Today has been a great day. I did part of my weekend housework. I ran for at least four miles, maybe even five. A hamburger at In & Out, then shopping. I found & purchased a coat I can wear with dresses or pants. Had the best meal at Cheesecake Factory. Had many people wish me a Happy Birthday, talked to my kids & heard them sing. Wished my birthday bud a happy birthday. Laughed at Target when the clerk asked the customer in fromt of me if they were "having a party tonight?" Which was met with a blank stare by the customer. She was buying four 2-liter containers of soda pop. To some that is a party, to others just a way to quench thirst. Had some great conversation with both my sisters. Received fun gifts from my wonderful husband. It has been a fantastic day...

The Last Day

Today is October 31, 2010, my last day before working extra hours at Community Action. Although I am grateful for the extra money for Christmas, I dread the long hours and no down time. With 7 weeks of school left, Thanksgiving, Alabama, election day, Christmas, & everything included in each of those it will be 2 exhausting months. I am grateful I have not had to work full time all my life. I am thankful my small contribution helps. I am thankful Gramps is employed & we have enough. When the next nine weeks are over another semester will begin & I will still be working, I will enjoy & more fully appreciate being a part time employee again.

Gramps & I have been shopping for bike helmets. We looked at Sports Authority & found them to be on sale for $30 - $60 each. Gramps wanted me to buy one, but I persuaded him to wait. Then we asked around & Jennifer told us we could get them for much less at WalMart. Gramps is a bit of a store snob & WalMart is one of the stores he loves to avoid. It's too big & all they sell is junk. So I was surprised when he told me he bought a bike helmet. A nice, shiny, blue one and he didn't pay very much for it. In fact he only paid $3.00. Wow! Why didn't you buy two I asked? Well, this one fit him & he couldn't fine one he thought I would like. I am proud to say Gramps found his new bike helmet at the D.I. I didn't know he knew where it was or that he would ever take it off his stores to avoid list. Three cheers fro Gramps...hip, hip, hoory...hip, hip, hooray...hip, hip, hooray!

Almost a Year

What is the protocol in blogging after ignoring the sight for almost a year? In my defense I have writtin several in my head over the months. I took a picture of my book bag that I retired after earning my associate's degree with the intention of blogging that success. Didn't blog it. So here I am, after kind persuasion from some of my kids, hopefully, back on track...Too many events looking back to catch up. I guess I will take the advice from the Goodman Family video to Start Where You Are...

Just Breathe

Last night I dreamed I was drowning in a pool. I was deep in the water. I couldn't tell which way was up. I also felt paralyzed. I couldn't move. I breathed in as I was thinking I can't breathe in the water, I'll drown. I got myself moving a little bit, then looked to see if I could tell which way was up & I took another breath. Don't do that you will die, I reminded myself. I told myself to kick my legs, that will move you toward the surface. I breathe again, but I am beginning to move. One more breath & I reach the surface & the edge of the pool. I am assisted out of the water.

In writing about this dream I do not convey the fear I felt as I thought through this dream while pushing myself upward to save myself. After I woke up I could remember the fear, it felt like a real experience. I also felt relief at not drowning & began to wonder if there is any parrallel between my life & this dream. I personally believe I dream about what I am worried about, then twist it! So I decided this dream is synonimous with the 4 weeks I have left in school this semester. I struggled in my dream to breathe 4 times. The water & drowning represent the pressure I put on myself & the feeling I have of being overwhelmed, questioning myself & my ability to finish another semester with good grades. The best part of this analogy is I don't drown! I get through it. I take one step at a time & make it.

As you all know I push everything aside during school. The house goes to pot, I don't cook, I spend a lot of time reading text books. The good news is I am at the end of another semester. Only 3 weeks of class & finals. So, this dream was a good reminder to tell myself to relax & just breathe!

Thank You

Thanks Rob & Joshua. You both get a gold star! Thanks Eric & Jared. We couldn't have done it without you.

Attention Inventors Everywhere

I wish I was more dedicated to write on this blog. I love to read blogs & I love the value of recording events from a historical standpoint. So this is my request, would someone please invent a device where I could think my blog article & it would then appear on my blog? I think about blogging, actually write the article in my head, then work on homework, or housework, or whatever else takes up my day. For instance today is my 1st day of Fall Break. I get 2 days off from school. I worked the 1st half of the day, came home & typed history notes between naps. I am under the weather with a cold coming on. I went to get my blood tested, as I do every 4 weeks. I unloaded, then loaded the dishwasher. I still about 3 more class sessions worth of notes to type, I was way behind. Do you see why I need a mind to blog device? Any takers?