Book List Post #3

My Third Book on my Book List finished was 

The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs.

So, this is a book about life. 

That being said, it is good, and bad.

I really enjoyed reading this book and read it in entirety in about 2 or 3 days. Quite impressive considering I was still working on my homework during those days.  This is one of those books that keep you up late at night thinking, "I'll go to bed as soon as I finish this chapter...this chapter...this chapter..."

This book explores the lives of a group of unique women and how they affect each other, even if they aren't, strictly speaking, friends. It also talks about heartbreak and love, lost friends and betrayals, new love and forgiveness. 

Here are some lovely reviews that are very appropriate!

"An absolutely beautiful, deeply moving portrait of female friendship. You'll laugh and cry alone with these characters, and if you're like me, you'll wish you knew how to knit." -Kristin Hannah, author of Magic Hour.

and...

"If you are looking for an inviting group of gals to spend a few winter evenings with, pull up your afghan and snuggle in with The Friday Night Knitting Club...[It] makes you yearn for yarn, even if you're not a knitter." -USA Today.

I however, will be the first to admit that this is probably a girl book. So...women, embrace this book...men, see my Book List Post #2!!! =) 

Love Always,

LeeAnn

<3

My Pelham Bay Cowl

My Pelham Bay Cowl

Pattern: Pelham Bay Cowl (My Ravelry Project Page)

Size made: One size fits all

Craft: Knit

Materials

Needle used: US 5 circular (32" I think)

Yarn used: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Solids & Heathers

Color: 402 Wheat

Bought at: Michael's 

Use yarn again? Yep, but I have extremely sensitive skin and will need to wear this cowl with a high cut shirt because of the texture, but should be very very warm.

Project Details and Feedback

Duration of Project: February 23rd to April 22nd 2010

Modifications: Accidentally did a K1P1 ribbing border instead of the k2p2 that was called for.  Instead of repeating the knit around rows until cowl measured 15 1/4" I stopped at 8" and then continued with the border.

Make this pattern again? This is a very basic (and rather tedious) cowl.  I think that it was a very good cowl for a first-time cowl maker but I am sure I can find better patterns from now on.  

 

 

Love, 

LeeAnn

Why I haven't been updating...

So, you might have noticed that I haven't really been updating for quite awhile lately.

There are a few simple reasons for this and they are as follows:

• I have finished many knitting/crocheting projects lately. However I have not been posting them up on here as a finished project. Why? Well...it's my dog Sammy.  He goes crazy over lights, most especially camera flashes...I think you see where this is going. So i haven't been up to dealing with my puppy and taking loads of pictures to flaunt my needlework skills.
• The next reason I haven't been updating lately is because, as my previous post stated...I've been very busy ans stressed with my school workload. With this immense workload I have been suffering from extreme stress thus producing stress manifestations on my body. The ones that I have been feeling include: intense headache, depression, back pain,  increased heart rate, and of course mood swings. For more infomration on the affects of stress on your body visit MayoClinic.com.

So I am just trying to push through and get all of this blasted work done. This week my major school projects include: Concept map on ALL, Essay on Childhood Obesity, Midterm in Nutrition, Exam in Pathophysiology, Food Diary Project in Nutrition.  Wish me luck!

Hopefully I will be able to post a project or two on a break of mine! =)


Love you all,
LeeAnn

Well, well, well...

 Eight More Weeks...

It's been quite awhile since I've updated. I have to admit I've been slightly busy with school related responsibilities.  However, I have also been extremely scatter-brained and indecisive (both of which I detest). I have been picking up and putting down tons of crocheting/knitting projects (not finishing one of them of course) and watching full seasons of Bones (which is fantastic). Unfortunately though, I must get my head on strait...and quickly. 

I have three projects coming up (one in Christian Worldview which analyzes a television show and what message they are trying to portray to its watchers, another is a complete analysis and work up of the disease ALL-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and the last one being a complete record, evaluation and analysis of my dietary intake for three days.) So...needless to say, I need to get my head in the game.

