Trust.....

It is interesting to note that in life there are always challenges that each one of us is faced with; but how we reach to these challenges defines us individually. Sometimes strangers can have a great impact on your life...take for instance my patients..it isn't easy to face one of the biggest challenges in your life with a total stranger. I have tried to make my patients at ease, reassured, supported, and even nurtured. In return, they have trust that I know what I'm doing and that I will provide a safe environment for them. Today was no different. I met a nice couple who had their baby today. Babies come into the world in various ways, fast, slow, with effort, with little effort, with interventions and without. Today, even with the Doctor en route, and with encouragement, teaching, breathing, and support the little angel was born....quickly! The new parents are a delight and excited about their baby, but they trusted me, listened to me, followed my instructions..... Trust, not something I'm so good at, I'm a control freak...maybe, just maybe....I need to trust in myself a bit more ;)

Weekend Get-Away.....

Sometimes it is just nice to get-away! It certainly is a rarity that Manuel and I ever get to get out of town alone. In fact, I'm not sure when the last time we did go away just the two of us. This time though, it was just us. While our plans had changed a few times, we did get away to Melbourne, Florida. I always like a bit of adventure so planned a few things to do. One was the zipline! It was a lot of fun. I have to say, I wasn't crazy about going up 55 feet of stairs. It wasn't the stairs persae, it was that they were open and I could see the ground below. I got nervous 3/4 of the way up and this had to be repeated several times. I also, wasn't enthused about the movement as I went up these stairs. While I thought I was taking forever, because of my knee, Manuel said I did fine, although I did request that he not "rush me". The weather was not at all cooperative, it rained and at one point poured! The Zip part of the line was fun, and there were several ways to stop to get to the next platform, either by reaching for a cord or by have a rope attach to the line. Each section was an adventure unto itself. There were two bridges as well, which were open and the ground below could be seen and yes, they moved. I was determined to get to the next platform and did each time. Now all said and done, I'd do it all over again, however, my knee may have different ideas, it did swell to almost double and hurt quite a bit, but the Zipline is fun and I'd do it again! ;)http://www.floridaecosafaris.com/ZiplineSafaris/

Then we set off for the Port D'Hiver Bed and Breakfast! What a wonderful spot. We had the "Yellow Room" and it was heaven. The staff was friendly and accommodating, the room was beautiful and clean. I just love being spoiled. We had a wonderful dinner at Djon's Steak and Lobster House. It was a terrifically relaxing meal...of course Manuel with his Salmon and me with the Filet Mignon. The weather continued to be quite damp and coffee was served on our balcony at 7am, though I didn't get up to get it until just before 8am and the breakfast was brought to our room, and it was phenomenal! We were able to sample everything and I think I loved the peach french toast, fruit cup and muffin the best, though there were two types of quiche and potatoes. It was all to soon that we had to leave, it was a home away from home.

We walked across the street before leaving to walk on the beach (in the rain). We found scollop shells as well as other shells, we saw many birds, including a flock of pelicans (unusual because they are usually alone or with one or two others). There were a few surfers, and several dolphins! It was worth getting wet for! And then we set off, again changing our plans from going on an airboat, to going over to Merritt Island to the Mall and I did a bit of Christmas shopping. We set off for home and it rained almost to Lakeland where the sun was spotted and some blue skies, only to be gray again as we got to I-75. During my picture taking the window fell off its track and we had to stop and adjust that. We had dinner at Cracker Barrel and had an uneventful ride home.

The overall impression....it must be reapeated!!! ;)

year end happenings......

Of course things occur each year, we become full of anticipation and before you know it the day has arrived and vanishes like the colorful sunsets. Cassandra and Ryan got married and I did their wedding pictures...always makes me nervous, only had a glitch with two new media cards, which were returned and the money refunded! The bride was beautiful, the ceremony was lovely - set against the Caloosahatchee River. Thanksgiving came and went. It was my holiday to work, after our feast at work, I was able to go home, shower, nap and make pies. Natalie and Caitlin came home and Thanksgiving was celebrated on Friday...while the girls where out shopping on Black Friday, I was in the kitchen.....the dinner was good, and we were stuffed, it was then time to go out and get lights for outside the house, to start the Christmas Season. Today is Manuel's birthday....we celebrate yesterday, the kids got him Oakley sunglasses and gift card. I've book a B&B get-away! I worked today, and had two deliveries...boys...birthday buddies for Manuel! So, everyday occurrences during the year are varied from year to year to keep the excitement and anticipation ongoing.

