DSC_0040, uploaded by amybaeder.

These are some broccoli plants I planted indoors February 18 with hopes of moving them outside this weekend. The shorter plants are basil; I might keep them indoors when I thin the broccoli. This is my first shot with broccoli–I hope they grow here!

Despite our ever-so-thrilling (read: depressing and boring, respectively) budget and WASL meetings which took three hours of my afternoon, I have a renewed excitement about teaching. I have discovered that the more time I put into planning, the fewer discipline, attendance, and late work problems students have. In years past, I have become lazy about planning, relying on my “monitor and adjust” flexibility due to heavy involvement with grad school and Mary Kay. I had forgotten how much I enjoy making lists, doing long-term planning, being creative, and using student input to help plan my next few days or weeks. I had forgotten how much work it could be, also, when making all of these plans, going to all of these meetings, contacting the parents that need contacting, cleaning my room, assessing the students’ learning, and prepping for labs or activities. I enjoy what I do–I just wish I had more time to do it in. I have a house to clean, meals to cook, books to read, and hats to knit! I also have to socialize and exercise. What I do leaves little room for such frivolous activities! Nevertheless, I am excited about the next few weeks of teaching. It’s hard to believe that it’s only a month until spring break. This year is flying by….

I don’t know why, but the last few days have left me feeling fuzzy-headed. On Monday night, I was really tired and went to bed by 9:30 or so. The next day, I woke up with a headache, so I came home from work 2 hours early and slept for about 5 hours. I went to bed by 11 p.m., woke up by 6 a.m. to get sub plans in since my head hurt again, slept from 7:30-11:30 a.m., slept 2 more hours in the afternoon, and went to bed by 1 a.m. Wednesday night. I got up at 6 or so Thursday, went to bed by 11, and got up at normal time (6 ish) on Friday. Friday I went to sleep no later than midnight and slept 9 hours. I felt fuzzy headed all day Saturday, like I could fall asleep anytime. I just couldn’t stop yawning and a nap sounded like the best idea ever. I took a half-hour nap and went to bed by 1 a.m. last night. I got up by 9 today–after 8 hours of sleep–still feeling drowsy. I tried taking a nap this afternoon, but I could hardly sleep since it was 5:30 already….I wondered if I could sleep tonight. I still feel like I just woke up, even after 2 cups of coffee this morning. I tried drinking lots of water, dancing around, and working outside, but I feel like sleeping. What’s going on?? I know my sleep patterns are messed up, but I can usually handle that without feeling fuzzy-headed all day. This is frustrating!

DSC_0012, uploaded by amybaeder.

Here’s my alpaca blend hat. I don’t wear it much ’cause it’s not that cold anymore, but I do like the color. It’s a bit scratchy after a while, but I like wearing something I’ve made. It was my first experiment in ribbing, and I like the way it helps the hat expand to fit my head :). I think it looks better on someone rather than on our dining room table, but this will have to do for now.

DSC_0008, uploaded by amybaeder.

Here’s the hat I made for mom. I still need to block it so the ends don’t curl up, but I’m not sure how to do it. I like the homespun yarn like this that changes color as you knit it up. I’m working on another one now, and then Lesley wants me to make her one.

DSC_0025, uploaded by justinbaeder.

I’ve had this orchid for a while and it hasn’t bloomed in 2-3 years. I don’t feed it or take great care of it, but it decided to bloom recently. I’m happy each time I look at it now.

DSC_0001, uploaded by justinbaeder.

I see this on the way to work everyday, but I never stop for the “PERMIUM” gas–yes, that’s how it is spelled.