I don’t know if you know or not, but I work as a substitute teacher for the local school district. It is always a joy to pull up in front of a new school walk up to the door ring the bell to be let in. The looks I get are amazing. You can physically see the discomfort in people’s faces. At two schools I was at recently, after getting inside signing in and heading of to my days post. It realized it was not a look of discomfort, but a look of “Ahhhhh, Sh** another one” Because they had Muslim employees on staff. Today I had the privlidge of working with “Muslim Nurse Mary Rose” (name changed to protect her identity) at a previous school I had the chance to work with “Teacher Samira” (name also changed)

I love the comments I get when working in these situations.
Staff: “Ahhhh you follow the same religion as Nurse Mary Rose/Teacher Samira” So where are YOU from?
Me: Oklahoma
Staff: No originally Nurse Mary Rose/Teacher Samira are from (insert middle east country of your choice here)
Me: Born in Kansas. Raised in Oklahoma.
Staff: Ah so where are parents from?
Me: Oklahoma
Staff: Orginally?
Me: Yep
Staff: So why do you dress like that?
Me: Because I follow the same religion as Nurse Mary Rose/Teacher Samira
Staff: But if you are American you should be Christian
Me: Well I chose to be Muslim
Staff: Why?
Me: Because it fits.

etc etc etc

Having a book discussion.

Me: Oh what book are you reading it looks interesting.
Staff: Oh you would be interested it is about Christianity.

Sitting at ‘my’ desk
Staff: Oh excuse me I need to get MY BIBLE
Sitting at “my” desk
Staff: Oh here is a copy of today’s bible verse. I made a copy for “Everybody”

The looks are priceless too when you walk in and say, “Good Morning” They want to know of course if they can help me. That’s when I ask for the sub sign in. The very quick looks that shoot around the room.

Today I was most fortunate in my sub position, I actually knew the Vice Principal. I worked with him last year at another school in the district where he was a teacher. He is a very very nice man, and I am going back next week for another job. You have your good ones and you have your bad ones.

Like Wednesday of this week. 1st I got lost trying to find the school because map quest sent me the wrong way! I called the school, it’s raining, pouring really. I am lost in “Little Mexico” Looking for a school, and no one knows where it is. Get the number from my daughter because like an idiot I forgot to write it down on my directions. Call the school “Good Morning **** Middle School. How may I help you?”
Me: Well I seem to be lost. (I give my location)
Secretary: Well which way are you headed on Lavon.
Me: North
Secretary: (honest to God I am not kidding) Well I don’t know my directions. (Then why did you ask)
Me: Ummmmm Okay
Secretary: Do you see a Burger King?
Me: Yes
Secretary: Go past the Burger King.
Me: Which Way?
Secretary: Which way are you going?
Me: Ummmm (what do you say to this? she doesn’t know her directions)
Secretary: Well
Me: Toward Buckingham
Secretary: Ok Turn on Castle
Me: See this is where the problem is. There isn’t a street sign that says Castle.
Secretary: Well it’s there.
Me: What is at that intersection. Can you give me a landmark.
Secretary: I don’t know
Me: Do you really need a Sub?
Secretary: I am trying to help you M’am
Me: Then where do I turn
Secretary: Ok I am going to send you in a big circle

Proceeds to speed speak a set of directions to which I interpret go up Lavon and turn on Castle.
Low and Behold there is a signal light on Lavon for Castle just not one on Broadway and no street sign, I double checked when I left for the day. It had been run over. Hmmmm “Little Mexico”

So I get there walk in, and Oh if looks could kill. But that is not all! Here’s the best part of the day at **** Middle School my phone got stolen. Yes my cell phone my life line. Stolen off my desk! Happy Hump Day to me.

I did get it back. It was discovered ditched in a hall way.

Thank You ***** Middle School. Had an awesome day!

These are the things that happen when the Muslim woman approaches the school.

Ok….I have a why question in your typical two year old fashion. Why is it when someone passes away, you feel the urge to tell them everything. Every thing I have conquered I want and need to show my Father in law.

I picked my spinning back up in March and I keep thinking I can’t wait to show him. Why?
I picked my tatting back up this month and I keep thinking I can’t wait to show him. Why?

I keep thinking I want to go to Morocco and go to the wool market with him. Why?

I guess it is because I know he would appreciate what I am doing with my fiber arts because he loved them too.

He was a remarkable man really.

Last week before the end of finals I dreamed of him and my dad. They were playing cards together. My dad considered him a friend and he considered my dad a friend.

I have read some where that when you dream of the dead it is a real thing, because the dead can not deceive. So perhaps this was a way for them to let me know everything was okay. That they are happy and together playing cards.

I am also guessing that there is no language barrier where ever they are.

I am sure that eventually I will get over wanting and waiting to show him my finished projects. Someday.

I miss you guys very much!

Hanane

Well I learned a new technique and a very old technique at that this weekend. With the help of believe it or not Skype. A Lady onRavelry her name is Mairi, she helped me to figure out how to go about it all.
A Scottish Girl living in Canada helping a Muslim/Okie girl living in Texas to figure out something that was invented in Sweden all via the internet. Wow Modern technology. (yep I stole this line from Mairi)
You can read more on the history of Twined Knitting aka Tvåändsstickning at Knitting Kninja. Apparently there are some great books on the subject which I have added to my wish list on Paperback swap and Amazon. Here is a picture of what I have been working on. It is basically a NOTHING a knitted sampler if you will.

