Saturday, May 17, 2008
Saturday Stuff
We slept in all the way until 7:06 this morning.
A luxury of having the weekend off.
My first glance outside, done without my spectacles, filled the whole window with green. The maple tree leaves are just about as big as they’re gonna get.
Oscar was mighty appreciative when Husband opened the glass, allowing all the scents and sounds of a morning in Spring to waft on into the room.
He hopped from the bed to the cat shelf and his nose twitched every which way but off.
Even though I was taking my time feeding the cats and having a shower, we still were seated for breakfast at the Garden of Paradise before 8:30am.
We both were really hungry. Having had big lunches yesterday, and plans for going to a movie Friday evening, we had only cereal for supper last night. Cooking for old folks ain’t nearly as much fun as when the table was crowded with kids.
We each got an omelette, hash browns, and a biscuit. Husband likes to save half of his to bring home to eat for Sunday breakfast, and I gave him about a third of my hash browns. The coffee refills were great timing. I like to have a full cup when I begin spreading jelly on the biscuit, and that is exactly when it happened.
We stopped at the post office on the way home, to sign for a package. With the new postage rate gone up to 42¢, also purchased a sheet of stamps featuring pictures of authors.
I’m doing laundry. Five piles sorted, three already done in the washer, and two through the dryer. I was gonna hang some things outside on the clothesline, but three lawnmowers are busy and I don’t want too much pollen on fabrics.
We are still figuring out how the youngest son will get clean clothes, now that he’s moved out.
I’m real particular about use of my machines, so I say if he wants to, he can bring his hamper by and I will do the laundry and ironing, same as always.
On the other hand, he is ready for some independence and wants to take care of the task himself.
The laundry house takes many coins, plus there are certain items he likes to be able to hang dry.
My guys are ganging up on me, so it seems laundry lessons will happen in the near future.
Something’s gotta give, and it looks like my need for motherly duties is less than son’s need to get on with life.
I went to a yard sale a couple blocks over. There was a lovely teapot by Longaberger, just the kind I remember from a home party I went to 8 years ago.
I do prefer the taste of tea from a pot, rather than one bag/one cup steeping.
The tag already had a cross through from $40 to $20, seeing that the time for the sale was ending.
I asked if she would take $10, which is all I’m gonna pay for a teapot at a yard sale, no matter how fancy or collectible it might be. And I do already have a nice teapot, from a different yard sale years ago.
Well, no, $20 as low as she would go.
I paid $1 for a desk lamp and was on my way.
Golly, the noise from lawnmowers is irritating.
Somebody invent better mufflers.
Gotta go. The dryer buzzer is sounding.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Happenings of the day
The phone ringing at 6:09am woke us up.
Definitely the computerized voice saying there was a job available.
At the junior high school within walking distance.
As I pressed all the buttons giving my employee ID, the bedside clock’s alarm sounded.
Um, SubFinder, I really coulda used that extra minute of sleep.
Last night’s storms zapped out the traffic control signals, making it a 4-way Stop, so crossing Main Street on foot took much courage. I was wearing my bright orange U of I jacket, and I think it helped drivers to see me.
I got across one pair of lanes, then waited on the center island for several minutes to be able to cross the other pair.
Thank goodness the lights at the next intersection were working properly, so I got a WALK signal.
This job position is one when I have to use all my brain power. TA in two different 7th grade Math classes, one with an assignment handout about Probability, and the other assigned the definition of a function and equation and problems to solve.
One class for 6th grade Science, about Simple Machines (today was wheel-and-axle), tutoring a 6th grade Spelling Group (courteous was on the list), and a mixed age/grades ESL class (two kids from countries in Africa, two from countries in Asia, and five from countries Central America—talk about diversity).
8th Hour was supposed to be a TA in a Study Hall, but I was asked to collate and staple stacks of papers into Spelling packets. Getting ready for next year already.
I got set up at a big table in the back corner of the closed and nicely quiet IMC (Instructional Media Center. Back in my school days, it woulda been called the Library).
I worked my way through almost two tubes of staples. The Resource Teacher was impressed at the quantity done, about 2/3 of the pile.
Walking home, I found a small wooden table in a trash pile in front of a college student apartment building.
I set my bookbag on top and carried ‘em on home. I had to put it down every so often to rest my wrists.
As soon as son Chris saw it, he asked if he could have it for his apartment.
Since it is not tall enough to do the job in the corner I had expected for it, I will give it to him.
The old canning jars from the storeroom in the basement have found a new home in response to my e-mail.
