What's in store this week...

It was so difficult to get out of bed this morning! I was warm and comfortable and it was dark and cold out! However, I did not have any creamer in the house, so if I wanted coffee, I had to come to work.

I had a brief moment of confusion yesterday when my VCRs changed for daylight savings time and the rest of the world didn't. When I made the discovery it was late and I couldn't call anyone to confirm, so I figured since it was "fall back" I would at least be early to work. When I arrived and after I had coffee in hand (priorities), I learned it happens NEXT weekend.

I have another busy week in the works...

• Tonight is knitting at the church, it didn't happen last week. The paper gave the wrong date and Margaret saved mom and me from an unnecesary trip out in the cold.
• Tuesday I have a presentation to give to the superintendants,
• Wednesday another podcasting seminar and my carpet cleaning,
• Thursday is my TV night - Survivor, Gray's Anatomy, and ER.
• And Friday I have my class and right afterwards, Sadie & I are going to Interlochen to stay overnight.

I guess my funk is officially lifting, despite the big "W" approaching.

Weekend update

Looks like I am losing about 6 students for my Friday class. A few really surprised me. I had individual evaluations with those remaining and the results were amazing. I think they just needed the feedback. The classroom atmosphere was more relaxed, happy, and confident.

Stopped at Mom & Dad's afterwards and woke mom up on the couch while wishing dad a happy birthday. They still hadn't heard on the house but were optimistic. Did I say earlier this week that my mom hung up on me? Yeah, I'm over it, thought it was pretty funny actually.

Overdid it yesterday. It was a crappy day outside, so I ran errands and cleaned house. By 4:30pm I could hardly move. Yes, it was heavy cleaning, laundering curtains, reorganizing, moving furniture to vacumn. I have a FREE carpet cleaning on Wednesday and wanted to get the fur that was hiding under the couch before then. It is supposed to be a dry foam cleaner and it is free as a possible word of mouth promotion. They do good, and I tell people. I tried to warn them about my carpet issues, but this Trish with Working Solutions was not afraid. We ended up chatting for 1/2 hour about dogs too.

Today was gorgeous but cold. I was still sore from yesterday so promised myself I would take it easy. I stayed in bed, drank coffee, talked on the phone, played solitaire and read my book until around 2. Then I took out the garbage and went for a long walk with a friend and her dog at my usual hiking place.

Then into a hot shower and back into my PJs! The first time I have been warm all weekend. I caught up on my grading, did some knitting and continuously had to get up and down to let Sadie out. She must have drank alot of swamp water!

Anyone watch Meercat Manor? I admit, I am totally hooked. And just wanted to commiserate with someone about how my favorite charactors end up dying...Shakespeare, Flower, and now Mozart. Can anyone tell me how the first two died? I missed those episodes. I promise I will not reveal your identity! :) I would appreciate it, its been bugging me.

Another busy week

Last night I worked until 6:45...it was my podcasting workshop evening. I loved it. How fun! Be careful, soon you may have to buy a mp3 player in order to listen to "my life up north." :)

My real reason for learning podcasting and vodcasting (video podcasting) is to develop lessons for my students who are all "plugged in" all the time. They even split the ear pieces between them so two can listen while they work. Right now I am encouraging their use. I did some brainstorming with my boss on the way to class and I have other schools asking to learn from me. My enthusiasm is contagious and I am infecting any educator that crosses my path! Today I registered for another day long workshop that covers blogging, podcasting, wikis, and something called YackPack...I have no idea what that is yet.

Sadie is completing back to normal. She "sings" for her supper now. It is so funny how excited she gets about dinner now that she loves her food.

Things are better for me too. I am tired, but not stressed and miserable this week. I find that I am starting to get out more and making plans. Maybe I am finally getting over "what's his name" at last.

I finally firmed up plans for more spinning lesssons! Sadie and I are driving to Interlochen on a Friday and staying at my instructor's home over night. I will take lessons on Friday and Saturday while Sadie frolics with 3 other dogs. Right now I am going to try different wheels and get more practice. Wheels are expensive and I don't want to make the investment until I know more about me, my skills, and what I need in a wheel. I will be calling the local guild to see if they can loan me a couple to try out also.

Sadie is staring at me. She hasn't been out on the trails in 2 days. We have tentative plans to walk with a friend and her dog tomorrow.

Sunday - Hanging out with family

I love looking at houses! Today I went with my parents and Cari to look at a house in my old neighborhood. Loved it and loved the price. Mom and Dad put in an offer on it and if everything works out, Cari will have her first home right across the street from where I started out with my first home. How funny life is. The house is busting at the seams with the previous owners stuff and trash, but that is all going to be gone. UPDATE: All the stuff stays!

