Christmas Vacation, Good News, Probably another list.

Merry Christmas! I hope your Christmas has been as bright as mine. It has been so nice to be on vacation. I've almost forgotten what it feels like to be consumed by graduate school...but I'm sure I'll be reminded around January 12... Abby and I had such a nice Christmas. It has been very relaxing. It's going to be hard to take down all the decorations in our house. It looks so nice, that I hate to part with the festive decor! Abby's favorite Christmas gift is her new froggy toy. Mine is my new camera. : )

I have some really kinda good news. Too good to write on here...

Here's a list of things I consider on a daily basis...some life-altering and some, well, not so much..

• Moving...out of state...(post-master's)


• Going to school...PhD...(post-master's)


• Preparing for the very long process of saving money for the purpose of adoption


• Eating healthier...more veggies


• Exercising more frequently...aside from walking Abby twice a day...


• Getting rid of everything I don't use--Minimizing...


• Getting another dog...for Abby


• Traveling more


• Re-painting my dinining room


• Organizing my closets


• Going to the bookstore


• Wasting time...


• Purchasing an easle..for painting


• Planting new trees in my back yard

New wall art & a platinum frame; Happy Thanksgiving; The ten year list; Christmas lights hung outside

Today I opened a piece of mail and framed it. Okay, that's a figure of speech, but after I make my rounds with it to the bank, bill companies, and find the perfect frame, I will give it the honor of a good framin'.

Happy Thanksgiving. Hope yours was as blessed as mine and that you had turkey half as delicious as mine was (ha). I cannot list all I am thankful for here, so I'll just list a few: My savior=Christ, my family and friends and puppy-dog, my golden-sealed wall-art that just arrived. The blessings that this year has brought are unmeasureable. I cannot begin to explain how God works to bring us joy, even through a lot of hurt and pain. Thanks be to God for the changes he has made in my life in 2008 and will continue to make in 2009. Praise Him!

The Christmas lights are hung outside and currently burning up my electricity bill. I figured since I have a house now, I am obligated to deorate the front for this Holiday. So, I have a lovely wreath on the door and beaming white lights out front. Right now, they are just covering the shrubs along the brick, but if I get crazy and up on my ladder this weekend, there will also be icicle lights hanging from the second story overhang on my house. I'd have to get really wild to get those hung up though, so don't count on it. Just be satisfied that there are lights out front and that I have my tree up and copious decorations throught the interior. Abby should have a nice 2nd Christmas. After all, she has a stocking and I do not. In fact, all of the gifts are for her. I know, she's a brat-dog...

The 10-Step Ten Year List:

1. Find, join, become involved, and be financial able to give to a church, rather than just attending.
2. Master's degree (well on the way to finishing that one)
3. Begin PhD program, if convinced
4. Qualify for, become approved for, and start international adoption process (one of my callings in life, or so I believe, as decided at the ripe age of 7)
5. Established job. J-o-b. Yes. Um hmm. Can't wait.
6. Move somewhere. Out of state. For a limited time or forever. Who knows. I'm wild (snicker if you want, that's fine...).
7. Own a home with a larger backyard (Abby has informed me that this criteria is on her priority list for our second home)
8. Another puppy. That might move up to the 1 year plan. Yeah, right. Abby is too spoiled.
9. Learn how to be a really good cook.
10. A Christ-loving man to share the best part of my life with (optional: husband). And, you can put the part after the ":" at the very end of the 10 year plan and not count on it any sooner, unless God changes my plan--again.

Quit planning you life. I have. And, I'm better (i.e. happier) because of that.

~A salute to the new wall art~

How I've Spent the Last Three Hours; Potato Soup; Raisin Bran Cereal; Abby's Christmas Pictures

The Christmas tree is up. The Christmas photo cards have been ordered. Lights are ready to be hung outside. Wreath is on the front door. We're ready for Christmas at my house. But first, let's have Thanksgiving.

