Overdoing It

I had a dentist appointment on Friday.  I took the very first appointment of the day so that I could get it over with and still have some "sick day" time to enjoy.  I have taken exactly one half day off for illness so far this school year and I happen to think I deserve the time, especially after spending part of it with The World's Meanest Dentist EVER.

Afterwards, I couldn't help but wonder why my dentist's office is so much more high-tech than my doctor's.  When I go to the dentist, I sit in a chair facing an LCD screen while the hygienist sits behind me at a keyboard.  My medical and insurance history is flashed before me for review, then a clunky pad is thrust into my hand for an electronic signature.  Next a cuff is placed around my wrist.  It hums and tightens briefly, then a pleasant (if slightly tinny) voice emanates from the depths of the Velcro.  I am informed in dulcet tones what the World Health Organization thinks of my current blood pressure and heart rate.

(Note:  The World Health Organization has never met my dentist and, as a result, has no frame of reference for my slightly elevated scores.  I don't blame them for passing judgement.)

When my cleaning is done, the dentist arrives and makes a few comments.  These, I assume, he finds to be the height of hilarity even if they are not.  He brings up a shot of my last x-rays on the little screen so that he can confirm the cavity I have on the lower right side.  When he is done, the hygienist returns to the keyboard so that she can make my next appointment and a card is spat out for my records before I can clear the chair.  Sometimes it's a little bit curled up from the machine.

It isn't like that at my doctor's office at all.  My blood pressure is taken by a harried, but still very pleasant, nurse.  The gauge hangs right on the wall and it's the kind with a dial.  I can always read my own BP just by watching the little needle and counting the beats I feel under the cuff.  My records are kept in a gigantic manila folder.  When notes are made, they are handwritten by either the nurse or the doctor in perfect Palmer Method script.  I'm asked to make an appointment for my next visit with the receptionist on my way out.  She fills out a little card for me, so I don't forget. There's a whole stack of them right on her desk.  It isn't curly.

I'm not saying that one or the other is the better way.  I suppose I think that there should maybe be more high tech stuff at the doctor's office, but what do I know?  If nothing else, the gadgetry certainly does distract me from the horror that is my dentist.  But a part of me thinks he is over compensating.  And over compensating is a very sad thing.  Yes, my mean dentist is a very, very sad man when you think about it.

I used the rest of my long weekend to finish up the Stoopid Rectangles.  I told the Very Nice Lady who works at The Convenience Store Where They Call You Honey And Dear And You Sort Of Don't Mind That So Much that I would make a pair for her sister.  I felt kind of funny about this since they are just Stoopid Crocheted Rectangles with a hole in the side that lets you wear them as handwarmers, but she seemed to think her sister would love them.  I guess if you don't crochet, you are able to ignore that they are just Stoopid Rectangles.

When I was done, I couldn't help but think that they looked so very plain.  I didn't dare embellish them, though.  It wasn't what The Very Nice Lady asked for.  Yet, how was I to hand over a pair of Stoopid Rectangles?  Just drag them out of my purse and toss them on the counter Monday morning when I went in for coffee?

"Here you go, some Stoopid Rectangles.  Sorry about that one that fell behind the lottery machine.  Hope you like 'em!"

That didn't seem right.  At the very least, I should clip them together as a pair.  And what if she was giving them to her sister as a gift?  A gift, even a very Stoopid Rectangular one, should look nice.  Maybe if I labeled them?  That might help.  They are, after all Stoopid Rectangles.  They probably need something that identifies them and helps her sister to understand what they are.  Otherwise, the next Nice Lady family reunion could be uncomfortable. Everyone would be talking about the time those Stoopid Rectangles showed up and no one knew what to do with them.

Yes.  That is what I would do!  Contain them and label them!  Like a real gift!!!

Stoopid Rectangles contained.  

With that decision made and acted upon, the weekend fairly flew by.  Why, I was almost able to forget that I have to go back to see The World's Meanest Dentist next month for a filling.  It won't be so bad, really.  All I have to do is remember how he is one of those over-compensating, sad types.

And I can feel all superior because I'm not like that at all...

SA

WNBP: A Swing 'n A Miss!!

Yet another day spent nervously checking every news station to see if this latest weather event is going to bury me...and it's looking like everything is going to be okey-dokey!  I'm a teacher and I like a snow day as much as the next educator, but honestly!  I would like to get out of school some time before the new year starts so I think we really need to buckle down and get our perfect attendance attitudes back on.

Of course, there is always room for a wind shift.  Last week and my day and a half of school are proof of that.  But, I still think that we won't see much from this one.  The storm that promises to swat the living heck out of folks further south is only going to give us a little love tap.  Now I can relax and focus on more important things.  Like the Wednesday Night Bullet Post!


*There are going to be a lot of disappointed kids in my classroom tomorrow.


*Most of them are unwilling to believe that the storm isn't happening.


*They're sort of used to the whole "minimalist" approach to education now...


*Spunky Girl has been taking Family And Consumer Sciences this quarter.


*That's Home Ec. for those of us in a more vintage state.


*It's rough since she is only a 6th grader and the youngest in the class, but she is making the best of it.


*Today, she also made teryaki chicken.


*And brought some to me for lunch.


*I commented on the perfectly diced veggies.


*Seriously.  Symmetrical.


*Within the millimeter.


*The Cheerful Teaching Assistant said, "I tried to tell her that it was OK if they weren't all perfect, but she gave me this look and I figured I'd better just go preheat the oven..."


*Spunky Girl has a look that will freeze hardened criminals in the middle of any nefarious act they might be perpetrating.


*Yesterday, I tried to suggest a fun, off-center look to the poster she was making and almost had to go home.


*The look traumatized me.


*Spunky Girl is also an amazing cook.  She has a way with symmetrical veggies and chicken.


*I want to be Spunky Girl when I grow up.


*I've managed to lose most of my fingerless mitts.


*I'm down to the Stoopid Rectangles.


*The ones I crocheted in an hour.  Rectangles.  That I stitched up the side and intended to show to The World's Greatest Stylist And Life Coach as a sample project she could do while re-learning crochet.


