Sorry about the last post with no words at all.  I didn't have time to write, but the picture was available, so I thought I'd just pop it in there and add something later.  So. . . anyway, those are the Christmas stockings I made for my daughter's family.  They are specific for each member of her family, the crazy quilted one is for her, the one with the hand-dyed fabric (dyed by me, myself, and I) is for Seth, the green, blue and white one is for Elijah (big brother), and the primary colored one is for Baby Ethan.  I am sending them out today, so I wanted to post a picture so I can remember them--and I have proof that I've made her something recently. 

And these are my gorgeous worms that live in my classroom.  I have ALWAYS been a little squeamish about worms, but these guys don't bother me a bit.  I kind of like (okay, I LOVE) them.  I think because they are doing such a good job for us and our garden.  I like that they eat our leftovers and their castings (my class prefers poop) make wonderful compost for the garden.  Aren't they cute?

While I'm talking about my classroom, I am going to also add a picture of the igloo that I built this year, which is FAR SUPERIOR to last year's.  All done with recycled milk jugs and a crap-ton of hot glue.  Built on a cardboard base, for any of you silly people who might try this at home. 

As you can see, only three friends are allowed in at a time.  (Ignore the sleeping child in front of the igloo.)  And you guys thought I couldn't add pictures and make my blog interesting.  PSHHHH!                                           

Simple Sunday--Revisited

I really need to rethink the whole Simple Sunday idea.  The plan is to try to get everything I need done on Saturday (or preferrably earlier) so I can just relax and putter around my little house on Sunday.  Maybe take a nap if I want to.  Unfortunately, I don't hold myself to this most weeks, and I end up running all over the place, trying to grocery shop, and get a haircut (which looks pretty good, if I do say so myself), and other crap that could have been done earlier.  I did get to spend an hour dreaming and planning and drawing a diagram of my future raised-bed garden.  I will probably go to Lowe's this week and get the wood and other stuff I need for them.  I'm looking forward to this year's garden.  I've had on and off success with gardening, but I do love to have plants and tomatoes off the vine are my VERY FAVORITE!  Can't wait to get going this year. 

My cousin Kerri made nanny bread for her husband's work buddies--he's in the coast guard.  Nanny bread is something my great-grandmother made, it's essentially oatmeal bread, and there is a huge controversy about whether you should put it in a cold oven to bake, or let it rise twice.  Very polarizing.  Most of us are of the cold oven camp, but the second-risers are very vocal.  I haven't made it in a long time, and the truth is, I'm not very good at it--my sister is really the better cook in our family, but I like to feel a connection with women from the past.  I'm not sure that's exactly what I mean, but it's the best way I can put it.  I think that's why I love quilting so much.  Anyway, I think I will make some nanny bread this week.  It's awesome toasted. 

I've been sitting here at my new computer, watching funny Youtube videos, and I'm wondering WHY the hell I do that.  What a colossal  (sp?) waste of time.  I guess maybe it's mindless and my mind sometimes needs to rest from all the deep thoughts I am always fighting off. 

New computer, shopping, and stress.

I will have you know I am blogging tonight on my brand new computer.  I spent a horribly anxious day spending a ridiculous amount of money.  New computer (very necessary, due to the electronic state of affairs in my house) and a bunch of new clothes for work.  I'm trying to dress more professionally.  I HATE TO SPEND MONEY.  But I am going to look awesome at work. 

I also had lunch with a friend (had a great time, if you are reading this!), and had a mani-pedi with my daughter.  It was so pleasant.  I really need to remember how much I love them and have one once in awhile. 

I would like to explain that I don't consider myself cheap, although I do hate to spend money--I am willing to spend more money to get something of quality, but I see no sense in spending full retail on anything.  And bless Kaleigh's heart, she doesn't in any way think about money in any way.  She chooses things, asks for them, and if I ask the price she looks at it.  I can't understand it.  I can't even describe the amount of anxiety I've had today shopping without making you sick. 

Anyway, the shopping spree is over, and I'm feeling pretty fancy using my new huge computer. 

Last night, we went to dinner to a Spirit Night for my school, and we had a lot of fun with my families--it's always nice to spend time together, and get to know the parents a little better.  We ate at a mexican restaurant, and it was really good. 

I apologize for this entry being so all over the place, but I'm tired, and can only think about my clean, fresh flannel sheets on my bed.  Nightie-night. 

Stalkers, Gardening, Teaching, etc. . .

So, here's a question.  How can someone stalk me constantly online, comment on my every move, send me near constant emails, call me on the phone often (especially when things are going well and we have no contact), and still say that they have no interest in me and dislike me?   I have to say, I must be fascinating!  Suffice it to say, steps have been taken, and in the words of Alcide on True Blood, people have been abjured, and life is definitely taking a simpler turn today.  Sigh.

I ordered a bunch of gardening catalogs online today, I've sure been enjoying perusing the ones I have and just want some more eye candy to dream about before the actual work of planting arrives.  My plan this year is to try square foot gardening--looking forward to the challenge.

Today was the kind of day that makes me super-duper happy to be a preschool teacher.  Today is Chinese New Year, the year of the dragon, and my class has been busy preparing all last week.  We made our own dragon chain and hung it from the ceiling along with a bunch of painted Chinese lanterns, and other child-made decorations.  Two Chinese parents from my class came in and spoke about how Chinese children celebrate this special holiday.  We listened to music, watched a dragon dance, learned about decorations and the animals that make up the zodiac on the Chinese calendar.  We even danced with streamers outside.  It was so much fun, and one parent even gave me some homemade dumplings to take home and cook.  Great day.  I feel like the kids really experienced something that they might never experience and who could ask for more than that?  Not me.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring. 

The Flu Kind of Sucks. . .

Thank goodness, I'm feeling almost like a human today.  I've had the flu since Tuesday, and I have been in bed sleeping almost all of that time.  Today I actually got up and accomplished a few things.  Just a very few, but at least something!

While I've been sick, I've had some weird dreams, probably due to antibiotics, but they have been weird.  Like crazy chickens running around.  Weird.

Today Kaleigh is babysitting so I've been able to do a little laundry and clean and sort out my sewing area in peace.  K. and I are soon to make some changes around here as far as responsibilities go.  She doesn't know this yet, I'm still working out some details, but I'm tired of doing most of the work around here while she and her boyfriend sit on the couch, watching Psych, or whatever the heck they watch.  As teenagers go, K. is very low-maintenance, but it's time for some growing up.  She's not going to love it.  I have to do my job as a parent, which is to teach her to be independent, and I don't think I've done that recently. 

My sewing area looks awesome.  I can't wait until I can get in there and start sewing something.  Maybe tonight, if I don't run out of steam.

Tonight for dinner I'm going to roast some chicken, and make rice and peas.  A real dinner.  Since I've been sick, I haven't cooked a thing, and I'm looking forward to real food.  I love soup and all, but I'm over it.  Maybe I'll go crazy and make gravy.  Yummy.

Still Monday. . .

Well, it's later the same day, Monday, Martin Luther King Day, and Kaleigh and I went to see the Vietnam Memorial earlier.  It was really heartwrenching.  I cried like a baby, all those names, all those people.  I'm sure I'm sensitive, having been an army wife for 18 years, and I have a son in the navy, so it's pretty personal to me, but I can't imagine anyone not being touched by this. 

After that, we walked back around the lake halfway to where we were parked, and had a little picnic in a really pretty spot.  Kaleigh is a lot of fun to be with, and we laughed a lot--I think she had a good birthday.