Good people.

I am currently taking a special education class in this graduate program that is for teachers who don't teach special ed. More to acquaint you with the happenings of special ed I suppose. Right now we are talking about Autism. Sort of a laugh and a half to me. I love that the book is attempting to tell me about what I've personally lived and lived everyday for the first 18 years of my life. And guess, what....it doesn't completlely account for a large percentage of elements as well as being a very biased and somewhat biggoted book. Since I think this about content I am familiar with, I wonder how accurate the other sections are? Anyway. I came across this quote and have been holding on to it for a few weeks.

I've taken into consideration the concept of quality in many regards in addition to the quality of the company one keeps. There are many folks who wouldn't probably consider Patrick to be good quality company, but for our family he has been the best. When I was younger I used to say that I had the best brother ever. Because when I told him something, he never repeated it. While this is slightly...something....(because Patrick can't talk)....it was a way to deal. 

This photo was taken of my brother and I in June of 1999. I was a sophomore in high school, Patrick was a senior.  I remember having these photos taken as though it was yesterday. It was quite the  task.  Patrick is not known for sitting, posing or doing what you want him to do in a timely fashion in any regard.  He's more of the "let's do what I want to do and when I'm finished you can have your turn" type of fella'. I'm not sure if that's an Autism characteristic or a Dow characteristic! HA! Some of both I'm sure. 

I promise, I do still exhist.

The past few weeks are steam rolling my person.

Geoffrey returned home from an 8 day work trip on Monday night. Goodness, do you know how long 8 days is when you've not been away from your spouse EVER like that before.  It's the worst thing ever. Fortunately, friends and activities kept me busy in addition to the mound of homework and gigs I keep accumulating. (sheesh)

My newest work addition is that of a "dj" for 91.1 WKNO Memphis and 90.1 WKNP Jackson, NPR stations for the Mid-South. This opportunity came out of nowhere and immediately it was part of my weekly schedule.  And guess what...I LOVE IT.  I never in my mind would have dreamed this to come true.  Kind of amazing. The days I'm on vary from week to week, but have been approximately 2 times per week for the past month from 12-4pm.

My homework is escalating as I can see the finish line for this degree program.  What a good thing it is too.  I'm tired of Masters degrees. My capstone project is more time consuming that I imagined it would be, and by the way we have to do 300 electronic note cards.  Yeah, that isn't fun...AT ALL!

I took the GRE yesterday.  That was maybe the worst thing ever. I haven't had a math class in over 12 years, so guess how that went?!?! Good thing I have a general sense of how to guess my way out of a timed question. (again, sheesh)

Saturday I take another section of the Praxis.  Needless to say I've paid my dues to standardized testing this month.

This week seems to be a mound, and I'm looking forward to being a human again come Saturday afternoon when it's all over. My heavens, will Saturday ever get here?

4 Things to look forward to:
1. FALL, the temperature in Memphis is finally livable which greatly aids to the construction of cute outfits.
2. Geoff and I celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary on October 1. That's hard to believe we have been together for 10 years. That time has gone by like a blink of the eye.
3. Application season.  I'm applying for more school. Can you believe it.  After I've gone and complained about homework.  I'm a gluten for punishment. 
4.  I anticipate a visit to see my parents in the near future, and I'm looking forward to it. It seems like a long time since I've seen my family.

I hope fall is treating y'all gently. What's up with y'all?

Feathers

Feathers by Paule Marrot

I absolutely love this piece of artwork it's so beautiful.
The print comes in two sizes, big and even bigger. So at least it's a big piece

....and slightly expensive. And I'm talking about the print, UN FRAMED.
I shutter to think about how much it would cost to get the piece framed. 

I guess I can add it to the "sigh" pile....

Let us say together....

Siiiiiiigggghhhhh

Did ya have a good day?

I found this on a blog earlier today and thought it was worthwhile to share with others. I had a really good day today and though I didn't do all of these things, I did partake in a few. Other things that contribute to my "good day"....
1. Going to school (I think all teachers should like going to school...not just going to work)
2. Learning something new everyday. (This usually happens while I'm at school.)
3. Going to school school (our household term that means I'm going to school not teaching school.) Thank the precious Lord and GOD WILLING, I'll graduate in December with Masters degree #2.
4. Making music. (Again this usually happens at school, but sometimes it happens at home or at church.)
5. Petting my kitty. That little furry animal brings me so much joy I can hardly sit still.
6. Hugging my husband.  Our 7th wedding anniversary is coming up. I wonder how many times I've hugged him in the nearly 10 years we've been together?
7. Having something tasty to eat. Let's face it, who likes cardboard food? Not me. I try to eat things that aren't God awful, but ya know...sometimes you just need to eat a cupcake. Hip, hip, hooray!
8. Do the laundry. I sure do like having clean clothes.  Sometimes this means dropping off at the laundry and sometimes doing the laundry at home.  Either way, there's nothing like fresh clothes.
9. Saying a prayer. I had a teacher once say about public schools, "As long as there are tests in school, there will always be prayer!" Maybe others have said this too. I don't work in a public school, but in a private school where prayers are said openly. Whether the prayers is said at school or at home, in the car or at church, I LOVE to say a prayer for me, you, whoever!
10. BEDTIME. I love sleeping. I know there's that terrible saying, "You can sleep when you're dead." BUT...I like to sleep now too. I always feel better after a hearty night's sleep. If I were to ask Handsome my cat, he'd say that's 18 hours. For the rest of us, isn't 8 hours just grand?

