emsmithjb

I am currently enjoying my first summer vacation in such a long while. No school or work until August! I had an ideal first year of teaching kindergarten while finishing my masters degree. I certainly learned a lot. Though both endeavors were successful, I really needed a break this summer. I am married (almost 2 years). We have an adorable dog named Reba Jones. I like to stay active and see new things.

I love to stitch. I do some book binding, temari, and freehand embroidery. I just got out my new to me sewing machine for the summer and am having a blast with it. We are in the beginning stages of turning a storage room into a craft and laundry area. I can't wait and hope it will clear lots of clutter out of the living room. I also love to fold and cut with scissors. Origami is fun.

I am catching up on pleasure reading this summer. I am half way through the horribly written but somehow hopelessly addictive Twilight series and am trying to read several Caldecott medal and honor books. In adult fiction I usually listen to audio versions (especially if I can have them read by the authors). I recently finished Loving Frank and An American Wife. Both were great. I like to browse through non-fiction books on the outdoors, far-away places, interesting people, and of course crafts. I look at a local and a national newspaper online everyday.