"Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing." -Franklin
I thank you...
for your kind souls.
for your honest generosity and well wishes.
for often protecting my heart in the chaos of life.
for looking past my many flaws and finding what's best to love in me.
for your eagerness to help.
for your utter unwillingness to ever hurt.
for your genuine happiness in my share of life's good fortune.
for your shoulder to lean on when I am weary.
for the safe place any of my tears could fall.
for your wit, your laughter, your sparkling intelligence.
for trusting me.
for accepting with grace my simple gifts and tokens.
for teaching me what you've learned.
for your loyalty and love.
for valuing my friendship too.
for giving me more reasons to live.
Thank you for sharing your lives with me,
for I am far the better because of you.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Say Cheese... lots of it
A coworker of J.D.'s brought us back a wheel of Wisconsin cheese since J.D. gave her an "Idaho Spud" from our trip over Christmas. Blah, I dislike Spud bars, but hey, I love me some cheese.
Cheese... it's what's for dinner.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Maybe time to dust it off
Today I began research into getting my passport renewed and acquiring one for J.D. Apparently, it costs $75.00 to renew them and $100.00 to get a new one! Sheesh. And they're only good for 10 years. Although, I was rather surprised to learn you can renew your passport via mail.
Anyway, I have a bit of good news. I heard back from the British Association for Romantic Studies that my Blake paper was accepted. I decided to send my paper, sort of saying "what the hell?" to myself-- "I'll give it a try." I mostly did it just because I made myself meet a deadline. And, to my amazement and joy, they want me there! So, it occurred to me, this would be an excellent opportunity to get my beloved husband to travel to Europe with me. It gives us a reason/excuse to go. (J.D. can be adorably cheap). It's also something I'm looking forward to and think will help motivate me to get going with other things I need to do. So, right now it's my dream that hopefully we'll be able to work toward, save for, and realize together.
Also, I'd like to invite friends to come with us in July. Let's all go!
Anyway, I have a bit of good news. I heard back from the British Association for Romantic Studies that my Blake paper was accepted. I decided to send my paper, sort of saying "what the hell?" to myself-- "I'll give it a try." I mostly did it just because I made myself meet a deadline. And, to my amazement and joy, they want me there! So, it occurred to me, this would be an excellent opportunity to get my beloved husband to travel to Europe with me. It gives us a reason/excuse to go. (J.D. can be adorably cheap). It's also something I'm looking forward to and think will help motivate me to get going with other things I need to do. So, right now it's my dream that hopefully we'll be able to work toward, save for, and realize together.
Also, I'd like to invite friends to come with us in July. Let's all go!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Speaking of naughty
"It doesn't matter what color the cat is as long as it catches mice." -Chinese Proverb
Maybe it does matter, or at least make a difference in personality. I ran across this information tonight from a book called Animals Make Us Human by Dr. Temple Grandin.
A small part of one of her chapters examines research on cats' colorings and behavior patterns.
Grandin suggests that black cats (generally) make the friendliest cats, while tortoiseshells are typically "naughty torties." This rings true in the context of my personal experience.
Although, Athena is technically a "Torbie" (tortoiseshell-tabby) as Catherine taught me, she definitely has what they call "Tortie-tude."
Anyway, according to this book, black cats tend to be more social overall with other cats and humans. It discusses how black fur is a recessive gene, needed from both parents. So, it is a trait that has been selectively bred. Grandin states (but doesn't follow-up or impact) an assertion that the black fur gene has evolved four different times in four different species of cat. She also remarks that a researcher with the feline genome project theorizes black cats may be resistant to viruses in the HIV family. Grandin argues that orange male cats are more aggressive than black males. She says orange cats tend to be more fearful and shy, so they express more of what she calls "fear aggression" if they are provoked or cornered. Although, she is careful to clarify that neutered orange males and females can be extremely affectionate (even if they may still startle easily). She ends by restating that all cats are truly individuals, and color doesn't guarantee personality, but these are traits researchers are beginning to investigate.
I don't know about the orange cat part, but I agree black cats are very affectionate and like to be around people (at least "their" human/s). And I can testify that "torbie-tude" does exist. Oh yes it does.
Maybe it does matter, or at least make a difference in personality. I ran across this information tonight from a book called Animals Make Us Human by Dr. Temple Grandin.
A small part of one of her chapters examines research on cats' colorings and behavior patterns.
Grandin suggests that black cats (generally) make the friendliest cats, while tortoiseshells are typically "naughty torties." This rings true in the context of my personal experience.