A lady who runs a small organic farm and has a booth at an outdoor market seemed really appreciative.
She came by with a pick-up truck to take them away, on her way to fetch her daughter.
E-mail is a really handy method of communication.
Meanwhile, a buddy from church has given us a very large television, and a sturdy stand to hold it up. My guys have the measuring tape out and the living room is a jumbled mess. It’s a good thing I don’t read anything worthwhile on the tv schedule, because evening viewing pleasure is out of the question.
What with all the stapling and table carrying, I can’t ask my poor tired wrists to do any hook holding.
For me, a day without crochet is a rare occurrence.
Maybe that’s why I’m typing instead.
Even this may have proved to be motion too much.
I’ll take some pain reliever, load the dishwasher, feed the cats, then hit the sheets early tonight.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Monday, May 12, 2008
Done without a Warrant
Well, my goodness.
I just got home from a day in Kindergarten.
The lead teacher was also a substitute, so the class teacher left us 5 pages of detailed notes.
We must first admit that Kindergartners are very smart little people.
Although name plates were clearly affixed to the tops of desks, the little darlings tried to sit in the wrong seat, then cover the name with a paper, then answer with a different name when I took Attendance.
Lunch count was several minutes of arguing amongst themselves, what with which kind of milk and who might maybe be allowed a second sandwich.
It seemed to go downhill from then, even though I have often been in rooms when playtime has Activity Centers and the groups rotate.
I’m just glad I’ve had previous experience. Early on, I can usually spot the tattlers, the twitchers, the watchers.
When one wee one told us that the caseworker would be picking her up, I asked her where was her written note.
She said I should call the office. I mentioned that the office would call Me if she was needed to leave, and meanwhile, she has these three other pages to complete.
She was there all.day.long.
During movie time, one girl kept dropping a coin. It was not real money, just a souvenir from a tourist destination.
There had already been trouble with that coin from someone else in the morning, and I made sure it had been returned to the locker.
Apparently, the coin came back out after lunch.
So I asked why this one had the coin.
Well, she gave it to me.
The movie ended, and I got distracted with making sure everybody had all the proper papers and parent notes.
Next thing I know, there’s a touch on my elbow, and so-an-so has been looking all over for her coin, which she left on her desk.
I go over to Little Miss last seen holding the coin.
her answer “Well, I dropped it and it rolled and I don’t know where it went”
Three gallant young men immediately begin looking here and there and under and climbing on top to find the coin.
Not a one is tending to stuffing backpack and getting ready for the bus lane.
So I put out my hand and asked for her backpack. I’ll just make sure all your stuff is where it is supposed to be.
Property Search and Seizure laws are null and void between adults and students in Kindergarten.
Well, did her tone change then.
She unzips the smaller pocket, takes out a wad of tissues, maybe 4 thick.
In the very middle is the fingerprint covered piece of brass.
I declare that all searchers should return to the task of getting ready to be leaving.
When a teacher says the word Searchers and they don’t seem to know what it means, this is another distraction.
While I am writing “the thief’s” name on the board, I get peppered with questions about what I said.
One girl says I was showing off, saying words nobody else ever heard of. My lip is almost bleeding while I tried to keep a straight face.
Another girl said I shouldn’t write the name because the coin did get back to the one who owns it.
That should have been a real high up “teachable moment” but there was a big yellow bus outside the window and no time to do much else but line up.
I wrote a rather lengthy note for the class teacher to find tomorrow.
Out of old habits from years at the daycare center, I went around the room and opened and closed every cabinet door and checked the bathroom. I’ll never forget the time I found a kid hiding under the sink at the end of lunch.
The other Sub said we had a good day,
so I suppose we did.
But why in the world does a 5 year old think it might be fine to claim something as her own just because it was on the next desk? and then lie about where it might have gone?
~~love and Huggs, Diane
ps I’m in a different school building and grade tomorrow
Sunday, May 11, 2008
So two weeks was too long
Christopher’s guitar gig in Kemp Recital Hall at I S U
photo by George Wiman
There has come numerous requests about my well-being.
Apparently two weeks between weblog writing is too long.
Well, Folks, you may surmise that I have been busy.
There will be 7 job days on the next paycheck.
All but one were tough assignments, and I got home real tired every afternoon.
The one day that wasn’t too hard had one small episode just a little rough, but the upside did better.
Teacher’s Appreciation was a good week for a TA Sub, tho.
Each Staff Lounge had goodies, cards, and freebies galore.
