of his experiences.

Saturday was Mannheim Steamroller and today was the Boston Pops Concert. The director of the Boston Pops, Keith Lockhart, graduated from Furman University here in Greenville. This is the second time he has started their holiday tour at Furman.
It was wonderful!

So, even though I didn't get to see either of my children, or my precious grand baby, for Thanksgiving - my week was filled with lots of other people that I love and some wonderful music.

DD has been great about posting pics of EB on her blog and a couple of videos. That has helped but I can't wait to see her. Since I have seen her she is sitting up and crawling and pulling up and walking along the couch and eating some regular food. She is growing up so fast. I just hope she still knows me.

DS is coming home for Christmas and I haven't seen him since last Christmas. It's the longest I've ever gone without seeing him. I miss him so much. We talk on the phone about every other day, he is so sweet to call because he knows how much I miss him.

I have discovered Face Book. It is amazing and I have gotten back in touch with people I haven't seen in years...from high school, and college, and former students. Someone started a group of EHS Concert Choir Alumni and there are over 300 in it. It has been fun seeing their children and learning about what they are doing and getting together with some of them. If you haven't tried it, you should, it's not just for kids anymore. There is even a group of EHS teachers, past and present.
It's so much fun, but can be as addicting as blogging and reading blogs.

The Winter Concert is a week from Monday. [You know, I am a high school Choral Director] So next week will be full of extra rehearsals, from 7 in the morning until late afternoon. I think it will be pretty good, lots of choreography...one guy is going to dress like Elvis and sing Blue Christmas and another guy is going to be a Disco Dancing Santa Claus...plus old favorites. I'm excited about it and I think the kids are too.

So, while I am singing and dancing the week away, and getting ready for the concert, I hope all of you have a wonderful week.

Hello Again

I am amazed to see that it had been three months since I have blogged. I just haven't been on the computer very much adn I must admit that I have been on facebook.
Through facebook I am back in touch with students from 20 years ago, it's great!

I have been knitting an afghan for my son. He has said for years that he wanted me to make an afghan with a gamecock on it. I could never find a pattern, so I decided to just design it myself. I am knitting the main part in garnet, with a 3 inch black border done in a basketweave stitch. I found a picture of a gamecock on google and, using an overhead projector, drew it on paper on the wall. I still have to draw blocks on it and then I am going to put it on the afghan with an 'over stitch'. I don't know what it is called, and I have never done it, but I've seen others do it. I have been coming home every day and knitting madly, trying to finish it for Christmas.

Daughter and baby have been in Richmond since September. I will see them on Dec 16. I can't wait to see EB, she has learned to do lots of things since I saw her.

School is still wonderful. My classes are great, and Concert CHoir is amazing! We had our first concert Nov. 8. Our winter concert is Dec 8th. I am as happy this year as I was miserable last year.

Though I haven't been writing, I have been reading your blogs. No one probably even comes by here anymore. But I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!

School is Good!

Today was the second day of school. My classes are great! The guidance counselors worked really hard to get my kids into the chorus classes, so it turned out not to be so bad. I only lost four. Concert Choir has 31 girls and 30 guys. That is almost unheard of in high school choral music - I am so excited! They sound wonderful! And my Chorus I has 47! and 20 of them are guys!!
It looks like this year is going to be as good as last year was bad!

Back to School

Well, today was my second day back at school and the day that all the kids came for their schedules and books and parking passes etc. etc. I have to say that I had a wonderful time because everyone I saw - parents, teachers, students, even boys - noticed how different I looked. The hair , the make-up, the skin, and most of all the 26 missing pounds. It was so encouraging and did wonders for my self-esteem.

The bad thing was that our new schedule is the most convoluted thing I have ever seen. In 21 years, I have never lost more than 3 students to schedule conflicts. This year I have lost over 30, THAT I KNOW OF. I have no idea of the number in concert choir and the balance. Oh well, I'll just have to live with it and make the best of it.

I am missing reading, which I did so much of this summer. I shall head to bed and read a little.

Happy Stitching!
Jane

Goodbye to One Great Summer

I received the funniest e-mail today from one of my friends who reads my blog. She said she feels like she has to check it regularly during the day, because posts keep changing and even disappearing. She thought she was losing her mind. I laughed and laughed, because I really do that, but I didn't think anyone would even notice. So, let me reassure you, things really do disappear around here, it isn't your imagination.

I start back to work next Wednesday. Well, actually Monday, because I have an officers meeting on Monday to lay out plans for the year and decide who will be in charge of what. Also to get the room set up. They moved EVERYTHING to wax the floor, and just left it in a pile. I personally think that is inexcusable, but then no one asked me. I am fortunate to have students and former students that will come in and help me get it done.

I have had a really wonderful summer. "The Summer of Jane" The best part was that I got to spend a lot of time with Jeni and the baby. But I also have a really good start on finally losing weight. I am rested and actually ready to go back to school. I thought I had lost my passion for teaching chorus for good and was just waiting out the last four years until retirement. But I found it again! I've been choosing music and planning the Dinner Theatre and planning a fantastic trip to NYC to sing in St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Those of you who "know me", know that last year was a difficult year in so many ways. The most wonderful miracle that happened last year was the birth of my precious EB. And the pictures below speak for themselves.






I can hear her thinking "Now there are some really beautiful feet!!"
What a miracle! God is so good!

I haven't been stitching much. Have been making new tops for some flip-flops I bought that have replaceable straps. They are ribbon and with big cool buttons on them. And probably the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. It's about as close to going barefooted as you can get.

I am also making hair bows for EB and smocking. I had bought a new sewing machine, and hadn't even opened the box. I was a little intimidated by all of the computerized stuff but I am conquering it, step by step.

