Fall Update

School:  I have the week off, fall break.  This is definitely a good thing for a number of reasons.  One, my computer is giving me grief.  Two, you'll see below under life.  Three, I've got to set up for the kiddies for Halloween at the Convention center tomorrow afternoon.  I'm thinking about dressing up as a kitty for Halloween.  I've just got to figure out the ears... 

I've been working on an embroidery project for Buddhism for a month now.  That's way too long.  All those french knots are really getting to me.  Ancient Rites, the Shamanism program I'm still in is going well; we're on the second year of that.  Tarot is going slowly.  Runes Practicum is going very slowly.  And I'm completely lost in Ecology.  Such is life!

Life:  I'm getting published!  The online poetry group I'm involved in is publishing a book of poetry with a small press out of Canada.  Not only that, I'm getting published in my grad school's journal, five poems and two or three pictures!  This is so awesome!  Mom says she wants to buy 15 copies of the poetry collection, hard copy.  Wonderful support!  Well, we are finalizing the book, should be out soon.  The journal is going to come out Mid-November.

My boyfriend is finally admitting he's my boyfriend, so that's a step in the right direction.  Of course it helped that I announced I was his girlfriend!  Life is strange.  :) 

Frustrated

I had a moody, uncomfortable day today.  My family is having some serious financial problems.  I guess that makes us like millions of other Americans.  I've been so irritable today.  It's incredible.  Well, the day didn't start out too good.  In other news...  I tried to go buy embroidery floss today and yesterday, but the quilt shop was closed.  I'm pretty frustrated.  I'll just have to stop by there tomorrow.  The speakers that came with my receiver didn't work when I tried to hook it up again, so I ended up plugging the computer speakers into the headphone jack.  I either need to get another set of computer speakers or get the right ones to work.  My brother, Jed, is going to help me with that tomorrow. 

Call Me Irritable

OK, I'm kinda pissed off tonight for a couple reasons.  I did my friends, Donnie and Reggie a favor by putting some of their stuff (with pictures!) on Craigslist.  Now it's just one computer favor after another.  I told Reggie that if Donnie doesn't thank me for selling his damn boat motor, then no more Craigslist.  So nothing today.  Maybe tomorrow will be different.  Hmmmm!  How hard is it to say "Thank you"?  It must be as painful as passing a kidney stone... or having a baby.  Since I've done neither I can only imagine.

And then there's I Ching 1 and the case of the missing homework.  No one, but me, has turned in their homework for the week.  I turned in mine a day late!  So I have nothing to respond to.  So, in fact, I can't finish my tasks for the week until the other students, all 3 of them, wake up and post homework.  OK, so I realize I sound like an anal Virgo who would like the world to be polite, at least a few people, and others to complete their assignments.  The second is so I don't get too lazy and fall behind. I need the peer pressure.

I mostly embroidered today and played on the computer.  I did study for awhile and watched LOTR 1, the first half.  I had dinner at Mom's.  She is depressed, so I gave her some hugs.  I guess I did other stuff too.  It just seems kind of unimportant right now.  Don't you love it when people have the bass turned way up, at midnight, driving through a residential neighborhood. 

My Weekend

I had a vacation weekend.  I drove out to Star's apartment and we had a Smallville-a-thon.  She crocheted and I embroidered.  Then we spent Sunday with her folks, for Father's Day and her mom's birthday.  She spent the night and stayed part of Monday.  I had a NAMI meeting last night, it was uncomfortable for me.  You have to realize the dynamic of NAMI is mostly parents and their wayward (mental) kids.  That creates all sorts of communication problems.  So guess who acts out?  It's not the ones with mental illness. :)  So I didn't get much done all weekend.  I'm trying to play catch-up today.  That includes blogging.  I'm always so tired in the mornings.  I realize it's after 1pm now.  Gonna try to get a handle on that. 

bye!