*Stoopid Red Rectangles...in acrylic.  As mitts!


*Had to wear them on Monday when it was cold.


*The lady at The Convenience Store Where They Call You Honey And Dear And You Don't Really Mind That So Much saw them.


*And asked if I made them.


*And asked me to make a pair for her sister who has a hand injury and who works outside.


*Stoopid Rectangles????  Really???  


*Perhaps I underestimated them.  They do work, after all.  I'm almost finished with a blue pair to bring in on Friday.


*I will not be accepting payment in spite of the offer.  They are Stoopid Rectangles, for God's sake!


*Might accept a free cup of coffee, though.  The nice lady at the convenience store sometimes tries to do that for me but it always felt weird since we are really just Store Acquaintances....


*The Absurdly Gi-Normous Kitty is very cute when he is sleeping.

He's all squooshy and stuff...

*Almost makes me wish I could have a snow day so I could be all squooshed up on the couch with him...


*But that's crazy talk!!!!


*I read Bite Me: A Love Story over the weekend.  The Cheerful Teaching Assistant read it and thought I might like it.


*I kind of forgot that she mentioned how it was part of a series.


*Hence...some confusion on my part.


*A good read, but maybe not my favorite.  Still quite entertaining, though.  


*Some seriously funny dialogue.


*Then I started The Dead-Tossed Waves (Forest of Hands and Teeth).


*Sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth.


*I know, I know...zombies.  


*But I swear to you that these are two of the best books I've read in a long time.


*The zombies are bad, granted.  And certainly featured players.


*But the story is so beautifully written that you almost feel glad they are there.


*And I only just discovered that The Dark and Hollow Places (Forest of Hands and Teeth) is coming out in March!!!!!


*Oh happy, zombie filled day!


*That's not true.  I hate zombies.  I loathe zombies.  


*Zombies make me check the hallway every day before I leave and kick the dumpster when I take out the trash.


*Kicking the dumpster stirs up any undead that might be snoozing under the refuse, thus alerting me to their presence before I open the lid.


*My life is very stressful because of the zombies.


*But I am truly enchanted by these books.  Profound sadness and loss plonked side by side with great joy and happiness.


*Zombies make you appreciate the little things...


*I am taking Friday off because I don't think I want to work full time anymore and I don't get a snow day this week.


*And because I have a dentist appointment.


*Since I was almost finished with the zombies, I swung by the school library and snagged a copy of Septimus Heap, Book Four: Queste.


*Needed something to read while I recovered from the trauma of visiting with Dr. DeSade, DMD


*My Favorite Librarian was busy, but said she "always had time to check out a book for a library patron."


*I said that should be on a t-shirt, but I don't think she understood why.


*I still think that should be on a t-shirt.


*I like the sound of it.  


*That and "always kick the dumpster first."



There.  That should do it.  Now I must leave you all and go see about being A Working Gal.  The storm may be missing us, but it is still planning on taking a swing.  I probably should be ready to head out early just in case we have some slippery roads during the darkest part of the dawn.  Wouldn't do to not have matching shoes and coffee at the ready.

We are truly counting on this being a "miss."  Cross your fingers...

SA

One Toe Over The Line

I mentioned last week that I was experimenting with keeping a few knitting books on my ereader.  It's not the right experience for every book.  I don't think I could bear to end my life-long love affair with riffling pages and affixing sticky notes.  But it works surprisingly well for some pattern collections, especially those I might reference regularly.

I downloaded Wendy Knits: My Never-Ending Adventures in Yarn as a trial run.  I was immediately taken with the generic, toe up sock pattern.  Not that I was ever going to knit a sock from the toe up, mind you.  I knit a lot of socks.  Oodles.  But I've always been a dedicated flapper and the very idea of a short row heel made my head hurt.  I knit very nice socks.  Who has the time to be learning a new way to knit heels?  And toes, for that matter...

Well, it seems that I do, at least at the moment.  With the recent bout of back to back storms, I've been sitting at home more than I've been teaching the next generation.  I worked literally a day and a half this past week and I have a bad feeling that there is another snow day looming in the immediate future.  I finally gave in and did my provisional cast on.  I was trapped inside and going a little stir crazy anyway.  Why not add a some "heel crazy" to the mix?

The toe-up sock requires two short row endeavors so there was ample opportunity to traverse the learning curve.  Some lessons I learned very quickly.  For example: if it takes you half an hour to "unzip" your provisional cast on, then you have probably done it wrong.  I taught kindergarten.  I've done my share of wintertime playground duties.  I know a stuck zipper when I see one.

Other questions didn't resolve themselves quite so quickly.  I came perilously close to going online and polling the knitting community regarding the best time to ice down my hands.  Should I do it right after screwing up the first heel?  Or wait until the third try?  Would taking a therapeutic dose of pain relievers before starting eliminate the need for ice altogether?  What is the best course of action here???

Of course, I eventually figured out that knitting probably shouldn't hurt and that, like the cast on, I was probably doing something wrong.  I finally reviewed a few online tutorials for instruction.

Finally, after days of snowbound knitting, I ended up with this:

Not bad...if you squint and think very positive sock thoughts.

It is fair to say that these will never be "clog socks."  They might be "church socks" since they are very Hol(e)y in places, though.  At first I found myself disparaging the short row, but then I recalled how I used to have to stitch up the heels of my socks back in the day.  There was always a gap after I picked up the stitches.  Now I don't need to do that because I knit very nice flappy heels.  I've no doubt I can come up with a neater way to do this with practice.

In spite of the flaws, I'm not displeased with the result.  The toe-up sock goes pretty quickly and when you're done...you're done.  No weaving of toes, just one little strand of yarn.  And I'm pleasantly surprised by the fit.  It's really a nice sock, if not a perfect one.

I started the second today.  In the event of further weather, I will have something to work on while I wait out the snowflakes.  At this rate, I should be able to replenish my dwindling sock supply in short order!

Actually, if this weather pattern persists, I imagine I'll be able to meet my sock needs for life.

