Counting Beanbags
My nephew's 2nd birthday is coming up, and I think I'm going to make these. The hardest part will be finding little print/animal fabrics to use for the counting appliqué fronts.
That, and explaining to the girls why their karate pants still aren't done. Official word is that I'm waiting for my Serger to come back from the shop. Unofficial word is that I try to do too much at once.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Jonesin' for Sewing
There are so many sewing projects I'd love to be working on right now.
- Cloth napkins. I hate going through paper napkins so quickly. This would be a fast, easy, useful project, and I think I have fabric I could use already.
- Little Boxy Pouch. So cute! Looks quick and easy to make. I have plenty of fabric, but don't think I have any extra zippers. Also, I have no idea what I would do with it once it was done. Suggestions?
- Grocery Bags. I hate the mountains of plastic bags we go through. The pocket on the side also means that I could fold it up and keep a few in my purse or the car--less likely to forget them that way. Supplies: I'm sure I have appropriate fabric downstairs.
- Baby Quilts. I have no upcoming baby showers (though the girls' dance teacher is due with her second baby next fall), but I could always be a blanketeer. I don't currently have any appropriate fabric for this project, but supplies can be had for about $10 if I find a good sale.
- The Un-Paper Bag. I love the size and shape of this bag. I really love the leather handles. Maybe once a few more paychecks come in, and we get the car and oven fixed, I'll splurge on supplies for that one. A cute summer bag.
- Shoulder bag. Looks fun and practical, but a little slouchy. Not at the top of the list right now.
- Totes for the kids to take stuff to the pool this summer.
- Summer clothes for the kids. When we were looking for Easter dress fabric, they saw a lot of cute summery fabric (think bumblebees, watermelon, frogs, etc.), and I promised we'd make some sun dresses & other clothes.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Easier Than Expected
I went in to talk to the principal this morning, and he pretty much agreed to exactly what I asked. So I'll be making about the same amount of money, but instead of being gone from 7:30 AM to 2PM, I'll be gone from 11:30 AM to 3PM. I'd much rather be gone in the afternoon than the morning, and mornings are when we get most of our schoolwork done, so I'm hoping it will be a better situation.
Thanks for all the good wishes!
Thanks for all the good wishes!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Can't remember the last time . . .
I locked my keys in the car.
I was at my German class tonight, getting ready to leave, when I realized I'd locked the car door, then set the keys down, then looked at some paperwork, then got out of the car. Without the keys. So I had to call Jeff and get him to come unlock the car. No biggie, except that particular student lives 45 minutes away from us, and class wasn't over until 7. So the girls went to bed around quarter to ten tonight.
I'm still in limbo about my time at the school, but it should be resolved by Friday.
I was at my German class tonight, getting ready to leave, when I realized I'd locked the car door, then set the keys down, then looked at some paperwork, then got out of the car. Without the keys. So I had to call Jeff and get him to come unlock the car. No biggie, except that particular student lives 45 minutes away from us, and class wasn't over until 7. So the girls went to bed around quarter to ten tonight.
I'm still in limbo about my time at the school, but it should be resolved by Friday.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
What am I thinking?
Last week, I decided that working the two days at the school was taking too much out of me, and negatively affecting our school work. So I decided to quit. I didn't like it; I don't want to quit because something is hard. Also, I made a commitment, and they are counting on me. In spite of that, once I made the decision, I actually felt lighter. I felt so happy, it surprised me. But I also felt like that was an indicator that I'd made the right decision.
Yesterday morning, I called to see if the morning class was available, which she thought it was (my regular contact is on vacation and I talked to the woman covering for her). She had it listed as a Tuesday/Thursday class, which I'd originally said I couldn't do, because of our co-op. She said she'd see if they were willing to switch days, and I told her that if they weren't, I'd work it out for T/Th (there are only two more regular co-op days, and I could get a friend to drive the kids, then meet them up there a little late).
So. Then I started thinking. This is where the trouble started, of course.
