So it has been some time since I posted, and believe you me, I have been kicking myself every time I have not gotten one out by Friday.  I feel that many things have happen since we last spoke, and I will try to get to it all.

My husband and I are taking full advantage of having HBO.  It was because of this that we watched the Gloria Steinem documentary.  We then proceeded to sleep in different rooms. Two completely unrelated events, but I know that the question will be asked.  Even though we both consider ourselves politically conservative, we both loved it.  The documentary allowed some great conversations to commence.  Despite my aforementioned political stance, Gloria has always been something of a hero of mine.  When I was in college, I was able to pursue the path I wanted with very little sexual prejudice (it was still there, however).  It also reaffirmed my stance on my own feminism.  But that, folks, is perhaps another rant for another day. 

Now a rant that I want to address now.

I turned 30 two weeks ago.  This has been something of a low point in my life.  First of all, I am shocked I made it this long.  I really am.  Secondly, is the list.  I am sure we have all made them.  Those little promises that we make to ourselves that things will fall into place one day.  For me, that was supposed to be my 30^th birthday.  It came and went, and my life has not improved.  When I was a teenager, I figured I would have traveled extensively throughout Europe by now.  I was supposed to be a New York Times bestselling author.  I should have been working on a second masters, or even a PhD by now.  I should have a nice condo and a record deal.  My teenage self would have probably offed herself had she seen me now; unemployed, broke, and overweight.

Everyone says to be more optimistic, and accentuate the positive and all that crap.  I tell you what, it is hard to right now.  However, for the sake of a more balanced post, I will answer in teenage self.

In the past 30 years, I have graduated college, twice (something that many informed me was impossible).   I married a wonderful man that not only puts up with me, but agreed to do so for all eternity.  4 months ago, I paid off all of my student AND credit card debt.  Twice, I have made it to South America.  I have also been to New York, Los Angeles, California, all the corners of Florida, Park City, Utah, Indiana, Georgia, Alabama, both Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia, and that is all the states I remember off the top off my head.  I have seen both US Disney parks.  I have performed in Carnegie Hall.  I have read the entire Harry Potter series and seen the movies.

Despite my current melancholy, I realize that this is just the tip of the iceberg.  I am working on my novel, live in a beautiful cottage where I have my own office.

O yeah, about that.

I am finished.

Wow! Another post!

This week marks my second month as a (house)wife.  While I have managed to have dinner on the table just about every night, and a well-made bed in the morning, I have had much difficulty getting much else done.  Mainly, my office.

This was a second bedroom of the house Husband and I are renting, and I immediately claimed it for mine.  So, it made sense that, as I was moving all of my stuff in, it got dumped into the “office”.  The only drawback was the fact that I did, eventually have to sort it all out.  Being that this is something for me that rarely involves making a home for the husband and myself, it got put on the back burner. 

I am pleased to say that that is not happening anymore.  After weekend warrior-ing it the past two months, I am pleased to say that our dining room, living room, kitchen, and bedroom are about as together as they will ever be.  That leaves the two bathrooms, and my office.

Now, this is something that I have been dreading.  Simply because I have minimal to zip organizational skills.  But I can do this, and I will persevere, and I will probably blog about the progress.  You know, to keep me on track. 

Some months ago, Ruth wanted to see and read more about my knitting.  I have done a substantial amount of that as well.  Since I have gotten married, I have completed:

A baby blanket

A hat to match my Gryffindor Scarf

And 1 Jaywalker

I am also turning 30 exactly one week from today, a fact that I am none too happy about.

Now, with pictures!

Again, I have not written in a while. I do have a good excuse for that. You see, right after I wrote my last post, I got a teaching job. Not a real one, mind you. A teacher at a school that I subbed at regularly offered me a medical leave position. In other words, while the usual teacher is on medical (in this case, maternity) leave, they hired me to fill in until the end of the school year.

It was nice to have a teaching job again.

It was not nice when people reminded me that it was temporary, and that I was “just a sub.” Which they did. With frequency.