Mai Poina 'Oe la'u (Not To Be Forgotten)

Butter Pecan Haagen-Dazs is so good!  Noshing on some right now.  I finished Jean Jeanie's musical themed tote bag today.  It turned out pretty good, black embroidery on a blue bag.  As far as school goes, we are all behind in Ancient Rites.  I don't feel so bad, at least I'm not the only one.  I'm turning in my meditations tonight, but still have to write the final paper for this unit.  Not much happening in Prehistory or Modern Rituals.  Nothing really.  I've been distracted lately.  A few worries.  Nothing too bad, just hard for me to concentrate. I invited my brother, Jed, to come over and play on my computer, but I'm not sure if he will or not.  He missed a Papa Murphy's pizza last night.  Ice cream's gone!  My best bud, Star, is at her niece's graduation all day today.  She had to go up north, quite a drive, with her parents.  I'm sure I'll hear about it later. I'm listening Hawaiian music from the library.  Not too bad really.  All for now!  bye

Strawberries

I'm drinking a strawberry milkshake made with fresh strawberries.  Mmmmm!  I did some embroidery tonight and finished a section of the apron I'm making.  Visited with my family today.  Just realized I forgot my Diabetes med.  Should probably take my pills as well.  In a little while.  Don't you hate it when people stop communicating with you?  You want to just shake them.  That is the situation I'm in now.  I guess I'll have to be more direct.  The funny thing is, I'm so used to it.  Different person, different situation, but still...  A typical Virgo, I practically live and breathe communication.  I don't have a lot to say tonight I guess.  I didn't do much today.  Very unmotivated.  I guess I'm just worrying about things I can't control. I did walk to the Post Office and back today.  And I got a new pair of walking shoes!  Plus two embroidery books, in the mail.  Maybe not such a bad day after all. :)  bye!

Possibilities

Today I embroidered and visited with my brother. He comes over and uses my computer. Not usually a problem. I didn't do anything school-oriented today. Tomorrow I'm going into town with my mom. I'm going to check in with my doctor about the new Diabetes drug I'm taking. And go grocery shopping. And maybe go to the mall. Not much is going on this week, for once. I'm thinking of starting an embroidery blog/challenge. What should the challenge be? A certain number of embroidery pieces? I just don't know. I don't have much to write about tonight I guess. Lots to think about, just not much to write about. All for now! bye

Classic Coral Creme

I'm painting my nails and not doing my homework. I've had two naps today. I think I'm burned out on all the extra stuff I've been doing, emotionally. I feel bad, but I think I'll have to turn in my work tomorrow. We'll see. Why do they call this nail polish a creme when it has all these sparkles in it? I've been baking. I made a lemon cake that is not as lemony as I thought it would be. Gonna bake some more tomorrow. I went swimming today, not laps or anything, just splashing around and then sitting in the hot tub. I love that hot tub! Not much else going on. I drove my car down to the jetty yesterday and played with the lights and the wipers and things. I even went through the roundabout. Easy peasy lemon squeasy! Star did not come out this weekend. Don't know if I'll see her on Saturday or Sunday or not. Big sigh... I finished another embroidery project the other day. I'll be sending off my goddess figurines. Won't that be something to get in the mail? Hee hee! bye

My Whacky Week

What a week I've had! I spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday in town. I hadn't taken the bus for a long time, but that was OK. The S-curves got to me though. I'm listening to a French Pop DVD that a guy in the Employment Support Group gave me. It's not bad! The singer in the first videos is called Priscilla. I just learned that free NING networks may be a thing of the past. We'll see. With over a million social networks, I wouldn't want the whole web to be mad at me. My little network isn't active right now, but I'm not worried about it. When I have time I'll develop it more. Hmmmmm.

I have injected myself twice now with my new Diabetes drug. It didn't even hurt, just a sting. Kind of complicated process, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. Supposed to help my blood sugars, A1c levels, and maybe lose weight too. It's not insulin.