Still working on the baby blanket. The baby is due in October, so I am going to wait a little while to pull it back out.

So there you have it, I haven't blogged much[and actually left it on] for a while. But I have had one great summer and have enjoyed reading your blogs.

Happy Stitching - or whatever!
Jane

A Vision in White

Today I went to the Bernina store to buy smocking plates and patterns for clothes for EB. Of course I want to make every single one I see. [Kind of like choosing cross-stitch patterns and knitting yarns ] When Jeni was little, I smocked and appliqued clothes for her. I still have all of the dresses and EB will be able to wear them. However, I didn't start smocking until Jeni was three, so all of her little dresses, and all of my patterns, are sizes 3 thru 6. We bought several plates and a couple of patterns. The first thing I am going to make is a design of pumpkins that she can wear all fall and then I found a beautiful Christmas pattern for a dress.

I am making a quilt for EB from the left over materials from the dresses and clothes I made for Jeni when she was little. I have already cut the appliqued outfits into blocks for the quilt. I also traced her hand when she was four and embroidered it and had her write her name and embroidered that. I need to get busy on it - they could hang it on her wall or actually use it on the bed.

Happy Stitching!

Gift from Rachel

I came home from Louisville to find a package from Rachel waiting for me.
I was so touched to find inside the gift pictured below. What a thoughtful gift - because I really have talked about my precious grand baby pretty much non-stop since she was born. So, nothing could have pleased me more! And the card she enclosed is also beautiful. I have never seen a card that was embroidered like that. I asked if she had made the card, but haven't heard back yet.


I struggled with the photos, I just couldn't seem to get a pic that did them justice. Too much light, or a reflection of the flash and I have no idea how to turn off the flash on the camera. At any rate, I will treasure both, and the sweet words she wrote inside.

Last week I went rather suddenly to Louisville.. I was out and about and talking to Jeni on my cellphone and she said "Why don't you come today?" That's all it took, I went home, threw together some things and headed out. [I actually didn't throw together quite enough things, because I wound up having to go buy a few tops since the three I brought with me were either soaked with drool or had a little spit-up on them. :) No complaints though, she can drool and spit-up on me all day long if she wants to!]
I helped Jeni with some packing and sorting in preparation for a yard sale, and also got to spend some wonderful time with EB. Her newest thing is sticking both legs straight up in the air, sometimes holding her feet, sometimes just looking at them.




Last weekend I went to Charlotte with my friend and her daughter to do some shopping. While her daughter shopped, Carol and I did our own shopping and I went to Sephora to see about getting some good face care products. They were having some kind of 'event' and had make-up artists there. I would up with a girl from NY who has done some Broadway shows, which was cool. She helped me with skin care products and a skin care regimen, which I have never really done. I guess at 58, it's time to start. Then she talked me into doing make-up too and I apparently have been using the wrong colors. Anyway, I didn't purchase all of the make-up but can add it gradually.

Jeni and baby are coming here Monday because Jeni's Dad is having knee surgery. So I will get to keep EB while Jeni is helping her Dad. School begins soon and I am just so blessed to have been able to spend so much time with Jeni and EB this summer.
I have to get my programs planned and music ordered before school starts, so I'll have to start going to school week after next.

So, as the Summer of Jane is winding down, I have to say this has been one of my best summers ever!

Jane

Bubbles and Wrinkles

Here is a pic of Baby Blaine blowing bubbles! Isn't she a doll!

I don't have the gadget Jeni has to take away my wrinkles. [See profile pic]
So there they are in all of their glory. [I have actually named the one going up from my left eye - after the kid who drove me crazy all year!]

The Summer of Jane

So....I am feeling so great! I have been eating right and have lost 21 pounds! I joined the local Bariatric Clinic and am determined to lose this weight. I won't tell you how much I want to lose, but I will tell you that my goal weight is 135.

And I went today to a real hairstylist [as opposed to cutting it myself] and got a real haircut with an actual current style. I love it!

I got new make-up and am actually taking the time to put it on.
And I am using skin products, yes skin products, and I can already see a difference around my eyes. [I have always had pretty good skin and have never done anything like moisturize or exfoliate.]

So, the summer of Jane.....I am actually going to start taking care of myself. Better late than never I guess.

AND...I cross-stitched today! It was wonderful!

What a day!
Jane

Vacation

I am back from five wonderful days on the Isle of Palms and Charleston, SC.
A former student of mine is a youth minister at a church on the Isle of Palms.
She was house/dog sitting in a gorgeous home in Wild Dunes and invited Jeni, EB, and me to come and stay with her. It was great being with her, and with Jeni and EB, and being in Charleston. I love Charleston! We ate some great seafood and shopped in the open-air market and saw some of the sites.

Since the only pictures I took were of Lauren the baby and Jeni, I have imported some pictures from the Internet to show you where we went. This is a view of the Isle of Palms.



We like to eat at restaurants where the locals go, rather than always the big tourist attractions. Lauren knew all the best places. We ate at this place called The Wreck of Richard and Charlene. It was well named! When we first drove up, I thought maybe we were in the wrong place and was hesitant about going in, but there were many cars there and other people going in. It actually looks better in this pic than it did in person. It is more grown-up all around it now. It was screened-in and not air conditioned, but the food was wonderful!



We ate at another place where they had buckets in the middle of the tables for oyster shells. Since we didn't have oysters, we put EB in the bucket. We did a lot of shopping. At Chico's, where they were having an amazing sale, I actually ran into two friends from Spartanburg.



We went to the open-air market at the old slave market. I got some great jewelry. Jeni was on a search for pralines and finally found some.




This is a pic of Jeni and EB at the Wreck of Richard and Charlene


This is Lauren and EB - also at the wreck.


