seahorse update and future endeavors

My poor seahorse, Malcolm, is deteriorating.  The skin on his tail is eroding, even while he's being medicated.  Our other seahorse that had this happen was on a different medication for it and it didn't work so we tried something else.  This isn't working either.  I just have to sit back and watch the poor fish die.  It's very frustrating.  We won't be getting anymore seahorses for a couple months.  Christmas is near and we won't have any extra money after taking care of the family's presents. 

As I sit here waiting for the city to come inspect my apartment, I pine for the projects I could be doing.  Remember this circle sweater? I'm making another one in brown.  I have only one sleeve and the edging to crochet before adding the buttons.  It's sitting here on the couch with me and I work on it during my cleaning breaks.  I'm still picking up random items left around the perimeter of the living room: a pen by the couch, a bottle cap carelessly left by the tv, I'm sure you know what I mean.  I have several sewing projects I'm looking forward to doing, too.  I inherited a few more items of clothing from Aunt J that I need to make over a bit.  I'm short waisted, but there is one sweater she gave me that shows even my belly when I lift my arms.  I'm hoping to add some lace at the bottom and maybe around the sleeves. I looked for a thick band of lace to buy today but couldn't find one.  I may have to make it myself.  I just can't drag that stuff out before the inspection is over.  I'm always nervous at inspection time.  I feel like I'm being judged by my housekeeping skills, or I should say lack thereof.   Whenever they come I end up apologizing for the state of my apartment and always get told the same thing: that the people who are embarrassed by the state of disarray (or rather, their perception of it) aren't the ones that should be.

Parent/teacher conferences for my little prince are tonight.  I expect a good report.  I do know that he doesn't like to do math and gets kept inside for recess to work on his assignment quite often, because he doesn't work on it in class.  He is one of those individuals who lets his mind wander way too easily when not strictly supervised, so when told to do pages x-x in his workbook then left to his own devices he imagines scenarios from his video games and favorite cartoons, or even both together.  He has quite an imagination. The point is, he doesn't concentrate on his work.  I've told him countless number of times that he has to show his teachers that he knows how to do the work or they think that he can't and he'll end up getting held back.  The thought upsets him, but he can't seem to make himself focus.

So I have several things to look forward to. The apartment inspection, the conferences, and my favorite: dinner out with one of my favorite cousins!  Maybe I can actually give her the Christmas present I picked up for her last year!  Maybe even the scarf I made for her birthday back in October. 

At this time I think I wil wash up the few dishes left in the sink and get back to my circle sweater.  I have some pictures to take of my finished projects, but don't want to drag those out until after inspection!