Snow blown

A relatively clear section of road near my house

Not only has it been bitterly cold this week, but the wind has been blowing fiercely, causing huge drifts on the roads. 

Hair guidelines

I have very, very long hair, which results in life rules. They're life rules because they could make the difference between life and death, or at the least being scalped alive. 

• never run the vacuum cleaner with my hair down
• never operate or stand in the proximity of machinery (such as a PTO shaft) with my hair down

Then I also have some guidelines, which help to keep me healthy and happy.

• If my hair is down, always check to make sure it is out of the way before closing the car door. 
• When my hair is down don't roll the office chair backward and then stand up
• When going to bed, tuck my hair safely above my head between the pillow and the headboard so I don't awake in a tangled mess 

Yesterday I added another entry to the guidelines list.

• Don't stand too close to the hot stove with my hair down

Yesterday I was hanging some laundry to dry in front of the stove when I smelled a hot smell. I quickly stepped away from the stove and then looked down. There was a thin, thread-like pattern on the window of the stove. There was also the stench of burning hair. The damage wasn't significant (akin to catching my hair in a zipper), but still I deemed it worthy of implementing a new guideline. 

Maintenance

Sunset

Lesson plans

A computer, a stack of books, a pot of tea, and I'm ready to plan lessons. 

White

A new semester

Winter semester is underway. Here's an overview of the last couple of weeks.

• Monday: new student orientation; SVSU closed due to weather; orientation postponed
• Tuesday: SVSU closed due to weather; orientation postponed
• Thursday: new student orientation
• Friday: teacher orientation; received class schedule and books

• Monday: Begin teaching class
• Tuesday: Classroom moved
• Wednesday: schedule tutors; begin collecting workshop proposals
• Thursday: receive another class to begin teaching on Tuesday
• Friday: redo tutor schedule; add first class to e-learning site
• Saturday: meet with another teacher about new class

• Monday: MLK day, no class
• Tuesday: receive books for new class; begin teaching; meet with tutors
• Wednesday: schedule workshops; begin tutoring; meet with tutors who couldn't make the meeting
• Thursday: design workshop flier
• Friday: add second class to e-learning site

Pink

Jack be nimble

Jack be quick

Jack jump out of the way of the hockey stick

Bread

Action

Drifting

If you're not from our part of the country, you might not realize that the flat white "shoulders" on either side of the road are drainage ditches which have drifted full of snow.

Praise

Flexibility

The beginning of a new semester in the English Language Program always provides plenty of opportunities for us to practice flexibility. This week has been no exception. 

Before

(I'm still working on the "after")

Winter

Curtains

The result of my sewing project. 

Skating

 Logan's project over the break was to construct a skating rink in the field behind the house. This would seem to be a simple task since that part of the garden floods regularly. But, Logan discovered that flooding it when you want it flooded takes a little bit of planning. However, after a couple of tries, he was successful. 

(Sorry, I don't have any pictures of the Zamboni)

Lilac

 My big project over break was painting the bedroom. It was the one room on the main floor that hadn't been repainted. 

Almighty God,

of whose only gift cometh wisdom and understanding; 

We beseech thee with thy gracious favour 

to behold our universities, colleges, and schools, 

that the confines of knowledge may be ever enlarged, 

and all good learning flourish and abound; 

bless all who teach and all who learn; 

and grant that both teachers and learners 

in humility of heart may look ever upward unto thee, 

who art the fountain of all wisdom; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, 

ever one God, world without end. Amen.

A prayer for universities, colleges, schools, and other places of learning from the Book of Common Prayer

Poinsettia

Red

Sewing

It is definitely time for vacation to end when I voluntarily begin sewing projects. I even went to JoAnn Fabric last week (horrors!). Simple straight seams and I produced two curtain panels for the office and a pillow sham. 

Tea

Frigid

Expected windchill temperature last night was -35F.

Blue door #2

You may remember the bold blue I painted my door in September. Well, I got tired of it standing up and singing every time I walked in the kitchen. So I tried a calmer, grayer blue and am much happier with how this new color is fitting in. 

Cold

Austin

 This little guy woke up from his nap just asking to have his picture taken.

Icy blue

Christmas Eve

 In keeping with tradition, our family gathered at the Cookie house Christmas Eve. I have greatly enjoyed preparing meals for friends and family the last couple of weeks. During the past semester I was too busy to practice hospitality and I've been trying to make up for it. 

Cookie house year