The place has a two seater outhouse! John, does that count as a bathroom or just a 1/2 bath? LOL We took lots of pictures and spent an hour poking around. Again, I will post them on Monday or Tuesday if I have time at work. Everyone keep their fingers crossed for Cari!

I finally broke down and bought regular dog food for Sadie today. I had been feeding her some expensive, all natural, stuff that she was mediocre about eating. I had to order it online or ask Kristi to pick it up for me when she was heading this way. Sadie was so excited to get it for dinner she almost dove into the bowl and sucked in down in one bite! Time will tell if I feel guilty for feeding her "over the counter" Purina Beneful, but dang, she LOVES it. I used to keep a small bag around as a treat, now she will feel spoiled daily....wait, she IS spoiled daily!

There is a knitting group starting up in the area and it starts tomorrow...well, at least this is the first I heard of it. I am trying to get my mom to go too. It is for beginners. I will keep you posted on that development. Oh, and I heard good news from my spinning teacher, but my dinner is getting cold so I will write about that later.

Oh, and for those of you keeping track...it was in the 70's today and absolutely gorgeous!

--------

Great day!

I finally got some good sleep, I need more, but I am feeling mostly human today.

Mom and I ate at the Landmark Restaurant today. Best patty melt I have had in a long time! Onion rings were also good. The place used to be the old Dairy Dome, the dome is gone and it is small inside, but not as small as I imagined it would be. There were several local "characters" that appeared to be regulars. Mildly amusing to listen to. Someone please tell me when has it become appropriate to set out a tip jar next to the register asking you to tip your cook? I personally thought it was tacky. (Do I sound like a snobby restaurant critic?)

The Loom Room is always a treat to visit and we were not disappointed today. Just about everything wearable is Higgins Lake related. Now they have these WONDERFUL Higgins Lake pillows that I just fell in love with and I laid on the hints, okay, I just outright TOLD my mom that I wanted one for Christmas. No two are alike. I wish I had my camera so I could post a photo, cause I know Sheila could whip a couple up in no time! :) Traci had been interested in their sweatshirt-type blankets but we couldn't remember what color she wanted, so I used my cell phone to call her and find out. We were both talking at the same time and couldnt hear each other! I finally had to say, stop talking to me! Thankfully, she has her sense of humor still fully intact. The lady running the shop was laughing at us and having a good time.

When I got back I moved all the deck furniture into the shed and cleared my little sitting area in the carport too. The BBQ was moved to the carport for easier winter use. I am thinking of using the carpet I used out there in the house, to cover the big hole in the middle of the living room carpet where the woodstove used to be.

Later on, Sadie and I made our usual trek to Marl Lake and she was a little angel this time. It was the first time we went back after the "I'm so wound up I can't stop running around like an idiot and I am not listening to my mommy" incident. I played with the self timer on my camera and took some photos.

On the way home we stopped at the gazebo to take some pictures. The dock and hoists are in now. I have not figured out how to download the photos onto this tablet I am now using from work. If I figure it out this weekend I will post them, otherwise you will have to wait until Monday. Sorry Chris!

Well, time to curl up in the guest room and watch TV and knit. I'm tired! It has been a busy, enjoyable, beautiful day up north!

...

This week in summary....

Here I was thinking no one was reading my blog and I get an email asking, "what is going on?"

Work has been "taxing" this week, mentally. There are some changes in the wind that may impact my job duties. I know I am fortunate to have a job in this ecconomy, I would like to be able to sleep without nightmares and look forward to coming to work. This has not been the case the past couple weeks. My nightmares are increasing and I am exhausted. Thankfully, I have two wonderful bosses that appreciate me and I am optimistic for the long run. I know I am my own worst enemy!

Sadie appears to be completely cured and even tolerated the storms last night within minutes of them starting. Lots of lightning, rain, and thunder.

There were tornadoes touching down north of here in the Mio and Fairview areas and with all the storm damage Mio schools were on a 2 hour delay.

I do not have any weekend plans other than resting. I hope to spin again with the drop spindle and I am still pursuing private lessons for the spinning wheel. The instructor is in Interlochen and we are having trouble finding a time to fit both of our schedules.

Pope in the pizza?

On Sunday...

I may be dating myself, but remember that skit from Saturday Night Live with Father Guido Sanduci "Find de Pope in de Pizza"? Well, this is my own version of that..."Find de Pup in de Picture"! Can you spot Sadie?

Actually this is NOT good. It is hunting season and Marl Lake allows hunting despite it being a state park. So last night I started knitting a blaze orange vest for her. I had one with me, so it is only fair.

I know it is a glorified mud puddle, but isn't Marl Lake and its trails beautiful? I really enjoy walking there. There are still trails I have not taken.

Anyway, I promised the revealing of a secret...but first some really good news!

My mom quit smoking a month ago! This is great! Way to go Mom!

