Hello,

I am writing this post from my bed. On Friday night I took my kids and my daughters friend to see my son preform “Romeo and Juliet” at Samuel Grand Park. They were the warm up act. Then we stayed to see, “All’s Well that Ends Well”. Both really great shows.

We enjoyed it greatly. Had a wonderful time with all of our friends from the homeschool co-op.

However on the way home from the show, this man was doing that creep out into the lane thing. He couldn’t see around another large car and popped out in my lane. I hit him HARD! My radiator exlpoded. My seatbelt grabbed tight.

The kids are all okay! Thank God! I have bruises across my chest. The paramedics called it seatbelt rash. More than a rash I would say. It is very painful!

Today I went outside, my daughter had pulled the car up into the driveway from where the tow truck had left it in near the curb. It is a mess inside and out.

We took a drive to the store in the van and while we on our way home, she said that if her and her brother had gone to the restroom before we left the park that we would have missed the accident. I told her maybe, but maybe it was suppose to happen. It was meant to be.

Perhaps it is a wake up call a call to pay more attention to the world around us. Be more observant in our daily life.

I am very thankful that the only serious injury is to my car and not to myself or my kids.

I am thankful that the other driver is insured, because in that neighborhood it could have gone either way.

Thankful that I have good friends who are able to help me with things I need.

Thankful that while we were waiting in this neighborhood that the police stayed with us until another male got to us.

Thankful that the policeman who took the report had a sense of humor. He called it “black on black crime” Because my Honda is black and his Toyota was black.

Thankful that the paramedics who came out were nice and understanding.

Count your blessings. Even in the small things.

~Hanane

Hello all.

Back earlier in the spring. I decided I should probably try to make some money this summer. So I posted on a few lists that I would be teaching some knitting and spinning classes. I didn’t get much interest in the knitting but I did get some interest in the spinning. Two ladies decided they would like to give it a whirl (pun intended).

Last Saturday was our first class. It was fun. Only one student showed up, the other was confused as to where we were going to meet. But it all worked out this weekend and both students showed up. One with her homework all done. I was very proud. The second student we got her all started and she was doing well.

I do however find it a bit ironic that ‘I’ am teaching people how to spin. I am the youngest one in the group and ‘I’ am the teacher.

It makes me feel good to share and old craft with people both young and older.

Ok, I have decided to do something drastic. I think what we started here is a good thing. I think it needs to move beyond just posting our random thoughts. Not that our Random thoughts are bad, in fact I think we have great random thoughts, and to be perfectly honest the Texas Gathering idea was a random thought that I am kinda running with!

I have a helper on Ravelry WarriorMom. Thanks Sweetie I appreciate the help.

I think it is time! Time to honor ourselves and each other. Here’s to those of us who are trying to understand each other over one stitch at a time.

Katie you wanna design the flyer?

Tonight a friend (Hi Mary) and I were talking about cell memory as in DNA. Ok, To be honest, I don’t think that there is anyone out there with “original” talent. I believe that somewhere in family history someone did it just as well if not better that we do it.

I have always felt as if something was guiding my hands when I knit, crochet, spin, embroider, tat. My mom had these skills, she learned them from people in her family.

My friend has healing abilities. Katie has talents that she can speak about herself if she chooses too. I am sure someone, somewhere in her family roots had this talent too.

To put it short, I think families were given gifts from God. And that those talents have to be nurtured and brought forward. How would I have known that I had a talent for knitting if I hadn’t picked up a pair of needles, met some super people who encouraged me, oft to the point of enabling.

Talents can lay dormant in people until they are pulled or pushed to the forefront or fingertips. Then they just seem to flow and “click”. I hear this word all the time “it just clicked” “i just knew how to do it”.

It is part of your DNA. DNA is a gift from God and your talent was nurtured by people around you. You allowed it to flow out of you and voila!

Ok…these are my thoughts for tonight. Rambly? Your Thoughts?

The end of next week brings us to our small but meaningful effort in the peace process.
On the last and first day of the month we ask that you our readers set aside a little time on these days to think, pray for or do something for peace. Knit a few rows in honor of peace, say a little prayer in your own way. Journal about or just send good thoughts out into the world for peace. Spend the noon hour your time for peace if you can.

Please stop back by on the first and leave us some feed back let us know if you personally felt anything.We would love to hear how you feel your prayers are being answered.

Again that is on 31st and 1st.

Every prayer helps

One stitch at time.

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