Although, Athena is technically a "Torbie" (tortoiseshell-tabby) as Catherine taught me, she definitely has what they call "Tortie-tude."
Anyway, according to this book, black cats tend to be more social overall with other cats and humans. It discusses how black fur is a recessive gene, needed from both parents. So, it is a trait that has been selectively bred. Grandin states (but doesn't follow-up or impact) an assertion that the black fur gene has evolved four different times in four different species of cat. She also remarks that a researcher with the feline genome project theorizes black cats may be resistant to viruses in the HIV family. Grandin argues that orange male cats are more aggressive than black males. She says orange cats tend to be more fearful and shy, so they express more of what she calls "fear aggression" if they are provoked or cornered. Although, she is careful to clarify that neutered orange males and females can be extremely affectionate (even if they may still startle easily). She ends by restating that all cats are truly individuals, and color doesn't guarantee personality, but these are traits researchers are beginning to investigate.
I don't know about the orange cat part, but I agree black cats are very affectionate and like to be around people (at least "their" human/s). And I can testify that "torbie-tude" does exist. Oh yes it does.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Too much to ask?
Crime Report
Location: Mehlville in University City
When: Friday, February 20, 2009 at about 9:55 pm
Specifics: At approximately 9:55 pm on Friday, a student was walking on Mehlville in University City north of the Danforth campus. The student was approached by two subjects and one displayed a handgun. The suspects took the victim’s wallet and cell phone and then fled. The victim was not physically injured.
Would it be too much for the police to SPELL the street name right!? I have to say, this is not encouraging that they will be "on top" of this case. Evidently, they don't know where it occurred.
And I guess every 3 months was inaccurate. They've stepped up their game. It wasn't even a whole month this time! J.D.'s comment: "That's what happens in a shitty economy."
Would robbers believe me if I told them I didn't have a cell phone? What if you really didn't have anything to give them?
Location: Mehlville in University City
When: Friday, February 20, 2009 at about 9:55 pm
Specifics: At approximately 9:55 pm on Friday, a student was walking on Mehlville in University City north of the Danforth campus. The student was approached by two subjects and one displayed a handgun. The suspects took the victim’s wallet and cell phone and then fled. The victim was not physically injured.
Would it be too much for the police to SPELL the street name right!? I have to say, this is not encouraging that they will be "on top" of this case. Evidently, they don't know where it occurred.
And I guess every 3 months was inaccurate. They've stepped up their game. It wasn't even a whole month this time! J.D.'s comment: "That's what happens in a shitty economy."
Would robbers believe me if I told them I didn't have a cell phone? What if you really didn't have anything to give them?
Friday, February 20, 2009
This day and the next
There aren't many days when we remember exactly what happened a year ago. Today I remember.
A year ago this was my last day with Marley. In about an hour, a year ago, he died while I held him.
I was teaching that day. After class I had office hours. Then I talked with Jessica longer than I planned. We talked about Marley. I told her he was sick. Meanwhile, J.D. was trying to call the library, where I mentioned I would be, to get me to come home. Marley was getting worse. He was throwing up and couldn't control his bladder. I finally got to Special Collections, and they told me J.D. had called. I walked home as it got dark.
By the time I got home, Marley was relaxed on J.D.'s lap. J.D. was petting him.
Earlier J.D. had gone to check the mail, and Marley tried with all his heart to join him, but he collapsed, exhausted, near the door. J.D. said it made him cry. It was heartbreaking to see Marley fall down, wanting to go so much, having all that heart, but not the physical ability. He tried, even after all he had been through that day. He tried, even after all he had been through in the past month: the surgery, the cancer, the pills, and the forced feedings. Even then, he wanted to make us happy and do what he always did with us. That's the kind of sweet spirit that was my Marley.
Once I was home, J.D. got up and had me sit down in the big chair. He handed Mars to me, who just laid there, not moving much. J.D. covered us both with his childhood baby blanket. Mars and I sat that way for maybe an hour.
J.D. and I had decided that the next morning we would take Marley to the Humane Society to be put to sleep. He seemed to be in pain the medication wasn't helping anymore. And the forced feedings had gotten to the point where it was clear it was just hard on him. He let us know his little body just couldn't do it anymore. So, we knew he was dying, but we thought his life would have to be ended at the Humane Society.
As difficult as it was, I'm glad it didn't happen that way. Marley was always so especially scared of going to the vet. I'm glad he didn't have to be frightened in his last moments. I'm glad I got to spend them holding, loving, and comforting him as best I could.
