I got my burgundy shawl finished last weekend. Click here to see photos of the finished work. I very happy with the final results. It is 21 inches long by 59 inches wide. Now I need an occasion to wear it. Hmmm, anniversary coming up next week. Maybe, maybe.

A LYS near my work is going out of business. I stopped by after work and picked up a new book and 6 skeins of Lorna Lace's Angel. I'm going to make the girls each a pair of fingerless mitts. I'll use Fetching again from knitty. I made myself http://www.ravelry.com/projects/katschem/fetchinglast March as a birthday present to myself. They are soft and warm.

Kristin is moving up to play varsity this week. Four varsity players aren't playing at the moment, each for their own reason, so they need a passer. Kristin has been dressing and sitting the bench. She went in for 3 plays yesterday, but will see more play time during the 3 matches this week. She doesn't want to play varsity because she thinks she isn't good enough. I know she is if she can get past her nerves.

Trisha is enjoying her cross country. She isn't the fastest girl on her team, but she is improving with each meet. If she trains more year-round she'll be a strong runner in high school.

Blake is excited about joining a couple clubs at school. He is joining the Magic & Illusion club and the Technology club. The Tech club learns how to make movies and videos. I have a feeling I'm going to be asked for permission to post some stuff on YouTube.

16 Candles

Kristin turned 16 on Saturday. She managed to not catch her hair on fire while blowing out her candles.



It was a bittersweet day for me. I'm very proud of the beautiful, intelligent young woman she is becoming. But, I miss my little baby girl.



Time goes by too fast. 'Nuf said.

Back to School

Tuesday marked the first day of school for the kids. All the kids woke up early, eager to get to school. Kristin even got up before me and hopped in the shower. She did it again on the second day, but by the third day she had to be dragged out of bed. I knew it wouldn't last, but I was hoping the morning battles wouldn't begin quite this soon. Trisha is always 'Up and At 'Em" for school. She loves school and is always eager to go. She is a little sad that most of her friends are in other classes, but I'm sure she'll make friends among her current classmates. Blake has switched over to the local public school, just as his sisters did after 5th grade. He was nervous at first, worrying that he wouldn't make any friends. After only a couple days, he has met several boys that he says are fun and share common interests. He is also shooting for all As this year. He wants to make this a good year all around.



The Fall sports season has begun. Kristin made the JV volleyball team. Their first official game was yesterday at Ed's alma mater. Kristin's team is half freshman and I was worried it was going to be a total blow-out, but the girls held their own. They lost the first match by about 7 points, won the second match by 3, and lost the 3rd match 26-24. It was very close and exciting. The girls did a great job! BTW, Kristin played libero for the first match. She's the one in the white jersey below.



Trisha is on her school's cross country team. There meets haven't yet begun. Unfortunately, I keep the scorebook for Kristin's team, so getting to Trisha's meets is going to be difficult. I'm hoping to train another parent on how to keep the books, so that I can go. I feel terrible about missing some of her meets.

Speaking of Trisha, she finished the top of her quilt. We need to buy some fabric for the back and then I can quilt it for her. She did a great job. It measures 48" by 72", a nice size for cuddling under on chilly nights.



I've been trying get my shawl finished that I started in Amy Singer's class. I did a little math and figured I can get about 135 rows out of the two skeins of yarn. I'm at about row 120. My goal is to get at least 2 rows a day finished.

Somebody is learning to quilt

After spending Saturday night with her cousin, Trisha decided she wants to make a lap quilt for herself. Her cousin had one on her bed and Trisha decided she liked it. She has tried sewing before, but never took on a project quite like this. Sunday I let her get into my stash and she pulled out a bunch of fabric that she liked. I helped her come up with a simple patchwork design comprised of squares and rectangles. She cut the fabric herself and last night I showed her how to sew the seams. She plans on working on it a little each day. She also wants to make a back panel with a design, instead of the usual one-type of fabric back that most quilts have. I'm anxious to see how it all turns out.

Preparations for school are underway. We are pretty well set with school supplies. I'm almost done with the stack of forms that need completed each year. School clothes are getting purchased. I'm exhausted. Yep! Everything is right on schedule.

Kristin made the JV volleyball team. The coach will probably use her as libero. Only 4 other sophomores made the team. There were a lot of freshman that made the teams, 17 out of 30 in total.

Trisha tried out for volleyball but decided she's rather do cross country. The VB coach offered her a position to be on the team and practice with the other players, but she wouldn't get in any games. It didn't sound like a fun position to be in so she switched sports. She loves running also, so I'm sure she'll be happy.

Blake is getting a little nervous about his new school. He's worried that he won't make any friends, but his sisters have assured him that he will meet tons of people and will have a lot of friends. I'm hoping this is as good of year for him as it was for his sisters.