1. my good quality knives in their knife block
2. beach chair
3. beach towels
4. cooler
5. extra silverware
6. games, cards
7. measuring cups and spoons
8. flipflops
9. goggles
10. sunscreen

1. Box for books
2. Bags
3. Knife
4. Change
5. Lip balm
6. maps, though I don’t use them as much nowadays
7. jump cables
8. tire pressure gauge
9. coupons
10. towel and washcloth
11. Kleenex

What special or unusual event occurred?

We made it through Mom’s birthday. This was the first real event that we celebrated after her death. It passed pretty quietly; she was just on my mind a good bit more. Dad said he had some bittersweet moments that got to him, but overall he was okay. Those memory moments are to be expected, and certainly she was worth them.

What were my accomplishments this month?

Teaching in Spanish! And not to children! I actually traveled to Mexico for work, where I taught the same material I’ve been teaching in English for almost a year, but this time I did it in Spanish. I was so gratified by the compliments I received; I achieved my goals of being clear, comprehensible, and coherent. What more could I ask? I mostly read from a prepared text – there is no way I felt comfortable enough to do it seemingly off the cuff like I do in English – but that seemed to be acceptable presentation style at this conference, so I was comfortable with that. And I did make a serious effort to look up regularly.

Of course, going almost didn’t happen. There were money/regulations that had to be worked out before I could go, and I literally did not know for sure that I was going until about four days before. It was very tension-making. I continued to prepare as if I would be going regardless, and watched on the sidelines as my chief and the other institution had their discussions. It was not fun.

I made lemon mousse. I’ve been craving lemony things, so I decided to satisfy said craving. It turned out pretty well, but I think that I will still make myself the lemon mouse without the whipped cream, which is mostly lemon curd. I am still craving lemony not-too-sweet dessert-type things.

What were my disappointments this month?

I can’t think of anything serious that disappointed me. I just missed Mom a bit more, especially once I wasn’t distracted by work.

Well, my weight disappointed me, but that is standard.

What books/music/shows did I enjoy this month?

• Celtic Crossroads concert at the Barns at Wolf Trap – that was really good, and a wonderful distraction from the tension of waiting to find out if I was going to Mexico
• Magic bleeds / Ilona Andrews – re-read
• Magic slays / Ilona Andrews– re-read
• Gunmetal magic / Ilona Andrews– re-read
• Absolutely, positively / Jayne Ann Krentz– re-read
• The unquiet bones – didn’t finish
• Frost burned / Patricia Briggs – pretty good “ending” to the series. I wonder if there will be more? I do know that the original contract was for seven books. But it is not like there will be no more in that world, as the Alpha and Omega series is still going.
• Gifted hands / Ben Carson – I’ve seen the movie, and was curious about the book. Distinctly different, but interesting.
• Gryphon’s eyrie / Andre Norton– re-read
• Temptation and surrender / Stephanie Laurens– re-read
• Wild / Cheryl Strayed – I really did not connect with this book. I finished it, but really!, I had a hard time understanding the character of the author. And truly, the biggest lack was the lack of God. It was understandable, but it was also the root of the problem for this woman, as she really was making her mother almost into a god. Not really, but occasionally, emotionally, yes. And I was so frustrated with her because of it. Plus, she engaged in some truly foolish behavior, at least some of which she acknowledged as foolish, but some not.
• The crystal gryphon / Andre Norton– re-read
• Parasol Protectorate series / Gail Carriger
• Wild invitation / Nalini Singh
• Mouse and dragon / Lee & Miller – skimming re-read
• The hallowed hunt / Lois McMaster Bujold– re-read
• The Mentalist, finishing season 2
• Campion – watched Police at the funeral episodes
• The Bourne legacy – boy, was that a setup movie! It was okay, but not especially thrilling.
• Much podcast watching and listening. Especially listening to Jane Eyre as part of Craftlit listening. Really enjoying it, so much so that I am making myself not read ahead in the book, even though I am a little impatient!

What crafts did I work on this month (not what I finished, but what did I work on)?