It was still hard and scary. At about 7:30 J.D. decided to see what we had for dinner-- not much. So he went to the store to buy whatever easy, quick thing he could find. While J.D. was gone, Marley started having convulsions. They were little spasms that terrified me. I tried so hard not to react and jump with each one, but I couldn't help it much. I just whispered to Mars: "Daddy will be home soon" over and over because I was really scared. I wanted J.D. to be there with me. I had Marley with his head on my arm. I was trying to wrap the blanket around him so he wouldn't be cold. He kept kicking out, so I just pet him and tried to hum something probably mostly to sooth myself. Soon J.D. came home again. He checked on us. Marley seemed to be doing better now. The spasms stopped. J.D. went to fix dinner. I kept petting my boy.
While J.D. was in the kitchen, Marley turned his head and looked up at me, looked right into my eyes. He held his face there. I told him "Oh, I love you Mars." Then I heard his breathing increase to heavy sighs, and it seemed all at once, his body went limp in my arms. I lifted his paw and it just fell. I said, "J.D. come here!" And we sat together and cried and pet him and told him how much he meant to us. I held Marley for over an hour. All doubt was gone. J.D. lifted him into his round blue kitty bed. I placed a small blanket over him and petals and flowers from my Valentine's roses.
Later that night I lit a candle and said a prayer as best I could over his body. I brought him in by my side of the bed, on the floor beside me, where he always liked to sleep. He stayed there beside me one last night.
The next day it was snowing. The big white flakes floated gently to the earth. The ground was covered. I remember the quiet blankness. We took him together to the Humane Society. It was a mercy he didn't feel any fear or any pain. I tied his favorite ribbon loosely with a note around his neck. It had his name and a note saying we loved him and asking to please take good care of him. J.D. arranged everything while I sat holding him. I gave his body a little kiss goodbye on his head, and the lady carried him away. J.D. hugged me as we walked back out into the snow.
A year ago this was my last day with Marley. In about an hour, a year ago, he died while I held him.
I was teaching that day. After class I had office hours. Then I talked with Jessica longer than I planned. We talked about Marley. I told her he was sick. Meanwhile, J.D. was trying to call the library, where I mentioned I would be, to get me to come home. Marley was getting worse. He was throwing up and couldn't control his bladder. I finally got to Special Collections, and they told me J.D. had called. I walked home as it got dark.
By the time I got home, Marley was relaxed on J.D.'s lap. J.D. was petting him.
Earlier J.D. had gone to check the mail, and Marley tried with all his heart to join him, but he collapsed, exhausted, near the door. J.D. said it made him cry. It was heartbreaking to see Marley fall down, wanting to go so much, having all that heart, but not the physical ability. He tried, even after all he had been through that day. He tried, even after all he had been through in the past month: the surgery, the cancer, the pills, and the forced feedings. Even then, he wanted to make us happy and do what he always did with us. That's the kind of sweet spirit that was my Marley.
Once I was home, J.D. got up and had me sit down in the big chair. He handed Mars to me, who just laid there, not moving much. J.D. covered us both with his childhood baby blanket. Mars and I sat that way for maybe an hour.
J.D. and I had decided that the next morning we would take Marley to the Humane Society to be put to sleep. He seemed to be in pain the medication wasn't helping anymore. And the forced feedings had gotten to the point where it was clear it was just hard on him. He let us know his little body just couldn't do it anymore. So, we knew he was dying, but we thought his life would have to be ended at the Humane Society.
As difficult as it was, I'm glad it didn't happen that way. Marley was always so especially scared of going to the vet. I'm glad he didn't have to be frightened in his last moments. I'm glad I got to spend them holding, loving, and comforting him as best I could.
It was still hard and scary. At about 7:30 J.D. decided to see what we had for dinner-- not much. So he went to the store to buy whatever easy, quick thing he could find. While J.D. was gone, Marley started having convulsions. They were little spasms that terrified me. I tried so hard not to react and jump with each one, but I couldn't help it much. I just whispered to Mars: "Daddy will be home soon" over and over because I was really scared. I wanted J.D. to be there with me. I had Marley with his head on my arm. I was trying to wrap the blanket around him so he wouldn't be cold. He kept kicking out, so I just pet him and tried to hum something probably mostly to sooth myself. Soon J.D. came home again. He checked on us. Marley seemed to be doing better now. The spasms stopped. J.D. went to fix dinner. I kept petting my boy.
