musing mondays

Click here to play along.

• Do you listen to audiobooks? If not, why not? And, if so, what has been one of your favorites, so far?

Around the holidays I will sometimes pop in a holiday story while I'm doing my baking. I haven't tried listening to an audiobook in a few years, though, because the last time I did, I drifted off and got thinking about other things and not paying attention. I wonder, now, though, where I've learned to knit if I would listen a bit more attentively and follow the story along.

I'd really like to try Rob Lowe's Stories I Only Tell My Friends. I think it would feel more like a conversation with him rather than a book. This prompt may be just the impetus I need to do it!

poem

Today's haiku:

The challenge's last day
It's been a creative month
But I'm glad it's done!

poem

Today's haiku:

Spent another day
Knitting and watching TV
Love my new hobby!

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: The Semi-Charmed Meme, part two

21. A better name for me would be: the lady with the scratched glasses

22. I have a hard time understanding: how I scratched my lens

23. If I ever go back to school, I’d: put a lot of effort into it

24. You know I like you if: I give all my attention to you

25. If I ever won an award, the first person I’d thank would be: whoever gave me the award

26. If I could bring back a TV show for a reunion it would be: Seinfeld

27. Take my advice, never: pass up an opportunity to go to the bathroom (especially when traveling)

28. My ideal breakfast is: at the coffee shop, with excellent company

29. A song I love, but do not own is: Jason Mraz's I Won't Give Up

30. If you visit my hometown, I'd suggest: a quick trip to the Balloon Launch site

31. If I could meet a couple of my blog buddies, I'd include: my blogroll

32. Why won’t people: use their manners?

33. If you spend the night at my house: I'll get you a nice hotel, there's no room here!

34. I’d stop everything for: George

35. The world could do without: hateful politicians

36. The last time I got drunk I: was with a lot of friends--it was over a decade ago

37. My favorite blonde is: one of my students: Samantha

38. Paper clips are more useful than: staples, a lot of the time

39. If I do anything well, it’s: teaching

40. And by the way: it's almost May! There are 33 days of school left

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week. This week more than one spoke to me.

poem

Today's haiku:

Knitting and napping
Spending a Saturday home
After my errands.

saturday 9

That's Why God Made The Radio

1. The Beach Boys are back together (everyone alive, Dennis and Carl have passed, including Brian) for the first time in 25 years. It's their 50th Anniversary tour. Their new single is called, “That's Why God made the Radio”. Did radio play a huge part of your growing up years? Oh, we lived for the radio--we used to record songs from the radio and were rabid listeners to the Top 40.

2. What is something that you are disappointed about right now? the weather--we had a dusting of snow this morning... I'm so over winter

3. What are you really anticipating right now? finishing a knitting project that I want to gift to my sister

4. When was the last time you watched your favorite movie? What is it? City of Angels and I watched it a couple of months ago

5. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? I wouldn't

6. Who was the last person you hung up on? gah--a political robo call

7. Does it bother you when meme makers separate questions that could've been combined? no

8. What is the first animal you would run to see if you went to the zoo? run is kind of a stretch, but I would look for the giraffes or hippos

9. What is the food you always buy at the grocery store that you can't live without? my beloved Polar diet orange dry soda

poem

Today's haiku:

Another wet day
It's rained off and on all day
I hope it clears up!

friday fill-ins

Join the fun here:

1. Ah, me...it's such a blustery, cold day.

2. Money is what's on my mind most lately.

3. When I talk to my best friend, we never run out of things to say.

4. Knitting is what's working for me lately.

5. I recently saw the coolest pins on Pinterest.

6. Laughing with my friends or family fills me with joy!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on some taped TV, tomorrow my plans include knitting and napping and Sunday, I want to get my errands done!

relax...

So glad I made it to knitting group tonight! I didn't think I'd make it due to a Library Board of Trustees training meeting so it was a real treat! After that, a few of us headed over to the local art center for UFO (unfinished objects) Night--which is essentially a women's gathering for crafts. I'm definitely going back to UFO Night! It was great fun. And right next door is the tattoo parlor, so I ducked in and made an appointment to get inked!

poem

It's funny that I've been posting daily haikus both here and at school (so I'm essentially writing two every day) and some of my students have gotten into the spirit! This made me chuckle.

