Weekly Check In

I guess it's time for my weekly check-in.

Friday I had my second interview for that job working for Advanced Patient Advocacy. I'm still really unsure if this is the job I would want, but I guess it would pay the bills for the time being. I would be traveling to Richmond, VA for training. In my first interview, they mentioned something about doing a week in Clearwater, FL, but when I had my interview, he said it would be just in Richmond. So who knows.

Did I mention that I was granted Alternative 4 eligibility in 6 subjects? So that's cool. But I can't find any of those subjects open. I'm appealing my Alternative 5 eligibility. I was denied, because they said they couldn't find a passing math class. Yet, I was approved to teach middle school math via Alt 4. Go figure. So I have to get that in the mail today. I'm asking them to consider Macroeconomics, Psych Stats and Research Methods in Psych. One of those has to count.

That's about it though. John's on vacation this week, and Rochester hasn't called me in to sub at all. That's okay though, I'm enjoying the down time with John. Plus, I feel like I've gotten a lot done this week. Today I'm probably going to work on some knitting projects. Doesn't sound like a lot, but I've got a bunch of stuff to finish up so I can start working on stuff to sell! Plus, John is sick with a cold, so he doesn't feel like doing much. Anyway, that's about it for now!

Maybe I could teach?

Yesterday I received my eligibility letter in the mail stating I'm eligible to teach ESOL, be a reading specialist, or I could teach Spanish, General Science, Middle School Math (which is really a scary thought), or Family & Consumer Science. Now I'm hoping to get one that says I can teach Elementary Ed., so we'll see what happens. I'm hoping that one will come in the mail today.

Just wanted to share!

Another second interview

Yesterday I had a telephone interview for a job working as a patient advocate for a company called, surprise surprise, Advanced Patient Advocacy. It is an independent company that works in hospitals assisting uninsured and under-insured patients apply for Medicaid, Social Security Disability, as well as other funding that may be available. It sounds like a job that may be right up my ally: 20-30% of the time I'd be meeting with patients (either in or out patient), the remainder of the time would be desk work. I wanted a desk job, but I also wanted a job where I could help people.

The thing that makes me the most nervous about it all though, is the training. Two weeks of it would be held in Virginia. The company, of course, would pay to fly me down there, and back home, and even allow me to come home on the weekend if I wanted to. The third week I'd be back in NH, I believe, then the fourth week I could travel either back to Virginia or down to Clearwater, Florida. I'd probably take the Florida option. Again, this would be on the company's dime. But I'm nervous about the idea of being away for 3 weeks. I'd miss Kane, Molly, Maggie, and most of all, John. I know I could come home to see them, but I remember being away in the hospital for 2 nights on the other side of Concord last April, and being completely distraught that I couldn't see my cats or that John couldn't be right there. I am really concerned that the anxiety of being gone for three weeks would be overbearing. It's not that I don't trust John home for three weeks with the animals and what not, that's not the issue at all... I just don't want to be away that long! I don't think I'd be able to handle it.

Anyway, that's about all the news for now. The second interview is Friday at 11am. I'll keep you all posted with how that goes.

Current and Finished Projects update

Above: This scarf is the Reynolds Rapture in dark teal. It took two and a half hanks to make this particular scarf (which I finished this morning, but have no pictures of yet). It measures approximately 5 feet 8 inches long.

Above: This scarf was made from the Rowan Cotton Tape in blue. The pattern was simple: CO an even number of stitches. Knit two - six rows (I chose two rows). Row 1: k1, *yo, k2tog (repeat from * until three stitches left) k2tog, K1. Row 2: Knit. Row 3: k2, *yo, k2tog (repeat from * until there are 4 stitches left), k2tog, k2. Row 4: Knit. Repeat rows 1-4 until reached desired length. Knit two - six rows. Bind off. The actual pattern can be found here: http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/scarfdiageyelet.htm

Above: This is the start of a roll brim baby hat I am making for a friend. Doesn't look like much just yet!


