Isn't it crazy how quickly time passes???

I really enjoyed my alone time at GriFF's on Friday... It got off to a rocky start, though! First, I found out that my bank had charged me $132 in overdraft charges because there was a pending charge on my account. So, even though it hadn't cleared, it was making 4 other very small withdrawals generate NSF fees of $33 each!!! What??? Long story short, I finally heard back from one of the bank officers who said he would credit me back $125. Then I made him explain to me how their system works so I can "avoid this in the future. Never mind that I'm really going to avoid it by changing banks... =)

Anyway, that aside, I took a nice, long bath, and got a few things organized. And I did some charcoal sketching!!! It's not nearly done, and I've left it at GriFF's, so I can't take a picture to post today (thanks for being interested, Cheryl!!!).

Here's a fun new thing I learned about on Cheryl's blog today... AFI has listed the Top 100 Movies of all time. The idea is to highlight the ones you've seen. Here's mine!!! I'm putting the ones I have seen in italics, since Jozzie hasn't taught me how to change font colors yet... =)

1. CITIZEN KANE (1941)
2. CASABLANCA (1942)
3. THE GODFATHER (1972)
4. GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
5. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962)
6. THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)
7. THE GRADUATE (1967)
8. ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)
9. SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993)
10. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)
11. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
12. SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)
13. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (1957)
14. SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
15. STAR WARS (1977)
16. ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)
17. THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951)
18. PSYCHO (1960)
19. CHINATOWN (1974)
20. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975)
21. THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940)
22. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)
23. THE MALTESE FALCON (1941)
24. RAGING BULL (1980)
25. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
26. DR. STRANGELOVE (1964)
27. BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)
28. APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)
29. MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)
30. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948)
31. ANNIE HALL (1977)
32. THE GODFATHER PART II (1974)
33. HIGH NOON (1952)
34. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962)
35. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)
36. MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969)
37. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946)
38. DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)
39. DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)
40. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)
41. WEST SIDE STORY (1961)
42. REAR WINDOW (1954)
43. KING KONG (1933)
44. THE BIRTH OF A NATION (1915)
45. A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951)
46. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971)
47. TAXI DRIVER (1976)
48. JAWS (1975)
49. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)
50. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)
51. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940)
52. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)
53. AMADEUS (1984)
54. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930)
55. THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965)
56. M*A*S*H (1970)
57. THE THIRD MAN (1949)
58. FANTASIA (1940)
59. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955)
60. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
61. VERTIGO (1958)
62. TOOTSIE (1982)
63. STAGECOACH (1939)
64. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977)
65. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991)
66. NETWORK (1976)
67. THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962)
68. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951)
69. SHANE (1953)
70. THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971)
71. FORREST GUMP (1994)
72. BEN-HUR (1959)
73. WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939)
74. THE GOLD RUSH (1925)
75. DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990)
76. CITY LIGHTS (1931)
77. AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)
78. ROCKY (1976)
79. THE DEER HUNTER (1978)
80. THE WILD BUNCH (1969)
81. MODERN TIMES (1936)
82. GIANT (1956)
83. PLATOON (1986)
84. FARGO (1996)
85. DUCK SOUP (1933)
86. MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1935)
87. FRANKENSTEIN (1931)
88. EASY RIDER (1969)
89. PATTON (1970)
90. THE JAZZ SINGER (1927)
91. MY FAIR LADY (1964)
92. A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951)
93. THE APARTMENT (1960)
94. GOODFELLAS (1990)
95. PULP FICTION (1994)
96. THE SEARCHERS (1956)
97. BRINGING UP BABY (1938)
98. UNFORGIVEN (1992)
99. GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (1967)
100. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942)

Wow, that was fun... And look how many movies I need to see!!! (Time to log on to NetFlix and update my queue!!!) How about you???

