Well, I've moved up. It is definitely a busier place and a tad more interesting than circulation. I'm doing more of what I used to do back in Clawson. But dudes, I still miss Clawson. The library, the city, the people, everything. So does Joe I think. I think we are what you might call homesick. The "glamour" (?!?) of Alpena has worn off, and it's just not feeling like home yet. I'm not giving up on it, and I've made some nice friends who go out of their way to make me feel welcome. I don't know.
On the flip side of that negativity, Kalamazoo College says all I have to do is take a few upper level French courses from an accredited university, take a few gym classes and attend a few lectures and shazzam! - they will award me with a degree! Now I just have to find an online university because as you know, an actual brick and mortar place doesn't really exist within reasonable driving distance of my fair city, and come up with some cold hard cash. It's doable.
My camera still eludes me. I want a new one, for I fear mine must have met it's maker in the move. But that would require me telling Joe that I lost a $200 camera and want a new one. That's a little scary. He gets mad at the kids when they do stuff like that, I can't imagine how he might react to it coming from me! Just jokes, he's a pretty mellow dude. But I've finished a pair of socks, have two SSS's (single sock sydrome socks) hibernating (although one of them's other half has been cast on) and am almost finished with my Rivulet scarf. I need documentation or people will quit believing that I'm actually knitting!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Things Are Looking Up
I've been promoted! I'm movin' on up, literally! I'm going to work at the reference desk at the library, which is on the second floor (I work on the first floor at circ right now) - I forget the title, I think it's something like "Assistant Information Services Librarian", even though I'm not a librarian - yet! I'll take the title. It's more hours, more work that involves some thought, and I believe it will provide me with some interesting conversational fodder. We'll see.;)
Also, today I am going to meet with the Director of Northwood University, the only bachelor's degree program in Alpena. I'm going to finish my degree! I've been accepted and the director wants to discuss my transcripts. Fun. My degree will be in some sort of management, versus French (quite the leap!) but I'll have the piece of paper that apparently is like some kind of magic parchment that opens many doors.
Someone I work with said she had read in some paper or something, that people should stop getting bachelor's degrees, because it makes it harder for them to get jobs! What?!? It was funny because the director was in on this conversation and promptly said no and quoted a statistic - something like 90 percent of bachelor's degree holders obtain employment - I don't know the numbers but I was happy he said that. Life for me, would have been a fair bit easier had I finished college within the normal four year span. For my children, not getting a bachelor's degree isn't even something we talk about. When we talk about school, it's 16 years and then you can decide what you want to do, not 12. I've seen people do it differently and it's an easy out for a not so motivated kid. Sure some kids will pursue higher education no matter what, but not all of them. Some need a bit of a prod. I'm prodding mine.
On the down side, poor Sophie returned from camp with a sore throat. I'm hoping she wakes up feeling better. If not, we'll be spending the day at the doctor's office. Send good thoughts!
Also, today I am going to meet with the Director of Northwood University, the only bachelor's degree program in Alpena. I'm going to finish my degree! I've been accepted and the director wants to discuss my transcripts. Fun. My degree will be in some sort of management, versus French (quite the leap!) but I'll have the piece of paper that apparently is like some kind of magic parchment that opens many doors.
Someone I work with said she had read in some paper or something, that people should stop getting bachelor's degrees, because it makes it harder for them to get jobs! What?!? It was funny because the director was in on this conversation and promptly said no and quoted a statistic - something like 90 percent of bachelor's degree holders obtain employment - I don't know the numbers but I was happy he said that. Life for me, would have been a fair bit easier had I finished college within the normal four year span. For my children, not getting a bachelor's degree isn't even something we talk about. When we talk about school, it's 16 years and then you can decide what you want to do, not 12. I've seen people do it differently and it's an easy out for a not so motivated kid. Sure some kids will pursue higher education no matter what, but not all of them. Some need a bit of a prod. I'm prodding mine.
On the down side, poor Sophie returned from camp with a sore throat. I'm hoping she wakes up feeling better. If not, we'll be spending the day at the doctor's office. Send good thoughts!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
OMG
I've turned into one of those people who never blogs.
I have many excuses. My camera is still missing. I live an essentially boring life. I wrote a really long blog entry dissing one of my daughter's friend's mother's but am afraid to post it, even though I didn't mention names because Alpena is one of those towns where if you say something about someone, someone else will see it and figure out who you are talking about. Really. Doctor's can't even share interesting case histories with anonymous names because someone will know. It takes some getting used to. I've stuck my foot in my mouth countless times so far.
