My parents lovingly have purchased me very nice frames for all of my diploma's. You know, the ones with the mats tha have the university seals and all that jazz. Earlier this week, I went to their house to pick up the final (yippee final) frame in my series.
Yesterday we were having company for dinner and I decided that the box with the frame was not nearly as pretty as the frame, so I got out the diploma, framed it, cursed because is was crooked in the mat, reframed it, and hung it up. I decided while I was at I would dust the other two. So I took them down, dusted them and put them back on the shelf. Being very careful of course. I mean on some level, these peices of paper represent the last decade of my life. That's right a decade. Well, somehow, one fell. Very dramictally. 6 feet. Behind a bookshelf. So we moved the bookshelf to retreive it. It's not pretty. Broken glass, bent frame, ugh. The diploma and mat are fine. So the frame actually did it's job, but it has seen better days.
Oh well, those two years in Pennsylvania are just a distant memory anyways...
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
how many of me?
Well only one I hope, or else I have some serious identity issues...but I came across this on the web today. www.howmanyofme.com
And there's only one of me. A surprising large number of April's however. And yes, Shelly, there are two of you...blame mom and dad. :)
And there's only one of me. A surprising large number of April's however. And yes, Shelly, there are two of you...blame mom and dad. :)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
ahhh...texas part 2.
First let me start off by saying:
64 degree average my butt! Those are icicles people. ICICLES! The whole city has gone into a seige. Yesterday, all of the restaurants near the hotel closed at 4pm yes, that's right 4pm. Most of the interstates...yes the INTERSTATES, where shut down for more than 24 hours. They are just starting to reopen, but there are still concerns that they might become dangerous overnight. When it did start to warm up for a little bit, the icicles and ice sheets started to fly off roofs and hit people and things. As far as I can tell, the local NBC station has been broadcasting nothing but weather and weather related news for 48hrs straight. We did get a couple of hours of primetime tv last night, but that was it. As of noon only 6 flights had taken off and I'm thinking there is little hope of me getting home in a timely manner.
Now you might be thinking, oh my poor April, what terrible weather. Well, don't. It's really not that bad, It's cold, but I'm fine with a scarf, no gloves and a winterish coat. The kind of coat we typically start to wear in November when it starts to get "cold" but it's really mild and we're not used to winter yet (remember that's the weather I thought I was coming to). I have not had any perilous slips or falls as would be typical of an ice storm back home. Not even a little oops I should be careful. I walked around in heels today for God's sake, me clutz of the century in heels in an ice storm? Other then the icicles mentioned above, I've seen very little evidence of this "Arctic Blast" that has caused this city to come to a screeching halt.
I've come to one of two conclusions. 1. I live in a invisible bubble were I experience my own, cold wet not ice version of San Antonio, 2. Texans are crazy and think that a slick road qualifies as a state of disaster.
Since I've never experienced this bubble effect before I'm leaning towards number 2, and I'm really thinking I would love to see these people if a real storm hit.
Ahhh....Texas.
64 degree average my butt! Those are icicles people. ICICLES! The whole city has gone into a seige. Yesterday, all of the restaurants near the hotel closed at 4pm yes, that's right 4pm. Most of the interstates...yes the INTERSTATES, where shut down for more than 24 hours. They are just starting to reopen, but there are still concerns that they might become dangerous overnight. When it did start to warm up for a little bit, the icicles and ice sheets started to fly off roofs and hit people and things. As far as I can tell, the local NBC station has been broadcasting nothing but weather and weather related news for 48hrs straight. We did get a couple of hours of primetime tv last night, but that was it. As of noon only 6 flights had taken off and I'm thinking there is little hope of me getting home in a timely manner.
Now you might be thinking, oh my poor April, what terrible weather. Well, don't. It's really not that bad, It's cold, but I'm fine with a scarf, no gloves and a winterish coat. The kind of coat we typically start to wear in November when it starts to get "cold" but it's really mild and we're not used to winter yet (remember that's the weather I thought I was coming to). I have not had any perilous slips or falls as would be typical of an ice storm back home. Not even a little oops I should be careful. I walked around in heels today for God's sake, me clutz of the century in heels in an ice storm? Other then the icicles mentioned above, I've seen very little evidence of this "Arctic Blast" that has caused this city to come to a screeching halt.
I've come to one of two conclusions. 1. I live in a invisible bubble were I experience my own, cold wet not ice version of San Antonio, 2. Texans are crazy and think that a slick road qualifies as a state of disaster.
Since I've never experienced this bubble effect before I'm leaning towards number 2, and I'm really thinking I would love to see these people if a real storm hit.