The sun is shining today,
making me long for temperatures to match!
(Shining temperatures???)
I'm thinking about bundling up and washing my truck.
It's caked with salt residue
and lots of random dirt. =)

I'm taking it pretty easy this afternoon.
Trying to get over this cold/virus
and enjoying the fact that there are no classes today
due to some form of "teacher's institute" at Lake Land.

I got a chance to read a few of my favorite blogs
(Jozzie - you're slipping!!! BLOG something!!!! ha!)
and was inspired by Cheryl to list 5 things I'm looking forward to this week.

Of course, being me, I immediately worry about what qualifies as a "week" for this. Do I want to just say 5 things that will happen by Saturday,
because that's what I consider the end of a "calendar" week,
and would be *clean*???
Or do I start with today and go 7 days out???
Hmmm...
Wouldn't you love to have a brain like mine? I'm sure not...
Anyway, we'll just see how it plays out as I start listing 5 things!

1 - GriFF offered to let me use his place as a retreat tomorrow afternoon... Ah, the joy of it! A view of the woods and the lake, which can be seen from both the deck AND the garden tub, in which I will surely soak myself in hot, bubbly water as I sip a glass or two of wine... and just some PRIVACY, which is something I don't get to experience much at all these days... Have you ever heard of anything more thoughtful? I'm definitely melting.

2 - No school today or tomorrow. After having two tests yesterday, I assure you that this is most welcomed. I'm enjoying being back in school after all of these years. I swear - if anyone who is reading this has ever considered going back to college, but worries that it's too late, "I'm too old", etc. This is the best time to be in school!!! I actually pay attention in class. No daydreaming!!! And it's amazing what the brain retains when you really listen and are interested in what the professor is saying.

3 - My sense of taste is returning, which is something I'm SO looking forward to having back fully. This cold/virus has kept me from enjoying any food or drink for the past 2 days. And, I am NOT a person who eats for fuel... But I could seriously chew on a piece of cardboard right now, and be able to convince myself it's pizza. So, I'm looking forward to a good meal as soon as I have fully-functioning tastebuds!

4 - Being creative. I plan to do some sketching and charcoal work tomorrow while I'm *retreating* (see #1). The environment you are in is a great influence on your ability to create, and I'm looking forward to experiencing the flow tomorrow!!

5 - 50 degrees!!! As far as I know, we are still expecting a high in the 50's on Saturday. (I'm in south-central Illinois, and 50 degrees in February is WARM.)

Well, there you have it!
What a great exercise in joy... I have a lot to look forward to in just a few short days! =) Thanks for the idea, Cheryl!!!

Nerds with style...

Today Jozzie is trying to teach me how to put cool links into my blog postings... She's trying to convince me that it is possible that she is beautiful AND a nerd... Hmmm. Let's give this a try. Click here to visit Jozzie's own online business site! (If you ever see a picture of her you'll see why I doubted she could be a true nerd.)

What Color are You?

I've been perusing creative blogs today, and have been inspired by many...

One I visited pointed me to the site www.thecolorcode.com. If you're up to it, go see what personality color you are! I am white...

WHITES are motivated by PEACE. They seek independence and require kindness. They resist confrontation at all costs. To them, feeling good is more important than being good. They are typically quiet by nature, process things very deeply and objectively with great clarity. Of all the colors, WHITES are the best listeners. They respect people who are direct but recoil from perceived hostility or verbal battle.

WHITES need their "alone time" and refuse to be controlled by others. WHITES want to do things their own way and in their own time. They ask little of others and resent others demanding much of them. WHITES are much stronger than people think, but are not often seen for their strength because they don't easily reveal their feelings. WHITES are even-tempered, diplomatic, and the voice of reason; but can also be indecisive, unexpressive, and silently stubborn. When others interact with you, as a WHITE you respond to them best if they are kind, accepting and supporting of your individuality, and if they look for non-verbal clues to understand your feelings.

Understand that no two WHITES are exactly alike. Although you share the same core motivation as many others, your personality is still unique to you alone.

