Playing catch up

Man, my days seem to fly by. I went to Denver for 2 days in October to force myself from going to work. Didn't stop me from going into work the other few days of my break. I still love my job, but can't wait for the semester to be over so I can have my free time back. I just still feel like I don't know what I am doing. The good thing is that I really like all of my kids, except for one. It's a good thing I have him first thing in the morning so he is out of the way.
While in Denver, I got to spend a little quality time with my niece. She wouldn't let go of mom, but at least I got to make faces at her. I knitted her a pumpkin hat for Halloween.On the other side of the country, my niece Anna, also dressed for Halloween. She went as one of my most favorite animals of all time, the pink flamingo.


I also bought a bike. I rode to work this morning, and back this afternoon. I already feel the pain. Tomorrow will be brutal. I ordered some fabric from a place in NY to make covers for my baskets. I'll snap a picture once they are done so you can see how fun it is. I am a little wobbly, but got some good speed. At least I worked out. And I didn't stay at work late because I knew I had to get home before dark. So I think it will be good for me. My goal is to ride twice a week. That is almost 12 miles round trip.
Congratulations to our new president elect Obama. The world was a much brighter place today.

Go Broncos

Oh, did you not know it was football season? My cat knew. You should too. Both of us like to sport our blue and orange number 7s on Sundays.
P.S. I typically try not to be a crazy cat lady. If it helps at all, the jersey for the cat was a gift, I simply put it to use.

Secret Lives

Rarely do I get embarrassed. I have always tried to live with the philosophy that embarrassment builds character. However, this afternoon, I think I may have finally done it.
It was a quick week at work, and my patience was short today. Almost all of my classes received a tounge lashing for driving me crazy. When I got home I decided that grading papers was not going to help my mood, and definitely probably wouldn't help some kid's grades. Time for a break. Time for a movie. My friend Marie saw Mama Mia and said she didn't really like it. I knew this meant I would love it, so off I went. I laughed, I cried, I absolutely loved it. It made me think of my mom, and Sarah, and all the other goofy friends I have had those moments with. I was sad when I let because I didn't get to watch it with mom or Sarah, but I had an ABBA song under my skin. It itched. I needed to rock out. So before leaving the parking lot, I plugged in the iPod and blasted the tunes. Started with Waterloo, then moved onto a little Fernando. Then branched out from ABBA to a little of whatever else. I sang and be bobbed the whole way home. Other drivers looked at me like I was crazy. I didn't care. Live a little, folks. Get crazy. When I got home I couldn't stop. So I popped in the headphones, strapped the iPod into my arm band and went off to change my clothes when Aretha Franklin's "Think" came on. Now, I have loved that song since I was a kid and my brother and I shared the Blues Brothers Soundtrack. Something suddenly came over me. At that moment I happened to be in my bathroom in a T-Shirt and underwear when I spied my hair brush. Girls, you know what's coming. You see, I have a secret life. I am a professional lip syncer. Did you know that? Nobody has ever seen it, but I am the best. Seriously. Milli Vanilli has nothing on me. And if anyone actually ever saw me do it, I might just die. But I am convinced that everybody does it. Don't lie. And I was standing there in the mirror, lip syncing my heart out, dance moves and all, right in the heart of the song, cranked up so that no other sound in the real world could interrupt the show, and then my husband appeared behind me. He looked mortified. I just about fell over giggling. He looked like he was watching a train wreck. You know the look. This is horrifying, but I can't stop looking, and by the way, where the hell is my wife? I couldn't stop laughing and felt the only thing I could do was make it worse, so I started singing out loud and serenading him. I think he was more embarrassed than I was. He quickly left, mumbling something about how he didn't want me to think I was ignoring him. Guess I was just fine. Oh well. I still can't stop laughing. Guess the secrets out. What is your secret?

A Case of the Good Mornings

When I was in high school our principal had a habit of saying "Good Morning" in greeting, regardless of the time of day. We found it both funny and annoying. Now I am in the teaching arena and seem to have caught a case of the good mornings. I think it was intentional with Dr. Westerberg. But I think my brain just goes on siesta on the afternoon and I am lucky if I know what class I am teaching. The kids laugh, and I always catch myself after it is out of my mouth and say "or afternoon, or whatever time it is. I know you kids just woke up even though you have been here all day, so it is like morning to you." But I shouldn't have to go through that explanation every time. I need to snap out of it. More vegetables & less wine might help my cause. There has to be a better solution.

