2-14-11

 

 

 

It was a regular day at work- teaching, meetings, etc. until I came home.
Dan: I got us a reservation for dinner.
Me: Really? Where?
Dan: Do you want it to be a surprise?
Me: Sure!
And as we drove around downtown I kept guessing and then ruling out places based on where we were headed. Then I guessed it! Stella's Deli must have a Valentine's Special!
Dan: Yes!
They normally only serve lunch, but tonight was different. We had a 5 course meal including (filet mignon)and it was just divine. An evening to remember. Plus, when we got home, not that I had room for one more wafer, but Dan gave me a box of Kentucky Chocolates. Happy Valentine's Day!

2-13-11

Dan and I started the day celebrating the end of an era. We successfully raised three children into and out of teenage-hood. Today we start a new phase in our lives- no teenagers! Squirt is 20!

 

Happy Birthday Squirt! Aza came over and we all went out to dinner at our favorite, Bella Notte. They fed us wonderfully, even gave Squirt a birthday cake to take home. A very small one. We drove there in Aza's new car- very roomy and comfy.

 

 

2-12-11

 

Saturday. Made out my too-do list then started trying to cross things off. Got some grading done and some reviewing for a conference, and attempted a pizza for dinner. The thing just wouldn't slide off the peel onto the stone very well. Oh, it tasted good, so I can't complain.

2-11-11

Fever and headache, lying in bed. Photo of bedside table.

2-10-11

 

I ordered this book and it came today. It's SO good, I wish I could use it as a textbook in a special class. So today I had a really good class. My students seem to really like it, and they "get it" this semester. We had some exciting stuff to witness in class. Students are doing a project with earthworms, and two of the worm habitats produced baby worms. That was cool. They are also observing mealworms life cycles, and today we got to actually witness one shedding its skin and turning from creepy crawly mealworm to pupae. I love my job on days like this.

2-9-11

 

It snowed AGAIN. This time it was light and fluffy, and I took the bus home in it. Here is a photo of my building from the bus stop. It was actually nice walking home in the stuff. Maybe I'll miss the snow. I stayed at work really late so it was dark by the time I got home. Decided today not to get my paper written for NARST by the deadline for the proceedings CD. I'll just get it done in time for the conference in April. March will be a good month for writing. It's a relief, but also an excuse to let up and be more lackadaisical.

2-8-11

 

I love when Aza comes over to hang out. Here she and Squirt are on the couch watching TV. They love it when I take photos of them like this.

Today was a really long day. Coffee meeting with Miss March and Miss January at my favorite coffee haunt, 3rd Street Stuff (but the service is sooo slow). Taught a class. Ah, the ultra-fun college faculty meeting. Then my night class. I got home pretty exhausted by 7:30 or so.

2-7-11

 

Monday. It snowed big flakes that were wet and fell like feathers. I had planned to go to work, but when this stuff started piling up, decided to work from home. I really don't have an optimal place to get anything done anymore. When I'm at school I'm interrupted and can only focus on certain tasks. At home, I'm easily distracted and just hate sitting here im my little office staring at a computer screen. It was a pretty snow, but really. When will it end?

2-6-11

 

I am consumed with a new project even though I'm trying not to be consumed by it, and even though I'm not sure it's even a good idea for me to be involved with it. But somehow I'm drawn to the idea of it. I'm sure Dr. Heim would be able to give me some insight into why. Ready? I'm (choking just to say it) spearheading my (cough cough) high school 30-year reunion. Oh lord, why????? I didn't even LIKE high school. However, I've become fond of some of my childhood friends lately through Facebook and now there are 71 former Class of '81 alum in a Facebook group I organized, waiting for me to set a date. Yikes.

2-5-11

 

 

Saturday. It snowed a crazy snow today- blowing sideways little balls of ice- and then it stopped. I tried to photograph it before it all melted away. I worked today, all day really, to get myself caught up. Graded, organized, planned, transcribed. Made a chicken etouffee for dinner that was fabulous, the highlight of my day. Frisbee has taken to Aza's bed and even though it's pretty high up, he can jump into it. With toys in tow.

2-4-11

I worked at home all morning, had a meeting at school around noon, ran errands after that and then met with an elementary school science teacher at 3:00 pm. I loved seeing her classroom and hearing about all the stuff she does with the kids. But guess how often a student at that school has science? For one hour every SIX days. That's it. She is the only science teacher for grades K-5. She showed me how she scrounges for supplies. She gets these pencil sharpeners from Oriental Trading to use for teaching the seasons. Great idea!

2-3-11

 

Jupiter in the night sky. 10 second exposure with 4.5 f-stop.

Aza came over for dinner tonight and we did some astrophototography together. We took a series of photos at different shutter speeds- fun stuff. I had a good day. Taught two classes and felt really productive and helpful. I love days like this.

2-2-11

Groundhog Day, 2011. This is on my walk home. While the rest of the country is buried in snow we just have flurries. I felt tired today and really only woke up late afternoon on my way home from work. Dark winter is dragging on.

1-30-11

Sunday. I transcribed video then decided to paint. I painted our house from memory, which is interesting because it's fascinating what seems prominent and what fades into the background. It felt fantastic to be downstairs in my basement studio painting. It was delicious and I need to do it far far far more often. Perhaps I should challenge myself- photos are far too easy and something of an artistic cop out, a short cut (sorry professional photographers, I'm only speaking personally here). Perhaps I should post a Sunday painting each week. ChrissysphotoadayandSundaypainting.blogspot.com perhaps???