"If I took this new morning class on T/Th, I could stay on at the school. Wow, that would take me up to 23 hours a week once the other night class starts. More if my ESL student can meet. That's nuts. But I don't want to leave the school in the lurch, and it's only two more months. And those classes really take a lot out of me. But it would be steady work again in the fall, when my other classes usually dry up." On and on, ad infinitum.
So here's what I've decided. I'm going to call the principal and tell him that I can't continue as before. I need at least a little more money, and I need the schedule to change. I appreciate that I'm getting paid for prep time, but I need those hours at home. The ball will be in his court, and I'll feel better about it. If I do continue there, the next two months would be really hard, but I'd get through it.
Yesterday morning, I called to see if the morning class was available, which she thought it was (my regular contact is on vacation and I talked to the woman covering for her). She had it listed as a Tuesday/Thursday class, which I'd originally said I couldn't do, because of our co-op. She said she'd see if they were willing to switch days, and I told her that if they weren't, I'd work it out for T/Th (there are only two more regular co-op days, and I could get a friend to drive the kids, then meet them up there a little late).
So. Then I started thinking. This is where the trouble started, of course.
"If I took this new morning class on T/Th, I could stay on at the school. Wow, that would take me up to 23 hours a week once the other night class starts. More if my ESL student can meet. That's nuts. But I don't want to leave the school in the lurch, and it's only two more months. And those classes really take a lot out of me. But it would be steady work again in the fall, when my other classes usually dry up." On and on, ad infinitum.
So here's what I've decided. I'm going to call the principal and tell him that I can't continue as before. I need at least a little more money, and I need the schedule to change. I appreciate that I'm getting paid for prep time, but I need those hours at home. The ball will be in his court, and I'll feel better about it. If I do continue there, the next two months would be really hard, but I'd get through it.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Stupid Conscience
I'm working quite a bit these days, and about to pick up two more evenings. When I got an email yesterday about an early morning class, I told my contact that I was swamped and couldn't take on anything more.
After classes today, I'm wishing I hadn't. I'd forgotten how exhausting teaching groups of school kids can be. And those classes run from 8 until 1:30. Not all of that is class time; some is prep, which I still get paid for, which does help. But it eats up pretty much my whole day, especially since dance and scouts (and more work) are in the afternoons and evenings.
The prospective class, in addition to being adults (who generally want to be there, or at least hide it pretty well if they don't), is from 7 to 9 AM. That time wouldn't eat into our school day very much at all.
Also, the pay rate is about 2 and a half times what I'm making now. I'd bring home about the same amount, but for four hours of work instead of eleven. (For a while, I was giving 40% of my take-home pay to a babysitter, but that issue is cleared up now, and I think our parents will be able to take care of it.)
So, let's sum up.
Instead, I feel stressed and guilty because my own life is pretty much a shambles right now (our school work is really suffering right now, and the house is a wreck).
After classes today, I'm wishing I hadn't. I'd forgotten how exhausting teaching groups of school kids can be. And those classes run from 8 until 1:30. Not all of that is class time; some is prep, which I still get paid for, which does help. But it eats up pretty much my whole day, especially since dance and scouts (and more work) are in the afternoons and evenings.
The prospective class, in addition to being adults (who generally want to be there, or at least hide it pretty well if they don't), is from 7 to 9 AM. That time wouldn't eat into our school day very much at all.
Also, the pay rate is about 2 and a half times what I'm making now. I'd bring home about the same amount, but for four hours of work instead of eleven. (For a while, I was giving 40% of my take-home pay to a babysitter, but that issue is cleared up now, and I think our parents will be able to take care of it.)
So, let's sum up.
- Less stressful
- Better pay rate
- Better time of day
Instead, I feel stressed and guilty because my own life is pretty much a shambles right now (our school work is really suffering right now, and the house is a wreck).