I am also still feeling a bit sick and can't seem to get my room cleaned properly for longer than 3 hours...very frustrating indeed.  It's tough concentrating when I have a huge desire to just curl up with a good book or an exciting pattern and ignore everything for awhile. I guess I'm becoming an adult. Why didn't you guys tell me it kinda sucks?

Love,
LeeAnn

p.s. (Eight more weeks ...of school)

My Toasty's =)

My Toasty's 

 

My very own toasty's!!!

Pattern: toasty (My Ravelry Project Page)

Size made: one size fits all

Materials

Needles used: US 6 dpns

Yarn used: Lion Brand Wool Ease Solids & Heathers

Color: 402 Wheat (1 skein)

Bought at: Michael's

Project Details and Feedback

Duration of Project: February 16 to approx. February 25 (took a long time because I got my wisdom teeth out which put me out for quiet awhile)

Make this pattern again? Yes! Love it!

Use yarn again? Yes, like the color still. It's nice and warm and not scratchy.

Modifications? Used US 6 dpns because I didn't have US 7 so I CO 36 (12 on each needle) instead. Other modifications include longer thumbs and a 2x2 rib stitch approx. 2 inches that folds down. Love the rib modification because it gives it some extra warmth.  I think that my hands are pretty small though because the typical measurements were off for me (i.e. my palm is smaller).

My very own Simple Slouchy Hat

So...I finished this a while ago (February 16th actually) but I had not gotten around to taking pictures of it.

However, here it is now... =)

 

 

My very own warm Canadian hat!!

Pattern: Simple Slouchy Hat (My Ravelry Project Page)

Size made: medium

Materials

Needles used: US 6 dpns, US 11 circulars (16" I think)

Yarn used: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick

Color: 402 Wheat

Bought at: Michael's

Project Details and Feedback

Duration of Project: February 15 (pm) to February 16 (pm)

Make this pattern again? Yes! Instant gratification project!

Use yarn again? Yes, but only for people in cold climates or people that live in Arizona and are big babies in the winter (like mommy)! Do like the color; thought I might go crazy with all of the little strings sticking out of the yarn but didn't happen! haha!

Modifications? Used US 6 dpns for the first couple rows because I didn't have the size called for but it worked out great. It was just a little bit difficult to use such thick yarn with those needles but got it done and it's only a couple rows after all.

Essay for Student Sucess ...enjoy..?

LeeAnn Schaefer

February 21, 2010

Personal Accountability Essay

Life as it Goes

            In life there events that occur that force you to refocus your energy and reorganize your priorities.  Whether these events are tragic or beautiful they make us take a look at what we have been doing with this life we are given. We look at what we really want from ourselves and we question if what we are doing is working to achieve those goals. If we can eliminate the process of having and extreme event occurring, forcing us to evaluate our actions we can, in turn, succeed in achieving our goals. To achieve our goals we must clearly state what our goals are, identify ways in which our lives are working or not working toward achieving our goals, and improve our methods if they are not working toward the achievement of our goals.

            After self-reflection I have identified that my main goal in life is to be an amazing wife and mother. Many things that I do now would not seem to correlate to being a wife or mother but after thinking hard about it I realized that my lifestyle now has a huge impact on my future and my children and husband’s future. If I make the necessary lifestyle changes now I will be able to continue that lifestyle when I am a mother and will be able to pass it along to my children.  The changes I will make include: doing something active (i.e. run, walk, crunches, etc.) at least 3 days out of the week, keep a clean living environment everyday, and drink at least one glass of milk, juice or water a day and eat at least a fruit or vegetable each day. These changes will help morph my day to day life into a healthier lifestyle.  One goal in particular that I have made that does not correlate with my physical health is that I will continue to knit or crochet everyday and will consistently work to improve my skills in knitting and crocheting.  This is something that I believe fits into the mold of an amazing mother and will also help with my emotional health by taking time out of my schedule to relax and do something I enjoy.

