I love finding free crochet patterns! I am fairly new to crocheting, since I have only been doing it for a few years and still have a lot to learn. I love trying new stitches and pieces to see what I like making. Most of my items are donated to various organizations that need them. I have sold some, and I take orders. But most of all, I find it relaxing and enjoyable.
I just entered to win 2 skeins of @LionBrandYarn Silky Twists Yarn from @AFCAP!
www.allfreecrochetafghanpatterns.com
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Big Day
Yesterday was a BIG day for me. I received my official letter for admittance into The Ohio State University! I'm excited and nervous. It's a big campus with LOTS of students who are mostly young enough to be my child and almost grandchild age - yikes! I filled out another scholarship application and had to write my upcoming age, which is 50! How did that happen? I don't feel or look that age, so why is it the clock reflects it? I want to keep my years of experience and knowledge, but would like to turn the clock back to a different age, only if I could change things, of course!
Now I sit and wait to see what the package is the school will send me, hoping for scholarships to cover as much as possible. For now, I will relish in the fact that I am a full-time college student who has been accepted into one of the top five schools for my program - very exciting!e
Now I sit and wait to see what the package is the school will send me, hoping for scholarships to cover as much as possible. For now, I will relish in the fact that I am a full-time college student who has been accepted into one of the top five schools for my program - very exciting!e
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Closing 2011
As 2011 comes to a close, I am grateful to put the lessons learned behind me and look forward to the new year. I know it will have its own challenges: extra classes each quarter in order to graduate in August, so that I can transfer in Sept to complete my degree; health issues with my parents and living so far away from me; and balancing life in general so that I remain healthy, lose weight, workout several times a week, stay focused with school, generate income from home, spend quality time with my husband, attend social events, travel, partake in fun activities, and maintain some spiritual connection. This coming year, 2012 is all about BALANCE for me.
I think about friends who also have their challenges with life: their kids, aging parents, relationships, jobs, money, and their own health and give thanks as we support each other through each phase as we relate to one another. It seems to me that for the most part we all have the same problems, they are just varied. Some issues are more serious than others, but in the end I think the scale is balanced. While none of us has all of the answers, together we can piece it all together to come up with a better solution.
I tend to be a home body, particularly on New Years Eve, a night my dad always called "Amateur Night" for those who don't normally drink take to drinking on this night to make up for the rest of the year. Last year I went to a great party at a friends house, but was home by 11:30pm - well ahead of when the drunks would be on the road. This year, my husband and I will start out at that same party, but will meet up with other friends at another location to ring in the New Year. We will head home shortly thereafter.
I wish for all of you a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!
Minetta
I think about friends who also have their challenges with life: their kids, aging parents, relationships, jobs, money, and their own health and give thanks as we support each other through each phase as we relate to one another. It seems to me that for the most part we all have the same problems, they are just varied. Some issues are more serious than others, but in the end I think the scale is balanced. While none of us has all of the answers, together we can piece it all together to come up with a better solution.
I tend to be a home body, particularly on New Years Eve, a night my dad always called "Amateur Night" for those who don't normally drink take to drinking on this night to make up for the rest of the year. Last year I went to a great party at a friends house, but was home by 11:30pm - well ahead of when the drunks would be on the road. This year, my husband and I will start out at that same party, but will meet up with other friends at another location to ring in the New Year. We will head home shortly thereafter.
I wish for all of you a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!
Minetta
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Year two of college
Here I am wrapping up the first quarter of the second year in college. I am more stress than ever, but it is different. I put a lot of pressure upon myself to maintain good grades, and my high GPA. Much to my surprise, I received a letter from Cornell University trying to recruit me as a transfer student. At first glance I actually thought it was a letter for my academic husband, and had to do a double-take to see that the letter was sent to ME! Who know I was capable of such things? I certainly didn't.
I have done research on the field of study I am pursuing, and have finally narrowed my selection of schools in which I will apply to transfer and they are: Cornell University, the University of Wisconsin, and the Ohio State University. When I did extensive research on my program, and talked with one of my professor's, she agreed that I had made a great decision and that any of these would be fine schools to attend and graduate from. U of WI is #1, Cornell is #3 and OSU is #5 in my field of study.
I should tell you that my new field of study all came from an assignment in one of my sociology classes. We were to go to four grocery stores, choose one item from each section; dairy, produce, meat, etc., and compare them to all four stores keeping in mind the location of the store, demographics, lighting, flooring, the freezers, expiration dates, and what surrounds the store outside. Yes, there is a HUGE difference depending on where you live as to what is available, how fresh it is, and does the consumer have any choices on various items?