Above: This is the baby blanket I started several months ago. It is being make out of the Sirdar Snowflake DK yarn, that is being double knit (knitting off two balls of yarn at the same time). That is approximately 25 rows of work. It's hard to see the k5, p5 pattern in it, but it is more noticeable when looking at the blanket. Thus far I have not finished the first two balls of yarn.


Above: This scarf is being made out of the Moda Dea Caché yarn (I believe the color is Siren, but I can't remember). The pattern can be found in an earlier post about a red scarf I made.


Above: This scarf is actually now finished. It was made from the Reynolds Rapture yarn in teal. Like the scarf above, this pattern can be found under a post for a red scarf I have done.

Above: This purple scarf is actually self striping (rather unintentionally I might add!). It is Sirdar Snuggly I believe (I know for a fact it is Sirdar yarn though), and it is SOOOOO soft. It is a very thin yarn, but can be knit either by itself (this is being knit on size 9 needles and is held tight enough to pass as it's own fabric) or as a "fun fur" type yarn.



Above: My second venture into dish/wash cloths. I knit this with the Blue Sky Organic Cotton. Tried it out in the shower today - not sure how well the cloth will hold up, but the pattern isn't bad.

I will be trying out some new patterns for cloths shortly, but I want to try to finish up the baby hat first. The rest of the projects can come in due time, most are for Christmas presents, as I have completed the items I was knitting for me.

Yep, definitely no job

I got the letter in the mail today saying I was not selected for the job at the homeless shelter. I'm quite disappointed, as I really wanted the job, and thought I had a good chance at it. It seemed like a good position, and one I would have really enjoyed being at.
Well, not much to do but press on, now, I guess. Still trying to find that "ideal" job.

No job...

Just a quick post to let you all know I am pretty sure I didn't get the job, because I never got a phone call about it today.

I have a phone interview set up for another job on Monday, but it isn't really something I want to be doing...

*sigh*

Job interview part 2

I had the second interview for the job at the homeless shelter today. I felt like it went very well and I should have some kind of indication tomorrow as to whether or not I will get the job. I was really nervous about the schedule, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that I can make this work, so it will be okay. I'm kind of excited about it, and I left with a really good feeling about the whole thing today. I freaked out on the way home because my cell phone battery was dying and I only have a car charger. My car won't charge anything if it's not running, so I won't be able to charge it until I'm on my way to substitute tomorrow.

I also got a call back on a job I applied for on Tuesday, so I've got to be sure to call this woman back tomorrow too. Sounds like things may be starting to pan out!

I got called back for a second interview at the homeless shelter I interviewed at on Friday. I'm excited that they want me back for another interview, but I'm still nervous about the hours. 4 days a week I'd have to do 7-3, and then one day I'd have to do 3-11pm. I don't really know how I'd work the schedule, so it'll be interesting.

They keep talking about the blizzard on TV but it's stopped snowing here. I don't know if something is going to come this afternoon or not, because they were predicting us to be in the 6-12 inches range, but we've really only seen two and a half or three inches.

I took some pictures of current knitting projects I have going. I'll post those up as soon as I get them on the computer. I started my business website yesterday too. You can see it at:
http://home.metrocast.net/~mscardin/lisknits.htm

John got me flowers for Valentines day, which was nice! Tonight we're going to make a nice dinner. Today we're just home on a snow day, so it's really just kind of like having a Saturday on a Wednesday! I put together a jar of Hershey's Kisses with a note that says "I wanted to give you a kiss for ever time I fell in love with you, but we'd never do anything else. Ever. At all. So this will have to do. I love you." He hasn't read that note yet, and I had to TELL him to open the card! *sigh*

Confessions of a 25 year old work-a-phobe

69 Confession Questions

1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be?
The guy from the Salvation Army job saying "we liked you so much, you don't need a second interview, you start Monday."

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
Indeed.