Goal Setting

When I graduated from high school, I had some distorted views on the world, and life. I thought I could control everything that happened to me. I thought I would finish college in 4 years, be engaged my last semester, get married a year later, and have my first kid at 25 (not pregnant at 25, birth during my 25th year). Career? Never thought about it. Didn't care. Was I serious? Totally. Is this what caused me to almost have a breakdown at 21 when I realized that it would take me 2 extra years to graduate from university with no marriage prospects? Absolutely.
Looking back now, I realize this: I was never taught how to set goals. And part of that was because I didn't really believe in them. But I think in my wise old age (yes, I just celebrated a half birthday), I have finally discovered the purpose, and strategy behind them. I used to feel like if I made a goal, I was obligated to fulfill it, and stay focused on it even if it was no longer the best thing for me. Goals were about commitment, will power, and determination, right? And I was determined to keep every goal even if it killed me. That turned into too much pressure to deal with (God forbid I face life and decisions) and I would plummet in and out of depression. No one ever explained that goals change or may disappear completely if they are no longer relevant. I am already a little off my rocker. Can you imagine what would happen if I took myself to a whole new level of crazy?
So I have learned to start small, and enjoy the pleasure in attaining the small goals. For instance, floss my teeth every other day (my dentist would say every day, but considering I remember once a week, I think every other day sounds right. Plus, he doesn't read my blog). Take my vitamins every evening. Drink 10 glasses of water a day. Blog at least once a week. Get to the gym 4-5 days a week. When I am comfortable with one of these, its time to replace it. Of course I have long term goals, too. But now I know they may change. And I am going to try that super corny thing of writing it out and tape it to my bathroom mirror. Because I am just that kind of person. And for those of you thinking it, I will probably also repeat them to myself every morning. Who knows? If I speak out loud, I just may floss every day.

I quit!

One of my goals this year was learn when to say enough is enough. So far, I have sucked at an opportunity to say no. I am a glutton for punishment, and tend to overextend myself. So today I did it. And I feel good about it. I quit my job. WHAT? I can hear my mom's jaw hitting the floor. My knitting job. I went to see the owner this afternoon, and just told her that it seems silly to even pencil me in when she can't see me for at least a month, and I can only work one evening a week. Waste of paperwork. I am going to still do her class schedule, and will still practically live there, I am sure. She offered me the opportunity to buy supplies wholesale for my classes, which is awesome, and I still want to be involved in the summer. We were talking about a summer camp called Kids Can Knit, and open the store early for a drop off. One healthy snack, and lots of fiber arts projects later, and parents can pick-up their kids mid-morning. We are thinking maybe 2 week sessions. That is right up my alley, will keep me out of trouble in the summer, and will still give me a paycheck.
On another note: For the first time in 2 months, I was able to bend at the waist without grabbing my thighs for support, and reach for my toes. Funny, I was always taught to reach for the stars. But I need a pedicure something serious..........

Shark attack

I went to San Diego for 3 days with my friend Jess. It was fabulous! Unfortunately, the sign was brighter than we were the first day and we were pretty badly burned. The next 2 days were spent under umbrellas and towels. All of this was fine of course, because after seeing a shark in the water, neither of us were all that jazzed to jump back in. Yes, a shark. I have dove with sharks, and regardless of the species, they still scare the crap out of you. When I saw it casually swim between us and the shore I freaked. I calmly told Jess there was a shark and to go in. I have never seen someone swim so fast, after clinging to me saying "where? where?!" As we arrived on shore, she was kind to point out that all she had to do was swim faster than me. Thanks Jess. Turns out they were leapord sharks, about 2-4 feet in length, that swim in schools of 6-8 (we were probably surrounded) and you can reach down and pet them. Right. And some guy still died from being eaten by a Great White 2 weeks before , and only a few miles up the coast. So I think I'll take my chances and head inland.
My back is still a day by day adventure. It seems to be getting better the closer I get to starting work. Though I am not remotely close to ready as far as my paperwork and classroom stuff, I can't wait to start. Mentally I am already there. Starts tomorrow!