Sunday, March 24, 2013

Life in Brevard



Hmmm… Where to start.  I know it has been several months (read, 8), since I have posted on here.  But something about life settling down into a routine and yet about to become hectic, has made me want to take up documenting the adventures of the Transue family.  First of all, Thomas continues to love his job.  It is certainly stressful at times, but it is a stress that is challenging, not defeating.  His coworkers are awesome, and I am super happy to call most of them my friends.  Some are even good friends.  The brewery is now operating at full capacity, and they just got two more fermenting tanks in this past week.  A new bright tank is on the way as well, as I understand it.  Thankfully, Thomas has gone from working about a 70 – 80 hour work week, and now is down to a modest 50 – 60 hour work week. 

As for Liam, he has started “school” at an in home child care facility called “Little Explorers”.  He has several friends there, including two babies, which he loves.  His teacher, Miss Nikki, does so much for the children with her curriculum, they are all learning fast!  I go every Friday, and teach the little kids French – I make posters for them, read them stories, and sometimes we sing songs.  They have a ball, and there is something so nice about a toddler’s willingness to try anything. 

I am continuing to plug along with grad school, and loving it.  Right now I’m taking a French poetry class, that challenges me, but I love it as well.  So far in my grad school career, the lowest grade I have received is a 92 (which is still an A!).  I do have a paper to finish up from last semester, that I got an extension on because of the chaos that was my life at that time.  In other news, I have FINALLY been approved by the Transylvania Board of Education to substitute, and I go on Tuesday (March 26) for orientation and to get put into the system.  I am super pumped.  I’m also trying (when I’m not horrifically sick) to go to Brevard High School once a week to work with their French teacher, just doing miscellaneous support things.  As the weather here in Brevard turns, my understanding is that the population of the town doubles.  Tourist season is big here, and I am really excited to watch the town come alive.  I’m also hoping that the population increase will mean that my favorite restaurant in town, HobNob, will need more servers for the summer.  I have a good friend that used to work there, and another that works there now and I’ve heard it’s an amazing place to serve.  Plus the owner is super nice, I’ve met her quite a few times. 

I have apparently decided, on top of all these other things, to become quite the “do-it-yourselfer”.  Just yesterday, I started several seeds to germ, which I’m going to plant around the beginning of April.  I am going to grow sunflowers, marigolds, morning glories, tomatoes, spinach, mustard greens and dill.  We will see how this works out, and you can be sure in the meantime I will be scouring The Smitten Kitchen’s website for fabulous recipes with mustard greens, tomatoes and dill, which I will then torment everyone with on FaceBook/this blog (assuming I actually keep up with it this time).  I also have decided to haul out my sewing machine to give sewing another try.  My first two projects are going to be making myself an apron (since I cook now!) and some napkins to go with these fabulous placemats that my Mother-In-Law gave me.  I’m also going to call the fabric store where she bought it (since it’s in Asheville) and see if they will still do my “free” sewing lesson, for having bought the machine there.  Otherwise I’m gonna pay for Charlotte Maxwell to come up for the weekend and teach me everything she knows in two days.  Oh, and of course, there will be knitting projects on top of all of this. 

I would love to post some pictures, but I am currently having an issue with my memory card reader.  I will do best to resolve this issue, and have pictures posted soon, of our new house, and some projects I am working on.  In the meantime, have a great week everyone!