I barely had time to turn in grades before people reminded me that it was 2 weeks before my own wedding. In those two weeks, if I was not moving, then I was sleeping. The stress I had is something that I would not trade with anyone.

I also would not trade my wedding day.

Like anyone’s wedding day, it was far from perfect. The florist managed to get my order wrong, and the guests were ready for the reception before the DJ was (my fault – not his). As I told myself when I first got the hint that the flowers were wrong, I could get caught up in the knit-picky details that didn’t really matter, or I could focus on the things that did.

Care to guess which I chose?

Then came the honeymoon. We went to Captiva Island. We did honeymoony things, went fishing, and ate some amazing Gulf seafood. Even though we moved from the Gulf Coast when I was a baby, I will forever maintain that it is in my blood, and that there is no finer quality seafood than what is found on the Gulf of Mexico.

And then, on the last day, we flew kites. That was my favorite.

Now, here I am, a housewife. Took a while to get my laptop set up. Actually, its taking longer than I thought to get settled.

But that is a story for another blog post.

More ranting

So I am trying my hand at something literary. No stories, no action. Just a girl, her computer, and her pain. So, there is not too much to it. I already have 500 words or so, so it is turning out to be something. I am only going to give it about 600 more before I finish it. My goal is to finish it before Spring Break.
Enough of that for now. What I would really like to bring your attention to is something I saw on 60 Minutes over the weekend. At first, I could not believe what my eyes and ears told me. 60 Minutes, a national news program, was doing a piece on the increase of homeless children. The part of our nation that they chose to highlight was Seminole County, Florida, where I have lived since I was 18 months old. This, along with the neighboring counties of Orange and Osceola, are becoming the fastest-growing in the nation in relation to this burgeoning demographic.
I’ll be the first to admit that I cried when I saw the looks on these children’s faces. My heart broke even further when I recognized some of the faces as children I have encountered. Once my heart broke, it was not pain, or even sympathy that oozed out like a yolk. It was anger and frustration. Anger because I had heard previously that the school board was cutting programs that were designed to help these children. Angry that, even though I am a part time nobody, I was not made aware that things were getting this dire. I was frustrated. I was frustrated that this was happening to my hometown. MY hometown. And as of right now, there is absolutely nothing I can do. I have just enough income to take care of my own expenses.

200 word rant

So, I have not written in a while. In fact, for the past, what, 3 years now, it has been downright sporadic. But still I press on. Why, you might ask? Why do you still press on, even though you know no one is reading this, and having a blog is no longer a free pass to the cool kids table? Well, folks, I don’t really see is as a choice. I am a Writer. That’s right, with a capital W. Some people are born to be doctors or lawyers or candlestick makers, and their paths are laid out in front of them as clear as crystal. Mine was to. But here is the difference between theirs and mine; doctors and lawyers have paths that are socially acceptable and profitable. Those of us who have to write or go insane (or both simultaneously), there is not a whole lot of profit to be had. And it is not all that socially acceptable, either. Think about it. When you ask someone what they do, what pops in your head when they say, “O, I am a writer.” Same thing you think when you realize the person you are talking to is an underemployed 29 year old who still lives with her parents.

Let's try this again

So, yeah I am back...hopefully for good. Rather than to suppliment the following post with the bad and the ugly, I'll do just a quick little update.

Like alot of other Americans, I am currently unemplyed. Yup, a teacher with a masters is currently unemployed. And I just turned 29. So I am 29, unemployed, and living at my parents house. Yeah, life is just...peachy.

Actually, life is peachy as of late. Having nearly everything material either taken away or locked away in storage has made me really more greatful for the things that no one take away. I have wonderful parents who let me back into their home after two nears being very happy empty nesters. My fiance has been my rock and my support and truly, my everything. I am more lucky that the average person to have him.

Also, I am taking this time to really, really examine my life. I loved my two years teaching, and I love the profession. But, until I am regired, I am looking at another source of revenue. I have been a writer since I could reach my Grandma's typewriter. I am sure those first "stories" were nonsense, but if childhood play is any indication of what you are suppose to be, then the signs don't get much clearer than that. I can only hope that you will come with me on the journey.