Today's haiku was written by Kody T.:

Haiku for getting out of bed:
No no no no no
No no no no no no no
No no no no no.

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

Going into panic mode for no reason. The schedule got rearranged so I am teaching my regular content, with only the agreed-upon changes.

everybody panic!

So, I'm kind of in panic mode. I know I probably shouldn't be. I found out at the end of the school day that I am slated to teach six classes--and four of them will be brand new content. I'm overwhelmed at the thought of it. Especially where one of the classes is an Advanced Placement. So that makes two AP classes I'll be teaching, two different contents.

I just keep repeating "Don't panic" to myself but I'm still kind of in panic mode.

w.w.w. wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? I'm reading Divas Don't Knit by Gil McNeil and The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

• What did you recently finish reading? I finally read my book group selection: Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates and I also read Divergent by Veronica Roth

• What do you think you’ll read next? I haven't thought about it at all!

poem

Today's haiku:

Time to get ready:
Civil War test tomorrow--
Study and prepare!

poem

Today's haiku:

Rainy, dreary start
But the sun finally shines
End the day gently.

finished reading

From the publisher:

Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

Make no mistake, this book is not for the feint of heart. It's a gripping, thrilling tale. I didn't have any expectations of this book, other than a student's recommendation. It's hard to not make comparisons between this book and The Hunger Games. There are similarities. But not really. My only complaint is that it's rather violent. I'm not jumping up and down raving but I really did like this book.

ten things tuesday...

Ten things in no particular order:

1) Somehow or other, I scratched my glasses today. I stopped by the eye doctor after school and whaddya know? The lenses are under warranty! So they ordered new lenses for me.

2) My tub is draining slowly again. I dosed it with some Mr. Plumber. Hopefully that will take care of the problem.

3) I had fun today. There have been years that were so incredibly dreadful but this has been a really good school year. I've made some great connections with students and I'm happy with my teaching this year. I've kicked it up a notch!

4) I'm excited to wear my new dresses, I wish the weather would cooperate a bit more. I want to wear my new shoes, too, but I don't want to ruin them in the rain.

5) Thursday is Board of Trustees training day. I'm afraid it conflicts with knitting group. I'm so bummed to miss knitting!

6)

7) The Dali Lama says: Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

8) I watch The Voice because of my unending love for Cee Lo Green. Well, the judges, but especially Cee Lo.


9) Barack Obama is following my boards on Pinterest. Ha ha ha ha!

10) I get to start a new book tonight. I read my book group book and a book I promised a student I would read. Now it's time for fun!

poem

Today's haiku:

The end of the month
Is not coming fast enough
Haiku a day's hard!

award!

My new blog buddy, Valentina, has awarded me!

There are only 2 rules: saying 7 random things about yourself that the readers don’t know yet and pass the award on to 15 more blogs you usually follow. Easy, isn’t it?

1) I have more clothes than I need. No, really.

2) I haven't cooked a full meal in years. I'm the queen of re-heating and convenience cooking.

3) This rainy weather is bringing me down. I suppose I should be glad it's not snowing.

4) Today was a good day at school. Even though we're testing and the schedule was all messed up, I was planned and ready to go. And my students were relatively well behaved.

5) Someone else mentioned me moving classrooms. Oh boy... I really don't want to move.

6) At about 3 o'clock every afternoon, I have about fifteen to twenty minutes of being useless. It's my time of the dumbs.

7) I do not like fruity candy.

As for tagging blogs--I'll tag the usual suspects! And you! Consider yourself tagged!

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

• Other than working at a job, what is your biggest interruption to reading? What takes you away from your book(s)?

Sometimes I get in my own way. That I can't concentrate enough to read--it might also be that I don't like the book and it's a chore to read. Knitting gives some stiff competition to reading, too.

poem

Today's haiku:

End of vacation...
There are thirty-seven days
Until summer break!