Currently, I am addicted to Raisin Bran cereal with a copious amount of sugar on top. Another aforementioned and well-known food addition of mine is Reese's Cups. Trying not to eat either of these on a day like today is quite the challenge. Thus, I have failed. I have been on the couch for the last three hours doing schoolwork: treatment reports and the research final. An additional contribution to my inability to refuse both of these foods is the gloomy weather outside. Despite the fact that I desperately need to get up and rake the leaves in both my front and back yards, I continue to sit and do homework. It's time for a break. Furthermore, ABC Family is having a countdown to their annual 25 days of Christmas movie marathon by airing Christmas movies. This has been greatly distracting for me. It has been so distracting that I have actually spent one hour of my time on the couch designing mine and Abby's 2008 Christmas card on the Walgreen's website. I'm to go pick them up this evening at the store. Consider yourself lucky if you receive one, as a limited quantity was ordered. Thanks to Anna for taking the pictures of Abby and I for the card. I have also spent a great deal of time today making white cheddar potato soup. It turned out to be delicious. On Tuesday, Abby and I will venture out of town for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We can't wait. She doesn't know yet, though, as I can't tell her until the day of because she gets too excited...

Mailbox

I'm expecting a certain piece of mail in the near future.
You'll be able to tell when it comes from the relieved look on my face.
If I'm smiling, it's because I'm pretty much ecstatic.

The CMAs are on right now. Can I just say how much I love watchin' George Strait win a few more?! The performances have been awesome, too.

Roll Tide, Roll!

Abby and I have ventured to Huntsville for the weekend and loved watching the tide win against LSU today! What a great game. It was intense! The fall weather is pretty much perfect this weekend and we have loved getting to be away for a few days.

Mom and I went to the Under the Christmas Tree event today at the civic center here in Huntsville and got some great Christmas gifts for people. I can't believe the Christmas season is so fast approaching! It's almost time to hang up my wreath on the door and get out a few seasonal items. Thanksgiving will come and go within the next few weeks. Incredible. Clinic is ending in two weeks. I though it was never going to be over, so I am stunned that we have all lived to tell about even to this point! Haha.

There's not much else to say this time, just a short note to say Roll Tide and Happy Fall!

Recently...

1. First and foremost, remember and make it a plan to get out and VOTE on Tuesday, November 4. Please be responsible and get out there.

2. The Sarah Bareilles/Marc Broussard/Raining Jane concert Monday night was incredible! We stayed after to meet Marc and his band. : )

3. Got the car back from the shop. It was a long week last week dealing with not having a car, so I got a rental. It was alright. I am glad to have Suzie home.

4. Abby had a good Halloween as a "monster." So did I. It was fun!

5. Thursday night was awesome! Several of us graduate students had a great time at Superior. It was fun to dress as a cat, though I could have done without all the purring at the bar. Nevertheless, it was a fun night of dancin' to a band and visiting with friends!

6. ROLL TIDE! #1! Amanda and I had a grand time in Tuscaloosa yesterday. It was a great day to go to the game. The weather was perfect, but a little hot where we were setting in the end zone... Still, we enjoyed the 35 and 0 win and the yummy BBQ.

7. Church was nice today. Amanda and I got lunch out afterwards, followed by shopping and pedicures. How relaxing it was.

8. This is going to be a long week! I can't wait for Thanksgiving in just a few short weeks. I always love November the most.

Car got towed

Monday was an excellent day. Two o'clock on Monday brought a lot of relief. So excited about the future...in the high-heels previously discussed..

It was Tuesday night. The perfect night to go out for a good dinner and half-priced margarita at a cheap Mexican restaurant with good friends. On the way back, my car stalled out and quit running entirely. It wouldn't start back up. The computer system in it had failed. Not sure how this happened to a relatively new car. So, it's at the dealership getting "fixed." I have a rental car, thanks to my kind friend, Caroline, for driving me around today. We'll hope that it's all covered under warranty, as the car people think it is!

