My Summer Vacation

It's hard to believe that summer is over. Today marked the official first day of fall which forced me to reflect on all that I accomplished this summer season past.
I managed to complete an intense four week summer quarter at my alternate university. That felt like quite an accomplishment. I even received a 3.9 total GPA from it.
I was fortunate enough to visit family for an extended period of time. That was probably one of my favorite memories made. I was able to experience a part of the world I otherwise would have never known. As well as getting to know how to handle a gun and make pinecones (aka: "grouse") dance. Thanks Uncle Ron!!
We put our house on the market. That was a brave act of craziness. The icing on that cake was seeing how creative my husband can be with a crockpot and outdoor flowers. Ah, memories.
And now we are working on the joyful occassion when my sister will be married. I have a feeling that the wedding, the sale of our house, and midterms will all come together in one perfect storm to drive me even closer to the 200 mark on the scale. Or at least that much closer to a Sloe Gin Fizz (two shots of Sloe Gin, topped off with collins mix equals theraputic goodness!).
Stay posted folks for updates on all the above, not too mention the exciting new quarter at school that starts on Monday.
Happy Fall!!

The Great Purge of '08

Finally got around to cleaning out my closet after seven years of neglect. I somehow managed to purge most of what I needed to in one day. The craziest thing I came across while sorting through the pack-rat mess? Bird feathers. No, not cute-pink-bachelorette-party-feather-boa feathers. Actual real live bird feathers. They were in a handbag. I was prepared to dig into an old purse and find a stick of gum older than my dog, but bird feathers? WTF??
I wish I could remember the night they got in there. Ah, youth.

Hopeless Housewife Strikes Again

How do you know it's been too long since you last pulled out your Dyson and/or actually did some housework?

When you discover before bed that you've been walking around with a dead bug on your foot all damn day.

EEWWWW!

'nuf said.

Satisfactory Expectations

Since I am working towards a creative writing minor I have enrolled myself in literature classes this summer. Unfortunately I am pretty much clueless when it comes to knowing anything of "the classics". I started reading Anna Karinnina two years ago and have yet to complete even half of the novel. But I was pleasantly surprised when, on a hot sunny day last week, I picked up the Charles Dickens book assigned to us, Great Expectations. Most people know Dickens from his story, A Christmas Carol with Uncle Scrooge, etc. or perhaps you may remember the movie based on Great Expectations with Gwenyth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke. Either way, if you want to at least say you've read a classic piece of literature without having to gouge your eyes out trying to figure out what's going on, check out G.E. The link will lead you to the Amazon site where you can read a brief excerpt to find out for yourself.
The thing that impressed me the most about this book, was the quick pace of the story. Things were always moving forward at a rate that had me devouring pages. There were enough twists and turns and moments that left me with my mouth gaping open, but not so much that I couldn't keep up. Drama, intrigue, suspense, and mystery were all main characters in this masterpiece.
I highly recommend purchasing this book and letting yourself fall into it. If for no other reason than it makes you look especially smart while working on your tan at the beach. ;0)
Happy reading!

Okay, so it's only been about a hundred years since I've posted last. I am happy to report that I'm feeling much better, but I'm the only one in my house who is. Sigh.
The weather out here has been crrraaazzyy!! We had one of the longest electrical/thunder/just-plain-nuts kind of storm I've ever seen. The cool part? My husband stood in his skivvies on our front porch to watch it. Ah, l'amour.
I've also been attending another University for the summer. It's a huge and beautiful old campus. It stressed me out the first week and a half. Not only is the place enormous, but it's right in the heart of one of the busiest districts in the city. I, my dears, am SO not a city mouse. I'm a proud and simple country mouse who likes her one-way streets right where she can see them! However, once I figured out where the closest Starbuck's was located, I knew the world was right again.
Unfortunately, that's all the time I have for updates. I have an entire Shakepearean play to get through and 57 pages of John Ruskin after that. Plus, I have to try and squeeze sleep in there somewhere so I'll be refreshed and ready for my two-hour morning commute! I'm not worried though, it's only 9 o'clock, after all. Heh.
Have a great and safe Fourth of July people! And if you need a little something to get you through the day before a holiday, check out this link and laugh your tookis off yer chair!

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Finally finished my first quarter at University and how do I get to spend my two weeks off? By spending 90% of it sick. Luckily, my old man got the same bug and we were able to curl up in blankets and watch almost every movie we own. While it sucked to be two snotty messes, it was nice to snuggle up together whenever a chill over took us. Sigh. Hopefully the next school break will be a lot more productive.
I do get to start a 16 day intensive quarter at another University for summer classes. I was able to get up there to purchase books and see where my classrooms were. The good news? It's a beautiful and historic campus. The bad news? My classes are ten minutes apart but it's a fifteen minute walk to get there. I suppose the run will be good for me and my ass.
Now it's back to antibioctics and chicken soup.

Something Quick and Sweet

The quality is pretty poor, but this is what I have looking back at me as I'm studying for finals this week. I thought it might bring a smile to those who gaze upon it. God bless bulldogs!