Saturday, January 31, 2009

out of the mouths...

So, Friday morning, getting ready for school, Raine tells me "you and daddy should get married again."

"What?" I say... not quite getting the point of her comment. Thinking, so what happened that we aren't still married? Renew our vows? Why would a six-year-old care about that? So, "Why?" I asked.

"...and then have another kid," she says. "I want a brother."

Ohhhhh. I say, and we talk about how brothers are likely to play with your toys when you don't want them to, and stuff like that. At this point, a sibling is unlikely for her. And, it surprises me a little, as she has not really expressed an interest in having one in the past.

It was also interesting to me because of a comment I had made the night before regarding people who think that marriage rights shouldn't be extended to gays and lesbians because (among other misguided things) marriage is for procreation. The gist of the comment being that it isn't marriage that causes pregnancy, but sex. Clearly, there is a precedent for thinking otherwise. It just takes a six-year-old mentality to set it forth.

Friday, January 30, 2009

young frankenstein

Yeah, you know the movie. I bet you quote lines from it, just like I do. "Put the candle beck!" or "werewolf?" "Therewolf" or maybe even, "hump? what hump?" Well, we watched it this evening, on DVD of course.

You know, of course I knew it was funny, and entertaining, and I've obviously seen it more than once. This time, though, I noticed just how well the movie has aged. Not everything that Mel Brooks has done has aged so well. I think, if I read my roman numerals correctly, that this movie came out in 1974. The black & white was controversial, but what a great choice! The writing was... well, maybe not brilliant, but very entertaining. This movie has a great cast, even though some of them are gone now. I can still - as I did this evening (even while knitting on socks) - pick out some new nuance that I hadn't before.

Yes, I still have to give this movie a thumbs-up. If you haven't watched it again lately, maybe its time.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

it must be thursday

So, it is, indeed, Thursday. Raine made it through a whole day of school, allergies and all. On good behavior, too. Yay. Already tomorrow is Friday, and there are so many things I haven't gotten done this week that I need to. Ah well, it just will be done when it is.

I've been enjoying Ravelry (listed to the side of the blog if any crafters are interested in checking it out) and they have a queue feature, that lets you list your list of projects for yourself, and anyone else who is interested or curious. Well, I have a couple of projects on my queue, mostly listed as they begin to be worked on, instead of organized and prioritized. Well, I don't know if I'll ever get organized enough to list them on Ravelry, but I have been working on my personal queue. Getting projects that I would like to work on organized, gathering materials and tools for each, and... well, not exactly lining them up, but close. It's more like, here you go! What do you feel like working on? You know what? I think there are a lot of things that will be more tempting to work on when they are all put together like that. It gives me a happy feeling, kind of like that stack of books, just waiting to be read. Its a comfort knowing they are there.

Speaking of projects, I've been working on those socks some more. Ron got the missing needle out from under(ish) the chair. Yay, Ron! I haven't managed to stab myself again (that gave me a new appreaciation of the punch test demos that our SCA fencers would periodically put on). I've actually seemed to gain a little momentum on in as I get more used to the small needles and stitches, and having the other needles hanging around in the way. I have two thirds of the ribbing done, and then onward and toe-ward.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

wednesday

For some reason, this semester, the "powers that be" (meaning whomever decides these things) has decided that Wednesday is meeting day. Pretty much every Wednesday morning has been an 8AM meeting since school started. Well, not the FIRST Wednesday, because that was the day after we had inservice meetings, and we had to be there early to hand out schedules.

This week, I had to stay after for a meeting. Actually there were two different meetings that were scheduled for the same time today, but since I have trouble being in two places at once, I only made it to one of them. AH, well.

Why is it, when the budget push comes to shove, these meetings suddenly have to be on "my" time? I'm just supposed to rearrange my schedule to accommodate a meeting? What if I really don't want to go? Having it off the clock does not increase my desire to attend, or attend. (if you get the dual meaning there...) If they want my best work, then can pay me for it.