• Socks #26
• Working on said new quilt pretty steadily – and I finished the quilt top! (Well, I need to add a border, but that is not what is called for in the pattern, so I am still calling it finished. In the meantime, I still have to work on the backing and binding, as well as a minimal border.)
• Started cutting for a baby quilt for my new grand-niece to come.
• Wave shawlette
• Boiled wool knitting
• Wool felt applique wall hanging – I don’t know that I will call it a quilt anymore. It just isn’t a quilt, even if it does end up with multiple layers!

What fun things did I do with my family, friends, or by myself?

I went to Woodlawn Needlework exhibition with a friend. She is retiring this year, so it was a last opportunity to share that time with her. I’ll miss her next year.

Craft Saturday was again enjoyable, because a good friend came over for a good bit of the time.

I tried a waffle restaurant, attempting to satisfy my craving for a good Belgian waffle. I don’t think I quite achieved it, at least partly because now that I know what good maple syrup tastes like, I just can’t get enthused by the fake stuff. I think I’m going to have to give up on restaurants and make my own waffle. Of course, I want a whole wheat version, and it will not have the characteristic waffle ridges, since I am NOT buying an appliance for something I will use maybe once a year, but I can still make the recipe and simply do it in the iron skillet. Or maybe I could borrow a waffle iron?

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

I received the gift of comfort. A friend at church reached out to me on the Sunday of Mom’s birthday with a bit of encouragement and a promise of ongoing prayer – and she didn’t even realize it was Mom’s birthday. Truly God provides the comfort we need when we need it.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

I bought a whole bunch of fabric. Since I finished the quilt top and had baby quilt in the offing, I needed to buy backing and border fabric, as well as the fabric for the baby quilt top. Of course, now I need to go back for the border and the baby quilt backing and border.

I bought the Finding photo freedom class from Big Picture Classes at the beginning of the year. (I also bought the One Little Word and Move More, Eat Well classes, but they are once a month things.) The FPF class actually started in February, but I didn’t really focus on it until beginning of March. It is definitely offering me possibilities in scrapbooking more of the stories I want to scrapbook. After all, as I regard it, this is my form of journaling, it just includes pretty paper and pictures. So making sure that I figure out what pictures I really want to use is powerful. I’m glad, though, that access is perpetual, because I am finding it hard to find the time to really do it properly, even though I want to.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

Morning itchiness, sneezing, and/or drainage, due to allergies. This started about mid-February, and continued until mid-March. Once I got back on schedule with my allergy shots, it disappeared pretty quickly. However, I would say that the duct cleaning, which actually happened in March, even though it was initially scheduled for February, did help a bit while the shots took effect. Personally I am just grateful it quit!

I got back the blood work from my regular checkup. Once again, the bad LDL’s are just slightly over the edge of what is okay. Personally I think if I lose the weight I need to lose, then that would correct itself. I do not regard my overall diet as bad. But we’ll see what can be done. Just as a baseline decision, I am going to focus on making sure that I have lots of vegetables – cooked or raw – to eat, plus regular amounts of protein. Too often I fall into the habit of not having meat ready to eat, and I end up unsatisfied. Then I eat more of what I should not eat. That is not good.

Lately, I’ve been experiencing noticeable tightness in the hips, especially the left one. I decided to do some extra massage as a result. I think it helped, but by its very nature, massage is temporary. What I really need is regular, intense stretching.

Anything else noteworthy to include?

The new foreign country that I have now included in my list is Mexico. Of course, it was for work, and Very Short. I was only there 48 hours! But I am sure that I will return.

A new Bikram yoga studio is coming to my neighborhood. I’ve been wanting to do yoga regularly for a while now – see stretching comment above – but haven’t been able to fit it in at my gym, which is frustrating, since that is already paid for. I’ve looked into other area yoga studios, but same thing. But this new studio is literally within walking distance, so if I can’t find a time that works for me…It hasn’t opened yet, but I am watching with bated breath.

Google Reader announced it is going away.

B&N Nook app updated – and now it is much less stable. I am cranky.

Beach week is happening. We won’t all be there, but at least we are getting there!