In honor of Mother’s Day, the church congregation had our Women’s Salad Supper last Tuesday. I am always amazed by how many forms the word S-A-L-A-D can take.
I purchased a restaurant size can of Del Monte (or was it DOLE?) Tropical Fruit Salad. First I drained and saved its liquid then mixed 3 packages instant vanilla pudding and 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt with it. The fruit and creme sat in separate containers in the fridge overnight.
An hour before the dinner, I mixed them together with my (newly purchased on a whim) bamboo paddle.
Fruit and creme is a yummy combination.
Afterwards, when I went to the church kitchen to claim my container, I found it still half full in the fridge. There was a whole lot of food, much leftovers. A friend runs a home daycare, so I handed it over to her for the kids. The container can come back some other time.
Husband had a birthday Friday, and took the day off from his job. I had gotten a call to work, so he was on his own. It seems to me he did a whole bunch of running around for errands, and I gather he rather liked free choice.
He writes often for his weblog, but I found Wood-based computation technology to be most fascinating.
He got into the storeroom in the basement and found some dusty boxes of canning jars. It is unlikely I will be doing much canning in the future (empty nest and all) so he brought them upstairs. Rather than have them go to the curb, I got in touch with a buddy who is into organic style and asked if she knows somebody.
A few e-mails back and forth, and the jars will be picked up Wednesday evening, free to good home.
My car goes into the shop Tuesday evening. Routine check-up before I take a road trip.
Meanwhile, I often have a hook and thread in my hands. So far, 11 bookmarks for high school graduation gifts, and two for sympathy cards. Potholder pile is ongoing.
Really folks, I don’t mean to neglect you.
It’s just that Mahalia is such a great companion.
photo by George Wiman
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Crocheted potholders of the Week
Six pair crocheted cotton potholders
As of right now.... Destination Unknown
~~love and Huggs, Diane
ps this picture was taken on the picnic table on the patio
the comb is used for grooming cats
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Outside my Window Today
Today was the first morning in 12 days when I did not have to set my alarm clock to get up and be somewhere at a specific time.
Well, guess what! I woke up anyway.
Plus, the cats have decided that 6:10 is a good time to have breakfast, and so begin pestering me by putting a paw on my cheek and pressing harder until I open my eyes.
Husband had to open the computer lab today, so he mentioned that we might meet later for breakfast at McDs.
I was happy to say Yes, coffee is welcome.
Before I’m off to my Yarn Group, I thought I might share a bit of Spring with you.
no mowing until the violets finish blooming
outside my window
the yellow flower bush is a forsythia, and there are some red tulips, too
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Blues and Yellow Bookmark
My sister sent a picture of the bookmark I crocheted for her birthday
As I mentioned before, I probably won’t make another of that pattern for awhile.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
A Brighter Day
Today the thermometer touched the number 80o with the sun shining bright. I worked in a room at a junior high where I can tell the kids have matured much over the past several months and are getting ready to be promoted to the high school.
Being one of the every-other weeks, and a Wednesday, this is community outing day. I knew that when I took the job because the classroom routine gets tedious.
MMmmm, Bowling! Although I can’t hang onto the ball since the surgeries on my hands, I am a really good cheerleader. The B & B Center at the university easily makes accommodations like putting up the gutter protectors for the LD kids.
The most fun I had was the bus ride. We had to pass over streets near ISU, and with the weather being great, well, the college students were outside working on the beginnings of a fine tan.
A lovely sight in the Spring--20 year old guys without shirts, and pretty girls walking along in sundresses.
I tells ya, at age 20, humans are beautiful.
There I was on a school bus with kids who are just getting started on the looking. Some boys were watching sunbathers beside a kiddie pool.
While we were at a STOP sign, I could tell the girls across the aisle had great interest in the bag toss game happening in the yard of the fraternity house.
One boy mentioned to our college age student intern he “caught her lookin” whereby she straightened her back indignantly announcing she is engaged
and Not. looking. at. all.
I brought up a rather dry tone of voice and said
“Just because you are on a diet doesn’t mean you can’t read the menu”.
The other TA, the bus driver, and the Lead Teacher, all busted up laughing. The poor intern found herself in the middle of an age sandwich, but she is learning to take it all in stride.
She should end up as one of the gooduns.
all done writing now supper to get ready
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Not soon to be forgotten
Most of my TA Sub jobs the last couple weeks have come through the computer system “by Request” meaning whoever sent in the notice knows my Employee number and wants specifically ME to work that day.
