L didn't go to the Montessori. I found her a different childcare center a few blocks away, after the Montessori lost paperwork, wouldn't call me back, and then didn't have room for her on Thursdays. Every other day was fine, but not Thursdays.
N then transferred to the same childcare center, because they ROCKED where Montessori failed (namely, paperwork, not having crazy administrative staff, and calling me back), and also because they are much smaller and the girls get time together. N also begged to go, and would linger when we went to pick up L for the month that they went to separate schools.
M-W morning belly dancing was canceled. I took a six week long, one night a week class and attended only three of them. It was nice. Nighttime babysitting = not feasible.
I have done almost nothing for my Etsy, fallen into more than one Sneaky Hate Spiral and didn't even get the Xmas ornaments I made up in time for Christmas.
School was dreary and uninformative. I'm fairly disillusioned of it.
I am writing this blog because I got a huge stack of books, about community building, business, and a bit about teaching reading (N is at that point, they grow so fast!). One of the books is on blogging, and I realized I hadn't posted to mine in months. I really do enjoy having people pay attention to me, so I am endeavoring (once again!) to routinely and predictably update multiple times a week. Daily is pushing it. I just can't be that interesting.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Time is of the essence
Both girls will be going to Sacramento Montessori M-Th from now on. I am ecstatic. I might actually be able to do more than tread water. I will have M and W completely free, I'm going to be taking belly dancing in the mornings (9:45-10:45) both days, and then I will have the rest of the day to sew and do my homework. Maybe also get a job (Joann's is hiring!) I am over the moon. Onwards and upwards!
Headed for the 'Frisco Bay...
Technically, I am BACK from the bay. But WOW did the trip rock! Well, minus the broken toe I got hiking back to my car from the nude beach K and I stumbled across (and then bouldered down to despite the numerous signs recommending against it...).
The girls were at their grandparents in Auburn for Thursday and Friday night. Friday morning Kayleigh and I packed a picnic, cleaned out the car, and headed out at about 10 AM. Our first stop was Laci's, a sewing and textile shop that has an extensive collection of historical supplies, such as corset boning (why I was there, primarily). I got enough boning to finish the corsets I have going, extra stock for ren bodices, and an underbust corset pattern. Then we headed to the SFMOMA, and I was reminded of a few things.
Beach was next, we drove until we found it (right before the Golden Gate Bridge, at the National Rec Area) and had a blast climbing and frolicking. The pictures came out AMAZING. I'm losing weight, and it is wonderful to have evidence of that. Fifteen pounds to go!
After a quick snack of hummus and veggies and pita chips, we ventured back into the city, and spent a brief stint in Japantown. Cute and a fun walk, but K didn't find the mochii she wanted. We then haggled with my cousin who was getting off work so we could find a place for dinner. We found free parking ('cuz it was almost 6PM) and then wandered around Mission district trying to find a cute cafe that hadn't closed at 6. We settled on a little Italian place, after dodging bad performance art and shuffling barefoot (broken toe, remember?) for a couple of blocks. After meeting up with cousin and having coffee at Italian place, we back tracked to grab sushi and chatter about 6 years of lost time.
Next month, though, I'll be seeing her again at my other cousin's wedding, and I'm so excited for a huge family blowout!
The girls were at their grandparents in Auburn for Thursday and Friday night. Friday morning Kayleigh and I packed a picnic, cleaned out the car, and headed out at about 10 AM. Our first stop was Laci's, a sewing and textile shop that has an extensive collection of historical supplies, such as corset boning (why I was there, primarily). I got enough boning to finish the corsets I have going, extra stock for ren bodices, and an underbust corset pattern. Then we headed to the SFMOMA, and I was reminded of a few things.
- Modern art is sometimes a joke artists play on rich people.
- I am not a bad artist.
- Concept is key.
Beach was next, we drove until we found it (right before the Golden Gate Bridge, at the National Rec Area) and had a blast climbing and frolicking. The pictures came out AMAZING. I'm losing weight, and it is wonderful to have evidence of that. Fifteen pounds to go!
After a quick snack of hummus and veggies and pita chips, we ventured back into the city, and spent a brief stint in Japantown. Cute and a fun walk, but K didn't find the mochii she wanted. We then haggled with my cousin who was getting off work so we could find a place for dinner. We found free parking ('cuz it was almost 6PM) and then wandered around Mission district trying to find a cute cafe that hadn't closed at 6. We settled on a little Italian place, after dodging bad performance art and shuffling barefoot (broken toe, remember?) for a couple of blocks. After meeting up with cousin and having coffee at Italian place, we back tracked to grab sushi and chatter about 6 years of lost time.
