Aw, shucks

Well, yet another giveaway I didn't win!  But I feel like I've won the lottery because Tim will be home 2 weekends in a row!  Work takes him to Omaha for budget consultations this week, so he is bookending the trip with time here.

Yesterday we tackled a haircut for Charlie and assorted small projects.  Today will see some serious computer time for both of us as we address homework and budget details.  We're hoping for cooperative weather for a walk after while.

I have crocus peeking through in one flower bed.

I continue to sort and toss.  And dig through boxes that have been packed for an assortment of items that seemed utterly unnecessary and thus safe to pack...which means I haven't bothered to pack anything for a while.  There are empty boxes stashed waiting for their turn and one of these days I'll try again because I want to avoid the everythinghastobedonerightnow scenario.

Bellissima!

Last night I drove to Kearney to fulfill an assignment for my music class: we are required to attend, and file a report on two concerts. It may come as no surprise to my readers that concerts - of any sort - are somewhat rare in the Nebraska hinterlands.  A concert of art music? - the type we are studying in class? - well - let me repeat - I drove to Kearney last night.

UNK hosts a weekly concert series featuring faculty, and others, free of charge and open to the public.  Roughly 60 of us braved the frigid temperatures to gather at the Fine Arts Building on the UNK campus for a flute recital Monday night.  While students seemed to represent the largest portion of the audience there was more than a handful of well-dressed elders in the auditorium.  Audiences always interest me, so it wasn't difficult to assign a general storyline that included years of faithful attendance, regular contributions, and tear-inducing memories, to several of the stately women scattered among the seats.   Given the opportunity I could imagine myself among their numbers.

One of the selections was "Antigone Speaks," written for flute and viola (with brief recitations by the flutist) by Sylvia Glickman in 2004.  It was an elegant and soulful piece enhanced by the subtle accents of German-born Franziska Nabb and underscored by the somber drone-like aspect of the viola.  Bellissima!

Nabb first presented an assortment of contemporary numbers accompanied by a piano and featuring a mezzo-soprano soloist.  She was joined by the aforementioned viola, a cello and organist for a selection of classical and baroque pieces after the intermission, during which she acted as stage hand rearranging chairs and music stands to accomodate the quartet.

The program began at 7:30 and the applause died at 9:00 sending us back into the cold night.

Distractions

Tim is on his way home!

I'm trying to get an assignment and some laundry finished so my time is relatively free while he's here, but there are the inevitable distractions...

If I get my distractions out of the way then I can concentrate more effectively on those things calling for my attention.  Right?

 This was taken earlier this week.  During our phone calls Tim had mentioned (several times) that there had been no sunshine on his end of our connection.  So, in his honor, I wore a bit of blue skies to work.  Snow on the ground, clouds above, and just that small band of blue.  Mine came in the form of a 3/4 sleeve pullover from JJill, in a rich but not "royal" shade of blue. Off white tee and pants complete the idea.

Yes, this is my desk chair with Charlie and I in our standard positions:

slogging through homework and

faithful attendant.

Hope you have a good weekend. 

I told myself I would do schoolwork until 7:00, but Charlie just informed me that it was suppertime and I thought 7:00!?  Who am I kidding!? 

There has to be something going on outside.  Normally Charlie would nap through the afternoon while I'm doing homework, but today he has sat at attention near the window, pretty much all afternoon.

He's been fed and maybe after this short break I can settle in to study a while longer.  I do have a load of clothes to fold and I need to do my nails tonight.  But I should finish one more section on this assignment...


We have finished our first week of Iowa/Nebraska living. Tim has his work cut out for him. We've talked every night and there will be adjustments. If I told you the local banker came over to introduce himself to Tim would you smile along with me at the unlikely picture that creates?  Adjustments, indeed.

Charlie and I have our routine - the house stays clean.  I pack a box everyday.  I'm also trying to reduce the inventory in the freezer.  Tuesday (Wednesday?) I made a turkey potpie using turkey from Thanksgiving, the last of the potatoes, carrots, frozen peas and pie crusts that I couldn't remember my reason for buying - it's not a staple - so I must have had a specific use in mind.

Anyway - it turned out delicious, will feed me for several days and eliminates some clutter. 

We had someone look at the house yesterday.  The early part of the week was cold (-17 on the thermometer) and snowy (about 8 inches) so maybe no one wanted to be out and around, and we're hoping things will pick up soon.

