me moments | The Angel Forever

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Atlanta Bound for TypeACon

Posted on September 26, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

For years, I have been trying to get to TypeACon, but the timing has never worked. In 2011, I actually wrote a Type-A Whine post about not making it to Asheville. That is all about to change today when I get on an airplane and head to Atlanta.

I am beyond excited because everything worked out beautifully. TechyDad will be home with the boys for Jewish holidays. I snagged my conference pass in November for a great deal (THANK YOU sponsors). When I heard that a certain speaker was coming, I jumped at a sale and scored amazing deals on my airfare. While there, I will be rooming at the Westin Buckhead with a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Disneyphile who I met at another conference in 2011. Now, I am thrilled to be able to call Ellen a friend. I am looking forward to learning, laughing, and loving all that TypeACon can and will be thanks to the hard work of Kelby and her Minions. That is Kelby and Shannan below when we were roomies in NYC just about two years ago.

Of course I will be seeing many old friends, but I am so excited to finally meet many online friends IRL. That is just another fantastic perk about social medial conference like TypeACon, the networking that can happen.

If you are new to The Angel Forever, my name is Beth. My husband also blogs at TechyDad and we have two boys, NHL 10 and JSL 6. While I am not in a classroom right now, I still consider myself an educator and am really passionate about educational matters with all of the changes happening in our schools. Another newer role in my life is being an autism advocate for my son (my journey has been documented over the last five years). It took us a long time to get a diagnosis, but now that we have it I am working tirelessly for him. In addition to this, I am a geek. I love all things with technology, apps, Doctor Who, and beyond.

I am a lifestyle blogger and write about our many adventures/travels, books that we are reading on Tuesday Tales, and Disney is always on my brain. I confess that I adore writing about Disney and sharing information about their parks since I grew up going to Walt Disney World, honeymooned there, and have taken the kids there multiple times. Oh and in my spare time, laugh with me here, I love to craft. My current favorite is crocheting, but I am practically a lifelong knitter. Yarn is almost always with me just in case I have time.

If you happen to be in Atlanta for TypeACon, I look forward to seeing you there. Safe travels to everyone and again thank you to Kelby and all of you who have worked so hard to make this event possible.

Categories:
Conference me moments social media travel

Being Brave in the Year Ahead

Posted on September 6, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

While searching around for a video on Rosh Hashanah, I stumbled upon something new from The Maccabeats that I missed this summer. They did a cover of the song “Brave” by Sara Bareilles. I have heard this song countless times over the last few months, but I do not think that I really paid attention to the lyrics.

Have you ever done that? You know you like a song for one reason or another, but then you really listen to the words and message within. It hit me right between the eyes. Here I am waiting for my boys to start school. I am trying to not only be brave about the challenges that may be ahead, but finding myself. The words are echoing in my brain right now. Words do get under my skin and these lines, like the ones above hit home.

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do
When they settle ‘neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins

Last year, I learned that I often had to say what I needed to say. While I wish I could have let the words fall out, I was too fearful of the outcome. This year is going to be different. For my children, my husband, and especially ME it has to be and I am not going to sit back and relax. I am going to use my words, my writing, and my background to make a difference in the world of education, special needs parenting, and beyond. Like Bareilles says I am no longer going to run and hold my tongue.

The video below is the original by Sara Bareilles and extremely powerful and should be seen and heard.

The reality is that this song is an anthem for everyone to remember to be yourself, speak to the truth that is you, and embrace the wonder that is you. As I begin the Jewish New Year, I guess this is a great time to think about these items

So my question to you, how do you plan on being more brave in the year ahead? This question is something real whether you celebrate Rosh Hashanah or are beginning a new academic year

It's Me

Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this Friday fun. These days, Pamela at A Renaissance Woman is reviving the fun Friday Meme. Head over there to link up and join in the fun.

Aloha Friday by Kailani at An Island Life

Aloha #252

Categories:
me moments Music video

Making Granny Square Bags

Posted on August 15, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Crochet projects have been on my mind a lot this summer. Even before I finished making my Rainbow Afghan, I had something in the back of my mind for my next project. I knew that I wanted to do more granny squares since I really enjoy them. I can make them on the go and eventually work them together into something larger and more complex.

I searched on Ravelry, Pinterest, and YouTube for something that called my name. In the end, I decided to try a pattern called Inga’s Crocheted bag (pattern PDF here) using smaller versions of the Granny Square pattern from my blanket. I figured that I would make one in cotton yarn eventually, but wanted to test the pattern with left over yarn from the blanket that I had just made. So I made sixteen squares with the yarn scraps that I had. I was able to make half of those in the colors and half with the larger amount of black that remained. Once all of the squares were complete, I single crocheted them together into four strips.

