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

Miss Thing

One thing I have learned about using computers--simpler is better. I was having problems with Windows Media Player, it wouldn't recognize the CD I wanted to rip, so I started looking at all the help information. When I got to the part about changing registry values, I thought "maybe not". Instead I restarted the computer, I'll call her Miss Thing, because she's quite temperamental, and that worked. Often, if I'm having problems I just log off or restart and that works. I'm kinda mad at myself for taking an hour of fiddling with WMP and searching help menus before figuring that out.

Decisions have been made. I'm helping out my mom financially. She is in dire straits or this wouldn't happen. I finally got Star's number so I can call her if I want. It's unlikely that I'll get to Olympia this month, so visiting her is out of the question. Not sure if she can have visitors once she gets on the chemical dependency unit.

I've been extremely stressed out lately. I haven't been able to read. This has settled down some tonight. I read a chapter in Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher, an excellent book. I summarize each chapter on one of my creativity websites. Maybe I can get Chapter 4 done tomorrow. I made chocolate chip cookies today, from a 2 pound tub of cookie dough. They turned out really good. I gave most of them to my family.

I have 3 craft projects going for my mom and best friend. Coasters, floursack towels, and an afghan are all in the works. I need to do a project for myself. I have these rune bookmarks started, just simple lines, but I'm hankering for a new project. Have to think about that.

I'm wondering if I should announce this blog on Facebook, my creativity and divination websites, and the Nature U. website. It might be nice to get some comments. On the other hand, maybe I should wait til the current crisis(plural) blow over. Sigh. What to do, what to do? That's all for now! Bye!

Computer Hell--Another Level

Still having computer problems, but I'm seeing the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Tip: if you are having computer problems but can still do a search, search for the problem. You can get some good results that way.

Had Chinese with Mom today, this spicy chow mein. Pretty good. I still have leftovers. Talked to Star a little today, but I had to pee, so was kinda short with her. She is into her own transformation right now, like a former caterpillar, now looking for her wings. I miss her. I can't call her up or even email her. Weird! I made a couple Valentines today and mailed one off. Mom made about 8. They were so cute! She loves holidays. I'm partial to them too. All of them. We are having a nice dinner next Sunday and even invited a guest. A party of special magnificence. :)

My online college is now offering an MFA. You don't know how tempting that is. But I am signed up for 4 programs already. Maybe someday. I'm kind of worried about Dean Dharma, she is having some health issues. I guess they are more chronic than critical, but still. I've learned tons already. I'm not kidding. I'm listening to Erasure videos. I was watching them and crocheting, but then I decided to tackle the computer again. The kitties are being really quiet. They are both napping. I guess that's it for tonight. 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!

Update

Well, my best friend is in rehab. I miss her. She will be gone for awhile. She is probably going through computer and kitty withdrawals on top of everything else. *sigh*

My mom called me almost hysterical about her financial situation. I can't help her there, any more than I have. I rent from her, so this impacts me too. I hope she doesn't lose the mobile home. She is trying to sell it. It's no use worrying about the future, but I do anyway. I shed a few tears yesterday.

I emailed Dean Dharma about all the crisis going on in my life. I just can't concentrate on schoolwork right now, literally. I don't know if I have ADD or not. I think it is just part of my mental health status. It just gets worse when I'm stressed out. I'm not going to try reading right now. Well, that's 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!