While J.D. was in the kitchen, Marley turned his head and looked up at me, looked right into my eyes. He held his face there. I told him "Oh, I love you Mars." Then I heard his breathing increase to heavy sighs, and it seemed all at once, his body went limp in my arms. I lifted his paw and it just fell. I said, "J.D. come here!" And we sat together and cried and pet him and told him how much he meant to us. I held Marley for over an hour. All doubt was gone. J.D. lifted him into his round blue kitty bed. I placed a small blanket over him and petals and flowers from my Valentine's roses.
Later that night I lit a candle and said a prayer as best I could over his body. I brought him in by my side of the bed, on the floor beside me, where he always liked to sleep. He stayed there beside me one last night.
The next day it was snowing. The big white flakes floated gently to the earth. The ground was covered. I remember the quiet blankness. We took him together to the Humane Society. It was a mercy he didn't feel any fear or any pain. I tied his favorite ribbon loosely with a note around his neck. It had his name and a note saying we loved him and asking to please take good care of him. J.D. arranged everything while I sat holding him. I gave his body a little kiss goodbye on his head, and the lady carried him away. J.D. hugged me as we walked back out into the snow.
My Manifesto
I just listened to the BBC discuss the 100 year anniversary of Filippo Marinetti's "Futurist Manifesto" in Le Figaro, Feb. 20, 1909. Now, I'm not a "Futurist," (I don't think anyone is anymore) nor am I a particular fan of Marinetti, but this manifesto launched a century of other manifestos. So, I thought what the hell, here's my manifesto. (In 11 points, true to the form Marinetti used, merely because 11 was his favorite number).
1. Love is holy.
2. Everyone should read at least one poem per day. Poetry edifies the soul, even limericks, although not as much.
3. Everyone should praise George Eliot. She should have fresh flowers everyday at her grave. People should go on pilgrimage to place them there.
4. Alec Baldwin is not allowed to ever attempt making chicken pot pies. (Ok, this one is just silly). But seriously, everyone should say something absolutely silly everyday.
5. If anyone ever makes a cartoon about Jesus and a magic unicorn, I own the copyright. (Oh, another silly one). Questioning is good.
6. No one over the age of 6 should ever wear polka dots.
7. Chewing with one's mouth open is now banned! Forever!!!
8. Never ask "How are you?" if you aren't willing to stop and wait for an answer.
9. World of Warcraft will only operate once a week for 3 hours maximum.
10. Anyone declaring how anyone else should live, if they're not hurting anyone, should probably knock it off.
11. Anyone calling herself out in her own Manifesto is at least probably a benign dictator with a healthy sense of humor.
1. Love is holy.
2. Everyone should read at least one poem per day. Poetry edifies the soul, even limericks, although not as much.
3. Everyone should praise George Eliot. She should have fresh flowers everyday at her grave. People should go on pilgrimage to place them there.
4. Alec Baldwin is not allowed to ever attempt making chicken pot pies. (Ok, this one is just silly). But seriously, everyone should say something absolutely silly everyday.
5. If anyone ever makes a cartoon about Jesus and a magic unicorn, I own the copyright. (Oh, another silly one). Questioning is good.
6. No one over the age of 6 should ever wear polka dots.
7. Chewing with one's mouth open is now banned! Forever!!!
8. Never ask "How are you?" if you aren't willing to stop and wait for an answer.
9. World of Warcraft will only operate once a week for 3 hours maximum.
10. Anyone declaring how anyone else should live, if they're not hurting anyone, should probably knock it off.
11. Anyone calling herself out in her own Manifesto is at least probably a benign dictator with a healthy sense of humor.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Can I officially freak out now?
My guts are in my throat. And my left thumb has developed a nervous tick... it keeps sporadically twitching, twitching, twitching, and I can't stop it. It will start even as I'm trying to relax. Today, I found out that I'm signed up to really produce, and fast.
March -- Chapter I
April -- Chapter II
May -- Chapter III
Defense August.
I feel like I've just been told I have 6 months to live. Or rather, at the end of 6 months it will be decided if I should live.
Words just cannot explain how nervous and utterly scared I am. I'm really, really scared.
Yet... at the same time... there's this weird sense of relief at having an "end" in sight. There's a strange sense in which I also want to celebrate if it means this long, long labor might be over in half a year. But that sense doesn't quite compete with the mental trauma right now. AHHH! Holy crap!
Seriously, how do I do this?
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March -- Chapter I
April -- Chapter II
May -- Chapter III
Defense August.
I feel like I've just been told I have 6 months to live. Or rather, at the end of 6 months it will be decided if I should live.