Otherwise, this is a good, but busy, week. Fall Symposium is Friday. That's pretty exciting!

Here's a picture of little Abby from the vacation we took last weekend.

RED high heels

Today I bought five new pairs of shoes.

Two pairs are boots.

Three pairs are high heels.

One of the three pairs is bright RED.

Oh, yes, they are.

Oh, yes, I am already anxious to wear them.

Surprise.

Just a tinge...

I'm just a tinge...

...happy to get this good news.
...excited about the future.
...totally in love with the Lord.
...thrilled to be doing this master's program.
...proud of my sweet, sweet puppy.
...uneasy about midterms.
...preoccupied with the fall weather and cooler temperatures.
...hopeful that The Tide can take it all the way this season.
...obsessive-compulsive about raking leaves.
...full of anticipation.
...searching for the right opportunity to wear my great new outfit.
...dedicated to my family and friends.
...thankful for my life circumstances.
...faithful that I'm on the right path and never got off of it.
...delighted be on vacation.
...antsy about my future.
...curious of what that first job will be.
...worried about how often I'm craving chocolate.
...crazy.

Yep, that sums up the week just right. Abby and I are on vacation until Sunday evening. It's nice. We don't get away enough. I'm sure the leaves have totally covered my whole back yard, patio, and walkway since we've been gone, but I'll get to that Sunday evening, I suppose. Surely it'll be alright as long as the neighbors water my flowers. It's time to put out mums, anyway.. Thank goodness it is mid-term. I am so excited about that fact, aside from still having to take one last midterm exam on Tuesday. The next couple of weeks--well, really until the end of the semester--are going to be crazy.

Letting go of the life I planned for me (and loving it!)

Roll Tide! The Tide beat Kentucky today. I watched the game at Amanda's. She's on her way to my place now for our weekly spend-the-night before church. Speaking of church, I am so excited about that! It is such a great feeling to go into that place each time and feel revived with the love of Christ.

General wrap-up of the week:
Things went well this week. I'm enjoying clinic and classes. I'm probably a tiny bit better at the classes part, but am getting more comfortable doing clinic and think it'll all level out soon. Thursday night was so fun. Anna and I took Julie out for dinner and drinks for her birthday! It was the perfect Thursday night. Today I enjoyed some fall weather while shopping, a great football game, and a good pizza with my favorite friend! I might have some homework to catch up on tomorrow...

If you haven't heard "I'm Letting Go" by Francesca Battistelli, you should!

My heart beats, standing on the edge
But my feet have finally left the ledge
Like an acrobat
There’s no turning back

I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe

So I’m letting go
This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace
The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone

I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe

So I’m letting go
Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I’m not afraid
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
Feels like I’m falling and this is the life for me

*I totally advise following the advice in these lyrics!

All is well ?

Blair and I at the Coco Cohort Party

After the second week of clinic, I'm not sure how to answer the above stated question. Ha. It's been a reallllllly long and difficult week for us all, I presume. After having my first week of full clinic (which means two clients coming twice per week), I am worn out. Doing clinic isn't nearly as hard as planning for it--and we'll all attest to that!

Nevertheless, it's been a good week. I am still here, so that is one to list on the pros side. It was great to get out last night. Anna and I grabbed the most delicious Chinese food ever from the New China in Bluff Park (my old Hoover neighborhood). I've missed it too much since moving far, far from there midways through the summer. However, my new neighborhood has far too many perks for it to be a great concern, but I do have to make the trip to The China a few times a month! Dependency, you think? Today is going to be really exciting. Amanda and I are finally seeing the movie "The Women" and I deeply suspect that I will get some genuine enjoyment out of that one, if you know what I mean! Love it! Hopefully, we'll follow the movie with dinner..

On the subject of the debate last night: Go out there in November and "Barack the Vote!" Woot.

I got to thinking, it's almost time for a really spontaneous adventure. By planning to take a spontaneous adventure, one might suspect that takes the spontaneity out of it, but oh contrare...it can still be crazy. Fall break is coming up, after all...