Happy Anniversary!

Many years ago on this day Manuel and I got married.It was a small wedding with family and a few friends, nothing ostentatious as those that are held today....where the money spent could by a modest home! We married in an era of frugality, yet had children that have lavish and grandiose ideas which have helped to lead to our current economic mess! Sometimes less is more....leads to less stress, more happiness, and definitely makes you work harder to attain your dreams. Tonight we went to Bonefish Grille with Callie for a late dinner, mainly because I worked and she had dance.

Tomorrow I work again....and then it's off to take rehearsal pictures of Liz's daughter Cassandra. Saturday is the wedding...another happy ending!

ahhhh, I love weather like this!

For pretty much the first time the Autumn the weather is gorgeous! I was able to turn of the AC and open the doors and windows! I just hope it stays this way. I was in the cooking mood and made beef stew, fresh baked bread, and vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Quite a surprise for my family since it has been ages since I've done this amount of cooking! ;) I'm trying to get back into the swing of domestication, it has been a hard adjustment since I've been out of school. I guess I have to remember it took months to give up the things I enjoyed and it'll take months to give myself permission to do the things I enjoy.

I have been doing digital scrapbooking, not just collecting, and the results are quite good. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to be as creative and spent hours collecting all sorts of papers, embellilshments, photo masks, scatterz, overlays, templates, and quick pages. When all is said and done, it's just as easy as paper scrapbooking, but without the clutter, mess, and best of all ... no waste! I just feel that photoshop is a bit slow, maybe I'm faster than my processor or maybe I'm just plain impatient...hmmmmm ;)

Enjoyed a leisurly breakfast at Panera (where else) with Candy and Amy. We sat outside which in this weather was most delightful. Caitlin is suppose to be heading on home today :) (: It's been months since she's been here and several months since I've seen her :( Unfortunately, she's home on a weekend I work :(

I think, maybe it is time for a nap!

Busy week.....

Usually the days pass by and are filled with the mundane tasks of day-to-day living, work, cleaning, cooking, running errands, and such. Other times they are filled to the brim with excitement. This week started with my photography class....it was basically a beginner class, however, it did confirm that what I had been doing was correct, whew!!! Then there was the girls day out to celebrate Candy and Liz's birthdays. We shopped and ate at the Cheesecake Factory in Naples, went to Whole Foods and just had a fun day of girl stuff and laughing! Friday brought us together for Sherrie's welcome home. Sherrie was diagnosed with breast cancer a month or so ago and Sept. 21st had a bilateral mastectomy with expanders. She will be able to have her chemotherapy treatments done here and she and her husband, Paul have found a house in the Gateway area to settle. The was the usual food fest, chatter, and of course Karaoke, this time with Peggy's husband John and his new toys, which was very nice...well, okay the singing could be improved, but it was all about the fun! Today was Liz's daughter's, Cassandra's bridal shower. It was put together by her sisters and Aunt Gina. The affair was held at Brew Babies and was very quaint and elegant. It was like going for afternoon tea! It was all about the ambiance, and it was lovely. There were a few games, and the gifts. The bride-to-be wore a lovely champagne strapless dress that was trimmed with an under the bodice black velvet trim that tied in the back. The bottom of the dress was turned under to give a bubble effect...very nice. Her sisters wore elegant black dresses and Liz wore the new dark purple suit that she bought during the girls day out! I did the photography, and hope to get a bit of creating done, since I've done a lot of digital scrapbook shopping. I did stop at Beals and got a couple of light weight sweaters on sale....can't resist a baaahgain!!! ;)

Record Heat!

Here it is October and we are having record heat. It's been 95 or so for days. I can't stand it! I zaps every ounce of energy I have and it makes me very, very cranky! I'm cranky because I'm hot and tired, and feel that being so lethargic is a waste of my valuable time where I could be doing lots of fun stuff. It isn't that I didn't get to do fun stuff, but it impeded on how much I could do and it's pretty miserable to have sweat dripping down my back!!