Okay, the other news is that my sister, Traci, had outpatient Lap-Band surgery a couple weeks ago and is healing well. She has her first "fill" on Nov. 5th. Kudos to you, Traci, for making that decision for yourself, I personally know how difficult it is. Steve, Jordan, and Ali are all very supportive and the whole family has already changed their way of eating. Good luck and thanks for trusting me with your secret, even though it WAS killing me! And I think it got me in trouble. I hate keeping secrets!

Today is the kind of day that reminds me why I love life up north. Sunny and 55 degrees and although colors are past peak, they are still beautiful. I drove up to Bellaire, Shanty Creek Resort for SOAR - Spin Off Autumn Retreat. Yep, more yarn, wool, and spinning. I took my time, did a lot of visiting with people, a little shopping here and there and many sumptuous fibers to touch. Summit Village has an awesome location, steep, twisting roads and one hell of a view! It reminded me of the mountains in Virginia.

I was surprised there were not more vendors there, maybe 2 dozen at most. The workshops were full by the time I found out about the event, and they were way more expensive than the ones in West Branch. I did recognise some people from the West Branch event, that was novel for me, I am not very good with faces.

Sadie is doing a little better. The heat has been on for 2 days now. Just last weekend it was 85!

Mom and I are planning to go to the Loom Room next weekend for some Christmas shopping.

Well, I am off to play with my new wool purchases.

Tomorrow I will spill a secret I have been keeping....

Heat wave in October

It has been a busy few days. I have been putting in extra hours at work every time I turn around. Then at home, I am grading assignments and tweaking my online course, playing with my new iPod, and trying to stay cool in this heatwave. Today brought a reprieve to the heat, but I still made it a point to sit in the hammock and play solitaire on my Palm Pilot. I am such a geek - here I am on my laptop, talking about my tech toys. Well, none of them are really mine, they belong to my employer. :)

Sadie and I went to the lake on Saturday and went swimming - in October. It was so hot, it felt great. I just waded and splashed, but Sadie ran around on the sandbar. I cleaned out the refrigerator, unplugged it, picked up my tools and gathered all the garbage. It was kinda sad, meaning an end to summer. Even if it didn't feel like it. I seem to remember chipping the boat hoist out of the ice in October once in my childhood. Just once. :)

I had to take Sadie to the vet yesterday. For over a week she has been leaving "landmines" for me in the morning and when I come home. I can tell she is mortified by it and she is more anxious than usual. The vet has 3 courses of action to take. He thinks my little swamp puppy picked up a bacteria or some other tiny nasty while lapping up water from the swamp or Marl Lake (some may say they are one and the same). So yesterday I started her on something that would "calm" down her digestive tract. So far it is working. The other options are a course of antibiotics and if that doesn't work, then we may try Puppy Prozac to calm her and help her separation anxiety.

I am working on knitting a top down sweater with the free yarn I got at the wool festival. See picture of it below on the chair legs. A top down sweater is knit the opposite of most sweaters, instead of from the bottom up, you start at the top (neck). Kristi gave me the pattern and I am finding it fun to knit and pretty easy...

My dad emailed me after reading this blog and suggested I address WHY I like living "up North". Good question and it has many answers. Who was it that said "the unexamined life is not worth living"? Can anyone remember without looking it up?

Look for deep insight from me in the future! :)

I know...and LAKE PICTURES!

-----

I survived the first day with my 8th graders! I have a sore throat, like I always do on Fridays after lecturing/talking all 2.5 hours. I have a great group of 18 and they seem very excited about the class and that gets me going too. Several parents stuck around for most of the class and I am always glad about that.

It was about 80 and humid today. I had to think twice to recall that I am in Michigan and it is October! Anyway, not one to waste good weather, even when I am too tired to move, when I got home, I pulled out my hammock pad, pillow and blanket and Sadie and I curled up in the hammock. I was exhausted so I fell asleep in no time. Mom and Dad stopped by and woke us up to invite me to dinner with them at Timbers. Used to be the Cut. This was about 6pm and there was a line waiting to be seated. And the line was longer when we were leaving. Friday Fish Frys are popular up here. Maybe it is a sign the ecconomy is improving!

I have been getting lots of feedback from everyone, thank you. Everyone wants more pictures! LOL (means Laugh Out Loud). That is fine with me, since a picture says a thousand words, that will save me some typing!

What a pleasant evening!

Sadie and I went to Marl Lake for our usual walk. Even with hunting season, there were several people walking their dogs, enjoying the fall colors and the warm sunshine. No hunters.

I’m sorry, I forgot my camera, but when we came back home Sadie was inspired to paint the experience. She even chose a orange canvas! She finished quickly and got some paint on me a few times too. I tried to get her to paint some more but she refused. After I cleaned up and set it up to photograph, I saw why. She had painted a trail into the trees! Okay, it is a bit abstract, but I saw it right away. I will post the painting in the morning and you can judge for yourself.

