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#StudentForLife

I'm kind of becoming my own professor...or at least an academic advisor..for a class I'm making up as I go, for a student body of size one (sometimes two, if Kevin comes along).

You see, while my main title and full time position is as a stay at home mom, I'm also a part-time professional (I substitute teach a few days a month) ... but you might not know that I'm also a part time student.

But the student part is purely by my own choosing, guys.
There will be no final exam, no summer break, no midterm cramming.
And, admittedly, no diploma.

But I tell you what, it's been a blast, and learning is SO tremendously fun.

The subjects I'm studying:

  • The construction of fruit preserves 101. Last month Jeni Pittard with Taste of Home and Stacey with Southern Bite were my mentors as Kevin and I peeled, diced, pectin-ed, and poured. The results were nothing short of jelly-tastic peach and pear goodness. And we may have quoted National Treasure multiple times during our studies. If you know the line I'm talking about, please post it below and I'll like you even more than I already do.
  • Quilting (but I jumped from remedial to beginner, which makes me happy). Two months ago, Charlie and I accompanied my dear friend Shay to her grandmother's house. I had no intention of quilting that weekend, I simply came for company. But Shay's grandma had none of it. She asked me if I had any desire to learn to quilt, and admittedly I did... so she looked me in the eye with all the stern gentleness grandmothers muster and told me pointedly that I would not be leaving her house by the end of the weekend without a quilt in hand that I had made. Well, I wasn't going to argue--she, Shay, aunt Paula, and Grandpa Ken became my quilting teachers and my adopted family in those three days. Threads flew, fabric broke and came together again, and I left that weekend with a lap quilt in hand and a passion in my heart. Together, they mentor me, and now I'm a regular at Joanne's and Harmony Fabrics.
  • Literature, revisited. I have always, always loved reading. But I'm finally allowing myself more time to read just because. A few books that have enchanted me in recent months: Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George, and The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen. A few books that made me stop and think and weep for human failing and celebrate the rebels that are GOOD: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and Unwind by Neal Shusterman. A book that brought me closer to Christ: The Continuous Atonement by Brad Wilcox. A book that constantly brings me closer to God: The Book of Mormon.
A favorite song of mine states "improvement and progression are one eternal round." I'm so grateful that although I'm not the age of a schoolgirl anymore, that doesn't hinder my learning--there's still so many courses in life to be had.

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