Got my A

I'm glad that class is done. I got my A and a week of vacation! Yay!

Research Paper Due

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

It's not that I haven't written these things before (I've written no less than 14 since last September), but this one is just different.

I think I can.

fishy on the loose

This morning, as I was on the porch trying to fix the railing that got busted by the slamming screen door in the raging wind the other night, I saw a large orange tail fin flip out of the stream behind my house. It's the second time I've seen this and I just couldn't resist tromping through the wet grass, dodging my neighbor's doggie's poo, and risking life and limb from duck attacks just to get a better glimpse of this fish. At first, I couldn't find it. But I waited a few seconds and there it was--the biggest goldfish I have ever seen! Brenna, too, thought the sight was worth facing the obstacle course that is our yard and joined me by the side of the stream. She was not disappointed. The fish flipped and flopped joyously in the water. What a fun and beautiful sight!

32 presentations

From 9 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. I gave more than 30 mini presentations about being a freelance writer to grade schoolers. My name is Brenna's Mom and I'm the writer lady. I am going to write on the blackboard now in hopes that this message will sink into my brain:

I will never do that again. I will never do that again. I will never do that again.
I will never do that again. I will never do that again. I will never do that again.
I will never do that again. I will never do that again. I will never do that again.
I will never do that again. I will never do that again. I will never do that again.
I will never do that again. I will never do that again. I will never do that again.
I will never do that again. I will never do that again. I will never do that again.
I will never do that again. I will never do that again. I will never do that again.
I will never do that again. I will never do that again. I will never do that again.
I will never do that again. I will never do that again. I will never do that again.

Career Day

I am scheduled to go to my daughter's school tomorrow and talk about freelance writing. All day long. From kindergarten through fifth grade. What was I thinking when I signed up for this? Oh, boy. I actually agreed to be a back-up, but as luck would have it, it didn't work out that way. They put me in the roster from the get-go. It'll be good experience, though. If nothing else, it will be an adventure of sorts. Speaking of adventures, I almost forgot about the one I had the other day...

I bought this large bookshelf from Salvation Army last week. I dutifully brought my tape measure to the store and made sure the shelf would fit in the back of my Rendezvous. My mom accompanied me, either for support or a good laugh. I think I nearly gave her a heart attack instead. So, the shelf did not fit in the SUV wannabe. I measured the inside of the car but not mouth of the hatch and the opening was roughly half an inch shy of four feet wide. And yes, the bookshelf is exactly four feet wide. No way, no how was this shelf going in that vehicle.

We set our eyes upon the luggage rack atop the car. Well, we thought, we brought three small bungee cords ... We had to drag this six-foot by four-foot monster through the store and out the door by ourselves (more about this later), and I was not about to leave the store without the shelf. A lady who had been watching us struggle with our dilemma decided to lend her man to us, you know, for brute strength purposes. The man and I hoisted this thing on top of my car; it straddled the luggage rack and took the entire length of the roof. I scrounged through the trunk compartments and found an adjustable tether. My mom and I used it and the wimpy bungee cords to strap the shelf to the inside handles of the car. And then we drove down 20 miles per hour down Grand River, detoured by Lake Chemung, came round by Latson by way of Golf Club, and ended at her house, where thankfully, my dad was able to better secure the load.

"I can't believe you did that," Mom said. See, I'm still a little unpredictable...

Mother's Day

The best Mother's Day bouquet is made of dandelions, given with love with stems strewn through little, muddy, pudgy fingers.

Spring

The trees are once again alive with color. That is what I love about spring--the greens and pinks and purples and all the other varieties that strike my eye. Also the breezes and soft, flowery scents. I am always inspired by the rejuvenation that takes place each year around this time. I have an annual struggle with my own good intentions for making my lawn pretty and welcoming that seem to fall short of expectation. So far, I'm on that familiar path--the one that leads from high hopes to a few random flower pots that guard the shed. I want to be more of an outdoorsy person, I do. So, let's get this party started! Today I will plan and price out a garden patio for the backyard. With any luck, I will be able to lure in some Mother's Day help and get the job done this coming weekend. Better run along. I've work to do!

Tuesday already?

Most of my posts revolve around days of the week lately. Time just goes so fast! Tomorrow is Tuesday and I already have so much to get done. Car stuff, mostly. And cleaning...

Sunday, oh Sunday

The kids are sleeping (finally). It's been a long day and I'm glad tomorrow is Monday. Mondays are free days for me. Matt has them off and the kids (except Paige) are in school. I can get so much done!

weekend? what's a weekend?

Saturdays and Sundays are major homework days for me. I have six assignments due this week and they are in a subject I just don't get. Saturdays usually involve me taking my girls to grandma's house so I can get my homework done. Grandma and Papa keep the girls overnight and take them to church in the morning. Today is different, though. Papa needs a break from the chaos three young children often bring to a quiet house. I have no idea how I will ever get my homework done now, but I will manage. I started on it during the week, but as I said, I just don't understand the subject. My law class was much easier than this quality & project management class. Oh well. Time to take Brenna to a birthday party and Lisa and Paige to the park. Homework will have to be done after they go to bed.

What a week

Thursdays are always hard on me. Those are my class days, and this particular class is wearing me out. I just keep counting down the days until it's over. And then I get a week off before starting the next one. One more year of this... Should I really go for my master's degree? That's a whole lot more class. I'm tired just thinking about it.

Tomorrow is Friday, but this weekend will bring little (if any) relief from my hectic routine. Homework, homework, homework. The kids will be home this weekend, too, which makes doing that homework near impossible. Oh well. I shall survive! I might not get an A, but I will make it through.