11-11-16

My Nana died on this day when I was 24 in 1987.

I wore a baby blue sweater today to remind me of her--- somehow that color just makes me think of her. That, and yellow. And pink. And the smell of Ponds cold cream. And soft skin. And lemon drops. 

Pink, yellow, and baby blue.

Knitting socks for the penguin kits... I think I'm done doing this. Ready to make some sweaters or such.

Mood has been good lately. I'm still down 20 pounds from a year ago, and quite happy with the results. Shocks in my face still show up, but not every day. Overall face pain is still there, but I can ignore it pretty well. Migraines still show up, but I manage to cope. Work is a combination of fun and boring and stressful, but the joy still outweighs the pain.

I may never get another grant, I may never become a full professor, I may never publish another rigorous research study. If so, I need to put my heart into what brings me the most joy, which is teaching well, designing curriculum, and helping college students reach their potentials.

11-8-16

not that it mattered....

Watching this was a shock beyond shocks.

I don't care whether a R or a D is president.

But I did NOT want DJT to be elected.

11-5-16

I spent the weekend alone-- Dan was hiking in North Georgia with his twin. I stayed busy and did a lot of 3D printing.

But before I figure out the trick to keeping the print job on the platform, this one jumped off in the middle of the night and a huge glob of singed plastic shrouded the print head. 

The trick was in blue painters tape. Cover the platform in it, and then spray it with hair spray.

It worked!

The weekend went quickly by, and Dan was back before I knew it. 

11-4-16

Aza was on PBS NewsHour tonight. You can watch the story here: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/videos/#197568
I texted her and she was able to watch it and even found herself a bit.... just a bit.

More importantly, I'm proud of her for several reasons.
First: She did what I told her to do and became a teacher. Like a good daughter.
Secondly: She did what she wanted to do and quit teaching. I'm actually proud of her for that.
Thirdly: She followed a new career path and went back to school, working as a nanny the first year to put herself through, attending full time last year and this year, taking out student loans. She will graduate in May.
Fourthly: She seems to be so happy in this new profession, like she has found her calling. And she volunteers to help poor people (even people in prison) with their health care.

11-1-16

I taught a really good class tonight. I actually got applause when it was over. I worked on the lesson for 5 days and it exhausted me. I was so worried it would go over poorly, and I even had a visitor watch me. Afterwards the visitor said, "You're good at this. Don't quit. Keep doing it." And the students applauded.

10-29-16

I spent all morning and part of the afternoon outside grading science journals. It made this monthly task oh so much nicer. And I drank some decaf coffee.

10-21-16

It was a cold morning, and one of my students brought her tiger outfit so I put it on to stay warm. It was like being a 2 year old in a onesie!

10-20-16

Today I worked at a local middle school with every single class from 5th - 8th grade on our Solar ArtBots. Each class had 30 minutes to build a working bot.

They did it!

10-16-16

I'm working on a baby blanket for a former student who is pregnant with a boy. I hope I finish in time. I'm only getting about 2 rows a day...

Sakura sent me this picture of herself and Jes when she went to Denver to visit. My sister and my daughter.....

10-15-16

Went for a walk without sunglasses on purpose just to get as much sun in my eyes as possible. Great walk/run with lots of stamina.

The porch is cute, hu? Much better. I'm shopping for an outdoor rug or runner and plan to re-finish the teak chairs/table.

10-13-16

 I did some shopping today at Lowes and an antique store and did some porch decorating. Hung these three baskets I filled I filled with pansies, snap dragons, and cabbages.

Bought some house numbers to do something with, and this funky find.

Then picked up my pottery from the studio. It was so much fun being back there.

Dan and I went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner. Now, that was a treat.

10-9-16

The lesson in tonight's class was DRONES.

A great time was had by all. 

10-8-16

LACA and I were on a walk and noticed that the water in the museum pond is SO low, that a log or something is exposed and the geese are climbing up on it.

The bunnies need a bath.

I was lying on the couch and looked up and just admired this scene- the combination of wood and dark and colors. No reason. Just liked it.

10-4-16

More photos from the park on my walks. Fall is in the air-- it finally felt like fall today. 