And finally, I LOVE this pic. Jeni took away my wrinkles and I look so young!


So, a wonderful time was had by all! Amazingly enough, I didn't even touch my needlework. I had taken knitting and cross-stitch, but spent every moment I could playing with EB. I have to say, she absolutely takes precedence over any of my hobbies and pastimes. You grandmothers out there understand!!

So, my current interests are making hair bows for EB and making new ribbon straps for the flip flops I bought in Charleston. [They are made from ribbon and are attached with Velcro. I bought a ton of ribbon and shall have an entire wardrobe of flip flops. Every woman's dream! Woo hoo! ]

So.. off to make some ribbons!

Happy Stitching!
Jane .

I've Been Tagged

YAY! I've been tagged by Crazy Lyda.

Rules: You must answer the questions using only one word. Then tag four others.

1. Where is your cell phone? Couch
2. Your significant other? Non-existant
3. Your hair? Dyed
4. Your mother? 90
5. Your father? Missed
6. Your favorite thing? Laughing
7. Your dream last night? None
8 Your favorite drink? DietRite
9. Your dream/goal? Thinness
10. The room you’re in? Study
11. Your hobby? Needlework
12. Your fear? Darkness
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Elsewhere
14. What you’re not? Rich
15. Muffins? Mmmmm
16. One of your wish list items? TV
17. Where you grew up? Everywhere
18. The last thing you did? Read
19. What are you wearing? Comfies
20. Favorite gadget? Cellphone
21. Your pets? None
22. Your computer? Connection
23. Your mood? Positive
24. Missing someone? Always
25. Your car? Blue
26. Something you’re not wearing? Dress
27. Favorite store? Steinmart
28. Like someone? Everyone
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? Forgotten


So now I tag Martha, Rachel, Mindi, and Marie.
Have fun!

Grandmotherhood - There's Nothing Like It!

I have spent the past three days with my DD and precious G-baby. It has been wonderful! She smiles and laughs out loud and is amazing!! Today we went to the mall for a few things. Every time I go to the mall I see tons of people I know....every time! Well, wouldn't you know it - today I saw NOT ONE SOUL I knew! I was so disgusted! I wanted to show people the baby!

I had some Simon cards from my choir and from a couple of students - so I went to the Brighton store at the mall. I got some gorgeous Brighton jewelry. I love Brighton, but would never be so extravagant as to spend that much money on jewelry for myself. So, even though I'm sure that I could find more practical things that I really should use the money for, I let myself buy Brighton jewelry when they give me the Simon cards. So, now I can always remember that the 2008 choir gave me this set and my two sweet students, whom I will always remember and love, gave me the gorgeous bracelet. The pictures aren't great because the flash would reflect on the jewelry, but anyway, you can kinda see.





Tomorrow I am going to teach Jeni how to sew. Friday, we are going to Gaffney, to meet some friends who haven't met EB yet. Sunday we head to the beach.
Fun times!!

I cannot pass up posting the picture of EB!!




Happy Summer!
Jane

Summer....ahhhhh

Hello again! I have really neglected my blogging. Last Friday was the last day of school, and I have done very little ever since. I did go to the grocery store one day. I have read three books and knitted about three inches on the baby blanket.

I have decided that my summer project is going to be getting rid of everything I don't need or love. I've already thrown away three hefty bags full - hard to believe I had so much just plain junk. Anyway, it's very free-ing.

My DD and grand baby are coming Monday. We are going to the beach next Sunday for several days. One of my former students lives on the Isle of Palms, SC and has invited us to come. Imagine - almost two weeks with them.

So, though my life may make for some boring blogs this summer, don't give up on me. I will post some stitching and knitting pictures, I promise.

Happy Summer!
Jane

School Is Almost Out!!!

Well, two more days of classes. I have three written exams to give and grade, graduation practice and then the graduation ceremony. I am losing 27 seniors this year. Losing some outstanding voices, but some great ones coming up, so I am excited about how next year's choirs will sound. The state [SC], as of this year's freshman class, is now requiring at least one fine arts credit for graduation. This has led to a LOT of people signing up for choir for next year. So, for the first time ever, I will have a men's ensemble. Excited about that!

I have done a bit of knitting this weekend. But mainly hung out with friends and also continued my organizing/purging of my house. I LOVE throwing things away. Everything is becoming more and more organized, which is very calming. I remember a friend years ago telling me that she had finally gotten her house to the point where she had gotten rid of everything she didn't need or use anymore, and [this is the best part] she knew exactly where every single thing was. That has been my goal for a long time and I plan to reach it by the end of this summer.

The baby blanket I am knitting is about halfway finished. It is so pretty and so soft. I am ready to start some x-stitching again, but am making myself wait until I finish the blanket. So, I shall go knit.

Have a great week everyone.
Happy Stitching!
JAne

Daughter and Granddaughter

Really Great Pizza and a Yard Sale Bonanza!

The closer it gets to the end of school - the happier I feel! This has been a very difficult year, for many reasons, and I will be glad to see it come to an end.
I have a long list of things that I want to do this summer - and I can't wait to get started on them.

I am still working on the baby blanket as often as I can. It's almost 20 inches now.

This morning a friend and I headed to Tryon, NC to have pizza at the Side Street Cafe. It is one of my favorite restaurants and I don't get over there very often, it's about 45 minutes. ON the way I saw a yard sale sign and pulled in...boy am I glad that I did. They were packing up, but pulled out the toys and baby clothes. I got a big box of baby toys for $3, there must have been well over $100 worth of toys in that box. And there were Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger and other name brand clothes. I spent $25 and got 15 outfits and`all those toys. Not a bad haul!