What rest did I achieve this month?

The whole tension thing with the uncertainty of going to Mexico, plus the tension of doing the actual teaching, left me with some nights of really disturbed sleep. I tried not to let it get to me, but it doesn’t always work. But once I got back, well then I relaxed. I occasionally have restless nights regardless, but the mental relaxation is immense.

Of course, the weird thing about those nights of disturbed sleep was the dreams. I didn’t dream about the teaching in Spanish; I dreamed about Mom still being alive. I guess my mind is still processing the reality of her being dead. Even now, it still doesn’t feel real.

What special or unusual event occurred?

I visited Dad (alone) for the first time. My sister and some of her family were there, but I stayed a little bit extra; myself, I concentrated on cleaning out the book stuff and the sewing stuff.

What were my accomplishments this month?

I not only got rid of many books in which Dad had no interest, but I also found him a used bookstore that he could find his way to fairly easily. He likes to read, and if he bought everything at the bookstore, it would be fairly expensive. He had been missing a used bookstore ever since the closest one closed down; this one was an awesome replacement. Plus, said used bookstore did take quite a bit of the books and gave him credit for it.

What were my disappointments this month?

I can’t think of anything serious that disappointed me.

What books/music/shows did I enjoy this month?

• Crystal gardens / Amanda Quick
• more Jayne Ann Krentz
• Skimming the Dream series by Nora Roberts. I think I will go back and reread them all the way through before the month is out.
• Sense and sensibility
• second half of Mansfield Park
• Diplomatic immunity / Bujold
• Throne of glass / Sarah Maas
• Bayou moon / Ilona Andrews
• Magic burns / Ilona Andrews, but not very intensely.
• The quilt show — one of the early episodes
• Elementary — watched them on CBS internet site
• Lots of Hercule Poirot
• Campion show – first two episodes
• He-Man and the Masters of the Universe — cartoon remake of cartoon from 1990′s; only the first, opening episodes, which were not that great. I find that I do not really enjoy the Japanese animé style of cartoon.
• Finally watched the Reichenbach Falls episode of Sherlock. Fascinating! And the first thing I did, just to confirm, is to check and see if there was as season 3. There is! It’ll be interesting to see how they handle the return of Sherlock.

What crafts did I work on this month (not what I finished, but what did I work on)?

• Dishcloth weaving
• Socks #26
• Working on said new quilt pretty steadily
• Xmas stocking
• Summerweight sweater seaming
• Boile

What fun things did I do with my family, friends, or by myself?

I went to the bookstore. I enjoyed my time with Dad. I also enjoyed that visiting time with my sister. I had a really good craft Saturday at home with some friends who came and joined me.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

This was not a gift-giving month.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

I did an Amazon purchase, which included a heart rate monitor that would connect to my iphone. We’ll see how well it works. Since my watch/HRM doesn’t really pick up my heartbeat anymore, it is only useful as a timer. I really need something to help me figure out more and better information related to my exercise.

For the first time every, I got my ducts cleaned. I wondered if it would help my allergies. I think it did, although not an extreme difference.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

Annoying dryness in the nostrils, due to dry air of winter indoors.

Morning itchiness, sneezing, and/or drainage, due to allergies. This started about mid-February, and continued. I end up having to take a half-dose of a Benadryl-type OTC to get it to stop. If it stops, then I’m good for the rest of the day. But I don’t like having to take that type of OTC; it afflicts me with sleepiness, just a little too much.

Anything else noteworthy to include?

The potential for a trip to a foreign country for work is looking possible.

What rest did I achieve this month?

I actually did get some decent rest.

What special or unusual event occurred?

I visited my friend in Nashville over Thanksgiving.

What were my accomplishments this month?

Recording a video in a foreign language. A challenge, but much practice helped.

What were my disappointments this month?

Well, Obama got reelected.

What books/music/shows did I enjoy this month?