I've been reading and knitting. It's hot. We are moved into our house, the garage is still full of crap. (My camera is probably out there somewhere, along with four missing library books and my college transcripts but the thought of searching through the hot garagae makes me hotter than I already am.)
So really, it's summer and I've not done anything worth writing about. School starts soon. When it cools off I'll look for the camera.
I have many excuses. My camera is still missing. I live an essentially boring life. I wrote a really long blog entry dissing one of my daughter's friend's mother's but am afraid to post it, even though I didn't mention names because Alpena is one of those towns where if you say something about someone, someone else will see it and figure out who you are talking about. Really. Doctor's can't even share interesting case histories with anonymous names because someone will know. It takes some getting used to. I've stuck my foot in my mouth countless times so far.
I've been reading and knitting. It's hot. We are moved into our house, the garage is still full of crap. (My camera is probably out there somewhere, along with four missing library books and my college transcripts but the thought of searching through the hot garagae makes me hotter than I already am.)
So really, it's summer and I've not done anything worth writing about. School starts soon. When it cools off I'll look for the camera.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Shell
Everything is out of our old house. We turned in the keys and passed a final inspection. Yay! Now all the assloads of stuff in the old house are resting peacefully in the garage. I don't like to look in there. Although I suppose I will have to get serious when the weather people start talking snow.
I'm back to work and knitting. I finished the back half of a shell, called Martina. It's pretty. Of course I can't show you because I still can't find the camera. I know it's in this house (or garage *eep*) because I saw it here, I know I did. But I can't remember where. And I'm too busy knitting to do an all out search.
I am also spinning and plying on the fly! I love it. I went to the Castle Farms Fiber Fest in East Jordan Michigan and bought some awesome roving. I'll give you the deets later, but when I got home I plunked down in front of the computer, googled me some ply on the fly lessons and taught myself a new trick! Instant yarn! It's nifty.
Well, that pretty celery green caron country yarn of which the shell is made is calling my name so I gotta go.
I'm back to work and knitting. I finished the back half of a shell, called Martina. It's pretty. Of course I can't show you because I still can't find the camera. I know it's in this house (or garage *eep*) because I saw it here, I know I did. But I can't remember where. And I'm too busy knitting to do an all out search.
I am also spinning and plying on the fly! I love it. I went to the Castle Farms Fiber Fest in East Jordan Michigan and bought some awesome roving. I'll give you the deets later, but when I got home I plunked down in front of the computer, googled me some ply on the fly lessons and taught myself a new trick! Instant yarn! It's nifty.
Well, that pretty celery green caron country yarn of which the shell is made is calling my name so I gotta go.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I'm Back
I still haven't found the camera cord. I fear it is buried in the depths of the twisted mess that is being called "the box with electronic stuff". I don't even want to walk near it yet.
Moving blows. It would be fine if we could just stop now. We have all of our furniture and clothes here and unpacked, most of the kitchen and all of the electronics. Essentially everything I need to live. Oh, wait, some of the yarn but most of it is still over there, so let me amend that. MOST of what I need to survive.
But there are still assloads of stuff in the old house. Assloads, really. And this is after the great purge of 2008, when we moved up here! Let me tell you, I am ruthless. If it's a sock without a mate? It's going in the trash. Stray makeup? Trash. Old blow dryer? Trash. Sheets that don't fit beds? Trash. Now you may say this isn't ruthless, it's just normal. Well, not when you are married to a pack rat.
He comes from a long, distinguished line of pack rats. For instance, his grandmother saved everything. Everything. So much stuff they had to rent a dumpster to clean out her house when she passed away.
His mother? She buys things and sticks them in closets for Christmas's future. (She also regifts out of that closet, but that's another story) Her basement is full of stuff. When she decides to get rid of stuff, she can't throw it away, she must give it away and be sure of its use in it's new home.
Joe went through the girls bathroom and packed shampoo bottles with less than half and inch of shampoo in them (I will admit the girls should have gotten the little bit out and threw the dang bottles away!) And sheets in sizes we don't need anymore. His rationale? They cost money and we might be able to use them someday. NO! No, I say. No more. This house is smaller, we need less stuff. And I want to be able to buy more yarn! So purge we shall.
But right now I'm going to go knit.