1-29-11

 

 

Saturday.
Dan and I went to an antique store early in the afternoon to see if they had any good chairs for our living room. See, we have these two wooden chairs in there and they are really pretty- but uncomfortable to sit in for any length of time. So we are looking for some good ideas if you have them.

Then I spent the rest of the day- 8 hours really- transcribing video for a paper I'm writing. I felt so antsy, kept falling asleep, and needing tea to keep me going. I just really wonder whether research is for me. I love doing creative things like planning lessons and teaching, but I hate the mundane aspects of research. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. I got an app for my iPhone that makes pictures look old, so that's what the second photo was taken with.

1-28-11

 

 

The thaw.
It got above freezing today and the snow started to melt and I noticed... snowdrops have popped up in the front wooded area near the driveway! Right on schedule.
Today was a writing day. I transcribed video, did a literature search, and started working on a paper for NARST that's due in three weeks.

1-27-11

 

I'm so proud of my husband. He finally ordered himself a trainer for his bike. He set it up in the basement and even rigged up a way to watch videos on his iPad- with my painting stand! Oh well, it's not being used for painting these days. Very clever. And he's riding his bike again in this cold snowy weather- safe in the basement.

Today I taught two classes and they went very well. I'm trying to relax and just be myself in the classroom. Chill. Take it easy. Have fun. A student was texting on her phone all during class and instead of reprimanding her in front of everyone (which I wanted to do), I sent her an email which developed into a personal conversation about a family issue she's dealing with. So, I think I'm becoming a kinder, gentler professor. Crossing my fingers for stellar evaluations this semester. I even taught in jeans today, trying to relax and be comfortable.

Aza came over for dinner and we had the best time. It's so much fun sharing stories about our day now that she's "in my world" at school and we know the same people. I'm so proud of her. She's working for the department, tutoring a girl in Algebra II and is going to start tutoring students in an Algebra I clinic. My math whiz.

1-26-11

 

 

 

More snow. MORE SNOW! Sheesh. I know I'll miss it when it's gone. Today I stayed home to work and fought off a migraine. I'm taking a new supplement and it seems to be working to keep the migraines at bay. I got my new printer today and set it up. Also got the Aveda shampoo and conditioner I ordered BUT it doesn't smell as good as the stuff did at the beauty salon. What's up with that? Do they put more fragrance in the stuff at the salon? Or did I order the wrong thing?

new years card 2011

Happy Thought Bubble New Year's 5x7 folded card

Create custom new year's invitations with Shutterfly.

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I'm going to get a gift certificate from Shutterfly for posting this card I created. So, here it is! Send me my gift certificate, Shutterfly!

1-23-11

 

 

Baking bread and a roaring fire in the wood stove makes for a cozy Sunday. Thanks, Dan! I was productive today and felt good about working, getting ready for my busy week ahead. This evening Squirt and Dan watched the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears and it was a nice sound in the house. Like a Postsecret this week, I like the sound of sports on TV- not that I like to watch it- it just reminds me that I've got men in the house. A man at home. A family. We celebrated with steak I cooked on the grill (in the snow, yes), fresh bread, sauteed mushrooms and broccoli. Good day. It was a good day.

1-22-11

 

 

 

I wonder when I'll stop taking pictures of snow and ice this year. It seems like spring will never come. I had a hard time working today- just wasn't motivated to do much of anything. My sister Sakura and I are trying a new migraine remedy hoping it works. L-carnitine. She is taking 500mg a day and I'm starting slow with only 200mg. It's supposed to help mitochondria work better and I don't know what that has to do with migraine, but somebody somewhere suggested it so we are guinea pigs again.

1-21-11

 

 

 

 

We got a big snow last night and I got to stay home and measure its density today. I got 35ml of water from a cup of snow. Density anyone?

1-17-11

 

 

Squirt is growing a beard...

 

Aza and her boyfriend B came over today for dinner to celebrate her 23rd birthday tomorrow. Twenty Three! Wow. We had chili and cornbread baked in those little cast iron corn things and salad. For dessert, ice cream with homemade fudge sauce. We played dominoes and she opened her present from us, and we watched a stupid movie as usual. Happy 23rd Birthday Aza!

1-19-11

 

 

We went back to the furniture store today to look at more chairs. More to choose from. Opinions anyone?

1-15-11

 

Our rug in the living room.

 

 

 

We are in the market for a couple of chairs for our living room, so we went shopping today looking for something small enough yet interesting enough. I wish my mom would come visit to help me make a decision! It's so hard to know what will look good and be comfortable and fit!

1-12-11

Class officially began today. I went in early to prepare, then got a migraine. Aza came to pick me up and drove me home. I had a bad one yesterday too and wonder what I might have eaten.
Aza moved into her new apartment this week. The snow, the ice, the cold... is getting old.

1-10-11

War Eagle! Auburn won the National Championship! I'm at Toomer's Corner in spirit tonight.

1-9-11

I met my friend Miss March for coffee today and we spent two hours catching up and planning a presentation at an upcoming event. I loved this coffee shop she discovered- called Coffee Times Cafe. It's my new favorite haunt.

Went shopping for groceries afterward and made a most excellent stew for dinner.

What I'm thinking about today is that I just can't let my job take over my life this year. Some how, some way, I need to balance academia and the artist's way.