SA

WNBP: Bonus Day

Well, this was something of a surprise.  I fully expected that I would be sent home early from school yesterday.  Planned on it, actually.  Icy roads mean we get out of Dodge as fast as possible and the forecast was loaded with little sparkling crystals.

What I didn't see coming was another snow day today.  I checked the weather on my ipod this morning, noted that the rains were still falling and thought to check the local news for a delay.  Those are always nice.  Imagine my befuddled state when I saw that the delay was actually going to extend for the entire day!

The extra time allowed me to think of some bullet points to throw your way so why don't we take a look at a few?

*My school district is comprised of three towns.  Two fairly close to one another.


*A third that is sort of geographically challenged.


*They sometimes have their own weather.


*I suspect that it was this situation that caused my snow day today.


*Mixed feelings about this one.


*Love a day off.


*Hate making them up in June.  Especially if I think we might have been able to pull off a school day if we just started later.


*Another storm is predicted for Friday...


*It's days like these that make me glad I took up canning over the summer.


*And that I learned how to use a pressure canner.


*There's only so many pickles a gal can eat...


*Protein is sometimes required.


*I had chicken and parsnips for dinner tonight.


*Right from the cupboard!


*Finally got around to vacuuming today.


*After a long weekend, an early release day from school and a snow day, I was kind of running out of excuses.


*And in bookish news...


*I recently finished Physik (Septimus Heap, Book 3).


*Thus far, my least favorite book in the series.


*However, when one is reading a series, one must soldier through it in its entirety.


*Otherwise, one is confused.


*Besides, it was good.  Just not my favorite.  


*And I think there was another reason.  I had something else waiting in the wings.  Something I was dying to read!


*All fiction is alternate history, really.


*But I first became interested in it as an "intentional" genre after reading Orson Scott Card's Alvin Maker series.  


*(Seventh Son (Tales of Alvin Maker, Book 1)


*When I heard about Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate), I knew I had to read it.


*Alternate history.  Victorian England.  Vampires.  Werewolves.  


*And yes.  I agree.  Vampires and werewolves have been done to death.


*But this is different.  And good.  Really good.  


*I plowed through it in record time and was done with Changeless (The Parasol Protectorate) even faster.


*Now I'm reading Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate).


*Witty.  Extremely witty.  It won't just make you laugh.


*It will make you snicker.  Which is even better.


*Also been experimenting with the idea of having knitting books on my ereader.


*I'm of two minds.  I rather love flipping through the glossy pages and putting sticky notes everywhere.


*OTOH, I'm also sort of thrilled to be able to find what I'm looking for without having to rummage through every shelf in the manse.


*This implies that I put all the books on shelves and is a tad misleading but that's not really what we're talking about right now is it?


*What I'm suggesting is this:

I think there is room for both types of media in my life...

*It depends on the book, I suppose.  One with a dependable, generic sock pattern is pretty good to have on an ereader.


*Wendy Knits: My Never-Ending Adventures in Yarn has that.  And the print version is in black and white anyway, isn't it?


*I've also put a few cookbooks in my digital library.  Seemed to make sense.


*We'll see if that works out.


*Worst case scenario, I can print out what I need.


*If I get a sticky note urge that cannot be overcome...


*Which happens more than you think.


*Sock knitting is good for snow days.


*Especially those that come along unexpectedly.


*Most disturbing conversation of the week:

Boy For Whom All The World's A Stage:  Hey!  Ms. Sheep!  How come you have your phone out?  You can't have those in school.  The principal has told me that fourteen times this year...

Ms. Sheep:  Well, you're the one who has pointed out repeatedly that the weather is bad and that you think we should go home.  If school is cancelled, I get a text message from Channel 13.  Sometimes even before The Powers That Be see fit to tell me of their decision.

BFWATWAS: Wow!  You text Ms. Sheep?  That's cool!

MS:  (waving in a self-deprecating manner)  Oh, stop!  Well maybe I'm a little cool...

BFWATWAS:  My grandmother can't text at all.  She doesn't even know what it is!


*I am currently determining which class he is going to fail this quarter.  Probably a good thing we had a snow day today.


Snow days are fun, even if you have to go through the agony of making them up later.  I got to read and knit and play with the cats.  It was nice.  Plus I had chicken and parsnips on hand so it really all worked out very nicely.

But I'm not so sure I'm ready for another one in the near future.  Too many Bonus Days and you kind of forget how to work for a living...

SA

Routine Or Something Like It

Let's see.  Where were we?  When last we left our intrepid Sheepie, she was buried under over a foot of snow and reveling in the end of the first snow day of the school year.  She was also medicating herself with a vast array of OTC pain relievers because the mean plow guy buried her car without so much as a fare-thee-well.

The storm was a doozy while it lasted, but wrapped up fairly quickly. Then it was back to the routine, if only for a couple of days.  I tried to keep a stiff upper lip about it.  It is poor form to complain about going back to school after a bonus day off and a recent lengthy holiday vacation.

But I really wanted to spend some time at home.  I wanted to finish a sock.

I've suffered some sock loss lately.  I had some critter damage the summer before last and, while I don't welcome the moths with open arms, I do consider them the cost of doing business.  At least if your business is fiddling about with wool.  It's going to happen.  I don't race about like a madwoman or anything. There is no wailing nor rending of garments.  When I see damage, I salvage what I can and try to be good natured about the losses.

Then there was general wear and tear, not to mention the fact that kitties often enjoy napping in laundry baskets.  The act of stomping the dirty clothing around until it is "just right" sometimes involves a claw or two.  That can be rough on socks, I think.

There was also a bit of knitting avoidance for a while there so I sort of found myself getting low on socks.  However, a gigantic pile of snow landing on your doorstep can go a long way towards inspiring a knitter.  The sock-in-progress (the second of the pair) was quickly brought out of hibernation and worked frantically all throughout the snow day.

I didn't make it to the finish line, though.  Not even close.  So, as much as I hate being the kind of person who complains about having to work even if I haven't worked all that much, I really resented the time spent teaching.  I should have been knitting.