This is all well and good if it’s a position I like and am in the mood to work right then. I’m grateful for the computer with its advance notice the evening before, which is easier than those 6:10am frantic wake-up calls from an office assistant.
Sometimes, though, the request comes because nobody else could handle it, and I seem to be getting this more often. Like I said, the last couple weeks have most likely been with BD (Behaviour Disorder) students. Different buildings, but the type of work is the same. There’s a reason the school system is willing to pay wages for a TA to give each student a fine education.
Although I can’t talk much about it, privacy laws you understand, I’m thinking those “by Request” positions are beginning to make sense.
Maybe raising three sons of my own, and their constant parade of buddies, plus all the years of being on that side of the school system, were getting me ready for a job
shadowing some kid who isn’t even as tall as my shoulder telling me to “BACK OFF, YA B-*-H!!”
Naw, nothing can prepare ya for that, especially when first instinct is to give her a whap upside the head.
All my years of going to the Mennonite Church kept the whap from happening. It wasn’t the idea that I might lose my job at all, and that’s what scared me.
Seeing the big purple vein in the principal’s forehead, I’d say he and I were on the same wavelength, tho.
Maybe we need a bigger dose of the Peace and Justice sermons.
While I’m dealing with all the highs and woes of my own real life, I keep running out of energy to write all about it for the Blog World.
Thank You for coming round anyway.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Monday, April 14, 2008
Not much, how ‘bout you? II
I was about halfway home from the post office, mocha bianca latte in hand, when I remembered that I had not taken a picture of the last bookmark I made.
It was way too late to think of it then, the package is on its way to my sister Denise for her birthday, the big 5-0 happening this Saturday!
There were certainly many people in real life who have already had a viewing. I had it resting on a table in the Fellowship Area at church, so there was enough ooo-ing and coveting to break a commandment.
One lady wrote her name on a slip of paper and said it was her bid for the bookmark lottery.
No such luck, that pattern was not meant for a leftie and really needed some deciphering and pulling out--both of stitches and my hair. If I do decide to make another like it, well, it means I already love you dearly.
Otherwise, you will have to be content with something easier to hold onto and crochet around.
The weather was great for a walk downtown. I had my camera along but did not even take it out of the bag.
I can vouch that Spring is in the air on the Illinois prairie.
The big news on local television is Ralph Nader visited the ISU campus. Husband was in the audience and says the guy is a good public speaker.
Myself, I can’t say much about Nader, he walks a different road than mine.
Gotta get done writing.
There’s something to watch on PBS-tv about Walt Whitman.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Saturday, April 12, 2008
My Déja Vu is happening all over again
This week, I have been seeing my age.
Now I know there is an old saying about ‘feeling’ my age, but that usually leans toward my body’s aches and pains.
No, lately, I have been ‘seeing’ my age.
It began last Friday, the 4th of April. I was working as a TA Sub in a 6th grade Social Studies class. The teacher played an internet audio of a part of Martin Luther King’s last speech, the one he presented the evening before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.
MLK died in 1968, which was 40 years ago.
As she went on with the lesson, I got to figuring the time in my head. April 1968 I would have been 11 years old, in the 6the grade, ready to have my 12th birthday that summer.
Forty years is a long time, but my body was in almost the same situation. Sixth Grade Social Studies.
I’ve worked in several school buildings this week.
In each place, someone would look at me with a confused expression on his or her face, especially when I was reading aloud.
One boy in an Art class even asked “Do I know you?”
to which I replied “You were in the Pre-K Room at ____ Daycare Center” while I was a TA there.
One girl in Kindergarten had been in the Infant Room at the center. The same determination when she learned to crawl was evident as she pumped her legs on the swings of the playground.
This goes to show that children’s memories can get hazy, but it is all still in there.
One of the teachers recognized my last name, and mentioned he had actually graduated high school in class with my oldest son, whose next birthday will be age 28.
Another teacher remembered middle son in her class, and cannot believe he is already in a Master’s program. This is her last year of teaching, retirement will be welcome.
In Social Studies 6th grade level, the topic is Ancient Greece. Although the lesson is the same, the plans by individual teachers get into it from different angles.
For one class period, I sat in a corner with a list of the letters, and English pronunciations, of the Greek alphabet. One by one, students came over to “review” with me by reciting the letters out loud. There’s going to be a test early next week.
My best friend growing up on the same street was first generation Greek. Her parents sent her to Greek School, in the basement of the Greek Orthodox Church, where the priest taught classes in how to read and write the Greek language. I attended a few times with my friend, but just never caught it inside my head.