What color are you???

Hope

Many people seem to think it foolish, even superstitious, to believe that the world could still change for the better. And it is true that in winter it is sometimes so bitingly cold that one is tempted to say, 'What do I care if there is a summer; its warmth is no help to me now.' Yes, evil often seems to surpass good. But then, in spite of us, and without our permission, there comes at last an end to the bitter frosts. One morning the wind turns, and there is a thaw. And so I must still have hope.

- Vincent Van Gogh

What to do...

Oh my...
You know how sometimes you think you've made a good decision?
But then you start to question yourself?

This may seem silly to some people,
But it's really bothering me.

I'm so busy right now.
Working 32 hours per week,
And maintaining an A average with a full-time class load.
And spending time with my family.
And the love of my life...
=)
that makes me smile.

I know I'm in the "right" place in my life right now.
Working toward my goals.
Making a difference in my lifetime.

Additionally, anyone who knows me well
knows that I have a LOT of trouble with choosing just one thing to do.
I have a lot of interests.
Most of them are related to creativity in some way.

So, I decided it was time to pack up my scrapbooking supplies
and store them away.
I'm living in a corner of my old bedroom,
which was turned into an office for my parents years ago.
So I have very little room for even my clothes.
The scrapbook supplies were just sitting there, taking up a LOT of room that could've been used for school supplies and books.

Packed up one tote.
Started on another.

But then a few days ago,
I was inspired by a site called
{imagine this!}
"Inspire Me, Jozzie!"
She's a very dear friend of mine.
I've not been checking out her blog as often as I used to
with everything going on in my life.
Her blog made me want to get back into my papers and inks...
Reminded me that I've been wanting to take an old book
and paint in it, add pictures and embellishments,
and write in my favorite quotes...

ARGH!!!

Oh, the perils of this life of mine...
Too many wonderful things to do,
and so little time.

What do I do????

For granted

I guess we don't realize what all we take for granted in life.

I was reminded of this several times in the past few days alone...

I want to buy oil paints for a Valentine's gift.
There is nowhere in this town to buy such an "extravagance"...

I want to look at Franklin/Covey planners and see about getting myself one again.
There is nowhere in this town (or even within an hour) to even SEE them.

I was looking for chai tea this weekend. Not necessarily a particular brand, but I was looking for the kind that is creamy and more like what you get at a coffee shop. I already had some tea bags that make a basic spiced tea. I went to 4 stores before I could find what I was looking for. In fact, the first three didn't even have the tea bag type...

I grew up here, in this very small town. And I've been back for more than 4 months now. But I'm still amazed when I can't just go and get *anything* on a whim!

So all of this makes me think of other *things* that we may take for granted... health, friends, having a job, a roof over our heads...

Especially in this winter storm, consider those who don't have a warm place to sleep...

I'm thankful for so much.

my hair

is red again!

I am a work of art...

You Are Best Described By...

The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

What Famous Work of Art Are You?

Hmmmm....

I'm feeling...
wistful?
I think that's the word I want.
What does it mean???

1: full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy; also : inspiring such yearning
2 : musingly sad : PENSIVE

(Thank you www.webster.com)

Oh yeah, that's it...
the perfect word to describe how I'm feeling.

It's snowing here. A crazy, blinding winter storm... It's beautiful, but crippling.

I'm at my parents' house this evening. It's been a little while since I've spent a full evening here. With my job, classes, and spending time with GriFF, my time has been quite occupied. And that's all good!!!

We've got the 2nd Pirates of the Caribbean movie on. I've seen the first half before, so I'm not very interested in watching right now. These movies are cute/cool, but I have to be in a certain type of mood to care to watch them...

Caribbean... How do you pronounce it??? Care-uh-bee'-un? Car-ibb'-ee-un? Funny how there doesn't seem that there's one proper way... Oh, perhaps I should again consult www.webster.com. Not right now, though...

Why am I feeling wistful?

Hmmmm...