Neither does the fact that they are still rehashing and restarting what has been started over and over and over... but never seems to get past the starting point. Oh yeah, and heaven forbid that we do anything but start from the beginning and reinvent a wheel that will never get driven on. And they wonder, those powers that be, why we aren't falling all over ourselves with enthusiasm THIS time...

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

this and that

Got Raine to the Doctor today. I really like her, and so does Raine. She got the second flu shot. The first one made her throw up, so here's hoping for the best. The Dr said all the coughing and runny nose was allergy related, and so was the swelling in her throat. I thought it might be tonsillitis, they thought maybe strep. Nope, allergies will make your adenoids swell. I didn't know that but now I do. The plan is that Raine and I both go to school tomorrow. Ron is home for another day, down with stomach ickies.

The puncture wound on (in?) my hand seems to be on the way to healing. No disturbing redness or other sign of infection. I actually worked on the socks again today... and dropped one of the knitting needles down the side of the chair, where it got stuck in a place where I can't get it out. I tried. Raine and her slender fingers and agility tried. No luck. Fortunately I have another set that size so I pulled one of them out and continued. If anything else happens with these needles, I'll declare they don't like me and move completely to the other set. So there.

It shaping up to be a weird week, being gone from work for a couple of unplanned days. I'm anxious to get back and pick up the pieces. Of course it will be a start early and stop late day. I think I'm supposed to be two places at once after school. I love that.

But for now, I good night's sleep seems to be in order.

Monday, January 26, 2009

feeling a little...betrayed

I've been wanting to knit a pair of socks, now that I've knitted a little. It seems like a project that is a manageable size, and the thought of some comfy home-made socks is appealing to me. I'm not really much of a slipper person, but I putter around in my stocking feet all the time.

I bought a book about knitting socks with some of my Christmas money. The last time I was in Hobby Lobby, I even picked up some sock yarn and a couple of the free patterns. I've even picked up a variety of the double pointed needles for sock knitting. I picked out a tube sock for my first pair, thinking that not having to worry about a heel would be good for the first attempt.

Today I pulled everything out and had a go at it. I went around once, then had to pull it out. The second cast on was much neater, so I kept going, about 3 rows... and then I put things beside me, and stabbed my hand with one of the needles! OW!

Well, not run to the hospital right now, kind of OW! but a little blood and some swelling now. How could that needle do that to me? After all the plans I've been making? How could it be so.... mean? Man, I'm definitely going to have to be more careful with those things...

Sunday, January 25, 2009

here's to success




The party was a success. The weekend was a success. A good time was had by all, at least to the best of my knowledge. Of course I'm tired and a little grumpy at this point, but hey, its getting past my bedtime on a Sunday night. Raine has been fighting allergies, and a cough, and right now, the cough seems to be winning. I may have to keep her home tomorrow, and to do that, I may have to drive out to school to deal with lesson plans for the class I have 4th period. Unless I can think of something to have someone take out there for the sub. hmmm Not having much luck with that yet.

So, Raine is officially 6 now. Our friends came over from Tucson for the weekend, and we had a great time, and Raine played with their kids, and played and played. We had the mess to prove it, although, they were thoughtful enough to pick a good bit of it up before they left.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

busy weekend in sight

Raine's birthday is this weekend. Sunday. We're having her party on Saturday, and weekend guests to help celebrate it. I think we will all have a fun time, especially Raine, who will have sleep-over Friday and Saturday night. More dinosaurs and bionicles than she can shake a stick at in store. I foresee much playing and laughter this weekend.

And exhaustion. Yes, come Sunday we'll all be on the ragged edge of snapping at each other. I'm bad about that. I know I am. I try to be better, but I'm just not my best when tired. Who is?

Still. Exhausted in a good, satisfied way from good friends, and happy celebration. There are worse things, aren't there. Fair warning, though. I don't know whether I'll get in here to blog, might just be busy watching movies, chatting and threatening kids who are too excited to fall asleep.

