And The Sun Again
The sun is not giving up. It wants to keep on while I'm ready for it to just quit. I'm ready for fall, but my weather predictor says it will be 90 degrees on Tuesday. Doesn't that old sun know it's officially fall? And that Tuesday is the first day of October!?
I had a sub job on Thursday that came in randomly from the system, so it's good to know that that is working. I had a extremely good class of fourth graders who enjoyed guessing my age. One girl actually guessed that I was in my forties and I said "what? Umm. No, and now since you think I'm in my forties, you get to answer the next math question." The day went great and left me with an even greater feeling about subbing. If I can even do okay at it when I don't know the teacher, then I might just able to swing this! I kept having people check on me ("how are you doing?") and I felt totally in control. Awesome!
I've been watching too much
Freaks and Geeks lately, in these days where I haven't been working. For those of you not in the know, Freaks and Geeks is probably my favorite tv show, if not one of my favorites. It was only on for a season when I was in high school and then was released later on dvd. Hilarious show. Set in 1980, and the soundtrack is just great. Because of all this Freaks and Geeks watching I've had a craving for some classic rock. So I went over to Everday Music to pick up some classics, such as Cream's "Disraeli Gears", Boston's self-titled debut, and The Who's "Who's Next". Luckily, Everyday Music deals in a lot of used CDs, so i was able to pick them up for cheap. Cheap classic rock.
Thursday was the season premiere of The Office and in Tabor House (and co.) fashion we had dinner and dessert while watching. What a great show. I was going to make cookies, except then I worked and didn't have the time. So I whipped up a special ice cream pie ala
My Tiny Kingdom. It was a hit.
Things haven't been to exciting these days, although yesterday was a personal best for me when I ran over 7 miles. I was beyond excited and took it easy this morning with 4 miles. To be able to state that I did "an easy 4" is a miracle in and of itself.
I finished Dana's crocheted blanket and am sad that I have to wait until December to give it to her.
Autumn
Well, the last hint of autumn was just that: a little hint. A teaser. Or.. an appe-teaser for you Office fans. It got hot again. I moved at the beginning of the month, into the new home of a couple I know, and their toddler daughter. Things have been good. I actually am renting the master bedroom/bath/big closet, so that's been really cool. I'm nearly done putting away/organizing stuff and that is always a huge relief. I moved in, was in the house for a few days, then jetted off to Klamath Falls for more fun with my nieces (and brother and sister in law!).
It was great to just relax and hang out and do some fun things with the family. Joel had been on assignment in Australia and came back while I was there visiting. I enjoyed early morning runs out on their back roads and learning from Hannah about the hens they keep in their yard. The morning I headed back to Portland the girls and I went to feed the ducks, geese and pigeons down at the lake.
I've had a couple of sub jobs, both for friends who have requested me through the sub systems. My first job was just a Friday afternoon, and was actually a great introduction to the subbing life, since it was my first sub experience ever. It was sixth graders, and they were really great. I had a couple kids grate on my nerves ("what's your name? what's your name? what do I call you? what's your name?"), with one who started cleaning out his desk in study hall even after I had given him his list of appropriate options. Fun! I then subbed a full day last week with 5th graders and it turned out to be a really great day. They were a bit talkative, but things went fairly smoothly.
Otherwise I've been trying to keep myself busy with other things as the jobs haven't really picked up yet. I've had and have lot a lot of craft projects on my plate. I made curtains for my new bathroom, which was actually a work of staggering genius considering I had seen the window once and never measured it... and the curtains fit. I'm currently crocheting a blanket for Dana's birthday. As I was going through things to get rid of, I couldn't bear to part with a bunch of old band t-shirts that I have, and so I've decided to try and make a quilt out of them. This will be my first quilting project, which scares me. But... I'm up for the challenge.
This summer I undertook my biggest project to date, and that was making a skirt
from a pattern. Now that might not seem like a big deal to most, but I have trouble with patterns. Mostly because I don't know how to use them. I took a sewing class in high school where we were required to use patterns, but that knowledge had flown the coop because I've always been more into designing my own things... which can turn out good or bad. So I spent a good deal of time at Grandma's, using her sewing machine, asking her advice, and there were times I was so frustrated I wanted to scream. Luckily Grams and I didn't bite each others' heads off (although we were probably close at some moments), and the skirt was finished beautifully. I might even try it again someday.
My latest crafty business was making this sign for my room, Hope. I had seen the cool scrapbook paper at the store and finally thought of something I could do with it.
So here's to autumn. Some friends and I went out for a birthday last night to McMenamin's Edgefield for dinner and a movie. We saw "Get Smart" which was actually MUCH funnier than anticipated and we all laughed through the whole thing. Then we walked outside and it was incredibly cold. I'm excited.
