What do I miss most? Crafting

Every Sunday it is the same routine for me. I get up before everyone else, take my Fossamax, read through google reader and then drink my coffee.

As I journey through this place called Graduate School, I have had to make many sacrifices. Time with my family, extra money that could have been earned, peace of mind, hobbies, reading are just the tip of the iceberg. Today, as I was reading through some craft blogs, I realized that this was what I miss the most. Being able to sit down and make something.

I don't remember the last time that I was able to sit down and make a scrapbook page. I would truly love to refashion some of the clothes that are too big for me now that I have lost some weight. My crafting was always my down time and my creative outlet. Now that I don't have that, I feel truly depressed most of the time.

I have many ideas bookmarked and tagged right now. I totally enjoy seeing what other people have been doing, and reading about their experiences but, I am totally jealous!! That's probably not a good thing to admit is it? I keep reminding myself - "Self, you can do what ever you want after July1" Does anyone know how many more days that is???

I guess for now, blogging will just have to be my creative outlet.

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Yesterday we were talking about the next unit in Social Studies. I told the kids that we were going to study WWI and WWII. One of my sweet sixth grade boys asked me, "Can we do WWII first?"

Don't you just love middle schoolers?

Testing ping fm

Middle School Conference

I finally got to go to a Middle School Conference. I must say, now I understand why people get fight to get to go. I totally enjoyed myself and learned so much that I am energized and ready to finish the year.

I attended mostly technology sessions. I learned some editing tricks in audacity which totally helped our podcasting ability. I learned about videoconferencing in North Carolina and the opportunities there. I was educated on using cell phones in class. I saw how AVID can work effectively to motivate students and learned how to use the newspaper ma ore effectively with my kids.

Wow, that's a great deal of info in just a couple of days and definitely not everything! I enjoyed our keynote speaker who really has me thinking about my teaching practice. I guess I have taken too many shortcuts during my stint in graduate school which I promise NOT to do after I graduate this spring. Thank goodness my middle schoolers are a forgiving bunch!

Early morning snow day pics.

These are from a quick video I took with my flip cam. Isn't it just beautiful out there?

SNOW DAY!!

WOW! A snow day! What should I do with myself? I am not totally sure. I just love these unexpected days off. I like the possibility of a whole day to just catch up on the little things that have been neglected or to just hang out watching the fire in the fireplace.

I can't wait to get outside and take a few pictures. The neighborhood just looks beautiful. I know that Rachael will be excited about sledding. So, I am sure that hot chocolate is probably on the menu today.

Rande has gone out for his morning walk. He will bring home the "road report" I am sure.

I will write more after I get some pics! 'Til then.....TTFN!