My "give a damn" button is broken. I don't care much about anything right now. I guess I'll get it together one of these days. I got some dishes done today, that's about it. I guess I'll type up some poems for the April PAD challenge. I'm getting back into writing from 9 to 10pm. So I wrote three random poems last night, not for the challenge.

I ordered some more embroidery supplies, so I can embroider on dark fabrics and a couple books too last night. I got a commission to embroider a baseball hat, so I'll be working on that in May. Shouldn't take too long. I've been working on Mom's tote bag today, keep getting distracted. Mom came by and visited for awhile today. I guess my brother has the flu. I'm making clam chowder tomorrow and chicken cacciatore on Sunday. That's all for now! Bye

To-Do List

I did my meditations and paper for Ancient Rites this weekend. Funny how you avoid homework for days and then it turns out to be not so difficult after all. I've been considering applying for another program. I decided to ask the cards about it. The Tarot cards came out with a resounding no, at least for now. I mean I drew the Moon in the Covers position. So if I'm not clear how can I make a good decision? It's a matter of enthusiasm. There's something about beginnings that's just so exciting.

I had a really frustrating day with the embroidery today. I started a gardening design on a lime green tote bag for my mom. I'm using only white thread. Well, one of the little flower pots didn't iron-on very well. I decided to do the hardest bit first, the little flower pot. So I had to keep checking with the transfer to see where to embroider the leaves and flowers. This iron-on is more detailed than any I've done so far too. Uggh! Well, I rushed it, but I got the little flower pot done anyway. I'm faster than I used to be. I make myself do one motif at a time now. It may take a couple hours, but I make progress that way. I wonder if wanting to embroider a lot is normal. I doubt it. And do other crafts too. Hmmmmm... I'm certainly not lacking in inspiration. Probably just a phase.

What else? I've got a million things to do tomorrow. Like write poems for the April Poem-a-day challenge. Attend the poetry critique group chat and reread all our poems and read our fearless leader's epic poem and provide feedback. Plus I have a Swaptree package to mail at the PO. There are some things I've been putting off too, posting on the F&F board and posting excerpts from a chapter of Refuse to Choose. I should make my bed and empty the dishwasher too. Plus, and this is really important, I want to type up my application for peer counselor training. And I have Netflix to watch, Fringe and Cirque du Freak. I'm tired already. Hee hee!

Is this who I am? Someone who's usually happy even while complaining. Good prescription drugs I guess. Well, I'll just enjoy it for now. Who knows? Tomorrow I could be depressed out of my gourd. Anything is possible! Bye for now

Friends

I haven't posted here for awhile. I ordered a new sleeping bag from Amazon. I plan to go car camping this summer with my friends and possibly my family. I heard from my friend, Penelope, yesterday. She and her hubby decided to move onto a farm. She is going to raise her own food, veggies and eggs, stuff like that. I finished a pink baseball hat with embroidered roses for Star. Jean Jeanie came over and got an extra embroidery hoop for cross-stitch and borrowed a couple crocheting books.

I've been pretty overwhelmed lately. I'm trying to figure out my new schedule, how to best approach going to town twice a week. And then today was all about my poetry group and posting the April PAD poems. I'm really tired tonight. Just thought I'd check in. bye

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

Punchy

I just finished watching Wimbledon, the movie. It was a nice light romance. I used to watch a lot of tennis on TV. Nice! I get most of my movies from Netflix, a few from the library. The Oscars are coming up so I put a few Oscar nominated movies in my queue.

I had a really nice day all around. It started early when the dishwasher repair guy came and fixed the dishwasher. Then Mom was over for awhile. We had apple cinnamon rolls and coffee together. I got two packages at the PO, a book I traded for, The Anatomy of Motive, all about why people kill and commit violent crimes, from Paperbackswap.com. The other an order from Joann's containing a kitty crosstitch that I mostly bought for the 3-inch embroidery hoop, some more transfers, a booklet of embroidery stitches, and a punch embroidery kit and punch tool. This leads into my next paragraph.