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 08, 2008
This week's goals
besides planning out my classes for work, I will complete a rough draft of the website I said I'd do, and finish these:
I need to fiddle with the collars, hem them, and do buttons /buttonholes. No telling if the clothes they'll wear under them at Easter will be made by me or not. I think they're turning out cute so far!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Best Baby Shower EVER
I went to a baby shower today for one of Jeff's cousins. At a SPA. Sadly, the mother-to-be lives out of state and couldn't be there, so the grandmother-to-be opened the presents. We all got manicures & massages, had champagne, and Chicken Caesar Salad (or salmon) for lunch. Heaven!
I made my first baby blanket as part of our gift:
It's cute, and wasn't very difficult or very expensive, but if I ever make another one, I will either find my quilting ruler or buy a new one. I am not precise enough with scissors to get really even squares, which are necessary for the "prairie points" around the outside.
I made my first baby blanket as part of our gift:
It's cute, and wasn't very difficult or very expensive, but if I ever make another one, I will either find my quilting ruler or buy a new one. I am not precise enough with scissors to get really even squares, which are necessary for the "prairie points" around the outside.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Working
For the past few months, I've been working very little. Like, "six hours a month," little. In some ways, it's been nice--lots of time at home. In other ways--financial ways--it's been the pits.
Now the pendulum is swinging back in the other direction. Just today, I started teaching computers at a local private Christian school. It'll be 11 hours a week, which is a nice chunk, and it's only a ten minute drive. The downside is that the pay rate is considerably less than what I usually make.
Next week, I'm starting a German class. That'll be four hours a week, but it's at least a 45 minute drive. I usually won't go farther than half an hour, and they knew that, so I managed to get an extra $10/hour out of them.
I'm also trying to get my evening adult computer classes running again. That one is about half an hour away, though I don't know how much it will pay. I'm hoping it will also be four hours a week.
So if everything pans out, I'll be looking at 19 hours (over two days and four nights) a week. That's kind of nuts for me, especially considering that co-op takes up most of another day. I think I'm going to go look at once-a-month-cooking sites again . . .
Now the pendulum is swinging back in the other direction. Just today, I started teaching computers at a local private Christian school. It'll be 11 hours a week, which is a nice chunk, and it's only a ten minute drive. The downside is that the pay rate is considerably less than what I usually make.
Next week, I'm starting a German class. That'll be four hours a week, but it's at least a 45 minute drive. I usually won't go farther than half an hour, and they knew that, so I managed to get an extra $10/hour out of them.
I'm also trying to get my evening adult computer classes running again. That one is about half an hour away, though I don't know how much it will pay. I'm hoping it will also be four hours a week.
So if everything pans out, I'll be looking at 19 hours (over two days and four nights) a week. That's kind of nuts for me, especially considering that co-op takes up most of another day. I think I'm going to go look at once-a-month-cooking sites again . . .
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Big Hair
Back in the 80's, I rocked the big hair look. Of course, it took an hour and a half to achieve said look (that was with the curling iron or the hot rollers).
I don't think Lauren is going to have that issue. I washed her hair last night, and was a little disappointed that it didn't curl up at all once it was wet. It was still a little damp when she went to bed. When I saw her this morning, I was kind of taken aback. Sweet merciful crap, look at your hair! I thought. Some curl had managed to erupt, but only in one section. I had her put on a headband to keep it out of her face, and I'll try to tame it with some water before we go to co-op in an hour. I think it'll be ok, but this just serves to remind me that I know diddly about curly hair. Maybe it should be cut with some layers? Maybe I should have had it thinned out a little?
Maybe I should pray for the 80's look to come back by the time she's a teenager.
I don't think Lauren is going to have that issue. I washed her hair last night, and was a little disappointed that it didn't curl up at all once it was wet. It was still a little damp when she went to bed. When I saw her this morning, I was kind of taken aback. Sweet merciful crap, look at your hair! I thought. Some curl had managed to erupt, but only in one section. I had her put on a headband to keep it out of her face, and I'll try to tame it with some water before we go to co-op in an hour. I think it'll be ok, but this just serves to remind me that I know diddly about curly hair. Maybe it should be cut with some layers? Maybe I should have had it thinned out a little?