Have a good weekend, too.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

poetry

I'm doing a poetry unit with my students. One of their latest assignments was to write a poem using color imagery/symbolism. I wrote one myself to share in the activity. Nothing great as poems go, but still, it got me thinking about the sun, more or less in that poetic way that poetry will inspire.

I thought about how much I really enjoy the sun, and its light. Makes everything easier for me to see. Things show you more of their true selves in the sunlight. Now that I am crafting more, I crave the longer days to be able to really see what I'm doing. I also like the warmth. I know, I'll be complaining a bit about the heat come summer, but on days like we've been having lately, when the temperatures get into the high 60's in the afternoons, the sun's warmth is just delicious.

Yes, I love a sunny room. I'm a morning person, especially if the sun is up. It doesn't have to be waaay up, but just up enough for light. I would have depression issues living where there are more cloudy days than not. I need the sun.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

new president

As of today, its Barrack Obama. I'm very pleased he was elected, and I hope his term of office brings the optimistic vision for the United States that it seems to promise. I am proud of our country for going there.

I'm not big on politics, or politicians, and I do think times will be tough for a while yet. It just is the nature of things. Still, the world did not end, no one started eating babies, or any of the other dire warnings I heard with stunned disbelief. Lets work together to make a better place.

Monday, January 19, 2009

convention schedule

Anyone reading this unaware that I'm a total geek? Well, let me tell you, I've even been to a con or two in my time. One year Carl and I drove to Dallas for one, and then another time we rode the train to Baltimore for one. They were both gaming conventions, and we had a blast.

I've been to 3 or 4 Start Trek conventions as well. I love to watch (and actually own) the blooper reel. I've got autographs. I've got ST Barbies. I even have (as of this past Christmas) my very own Star Trek shirt, complete with emblem.

So, when I read about Wil Wheaton, or some of the web comic artists planning their con trips, it makes me want to go, too. In fact Wil Wheaton wrote about going to Phoenix Comicon next weekend! Well, I could get to that. OK, not this year, we've already planned Raine's birthday party, and we have people coming in from out of town. It would really be rude not to be here. But NEXT year! NEXT YEAR to Phoenix Comicon. Its a plan! (I hope Wil will be going next year, too...)

Sunday, January 18, 2009

finally found it!


I found the dragon pattern I've been looking for! I'm pretty happy about that. I'm going to make one more of the small dragons, fuzzy, if I can get it to work out that way. Then, a bigger dragon. My favorite is the one in turquoise, but I leave off those goofy looking teeth. Who wouldn't?

Raine looked at the pattern, and that was the kind she wanted, too. I'm a happy camper, and I don't even have to go to work tomorrow.

Now, I'm going to go log into Ravelry, and share the news there too. Yeah, I know, woo hoo! (ok yes, you did spot a little sarcasm there, right?) Hey, I figured out the scanner to get the picture. That's a good thing, right?

Saturday, January 17, 2009

another step into the digital age

So, you probably know that Circuit City is closing. Soon. They are having sales on everything. As many stores seem to do at these times, they seem to have raised prices on some things so that they could then "discount" them. Ah well. We did some sorta smart shopping, though. We took the time to figure out our price range, and talked about items we might shop for before we took the drive to El Paso.

We ended up picking up a couple of MP3 players, and some helpful stuff for said players. First one for me, although Ron has had one for a couple of years, and got to upgrade. I've been thinking about one for a little while, but I don't want to have to wear earphones all the time. We got speakers so that won't have to happen. It has a tiny little screen for pictures and video, although the thought of actually trying to watch something on that screen is a little... amusing.

Do you know there are audio recordings of books that you can load into your MP3 player? I learned that recently, and I think that was what tipped the scales and really got me wanting one.

Now, I just have to load it up, and start listening.