I knit all weekend.  With great gusto.  I turned a heel, I gusseted...my fingers flew.  And, tonight, I realized that I wasn't going to make it.  I'd done all I could.  But it wasn't going to be enough.  I would enter into the new work week sans new socks.  This made me sad.  But, what else could I do?  It's not like a person can magically get another day off.  I don't control time.  I can't make the hours slow down or speed up to suit my footwear needs.  I'd just have to accept it.  Maybe there would be time to finish Mr. Sock during TV time on Monday night.

Then I realized something.  Something wonderful.  Something I probably don't even have the right to feel good about considering the amount of time I've had off lately.

Tomorrow is a holiday.  It's a three day weekend.  I don't have to go to work.  I can stay home.  I can finish my sock!  

And, if the weather reports are any indication, I'm probably going to need it by midweek...


SA

WNBP: Snow Day!!!

Yes, it is the first official snow day of the school year and I, for one, was rather pleased.  For the most part, anyway.  The part where I didn't have to go to school was very nice.  And being able to take a nap after lunch was really rather delightful.  Snow isn't my favorite thing in the world, but I am quite the Sunny Sue when it comes to finding the bright side of things.

Plus, it's Wednesday so I get to do the Wednesday Night Bullet Post and that always gives me the grins.  Here's the day's highlights:

*Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for snowy thoughts.  You done good!  Together, we made this snow day happen!


*We might have overdone it just a bit, though.  Not that I'm complaining, mind you.  I put out the call and the response was great.


*I'm just not sure that over a foot of the white stuff was really necessary.


*Or more.  I don't know the totals yet.  If all goes according to predictions, we might have about fifteen inches before this is done.


*It is an abundance of snow day riches, but really four to eight inches would have done the trick.


*Spent the day watching a Star Trek marathon.


*TNG, of course.  Duh!


*Oh!  And guess what else I did!


*I shouldn't even ask that of you.  You'll never guess.


*Not in a million years...

I spun!!!!!

*Yes, I know it is hard to believe.


*If you look closely, you can see where the dust collected on the flyer...


*Spinning is like riding a bike.


*Except for the part where you get floofy spots that make you mad because you didn't used to do that quite so often.


*Still a very relaxing and wholesome thing to do on a snowy winter day.


*I went to the school library on Monday.


*Teachers can take out as many books as they want and keep them for-almost-ever.


*Not "real" forever because sometimes kids want books and the librarian has to come get them from us.


*I try to get mine back really fast because I don't like hearing the librarian's high heeled shoes tapping their way to my classroom.


*And I hate disappointing any librarian.  It makes me feel dirty...


*I finished Grey Griffins: The Clockwork Chronicles #1: The Brimstone Key. this morning.


*This is book 4 and starts a new series.  It isn't exactly the epitome of lofty literature.


*But it is a good read and I can't help but love how the new books are going in a semi steam punk direction.


*Young readers need to learn about this genre early if they ever want to grow up to be big and strong.


*Or cool.


*Like Auntie Sheepie...


*I saved Physik (Septimus Heap, Book 3) for last because I love this series beyond all reason.


*It pains me that I have only just begun reading it.  Where have I been?????


*I'll forgive you for not reading any of The Grey Griffins.  That is really on the kiddie lit. side of the fence.


*But I honestly believe that most adult readers would like Septimus.  


*Who doesn't like witty wizards, for crying out loud?


*I moved my car for the snowplows as my condo association bylaws dictate.


*I knew it would be a tricky job to get it off the roadway afterwards but I figured I could manage it.


*Clearly the plow dudes did not like where I parked.


*I know this because they went to great lengths to plow me in.


*Seriously.  They took an extra swipe just to pile four feet of snow in front of my car.


*You can see where they did it!


*Had to shovel.  A lot.  


*Then had to take Naproxen.  A lot.


*As I am one of the few people who bother to move their car per the condo association bylaws, I find myself taking umbrage.


*Not too much because umbrage is usually best expressed with a great deal of huffing, posing and arm waving.  


*And I'm too sore to really do umbrage justice at the moment.


*I hear tell that 49 out of the 50 states now have snow.


*Not everyone is used to snow.


*I am.  Here's what I know about snow.  There are three things you need to consider: Hoarding, Hunkering and Huddling.


*Hoarding, as we all know from television, is bad if overdone.  Just make sure you have enough cat food and diet soda.  And brownies.  Hot chocolate is good too.


*Hunkering or, more properly, hunkering down is the ideal.  If you can stay in and just avoid the cold you should do that.  You will be much happier if you are fully hunkered.


*Huddling isn't strictly necessary.  We do live in modern times and have heating systems at our disposal. But it's nice to huddle when it's snowing.

We had some world class huddling going on today...

And there's Wednesday.  It was a winner in my book, even if I did have to shovel my car out of a wall of snow.  Having the day off really does take the sting out of vengeful plow dude behavior.  And, since I already had my school clothes ready for this morning, I'm ahead of the game tonight!  It even makes going back to school tomorrow kind of bearable.

I'm really going to miss all that huddling, though...


SA

Less Is Not More

After having had a week and a half's worth of vacation, a weekend doesn't seem like very much.  It is nice.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not going to turn my nose up at a weekend.  But it is not a week and half.  It is less.

Going back to work was hard. I get up in the darkest of darkness and stagger out of the manse into the same darkness.  I drive in the darkness.  For a chunk of the school year, I arrive at my workplace in darkness.  And now that winter is upon us, it is a cold darkness.

I am a good person.  I don't litter or make fun of puppies, not even the really goofy looking ones.  I understand that I am but one story in a million and that I don't deserve showers of chocolate kisses every time I manage to make it to school on time in the darkness.  I live a simple life.  Sometimes I'm ahead of the game.  Sometimes less so.

I smile my way through my school district's budget crunch and the resulting salary freeze.  I accept that the negotiation process is not the sort of thing that can be rushed and that someday we might see a pay raise.  Some months are better than others, but mostly I get by on the "less" that I've been handed this year.  I know that it isn't personal, me having to drive in the darkness for a smaller salary. It's just the way it is.  Even if it's less.