And now I am back....again.

If there is anyone still out there waiting for my next post, here it is. Although I am not one for excuses, I am going to take this opportunity to catch you up on the good, the bad, and the ugly things that have been dominating my life since September.

The Good

The first day of Christmas break, The Boyfriend took me on a daytrip to one of my most favorite spots in the world; St. Augustine. There, atop the Castillo de San Marcos, he informed that, as his princess, I "deserve a castle on a day like today." In the split second before he got down on one knee, I honestly thought he was talking about the weather. It would be goood of me to be able to retell the (I'm sure) prolific speech he gave as he was on that knee for what felt like two, maybe three hours before he slipped the ring on, but I was too busy listening to the sound of my heart beat in my ears and trying to remember to breathe so I wouldn't pass out or have a seizure or just plain die before I could say yes.

Since then, I have been able to recieve a generic marriage prep packet that we have been working our way through. The coolest part is that we decided to never be at home when we work on it. So we do things like go to Downtown Disney and windowshop.

I would like to go into detail abot self-planning the wedding, but it is kind of typical stuff that is actually quite boring. If you have a topic that you would like me to get to in the future, let me know.

The Bad and the Ugly will come as I try to make this blog-thing a regular Saturday morning activity.

See? I told you I was back!

Well fellow citezens, I survived the first few weeks back at work. The routine of the daily grind has me stumbling back into reality. Atleast my students feel the same.

Speaking of my students, let me brag to say I have a FANTASTIC homeroom. They are sweet and funny. Their creative energy and exuberence can be daunting, but for the most part, I gladly rise to the challenge.

Well, the last time we chatted, I was deep in the fandom of Twilight well, that is not the case anymore.I know I have said it 100 times before, but I have now found my poast-Harry Potter obsession. Steampunk. Looking back, I had been into it for a while, having read 2/3 of His Dark Materials and 12/13 of A Series of Unfortunate Events. This is a train I can get on. Or maube just a phase. Let's find out.

As you can se, I am still reading Jane Eyre. I am going to finish this book if it kills me.

Unitl next week

The Return of the Gryffin...

So, yeah. I know it has been 8 monthes since the last posting. If there is ANYONE who has been waiting with baited breath for my return, let me just say, I am back. Well, atleast I am back for now.

In the past year, I finally got my dream job, a teacher. As much as I love it and don't regret, it was tough. Everyone always says that the first year is tough, but they are never very thourgh beyond that. My first year wasn't SAT tough, eating something you dont like infront of the person who cooked it to prevent rudeness tough, or even grad school tough. This was Survivor tough - if the location of Survivor was the 9th ring of hell, and the challenge was you are expected to claw your way out onto actual land without dirtying up your clothes or messing up your manicure.

But somehow, like countless first year teachers before and after me, I survived. I had a great support system; My tough, loving, take-charge mother, my supportive, loving dad, and my super, fantastic Boyrfriend. I had to give up somethings this year, like the blog, and my waistline, but I am here now infront of you. and I am back.

So yeah...

I am, in fact, alive, folksies.

I have not faded, nor abanodned you, my faithfull readers (both of you).

I have just been to busy to blog. And when I say busy, downtime has become something more literal for me. As in when my head is down on my pillow time.

It is my new year's resolution to have no more excuses. Now, this is a loaded resolution, and it will be hard. But I think I can do it. But, true to my character, I have a back-up plan, which is to break-up this resolution into smaller bits, including (but not limiting to):
- Getting back into the blogsphere
- Getting my lazy butt running again.
- Reading 1 classic novel
- Learning to knit intarsia
- Knit one thing that scares me.
Catching up is something I will have to indulge in later. In the meantime, know that I have drank the red kool-aid, joined the herd, or whatevern other witty cliche belongs here. Yes, I am a fan of the Twilight series.

Now that I have a moment

I can catch you up and breath a minute. Holy cow, ya'lls. I know it has been a while, and I apologize whole heartedly. If you know me personally, you understnad why the super-long absense. If you dont, I have something to say to you; Grad School.

