goodbye Boomer kitty

Boomer (L), Athena (R)

Boomer (L), Athena (R)

Athena (L), Boomer (R)

Boomer (L), Athena (R)

Boomer (L), Athena (R)

Boomer

Boomer - the night before her biopsy appointment

Friday was the worst day ever. It was preceded by a couple of pretty hard weeks full of various vet appointments, diagnostic tests, and medications. Cancer took one of our amazing kitty-sisters, Boomer, and much too soon. And now, for the first time in her whole life, Athena is alone. We adopted these sisters four years ago when they were barely a year old, thinking that we'd get to spend ten or more years with them. I wish I hadn't taken their presence for granted. I wish I had taken more pictures of their cute antics. I wish...

And now today we head out for our epic road-trip, leaving Athena's care to two of our wonderful friends. I know she'll be okay but my heart worries. I can't help it.

project 52: week 45

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
This week was filled with kitty-related stress, and yarn. We took that adorable cat to get a lump biopsied only to discover that it's cancerous. So now we are faced with figuring out next steps. Our kitties are only 5 years old so we never imagined dealing with cancer so soon. The bright side is that right now the tumor is not affecting her overall health at all. She's happy and (relatively) healthy.

The yarn part of my week involved a long-overdue trip to Tolt Yarn and Wool in Carnation, WA and Quintessential Knits in Duvall, WA. I've heard such good things about Tolt, specifically, but hadn't made it out there to check it out. I came away with yarn for two projects: Tin Can Knits' Bonny top in Quince & Co Piper yarn, and Zuzu's Petals in Malabrigo Sock.

Currently Reading

• The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell - This book is long! I'm reading it on my Kindle so I didn't realize just how long it is. Plus, it's weird, which makes reading a little slower. There are many times I have to slow done so that I can process what the heck I just read. Body-jumping, immortality, and strange interconnections... all of that amidst a story that jumps through time and narrators sometimes jarringly. But overall I enjoy the read.

On the Needles
Still plugging away at my Earth & Sky shawl. I've put the Wood Hollow Vest aside for a bit, but I imagine I'll pick it up again before our road trip so that I can at least finish the front.

Looking Forward To

1. Our road trip!
2. Another CSA box
3. Getting my hands dirty with gardening

project 52: week 44

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
I dragged my dining table and chairs outside in order to get a few pictures. That same day, a nice young man came by to pick them up. That's it - they now belong to someone else. Part of me is sad. I have fond memories involving that table, but the truth is that we haven't had space for it since we moved into this apartment four years ago. Yikes. A small kitchen island is getting picked up today by another stranger, and next week I'm going to list our small loveseat. After reading Marie Kondo's book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I've been itching to get rid of superfluous things in my life. It's hard, each time I watch something that's been a fixture in my life go away. But afterwards I feel a weight off my shoulders. It's a good thing.

Currently Reading

• The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
• Grounded by Megan Morrison

On the Needles
So much is on the needles right now that I'm going to share pictures in a separate post. I'm mostly working on my Earth & Sky shawl and my Wood Hollow Vest, but there are a few other projects sitting on the needles that I pick up now and again, like my Hue Shift Afghan.

Looking Forward To

1. berries from the farmer's market
2. bouldering

project 52: week 43

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
It's been hot in Seattle. Very hot. And the forecast calls for more hot for as far as the eye can see. Maybe by this coming Friday it'll cool down to 80 degrees. It's been in the 90's during the days and barely getting down to the low 60's at night. It's hard to keep my apartment cool. My cats are melting. Forget about cooking, baking, or canning. Pass the sushi, please.

We spent the middle of this week camping at Penrose State Park, where we were able to enjoy a low-low tide. I've never been camping in such heat before, with a burn-ban, no less. Although cooking everything on the camp stove was interesting (did we attempt s'mores on the stove? oh yes, of course we did!), I honestly can't say I missed the fire. Sure, I miss the ritual of a fire, but I don't imagine we would have been sitting very close. It was just too darn hot.