Good things that happened this week:
1. Starbucks began serving their fall drinks (namely, the pumpkin spice latte)
2. The weather cooled off so much that I needed a light jacket to walk Abby at her routine 5:30 a.m. time slot
3. I got a sassy haircut, which would make any week go from okay to great
4. I think most of my cohort survived clinic
5. Ate at New China
6. Whatever happens today and tonight

"Whatever's out there waiting for me, I'm gonna face it will-ing-ly.."

Waiting for the weekend...I am so excited about the weekend. This first week of clinic has been entirely exhausting. For those of you who don't know what I mean by "the first week of clinic," I am referring to my first week of working as a graduate clinician in my graduate program at the university's speech and hearing center. Eeeek! It's crazy to think that I am actually working one-on-one with clients. It is such a pleasure (an exhausting and stressful pleasure, that is) to be working with children on their language skills. Good thing I am enjoying it so far...it is, indeed, what I plan to spend my life doing (if having children and being a mother doesn't work out so well, that is...which at this point, it appears that getting this master's is definitely in my favor..). Wonderful. I'm excited about the weekend, in part, because my family is coming down to visit. It's been long awaited for my dad to take a peep in my tool shed to see if the opossum is still residing there. I believe Abby and I saw it sneak out the back gate of the yard this afternoon, but I'm not sure that it was the opossum because we were standing in the kitchen looking out the glass doors. If it was the opossum, I fear for us all. Also, Friday will probably be a pretty sweet day. I don't have any clients to see, so I'll be doing homework at school all day and going to class. Late Friday afternoon, I am getting my haircut. That makes me pretty happy.

Abby turned one today. I surprised her with some presents--a couple of new toys, a blankie, a collar (as I'm transitioning her from a harness to a "big girl collar"), a new jacket, and some yummy little chewies. We're having a little party for her this weekend, as well. The dog is ruined. I know this.

Finally, I would just like to say how much I am looking forward to...well, everything! I am enjoying my master's program tremendously (that may change after next week's neurology test..), loving having so much time to spend with my friends, and really enjoying having this lovely house (minus mowing the grass every week and cleaning a bigger space). Things are working well for me. It's a good time...it's almost fall time...that's my favorite time.

If you don't know of Joss Stone's song "Right to be Wrong," you might ought to give it a listen:

"I've got a right to be wrong
My mistakes will make me strong
I'm stepping out into the great unknown
I'm feeling wings though I've never flown
Got a mind of my own
I'm flesh and blood to the bone
I'm not made of stone

Got a right to be wrong
So just leave me alone
I've got a right to be wrong
I've been held down too long
I've got to break
I can finally breathe
Got THE right to be wrong
Got to sing my own song
I might be singing out of key
But it sure feels good to me
Got a right to be wrong
So just leave me alone

You're entitled to your opinion
But it's really my decision
I can't turn back I'm on a mission
If you care don't you dare blur my vision
Let me be all that I can be
Don't smother me with negativity
Whatever's out there waiting for me
I'm going to face it willingly

I've got a right to be wrong
My mistakes will make me strong
I'm stepping out into the great unknown
I'm feeling wings though I've never flown
I've got a mind of my own
Flesh and blood to the bone
See, I'm not made of stone
I've got a right to be wrong
So just leave me alone"

Opossum..

I had a confrontation with a opossum. Things were going great with the whole having a house situation until yesterday when I went out to my tool shed to get out the mower, leaf blower, and broom to do my yard work. As I opened the door, something scrambled. I quickly closed the door, ran and jumped on my swing and screamed for my neighbor over the fence. After working up some courage, I re-opened the shed door and the critter was no where to be found. I guess it escaped when I wasn't watching. It was a giant opossum. I mean, about the size of Abby. My neighbors on either side have spotted it in their yards recently, as well. Is that not just concerning? Well, now I am afraid to let Abby out without me being out there, too. Eeeek! I have also recently had a chameleon run inside as I opened my glass door on the front of the house. I was going out to water the flower beds. The little lizard guy ran into the house and played a game of chase with Abby before heading straight up my full-length curtains. I had to pick the fella up with my hand and toss him outside. Ewww. I don't know what's going on around here. It's kind of becoming a jungle!

