Refreshed

Day 92

I am thankful for another day to rest and recover.  Feeling mostly over the cold now but still feeling allergy symptoms. The beautiful day continued with mostly sunny and cool early spring weather.  I played hooky from church today since I didn't wake up until 9 a.m.  It was a much needed, long sleep. 

Yesterday and last night set a record for rainfall for Feb. 27 in our area.....  .46, not quite half an inch.  To put this in perspective our annual rainfall hovers around 5 inches/year in a normal year.   Did I pick a good day to stay in yesterday or what?

Sunny and beautiful outside (11 a.m.) right now.  I'll have to go a-yard wandering.  Maybe a stroll around the block, too.

The neighbor's tree is much pinker than mine:

 The chevron scarf is almost 31 inches long after two days of knitting and 14 episodes of Bones.   It's so much fun to watch them sans advertisements.

This isn't the best photo of the scarf.  I think the yarn looks better in daylight or in person.   But, there it is, just about 31 inches of scarf.  Almost all of the scarf touching the sofa was knit this weekend.  I haven't reached the end of the 1st skein yet.  At this pace it will take me until Sis's birthday to finish it.  Ah, well. 

R and R

Day 91  Really?  Already?  Let me go check that.  No kidding!  (well not when you're numbering wrong!)

I am thankful for technology of certain sorts.  I'm thankful for the diversion of television and the joy of the dvd player.  I figured I'd be resting today.  It was a very good knitting day and I am starting to feel the cold waning.  Lots of rain and I watched the first half of the first season of Bones on dvd.    The scarf is almost 29 inches.  Progress!  

We had a little bit of sunshine this morning so I hopped outside for some photos.

The promise of Apricots:

Ornamental Pear, over the head view:

Purple Leaf Plum:

Continuing in Gratefulness

Day 90

I am thankful for collegiality.  People at work are speaking with openness, hoping for unity, praying for protection against great financial difficulty.  I am taken by the thoughtfulness that my peers are putting into our current state of budget difficulties.

So, again, I find myself thankful for the gift of faith and trust in the living God.  The next few months and years won't be easy in some ways but He is here with me and beside me. 

It's been a no photo day, very blustery.   The leaves of the purple leaf are coming in.  They're not quite overwhelming the blossoms but close.  The allergy trees in the back yards of the neighborhood have begun to bloom.  Pleh.   I have my air purifier running on high.

Unsettling

Day 89

I am thankful for the faith God gives us to trust him.  A mix of probably good and oh, so not good news from work today.  Not so good?  First negotiation offer from work has an 11.5% pay cut, and benefits changes that increase the % to 12-20% depending on what changes are implemented.  I don't think anyone breathed for a good 30 minutes this morning.  We are an entire generation of people who have never faced this.  I know I'll be ok-the part where faith and trust come in.

Maybe good?  The job change I wanted is more of a definitely maybe now.   I'm am more likely to be working in speech and language than not.  I'm not quite ready to celebrate but I'm beyond grateful.   I've been certain that it wasn't going to be this year and maybe two before the position opened.  Grateful.

Front yard:

Backyard:

 

Fun with macro.

Allergies or Virus, Either one can knock you Down

Day 88

I am thankful for medicines.   I am thankful that we have mild and powerful choices to help us through our aches and pains and to aide healing when we are very ill.

I think yesterday's fatigue is today's virus or perhaps a big ole allergy flare.  Off to bed for another early evening.

The fatigue before the virus

Day 87  I let the evening get away from me.  Rather than shaking off the sleepies I'm going to bed.  Hopefully I'll catch up to myself tomorrow.

Tuesday: There was much to be thankful for from the glory of God's creation to the wonder of learning.  Although, from my allergy/cold ridden brain it feels all the same.  Still, I like this habit of thankfulness so here a bit of the glory of creation:

Even on a Monday

Day 86

I am thankful for the time to Praise God together with friends, as I go through my day, and as my day comes to an end.  It's been a Monday but it ended well as it always does in bell choir.   Good friends, good music, fun was had, praise was offered.  Amen.

Pink

Day 85

I am thankful for a little more rainy, cloudy weather.  I hope the mountains are getting lots of good snow.

Here in the valley spring fills my front yard:

Church this morning with our guests Liberated Wailing Wall.  Their presentation and time of worship with us was very moving.   Mostly home this afternoon knitting.  I finished the 2nd baby bootie for the the family at work.  I forgot to take a picture of the hat that my student and I worked on but here are the matching booties:

 

Cute, huh?