In response to all this heat plus The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo I spent yesterday cleaning up and organizing our storage room. The storage is in the basement of our apartment building, so it's the coolest place to be. I've made piles to donate, recycled tons of unnecessary cardboard, and moved things around so that we can actually see what's in there. It used to be a jungle of boxes and things stacked willy-nilly on awkwardly placed shelves and often on the floor. Now the shelves line one wall, the floor area is clean and open, and we are on our way to owning less stuff.

Currently Reading

• The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
• Grounded by Megan Morrison

On the Needles
My Wood Hollow Vest is ready for armhole shaping and neck shaping. Which means that now I need to really pay attention to the pattern so I don't mess it up.

My Earth & Sky shawl hasn't really started yet. I need to pick up another needle sizing gauge from my LYS since I can't seem to find mine. I have a bunch of inherited metal circular needles that are probably the right size, but they are not labeled like my wood circular needles are.

Looking Forward To

1. the next CSA box

project 52: week 42

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
It's hot in Seattle. Really, really hot. Well, not as hot as it gets in the mid-west or the east coast, but out here we don't really believe in air conditioners. Instead, our local libraries and community centers (and movie theaters and malls) operate as cooling centers. My basically-basement apartment has been hovering at 70 degrees no matter what I do (it's been 80-90 degrees outside). And that's without any baking and pretty much minimal cooking. Do you know how hard it is for me to give up baking and cooking? Pretty darn hard. But I just can't justify all the extra heat it produces in my tiny apartment. I have kale from my CSA share that is begging to be turned into kale chips, but sadly I cannot do it.

Instead, I made refrigerator kohlrabi pickles, sun tea that was promptly mixed with lemonade concentrate (from a canning adventure I had back in cold April), and one small batch of strawberry balsamic jam.

Currently Reading

• The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
• Grounded by Megan Morrison

On the Needles
This week I started my Wood Hollow Vest again, for the third time. I initially started it last August, exactly as the pattern was written. I got into a groove and enjoyed all the cables, but I found some mistakes I made early on. I knit up about 6 inches before deciding to start over. The second start was last September. I restarted in order to knit it in the round. Big mistake. See, the cable pattern was easy to memorize knit flat, but in the round my brain just couldn't get a handle on it. So I made even more mistakes than I had the first time. And I wasn't happy with it at all. So I set it aside and knit other things. Fast forward to almost a year later, and I've ripped it out again in order to start over. This time I'm knitting it flat again like the pattern calls for, and I'm going slower knowing where I'll likely make mistakes.

I've made it through three full pattern repeats and I love these cables!

Looking Forward To

1. helping dear friends move into their first house
2. stitch & bitch
3. happy hour with my old teaching buddy
4. camping at Penrose with friends

project 52: week 41

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

I made my cats a sun-tent so they could enjoy the light and I could keep the house cool

What's New?
School's out for the summer! Of course I still need to go in next week for a training and to finish cleaning up my room... but I can start settling in to a different pace. Yesterday I helped Kristi pack up and move her classroom upstairs as part of a large reorganization process at her school. It was surprisingly refreshing to help someone else pack up after I have packed and moved my own classroom three years in a row. Next year I'll pack up and move again, as we transition into our new-new building.

Currently Reading

• The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

On the Needles
I started winding yarn for my Earth & Sky shawl. I bought three skeins of Madeline Tosh Pashmina for this shawl back in May, but I decided to wait until school was out to begin. Since I don't have a yarn swift/ball winder yet, and I bought this yarn online, I am winding it up myself. Winding yarn by hand without the aid of a swift definitely takes awhile, but I think it's a great anticipatory step in the process.

Looking Forward To

1. sleeping in

project 52: week 40

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
Last Saturday I went strawberry-picking with the intent to make jam the next day. And then it was a million degrees very hot in Seattle all week. And the cat had to go to the vet. Three days in a row. And now she's fine, of course. So today I get to venture into my fridge and assess the state of the berries. Maybe I'll make jam today? Or maybe I'll have a ton of rotting fruit to add to the compost? I certainly hope for the former. I want to make more strawberry balsamic jam this year since I did not make enough last year. Plus I kept giving those jars away. Silly me - I need to remember to save some for us.

