quick update

The weekend is coming, and so are a couple of Carl's friends. I think they have a pretty busy couple of days planned. I hope they have a really good time.

I did finish Soulless, but haven't started the next in the series because I don't have it. Yet. But I will. Soon. There were predictable things in the book, and some that were not so predictable. What I liked best about it was that it was just eminently readable. I had a hard time putting it down, and I had a very easy time opening it up.

I kind of cut down my crafting time this evening by making a trip to Walmart. It isn't my favorite place, and I know I spend can too much money there, so I try not to do it very often. Still, it wasn't a bad time to be there, got a parking place that wasn't bad, it wasn't too crowded inside, and when we were ready to check out, we just walked up to the conveyor and started loading it up. Instant next in line. Not bad for Walmart.

As a result of shopping, though, I didn't get the amigurumi finished this evening, even though I could have otherwise, at least to the decorating. As it is, I got his little legs made, one paw, and when the legs are all on, he is built. He's going pretty quickly, so it makes me feel like I'll be able to pull out 6 or 9 of them by the end of school. Wonder if my husband, child, and brother will let them get out of the house...

reading. loving it.

Well, I'm not going to write a long, juicy post tonight. I'm going to make it short and sweet, and then go read my book. You, know, Soulless. Yeah, really liking it STILL. Not gonna like it so much when it is done, but there is a sequel. Yay. If you like the Sukie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, you will like Soulless. Especially if you enjoy a little Steampunk, or think you might.

I also worked on my little amigarumi project a bit. Almost ready for a picture, at least a pre-decoration one.

new post

Ha ha, that amused me for a title.

I started one of the amigurami this evening. The first one is a robot dog. I got the head made and stuffed. So far so good. Not enough to take pictures of, yet, but I will. They are all little robot guys, and very cute. I love the decoration the author did, and I may run with it. I don't want them to be all the same or anything for my give-away in May.

I learned how to do the magic circle, making the head. I've always just done a chain two then single crochet in the second chain, but I've been reading about this magic circle, and I'm glad they included a diagram for it so I could try it. Easy peasy.

OK, I'm done being amused now. Maybe.

a new item for my list

Today was the first day of the last nine weeks. The first day back from spring break. Frankly, it seemed like a double Monday.

I had to go the the Dr, for a follow up visit from my most recent sinus infection, for which I'm still taking antibiotics, but feeling oh so much better. That meant I was late to work, but since I have prep for first period, that did not require a sub. Still, I walked into the building as the bell was ringing to end first period, and basically had to hit the ground running for the day. I think my students had a hard time readjusting to school as well.

Still, I had an idea, as I was walking around the classroom, letting them know what their grades would be on their report cards, and encouraging them for the new nine weeks. I should make a little something to give to my best students at the end of the year. I know genius, right? And I'm sure I'm the first person to have ever thought of it, too... not. Well, anyway, there have been - and will continue to be - challenges this semester, but there have also been some successes as well. Anyway, I may make up some reward categories, and crochet my little hook off making some amigurami to give away. I got a book of patterns last year, and have not taken the time to make any up. Well, that's a gonna change!

Also, I mentioned that I had started the book, Soulless. I'm really liking this book! I find it hard to put down, and easy to get lost in. My favorite kind.

bye bye spring break

Well, I had a really nice Spring Break, even if I did start it off by getting sick. Antibiotics and a different allergy medicine seem to be helping. I went to bed late, and got up late... well, later than usual, anyway. I got to sew with my cousin, Roxanne, and enjoyed that. We were even productive, getting an outfit finished for her mom (check it out on my Createlivity blog), cutting out some more stuff for her that we will sew up next week, and 6 more quilt blocks.

I got to go on a nice day trip to City of Rocks - which I wrote about here. I did a little bit of spring cleaning. I watched movies, and episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I got to finish the book I was reading, and start a new one, Soulless, by Gail Carriger. It's a Steam Punk novel, and so far, I'm liking it pretty well.

I even graded papers and updated grades, although I didn't get the gradebook quite set up for the new 9 weeks. Sigh. A goal for tomorrow, I guess.

A good week, all in all, and I'm a little sorry to see it end. Still, I think I'm mostly ready to face the next 9 weeks of school, and make it through until SUMMER!

the shapes of trees

There is something quite compelling to me about the shapes of trees. I find myself looking at the way the limbs and branches and twigs reach around and give form to the tree. It is most obvious - and most interesting - in the winter when the branches are bare, or when the tree is dead. (is there something, I dunno, ironic in dead trees being so interesting?) The organic "randomness" which isn't always so random fascinates me.

Yesterday, when we were at City of Rocks, there were a few trees and some bushes that really caught my eye. What I love about my digital camera is there is NO wasted film, and I took pictures.

city of rocks

It turned out to be the perfect day for a day-trip out to city of Rocks, today. Good thing, too, because that is where we went. Thanks to the walking and swimming that I've been doing lately, I climbed and hiked around the big rocks without too much trouble. There just isn't much to do for my lack of depth perception and grace, so I took it slow and easy, but I went!

The kids (Raine and her buddy, Ezekiel) had a great time climbing around and exploring. We peered around corners, and into crevices. We found some interesting shapes in the rocks, and got to look at some of the places that had been used as matates - known as Indian bowls. We even saw a couple of lizards enjoying the sun.

Its hard work holding those rocks up... All that and a picnic, too! Definitely a good day!