Cute little story, too.  This student has been telling us since early January that Mommy is having twin boys.  Yes, yes, she went to the doctor and he showed her pictures-twins, boys.  (already 3 younger brothers).  Imagine our surprise when she brought a shower invitation that says, "It's a girl!"   Mommy had a 2nd ultrasound that showed one baby and a girl at that.  The ladies in the office were as amused as we were when I asked them to confirm since we'd been knitting hats for baby boys!

Thank goodness the knitting goes quickly on little projects!

Knitterly

Day 84

I am thankful for wood, bolts, screws, nuts, and coupons.  I have a new loom and I've been struggling because my hands hurt after working with it a short time.  Into my e-mail for this week's Michael's coupon and off to see if they have any kind of stand.  I found an embroidery stand that with the coupon was worth a try.  I'm liking it!  It holds my loom nicely.  it fits in front of me nicely.  I can adjust it easily.  I even assembled it with not too much trouble.  With the addition of a clip on light I'm good to go.

Here's the loom, up close and personal:

And here is the loom on its stand:

 I decided for Lent to commit to 30 minutes/day of prayer and knitting.  The knitting project will be knit hats for cancer patients.  I don't have to think about the caps and can keep my fingers busy while I'm talking and listening to God.

First hat: 

Reflection

Day 83

I am thankful for, hmmmm, having trouble defining in words what I'm thinking about.  I was going to write Prayer, that's close but not it.  I was going to say God, the creator, that's close but not it.  I think this thankfulness has more to do with being grateful for the relationship I/we have with God through Jesus, the Christ.  

Today's tree and blossom photos.  Two from the Purple Leaf:

 

 

And one from the Apricot:

I've been thinking a lot about the Lenten tradition of giving something up.  I was going to give up sweets but I've decided that since I was going to join Weight Watcher with a friend that I would have given up most sweets anyway-so no sacrifice there.  I keep coming back to giving.  My sis talked about me knitting caps for the cancer center locally and I like that idea a lot.  So I have decided that for the season of Lent I will dedicate a portion of my time.   I will use the knitting time to meditate and pray.   I'm still toying with the idea of setting a goal and I'm 50/50 on it right now.  When I make hats for the NICU  I try to make 25 in a month.  But, adult hats take a little longer.  I could probably make 20, though, in 6 weeks.  I'm not sure I want to set a numerical goals and I'm not sure why.  Maybe instead I should set a minimum time/day to spend in knitting and prayer.  I'll have to ponder that some more.

Visits

Day 82

I am thankful that my niece and her friend stayed overnight with me on their way to Disneyland!  We had a nice dinner and talked shop most of the evening as we watched some Olympic coverage.    The photo I took this morning came out blurry-phooey.

The Purple Leaf Plum blossoms continue to be a delight:

The Chevron Scarf is coming along:

 

It's about 12 inches now and the yarn shows a very soft varigation/striping.  

Zipping Thankfulness

Day 81

Day 81! Wowie Zowie, the days just keep zipping by.  I am thankful for the seasons and the rhythms of the church year.  I am thankful for the challenges of the journey of Lent and grateful to mark these days.

We didn't grow up giving something up for Lent but as an adult I like the tradition of a personal sacrifice to remind myself of Jesus' sacrifice for my benefit.  I was reading about a woman who decided this year to make her personal sacrifice one of giving.  I'm not sure how that would play out for me but I like her thoughts of giving of herself, her time, her talents, and her treasures.   I'm going to ponder this one a bit.  I have some ideas rolling around in my head but nothing fully formed yet.

I tried for more blossom pictures this morning but was in too much a hurry before work to be patient.  Long day and glad to be home.

Scarf in the mail!

Soft

Day 80

I am thankful for Mom's blue scarf.  Spring is nearly here and the house warmed up to 67*F today without even turning on the heat.  Instead of sweater or blanket I have Mom's light blue, fleece scarf around my neck and shoulders as I watch tv and play on the computer.

Wordle of the Week:

Wrapping up a Weekend

Day 79 (Mon. 2/15)

I am thankful for the time I had this weekend to spend with my sister and her husband.   It was a relaxed, comfortable weekend of spending time together.  Sis and I ran a few errands, made some soup stock, and watched Olympics and a movie together.   I was able to get a good start on her scarf and enough done so that we could see the pattern and yarn working together. 

I enjoyed another lovely drive returning home to many more blossoms on the Purple Leaf Plum.

 

 

The tree was buzzing with visitors.  I wonder if they're from the hives in the nearby almond orchard.

"The Scarf" is finished!  I'll head to the post office tomorrow after work and get it off to Boston.  I'm pleased with this project.