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
Depends on the setting - with friends, a talker, with strangers, a listener.

4. Do you take compliments well?
Sometimes.

5. Do you play Sudoku?
Yes.

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
Most likely, for a little while anyway.

7. Do you like to ride horses?
Yeah, but it's been a long time.

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
Yes, and once as an adult too. =)

9. What was your favorite game as a kid?
I don't know.

10. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was married what would you do?
Tell them I wasn't interested.

12. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
Yes.

13. Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
Both.

14. Use three words to describe yourself?
At the moment, sick, sleepy and cranky. In general, caring, friendly, personable.

15. Do any songs make you cry?
"What a Wonderful World".

16. Are you continuing your education?
Not at the moment.

17. Do you know how to shoot a gun?
Can't say I've ever tried.

18. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
My pets.

19. How often do you read books?
Not nearly as much as I should!

20. Do you think more about the past, present or future?
Right now, the present.

21.Favorite children's book?
Good Night Moon, or See How Much I Love You?

22. What color are your eyes?
Brown.

23. How tall are you?
5'6"

24. Where is your dream house located?
I live in it, more or less

27. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
Indeed.

28. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
A few weeks ago.

30. Where was the furthest place you traveled today?
Downstairs.

32. Do you like mustard?
Yes.

33. Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
Eat, sadly.

34. Do you look like your mom or dad?
I don't know.

35. How long does it take you in the shower?
Depends of how much of a rush I'm in.

36. Can you do the splits?
kinda...

37. What movie do you want to see right now?
Music & Lyrics

38. You like anyone?
Sure.

39. What did you do for New Year's?
Went to a party.

40. Do you think The Grudge was scary?
I didn't see it.

42. Do you own a camera phone?
Yes, but I rarely use the camera feature.

44. Was your mom a cheerleader?
Nope.

45. What's the last letter of your middle name?
R

47. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
Not enough.

48. Do you like Care Bears?
Yes!

49.What do you buy at the Movies?
Nothing, when I go with John, usually a small soda and a bag of candy if I go alone or with friends.

50. Do you know how to play poker?
Yes, but I suck.

51.Do you wear your seatbelt?
Most of the time. It would be all the time, but John has corrupted me slightly.

52. What do you wear to sleep?
Whatever I happen to be wearing when I fall into bed.

53. Anything big ever happen in your hometown?
There was a murder a few years back, and a home town kid got a Disney contract to be in 3 of their movies. Not because of the murder though.

54. How many meals do you eat a day?
Like 9. Seriously, I eat 3, plus two snacks.

55. Is your tongue pierced?
No.

56. Do you always read MySpace bulletins?
Depends on who posted them.

57. Are you in love?
Yes.

58. Do you like funny or serious people better?
Depends on my mood.

59. Ever been to L.A.?
Not yet.

60. Did you eat a cookie today?
Not yet.

61. Do you use cuss words in other languages?
Not ususally.

62. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads?
Depends on how much i like the song!

63. Do you hate chocolate?
Heavens no! <---What Ferris said

64. What do you and your parents fight about the most?
Everything.

65. Are you a gullible person?
I don't think so.

66. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy?
No.

67. If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what would it be?
*sobs* We can't go there right now

68. Are you easy to get along with?
I try to be.

69. What is your favorite time of day?
The time right after I get home from work. Or very early in the morning, before it's light out.

My first dish cloth

These are pictures of my dishcloth that I started last night and finished this morning. I found the pattern on knittingmemories.blogspot.com (Link is to the right of this page). It's hard to see the pattern because of the choice of yarns I used, but it is supposed to be a chili pepper. You can see it a little better in the picture on the right, but it's still a little hard to see. I think this yarn will make good dish cloths, but I don't think it will be much good for ones that have a set image in the pattern. So I will be using this particular yarn (Star yarn, see previous post) for patterns utilizing ribbing, garter, or stockinette stitches only.