            When I managed my time I noticed that though I wished to do all of these things, they did not happen.  By analyzing my time schedule I found that I would focus more on my school work than on preparing a meal or taking the dogs for a walk. I worked obsessively for hours at a time with my studies.  Though this accomplishes my goal of graduating and having a career, this obsessive behavior with my studies prevented me from maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and thus, being an amazing mother and wife. Another thing that I noticed is that when I finish with my studies I do not pick up my room (so as to have a clean environment), instead I will immediately reward myself with knitting or crocheting. Though this is one of my goals it is something that I need to limit more in order to achieve my other goals as well.

            In order to fix these issues I can use some simple fixes.  One way to fix this is by using the time during my long study sessions that my attention wanders slightly to pick things up around my room or make my bed instead of surfing the web or facebook. Another solution would be to make my healthy lifestyle a habit by setting fixed times for when I go for a run on Tuesdays or when I begin to make my lunch on Saturdays (and every other day).  By ensuring that I have the time ‘booked’ I will not replace it with my obsessive studying on accident. My knitting and crocheting are the easiest part of my new lifestyle change because I enjoy it and, in a sense, need it.  By only allowing myself to knit or crochet when my room is clean, if I ate properly and if I did some physical activity that day my goals to be a wonderful, amazing mother and wife are more in reach.

            Though I knew that I had a goal to be an amazing mother and wife, I did not know that it was my main goal. By re-evaluating my life and what I wished to change about myself I was able to see with clarity my true desires. With these simple changes in my everyday life I will be able to easily obtain my hearts deepest desire, one day at a time.

Sneak Peak

So here is a sneak peak at a long string of related projects...this is part one!!!

Not too shabby eh?

So today I'm watching Star Wars (V and VI) and knitting away.

Then some silly homework. =)

Love

LeeAnn

Go! Go! Fleur-de-lis!!!! Go! Go! Go!

So the New Orlean Saints won Super Bowl XLIV!!!

Mother and I were cheering for them because of our fondness for the beautiful Fleur-de-lis and therefore, our team won!  WooHoo! Thank you Fran and Monte for inviting us over to watch the Big Game!

It was a lot of fun and I really appreciate it.

Howeverrrrr, that wasn't all I did this weekend! I slept a lot. I ate a bit. I knitted...A LOT.

I finished a cozy hat...update later!

My Felicity Hat

 

The pattern can be found in Ravelry

I'm sporting a felicity made with Caron Simply Soft. I modified this hat by Casting On 90 and leaving out one increase round. As a new knitter I love this pattern and am definitely going to be doing more and more and moree!!! =)

Just realllly quick update

My beautiful puppies!
They are getting so big and they are sooo smart.


I hate leaving them every Sunday and miss them all week. Can't help but coming home every weekend thanks to these guys (and the parents and the food) <3 Roxie and Sammy <333 I finished a hat and a scarf this week. The hat pattern is Felicity. Here are a few pictures:







































Also here is my scarf I made, it is a heavily modified version of the Luna Lovegood scarf pattern:
And here it is.... =D

Just an update

A new perspective..

Concentrate on the fact that:
1. I have a boyfriend
2. My relationship with him can progress
3. He is devoted to me and is faithful
4. He loves me and I love him
5. We have a wonderful, rewarding, and mutually beneficial relationship
6. We know how to communicate our feelings-despite distance, anger (during fights), and my stupid stubbornness
7. We will be married and have a family together
8. He puts up with me...somehow :P



maybe this will help me...realizing how lucky I am...duhh





On another note...
~knitting is going well with the beanie-making progress...I'm at about 5" :) (out of 9")

~School is stressful...but I'm doing good in it :)

~Micro is going good but lab is a lot of work at the moment...we have a midterm next Tuesday...we also have a test in the lecture class on Thursday. I am not yet prepared for it but I am definitely ahead of many others.

~Chemistry is just a mess sometimes...lately. lol I'm not really close to ready for the chemistry test next thursday but I will be working with Jenny today to learn and practice balancing equations and so on. I'll also be going to a review session on Monday before work...bah. But it should help.

~English is going fine, I just need to write out my rough draft. I annotated my passage and have a thesis and rough outline already so it shouldn't be too difficult.

~Latin...haven't had a chance to work on it yet this week. I think it will be more of a weekend thing especially during busy weeks. bah!



Well..that's pretty much it..nothing interesting really =P