I can't even think straight and keep getting dates mixed up. I messed up the day for my photography class by counting the wrong amount of weeks so had to get someone work for me...I went to Heart and Home only to find I was a week early! Geesh! I made it on time for the Rosary to commemorate Fatima's 92nd year since her apparition. I did get to take Cassandra and Ryan's engagement pictures...however, it was a very hot day! It was fun to go with Liz and Candy to the Speckled Hen and to Cracker Barrel for some fun, food, and shopping. I went to the gym, came home, showed and went to bed, I don't remember whether or not my head hit the pillow or not but did wake at 5:10 am because the alarm on my phone went off! grrrrr!

Today, I did make it to Church...almost late, brunch, Publix, and then a long nap. Rather grumpy and wanted to sleep, think Manuel was offended, but it wasn't' personal I was exhausted. I did get to the gym and now resting. Work tomorrow. The kicker is, Shelley is in 58 degrees and attended the Pumpkin Festival!

friends are like flowers...they continue to bloom!

I think that my sides still ache from last night. I haven't seen Debbie and Judi (the GLF's) in ages. It is so nice to start to get my life back, I've missed it! Between the food and the conversations, I don't know which was better. My gosh, we laughed so much and with the amount of tea I drank I should be floating away! Somethings never change, like work - no matter where you are there are issues, so you make the best of it and add a sprinkle of humor, or a few colorful words ;D Families are families with good times and bad, with issues and without, peaks and valleys. I was in awe of how cute Debbie has decorated her house...a touch I just don't seem to have. I even baked a pumpkin bread with a crumble topping! The girls got me some really cute gifts for graduation...I particularly love the new apron!! It is so retro!!! :D

Today was a quiet day, Church, brunch, plant shopping at Lowe's and Home Depot (came home empty handed) nap, Gym, and computer and tv! Just another day in paradise!!! Tomorrow, Black raspberry Muffins!

Old friends...

The months continue to march on by. October has come in bring surprises and time with old friends. Yesterday, it was lunch at the Cheesecake Factory in Brandon with Shelley and her husband in Dennis. We went to school together, our last trip together was decades ago to Maine looking at colleges! The years flew by with us going to different parts of the world and for a brief few hours where able to spend time together getting caught up. The weather was perfect and the company splendid.

Today was Linda's in-home craft show. Of course I bought many things. It is nice to know that her wonderful items will also be sold at a local store. I then started shopping to make a project for one of the kids for Christmas. Once home I cleaned the kitchen an baked a pumpkin bread with crumb topping. It is very delicious. I'll be taking it to the GLF's gathering tonight. It has been ages since I've seen Debbie and Judi, I'm so looking forward to this.

Earlier I spoke with Marian, she is doing well. I do hope that here health is well and she enjoys her trip to Georgia and North Carolina....ahhhh the fall getaway complete with foliage!!!

CLUTTER....

It is such and odd word, yet I guess it does describe the collectible crap that was quite important when it was stashed away, only to be cast out in an effort to "downsize". I have clutter from traveling, those brochures, maps, tickets, etc. that seem to be a good idea to save for scrapbooking, just seem to pile up into mountains of junk! I guess it is better just to take a picture, since digitally it doesn't go int the landfill. I find that when I try to de-clutter, I end up taking it from one room to the other, now that certainly isn't a solution - except temporarily. I have quilting stuff in bags, drawers, baskets, closets, etc. I need more time just to finish my projects! I have "how to books" that never really answer the questions I have which lead to me purchasing them in the first place. I have useless wires that go to gadgets that I'm not even sure that I have any more. CD's that maybe have something on them and then again, maybe not. I've saved gift bags to reuse in an attempt to be frugal and green. I have collections of things that I haven't got a clue as to why I'd even want to collect them. So, today, during this overcast day, I started once again purging out the collectible crap that I have no use for, that really doesn't need to be filling files, draws, bins, baskets, etc. The sad part is....I've hardly made a dent, but I shall continue on.

Lest we never forget.......