Friday, January 16, 2009

no good, very bad day

When I got home from work today, Raine was in time out, in her bed (actually had fallen asleep). Yep, that's what kind of day it was for her, today. Now, understand that today was supposed to be Fun Friday. They were going to finger paint. Raine was actually excited to go to school today. Probably, so were all the other kids. Too excited.

According to Ron, the whole class was a little rowdy, and got in trouble at some point. But, no, that wasn't the end of our troubles. Neither was doing the work in class - or, rather, NOT doing it. The icing on the cake was Raine and a couple of her classmates in the bathroom, all three in one stall, screaming and laughing. Do you have youngsters? Did you at one time? Imagine the shrill echoing and laughter. I know I did. I'm sure it wasn't difficult to find them.

Yes, she went through all the levels of the behavior chart in one day. Lovely. I'm glad she doesn't do that every day. But, here she is, now. Punishment must be terrible enough to let her know she doesn't want to face it again, but not cruel. So, it will not be a fun weekend for her. No friends, no computer games. Wish I had thought to ask her... "what would Santa say about that?" It's still close enough to Christmas to envoke that, isn't it?

And her birthday is next weekend...

Thursday, January 15, 2009

pop culture

There was a day (albeit one with many fewer channels involved) that I could pretty much quote the TV lineup for any evening of the week, and most of the weekend as well. Those days - thank goodness - are long gone. These days, I'm lucky if I can manage to find much beyond Spongebob Squarepants on television.

Stepping out of that television world of new, new, new and buy, buy, buy has been good for me as a person, but I am no longer up on pop culture. In some ways, I think that pop culture idea is for the teenagers, who so much of it is aimed at, and not for us "fogeys." In other ways, its kind of like that person that gets stuck in a clothing style, and never moves on. Truth to tell, I'm not much of one to keep up with fashion either. hmmm.

Still, while I'm not up in "pop" culture, I don't think my culture "style" is really stuck, either. I'm more a part (however fringey) of the computer "pop" culture. Or at least parts of it. I like blogging, but I'm not into heavy social networking of facebook or myspace. I enjoy online gaming, though and that has some social aspects.

Anyway, I've been thinking about that popular culture thing, lately, and decided that I'm still comfortable not being popular.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

just what i needed

This afternoon, when I parked in the driveway after work, there was Raine peeking out the window at me. She was making silly faces, and happy to see you faces, and saying Mama, Mama, Mama. It was just the best kind of pick-me-up I can think of. It was even better because our morning this morning wasn't so shiney. I was supposed to be at work this morning earlier than usual. Of course the main reason that I'm not there at that time every morning is because I have morning child care duty... and morning is not her favorite time.

I had talked to her the night before about needing to get ready and leave a little earlier. I woke her up and reminded her. But she just couldn't do it. I don't think she was trying to be... well, trying, but she was. I picked out her clothes since she did not do that in a timely manor, and of course I didn't get the right ones... so then the sullen stubbornness sets in. Sigh. Well, we finally got ourselves ready to leave, and accomplished all those morning activities and I walked her to school, but it was not our best morning, or anywhere close.

So, to have that happy that my mama's home greeting... well, it was pretty great.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

now where did i put it?

I had an idea for today's blog. It was insightful and profound. I just know it was. But... I've forgotten what the topic was. Yep. I think the brain is going. OK, not really, but it is proof for that advice, WRITE IT DOWN!!!

I'll think of it, and when I do, I will make notes so I can share them with my friends, tomorrow.

grumble, grumble...now what did I do with...

Monday, January 12, 2009

Burn After Reading

Now that this movie has hit a discount price at Sam's, it has joined our movie collection. In many ways it is your typical Coen brothers film. That means it's really not typical at all, doesn't it.

