Monday, September 10, 2007

First The New Thing Is Shiny.

Then, after you play with it for a while...not so much. The novelty wears off. That which was interesting and worth your attention, becomes all stale. Maybe even a little stinky.

The second week of school is always tougher than the first. You've already worn your new shoes and had a chance to see who got new haircuts. And, if you're lucky, one or two of the new cuts are way worse than the one you got. The focus is no longer on getting reacquainted and finding your locker. Now there is "real" work in class, not just those fun "getting to know you" activities. There is even homework. This isn't something all new and exciting. This is just a "routine."

The bloom? She is off the rose. And there are many metaphorical miles to go until the Thanksgiving break. There's a long weekend for Columbus Day and Halloween can sometimes provide an interesting diversion. But that's about it.

If Ms. Sheep is sitting at the big desk by the chalkboard having these types of thoughts, can you just imagine what the poor kids are thinking? It seems a little early in the school year to be crossing days off the calendar. I don't want to be setting a bad example or anything. But, the realization that the next summer vacation is very, very, very far away is a harsh one.

It is probably not all that surprising, given that I have only just figured out that I have to work every day like a "real" grown up, to hear that I had a little difficulty getting up and out of the house this morning. I am sure that I was just the very image of the Modern Professional Woman to anyone who happened to catch a glimpse of me fleeing my home this morning, jacket half on, glasses askew and a bagel clamped between my teeth. But, I made it to school on time and with half a travel mug of coffee in my system so I can honestly say that I won the game this morning.

There is a little excitement involved in seeing how I'll fare in this Getting To Work Like A Responsible Adult Tournament. (some prefer to call it The Running Of The Sheep) But, it doesn't really distract me from the fact that summer fun is well and truly over. At least not for very long...

I'm thinking that it may be time to revisit the knitting that has been so vexing me of late. Not that stupid, hard project that I have to keep ripping back. (I told you I couldn't knit lace...). But, maybe that nice, simple, boring scarf could come out of retirement. Sure, it's not all that exciting. But I'm knitting it out of my own handspun yarn and that has to count for something. Spinning yarn from scratch is hard and I get some credit for that on the scorecard, right?

Yes. I know I said it was a boring project. But, boring projects can move along pretty quickly. And that rather appeals to me right now. The school year doesn't seem to have that same "sprightly" quality.

It. Is. Sloooooooooow...

SA

13 comments:

mehitabel said...

Some people (not me) have jobs that they have to go to every. single. day. year. round. I guess the trade-off for them is not to have that feeling of starting a new job once a year! Ah well, it will be Christmas before you know it...

Anonymous said...

How are you with the math? If you and numbers play well together maybe you should learn to do income taxes and work just 10-12 weeks/year. It definitely cuts into the fiber time during mid- to late-winter, but the rest of the year is freeeee! Best of all, no annoying 10-year-olds. Just annoying 43-year-olds who don't understand the concept of "refund", i.e., if you didn't have anything withheld during the year, no way in he!! can you get a refund come tax time.

Anonymous said...

I really feel for you, SA. Hopefully there will be some happy moments soon to cheer you up. I wonder what it was about this particular summer? E is having a really hard time getting back in the groove. Or maybe it just gets harder as students get older and have more work.

Mouse said...

Its already been a month since my son started school and we missed the bus this morning already. Even though we have the furthest walk in the neighborhood to a bus stop we also have the luck that the bus must come past our stop to get back out of the subdivision - so I have a second chance to get Munchkin onto public transportation.
hang in there!

Ronni said...

Poor Sheepie. I hope the whole getting to work thing smooths out soon.

Rabbitch said...

Thank you for confirming that every deadly, tedious, endless year I was locked in the educational system was just as ghastly for my instructors.

There is some justice in this world.

My daughter, however, has not yet become jaded (grade 2). I'm trying really really hard not to tell her the truth.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to see that the cruel realities of life are making themselves known. It's time to knit that scarf for the stress-free pleasure of it.
Karen
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/

sheep#100 said...

I hear you! Trying to acclimate to getting up before the sun so as to make breakfast and lunch and snacks for the Neatnik is deadly. Not to mention having to see her on to the school bus or drive her in myself. Add to that the fact that I, as an adult, need a morning shower and that Number Guy also needs time in our single bathing facilities...

I am sure that I will get the hang of this and everything will run very smoothly - some time around May 26th, 2008.

Teri S. said...

I hear you, Sheep. Perhaps it will be some comfort to you to know that you aren't the only who's having that problem. I'm having a terrible time getting motivated to do anything, except maybe knit. Pull out the simple knitting and immerse yourself in all that is good about fiber.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back to reality ;-)

Anonymous said...

I don't see how you teachers do it. Hopefully you'll get in a groove and it will get better for you.


Boring projects are great sometimes. I'm in the mood for a boring project myself. :)

knitseashore said...

Handspun totally counts for something, since I and many others only knit store-bought. You get extra credit for that. :)

Go easy on yourself -- it's a big adjustment having to give up the summer. I hate just typing that. Luckily you get all the government holiday 3-day weekends...

Anonymous said...

Yes, summer is over. I too am sad that it is over.
Wow! A scarf from your own Hand Spun! I can't wait to see pictures!