Aside from those happenings, graduate school is so busy! Clinic starts Monday. Everyone is overwhelmed with therapy planning. The weekend will be welcomed with a gathering of friends for movie night, a french themed Coco Channel party, and going to see The Women, which is premiering this weekend. We need the fun...let me tell ya..

Why things are really GrEaT right NOW:
1. Not to dwell on this, but...fall is coming. In fact, it's been in the high 60s when I walk Abby in the mornings.
2. Roll Tide! It's football season.
3. Spending more time with friends.
4. Graduate school is kind of fun...even the classes.
5. I love this neighborhood. And town.
6. I have been enjoying going to church with Amanda.
7. Abby is about to turn 1.

"It'll all get better with time.."

I am having so much fun these days. I am seizing the opportunity to travel and have more fun! How blessed am I! Oh, what a weekend. It was supreme. Abby, Katie, and I made the trek to Huntsville for the long weekend. It was wonderful! We watched the Tide win a game, spent a day on the lake, went shopping, had a cookout, and got free chicken from The Chicken. Could it have been more fun?! I was so happy with the Bama game. The win could have been, in part, due to Katie, my mom, and I all purchasing the same Bama t-shirt at Bama Fever early Saturday afternoon in preparation for the season kick-off. Clearly, we brought good luck to the game. My dad should be nominated as the best kabob maker ever--seriously. Friday evening we arrived to my house only to smell the scent of kabobs on the grill. They were stuffed with chicken, steak, shrimp, and veggies. Scrumptious! Saturday, after a morning of nothing but sleep and bacon eatin', we went shopping for fun things. I scored some great jewelry and the aforementioned Roll Tide shirt. Sunday was the best day at the lake since forever. We took Abby swimming and let her learn how to jump off of the dock by herself. It was adorable, really. We rode around in the boat for the afternoon, sunning and taking an occasional needed dip in the lake. Saturday night, we'd had a fish fry with the crappie I caught earlier in the spring. They were delicious. Today was free chicken day, so we swung by The Chicken on the way back and picked up our free chick-n-strips and an added treat: a vanilla milkshake. Yumm. So, the weekend was a success: lake, chicken, shopping, great company, a fish fry, and a win for the Tide. I'm just now cracking my neuroscience book to read for class..

On a side note, I am craving chinese from my old neighborhood of Bluff Park. Just puttin' this out there, but if anyone else feels the same way, let's get New China asap. I miss it soo much since the move to this far, far away land!

As if you (or I) had any doubt:

I bring you confirmation: my personality type, without a doubt, is ESFJ. However, I am tied on the F and T (feeling vs. thinking) part. I will break this tie and decisively opt for the F, rather than the T, in recognition of my strong emotional base for decision-making. Also of note is that the J part (judging=planning, organizing, motivated) part is affirmed by a score of 10 for J and 0 for P (perceiving, is it?). This is about the tenth time I have taken similar personality tests, all which reveal these results. I think this speaks volumes for what I have mastered, as well as what I have to work on, for my graduate studies. In fact, this time I took the test in our orientation session last Friday. So, know that what we deeply suspected is now in the affirmative.

Tomorrow is the official start of graduate school. This weekend was spent having as much fun as possible before school rules me. I found some great shopping this weekend and got some great things for back-to-school. If you were uncertain whether buying things for back-to-school applies to levels as high as graduate school, note that it does. Also note that I will back-to-school shop for my PhD. program, as well. : )

For now, I am focused on making this a great semester of school. In the immediate future, Abby and I are excited about our next trek up to Huntsville. We're hoping to squeeze in some lake time, as well. I cannot wait for fall..

