unraveled wednesday

Join Kat @ AsKatKnits for some fun!

I'm knitting Northward and I'm reading to The Woman In The Window.

finished reading

I think my book group will have a lot to discuss. It was not what I expected--there are a lot of statistics in the analysis of what happened. I was fascinated by the numbers. And somewhat melancholy that this book needed to be written at all. Not necessarily because I'm a Hillary fan, but the opportunity to elect a female president was dangling out there. She takes responsibility but sprinkles the blame around. And I liked that she comes across as warmer and more vulnerable than she presents in public.

ten things tuesday

Ten random things:

1) I made some students feel good about themselves today. Individually and as a class.

2) This Is Me is quite an anthem. I'm obsessed with this movie!

3) I do not wear any makeup. I am diligent with my facial care, however.

4) My students were talking about odd-ball holidays and I added that today must be "Don't Use Your Blinker Day." Annoying!

5) I love reading about books and adding to my TBR. Goodreads is one of my favorite social media sites.

6) I'm trying to cut back on my TV watching because I watch ridiculous shows like the Housewives' franchises on Bravo. I can't stop watching. I thought about getting rid of cable, but I'm not ready to do that yet.

7) Although I have nice block lettering handwriting, I would like to learn fancy schmancy lettering. There are so many tutorials! One concern is that I'll spend too much money on pens and markers and stuff.

8) Waiting for sandal weather. I got some new FitFlops that I just can't wait to wear! And pedicures! I am desperate for a pedicure.

9) Being in two reading groups is getting to be a drag. Especially since I'm the de facto leader of one of the groups and have to always be organized and ready to lead the discussion.

10) I wish I liked planning vacations. I would love to take a vacation but I hate the idea of searching for reasonable flights and making reservations and all that stuff.

currently

I am...

Reading: Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances I'm almost finished!

Listening to: sirens and more sirens and sirens

Loving: being able to chat with my sisters

Thinking: about donating clothes--I've got to go through my wardrobe and PURGE!

Feeling: accomplished

Celebrating: progress

Grateful for: help when I need it

Weather: it's 15 degrees and clear--not too bad

Enjoying: my knitting project

A quote I want to share:

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

A quiz for Grown-Ups

1. What bill do you hate paying the most? medical bills

2. What do you really want to be doing right now? sleeping

3. Why did you choose the shirt you have on now? I'm in my bedclothes

4. Thoughts on gas prices? they're creeping up again

5. First thought when the alarm goes off in the morning organizing my day

6. Last thought you have before you go to sleep? I am usually listening to a meditation app, so something autogenic in nature

7. Do you miss being a child? not even a little

8. What errand/chore do you despise the most? putting away clean dishes

9. Up early or sleep in? up early for work, sleep in for non-work

10. Favorite lunch meat? I don't think I have one

11. What do you get every time at Trader Joe’s? I have never been to Trader Joe's

12. Beach or lake? both are good

13. Ever crashed your vehicle? no

14. Strangest place you've brushed your teeth? I can't think of anyplace strange--on a train?

15. Somewhere you've never been but want to go? Tuscany

16. At this point in your life would you want to start a new career? I am open to the possibilities

17. Do you own your own house? no

18. Do you have a go-to person? yes

19. Are you where you want to be in life? sure

20. Growing up, what were your favorite cartoons? Bugs Bunny, the Jetsons, the Flintstones, Scooby Doo

21. What has changed since you were a child? technology

22. Looking back at high school, were they the best years of your life? not so much--I blossomed in college

23. Are there times you still feel like a kid? not really

24. Did you have a pager? no

25. Were you the type of kid you want your kids to hang out with? yes

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.

working it out

I finally found my knitting project. My landlord has been doing some prep work for some electrical updates we're having next month and he had moved my knitting and I couldn't find it for two days. I finally found it. In all honesty, he's also been hauling away bins and boxes of the clutter I've been working on. It's very nice to have his help. I realized that I'm having some anxiety symptoms since he's been helping me out, too--that I wake up in the night in a panic.