Ahhh....Texas.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
ahh...texas
Some of you may already know how I feel about the great state of Texas. I do believe that I have blogged about it before. It's not that I have anything against Texas or Texans. I have friends who live here, some great colleagues who are Texans through and through, even a relative or three who would bleed longhorn blood. The state is pretty pleasant, and except for one awful bout with a 120+ heat wave, not a bad place to spend time. It's just that...it's not me. I don't feel so bad about this fact given that there has been a book written about this exact subject!
But...as you probably guessed by now, here I am. There was a lidar symposium and I really needed to come and give a talk. San Antonio is a nice city, cool river walk, etc. Such a nice place the AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY decided to have it's giant annual meeting here because, I quote, "We’re here because we know good weather when we see it in the data: San Antonio’s average January high is a comfy 62°F. But San Antonio climatology is not just good, it’s nearly perfect. The city is one of those well-behaved locations in which the first and last frost (averages: 1 December and 25 February) are almost a perfect fit with the standard climatological winter." So why is it that the weather forecast looks like this:
Yes, that is SNOW on Tuesday. SNOW! It hasn't even snowed at home yet! Maybe it's not just me who has bad weather luck. Maybe it's anybody who studies the weather.
So, the conference started today and I took the lidar short course, which was pretty interesting. When I could pay attention that is. I was rather distracted by the carpet in the convention center:
yes, it is a giant (~8 foot tall) Spanish dancer. Flying skirts and all. All over the carpet!
Ahhh....Texas.
But...as you probably guessed by now, here I am. There was a lidar symposium and I really needed to come and give a talk. San Antonio is a nice city, cool river walk, etc. Such a nice place the AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY decided to have it's giant annual meeting here because, I quote, "We’re here because we know good weather when we see it in the data: San Antonio’s average January high is a comfy 62°F. But San Antonio climatology is not just good, it’s nearly perfect. The city is one of those well-behaved locations in which the first and last frost (averages: 1 December and 25 February) are almost a perfect fit with the standard climatological winter." So why is it that the weather forecast looks like this:
Yes, that is SNOW on Tuesday. SNOW! It hasn't even snowed at home yet! Maybe it's not just me who has bad weather luck. Maybe it's anybody who studies the weather.
So, the conference started today and I took the lidar short course, which was pretty interesting. When I could pay attention that is. I was rather distracted by the carpet in the convention center:
yes, it is a giant (~8 foot tall) Spanish dancer. Flying skirts and all. All over the carpet!
Ahhh....Texas.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Mid-Holiday recovery
Well...I "should" be at work. I planned to take the day after Christmas to recover from all of the events (party at our house on Friday, family party on Saturday, mom's birthday/annual nutbread baking/visit with Mary Ellen and Taryn on Sunday, and of course the triple house visits on Christmas day). So I went after Christmas shopping and sufficiently recovered. But...I woke up this morning and realized that I have a hair appointment at 3 and some job applications to do and that driving to school was really a waste of time so I would just work from home. The plan was to have the application ready to submit by 2. I'm still in my robe. To be fair I did update the CV portion, make a nice checklist, and print out my statement of research and teaching for proofreading and changes. Now I just have to read it a million times... maybe I'll submit it after the haircut.
Monday, December 04, 2006
cat poop
Damn cats! I'm mostly ok with that way they know that I'm allergic to them, which means they immediately run up to me and rub all over me. I'm mostly ok with them spending alot of time under our porch, or in the garage when it got cold. I'm mostly ok with them hanging out on the porch on a nice sunny afternoon, it's a pretty pleasant place to be. I even let peeing on the mustang cover slide by...but know we have reached the final straw. Pooping all over our yard is just not polite. We don't shoo them away, call the humane society or impinge on they're life in any way. But this is the final straw! One poop I might excuse, but in the course of two hours, I stepped in cat poop twice! I had to spend the rest of the day wearing two different shoes! Anyone know how to keep unwanted cats from your yard? Maybe a big mean dog will do the trick...
Friday, November 17, 2006
the post with no name...
Well, it seems I've been blogging remiss. I did post not too long ago saying that I was thinking about leaving the blogging world for a while...or switching to a new blog because blogger eats my posts and taking nominations for a new blog title....but ironically the post got eaten.
Honestly though the last 2 months have been crazy, so there has not been much time for blogging anyways. We went to 4 weddings in 6 weeks. So here's my shout out congratulations to Shelly and Rich, Ellen and Ronn, Junior and Karen and Matt and Kristen! I have pictures of all of the above still trapped on the camera, so they may be posted someday soon. So that accounts for half of the weekend activity in my blog free time...the other half was well...consumed by life I guess. Not in a bad way, in a good way. I like to keep busy, I like to be active. We only live once so we might as well make the best of it right?
