Everyday Joy

I use Instagram...a lot. It's like Facebook without the garbage posts I don't care about. I started a small project on January 1st called Everyday Joy. Everyday, I try to find something to find joy in. It started out great and I did a wonderful job of keeping up... then I got sick and did a horrible job. So here I am telling you that I am starting it again.

Join me in finding everyday joy. Just add #everydayjoy to your photos. If you would like to add text to your photos like I did, you can download the Overgram app.

A New Year...a month late.

It's a new year, and I am a month late in my resolution to post more and keep up with my blog. With a reasonable excuse/excuses. First, I moved over Christmas break. Second, I was slammed by an upper respiratory infection which evolved into a strange fluid-in-the-ears week long drunken state (not cool). This kept me from reading, skating, and all around being myself, because I was unable to visually focus. It was awful.

But I am happy to report that I am on the mend and slowly becoming myself again. Woohoo!

One of the hardest things was being away from derby so long. Skating is an addition, and I am thrilled to get back to the track this week.

I thought that even though I am a month behind in publicizing my New Year's resolutions, I'd share the three things I hope to work on this year.

1. Getting Back to my Art Journals

Prior to landing a teaching job, I was pretty regular with creating art journals. I love the combination of paint and paper scraps paired with written personal expressions and doodles. I will set aside at least 2 hours a weak to work in my art journals and get back to something I love.

2. Cooking

One of the issues with my old house was a crappy kitchen. Our new kitchen is spacious and has usable counter space. With this great addition, I plan to cook more. Thank goodness for Pinterest... I will never need to buy another cookbook again!

3. Getting in Shape

I'm a pretty thin person. This goal is not to lose weight, but to become healthier and be more active. I have no goal weight or calories to count, just a conscious effort to be healthier. Fresh eating and physical activity.

Wish me luck...I'll wish you luck too!

Long time, no post

So I have consistently neglected this blog. It's a horrible habit, but sometimes life and all its responsibilities become all consuming.

With the holidays upon us, I thought I would mention a few things I will be crafting up for gifts... some of us need a head start and all you over-achievers have already begun.

Not to plug myself or anything, but I always have an inventory of crocheted infinity scarves ready for those hard to shop folks or the last minute "crap you invited me to your Christmas Party and now I feel obligated to give you a gift" friends.

Infinity Scarves by Me!

Infinity scarf patterns:
Double crochet infinity
Single crochet infinity (seen above)

Cookie Tin Magnet Board from Crate Paper Blog

I did this with small vintage trays and hung them next to my computer at home...I like the bigger scale.

Tutorial found here

Ear Warmers by delia creates

Tutorial found here

 

Circle Scarf by Cotton and Curls

If you don't have time to crochet for a few hours, this appears to be a nice alternative. I'll tell you in a couple days if I was right.

Tutorial found here

Customized Coffee Mugs by A Beautiful Mess

I purchased about 8 small white ceramic dishes for a dollar last time I went to Pier 1 thinking, "I can do something brilliant with these!" And now I will.

Tutorial found here

So this is what I will be up to for the next couple of weekends, slaving away with crochet hooks and sharpies to the hum of a sewing machine. Happy Crafting!

3 Week Vacation Picture Recap

I just got back from a 3 week vacation in Indiana and Wisconsin. I had a wonderful time relaxing with family and visiting some of my favorite places. Here is a brief photo montage of my time.

Summer Reading 2012

weheartit.com

For those of you who know me...I'm a big reader, colossal reader. But I noticed that during the school year, my reading was limited to class books and teaching guides. Buh. So now that we have entered into summer break, I can catch up on my fun reading...kinda.

I will be teaching AP American Literature next year. Yeah! This also translates into me reading books I haven't read since high school or books I've never read in order for me to teach them. Eek!

Below is a  list of the reading I must complete this summer and the reading I want to complete. If you would like to join in on the learning...let me know! I love chatting about books!

Summer Musts
1. The Scarlet Letter (re-read)
2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
3. East of Eden
4. The Sun Also Rises (re-read)

Summer Wants
1.  Slaughterhouse 5
2. We the Living 
3. The Witching Hour
4. Ready Player One
5. Tropic of Cancer
6. Let Me In

I'm sure more will be added to this list as I hit the thrift stores and pick up killer finds.

Skater-tot Scavenger Hunt

Here at the San Angelo Soul Sisters Roller Derby, we have a Skater-tot program for the incoming skaters. Each newbie/skater-tot is paired with a seasoned skater or Big Mac. I have had Skater-tots who have graduated to the ranks of Big Macs and now have their own skater-tots. I currently have 2 Skater-tots Haley and Janae.

To help with team bonding, we decided to turn Tuesday's practice into a scavenger hunt. Skater-tots and Big Macs paired up to hunt down the painted sheep San Angelo has posted up. The Happy Meal team with the most pics won...sadly, we did not, nut we had tons of fun!

I've been trampled by a fiberglass sheep.

It's an equation that equals...Janae is an awesome math teacher!

Mac and Tot!

I got to hear a secret...I have no idea what Ashley is listening for.

Weekend in Excursion

Because I missed the annual pilgrimage to the Indianapolis 500, my husband organized a trip to the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway. There are a few things about this race that I like. First it's in the evening, so I don't need ridiculous amounts of sunscreen to mingle with the regular folk. It's less crowded. The seats are far more comfortable and you can see the entire track.

My brother and his co-worker, Gordon, flew down from Indiana to join us for the race. It was nice to see my brother even if it was only for 12 hours.

The race was relatively crash-free, just 4 single car incidents. The passing was exciting and I, as always, cheer like they can hear me over the engines reaching 200 mph.

This year after the race, they let the hoards of spectators tour the garages while teams were trying to get packed up and head out...it was a mad house! But, my friend Jimmy and I were determined to find James Hinchcliffe so he could join us for a beer. Alas, we did not see him, but we did almost get run over by his mechanics.


Justin Wilson won the race, but Tony Kanaan (my favorite!) could have had shot if he had not been blocked by Will Power (insert shaking fist here). Hinchcliffe aka Hinchtown had an excellent race and finished 3rd. Woohoo!

So Happy to spend some time with my little brother!

We got to walk across the track on our way to the garages!

On the way home Patrick and I stopped at Dinosaur Valley State Park to see fossilized dinosaur tracks. I was a little disappointed, but I was also not willing to hike miles in 100 degree weather to see the good ones. Luckily, there were big giant fiberglass dinos to make up for it.