• Map of bones / James Rollins — ok
• What price love? — skimming reread
• A fine fleece — didn’t finish, because it didn’t really catch my interest. A part of a series, so maybe I need to start with the beginning
• Dark storm / Christine Feehan — skimmed
• The perfect hope / Nora Roberts — predictable but entertaining
• Warping your loom DVD — Very helpful
• Artemis Fowl #1
• Watched a bunch of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple
• Thor rewatch
• Chuck season 2
• The Mentalist season 2
• Others that I have forgotten

What crafts did I work on this month (not what I finished, but what did I work on)?

• Rigid heddle weaving
• Socks #25

What fun things did I do with my family, friends, or by myself?

Sugarloaf craft festival with Judy; met Maureen and husband

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

My Nashville friend treated me to a massage as an early Christmas present. She got one of her own as well. It was a little bit of a girl hour.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

Nothing of any significance.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

Still fighting the sinus infection at the beginning of the month.

Anything else noteworthy to include?

This is way late, so my memory is probably a little sketchy, plus my ohlife recording was interrupted by a glitch.

What rest did I achieve this month?

Decent

What special or unusual event occurred?

Obviously, since I mentioned at the beginning of my previous round up post the death of my mother, this month began with going home to take part in her funeral, etc. It was pretty unusual and special. I don’t know if I will talk about much here, but certainly things around it will be an inevitable part of this month’s events.

What were my accomplishments this month?

I made it through.

What were my disappointments this month?

Trying to keep an even keel.

What books/music/shows did I enjoy this month?

I think it significant to say that a great deal of my reading and watching this month was mindless things specifically meant to take my mind off the grief that was a vivid reality.

• Tangle of need
• Artemis Fowl: The Opal deception
• Lost night / Jayne Castle
• Dream eyes / Jayne Ann Krentz
• Whole bunch more JAK novels that I’ve read before
• Dragon ship of the Liaden universe
• Added in the Texas novels of Lisa Kleypas
• 1493 as an audiobook; about the only serious novel of the month
• Virgin bought and paid for / Robyn Donald — NOT that good
• Some Mary Balogh as well
• Komarr / Bujold
• Diamond quilts / Jan Krentz
• More Artemis Fowl
• Nora Roberts
• one Hercule Poirot
• The Mentalist season 2
• Chuck season 2

What crafts did I work on this month (not what I finished, but what did I work on)?

• Dishcloth weaving
• Socks #26
• Started a new quilt
• Xmas stocking
• Summerweight sweater seaming
• Boiled wool jacket knitting

What fun things did I do with my family, friends, or by myself?

Not much. It was a survival month.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

The gift of many people reaching out to say wonderful things about Mom.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

Digital picture of Mom crossing the finish line last April.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

Dry skin and headaches.

Anything else noteworthy to include?

I have friends.

What rest did I achieve this month?

I have actually slept well. That is significant, considering.

What special or unusual event occurred?

I don’t know how to include this, but I ended the month with tragedy. On Dec. 30th, my mother died unexpectedly of influenza, which attacked her otherwise perfectly healthy heart. I’m going to do a separate posting about it, if I feel like publishing something. The rest of the roundup will include everything UP TO that moment.

What were my accomplishments this month?

Finished teaching the kids class on Wednesday night with the end of November, so now I’m free to return to the ladies class.

What were my disappointments this month?

Tension due to Mom’s disappointments. Fortunately it was a brief episode.

Frustrated by difficulties in making yogurt. Mostly concerned with ongoing problems with maintaining temps. I may actually succumb and get one of those yogurt makers. If I’m going to be doing this regularly, it would be a good thing.

What books/music/shows did I enjoy this month?

• Artemis Fowl #2
• Artemis Fowl #3
• The capture of the Earl of Glencrae — reread
• A fine passion — reread, not very intense
• Viscount Breckenridge to the rescue — reread
• Mastered by love — reread
• Snow rangers of the Andes / Montgomery Atwater — reread
• Steel’s edge / Patricia Briggs — NEW!
• Flaming forest / Montgomery Atwater — reread
• Ski Patrol / Montgomery Atwater
• Man of Bronze: the Red Death / Kenneth Robeson — reread
• The trouble hunters / Montgomery Atwater — reread
• Doc Savage #2 — maybe a reread?
• Skyfall — OK
• Couple more of Hercule Poirot

What crafts did I work on this month (not what I finished, but what did I work on)?