I did my comparison, took lots of pictures both inside and outside the store, and wrote my paper, which ended up being somewhere around fifty pages. The other students papers in that class were no more than four or five pages in length. The professor immediately wanted to go to conference with my paper. So, I added more stores, did more comparison's and now, she and I are going to one, and possibly two conference's in 2012, where I will present my paper. Here's where the new field of study comes in to play. It is on the "inequality of food", "food systems, food and community sustainability", and "land use for urban gardening". This is also all over the news right now, and a "hot" new area to be in. I think I have finally hit the jackpot on my next career move and I am excited!!!
I will be dropping the letters and applications in the mail in the next couple of weeks. So, I better order transcripts, and letters of recommendations to be sent, as well. In the meantime, it's back to studying for me as I wrap up the last few weeks of this fall quarter, and also prepare for the holidays.
Minetta
I have done research on the field of study I am pursuing, and have finally narrowed my selection of schools in which I will apply to transfer and they are: Cornell University, the University of Wisconsin, and the Ohio State University. When I did extensive research on my program, and talked with one of my professor's, she agreed that I had made a great decision and that any of these would be fine schools to attend and graduate from. U of WI is #1, Cornell is #3 and OSU is #5 in my field of study.
I should tell you that my new field of study all came from an assignment in one of my sociology classes. We were to go to four grocery stores, choose one item from each section; dairy, produce, meat, etc., and compare them to all four stores keeping in mind the location of the store, demographics, lighting, flooring, the freezers, expiration dates, and what surrounds the store outside. Yes, there is a HUGE difference depending on where you live as to what is available, how fresh it is, and does the consumer have any choices on various items?
I did my comparison, took lots of pictures both inside and outside the store, and wrote my paper, which ended up being somewhere around fifty pages. The other students papers in that class were no more than four or five pages in length. The professor immediately wanted to go to conference with my paper. So, I added more stores, did more comparison's and now, she and I are going to one, and possibly two conference's in 2012, where I will present my paper. Here's where the new field of study comes in to play. It is on the "inequality of food", "food systems, food and community sustainability", and "land use for urban gardening". This is also all over the news right now, and a "hot" new area to be in. I think I have finally hit the jackpot on my next career move and I am excited!!!
I will be dropping the letters and applications in the mail in the next couple of weeks. So, I better order transcripts, and letters of recommendations to be sent, as well. In the meantime, it's back to studying for me as I wrap up the last few weeks of this fall quarter, and also prepare for the holidays.
Minetta
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
First year of college complete!
Wow! I just completed my first year of college. Last year this time, I had no idea how my personal life was about to be turned up side down, yet I would find my inner strength through my friends to persevere through it. Here I am one year later having surprised myself on how well I did in school. I had NO IDEA that I would be on the Dean's list, become a member of two honor society's, learn all that I have from fellow students, tutors (who are young enough to be my child), and the professor's who teach each class like it is their first. Some more than others, but those who are passionate about their job and the subject they teach, shows in the classroom.
I have just enough time to catch my breath before year two begins in two weeks. I wonder what this year will bring, both personally, and academically. I certainly hope and pray that it will just continue to get better.
Friday, August 26, 2011
reflection
Wow! It's hard to believe all that I have endured over the past year, changes that I have made, and what lies ahead in my future.
I am just completing my first year in college, having earned good enough grades to be on the Dean's list and a member of two honor societies. It has taken dedication and hard work (some classes more than others!), but it is paying off. Who knew? Me? Really? I had NO IDEA I was capable, or dare I say, "smart enough" to be doing as well as I have done, and continue to do. I have surprised myself! Now that I know I can, it adds pressure to keep it up, no matter what the class is, and to seek help when needed.
Changing careers at this stage in my life, was not something I was looking to do, but something that was necessary. Although, I loved what I was doing everyday - painting, it was taking its toll on my body. I do like waking up everyday pain-free! I can walk standing up, not hunched over, I get around much easier, and am more active because of it. Now if I can just get the rest of the weight off! That is the next step. I need to get back to the gym!
I will not go into all the person things that have transpired in my life over the last year, but it has left my contemplative, reflective, and cautious. I think about myself more now and how things will affect me, instead of just going along with everything and everyone. I've re-learned that I can stand on my own, and know that I will not only be fine and survive, but that I can thrive! I have an amazing support system from friends near and far, new and some who have endured the test of time with me. Some have been my friend since we were five. I love them and thank them all for being there.
It's hard to believe that next year this time I will be graduating from the local community college with an associates degree and will be transferring to a university to complete the bachelor's degree. I am already contemplating continuing my education to get my masters degree. I know my strengths and weaknesses and am thinking of teaching at the collegiate level. Of course I still want to finish writing some books I started many years ago, and have several in my head that I want to write, as well.
