At last an FO

OK, so productivity has be at a new low over the last few weeks, but I finally finished this baby cardigan I started at half term. It's done in Sirdar Suggly. Partially because I had some and I'm on a yarn diet at the moment (I didn't want to buy yarn for a project that was likely never to get finished), and partially because I feel guilty giving a new (non-knitting) mother hand-wash only baby clothes.

In other news, I'm still plodding through my teaching placement. I can't say I'm particularly enjoying myself, but my sanity seems to have returned to a more reasonable level (for me).

Sorry if I have neglected to send anyone presents or birthday cards, or have just ignored you. It's not intentional and normal service should resume soon (June at the latest).

Alive

Just to confirm, I am still alive. I am still teaching. I am working about as much as I expected, but I'm not enjoying it much at the moment. Keep hoping this will change. 2 weeks and a day until our Easter hols begin. Anyone who says that teacher's don't deserve their long holidays deserves a slap. Roll on Easter....

Churning

Well I'm just about to start my third week of my teaching practice. Only three and a half weeks till Easter. Hooray! That's become a little chant that I repeat to myself when I am feeling stressed. Compared to when I started I feel relatively calm, but I still never quite feel properly relaxed and normal. Just when I think I've managed to relax I find myself in a sudden panic about a worksheet I've forgotton to photocopy, or some equipment I haven't checked.

My friend Leanne from school visited over the weekend. Our mutual friend Helen lives locally, so she too a hard earned break from her kids and the three of us had a couple of meals together and did some shopping. It was great to spend some time with old friends who know me so well.

I spent all of Sunday working again. Despite getting up and starting early (8.30 am), hoping that I would finish what I needed and have time to pop along to Jen's baby shower, I still ended up working almost solidly till 8.30 pm. Can't vouch for my efficiency during the second half of the day, but things have to be done.

I'll finish by mentioning one of the more stupid things I have done this week. I did all my hand washing last night and put it in the washing machine on the delicate drying (water sucking) cycle, then went to bed without hanging it up. The distressing thing is that it included all of my bras. I'm now keeping everything crossed that at least one will be nearly dry by the time I get dressed. Otherwise I'm going to have some interesting wet patches during my morning lessons. Oh well, can't get everything right.

Little Surprises

I've actually had an alright day today. Probably my first since I started my teaching practice. Bearing in mind that I had to teach all five of today's lessons that's not bad going. Hope it continues through the week.

When I got home today there was a parcel sitting on the door mat. I wasn't sure where it was from. There was no return address and a printed label. In it was a copy of Rowan's Classic Alpaca and a slip saying 'Rowan, with compliments'. This was a pleasant surprise. I hadn't ordered it. I can't help but wonder where it has come from. Apart from the weirdness of the whole thing it was a really nice surprise. If you've sent me this then thank you very much. I wonder if there'll be any more parcels on the way. I can always hope.