In other news, due to the raging heat wave very hot weather I wore my four Wiksten tanks again this week. I realize that I have four handmade tops now, and not an entire handmade wardrobe, but those four tanks make me feel like a super-sewer. Especially since I love their fit, which I was able to customize, as well as the fabric. I have more fabric washed and waiting to be turned into another top. Maybe I'll try a Grainline scout tee? Or a Wiksten tova?

Currently Reading
I finished The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, which I gave four stars on Goodreads. Last night I started The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell.

Looking Forward To

1. finishing up the school year

project 52: week 39

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
On our walk last week Kristi and I came across this lovely patch of flowers. It used to be a stretch of grass, but now it buzzes with bees and butterflies. What a great way to change up a parking strip! Today I stumbled upon this article about a concerted effort to do more of this work - converting parking strips into pollinator gardens. I'm going to do some more research into this idea and plant some flowers in my garden to attract pollinators. Then I'll talk to my landlord about doing something similar to the parking strip in front of my apartment.

Currently Reading
I've been steadily working my way through The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, and I am almost finished. With just one more week of school left, I am eagerly looking at my Goodreads lists with the intention of putting together a summer reading list.

On the Needles
I stopped by Pacific Fabrics yesterday on a whim. I was heading to another store for some staples and realized I would pass by the fabric store on the way. I am so glad I decided to stop because I found a lovely collection of summer fabrics (double gauze, cotton lawn, etc) and ended up buying a couple yards for yet another Wiksten Tank. I've been wearing my tanks as much as I can, all the while thinking critically about their fit, making alterations in my head. I really love how I am able to make small changes to the pattern to make it fit my body better.

Looking Forward To

1. picking strawberries
2. planting my garden

project 52: week 38

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Two more Wiksten Tanks, this time in linen.

Garden beds ready for planting.

What's New?
I finished two more Wiksten Tanks, bringing my total to 4: the two newest are neutral colors, while the other two are bold colors. I'm very excited about these handmade pieces and I've worn them a few times already. One thing I noticed after finishing the last two is that the back of the tank is low enough that I can wear them to the DIG School without getting sunburned. We spend so much time at the DIG School bent over on our hands and knees looking for fossils on the ground. Last year I noticed that all of my shirts, while seeming long when standing straight up, rode up just enough to expose a thin sliver of skin to the beating sun creating a thin and awkward sunburn.

Last weekend I bought some plants for my garden, but I didn't have enough time to get them in the ground. This week was far too busy to accomplish that in my evening hours, but I hope to do some gardening this weekend. I started my garden plans way too late for seeds this year, so I went with what was available at the nursery. I came home with snap peas, tomatoes, rosemary, lavender, and a few other small herbs.

Currently Reading
I'm in the middle of The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert, which I am enjoying greatly.

Looking Forward To

1. picking strawberries?

project 52: week 37

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
I attended a walk-out with my colleagues across the city in protest of our state's lack of funding for basic education and follow-through on voter-backed legislation (smaller class-sizes & a COLA).

With a long three-day weekend ahead of me, I've made a list of things I hope to do in order to fill my bucket. This time of year is extremely stressful for educators, and anything I can do to keep myself centered is definitely worth the effort. With that in mind, this weekend I hope to...

:: plant something (anything) in my long-neglected raised beds
:: sew one or more Wiksten tanks to add to my collection (I have two fabrics ready to go)
:: walk with Kristi
:: knit at the coffee house
:: visit EMP's Star Wars exhibit

Of course there are plenty more things that I need to do that will fill my time this weekend, but I find it helps me to focus on the things that bring me joy. There are now only sixteen more days of school. While that number seems quite small (and it is) it nevertheless feels very long. There are just so many things that need to fit into those sixteen days!

Currently Reading
I finished Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and am now on to The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

On the Needles
Once school is out, I'm planning on starting another shawl. This one will be Earth and Sky by Stephen West made from my newly acquired Madeline Tosh pashmina yarn in warm denim, astrid grey, and victorian gothic.

Looking Forward To

1. time to re-charge

project 52: week 36

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

My second Wiksten Tank in a magenta chambray.