However, there has to be line drawn somewhere.  I'm willing to tolerate a great deal.  The darkness.  The cold.  The dwindling paychecks and the fact that I'm not on vacation anymore.  But a cup of coffee that doesn't stay hot for the entire commute?  That is an insult that cannot, nay shall not, be borne!

I shall have a big, fat, chunky mug cozy, by God!!!

Granted, it took 30 precious minutes away from my weekend (which is less than a vacation...), but it was worth it.  My coffee will be snuggled within its little jacket and perhaps even stay warm for an extra fifteen minutes.  Fifteen minutes is also less than a vacation.  It is less than a weekend, even.  But it is an eternity to a tired, cranky teacher driving 45 minutes in the cold darkness to a working destination.

Now if I could come up with a pattern for a Weekend Cozy.  Maybe I could make that last longer.  Or at least feel like it wasn't less...

SA

WNBP: Because I Do Have A Blog After All!

Well, last week really messed with me!  I somehow managed to get off schedule and now it feels as if I haven't touched the blog in forever and six days.  Vacations are nice.  Very nice, in fact.  However, they do tend to make a person think that every day is Saturday.  I think I have it back under control now, though.  I'm going to do a Wednesday Night Bullet Post and that will set everything right back on track.  Or not.  It might make me think it is sometime in the distant future.  Or past.  But it will still be the right post for the day so I guess I'll be on some sort of track even if it isn't the right one...

*I have reached a conclusion.


*Not going to work in the morning is a far better thing than going to work in the morning.


*Oh, and I am also starting to think that people who expect other people to get up at 5:00 in the morning and leave to go to work before 6:00 are mean.


*That is just a theory, but I think I'm onto something here...


*The first Tuesday of the month is Staff Meeting Day.  All the teachers gather together to hear pearls of wisdom and interesting tid-bits from our fearless administrators.  


*This is an unpleasant state of affairs when you are trying to get back into the routine.


*And when said routine includes wrangling middle school students who are no more pleased to be there than you are after a two week vacation.


*I didn't bring my knitting.


*I didn't miss it.  I knit a lot for the holidays.


*People commented on my missing knitting.


*Felt like I'd somehow let them down...


*Hey!  Guess what!!!!  


*Look!!!


*I finally got it!!

Pictures of cats playing with their Christmas toys!!!

For once, they decided to cooperate!  Actual pictures of frivolity and merriment!!!

This is the look that says, "My mommy has way too much time on her hands..."

*OK.  So it's probably a good thing that I went back to work.


*I finally broke down and replaced my tethered ereader with a wireless one.


*Wireless is better.  You can buy books from the bathtub.


*You probably didn't want to know that.  You might even want to take a minute to clear that mental image from your head.


*But it's really cool to buy books from the tub, right?


*I read a lot over vacation what with the whole bathtub-book-buying thing working for me.


*I've been meaning to read Magyk (Septimus Heap, Book 1) for a while now.  


*Had to go on a waiting list at the school library for it, though.


*Finally just bought it.


*Love it!  Had to get Flyte (Septimus Heap, Book 2) right away!!!


*Hence, the aquatic purchase.


*I knew that Simon R Green's new series wasn't getting great reviews, but I love most of his stuff.


*So I went ahead and snagged Ghost of a Chance (A Ghost Finders Novel).


*Not his best, but I like to support the arts.  


*Plus Mr. Green makes me giggle.  


*And The Forest of Hands and Teeth?  Dudes...


*Sooooo good!!!


*Yes, there are zombies.  


*No.  They aren't anything unusual.  


*They shamble.


*They moan.


*They occasionally bumble into one another.


*And savagely devour the flesh of those hapless individuals unfortunate or unwise enough to stray beyond the fence.


*It's not really about the walking dead.  They are scary, sure.


*But what's really scary is what happens to the breathing types when all systems break down.


*This is a beautifully written book and not because of the zombies.  Zombies aren't beautiful and nothing is ever going to make me think that.


*It's a beautifully written book in spite of the zombies.


*Now I'm reading Under the Dome: A Novel.


*Because I am ashamed to have not read it yet.


*Not my favorite Stephen King novel.  But good, all the same.


*Best Classroom Conversation Of The Week Thus Far:

Ms. Sheep:  You know, when I adopted The Very Complicated Kitty he had a different name.

Cheerful Teaching Assistant:  Really?  What was it?

MS: It was Bob.  (fake name used for blogging purposes)

(The Boy Who Is) Dark And Disturbed:  Hey!  That's my name!!!

MS:  Yes.  And "Bob" really suited him.  But I still had to change it.

D&D: How come?  It's a great name!

MS:  Because I didn't want to ever, EVER have to say, "I am going to spend tonight snuggled up on the couch with Bob."

D&D: (burying his head in his hands)  OH MY GOD!!!  WHY?  WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?  WHY???  NOW I HAVE TO GO TO THERAPY UNTIL I'M THIRTY!!!!

MS:  Think back.  You are the one who decided to announce to the class that you want to go around wearing a loincloth all the time.  Now you know how I feel every, single, stupid day.


*This conversation took place yesterday.


*For the record, D&D was absent today.


*I felt badly because yesterday was his birthday and I gave him the gift of long-term mental anguish and trauma.


*Didn't tell him about the bathtub shopping.


*I'll save that for Arbor Day or something...


Well, that's about it.  I'm all tuckered out from the reading and staff meetings, not to mention how much disturbing the delicate mental balance of teenage boys will take out of a gal.  I'm going to sign off and see about mentally preparing myself for the last couple of work days.  I'd also like to check the calendar so I can tally up the number of days until the next long weekend.

And try to see if I can come up with a more regular blogging schedule...

SA

Last Shot

If you are one of those people who makes New Year's Resolutions but not exactly the "focused" type, you are probably in something of a dither right now.  The clock is ticking and you have but one last shot at resolving before you have to either admit defeat or come up with a very good lie.  This is, I am certain, a lot of pressure.

Oh, it's not such a big deal if you made a little resolution.  Say, for example, you said to yourself, "I think that this year I am going to take a risk and paint my toenails a saucy shade of puce!"  This is doable.  You have ample time to scoot off to the drugstore and purchase the supplies needed to fancy up your tooties.