Yarns from Spinning Yarns

These are the new yarns I found at Spinning Yarns in Dover:
This is the Star yarn that is 99% cotton, 1% lycra. I'm about to get a dishcloth started on it... as soon as I finish this post!
This is going to become a baby hat for a friend that is pregnant and due in June. A hat is about the best I can do right now!
Last but not least, I picked this up on sale while I was there. I only bought one, because I thought I might try it for a dishcloth... anyone know if it makes a good one or not???

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New Yarn, current projects, and a big question

Yesterday I hit up that sale at the yarn store, which was awesome! I got some really nice yarn! Here's what I got:Above: This is everything I purchased at The Yarn Basket yesterday. Not one of these cost me more than $6.

Above: This is Reynolds Rapture brand, color #815 (sorry, no color name). It is 50% silk, 50% wool and SOOOO soft! This is going to become a scarf for my mother in law.

Above: This is Reynolds Rapture, Color #310. It is the same as the above yarn. This will become a scarf for my mother.Above: this is Reynolds Rapture, color # 714. This picture makes it look far more blue and black than it is - it's really much more of a blue green. I wish I had been able to capture that. This is going to become a scarf for me!!!


This is Tahki Select Trendy yarn, which is a 31% Wool, 57% Polyamid and 12% Acrylic. The color is #0002. You can see it's a lovely shade of blue with some ribbon wound in. This will become a scarf for my sister.

Above: This is a scarf I am currently working on. I have one week to get it done, and I started it on Saturday. Only 4 days left! Eek! It is Pattons Divine yarn. The color is called Richest Rose, but these pictures make it look much too purple. This is a 75.6% Acrylic, 10.5% Wool, 10.5% Mohair and 2.5% Polyester. This was an awesome find, as it knits up quite quickly, and is really, really soft! It has a feel of being an old, comfy scarf but is still brand new!

Now, I have a question for everyone: I am considering starting a... business if you will. I'd like to start making scarves and selling them, both online and at craft fairs. Would people be willing to buy them? I'd love to have some input. Please leave me some comments with your thoughts.

Knitting and other misc. stuff

I have one week to knit a scarf as a very belated Christmas present. John and I found out this weekend that we are getting together with my parents to celebrate Christmas with a long time family friend, and we hadn't gotten her anything! With me being out of work, we wanted to spend as little money as possible, so I agreed to knit her a scarf. After starting and frogging the whole thing about 10 times last night, because I couldn't find a pattern I wanted to do, I finally got the whole thing started with a simple knit one row, purl one row. I can't remember much about it, so I'll post some more info on it either later today or tomorrow.

This afternoon, I'm heading to the LYS to pick up some nice new yarn for a few scarves that will be my Christmas gifts to people. I'm really excited, because this will be the first time I can REALLY afford to buy some nice yarn from there to make some things for people. I can't wait!

Tonight we're having some people over for the Super Bowl. I'm not sure if my next door neighbors are going to come, because they said they may be away, but they've been home all weekend. Who knows.

Subbing has been going pretty well lately. I was called in on Tuesday and Wednesday by Laconia and on Thursday by Rochester. *Sigh.* Rochester was a bit of a nightmare. No. It was a rather large nightmare. I did, however, adore the elementary school I was at on Wednesday. Good kids, wonderful teacher (I subbed for a 1:1 para), it was just an incredibly positive experience all the way around. The middle school teacher that I subbed for a few weeks ago actually requested me for Friday of this past week, but I had a doctors appointment and couldn't go.

So, speaking of the doctors, we're looking for a new way to treat my PCOS, and now I've got to undergo all of this blood work, and possibly even a dye test. I'll have to call my insurance company to find out if it's covered or not, because I've heard of them costing anywhere between $750.00 to $1250.00. We are just not in a place where we can afford that right now, and even if it is covered, we have a $1000.00 deductible. Ouch. So we're going to try and hold off on that one.

Hope everyone has a great day!