Tap, Tap

Is this thing on?  *crickets* 

Quick hello!  I got my straight A's again in Spring semester - by the skin of my teeth, but it counts, eh?  Summer session starts this coming week - taking two classes over the space of 8 weeks (a normal semester is 15, and this will cram all the same work into 8) so I'll be a bit busy.  In addition, we're in the midst of helping "the Grandma" (as she's known in certain circles - my circles mostly) pack up her home of 20ish years for a big move north to live closer to our extended family.  She's excited about the changes so it's a bit bittersweet.  I'm happy for her, but will miss her quite a bit.  And there's a lot of work to be done over the next 2.5 weeks or so - maybe I'll sleep again in August.  Otherwise the new (not really new anymore) job is going well - enjoying it and totally blessed to have great coworkers who are supportive and constantly teaching me new things.  The other job is still supportive of my wacky school and work(s) schedule too, so I'm in a good place workwise.  The garden is in - and for once their are rows and organized places for things.  A novel idea, don't you think?  We'll see how it all works out as I try to keep the weeds at bay, and the plants all start to grow into themselves.  I did somehow manage to plant something like 14 tomato plants so it's still over the top.  The greens and lettuces all washed away in a monsoon of a storm a few days after the seeds went out so right now there's only chard.  Maybe i'll do a replanting this week if I have time.  If not I'm going to just go with what we've got.  Manmate is back in the world of the employed - overemployed per usual with two jobs so we're back to the norm there as well.  Anyway, that's the update for now - if you want more regular updates come see me on the GardenSpotTreasures Facebook page - found HERE. 

Book Review: The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Ack.  I'm horrified.  Not by this book, but by the fact that number 4 in the Body Finder series isn't out yet.  I love the series that much.  And this one left me wanting more - go read them. :)



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Book Review: Thimbleberry Stories

Thimbleberry Stories by Cynthia Rylant

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Adorable.  The stories were sweet, and I have now renamed our chipmunk who lives in the drain spout.  He will now be called Nigel.  :) 



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Mooshka A Quilt Story (Book Review)

Mooshka, A Quilt Story by Julie Paschkis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What beautiful art and a lovely story from Julie Paschkis.  I think this would be a good read-aloud story - the story of a little girl's favorite quilt, and the stories that each patch tells her.  Also a story of how the quilt and stories become a comfort to her new baby sister. 



I would love to have art by Julie - the illustrations in this book are fantastic, and colorful, and very folk art.  :)



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Book Review: Made by Hand

Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World by Mark Frauenfelder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An interesting story - written by a man who became an editor at Make Magazine, Mark Frauenfelder became intrigued with the DIY culture, and adopted some of it in the lives of his and his family.  I was very intrigued by the parts regarding working on your espresso machine, and the part on raising chickens.  The big take away is just try it!  Don't be afraid to break it.  True for many things, no?



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Book Review: Spinning Forward

Spinning Forward by Terri DuLong

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


It was cute, and heart warming, but a little bit too contrived.  And if you're going to have yarn and needles on the cover there should be more knitting.  Mmm-kay?  I'm pretty sure it was a Kindle freebie so that's good.  I guess I didn't hate it, and it was heartwarming, just didn't leave me wanting more. 



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Butt-kickin'

I'm not sure who's butt is getting kicked - mine maybe.  I'm still transitioning into working two jobs while juggling school.  Taking a bit more of a toll than expected - I'm tired.  And a tiny bit frantic.  Mostly I miss some of my sleep, knitting and reading time, and the thought of days off or vacations.

If you could remind me that this is all about temporary sacrifice until I'm through school that would be great, OK?  Or maybe just call me a fool and move on, lol.

The big debate of the week however involved class registration - how many classes to take.  You see, I figured out that if I take 3 classes this summer (not in the original plan - I'd planned to concentrate on work and maybe some volunteering/shadowing this summer - that was also before I started working part time in a library) and 3 or 4 (still getting confirmation on that) in the Fall I would be in line to graduate in December.  That said - I'm a little tired already and summer classes are intense.  I'd be taking 1 4 week session class.  The 8 week session would be two classes. 

So, the pros are getting out a whole semester early, entering the job market faster.  The cons involve the insanity of doing all this so quickly.  The possibility that I may forgo some variety in my coursework b/c of the options currently available by not going the next semester.  And the possibility that even if I enter the work search early I may not get a job any faster.

Anyway, I signed up for all of the classes.  "MUST TAKE ALL THE CLASSES" - 3 in summer and 4 in Fall to buy myself some time figure it out.  It would be an easier decision if there were a cooking, cleaning, and feeding genie - we're barely staying afloat with each having 2 jobs and school as it is now.  (I have to admit that I'm super glad manmate got jobs again, but I do miss him being home a helluva lot more!)

On the garden front - we're tilled, and I've made lists.  Now to get practical on what will ACTUALLY fit in the garden.  Hoping to have that finalized this weekend and some of the seeds in the ground.  The azaleas are blooming here in the Carolinas - a bit early but quite lovely.  What's blooming in your world?

Oh, and just a note - I started a Facebook Fanpage - I'm experimenting with it a bit - feel free to fan me and join the conversation!  The page can be found here.