If, on the other hand, you announced to one and all that you planned to lose thirty pounds, knit a lace shawl, cure the common cold and invent a platform, open toed, strappy sandal that the average woman can walk in...well, you might have a problem on your hands.  Kudos for enthusiasm, though.  It's nice to know you can aim high.

Lots of folks are trying to get in their last shots right about now.  My bank, for one.  They thought it might be nice to take one last poke at Sheepie before the year ran out.  So, they took a look at my recent transactions and noted that my purchasing a few e-books yesterday was not in keeping with my usual behavior.

It is. I do it quite often. They just decided that it isn't because how else could they say they kept their resolution?

A message was left on my phone last night alerting me to their deep and very sincere concerns on my behalf.  I was asked to call them.  I took that to mean during business hours. It was they way they said it.  Which was all part of the plan, you see.

What they failed to mention (and I cannot stress this enough) was that they made my debit card worth less than the plastic from whence it was crafted.  Failing to mention this was also part of the plan because how else could I have made an early morning run to the grocery store and not have had the means to pay for that which I'd selected?

How they knew I didn't have checks with me is something of a mystery.  I'm assuming they have spy cameras in my purse...

Well done, Bank!  Some people might have given up what with it being the final hour and all.  But not you!  You hung in there and made your resolution come true!

After calling the bank and reassuring them that I (like the billion people who got e-readers for Christmas and are currently buying books) was not a victim of fraud, my card was restored and I was able to go about my business.  I am not one to make resolutions (I know my limits).  However, I did have a mission.  I was going to get a picture of the cats playing with their Christmas toys or die trying.

"Die" is a strong word.  I don't mean really die.  I'm just trying to tell you how dedicated I was to this endeavor, is all.

I have tried repeatedly to do this.  It shouldn't be hard.  They play with their toys all the time.  They love them.  But, whenever the camera appears, they suddenly find other things to do. Sometimes they stare at me blankly as if they have never in their entire lives seen such a device.  Other times they do things that are less than...aesthetic.  But, by God, it is New Year's Eve and I was going to do this!  Nothing would get in my way!!!

Epic Fail.

Epic Fail Times Two

Oh, well.  You can't always get a win.  It doesn't mean you don't take the shot, though.  If nothing else, you can say you tried.  Or slap some puce paint on your toenails and call it a day.  I hope that you and yours can say that you met more of your goals than you missed and that you can wave good-bye to 2010 with naught but a light heart.

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!  And, for what it's worth, the cats are currently taking advantage of my blogging time by playing with their toys.

SA

WNBP: I Blinked And It Was Over...

I had a rather sickening realization this morning: I have been on vacation for a week.  It doesn't feel like a week.  It feels like it just started.  Christmas will do that to a person.  The days before (which I am grateful to have had off, don't get me wrong) are busy ones.  The days following are sort of devoted to recovery.  Then, just as you start getting into the whole business of relaxing, it starts to wind down.

Now I feel like I should be doing all the stuff I thought I had plenty of time to do back when a week and a half off seemed like a very, very long time.

I guess I should look on the bright side.  Vacation is vacation, after all.  And I'm certainly grateful to have the time off.  Besides, it's Wednesday and I'm always thrilled to have a chance to do a Wednesday Night Bullet Post!  There's time for that, even in these ever-dwindling hours...

*The cats have finally gotten to a place where they are willing to let me sleep in the morning.


*Why, I have found myself snoozing until the crack of 5:30!


*I am waking up now in self-defense because I honestly believe they are lurking beside the bed and ready to pounce.  Even if they're not.


*I figure I'll have this sleep thing worked out just in time to go back to work...


*I have been eating a great deal of chocolate lately.


*This isn't overindulging.  It is housekeeping.


*We simply MUST have this stuff cleaned up by January 1st!


*I'm nothing if not dedicated to good health and a tidy home.


*I watched a bunch of those shows on Hoarders yesterday.


*That also helps in motivating a person to clean up a few things.


*Filled two trash bags during the commercials...


*I knit a sock.

There is little in this world more strange looking than a ribbed sock off the foot...

*This is significant because I have been lugging this sock around since September.  Maybe even August.


*It is one sock.  It needs to be two socks to really mean anything in this crazy, mixed-up world.


*I estimate that, based on current progress, I will have a pair in time to pack them away for the summer.


*I have been trying to get a picture of the cats playing with their new toys.


*They play with them a lot.


*But, every time the camera comes out, they suddenly cease all frivolity and begin scratching their ears.


*Or poking their noses at the lens.


*Or suddenly discovering the need to wash their hindquarters.


*I'm still working on it.


*I re-read Fear Nothing.  I love that book.  Planning on reading the sequel again soon. (Seize the Night)


*I have it.  Can't find it.  Had to download it to the ereader.  Now I will always know where it is!


*While I was looking, I read From the Corner of His Eye.  I have had this book for a long time.


*Can't recall ever reading it.  Hadn't a clue what the ending might be...


*Which is a shame, because Koontz did a rather amazing job with this one.  Clever biblical parallels that I didn't twig to until well into the book.


*He writes dialogue better than most authors, although he tends to use a similar tone in most of his books.


*Also has a thing against dialogue tags but that really keeps the pace moving, I think.


*Frankly, I'd like to go visit him at home and see if he and his wife talk the same way.  I'll bet it's a fun place to be with lots of snappy patter!


*Did I mention that it snowed the other day?  I can't remember if I told you that.


*It snowed the other day.  A lot.  With a side of wind.  Big wind.


*Now we have winter out there.  Lots of winter.


*There were snowplows involved, just like in those movies where it snows!


*I have a plan to shampoo the carpets before this week is out.  


*Any bets on whether that gets done?


*Intentions are good, will to use the time remaining in this vacation for such chores is not.


*Plus, the cats have been very good about helping me with the daily naps and I hate to let them down.



