Furloughs

Today was my first furlough day in many years.  I've done it before, not three days in 6 month, but one day a week for about 6 months.  In the whole scheme of things, it is not so bad.  I still have a great job, so I can't complain.  I don't believe the audacity of some people who are complaining.  It's going to take an effort on the part of many many people to keep our little world from crashing.  I'm willing to do my part. On top of that, I had a good day.  I baked some and crossed a couple of things off my to-do list, so it wasn't a waste.  Besides, it was a rainy day which is my favorite time to be home.  I even watched that ridiculous soap opera.  Is that just a diversion or have I really gotten hooked.  I do complain every day when I watch it about how unrealistic it is and how stupid the story lines are.  Will they ever expose Adam - will Victor get caught - why don't Nick and Sharon get back together for good - does Michael Baldwin have an office - when is Ashley going to clue in that she isn't pregnant???  Yet I watch.....
On a previous note, I found an implement to help me cut straight.  I am hoping to use it soon to try another quilt top.  I made my "quilt sandwich" with the baby quilt.  I put it in the hoop and am ready to try my patience at hand quilting. 
Had a wonderful meal at Chops so I'll go sit in the chair and mush my brain with a little television.

Cutting straight - A Lesson in Patience

I have discovered that I can't cut straight. I can't sew a straight line either, but that's another issue. I have all of the tools that you would think could help cut a straight line. I have a mat with measurements, a ruler with a handle, a rotary cutter, one eye and half sense, and I still cannot cut a straight line. I WANT to quilt. I want to make quilts that I can give my family or friends so that on cold nights, they can wrap up in them and maybe think about me. I know that's the selfish part, but regardless, you can't make a quilt if you can't cut a straight line. Last week I was trying to cut fabric across my left hand which was holding the ruler and made such a mess of the cut line. with little shreds of material that not only mess up your seams, but make your fabric uneven. I went to the other side of the table, thinking if I cut on the right side of the ruler, my cut lines would be neater. Okay - that should have worked, except that I turned my fabric as well which gave me the same problem only I was standing on the other side of my table. So when I figured out my issue (it was like Judy Finch and the gas tank) I added that experience to my quest for straight cutting. So I truly believe this cutting and sewing straight issue is a lesson in patience. There should not be a reason that I cannot sew straight. My mama has sewn for years. She made my clothes when I was growing up and I am pretty sure she probably finished my Home Ec and 4-H projects because I do remember them looking very neat and perfectly stitched. She still sews - very well. It is in my blood. I should sew. I am normally a very patient person and a very crafty right brained person. So why can't I mix the two? I tell people all the time - start a craft - it will help you relax and give you something to do. So, I wonder why I am having such issues. Most of it probably stems back to the days when I was learning to sew and wanted to go to the store, pick out the pattern and material, then come home and have the garment ready to wear by bedtime. Otherwise, I got frustrated and it wound up unfinished. Woe is me. Here is my new plan. I have read that I should stop multitasking and focus on just one thing at a time. So I am going to choose one part of a project and set aside just enough time to complete it. This morning, I cut and ironed the three rail part of the baby quilt I am currently working on, cut my inner blocks and laid out the quilt top on the bed. I sewed the first row together - wrong - twice. So once I got it together correctly, I picked up the second row to stitch. And then I stopped. I need to write. My book.

So now you know I can't spell (or edit).

I have committed one of my unpardonable errors - I misspelled the title of my last post. I tend to get agitated when my students do not spell correctly or use the proper grammar. So, I'll give myself a demerit and move on. I have a big week coming up. I am going to Camden County tomorrow to meet with my remaining students. Two graduated in May, so I have eight students left. For the most part, they are talented, eager young women. One with a little bit too much attitude, one is too "blah" and the other six are fine - typical high school kids! I do enjoy them. I am going to St. Simons this afternoon so that I don't have to make the 2 1/2 hour drive twice tomorrow.
It is mid-term and that means registration for Fall quarter. I don't know how else to stress the importance of advising rather than asking. Four students ended up not having the credits to graduate and I am afraid that is because my fellow advisor is not looking up the students' history before advising them. I don't want to get off on my soapbox, but just know that it is so terribly frustrating to put up with someone who doesn't share my passion for what we do. If you can get by doing shabby work, you will continue to do shabby work. I have quit accepting the fact that "this generation" does not have a good work ethic. I just think it is pitiful that these people are allowed to skim by, thus piling more work on those of us who care. I have tried to be patient, but it is wearing thin. In the whole scheme of things, I don't know if management doesn't care or just thinks I'll keep putting up with it. Either way, I guess it translates into "they don't care." I said I wouldn't get off on my soapbox, so I won't.
It's Sunday and I should be in church. Instead, I have to go to Walmart and I really really need to at least type what I have of the next chapter of my book. So, sitting here typing this is not getting that stuff done, so it's off to the sweatbox to get dressed.

Distrations

I know that I am probably the easiest person in the world to distract. Anything works. Something I thought of looking up several weeks ago. A picture or interesting headline. A craft project. Why can't my book be such a distraction. What is it that they say about good intentions? I know if I go upstairs now to work on that needlepoint project - which by the way - is my current "have to finish" project, I will go to sleep in the chair. I need to go to the store, but I am waiting on a list. Life really is good.
We got notice on Thursday of our three "Uncle Sonny" furlough days. I am not complaining. Who doesn't like an extra day off? I do worry about those who can't afford to miss a day's pay. I need to bump up my donations to my "worthy cause." Who knew a $1.83 box of 6 Ramen noodle cups would make such a difference. Apparently it did. Who also knew that the ones who complain the most about not having any money could go out and boast about buying huge flat screen TVs, Wii Fit, and $100 of quilt material but beg for the "poor you" feelings. There is nothing that peeves me more than a sense of entitlement. Nobody owes me anything. I detest people who feel that the world owes them something.
I had a student ask me this week if I prayed for her by name or just for my students in general. She needs prayer as do those of us who try to teach her to become a respectful person. So I have prayed for her by name. I do pray for those who have put their heart into school and I pray for those who are just taking up space because they get a check to come to school. I pray for those who will never make it in the workforce because they don't have the ability or the work ethic. I pray for those I gave a second chance that aren't taking it.
I really enjoy my job. I love the people that I work with. I am sad that not all of them share my passion for people and tend to alienate themselves from students and coworkers. Maybe I am too empathetic, but I know that is what healthcare is all about. I remember one hateful nursing instructor that I had but more so, I remember those who knew we were young and just learning about nursing and that a kind word did more than a harsh word of correction. I do hate to hear some of the things that are being said to students. I don't have any reason to believe that they are making it up. Embellishing sometimes, maybe, but attitudes lead me to believe that it is bascially the truth.
As I have been distracted for an hour now, I will go and do something - even if it is a short nap - I don't nap well - 15 minutes at most. I guess that is what they call a "power nap."
But first, I have to look up "Dog Days" - I have heard so many stories about what happens during "Dog Days"....