I'm trying to get all of my craft stash organized. At Hobby Lobby, I bought some really pretty fabric covered boxes in graduated sized. They only had two black and white toile boxes, which match my bedspread, and then I got a set of five navy and white. So I am putting stuff away and it is looking good! Are all crafters messy or is it just me?

Happy Memorial Day!
Jane

Knitting News

I have been working deligently on the mint green baby blanket for Tara. I gave up on the pattern that added 40 stitches every fourth row - there has to be a misprint in that Grandma's Love Blanket pattern - or a very evil Grandma, sitting somewhere laughing wickedly each time another person downloads that pattern. Anyway, I went back to the pattern I used for Baby BLaine's first blanket. It is a beautiful lace pattern, an heirloom blanket, {hear that DD?}.
Anyway, I have done about 10 inches of it and it is looking very pretty.

Gotta go - class is here.
Happy Stitching
Jane

Knitting...ack!

Okay, so I am officially giving up [and THROWING AWAY] this baby blanket pattern. There MUST be something wrong with it. I have started over SIX times and I KNOW I am following the directions. The pattern is K2tog 4X, YO, then K1 yo 7X. So it seems to me, that basically you are adding four stitches every time you do the pattern, which is adding 40 stitches every fourth row. Does this make sense to anyone out there?
Anyway, I am changing patterns, before I totally destroy this yarn by knitting and frogging over and over and over again.
Oh the frustration!!!!!
The DVDs of the Dinner Theatre arrived yesterday and we are all anxious to see it. During a performance, even though I am 'watching' it, I am really concentrating on the music and directing and keeping things going, so I don't really SEE it. The guy who films it also puts together a great collage of the rehearsal night. So, we are going to watch it in class today and tomorrow....and I will knit!!

Yaw'll all have a great day!
Jane

Knitting, Hair Bows, and New Pics

First things first - new pic of Baby Blaine.




It seems that all I've been doing lately is starting things and then changing my mind. I've finally setttled on a project and it is driving me crazy. It's a baby blanket for a friend who is expecting. The basic pattern is SO simple.
One row of: K2tog 4X, YO, *K1,YO* 7X. Then purl a row, knit a row, purl a row, and start over.

I have started this thing over five times! I don't know what my problem is!
This time I am up to 4 inches. The pattern doesn't look like the picture yet but
I am going to keep on and trust the pattern. We'll see....

My latest project has been making hair bows for Blaine. AND as I seem to do with everything - go a little overboard - I bought ribbon in every color. People have asked me about selling them, but the truth is I don't actually enjoy making them, so one of each is my limit. DD just called and said this picture was up on her blog - isn't that hilarious! ALL of the bows at once!



I found a sewing machine! I settled on a Kenmore. It does everything I wanted, including monogram - not large letters, but about an inch. A good size to put on hairbows and onesies [sp?]. I've been sewing on a 1958 Singer, [my Mom bought it when I was 8] so all of these buttons and computerized things are challenging.

DD and SIL came down two weeks ago and we took some four generation pictures. My mother is 90 and could not make the trip to Louisville.

I think this is great one of her with the baby.

I haven't been writing or reading much lately, so I am going to close and read some of your blogs. Thanks for stopping by! When school is out, I'll be able to write and read more regularly.

Hugs to all,
Jane

Reading

Reading The Yarn Harlot.
She makes me laugh.

Sewing Machine and Baby[can't help it]

Well, I am going sewing machine shopping today. I am excited!
I also am stitching away on the birth announcement. I will post pics soon.
However, I MUST post this precious pic of the baby, I mean you just HAVE to see it!





Jane

Advice? New Sewing Machine

So...I have decided to buy a new sewing machine. [The one I am using is a 1958 model.] I want one that will embroider and monogram and that will do quilting. I am asking for recommendations. I can't spend thousands. But surely I can find a good machine for less than that. [I figure that I will save enough on monogramming alone to buy my own machine. I've been getting EVERYTHING monogrammed for precious grand daughter.]

I have made this decision because I have decided to start sewing and smocking again -for my precious grand daughter. I have a smocking gathering-machine. I haven't smocked since my DD was 10 or so.

Also, I want to make quilts. I have been saving material and patterns for a while.
So I am ready - I just need a new machine. I thought I would go to the local Bernina store and start there. Singers are good, and Sears always has good quality products.

So ladies...what do you suggest?

Thanks for stopping by
Jane

A Wonderful Spring Break Week

What a wonderful week! I got to spend three whole days with my precious grand- daughter. It was so difficult to leave her this morning.
I am going to post a picture but I am going to explain it first. Blaine was born with her feet turned inward and has been through three weeks with casts. They were so blessed to get in with the Shriners in Lexington, KY. This Monday when they went, the doctors put her in shoes that are bolted to a bar. She has adapted fairly well, as she did to the casts. The picture below is so funny - she looks like a wild snow boarder!



The next one is a pic from Easter. She is trying to get the bunny in her mouth, which she does with everything!




So... while in Louisville I looked up some stitching stores. I got to go to two of them One was all knitting - beautiful yarns. I didn't have much time so my plan was to go back this morning on my way home. But they weren't open yet, so I decided to drive through Shelbyville. I found a shop there that had cross-stitch and needlepoint. It was in a very old house and the owner was a former school teacher. [It was interesting to learn that she does very well, and says it is because she is so far from a Michael's. She also does a good business from traveling stitchers who look up shops in places they are going to be traveling near.] I wish I could have spent more time in Shelbyville. It is a quaint little town with Main Street separated by a block of stores and each part of the street is one way. There were lots of neat looking stores, antique shops and clothing stores and a second hand children's clothing store that I would have loved to explore. But with a six hour drive ahead of me, I only visited the needlework shop. I did buy one pattern for a needlepoint Christmas tree that is worked on red canvas. Interesting, I'll post a pic later.

