Monthly Archive for January, 2007

Page 2 of 2

Ouch

Published on January 16, 2007 in I'm healthy. 2 Comments

No really. I knew that I said that I would write more. And I have 10 journals entries documenting how I rushed across country to say goodbye to my dying grandma, watching her take her last breath right before my eyes, telling the household that she had died, reconnecting with family, grieving over losing the pillar of my father’s side of the family, and returning home to a place where I don’t fit in.

These posts are however trumped by the phone call I got from my aunt (10 minutes after I walk into my house in CA) essentially calling me a traitor and informing me that I inadvertently chose her ex-husband over family… because I gave him my email address. Apparently I was the easiest of four cousins to pick on.

I thought I was as far into the depression as I could go. I was wrong.

I had hoped that when I came back here that I would have the strength to make it through another semester. That I would have the strength to finish the dissertation. But all I can muster right now, is another ten tons of tears. Barely anyone back east knew that I was coming home to a job I hate and a feeling of isolation. I didn’t put my burden on any of them. But I guess I should have spoken up. Maybe I wouldn’t have gotten a phone call.

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About home

Published on January 13, 2007 in Lisa's Corner. 1 Comment

This past week was hard – my Grandma’s funeral. I realize I could never really return to my life there. Although I am beginning to understand why Pittsburgh always made me both happy and sad. It reminds me of the unrecoverable joys of youth.

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The first in a series of dread.

Published on January 3, 2007 in Daily Rambling. Closed

I think that after I work on my dissertation a little bit, I will head into work. I don’t have to be back until January 29th, but I should check in and see if I have any mail. The mere thought of heading back there makes my stomach churn. I am really not looking forward to this semester at all. I wish I had enough mula and business sense to start my own craft business. But we’ll save that story for another day.

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The gifts I am giving

Published on January 2, 2007 in Crafty. Closed

This holiday season I only made a few gifts. Porter got a pair of red wool leg warmers, my mom, sister and grandma all got homemade bracelets, and my mom got a knitted felt purse. The purse was a big deal as I have been knitting it for over two years. It turned out smaller than I would have liked (I underestimated the power of felting!) but it is still one of the coolest things I think I have ever made. I hope that she uses it.


(click image to make giant)

As soon as I get my dissertation finished I am going to end up going head first into crafting again. My poor Etsy site (see sidebar link) is dying as is my creativity.

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Cleaning house

Published on January 2, 2007 in Daily Rambling. 1 Comment

Well I am on my third load of whites and there are pine needles all over my floor. We are taking the Christmas decorations down and throwing away all of the cookies and candy that we have no intention of eating. All of our decorations still fit in one box, which is nice… and there is still space for some more.

We spent New Years out at the cabin. It was nice, but somehow not the same as last year. Two less dogs, one new child, a lot less champagne and wine. Speaking of wine, Winemonkey made his own barrel of Pinot Rose this past year. We have (had) 25 cases of it. I think that it turned out really really well. So well that I think I will have glass while I work today.

We found a place for the wine refrigerator that my sister got us for Christmas. It is chilling our good wines as we speak. =) Thanks Lisa!

The dryer has stopped so I am going to sign off, but I hope that your new year has been wonderful so far. I haven’t made any resolutions yet, and I don’t know that I will make any. I will keep you posted though.

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