This and That

Hello again. I took this photo at a coffee shop last weekend using a Polaroid app and love the way the shadows look.

I am settling into my back to school routine now. The first two weeks of school went well, despite my proclivity for expecting too much from myself. I think the stress I felt was more about my unrealistic expectations than anything else. But doing a little yard work to burn off some of the anxiety really helped, and the fact that the yard is looking pretty good is just a bonus.

 

I have a great schedule this year. My first block is an honors class, my second block is my Transition class, and my third block is an inclusion class; I have a co-teacher for the third block and she is awesome to work with. It was tough to settle into three preps, but I think I've got a handle on it now.

I've booked my train ticket to visit Meredith in October, and we will be visiting the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival again; needless to say, I can't wait! This time though, I really don't want to buy as much as I want to just enjoy the event and the time sharing it with my daughter. I've been cleaning up my craft room and the amount of beautiful yarn I already own is a bit embarrassing. I love my stash but it really is too indulgent and fiscally irresponsible for me to continue to buy more, until I either knit a lot more of it up, or else reduce it by selling or gifting. Obviously I won't completely swear not to buy anything, but I do want to be more thoughtful about what I choose to buy. For instance, the beautiful Dream in Color Tulips baby sweater kit I bought on my second visit was a purchase I never regretted, especially since I knit it right away. But the yarn I bought last year is still sitting in my stash and that's just ridiculous.

 

Stephanie seems to be doing well in Togo; that's her in the red skirt. We were worried about the Ebola scare, since it was in a few of the neighboring countries, but it seems as if she's in the clear.

 

She sent us a mask that she bought for us and we have hung it in the sunroom:

I can't believe that she has two more years over there. We hope to visit her next Christmas, but haven't decided on the location yet. As much as I've always said I'd love to visit Africa, I don't think I'm up to it after all. Time will tell, I guess.

I spent the day with my friend, Lori, knitting at our LYS, which was very relaxing. I'm two thirds of the way done with my cousin's shawl and itching to start a new project, but picked up my unfinished Hitchhiker shawl instead. Having my UFOs in a basket, ready to grab, was a big help when I was looking for something else to work on.

Well this post was a bit disjointed, but it was either that or no post at all, so here you go. Have a great week!

 

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