There are some familiar faces from other Coen films, like Frances McDormand. There is a wonderful cast, in fact: John Malkovich, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Tilda Swinton (she plays the Ice Queen in the Narnia Movies). They are thrown together in very unexpected ways (yes I know, that's not so unexpected for a Coen film) and you pretty much just have to watch these characters not transition well. That is the movie, essentially and without giving anything away. All of these characters are in transition, and they are not doing well with it. There are moments you will just find yourself a little surprised, wondering, "did that really just happen?" Of course there are a few moments that youngsters should not watch. Adults with that quirky sense of humor will enjoy the heck out of this movie. Probably watch it more than once, even, if only to see what it was that you missed the first time. Enjoy.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

can't be over yet...

Wait! Where did my weekend go? It can't be over yet, but it seems it is.

Ron started moving stuff around in Raine's room, and I took advantage of that to go through some of the toys that had been hanging around in hiding. We actually got rid of a good bit - or at least we sorted it and will get rid of it as soon as I can give it to the appropriate adults for the appropriate children. Some good stuff, too, although Raine has outgrown it. Happens, doesn't it.

Still with cleaning out the storage unit yesterday, and doing that today (and you really can't tell much by how her room looks...) there went the weekend. And I'm still tired and whiney. Ahhh well. There is always next weekend, which will be a three day one for me. Quilting? maybe...

Saturday, January 10, 2009

storage & purging

Ron and I did make it to the storage unit. And we emptied it. No, we didn't bring everything home, but that's OK. We threw away some things that we needed to throw away, and, OK, we got a much smaller unit and put some of the stuff in it. Most of it came home with us in the form of boxes of stuff. Books, mainly. Since these books were all in storage for who knows how long, and at my parent's house before that, I suggested taking them to Coas straight away, and seeing what they would give us for them. Carl suggested looking through them and putting some on half.com to see what we could get for them there. He is going to try that. Who knows, there may even be something worthwhile in one of those boxes.

Among the other stuff we brought home were the old movie projector and slide projector that my folks had. Not just the projectors, but the home movies and slides. Both projectors were in their cases, and aside from being a little dusty (but not like they COULD have been) looked in great shape. Don't know how the films and slides faired, but I'll look through them soon. What fun to have movie and slide nights! Of course anything worth saving should be digitized, and we'll work on that too. There are a lot of family photos that need that organizational effort, as well.

Sigh. So much for the dent I had made in our box collection.

Friday, January 9, 2009

might as well laugh

Lately, I've been a pretty happy camper about getting to do all kinds of crafting. I even feel good about getting back into the crafting guild. As I've been considering what my next project will be, though, I've been a little stumped. I mean, the big dragon is on hold until I can find the pattern. Of course I have a pile of cut-out garments that I could sew up. They are right next to the pile of fabric I could cut out! That's just across from the stack of books I could be reading. They - in turn - are sitting on top of a box that could be emptied by sorting and putting away the contents. As you can tell, I've obviously nothing to do.

When I was going through the fabric, I noticed, once again, that I have a lot of bits and pieces, odds and ends saved up. That's what happens when you like to make Barbie clothes... or quilts. I have bags. The bags have bags. There are totes full of these smaller pieces of fabric. I was thinking that might be my project for this weekend. Getting started on a quilt. Sounds simple enough... (only if you're inexperienced at it, lol).

Of course the other shoe is going to drop now. We got the storage shed, and Ron has finished putting it together and moving things around to put in it from the house. I've been quietly trying to encourage that so we could get stuff out of storage and stop paying that fee every month. That was the main idea back in October when we bought the shed. I've been waiting, so tomorrow is the hurry-up day. We need to get it done. We really do. I even know most of the muscle work will be done by Ron and not by me. But I have to help because I have to.... as I look longingly at the fabric... sigh...

Thursday, January 8, 2009

sewing guild

The monthly sewing guild (ASG) meeting was tonight. Before I was married, I belonged to the guild, and I really enjoyed it. Nice people. Learned some good sewing tips. Saw some awesome stuff that people had made.