So...my Spring Break has been wonderful! I feel refreshed [definitely not rested, but I'll do that tomorrow] and ready to go back to school and put that Dinner Theatre together.

I missed reading my usual blogs and am going to do that right now.
Happy Stitching!
Jane

Heading to Blaine-town

Today was another great day! I visited with my friend Jan and her precious granddaughter this morning. Then I ran errands, came home and taught a piano lesson, and then began packing for my trip to Louisville tomorrow. [I think I am going to start calling it Blaine-town, because that's what it really is!] So I'll be gone until Friday. I hope everyone had a wonderful week!

Hugs to all, Jane

Spring Break - Day #2

So...this morning I drove to Greenville's Westend. It is beautiful, and if you ever visit Greenville, SC you must spend some time downtown and in the Westend. Anyway, one of my former students has opened a hair salon in the upstairs of a refurbished building. It is sooo nice, elegant - with the original hardwood floors and the bare brick walls. Very fashionable. Anyway, he cut my hair. Well I had cut it, he fixed it and cut the parts I could not reach. Did a great job, and I appreciated the 'former teacher and friend' discount.

Then I came home and began to throw things away. Apparently [according to Lyda of Pollyanna fame]there is a holiday called Discardia and I was celebrating it without even knowing it. I just celebrated and celebrated and it was wonderful.

Then, and you will be so envious, one of my students came over and helped me - and now absolutely everything in the entire house is exactly where it is supposed to be. I cannot remember when it has been like this!! SO..on Monday, the lady who cleans my room at school is going to come and give my house a deep cleaning. I am so excited!

Then, I read for a while, both of my precious children called me, and next I worked on hair bows for Baby Blaine. Now I am going to go watch TV and x-stitch. Could life BE any better!

Have a Blessed Easter!
Hugs to all,
Jane

PS Couldn't resist giving you another look at Baby Blaine. this is her first taste of snow.

SCHOOL IS OUT!!!

I have absolutely, thoroughly, completely, and totally enjoyed this first day out of school and it's only 3:09 - lots more day to go!!

First I took my mother over to Spartanburg to a store that was buying gold. She had some stuff to sell and she got A LOT of money. I had a few things and got $101, which is more than I had when they were sitting in my drawer, right? That'll more than pay for my gas to Louisville next week.

Then I watched the re-make of An Affair to Remember with Warren Beatty and Annette Benning. Not as good as the original, but it made me cry!

Then the highlight of the day - I got to listen to Baby Blaine breathe and suck on her passy over the phone. HEAVEN!!
Ah, the joys of grandmotherhood!

Next I am going to get my nails done and then.....and then....I am going to came home and make my most wonderful very favorite BANANA PUDDING! And people... this is only the FIRST DAY of Spring Break!!!

So, I have an hour and a half before I have to leave for my nail appointment...and I am going to KNIT!!! What a life!!

Hugs to all,
Jane

Spring Break...WooHoo!

Good Morning All!

Well, today is the last day of school before the much anticipated Spring Break! The kids will most certainly be WILD and I don't even care - I'll probably just be wild with them!

I am knitting [yes! knitting!] a red pocketbook that I am going to felt. I worked on it a lot at All-State Chorus Weekend. Also making a baby announcement to match the baby's blanket.




I also found some large wooden letters, about 10" high. I got letters to spell BLAINE and I am painting each one like one of the designs in the blanket. They are so cute. I'm going to try to find some sheer green ribbon to tie on them to hang them.

Also making hair bows. You will all certainly understand when I tell that I went to buy supplies and bought every width and color and design of ribbon I could find. Never let it be said that I do ANYTHING in moderation! haha

Can't wait to see DD and SIL and that blessed baby next week..

Yaw'll have a great day!
Hugs,
Jane

Baby Blaine

I just couldn't resist posting these pics. The bottom one is my absolute favorite. Though I love the one of DD holding Baby Blaine too!
I promise, I will stop soon.
Ugh, probably not......





My wonderful SIL is a great photographer and takes tons of pictures of EB. He is such a sweet and loving father. My DD is very blessed to have such a great husband.

I'm heading back up to Louisville next week, I am so excited! I am looking forward to seeing the parents as well as the little girl. I will have new photos, but I am disciplining my-grandmother-self and I will post knitting and stitching pics before I let me post more baby pics.


Hug to everyone from this very happy grandmother!
Jane

Knitting, piercing, and seeing old friends

Hi
Well, this was a great weekend. It was the SC All-State Chorus Weekend. Over 2000 students from all over the state audition in November, and the chosen ones go to Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC for a weekend in March. They have five or six selections to learn before they come,and then spend the weekend working with a world renowned director, and give a concert on Saturday afternoon. I only took three this year and they were very talented and fun girls. We laughed A LOT and had a really good time.

AND.....drum roll.....I had plenty of time to knit! Found some really cool buttons while in Louisville and decided to make a red pocketbook and felt it and put these buttons on it. So I began knitting the pocketbook. I love All-State weekend because I get to see friends that I have known for years and only see at this weekend and in September when we have a state wide meeting. It's kind of weird that there are sooooo many young directors that I don't know. I think I was probably the second oldest director there, since most retire in their early fifties.

I also did something a little crazy for me - got a second piercing in my ears. I got REAL cubic zirconia earrings - they look like diamonds. 'Looking like' is about as close as I will come to real diamonds. haha

Well, one week of classes and then...DA DA DA DUM..Spring Break! I think I am going to Charleston to spend a few days with a friend who lives down there. And here at home I plan to throw away some more stuff - still working toward getting my entire house completely simplified and organized.