Words just cannot explain how nervous and utterly scared I am. I'm really, really scared.
Yet... at the same time... there's this weird sense of relief at having an "end" in sight. There's a strange sense in which I also want to celebrate if it means this long, long labor might be over in half a year. But that sense doesn't quite compete with the mental trauma right now. AHHH! Holy crap!
Seriously, how do I do this?
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Oh, now it's "cool"
This made me smile. Evidently, now Bollywood-style dancing is "in." :) So, raise your hand up and jingle your bangles baby. Although, I haven't been in my "Bollywood phase" for a while now, and I still prefer "old school" movies (like the ones with Nargis and Raj Kapoor). Maybe that's what I need to do to entertain myself, watch a movie and then imitate the dance moves.
Monday, February 16, 2009
To Propagate Light
Purgatory, Canto 15:
“What meant Romagna's spirit, when he spake
Of bliss exclusive with no partner shar'd?”
He straight replied: “No wonder, since he knows,
What sorrow waits on his own worst defect,
If he chide others, that they less may mourn.
Because ye point your wishes at a mark,
Where, by communion of possessors, part
Is lessen'd, envy bloweth up the sighs of men.
No fear of that might touch ye, if the love
Of higher sphere exalted your desire.
For there, by how much more they call it ours,
So much propriety of each in good
Increases more, and heighten'd charity
Wraps that fair cloister in a brighter flame.”
“Now lack I satisfaction more,” said I,
“Than if thou hadst been silent at the first,
And doubt more gathers on my lab'ring thought.
How can it chance, that good distributed,
The many, that possess it, makes more rich,
Than if 't were shar'd by few?” He answering thus:
“Thy mind, reverting still to things of earth,
Strikes darkness from true light. The highest good
Unlimited, ineffable, doth so speed
To love, as beam to lucid body darts,
Giving as much of ardour as it finds.
The sempiternal effluence streams abroad
Spreading, wherever charity extends.
So that the more aspirants to that bliss
Are multiplied, more good is there to love,
And more is lov'd; as mirrors, that reflect,
Each unto other, propagated light.
“What meant Romagna's spirit, when he spake
Of bliss exclusive with no partner shar'd?”
He straight replied: “No wonder, since he knows,
What sorrow waits on his own worst defect,
If he chide others, that they less may mourn.
Because ye point your wishes at a mark,
Where, by communion of possessors, part
Is lessen'd, envy bloweth up the sighs of men.
No fear of that might touch ye, if the love
Of higher sphere exalted your desire.
For there, by how much more they call it ours,
So much propriety of each in good
Increases more, and heighten'd charity
Wraps that fair cloister in a brighter flame.”
“Now lack I satisfaction more,” said I,
“Than if thou hadst been silent at the first,
And doubt more gathers on my lab'ring thought.
How can it chance, that good distributed,
The many, that possess it, makes more rich,
Than if 't were shar'd by few?” He answering thus:
“Thy mind, reverting still to things of earth,
Strikes darkness from true light. The highest good
Unlimited, ineffable, doth so speed
To love, as beam to lucid body darts,
Giving as much of ardour as it finds.
The sempiternal effluence streams abroad
Spreading, wherever charity extends.
So that the more aspirants to that bliss
Are multiplied, more good is there to love,
And more is lov'd; as mirrors, that reflect,
Each unto other, propagated light.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
La Maison en petits cubes
Friday, February 13, 2009
More Cats More Power
Do you ever get that feeling maybe someone is watching you?
Maybe even someone on your computer . . . ?
Maybe even someone on your computer . . . ?
Or the feeling you're just not alone. . . ?
Or the feeling someone is constantly messing with your stuff?
(Sophie loves getting under covers. She does so by herself).
Or do you ever wonder who keeps putting the calendar back to January?
(Warning: I suddenly scold Athena, so you may want to turn the volume down).
Or maybe sometimes you just see and appreciate something very cute.
My Cupcake Ring
Yesterday following my MRI scan, J.D. took me out for dinner. After dinner, sitting in our quiet, dark car, he reached in his pocket, took my hand, and carefully slipped a ring on my finger. Obviously, it's not a diamond or anything expensive. But I think the gesture is even sweeter. He saved the red heart decoration from a cupcake at his office. Love tokens have their value because they remind us our sweetheart loves us, but they're extra special if they show us we're thought of at unexpected moments.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Among the Best of the Worst
Today we saw that St. Louis was ranked the 10th most miserable city. It must be due to the recent problems we've been experiencing in the area:
Now you have to admit, that's a rather serious problem. Also, you've got to wonder. . . what do the top 9 cities have going on?