Reasons why fall is great:
1. Cooler weather!
2. Cute clothes, esp. coudoroy, cardigans, and tweed!
3. The smell of the air (it's indescribable, but quite distinct)
4. The excitement of the coming Holidays
5. People have good energy after taking a summer off
6. The food is good. Think soups and chilies.
7. The leaves change. Which is why I'm going to the Mts. this fall, as I've always wanted!
8. My mom tends to cook more--better, even--casseroles for me to freeze and eat for a while.
9. My hair is finally going brown(er)...oh, you just wait!
10. The T.V. line-up is good again...(of note here is the much-awaited premier of THE OFFICE).

This moment, I am HOPEful

I have met what might be the greatest group of people in the last two days! I am so lucky to have such a great, diverse, talented, intelligent graduate school "cohort." It has been wonderful to finally see all of the faces that will be some of my closest friends and colleagues over the next 18 months (that's about how long we have until we are out practicing off-site). I am so excited. I really am. It's been a while, but I finally feel CONTENT with what I have and BLESSED to be surrounded by such wonderful, God-loving people. Yesterday I got to know several of the new girls by meeting up to go buy books together and later cooking a Mexican dinner together. It was great fiesta. It was like we all showed up to my new friend Caroline's as strangers and left as old friends. What a wonderful feeling. I think we have such a unique "learning community," to borrow from this week's orientation theme, at Montevallo. I continue to be impressed by my professors and peers. And, oh my, how we know how to have a good time outside (and sometimes inside of) classes. I could not be looking forward to the semester more, besides the frequent feelings of nausea about my clinic caseload! Ha. Am I really equipped with the skills I need to "fix" speech issues in kids?! We will be finding out... I feel uplifted after tonight's dinner at our department chair's house. It was nice spending some much needed down time with our faculty. OH, GOD is SO FAITHful. I am so proud to be His. Though all the dark times, the LIGHT is shining--and oh, how bright it SHINES...just you wait! This is a good time. But how will I feel come next week when the workload is bearing down on me and exams and projects start looming overhead?

Oh, the wisdom of age ten is deeper than I thought.

Today was nice. I spent time with my puppy, (obsessively) watched some Olympics, and went to a great cookout with the family I worked for this summer. I took their ten-year-old girl to paint pottery for the afternoon before the cookout. I love painting. We got to the place and I figured I paint a trinket box, knowing that I could use another little box (it's not like I have a hundred or anything)..so, she chose to paint the same thing. We got our box, paint, and brushes and sat down to paint. A few minutes into painting -out of nowhere- she went off on one of her wiser-than-my-age sermons about how people are generally afraid of things that they shouldn't be afraid of. "Grown-ups," she said, "are so scared of painting with bright colors--scared of difference in life...you know?" I nodded. "Why do you think that is? I mean, why are grown-ups all uptight about everything...they like things just their way." I looked up from my painting toward her. "They are just afraid of change..that's really what it is." I agreed with her. She continued to talk about how adults should have a more child-like understanding of things. I agreed. Only moments later the conversation had switched to talking about horses and what's new on the Disney Channel these days. It was a reminder of simplicity. How funny to hear her articulate her thoughts on what grown-ups are like. It was, indeed, as if she was inside my mind today. How funny, right? I love the mindset of ten-year-olds. Maybe we should all try to adopt their attitudes about life. They make my heart smile. :)

Vacation time

Abby and I have been on a long trip out of town. We just returned tonight and already my puppy is asleep. She wouldn't even eat dinner, she was so tired. Just wants to sleep. Poor Little Bear. We ran away to Huntsville for a few days and spent some time in Nashville with some good friends. I can't wait to do it again. It was so much fun. The shopping was alright, too. I hope we have a good fall this year, I bought some great fall clothes! All I have watched is the Olympics since they started. I love watching the swimming and diving. The gymnastics are pretty exciting, too. The drive back today was long, but so nice. It rained the entire way--just kind of softly. In fact, I think it's still raining now. That helped Abby sleep so I could just drive and listen to music. It's only two weeks until graduate school starts up...I've still got to go get the books and everything. I plan on continuing this vacation lifestyle through the next two weeks, so I'll be doing some major relaxing, lunch and dinner dates, and movie-going. It should be excellent. I'm awaiting a furniture delivery that I hope comes early tomorrow morning. It's my two red sofas and coffee table. Oh yes, red sofas. They are a nice crimson color...that will be especially fitting for the fall. Roll Tide. Can't wait to go to some games. It's going to be great.

