Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Keeping the Spirit Alive
January 14, 2025
I am not one of those who puts away Christmas right away. The sparkling lights make me happy, and I like to prolong that feeling. And to be honest, it takes a long time to put up all the Christmas decorations, so I like to get the most out of my time investment. Here we are nearly at the mid-mark of January, however, and even I must admit it's time to carefully pack away the garland, the ornaments, the wreaths, and all other sparkly and festive reminders of the season. I started today and will slowly work towards having it all put away by the weekend.
Labels:
Brianna,
Christmas,
Danielle,
decorations,
family,
Nicholas,
traditions
Monday, January 13, 2025
Stranger Things
January 13, 2025
Rafe and I are binge watchers, and although we have pretty different tastes in shows, we have found several we have enjoyed together: Ted Lasso, The Boys, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone (and its off-shoots), Inside Man, Nobody Wants This, and Succession, to name some. Currently we are watching Stranger Things. When it first came out I watched the first couple of seasons but fell off, probably because life got busy. We went back and started watching from the beginning, and man, is it intense! We are in the fourth season, and this is by far the darkest and most difficut season. It's really good though! I like a show that can weave several story lines throughout and then connect them all together. I am invested to see where the rest of the show goes...
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Craft Night
January 12, 2025
In the weeks before Christmas, Lisa and I decided to take a sewing class, during which we each made a pillow. Simple project, sure, but we were proud of our handiwork! So for Christmas, Lisa bought me a sewing maching. She is going to purchase one for herself too, but she wanted to make sure that my machine was straightforward and user-friendly. With this as an inspiration, we decided we need to have a craft night once a month. Today was our first one, with our main objective being figuring out the machine and how to get it threaded. Mission accomplished! (We also tried out Lisa's new engraving pen as well.) Now we just need to figure out what we'd like to actually make for our next craft night!
Saturday, January 11, 2025
My Green Thumb
January 11, 2025
Anyone who has known me for any length of time knows that keeping plants alive is not my strong suit. Regardless of that indisputable fact, I have been gifted no fewer than four orchid plants over the past two years. In each case, I thought it would be pretty for a little while, join all its predecessors in the foliage graveyard, and that would be the end of it. Imagine my surprise when each one of those plants in turn have remained hearty and healthy and green. I have a bay window in my kitchen, which ensures that not only do the plants have access to regular light, but also ensures that I pass by them each day. This means that rather than languishing, parched and lacking water, I am reminded to water them with regularity. Who knew?? Even better, just a few days ago one of my orchids decided to bloom--a lovely message to let me know it is possible I have turned the corner on my plant-neglecting days.
Friday, January 10, 2025
Back to Physical Therapy--Finally!
January 10, 2025
After nearly a MONTH of waiting for paperwork to appropriately move from the physical therapist to the orthapedic surgeon to my insurance, I was FINALLY approved for the rest of my physical therapy! I went back today and started more strength training to stabilize my knee. Hopefully it won't be long now before I get to go back to my students!
Labels:
Buchanan,
doctor,
physical therapy,
students,
teaching
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Nearly 30 Years
January 9, 2025
Tonight I met up with Mo, Kelly, and Francine for dinner and drinks. Mo pointed out that we have been friends for nearly 30 years now! Through many ups and downs--marriages, divorces, health scares, job changes, children, new houses, to name a few--we have borne witness to more than half of our lives together. We are all very different, and yet similar in many ways as well. I feel incredibly fortunate to have walked alongside these women for so many years together. Cheers to many, many more.
Labels:
Francine,
Kelly,
Mo,
Old School Girlfriends
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Soroptomists
January 8, 2025
Tonight I got inducted into the Soroptomist Club of Clovis. When Lisa moved here, she sought out and joined a couple of organizations she had belonged to in other cities, and Soroptomists was one of thoes. Not too long after, she sponsored (or invited) me to join too. I've been to a few of their events as Lisa's guest already, and honestly, I'm kind of amazed this organization had never been on my radar. The focus is empowering girls and women, particularly those who are in need. As an educator, being able to equip students with the resources and confidence to seek out their best life is the best part of the job, which fits perfectly with the Soroptomist vision. I'm looking forward to being able to find more ways to try and make a difference in our community.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Waiting to Go Back
January 7, 2025
I am still waiting on medical clearance to go back to school, even though the new semester started today. I am feeling very guilty about having left my kiddos, since even with the best of subs the experience isn't quite the same. Having A.P. and Dual Enrollment students makes it even more stressful because they are worried about being prepared for the A.P. Exam and their college-level courses. I know I have to make sure I am fully able to go back without putting myself in position to reinjure my knee, and I also know that the kids will survive without me. Still, I wrestle with the dual roles of taking care of myself and taking care of my students. I will be back very soon, however, and we'll make the most of the rest of the year together.
Monday, January 6, 2025
Brianna's First Day
January 6, 2025
After 13 years, Brianna has made her way back to the Central Valley! I'm so happy to have her home with me--quite literally for a time, since she and Leslie the Puppy are staying with me for a couple of months until she moves into her own place. She started her new job as an E.A. with State Center Community Colleges. Now we have three of us who work in the district in various capacities--Bree at her job, Lisa as the VPI at Fresno City College, and me as an adjunct faculty member at Clovis Community. All in the family! Although Bree's day got off to a rough start, she jumped in and started learning the ropes in her new role. Since she has lots of experience as an E.A. (Executive Assistant), I'm sure she'll be up and running in no time. Her rough start, by the way, didn't come from the job itself, but the act of getting to the office. Bree has been living in Seattle, and prior she lived in Washington D.C., both of which have great and easily accessible public transport. Because of this, she hasn't owned a car for the past few years. Moving here will necessitate having a car, and until she makes that purchase, she is borrowing Lisa's second vehicle. Bree wanted to give herself plenty of time to get to work early this morning, and it's a good thing she did. Not being accustomed to warming up a vehicle on very cold mornings, she went out and found that the van's windshield was frozen, and nothing she did-defroster, water on the windshield, etc.--helped make the windows safe for driving. That's a frustrating way to start any day, but even more so on your first day at a new job. She kept calm though (I probably would have been in tears!) and called herself an Uber. Because she was leaving so early, she had built in enough of a time cushion that having to wait for the Uber didn't put her behind. She made it to the office just a bit early and got ready to check in to the new job. I was pretty impressed that she didn't let the situation frazzle her!
Sunday, January 5, 2025
It's The Little Things
January 5, 2025
Being a homeowner means there is always something to be done, and I don't always have the skill set to complete all the chores quickly or easily. I am so thankful that Rafe is not only a good handyman, but that he is absolutely willing to jump in and take care of things that need to be done. He is a true partner in that way, and I feel pretty lucky!
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