Caught napping

Today was pretty much a wasted day.  October has been spent in a seemingly unending cycle of current homework, homework that would be due while we were away, and homework that would be due on our return, and, of course, the new round of current assignments.  Plus work and daily household responsibilities.  (sidebar:  Tim has graciously done all and I do mean ALL the mowing this season.  You don't know how much I've appreciated that)

We are leaving again on Wednesday, so this week has been no exception.  Today - well - let's just say that today was less than productive. 

Jacob and Kate are expecting us for a few days out east.  We've requested a day in NYC and plan to take the train into the city.  I'm looking forward to the trip. 

I've finally downloaded the pictures from the quick getaway  Tim and I made a few weeks ago (which was wonderful).  The pictures from our trip with Naphtali and Aidan (always a treat).  And 2 of my three biology experiments. 

I hope you're ready for this because I am actually going to post something rarely seen on the North American continent:  That's Lake Odessa behind me, taken by Tim back when we made our trip.

I'll catch up again sometime soonish....

Something new

Saturday was spent in Columbus, NE, at an all day lab for my biology class.  18 students were expected - 14 showed - an interesting mix of ages (I'm pleased to add that the instructor is older than me) and motivations.  We were given a run down on lab journals, charts and graphs, and the procedures that would help make our at home experiments a success. We practiced with microscopes, which were then packed up, signed out, and sent home with us. 

I'll need to set up  place for my equipment and establish the control onditions for the first phase of my Euglena project.

Should be fun.

On the home front - Tim took Charlie to work with him.  Out of the facility most of last week, and heading east again tomorrow for a couple days, Tim  put in a few hours at work on Saturday and Sunday.  Charlie, in what is no surprise to some of us, has the makings of a good therapy dog. Tim reports that he was well mannered and obedient.   His coat is growing in and  he had a bath on Tuesday so he was shiny and soft and just starting to curl around the edges - handsome, in fact, and he thrives on the exchange of affection/attention.   

Fini!

This can all be put away. .. 

because this says I'm done:

Ilona, I'm not going to bother returning your paper because I can fit my comments in here. First, you're one of the few students who I can waive the final draft requirements. Making you re-submit and me reread serves neither of us well at this point. Your consistent excellent work earns you an "A" in the class.

let's just say

that this has been a good weekend.  I did work yesterday morning, but I had my assignments turned in early and treated myself to the night off on Friday.  I did housework, as usual, yesterday, with ironing still ahead later today.  The sounds of golf coverage are floating up from the basement and I will probably join Tim there shortly.  Yesterday I hemmed and stenciled some dish towels.  This morning I baked muffins - savory muffins, to go with salads and grilled chicken....
Zuchinni from someone's garden, and fresh rosemary from our garden provided the inspiration.  They are tasty. And healthy. Unfortunately the only definite measurements I can provide are:
2 eggs and 1 Tbsp baking powder. 
grated zuchinni
corn meal
whole wheat flour
white flour
wheat germ
buttermilk powder
2 eggs
sugar
salt
1 Tbsp olive oil
rosemary
grated cheddar cheese
water

mix and bake at 375 for 15 minutes.

My next assignments are due Friday, and I have been working at them. English is multi-parted so I plan to build up to the big, saving it for Friday.   I'm enjoying my subject but have to admit that the tenetative thesis submitted several weeks ago is just not pulling together for me, so I'm reading and jotting and hoping for inspiration, hopefully early in the week. 

Full disclosure

I'll start by giving Tim full credit for solving my computer problems, last weekend. (thanks again) I didn't add any pictures to my last post because I liked the idea of everyone seeing their own images.  You have clutter - you certainly don't need to see mine.... 
So I'm back in business, at my desk.  Last week we had two fairly substantial asignments due in English.  The deadline is always 11:59pm.  One was submitted around 3:00.  For the other I hit the submit button at 11:51pm.  It was a propsal and I'm honestly expecting a train wreck on that one so I have been re-phrasing, fine-tuning, trying to set a firmer, more concise direction for it ever since.  I'm reluctant to log on and see what he has to say....This week's assignments are time consuming but don't carry the weight of last weeks.  Needless-to-say ( which is why I'm saying it, eh?) I'll be spending a lot of time at my desk.  Again.
This week I'm also working two, full 8-hour days, filling in for a vacationing co-worker.  I know I'll come home tired at the end of the day, tempted to claim the privilege of vegging, but I will need to be a responsible adult and put in some time with homework.  Being a grownup has its drawbacks....
We've had heat.  We've had mosquitos.  We've had weeds.  Lovely, healthy abundant weeds.  And basil, rosemary and cilantro.

always something!