School
This has easliy been the hardest semester of my life. The classes were not the issue. After all, in one class we had to warch amazing movies and write one paper essays about them. (Speaking of that class, if a professor ever tells you that a final is so easy that you shouldnt have to study - dont listen.) Unfortutnately, it was the negativity that some spread like a plague infested fog that made it bad. I am very glad that I learned that, how ever late in the game it was. School is soooooo much easier when you don't try to socialize. This lead me to my decision to take two of my last three classes online.

Yes, you heard me right. I have three classes left. Beside internship. Looks like Ill be graduating soon. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Reading
Since I was a kid, I have always taken pride that I am not one for trends. Only dead fish go with the flow. I don't even listen to top 40 radio stations, and snicker at those who do.

HOWEVER.....

I think I have found my post-Potter obsession. It used to be His Dark Materials until I read a few things in the third book that made me say, "So THAT is why people are getting their panties in a wad about this."

So, like some rabid fangirl, I am joining the Twilight bandwagon. But I am not at it alone. Boyfriend has agreed to read it with me. Here is the thing though. For obvious reasons, I am choosing until after summer school to begin reading it. But I have it. Which means simply that the curiosity is rapidly eating a hole in the brainpan.



Oh, yeah. Still knitting sweater. And another pair of socks

Yeah, I am a fangirl...

I am quite busy right now, with all the scolastic stuff I have to do. I will, however leave you with this. I, myself am not a Browncoat,* but have been indoctrinated into the fandom, since 98% of my closest compadres are. I saw this and laughed very hard. Enjoy!



*Browncoat: a fan of the TV series Firefly and the subsequent movie Serenity

So, yeah.......

SO I have been a bad blogger, and I really dont deserve any cookies.
So much has happened that I am going to have to relay it in spirts.

First of all some CONGRATULATIONS are in order:

- To Mr. Franklin Habit. He got a book deal from Interweave Knits. Expect it to come out Fall of 08. Also expect me to be there when the local bookstore opens so I can snatch up a copy.

- To the fearless leader of one of the local knitting group that I belong to. As of a mere 20 minutes ago, she announced her engagement! Hop on over to her blog to wish her the very best.

- To Ms. Brenda Dayne. Her son got married last month. She made the adorable dress the bride is wearing.

- To J.K. Rowling. She made the top ten facinating person thingy that Barbara Walters did last week. Not only did she make #1, but she beat out Hugo Chavez, thus preventing me from having to throw things at the TV. Ahem.

- To Miss Lime from the Lime and Violet podcast and to my dear friend Veganclaw. They both have made it through that painful rite of passage known as the first semster of graduate school. Both, as far as I know, are unscathed from the experience, but I will keep you posted should facts arise that point to the contrary.

Part two, what I am knitting/reading shall be next.

The Long and short row of it

So ya'll? What is up?

Plenty here, let me tell you. After frogging and knitting and frogging and knitting no less than five times, the heel of my Walking in Sunshine socks is finally turned. The good news is, it earned me (I felt) ndouble frogging points on chorewars. And, after having many guage issues and frustrations, I frogged out 6 inches of my sweater, and cried the entire time.

In other knitting news, I have FINALLY 100% completed my house scarf. I have abandoned the sweater (for now)so that I can finish up the sock, and really get kicking on the super secret present.

School is ok. I am just glad that it is almost over.

And in other news, the weather is chaning. Many people bemaon this time of year, and I am not one of them. Despite growin up in Fla, I love cold weather sooooooooooooo much, and loath the hot. I am really hoping this gloriously chilly 70's degree (or so) (yes, when you are a native of Florida, anything below 84 is chilly) stays fora while.

In an effort to regain the active aspect of my life that was apparently so endearing, I have begun running long distance footraces. Yes, with no one chasing me. Yesterday was the Founder's Day 5K in Celebration, Fla. I was able to run a 43:50 without having to use my inhaler when it was al over and done with. Both feats are a first for me.

