and the wind blows

It's often windy here on the prairie, and right now, it's a COLD wind blowing through Billings. Lots of kids at school are sick, including my student, so I don't have to go to school today. I have a sore throat as well, so I'm happy to stay home.

Today while I listen to the wind rattle my windows, I'm crocheting dishcloths and I might also be able to get after that 30's table topper I'm hand quilting. Later, when it warms up a bit, I'll walk to the grocery (a mile and a half each way) for a few necessary provisions.

Yesterday I distributed 16 sign language books to kids in my Sign Language Club. They were so excited! And I was excited to see their enthusiasm. I expect some questions and lots of "Mrs. Fischer, look at this!" next week. Kids are so fun!

Our whole middle school (600 kids, grades 5-8) walked 3 blocks to the high school yesterday afternoon for a musical performance. It was a play about high school kids based on music from the 80s. It was so cute and the kids did such a great job that I invited Michelle to go with me for last night's performance. We were not disappointed; we laughed and laughed. And there were all kinds of kids in the play - high and low academic achievers, special ed; some looked more comfortable on stage than others. It was not a Hollywood production, but it was VERY well done!

Snow in Billings

Well, it's snowing here - just lightly. We're supposed to get about an inch, which means it will stick. Yesterday, the high was 71 degrees. Today, snow. I love the change of seasons, even if it's from day to day!

Recommended reading for girls with strong values: An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott

First Day of School

Wow! I'm beat! The middle school I'm in is new, and the floors are cement. I stood or walked all day, only sitting for a few minutes at lunch, and my legs are killing me! Besides that, I didn't sleep well last night. I'm looking forward to establishing a routine. Whew!

Other than that, everybody had a very good day. Most of the teachers were very reassuring to the new 5th graders, and Kyle's home room teacher is a wonderful man. We're going to like being in his room! We haven't met with the reading and English specialists yet. Today was spent getting acclimated and getting everyone put in the right classroom.

I'm off to get an aspirin and some dinner.

Back to Work

Today was my first day back to work. No kids yet (they start on Wed). Just a full day of meetings. Because I'm at a new school, I met lots of new co-workers and got "the lay of the land." The middle school has 5th through 8th graders, and each grade has their own hallway. They aren't usually together, except maybe assemblies. So now I know: where to clock in, where to eat, secretaries, principal and vice principal, insurance info, etc.

And surprise ---- I don't have to go to school tomorrow because I don't have a room or area to set up! So I'll be sewing again! And Monday is Labor Day, another day off. And the Monday after that is a teacher-only day! Whoo-hoo! I like this easing-back into work mode. :-)

Farm Girls' Meeting

Today was the first official Farm Girls meeting for the Yellowstone Prairie Flowers. We met in Pioneer Park and hung quilts and wore aprons. Lunch was: egg salad sandwiches, chips, fruit, and cookies. We had a new prospective member. I wore my new apron, which I stitched on till 3:00 this AM. It is cute - red with white pokey-dots, pleats at the waist and looooonnnng ties. I'm gonna enjoy wearing this one! And now I'm on a quest for more vintage apron patterns. There are some really adorable ones out there! Have to wait for a 99 cent sale at Joann's.

A new job - sewing related

Recently, I applied for a position at Patchwork Interactive as one of their 12 experts - and I was accepted! Whoo-hoo! I don't have all the details on my new duties yet, but I expect to be writing articles and answering questions. The site is for quilters and needleworkers; it's Australian-based, and is very user-friendly, with clean, bright images. Go check it out!
http://www.patchworkinteractive.com.au/

There I Go Dreaming Again...

My dream farm will have:

dogs (maybe Australian Shephards, definitely Labradors)
chickens for eggs and meat
goats for milk and meat
bees for honey
horses
barn cats
a big garden
lots of room for storing my home-grown foods and for making beautiful and useful things
snow in the winter
a clothes line
a basement
wood floors
bedrooms upstairs
Blue Willow dishes
a treadle sewing machine

If I don't dream about it, how will I know when my dreams come true?