What's New?
I finished my second Wiksten Tanks in a magenta chambray fabric. I wore the blue linen/cotton tank on my walk last week, but I haven't had a chance to wear the magenta one yet. I have plans to make a couple more, but first I have to pick out fabric. These tanks have really motivated me to work on my sewing skills, and inspired me to create a handmade wardrobe (something I've dreamed of for some time now, but never thought was realistic).

Currently Reading
I'm almost finished with Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

On the Needles
I've completed probably two rows on my honey cowl this week.

Looking Forward To

1. Memorial Day
2. planning summer camping trips

project 52: week 35

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
I've been sorting sediment at the university with the DIG team. The photo above is from last week's sort. Basically the team collects bags of sediment from sites out in Montana and brings them back to be sifted and sorted during the year when fieldwork is not possible. Usually undergrads work on it as part of their laboratory experience. Former DIG School participants have also been recruited to help with the task. When I first heard about the opportunity, I was a bit skeptical. Spend 3 hours staring into a microscope, painstakingly sorting rocks from fossils? In truth those 3 hours go by in a flash, and looking under the scope at fossils is very interesting.

The other interesting thing in my life lately involves sewing. I've been admiring many blogger's Wiksten Tanks lately, and two weeks ago I decided to take the plunge. I bought the pattern PDF, printed it out, and tried it out using some quilting cotton I had in my stash. I had to tweak the pattern a bit to get the perfect fit for my body, but once I'd done that I headed to the fabric store to buy some chambray and linen. I'm proud to say that I completed my first "real" Wiksten Tank in a blue linen/cotton fabric and I love it! I have a magenta chambray fabric waiting for another tank as soon as I have time. I think these tanks will make a great layering piece in my wardrobe, and I might even do some embroidery on them.

Currently Reading
I'm on Part 2 of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and so far I love this book!

On the Needles
I've worked on my current Honey Cowl a bit here and there, but most of my crafting time has been spent sewing.

Looking Forward To

1. my weekly walk with Kristi
2. going out to the movies!

project 52: week 34

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
Last week, while taking our normal walking path through the ravine, Kristi and I were greeted by two big changes. A neighbor has been cleaning up the path for months. Last week, however, we were delighted to find that the beginning of the path had been covered in wood chips. It looks so nice now, and the wood chips help with the inevitable mud puddles we get here in rainy Seattle. The other surprise was that sign saying "all dopers, you're being watched." Ha! I wish I knew who was responsible for all the work along that path - I'd love to help them take care of it. It's a relatively unknown path that cuts through a short ravine connecting two residential streets. The path starts at the end of my dead-end street and lets out on a narrow, hilly street that winds down to the beach.

Currently Reading

• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

On the Needles
Working slowly, but steadily, on my newest honey cowl. I took it to my knitting group last week, and inspired another knitter there to add that pattern to her queue.

Looking Forward To

1. Swedish springtime party
2. more fossil sorting

project 52: week 33

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Took my students to Green Lake for some bird watching to celebrate Earth Day.

The cat has discovered that she can reach the top shelf.

What's New?
The kids have spring fever, and apparently so do I. All I seem to be able to think about lately is sunshine, berries, and fossils. At this point there are only 35 more days of school. We have big things to accomplish (science fair!) but that doesn't seem to bother me as much as I think it should. I think that part of my relaxed attitude stems from the fact that this year I don't have to pack up my classroom to move. I've moved rooms three years in a row, consolidating and downsizing each time, and this year I get to stay. Of course next year I'll pack up again, as we move into our brand new building, but I think that move will be full of excitement which will hopefully overshadow the stress that always accompanies moves.

Currently Reading

• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

On the Needles
I've worked on my newest honey cowl on and off a bit this week. Tomorrow is a knitting meetup, and I've yet to decide what I'm bringing. Possibly the honey cowl, but maybe my hue shift afghan. We'll see.

Looking Forward To

1. a former coworker's book launch

project 52: week 32

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Joe took me on a back-stage tour of the fossil work room - I'm so excited for this summer's DIG School!

What's New?
I've accomplished less than half of my to-do list for spring break. At first this bothered me greatly, but when I thought back to how I've spent my time, I realize that it was indeed quite full, yet relaxing.

