Travel plans....

There is always an adventure just steps away. I'm always asked "where's your next big trip"? Honestly, I really didn't know. Each place I go, I don't think there is anywhere else that can beat it, but it does! I went to Greece and Israel early in the year an my roommate was my co-worker Jean. Well, she came across this trip to Croatia at her church and signed up and asked if I'd consider going and being her roommate again and without a second thought I said "yes, sure"! So, I filled out my paperwork and put in my down payment and I now have received my confirmation. This trip is a faith trip and we will be going to Dubrovnik and Medjugorje. This is a spiritual pilgrimage which relates to the following story:

On June 24th 1981 a young woman bearing a child on her arm appeared on a hill outside Medjugorje. With her free hand she urged six young people to come closer but they did not dare to do so as they sensed something extraordinary. However urged by a will they could not describe all of them came back the next day individually and she revealed herself to be The Holy Virgin.

The Holy Virgin also appeared the third day and appealed for peace. All in all she has shown herself 10 times in front of countless people and every day services in different languages are held in the church. Since 1981 more than 20 million pilgrims have visited Medjugorje making it one of the biggest Catholic pilgrim places along side Lourdes in France.




I have not done a pilgrimage before, but I have no doubt what so ever that I will have a renewed spirit and a stronger faith. This is similar to Fatima in Portugal which I have seen. The interesting thing is, another co-worker, Gunnhild went home to spend a year in her home country of Norway. She was a bit nervous and uncertain about her adventure, but following her blog, she is having a grand time. Where is she this week????? In Croatia!!! I couldn't e-mail her fast enough to have her tell me all about her travels there! Other exciting news is that Liz's daughter, Jessica, got engaged,a March wedding is planned! Liz has been flying around getting things organized (just a tad OCD, shhhhh don't tell her that). Can you believe it's just hours from October....already!!!!

Gift certificate and bobbles....

I got off to a slow start today. I didn't really do much of anything, accept to get caught up with email and some school work. Then it was off to the gym, then talked with Caitlin on my way to get Callie. Then it was off to Rustic Peddler to get my gift certificate...some how I passed Lisa and we never got together. After friendly conversation and laughter, I had the gift certificate and a new necklace. Debbie makes the most wonderful bracelets and necklaces out of old buttons, charms, beads, etc. They are wonderful. I really liked one necklace with a moon on it. I thought for sure it would be gone, but it wasn't. It was put away by the shopkeeper, however, she was kind enough to part with it! So I have it and can't wait to wear it tomorrow!!! Okay, so it'll only be with my study buddies, but they'll like it. The necklace is far more gorgeous in person than in a picture!

Lucky....

(memories of Dresden, Ohio - worlds largest woven basket)
Today was a quiet day. I think Sunday's should be quiet, relaxing, and restful. Today was just that. I work up, got ready for Church and got there early. One of my pew buddies had been in the hospital this week with pneumonia! She is better, though tired. There was a blessing for the ill and those facing surgery and she went up. I went to Joann's, I haven't been in there in forever and got some storage containers for my digital CD's and DVD's. Trying to get a bit more organized to keep things together, I keep on collecting. I napped, I love naps. Callie made cookies, just what I need is cookies to be added to my hips! LOL Then I went to Judi's she is selling of excess Longaberger items. There were a few pottery pieces I needed to finish my set and a couple of wrought iron pieces. What was funny, was when I went into her house, she said, guess who won a prize at Rustic Peddler and before I could say anything she said she had!!! She not only won at Linda's she won a bag at the shop!! She did give it to her mother (before she opened it), and her mother was tickled. Judi played the lottery to see how her luck was running and she got a free ticket! So, all in all, she had a LUCKY Saturday. I then told her that I also won! She was ecstatic! I explained what I wrote on my entries...wait til Debbie hears. Poor Debbie was ill yesterday and under the weather today...I'll keep her in my prayers. The rain came at about 5:00pm and it hasn't really stopped, it is pouring as I type, a soothing sound.

What a fun day!

There are days that drag on and then there are days that are bright, cheerful and fun! It is exhilarating and you just hate for it to end. Today was one of those days. My friend Lisa, is a lot of fun. She is sweet, kind, intelligent, thoughtful, hardworking and has the biggest smile with dimples, she loves to laugh and she is quite crafty. I've missed her company. She went on a travel assignment to South Carolina, and then she was on assignment in Missouri for 13 weeks. We got together briefly when she came down to see her family, and she is back now for a bit until another travel assignment comes along. We have planned this day for a couple of weeks. We were just going to go to the Rustic Peddler which is a country/primitive shop. Then I got an invitation from another crafty friend, Linda so we planned to start there.

