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Archive for December, 2020

That Post-Christmas Lull

December 28th, 2020 at 05:39 pm

There's always a post-Christmas lull, isn't there? I've finished up my grading for my regular classes, but have some work to do for the FLEX classes I'm babysitting.  And I'll need to start planning for next term.  And there are some errands to be done.  But I'm starting it slow today and trying to think of what I want/need to do.

I've put a few things on the calendar: our teaching symposium will be virtual, there are students that will need to be talked to, we'll need to cancel some classes.  For me, the biggest item will be finding a financial planner to help us sort through retirement/relocation planning.  I've done a lot of the online calcultors, contacted my university pension people, etc, but I'd llike to have a firmer plan in place in a few months.

DH is still working away in the basement.  His office is closed (even virtually) but since he's a contractor, he's still working. even over the holidays.  We're glad for the regular paycheck.  Grateful for the stability so many lack right now.   

Not much financial news: I'll pay half the property taxes this week, we'll make some donations.  Our Christmas was pretty cheap with minimal gifts.  The holding pattern continues,.

 

Merry Christmas to All

December 25th, 2020 at 07:33 am

I was half dreading today, knowing I'd miss my usual Christmas breakfast with my Minneapolis friends, and then Christmas with my brother and his family.  But it went very well with just the three of us home.  It's been a food-centered week.  On Tuesday I drove out to our admin's house.  She's been the only one in the office since March, but was recently diagnosed with cancer.  A bunch of my co-workers made food.  I made chicken soup and squash soup and gingerbread, and dropped it off.  She'd just got back from chemo. 

And today we had a lovely cheese fondue, homemade bread, veggies etc.  It was a quiet night, but we lit candles and watched our church's service.  A peaceful end to the day.  Merry Christmas all.

One More Set

December 21st, 2020 at 04:35 am

I've finished grading all the projects which seem to have been better than I expected.  There were some awful ones, but far more excellent ones than I usually see.  I don't know what that means, but I'm happy about it.

And speaking of good news--my DD got her French grades back from her first semester.  Very nice praise and a grade A n French.  She's so relieved.

I spent nothing today, leaving the house only to go for a midafternoon walk.  I finally got the pine boughs into the planters and tied up some found birch logs with a big red bow for a few more outdoor decorations.

It's going to be a busy week. Looking forward to finishing my grading tomorrow!

 

Still Grading

December 19th, 2020 at 06:47 am

Oh yes, I am still grading.  It's going faster today, but I had meetings with a couple of people who report to me--one of whom won a big grant.  That's really good news for him.  He's an innovative and caring instructor but with no real job security, so this will help with summer funding and some more stability for him.    His office is next to mine, and I used to see him a lot--and so it was extra fun to Zoom with him and meet his small daughter.  I miss my staff!

In the never ending attempts to clear things out of here, I sold an unused soup pot today.  It was a pretty pot, but I have two favorites already.  A hefty $5 goes into my fun fund when fun restarts.  I also cashed out $25 on Swagbucks which probably indicates I'm spending too much time on the computer.

My DD finished her first set of exams for University of Edinburgh today.  She feels good about them, but we're both pretty darn tired of online education.  All of that, a pot of minestrone and calzones for dinner just about rounds out the day.  Look for that same headline tomorrow.

 

 

Still Grading

December 14th, 2020 at 08:31 pm

That will be my slogan for the next four or five days: Still Grading.  I'm never quite sure whether I should take a day off now classes are over and just do house things and errands or push straight through the grading.  I certainly hit the wall on grading on Saturday, and I wasn't alone.  All my teaching pals were cooking, messaging, decorating--anything to step away from the dropboxes for a while.   

I have another meeting and a final student session to round out the afternoon, but then will go back to grading. 

It's been a cheap weekend here--a no-spend Saturday and Sunday though we did look at dining chairs.

I also listed few things on Facebook and have started yet another Goodwill box.  Our wondrous admin person at the university is starting chemo this week, so I'll make some soup, collect some things from others, and drive out to her house this week. 

My biggest "gulp" has been our property tax bill which which has risen by more than $500.  Ugh.  I normally auto-save each month for that bill, but borrowed some for DD's tuition.  I think I'll pay it in three installments this year since there's no tax advantage to paying it all before December 31 any more.

Such a frugal December here....

 

Quiet Days

December 7th, 2020 at 11:39 pm

Let's see; what's happened?  I'm in full grading mode and not doing much else.

We got a tree on Saturday.  The local nursery was out of Frasiers so we got a pretty balsam.

Half the lights are on as that's DH's task and he's torn between work, school, and home chores.

Honestly, we're all very cranky.  My DD is waiting to take her exams, DH is busy, and I don't have enough time in the day to get everything done.  We keep getting stalled on things like replacing the dining room table and curtains.  We get halfway there, but cannot find anyone to take our free and pretty table.  So both are in the crowded dining room now.  I need to touch up the paint where the old blinds were, but also need to finish the mountain of grading. 

This is the point in the semester where I wish I could lock myself in a room and have someone leave food outside.  I'd emerge in six or so days.    Isn't that Holly Jolly?    I think we're also just like the rest of the world, weary of isolation and sameness.  But will keep pushing through grading as best as I can.    Onward.

 

 

Donations and Looking Forward

December 5th, 2020 at 03:39 pm

My DD and I had donated a chair and a painting yesterday, so some things out.  I've also bought a London puzzle on a FB group that will need to be picked up this morning.  I did another curbside grocery pick-up which should see us set for the week.

We have a lot of Christmas prep ahead; I guess I'm hoping getting a tree up will help us all feel the spirit a bit more.  I'm missing my Minnesota family and friends a lot, but trying to plan some lovely new things.  I've unearthed a fondue pot from the basement, and think we'll do a fondue night.  Some of DD's friends will be home from college soon, and I think they may enjoy a fondue evening too.   But for now, back to grading.