Well, there's mid-week for you.  I'm heading into the down turn, vacation-wise.  Sad...but true. It's like it was done with in an eye blink, for heaven's sake!  I'm looking to get a few more things done and a few more naps under my belt but I suppose I should also make sure I do the grocery shopping.  Before I know it, I'll be back in the routine and I'm probably going to need something a little healthier for lunches.

Not many calories are burned with eye blinking and I'd like to be able to fit into something for work...

SA

So Much To Cover!

Goodness!  It feels like it's been an age since last we saw one another, doesn't it?  In truth, it's been mere days, but so much has happened what with the holiday and all.  I don't even know where to begin or what topic to stick with.  I guess I can just do something with categories.  That should work.

On The Matter Of The Greenery...

I never did get that Christmas tree up.  My intentions were good.  I set deadlines for myself.  "I will just get through this week and then I'll do it."  In the end, it always felt like too much work and pressure.  Frankly, I don't like my trees to come with a side of obligation.  It was almost in defiance that I kept putting it off.

And you know what?  Christmas still came.  You'd think all those years of watching The Grinch Who Stole Christmas would have taught me a thing or two about that, wouldn't you?

And Speaking Of Christmas...

If someone asks you to knit something for them, purchases the pattern and also the yarn, it is poor form to finish the object then wrap it up and give it as a Christmas gift.  I'm fairly certain that there are any number of etiquette books that will back me up on this one.  It's just not done.

That doesn't mean I'm above it, though.

I did, in fact, wrap the scarf that Mommy Sheep bought and paid for and I did give it to her for Christmas.  However, I am not a complete barbarian.  I know that, if you are going to give someone something they already own, you'd better go the extra mile.  Or, in this case, use up every single scrap of yarn left over from the original project and add a little something extra to that box of social awkwardness.

Accessories galore!!!

Heck, I even took the last yard or so and whipped up a quick little pin.  I was determined.  And for those of you worried about the yarn slipping off the water bottle cozy (which was really intended as a coffee mug cozy) fear not!  I found some of that rubber grippy stuff that you put on shelves or under computer monitors and stitched that to the inside.  The thing is on there so tight it will take a team of obstetricians to extract the bottle.  Mommy Sheep's beverage is safe as is her upholstery.


And From The Weather Desk...

I haven't checked in a while, but I hear tell a storm is coming.  All things seems to indicate that it will be along the lines of epic.  Maybe even apocalyptic.  Since it often happens that it's not as bad as they say and since I don't have anywhere to go tomorrow, I haven't really been keeping track.  I have, however, put aside a flashlight and a few meals that can be made without benefit of the stove.  Hysterical Mind is always squawking away in the back of my brain and she gets terribly disappointed if there isn't something in the way of panic going on.  I don't mind.

If it weren't for her, I'd probably never remember to charge my stupid cell phone.


The First Noel (For Us Anyway...)

The Very Complicated Kitty seemed pleased with his first Sheepish Christmas.  And I think that the Absurdly Gi-normous Kitty was happy to celebrate it with a brother who doesn't just tolerate him or merely like him, but absolutely looooves him.

They ignored Mommy's gift of a new scratchy box in favor of the million toys lavished upon them by their Auntie, Uncle and doting grandparents.  There has been much in the way of capering, gamboling and collapsing in utter exhaustion now that there are new things to bat about.

Of course, it's hard to tell with cats.  Who knows if they understand that it's Christmas?  Maybe they just think I forgot about the rules and gave them extra snacks due to my aging mind.  But I think they get it.  In fact, I like to think they even discussed it.

BrotherBrotherBrother!!!!!  Tell me again about CHRISTMAS!!!

...and then, if you are really good, Santa comes and gives you THIS many presents!!!

OK.  So maybe it didn't go exactly like that.  But it's how I see it in my mind and I rather like that image.  Besides, if they didn't know it was Christmas, how do you explain their letting me sleep until 6:00 yesterday?  If that isn't a gift for Mommy, then I don't know what is!!!


In Closing...

I'm sure there is more and that it will come to me as the week rolls along.  I'm on vacation so there is plenty of time to regale you with random details from my holiday.  (whether you like it or not!)  I hope that those of you who celebrated Christmas had a wonderful day and that those who didn't enjoyed a peaceful Saturday without having to deal with those of us who have been getting more and more frenzied over the past few weeks.

Tidings Of Comfort And Joy From Sheepie And Da Boyz!

SA

WNBP: Four Sessions Later...

I, your faithful Sheepish Blogger, has successfully managed to survive two days of teacher workshops and can now say that I am on vacation for reals and trulies.  I suppose there are harder ways to make a living.  One probably shouldn't complain about sitting in reasonably comfortable chairs and enjoying free central heating whilst others toil in the harsh elements for a few coppers. 

But anything a body has to do right before going on vacation can seem kind of rough even if that isn't an entirely reasonable way to feel.  It's all behind me now, though.  Nothin' but vacation time and a rather impressive holiday to contend with at this point.  Oh, and the Wednesday Night Bullet Post!  Can't forget that, now can we?

*This year's workshops weren't all that bad, really.  I took mine in four sessions.  A biggie first thing in the mornings and short ones in the afternoon.


*Long time to sit in the morning, but way less in the way of walking from place to place.


*Even got to go to a knitting group for the Wellness session on Monday!


*Happily, they didn't schedule a keynote speaker for the last session this year.  


*Individual groups and staggered dismissal times.


*Hence, I didn't have to sit in the parking lot for an hour while 45,000 of my colleagues forced their cars through six exit points in a mad dash towards vacation.


*I knit a scarf.  Not a whole scarf.  Only about three feet.


*Not my personal record, but still impressive.


*Three feet could make a scarf, I suppose.  Short scarfs are rather cute.


*I like longer scarves.  Except when they trail in the mud or dog poo.


*Then I think shorter scarves are the best thing ever.


*Hold on a second...Absurdly Gi-normous Kitty in the kitchen.


*Can't see him but, from the look on his brother's face, nothing good is going on in there.


*OK.  I'm back.  Nothing to see.  He's too crafty for that.  


*Very innocent looking kitty in my kitchen.


*Will check for damage later...