I kinda wish I had taken before photos to measure my progress. It's slow going. And I also find myself wishing I was still in therapy; maybe for a tune-up or some support with the anxiety. I probably shouldn't call it clutter, as it is more like hoarding. I've done some reading about hoarding: a couple of psychology journals I get at school have had articles and case studies. I definitely fit the profile.

All this rambling is my way of working out how light I feel getting rid of the stuff. Donations to the homeless shelter, the charity thrift store, and removing accumulated paper and boxes are making this place look better than it has in... well, years. I wish I had done this every time I thought about doing it. I wish I hadn't accumulated in the first place. And I hope I maintain it.

saturday 9

Heartbreak Hotel

1) Elvis checked in to the hotel at the end of Lonely Street. Where was the last hotel or motel you stayed at? Central Maine

2) He sings that Heartbreak Hotel is always crowded. The fear of crowds is so prevalent that it has four names (enochlophobia, ochlophobia, demophobia, and agoraphobia). Are you comfortable in a crowd? it depends on the purpose of the crowd but generally, I'm not a fan

3) The desk clerk at Heartbreak Hotel is dressed black. Do you often wear all black? not often for all black

4) The song was written by Mae Boren Axton, who said it was inspired by the story of an anonymous young man's suicide in a hotel. She said she read in The Miami Herald that the John Doe left behind a note that said, "I walk a lonely street." What's the last note you handwrote? (Hopefully it was more upbeat.) it was to a student and it was definitely more upbeat

5) When Elvis was 11, his parents bought him a guitar. He had asked for a rifle, but his mama convinced him a guitar was a better idea. Tell us about a time one of your parents was right about something. my father predicted I would go into education even when I resisted

6) Not long before "Heartbreak Hotel" was recorded, Elvis' father recommended he give up the guitar and become a truck driver. Tell us about a time one of your parents was wrong about something. my father was wrong to "forbid" me from seeing the movie An Officer and a Gentleman back when it came out

7) There are many stories about Elvis' manager, Col. Tom Parker. One anecdote, about his career before Elvis, has the Colonel painting sparrows yellow so he could sell them as canaries. Have you ever been ripped off? of course I have been

8) Speaking of birds, Elvis once owned a peacock. It damaged his cars, so he gave it to the Memphis Zoo. In earlier days, it might have been dinner, for peacock was considered a medieval delicacy. What's the last poultry you prepared? chicken strips that I breaded with panko and baked

9) Random question: You and a friend have dinner at a restaurant. Your friend left her wallet at home, so you pick up the entire tab of $62, including tip. A few weeks later, you two meet for lunch and when the bill comes, she puts down half. Do you remind her that she still owes you $31 from the last time you dined together? I probably would have forgotten

the friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.

I'm reading Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances.

     I felt right at home. The materials science engineering department might sound like a nerd convention, but the students there were determined to have fun. They all seemed to love the work they did.

     Before long, Dr. Stoner encouraged me to apply to the graduate program even though I was leaving for the Cowboys' minicamp in a few months.

three on thursday

Click the image to play along!

1) My landlord was doing some work in my apartment today and he moved my knitting project and I can't find it.

2) I am going to wear jeans tomorrow even though it's not an official casual Friday. I am a rebel.

3) My jaw is still sore from my dental visit on Monday. One more reason I hate the dentist.

unraveled wednesday

Join Kat @ AsKatKnits for some fun!

I'm knitting Caring Comfort a fundraiser for the Red Cross and I'm listening to Chasing Space.

ten things tuesday

Ten “V” things.

1. Someone I love: Valerie--my bestie

2. Something I like to eat: Valencia Oranges

3. A color: violet

4. A good movie: Victor/Victoria

5. A place I’ve been: Van Buren

6. A thing I really don’t like: violence

7. A critter I like: I'm drawing a real blank...

8. Something I can do: vote

9. Something I can’t/don’t do: vanish

10. Something I wish for: vacation

currently

I am...

Reading: Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances

Listening to: a cheesy "reality" show on Bravo

Loving: my recliner

Thinking: about thinking

Feeling: sore and tired from my dental appointment--the anxiety wiped me out!

