Artichokes and Pink Martini

If you like artichokes, Pink Martini, knitting, then read on. If you are interested in the woes of losing the last 20 lbs or working in education, then read on. If you want to know what it's like to be an empty nester or to share that nest with to two dogs, then read on. If you want to know what the theme is for Monday night dinner, when the kayaks are going out, or who was at the Y at 5am, then read on. If none of this interests you, just hit the button that says "next blog", & read on.

Saturday, April 30, 2005

Yoga & Pink Martini

A wonderful Saturday, all the way around. My wonderful Yoga Instructor, Christine, started class by saying that the music was for me. And then Amado Mio filled the room. I knew it was going to be a great day. Yoga and Pink Martini. And not just one song on a home burned cd, but Sympatique in it's glorious entirety. How could the day be anything but great?

A day with the girls! Yoga was followed by breakfast with Jessica and Michelle, coffee with Tanya and a whole afternoon of knitting with Roxi. I started a new sweater #2. The first sweater #2 pattern had issues that Roxi discovered ( I have a good knitting guru). And I like this new project a lot better (pictures will be forth coming).

When I got home I was treated to a great chat with Katie. She blogged like crazy today, posting pictures left and right. I'm glad to see that she is having fun hanging out in Blogville. Her best friend Lisha has joined the blog world too. Too fun. Somedays I just love technology.

What a good day! It truly is the ordinary moments that can make an extraordinary day.

ttfn

Thursday, April 28, 2005

Sweater # 2


Sweater # 2
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

In the beginning, there was yarn, and yarn was good. And then Sandy said, let there be sweater, and now there's this. These mitered squares will be on the bottom of the back (so I won't have to look at them). I am working on the front set now & hope they will be an improvement. They will all eventually grow up to be a sweater, the main color is green, surprise. Hoping that the wearing out party will be June 1.

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

sympathique


sympathique
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Ma chambre a la forme d'une cage
Le soleil passe son bras pas la fenetre
Les chasseurs a ma porte
comme les petits soldats
que veulent me prendre

Another Sunny Day

After the fog lifted it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day. It reminds me how much I am looking forward to the summer. I am ready.

Though it doesn't look like I will be seeing a lot of Pink Martini this summer. I guess their March tour of Europe was a great success. It looks like they will be going back to France in July and October. I hope they don't forget that they all live in Portland and they need to spend more time at home then on the road. I am guessing that Hang on Little Tomato is a big hit in France. All the more reason to stay at home and work on Album #3, which should be titled "Eugene". Release date 2006 ... 2007 at the very latest! Just a thought.

I am getting no where fast on the sweater I am knitting. That June 1st completion date is looking like it is in jeopardy. It's all that weaving in of the different colored tails. Hopefully, I will get reinvigorated this weekend. Wish me luck.

ttfn

Monday, April 25, 2005

Monday count down

Did I mention that there are only 7 more Mondays left in this school year??? But who's counting (that would be me).

It was a small group for Monday night dinner. We all fit around the same table in the same room, been a while since that happened. The food was all good & Next Week's Theme is "Dos de Mayo" (like Cinco de Mayo but on the 2nd not the 5th). That means Mexican food, kids!

It is definitely Spring at school. The kids are getting a little bit antsy and the teachers are starting to look tired. We have 10 5th graders in our classroom preparing themselves for Middle School next year. To do this, they must be extra obnoxious and irritating these last 2 months of school so we won't miss them when they are gone. Deep breath, count to 10 & visualize June. Let me tell you, these techniques work best on Fridays and not so much on Mondays.

Sunday, April 24, 2005

Look Who's Blogging Now!


Look Who's Blogging Now!
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Katie has her own blog now. You can find her at katiekooties.blogspot.com Or just click on "Katie's Blog" on my link list. Visit her and find out what's really going on in college these days. At least the stuff that she will let her Mom read.

Sydney's Pet Koi


koi
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

The koi are getting perky again. They listen for the sound of a human voice and then come begging for breakfast. All of the kids survived the winter and a pair of very noisy raccoons. Luckily, Sydney is their protector, no on messes with her pet fish.

Saturday, April 23, 2005

A Busy Saturday

Last week I decided that I was going to be a Weight Watchers saint from now until the end of the school year. Well sainthood has paid off. Today at the weekly weigh in the scale said that I lost 4.6 lbs. It looks like those last 20 lbs. better be afraid, very, very afraid.

I went to the Para Educators conference today. I attended a couple of workshops, one of which was very good and the other that was ehhhhhhhhh. The main reason that I went was that some of the wonderful people who I work with nominated me for Para of the Year. They said some very nice things about me, which, of course, made my skin crawl. I didn't win. That was ok, because I would have had to hug the Superintendent, a twilight zone moment if there ever was one. It just felt good that the people that I work with think what I do everyday helps.

