What I've been up to -

I didn't post for awhile because I was off gallivanting and turning 25. Saturday the 20th I was flown to northern Virginia to help clean out my aunt's closet (which prompted much thought and discussion about my future as a professional organizer, like on the TLC show "Clean Sweep"), watching cable television, shopping, and visiting with my grandparents.

I returned to Georgia and my parents' house south of Atlanta a few days later, reuniting with my husband and my cat (they had been road tripping in Florida in a car with no air conditioning - sorry, guys). I cooked yummy Thanksgiving food with my mom and celebrated a quarter century of my life.

For the last couple of days I've been knitting to try to finish the makeover of the unsuccessful sweater, unpacking and doing laundry. Today I made a really good chicken and dumplings recipe I saw on 30 Minute Meals at my parents' house. It was fairly easy and delicious. For the recipe, click here.

It's wet and cold here again, and I think I'm beginning to see what this whole winter thing is about.

Two Benefits of Small Town Life

1. Going to the insurance office, the library, the bank, and the post office in less than an hour with a minimum of traffic.

2. The bank and the insurance office put out free candy on the counters. For children and adults!

Librarian Work!

Tonight, I used two reference books to help a student. Then I looked up books on the catalog to help a student! Woohoo! I am useful!

Drive-in

On Saturday night Matt and I discovered the best way to see a movie. At the drive-in. Neither of us had been to a drive-in movie and the Tiger Drive-In is only $5 per person for 2 movies! We bundled up with some extra blankets in the truck and enjoyed The Incredibles (really good) and Surviving Christmas (stupid but kinda sweet in the end).

Tiger is only about 15 to 20 minutes from us, which is closer than any other movie theater in the area. Plus, it's way cheaper. The Tiger Drive-In broadcasts the movie soundtrack on a small fm radio station - you just tune in when it's time to start the show. You can talk during the movie if you want, adjust the sound as you like, and no annoying teenagers parade up and down the aisles (because there aren't any aisles!). We finally get to see movies on a big screen on our own terms! Hooray!

Unsuccessful sweater

I have been knitting very hard to finish my first sweater. Here it is almost finished. Problem is, it looks awful! That's why there's no pictures of me wearing it.

Blue day...and what makes me happy...

Today was kind of a blue day. I get in moods where being in the house all day is ultra-boring, housework is ultra-annoying, and being without a career is the ultimate insult to my intelligence. The house was cold, Matt was sick-y, I had a headache, I spent half an hour skinning chicken, I had to bust kids who were making out in the library stairwell, and the recipe I tried for lunch was not so good.

So, because I know I'm being a spoiled brat I wanted to remind myself of things that are very, very good. Here's ten off the top of my head:

1. Phone calls from my parents. They're just so nice.
2. Rainey (the cat) when he's sleeping on the couch.
3. The sound the door on our porch makes when Matt is coming home.
4. Knitting! I may only be able to afford cheap yarn, but I like having something to show for my time.
5. Cheese. I'm a dairy girl. If only it wasn't so fattening.
6. Books.
7. The fact that I'm done with school forever.
8. The mountain view from our front door.
9. Rain. It was a very wet day here. Actually the climate in northeast GA almost qualifies as rain forest. Hence, the lush vegetation. Hence, 75% of this county is state park or national forest.
10. Prayer. God doesn't mind if I tell Him about my bad day.

Puppers for Kail!

My 2 year old nephew is living in Japan for a year (with his parents), so for Christmas, we have to send him something small. So I thought - finger puppets! Inspired by this pattern from Knitty.com, I used my free time this weekend to whip up a frog, an elephant, a bear, a pig (you can't see the cute curlique tail in the back), and a mouse - all from leftover yarn. I'm almost sad to let them go, but I think Kail will enjoy them.

First Frost

Yippee! Now I really feel like it's winter. I woke up today around 7:30 and the temperature was 31 degrees. I've been walking a few mornings a week around the trail that circles the athletic fields on campus. Usually there are other people, but today it was only me. It was cold, but so beautiful! The grass fields and the landscaping was all sparkly with white iciness.

The most mesmerizing was the kudzu on the slope up to our front yard. The edges and the veins in the middle of the leaves were outlined in white frost. I wish I had taken pictures!

Now I can't wait for the snow! I'm also wondering if my knitting skills are advanced enough to do a pair of mittens...

can you tell I'm bored at work?

As a librarian and lover of children's books, I couldn't resist the book quiz that told me I'm Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

You're Alice's Adventures in Wonderland!

by Lewis Carroll

After stumbling down the wrong turn in life, you've had your mind opened to a number of strange and curious things. As life grows curiouser and curiouser, you have to ask yourself what's real and what's the picture of illusion. Little is coming to your aid in discerning fantasy from fact, but the line between them is so blurry that it's starting not to matter. Be careful around rabbit holes and those who smile to much, and just avoid hat shops altogether.

Take the Book Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.

Now, I don't know what this means exactly. I'm not sure it's good, but I suppose it means I consider life an adventure, which I do. I am confused right now about the Direction of My Life (it's capitalized because it does seem to be a big deal) and I should be praying more for God's direction. Well, maybe not direction, because it doesn't really seem like I need to be going anywhere physically right now...maybe understanding. Alice was looking to understand, right? That's what I want too.

Subbing

I subbed Thursday for art classes, Friday for dance classes, and today for theater classes. I find subbing more interesting and tiring than what I currently do in the library (which is not so much).

I have liked being in the arts classes. First, because the students are taking these classes as electives, most of them act like they want to be there and are having a good time. Second, there is some impressive creativity and talent in these students.

It's a little heartbreaking being around so many teenagers with potenial. I don't think they see it. As teenagers - and really as people, I guess - our worlds are so small. I've been frustrated with my anonymity here, but it does provide many opportunities to really look at other people. With teenagers, it seems that tiny events are worthy of great drama but little analysis. They don't seem naturally inclined to the "big picture." They don't seem to understand how much they can impact things and how much ability they have if they try.

Oh, but I wish they would. My prayer is that they will someday be grateful for the teachers who pushed them harder, the parents who sacrificed to pay for this private school, the friends who encouraged them. I hope some of the students here go on to be great, instead of just funny or cute or well-behaved. It makes me wonder about the people who taught me. I hope that I appreciate what I've been given and that I will be able to use my abilities.