Celebrating: a small victory

Grateful for: leftovers

Weather:

8 to 12 inches of snow... yikes!

Enjoying: my space--the decluttering continues!

A quote I want to share:

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Friday Questions

1. Have you ever tried to learn (or re-learn) a foreign language as an adult? Which one? What worked for you? I'm currently trying to learn some phrases in foreign languages--it's one of my new year goals

2. Do you donate blood? Do you know your blood type? yes and yes

3. Have you ever been in a play or musical? my acting debut was as Gretel in The Sound of Music when I was five

4. Do you use certain ringtones tones for specific people? Who gets their own? Or do you just use the default on your phone? default

5. When did you get your first digital camera? Do you still shoot on actual film, or all digital now? I have a nice film camera that is collecting dust... I use digital or my cell phone now

6. What do you think someone else would say the most daring thing you’ve done is? my solo European travels

7. Do you talk with your hands? sometimes--I gesture when I'm teaching

8. Do you have a lucky number? What is it, and what is the story behind it? 3 is my OCD number--I do things in threes

9. What kind of milk did you drink, growing up? And now? we drank skim milk in my house growing up, I have not had a glass of milk to drink since I was 13 years old, it's a texture thing

10. What is your favorite kind of pie? pretty much everything except blueberry (I cannot stand blueberries)

11. Are you a note taker? yes

12. Do you have an eclectic mug collection, or is your stuff all matchy matchy? eclectic

13. Do you have a junk drawer in your house/garage/at work/wherever? I have one at home, yes

14. What is the longest amount of time you’ve worked at one job – and what was/is it? I'm starting my 20th year at this current job

15. How old were you when you took your first commercial flight? To where did you fly? I was 16 heading to Philadelphia--I LOVE flying!

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.

saturday 9

Piano

1) David Lee Roth does a lot of jumping in this video. He credits his flashy moves to his study with marital artist Benny Urquidez. Have you ever tried karate, judo, or jiu-jitzu? no, I never have and I doubt I will

2) Dave claims to be fluent in Spanish. Say something "en español." Hola!

3) Dave appeared as himself in an episode of The Sopranos, playing poker with Tony Soprano. Are you a good poker player? no, I'm terrible because I get goofy about betting

4) Though known for his prowess on the guitar, Eddie Van Halen wrote the opening of this song at the keyboard when he was still new to the synthesizer. When did you recently venture outside your comfort zone? Was it a success? I did last week with my decluttering project

5) Eddie's older brother Alex is the Van Halen drummer and his son, Wolfie, began touring with the band in 2007. Have you ever worked with a family member? I can't think of any time I did

6) Van Halen's first manager was Marshall Berle. Mr. Berle's uncle was Milton Berle. Does the name Milton Berle mean anything to you? Uncle Miltie was a hoot on game shows

7) In 1984, when this song was popular, AT&T/Bell Telephone was broken up into 24 separate companies. Today, who is your phone provider? Spectrum

8) Also in 1984, Michael Jackson was severely burned while filming a Pepsi commercial. Would we find any Pepsi in your kitchen right now? no

9) Random question: Have you ever been so angry that you kicked or hit an inanimate object? oh, yes!

the friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.

I'm reading This Must Be the Place.

Today, though, his father is not grading papers. He has the papers on his lap. Naill can see the half-marked one at the top of the pile, in slightly smudged black ink, but his father is not looking at it. He is glaring at the ceiling, as if it has offended him in some way, and he is tapping the end of a marker pen against his teeth.

finished reading

I picked up the book because I've read rave reviews of it. It features teenagers but it's not a YA book. It's about the burden of secrets--big and little. It's about family--big and little. The characters were well-developed, real people. I'm not sure why it's set in the 90s but it works.

From the publisher:

Everyone in Shaker Heights was talking about it that summer: how Isabelle, the last of the Richardson children, had finally gone around the bend and burned the house down.

In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is meticulously planned – from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.

