The Road More Traveled

Still crafting like mad. I am embroidering a geometric flower pattern onto a $2 tote bag. Embroidery is an inexpensive hobby compared to crochet. Well, actually I used the transfer twice and one of the smaller versions of the flower on it too. It's turning out to be more work than I thought it would be. I had a crafternoon today, just doing the outline for most of the afternoon.

I'm under some stress. I realized I want to be a counselor. I'll have to start as a peer counselor, if I can get into that program. I will talk to my job counselor this week. I printed out salary lists by city from the department of labor for the Employment Support Group, here, Olympia, Seattle area, Tri-Cities. I thought at first I'd work 20 hours a week and ease into working full-time. Now I'm wondering if I could have an actual career. I've only worked sporadically since college because of my mental illness, which I've had loads of trouble with. The past 10 years have been OK, and recently I've been doing a lot better mood-wise. A lot better!

So that's what I've been mulling over. I know working will affect my schoolwork, but we'll cross that bridge later. I mean, I haven't been doing much classwork lately anyway. My radio is telling me the news, on the hour. Not that I'm interested. It's mostly bad news. I'm not into the news, it just angers me. Lies, more lies, and the liars who tell them. Geez! Tomorrow I'm going to church and then we have our adult youth group that evening. I'm bringing sandwich fixings. I have to call everyone and tell them there's a meeting. Well, all for now! bye

Alice in Wonderland

Star and I went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3-D. It was an experimental approach to the book, not linear or traditional at all. Still, it was pretty good; didn't take advantage of the 3-D effects though. Our visit was cut short when she got sick just after lunch. Got a ride home with Bean.

I really like Star's keyboard, it's a Logitech light up one. I have the same brand, a Wave keyboard, and like mine too. And I love my little red mouse, also Logitech. Free computer accessories tips!

I slept most of the afternoon away today. Stayed up late last night and got up early to go to the Employment Support Group. It was nice meeting people in the same boat as me. I think that will be a worthwhile group and a good use of my time. When I think of doing interviews I get stressed out. I guess I'm not alone in those feelings.

I did a little embroidery tonight on a beige baseball hat. I used a mushroom iron-on on it. I'm not using a hoop, but the fabric is heavy enough that it's working out OK. I'm almost done with the fourth floursack towel, just have to finish the border. Haven't touched my punch needle kit since the first time I worked on it. Guess I need more patience for that than I have right now. That's all for tonight! bye

Attitude Adjustment

I found a great graduate school site on About.com. They even had a project planner which I downloaded and used already. I have a Rune poetry book project and an upcoming Prehistory project that I planned out. I decided to just work on the content of the poetry book and do the self-publishing as a separate project. I take graduate school seriously, but I can't say the same about my family and friends. One reason is that I don't talk about it much. Another is that the studying and writing I do for classes is not visible to them. I do it mostly on my own time. I'm not so sure all the students at my online seminary take it that seriously either. I'm not pointing fingers, I'm readjusting my attitude so that I'll get a degree eventually, finally, hopefully. :)

I realize I've been piling a lot of commitments on, whether actual commitments or just things that take a lot of time, like crafts. Plus I'm seeing a job counselor so I can get a part-time job. I'm just so much happier when I'm busy. When I get a job, there will have to be an adjustment in my scheduling. Understatement.

I've started taking down the travel picture wall in my bedroom, for when the house sells. I just rip off pictures every day. I think I'll leave the butterfly decorations up in the bathroom. They are such an improvement.

I'm waiting for my mom to come by. I need a lemon to go with the salmon I'm going to bake in the oven for dinner. We are going to walk to the post office if it's not raining. It's been raining off and on today, with some sunshine breaks. That's all for now! bye

Lemon Cake with Lemon Frosting

I haven't posted for awhile. I've been busy! I had two appointments this week, plus shopping after. Today was Jean Jeanie's birthday party. Prepped for that by making Irish Soda Bread and the frosting for the lemon cake my brother baked. Mom made corned beef and veggies for dinner. And then I had to smell the bread, cake and corned beef all afternoon. :) Then we played cards and watched 2012. I really liked the disaster sequences, but the rest of the movie was just so-so.

In my convoluted way I got two friends to give me their opinion on my first short story for Prehistory. I should have just went with it, but here it is a week later and I have editing to do before I turn it in. Writing is just not a priority for me right now. I want to kick myself and get my butt in gear. It won't work though. I guess I need to find another way to motivate myself.

What I have been doing in my spare time: finished the orange and brown afghan/throw for my mom, including weaving in the ends, so totally done. Yay! I embroidered the other peaches on the fruit-themed floursack towels. Now all I have to do is the green border on that one, then the first four are all done.

Any excuse will do for me to throw a party. I'm an inveterate hostess extraordinaire. No doubt about that! I have Ancient Rites homework to do tomorrow as well, the final for this section. Well, that's all for now! Bye

The Fool

I had a great day today! I got up early and saw the sunrise over the tops of the houses and trees. I went to church with my mom and a friend. Took a long nap with one of my cats. And had dinner with my family. Plus, we all planned a birthday party for Jean Jeanie. I got to talk to my best friend on the phone, happily she is only 20 miles away, not 300. Sometimes it's nice to think about the sunny side of life, those little moments that arrive unexpectedly.