Joy in Worship

Day 78

Happy Valentine's Day!  I am thankful for Worship.  I'm certain I've been thankful for the Service of the Word before, here in this blog, but the joy of Worship isn't a one time joy.   To participate in a liturgical worship service is to touch the depth of Joy and bring it's expression into being.

From the Introit:

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
(From Psalm 84, verses 4, 1-2, 9, and 11)

Olympics were watched, knitting was accomplished and we even managed to eat out.  Yum!

The start of a scarf:

Outdoors

Day 77

I am thankful to live in such a beautiful state.  The drive to the coast couldn't have been more beautiful on a classic California February day.  As much as I enjoyed the drive I enjoyed today with Sis and husband even more.

What's left of the last storm's snow:

 Quick snap out the window as traffic slowed along the 101:

Blue Sky

Day 76

I am thankful for community.  From family to colleagues to neighbors, for each small community, and from waves across the street to hugs among friends I am thankful.

Happy Friday!  Happy Olympic Opening Ceremony!

Happy Blossom Time.  Just barely open Purple Leaf Plum blossoms. :

Apricot blossoms are not too far behind:

Blue, blue sky in the background of both photos!  Between our first full day of sun, slightly warmer weather, and the promise of afternoon parties the children were quite squirrely today.   By the end of the day they were sugar high and sun drunk.  I think the entire staff was happy to see them walk out the gate at the end of the day.

Update, later this same evening:  The scarf is finished! The scarf is finished!  It is off the loom, washed and rinsed, and laying on a towel to dry.   It will have to wait for Tuesday to fly off to Boston but fly it shall!   The Olympics opening ceremony is over and I'm off to sleep.  Trip to visit with Sis this weekend, yay!  Must rest!

Coming and Going

Day 75

I am thankful for adaptability.  Surely this is "hardwired" into us.   While I don't believe that all change is good change I do believe "...... that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28  I can get mired in the changes I experience but even these are "the small stuff." 

One of my students moved this week.  It's not an unusual occurrence at this school, this year.  The residents of our neighborhood are barely hanging on.  They move for the next subsistence job and into the next subsistence housing.  Even knowing that I'm knocked on my side by this family and this child's moving away.  Every teacher hates to have favorites and every teacher does, whether he or she admits it.  We do.  K became a favorite because she worked so hard.

In the face of frustration she tried again, and again, and again.  She learned, she grew.   She learned that she could learn to read and that it took work.  She learned that there are grown ups who had trouble learning to read but they grew up and made good lives.  She learned that she is good at teaching little ones the simple things like holding a pencil and coloring like big kids.  She learned that she is the kind of person who is a good friend.  She learned that she is good with her hands, that she can learn to knit and to weave.  She learned that she can show other students how to do those things.  I hope she remembers all these things.  I am so sad to lose her from my classroom and my life.  I do know, though, that she is adaptable.  She will adjust to the change of moving to a new home and a new school.  She will approach difficulties with frustration but she will try and work so hard.   Having an impact is a two way street. 

 The beginning of a not so cloudy day:

No Small Thing

Day 74

I am thankful for faith.  A dear friend's mother died last night.  I am grateful for the faith of each member of her family that they have but to wait and that she is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

Cold Winds of Winter!

Day 73

I am thankful for good cheer.  In spite of the clouds and rain the denizens of my classroom were cheerful and hardworking today.  I kept my cloudy grumps to myself.  Morning recess was cancelled so we had hot cocoa and cheese crackers and then the kids had free choice on the computers.  Since we were on rainy day schedule game day in my classroom at lunch was much appreciated.  

Did it ever rain today.  I kept thinking to go outside and take pictures of the swamps between the buildings and the marsh of a playground but never quite had those 5 minutes and a camera at the same time.  I did manage to take a lot of pictures on the way home.

Photos, photos, photos!:

This is the same field from a few days ago.  Snow!  Look how low-I'm guessing 3000 feet.  The high was predicted to be about 55*F today.   At 4:40 p.m. my car said it was 46*F. outside.  Brrrr.   

The sun finally came out toward the end of the day.   On days like today I covet a more powerful camera and the know-how to use it.  The light and shadows on the hills were so distinct.

This reminds me of growing up.  The ground is saturated and the run off has no where to go but the street.

The greeter at the gate to my back yard.  I like how the knot in the board gives him a second eye.

The welcome turkey by the front door.   The last storm was so windy that I took down quite a few of my wind chimes.  This fella claimed the hook near the door out of the wind and rain.