Next month, though, I'll be seeing her again at my other cousin's wedding, and I'm so excited for a huge family blowout!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Health
I moved next door three days ago. I also have a moderately awful kidney infection, that is resisting the antibiotics. A lot of things have been put on hold, but building a home with Kayleigh and my girls is absolutely, unbelievably wonderful. I am barely keeping afloat in my classes, but I'm not falling behind. Kayleigh's bright presence is keeping me out of the doldrums, and Nene and Lolo are thriving in the more community-friendly environment. We have had a stream of visitors and a dinner party already! Now getting back into the swing of creation and business building. And seriously need to kick this infection!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
I am hanging art at Temple Coffee the first week of September! So, for the week, I did my art homework.
Shortly thereafter, I am moving to the beautiful two bedroom apartment next door, which has more light, more space, and more KAYLEIGH! Kayleigh is an amazing friend (and photographer) that I am so excited to spend more time with. Having my product photographer in the back bedroom is also one more reason I can't make excuses about updating my Etsy. As well, she has been taking gorgeous photos of the girls, which have made my Facebook page much more popular. The girls are loving life lately.
This week's past lessons included cooking and informal gatherings. I made red wine herb shrimp sauteed in butter and garlic and put them over spinach and chive linguine. Yum. Oh my goodness. I also made rosemary boneless pork ribs and boiled rosemary potatoes, which tasted better after I fried them. We also had salad and rolls, and with less than three hours total of cooking and prep I fed 5 adults and three children. Guests brought caprese and some cranberry juice, plus a bit of rum that I used to make bananas foster, that I had over vanilla yogurt, but which was also amazing by the spoonful.
Reading done; some Louisa May Alcott, a few of her short stories. Shawl Straps being absolutely adorable!
As well, I have been meticulously working out workflows for sewing, adding the finishing touches and trying to include all of the little professional things like topstitching and interfacing that weren't included in my original sewing lessons. I'm improving, and have more than three corsets which should be ready for boning by the time I get moved in!
I am enrolled online in Principles of Marketing (Mkt 300), Retailing (Mkt 312), and Internet Marketing (Mkt330). I've attended the orientation classes for these, one Wednesday night and two this morning.
I purged out clothes and miscellany for Salvation Army, and the apartment looks wonderful. Things are clean and in their place, though there is a mountain of laundry. Eek. Maybe tomorrow.
Shortly thereafter, I am moving to the beautiful two bedroom apartment next door, which has more light, more space, and more KAYLEIGH! Kayleigh is an amazing friend (and photographer) that I am so excited to spend more time with. Having my product photographer in the back bedroom is also one more reason I can't make excuses about updating my Etsy. As well, she has been taking gorgeous photos of the girls, which have made my Facebook page much more popular. The girls are loving life lately.
This week's past lessons included cooking and informal gatherings. I made red wine herb shrimp sauteed in butter and garlic and put them over spinach and chive linguine. Yum. Oh my goodness. I also made rosemary boneless pork ribs and boiled rosemary potatoes, which tasted better after I fried them. We also had salad and rolls, and with less than three hours total of cooking and prep I fed 5 adults and three children. Guests brought caprese and some cranberry juice, plus a bit of rum that I used to make bananas foster, that I had over vanilla yogurt, but which was also amazing by the spoonful.
Reading done; some Louisa May Alcott, a few of her short stories. Shawl Straps being absolutely adorable!
As well, I have been meticulously working out workflows for sewing, adding the finishing touches and trying to include all of the little professional things like topstitching and interfacing that weren't included in my original sewing lessons. I'm improving, and have more than three corsets which should be ready for boning by the time I get moved in!
I am enrolled online in Principles of Marketing (Mkt 300), Retailing (Mkt 312), and Internet Marketing (Mkt330). I've attended the orientation classes for these, one Wednesday night and two this morning.
I purged out clothes and miscellany for Salvation Army, and the apartment looks wonderful. Things are clean and in their place, though there is a mountain of laundry. Eek. Maybe tomorrow.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Unschooling, at the University Level
It has been way too long since I've posted here. Business is going, but slowly. I haven't succesfully made the jump to ONLINE sales, which is where I am aiming to get most of my revenue. Corset orders are coming in, and I am finally getting to a stable point of not being at a loss for necessary materials. I am still going to school full time, some classes online, and will be graduating with an Associate's Degree in Small Business Administration in Spring 2011. I already have my Associate's in Psychology. But, no bachelor's degree, and no immediate way to attend university due to childcare and funds has me rethinking my educational goals. Because, honestly, I am not very excited by a bachelor's degree. A Master's in Business, yes, but the intermediary step of a BA is less than appealing, and currently very cumbersome. So, in the meantime, I have decided to apply some of my own wisdom and beliefs about educating children, to my own education. Because honestly, a degree is just a stamp, there are plenty of other ways to learn, and I learn more out of the classroom than in it.
So, beginning now, I am going to post my 'Lesson plans/self-assesments' and keep a running log, for myself and whoever is reading out in the ether. Today; working on corset construction, pattern making, and beekeeping research.
Knowledge is power!
So, beginning now, I am going to post my 'Lesson plans/self-assesments' and keep a running log, for myself and whoever is reading out in the ether. Today; working on corset construction, pattern making, and beekeeping research.
Knowledge is power!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
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