April 5th

I am snuggled on my couch beneath a blanket that I crocheted myself...not sure if I learned how to crochette from my mom or grandmother, but it's warm, colorful blanket. Alan is asleep, back on track given the jet lag. His radio is still playing as it does everynight....tonight's choice was Michael Jackson, he must be thinking of his Grandma Bootie tonight. Bob is downstairs, just went to visit him...he's fixing a banjo. He baked a delicious ham this afternoon, a task we thought might not happen given the power outage in the neighborhood. Alan loved it!! (another food he will eat!) I made pasta and a salad. We started a new tradition at dinner which was Bob's idea, and tonight we did it for the first time with Alan. We have Aesop's fables, a series of short stories with a message. (really short, I am talking 2 paragraphs). Then we talk about the message in the story. Tonight was the Fox and the Lion, and the message was "familiarity breeds contempt" .....

I am also thankful tonight that I will sleep with fresh air as Bob put the screens in the windows. The night air feels cool, but freshing....yet there are two screeching cats out there....well, that's the scene at the moment...the day was pretty good all around given it was my first day back.....

....Received a warm reception upon returning to work today (and it wasn’t just because I brought in bagels). It was nice to be back….and in my mailbox was my travel check. J I wish I had brought back something Arizonian for them, but we just didn’t do that type of shopping. In fact, I feel bad that Bob had wanted to bring back a souvenir, but we just weren’t shoppers on this vacation…so Bob ended up buying himself and Alan a T-shirt at the airport! I noticed he's wearing it today.....

Other news… today the first email I opened up this morning was a request to teach LAH 100 again this Fall. It’s a win-win for me…the extra cash is nice and the course is fun. I have some ideas to enhance the curriculum from last year including adding a more comprehensive critical thinking and writing component that is both self reflective and fun as it relates to different disciplines within the humanities. Specifically, I have a bunch of new activities that assist them with exploring resources, programs and tools to illicit how their skills and interests relate to various career paths. It’s all about informed decision-making (my crystal ball is broken!) and knowing what resources are available to them.

Just like last year, I’ll take them to meet the college president so that they feel an even greater connection to the campus. Plus, he really enjoyed meeting them last year..in fact, I asked him to talk about what his major was, and how he decided on his career path…this normalizes the process and lessens the pressure valve that students often feel like they must pigeon-hole themselves……also, maybe I’ll carve out time this year to administer the MBTI (ENFJ!).

After work, I had an enjoyable brief visit with Roger and Eileen in Rhinebeck where I picked up my boy. While Alan made CD's (coloring circles he cuts out), we discussed soccer or t-ball for Alan. They tell me he did well with getting his vaccinations today at the doctor's and he also had a very snazzy new hair cut. Stopped at the accountant on the way home to sign my final tax forms, and ka-ching....nice refund coming my way, maybe as soon as Friday from the feds....nice!! Saving up!

Then, Alan and I sang a few songs together, mainly James Taylor ("You are my only one" and "In my mind I'm going to Carolina".) Thank god for google where I can look up the lyrics!!!

He was a little resistent to going to bed, he's out of routine, but we sorted it out, and we snuggled a bit, and he fell asleep and here I am reflecting reflecting reflecting on my day....

April 4th part two PM "things done"

UPDATE ON TODAY'S LIST OF THINGS I NEEDED TO DO -

Laundry is ALL done... My front loader is HUGE, so I can fit 3 loads in one 55 minute shot! I still have flashbacks from years past, lugging clothes to laundry mats where the machines were scanky and dirty...actually, it was just last year when in the apartment, waiting to move in here!!! Ugh!! Never again. There is nothing more gross than a dirty washer machine! It must be karma, because my washer is awesome, and I reward it by keeping it nice and clean....I love my washer and it shows :)
Now if the clothes could only make it into the drawers LOL!!! I am getting better at this!!!

Spring/Summer clothes unpacked and hung neatly in closet, while winter clothes are stored until October. (I did leave out a few long sleeves just in case!). It's always fun to do this, because I literally forget what I have, and then rediscover what bad taste I have in clothes LOL. Thank goodness for me I don't care LOL...don't like shopping, and it shows!!

Food shopping accomplished, however we giggled how Price Chopper and Hannafords were both closed...and ended up at the yucky Walmart. We got out of there at about $168 which wasn't bad for what we ended up with...wasn't too crowded, and we didn't have to wait on long lines. The meat is pretty bad though which is no surprise. I made philly cheese steaks tonight, and we threw out the leftovers. Yuck!! We would have been better off with a frozen pizza.

FUN? Finished New Moon and now starting on the third Twilight book (Eclipse). Hung out with Bobby, showed him my new beatles tune I've been working on....and then jammed more including Freight Train, which I can now play with Alan since he likes that song so much. He's at his Dad's still, and his father shared with me some awesome videos of him playing the banjo that Bob made....(via skype).