Cloudy, Say it like Eeyore

Day 72

I am thankful for Mozart.  On bells.  I wish I could remember the name of the piece but it's our performance piece for our upcoming Spring Ring.  We've being ringing it since September.   We close every rehearsal with a little Mozart.  It's a peaceful way to go home.  AND, we started a piece by Arnold Sherman based on the melody, "How Can I Keep From Singing?"  It features "singing bells".  A vinyl coated "clave" sized cylinder of wood is run around the rim of the bell creating a continuous tone.  The sound is based on Chinese bowl singing (I think).  If you've ever rubbed a wet finger around the edge of a glass it's like that but with handbells.  Very cool. 

I did think it was going to be sunny today.  I am disappointed.   No rain but it's looked like this all day:

 A gray day does make the color of the blossoms stand out.  More purple leaf plum blossoms:

A Little of This, A Little of That

Day 71

I am thankful for an easy, quiet day.  A little knitting, a little laundry,  church and Bible class, and a trip to the grocery store.  So much better for knowing tomorrow is a day off.  Yay!

The first little buds are appearing on the apricot tree.  I'll have to go out front and see how the purple leaf plum is looking.  It was spectacular last year.

On the way home from church I stopped on the overpass to the River Bed to take this:

Purple Leaf Plum Buds:

 

If what is on the tree is any indication it's going to be marvelous! 

Here are updated photos of the yarn that is "rhubarby" in color:

Turn, Turn, Turn

Day 70

I am thankful for changes.  The weather has been changing a lot going from cold to cool from rainy to sunny and back again.  The seasons are changing.  Tree buds are swelling and I caught the first hint of blossoms on my apricot tree.   There is a pink camellia bush in the back yard with more than just one blossom this year.   I took a photo today but it didn't turn out very well.   It is so easy to enjoy changes in the weather and seasons and not always so easy to enjoy changes in life's circumstances.  Maybe that difficulty comes from thinking I'm in charge of life's circumstances in spite of every evidence to the contrary.  Hm.  Will have to ponder this more.

The camellia:

WotW

  I like these.    Wordle of the Week:

Together

Day 69

The last couple of days have been a lot about work but I have one more:  I am thankful for teachers who treat all of the children as if they are their own.   I'm not talking about their own biological children but their own classroom children.  When these teachers have a special education student that child is as much their responsibility as any other child.   Our work has greater breadth and depth for working in partnership.

We had a storm system fly by in the last two days.  Not too much moisture but more pretty, cloudy skies.  The fields are starting to green up whether or not they were planted by a farmer.  The foothills have shown a green hue since the last set of storms.  There wasn't much winter this year but I'm glad for spring to be on it's way.  Hopefully the storms will continue and the we'll get a good snowpack in the mountains.

Sometimes It's Better Not to Knit

Day 68

I am thankful for parents who keep their sick kids at home.  In contrast to October when it seemed that every sick kid came to school this week parents seem to be keeping their children home.  I wish I knew what the difference is.  It has been good for all of us to have smaller groups and times in the day with no groups.  The kids who are still in school are getting more of our attention.  For resource kids it's precious time to have them one on one.   Sadly, I'm feeling like one of those sick kids shared.  Zinc melts are my friend. 

Today's yarnie lesson from home is sometimes you have to go back a row or 12 in your knitting.  I couldn't face taking out what I'd done tonight so I'll get to it tomorrow or Saturday.   I was on such a roll, too.   This may have a bit to do with the need for zinc melts!  Ah well.

Let Your Voice Sing and Your Heart Dance

Day 67

I am thankful for song.  I am more specifically thankful for songs and hymns of praise to God.

It's been a sloggy kind of a week.  Everything went slow today from 3 p.m. on and I arrived late for choir.  I didn't realize how much I was enjoying myself until I came home in a better mood than I'd been in all day.  That 105 minutes of intently focusing on praising God in a beautiful way can wash the tiredness right out of me.  Lovely.

Why Did The Geese Cross The Road?

Day 66

I am thankful for back talkin' children.  Why?  Because if this is the worst of the behavior problems among my children then I'm having a pretty good year!  Still working on dampening the argumentative whining but I was reminded today of past difficult children and these problems can't hold a candle to some of those of children I've had before.

It turns out the goose (definitely domesticated) from a few days back has friends:

 

She was out and about yesterday morning. (I've named her Marjorie)  I came across these ladies as I was coming in to work.  My first friend is the last in the line.:

So, why did the geese cross the road?  It's gonna be stupid so stop reading if you don't want to know......



.....



......



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To see where the Chicken went! Of course!

 

Marjorie, I'm sure I saw the Chicken head this way, c'mon already!