Travel, homework, travel, zzzz

I'm not sure what I was thinking! Yes I do~ I was convinced that my 75% travel job would allow me time to go to my hotel room in the evening and do homework without the distractions of home; no lawn waiting to be mowed, house waiting to be cleaned, ,,,you get the idea.
I am taking two on line classes this term plus committed to completing 5 essays for PLA.
My travel was a little less at the beginning of the year, but has picked up. So last week I was in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Beautiful sunny weather, the softest sand I have ever felt; like baby powder. But being committed to school I trudged up to my hotel room only to find the 'free wireless', less than cooperative.
Working at a supplier's site this last week was exhausting and very rewarding. Working with them we were about to help them find a way to improve thier specific process by about 350%. Halfway through the week, both my co-worker and I decided that walking two blocks to dinner was too far, so we drove. Needless to say I then needed some serious zzzzz's which I got a few of, but not much.
To add to all of this, I had the 'pleasure' of seeing television this week and watching all the warnings about swine flu and how I shouldn't be traveling in an airplane...what? great! I still needed to get home, do laundry, homework and pack for another flight out Monday. This time it's to Nashville. As much as I have always wanted to go there, I will not be doing any sight seeing.
I am going to push through this 20 credit term, and then go back to a normal full time schedule of about 12. I will still be able to reach my goal of Graduation by June 2010, but have a little more balance. Ok, enough bloggin' time to get after my next essay....ciao' for now

Sunday dinners

I remember when we would go to Hood Canal with my family and spend the weekend with my Grandma GG. We would get clams, crab, oysters and goeduck. We would spend the day at the beach and the evenings laying around their living room floor watching TV or just visiting. I loved the afternoons when we would sit around and shell crab into a large yellow tupperware bowl at the center of the round oak table. ~ One bite for me, One bite for the bowl.~
I want to create that sort of environment with my family and have started having Sunday dinners a couple of months ago. It started out as an every other week event, but is growing into weekly. My son and his fiancee' come over, and Kelly and her girls, my mom came over last week. I can't wait for Heather's family to move closer and start joining in.
It has been a great way for everyone to catch up on each other's lives and spend time just being with each other. We spent yesterday afternoon outside helping to clear away the leaves of a former rhodie and cooking together, each of us doing what we wanted to.

During this time in my life and in the time of the world craziness, it is more important to me than ever that I spend time with my family.

Spring Fever

I think I've caught a bad case of it. The weather started turning nice and I've just wanted to be outside working in the yard. I've cut back three rhodie bushes/trees, each over 6 feet tall and two to go before the small bobcat comes in to dig up the roots. I removed the rest of the brick patio from the back 40. I even went and bought a new mower since my other one died. And while I was at it, the weedeater died too....so another new tool came home with me. My lawn looks great now.

As for school, well I am keeping up on my weekly classes, but have fallen behind on my PLA papers so I need to hit it double time to make sure I complete all five by mid-June. ARGH!

Work is good, a little crazy right now, but good. I am so thankful to have the job that I do.

Easter

Happy Easter to you!
I am spending it at home with my sister and two nieces. My son and his fiancee' are coming over for dinner, along with my mom.
I've spent most of the morning reflecting on how important Christ is in my life and what a difference he has made.
I am, and will be forever, grateful for my family and friends.
Have a truly blessed day.....

Earth Mother??

Today I got up early, scraped the thin layer of ice off of the Suburban and headed to our town's recycling sales day. I got in line with all the other anxious people ready to make a difference...but mostly we just wanted to save $$$$ on our 'earth friendly' items. I got two 90 Gallon rain barrels for watering the plants & lawn this summer ($35 ea. instead of $179), then a couple of "Earth Machine" composts, one for me and one for my son-in-law. I felt great about beating the crowd and saving $$, I enjoyed some dried organic apples for a snack and started homework and decided it was too nice for me to be inside all day. After all it was a day to focus on health and our natural resources.
I began to unload the rain barrels and discovered they came up to my shoulder when they slid out of the back of the truck! ~Strange, I didn't notice them being that tall when the handsome man was loading them for me.~ None the less, I proceed. What happens next is almost~almost~ funny...I try to figure out how to man handle this thing and discover that there is not only no place to hold it, but it's HEAVY!
So, I decided to maybe move it end over end....but not so easy when it's flat on one side and round on the other....that's when I got the first bruise! right on my shin...#$@#$%$^$, yes, it hurt!
I wrangle the thing into a position to try and pull it along....not a great idea with the pine needles, garbage cans and assorted yard care items in my path. That's when all goes into slow motion and I see myself falling over the barrel and the same shin is now hurting again. ~

I decide not to look under my jeans until I've figured out a way to master this beast. I just don't want to know...After a few more minutes of wrestling I found my arms in a position that worked! I could easily pick it up....and do.
Having placed both barrels into a temporary storage spot until I decide to hook them up to my gutters and drainage system, I retreat back into the house.
Earth Mother time is finished , now sporting a 4 inch long scrape and bruise on my shin for my efforts.
Homework and something really UNhealthy is calling my name....ok, I guess its a little funny :>)

Spring Break was great!

So, I got all of my PLA (prior learning) papers reviewed and all were recommended for credit!
Yeah! last term knocked out 18 credits toward my degree!
Last week was Spring Break and I enjoyed it! I started out by having dinner with a great friend- Christi and some great wine.
I read 3 novels and watched about 6 movies! Now I can't wait for Angels and Demons to come to the big screen. Fell in love with "The Last Holiday" movie all over again.
My sister and her two teenage daughters moved in a little over a week ago and we are adjusting rather well to a house full of FOUR women...
I topped off the week with a weekend downtown Seattle with the same two nieces. We attended the Northwest Women's show, stayed in the downtown Hilton, did some shopping and then Sunday did the Underground Tour of Seattle. Did you know that one of the largest contributors to our early city budget was the taxation on our "seamstresses?" http://www.undergroundtour.com/ Of course the girls loved the associated ghost stories.
(I'll post some pics soon)
I definitely took advantage of the week off and started another term of school yesterday.
This is another busy term with 21 credits on my plan.....then taking it easy with 9-12 for the summer!

We had so much fun!!

Just a short note, I'm still seeing a bit blurry...you'll see why.....
My grand kids and I had a great time this weekend.
Jackson, Abagayle and I dug up an old brick patio and removed the bricks to prepare for the fence coming in. They were soooo cute trying to drive/move the wheelbarrow...I needed to lend a little help.
We played games, went to the library and make cookies on a stick, which they decorated with sprinkles, even had lunch at their favorite spot - Costco!

I had a great visit with my daughter as well. She brought me a thoughtful gift and as always I enjoyed just spending time talking with her.
Monday morning I ended up with a gift from Lorelei,,,pink eye - oh boy!
Got on the drops yesterday, but the eye was even more swollen this morning.
(hence the blurriness)
I have soooo much more sympathy for babies now that have this...
Forgot to get pics, but please know that we had a great time and I can't wait to see them again.
Time to go put warm, wet washcloth on my eye....looks like I got punched!!

Ciao' for now, V-