It has been eight years since the attack on our country, when those jet planes flew into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, then the Pentagon, and then the field in Pennsylvania! We all came together that day as a nation in support of one another and for our country. Yet, as time goes on many have forgotten the impact this attack on freedom had on us as a country. Many have become complacent and even doubt that it was an act of terrorism. It boggles my mind. I remember having returned from taking the kids to school and coming home and making coffee and hearing Diane Sawyer on the t.v. Manuel and I were puzzled as to why my country was being attacked and why the issues that lead up to this fateful day had not been addressed. I poured the coffee and heard Manuel say "ugh" and I looked up to see the second plane fly right into the tower and the smoke.....the people falling....the buildings collapsing....people running....smoke and dust billowing! Tears filled my eyes then as they do now as I remember that day. It was a warm, sunny, beautiful day!! The lost lives.....the terror..... May God Bless the souls of those lost and may God Bless America. Today, as then, was my day off.

Just as any other day, it was filled with things that need to be done. First is was Panera and breakfast with Candy and then....the dreaded competencies! I hate themm plain and simple. I think it is mostly because I feel inadequate and fear that I might fail, so I become panicked and dread the entire day. I am fortunate to have friends who take it all in stride and are upbeat and quite frankly, cheerful about the impeding challenges! Some of my irritation is the redundancy. It is aggravating to repetitively do the same tests several times over. I really don't like to have my time wasted nor do I like playing games, just get to it the point and move on, ten words or less!! However, there is always a bright side and no doubt there is always a meal to be eaten, so Leslie, Valerie and Jack, Breanna, Candy, Cindy and Roseann went to lunch at The Crab Shack! :D

Callie is off to Orlando for Rock the Universe and Night of Joy. Natalie is off to Boston to see the Red Sox and family. Me, I get to workout at the gym....LOL
Okay, so I'm late...I had to update how my blog looks...you know important stuff!

The passing of time....

I guess that it is a good thing that time passes because otherwise we'd be stuck. Some days are so horrendous that you wouldn't want to spend another second in them and others are so glorious you'd wish that they would go on forever. This week was particularly hard. Somethings in life are suppose to be wonderful and end up with the most horrific of results. It is devastating to say the least when things like that happen. How does one recover and move on? Do the tears stop flowing? Does the heart stop aching? When does it get easier to walk, since each step feels like there is weight of a concrete block. When does the brain stop swirling, when does the stomach stop churning, is there forgiveness??? How do you help your friends in their crisis??

Last night was the graduation party. Liz, Candy and I celebrated our successful completion of the BSN program. It was nice to get out, have fun with friends, karaoke, and reminisce. Some friends where unable to attend and they were missed.

Today was Callie's fifteenth birthday. She spent it with a friend and went to church. We picked her up after attending church and went out for brunch. Later we had a small celebration at home. She will plan a party with her friends in a couple of weeks. It's hard to have a party when you've just gotten back to school...maybe there are new friends to invite! She is indeed, a sweet and special young lady (even though she hates to have her picture taken)!!

A quiet day....

Today was a quiet day. I guess it was a good day for prayer and reflection. It is amazing how all of a sudden so many people you know have crisis in their lives. I guess we get so caught up in the routine of our days that when we have the opportunity to have down time we realize how much has changed. Another co-worker friend has breast cancer, a very aggressive kind. I think what is the hardest is that she is so far away from her long time friends who have always been a source of support for her. An old classmates nephew is having seizures of unknown origin and if it weren't for the dog actively trying to get into his room only to have his parents finding him unconscious. Now he has blood clots. There are many other family and friends as well as strangers that are having a difficult time. May God Bless them all. Everyone needs prayers!

Attending church always helps to renew my spirit. No matter how beaten and bedraggled I feel, it know that God is close and that whatever issues I may have will get resolved. Then there are my pew buddies....strangers that I met and now are friends that are happy to see me and keep me in their prayers as I do them in mine. It is refreshing and reassuring to see them each Sunday, and share little trinkets of our lives. Helen is a woman that comes each Sunday in a wheelchair her daughter brings her, they are sweet...next Sunday is Helen's 95th birthday. Simple things like that can bring such joy. Manuel joined me usually he doesn't. God Bless the creatures big and small!