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: The Semi-Charmed Meme, part one

1. My uncle once: carried me when I got tired on a hike with his kids

2. Never in my life: could I see myself as a knitter

3. When I was five: I had little precious time with my mum, but didn't know it

4. High School was: was easier in my day than it is today

5. I will never forget: living in Ireland

6. I once met: Vincent Irizarry

7. There’s this girl I know who: reminds me of me

8. Once, at a bar: I sang karaoke and won a prize

9. By noon, I’m usually: planning nap-time (on the weekends)

10. Last night: I finished another knitting project and had fun looking for knitting instructions and patterns online

11. If only I had: paid more attention to my finances when I was younger

12. Next time I go to church: I hope it doesn't collapse around me

13. Jonathan Frid: scared me when I was a child

14. What worries me most: is my parents' health

15. When I turn my head left, I see: the book shelves

16. When I turn my head right, I see: the windows

17. You know I’m lying when: I say I don't watch a lot of tv

18. What I miss most about the 80s: is the affluence

19. If I was a character in Shakespeare, I’d be: Cordelia

20. By this time next year: the school-year of change will be almost over

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

poem

Today's haiku:

A fresh pedicure
Toes feel alive and festive
Too bad snow's forecast.

fresh

Fresh pedicure--OPI Animalistic!

saturday 9

'Til I Hear It From You

1. If someone, that you trusted, told you that your lover was cheating, would you believe them or not? I would skeptically believe

2. What is something that you are disappointed about right now? vacation is ending with crappy weather

3. Jonathan Frid, who was the original Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows from 1967-1971, passed away in Canada at the age of 87. Who is your favorite vampire? the Count on Sesame Street

4. Should there be age limits on social networking sites such as facebook? nope

5. Tell us about your pets. Do you have one that you wish would run away? I only have dust bunnies and I do wish they would go away

6. Do you ever have a hard time with morals? no, I have a strong sense of my morals

7. Did you make 'a plan' the first time you made love or did it just happen? I honestly don't remember

8. Do you agree that fame is lousy or would you love to give it a try? Why? I'm good with my simple life

9. Do you believe in forever, as in 'love forever'? yes, although I think being "in love" is flexible

poem

Today's haiku:

Went to Canada
Just to take my passport out
Crossing the border.

friday fill-ins

Join the fun here!

1. Vegetables are best when they aren't overcooked.

2. I have a stash of mason jars; I don't know why.

3. How wonderful it is to have mild weather over vacation.

4. Anything by Anne Patchett is a book I'd love to recommend.

5. Using leftovers: I like to eat them cold (well, depending on what they are).

6. Road tripping makes me incredibly happy!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing something with my bestie, tomorrow my plans include a pedicure and Sunday, I want to enjoy the last day of vacation!

just finished reading...

This is not a happy book. That knowledge is the reason I put off reading it as long as I did. It is the April selection for my book group and I'm curious to see what everyone else has to say about it. Once I realized it was written in 1961 it "clicked" for me and I appreciated it a bit more.

None of the characters are sympathetic. None of them were people I could relate to. I didn't think Frank was anything special--he seemed indulgent. April seemed vacuous. The minor characters were too broadly drawn to be believable.

I think it's a book about battle: war within the self, against society's expectations, and within relationships.

I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. I appreciated it.

mantra...

My mantra. I need to breathe and remember this. Because I can.

poem

Today's haiku:

Infectious good mood
Turned my doctor's day around
Check-up ends in hugs!

thursday bug

Sometimes it helps to share with others what bugs your mind.

They may have a solution, a kind word, or a smile of encouragement.

This week my thursday bug is:

My neighbor's shit in the shared entryway.

approval...

I just received official word that the District does have the funds to send me to the Advanced Placement Summer Institute at St. Joseph's. Now I've got to study up on Psychology!

poem

Today's haiku:

Lunch with my good friends
We laughed and talked for hours
Always a good time!

w.w.w. wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

• What did you recently finish reading? Knit Two by Kate Jacobs

• What do you think you’ll read next? Divergent by Veronica Roth

ten things tuesday...

Ten random things...