Cleaning? Passed on most of this...things are pretty much in order, just dusted living room....(except office)

Also went to the UU today....brilliant how the minister interwoved Passover and Easter with the theme of "Second Chances". I am still getting used to how social the UU is, it's becoming a way of life for me, not just a Sunday excursion.... Upon arrival at a Catholic church, you enter silently, kneel and pray. At the UU, even if I sit alone, I am approached and welcomed....and never feel alone.

What else? Oh, during dinner, my mom texted me that she and Pops felt the California Earthquake all the way in Phoenix!! WOW! They were at dinner with Jim and Nancy and felt the table shake. Eerie. That's something I never want to experience!

No gym, no walk :( but lots of thinking about it LOL :)

Well, that's the day's wrap up. How'd I do? Let me check my list below :) Day isn't over yet! Need to get coffee maker set up for the morn, and Alan's lunch too!!! Wait, I hear a man singing in the other room!! Need to BOLT!!!

List of things to do - April 4th AM

After I finish this cup of coffee, I have a bunch of things to accomplish today, my last day of Spring Break. The more I get down, the easier the week will be!!! Lets keep that in mind!!
1) Laundry - not only do I have to wash clothes, but I just brought up a huge bag of spring/summer clothes that I need to sort through
2) Clean house - easy, vacuum, dust...bathrooms are still clean, but I need to straighten up a bit..
3) Grocery Shopping - this time its my turn to use the price chopper card LOL!
4) Finish the book New Moon
5) Go to UU
6) Gather things to bring to work and Alan's school (bag, lunch, blanket,etc)
7) this one can wait until tomorrow, but if I have time, I need to get April's calendar in order. we have a busy month, and I need to input dates on the calendar.
8) Spend 10 minutes in my office - just 10 minutes!!!! what a mess!!
9) Go to gym if open (or better yet, outside for a walk!)
10) Call Maggie or other friend about the yard sale donations

Not sure what Easter dinner will entail. We celebrated Easter while in AZ, and I cancelled my plans to go to White Plains. The thought of driving today...not going to happen. Sticking close to home....getting things done...now where to start...I hope ny PM blog post will have good updates!!!

April 3 pm

Self-imposed pressure to get outside this morning, given the absolutely gorgeous sunny day. That was a mistake...I was jet lagged, tired and subsequently not very patient with the youngin who was also tired....the melt down occured outside a music store in Woodstock (which was an unintended pitstop to magic meadow where we were supposed to throw rocks in the creek.) Drove home instead.... Once I gave myself permission that it was okay with just staying inside to recoup from our long travel day, we had a much better afternoon.We jammed, had lunch, watched Beatles cartoons. Alan played his banjo, violin, drums, piano, and guitar....while I rested in my room, he designed CD covers. (I hardly ever rest during the day, especially on a sunny day, but I was really really exhausted)....Later, I did walk around the yard and spotted some of the spring flowers that I planted this past autumn....mainly the blue hyacinths around the quan yin (sp) statue and a handfull of small dafodils....Bob also continued to do some shoveling in the garden...some sort of mulch project......Alan wanted to build a water fountain around the Buddha...he's at his dad's tonight...His "emma" is visiting...lots of granparenting happening here this week!

Anyway, I did get outside the evening. We scrapped plans for HV Folk Guild (sorry guys), and decided to hang low and go for a walk through the village and have dinner out....OH, and got to Krauses to late (boo!)

April 3rd 1am HOME!

Great journey home. No problems, smooth sailing (a little hairy with the change over flight). I anticipate jet lag to be more challenging with eastern standard time. Alan fell asleep at 11:30 pm (8:30pm AZ time)....that's okay...all worth it...House looks great!!! Can't wait to see what is growing outside. Neighbors even put out our garbage for us...only thing is that I cleaned the refrigerator before we left, and it's pretty empty....thank god for trail mix!! Fish survived. and of course...the mail!!! Home Sweet Home!!!

April 2 am

Hid eggs last night, and Alan woke up....he didn't even realize today was Easter LOL...Now we are all chilling out before our long flight home. Alan wants to take pictures of the plane. I just returned from an exhilerating bicycle ride around the desert. Maybe I'll go just one more time :)

April 1st (tired!)

VERY TIRED. Last day in AZ. Science Museum had well-intended hands-on exhibits, but not condusive to learning...More on that some other time. However the Planetarium was a HIT!!! Fabulously done! Learned so much!

Spent the late afternoon cooking a feast for my family....and...Jim and Nancy (old family friends).....Alan performed 3 songs as part of the after-dinner entertainment.....

...and now I have seen everything....My father singing "flies in the buttermilk" while playing a ukalali...

Just hid eggs and have Easter basket ready....We're celebrating Easter tomorrow....God, I am tired.....