Finally, I am beginning to wonder if I myself had not been sorted too soon. I first became a "member" of the Harry Potter fandom (albiet a not -very -participating member)when I firts read Sorcer's Stone in Spring of '01. When the movie website came out, they had a sorting hat feature. I was sorted into Gryffindor, and, ever since, I have been a gryffindor fanantic, gluing cut-outs of the crest on my door when I lived in the dorms, but Gryffindor stickers on my knitting journals, sewing Gryffindor patches to my school bag, even making a Gryffindor Quidditch costume and knitting up a House scarf in the Scarlet and Gold. I even applied to a grad school that had Scarlett and Gold as their school colors, but, dont worry, that was not the reason. But, as you may note, a few monthes ago, I took a quizzila quiz qhere I was sorted into Ravenclaw. Exibit B is that, upon reflection, I do believe that "Wit beyond measure is Man's greatest treasure," and my favorite, all time, hands down character is Luna Lovegood. Finally, my exibit C is how I discovered, when I donned glasses, how I bear an uncanny (but perhaps more ethnic) resmeblance to a certain, well known Ravenclaw:





This was my costume this past Halloween. It is also interesting to note that more parents recongnized who I was than the kids did. I am now considereing this, not my Quidditch costuem (which gets very hot and itchy very quickly) to be the costume I take with me to Terminus.

Happy Halloween

So I woke up this morning to realize that the "visitor" has arrived. Having no work-related gigs today, I kinda slowly got ready and packed up, just incase some one needed me somewhere. I even ironed my slacks, just in case. When I realized that it was too late for anyone to call, I ironed the rest of my clothes, which was not alot. Then Dracula came in and wanted to know if I would iron his cloak for tonight. I informed him that I needed pain meds and a nap, and he could iron it is own damn self. After all, it is not the Dark Ages anymore, and I taught him how to iron last month. Then I went to the mdeicine cabinet, and opened it to realize that someone had placed an EMPTY Alieve bottle in there, and proceeded to start to scream, until Igor came and handed me a fresh cup of something that "Master" brewed up that would prove to be better than any IB profin product out there. After I not so politely reminded Igor of my medicine allergies, he reluctantly handed me a fresh, unopened pack of Alieve. I promptly took one, grabbed puppy, and headed for my parents bed, where there is a TV. After kicking the Wolf Man out (cause he and puppy just CAN"T get along, no matter how hard I have tried) puppy ad I settled down and took a nap.

I woke up around noon, and was pleased to see that Dr. Who had made soom homemade chicken noodle soup (the man can cook) ready, and I settled down with that and to watch Heroes online. Then Jack Skelington came over and helped me unload the dishwasher. He, Zero, and puppy played downstairs while I went upstairs to get ready for work. Which is where I am off to right now!

Laters! Happy Halloween!

I may need a hug....

So, I am at the point of the sock where I need to turn the heel. This morning, I go to my room with all the necessary equipment; Socks, notions bag, the pattern, a cup of coffee, and my Vivaldi record (you heard me right. it is an actual, vinyl record). I proceeded to make up my bed, so that the happy vibes from my awesome ocean inspired quilt (I am sure whoever made it was not thinking that it looked like the oceam when they made it, but it is because it reminded me of Gulf waters that I bought it)can permeate me. I took a swig of coffee, turned on the turntable, sat in the sunniest patch on my bed, and got started. After about 45 minutes, just as side A clicked off I realized:

THE HEEL WAS OFF CENTER

I ask you, how IN THE HELL does a heel that you knit VERY CAREFULLY get to be 5 stitches off center on the right side and end perfectly on the left????? I AM SO BAD AT THIS!!!! I HATE KNITTING!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

In other Knitting news, the present is going splendedly, although it is a boring knit. THe sweater is coming along nicely, even though it has a few teeny yarn tumors where the stitches got loose for a few inches.

And in other life news, I had the BEST EVER mojito last night. It was fabulous.
Kinda wish I had it now......

O, but a tangled web we weave.....

