I’ve found this semester’s schedule to be difficult! I’ve been busier than I wanted and a little overwhelmed at times. For the first few weeks sometimes I’d find myself crying in the morning or evening, just completely overwhelmed. But I’m getting into the swing of it (and knowing that I’m nearly halfway done with one of the schools already helps!) and one coping mechanism I have “developed” is letting things go. I am not getting everything done. I hate that what is sliding is fun things like my social life and violin practice, but something had to give. Work/life balance is a crock anyway…like multitasking, right?

I think getting back to teaching at my home (next week) will help, as commuting back and forth for everything and trying to figure out what I need to bring when and where and then finding myself in the wrong place with the wrong things wasn’t helping either. Teaching from home means lunch is easier to plan, I always have all my teaching stuff with me, and I’ll save about 20 minutes each day, which will add up to nearly 2 hours a week. (I’m rounding.)

But things are good. And the bathroom is getting done, and I’m feeling fulfilled in my career, and who needs a social life anyway, when you have a quartet and a band?

I’ve been playing with a group called Third Millenium World’s Fair. We play music Michael (on the left) writes, and it’s been a lot of fun so far. Meghan (clarinet) and Michael are the other two members, and they are both really nice, relaxed, smart, and fun to play with. I didn’t need to add anything to my schedule, but I thoroughly enjoy working with them, and the music we play is unusual and challenges me—and it makes me improvise, which is a skill I have plenty of room for improvement on.

Picking out paint at the Home Depot. Trips to the Depot remind me of my childhood! And yeah, we hate the politics of the owner, but it’s super close and convenient…

I’ve become a bit obsessed with avocado toast for lunch on the weekends. I realize that is really specific.

This is what tile looks like before you put it down.

And this is what it looks like part of the way through. Beautiful, right?!

Action shot of the band…in action.

It’s been raining a lot. And I highly recommend you use the app “Weather Kitty” if you enjoy knowing the weather and also like pictures of cats.

Louie admiring his handiwork. Sure there are still quite a few things remaining to do, but isn’t it pretty so far? And the big stuff is mostly done. Remodeling is hard work!

But anyway. I’d better get to my work: finish computer tasks, grocery store, practice (yay!), and teach. Today is a light teaching day so I am trying to catch up. I’d hoped to do the recital programs today (student recital Sunday) but I left my list of students and repertoire at the place I’ve been teaching…so I hope to do that tonight instead.(I’ll do what I can from memory though to start.) This is what I mean—it’s hard to do everything when I’m so spread out.