It wasn't so much getting married that made me drop out, per se, but of course moving to a new place, with a new husband, and hopes of a new job, and not much money all contributed. When I got back into town, I had a 6-month-old, and not much time to spare for other interests. Now she is almost 6, and will let me out of her sight. I've begun to do a lot of the crafts I have enjoyed in the past, and sewing is only one of them.

I've been to a few meetings since I've been back in town (lo these 5 years) and have enjoyed them. I see a lot of the same faces from before, and some new ones too. I've thought about joining again, but the time never seemed right. Well tonight, I didn't think about it, I just filled out the form and wrote the check. Woo hoo!

A small thing really, but sometimes the small things can be important. This one way to show myself that I feel sewing is important to me. That learning new techniques is valuable. Participating in community service projects is important, and they do some good ones. Being creative is a good thing, and helps me be a happy person.

OK. Now, any one wanna come join with me? I love having my friends around doing the stuff I like to do, too!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

anticipation

This semester, I've "inherited" a class from another teacher. Long story short is that he is a coach, and would like to be coaching 4th period (block schedule, so last class of the day), and the administration reassigned his class to me.

I was willing to take the class, because I enjoy teaching, and I had been missing it. Not that I wasn't working or helping students out, because I have been, all year. But they weren't MY students working on lessons for ME. I missed it. The whole planning, presenting, seeing the learning happen etc. The process.

On the other hand, his classes have a reputation. And not a good one. Still.

So today was the first day for me to have them. And I made sure everything was ready, just so. And that was first period. Then second, third... just waiting for them. I have to laugh at myself, really. The anticipation.

When 4th period arrived, and I started in on the introduction, I knew it was going to be OK. At least. I'm hoping for great, but I know that probably won't be every day. Still, I respect these students for being willing to take on a new (to them) teacher, just as I was willing to take on a new class.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

x-files movie

We watched the new X-Files Movie tonight. Don't ask me what the real name of it is, I don't know. I liked the movie, however. Much more of Scully and Mulder solve a mystery with a little supernatural help than the commercials indicated. It fact, the commercials made it seem they were headed for the icecaps again in search of more aliens. Not the case. Which is a good thing, really. I had to agree with Carl when he said those commercials weren't really much of a draw for him. There are no aliens involved in the plot here, a little bit of the unknown, and a protagonist who really isn't all that good of a guy, and a lot of let's hurry and get here or there.

I don't want to give a way any spoilers here... but Scully and Mulder finally got romantically involved, although that is also not the point of the movie. Even so, they still call each other by their last names. Mulder has Gillian's number in his phone. (at first I thought it said Gilligan, lol)

If you are an X-Files fan, I recommend this movie to you. It is rated PG-13, and there are some medical procedures that some young-uns would not be comfortable watching. Still, the plot came together reasonably well, and I enjoyed it overall.

Monday, January 5, 2009

back to school

Yep. It was back to school, today. At least for staff. We have tomorrow in our classrooms, to prepare for students, who are coming on Wednesday.

They were predicting some snow for the Gila Mountains and the Sacrementos, but could for us. Maybe some rain tomorrow. If its going to snow here, this is pretty much the time, but I'm not counting on it. Wishing for it maybe, but not counting on it. We have had years when the first day of classes was postponed due to snow. OK, we had one year when that happened, but still, I remember it fondly.

I know that mainly, I'm procrastinating. I'm not ready to go back to work because I LIKE not having to work. Hmmm how odd is that? I do like that paycheck, however. And you know, even with gripes, I do like my job, and I would miss it if I didn't have to work. (I would struggle through, somehow, don't get me wrong, lol) Just the starting off that is a struggle, not the actual being there.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

much better day

My knees are kinda twinge-y and I have to go back to work tomorrow, but even with that, I managed to get over myself some from yesterday.