Here I was, 40 years later, listening and assisting students speaking phonetically from Alpha, past Omicron, all the way through Omega.
One girl mentioned that her mom really loves the movie _My Big Fat Greek Wedding_ (look in Wikipedia)
This conjured up in my mind’s eye a picture of the handsome John Corbett, the beau in the movie, and whose latest gig is the voiceover for Applebee’s commercials on tv and radio. Wonder if he’s gonna put out some new music soon?
This morning, Husband and I went scouting for a DVD player to set up for viewing near the treadmill.
Our trip reminded me very much of the time we were ready to purchase speakers for the stereo. We have different standards for what we want in equipment, and it is very difficult to find everything in one package.
Well, I don’t know where I was going with all this. It’s not like I was writing it for a college professor to grade or anything.
I do have some household chores to do, and a bookmark to crochet.
I should probably leave the chair rest awhile.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
I woulda done this for free
The SubFinder computer system had no job openings last night before I went to bed. I guess cold and ‘flu season is passing. No phone calls at the crack of dawn, and the same blank screen when I logged in this morning.
I did the usual morning routine, then poured a second cup of tea. Looked like I would have a day off.
The phone rang at 7:27am, and my answer was responded to with the automated voice.
Yay! the elementary school where my sons had attended--the school building closest to our house. And I would be working in the Pre-K room, with the youngest students in our school system.
I was expected to be there at 8am so that was the quickest shower I’ve had in a long time. My school bag was all ready to go, so I stuffed it into my backpack.
I rode my bicycle to the school. I wish I had a nickel for each time I’ve had my bike going that route in the last 22 years. This time tho, I was going to an actual job.
The office assistant seemed amazed to see me. She said there has never been a Substitute available in Pre-K before, usually they do without or split duties or something.
What a great day to be a TA Sub! the class was going on a field trip to the fire station! talk about some excited munchkins. We had to make sure everybody went to the potty before we got on the bus.
It was a short ride, about a mile, but my main concern was there are no seatbelts on the big schoolbus. I believe some folks are working to legalize that requirement.
The fire station was great. 
We got to see the ladder truck, and the pumper truck, and each of the kids got to walk through the ambulance and pat the oxygen tank. The teacher took a picture of each child sitting behind the steering wheel.
The living quarters are just little cubicles with a twin bed and night stand in each. There are personal lockers in another room. There are 3 refrigerators in the kitchen, one for each team of firefighters.
The tv room has NINE recliner chairs, and several kids said that getting to rock in the big chair was the most fun part of the whole trip.
The statue of the dalmatian dog received several caresses.
The radio calls was loud, and the phone rang often.
And everybody was disappointed there is only one floor at that fire station, so there is no pole to slide down like in the movies.
Back in the classroom, I set about doing TA work like spraying disinfectant on the tables, setting up snack, tying shoelaces, while the teacher did Circle Time, which was asking each child about the favorite part of the trip.
Her cell phone rang, and it was the regular TA. She had her car towed to a repair shop and had a borrowed car and was on her way in.
We went outside for recess. I was pushing the swings for a half hour. Only one 4 year old of the bunch knows how to pump her legs on the swing to keep going.
And I learned that one of the girls had been in my care in the baby room when I worked at the daycare center.
Life does go on.
Then it was time to gather book bags and papers and be ready for the bus.
I had 7 names on my list, and they all got where they needed to be.
I was free to go. They would be doing the same trip with the afternoon class, but my energy was gone by the time I put my bicycle in the garage.
Days like this is how a TA Sub earns the paycheck.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
It’s not in my mind, it does matter
For years, folks have often poked fun at my sensitivity (read that as active dislike) of perfumes, potpourri, air fresheners and their ilk.
Some have even hinted that it is annoying to be with me during certain situations because of my breathing problems.
Today I was on schedule to work 8am to 12noon as a TA one-on-one with a 6th grade student. I won’t say Sub because the position is newly created and nobody has been hired permanently. Actually, since I am already Certified as an Educational Paraprofessional, I was the first TA they asked, but I like setting my own hours for being available as a substitute.
Anyway, the kid and I got through class hours 1 and 2 and 3, and managed pretty well, aka I didn’t nag and he didn’t sass.
Between 3rd and 4th hour, he refused to go straight from his locker to the classroom. He walked down to the end of the hall and back twice. I waited by the door of the room, and he was willing to enter just as the bell sounded.
I got about 10 steps inside, myself, and realized I had a problem.
