Does anyone even read this any more?

Well, it happened. I recently discovered the joys of Ebay and have now participated in the phenomenon that is an online auction. Yes, last week was my first Ebay purchase. Feel free to laugh, but I think I may have found a new hobby.

Anyway, boring seems to be the nature of life these days. For once in my life, I actually finished my taxes early, so this past Tuesday was just a normal day. I finished teaching my last evening class, and since I decided not to teach spring or summer in order to finish the thesis, I'm pretty much done as a college instructor. I'm now just waiting for the data to start the stats portion of the thesis. It should be in soon, so I shouldn't have to wait much longer. I'm hoping it'll be sooner rather than later. It's been snowing here for the past couple days. This is the coldest, latest spring I can remember in all of the years I've lived here. Blech. I am not a fan.

In the midst of all of this waiting, I've been going through my stuff and trying to de-junk. Who knew that I had so many textbooks and school papers lying around? I think I've gotten rid of a garbage sack full of old assignments. I've kept a few of the good ones as writing samples, but there's something rather cathartic about purging old memories. I'm contemplating trying to sell some old books online, since the bookstore doesn't want them, but DI might just be getting a rather large donation. That might just be the cost of education. Either that, or there's going to be a very large celebratory bonfire in August. . .

So, while trying to develop my academic skills, I'm also trying to branch out in other interests. I got an Ipod for Christmas, but so far, it's only half-full. Does anyone have any recommendations of good music for me to try? Herein lies the test to see if anyone actually reads my blog. :-) I'm willing to listen to almost anything at least once, so I figured I'd ask for the opinions of my respected friends. I've decided I kind of like alternative rock, and I'm pretty much game for anything right now. So, please, tell me something to try! I've got the time to do it. My sewing machine is in the shop, and we all know that a Sarah without a project is a menace to society. And honestly? Cleaning my room doesn't count.

Pictures and projects

A few weeks ago, I went up to little shopping place called Gardner Village. It was snowing, but I had my camera and got some really nice shots. I can't help but want to share them. Enjoy!

Also, it's General Conference weekend, which usually means that I get to have eight hours to sew and/or craft. However, since my sewing machine is in the shop getting repaired this weekend, I'm having to resort to hand work today. In that spirit, I did some work on my flower garden quilt this morning. I think the name Grandmother's Flower Garden comes from the fact that I will be a grandmother before I finish it! I started this quilt when I was 16, and the pieces are entirely hand-cut and hand-sewn. Yes, I was crazy. But, as you can see from the photo, I'm making progress. Maybe in another ten years, it'll be ready to quilt! I don't have the calluses any more to spend more than an hour or two hand sewing (I'm working on building them up again, but school work killed my hobbies!), so during the afternoon session, I pinned the pieces for the next step of two other quilts. I admit I have a fabric problem. At least I'm out of denial, eh?

Birthday pictures!

Streamers and balloons from my birthday party.

The potential fire hazard known as my birthday cake.

I finally get to wear the crown. :-)

The perils of being a grown-up

It's Friday night, so you'd think I'd be out doing something to amuse/entertain myself, right? Nope, not in the least. We've had yet another leak in our pipe, so I'm waiting here at home for the plumber to come and fix things. Seeing as how this is the fifth or sixth time the plumber has had to come and fix a leak in our apartment in the last six months, one would think that it would be a good idea to replace and or renovate the plumbing here, right? Nope, not at all. It's apparently easier for the tenants to notice and/or call when trouble arises. Somebody from the management company came and turned off the water, and now we wait. At least I was home to hear the water running this time around, so it looks like there's no flooding and no seepage of water to the apartment below us. And I don't have to move all of my stuff so the carpet pad can get dried out. Ironic that the condo I live in is for sale, isn't it? I wouldn't want to buy it.

Maybe I should go train as a plumber, though. I'd certainly have job security.