I finished Lynda's scarf, and gave it to her. I didn't even get a picture of it first. I still can get a picture, and I will, but she liked it very much. I like the combination of threads that I used, and I think they will go with a lot of things. I made one... mistake in it. Well I'm sure I made many mistakes, but this one shows - sort of - if you know where to look. I got a loop around the edge of the scarf, I'm not sure how. It doesn't affect how the scarf looks or works and I left it partly (but only very partly) because I didn't want to tear out the two LONG rows I had done above it but mostly because I thought it was an interesting flaw. Is that a weird thing to do?

There are also some things I didn't get done over the holidays. Although I did a good job of reducing our box count in the computer room/library, I didn't get books put away like I had planned to. Still, clearing out the closet made room to put things away out of the way of those shelves, and the job will be easier on the whole now. IF I have enough shelf space, that is.

I also didn't get any sewing done for myself. Hmmmm there is a 3 day weekend coming up soon. That may be my plan. I still want to do some crochet and knitting...but I'll have to consider what my next project will be.

Also, although I didn't do too badly food-wise during the holidays, I definately slipped up some. Back to the routine for me. Maybe time to add some variety in that routine to help make it more appealing. I've been looking through the southbeach books, and I'll keep you posted on the recipes I liked.

As for now, I'd better not procrastinate bed time too much longer, for that alarm will ring, and I must respond regardless.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

one of those days

Today has been one. Not a bad day to all appearances. I even made it through Wal-Mart without serious mishap - or even minor mishap. Got the cat some food. Got the Christmas Cards finished (yes, I KNOW they are very late...). But nothing I've done today, even though I accomplished stuff, broke the bad mood I've been in.

Its one of those moods where I blame everything on everyone but me. I'm grumbly and cranky. I at least have gotten to the level of self awareness when I get like this to NOT have a discussion or pick a fight. I know I would say things that I really don't want to say, and really don't mean, except when its. just. NOT. my. fault.

So, in the spirit of saying nothing if you can't say something nice, I'll keep this short, and hope for a better mood tomorrow.

Friday, January 2, 2009

fashion



I can be plain. I haven't ever used make-up enough to get "good" at it. At this point, I'm kind of glad that people are used to my "plain" face, then I don't look bad in comparison when I go out with out it. I have some jewelry, but I fiddle with it so much when I wear it that I become self conscious about that, and often, I don't take the time to plan out accessories, and don't manage to wear them. Oh, I go through a spurt here and there, but nothing sustained.

I can watch something like What Not to Wear and be appalled by what the hosts are wearing. Even while I understand that I could use a little voice saying, "please! not those! Not together!" for my own wardrobe at times.

So, I learned how to knit these cute scarves. I made one in time for Christmas giving, and I'm most of the way through a second one now. They are a fashion accessory that will keep your head or shoulders warm. I'll never wear one with an outfit. I'll be too hot, and it will be something to have to fuss with all day long. I won't. But I know people who would wear them. Who would accessorize with the scarf beautifully. I can appreciate that. I can applaud them. I can enable them. I just won't _be_ them... My step-mother graciously consented to modeling the scarf while I took pictures.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

a new tradition?

This year with the approach of New Year's Eve, people would ask, what are you doing for new year's? Nothing. As I wrote about yesterday, I'm not really a big, formal party person. Still it does seem appropriate to celebrate the new year in some way, and I'm always ready to include friends. Carl and I talked about how it would be fun to have a potluck/gaming party starting about noon and going until - say- 7. That way people who had new year's day off could go and enjoy themselves even if they had to get up and get back to work the next day. Our only problem is that, even though we added square footage to our house and an extra room, we actually lost living area space. We don't have room to host a party and gaming session at our house. Good news? We know friendly people who do, so we contacted them and arranged things with one of the couples. It was a small gathering, and we ate and talked and gamed and had a really nice time.

Now we are home, and getting through the evening rituals in a reasonable way, at a reasonable time. Could this be the start of a new tradition? I could see it, and I would enjoy it...