The day actually started with me picking up Lisa (she just got home from driving two days to get here) and we went to Panera to celebrate a belated birthday for her. We then went to Linda's she always has her house decorated so cute for the holidays. The food she made, a pumpkin type bread was out of this world. I think the recipe was from Willams and Sanoma. There was cider and pumpkin spice coffee! Of course, we bumped into several other friends while we were there. I made out quite well with autumn decorations. I can do a lot of damage to my wallet in 5 minutes. My friends expect this of me! Judi won the give away!!! She hadn't been there 10 minutes! Then Lisa and I went to Quilt Lovers Hangout, we haven't been there in quite a while, and I bought a couple of things there, not that I have the time to do them, but I have them, for a rainy day!!! ;-)

Off we went to Rustic Peddler. Donna is a cheerful soul and always has a story or two to tell, and she just tells it so, that my sides ache from laughter. Once again it was like old home week seeing friends we haven't seen in ages and then bumping into friends that were at Linda's. I got several cute things there also. From there it was off to Kohl's, Dress Barn and Michael's. Who's worried about the economy when I'm out shopping???? I got a couple of dresses for church, and a cute top. I did get some Christmas shopping done....it's not that far away. I also bought some surprises for my college girls, but don't want them to know just in case they read this entry :-) The day had to come to an end and I had to part with my friend. We got caught up on our lives. I'm so glad that Lisa is back, I look forward to working with her again and doing crafty stuff too!

Now that the house is a bit cleaned up and the decorations put out, it's time to enjoy the family for dinner out....perfect, no cooking and no clean up!!!

Now can you believe this? We just got home and there is a message on the answering machine from Donna at Rustic Peddler, I won a prize. I called her back and sure enough I won the $50.00 gift certificate!! The funny thing is - my friends always win and I don't. So I figured for the fun of it I would write on each entry (there were two drawings) on one entry I put my name, phone number and a note that said "I am Debbie M's friend - she always wins" (she really does!), and on the other drawing I wrote my name, phone number and a note that said "I am Lisa M's friend, she always wins too"(and she has!). Low and behold the one with the note about Lisa was picked! Donna said that her staff picked my entry, unfolded it and read my name then read the note, a bit baffled they handed it to Donna. She read the note and started laughing! Knowing my group of friends - it really was funny. I've called Lisa and we've made plans to go Monday to the Rustic Peddler so we can spend the money!!! I'm sure there are candles or potpourri we could use, or maybe jewelry or some other decorative pieces.....wait until Debbie and Judi hear about this!!! It truly was a fun day!!!

A New Look....

Just like going out and buying a new outfit and having your hair done along with a makeover can make you feel like a million bucks, so does having a new blog design. It may seem strange to say that, but it is after all part of me, my thoughts, my work, and creativity. I always want to look my best, and why not when I'm journaling??? So, tonight, Amanda (thank you, thank you, thank you...) once again came to my rescue. I have to say, she is speedy and knows just what to put where! I hope to one day be able to figure out how she gets the numbers for the colors and how to effectively get the numbers in the right place to do the spacing, etc. I'm pleased with the results though there is a bit of "tweaking" that remains. It's a fresh clean look.

BLS as is ACLS and NRP are requirements for work and I have to take the refresher for the BLS. I did the ACLS a few months back, that ones hard, rhythm strips and medications....not fun! However, it is necessary.

Other than homework, I went grocery shopping. That is always exciting...it's better than homework!!! I also went to Target. Caitlin may be coming home for a funeral. She's to young for that, but one of her former classmates met with an untimely death. Out thoughts and prayers go out to her family and may Ashley now be at peace in the arms of the Lord. So, I have been keeping extra food and household items aside for the girls to take up to them, but now if Caitlin comes home she'll be able to take them back. I always worry they won't have enough food, soap, toilet paper....I guess it's a mom thing ;-)

It continues to be hot and there are early evening rains and lightning and thunderstorms. Tonight there were funnel clouds. The storm was just starting when I left the gym. It got rather windy too. I really could use some cool crisp Autumn air.....

May We Never Forget.....

(I made this on www.scrablogs.com) This is a neat place that I just found today!