1) Even though it's vacation, I haven't slept in. I've been up and productive early.

2) Therapy was awesome. I got to talk through the things that make me feel insecure.

3) I can't seem to pick up the book group selection, Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. I have GOT to start it....got to got to got to...

4) I can't believe I haven't connected with my bestie to get together yet. Must remedy that.

5) Reading Kate Jacobs' books inspired me to try the pattern mentioned in the book. So, I've got to pick up some yarn and new needles. But I think I can manage the pattern.

6) Tomorrow is lunch with the Lunch-Bunch! We're going to Cafe Sorpreso!

7) Yesterday was 76 degrees... today is 73 degrees. Very weird for Norther Maine in April.

8) I did some computer maintenance that was long overdue. A full anti-virus scan that took hours!

9) Emergency: I need a peanut butter cup! It's an emergency!

10) I went to Wally World yesterday, it had been since before Christmas since I'd been. Nothing has changed. But they did have what I needed.

poem

Today's haiku:

The sun's out again
Even though rain's expected
I'll take seventy.

just finished reading...

This is the second installment of the Friday Night Knitting Club series. Picking up five years after the first book ends finds the characters dealing with their lives while still committed to the knitting group. Not to be too punny, but the knitting group is the thread that connects these women. I didn't like how some of the characters are still cliche but I did enjoy the twists the story took.

poem

Today's haiku:

First vacation day
Spent in a leisurely way
Off to a good start!

fangirl crush

I believe I may be crushing on Jason Isaacs. His show is compelling and fascinating. Even though he was a bad, bad man in Harry Potter.

musing monday

Click here to play along.

• What are you currently reading? And, is it better, as good as, or worse than your last read?

I am currently reading Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. I had just finished The Friday Night Knitting Club by the same author. I think the first book was better.

poem

Today's haiku:

An epic road trip
Awesome shopping and bargains;
With my niece, Rachel.

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: The TV Show Meme

Before reading the questions: Pick 5 TV Shows you like. They can be past or present. Hint: pick shows that you are REALLY into. Hey! no peaking at the questions! List them:

1. Seinfeld

2. Friends

3. What Not To Wear

4. Glee

5. How I Met Your Mother


1. Who is your favorite character in 2? Chandler

2. Who is your least favorite character in 1? Newman

3. What’s your favorite episode of 4? Big Brother, Grilled Cheesus, and A Very Glee Christmas

4. What is your favorite season of 5? this one

5. What’s your favorite relationship in 3? Clinton & Stacy

6. Who is your anti-relationship in 2? Joey & Phoebe

7. How long have you watched 1? the entire run

8. How did you become interested in 3? I kept reading about it in magazines

9. Who is your favorite actor in 4? Chris Colfer (Kurt)

10. Which show do you prefer 1, 2, or 5? 1

11. Which show have you seen more episodes of 1 or 3? I've seen every episode of both

12. If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be? a substitute teacher

13. How would you kill off any character in 5? get hit by a taxi?

14. Would a 3/4 crossover work? it would be hilarious

15. Pair two characters in 1 that would make an unlikely, but strangely okay couple. Elaine & Kramer

16. Overall, which show has the better cast, 3 or 5? well... 5 because it's actors

poem

Today's haiku:

Productive morning
And productive afternoon
Now I need a nap!

saturday 9

Ain't Too Proud to Beg

1. What was the last thing that you begged for? I begged my students to buckle down and get to work

2. Have you ever lost a best friend after a fight? not since childhood

3. When was the last time you just wanted to be invisible? oh, sometimes I think it would be fun to sit in on some meetings at school

4. Which room of your home tends to be the messiest? hmmm... asking a clutterer this question is tough...

5. You are to be locked in a room forever with a celebrity. You get to choose. Who do you pick? forever? Betty White so she could tell me stories or George Clooney

6. Has someone ever left another person to be with you? no

7. What’s been kind of a drag for you lately? TV

8. How are you different from your (current or most recent) significant other? I'm not an addict

9. What is the most perverted thing someone has ever said to you? no one's ever said anything perverted to me, thankfully!