Go, Katie, Go!

I promise that there's a good reason I haven't posted much (or at all, really) lately.
Here's a quick view:

Those are my to-do lists: one for school on the right, my big list with everything on the bottom left, and then my weekend to-do list on the top left.  Included is a kitten paw and a climbing magazine for good measure. :)  Note the highlights in my Moleskin planner, making sure I know what needs to be done first.
At this time last year, I felt truly overwhelmed with 3 competition tap lines, two soloists, and five classes to teach at my college, not to mention an MEA climbing trip I was trying to train for on the horizon.  This semester, I have 4 classes to teach, but I have 4 competition tap lines, 5 solo/duets, and an MEA climbing trip to Kentucky in one week.  It's... almost overwhelming.
I say almost because at this time last year, I felt like my head was underwater.  I wasn't ever caught up on grading (getting 125 papers at a time does that to one), I liked but didn't love my choreography for most of my tap dances, and I felt like any time in the climbing gym was time that I should spend doing other things.
This year is different.  Despite the crazy-heavy load, everything I'm doing I'm doing full-out and actually loving.  I love every one of my dances this year, and anytime I'm choreographing or teaching, I'm ridiculously involved to the point that I collapse when I get home at night after it's all done.  School is fun to plan and even fun to grade.  I have a fantastic and involved group of students, which makes such a difference when teaching a subject that most people don't like, or outright hate.
And climbing... well...

(new shoes always help hype)
Between getting outside working new stuff and climbing at Sandstone (plus climbing 3-4 days a week at the gym, usually an hour or two squeezed between school and dance), I'm pretty happy with how I'm climbing.  Not at the top of what I could actually do, but not bad. :)
Occasionally, I even come home at night and have time for knitting!

Kyle's vest is coming along swimmingly, and hopefully a long car ride this weekend will allow me to complete that back section without any problems.

I've even cast on for another Christmas gift, the "All About That Bass (And Treble)" Fingerless Mittens!  It's ridiculous that I've waited this long to do any form of Christmas knitting, but sometimes I manage to eek out a row or two before succumbing to utter exhaustion.
I'm basically running from one thing to the next right now, ridiculously excited to be there and give my all, then occasionally have time at home to grade, sometimes clean, and a touch of knitting.
I had one brief break on Sunday afternoon for a few hours, and took full advantage of it:

snuggling with kittens...

taking a short (and much needed) nap with my guy (and kittens) on the couch with a bad movie on in the background and the windows open...

and making a big vat of chili that stewed most of the day before we enjoyed it for dinner (and packed it up for the rest of the week).  Nom!
Tomorrow is class, lots of grading, lots of dance, finalizing costume choices for dance, and (maybe) some knitting.  If I'm lucky.
I would love to show you amazing people some fantastical knitting. :)
For now, one more email check, then off to bed.
I'm already excited to drink coffee in the morning...