So this afternoon I did some embroidery for awhile, just boring stitching around a border. Then I opened the punch tool and punch embroidery kit. The kit is a flower in a vase with a backround, all in pink, cream, and green colors. I've never punch embroidered before. I figured it out, but I spent about half the time threading the punch needle. I may have done about a quarter of the pattern, if that, in 3 hours! Fast and easy, hmmmm. I'm not really into kits, but I wanted to learn how to do this. Then tonight I crocheted on the afgan for my mom during the movie.

I think it's the stress, really. If I'm learning something new or crafting I don't have to think about things so much. I saw my job counselor, Mary Jane, I'll call her, yesterday. We just did paperwork. So that is not so stressful except I'll have appointments once a week for awhile and maybe a job search support group to go to, once a week. I miss my best friend. I will go visit her cat tomorrow, he is staying with my family for a few days. I'm really scattered right now. I'll probably be up late since my sleep schedule is so off the charts lately. I'm seeing my doctor on Friday. I'm wondering if I have the balls to say No to someone if they ask me for a big favor. We shall see. Star always said I was good at saying No.

It's still Winter Vacation at Nature U. Until the beginning of March when a few classes start. My class doesn't start until Mid-April. Yes, Runes 4 is happening! I'm looking forward to it. The thought of no classes 'til next Fall was really weighing on me. Like a big empty space. I thought the class wasn't offered since it wasn't on the final list. Someone must have registered for it late. This class is supposed to be about doing Rune spreads and learning how to read them. Sweet! I'm kind of lost when it comes to the Runes.

I'm listening to U2 videos, The Best of 1990 to 2000. The 90s pretty much sucked for me, but some of the music was good. :) That's all for tonight!
bye

Coloring Pages

I made a mistake in my last blog. I enjoy the chat classes the best. Now you know. Not that we are having any this spring, but that may change. I haven't registered for a class yet, still on the fence.

I'm not myself lately. It really sucks. I haven't gotten much done that I want to do and even less that I don't want to do. Very un-Virgo of me. I'm a little hypomanic tonight. I've been looking up coloring pages to eventually trace and turn into embroidery. They are in black and white and line drawings which is why they are good for that purpose. I say eventually, because I'm not ready for all those lines yet. I found some really awesome ones though, the Cheshire Cat, Wizard of Oz ones, a flying monkey even! I even found stuff that is delightful to me if no one else, a tank, a lobster, and Eloise drawings. :) I guess I'm trying to maintain my enthusiasm for crafts. I have so many unfinished projects. Well, only 4, but that's too many. I'm about in the middle of most of those. Crafts, not writing, that's another story.

I'm really having a hard time, not sleeping enough and all. I need a vacation. I just want to spend money too, which is an impulse I'm trying to control. I discovered punch needle embroidery and I want to try that too. I will have to get a kit for that. I'm not really into kits, but I've never tried that so would need some instructions. I watched a video on it on youtube and it looks really fun and easy. Here I just said I had all these unfinished craft projects, the irony! See, the thing is, I'm having a hard time concentrating so surfing the web is OK, but sitting down and doing something is harder.

My computer, Miss Thing, was acting up again today. I tried to burn a CD. Not happening. Usually I try to figure out how to fix things, but I tried to do that for hours today, get WMP to work properly. I think I may have to call the computer guy. Maybe tomorrow or Monday, not sure yet. My level of frustration is pretty high. I synced to my friend's MP3 player though, so it's working somewhat. Well, that's all for tonight! Bye

Crafts are keeping me sane.

Crafts are keeping me sane. I'm not kidding. I haven't been sleeping well. It seems like I'm getting all the bad side effects of anti-depressants without the good effects. Well, usually I'm OK and not depressed, on this one at least. But then there's the weight gain and the sleep disturbances. Might have to change...

