On summer and lace knitting

I love having a job now. Well, having a psuedo-job. I now am a busser at the same little cafe where my sister waitresses, though we haven't actually done the paperwork, nor do I have a real schedule. But, just last week I put in fifteen hours, and I know that my boss thinks I'm doing a great job, and is talking about me in reference to the future. *crossing my fingers* that it all works out!

In the meantime, however, most of the rest of my time is spent practicing (well...hardly. *looks down in shame* I really have been happy with putting in an hour a day, which has been super inconsistent. I'll be glad to get back to school.) and knitting. Having met with my horn teacher several times this summer, I know I'm actually still making progress in my playing (not having ensembles helps make my practice sessions more strenuous since I'm not worried about saving face for later), but I know I could be doing so much more. I'm getting over a lot of my confidence issues...maybe I'll learn to play fortissimo as well solo as in an ensemble?

Now that I'm off-duty for dog sitting, I'm going to work really hard to get a daily schedule put back in place. I'm hoping a schedule could look something like:

6:30 AM Wake up, eat breakfast, exchange pjs for biking clothes.

7 AM Bike to athletic club, swim for an hour, go through whole routine to get ready

9/9:30 AM Bike back to house, get horn out, practice for an hour

10:30 AM Take time to do stuff around the house (laundry, going through stuff, etc.)

11:30 AM Make lunch

12:00 PM Practice horn

1:00-4:00 PM Find a cool place to hide out and maybe knit/read a book/practice again?

5:00 PM Dinner

6:00-10 PM Maybe get to hang out with people (*cough* James *cough*)

10:30 Be asleep!

Of course, then the schedule gets fudged on days where I work, since when I become all "regular", work will start at 7 AM, which means I have to be on the bus by 6:15, so on, so forth. *sigh* This is mildly frustrating. In fact, I think it's the chief reason I wish I was back at school. I'd do anything to have a set schedule again.

On a totally different note, I'm discovering that I'm really into lace knitting. For my non-knitting followers, envision those beautiful tablecloths that people like your grandparents would pull out for important occasions. No, I'm not knitting tablecloths, but I'm doing that same style of knitting. It's so beautiful and delicate, and there's something terribly exciting about knitting something up, then after washing it and pinning it the way I want, I get a dried product that is much larger and more beautiful than what I got to see as I was knitting it.

There are lots of different kinds of knitters, I've determined. My aunt loves knitting socks, and my friend Olivia is passionate about sweaters (she's determined to get me to knit one). I like socks and really want to learn to knit a sweater, but my go-to project type is becoming "pretty lacy things." Also, for the record, I like knitting projects that have cables...that cool braided effect just makes me happy (and they look much harder than they really are!).

For those of you rolling your eyes and laughing at me for such a lame hobby, at least I can say that my hobby makes things that I can wear or give away as presents :D I think I have half my Christmas presents ready to go already!

'Til next time,

~Allie

Summer update number...two?

So, yeah...I know...you're all sitting there, enjoying your summer, not being asked to do anything that might use brain power, and now I'm posting this hoping you'll read it. Well, don't worry, there's not a whole ton to say (I mean, it's summer, what kind of drama could there be, right?).

Well, anyway, I'm still living with my aunt and uncle, who just took off for their last big trip of the summer, so I'm on Baxter-duty again. Not the worst place to be, even without a real job. I have some other pet sitting jobs lined up for the next couple weeks after they come home as well, so I'm not completely screwed. I'm very happy to know that I am blessed enough to have a roof over my head, food to eat, and even means to pay for my trip and the few bills I have to pay. My family has taken excellent care of me, and I am incredibly grateful.

I got to go to the midnight premiere of Harry Potter, which was excellent, I might add. I was glad to have to opportunity to go to my first midnight premiere, though to be perfectly honest, the havoc it wreaked upon my sleep schedule wasn't really fun. For that reason, I may resume simply going to see the movies a few days after they come out.

James left for Arizona almost a week and a half ago, meaning only a week left and I get to see his face again! For a lot of different reasons, we've been running just on phone calls, rather than skyping. It's hard not seeing his face, but it makes me appreciate his voice way more than I typically do when he's around.

I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people around me. To all of you who have talked to me, taken care of me and loved me, thank you so much! I love you all :)

Allie