I am starting to embrace the future and all the possibilities that lie ahead, many of which are unknown to me at this time. I wonder what I will post next year this time and how my life will change between now and then?
Until next time, I will continue to work on that bucket list, marking things off and embracing each day - challenges and all!
Minetta
I am just completing my first year in college, having earned good enough grades to be on the Dean's list and a member of two honor societies. It has taken dedication and hard work (some classes more than others!), but it is paying off. Who knew? Me? Really? I had NO IDEA I was capable, or dare I say, "smart enough" to be doing as well as I have done, and continue to do. I have surprised myself! Now that I know I can, it adds pressure to keep it up, no matter what the class is, and to seek help when needed.
Changing careers at this stage in my life, was not something I was looking to do, but something that was necessary. Although, I loved what I was doing everyday - painting, it was taking its toll on my body. I do like waking up everyday pain-free! I can walk standing up, not hunched over, I get around much easier, and am more active because of it. Now if I can just get the rest of the weight off! That is the next step. I need to get back to the gym!
I will not go into all the person things that have transpired in my life over the last year, but it has left my contemplative, reflective, and cautious. I think about myself more now and how things will affect me, instead of just going along with everything and everyone. I've re-learned that I can stand on my own, and know that I will not only be fine and survive, but that I can thrive! I have an amazing support system from friends near and far, new and some who have endured the test of time with me. Some have been my friend since we were five. I love them and thank them all for being there.
It's hard to believe that next year this time I will be graduating from the local community college with an associates degree and will be transferring to a university to complete the bachelor's degree. I am already contemplating continuing my education to get my masters degree. I know my strengths and weaknesses and am thinking of teaching at the collegiate level. Of course I still want to finish writing some books I started many years ago, and have several in my head that I want to write, as well.
I am starting to embrace the future and all the possibilities that lie ahead, many of which are unknown to me at this time. I wonder what I will post next year this time and how my life will change between now and then?
Until next time, I will continue to work on that bucket list, marking things off and embracing each day - challenges and all!
Minetta
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Time flies!
Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I've posted anything. There have been many things that have take place in my life over the past nine months that have been been painful beyond belief, yet made me stronger for who I am.
I have almost one year behind me as a full-time student where I am been on the Dean's List, which has surprised me beyond measure. As a kid I was good at certain subjects and would easily get good grades, but if I had to apply myself or study, I just wouldn't. Today, as an adult I have a completely different perspective. I am focused and really put my time in to my studies. Maintaining a high GPA and good grades are important to me. I have proven to myself that I am smarter than I ever thought, and it's nice to get recognition for my hard work. Through school I have found I have new interests and new subjects come easily to me, while others I have to really work at. I have new friends, and some amazing professors. I have new hope and excitement for my future as I create the next chapter in my life.
I've taken my two weeks off between quarters to get a few things organized by donating items that are no longer needed or holding a purpose in my life, stored a few things, threw some things away, and put the remainder to use. I love organization and having a place for everything. Maybe it's a control thing, but I know what I have, and where it is when I need it. I have a few days left to finish up my "to-do" list before the next quarter begins. I will have it all complete and feel good about it.
During these past several month I have also lost 53 lbs, gone back to the gym, done more bike riding (my calves are looking more like bikers legs :D ), and enjoyed more time with friends. I am optimistic and excited about the future!
I have almost one year behind me as a full-time student where I am been on the Dean's List, which has surprised me beyond measure. As a kid I was good at certain subjects and would easily get good grades, but if I had to apply myself or study, I just wouldn't. Today, as an adult I have a completely different perspective. I am focused and really put my time in to my studies. Maintaining a high GPA and good grades are important to me. I have proven to myself that I am smarter than I ever thought, and it's nice to get recognition for my hard work. Through school I have found I have new interests and new subjects come easily to me, while others I have to really work at. I have new friends, and some amazing professors. I have new hope and excitement for my future as I create the next chapter in my life.
I've taken my two weeks off between quarters to get a few things organized by donating items that are no longer needed or holding a purpose in my life, stored a few things, threw some things away, and put the remainder to use. I love organization and having a place for everything. Maybe it's a control thing, but I know what I have, and where it is when I need it. I have a few days left to finish up my "to-do" list before the next quarter begins. I will have it all complete and feel good about it.
During these past several month I have also lost 53 lbs, gone back to the gym, done more bike riding (my calves are looking more like bikers legs :D ), and enjoyed more time with friends. I am optimistic and excited about the future!
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