The weeks themselves have been busy as well. Mark is fencing and got a ribbon at the last competition. I've decided to get fit and lose the pounds of stress that grad school put on so I joined a gym and I'm taking cardio kick boxing and pilates a few nights a week. I'm also teaching a group of folks how to quilt one night a week and trying to keep up with my real job too. Mark's research is well underway and still on track for finishing this spring. My job search is also well underway with applications out to seven different schools in every region of the country.
random interruption...is it normal for your car service place to both send a "thank you for your service" card in the mail and call to make sure that everything was enjoyable? I mean the car runs. The bill for the new brakes wasn't exactly "enjoyable"... but ?
Well, I guess that's about all for now. Comment some thoughts on a new blog name please....
Honestly though the last 2 months have been crazy, so there has not been much time for blogging anyways. We went to 4 weddings in 6 weeks. So here's my shout out congratulations to Shelly and Rich, Ellen and Ronn, Junior and Karen and Matt and Kristen! I have pictures of all of the above still trapped on the camera, so they may be posted someday soon. So that accounts for half of the weekend activity in my blog free time...the other half was well...consumed by life I guess. Not in a bad way, in a good way. I like to keep busy, I like to be active. We only live once so we might as well make the best of it right?
The weeks themselves have been busy as well. Mark is fencing and got a ribbon at the last competition. I've decided to get fit and lose the pounds of stress that grad school put on so I joined a gym and I'm taking cardio kick boxing and pilates a few nights a week. I'm also teaching a group of folks how to quilt one night a week and trying to keep up with my real job too. Mark's research is well underway and still on track for finishing this spring. My job search is also well underway with applications out to seven different schools in every region of the country.
random interruption...is it normal for your car service place to both send a "thank you for your service" card in the mail and call to make sure that everything was enjoyable? I mean the car runs. The bill for the new brakes wasn't exactly "enjoyable"... but ?
Well, I guess that's about all for now. Comment some thoughts on a new blog name please....
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Well since I've been getting crap for not posting here is a random update from my trip to Portland.
By 8:29 am Monday, I had paid $16.00 for a train pass that I didn't need because the train ride is free...and had begged a stranger for a band aid to cover the blister from my new shoes: very cute and comfy flats bought expressly for avoiding the blisters that my normal conference heels give me!
By 6:00pm Tuesday: 2 buttons had randomly just fell off my jacket. and I mean literally just fell off. The strap of my bag broke while I was in the MIDDLE of crossing the street and it was only by the use of my catlike reflexes that I avoiding the contents from spilling all over, A bizarre stain appeared on my skirt, It was not there when I sat down and and a very ladylike manner placed a napkin on my lap, when I finished dinner and picked up napkin, the stain , resembling something I had no recollection of eating, was revealed underneath. The napkin itself was spotless.
Yes, I am the calamity Jane of the ASABE.
By 8:29 am Monday, I had paid $16.00 for a train pass that I didn't need because the train ride is free...and had begged a stranger for a band aid to cover the blister from my new shoes: very cute and comfy flats bought expressly for avoiding the blisters that my normal conference heels give me!
By 6:00pm Tuesday: 2 buttons had randomly just fell off my jacket. and I mean literally just fell off. The strap of my bag broke while I was in the MIDDLE of crossing the street and it was only by the use of my catlike reflexes that I avoiding the contents from spilling all over, A bizarre stain appeared on my skirt, It was not there when I sat down and and a very ladylike manner placed a napkin on my lap, when I finished dinner and picked up napkin, the stain , resembling something I had no recollection of eating, was revealed underneath. The napkin itself was spotless.
Yes, I am the calamity Jane of the ASABE.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
30 days
Check it out, I got a star for 30 days with no purchase. While the depletion is going slowly, mostly because I'm the world's slowest knitter, at least the stash is not growing.
In other news...well there isn't other news, just writing and writing, and analyzing and writing.
I'm planning on starting a deadline countdown soon, but I'm not quite ready to make the reality sink in yet. I've been in school for nine years, the thought of not being in school is a bit intimidating. Oh well, we'll tackle that hurdle next week!
In other news...well there isn't other news, just writing and writing, and analyzing and writing.
I'm planning on starting a deadline countdown soon, but I'm not quite ready to make the reality sink in yet. I've been in school for nine years, the thought of not being in school is a bit intimidating. Oh well, we'll tackle that hurdle next week!
Sunday, April 23, 2006
sock done
Well, I finished the first one, now onto the second one. For those of you interested, the pattern in Child's first sock from Nancy Bush's "Knitting Vintage Socks
Other random thoughts for this week.
Never sew your finger through a sewing machine. It hurts.
I seem to very easily pick up speech patterns from others around me. Seriously.
Nothing else creative to say, thought everyone would like to know I was still alive!
Other random thoughts for this week.
Never sew your finger through a sewing machine. It hurts.
