Clean Sweep For a New Year

I've been in the mood to organize for the past week or so. I don't know if it was the new year, or some sort of psychic connection to Adriana, but I spent the day going through things. I organized things I was keeping, filled a large plastic storage tote with things to give away, and filled half a garbage bag with things to throw away. I dusted and vacuumed, too, and did some sink laundry. It was a very domestic day altogether.

I don't know what it is about organizing and sorting things - it's so satisfying. Getting rid of things is very satisfying, too. There must be something to the feng shui idea that clutter stops energy from moving around; it gets stuck and so do you. I know I feel lighter and easier after clearing things. Now to find someone with a car who doesn't mind helping to take the box of give aways someplace.

I'm hoping tomorrow will bring some sort of resolution (or at least answers) to my current paperwork snafu. One thing is sure. The high tomorrow is supposed to be about 17, so whatever happens will happen in many layers of bundling.

Happy 2008

So, a new year to remember to write correctly. I've been wanting to write 1997, and 2003, and a variety of other years lately for some reason, and have to stop and remember when I am. Now I can be thoroughly confused.

Resolutions? Well, I tend toward suggested guidelines for things (like recipes and patterns and speed limits) and not strict rules; the intentions I will try to hold in my mind and heart this year are, as always, to continue to move toward becoming more authentic and visible in the world. This year, a more practical intention is to move toward more financial stability.

I'm hoping that will happen soon. As it turns out, my tuition remission paperwork has not yet made it to the bursars' office. So instead of getting a bit of refund from my financial aid to use for things like rent and heating bill, I "owe" about $3000 and am being charged late fees. It'll all get worked out in the end, but meanwhile I'm right back at that unhappy place of not knowing how rent will be paid. It's at times like these that I really wish I had a credit card. Alas, someday, but by the time that happens, I will (hopefully) be removed from the financial craziness that has possessed my life lo these many months.

Here's hoping that 2008 will be smoother and gentler for us all, with many unexpected beauties (like this perfectly "arranged" still life nature left on one of the street corners I cross on my way to school/work).

Napping Lessons

My napping lessons with Callie have been going fairly well. They've been slightly hampered by work schedules, but with another couple days off, we should get in some good practice. I begin the new job Wednesday, and then next week classes begin again, so all this will cut into the lessons and practice. I may never be able to master the secrets of the nap the way she can. Then again, she has yet to master opening the refrigerator, so maybe we're even.

The different colored fluffy stuff is some dyed wool roving that I was using to finish up some "New Year's" presents. Yes, that's what we're calling them this year.....

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope this day leaves you with memories of friends and family, warmth, fun, good food, and peace.

Christmas Eve Listening

The Pogues, an Irish folk punk band, sing Fairytale of New York with Kirsty MacColl. Not your traditional Christmas music, but I couldn't find St. Stephen's Day Murders by the Chieftans and Elvis Costello....

Baking in PJs

Other than the hazards of getting flour all over the sleeves, I can highly recommend baking in PJs. That just means having to change the shirt before going back to bed, so, hey, I can live with that.

It's been colder here, and windy. As my door and door frame are warped from the leaky roof (which now can't be replaced until warmer weather, fine, okay), air doesn't just leak in, it blows. I have two lighter blankets tacked up and they billow out like sails. This probably also explains that exponentially increasing electic bill. Baking, however, warms things up nicely. Added bonus, the apartment smells great.

I now have two loaves of wheat bread, hot pepper brownies (Heather's recipe), sugar cookies (the thin kind from my family's recipe), and several calzones leftover from dinner. All made while still in PJs. All I need is some coffee to go with those cookies.

(the pointy wooden things are the size 13 double pointed knitting needles made from a dowel)

Holiday Fun

Someone at work shared this with me. It's a song by an IU student a capella group. Just a little something to get you in the holiday spirit.