I miss some of my friends. Wish I could see them.

I'm missing my GriFF time tonight. =) I know, I know... I just saw him this morning. It's just, well, I LIKE being around him!!!

I'm anxious to get through my basic classes and get into the "meat" of my studies. It's good, though, to go through these basic courses first. I'm getting my feet wet before I have to take the really important stuff.

And there are more things that are on my mind, making me wistful. But enough of that!!!

How are YOU feeling right now???

Just Another Day....

Today has been a good day, actually.

I awoke in a good place, warm and well rested.

It's so cold outside that going to work wasn't overly pleasant, but I survived! And work itself was good! I learned a lot more today, and things are REALLY starting to click. Now I am understanding the "why" behind some of the things I've been doing for the past two weeks. My boss (who has been a great friend of mine since we were 5!) is good at training. Sometimes we aren't quite speaking the same language, but that's ok. =) The good thing is that she paces everything so I don't feel overwhelmed. When I start to get a few things down, she shows me a few more things. All good!!! =) I am so lucky and pleased to have this job.

There are a few things I really need to take care of. One I will mention here is that I seriously need to make an appointment with a counselor at the college. I need to make sure my revised plan of action is going to work. =)

I've missed blogging!!! But right now I feel like I have nothing interesting to say!!! =)

Catching up...

I've gone so long without posting.
shame...

My last post, back in November,
makes me smile.

I'm still experiencing
that white-water rafting discovery. =)

I'm still living in Effingham
in the house we moved into
when I was 4 years old.
Wow.

I started taking classes in January,
working toward an ADN.
I did learn that I didn't qualify for the
fall 2007 nursing program...
So I refocused, regrouped,
and I continue.
I'll qualify for fall 2008.
Yes, a stumble in my plans.
But, only a stumble.

I'm taking Chemistry
Nutrition
English Comp
and Biology.

I love my Chemistry class.

Just took the mid-term
(it's an 8-week, fast-paced course)
and got a 98.3% on it!!!
That feels FABULOUS!!

Nutrition is good.
A lot of teamwork required.
And most of the people in the class
could be my children.
Literally...
=)

English Comp is an online class.
We have to post to an online board
at least 3 times a week,
discussing an assigned essay.
First was a section of
Thoreau's Walden.
Yummy.
Next came Shooting an Elephant,
a George Orwell piece.
I didn't much enjoy that one.
But discussing on the boards is fun.

Biology is also online,
with labs meeting one Saturday per month
for five hours.
Wow.

Tonight was Superbowl 41 (XLI).
It wasn't that fun for me.
Both of my favorite teams were playing.
It's too hard when you can't
truly root for one
of the teams!!!
Colts won. Cool!
But that means the Bears lost.
Not cool...
Well, I had my excitement 2 weeks ago,
I suppose.
When I learned that they both made it!
=)
That was awesome.

I started a new job just over a week ago.
The timing was perfect.
I had gone down to part-time hours
at my previous job.
I didn't like that job, anyway.
So, they asked me if I could
work part-time until they hired someone else.
I said I would.
Then I learned that they
had found someone.
But I heard it through the grapevine.
I know they work that way,
but I was still surprised.
They were going to just keep me
until the last day they needed me,
and then let me know.
So, I learned of an available job
that is perfect for me.
It's a bookkeeping job.
At a truck stop!
In the Lube Shop!
Love it...
The manager was my best friend in kindergarden.
Tammy... xo
We were talking the other day
about how even though we've lost touch
from time to time,
we always get back in contact
and it seems like we never lost touch at all.
Those are true friendships.
=)

Anyway, the job is very flexible.
As long as I have the deposit ready for pickup
by 8:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday,
and by 7:30 a.m. on Friday,
all is well...

How cool is that?
This is a job that I can have
throughout my schooling...
I can adjust my work schedule
to fit my school schedule
every semester. =)

Oh...
the white-water rafting.
His name is Steve.
=)