Brunch was at First Watch. The have such interesting combinations of food that are so tasty and filling. Then it is was a fun filled time at the grocery store. Since then it has been enjoying the day and getting caught up on my blog. I was able to make a signature after each posting. This with the aid of a tutorial by Amanda (www.KevinandAmanda.com). Bit by bit things come together...now to the gym and get Callie ready for her first day of being a high school Sophomore....hmmmm it seems like yesterday..... ;D

Back to school...

It is back to school time. This is Callie's last weekend off before her new school year begins. We attended open house earlier in the week. The school is in a new building and she has some very interesting classes. Of course, I'm not so sure that she sees it that way. One of the positive things is that she has other friends that will be attending this school and there will be more students. I'm envious of her computer classes as she'll be learning many of the things that I'd like to learn, perhaps she'll be patient enough to show me....hmmmmm a thought! She got her hair cut today. Liz's daughter is attending beauty school and did a very nice job. It compliments Callie's face and has been thinned. She has such thick hair.

I am not attending school...rather odd, but will be having a celebratory party next weekend with Liz and Candy. Then I need to find a direction to go in. Back to school, take computer classes, have fun.....I dunno. Even though I did a major clean sweep in May, it is time for another. It probably wouldn't be so difficult except that I'm addicted to Facebook and have signed up for twitter!!!! I should be simplifying my life not adding more to it! ;D

Many Changes...

There are many changes that occur over the course of one's life. Some of these are joyful while others are sad. My dad had been sick for a while but recently became worse. He died on July 25th. Callie and I were out to lunch before commencing school shopping. My brother, Scott, called and updated us just as we were finishing lunch at the Brickhouse. Once I got the news we went straight home and I went on line to get a flight with Callie to Boston. We ended up on Delta to Cincinnati and then Boston, of course the weather there was bad (surprise since it has been a wet summer there) which delayed our flight twice. We made it into Boston, and there was a bit of confusion so had to wait for Scott to get us. It poured hard all the way from Boston to Hyannis and we arrived at the hospital around 2am. My was able to talk with me which was good. God is good!



I stayed with him leaving only to get a shower or food, but made sure he wasn't alone. Hospice became involved and his room was then changed to the new wing. On Saturday evening after everyone was gone, I sat and talked to him. I'm sure he could here me though he wasn't able to talk. There were memories such as his great-grandparents and what I remembered: NECCO wafers, scallop shells that were stacked in various sizes, the patchwork dog, Hermits (yum), the flat cookies with the layer of raisins in them, the red metal chairs, and love. Then there are memories of talking sports when I was in high school, walking me down the isle for my wedding, and lessons learned. I remember my dad being most patient when I was learning to drive his "standad" white ford van. Honestly, whoever designed the shifter on the steering wheel must have been a bit crazy. Long story short it was quite a jerky ride, I wanted to just throw in the towel, but he kept telling me how good I was doing and to just keep trying. Later I learned I made him sea-sick, but he never complained. I later bought my first car a red VW superbettle (it had a sunroof) and it was a standard drive! The brave soul went with me up to the Catholic church (one I attend services at each time I'm in town) and practised driving. I thought I was hot stuff driving that car to work the next day all on my own! It was the drive home that got me. I got to the corner of Skate and 6A trying to make the left hand turn. The light went from Red to Green to Yellow to Red to Green to Yellow to Red and people behind me lost their patience and whipped around me honking their horns. All I could do was cry "dad, where are you? I need you, I'm stuck!" This of course, was back in the dark ages before cell phones, pagers, etc. Somehow, the little car made it to the middle of the intersection (progress) and the light bulb turned on over my head. "FIRST" put it in first...always when you stop you put it in first. I put the car in first and off I went. A lesson I share when people buy their first standard drive car. And with that, he went to be with God. Peaceful, calm, gentle. God truly is good!!

There was a week of getting things in order and Callie and I were blessed in many ways. We shopped and ate out, attended church, I got to go to a quilt show, see some old friends. We walked on the beach everyday, I think she really liked walking way out on the flats, and the whale watch that was excellent! We were entertained and amused and it was a most gorgeous Cape Cod day.

