Day 54 - Why are my posts taking weeks to show up??????

Oh, the joys of technology! I have no idea why my posts are appearing three weeks after I write them but it certainly makes my reading them more fun!

Yesterday, I attempted to discover where I'd left off on Meag's spring sweater but I am not really good at finding the needle in a haystack. I may have to frog it and begin again. I hate to do it as it's a really long cast on, but I'm only 1 1/2" into it so maybe it's better to count my losses now. I really need to find time for that "happy place." These days, work and life have been trying my patience and we'd all benefit from Mom finding a little time for peace!

On a totally different note, I have begun to allow myself time to write again. I have been working on finishing up 5 songs and have recorded the first two. I've been away from the performance aspect of my craft for far too long and this has really been motivating and inspiring! I've shared some of my pieces with some experts and some other trained musician. All seem to like what I've produced and I've gotten some really great constructive critiques which have allowed me to improve some things. I guess the real test is the family and friends I've shared them with. After all they are a more realistic sample of a potential audience. As hard as that's been, they've all loved it! Such a scary ledge to jump from but it's getting easier each time.

I've had some interesting doors open lately and if I can just get through the next 6 weeks with grace, who knows what next year will bring. I do know that it will be different in many ways and I can't wait!

Okay, off to rip it, rip it, rip it!!!!!!

Day 32 - Vacation....Finally!

So here we are; the beginning of February vacation. There are many schools that don't have it anymore and at the high school level, I could do without it as we have shortened day schedules in March due to CAPT testing and it feels like we're losing so much teaching time. I am, however, intending to enjoy every minute of it. With no show choir commitments this year, my vacations are actually just that again! I can now plan outings with my own children and family without worrying about long choreography rehearsals. I'm sure there are many parents out there thinking the same thing. Although we really miss it, there are some up sides!

This has been a crazy and demanding work-week and I feel complete and total mental exhaustion. I am headed out to my son's last basketball game tonight and then I am going to come home to relax, drink a nice glass of wine and knit. I hope to finish the base of the felted project for my swappee and shrink it tomorrow. It's the needle felting I love to do. This part is pretty tedious to be honest. I guess many of life's tasks are. It's a little like parenting, you have to just keep at it an hope that it turns out beautiful when it's time to let it stand on its own!

I am really hoping to figure out how to insert pictures in this blog over vacation too! I think my page is really boring and maybe that's why no one comments? We shall see!

Day 23 - Flu fingers

First, sorry Johnny! You were out voted and thus we move on to day 23, after all the knitting journey didn't stop, just the recording of it all. Time management is not my friend so I'm working on that one.

My fingers are crying today, as is my back, my face and even my toes. I am amazed by the fact that so many body parts can hurt at the same time. The aching makes the headache, sore throat, raw nose, and aching chest pale in comparison! Ugh. On the dining room table lies Meaghan's unfinished dress and the dance is only two days away. I still have to summon the power to attempt that zipper, but really, I can't physically handle that today.

I did go into administer my music exams today and will again tomorrow. It darn well nearly killed me, but was so worth it as my students in both classes really roses to the challenge. I had to find other ways to teach without using my voice much but that's really hard for a chorus teacher!

My sweater sits here next to me begging me to pick up and knit "just a few rows!" But I know better. The power of that pull will have me pushing through the achy-ness all night and then I will really regret it. Even typing this little bit feels quite like climbing a mountain! I will not fail at this one-a-day posting though no matter what! Hopefully when the medication kicks in (it's on its way) I will be able to knit again.

Day 9 - Knitting Therapy

Lesson of the day: Breathe deeply and knit

Today was a particularly long day at work. I am always excited to get working on new music with my students but getting back into the routine after the long break always leads to more work to be done! Also, this move my family has made has been one true test of character. It is always difficult to move I guess, but the uprooting of the family does not only affect the children. I am finding that I must also find my way in new territory. It is frustrating, confusing and most of all, lonely. For this, I turn to my knitting.

I found some time to continue my journey into "toe-up" sock knitting. Socks are so much fun to knit anyway, but this new challenge also keeps me thinking. Learning something new at 40 is wonderful. I am much more patient with myself and appreciative of the feeling of accomplishment. Yeah me!

I am going to go enjoy another hour or so of this project and go to bed early. Tomorrow, I will post pictures of all of these works in progress (or finished) and try to keep this blog more visually appealing.