the annie blog

I’ve been enjoying my life right now – especially since things are kind of winding down around work. It’s such a good feeling. It’s been cold at night, so I love going home after work and reading or crafting with a good cup of tea. I always craft more during the winter months for some reason. I have been working on my knitting loom. I want to learn to really knit, but my loom makes some really cool things too. So, I have stockpiled much yarn and am busy working away. In fact, I think I’m going to take some orders from friends. Using that awesome chenille yarn makes cozy little sweaters and lots of people have asked if I could make them one. I may do that for gifts, or I could have a thing going on the side….hm…Have to think about that.

My family – ugh – they hardly EVER come visit. I don’t know why – I think I’m starting to get a complex about the whole thing. It’s been over 2 years since I’ve had any of my family come see us. We only live three hours apart – HELLO! So, we decided that we have been lugging up gifts and what-not up there for years, it’s time someone come see us. Well, it kind of worked and it kind of didn’t. They are coming down on the 26th – better than nothing. They’ll leave on the 27th. One day. We have a huge house – there’s plenty of room – everyone will have their own bed and bath for crying out loud. I just don’t understand it. Plus they are going to celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts up there without us. What is that about? Ok, I’m going off here a little, but it’s my blog and I can do what I want. I just get sad. I don’t quite understand it. We invite and invite, and they make up lame excuses. It just seems like they think we should go up there ALL the time – EVERY holiday. Perhaps if we lived many, many hours away, but three! )Oh well – I need to stop talking about this – I am thankful for very much, and I am thankful for my family. They’re just frustrating sometimes.

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Tomorrow is back to work. I am ready. Only because we only have two more weeks of work, then we’re off for a month. Can’t beat that.

We got so much accomplished this break – Christmas stuff is up, our “to-do” list is gone. We even had plenty of time to relax and watch movies. These next few weeks are busy with work Christmas parties. We have them early since the campus closes in two weeks we try and get them all out of the way as soon as possible. I’m not ready clothing-wise. I think I need to do some shopping one night this week – without Mark, it’s easier that way. I just need to find a few pieces then I can mix and match my Christmas stuff. I do have a holiday sweater I may break out for some of these festivities.

I got tons of reading done this break too. I am still behind on my work reading, but I’ll get that taken care of this week. Not too worried. I guess I’m not really behind, it’s just that I’m not ahead as much as I’d like to be. We discovered a darling little bookstore the other day. I just wanted to sit there and do school work all day long.

I think I’m going to end my night with reading and sipping something that won’t keep me awake. I need to get to bed early – I’ve been used to getting up late so tomorrow will kick my butt. Oh, I’m enrolling in a quilting class at the college. I’m looking forward to it. I think I’m going to start looking at stuff so I have an idea of what I want to make exactly. It’s good to be creative!

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We had a very nice holiday yesterday. We slept till 10 and then eventually made our way outside for some much-needed yard work. We started the food and cleaned up. We ended up eating around 4. We actually had a much more traditional feast than we usually do. Last year we made home-made pizza, this year we decided on a ham. I spent much of the night crafting. I am in the middle of making costumes – that’s what you get when you’re married to a playwright and director I guess. I also got some stuff started for me. We watched a movie then ended up going to sleep around midnight. It was very nice.

I had a student ask what we were doing over the holiday and I told her it would just be us – as usual. She went on and on about horrible and sad that must be. I was kind of surprised. I’ve never felt that way. In the 13 years we’ve been together we’ve only Thanksgiving dinner with my family twice. The rest of the time it’s always us. We rather enjoy it. It never occurred to me that some people would view it as sad. I think a lot of people would enjoy a relaxing Thanksgiving at home – but that’s just me.

Today I need to mail some gifts out. I’ve been stalling for fear of going out into the real world. I can’t imagine how chaotic it is out there. Everyone and their dog will be out shopping and stuff. Oh well. Tis the season. We need to get the tree up today sometime too. Then tonight we are heading to see a play – I’m excited. I’m looking forward to this – two of Mark’s students are in it and I’m very proud of them.

Ok, I need to finish making costumes. I should’ve probably majored in Costume Design or something….

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We have been majorly busy today. We got up earlier than we wanted because I obviously forgot to explain to the kitty that we were planning on sleeping in. So, she proceeded to meow until we got up. I can’t be mad at her because she’s so cute. We did tons of shopping today – not Christmas, just regular shopping, groceries, Walmart, lunch out, we needed to buy some wine for tomorrow. Just lots of stuff. It’s nice to be home now. We’ll probably watch a movie tonight and just relax. I think I’m poppin’ a pizza in the oven for dinner tonight.

I feel a little better about my “to do” list, I really cracked a bunch of stuff of the list today. Believe me, there’s still a lot more to do!