Enter Mia Warren – an enigmatic artist and single mother – who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenage daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than just tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the alluring mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past, and a disregard for the rules that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.

When the Richardsons' friends attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town and puts Mia and Mrs. Richardson on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Mrs. Richardson becomes determined to uncover the secrets in Mia's past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs to her own family – and Mia's.

Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of long-held secrets and the ferocious pull of motherhood-and the danger of believing that planning and following the rules can avert disaster, or heartbreak.

three on thursday

Click the image to play along!

Three skeins of yarn I got in the mail today from LoveKnitting. I love their service, prices, and selection. Not the best lighting but the Rios colors are Lettuce, Plomo, and Glazed Carrots. Can't wait to whip up some fun projects!

unraveled wednesday

Join Kat @ AsKatKnits for some fun!

I'm knitting Central Avenue hat I'm modifying to a ponytail hat and I'm listening to Little Fires Everywhere.

ten things tuesday

Ten things in my bag:

1) Wallet.

2) iPhone charging cord.

3) Passport.

4) Comb.

5) USB drive.

6) A handful of pens.

7) Eyeglass wipes.

8) Post-it notes.

9) Burt's Bees Pomegranate lip balm.

10) Tissues.

currently

I am...

Reading: The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley

Listening to: nothing, it's kind of nice

Loving: spending time thinking

Thinking: organizing my thoughts and getting motivated

Feeling: a little guilty that I did not go to my aunt's funeral in Central Maine

Celebrating: MLK Day--thinking of a service project for my students

Grateful for: perspective

Weather: sunny but the temperature is zero

Enjoying: how decluttering makes me feel--well, not the decluttering but the space that's cleared

A quote I want to share:

finished reading

I’m not sure what to say about this book. It’s beautifully written but I have no idea what it’s about. Part of a series of seasonal books. I can’t decide if I want to read more. It’s nothing I’ve read before, playing with time—so it’s fluid. 

finished yesterday

A touching, yet difficult memoir. There’s poetry, prose, and song. It’s pieced together as a quilt is. 

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

Conversation Starters

1. What are some small things that make your day better? dogs of any age and size, laughing with my students, Dunkin' iced coffee

2. What shows are you into? This is Us, Major Crimes (which just had its series finale), and Top Chef

3. What TV channel doesn’t exist but really should? there should be a reality channel dedicated to teachers--so the public would see how demanding the job is

4. Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished? I just found out that one of my students won a state title for the VFW's Voice of Democracy program--I'm so thrilled for him and excited that I mentored him through the process

5. What age do you wish you could permanently be? anywhere between 35 and 40--I was physically at my best

6. What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch? the shows about body makeovers

7. What is something that is considered a luxury, but you don’t think you could live without? my cell phone

8. What’s your claim to fame? making connections with my students

9. What’s something you like to do the old-fashioned way? knit

10. What’s your favorite genre of book or movie? literary thrillers

11. How often do you people watch? as often as possible

12. What have you only recently formed an opinion about? presidential decorum

13. What are you interested in that most people haven’t heard of? either Republican Motherhood or the Cult of Domesticity

14. What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home? The Netherlands or Sacremento

15. What is the most heartwarming thing you’ve ever seen? the gallery of correspondence and condolences in the Van Gogh museum

16. What is the most annoying question that people ask you? Isn't teaching just glorified babysitting?

17. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? well... anything I teach about, books, or knitting

18. If you were dictator of a small island nation, what crazy dictator stuff would you do? there would be no mean "jokes"

19. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? get therapy

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.

saturday 9

Piano

1) As she sings, Ariana muses about the songs she could compose on her piano. Do you play the piano? I do not

2) She compares love songs, saying there are sad ones about how hard love is, and happy ones that make you want to dance. What's your favorite love song? Is it sad or happy? today I'll say You Are by Wynona Judd

3) Ariana's mother always told her that they took her name from Princess Oriana in the 1988 movie Felix the Cat. Who is your favorite cartoon character? Snoopy

4) Ariana's favorite board game is Monopoly. What's your favorite board game? I like Balderdash and Apples to Apples