The day ended with a photo shoot for the dogs. At my new favorite dog store they have these cool dog pictures hanging up. The artist responsible does dog portraits and had appts. today that anyone could sign up for. So I took the kids. They behaved, well, like dogs, so hopefully the pictures will turn out. If you want to see some samples of the photographers work, check out http://cowbellyproofs.smugmug.com/gallery/111331

ttfn

azalea


azalea
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

The backyard is waking up and the azalea is the early bird. If you know me, you know I don't get too much excited about flowers. This is an old azalea that is soooo vibrant it makes you like it.

Friday, April 22, 2005

Happy Friday!!!

Yeah! Made it to another one. It's supposed to hit 74 in Old Tacoma today. I just burned 8 million calories at the Y in Liz's spin class. The woman is amazing. Just when you think you can't take it & feel a heart attack coming on, she calls out 60 push ups while pedaling that bike faster than humanly possible. But I'm not complaining. I feel like if I survive her class, I have earned a Friday night beer.

Wherever you are & whatever you are doing, have a FABULOUS Friday!!!

ttfn

Thursday, April 21, 2005

1st sweater


1st sweater
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Ta Da!!!!

Knittin' Crazed

The end of January I decided to TRY knitting. I was convinced that it would be too hard for me. Luckily, I met Roxi & she was adamant that she could teach ANYONE to knit. I figured if she could teach me, she could teach anyone. So 2 1/2 months, 6 scarves, 1 purse, a pair of socks, and a hat later, I have completed my 1st sweater (actually sleeveless shell). No one is more shocked than me.

I started knitting so I could do something more productive while watching TV than cheating at Burning Monkey Solitaire on the computer. And now I love it. I have already started on sweater #2 . & it will have actual sleeves (short sleeves, but sleeves none the less). And surprisingly enough, it will be green. My goal is to be wearing it by June 1st. Keep your fingers crossed.

ttfn, that 5:15 Spin Class comes early in the AM.

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Hi from the Dogs!

Sydney & Duncan wanted me to let you know that they are enjoying this current shot of spring greatly. I think it must be that the neighborhood squirrels are feeling their wild oats in our backyard. Or maybe it's the fact that Duncan can sun himself on the hot tub cover all afternoon. Anyway, the weather is good & the dogs are happy, so all must be right in the world.

Knitting Update: I finished armhole # 1 last night & working on armhole # 2 today (aren't you jealous of my exciting life). With a little adult supervision I may get the fancy neckline done tomorrow & then it will be my first sweater, Yeah! I'll post a picture when it is done. Then it is full board onto the mitered sweater, wooooo whooooo!

Still trying to figure out this blog thing & trying to make it look a little more exciting, so any advice out there would be well appreciated.

ttfn

Duncan


Duncan
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Sydney


DSCF2027_2
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

Monday, April 18, 2005

Monday, Monday

I did not want to get out of bed this morning when my alarm went off. After a few minutes of expert rationalizing, I decided that I just didn't want to go work out. Of course, then I went anyway. You know, when you just don't want to go, that's when you absolutely have to make yourself go.

I can't say anything about my day at school. It's that WASL thing, shhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It's super secret top level security clearance to know what I know. I am just waiting for Will Smith to show up on Friday with that memory zapper thing from Men in Black, so all of my memories of this week will be painlessly erased forever.

Another fabulous Monday night dinner. I made a very impressive Food Network creation that looked a lot harder to make than it was. And it tasted good. No theme for next week, just whatever.

And now it's off to slumberville, 4:40 am comes early. I am looking forward to yoga tomorrow, hopefully this feeling will prevail when my alarm goes off.

Sunday, April 17, 2005

artichoke


artichoke
Originally uploaded by sfarewell.

a blog, is a blog, is a blog

And here I am. It's Sunday morning, 9 something am & I am still sitting in bed, a major feat, I asure you. Loving the nasty weather, I will be knitting on my new project most of today. Thanks to Roxi's help yesterday, I am working on mitered squares for a summer sweater.

Still have to battle the grocery store and find some inspiration for Monday night dinner. Hopefully Rachel Ray will have a good idea for me, or maybe I'll find something tasty in that new Weight Watchers cookbook. I have recommitted to excavating those last 20 lbs, target date JUNE 18th, all gone and in maintenance land for good.

No Y today, gotta give myself one day off a week. No alarm on Sunday's, a good thing. Now, two feet firmly planted on the floor. Forward momentum.

ahhhhhhh Sunday!