Tomorrow I will post some pictures of the knitting and the buttons!

Happy Stitching!
Jane

BLOGGERVERSARY

So, a FEW more pics. I promise this isn't going to become a grand baby blog!


I love this one - she looks so content!



My favorite. She is wearing the dress and booties that her Mommy wore home from the hospital 29 years ago. You may recognize the blanket she is lying on...I made it. So, there ya' go...some knitting!


Looks like she is wondering "will they EVER stop flashing that light in my face?"


I just realized that I totally missed my Bloggerversary. I don't know, maybe because they had to put my precious grand baby in the hospital because she had lost almost three pounds. Ya think?
I was slightly pre-occupied. But all is well, and she is gaining now.

My plan is to rest this weekend and do some major stitching and other crafting for Baby Blaine. I will definitely post pics!
Yaw'll have a great weekend!
Jane

Grandmama Love is the BEST!

Well, here are some pictures of my precious grand baby! Isn't she beautiful!! I am home now, and it was SO hard to leave her. My DD is doing well, tired but so happy! I miss her too. I wish they lived close enough to see them more often.

I took my stitching with me and managed to make ONE cross-stitch, honestly!
I am going to do some sewing now - curtains for the nursery among other things.

Now I am going to catch up on reading your blogs. I have been away from the computer for over a week!






Happy Stitching!
Jane

finally a GRANDMOTHER

Well, I am finally a grandmother. Elizabeth Blaine was born by c-section on Thursday, Feb. 24th at 3:42pm. I was on the road from Greer, flying when I could. About 40 miles from Louisville I came into an ice storm, but that did not deter me, no sir! I got here after she was born and before DD came out of surgery.

As you can see for yourself in the video above, she is so beautiful. Her Daddy made the video when she was hours old.

Hair

So the hair isn't so bad - my students didn't even notice, and they generally notice everything. I am definitely a blonde - and so far, I have not had more fun. We'll see.

My Continuing Hair Saga

Well, me and my hair! My daughter keeps telling me that I should have it cut etc. by professionals. But, no, I keep right on doing it myself. Well, I actually like the haircut...but I don't know what's going to happen with the color. Clever person that I am, when mixing the color, I mxed the conditioner with the stuff in the bottle instead of the color. Well, after 30 minutes, NOTHING had changed and then I realized my mistake. So I put the color stuff in what was left of the conditioner and other stuff mixture and put THAT on my hair. The color is changing, but I don't know what it is going to look like. I HAVE to go to school tomorrow because we have our annual choral festival. So...instead of just having my kids see it, I'll be on stage in front of about 800 people, looking who-knows-how. At least my back will be toward the audience. [Funny thing - we are singing the title song from the musical 'HAIR'.] SO, as long as it doesn't turn some strange color or fall out, I guess I'll be okay. I'll let you know.

Valentine's, Dancing, and Waiting for Baby

Happy Valentine's Day - this is my Valentine present from my secret pal at school. And, YES!, that is Barry Manilow peeking through the balloon - a signed photo no less! I am definitely a major MANILOW FANILOW!! A student made the plate for me about 7 years ago, because I am, in fact, the QUEEN!




The following pictures are of what I did this weekend, instead of stitch!
It was the BIG Choreography Weekend, where we learned all of the choreography for the Dinner Theatre. I hire a choreographer who comes in and works the entire weekend with the kids. Each choir is here for 6 hours, spaced out from Friday afternoon, all day Saturday, and Sunday afternoon. We were dancing maniacs!





It kinda looks like all we did was point, which is not the case.
The theme this year is On Broadway. We are all really excited about the music. We are opening with the song On Broadway [Drifters] and closing with You Can't Stop the Beat from Hairspray. And, this year we are having a pasta buffet, which will be different, haven't done that before.

So... I have ordered a really neat birth announcement. The baby bedding set they have is a patchwork design and the birth announcement is also a patchwork design, only all in pinks. So I am thinking I can make it match the patches in the blanket - won't that be neat? I can't remember the designer, but I'll tell you when it comes.

BABY UPDATE ::
DD is 36 weeks and the baby already weighs 9 lb 4 oz. She is hoping they will take it next Friday. I'm guessing we will be using 3-6 month clothes instead of 0-3. I am So EXCITED!!

I Need Your Help!

Okay all you stitchers out there in stitching-land....I want to x-stitch a beautiful, unusual and amazing birth announcement for my little g-baby, who will be here pretty soon. I have seen some that yaw'll have done and posted on your blogs but I can't remember whose and when. Or maybe you just know of one. Can you help me out with this?

I actually stitched this weekend. I FINALLY undecorated my tree and started packing up my Santas. I went to bed at 8:45 Sunday night and awoke at 1:10 with a headache.
So, I took 3 extra strength Exedrins[forgetting about the caffeine]. Man was I wired!
I cleaned out every drawer in my bedroom and then moved to the kitchen, cleaned out the fridge, and then on to the den where I cleaned out and organized all of my knitting and stitching bags and baskets. THEN I stitched and watched TVLand.
When my alarm went off, I got ready for school and took off! You'd think I would have gotten here early - oh no, all traffic was re-routed because of a house fire and I had a time finding my way to the school. This must be the cul-de-sac center of the world. When I did find a road that went through, I was back at the road block
But here I am, ready to face a day of teenagers.

Today is the day for auditions for solos for the Dinner Theatre - so by the end of the day I'll have a lot of people mad at me. Oh well, yaw'll still love me - right?