Maybe I should pray for the 80's look to come back by the time she's a teenager.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Haircuts
Not mine! I'll be interested to see what Lauren's does next time I wash it. 
Edited to add this conversation from last weekend.
Sarah: How old do I have to be to dye my hair?
Me: . . . Um . . . a teenager.
Sarah: Oh, so 13 or 14.
Me: No! . . . Um . . . 16.
Sarah: OK.
Me: What color would you want to dye it?
Sarah: Oh, bright yellow, like sunflowers, because they're my favorite flower.
Me: . . . So what got you thinking about dying your hair? (There's a couple teens at our church who frequently have blue or hot pink chunky highlights.)
Sarah: I don't know, I was just thinking about it.
So now I'm wondering what her first shade of Manic Panic will be!
Edited to add this conversation from last weekend.
Sarah: How old do I have to be to dye my hair?
Me: . . . Um . . . a teenager.
Sarah: Oh, so 13 or 14.
Me: No! . . . Um . . . 16.
Sarah: OK.
Me: What color would you want to dye it?
Sarah: Oh, bright yellow, like sunflowers, because they're my favorite flower.
Me: . . . So what got you thinking about dying your hair? (There's a couple teens at our church who frequently have blue or hot pink chunky highlights.)
Sarah: I don't know, I was just thinking about it.
So now I'm wondering what her first shade of Manic Panic will be!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Crawling out of the sludge
Last week was rough. All of us had nasty colds, and there was more than one day that I didn't leave the house. Lauren had the worst of it--she missed dance, the library, and her first Daisy meeting. We all seem to be over it for the most part, though.
So back to the grind for us! Lots of school work to catch up on, and I agreed to do a website for the company that put in our tub liner. I might also have a job at a nearby private Christian school as their computer instructor. The website payment would be a nice shot of cash, and the teaching would be steady. I haven't heard anything back about the evening computer classes.
I'm also helping a friend's daughter with her schoolwork. She just started homeschooling, and since she's a teen, she's working pretty independently. I'm going through her English and History with her--she's ok on the Biology and Algebra herself.
Oh, and I also got some camel colored polar fleece and leopard trim, to make Easter coats. Normally, I just make dresses, but since I got a gift card to JoAnn's for Christmas, I splurged a little. Hope they turn out cute!
So back to the grind for us! Lots of school work to catch up on, and I agreed to do a website for the company that put in our tub liner. I might also have a job at a nearby private Christian school as their computer instructor. The website payment would be a nice shot of cash, and the teaching would be steady. I haven't heard anything back about the evening computer classes.
I'm also helping a friend's daughter with her schoolwork. She just started homeschooling, and since she's a teen, she's working pretty independently. I'm going through her English and History with her--she's ok on the Biology and Algebra herself.
Oh, and I also got some camel colored polar fleece and leopard trim, to make Easter coats. Normally, I just make dresses, but since I got a gift card to JoAnn's for Christmas, I splurged a little. Hope they turn out cute!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thought Provoking
I saw an interesting link at Marcy's Musings today: Dumbing Down America. Like Marcy, I thought the video was interesting (but not terribly surprising, sadly), but it was the last paragraph that really got me thinking.
Then consider the greater than $48,000 average cost (four years) of state college tuition and the fact that many students (I’ve seen figures as high as 78.7%) require remediation once they are there. Consider that in 2005, starting salary averages for college grads were between $29,733 and $53,279. Add to it all the idea that you need be degreed before you can answer a phone and it becomes clear that our education system has been set up to weigh students down in debt before they make a dime.I was lucky to not have excessive debt when I got out of school, thanks to grants and loans from my parents. I did have some government loans, but they weren't crippling when I finally got started in the real work force (not counting my au pair stint). I have no idea what my kids are going to do in 10 years when they reach college age.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)