one on me

So the addition to my personal to-do list today is: pay attention.

We went back to school today for our day of meetings. I help present in the morning, and that went pretty well. Then lunch, and our afternoon meetings. The first one went well, then our group had a break before our next meeting. THEN, a second meeting got postponed. That meant a decent block of time for planning and preparation before the last meeting.

So, I did that. I got out the text book, and looked through The Odyssey to plan a word wall, think about how to divide up the first part, then the second part, then... well I went to visit with another teacher for a few minutes on the topic, then back to my room and working on the drama unit.

All the time, I was glancing at my clock, waiting for time for that last meeting. Finally, I figured out something... the hallway was quiet. The teacher that I had talked to earlier - and was in the same group as me - wasn't in her room any more... what the? The clock said 12:45... hmmmm suspicion started to bloom. I made my way around the construction to the meeting room to find everything being closed up. DOH! The clock in my room was wrong! No wonder I was getting so much done so "fast." Well, fortunately I had previously had the information given in that meeting, but really, sometimes I wonder about my own perception...

resolutions

It is that time of year. Do you make them? I don't. Not really. Not any more than any other time of the year, at least. Still, the self reflection one might do in preparation for those resolutions might be healthy (in moderation).

In 2009, I continued on my journey of eating better. I lost a little weight, not a bunch. Not as much as a could stand to loose, but still, some. I've made healthier choices, but still have room to grow there. In 2010, I want to move. No, I don't mean households, I mean move my body. Exercise more. Move it so I don't loose it, ya know...

We have not been good about keeping in touch with family. Oh, sure, the ones in town are pretty easy. I get to sew with Roxanne almost every Saturday. The other ones, though, aren't as easy. Facebook helps some, actually... We did go to Wichita Falls for the 4th of July. It was a good trip, and we enjoyed it. I took Raine to see her grandparents. That was a good trip, too. (next time i want my sewing machine, darn it!) We talked about sending her during the summer again. I hope it can happen. I also want to visit my mom's family in Houston. I haven't been there in more than 10 years. Its time. Our plan is for spring break. Better connections.

Finally (back to the sewing) I feel like I got better at it. I learned to use my serger (yay) and I'm looking forward to more next year. I'd like to get better at fitting garments. That tailored look. (what, and I'll actually wear that??? dunno, maybe) I have a book with all kinds of things you can do with a serger. I need to go beyond the seam. Then, we also have a new machine to experiment with. An embroidery machine. The possibilities expand, and keep expanding. It's good for the creativity. It's good for the soul.

So, here are my resolutions, such as they are. Move, connect, create. Live, love, learn. Hopeful beginnings, my friends, keep to the path, find your path.

2010

My first post of the New Year. I hope everyone as a happy one. Better than last year, even if last year was a good one, but especially if it wasn't.

Winter vacation draws to a close. Sigh. I know I shouldn't complain, as I've had a nice one, and many, many people don't get one. Still, as with all good things, I hate to see it end.

I get to go sew with Roxanne, tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that as much as always, maybe even more than sometimes as I've had to miss a couple of weeks, and miss it I do. We worked on stuffed rocking horses as Christmas gifts, although we didn't get as many completed as we had hoped, since we started on them later than we should have. They are all sewn now, although they still need to be stuffed and put together. If I can get the camera packed, I'll take a picture of one or more. I don't know that we will work on them too much tomorrow, though. I really want to work on one of the tops I've cut out. Carl gave me some good Gingher scissors for Christmas, and man, are they nice. I've had a pair for a while, but a different style, and the new ones are the right heft and weight, and I really like them. Being new and sharp and all doesn't hurt either.

I think I figured out what to do with my Christmas money, too. What's left of it anyway... We have been talking about getting security screen doors for the house. In the summer time, when the nights cool off nicely, we can open them up and get a breeze through the house and not have to run the A/C all night long. Hopefully cut down on some of those bills. I don't have enough to cover more than one, right now, but that is a start, and I'm happy with it. I've got to talk to Ron about the installation issue. I'm not sure whether I have enough to cover that or not. Hmmmm, maybe if I offer to take him to dinner he wouldn't mind too much... or maybe an new shirt?