Perfect weekend

This weekend was great! Abby and I had my family here to visit. That was such a treat. We had a great time. We certainly ate well as we always do, but this time we used my new grill. Amanda came for a cookout and it was excellent. The yard landscaping is nearly complete, complemented by my weekend purchase of a swing for the patio. Abby has taken it over--it was supposed to seat two... I'm so thankful for such a great weekend. I have cute pictures of Abby during the excitement to put up later.

Weekend Successes:
1. Front flower bed is completed
2. Swing is out back on the patio ready for visitors
3. Grill is put together and already completed a test round that yielded perfect shrimp, steak, and chicken kabobs
4. House is clean and awaiting the final furnishings

Listening to the rain

It's late (by my standards for a week night) and raining. Yes, I get that it is only in the 10 o'clock hour, but I am usually sleeping by now! I have two days off work and I always love time off work because I get to be on my own schedule. How fun. Tomorrow will be filled with groceries and errands. Oh, how I love a good, long Publix run and lingering in shops here and there--it ought to make for a nice day. My family is planning to make it down for the weekend, so I am counting on my dad helping finish my landscaping. Unfortunately, laying grass (and keeping it alive) is not my strength in this world, though all of my flowers are still making it fine since my planting the other week. Jon and Kate + 8 is on right now. I don't even know what comes on at this time of night. Wild.

Things I Want to do ONE [distant] Day:

1. Backpack across some place
2. Take another cruise...and another...
3. Work on [and potentially earn] my PhD.
4. And, [in conflict with the previous] work part-time or no-time [to fulfill the following].
5. Have a family of my own, including children--a houseful would suit.
6. Move to South Carolina (It's a lovely state. Been much?)
7. Get another puppy...Abby needs a sister. I'd like to have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel...

An ideal weekend

Sumo dinner with great friends!

Some of my flowers out front!

Abby and I after her "spa" day.

This was such a great weekend! One of my best good friends, Meghan, came to visit from Atlanta. It was great. We caught up over great food on Friday night and shopped Saturday! Abby had gone to the "spa" on Friday, and was cute through Saturday morning, before she played in the flower beds! Nevertheless, the dog is "cleaned," cut, and has a cute pink bow on each ear--what she should always look like! Right... After the fun of Saturday night at dinner, today Meghan, Amanda, and I had such a hard day...we layed at the pool tanning and relaxing. I did get home this evening and do yardwork, though, so I have done a little work this weekend. It was perfect.

Wishing the week away

I'm always wishing away the week by Wednesday. Can't wait until the weekend--this one in particular. My good friend from Atlanta is coming to visit, so that should make for a fun time to catch up. I'm looking forward to visiting on the patio [over a bottle of wine], chatting about life, and getting some shopping done. It will be fantastic. It's a shame to wish away such a fun week as this one could be, but by Wednesday I am just so ready to go without a schedule! Unfortunately, the dog does not feel the same...so I am always on her schedule. This summer I have wished away more time that ever, but I really have enjoyed working as a nanny this summer. It has been so much fun to go to the pool and do ten-year-old projects and live in the dramatic world of two ten-year-olds. Most frequently I find myself reminiscing my early summers, trying to pinpoint what I did each summer of my life, and imagining what I will do in the summers to come--knowing that there won't be another one like this--just wondering how things will continue to change and being amazed by the path this life has taken. More than likely, I'll be working in the coming summers, as the kids I nanny for often remind me that this is the "last summer of my childhood," as they know that I'll be taking classes next summer and finishing my master's coursework that following fall. Haha, I think, the last summer of my childhood, but in so many ways, it really is that final summer. So, it is what it is and, come what may, it will be what God wills it be. That was rather nostalgic and, indeed, it was vague. How unlike me...