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I kept hitting the snooze button this morning. I should be right up out of bed, but I wasn’t. It was actually a little chilly last night, so it felt so cozy under the covers. Plus, the kitty was curled up around my feet.

I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed about stuff. My “to do” list is growing every day, and I’m not crossing off that much each day. I know that’s how it generally goes this time of year, but I need to relax a little bit. I don’t know why I’m stressed. Everything will be ok, but I feel like I’m running on high right now. For the most part, I have the bulk of my grading out of the way for the semester other than finals. I have the last of the papers and am just waiting till finals start pouring in. I do have lots of reading to do – but I am having a hard time concentrating. Too much going on in my head

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Back to work tomorrow. Today was spent working on the pillows for my sofa. I am basically refrabicing the whole thing. I think I’m almost done. I had to be flexible and adjust somewhat. I dyed some fabric – it turned out horribly! However, I dyed it in my washer and I can’t get the stinkin’ dye out now. I’ve tried bleach, and all sorts of cleaners. I decided it was time to walk away from it and deal with it later. Consequently, my nails are a disaster because my hands were in liquid all day. My manicurist is gonna growl at me on Tuesday. In fact, my fingernails look like they have dirt under them. I did wear gloves some of the time, but once in a while I would grab something and get my hand covered in dye. Icky!

So, that’s been my whole afternoon, and most of my night. I think I need to slather on some lotion for my poor little hands, make some tea and grab my book.

I also got stuff together for my teaswap I am pumped because this is my first one. I will send it out tomorrow morning.

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We have had a really nice weekend so far. Last night we had to go to the high school play – ugh! It was not good at all. We have an obligation to go because Mark is recruiting a few of those kids. Then we headed out for drinks and appetizers. The music was awesome! I loved sitting there, but I smelled like smoke when we got home. I hate that.

Slept till 11 this morning. I have no idea what came over us! We went to the coffee shop and worked on stuff for a few hours. Brought the laptop and got stuff done. Now, I think I’ll nap a little, then get ready to go out. We have another show to go to tonight. But we’re going out for dinner before. We were gonna hook up with a friend of ours, but it turns out he has to work. So it’ll just be us little lovebirds out tonight. Should be fun.

Tomorrow will probably be a regular weekend day. Laundry, football, cleaning – the usual. That’s ok, because we only have 2 days of work this week! I can’t wait. Everyone will probably be in an awesome mood – isn’t it funny how people are all happy and chipper when the work week is short.

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Here is my Friday Five:

1. List five things you’d like to accomplish by the end of the year.
1. Get through a stack of books
2. Craft more – I have projects ready to go
3. Do a thorough cleaning of the house – kind of like spring cleaning
4. Cook more – I have lots of “winter” recipes

2. List five people you’ve lost contact with that you’d like to hear from again.
1. Lisa – my best friend from high school
2. Nicole – my college roommate
3. Juan – my first boyfriend
4. Jason – a college flame
5. Ms. Hille – a high school teacher

3. List five things you’d like to learn how to do.
1. Crochet
2. Knit
3. Calligraphy
4. Yoga
5. Develop my own photos

4. List five things you’d do if you won the lottery (no limit).
1. Give money to my family
2. Move near my family
3. Open up a theatre
4. New house
5. New cars

5. List five things you do that help you relax.
1. Read
2. Sip tea
3. Nap
4. Talk with my hubby
5. Pet the kitty

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I stayed home yesterday because I wasn’t feeling perfect (a migraine started, but I caught it in time – thank you Imitrex!) and I had stuff I needed to take care. So, I spent the better part of the day in bed with the shades pulled, then when I felt better I started to tackle my chores.

I can not explain how ready I am for Thanksgiving break! I plan on taking one whole day to do NOTHING. I want to stay in my jammies and watch movies for that day. I can’t wait! Mark and I are way behind on our movies anyway – this will be a great opportunity to catch up on stuff.

I have a busy day today, but that means it should go quickly. Fine by me. I’m booked tonight too, so before I know it, it’ll be bedtime again.

Oh, one of my students was in Mississippi with a college group watching a debate on the legalization of marijuana. One of the guys presenting was the former editor of High Times magazine – so she got me his autograph! I have to hang it up. I’m sure the rest of the faculty will stick their noses up, but I think it’s hilarious! He put a little heart and a peace sign by his name too. Plus, he made it out to me personally. I will have to hang it up in my office where all can see – I love freaking people out.

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I had such an odd day today. I had people saying things that hurt my feelings all day long. None of them meant to – things just came out kind of unfeeling. I’m ok – I just felt a little strange because it kept happening. Karma – am I doing something wrong?

I think I’ll work on pillows tonight then head to bed early to read. It’s been raining all day long so it’s a little dreary and dismal – perfect reading weather.

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