I hope you're having a good day and on the way to a fabulous first week of September!

If you're curious...

I am seriously neglecting my personal blog. Well who am I kidding...I have been for months. If you are curious what I'm up to, I'm currently blogging more often through my school blog. Unfortunately, this blog is completely school related. It has lessons, what's going on at school, etc. There is no commentary on curtains, Handsome T-H-E Cat, or fabric samples. Just school. Sorry to disappoint. (ha) Should you be so inclined to see this blog <---there is the link. School starts next week, and I couldn't be more excited. Happy reading. And yes, I'll be back soon to discuss curtains, Handsome T-H-E Cat, and fabric samples. I know you'll be sad without.

Desktop Photos NYC

These photos have been on my desktop for about a week.

Thought I'd share...as I'm sure that was my original idea. 

My class in NYC was the best week of my 22 years in school. 

It was literally one of those moments to use the phrase...

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE"

Alas, I'm still finishing up work for summer classes 

and am void of witty commentary (sheesh is that all it takes?).

Once again, and for now....here are some photos. 

The past 2 weeks...

During the past 2 weeks we have traveled the Eastern portion of Canada.

I feel like I need to sing the Johnny Cash song "I've been everywhere".
....or at least something like that. 

I still have 9 more days of travel before a short break...so this is just a check in. 

 Quebec City

 Prince Edward Island 

Confederation Bridge 

 Toronto

Montreal

...and everywhere in between. 

All photos courtesy of Google Images. 

Mine will come as soon as I can sit for more than 5 minutes. 

Happy July!

O, Canada you're nearly here!

By this time next week we will be in O, Canada!

Needless to say my main man friend is a little bit excited about the voyage to his homeland.

Handsome has elected NOT to go on this trip. Or...rather...we elected for him. He has a kitty sitter while we are gone to help him nap and play in his house. We boarded him once at the nicest kitty-condo in the Mid South. We payed for that little experience for months. Lesson learned...get Handsome a 24 hour, in house kitty sitter. To Handsome it's a kitty sitter, to the rest of the world, it's a house sitter.  You see how he rolls?

And as for me...Hello. 

It's hard to pack all of the things I need to do in the next week given I'll then be gone for 3 weeks! Summer School is rolling along nicely.  I'm taking 2 classes that will be finished before we depart on Saturday morning...(meaning: GOD WILLING I get all of my homework done) I'm also teaching 2 music camps at the school I work at. Week 1 was this past week and was so much fun! I had the most precious little (Early Childhood) munchkins. Week 2 shall provide to be equally fabulous, I'm sure. This time with a bit older (Elementary) munchkins. Piano and voice lessons continue as per usual.

My motto through doing this second masters degree has been:

SHORT TERM PAIN....LONG TERM GAIN!

Sometimes it's hard to believe my own words, this week in particular.

Lots to do and all in less than a week.

I would imagine that in a year or 2 I'll look back at this time capsule and think, "YOU WERE NUTS".  It's interesting to see how a blog will serve as a reminder as time and personalities change. 

ON with this particularly shady Saturday, and the mountain of homework that is piled next to me.

The Royals know how to throw a party.

photo

I've been clicking through the plethora of photos from HRH's celebration. 

 There is a lot to see, smile about, laugh about and...gasp about. 

I love this photo.  Kate is just fabulous (to me).

I also loved this photo because my husband pointed out to me 

that he too wore one of those uniforms. Well...there it is. 

The truth lies in the uniform. Or perhaps it's the hat? 

Happy Jubilee, HRH!

I see stripes

Geoff and I acquired this china cabinet around Christmas time this past year.  I was absolutely thrilled to have it arrive in our dining room as it has been something I've desired for quite some time.  To be exact, since we got married and I had china to put in one.  And as they say, good things come to those who wait. This is an Ethan Allen circa mid 1990s. Great construction, very sturdy and the finish is pristine. The only problem is that the finish is pristine.  Yes you read that right.  Knowing my aesthetic, it is very difficult for me to leave something as it comes. I usually have to tweak it in some way and my vision for this involved a big bucket of paint.  Unfortunately, I'm just not going to do it. It is way to pretty regardless of my personal aesthetic.  So...what can be done as a temporary fix that won't hurt the piece.  

STEP 1.....EMPTY the china cabinet.
Naturally Handsome was no help what so ever.  (he was napping as per usual).
This was actually the hardest part of the job the actual project was a snap.

STEP 2...enter the actual project.
When I was at Seabrook (paint store) earlier in the afternoon I was perusing the wallpaper section. I love wallpaper, I'm just never able to commit/afford it. This however was my most lucky day. Not only was I able to commit, it was exactly what I was looking for AND it was on sale. Had been $40, purchase price, $7.99.  KA-BOOM!

As you know, I have a thing for black and white.  As displayed in the vast majority of my decorating, my clothing, and yes my cat. So this print should be no surprise to anyone who has laid eyes on me or my things before.

In less than 20 minutes I had the paper up the shelves back in and was ready to reload the china cabinet.  Reloading was actually fun because I wanted to change the position of some of the pieces AND they needed cleaning.  So, win/win.

It may not be forever, but it is for right now. I'm excited about the paper and the way it looks with the dishes. It matches my curtains and table/chairs and the bright yellow rug that is on the floor.
What's up next? Paint for the walls!!!

For now a little....