...random thoughts

• One week 'til spring break. I love my students, but...I.am.ready.
  
• Two weeks ago Nate came to visit, and to exchange vehicles. He and his roommates were moving this week and needed my little truck. Just when I finally stop stomping on the floor for the non-existent clutch, we'll trade back again.


• I thought my camera had been stolen. Instead...I lost it. And found it. And have learned a lesson about 1) not leaving my purse in the grocery cart as I unload at the checkout line and 2) not being so quick to jump to the conclusion that the squirrely boys behind me must have taken the camera out of the side pocket. Just because the woman behind them gave a frown and a nod in their direction...doesn't mean they were guilty of anything except being teenagers. Sigh. My sincere apology to the two boys who were on the receiving end of my negative thoughts today.
• Last Saturday I spent the entire day out in Echo, helping out with the Red to Red mountain bike race. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and there were many guys in spandex milling about. What's not to love? My good friend Kathryn is in this crowd somewhere. She finished 3rd in her category.
• I still haven't filed my state taxes, nor filled out the FAFSA for Katie. Yikes. We've never been this late getting it done. This is the weekend.
• There are a couple of sewing projects calling my name. Must resist. FAFSA must be done.
• Oh, and that additional degree I was thinking about getting? Um, yeah. It's been about 15 years since I've paid for a bunch of graduate credits. Yikes. I think a class here and there will have to do for now.
• The weather is more March-like this weekend--raining and windy, and snowing where my folks live.

**Saturday morning update: Not a cloud in the sky! Oh, spring in EO, you do play mind games with us! Now all I want to do is ride. Paperwork first. Paperwork first.

**Saturday afternoon update: State taxes are finished. Missed a step and thought I owed $531. Took a second look and owe $3. I can live with that. FAFSA is started. Need info from Katie to keep going. The house is clean and laundry rebooted. Wind is blowing sideways outside. It looks like I get to sew after all! :-)

...a little of this and a little of that

Obviously, I have not been blogging much lately. Here's what's been going on:

1. School...that's a given. Moving on. Oh, wait! My students created photo essays using the Photo Story program. (My technology goal...and once I taught them the basics, they took off with it and were teaching ME how to do things!) When the essays were finished we had a showing in the classroom for parents and siblings. Five pizzas were gone in no time and we had a wonderful time!
   
2. Riding my bike. We're having unseasonably warm and sunny weather for February, so every chance I get I'm on my bike. Ahhh...
   
3. A date with Katie--both of us drove 1 1/2 hours on Sunday to meet in the middle. We had a great gabfest, oohed and ahhed over each other's hair cut, and parted way too soon. But we'll see each other during Spring Break, which is just around the corner.
   
4. I've tossed around the idea of getting a degree in counseling for a while now. Just yesterday I took the plunge and made an appointment to fill out the necessary paperwork. Gulp. The program starts in the fall, classes are only 45 minutes away, and...they are only held on the weekends. Friday evenings, all day Saturday, most of the day Sunday. For a year and a half. Double gulp. Can I do it? Do I want to do it? I was 15 years younger the last time I worked and went to school. But...the seed of an idea has taken hold and I need to follow through.
   
5. My cousin Jenn just contacted me recently on Facebook. I was 15 when she was born so we never really knew each other. A few years ago we started exchanging emails, then...? Who knows why we stopped? I'm glad for the chance to reconnect with her.
   
6. My sister Arlene is taking vacation days during my spring break. We're taking a road trip to Portland together to see Katie and do some shopping. (Not the usual kind of shopping. No, we'll be going to exciting places like Penzey's Spices, Trader Joe's, and Saturday Market!) I can't wait!


7. Nate is coming to spend a day with me Monday. (I'm taking a personal day.) He considered coming last Sunday with Katie, but we needed girl time. It will be good to catch up with him too. He's borrowing my little truck for a bit--he and his roommates are giving up their big old rental house and going their separate ways. A good change for him--he's tired of living in a house with multiple people, one bathroom, and no one willing to clean on a semi-regular basis. Friendships are intact, as far as I can tell--just time for a change.
   
8. Twenty-some years ago I made a book bag for myself. When Katie went off to college she nabbed it for her own and used it. And used it. Until it was worn out. (One cannot see the handles in this picture--they are in shreds!)
9. On Sunday she gave it back to me. "Mama, please make me another one!" I don't have the pattern any more, so will be taking this old one apart and using it to make a new one. Time to start ripping.

**Update: Two new bags--one for Katie because she requested it and one for Arlene, just because. I am guilty of feeding the addiction of my two favorite bag ladies. :-)

...another rebus story

I don't get to spend nearly enough time with my sonHe works in from late June to late October (missing both of our birthdays).

When we get together we have a great time talking about and playing lots ofHe beats me nine out of ten times.

When he is home he spends a lot of time with

who is doing very well after being hit by a car while crossing a

this winter.

He has recently gotten into and thinks I should try it. I'm not so sure. He also plays indoor and I

you
!!!