Today is 9/11. Seven years ago I took my younger girls to school came home and was making coffee and my husband and I were watching a morning show with Diane Sawyer. I remember pouring coffee and hearing my husband utter the sound "ughhhhhh!" and I looked up to see a plane flying in to the second tower of the World Trade Center in New York. We had just been watching and talking about the first hit at the other tower and I said it had to be terrorists, there was no way it was an accident, a little plane is one thing but a commercial jet...and coming out of Boston??? Most of that day ran in slow motion and we were glued as the rest of the country if not the world to the t.v. Then there was the plane that hit Pentagon, and the forth that crashed into field in Pennsylvania, by brave Americans standing up for what was right.

I think that in any time of great tragedy people know exactly where they where and what they were doing. It is hard to believe that seven years has passed, and rather quickly, thought the wounds of that day are fresh as we remember. In December I did see the area where the World Trade Center was, it was on a dark and rainy day, I was so amazed at seeing the buildings that survived and how scorched their facades still are. So today, I did put out my flags, took time for a moment(s) of silence to remember those that perished that day, for those that survived, for the first responders, and for our President (who despite what people think in hindsight not only got us through a difficult time, and we have remained free of any other attacks, and for our country (the land of the free and the home of the brave). May - God Bless America!

What a cutie....

Okay...so I'm a little proud. My niece, Ava, is just so adorable. The sad fact is that she lives a long way away from me. Look at her...I just want to hug and squeeze her and kiss those sweet cheeks and button nose. She's getting so grown up. I think one of the best things of being and Aunt is that I can be over indulgent if I choose, shhhhh don't let her parents know this. It is fun, it is hard to go to the store and not find something that she might need.....

I'm still baffled about the blog thing. I don't know, maybe it's the template, maybe it's me. And I don't get how to make a background transparent around the pictures so that they blend in so I don't get the white band. I bought a book after class tonight, maybe that will help. Being in school one of the last things I want to see is a book, but this is rather fun stuff (it would be more fun if I knew what I was doing), but I do feel a sense of accomplishment when I get things done.

It is week two of Nursing Leadership and Management....okay, it's interesting, and the instructor makes it interactive and I've learned somethings, and I had to go in front of the class and speak in front of everyone. It isn't may favorite thing to do but I actually can do that a bit better than answering question from my seat. I think that my apprehension comes in because I am terrified to get the wrong answer. I revert back to first grade in my reading book (Dick and Jane) and not remembering the word "but" and breaking out in a sweat and panic. It's kind of followed me through life, funny how dumb things like that can follow you like a shadow. I did okay, I think. Every time I wanted to sit down, the professor made me go back and then asked more questions. So now it's back to reading and answering questions, at some point I'll have to interview someone.....I'm not to sure about that! But just like everything else, it's a matter of putting one foot in front of the other and just keep moving.

Ike gave us bands of clouds, a bit of wind and torrential downpours.

Thank you.....

Some people are just so kind and thoughtful. You don't have to know them well, but you know that they have a kind spirit! I've been struggling for hours to get my left side bar not to be bright yellow. How it got that way, I can't say, it was a shock when it happened, all I wanted was my Shabby Miss Jenn papers to come up. I'll work on that later. Then out of the blue there was a comment, one lone comment from Amanda with the answer, in less that 20 seconds, POOF, I have my background all the same color! It's is simply amazing. My paper is done for school and my blog looks so much better! Thank you Amanda!!! I truly appreciate your kindness in helping me solve my dilemma (for this week....), you're an angel!!! For those of you that would like to know more about this generous person, click down on the right side bar listed as Kevin and Amanda.com - she has an awesome site and great recipes!

Progress.....

Well, after several hours this afternoon, spent on the blog...rather than my paper, I have come up with this. I can't get my background papers to show up and as cute as the new header and things I've altered turned out, I have that horrible yellow on the left side bar. I've taken out the URL's for this but still I get this....anyone out there that has suggestions, I'm willing to listen! I'm stubborn and I will get it done right...eventually. So, for now, I must accept that my blog is not perfect. The new blog are from different kits from Shabby Miss Jenn Designs - she has some really cute things and she's really nice.

Patience.....