:: finished knitting my geology shawl (washed + blocked!)
:: bought a scanner, which allowed me to clear out a ton of paper
:: filed my taxes
:: cleaned the house
:: made beef & bacon pie for Game of Thrones night
:: visited with friends
:: graded science fair edits
:: canned lemonade concentrate
:: cleaned out and organized our hall closet
:: started re-planning our summer road trip (MT & WY instead of CA: think DIG School + Yellowstone)

Currently Reading
I've been splitting my time between A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I've also just downloaded The Circle by Dave Eggers from the library. According to my Goodreads account, I've only read 14 books so far this year, which means this summer I'll have some catching up to do (and more time to read).

On the Needles
Since finishing my geology shawl, I've picked up some stash yarn and started another honey cowl. The yarn is leftover from my very first sweater, which I ruined the first time I washed it. It'll be so nice to get to wear something made from that yarn.

Looking Forward To

1. sorting fossils
2. weekly walk with Kristi

project 52: week 31

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Spring Break!

project 52: week 30

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
:: took my 6th graders to the Chihuly glass museum
:: passed my ProCert resubmission
:: checked out pretty much every middle-school appropriate genetics book from the library
:: taught evolution with no push-back
:: woke up to the sound of bird-song (welcome, Spring!)

Currently Reading
I decided to peruse the free classics books on my Kindle, and for reasons unknown, started reading Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson for the first time. I'm not sure what I expected exactly, but this book isn't exactly Pirates of the Caribbean. At least not so far.

On the Needles
Not much has happened in knitting-land lately.

Looking Forward To

1. one more week of school, and then Spring Break!

project 52: week 29

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
I went to the opening party for the new sci-fi exhibit at EMP and while I was there...
:: heard George Takei's opening remarks
:: watched George Takei walk by, not 5 feet from me! (ok, nerd alert)
:: posed in front of the Back to the Future Delorean time machine
:: explored the Infinite Worlds exhibit

Currently Reading

• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz (impulse Powell's purchase - great story so far!)

On the Needles
Still plugging along on my geology shawl, although I haven't picked it up hardly at all this week. Instead, I worked on patching Joe's shop pants.

Looking Forward To

1. Spring Break (just two weeks away!)

project 52: week 28

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
I spent three days in Portland for a tech conference. I learned so many things that I'm very excited to try out in my classroom. I also shopped at Powell's for the first time, ate at the Deschutes Brewery, bought Voodoo Donuts, explored Mississippi Avenue, rode the Max, and just generally enjoyed the spring-like weather.

Currently Reading
I finished The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo this week. I'm motivated to go through her suggested steps to pare down my possessions. I've always been a bit of a hoarder, but I've found a sense of relief every time I drop off donations at Goodwill. I started slowly working on eliminating excess stuff last year, but I think it's time to ramp it up. Spring break will likely turn into 'sort and donate all the stuff' week. I'm ready.

On the Needles
I finished the fourth section of my geology shawl while at the Portland tech conference. I didn't have nearly as much time available for knitting as I thought, which actually means that the conference was very engaging. Not a bad problem to have.

Looking Forward To

1. baking sourdough bread
2. knitting at the coffee shop

project 52: week 27

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

So, this happened the other day. I have not been taking pictures at all lately. Gotta fix that.

What's New?
I've been working on my school blog lately. It's nowhere near finished, but I'm starting to see the fruits of my labor, and I think it'll be really great for the next school year. I've been working on making separate pages for each unit with helpful links and resources. I'll also have a calendar page where I can update assignments and due dates. I can easily update it daily (ha! maybe twice weekly - let's be real) with what's happening in the classroom. I've tried to use the district-provided online space, but it's just not intuitive for me, and many parents have expressed similar feelings. I have a good feel for blogger and think that it'll be the best solution for me.

Currently Reading
Last night I finished The Winter Pony by Iain Lawrence and cried. Such a sad story! But very well-written and definitely worth the read.

On the Needles
My geology shawl is coming along nicely. I'm on the 4th section, which is very geometric and therefor easy to knit while doing other things, like watching tv. The 3rd section was lace, and I'm not great and memorizing or reading lace patterns. I think I'll be able to finish it in a week or two.

Looking Forward To

1. visiting Portland