5) She relaxes by baking. When you feel keyed up, what do you do to relax? knit or read

6) She is a huge Florida Panthers fan, even though once, as a little girl, she got hit by a puck. Now that the NHL season is underway, how's your favorite team doing? the Bruins are 3rd in the Eastern Conference

7) In 2013, when this song was popular, the NHL reached an agreement with the players union and averted a strike. Have you ever belonged to a union? I do belong to one now

8) Also in 2013, Pauline Philips died. Ms. Philips was better known to millions of readers as "Dear Abby." At its height, her advice column appeared in 1,400 newspapers across the country. Do you still read a printed copy of your newspaper? not often

9) If you could get the answer to one question about your future, what would that one question be? Will my financial future be ok?

the friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.

I'm reading Autumn.

Her mother was ultra-sensitive and ultra-irritating right now. It was something to do with Elisabeth being thirteen, not twelve. Whatever it was about, it was ultra-annoying.

Don't be rude, her mother said. And what you are is thirteen years old. You've got to be a bit careful of old men who want to hang around thirteen year old girls.

He's my friend, Elisabeth said.

three on thursday

Click the image to play along!

1) The temperature is above freezing! I could even get my driver's side window down!

2) My lesson plans have been very good--very organized, I like the attention to detail.

3) The decluttering project is moving forward. I'm really, genuinely working on this.

unraveled wednesday

Join Kat @ AsKatKnits for some fun!

I'm knitting Kallik scarf and I'm listening to You Don't Have to Say You Love Me.

ten things tuesday

Ten random things:

1) This winter is kicking my ass. We've had fifteen consecutive days of below-zero temperatures. Eighteen inches of snow in one storm. I'm seriously over it.

2) This winter is even kicking my school's ass. They ran out of fuel because of the exceptionally cold weather and there were issues with water pressure (frozen pipes), so we had Monday off. Of course, I had driven all the way over because I left before "the call" came. But that's ok, I turned right around and came home.

3) I read a whole book on my day off.

4) Because of all the snow drifts, the postman hasn't been able to deliver mail. Since Thursday. It's really a pissing contest between the post office and my landlord. The driveway is fifty feet away from the walkway yet the postman won't walk up the driveway to deliver mail. It's all rather petty.

5) I've got some yummy yarn ready for a new project. I want to finish up my current project and start in on a new one.

6) Six former students came to visit me today. It makes me so happy they took the time! Pictures posted on Insta!

7) Getting old is not for the weak. My father even warned me to be careful shoveling snow because he didn't want me to have a heart attack. 😕 Plus he's worried about me driving the 4.5 hours to Central Maine tomorrow.

8) I have to pack for my trip. And charge my electronics. School's organized and prepped.

9) My Happy New Year Calendar says to take 10 minutes to relax and meditate today. I can do this.

10) I think it's time for some peanut butter cup Ben & Jerry's.

finished reading

This is a fast-paced, can't put down book. I didn't like the materialism, it was way over the top. I don't think it's a mystery-thriller but it is a twisty book. Very entertaining.

From the publisher:

Amber Patterson is fed up. She’s tired of being a nobody: a plain, invisible woman who blends into the background. She deserves more—a life of money and power like the one blond-haired, blue-eyed goddess Daphne Parrish takes for granted.

To everyone in the exclusive town of Bishops Harbor, Connecticut, Daphne—a socialite and philanthropist—and her real-estate mogul husband, Jackson, are a couple straight out of a fairy tale.

Amber’s envy could eat her alive . . . if she didn't have a plan. Amber uses Daphne’s compassion and caring to insinuate herself into the family’s life—the first step in a meticulous scheme to undermine her. Before long, Amber is Daphne’s closest confidante, traveling to Europe with the Parrishes and their lovely young daughters, and growing closer to Jackson. But a skeleton from her past may undermine everything that Amber has worked towards, and if it is discovered, her well-laid plan may fall to pieces.

currently

I am...