*Glad I managed to get a few more books downloaded onto my Sony e-reader.


*Friend from my former school wanted to show me his new Nook.


*It's the color one.  Very pretty and highly distracting during teacher workshops.


*Could have been an impulse purchase waiting to happen had I not planned ahead.


*Fingerless Mitts?

I haz them!!

*Actually, that's not true.


*It would be more proper to say, "I hadz them."


*I gave these as gifts to my teaching assistants.  


*Easy and quick.  And cute.


*Am making more just because I can...


*I forgot to go to the school library before the start of vacation.


*CURSES!!  


*But I fed the e-reader and that might keep me going for a little while.


*I finished Pure Dead Trouble a few days ago.


*Just started Anansi Boys.  


*How is it possible that I have not read this before???


*I loved American Gods: A Novel.  I've read it ten times, for God's sake!!!


*I guess it's good that I've finally gotten around to it now...


*I also read I Am Not A Serial Killer (John Cleaver Books) and Mr. Monster (John Cleaver Books).


*I listen to a podcast in which the author participates and I've been meaning to get to them.


*Some people say that he is skirting a little too close to the Dexter (Dexter: The First Season) model.


*They are not wrong.  


*However, what he does do very well is develop character.  That's where it all works here.


*Warning:  These are dark.  Not as dark as other stuff.  Maybe not even as dark as the author intended...


*But still very dark.  


*I have come to the conclusion that the Christmas shopping is never really done.


*There is always "one more thing" I'd like to get.


*But I still think I'm going to have a workable pile o' gifties come December 24th.


*And, if I don't, I'm told that the holiday isn't going to be cancelled so whatever I've managed by then will have to be good enough.


*Also need to bake some bread.


*Not arriving with the promised leaven loaves might cause the family to cancel Christmas.  At least my participation in it...


*That is for tomorrow.  And the next day.


*Tonight is for sitting around and reveling in the end of the first day of vacation.


*Which is even better than reveling in the end of the day where you just finished four sessions of workshops and don't have to get up the next morning until you are darned good and ready!



That's your bullet points for this evening, folks.  I must be off.  This vacation isn't going to enjoy itself, now is it?  There's a bit of winter weather going on outside which has added a very festive feel to the whole thing.

I might even have a bit of hot chocolate just to complete the picture.  It seems like the thing to do.

SA

Reading Between The Irony

I purchased my Sony Digital Reader Pocket Edition (PRS300SC) with 5" Screen - Silver last winter using some cash I picked up teaching Safety Procedures classes for my school district.  It isn't a top 'o the line gizmo or anything, but I liked it well enough.  In fact, I even recommended it to my Cheerful Teaching Assistant since I knew she was in the market for such a device.  Frankly, I didn't think she'd go for it what with wanting a Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, White, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology so badly, but she ended up purchasing the pink version of my own device.

We were happy and life was good.  For a while at least...

Then, tragedy struck.  I crashed my laptop and couldn't use my tethered reader unless I wanted to just keep reading the same stuff that was already on there over and over and over.  The CTA left her reader behind while on vacation and didn't even have the old stuff available to her anymore.  We were thrown back to the ancient practice of turning pages.  Somehow, we both managed to survive.  But it was a dark time.

Finally, the CTA decided that this was a sign from the fates that she was really meant to own the Kindle all along and went ahead with the purchase.  It arrived, complete with a fancy decorative skin and she happily settled back into the digital age.  I observed this from across the classroom and realized that I was in trouble.  It was shiny, it was slick, it had WiFi.  I was enamoured.

I needed to do something quick.  Christmas is breathing down my neck and there is a limit to how many handknits you can give.  Ditto for "Hug" coupons.  Furthermore, the mechanics are predicting dire things if I do not purchase four new tires some time in the immediate future.  If drastic action wasn't taken, it was very likely I might succumb to the siren song of wireless reading devices. 

I did what I had to do.  I rummaged around in the depths of the closet and dragged out the old IBM ThinkPad.  I plugged it in, forced it to accept an internet connection against its violent protests and introduced it to my little ereader.  Software was downloaded and I was back in the game.

Not happily, mind you.  I hate the old laptop.  It is clunky and slow and it is the sort of thing you pass on to your grandmother so she can get email.  Not that it matters.  She won't use it.  She will call it a contraption and recall how her friend Ida's son was arrested because he clicked the wrong thing and ended up getting porn while the government was monitoring his machine.  She will not understand wireless and fear the radio waves she is now inviting into her home.  She will call you sixteen times a day because she can't make the dad-gummed thing work or figure out where you insert the sheet of paper.

I am NOT a grandmother.  I am a young and vibrant woman with the technical savvy to crash a MacBook Pro all by myself, thankyouverymuch!!!!!!!!  I should not be subjected to this given my level of computing experience.  And now I'm all worked up.  I'm going to need my pill. Where's that bottle?  And will somebody PLEASE tell me why they put the lids on so tight and when they started making the print on the label so danged small????

But I digress...I'm fairly certain I was going somewhere with this.  Oh, that's right!  The tale of the ereaders! 

So here's where we stand:

The CTA has her Kindle.  However, she has confessed to me that she truly misses her little pink Sony with its simple, no-frills approach to reading.  She liked the way it felt in her hand and how easy it was to navigate without all the bells and whistles.  I, on the other hand, have moved heaven and earth (not to mention taken several steps backwards computer-wise) in order to reconnect with the very same reader my friend so misses, yet still can't help but think hers is way cooler.

I suppose that, in a perfect world, we could just swap them and carry on with our lives.  But it is never really that simple.  Our tastes in books aren't exactly the same and I'd hate to lose my entire library as much as she would miss the one she is currently rebuilding. And neither of us is so unhappy with our reader that we are ready to fling ourselves into an endless abyss.  Besides, it's taken a great deal of emotional effort for us to get to where we be at the moment.  I can't speak for the CTA, but I don't have the energy for much more in the way of change.  I'm just happy to have my reader back up and running. 

It is, however, ironic. Great story material what with all the angst and whatnot.  We should write a book about it.  Maybe even publish it digitally...

SA