Moving blows. It would be fine if we could just stop now. We have all of our furniture and clothes here and unpacked, most of the kitchen and all of the electronics. Essentially everything I need to live. Oh, wait, some of the yarn but most of it is still over there, so let me amend that. MOST of what I need to survive.
But there are still assloads of stuff in the old house. Assloads, really. And this is after the great purge of 2008, when we moved up here! Let me tell you, I am ruthless. If it's a sock without a mate? It's going in the trash. Stray makeup? Trash. Old blow dryer? Trash. Sheets that don't fit beds? Trash. Now you may say this isn't ruthless, it's just normal. Well, not when you are married to a pack rat.
He comes from a long, distinguished line of pack rats. For instance, his grandmother saved everything. Everything. So much stuff they had to rent a dumpster to clean out her house when she passed away.
His mother? She buys things and sticks them in closets for Christmas's future. (She also regifts out of that closet, but that's another story) Her basement is full of stuff. When she decides to get rid of stuff, she can't throw it away, she must give it away and be sure of its use in it's new home.
Joe went through the girls bathroom and packed shampoo bottles with less than half and inch of shampoo in them (I will admit the girls should have gotten the little bit out and threw the dang bottles away!) And sheets in sizes we don't need anymore. His rationale? They cost money and we might be able to use them someday. NO! No, I say. No more. This house is smaller, we need less stuff. And I want to be able to buy more yarn! So purge we shall.
But right now I'm going to go knit.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Off the Grid
Well, we are making the move. We had to, the cable got switched over today and you all know I can't live without my tv! But since this is "the country" apparently cable companies which provide internet,cable and phone service need three separate installment appointments, because one would be "too long". So, I shall have no phone till Saturday and no internet till next week.
On the Tour De Fleece front, Meg gifted me a beautiful leader shirt yellow and sparkly spindle! Even though I lead in nothing trust me. She also gave me some soft fluff to spin with, softer than anything my rookie hands have ever been on! Fun! I spun some in the new house.
On the plus side, while moving I'm bound to find the camera cord, so next time I post there will be pictures! Fleece, knitting, spindles and house!
See ya on the flip side!
On the Tour De Fleece front, Meg gifted me a beautiful leader shirt yellow and sparkly spindle! Even though I lead in nothing trust me. She also gave me some soft fluff to spin with, softer than anything my rookie hands have ever been on! Fun! I spun some in the new house.
On the plus side, while moving I'm bound to find the camera cord, so next time I post there will be pictures! Fleece, knitting, spindles and house!
See ya on the flip side!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Carpet Shopping
Don't do it at a chain store that sells tools and lights and appliances and paint and carpet. I won't name the store because that wouldn't be nice, but . . . .
All we wanted to do was price out some carpet.
First they told us about the whole 12 feet issue. Carpet apparently either comes in widths of 12 feet or some come in widths of 12 or 15 (the ugly ones!) Well we need 13 so guess what I was looking at?
Oh, and then we were limited by what was in stock, my selection became even smaller.
Then we decided to have someone come measure for us, before we made a final decision. We also wanted to take home the sample card.
It then took the clerk about half an hour to get enough information from us for us to be able to leave the store with a freaking sample card of carpet and an appointment for the 10th (the only date available for months-and by the way they have to measure before they will even sell you the shit)and then we were supposed to go somewhere else to pay for said appointment.
I told Joe we would go to the local furniture store and price carpet there because it couldn't be worse service wise than the place we were at. And I'd pay a few more dollars to know that someone who could work a keyboard was placing my order for me.
All we wanted to do was price out some carpet.
First they told us about the whole 12 feet issue. Carpet apparently either comes in widths of 12 feet or some come in widths of 12 or 15 (the ugly ones!) Well we need 13 so guess what I was looking at?
Oh, and then we were limited by what was in stock, my selection became even smaller.
Then we decided to have someone come measure for us, before we made a final decision. We also wanted to take home the sample card.
It then took the clerk about half an hour to get enough information from us for us to be able to leave the store with a freaking sample card of carpet and an appointment for the 10th (the only date available for months-and by the way they have to measure before they will even sell you the shit)and then we were supposed to go somewhere else to pay for said appointment.
I told Joe we would go to the local furniture store and price carpet there because it couldn't be worse service wise than the place we were at. And I'd pay a few more dollars to know that someone who could work a keyboard was placing my order for me.
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