Reading: The Last Mrs. Parrish

Listening to: some noises from the post office

Loving: a bonus day off--there was a water pipe problem due to the extreme cold temperatures

Thinking: about my decluttering project

Feeling: anxious

Celebrating: this extra day off

Grateful for: chatting with my sisters and sending foolish videos back and forth

Weather: it's cloudy and we're supposed to get another 3-4 inches of snow; the temperature is all the way up to 10 degrees!

Enjoying: my decluttering progress

A quote I want to share:

finished reading

It's a fun book--kind of rom-com. Kind of like Mama Mia with a holiday flair.

From the publisher:

Christmas at the Davenports’ house was always about one thing: food. But when sisters Ella and Maddy were split up, Ella to live in London with their Dad, and Maddy staying in Greece with their Mum, mince pies lost their magic.

Now, a cheating husband has thrown Ella a curved snowball…and for the first time in years, all she wants is her mum. So she heads back to Greece, where her family’s taverna holds all the promise of home. Meanwhile, waitress Maddy’s dreams of a white Christmas lead her back to London… and her Dad.

But a big fat festive life-swap isn’t as easy as it sounds! And as the sisters trade one kitchen for another, it suddenly seems that among the cinnamon, cranberries and icing sugar, their recipes for a perfect Christmas might be missing a crucial ingredient: each other.

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

End of Year Questions

1. What did you do last year that you had not done before? planned and organized (and paid for) a family gathering for my dad's 80th birthday--every day there was something different planned

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions/goals for the year and will you make/set more for next year? What are they? What are your new ones? I did all right on the resolutions/goals--this year, I want to listen to podcasts, declutter, and learn some phrases in foreign languages (just things like a sneeze response, or please/thank you)

3. Did anyone you know give birth? Or become pregnant? Or adopt? gave birth--yes and got pregnant--yes (two nieces)

4. Did anyone you know die? Or have a serious illness/injury? no deaths of immediate family or friends, and a couple people close to me battle cancer

5. What places have you visited? mostly Augusta, although I did get down to my friend's summer house on Chebeague Island for a wonderful girlfriend weekend

6. Any new pets? Lost a pet? no to both

7. What would you like to have next year that you lacked this year (doesn't have to be a physical thing i.e. love, job security, peace of mind...)? I'd like to have better handle on financial matters for retirement

8. What date from last year will remain etched in your memory and why? the week of dad's party--I've never laughed so hard!

9. What was your biggest achievement last year? being selected to participate in a state-wide teacher cohort

10. Did you get sick or injured? nothing out of the ordinary, although the way I whine about it, you'd think it was...

11. What was the best thing you bought? a printer

12. Where did most of your disposable income go (money leftover after you pay for food, medical care, basic clothing, transportation and shelter)? books and yarn

13. What song will always remind you of last year? Doesn't have to be a song released last year. not a song but an album: Leslie Odom Jr's Simply Christmas

14. What do you wish you would have done more of? text my nieces and nephews

15. What do you wish you would have done less of? take life for granted

16. What was your favorite new TV program? Movie? Album/Songs? Or if you didn't pick up any new ones, what are you still watching/listening to? Any recommendations? I still like This Is Us and Major Crimes

17. What was the best book you read this year? How many did you read? I really enjoyed The Fireman, Tell Me Three Things, The Railwayman's Wife, The Hate U Give, and Still Life--it was a great reading year for me, my personal best at 73 books; here's my 2017 reading list

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? Did you feel differently? I traveled to a couple of conferences in Augusta--it was a humdrum birthday and I don't feel differently

19. What political or social issue stirred you the most? probably the clashes in Charlottesville and the #MeToo movements

20. Who was the most interesting new person you met? oh--I met a lot of new people this year

21. Describe how a relationship changed. they all got deeper and more authentic

22. Do you think you are still the same person that you were at the beginning of the year? How so? no, I'm not, I'm more authentic

23. Summarize the year in three words or less. Bonus points for doing it in one word. Explain. Family, laughter, learning

24. How have people around you changed? health issues, mostly

25. What have you learned throughout the year? (Other than crafts) how important and significant my family relationships are

