I have trouble with this

I just can't ever think of a title for my entries! Anyway, I started giving Iowa Tests of Basic Skills this week and that always makes my blood pressure go up! I get frustrated that it takes at least two whole weeks away from good instructional time and the results will just show that these kids need more good instructional time!
Had a short visit from Greg and Chelsey last night and got some wedding pictures. Greg had come over to pick up the mending so Chelsey joined us for a short time.
In my spare time while Dan snoozes in front of the TV I have been looking at some crafting/sewing blogs. There are lots of cool ideas out there. Let me know if you want a link to any of them. I enjoy seeing what people are making, whether they can sell their products, where they get their ideas, etc. I have a short stack of ideas for when I have time.
We are having directory pictures taken again at church. I hope to get in a trip to Williamsburg Saturday to see if I can get a new top to wear in the pictures. Maybe Dan and I should get matching shirts?

My take on the inaugural

Can't let Lynne have all the thoughts! I watched the swearing in ceremony with a class of fourth graders. Interesting to see who was alert and interested and who was just plain bored. One thing we were able to do was talk about the former presidents and their wives - and see if the kids knew who they were. I had told them one of the marines might be my nephew - so at least they watched for that. The crowds were unbelievable. I have been on the Mall on July 4th and thought it was crowded, but OH MY! I felt sorry for the people holding tots. I thought the speech was very good- very quotable. The 4th graders need to hear that they are important to the future. I loved the quartet music. When I grow up I want to play clarinet like that! Also talked to the kids about the people in that quartet. It was neat to see YoYo Man smiling like it was really fun! Kids are here for math, so gotta go.

valentines hanging

Okay, this is what I do when there is no school. Let me know which ones you like best. All the baby quilts have designated owners, I just don't know who gets which.

one more

animals and hearts

not done yet

celtic rocking horse

still more

"school" quilt

more quilt

Things that go quilt

another quilt

colorful animals quilt

farm animal quilt

Cold,Cold,Cold

We have another day off from school. I'm so thankful I have a warm place to be. Yesterday I finished the 8th baby quilt and I don't know of any others I need to make. As soon as I have my school computer, I will post some pictures. Today I need to clean my sewing machines and then I want to make a Valentines themed wall hanging for the living room. I could start the laundry, etc as well. I didn't wear many school clothes this week, so there isn't really a lot of laundry either. I can't bake because I used the end of the flour last night making a pizza crust. I am enjoying reports from the girls about what they've been doing. I can't believe Emily can whistle - try to get that on tape! Dallas is changing already. I need it to warm up, because I miss those guys and want another visit soon!

Odds and Ends

We had snow today, too. but not as much as Sherrie talked about. Dan moved snow on the drive before I went up to have Chelsey cut my hair. The streets were not done yet and there were big drifts near the curbs. Funniest thing I saw was a pickup hung up on a pile of snow in the middle of a street. The street crews pile snow up for trucks to move later. Apparently this guy though it would be fun to see if he could ramp this pile with his pickup and got hung up instead! Try to explain that at home!
I had some sewing for hire to do today. One of my co workers doesn't even sew on buttons. I sewed on buttons, repaired some split seams and reattached some bed ruffle for her, hemmed three pair of pants for another coworker and then worked on some mending for Greg and Chelsey. I don't charge them :) Right now I am finishing another baby quilt. - another half hour or so and I should have this one done. I have another one started, embroidered blocks are mostly done. Keeps me busy.
By the way, I am really enjoying the books that were left here Christmas!

Back at It

The first day back was a good one overall. Most kids were ready to be back in a routine. Some prefer school to home and were really glad to be back. They forgot stuff, though. I guess we'll pick it back up again soon.
My closest friend here at work is experiencing some health problems - unidentified right now, but involving stress and her heart. She has tests such as CAT scan today. Please pray for her as she is scared. Scared they'll find something serious, scared that it isn't fixable. She is such a support to me always.
My laptop is repairable, in fact, probably done but sitting in David's office. He did have to confer with the other tech person, however. The problem seemed to stem from my new Shuffle, but more so with the computer trying to sync with outdated ITunes. Consequently the whole district will get updated ITunes installed. You know, at home if there is an update, you just say ok. Here at school you have to have an administrator's password to update. David thought that having this problem and solving it will prevent others with new toys from having problems as well. I told him I am always known as a pioneer!

this weekend

A nice quiet weekend here - this morning the "Methodist Mission Sisters" sang in church - just a group of women from the choir that sings women chorus music. I'm not sure who named us! After church Dan and I went to Des Moines to get stuff with our gift cards. I bought some fat quarters for quilting and some embroidery thread and things were on sale so I was able to get more than I thought. Dan got some stuff at Barnes and Noble. I splurged and bought a Vera Bradley bag (Lynne will remember how I drooled over them). It was on sale as well, so I could justify the purchase.
Yesterday I finished another baby quilt - completely finished. I have another top ready to sandwich and quilt. I machine embroider a simple design on the "plain" blocks in order to hold the quilt together. My studio looks pretty good - all organized and put away.
Back to work tomorrow -