life

Life has been a roller coaster. That is why I haven't blogged since before the holidays. I had a peaceful Christmas with my family. However my parent's were waiting two days to tell my brother, sister and I some upsetting medical news about my dad. They told us the day after Christmas. By Tuesday he was having surgury. That was the day I was orignally scheduled to leave for Missouri to visit Cary. I delayed my trip until Wednesday. Fortunately the blizzard made it easier to do this. I couldn't not be with my family through this. My dad had setbacks over the week. Meanwhile I experienced my first tornado while on the base. Yikes.

Fast forward a week.

My dad is home. He is getting a little stronger each day. We have a few weeks before we find out what his next steps will be. I am spending my days off from the school with him. My family is pulling together. I so wish Cary were home.

Thinking positive. Hoping for all good things.

Yesterday I passed my state counseling licensure exam. That is a major milestone for me. I have been working for 10 years to jump through hoops to get in a position to take that test and apply for licensure. I should have the hours to apply by mid-February.

So there is good in the dark.

I hope to post some pictures of the holiday and my visit with Cary this week. He gave me a new camera for Christmas and I love it. So fun to practice.

Happy Sunday!

recent projects

I have been knitting up a storm. I finished this hat on Monday. I started it Sunday night. It was a quick knit and the perfect use of this yarn I bought this summer in upstate New York. It is so soft and has a hint of silver running through the yarn. The pattern is cute...it can be worn two ways, as a beanie-like hat or a slouchy beret. I am not a hat person and I love it.

I also finished up my sister's Christmas present. Socks. These are the second basic pair I have knit using the magic loop method. The day after I cast off I started a new, slightly more complicated pattern...it is a little hard. But I am working on it.

My trip to visit Cary comes up next week (after the holiday) and I CAN NOT WAIT! I am planning which projects I will bring with me because it will be a long day of traveling. Also he will have to report for duty each morning and may have to work at least partial days so I need projects...I should be studying for my counselor's exam but...knitting is so much more fun!

monday gratitudes

Christmas village houses I have been painting

Today I am grateful for...

• The chance to host dinner for my parents and sister this weekend. I loved having them here.
• Teaching my last class of the semester today.
• Art and creativity.
• A real Christmas tree full of memories in the form of ornaments.
• cable tv
• A vacation in a few weeks.
• My computer.
• Having learned how to knit from my mom.
• Trader Joe's Chocolate Ganache Torte...it is heavenly!
• Coffee in my favorite aqua blue mug.
• candy canes.

Heading out to start my day/week. Happy Monday!

wordless wednesday

christmas gnome

beautiful weekend

my cousin's wedding reception

This weekend was spent racing to get to a wedding on friday night after work. What a beautiful evening! My cousin and I were insperable as children...only a year apart. Countless sleepovers, bike rides, days playing outside, and hours watching "The Neverending Story."

The rest of my weekend was equally wonderful. Spent time having dinner with a friend's family and she taught me how to sew a bit. She even gave me her old sewing machine that she had gotten at a yard sale for $1....

...I feel a new crafting addiction coming on...

monday gratitudes

shadows on the wall

Today I am grateful for...

• my students and their enthusiasm.
• mentors.
• the opportunity to bake pies for my clients. they deserve homemade pies for thanksgiving.
• cell phones to bridge miles.
• the resources to fix my car.
• mechanics and thier skills and knowledge.
• my airline tickets to see my guy on the base after Christmas.
• the scent of the apple orchard.
• new england in fall.
• my apartment.
• growing up with a mom who instilled in my an enjoyment of cooking and baking.

Happy Monday!

glad it's friday

heath bar cookies i have been enjoying this week

It has been a long week. So glad it is Friday. I have to work at the college tomorrow and then have the brakes on my car looked at and then I'm free! I had a stressful week regarding my car. It is only 6/7 years old but I had a strange sound diagnosed at the dealership this week. They found three problems and said it would be $1800! Are you kidding me? No way. So I am taking it to my friend's husband who is a mechanic. He is pricing it at almost half that. But I'll find out more tomorrow. So needless to say I had a minor panic attack this week. It was more than the fact that my car is going to cost so much...it was all that represents. I am tired of feeling like I'm struggling all the time. I want to feel like I am moving forward personally and in my relationship. And finances play a major role in all that.

But I am now feeling more positive. It will get done. And for now I have a date with my couch and television!

Happy Friday!