I seem to very easily pick up speech patterns from others around me. Seriously.
Nothing else creative to say, thought everyone would like to know I was still alive!
Monday, April 10, 2006
socks in the round
1 new year's resolution almost accomplished. I've been knitting in the round for awhile now, but this is my first attempt with the tiny needles and the tiny sock yarn. So far, I'm pretty impressed. The colors of the yarn are fun, although not as fun as the colors a lightbulb makes in the microwave :), and I'm enjoying the pattern very much. I'm turning the heel now, so I'll let you know how it goes!
Sunday, April 02, 2006
SYAC
Ok, make fun all you want, I joined a support group to help fight my growing sock yarn addiction.
I will not buy sock yarn for 90 days. Ok, I'm a little late to start. 89 more days.
The first assignment is to flash the stash. I have enough to make 11 pairs of socks. Here are 6, others are possibly planned for gifts, so will not be flashed.
If you think 11 is alot of pairs, check out some of the other particpants! One has 124 skeins!
That's it for now. Safe and sound home from Texas and ready to go back to dissertation land!
I will not buy sock yarn for 90 days. Ok, I'm a little late to start. 89 more days.
The first assignment is to flash the stash. I have enough to make 11 pairs of socks. Here are 6, others are possibly planned for gifts, so will not be flashed.
If you think 11 is alot of pairs, check out some of the other particpants! One has 124 skeins!
That's it for now. Safe and sound home from Texas and ready to go back to dissertation land!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
texas again
Out of town in beautiful College Station. At least it's warmer then home. Conference is good, very busy, but good. Be home soon!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
I want this!
Mom, dad, shelly...anyone who has cause to buy me an unfortunately expensive present for any reason.
I'm in love with these shoes.
Very pratical. They are interchangeable and therefore go with EVERYTHING!
I'm in love with these shoes.
Very pratical. They are interchangeable and therefore go with EVERYTHING!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Thursday, March 02, 2006
February Stash Busting
Well, The February stash busting was...a bust. I did use up some old yarn. I made the entire front of Mark's sweater, which used up one large skein of Red Heart. I knit my first pair of socks in the round with two almost full balls of wool-ease. Mark put them on right away so there are no photos to post. But...I fell victim to a yarn purchase. What it was is a secret because it's special for someone, but of course I also fell victim to some yummy alpaca for myself to save on the shipping. So, I figured out yardage wise, February had an exact net exchange of zero, no gain on busting the stash, but I'm still ahead for the year :)
Oh yea, I managed to write and submit a 20 page paper that will become part of my dissertation, lest you all think that I'm so yarn obsessed I've been avoiding my real life! For fun I made a master document today. Cover to bibliography I'm up to 63 pages. Not too shoddy. Sadly, percentage wise, I'm only ~30% of the way there....
Oh yea, I'm with Krista, why did Jesus show up down the street in a piece of sheet metal?
Oh yea, I managed to write and submit a 20 page paper that will become part of my dissertation, lest you all think that I'm so yarn obsessed I've been avoiding my real life! For fun I made a master document today. Cover to bibliography I'm up to 63 pages. Not too shoddy. Sadly, percentage wise, I'm only ~30% of the way there....
Oh yea, I'm with Krista, why did Jesus show up down the street in a piece of sheet metal?
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Welcome another reader!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Stash busting
So when we had our New Year's party I moved all my yarn out of it's various places around the house to keep it safe from spills, mocking friends, etc. Well, it is ALOT of yarn. Justin told me that I had an "illness", which I take with a grain of salt from a man who owns 4 cars, but he got me thinking that I should start stash busting.
Here are January's results:
1 ball of Knitpicks sock garden became very soft fingerless mittens
4 balls of Valley Yarns Shelburne which was an impulse buy on my first trip to Webs became a very cozy hat and mittens. The mittens were knit in the round btw.
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One half a ball of Patons Classic Merino became a cute little felted pouch. Which is waiting for Mark's Haunted Mansion project to clear out of the sewing table so I can sew a lining for it.
And last but not least, my Christmas crocheting became complete with dad's socks being finished.
I've made some good February progress too, but haven't busted out the camera yet. Maybe next week!
Here are January's results:
1 ball of Knitpicks sock garden became very soft fingerless mittens
4 balls of Valley Yarns Shelburne which was an impulse buy on my first trip to Webs became a very cozy hat and mittens. The mittens were knit in the round btw.
One half a ball of Patons Classic Merino became a cute little felted pouch. Which is waiting for Mark's Haunted Mansion project to clear out of the sewing table so I can sew a lining for it.
And last but not least, my Christmas crocheting became complete with dad's socks being finished.
I've made some good February progress too, but haven't busted out the camera yet. Maybe next week!
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