Since I was not completely clear on the pattern and how to put it together, I went to YouTube. Yolanda Soto Lopez made a video tutorial of this bag that helped me to make sure I was on track. This video was very helpful and before I knew it the bag was coming together.

Next, I secured all of the strings on the inside and turned it right side out to see the side of the bag and pattern of the squares from all sides.

The second to last part of making the bag was to single crochet two straps to sew onto the bag. This was tedious to me since I am not a fan of crocheting straight lines, but I got it finished and put them onto the bag.

The bag is perfect for a purse. I just want to add in a liner and possibly a button to keep it closed. I am not a fan of sewing, so this may not be finished until after the kids go back to school. I did buy fabric for the inside since I found something that I fell in love with. Of course, I also found cotton yarn and made a rather large bag using the squares that are called for in the pattern and only have to complete the straps for that one.

Needless to say, I have already asked TechyDad if he will help me to figure out my next crochet project. This time, I want to do something 8-bit style using solid colored granny squares. So the geeks that we are need to do some math and work to make that happen before I can buy my crafting supplies.

Categories:
arts and crafts crocheting me moments

Granny Square Rainbow Afghan

Posted on July 8, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Have you ever wanted to learn to do a craft and just never been able to accomplish it? For the longest time, that was learning how to crochet for me. I have been knitting since I was in elementary school, but the lure of the hooking kept me going back and trying every so often. I bought books and even had several people try to show me how. Then, YouTube videos really made everything click. Since early March, I have hardly held my needles, instead a hook has been in my hand most of the time.

After making one cloth with some cotton yarn, I jumped into trying to make crocheted granny squares. I used colors from a project I was recycling and then slowly added more colors. When I wrote my last post about the project at the end of May, I had used seven yarn colors and was debating what to do. Since that time, I used two additional colors. By July 1, I had finished making 81 granny squares in nine colors. Each square has ten rounds and are rather large, especially after a border round of black was added.

When the squares were finished, I brought them to Nana and Papa’s house to spread them out on their floor. I was not entirely sure how large the afghan would be. I had measured it on our queen sized bed, but it was a guesstimate.

As you can see, I placed the squares in a rainbow like pattern to begin. This was the easiest way to go. After that, I changed it up a little. With TechyDad’s help, we moved them around and came up with a second option. Both of these can be seen below.

In the end, TechyDad and I both liked the more funky pattern. As I mentioned before, this is my crochet project of any size really…and it is huge! Putting this together scared me a little since I have never done anything like it. Thanks to the crochet tutorials on YouTube from The Crochet Crowd, I was able to watch Mikey explain how to single crochet connect them. Before I knew it, I had four rows finished. I took it over to our couch to share a sneak peak of the afghan.

More work continues and I hope to finish soon. Then, I really want to finish the afghan that I was knitting. I’m not sure what I am going to do after that, but no doubt I will figure something out.

If you have any favorite crocheted projects, I would love to know. I am always looking for new items on Pinterest, Ravelry, and other locations.

It's Me

Categories:
arts and crafts crocheting me moments

Yay or Nay to the Beach

Posted on July 5, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Growing up, my family would often go to Ocean City Maryland for a week during the summer. While I loved the time with our extended family, I was not a fan of the beach. Do not get me wrong, I love sitting by the water and listening to the waves and sounds. I am just not a fan of being in the sand and blazing sun. I burn easily and do not tan no matter what, so give me a book and some shade and I’m good go. If I want to cool off in water, I prefer a pool and chlorine as well.

On Independence Day, we had a magical day at Saratoga Lake with family. It was a gorgeous day. The sun came out, there was no rain (finally), and even the humidity was not too bad once you were on a boat. The wind in our hair and the views of the lake were amazing.

When we got off the boat, we promised the boys we would go to the beach. Please insert Twilight Zone music here. I told TechyDad that I would head down with him, but I had no plans to put my bathing suit on and would prefer just to be a spectator. He knows why and was fine. So I found a chair, plunked myself down, and watched the boys. They were laughing, splashing, and having a wonderful time swimming in the lake. I sat there in the sun enjoying the view of the boats, water, and my boys smiling. I did wander over to the water a few times to get some photos and to cool my feet off.

Here is the view from my perching location. Please excuse the toe nails that are not pretty (need to do that one day) and the do not look directly into my pale legs.

So my question to you this week is inspired by our sandy visit:

Are you a fan of the beach or more of a pool person? I would love to know which one and why you feel this way.

It's Me

___________________________________________________________________________ Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this Friday fun. These days, Pamela at A Renaissance Woman is reviving the fun Friday Meme. Head over there to link up and join in the fun.

Aloha #245