Sneaks onboard and peeks around. Shhhhhh - I think some are still sleeping. Maybe that's Dutchy I hear snoring, or one of the other guys. Surely girls don't snore like that.
Izzie - Prayers continue to go up for you. I am glad your surgery is over, and you are so upbeat. Yes, that nasty ole' thing is benign. It just sucks that you have to wait so long for them to tell you that. But never mind, we know the outcome will be such that you will continue to mend.
I know that a couple of you have been wondering what has been going on with me over the past 9 months. Where does time go? It just does not seem possible that my Dad has been gone this long. Anyhow, it brings me to the reason for my visit today - just to try and fill in some of the blanks. I feel like most of what I have to say will bore most of you - forgive me for that. Although, that is the great thing about the internet - you don't have to read it and can skim on by me. I won't get into the majority of things. I will just rattle on and touch on a few things. Still - I'm a girl so ya'll know that being of so little words is not my strong point.
First off - I should have graduated in June. I did not. I struggled horribly to finish between November and Christmas break. I can't really explain it. My mind was such a mass of mush and one huge blank. I tried really hard, but I could not make my brain function like it needed to. In order to save my grade that I had worked so hard for, I had to take a leave. This is allowed and will not affect me in the long-term. It just sets me back a year. Even though I am taking a break, I have 2 really good job offers on the table, and they have been very supportive of my time off. I am so grateful for that much at least. I have visited both schools, and I was extremely impressed with both. One will have me in the warm weather year-round, and one not so much. Still, I would be proud to teach at either.
During my time off, I have been doing a bit of traveling to help clear the ugliness of my life. I have been to NC to visit a very good friend. I have been to Oregon to visit with sis and family. I was able to still join my classemates for alternative spring break. We went to Florida and worked with Habitat for Humanity. Loved that. We also took a day and walked the streets with the homeless. We gave them supplies, including food coupons. I cannot believe that in my country we have people so unfortunate that they live on the streets, and then we have a government that seems to care so little about them. I won't get started on that, though.
Life with family - My mom, God love her, holds herself up and proud for us. Of course, she still struggles. It's just that she is bound and determined to not allow anything to change the way us as a family have always done things. Even my birthday. It's always been a ritual to have a big party on that day, as I was born on July 4th. Fireworks, good friends, family, band, etc. Plus, we still have our family outings at the cabin up at the lakes. Noah is doing great, and Kim is trying to get pregnant again. I think her calling in life is to be a momma. She thrives so much by being surrounded by her family, and they can certainly afford all the costs that go with it.
Changes in me - While I still am very much in pain (wonders if that will ever go away), I feel so different. Things I used to do that were probably not so good for me, I have zero interest in now. Mostly the dinking/partying side of me. Not that I was horrible doing those things, but I did my fair share with friends at times. Not saying that I don't go out with friends, but when I do, I don't drink at all. It's either water or diet coke. No interest in the rest of that stuff. It's been so hot that an ice cold beer outside the bar, I still crave though but even that is one and done. I don't know if any of that has to do with this deep emptiness I feel, or if I have just decided to grow up. I feel like a machine that gets up each day, goes about my day but with very little excitement inside. This too, shall pass, I know.
The first time that a male ever turned his head when I went in for a kiss. *smiles* With that big tongue, lucky for me that he did. What a big boy he is - with a little baby spirit. I soooo love animals. Especially dogs. What can I say.
This is my oldest nephew. He lives in Oregon. I was such a snot-nosed little brat when he was born, now look at him. There is no way, though, that he should be towering over me like this. Takes after his daddy on that. He did NOT get his height from my side of the family. Although my grandfather was well over 6 feet.
Well, folks, that is about it today from me. My attention span is about at the end of it's stride for this round. I will be back. I wish all of you happy travels and peaceful days. Take care.
Love
xo
- blue black green 'n yellow>
(well, Stevie was a MU supporter... but he's not been here for a while 
) (poor chaps in that Chi-town heat...!)