I've been thinking about Tarot recently. How we're all The Fool, on the brink of a new adventure, not knowing the path that lies before us. I don't really have much to talk about tonight. I'm almost caught up with things, but not quite. That's better than being way behind, with no end in sight. LOL. It rhymes! St.Patrick's Day is coming up on Wednesday. I'm not even remotely Irish. Must wear green! I hope everyone has a great week! bye

Kicking Ass

Well, I've been kicking ass creatively today. I finished a scarf that I made with two different yarns and my biggest crochet hook, from a pattern. I finished the afghan I've been working on since October. I still have to weave in the ends. I was just so sick of making the thing, I thought to myself, "I can just quit". I did just that. It's a cross between a throw and an afghan. I picked up the Rune bookmarks I started last summer or fall, don't remember, and finished the stitching on them. I don't know why I was such a perfectionist about the stitching, it's really very simple, just lines. Now I have to cut them out, back them, and laminate them. The hard part is over though.

I organized my embroidery and crochet supplies tonight too. I'm giving Star my extra orange and brown yarn as I am truly sick of those colors. I have a lot of blank stuff I could embroider. Some of it should be dyed first. Really trying to finish my current embroidery project before I start another one. Mom dyed some dinner napkins for me, a soft green. We were hoping for a spring green, it turned out more of a fall green. She says that Rit liquid dye is easier to work with than the powder and the color is more even.

I had an attack of low self-esteem today and yesterday. This surrounding my creative writing. I just don't have a lot of confidence in that area right now. Hopefully my recent successes with crafting will spill over into the writing arena. Seems like they are two different things though. I did get my notes typed up for Prehistory, but I still have to rewrite the story. I wonder if I could get a friend or family member to either set up imaginary deadlines for me or nag me about schoolwork or both. Would that work? I could try it. Seems like I shouldn't be roping people into this.

Mars is direct! It's been retrograde for almost 3 months. I know I'm starting to feel more energized. Lots of creativity and thinking about creativity for me. That's been the main effect of Mars in Leo in my chart. I did a load of dishes and a load of laundry today too. And made French Toast for dinner. Was in my jammies or sweats all day. Well, that's all for now! bye

Mornings

Oscar Night went well. It's a long show and I woke up sore today from sitting so long. I've been so tired today. I took a long nap and am still in a low energy phase. Roasted a chicken tonight, that turned out good. I like to make chicken salad and chicken noodle soup with the leftovers. Mmmmmmmm!

I went to see my job counselor today, Mary Jane. We talked about my employment history, education and skills and she typed it out on the computer. We didn't finish it. Plenty more appointments scheduled. She is also going to have an employment support group for four of us. She sees me as a leader, which was nice to hear. It's best to get to know people before leading them, they may not follow! And that group is going to be meeting in the mornings, once a week. This will be difficult for me, I'm a night person. To put it mildly. The high energy time of day for me is 9pm. I usually schedule writing at that time if I'm doing regular writing. I will be taking the bus in the mornings, starting? The group isn't set up yet.

I'm starting to get excited. My best bud, Star, is coming home on Saturday. I don't know if I'll see her this weekend or next week. I'm sure she'll be glad to get her freedom back!

OK, I did all the stuff for Prehistory except I have to rewrite and type my story and notes. Then I'm done with the first assignment out of four. I'm so glad I found an angle/hook/story for my short story.

I am just bushed today. I did clean off the table, which was really bothering me. And I worked on my Top Secret craft project a little bit today. Also watched a Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals DVD. It's really quiet in here. I think I'm also dealing with some side effects from my new medication for Diabetes. Either that or it's just allergies. Cold and windy here today, a real Winter day, plus hail. We are studying Tarot on one of my creativity websites. I didn't start it either, but I am contributing. Not much happening on my Divination website. Oh well! I suppose I should care more. Well, that's all for today! bye

Top Secret

I have a new craft project, a Top Secret one. I'm not used to hiding my projects. I'm used to sharing them, taking pictures of them "in progress". When I do finish it, I'll have to hide it until Christmas. I'm not that great at keeping secrets. Oh well.

We saw Inglorious Basterds last night. Talk about frustrating! Constant speedy subtitles, and not much action. I did like some of it. Brad Pitt was funny.

I'm not getting much done lately. Unproductive Virgo here. It's been like this for the past couple months. Totally unlike myself. Usually, I actually do the stuff on my lists, well some of it. Now it's just crafty stuff, movies, and appointments. Weird. Unmotivated, I guess. It will be nice when things get back to normal, whatever that is. :)

My computer is still screwed up. Explorer and Yahoo Messenger aren't working. That's all for now! bye

Short Blog

Still having some computer problems. Went to town today, exhausted. Doctor is putting me on a new drug for Diabetes. Saw Julie and Julia again last night, cute movie. Will write more another day. bye