10-3-16

My heart, my love, my son.

Photo taken by JES while they were on a hike in Colorado.
I have to pretend he is still here-- to pretend he is in his room on his computer, or pretend he is at his apartment-- just to not realize the intense reality that he is far far away, and will be going farther, to Oregon, for a job.

How did my great great grandparents Joshua Magidson and Naomi Jachad, of Osveya Belarus deal with their only daughter Ester Gittel (Gussie) getting on a boat for America when she was 18, never to be seen again? Then a son left... then another... then two more went to Latvia, and another to Russia... then the wars?

Perspective. Keep it in perspective, Chrissy.

10-2-16

I have lost 20 pounds this year.

Whether that's due to:

1. walking

2. my TSH being basically zero for most of the year

3. the epilepsy drug

or

4. my diet,

I do not know.

10-1-16

I go for a walk every Saturday morning with my friend from high school, LACA. She loves capturing inspiring moments with her camera too.... and it's always good for me to listen to her stories and her wisdom. She is a gentle soul.

9-30-16

Last day of the month. My wish and prayer for this fall-winter season is good health. I will be using my light box to keep the blues away, walking in the mornings for exercise and doses of nature, and mostly staying on my diet to avoid bad foods, especially sugar. Face pain is always there, but manageable. I'm busy with work and thinking of projects to do. One is to redecorate the side porch. Photos below. Suggestions?

9-25-16

One little cotton seed made it this year, producing one little cotton flower and one little cotton boll.

Little survivor of the drought.

9-24-16

The bathroom has drywall.

9-21-16

My mom cut down two trees in her back yard. We are not happy.

We love trees.

I put sticks all around this baby ginkgo to tell the men not to destroy it. They did anyway. 

9-19-16

This is growing in my small little anchialine shrimp tank. I don't know what it is and must look at a sample under the microscope.

9-18-16

Update-- the drywall is going in!

9-17-16

Update on the bathroom renovation.
Dan has framed in the shower and hooked up a lot of plumbing.

Below is the wall where the sink will be.

9-16-16

Today I spent 10 hours at a research conference on campus. I spoke at two small meetings and presented this poster in the afternoon. I heard many speeches, and got to meet people I wouldn't ordinarily meet. The point I'm trying to make is that I spent TEN hours doing something active and social and I felt AOK.

9-11-16

And now I am 53. Dinner at Mom's with friends and flowers and lively discussions.

9-7-16

Moment of awe on walk in the park this morning.

9-6-16

They made it out of the wilderness! Squirt just sent me a little text message--- they are fine.

9-5-16

Today was better. I decided to lose myself in something, and finished a project I'd been working on for months. No, not the one in the picture, but I did finish that one also. I finished a book I'd written (it's only 63 pages) about finding my relatives this year. I published it as a magazine through blurb.com and also as an e-book. 

I also worked on getting ready for school this week-- and made a chicken curry soup with sweet potatoes. 

It's funny, I finished the 30 day cleanse diet but I like the food so much, I just keep eating it. Good stuff. Good for you. 

I'm ok.

I'm ok.

9-4-16

Today I cried when I found his bedspread in the dryer. I thought he had taken it with him and I'd be left looking for a mis-matched comforter. But he left it here-- the same one he's had since he was a teen. It's beat up with some holes and buttons missing, but it's his. This is the wrought iron bed he's slept in (not the mattress exactly) since he was 2 years old. A bed that belonged to my great great grandfather back on the island in the bay. I'm glad it still has my son's energy. 

Meanwhile he and Jes and Dan are hiking Mount of the Holy Cross. I'm not terrified. No, I'm not. Not at all. I'm sure they know exactly what they are doing. 

they are really really far away

Today I finally cleaned up my home office. 

Started knitting a new project, and blocked one I finished yesterday.

Watched a sappy movie on Netflix.

Talked to my old friend KBB back in C'ville and my cousin Nancy up in Massachusetts. Cried both times. I think it actually helped.

Tomorrow I will go for a walk,

Plan my lesson for Tuesday,

and I don't know what else.