Favorite foods (in honor of my Ruby Tuesday's dinner tonight with Katie):

1. THE chicken #1 add cheese with sweet tea
2. Cinnamon waffles
3. Salad with italian dressing
4. Strawberries
5. Sorbet (raspberry, namely)
6. Pasta (anything)
7. Steak and shrimp

Cinnamon waffles, please

Have you tried frozen cinnamon waffles? Well, you ought to. Noticing that I was out of them tonight, I immediately headed to Publix to get more. They are wonderful. Perfect to eat on the go with work these days, as I opt to skip the syrup and butter. I also picked up some delicious chocolate ice cream, though I don't eat chocolate ice cream. There is a time for everything. Today, it's chocolate ice cream. Today I got great news that my good friend is coming for a visit to my new house from Atlanta. There is bound to be shopping, good food, and great wine. How wonderful the weekend will be! It is expected that my final furnishings will also be delivered this weekend--namely, my sofas. Wonderous. Abby is feeling better after he terrible sickness after our trip to the lake. She got a little wild jumping off the dock...thank goodness for puppy lifejackets. Will have to get up a video of brat dog's swimming experience. Since I don't have anything to make a list of this time, I'll end after jabbering about not much of anything..

Fall is coming

I get that it's only nearing mid-July, but fall is coming. Autumn is my favorite time of year. Good things happen in the fall, the air is crisp, leaves are colorful and crunchy, chimneys start up, and the Tide takes the field. I also like the general principle of Autumn: trees shed their leaves to expect new ones in the spring...it's a preparation time for what will be..love it. There just isn't anything I like more than fall weather. Summertime is great, but if I'm not near water at every moment, I'm not satisfied. It's hot--sticky hot. Sticky, humid hot. Thankfully, I glisten in the sunlight, like all of you other women. Being on the lake in the boat reeling in a bass or lounging on the dock relaxes me. And the food! Oh, summer food on the grill...pineapple, peppers, and the like on kabobs. Still, I welcome that crisp, fresh air...
This year I will welcome it with the start of my regular two-year graduate program at Montevallo where I am earning my master's in speech-language pathology, not such a far cry from my bachelor's in English, eh? I am seizing control of my future and studying what will make, for me, a very satisfying career (in which I intend to work part-time..shh!). Last year I was a part of the graduate program for this year (if that makes sense) as a non-background student. Basically, I took about nine or ten courses that are most necessary for success in the master's program. That caught me up from having no academic background in SLP to feeling, well, moderately knowledgable about SLP. Grand--so it seems.

Well, I have concerns for the fall and here they are (knowing already how much I enjoy lists...and crossing items off of them in the future..):

1. Preparing for clinic
2. Succeeding in clinic
3. Being a good clinician
4. Studying enough
5. Having a solid background for the new material
6. Not being overwhelmed

First things first

We'll see where this goes...this is my attempt to be more dilligent at recording what is happening in my life (namely, graduate school) and where I see it going. Perhaps, this will be inspirational for me in some way. It might even help me prioritize, though my OCD-like tendencies help with that, as well. It might even help me rediscover how much I like writing and the literary world, seeing how I've tilted to the sciences for a career (meaning, speech-language pathology) from my love of literature classes in college. I'll try to update it somewhat routinely and Abby, my precious puppy, will make frequent appearances, too.

Here are some things I need or want to do:

1. Stay committed to my daily devotional Bible study
2. Succeed in my master's program
3. Read more
4. Finish decorating my new house
5. Learn how to landscape (and it look good)
6. TRAVEL
7. Save more money
8. Visit friends
9. Get a new camera
10. Update my iPod, meaning actually add songs to it and use it