• Rigid heddle weaving
• Socks #25
• Percy lace shawl
• Weaving dishcloths
• Wool applique quilt
• Xmas stocking
• Socks #26
• Baby sweater done with bulky yarn this time
• Headband(s) as a gift for Mom

What fun things did I do with my family, friends, or by myself?

Other than the tension moment referred to before, I had a pretty good Xmas. Even though my sister only made it for 24 hours with one son — due to sickness in the family — we had a good time.

White Elephant gift exchange with Care group at church.

Xmas party with guild. Tried roasted Brussels sprouts for the first time.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

Nice shirts from Land’s End, new wireless trackball, a rigid heddle weaving DVD.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

Gifts.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

Still fighting the sinus infection at the beginning of the month. But things seemed to settle down.

Anything else noteworthy to include?

Delivered food to some friends for after-baby recovery time.

What rest did I achieve this month?

Pretty good.

1. Spend time outside in the sun.
2. Make something.
3. Spend time with people.
4. Wear lots of vivid color. (Or spring color, depending on what suits you.)
5. Bury yourself in a good book. Or two.
6. Listen to some upbeat music.
7. Exercise. Something sweaty and challenging. If you can do it outside in the sunshine, even better.
8. Eat something with lots of flavorful spices.
9. Take a class. Learn something new or go deeper into an old topic.
10. Go to a concert or a dance or something like that.

1. How will you spend ‘the night before Christmas’?

We’ll probably be loafing around the house, and Mom will be focused on the preparations for the next day’s dinner.

2.  What is one thing you are not?

I am not over-excited and mostly not over-tired.

3.  Fudge-are you a fan?  Your favorite flavor?

Plain, rich chocolate fudge, yes absolutely. I don’t like too many flavors or additions.

4. Did you attend any craft/vendor fairs in the month of December?  Do you prefer homemade goodies or the more professional stalls? Are you giving any homemade gifts this year?

I went to one in November but haven’t made it to any in December. I like both the homemade and the more professional, as long as it is useful, beautiful, and well-made. Badly or cheaply made does not interest me, I don’t care if it is a cottage industry or a face corporation. Quality counts.

I am giving one homemade gift, because I limit that kind of thing, in order not to be overstressed. The person who makes a whole bunch of handmade gifts is not me, due to all the issues that go with people who don’t necessarily appreciate what you do.

5. What’s your favorite type of holiday gathering?

I like potluck get-togethers with an entertaining gift exchange.

6.  We’re approaching a new year…what’s going to be different in 2013?

I am thinking about my One Little Word for this year. Somehow it just came to me what this year should be about. I’ve never signed up for the class, but this year maybe I will. Either way, I’m going to try to figure out ways to focus on my theme for the year.

7. Share a favorite scripture, quote, saying, or song lyric relating to peace.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow – There is no real possibility of that for me, but I always like the hush that falls on the earth when the snow is falling and everyone is at home, curled up safe inside.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Tomorrow I must drive ten hours. I am wondering what the traffic will be like on the I95 corridor.

1. Chewy molassas cookies – absolute top favorite that no one else habitually makes. I use the recipe from Cook’s Illustrated, which ensures properly chewy cookies.
2. Hermits – which I like without all the nuts or dried fruit. I like the airyness of the cookie and the light touch of ginger flavor.
3. Sugar cookies – no icing necessary
4. Butter cookies – you know the ones found in the Danish tins?
5. Gingerbread cookies – are you perchance getting a hint that I like the ginger flavor in my cookies.
6. Snickerdoodles
7. Chocolate chip is always good, IF they are chewy. (We are now moving into the I like them, but they are not true favorites. I don’t really have TEN favorites.)
8. Same for double chocolate chip
9. Sands (I think they are also known as Mexican wedding cookies)
10. I don’t have another favorite cookie, but I do like the chocolate cookies with the cracked surface and sugar on top. I don’t know what their official name is.

I like cookies better than cake.