Air Fresheners for smell, every inch of wall space was covered with posters, the Smart Board projector was on and glaring.
This was a Math class, yet no way would my ADD mind be able to concentrate.
My first priority was the air fresheners. My throat was already beginning to close, my eyes to water.
I got back out into the hallway just as a Resource Teacher was coming in. She realized there could be a medical problem as I slid down the locker and sat on the floor, gasping for breath.
As she knelt beside me, she reached for my bag, asking if I had an inhaler.
I shook my head, that I would be a okay, I got out of the room quick enough.
The air fresheners caused an allergic reaction.
Then the sneezes started. It’s so embarassing to sneeze 12 times in a row, each one a bit louder than the last, especially when the hall is echoing.
I sat there for a couple minutes, then as I got to my feet, I told her I didn’t think I could go in there and sit. She said someone else had turned off the air fresheners in the outlets, but yeah, the smell would still linger.
Since I was to be done by Noon anyway, she would cover the last 45 minutes.
I slowly made my way to the Nurse’s Office. I mentioned to her that a public school building has standards for indoor air quality, and so I was not expecting this situation at all. And this is one that a teacher maybe should comply.
I wiped my nose and upper lip with an alcohol swab, and waited a few minutes before trying to drive home.
Even outdoor air in the parking lot could not undo the effects. I’m tired, and my ribs ache from forcing out sneezes.
My plans for a fun afternoon off have been altered.
I need a nap.
Diane
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Camouflage Aphgan as gift for nephew
Today, the first Saturday in April, was to have been my nephew’s wedding. His dear girl called off the whole deal a couple months ago.
I’ve been thinking about him all day, but last report from my sister says he is doing fine, moving along a different path with life.
Last summer when I was home in the Valley, my mother and I went shopping late one afternoon. Knowing I would probably want to crochet an aphgan as a wedding gift, same as I had for his parents, Mom helped choose yarn in some colors we thought the kid would like.
He loves to be in the woods hunting or on the water fishing.
I began the crochet work during Winter Break. I was about 14 rows from the end when I got the phone call about the cancellation. Totally disheartened, I set aside the aphgan in a basket behind the couch, and got to work on items for the Relief Sale. Before long, a month was gone.
Then came Spring Break, and I knew that I would not be wanting that big blankie covering my lap when the weather gets warmer, air conditioning or no.
So, I got it done. I’m snuggled in from the side.
Well, I forgot to do the measurements. It’s big.
I lost track of how many skeins of Red Heart yarn are in it.
To be able to show the extra stripes I put in because I thought I would run out of yarn, we took the aphgan over to the College of Business and laid it out in the atrium, then Husband walked up one level and leaned over the railing to use the camera.
Those chairs we scattered about to make room are built to hold an oversize person, so you get the idea.
My nephew Danny is over 6 feet tall, and his cousin Chris emphasized that I should make it long enough to cover from shoulders to toes.
It Does.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Sunday, March 30, 2008
the Finishing Touches of Spring Break
It’s 9:30 o’dark and I am one tired old broad.
The cell phone got some use after Sunday Service. I was in the church parking lot looking at one completely very flat tire on the the passenger side rear.
Thar’s a nail in thar.
My knight in brown car showed up, bringing his heavy duty jack that he uses to work on the VW Beetle Bug, and put on the spare. I drove home without worry, and tomorrow is a TA Sub job at a building I can walk to. I’ll think about tire repairs after work.
All afternoon, I was catching up the tasks I have procrastinated while I’ve been on Spring Break.
While I was having it sweet and sleeping in until 7:30 every morning, I did not do any ironing, or sorting of crochet patterns. I got some from E-Bay, a couple friends have given me a few, and others are out of print so I went out to make color copies.
So much potential, so little free time.
What I did not do yet is fold towels. That chore is so far down my list from enthusiastic.
Maybe on a weekday OPRAH will have something I can watch while I make neat piles.
The treadmill routine is getting there. I’m still at 10 minutes in the morning, and my left knee says that is still just enough. I am beginning to feel a difference in my pace while I’m walking across a parking lot, to tread with confidence.
The nicer weather means I’ve chatted with neighbors. No yardwork done on this property, but many others around the block are shaping up and looking fine.
So much responsibility, owning house and land.
Sometimes I think the Aborigines have the right idea with going walkabout.
Thank goodness the cats are already fed and outside doing their last potty break.
Bedtime is nigh, yet I still have to make sure my school bag has all the stuff I think I need to fulfill my working hours.
Have a great start of the week.
~~love and Huggs, Diane