Happy Stitching!
Jane

Building Dedication :) No stitching :(

Hello all.....I am at school and my drama class is in the library working on Power Point Presentations, so I have some time to work at a computer also.
Last night we had our new building Dedication Service. Our new auditorium is amazing and the acoustics were especially amazing. My girl group sang the Star Spangled Banner and then the entire choral department was placed throughout the auditorium and sang the Alma Mater. It was exciting for me to hear the 'new sound'. We now have state-of-the-art lighting and sound...I can't wait to have a concert in there.

OK.....stitching blog.....no stitching to report. Maybe tonight?

Happy Stitching..
Jane

Quilting Question

Here's the question - for all of you experienced quilters:
DD wants me to make a quilt out of the bridesmaid dresses she has worn. All of them are satin. We will also be using crushed velvet. My vision was to tie it. But she wants it quilted. Can you quilt satin and velvet? I suppose I could do it in squares and then sew them together. I really don't know. And what thread would I use for the quilting, with the materials being black, silver, periwinkle, 2 different shades of burgundy, and an off-white. Can you even wash these fabrics? I'm thinking it would have to be dry cleaned. Tell me your thoughts please?

I am in Louisville visiting DD and SIL. I came up yesterday, took a wrong turn in Knoxville and made an already 6 hour drive into an 8 hour drive. She is soooooo pregnant. Bless her heart, she is so ready to have this baby. It is fun seeing all the baby stuff.

I am loving my new Rodeo. It was great driving here. I have not had a CD player and that was great. [You remember that the car I was hanging on to was a '97.] I also like being up higher. So I rode along and Barry [Manilow] and I sang our hearts out all the way here. [I did give the Beatles some time.]

Incidentally, remember the post about trying to make baby booties and it turning out huge, like for a 5 year old. Well, the title says " something, something,and a HUGE bootie." I have gotten sooooo many hits on that post, isn't that funny. I had never thought about what that would sound like.

Have a great weekend and I hope yaw'll get some stitching [or quilting] done. I am driving instead of stitching, but it's worth it to see my kids.

When talking to them about coming up later, I said "when I come back up here to get the baby..." It was funny, talk about a Freudian slip!! I think I may have given my plan away - Bwa-ha-ha she laughed with an evil gleam in her eye!

Jane

School, A Good Book, and Lingering Christmas Decorations

Back to school today - they said we were going to have freezing rain and sleet - we didn't. Neither did we get the 2 to 4 inches of snow we were supposed to get on Saturday. Oh well... I did pretty much nothing this weekend. I did knit and stitch some. I ran across a book - The Friday Night Knitting Club - I read the entire book in a day. It was really good, it's currently on the Bestseller list - I highly recommend it.

I managed to get through the entire long weekend without taking down my Christmas decorations. When I was little, I would always beg my mother to leave the tree up until my birthday - now I think I understand why she always said no. Anyway, this Saturday I will definitely go vote and then take down the decorations...maybe.

School was good today. We are working on our Dinner Theatre - which is all Broadway music this year - and all of the music is such fun. The kids like it, too, so they are working pretty hard. It's fun when they work.

A friend took me out for dinner for my birthday. That was nice.
So, all in all, a good weekend and a good day at school.

I hope all of yaw'll are doing as well.

Happy stitching!
Jane

SNOW !!!!!

I absolutely LOVE SNOW !!!! And we got some! ON MY BIRTHDAY !!!!
Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I am crazy in love with snow!
I don't even care if we have to make up the school day. Snow days are a gift of a free day - you don't get to carry out your plans, and you can't get out [well, in SC you can't get out] and so it's a totally free day with no responsibilities or obligations. I don't believe in cleaning [or really doing any kind of work at all] on snow days, because if you were working you wouldn't be cleaning, so no guilt there. A happy, relaxing, lazy day .....I JUST LOVE SNOW DAYS!!!
I'm just hoping it freezes overnight and we can't have school tomorrow either!

I should get a lot done on my VoHRH this weekend. I may even catch up with my SAL friends!

Well, I can't seem to think, or write, about anything but the snow - so I'll go sit by a window and stitch!

Jane

I've Been Tagged

So, I have been tagged. And I am supposed to list five random facts about myself.

Well my first thought was to call one of my children and ask for suggestions, but then I decided to call my dear friend Tara. Tara and DD became best friends in high school and have been close ever since. They were in each other's weddings etc.
Tara was also in my choir at school - for four years - and we have gotten to be good friends. I love her like a daughter. We get together two or three times a month and go out for dinner and I figure she knows me about as well as my own children do, actually better in some ways. So when I asked for unusual things about me, she began laughing and listing things faster than I could write. [Not quite sure how to take that.] Anyway,here goes:

1. When I sneeze,I sound like a small dog barking, and I never do less than a series of four at a time. [My classes start counting as soon as I start sneezing. My record is 21!]
2. I have watched the first Godfather movie so many times that I can say the entire script along with the movie.
3. The first time I took an Ambien I fell head first into the bathtub in the middle of the night.
4. When my Daddy was trying to teach me to drive [1965] , I nearly ran into a train station because I was looking at my knees peeking out from beneath my new lavender skirt and thinking how pretty they looked. [He was pretty mad.]
5. I went to Landrum High School which was the first air-conditioned school in the state of South Carolina. [Incidentally, they kept their piano in the closet of the health room.]


So now I get to tag 5 people. I think I'll tag some of the members of my SAL group:
1. Mindi [What's Up With Wyora]
2. Marie [Creative Thread]
3. Katrina [The Needle's Promise]
4. Kathy [Purple Wildcat]
5. Wanda [WB Stitches]

Speaking of the SAL group - I actually stitched on my VOHRH today. Unlike everyone else I started in the middle and I don't really do a block at a time. I skip around a lot, I guess I am an ADD stitcher.

