Knitting and Reading

I so love these breaks from school. They give me time to relax and enjoy some almost forgotten pastimes. Reading and knitting have been the order of the day. Of course there are still "work" type things to take care of. I ordered a book on how to form a non-profit so I can (finally) submit paperwork for the Eastern European and Russian Orphanages Project. And I'm still working on lining up/finalizing an internship for the fall. Side note: If you are the praying sort might I ask that you remember me? I spoke with an internship site that sounds very promising but I'm waiting on final confirmation that they can give me a large enough case load. I have been disappointed in the past (several times) by sites that have seemed like a good match but have fallen through. I'm trying not to vomit in my mouth when I think about it but instead to lift up prayers. Your spiritual contribution would be much appreciated as well :) And of course I'm working at my full time nanny job every day (which I'm very thankful to have right now). So, there is still work going on. But also some relaxing. Here's a glimpse of what that looks like:

The Poppy Hat

Part of the EEROP Yearlong KAL/CAL. A March pattern. This worked up quick in some Dark Horse Fantasy (an acrylic yarn that I love). A note: The entire pattern is worked flat/back and forth. I did not realize this on the brim so mine does not have the cute fold over that the ones in the picture do but I think it still turned out ok. I (very poorly) crocheted something that looks like a flower and stuck it on the side. Very 1920s.

ScWiNoNa

Finished this multicolored, simple scarf finally. It's even been washed and blocked! I like how the colors came out. Nice and manly but not too plain. This was a February KAL pattern for the EEROP Yearlong KAL.
Reading has been another relaxing activity for me and I'm almost done with the first book in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I actually read the first four books in this series about 6 years ago but life took over and I lost steam on finishing out the 15 book series (13 books plus a prequel have been published. The 14th and final book is expected to come out next January. Oh, and there is also a companion book available.). I really like the books so I decided to re-read the first four and finish out the series.

The books are really richly written and not for the fantasy faint of heart. There is a lot of mythological stuff that comes into play and it can be hard keeping all the characters straight (which is why I'm re-reading and not just picking up where I left off). While the rest of the world is reading the Hunger Games I'll be picking my way through these.

There is more about what's been going on but I feel this post is getting longer than I intended (further proof I should update regularly). I didn't even get to tell you about the progress on the wedding blanket, my SIL's socks, or my new language books but I'll save that for next time...

Project count up:
Charity: 6 completed
 Self: 0
Family and friends: 2 on the needles

Just a Second

I literally have 5 minutes to make this posting before I have to get back into school work. My week has been super busy with starting a new job, being social, and trying to finish up the next to last week of school (for this quarter). I just had to share though: I met my goal of raising $1000 for my return trip to Romania in just 8 days. 8 days, people! That is so awesome! So, I'm not going to stop, I'm going to see how far this can go. The next milestone? $2000 in 21 days. Yep, I want to raise $2000 by the end of this month. How can you participate?

1. Donate through Heart to Heart International, the organization I will be traveling with. Their donation page is here. You can give online or send in a check. You can even sign up to give monthly (which would be great because I plan to travel at least twice a year to Romania). Make sure to designate your gift to Melissa Brown.

2. Buy a t-shirt. All the proceeds from my apparel shop will go towards this trip.

3. Buy some yarn. The monies raised from my shop will also be used towards this trip. As an added bonus you can use the coupon code "marchmadness" and get 15% off your purchase for the entire month of March.

Please consider donating something to help me return to my kids. I miss them terribly and they need a little love and caring after losing so much in life already. So... let's see if we can raise $2000 in 21 days!

Next posting: Updates on knitting! With pictures!

1000 in 31

Today starts a new month and I feel refreshed and ready for it! As we head into spring I've been thinking over a new project that I wanted to start. It's a push to help me raise enough money in just 3 months to go back to Romania this summer.

I mean, who couldn't wait to get back to these sweet faces!

The first campaign I'm launching is called 1000 in 31. I'm going to try and raise $1000 during the 31 days of March. Sound like a big task? It's really not. According to Facebook I have 645 friends. If each friend gave $1.55 I would raise the entire $1000. $1.55, that's less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks! You can barely find anything on the McDonald's menu for cheaper than that! I bet you have $1.55 in change in your couch cushions.

But why give? Because these children have zero stability in their lives. They need constant reassurance that someone is there for them. They are waiting for me to come back, literally! I have their notes on my dresser urging me to come back quickly. If I come back then they see that there is someone who cares. Someone who keeps their word. Someone who loves them enough to beg people on the internet for money just for a plane ticket. If I can raise all $3000 I need for this trip I can spend 3 weeks with them. 3 weeks of playing games. 3 weeks of snuggling. 3 weeks of bringing a little happiness and change to their normally dull and monotonous lives. And, as always, I will be taking a big suitcase of donations with me: clothes, toys, crafts, toiletries. Things we take for granted but that they have rationed out on a daily basis.

So, convinced yet? Great! Then go to this link here. You can send in a donation or make an online contribution. Make sure to include a note that the money is to be used for Melissa Brown. Or maybe you want to get something for your money. That's cool to. Go here and check out the shirts in my apparel shop. All the proceeds go towards this trip. Or maybe you don't care about supporting me and would rather just help orphans in general. Awesome! We still need to raise money to send some blankets to Russia. 75+ blankets. Visit the EEROP website and donate to shipping costs. While you're there check out the list of needed items and think about sending one (or two or ten) of those in my direction.

I appreciate your support in helping the orphans of Eastern Europe! Let's make March an awesome month!