This is essentially my last week of classes for this semester! (!) I have registered for just three this summer - there are so many nice days ahead and I want a bit more flexibility to enjoy them. It has been an interesting experience. We were'nt too far in to the semester when I realized that I miss being able to read people. A change in tone or expression, a pause or gesture can add so much to communication. I miss that. Online classes have given me opportunities I wouldn't otherwise have, but there are drawbacks. So this week there are a couple chapters, and their quzzies, waiting for me in ethics.(one more paper to write, as well) A test in econ. A long writing assignment in English and a shortish one for Library, although that one involves an interview...Yikes! It looks worse on paper! Plenty to keep me busy.

I plan to ride my bike to work today. Since we put the baskets on a couple weeks ago it has been cold (I miss my flannel sheets), raining or blowing so hard a person can barely stand, let alone pedal uphill. So today will be the maiden voyage for the season.

We were busy with dandelions and other outdoor projects this weekend. Tim planted seven bushes along the north side of the house ( remember,we lost trees to the paving project), crafted a new door for the shed. Old, but serviceable, the shed lost a door in a recent wind storm. We did look at replacing the whole thing but felt we had better ways to spend that thousand dollars...so for a couple bucks and a few hours the door has been replaced.

The other project claiming our time lately has been a general shape-up for both Tim and I in preparation for a canoe trip into the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area, yes I said wilderness area, with the Kahls over Memorial Day weekend. James and Naphtali have been doing this for years. . Traditionally I have gone up to watch Aidan while they were away. This year they've decided he is big enough to join them and when Tim signed on I was very supportive, thinking what a great time they'll all have, while formulating plans in my head for a long, free, weekend. They're taking me along, too. And Naphtali wants Charlie to experience the great outdoors with us. I'll spare you the details of our new regime but will end with this picture of Charlie breaking in his new pack

Catching up

Friday night the Garden Club was invited to attend the annual Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce banquet, as we were one of three to receive an award for outstanding community volunteers efforts. (other honorees are active in the community theater and the VFW Honor Guard)

Today is my get-everything-done-before-we-leave-for-Aidan's-birthday day. Tim left for Omaha this morning for budget "week", he'll be back sometime Thursday - unpack, repack and off we go!! I've done three sets of chapter review questions since Saturday, and now just have one chapter left to read and turn in questions for econ. I have a library assignment to write.(and maybe a post for next week - just to get ahead.) I'll have an econ test when I get back and as I plan to blow off both english and ethics for the next few days, I'll have plenty waiting for me when I return.
I've got laundry going. I will be cleaning out the fridge, eating from the freezer. I've got eggs for Aidan that need to be finished and birthday presents to wrap. Work Wednesday and Thursday, pack and go!
It seems doubtful that I will get anything done outside but I did take this picture of the trellis Naphtali gave me for Christmas. This may be a temporary location (at an opening along the fence between us and the neighbor)or not...I had hoped it might be enough to keep Charlie from going through. We'll see. I have crocuses up, tulips coming up,and lots of perennials' leaves starting to green-up. Charlie and I are planning a walk this afternoon.

Illness Strikes Jordison Household

This is the orchid Tim brought me for Valentines Day. Lovely, non?
These pictures simply don't capture the delicate shading on the orchid's petals but I decided that even a poor picture was better than none.


Last night -- or rather the wee hours of the morning -- were spent in and out of my warm bed, grabbing a robe and rushing down the hallway to the accompaniment of whimpering and whining....think you have the picture??






Think again - Charlie is sick.
We came home from work to find him refusing his supper. Big clue!! Believe me. Listless evening spent at my feet morphed into dramatic appeals to be let out in the early morning. Four times. And then another time with Tim during his (official) morning routine. (official 'morning' not official 'routine') We're thinking he ate a spider. He is waiting for me to take a break and I think we will both nap on the couch downstairs.
I have an econ test to prepare for, formulas to write out, definitions to refresh. An english paper in the works. A library assignment to tidy up. Round and round she goes.....

always something new!!