Nature U. has 3 kinds of classes. The chats, which aren't offered very often, and are a fun and easy way to get credit, then there's my favorite, even if nerve-wracking at times, regular classes, which have deadlines, which I love. Deadlines are very motivating for me. Then there are the classes for those who have inner drive and motivation, the self-study, go at your own pace classes. Excuse me! I don't do well in those. It's too easy for me to put stuff off. I guess I'm actually "taking" a fourth kind of class, creative self-study classes. I put taking in quotations because I'm putting that off, for this week at least. I'm not as strong as the stress monster. I admit it!

Astrological digression. Mars is in Leo, retrograde. All this has done for me is make me very creative, almost to the point of obsession. I spent last night finding and looking for hand embroidery patterns, cool ones. Now, my embroidery skills are at a very basic level, so this is an exercise in frustration on the one hand. On the other hand, I love possibilities. Possibilities are like oxygen to me. The more possibilities there are, the happier I am. I put some of my ideas down in my Scanner Daybook, so I can save them for later. Mars in Leo is transiting my 12th house. I'm not sure what that means; maybe I should work in isolation. Something along those lines.

I'm listening to the Beatles on WMP. Tomorrow, Jean Jeanie is coming over and I'm going to help her put music on her new 2G MP3 player. She is bringing over some of her favorite CDs, which I'll rip and synch to her player. If all goes according to plan. :) Mom invited her to our Italian Valentine's Day dinner on Sunday. I think we might play Spite & Malice afterwards. Fun!

I got the class schedule for Spring Semester today. I'll either register for a Goddess class or Runes, both short classes. Haven't decided yet. I keep straying off the path. "Not all who wander are lost". Some exciting stuff is coming up Fall Semester. That seems so far away. It will be here before I know it. That's how time works. You think you are in today, then all of a sudden 5 years have passed and your in a totally different today, even if the sets are the same. Wow, I'm downright philosophical tonight! That's all for now! Bye

Computer Hell

I have been in computer hell for the last couple days. I figured out that my Zonealarm wasn't working, bad install. I chatted with the customer service rep and reinstalled it. Already found about 8 viruses on my computer. My Google and Yahoo search results have been getting hijacked. Haven't tried searching today. Couldn't access my Word docs for awhile. Had to do a cold boot at one point. But things appear to be working better. Don't have to call my computer guy, yet.

Have been catching up with housework and laundry for the past couple of days. It seems endless. I finished another floursack towel. Have to take pictures of it and post it. Talked to my friend, Jean Jeanie, for a long time yesterday. Her ex-husband is dying. She gets along good with him, so this is a blow.

I'm still in some kind of fog. I hope things take a turn for the better soon. I told my teacher what's happening in my life and she understood. I will be taking a break from most schoolwork for awhile, except for Ancient Rites. All for now!

Crafts

Well, I haven't been getting any homework done for school and I'm tired of blaming other people for that. I'm over it. Over and done with! I think tonight I will at least do a meditation. I've been stressing, but there's no easy way out. Of my life that is. :)

I went to the Quilt Shop today and bought some embroidery floss to make coasters with. These are St.Pat's coasters for Star. It should be a lot of fun making them. I finished my first floursack towel a few days ago, the lemon one, fruit-themed. They are for my mom, but the lady in the shop said no one hardly ever showed her anything they made with what they bought there, so I'm gonna bring in the towels when I'm done. I didn't work on either of those projects today, but I did crochet a little today. The crocheting is on a afghan in fall colors, orange and brown. I think I'm over making jewelry, but I will probably pick it up again later.

I took two naps today, but every time I was about to drop off it was time to go somewhere. So I'm pretty tired today. The housework is piling up. At least I got a load of dishes in the dishwasher tonight. The kitties are both sleeping on the couch. They look so sweet! Little devils, they are sometimes. LOL! Tomorrow, me and Mom and Star are going grocery shopping. All for now!