Learning

I am going to make a confession here: I love to learn new things. When I was in school full-time (and when my husband was taking classes), I would read everything I could about the topic. (My husband jokes that I read all of the textbooks for his medical anthropology class before he did. And can I tell you they were really interesting!) Sometimes it was really hard to stop reading and start writing. Now that I am (still) working on my prospectus, I am still dealing with this dilemma. My advisors told me to stop reading and start writing. And then, they told me I needed to read again.

But last night I was reminded why I read.

I was going to babysit for some very good friends while they went to a lecture by a prestigious archaeologist on Egyptian mummies (and pyramids and sphinxes and grave robbers and raising a new generation of archaeologists . . . but I get away from myself). My friend ended up very sick and they had to cancel my babysitting services, but offered us the tickets to the lecture. Unfortunately for my husband, he had work to do, but I was free to go (because my husband was willing to put the boys to bed and let me abandon him for the evening). It was amazing!!! He was working on DNA sampling to figure out the familial relationship of the mummies (there are some Pharaoh impostors out there) and CAT scans to make sure that mummies aren't being falsely accused of murder (there are some of those too). He thinks he has an idea of where Nefertiti's tomb is and Cleopatra and Antony's tomb too.

Unfortunately, I can't transcribe the lecture on here for you, but I will tell you to watch out for some amazing discoveries coming out of Egypt this year. Maybe some as early as next week.

Hmm, maybe I need to pick up some books on ancient Egypt.

Is this cheating?

Is it cheating to post a pay it forward craft on a private blog so few of the WWW actually get the chance to participate? I guess it doesn't matter. It only increases your chances of winning.

So, here's how it works: the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Just the thought of receiving something in the mail that isn't a bill is delightful! Come and play!!

Since I anticipate that only three people check the blog with any regularity, I can anticipate who I will be sending things to. Will I be right?

Watch out, Martha! Here I (slowly) come.

When people think of crafty, capable people, they often first think of Martha Stewart (or her aides). Why? Because she can get something done so quickly. I mean, think of it. When she shows you how to make something she has some light-speed something that completes in minutes what takes normal people hours, day, weeks, or months to finish. An intricate quilt using a piecing style she has never used before--15 minutes, including the commercial break; Danish pastries--10 minutes, including the sampling at the end; lounge pants out of left-over fleece made without a pattern--2 minutes and they would fit perfectly.

Watch out, Martha!

I have finished the youngest's baby quilt. (No really. I promise. I am almost done. The binding is sewn on one side and pinned on the back, and I will have it done before I go to bed tonight. No really, I promise!)

I made pastries on Friday/Saturday for a friend's baby shower.

I made fleece pants for the oldest (he doesn't like snaps or buttons) on Saturday night. I have more pants cut out and I am going to start the infamous boys sweaters--or one of them--tomorrow. And I'm making dinner for my family, keeping the laundry up, doing the grocery shopping, learning about our future city, writing a prospectus/dissertation, and playing with the boys.

I'd like to see Martha Stewart try to do all that.