The service was simple and heartfelt with Max remembering him for his service in the Navy and his love of trains. Dr. Bob McLaughlin remembered the kind, compassionate soul my dad was during his years with B-bus and shared his ancestrial history of being related to those on the Mayflower: Miles Standish, Elder Brewster and John Alden and other famous people (such as Sarah Palin, the Right Brothers, the presidential candidate John Dean etc. that share the same descendants). There were beautiful flowers and family and friends that were supportive and shared warm memories of my dad. Mostly that he was a quiet, gentle, honest, kind, man who had a sense of humor. He is safe now in the arms of the Lord. My friends and co-works bought a magnolia tree and plaque in memory of my dad. It is now planted in the back yard. I made Manuel up root a bougainvillea to plant the tree. It is perfect. Not to worry the other plant has a new home in the front yard. Rest in peace dad, I love you!

Tallahassee....

Tallahassee is the state capital of Florida. Rich in history. Home to FSU. There are many state parks in the surrounding areas that are worth seeing. Paul has not been well, so we went up to Tallahassee to see if we could get some answers. While we where there we stopped to do a few things. We stopped a park were there was a lake with ducks, turtles, and snapping turtles. Of course, a photo-op. He had never been to the Florida Waterfall or the Florida Caverns..



Sometimes when you travel you hit it right and others you hit it all wrong. We got to the Florida Waterfall, it is such a peaceful place and full of sink holes, flora and fauna. It was a nice walk. There was however, no sound of water....when we go to where the falls should be, it was just drip, drip, drip...there's been a drought so the springs that feed the waterfall were dry, hence no waterfall. We then drove out the caverns and wouldn't you know, the caves were closed on Monday and Tuesday's!!! So, it was off the Natural History Museum. Hydrangeas grow there and it was an interesting place. We found solitude at St. Leo's. The drive back was long, but we broke it up by stopping in Gainesville to see Natalie and Caitlin. We had lunch with them and saw their new apartments. It was all too soon to hit the road again for the 4 hour ride home....

The Adventure Meets It's Conclusion!

Traveling is always an adventure for me. I sometimes make plans, sometimes I follow along,and other times I have a neat and tidy itinerary from which to guide me along the way to all the points of interest at any particular destination. Although my plans for this trip were done rather hastily I did have somewhat of an itinerary to which I had developed because of time constraints. The Flight leaving was fine, and it was even better when we changed flights in Baltimore. I decided to take offer of upgrading to business class and was pleasantly surprised by the size of the seats and the leg room. I just love leg room! It was nice to be served a beverage while all the other passenger's took their seats. Callie quite enjoyed this as well. She really loves being by the window also.

We landed in Boston and we were off to pick up the rental car and drive off into the green mountains. It took us almost five hours to reach are destination, but it was well worth it. It is such a nice change of scenery from the flat straight roads of Florida. Adventure abounds at each twist and turn of the road up the hills and down, each becoming more steep. Maryellen and her family are always such gracious hosts when we visit. We had an escape to the Shelburn Museum and it was one of the most beautiful days. We also were able to see the happy cows of Vermont, shop at the super Christmas Tree Shop, and sit in the garden and chill. We left early in the morning heading south and made a stop at King Arthur Flour - one of my favorite places to shop! Got some good deals, the suitcases are gonna be heavy!!!

It was back to Massachusetts to briefly visit family...and it was nice to see my aunt, uncle, grandma, cousins and thier spouces and children. The visits with them are all to short and it's kinda hard to get caught up, but it such a nice time.