I learned a new skill today!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

It's been a busy week. I had several papers ♥ due by Friday and got them all done only to find that the ethics instructor changed the calendar ♥ sometime during the day bumping the due date for one of the pares back 2(!) weeks. Yes, I realize this puts me ahead and I can ♥ spend time this weekend reading Paris Under Water, or my new issue of Real Simple, I can enjoy a walk with Tim ♥ and Charlie ♥, I can call my mother and send her off to Arizona with wishes ♥ for a safe and happy trip, the list just goes on and on....
oh and Happy valentines day, too.♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Timestamps

For what ever mysterious reason that brings one particular (peculiar?) item or line of thought to the fore, this week it has been timestamps. The question of post times was raised by one, commented on by another and since then, very much on my mind.
I had mentioned in a previous post that my daily routines have been re-arranged. Yesterday morning I looked at the clock, it registered quarter of, I could hear Tim in the shower, so I figure "why wait for the alarm (set for the top of the hour)- might as well get up". Which I did. Had my glass of water and logged in to see what was going on at school. Tim comes out dressed for work, gives me (what I thought was) a funny look and says something along the lines of 'you don't need to work so hard at this, it'll be ok, you can dial it back a notch' (which I thought was a funny thing to say). We exchanged goodbye - see you tonight - drive carefully, (more fog! I could use some sunshine) I posted a comment on a discussion thread and glanced at the timestamp - 5:18AM. No wonder Tim looked at me funny!! That explains the cryptic remarks. (Why was he leaving the house at 5:00!?) My alarm is set for 6:00 - my foggy brain only registered one of the hands!! Aiyiyi
I finished what I was doing - not much as it turns out and decided Tim was right. I didn't need to be 'at it' this early. Should I go back to bed? Nap in the basement so Charlie could sit with me? Go back to bed.....I chose to read (peruse really) in the basement so Charlie could sit with me. I was able to get this through an interlibrary loan. It is very much a thumb-through-and-enjoy kind of book. The photos are stunning.
Today will be spent getting a start on a couple writing assignments. Laundry. Cleaning. Waiting for some sunshine.....

this week

it's been a long week. charlie finds himself keeping new hours to keep up with me. those early morning starts take some adjustment....for both of us. it's been 6:00 or earlier everyday since classes started. exercise, breakfast, and at the computer by 7. with warm weather we've been out walking several times this week and should manage 2 more this weekend.
this must have been tuesday night. there is a package to mail to aidan, my notebook, assorted papers, econ textbook.
i'm finding a rhythm to the whole thing. up early for exercise and breakfast, log in to check updates and respond to class threads. read. write. think. laundry. think. pack lunch for work. work. check for new posts when i get home. dishes. read.

the first couple days it was the mechanics/process of the system that flummoxed me. that first morning i made the mistake of opening every window, every drop-down menu - ayiyi!! I'd done the online orientation. it was thorough but simply couldn't cover all the ?? running through my brain as i tried to absorb this foreign environment.
the next day was easier. each day has been easier. i can concentrate on class content rather than tabs and windows.


here's something i never thought i'd see. five years!!
last night we enjoyed steak and shrimp at the city's employee appreciation dinner. each year the city throws a shindig to recognize the various departments and the work done to keep this place running.
so i'm off to do the delicate wash, log in at school and get this day rolling!!

potpourri

i'll try to cover a big chunk of time with this entry. we've seen our first hummingbird. a sight that never grows old. they like the honeysuckle.
this is tim's last week of class. he will be done. his last assignment is due at midnight tonight. but he has an extension (sunday) due to a crazy week at work. we spent the weekend writing, proofreading etc. early in the process he said "i just want to turn in a paper. i'll take a 'c' and walk away." (i wondered how long that attitude would last.) he was almost done when we called it a night saturday. sunday morning found him at the computer saying "i had to start all over. it kept going a different direction...." (what happened to the fast and easy 'c'??) anyway the paper is good and would have been finished on time if not for the difficult family on memory support, nebraska health care assoc. meetings wednesday and thursday in north platte and tomorrow in lincoln. (he's president of this district)
i'm leaving for fort dodge in the morning. it sounds like lunch at the orchard on saturday. i have a load of laundry to fold and dishes to wash when i get off the computer.

i had farmers market today and debuted my 'fall line' to favorable reviews.
i'd had several comments to the effect that they don't have outdoor space for the bigger pieces but would i be able to do some smaller fall colored leaves?? so i did.


the small ones are actually more work (though easier to handle) and lack the drama of the large leaves. but they sell.
this week we celeb - marked - our 32nd anniversary. we'll do the actual celebrating next week. we'll both be home. the classwork will be done. a real celebration.
and that, i think, captures the main points of the last week. the normal routines of work and home were accomplished along with the extras. we stayed up late a couple nights (against our better judgement) to watch olympic coverage. i've been impressed to find tim at the computer every morning around 4:30/ 5:00. i'll rephrase. when my morning starts around 6/6:30 it has been a source of wonder that tim would have already been busy with his class work for over an hour. which has been his routine through the whole process. makes me tired just thinking about it.
hope you all enjoy your weekend.