starin'

Yep, there's space, all right. I'm staring right at it. Again. Some more.

It's that time of the year when my brain is pretty much fried: the week before finals. OK, I'm going to be giving semester exams, because my students will be returning to me next semester, but still. We all try to hold out to the end, but sometimes, they're done, I'm done, everybody is done. I kinda think that this is one of those years.

It hasn't been an easy semester for me, the learning curve has been high, and the patience required has been off the scale. Still, I'm encouraged that next semester is looking better. In fact, I'm looking forward to it. Although the students will be the same, my co-teacher is changing. I'll take a fresh start of almost any flavor at this point, and run with it. I get the feeling she will too.

For those of you who know her, Alicyn Green-Wall (also known as Mistress Toragana) will be working with me next semester. Yeah, I think it will be good. And yeah, I know, I spelled one - if not two - of her names incorrectly. Sigh.

not reading

I'm not reading enough. You would think - as an English teacher and all - I would read, read read. I LOVE to read. My daughter will even leave me alone long enough to let me read these days. So, what's the hold up? It isn't like my to-read list has gotten any shorter... although I may have kind of mis-placed it.

What is the problem, then? Its a vision issue. Its not a new vision issue, though. I don't think my glasses have suddenly gone south or anything, even though it may be time for a new pair. Its that age-related vision issue, the one that makes you need multiple prescriptions. You know, bifocals, trifocals, etc. and with my eyes, at least one lens is really thick. There seems to be a "sweet spot" where I can actually read easily... IF I can find it and keep it. It isn't a very big spot.

So I've been re-thinking my general glasses policy (one pair). I'm wondering if a near/middle distance pair that I could read or cross stitch with, then watch a little TV with would be possible. Then, perhaps a middle/far distance pair for driving, and general active/outside activities. I'm wondering if having the transition between 2 prescriptions would be more useful and usable that the transition between 3 is.

Any one have any experience with this? Anyone?

another serger milestone

I didn't even blog about sewing over the weekend. I felt the lack, so here goes.

After serging the edges on many fleece blankets for Christmas gifts (and I have to say, I think they are a fabulous gift), my machine was rather full of fluff. When I changed thread this last time, it wasn't sewing right. I thought, well, I've messed up with the threading, and/or this fuzzy stuff is wrecking havok.

First things, first, I cleaned the machine with little brushes, and canned air and more canned air, and then I swept. yikes. Then, I tried rethreading. Then I ran a test seam. Then I threaded it again. I found the instruction manual, and used that as well. (even). Still, one of the loopers was very loose.I could figure out which one, but still didn't effect much of a change, no matter what I tried. I gave the whole thing a rest for a few days, not wanting to get too frustrated, and to give myself time for ideas to percolate.

Sunday, I worked on it some more. I could tell it was a tension problem, so I made sure that looper went properly around the little tension knobby. Then for good measure, I checked the other threads and their tensions. I noticed that there were a couple of oil points where I had been opening and closing a cover, so I dripped a drop of oil on them. When I tried my test seam that time, it went just fine. I edged the blankets I had waiting on that serger for a couple more gifts.

I felt quite happy that I had worked patiently and diligently enought to solve the problem that the machine was having. They all do at one time or another, and the more I understand about them, the better I will be at using them. I felt like I crossed another serging milestone. Yeah, I still need to check the instruction booklet to make sure I get it all threaded correctly, but I diagnosed and problem solved and got the machine going again. I didn't let that be a reason to push the machine off to the side and not use it for six months or so. I felt like patting myself on the back. I called Roxanne, so she could pat me on the back, too.

new post

So, as you can tell, my imagination has been running wild...ly in the other direction. Ha.

Raine lost another tooth Saturday evening. Not as much trauma this time as the first, so, not as much problem. We couldn't fine her litle tooth box for the tooth fairy, but we found a plastic easter egg, and it worked out just as well. What is it about that gap-toothed smile on a kid that is just cute? Maybe it is - in part - our understanding that it is part of that growing up process, but it still means their kids.

Fran you'll be glad to know that I'm still working on my novel. Most of its going on in my head at the moment... but its forming into something. Something good, and complete - I hope. And something worth reading all of, as well. But its nothing you can look at, yet.

All in all, the weekend was probably more relaxing than it had any right to be. And I relaxed more than I probably should have. I have way too many papers to grade, still. Sigh. My wish is for a good week coming up this week, and for the sanity to persist as the holidays approach.

i wish

I wish I had a great idea for a post this evening. I'm just kinda out of energy and out of ideas. Not complaining, about it, mind you, just am.

I enjoyed reading a bookseller's - used books - blog this morning. He had listed a good many "fail" conversations with people who had asked him questions at his store. Fran, I'm sure you've had a good many of these conversations yourself, or very similar. I take away some amusement, of course, and a sad feeling inside for the people who just. don't. read. I have three classrooms of them this year, and it is something I absorb (because I find it hard to believe on such a basic personal level) a little at a time, and I can help but feel that one limits oneself making that life choice. At any rate, here is the link, if you are interested: http://www.bookmine.com/stupid.php

I mentioned in an earlier post that while in Colorado, the frequency of snow gave me pause. Well, it is snowing again, here. It is rather sleety this time, and was blowing around and not sticking to anything, so I can't imagine it will amount to much, but still, twice in one week is pretty amazing. If I were a skier, I'd be ecstatic, but I'm way too uncoordinated and fat. Still, winter is definitely coming this year.

And, above all, its almost Friday...

well, do I?

For the months of November, December and January, I'm serving in the local Pettit jury pool. That means about once a week I have the possibility of needing to go into court to see if I'm going to serve on a jury. Monday was one of those days, no problem, I didn't need to go in. Tomorrow is one of those days, too. Problem. (well, of course or I wouldn't be writing about it, would I...)

See, here's the deal. You call into their message phone the night before your assigned day and listen to the message so you know whether or not you need to show up, and what courtroom, and what time. Only this evening when I called, the message was for today. Yeah, the one that people yesterday needed. It says no one is needed. For today. As in Wednesday, December 2nd.

So, I ask myself and those around me, does that mean I don't need to go in tomorrow? Could they possibly have said the wrong day and time? (I mean it is only part of their job, getting these messages right) Argh. Then, the question is, do I just go in to work, call from there and maybe have to drive back into town right away? Do I hang out at home until the courts open so I can find out whether I need to go or not, then I'm late to work (although I've left a message with the principal about what happened all ready, and they have me down for a sub). What time does that court open anyway?

not so much

I enjoyed our little nod to snow... and our 2 hour delayed start to school.

This evening, however, I feel cranky, achey, and cold, cold, cold. That's just not like me, so I'm heading to the shower to get warmed up, and to bed under the quilt to stay that way.