Patience is a virtue...keeping one's cool in the face of frustrating circumstances is truly a gift. I tend to get my self in the stickiest of messes. Today is no exception. Now, I'm know to goof off in order to avoid homework, but I've been good, I've been doing my homework, actually I only have a two page paper left. Okay, so last night I decided that I really wanted my blog to have three columns. I just think that it looks really cool. Amazingly enough I was able to accomplish this. My issue now is that I can't get the papers that I had on my blog back. Now how does this happen. I went back to the same tutorials, I've searched the web, I just can't get it....and now I have a bright lollipop yellow on the left side bar!!!! GRRRRRrrrr. I over came other technical obstacles like the new blackberry cell phone, but I just can't figure out where I've gone wrong. I have to say, I haven't thrown a temper tantrum or anything. I think I'll go to the gym and workout. Maybe just getting away will make a difference. I also purchased some stuff from Shabby Miss Jenn's shop, I actually thought if I got good I could change my blog colors for the fall...hmmmmmm I guess I had confidence that I could actually do that, now I full of doubt!

sick days.....

Today, like yesterday, I sit at home, isolated from the world. More so today. I don't like being sick, though I don't feel too bad, I look bad. Quasimoto! I need a mask or a be like an ostrich and bury my head!! I hate being sick, it's a waste of time; it's been 2 1/2 years since I've been sick.... I did organize things yesterday, I hate clutter and not being able to find things, paid bills, and cleaned out Callie's room and found fourteen plus water bottles most empty the rest half empty. How could she invite a friend over with her room looking like such a disaster? I think I should get that yellow caution tape to block off her room. How can she find things? Even at night I went in to re-instruct (like it just didn't go in one ear and out the other)her on the importance of keeping her phone things together, her calculator things together, etc. I have no hope that it will stay organized. Even though she has a closet, she has a tendency to hang things on the floor. Her floor is a dumping ground for everything. The lovely floor can be seen now, and there is an overflowing basket of clothes that could be clean, could be dirty, my guess is its half of each.

I stayed up late and watched Sarah Palin speak, twice. I was impressed. And once again escaping doing homework, I found this neat site called Wordle - www.wordle.net, where you can make word clouds. I of course had to try and it used words from my last several blog postings and came up with this:The cool part is that you can change colors and fonts....
this is so fun...you must try it. I didn't post mine on their site, I did print them out and scanned them into my computer.

I have also been trying to get a grasp on using the new phone. Everyone that was transferred in, now have ringtones and birthdays entered. I did have a bit of scare when I couldn't find my contacts and under personal contacts it came up empty!!! It's okay now it's all back as it should be. I also had a problem downloading ringtones I bought, but that has now been solved also. Sigh....technology!!! I just have to get pictures now so I can put them with their numbers how had do you think that'll be?

The cloudy day that started has turned sunny with a light breeze, so much better than yesterdays 95 degree scorching heat. I must now go and do homework.....

another day, another obstacle...

With each dawning comes the chirping of birds outside the window. For quite a number of years we didn't really hear them because our tress were small and limited. Now we are graced by the happy tunes from our fine feathered creatures. I was up early, I really would like to sleep in, but it was CLEP day. Another test. I'm over it. I had to have Humanities prior to graduation, and one of the options was to CLEP it, and so it was, off we went, ate breakfast, my stomach ever churning. I feel nauseated, my head hurts and the bump on my nose is back, I just hate that. Needless to say we arrived for the test and had to have out ID's checked, and purses, etc. locked. It was one of the longest tests I think I've ever had. There was a tutorial followed by promising not to divulge information about the test and THEN the TEST. OMGOSH it was horrible. I thought for sure that once the machine was off that I failed. Apparently, I passed. What a relief. Only two (2) of the 140 questions were remotely similar to the study guides I used, the rest, who knew! So, another step closer to the degree. I went to see why the phone didn't download the ring tones I ordered...I'm getting used to the new phone...sort of. It is school night so I printed all the assignments etc. The new school is open, it is spacious and clean and there is no plastic smell, that is how the old building smelled. The instructor is nice and likes the class to be interactive which is nice. I think this will be a good class...I sure hope it will be.

September....

September is a wonderful month. It is the start of the Autumn season which is my favorite time of year. The weather starts to cool, and the colors change, life's routines are more apparent, and it signifies the rest that is needed for winter to rejuvenate with Spring...Pumpkins and autumn leaves will be all around...well all of this is true except for except if you live in a warm tropical climate, but those of us that enjoy Fall, make due. It has been a quiet Labor Day. School restarts on Tuesday. I start another new class. One more closer to graduation.