So, no kids at school tomorrow, it's a teacher workday. Kinda nice.

I've had a great weekend. Yesterday I took my mother [90 yr old] over to Landrum. We picked up a friend of ours and went to Tryon to my most favorite restaurant anywhere for lunch, and then I rode all around in Landrum for Momma. She lived there for twenty years and really enjoyed seeing the town. It has changed a lot, and she enjoyed seeing the house we used to live in and the little downtown and the church etc.

Well, it's off to stitch. AND guess what's on TV? Godfather III. Woo-hoo!

Happy Stitching!
Jane

FRIDAY!!!

You know, coming back to school after Winter Break is just HARD! Two weeks at home really spoils you! But back to school it was and this week was exam week. I haven't stitched much. I started knitting up this extremely soft white yarn for g-baby, but this is the most difficult yarn I have ever tried to knit. SO, forget that!

I finally broke down and bought a new car, well, new to me. I have had my car for eleven years and really liked not having a car payment. SO,the brakes went and I still drove it, going slow and coasting to a stop. [I am neither stubborn nor stupid - really - I'm not -really!] Anyway, I am going to need to drive to Louisville when the baby comes, so I took the big step. It was going to cost more to fix what was wrong with it than the car was even worth. So--I got a Rodeo [I feel like I am driving a truck!] and it is our school color - Royal Blue. It is really pretty and my students thought it was pretty cool that I got that color. In fact, they want to paint yellow racing stripes on it.

I guess that's all my news.

OH _ WAIT _ I do have BIG NEWS!!!

I went to dinner Tuesday night with a friend. We went to the local Panera Bread. Lo and behold - there sat a group of KNITTERS!!!!
Being the shy and retiring person that I am, I went over and began talking to them and admiring their work etc. etc. Well, I was invited to join the group and I am going to start next Tuesday. Some of you may remember a while back when I was trying to find people to start a group with....well, I am excited. They start arriving about 4ish and stay until it closes. Fun stuff!

I hope everyone is having a good start to the year and has something fun to work on!
Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stitching
Jane

A personality Quiz

People Definitely Like You

You are very well liked, and many people admire you. You are friendly, well mannered, and fun to be around. Of course, you're not perfect... but that's okay. Your friends are usually willing to accept you for who you are! What People Don't Like About You: People don't like that you forget them easily. No one wants to be friends with someone who doesn't remember their name! What People Like About You: People like that you give them complements. You make people feel good about themselves! People like your self deprecating sense of humor and that you don't take yourself too seriously. People like that you're interesting and intriguing. You always have something interesting to say.

Do People Like You?

Pictures - I hope!

Well, I have to say for that, for the most part, I really love me. But, bless-my-heart, sometimes I am just not smart! After I spent - oh 45 minutes- trying to load the pictures onto my computer, I realized I had not turned on the camera. But, even then it took me forever to, first - FIND where the darn things were on the computer- And then put them on the blog. So - PLEASE - enjoy.
[And sorry it's so long, but I WAS away for a while.... :)

First of all these are some pics from the Winter Concert. [You may note that I actually loaded them in reverse order so they would come out in the order I wanted.]

The first is Grace Chu, who is an exchange student from Taiwan. She is incredibly talented. As well as being a wonderful soprano, she is an amazing accompanist - so I had her play a piece on the piano. [When I gave my beginning of the year 'pre-test' to concert choir to see where they were musically, she scored higher than ANYONE! Oh to teach in a system where the students have music training starting in pre-school and ALL THE WAY through school.]



The second is Ryan Fowler. He is a senior and a wonderful tenor. He is also a wonderful kicker and has a full ride to Vanderbilt to play football. He was chosen to play in our state North-South game and they started practice two days before the concert. His parents worked it out so that he could perform in the concert. They had to go get him, bring him to the concert, and take him right back. [He had to change out of his tux in the car on the way back.] I am so grateful for parents who take the performances so seriously. He was singing 'I'll Be Home for Christmas'.



The next one is Matt Henderson and Bennett Dixon singing... man, I can't remember.
Anyway, they are both talented and NOT seniors. YAY!



Next is Sweet Harmony. They wanted to wear 'winter clothes'. I was picturing Christmas colors - not what they wore. BUT they sounded heavenly.



And finally Those 8 Guys.[yes, you see 9] I don't know why in the world they decided to go behind the piano to sing. Teenagers....ya just never know what to expect



This is my Treble Ensemble - sophomore girls who are first year singers. Notice the trees in the background. The church was going to throw them away, so instead they are giving them to us to use for the Dinner Theatre.



And here is the entire choir. Aren't they beautiful! They look like angels all dressed up and standing up straight and not talking! I love them so much!
I had to take the pic in 4 sections, or go to the balcony, and they were not wanting to wait for me to do that. They were READY TO GO! We had the concert at the First Baptist Church in Taylors since our auditorium was still not finished. We always finish the concert with everyone on stage singing 'Let There Be Peace On Earth' and any graduates that are there come up and sing with us. Since we had the concert so early we didn't have as many alumni as usual, but there were some and I am always so glad to see them.






The gift and roses in picture , 3, were from the choir. The gift was one of those Visa Gift Cards that I am still deciding how to use. Woohoo!

**********************************************************************************

I thought I would share some of my Christmas decorations. And they are, by the way, still there because I just can't bring myself to take them down [which is one way of putting a positive spin on just being too lazy]






Now for - yes! - stitching. One of these is an old old pattern that I finally did and the other...well actually it's pretty old too. I took the picture almost the minute I finished, so it isn't even pressed.




So, thanks for stopping by. I guess this is a little long, and possibly a little boring.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year.

Happy Stitching!
Jane