Partly Cloudy

  Have you ever felt like crying, but not been sure why? I did today, and I'm still not sure why.  It was silly, because even though there were some disappointments, I had a truly lovely day.  This morning I got up at an unreasonably early hour and drove to Monmouth for the transfer student registration.  I even got there early, because there was no traffic at all and it wasn't rainy.  The talks were very helpful and informative, and there was an impressive amount of one-on-one help for registration etc.  I'm all registered for classes (although I might be tweaking  my schedule a bit) and it seems I'll have a pretty light load.  Afterwards, I found some cute things a mall, and retrieved a Craigslist purchase.  Well, I picked it up, getting it home was another matter.  You see, a bought a bookcase from a nice lady who is moving to Florida, but I didn't remember to bring anything to secure it in the truck, and it was threatening to rain.  I did eventually manage to wedge it in the cab, but it made for an interesting drive home :)

Things that didn't work out:
1. My cookies- no clue what I did wrong, but they weren't any good
2. The second half of the registration fair- I got delayed, and missed it completely
3. Hanging out- no one was around (and no kitten)
4. The purchase- I managed to not have exact change, and had to drive to the nearest store.

Things that did:
1. I drove all around and didn't get truly lost once! (even if I wasn't always quite sure where I was)
2. I got registered
3. I did find some adorable things
4. I met some really nice people
5. I have friends and family who love me
6. I have a Father who keeps me through everything in life- good and bad, up and down, and I can always lean on Him :)

Looking forward to meeting tomorrow :)

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations 

also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience

Rom 5:3

But let patience have her perfect work, 

that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing

James 1:4

So Buzzzzzzzz.....

  Sigh, I can't quite decide if I like working this much or not. On one hand, it means money to travel this summer, and start school in the fall.  On the other, it means I'm tired, and miss out on privileges I really enjoyed.  I miss going swimming with the Garret cuties in the morning, and miss my kids at Foster.
  I am getting a lot of new privileges though.  I've subbed 7 days in the last three weeks, and met about a hundred new students (don't ask me how many names I've actually remembered though). Just Monday I got a reminder of how many lives we touch, without even realizing.  A girl came up to me at the club, and told me that I was her little sister's idol, and that she had been very upset because she was sick that day, and couldn't come.  The little sister had spent Friday with me, and because there weren't many kids we played Mancala (we tied), trivia games, and just talked.  I had no idea how much it had meant to her, but it kinda made my job seem more meaningful :)

On a side note: I finally finished my application! Now to find time to send it.
But more importantly, bed- morning comes very early :P

Lazing in sunshine

  There's nothing nicer than the smell of fresh mown grass and sunshine, well, almost nothing.  Summer is approaching, and the days are getting warmer, sunnier, and just plain better.  Tuesday I had a two hour break between subbing and my third job of the day, and spent it sprawled in the bed of my truck, reading in the sunshine.  It was glorious :)
  This was my first week working in the actual Boys and Girls Club, and it worked out pretty well.  I'm in charge of Power Hour/the homework room, so it's much less stressful than the chaos of the games room...
Eeew, spider on my bedside table!!!
Dead spider in my trash can...
Now back to our regularly scheduled program :)

  Um, I went and visited Grandma and various friends and family in California during my spring break.  It was fun, and relaxing, and just wonderful in general.  It was windy and rainy all but two days while I was there, but I spent those two days at the pool, so that makes everything better :)
  Last week I did my own taxes for the very first time, and decided that I <3 Turbo Tax, it's amazing! I'm currently working on applying... still... I know, but I'm getting closer!  I also worked three jobs most of this week, so I haven't been lazy, just tired.  Oh, and the best part of switching locations *sarcastic applause* I'm not immune to the kids, and now I have a cold.  Yippee.

We also had a lovely visit the last couple days from Keith and Barbara on their way back to Alaska.  It was so nice to see them again.  I'm sure they'll be happy to be home, and their Wednesday meeting misses them :)

Life is busy, life is good, life is full of love and laughter, life is better because of friends and family, life is for eternity :)

In like a lion

I vaguely remember something about March coming in like a lion and out like a lamb.  I'm not so sure about that, but we've had our fair share of both types of days this month.  There were the days when I woke up to scenes like this

Sunlight streaming in my bedroom window

or wandered outside to see this

But then there were the other days, the days where the rain seemed unending, and the cold leaden sky gave no hints of spring's approach.  On those days a cozy fire to curl up in front of, a cup of tea, and a good book make all the difference.

(sorry abt the quality)

And then there was yesterday.  I woke up from my between meetings nap to the sight of the huge old oak in front of the house WHIPPING back and forth in the wind.  The wind was so strong it blew down trees and power lines all over the state, and left it littered with plant matter.  Entire cities were out of power, and in fact, I heard about 70,000 houses total lost power in the storm.  Our power was out for about 16 hours, and unfortunately since we are on a well, we didn't have running water either.  I feel bad for the power companies, they must have had a horrid time of it, and I think they still are having trouble, because the lights flickered a few times tonight.

Anyways, I finally did an update with pictures, and now I shall retire to bed feeling accomplished ;)

I guess some things we don't grow out of

  Things like making crazy long packing lists every time I'll be gone more than a couple of days.  I'm currently "packing" to go to Cali for spring break and see my grandma and cousins and all.  I can't wait, but I am a bit disappointed by the weather forecast.  I mean, really!?! Rain, rain, more rain, and temps barely higher than here.  Sigh, oh well, It's not like I'm going for the weather :)

  Another thing I haven't grown out of... MOOOOOOOOOOM!!!! Haha, I woke up really sick on Thursday, and that was my first instinct.  Actually, come to think of it, I called her a lot that day, poor mom.  It's not just getting sick either, can't figure out my taxes? Call mom.  Something goes wrong? Call mom. :) I think we talk as much or more now than we did when I lived at home, and I for one am enjoying it thoroughly.  I kinda hope this is one that I don't grow out of. <3

  The fact that I'm writing this instead of packing or sleeping like I ought to be is ample proof of the third thing.  Now this one I wouldn't mind growing out of, but it doesn't seem to want to happen any time soon.  Oh well, I guess I can't have everything.

Bragging

  I'm so proud of my little sister!  My older sister and I have always struggled with procrastination, and its been a trial both in and out of school.  The latest of our family to join Dad at the high school, however, is experiencing none of these difficulties.  This morning she asked me for help on an essay... an essay that isn't due for a month.  She'd already done her other homework, because she gets up early on Saturday morning to work on it.  Wow, I wish I'd done that... maybe I can learn to be as responsible as a 15 year old :).  She also just came in second at state for declamation, at STATE! This is the girl who doesn't like talking in front of people, and now she can't wait to do it again next year.  I am SO impressed :)

Growing up, a little

I'm feeling accomplished today, I knocked several things off my to-do list that I'd been avoiding :)

Call Western
Buy tickets
Return library books

Now only these left:
Do taxes
Clean Room
Write up week
Finish various sewing projects
etc... still daunting :P

  I would also love to actually get eight hours of sleep, but something tells me these are mutually exclusive goals. I must be getting old, I'm starting to reminisce about how easy life used to be, and wish I'd realized the value of naps ;)

  You know, I realized yesterday that it was my first valentines day since I started dating that I'd been single.  It was fun to work at the school, and remember the years where valentines day meant a sack full of candy and a passel of "best friends." The dread of giving a card to that one kid you never liked, and the tingling excitement of giving an extra-special card to the cute guy who sits near you, hoping he notices, but being scared he will at the same time. It was all so simple then, but of course, not to us :).  I guess it's still simple though- love from friends and family... and LOTS of chocolate ;)