Saturday morning

I am writing!  I have a chapter due to my editor by tomorrow afternoon which is technically the end of "the weekend" which is when I promised to deliver. I have the info, I am just rewriting and rewriting it now.  It is a chapter than can basically be said in one paragraph, but I'll keep expanding, deleting, and revising to make it long enough without repeating myself.  I ordered myself a birthday present this morning.  A new, more sophisticated sewing machine.  I have really enjoyed sewing again, so I found one that was 65% off the regular price and it had good reviews, so I am counting on receiving a few dollars for my birthday which will pay for it!  I did use some Christmas Club money to buy it since there was only one left in stock, but I promise to replace it.  If I really won that netbook, I will be SO excited, since that is what Jan, Robert and I were going to get for Meema!  I think she will love it.
Life is good.

It's been a while

since I've had a chance to catch up.  I am currently at St Simons, my favorite place.  The weather is gorgeous and we've done just about as little as possible.  I went to Camden County yesterday to meet with my students, then ate at Five Guys, shopped at Target and went to eat for Troy's birthday at Bonefish.  I actually went to Ziggy Mahoney's for "dancing" which means Troy and I sat at a table watching the show on the dance floor.  Barry stayed busy dancing with Charlotte, Vonnie, and Wanda.  Drunk people are so funny to watch!  I imagine that plenty of people don't feel so well today.    I did have a very nice winter white cosmopolitan at Bonefish!  I'll have to figure out that recipe!! 
We sat on the pier for a while.  SO PRETTY OUT THERE!  There is an odd ship that is in the sound that seems to be stuck or anchored.  It is just floating there.  Kinda strange. 
There are some new places to eat, some old places are back, and some have just changed names.  Chelsea is now Saltwater Cowboys, Frankie G's apparently went way down hill and is now the Island Grill.  There is a new Mallery Cafe behind Parker's.  Blue Water is back - even with Crispy Flounder.  Speaking of restaurants, it is about time to eat again! 
I am SO enjoying my time here, even if I am not getting anything done.

Life rolls on..

So, it has been a while.  Isn't it a shame that everytime someone asks how've you been, your answer is "just so busy" or you can't do something because "I'm way too busy"?  Everyone is busy these days and I don't think anyone has the corner on being busier than the next.  We get up, go to work, get off, work some more, go to bed and start the cycle all over the next day.  I don't think life should be that way.  We should all have some play time everyday.  Right now, my Thanksgiving break is so full of things I want to do, I know it will be over before it starts!  You see, that's my projected "get it done" week.  I see how messy my living room is with youngest child's unwanted household items and say "I'll pack it up when I'm off for Thanksgiving."  I want to finish the project for oldest child's significant other and I keep saying "it will be a stretch, but I'll finish it over Thanksgiving break."  And of course, you know I am thinking that I will finish at least two chapters of "the book" over the Thanksgiving break!! 
Everybody has to realize at some point that you can't be everything to everybody, so quit trying.  I told a student yesterday to simplify her life.  She didn't understand.  I have given up surveying, Although it doesn't sound like much, it really is a relief.  I don't want to give it up for good, but just for this year.  That basically saved me about  six weeks of work over the next year.  I hope to finish the book soon - wouldn't by the end of the year be GREAT? - and that will free up a little more time. 
So today is my day off and I HAVE to get a watch battery, get a few groceries, and then hopefully come home and sew for a while.  As bad as I am at cutting and sewing straight lines, I am enjoying it.  Straight lines are overrated!!!  I can't wait to see my quilts that come back from the quilter.  I most likely will not have another one ready to get back by Christmas, but there are always birthdays next year!  I just think homemade quilts make the perfect gift.  Too bad quilting machines cost so much!! 
Loving the prospect of cool weather this week.  Hot weather takes away my patience.
Off to the store.

Getting Away

I am not the best traveler.  I hate riding.  I've said that.  I am in Atlanta and in spite of having to ride in the back seat for almost four hours, it is kinda nice to be here.  Had dinner last night in a neat place called Two Urban Licks with friends from work and my oldest child and her intended.  She had the "Big-Ass Burger" - really, on the menu.  It was true to its name.  I had jerk chicken that was good.  Sweet and spicy. 
I actually made it to three sessions at the meeting this morning.  I don't think many of my cohorts did.  Interesting subjects. 
Headed back out now to learn video making for procedures.  I'd love to use the technology.
There's something to be said for a quiet hotel room high above Peachtree Street.  Trader Vic's tonight.  Looking forward to a real Mai Tai!