Now you have to admit, that's a rather serious problem. Also, you've got to wonder. . . what do the top 9 cities have going on?
Homemade Valentines
Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love. ~ Lao Tzu
These are the Valentines I made for J.D.'s Great-Aunt Juanita and her fellow residents at the assisted-living home we visited. I don't know any of the other people there, but I thought that perhaps it would be nice for them to receive a card, even from a stranger.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Contemplating waxing?
How To Wax Your Floors Without Slipping And Severing Your Spine
Applies even MORE so with bathroom floors. :)
Insomnia
I went looking for another poem, actually another line, and found this tonight.
"Insomnia"
The moon in the bureau mirror
looks out a million miles
(and perhaps with pride, at herself,
but she never, never smiles)
far and away beyond sleep, or
perhaps she's a daytime sleeper.
By the Universe deserted,
she'd tell it to go to hell.
and she'd find a body of water,
or a mirror, on which to dwell.
So wrap up care in a cobweb
and drop it down the well
into that world inverted
where left is always right,
where the shadows are really the body,
where we stay awake all night,
where the heavens are shallow as the sea
is now deep, and you love me.
-E. Bishop
"Insomnia"
The moon in the bureau mirror
looks out a million miles
(and perhaps with pride, at herself,
but she never, never smiles)
far and away beyond sleep, or
perhaps she's a daytime sleeper.
By the Universe deserted,
she'd tell it to go to hell.
and she'd find a body of water,
or a mirror, on which to dwell.
So wrap up care in a cobweb
and drop it down the well
into that world inverted
where left is always right,
where the shadows are really the body,
where we stay awake all night,
where the heavens are shallow as the sea
is now deep, and you love me.
-E. Bishop
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Random thoughts
February is a difficult month. You begin to want spring, but you know it's still distant.
I've been feeling sad for Marley a great deal recently. It's almost a year since he died. I also always think about my Aunt Colleen. It will be 10 years she's been gone. My Grandpa Baker also died in February. The only good points are my friend Holly's birthday, Ryan's birthday, and the anniversary of J.D. and I getting engaged. (I'm sorry if anything else slipped my mind right now. I'm sure there are other good points to the month). Anyway, I guess there's also the year anniversary of my ABD status, but that feels more like a slightly negative reminder right now.
On the pleasant side, we're very happy to learn that J.D. will have employment in the foreseeable future. His company is cutting jobs. They asked people to leave voluntarily last week. Approximately 250 people out of 800 left because they were scared they were going to lose their jobs anyway in this terrible economy and the walk-away package was so attractive. We decided to stay, and it was a good choice for now. Hopefully things will continue to go well. It was going to be very scary if J.D. lost his job.
I need to get myself moving. No more excuses. I only have a couple of months left and some big things are coming up soon. I need to get more work done, so I'll be able to do those important things. My sister is having her baby (girl) in June. In March Catherine and I are going to a conference. It's just time to really make myself produce something. Therefore, I may not be blogging as much for those dear friends and family members that check-in with us. I just need to focus my energy where it should go right now. I'm sure I'll still write something time-to-time.
Much love to all.
I've been feeling sad for Marley a great deal recently. It's almost a year since he died. I also always think about my Aunt Colleen. It will be 10 years she's been gone. My Grandpa Baker also died in February. The only good points are my friend Holly's birthday, Ryan's birthday, and the anniversary of J.D. and I getting engaged. (I'm sorry if anything else slipped my mind right now. I'm sure there are other good points to the month). Anyway, I guess there's also the year anniversary of my ABD status, but that feels more like a slightly negative reminder right now.
On the pleasant side, we're very happy to learn that J.D. will have employment in the foreseeable future. His company is cutting jobs. They asked people to leave voluntarily last week. Approximately 250 people out of 800 left because they were scared they were going to lose their jobs anyway in this terrible economy and the walk-away package was so attractive. We decided to stay, and it was a good choice for now. Hopefully things will continue to go well. It was going to be very scary if J.D. lost his job.
I need to get myself moving. No more excuses. I only have a couple of months left and some big things are coming up soon. I need to get more work done, so I'll be able to do those important things. My sister is having her baby (girl) in June. In March Catherine and I are going to a conference. It's just time to really make myself produce something. Therefore, I may not be blogging as much for those dear friends and family members that check-in with us. I just need to focus my energy where it should go right now. I'm sure I'll still write something time-to-time.
Much love to all.
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