Days and nites.

Its 70 degrees again today.  So glad I'm not moving 500 lbs of snow.  But, I feel Like I'm weighing 500 lbs.  My proportions are so out of control:  no wonder I can't zip my pants.   If I weighed like 500 lbs of snow would that make me lighter? (whiter?)  72 days of school left.  Days are getting longer.  We are moving into spring.  I had a chat w/ George about retirement.  It takes me about 2 wks he thinks : but I think more like 4 1/2 wks into summer vacation to get my days and nites all screwed-up where I'm going to bed after 2 AM.  Sleeping until 11:30.  Still in jammies at 4 pm.   Well in 107 (oh my!) days:  I'm going to have to be really, really self-disciplined about going to bed before 2 AM.  I truly don't want to get my days and nites mixed up.  Maybe I will walk Maggie every morning.  I know she won't let me sleep in if this becomes a routine.  Maggie this gorgeous, loving dog, was found covered w/ 97% of her body in mange.  So malnurished that she was standing on toes not feet.  But she had a will to live and found me.  She is so very grateful to have a family.
tidbit:  did you know that mange in dogs is called scabies in humans?

                                                         Maggie and George Jr. looking out front window on couch.

             My Maggie 10 1/2 years.  Healthy, happy and well protected.

Still enjoys eating ants.  Was her only protein for months until I found her and was brave enough to bring her home:  she was so malnourished I was afraid her diseases would transfer to us our or pets.  But, George let me keep her.

Finished!

Finished another t-shirt quilt.  It is gorgeous.  Thank Goodness to quilt heroes like Elenor Burns and Sue Hausman.  I take my inspiration and skills from them.  How many of you remember watching Elenor on PBS every Sat.  I confess I have six of her books.  I wish they made books like hers today.  Not a detail or step missing.  And, the great Sue Hausman also on PBS.  She had a guest quilter on every week.  They both have retired but I still see their names popping up  I wonder if they know how many lives they have touched.  Me.  I know.  I have taught children to love reading, love the animal world and to become incredible teachers.  I have had a fulfilling Career.
T-shirt quilts are fun to make.

                                                     Notice the little helper on bottom right

 a little too windy

the quilt.  finished

Saw a Robin Today

Left home today full daylight.  Winter is over for us.  So glad I live in North Texas and not the North.  Spent weekend watching geese flying overhead.  They each have their own sound and pitch.  Driving down our street today saw the baby squirrel and robin in our neighbors yard.  Hope those squirrels don't end up in our carport half eaten.  73 degrees tomorrow and 111 calendar days left. Spring is in the air.  Time to wash and pack my winter clothes.

So what is the answer??? Do you really care.

 Is pi a rational or irrational number?  Can you remember?  I do!  I do!  But, who really cares?  A new wash machine arrives tomorrow.  Is there laundry to do?  but, who really cares?  Came home from a windowless building today to an almost spring.  Probably only one more cold day and then I can box my winter clothes.  I care, I care.  The pets have been so stir crazy that Maggie didn't come inside to tell me hello.  She only stopped by the gate to wag her tale.  Now to get ready for the big shed.  Pet hair all over me, the furniture and the bed.  But who really cares?  Pets give us so much pleasure a little fur on black pants never ever bothered me.  So who really cares?.  Let the pet hair flow.  But, the quilt police hate pet hair. I need to quilt in a bubble or buy stock in packing tape.   I go through so much tape every summer getting pet hair off my quilts used for display.  The best tape is packing tape.  Wrap around hand 4-6 times and pat on quilt.   As it loses its sticky just peel down to next layer.  Usually enough for one small quilt.    Samples of my quiltlets for next quilt show.  phase one.

                                                monochromatics

                                                              working with wool

                                            Happy Valentines :  cardinal

going to work in daylight and the exit

Man leaving the house at daylight sure gives one a new lease on life.  Sunrise was gorgeous.  Ate candy today.  How long has it been that you enjoyed a tootsie roll pop.  A new technique my boss explained:  And, I can't believe my 14 year old boys are buying into it.  The technique is the  "exit".  Last 5 minutes of class while the kids are cleaning-up and waiting for the bell: we do the "exit" They have two problems to finish.   Everyone in class can do problems.  Its all review from last semester.  They must turn in paper to get out the door.  The next day.....I draw one name for each problem.  If they get it right :  they can eat the tootsie roll, chocolate, etc:  in front of us.  If they get it wrong.............tehehe   I or my partner teacher get to eat it in front of them.  It is becoming lots of fun.  As I was chewing the tootsie part of the tootsie roll:  my teeth were sticking together.  One of my boys said:  Mrs. Miller you're just teasing us.   I was making all kinds of delicious sounds while trying to keep in the saliva.  We shall know who looked up this question:  "Is pi a rational number?"

life would be so simple if I was a cat.

Still boiling water for hot chocolate:  What a concept.  Pets had to eat cold food today.  Still no microwave.  But,  but we got a washer.  Its big enough to wash 3 blankies at a time.  Did you know its an additional $200 extra to get the slate grey color.  And the pedestal is an additional $220.   To get it delivered on Sat is an extra $10.00.  Who is making all this money????    If I was my cat the only thing I would have to worry about is whether to sleep next to Francine or next to George for the nite.  Happy Valentines.  Me and George went out to dinner.  I swear 1/2 of Wichita Falls was out having dinner tonite.  Last year we tried to go out for Valentines and there wasn't an empty seat in any restaurant.  We decided to celebrate early.  I guess you can do that when you've been married 10 years.  did I say 10 years?  Holy Smokes!

Can't live with it. Can't live without it.

Technology.  When it works it works.  When it doesn't....you just want to throw it out the door.  Kind of like a bad husband.   You're just stuck with it.  Can you remember panty hose?  Can you remember living without a blow dryer?  Can you remember life before a microwave?  Can you remember life without "cuddle duds" or Nikes? Can you remember only 2 brands of cereal and 1 brand of cat food.  Can you remember life before high tech face soap?  My sewing machine is being held hostage in Dallas until I get paid again.  She needed a few parts.  10 years old and just needed a little tweeking.  I'm having withdrawals.  Our microwave is being held hostage.  Who ever heard of boiling water for hot chocolate and oatmeal?  Our wash machine has bit the dust.  Can't decide if I need the warranty or not.  $300 flippin' dollars for the darn thing.  Went and got gas today.  Even after 4 years it still burns me up that $20 doesn't fill the tank.  Now I'm thinking about an IPAD.  Can you remember life before the internet??  Can you remember life before instant oatmeal  Will I remember life in 117 calendar days?  Will I remember being a teacher?  Will I get my microwave back?  Ummmm:  sewing machine or microwave???  Wash Machine or Laundromat???  damn! damn!  damn!!!