So ready for this weekend!!!

I'm at the end of my second week back in classes...

I absolutely love learning now that I'm old. =)

It's stressful, though, working and going to school. My job requires mental focus in something I really don't care about, and that needs to end. I'm looking... I called the hospital this afternoon and am supposed to follow up with them again tomorrow morning. There are some registration positions available that should fit my schedule. Wish me luck!

I'm also considering going over to Cracker Barrel and looking into either waitressing or hostessing. It would be busy, but I spoke to a girl in one of my classes and learned that they are very flexible with their employees. So, we'll see.

GriFF and I are going camping this weekend! Woo hoo! I am looking forward to it more than I can describe.

Today's mood = Strange and Uncertain

So, I'm not doing so well (yet)
at trying to post nearly every day on my blog, huh???

But, I am happy to report that I DID scrap 2 pages..
the layout of 39 Things to do before I am 40.

And, maybe today is the first day that I'm going to try to blog on a nearly daily basis? One never knows.

***

Why is it that it's sometimes so hard to see the positives in things?
Is everyone else bogged down, at times,
by the things that aren't so positive?

I've heard talk of a "gratitude journal",
where people write a few things they are grateful for
every day.

Sometimes they admit that they are struggling to find 3 or 4 things to write about.
But there is always something.
Maybe this is something I need to do??

Sometimes there is enough good to truly outweigh the stresses in life.
You just have to notice it.
Maybe write about it.
That's what I'm going to do.

=)

PS - Jozzie you are NOT a bad friend. It IS still my birthday month, so you're not even late!!! =) One day I'll make it back to Chicago, and we'll have those mai tais. And pad thai. And pot stickers, or those little bun things with meat in them. Yeah, those. I forgot what they're called.

And... here's a picture, in keeping with my "39 Things"... I'm in a strange mood, so you get a mug-shot self portrait. ha!

Happy Birthday TO ME!!!

Just a quick post... Photos to come later, as I'm too excited to sit here downloading and posting much!!!

Today is my 39th birthday. It got off to a FABULOUS start (hee!), but then I had to go to work. And getting my books for school didn't go as smoothly as I wanted. More on that later.

BUT... then GriFF called to tell me he was all set for me to come home and celebrate my birthday. He greeted me with a flute of champagne. We are definitely off to a great start here!

Then, the sweetest card EVER.

Then, gift # 1 - a Mexican food cookbook. YUM and one of my favorite things to do!!! OK, two of my favorites - cooking, and eating!!!

Gift # 2 - a Chinese food cookbook. Awesome... (We've perused both and have several recipes on the list to try "first" - and a few that will be placed on the *back burner* and never attempted - ha!)

Gift # 3 was this tiny little package. I unwrapped it, and it was... guitar tools???? Guitar tools???? He says "wait, what could those be for? I'll be right back."

I thought I would faint.

I definitely stopped breathing...

He listened.
He heard me.
When I said ONE TIME.. that I had always wanted a guitar and no one would ever gift me one. Oh... my... God.......

He got me a freaking Ibanez acoustic!!!

There are photos, of me holding it and grinning grandly!!! However, this is more time than I meant to spend online already. So off I go. Photos to be posted tomorrow.

Ah.... the best birthday EVER! The best birthday gift EVER. The best man EVER.

*sigh*
SMILE

...

39 Things...

It's been so long since I've posted to my blog... Lots to write about, but that seems overwhelming.

And...

The reason I'm here posting today is because I was motivated by Elsie’s weblog! She created a layout listing 24 things she wants to do before she turns 25. I've always been inspired by this type of list, and this is a new take. Elsie does tell everyone to make sure they include things they can actually accomplish. It's true, many of us do tend to have BIG dreams. Not a bad thing, but let's face it... It's very discouraging to set grand goals and accomplish few to none of them. The last thing I need right now is more negativity!!!

I am going to make a fabulous layout listing these things.

For me... I turn 39 next Tuesday! I could list 38 very small tasks to complete by next Tuesday, but I'd rather work on 39 things to do before I turn 40. This way, I can include a few *big* things.

So much fun!

39. Complete all pre-RN classes before Fall08, so I'm ready for the Nursing Program!
38. Submit application to the RN program before February 1, 2008.
37. Find/Buy a cheap used guitar.
36. Find the perfect sundress (for me)!
35. Finish charcoal sketch of "the shack".
34. Finish my first painting.
33. Make the Dean's List for Fall 07.
32. Make the Dean's List for Spring 08.
31. Choose 20 songs to practice with GriFF.
30. Update GriFF's existing website - in preparation for... (See # 29)
29. Create GriFF's new and improved website.
28. Learn to swim.
27. Write Tane' Ya a long letter.
26. Watch every Bears game in the coming season.
25. Buy a CUTE Bears shirt.
24. Find the perfect drink recipe utilizing Champagne.
23. Get a job at the hospital!!
22. Work with my budget every week.
21. Use my planner/calendar daily.
20. Study, study, study!
19. Continue to conquer my fear of heights.
18. Run a 5K.
17. Visit all of my friends in Chicago.
16. Contact the local Habitat for Humanity to find out when they meet.
15. Have a Reiki session with Deb Powers.
14. Design and create 20 greeting cards.
13. Create and implement an exercise (toning) plan (as soon as my foot heals!).
12. Choose 10 people who have touched my life in some way and thank them.
11. Rent a storage unit and use it for creative space.
10. Start dreaming and planning the trip I want to take when I graduate.
09. Blog on a *nearly* daily basis, with photos!
08. Look into starting a CoDA group here.
07. Perfect a frozen cocktail. Find recipes and have a blast trying them out!
06. Plan GriFF's *birthday month*.
05. Start my *inspiration journal*.
04. Meditate daily.
03. Breathe...
02. Smile...
01. Buy a hat.

Thanks for the inspiration, Elsie!!!