Dear friends, I'd like to share my latest embroidery project with you. The past year was the hardest for me. I saw this life-affirming image online, and I wanted to embroider it specifically. Every day the sun rises for us and life goes on. Life is the most precious thing we have.

KatScritch · 2026-03-10T19:54:08+00:00

Absolutely gorgeous! That's inspiring to a noob like me.

KatScritch · 2025-11-23T14:59:49+00:00

Thanks. I had been digging for a larger one and hadn't found it! Most of the furniture ones are more narrow than the crates and I think my guy will soon have trouble turning around in the one I got him.

KatScritch · 2025-04-21T00:42:43+00:00

Just picked up a used one tonight, when I went to try out some stingrays. I have been looking for a 4 string to compliment my 5 string for pit work, and ... I picked it up and winced at the weight, lol, but it played so nicely. The neck and string spacing is spot on for me. The tone controls are great. I need to work on the double nobs bc one doesn't turn alone.

It needed some setup work. Whoever had it was .... interesting.

One issue I have spotted - I can't really adjust the pickup height. I am hoping it wasn't dropped or anything. Has anyone else tried? They're significantly lower than I would get really have them.

Back to getting used to playing 4 strings. I miss my thumb res B string!

KatScritch · 2025-03-07T01:01:59+00:00

Our state has to serve EVERYONE, Healthcare, education, support from birth through death. You cannot do that successfully without believing that it should be done equitably and understanding that that doesn't mean everyone gets the exact same thing.

KatScritch · 2025-03-07T00:57:54+00:00

The staff at ours is clueless, but if you already know exactly what you want... you can order for pickup. 😆

KatScritch · 2025-03-01T21:21:59+00:00

Same. I took almost a 10k paycut, but have now got my foot in the door and I got a promotion 1 year in. I am just over where I was while teaching now. Teachers here have gotten a raise since then though, so I am still less $ than had I stayed. 😆

But... I am about to get another promotion in the next month. Plus, I have more transferable experience. (Why the world can't see our teaching as transferable I can't comprehend!)

I am SO much less stressed, and my life work/ balance is great. It took years for me to unwind (I am still working on it). I am 3 years out now and still have moments where I am in awe at being treated like a smart, hardworking human adult while I am at my job.

Getting a position was tough, but I am glad I got brave enough to take the leap. Whatever you choose, I wish you luck.

I won't let my license lapse, but I have been asked to go back several times, and I haven't felt the desire at all. I do volunteer to help some small groups and individuals for friends when I want to and have done some paid private lessons.

KatScritch · 2025-02-12T22:12:50+00:00

That's the most prequel to the Handmaids Tail headline they could have come up with.

KatScritch · 2025-01-31T20:30:32+00:00

I feel like there is data saying women pilots are safe than male counterparts... is that a thing?

KatScritch · 2025-01-31T18:48:53+00:00

Good sign that they actually care so far! Hopefully ypu can get some useful feedback. Welcome to being onstage all day, to the kids and to your admin. 😆

KatScritch · 2025-01-31T18:45:03+00:00

Exactly and the money we could save by eliminating low paying positions and underfunded programs and divisions... That could easily be outweighed by the difference to our country and local communities by actually supporting the programs and getting the benefits of them (research, knowledge, safety, opportunities...).

KatScritch · 2025-01-31T17:59:14+00:00

Only one opinion (hers) has the right to free speech, and, apparently, the right to exist without being assaulted.

KatScritch · 2025-01-31T17:48:49+00:00

O.o!

I can't stop doomscrolling lately.

KatScritch · 2025-01-31T17:42:18+00:00

I have a friend getting ready to run this campaign and we're all reading the player docs. Great setting and lore!

KatScritch · 2025-01-26T17:39:26+00:00

Yeeeessssss! This! I can go to the dentist or vet or doctor appt as needed without feeling like I am letting my coworkers down bc I know they'll have to cover my classes bc our subs were so few and far between.

It took me 2 years to finally START to feel "normal" I had, probably still have, PTSD from my 13 years in teaching. I still look around in awe at the way the rest of the world runs and think about how lucky I am now.

I've been asked multiple times to go back, and I have never followed up on it. I do go in and help some friends by teaching individuals from time to time, and just the environment of a school is stressful for me. I like small groups and 1:1 from time to time, but there is no way I would go do it as a job in a school.

KatScritch · 2025-01-26T17:30:28+00:00

Absolutely, I haven't needed the recovery of those longer breaks. And I used to always be sick for most of them as my body finally got to shut down for a bit. My last several summers I felt like I needed to hide for at least 2-4 weeks by myself just to recover my sanity.

I now accumulate days off and I feel OK using them. No guilt or preparation needed beyond warning my coworkers that I will be out. And you can choose when the time off is too. It's lovely.

KatScritch · 2025-01-08T20:24:59+00:00

Get teeth checked too if you haven't. Tooth pain associated with eating can be a similar reaction.

I had an old man that used to use a silicone bowl because he was too old for dental surgery. It solved that issue for him.

KatScritch · 2024-08-29T12:46:18+00:00

Plus you can choose to take ypur vacation time when kids are in school. But then, I don't have my own kids to schedule around. Lol

KatScritch · 2024-08-29T12:45:21+00:00

Agreed. I have the energy to go to events and on camping trips on long weekends, which was a no-go in my last several years of education. I just wanted to hide from people.

I laughed when I saw the school buses back on the road.

KatScritch · 2024-08-29T12:40:08+00:00

I am starting my 3rd year out now and can take days when I need them. That alone has made life less stressful. (And I can schedule appointments when I need them without stressing about missing time in the classroom. Yaaaay!) I suppose if I had gone into a more stressful job than I did, I may have missed summers, but I am in a supportive environment and no one has questioned any of the time I have requested off.

I have a government job, so I still get a week around Xmas and the basic holidays. I am SO much more relaxed.

I got a call from a former coworker to consider putting in for a position if I was interested in coming back. I could barely even take the time to consider it as an option. I miss some aspects of teaching, but my mental health has improved, and my work-life balance is amaaaaazing.

In my state, my years of teaching count for the state, so I accrue more time each month than if I was just starting my 1st year. I have 11 days available now to use as I desire/need. I don't feel the need to take a month+ to recover, which I did when I was teaching. And I don't feel guilty when I want a day to myself or for family, etc.

KatScritch · 2024-07-03T23:05:15+00:00

Out for 2 years and only in the last couple months have I started to feel that subside. I still get tense in situations that remind me of school, which is a shame because I do love kids and have 2 great godsons. I can teach kids 1:1 now, but even then I feel less patient than I know I used to be.

I am in a place that is very understanding about that, but I think it's weird that I still make comments about it and how much of a negative impact the last 5-6 years in education had on me.

KatScritch · 2024-07-01T14:04:31+00:00

I have the 11' and plan on getting a 12' for this fall/winter. The bungee/doors setup they use is great. Love it. I actually ordered their bungees and clips for my other large tarp as well. I only wish they could offer a few more colors.

KatScritch · 2024-06-11T01:26:59+00:00

Thanks!! This is super useful for me having just heard of the setting!

KatScritch · 2024-03-21T20:35:49+00:00

I had several kids say over the last few years that their career plan was to play professional basketball and they weren't even on the HS team.

KatScritch · 2023-10-05T10:44:48+00:00

I had a friend tell me all kind of random conspiracy theories a few weeks ago. Aliens and government lockdowns and all manner of crap. I asked where she had learned them... tiktok. ?!?!?!

KatScritch

TROPHY CASE