I plan to cast on for a pair of mittens, which I am sure will get tons of use here in TEXAS LOL. Perhaps someone who lives up north will be gifted. I just think the single color mittens look so classically elegant. Ok I will confess it was these mittens they are what got me smitten with the whole process. Nothing else those beautiful mittens. I want a pair DANG IT!!!!!

Ok, I cast on with some really pretty angora, for a small shoulder shawl and my Maddy has decided she LOVES Angora. she ate a section of my yarn and carried off the skein. I am not a happy camper.

I can relate, angora is nice and soft. Perhaps it smells rabbity to her. She thinks she killed it! I don’t know but now instead of keeping my knitting in my basket next to my chair, I have to keep in a sealed container. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM?

What to do? any suggestions?

Hanane

Wow,,need to clean this place up a bit. The critters have taken control. I have been remiss in writing for the blog since Ravelry came along. Shame shame on me!

Broom out,,,sweeping away the cobwebs from the corners of the page here.

OK….So what is new?

HMMMMM tons of stuff.

1. I am finally ready to graduate from community college I will officially have and associates degree in December. (that is if I can pull off College Algebra) Yay me!!!! What can I do with that???? Not much I think! I could be wrong but I doubt it. (it might make me a few more dollars a day substituting)

2. My daughter turns 20 on Thursday…boy am I OLD!!!!

3. Trying to line up my summer classes and the kids activities.

4. Spinning and loving it. (NO NOT THE EXERCISE) Fiber wool etc.

5. OH ENOUGH EXCUSES!!!!!!!!

I just haven’t a chance to get by here in awhile and I blame Ravelry. It is a colossal time suck but so much FUN!!!!! When they say it is like a MySpace or Facebook for Knitters they are not kidding!!!!

Katie has finally been dragged kicking and screaming into the fray as well. What can we say blogging world Ravelry ROCKS!!!

I have made many new friends there and enjoy their company, but I must not forget the people who us started the blogging world the people who do actually read and hope that we write.

With that said and the last bit of cobwebs whisked away I will make it in here a bit more often than once every couple of months.

I have some ideas I need to bounce of some of you get your opinions. I need a test knitter or two for another pattern I am going to post and I’ll be danged if I post this one with out opinions first. My cabled headband has caused too many issues. I promise I will get those worked out and get that reposted as well.

So if you are interested just let me know in the comments here and I’ll get back with you. They are fingerless mitts. Of a on old lacy variety.

I was thinking we should do some sort of KAL or Swap over the summer. Something PEACE related….Need Ideas.

Type to you soon
Hanane

Well as some of you may know we have a sister group over on Ravelry where we discuss peace, religion, and other general knitting stuffs.

Well we have a wonderful member SopiaRowan who proposed a Peace Project and has started it 198 Countries Peace Project She need volunteers to make this happen. I have taken Morocco, duh big surprise there, right?

I am 100% behind her on this. Let’s make it happen readers. You don’t have to knit or crochet she is taking all media.(Is that the right word?)

Let’s make Peace on Earth. Let it begin with YOU!!!

It is already the last and first of the month. Please remember to dedicate the first row, the first hour or the day on the 31st of Jan and Feb 1st to Knitting for Peace. Remembering people, places that need peace in their life. Sending out that good knitterly mojo out into the cosmos for all the world to benefit from.

Pray in your own way.
Salaam and Shalom
Peace
Hanane

Well let me be the first to say, I hope this visiting professor visits somewhere in the DFW area because I will be first to sign up. Geography of Knitting is being offered at Gustave Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, and I for one am extremely jealous. I have been following along on their blog and getting more and more jealous each day I read. At least you can follow along online. I just want to say that Professor Dowd needs to take this class to colleges around the country, because I for one would sign up!.

Drop in to the class and see what they are up too and what they have been working on. It is really very interesting.

Hanane

I have a new obsession! Yes the title says it all, I google them, ravel them, look for them in my books. It IS an obsession. They are quick, which is good, small (read portable in the corner of my book bag [school starts monday] ) and just fun, who knew there were so many styles. My queue, and faves on Ravelry has grown and grown over this past week.

I knit the Scarflette, I am working on the Ruff from One Skein Wonders, I have a plan for some yarn from Liz that is going to be be a neckwarmer from the One Skein Wonder Designers book.

Plus tons more that I have saved in one form or another on Raverly. My next two will be the two cashmere cowls from Purl Bee. #1
#2

Ok that is all about new obsession!

The reason for my obsession. Well I hate scarves. I knit them, but I never wear them. I mean how practical is a scarf with a scarf? So when I wear the triangular scarves and it is cold and windy outside, I can put on a neckwarmer and then put my scarf on and my neck stays warm, my head stays covered ( that is the problem with scarves, they cause my scarf to slip).

3 Cheers for Neckwarmers the Muslim Girls Friend!!!!!!!

Oh and one more pattern!!!! From Knitty (OK I LIE 3 MORE) the Ice Queen , Sugar on Snow and Aibhlinn

Ok that is it for the Obsession!!!!!

Ok,

Here it is the beginning of the New Year, and I think we should start something special here on this blog.

Basically, you don’t have to knit anything in particular, it’s not a KAL. It’s not a charity project.
It is two days on which you dedicate the first row or the first hour of your knitting time to thinking about world peace. Praying for world peace or just sending out good mojo for world peace.

We ask that you do this on the last day and the first day of the month.

So on December 31st and Jan 1st
All you have to do is knit and think or pray for world peace.

Peace in Iraq
Peace in Afghanistan
Peace in Isreal
Peace at home.

Where ever you think peace is needed pray for peace while you knit.

Please come back and post what you thought about how it made you feel etc.
Let us know if you think this is a good idea.

Hanane & Katie