26. Did you learn any new crafts or techniques? What was your favorite thing you made? some knitting techniques (Kitchner stitching--thanks to Zippi who has the best video tutorial on her blog)

27. What changed about your physical appearance? (Hair? Wrinkles? New makeup style? Etc) more "ultra blond highlights" as my hairgoddess refers to my grays

28. What are your hopes and dreams for the new year? (Some suggestions-family, travel, work, lifestyle, hobbies, pets, appearance) more travel, more time with family, more authenticity

postsecret

On the back:  I wanted you but I don't need you

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.

re-read

Kicking off the new year with a re-read for my book group. Here's the original review of The Good Girl by Mary Kubica.

saturday 9

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

1) Bette Midler sings about the storm that's raging outside. How's the weather where you are today? it has warmed up to -25 (it was -35 when I got up); along with the brutally cold temps are frigid winds and gusts

2) She mentions her gloves. Tell us about your favorite pair of gloves or mittens. I knit myself a pair of fingerless gloves that are my favorite--I traditionally don't wear mittens or gloves, I don't like the feel of them (yes, I know it's crazy in my temperatures)

3) Does your home have a fireplace to keep you warm? no, it doesn't--but I play the Netflix fireplace on my TV

4) Bette's father, Fred, supported his family as a house painter. Have you ever held a job that kept you outdoors a great deal of the time? no, thankfully

5) Her mother, Ruth, was a talented seamstress. How about you? Can you sew on a button? Raise a hem? Darn a hole? I can do basic sewing stuff by hand

6) 2017 was a big year for Bette. At the age of 72, she opened on Broadway in the revival of Hello, Dolly! and won a Tony. As we kick off 2018, what would you like to accomplish this year? I would like to broaden my horizons by learning phrases in different languages

7) Bette and her husband Martin have been married for nearly 34 years. Their wedding was officiated by an Elvis impersonator. Are you looking forward to any weddings in 2018? my goddaughter is getting married in June

8) Bette and Martin are very proud of their daughter, Sophie, now 30, who graduated from Yale in 2008. Do you expect to attend any graduation ceremonies in 2018? I usually go to graduation at the school where I teach

9) Random question: Yesterday, who did you spend the most time with? myself

the friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.

I'm reading The Last Mrs. Parrish.

The next morning Jenna came dancing into Amber's office, her smile so wide that her cheeks practically obscured her squinty little eyes. "Guess what?" she demanded breathlessly.

"No clue," Amber said flatly, not even bothering to look up from the commission reports she was working on.

"I talked to Sally last night."

Amber's head shot up, and she put her pen down.

three on thursday

Click the image to play along!

Three things I wanna try:

1) Listening to podcasts.

2) Clearing out the kitchen clutter so I can use my kitchen table for meals. I used it for a computer table for so long, it's time to use it for kitchen purposes.

3) Learn 10 phrases in a new language. Some basic phrases. This could be interesting.

unraveled wednesday

Join Kat @ AsKatKnits for some fun!

I'm knitting Alternato hat and I'm reading and listening to The Good Girl.

ten things tuesday

Ten things coming up in January:

1) An interview with a former colleague for her dissertation. I'm one of 10 interviewees.

2) Breakfast Club. Saturday morning.

3) Library book group. We're discussing War Brides by Helen Bryan.

4) School book group. We're discussing The Good Girl by Mary Kubica.

5) Manicure. Saturday morning, after getting together with my friends for breakfast.

6) A trip to Augusta. Next week.

7) Teacher Cohort's second session. In Augusta, next week.

8) The semester ends. I start teaching a new class.

9) An ESSA meeting--a school committee I was "voluntold" I would be on.

10) A dental appointment. Ugh, I have to get a substitute.

currently

I am...

Reading: The Little Christmas Kitchen

Listening to: the quiet

Loving: a pajama day

Thinking: about goals for the new year

Feeling: lazy

Celebrating: this last day of vacation

Grateful for: a mindful new year's eve with my bestie

Weather: it's sunny and -1 but -20 with the wind chill

Enjoying: my pajamas

A quote I want to share: