The Things I Need to Learn

Now that Christmas is in less than a month, my fingers are just hanging on my hands with all the knitting I've been doing. Projects, by the way, that have been just about finished but not quite. For example, I finally plan to finish the Wrap I'd been working on for over a year. I am in the final stretch. Thanks to Julia for urging me on. But there's so much more I want to do.

On Friday, I purchased a copy of Interweave Knits Holiday Projects. There are some nice ideas in there, but I am afraid to tackle them. I really need to learn how to use several colors in my work so I can do some Fair Isle knitting. A handsome pair of mittens in two colors would be so much fun to knit, but I am afraid (I don't know why) of using more than one color at a time. I know the local yarn shop could teach me, but right now I'm too busy to ask. Maybe it's something I could learn in the new year.

I also need to learn some new cast-ons. One sweater I found for Rod requires an "invisible provisional cast-on". I read the directions for the cast-on, but I don't get it. More help needed. since I cannot finish the sweater by Christmas, I will wait to learn the cast-on in January.

Knitting with beads that have been strung on the yarn prior to knitting is another skill I want to learn. Again, a pattern in the magazine has several ideas for knitting with beads but I'm having difficulty understanding exactly how to do the job. Another January project, I suppose.

For now I think I should just focus on what I have accomplished. Truly I have tackled some neat projects this year -- projects I will return to again and again. For example, socks. Julia has used hers quite a bit and has requested another pair from me. Tyler has outgrown his socks and wants a new pair too. I still need to do a pair for Rod as well. I also knitted a really great sweater for Tyler. Not only does it fit, but he wears it whenever he's cold.

I am pleased with what I've done but I have so much more to learn....

The Squeaky Wheel

In my years as teacher I've dealt with some tough parents. Mostly, they just want what's right for their child and the balance is finding a way to address their needs while sticking to my own practices. It is very difficult for me to be a parent in parent teacher conferences, however. I enter with guns blazing and can be downright mean. Sadly, though, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. In short, that behavior can reap rewards.

Case in point. Two years ago Tyler had a teacher for math who was quite disorganized. The following year she was no longer teaching her own class because there was, so the rumors went, some question as to her certification. Further, many parents had serious concerns about her as a teacher: she lacked organization, didn't communicate well, didn't hold the bar high enough for those who needed it. So, imagine my dismay when I learned that Tyler was assigned to her class for 5th grade. I wrote a letter to the principal and superintendent of schools. Basically, I put her on notice and said if my child was to be in her class, I would scrutinize every single thing she did.

I kept my promise. NOw, after a rough parent teacher conference, Tyler has been moved into the class with the strongest writing teacher.

But who was the squeaky wheel?

The assistant principal called last night to find out how my conference went. She must have been given a heads up as to my displeasure. With me out of her way, the teacher with the questionable track record may continue the year without further fear of the crazy mom with time to write letters looking too closely at what is happening inside the classroom.

My job is to look out for my child. I do that with a fierceness that's scary. But if I were more calm and easy going (which I truly wish I were) would I have gotten my child out of that writing class?