Getting in gear

I need to get in gear.  I am out of excuses.  Classes start Monday.  I am pretty much ready.  There are way too many students, but we'll deal.  I can't wait for accreditation to come down on our retention statistics.  Let someone else answer for why we have so many students.  Dumping ground.  Plain and simple.  And on top of that, when somebody wants everybody to like them and is afraid to fail anyone, we end up with a boat load of students who do not need to be there.  Working on a plan here....
And I still don't facebook.  I have met others recently who feel the same way that I do.  Not enough time to do what I need to do and want to do, so why do I need another time waster.  If I could just use it to reconnect, that's one thing, but I know my personality and I would be constantly checking it and not getting done what I need to get done.  So, I resist.
I have a plan for this afternoon.  I need to recut some quilt batting and revise a chapter.  I need to get over the "drag ass." 
So, if you are looking for me today, hopefully, I'll be busy!!

Facing your fears

I have gotten out of the travel mode.  I really don't like to ride in a car for long distances.  Not sure why, just don't like the way some crazy people drive.  I am thinking I have deep seated fears from being in a wreck many, many years ago.  Whatever.  I just got back from North Carolina.  We drove up on Wednesday and back today.  It was about a six hour ride.  I made it!  It wasn't so bad.  I barely had to grab the "oh shit" handle.  This was my last site visit for a while, since I never got to the training update.  I guess that's okay.  It is something I really like to do, but I don't really like to travel alone.
I still have some things that I need to do this weekend.  I am taking Monday off to try to do some of those things.  Revise a chapter, write a chapter.  It's due the first of the week.   A little break from school will be nice. 
It will be nice to sleep in my bed again tonight.  I don't think anybody ever sleeps well when you are in a different place. 
Later.

The truth be known

It is no secret that I suffer from Adult ADD.  At any given moment while working, I have a minimum of 5 windows open on my computer, several projects going on my desk and the inability to finish any of them.  I have been told NOT to multitask, just finish one project and move on.  So here at home, things are no different.  I have two quilts that need to be quilted (I'm waiting for cooler weather), I have one quilt top cut and because of my lack of ability to concentrate, I am having to re-piece the rows as I am sewing them together.  AND I have some new fabric that I just think is really pretty and I want to start working on it.  I have decided on a nine patch for that fabric.  I tried to make myself finish one quarter of the "you bug me" quilt, but I got so frustrated when the seams didn't match up.  I did make myself finish one row and decided that when I have time, I will do one row at a time to lessen the stress!  We'll see. Currently I have a needlepoint project about half done, two quilts to quilt, two quilt tops to sew, a BOOK to write, a book I am reading, a site survey next week, finals to be given on Monday and Tuesday, grades to post on Tuesday, student learning outcomes to correlate, and partridge in a pear tree.  Maybe six hours in the car on Wednesday and again on Friday will give me some time to work on the book and the needlepoint - at least I can't get up and get distracted.   Oh, I ordered a new book from Amazon.  It will just have to get in line.
Speaking of reading, I have officially decided that I cannot read Wicked.  I want to but I just can't seem to get into it.  A clue is that my bookmark is from a trip to the "Top of the Rock" in NYC from Deceember 2005.  I was excited to find the audiobook at the library, but could not even get into listening to it.  I need to return the overdue audiobook today.  Maybe one day, but maybe not.
And then there's my book.  That is what I need to do today.  I will go and get my materials and then come back upstairs to start putting together a chapter of information that I know so well but have trouble starting that first paragraph. 
I read some suggestions for sewing straight last night.  I think I'll use the tape on the sewing machine since I could not figure out how to use a bamboo skewer to sew straight or what a stiletto is - other than shoes I will never wear.  Of course, did I start sewing without taping my machine?  Such a simple method, but since I didn't see the painter's tape on my way upstairs, I just figured I could wing it.  And I wonder why my seams aren't straight and my blocks aren't lining up.  Why is it that we don't follow through on the things we know to be true and helpful?  What is it in our brains that disconnects somewhere between knowing and doing. I;'m not content unless I am doing something, even if it is nothing.  I can't even wait for an internet page to load without flipping to something else, usually something irritating like spider solitaire.  It's why I should be able to sit down and write a book.  I know the material and all I have to do is type type type.  But even then I find myself clicking off onto web pages, playing games, and just staring at my work.  I may try the writemonkey again so all I have is a blank screen.  It may be too much trouble to ESC every time I want to procrastinate.
So, off I go to attempt to contain myself and write some words about our body's vital signs...