Then it was down to Cape Cod in cloudy rainy weather which they had been having for quite sometime....they've been jipped!!! I personally enjoyed it. We spend time with my parents, brother and his family, and my sister. We went to the Heritage Museum, Friendly's, Natural History Museum, Sydenstricker Glass, Nauset Light, Chatham Light, and various beaches. We also went to a Drive-In Movie. It has been ages since we've done that, the speakers actually worked, so between them and the radio we had stereophonic sound! Callie and I went to Nantucket and had our adventure. The weather was stormy and we ended up being the last boat to the island...we had no idea. Later we found out that we would be spending the night. After hasty reservations were made we got a lovely room at the Brass Lantern Inn. We of course had to get toothbrushes, toothpaste, undies (and that was an adventure in and of it self....the Ladybird Lingerie Shop is a really nice shop to stop at). We had a wonderful day in the wind and the rain shopping, sightseeing, having lunch at the Fog Island Cafe, and bought some goodies at the bakery! The Whaling Museum was a really nice stop, lots of history. It was so nice to get a hot shower and a good nights sleep. We were up early to get the first ferry out, the water was really rough, more than when we went to the island and we made it safely back to Hyannis. We stopped and saw my sister and parent, then goodbye to my brother, then up to my aunt and uncles and to the airport and car rental place and to Logan....and after a fine flight on Jet Blue we were home......

I'm a leaving on a jet plane.....

Callie and I are off. First I was going to Cape Cod to visit, but then remembering how she wanted to go with me to Bosnia, I made reservations for both of us to travel together. Things have a way of changing. We planned to go to Martha's Vineyard to see one of my co-workers, but she is having a reunion the day we were going. But not to worry we then decided to go to Nantucket. MaryEllen invited us up to Vermont, so that is where we will start. We will then travel south and see family over several days as well as getting in some sights and museums. It is so nice to get away. Must get my packing finished and some shut eye.

Getting away....

Sometimes we get wrapped up so tight with our day to day tasks that our vision becomes narrowed and we begin to feel trapped and don't always see a way out. Then once set free it's like being a butterfly in the wind. I'm finally getting my life back post school. This week I went to a conference with my friends on Ft. Myers Beach! This conference has taken place at this same place for the past several years. Okay so my mind wandered with watching the parasailers and thinking about the prizes....

This time we stayed at the hotel. It was so nice to get out and walk on the beach. It has been ages since I've walked on the beach at night with my toes in the water. The weather was wonderful. It was fun just to sit back and laugh, laugh, laugh. We were able to reminice, get caught up, and enjoy our time together doing dumb stuff. It's mind expanding to learn new things, but it exhilarating to spend time with friends and kick back. We all need more good times like that!!

May Days....

The days continue to fly by. May is half way over, which is hard to believe. Mother's Day was very nice. I received lots of wonderfully colorful flowers, balloon, and my car washed and detailed!! Caitlin came home and it was a nice visit for sure! It is time to plan travels for summer. The hot days have come back and just this week the afternoon thunderstorms are back, several days with rainbows. I've tackled deep cleaning of the house which was unfortunately much neglected from my days spent studying. It is nice to have it sparkle and shine again, as well as to be free of clutter!! It is certainly nice not being a slave to assignment deadlines!!! Now to get a nice pool chair to float around in the pool and read.....

I did it...I'm finished.....

There are days that are anticipated for. Sometimes these days are birthdays, vacations, red letter days. We plan, dream, put money into and then finally the day has arrived. Mine was to get my Bachelor's Degree....and finally, the day has come, I've done it! I finished last night, done! All the work, giving up of fun, sleep, travel, sleep, hobbies, sleep, being with friends, etc. has been a blurr! Even my whining has subsided! In actuality it doesn't seem that long ago that I was sitting in the back of the class taking the first step into reaching this goal and it seems rather surreal that it is now done. As with the planning of any event much work goes into the planning and then it is done. So I am done, what am I going to do on Tuesday nights? What will I do with out constantly researching and writing APA formatted papers???? I can think of many things. After my 'clean sweep' to get my house back in order, and watching some movies that I've collected over the past 20 months as well as books....I'll get more involved in my hobbies...so many unfinished projects. So done is done, but really it's sort of a new beginning, and I have to think now that I have attained this goal, where do I go from here? Life is never dull, I have no doubt that something else will come along and consume my time in no time at all.

Hopefully, maybe Candy, Liz, and I can get in to more trouble.... ;D I think that we worked well as a team. We were able to share and we bonded.... the support went further than just school. Candy earned her RNC .... road trip! Liz had a wedding to plan .... road trip! Any excuse .... road trip! Of course, then there was the Pandora bracelets which we all have and continue to collect!!! We DID IT!