12.16.2009

Where did you go...

2009? I feel like time is flying by!

I started school full time this semester, and it's taking all of my time. I intern in an elementary school two days a week, and do classes the rest of the time. This is sucking up all of my free time, but I think I may be more obsessive with it than I should be. I got good grades this semester (3 As and a B) but is that worth losing time with my girls and time to myself? I have learned the hard way that I can't go like I could in my 20s, and it's time I took a look at my life.

I will be 40 soon, and my oldest will be 16 in less than a month. Getting the certification for teaching will be so worth economically, but is it worth missing out on my girls growing up? Is it worth my health and emotional well being? I don't really think so anymore.

There are changes coming. It's a reality check...

...and my reality is going to be much different than it has been!

5.20.2009

Recital week...

is killing me. Not only is Aislin doing two dances, but so am I. I'm taking an adult jazz dance class at the studio where Aislin studies. Our group is known as the "Hot Mamas" since all but two of us are in our late 30s and have children. It's a lot of fun and great exercise, but right now I'm exhausted with all the extra practices to prepare for the recital this weekend. Wish us luck!

I've been slowly making progress on my niece's birth sampler. I really like the darker pink overdyed I bought. I think it's a nice change and it works well with the colors that are already in the sampler. I have tweaked a few other things, so it's taking me a bit longer than I would like. My OCD keeps me from saying "Yes, that looks pretty good" and instead I say "Wow, that looks really stupid!" and tear it out. I guess that's what creative license is about.

On the not-so-creative front, I've started a new round of classes for teaching, and I'm enrolled in 6 hours for summer school. I'm taking a 1 hour class on using technology in the classroom. You wouldn't believe the amount of work we have to do for a 1 credit class. It might as well be 3 credits like everything else. But it gets me closer to my certification.

I've set aside mornings for work/class time, so I have my afternoons free for errands or plain 'ole free time...think nap time here. By Monday I should have more time to work on other things as well, but until then...

...Lord give me the strength to make it through the weekend!

5.15.2009

Apparently...

the adage "Be careful what you wish for" is right on target. In previous posts, I complained that I had too many jobs and not enough free time. Well, guess what? Yep, that's right! I haven't any jobs right now. Well, that's not entirely true. My full time, put-food-on-the-table job, well the company is downsizing and outsourcing. That was good money too! But I do have my part time online teaching still. Not much but it's better than a sharp stick in the eye.

And so, as I have some free time, I decided to go back to school. I am going to finish up my certification for Elementary Education. I have been doing this for several years...taking a class here and there and then taking time off. Maybe now I will get it finished so I can actually teach.

I did start back on the Bride's Tree ornaments for my sister and brother-in-law. I have no idea what I was thinking when I thought an over one swirly fish was a good idea. You'll see what I mean when it's finished.

On the positive side, I did get back to my niece's birth sampler. Her birthday was May 12, and I was hoping to have this finished by the end of April but that didn't happen, again. One of the colors used in the sampler is a very light varigated pink. The thread is hand painted Japanese silk, and oh-so-yummy! Unfortunately, it wasn't a good design choice, and it didn't show up on the white linen. So begrudgingly, I had to hit the local LNS and get something in the same color family but dark enough for it to show up on the linen. I didn't get silk, but I did get a very pretty overdyed, and it shows up nicely! So this will be the focus piece until it's done.

I have some catching up to do on the QOTW and update my blog, as a lot of things are out of date. But since I have all this free time now...

...bring on the beach!

2.21.2009

A little of this and a little of that...

February is almost over, and I realized that all I do is work. I started classes this semester also, to finish up my elementary education certification. I get very little time with my girls, and I certainly don't get to do anything that I like to do. Relaxation is NOT my middle name here!

I have made the decision that after this weekend (since I'm grading final essays right now) that I will spend at least 30 minutes stitching or doing something that I want to do every night after the girls go to bed. To get me back into "stitching mode" I uploaded a picture of my current favorite WIP, Desiderata Sampler. This picture was taken last September. There's a full-size picture of it in my webshots album.



I love(d) stitching this piece! In addition to having lots of different types of stitches, it includes silk thread, which those of you who know me know that I have an obsession with crunching silk. It's a very relaxing piece to stitch, and it actually keeps my attention for longer than 2 days.

2008 passed by so quickly that my resolutions and goals I made at the beginning of the year were pretty much made in vain. I made the lists when I was unemployed, and had no clue that the year would end the way it did.

So here are my resolutions, revamped for 2009 (which means they will probably be exactly the same!). If you feel you *must* know what my resolutions were in 2008, here you go.

Stitching Related
1. Finish Guardian, which is my longest running TW wip.
2. Finish Desiderata.
3. Finish my neice's birth sampler by her 2nd birthday in May.
4. Finish the Bride's Tree SAL.
5. Stitch 1 ornament a month.
6. Keep up with the SBQ.
7. Join the local EGA and go to the meetings/stitch ins. (This will probably have to wait until at least fall.)

Work/School Related
1. Teach two classes 4 times a year with UOP online.
2. Get the book I'm editing into production by May 31st.
3. Get my beading and calligraphy businesses up and going, on a minimal basis of course. My BIL finally finished my logo, but I have a few tweaks I want done on it.
4. Take two classes a semester toward certification.

Personal
1. Continue in my dance class. It's so much fun!
2. Go to the gym. I did sign up, but I don't have time to go. Wasting money!
3. Lose 20 pounds.
4. Pay off whatever bills I can.
5. Save at least $5000 by the end of the year.
6. Start a college savings fund for both girls and contribute to it often.
7. Have at least 2 Alyssa-only dates a month. I worked hard to keep this up last year, and even had "Mommy-Aislin" days. Even if I had to skip on something I was supposed to do, I made time for them. Granted, it wasn't as much as I would have liked, but it's better than nothing!
8. Go on a real vacation with the girls. Myrtle Beach here I come!

That's probably enough for the year. I will add or delete as needed...

...yep, probably delete.