Anyway, Happy New Year. May your to-do list be filled with things you will be happy to complete, feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment doing, and that you can honestly anticipate beginning, working on and achieving.

just a few more pictures...

Here are a few more of our Christmas images. Raine has been bothering the cat more than ever, much to the delight of both. Here they are in a mutual admiration conversation.

Before we left for North Carolina, we opened a few gifts at home. Carl gave Raine a very cool ton-ton sleeping bag (as in The Empire Strikes Back). It has a light saber for a zipper pull, a plush head, arm, leg and tail, and the fabric on the interior of the bag looks like intestines. Raine loves it.



We went to see the movie Avatar, which was good. Raine thought the 3D glasses were cool, while I just thought she looked really cute in them.

Finally, we made it home, and flew into El Paso in good weather, spent the evening without a drip of moisture in the air, ignore those clouds, will ya? And in the morning.... winter wonderland.

biltmore

While in North Carolina, we went to see the Biltmore house, built and occupied by several generations of Vanderbilts, and now a najor tourist attraction in the area. The house is humongous, a castle, really. There is a sweeping circular staircase that rises four floors (or was it five?) THere were numerous bedrooms, each spacious enough to have its own Christmas tree. There was a banquet hall with three fireplaces, each large enough to stand in. That room had a two story Christmas tree in it, with gift boxes as part of the ornamentation. They were the right scale. It was an amazing house to see, and imagine living and/or working there. They had several of the staff bedrooms on display as well as pantries and kitchen areas.

They don't want you to take pictures inside, though, so I didn't. They also do a portrait which they sell. One outside by the front door, and one inside. Both came out well, but I Ron's mom has them, and I doubt they would be happy if I posted them anyway. So I took some outside, on the main lawn, which was snow covered and picture pretty. Ron wanted some pictures of trees, too, so I took a few with the snow in them.

I don't know what it cost to get it, but it was beautiful. The grounds are lovely in the winter, and I'm sure they are only better in the summer. You can walk through them on paths, and I'm sure that would be an outing in itself.

return and report

We made it back from North Carolina. The trip was very nice and we had a great visit with the grandparents and I'm very glad we did it. I'm really glad to be home, as well. Fran suggested a couple of picture blogs, and I'm glad to oblige. Today I'll do some of the general pictures, with captions...more or less.

We had sort of a white Christmas, as it had snowed the Friday before we got to North Carolina. The first picture is of the woods that surround Ron's parents' "front yard." Ron misses those trees still.

We went to the science center and aquarium where we got to actively explore a lot of science and math concepts. We also got to watch their small collection of sharks and stingrays get fed, and even touch a shark (hey, I was too busy touching to take pictures). Raine got her hair trimmed that evening, and even let the stylist use the curling iron on her for the first time!

Finally, Raine enjoyed painting this year, she started with some ornaments that Nana had gotten, then went on to Christmas creatures. Finally, she and Poppop painted piggy banks for each other.

the big eve

So here it is, Christmas Eve day. One of the most anticipated days of the year for those under the age of... 20? Well, Raine, at least, has been looking forward to Christmas Eve for a while, now. Of course we have some anxiety... Will Santa find her here in NC? (some of her gifts are here, but her bike stayed in NM) Will she get what she has asked for? (the jury is still out on this one...)

Last year, her most asked for toy was Spike the dinosaur, a huge rc dinosaur (costing $130 or so) that we figured she would play with for a couple of hours, then would take up space in her already crowded bedroom. She didn't get him, and she seemed really happy with the gifts she did get. This year, much to my surprise, the only item on her list to Santa was... Spike. Now, not only do the previous considerations still apply, but she is also a year older, and Spike is really getting out of her age range. BUT he is what she is asking for. The parents' dilemma once again.

Santa will not be leaving Spike under the tree, but I think he will be leaving Raine a note. She plays and plays with her bionicles, so, she will get to see an equivalent amount of bionicles and get to choose between them. Then - whatever she chooses - it IS her choice, and she should be happy with it.

Still, I keep thinking of the Christmas that I got what I really, really wanted, and yet, it was one of the most disappointing Christmas gifts ever... Is this when she's going to learn the lesson of being careful what you wish for?