Okay, the plumber just came, did an estimate, and left to get his tools. I think it's a bad thing to be on first-name terms with the plumber. At least maintenance now comes right away if we call them about a problem. Because, you know, we're really just a bunch of exaggerating women, and our maintenance requests really aren't that serious. Can you tell I'm still bitter about previous experiences (see my post from October)? Well, at least there's one good thing about all of this: I don't have to pay for it!

Happy news

For all of my faithful fans, I am happy to say that I am neither dead nor completely buried in piles of school work. I've been back at school for a little over two weeks, and I am happy to say that my latest thesis draft has been both submitted and returned. And, lest I keep you in suspense, I will just say that I am doing a happy dance over the feedback. My references check out (phew!), my content is good, and I have a pretty clear explanation of what I'm studying and why. Now, on to the fun part of analyzing the data.

At any rate, now that that's out of the way, I can return to the fun-filled world of posting my thoughts online for the world to see. I don't really expect that the world is reading them, but I do know that they are available. And that's enough philosophy for now. I will shortly be posting a few of the funny pictures from my last adventure in being a soccer mom, but I have to find my camera cord first. I haven't quite finished unpacking everything, but I did find one of Max's socks and a pair of Grace's tights. Remind me never to pack when I'm in a hurry. :)

Uses for rubbing alcohol

1. When a two-year-old steps into a sticky mouse trap and then limps around the house with sticky stuff on his feet, rubbing alcohol does help to take it off.

2. When a seven-year-old is coloring with a paint pen and leaves spots on the white paint, rubbing alcohol can take most of it off.

I have decided that my new career description shall be one of professional wiper. I can wipe dishes, noses, eyes, dirty rear ends, counters, tables, floors, and many other things. Who knew I had it in me?

Waiting

Well, I haven't heard back from my fourth school yet, and I don't know what to make of that. However, since I've had some other circumstances come up lately, I'm not sure it really matters right now. My dad had surgery on Friday, and my sister was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday several states away. She is on complete bedrest until her baby is born, so I flew out of Utah on Friday to come and help for a few weeks. Aside from keeping the kids alive, I've also managed to change a few diapers, give three children baths, make chocolate chip pancakes, do laundry, feed the children, watch lots of Tom & Jerry and Scooby-Doo, and load and unload the dishwasher several times. And those are just the things I remember. :-) I am in awe of my sister's ability to run her house and balance so many things all at once. I am also incredibly grateful for cell phones with long-distance plans and for the reminder that whatever happens school-wise, my family is still more important to me than any rejection letter. My priorities haven't shifted; I've just been reminded of them. :-)

Career suggestions?

Well, since I'm now 0 for 3 for grad school applications, I'm currently taking suggestions for other career choices. I haven't ruled out joining the circus, but since I don't have very good coordination, I don't think that one will fly. Does anyone have another recommendation for me?

I really need to work on my titles.

I forgot to turn off my cell phone before I taught class tonight, and guess what? It didn't matter because nobody called me. Sad. It just kind of adds to my overall feelings of rejection at the moment. I've gotten two rejection letters in two days, so I'm feeling a little down right now. At least I've talked to a few of you in recent days, so I guess I'm doing okay. I realize that it'll be okay in the long run, but I'm still waiting to hear back from two schools. Here's hoping I don't go 0 for 4, eh?

In other news, with the passing of President Hinckley, I'm reminded of an experience I had several years ago. A friend was giving my roommate a ride up to the airport, and since I was leaving the same day a few hours later, he offered to take me, too. Michelle, do you remember this one? It was a Sunday morning, so we went up to Temple Square in Salt Lake and listened to a Christmas performance/broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Afterwards, we went to church at the Joseph Smith Building, with the ward my friend's grandma happened to be in. As we were waiting in the lobby before the meeting started, someone said, "Oh, look, there goes President Hinckley." Being the non-gullible person that I am, I thought it was a joke until I turned around and saw that, lo and behold, the prophet was actually walking into the same meeting. And then, a few minutes later, President Faust came into the meeting, too. I was in the back, of course, but I can actually say that I went to church with the prophet. How cool is that?