So, in the past 24 hours I have:

- Discovered there is a new Cast-On episode
- Discovered there is a New Lime and Violet episode
- Got my Ravlery Invite
- Not touched my midterm paper that is due Thursday (like, in two days Thursday)


I am also working my the heelflap of my second WAlking in Sunshine socks. I think they look like crap. Raven, are you SURE I am going to get the hang of this eventaully???

Really Quick Post

Hey ya'll!

I have cheated on my knitting, but I have a really good excuse. My sock is not exactly TV knitting, and the project-that-must-not-be-named cannot be exposed to she-who-will-be-recieving-it. So, it makes perfect since to cast on for MY sweater!!!!!!!! I have a back pannel of 24 inches of stocknet, so it will be perfect for the new season of Heroes and Grey's Anatomy.

I think I may have just found my new fiction obsession.

I miss Raven. California was fun.

Random moment of fangirlish inmaturity

I know that not alot of other blogs post their Quizilla results. Heck, I am sure most bloggers are way too mature and cool to even go to Quizilla.

But, I have a paper due in 19 hours, and this one was tooooo cute to pass up, so enjoy!

What do the HP characters think of you? (No obvious questions) No Boys Allowed!!

You are the shy girl. Known for being quiet-or not known- you also have great potential...and is extremely smart!! You're in Ravenclaw and you're muggle born.GRYFFINDORHarry Potter: She's quiet...but cute.Ron Weasley: *secretly thinks the same as Harry*Seamus Finnigan: Who?Dean Thomas: I've seen her studying before.Neville Longbottom: I haven't gotten the courage up to ask her out yet...Hermione Granger: She almost beat me in Charms!Lavender Brown: She's sharp!Padma Patil: Who?Parvati Patil: Same as PadmaOliver Wood: I've seen her studying with her boyfriend...Fred Weasley: Would be fun to pull pranks on if she didn't tell on us all the time!George Weasley: same as FredLee Jordan: Don't know her...Percy Weasley: I bet she'll be a prefect.Ginny Weasley: One of my good friends.SLYTHERINDraco Malfoy: Filthy mudblood...Blaise Zabini: *too obsessed with his popular girlfriend to notice you!*Crabbe and Goyle: Huh?? *scratch their heads stupidly.)Marcus Flint: Who?Pugsy Parkinson: Loser!!RAVENCLAWLuna Lovegood: She's my BFF!!Cho Chang: Pretty good fashion sense...Cedric Diggory: pretty cute...HUFFLEPUFFJustin Finch-Fletchley: I love her...she's my girlfriend...Hannah Abbott: I think Justin is going out with her.Susan Bones: Why is she so smart?OTHER:Albus Dumbledore: Sharp as a pin!Severus Snape: Okay, maybe she's DECENT in potions...but she's a filthy mudblood!Minerva McGonagall: great mind!Sprout: same as McgonagallRubeus Hagrid: Great with animals!Sibyll Trelawney: She might have the inner eye!!Gilderoy Lockhart: *recovering from memory loss*Hooch: Who?Filch and Mrs Norris: *too busy cleaning up after the quidditch players.*Dolores Umbridge: Never knew her.Bellatrix Black: Who?Narcissa Malfoy: same as BellatrixVoldemort: MUDBLOOD!!! MWAHAHA!!! (I chose that moment to leave...)
Take this quiz!








Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

So....

So I am testing out the pix on the right, let me know what you think of the current one. The one I tried to post got all distorted and wierd and I could not get it to work. Some help in this arena would be gresatly appreciated.

On this day off, I am about to take the puppy to the park.

I want to knit, but I owe the puppy one.

And, so, yeah. I hit my head on the crazy and ordered His Dark Materials Book I from the local liberary. It is breaking one of my rules; Never, ever get liberary books while the semster is going on. But, in my defense, the amount of obsessing I have been doing about just where the heck the plot is going, I might as well just get it , read it over a weekend, and be done with it.

Right????

I am also lost for motivation to finish the dad-gum Andrea's Wish. I am on the last 2 inches, and just dont wanna finish. Blech!