Some of you, but not everyone, know that I broke up with my boyfriend, Eric, shortly after Labor Day. I was not happy about it, but I was not happy with the way things had deteriorated. To spare my humiliation, let’s just say there was an episode that broke the camel’s back. I took it pretty hard but I am finally am getting back to my old self. My old perpetually single self!

When I moved back, up north, from the city life, I knew I may be single the rest of my life and accepted it. Still do! Especially on beautiful days like this.

Oh, I discovered a new flavor of Edy’s NSA (no sugar added) ice cream – Caramel Chocolate Swirl. I will try it tonight, my TV night. I will report on that in the morning too if I have time. Tomorrow I will be leaving work early to start teaching, see yesterday’s post.

Web page Classes start Friday

What a day! I kept checking, but apparently it isn't a full moon so I have no explanation for the weirdness. Definately technology/work related because it stopped when I left work. *whew* The many distractions made it difficult to concentrate on one task.

My primary concern this week is getting ready for the start of my annual adventure as a 8th grade college teacher. Yes, that is right, I teach web page college courses to 8th grade students. They can earn college credit.

However, I have a love/hate relationship with this class. I love working with the students and sharing my love of web pages with them. But, I lose 50% of my class - called attrition. This has caused a lot of angst on my part....and concern from the powers that be. They have evaluated and observed and I passed - basically, they feel better, but I don't.

So this year, I have been preparing extra materials, redoing my online componant, adding the previous teacher's how-to videos, creating a notebook with tips and worksheets and now I am trying to learn podcasting to encourage the students to at least listen to the online material if they won't read it!

Anyway, I am stressed and do not feel ready - really, I never do. I still have to burn them CDs, get their books, obtain online accounts from the college for them and tweak the online class.

Nuff of this, I should remember I am up north! It is beautiful and the weather is going to be in the mid-70's to 80's for the next week - combined with the fall colors - gorgeous! It is small game season and bow season so Miss Sadie hasn't had a good romp since last weekend.

More tomorrow, and, Chris, I promise some lake pictures soon. :)

Changed due to feedback

***Thank you for the feedback. I have changed the settings on my blog. Hopefully this will make it easier for family and friends to read and visit. You should not have to create an account and sign in now. I am new to this, so keep the feedback coming! ****

Poverty is the mother of invention

I would like to take credit for this ungainly solution, but I must give credit where credit is due. But I get ahead of the story....

When you buy all that luscious hand made yarn it comes in hand made skeins that need to be wound into balls in preparation for knitting something. I think everyone assumes you know this. Another thing they don't tell you is that you need two pieces of equipment in order to do this. An Umbrella Winder (a/k/a swift) and a Ball Winder. This will cost you another $80-100. Well, we had spent all we budgeted for yarn! Now what?

Kristi got online and did some digging and found a "swift" solution (this is where the credit is due) and emailed it to me. Okay, I laughed and thought, no way! But a later email from her indicated Kristi had actually tried it and it worked!

So....

Yes, I tried it too. I moved the whole set up to the middle of the living room floor and wound the ball and kicked the leg of the chair when it stopped. I will still have to spring for a ball winder though, my wrists were sore and when the ball got as big as a cantaloupe it was hard to hang onto. I was able to wind 3 skeins into balls last night this way.

By the way, the yarn in the picture did not cost me a thing. It was in a bag marked "FREE" at this vendor's booth. 1125 yards ! Enough for a sweater at least. How cool is that?

Spinning a yarn

Jumping right into my first post....

I had an exhausting weekend! I suffered from learning and sensory overload. So much texture to see and to touch and only 2 hands and eyes. Not to mention one brain.

Kristi came up north from k-zoo to attend the Lamb & Wool Festival in West Branch with me. We both signed up for classes and planned on spending a lot of money. There were many vendors there with tempations galore. For me, the highlight of the weekend was the beginning spinning class on Sunday morning. I have been looking forward to it since I registered back in August. I was not disappointed. Despite my lack of coordination, I still produced yarn...useable, maybe not, but it is yarn! Kristi took this picture for me as my class was ending. During class, I was so intent I forgot to have someone take my picture while I was attempting the actual spinning. However, one of the festival photographers came in and took some and I will let you know if it shows up on their website.

Kristi and I both took a Philosopher's Wool class on Saturday. It is a fasinating knitting technique. You have 2 colors going at a time, one in each hand, and use wraps and continental stiches to cover your floats and create beautiful patterns without the intarsia mess! It takes some getting used to, but I look forward to doing it in the future...

First thing this morning, I emailed my spinning instructor to get information about lessons. She is in Interlochen. If she can fit me in this weekend, I am going to take a class from her, rather than go to SOAR (Spin Off Autumn Retreat) up near Traverse City - Shanty Creek Resort.