2008 Year in Review Meme

O.k. I've done this one before but it's interesting to see how things change. You can read the 2007, 2005, and 2004 versions if you're interested. I didn't do it in 2006 but briefly posted. Here's the 2008 Year in Review. Feel free to do this on your blog as well.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?

Took the GRE, filled out my FAFSA, applied to Graduate School, took out student loans and completed my first two graduate school classes.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn’t make any resolutions since I know myself and that I won’t keep them. I haven’t given a lot of thought to resolutions for this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My brother’s girlfriend had their second child in February.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

Countries? Yeah, right. I did go to Vegas though.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

A marriage proposal. No, really, I don’t know… I would just like more time I guess. More love. More friends.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

July 5, 2008 – High school reunion banquet when I realized that Marty still had feelings though he had yet to admit them. Nov. 17 when Marty and I officially started dating again.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting into grad school and making A’s in both my classes. The work I did for my 20 year class reunion.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not being able to say no when I should have. My lacking prayer life.

10. What was the best thing you bought?

Plane ticket to see Marty. A new mp3 player to replace my old one.

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Josh had a great year making all-state band for the 3^rd time, qualifying for TFA state and NFL nationals in speech. I think I was pretty good this year as well.

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?

Nobody that I can think of.

13. What song will always remind you of 2008?

I would have to say the songs that I chose for the reunion video: Forever Young, Only the Young, Time After Time, and Friends. But I also have to think about the new groups that I’ve found in my recent music acquisitions.

14. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Reading for pleasure, cleaning my house, and “fun” things.

15. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worrying over things in which I have no control.

16. Did you fall in love in 2008?

That’s hard to answer. I reignited love so to speak. I fell for Marty all over again after the reunion this summer. Although I can’t say that I every really stopped loving him, I put it on hold for three years. It’s still a long journey and we’re not where we were at one time, but I continue to have hope despite his reservations as well as mine. Call me a glutton for punishment.

17. What was your favorite TV program?

Monk, Psych, Heroes.

18. What was the best book you read?

I actually read a lot of great books this year, but they’re all children’s or youth books. But some of my favorites were: The Giver, Hope Was Here, Skippyjohn Jones, The Invention of Hugo Cabret are just a few. I also read The Twilight series in the last few days which I also enjoyed. It was a good year for reading but most of it was required.

19. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?

Less classes to teach, more time, really being able to get inside Marty’s head and not feeling like I have to continue to tip-toe around him for fear of him running.

20. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

What fashion? That about sums it up.

21. What kept you sane?

Church. Faith, hope, and love. I can’t give a better answer than that… though I admit that sanity was touch and go for a while.

22. Who did you miss?

Marty. High school friends that I hadn’t seen and were suddenly reunited with.

23. Who was the best new person you met?

My new assistant speech coach that has been a great asset to me this year. I feel more comfortable pursuing my library career since I have someone that can take over for me that I know will continue to do a great job.

24. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2008.

LEARN TO SAY NO!

25. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I’m not going to just give you a brief lyric – I think this song sums things up pretty well for me. I try not to live with much regret and I feel that everything that I have to deal with and go through has a reason. As long as I learn from mistakes then that’s a good thing.

Lessons Learned by Carrie Underwood

There's some things that I regret,
Some words I wish had gone unsaid,
Some starts,
That had some better endings,
Been some bad times I've been through,
Damage I cannot undo.
Some things,
I wish I could do all all over again,
But it don't really matter,
When life gets that much harder,
It makes you that much stronger,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were,
Lessons learned.

And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
And everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned.

There's mistakes that I have made,
Some chances I just threw away,
Some roads,
I never should have taken,
Been some signs I didn't see,
Hearts that I hurt needlessly,
Some wounds,
That I wish I could have one more chance to mend,
But it don't make no difference,
The past can't be rewritten,
You get the life you're given,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were,
Lessons learned.

And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
And everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned.

And all the things that break you,
Are the things that make you strong!
You can't change the past,
Cause it's gone.
And you just gotta move on,
Because it's all
Lessons learned.

And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
From everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
From every change, life has thrown me.
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned,
Lessons learned.
Lessons learned.

Time for Memes

The next two days will be meme days. Here's the first:

From Mama Llama

a. Four places I go over and over again:

1) School - It's my job.
2) Saint Ann's Catholic Church - at least weekly
3) Walmart - I never spend less than $60 when I go.
4) Taco Villa - at least during any trip to Amarillo

Four people who mail me regularly:
I'm going to have to go with e-mail on this... only mail I get is bills.

1) Pam - My long time friend
2) Ann Shofner - Speech coach in the area
3) My principal - we get weekly email updates
4) Dr. Garner - band director of the community band. He is sending us music over the break in hopes that we will practice.

Four of my favorite places to eat, (apart from home):

1) Taco Villa - my favorite fast food restaurant.
2) Olive Garden - I still like their Fettucine Alfredo the best
3) Abuelo's - Mexican food restaurant in Amarillo (since El Chico's closed)
4) Outback - what can I say... food is always good with very few exceptions.

Four places I'd rather be now.

1) Key West, FL with Marty
2) Busch Gardens in Tampa or other theme park in Florida
3) Sitting in my chair with my house CLEAN
4) Someplace where I don't have to think about the unpleasant things I have to get accomplished in a short amount of time.

Four favorite TV shows:
I haven't watched much t.v. lately but will do my best.

1) Monk
2) Psych
3) Friends
4) Columbo

Four movies I would watch over and over again.

1) Titanic
2) The Shawshank Redemption
3) Love Actually
4) As Good as it Gets

Four people I would like to tag:
I'm going to cheat and put everyone that I read regularly or hopefully reads my blog.

1) Summer
2) Terri
3) Leann
4) Andrew, Mago, Cheryl, Susan, Patrick/Tiffany, Pipe Tobacco, Abbagirl, Cin and anyone else on my blog roll or those that stop by here.

Enjoy!

And so it continues

I accomplished very little today. I went to church and played my clarinet at Mass. I stopped to get a coke and then came home. I fixed lunch, called Marty and talked to him briefly. He is getting sick with perhaps the flu and didn't feel well. I spent the rest of the afternoon watching t.v., listening to music, downloading more music, and that's about it. I made dinner around 6:30 and have been doing the music thing since then. I chatted with Marty online a little more tonight. Tomorrow I have to get in gear and start getting things done. I'm going to clean tomorrow and then go to school on Tuesday. I have to create our yearbook cover by January 1. I haven't even started, but know what I'm going to do. The problem is that it requires a lot of pictures, which we have, but I couldn't get them downloaded before I left for the break. I'm going to go up on Tuesday and hopefully get that accomplished so I can get busy. I also have papers to grade and plans to make for the upcoming tournament and Koobraey awards. If I make it to the end of January, I'll be amazed. But one bright spot will be the fact that I'll get to see Marty briefly on the 16th & 17th.

Being Lazy

I feel a little guilty about being totally lazy today... but not a lot. I know things will get out of control busy very shortly so I'm going to soak it up while I can. I still have a to-do list that is a million miles long, but I'll get to it when I feel like it. I'd like to get the house clean this weekend but I'm obviously not moving too fast. I have spent the morning in my bed with my laptop on my lap downloading music to my mp3 player. I'm finally coming out of the 80's and putting some stuff from this century (this year, even) on my player. I know... it's a shock. But I figure I should expand my horizons a little.

Now I'm bored

It's not that I don't have a million things I could be doing right now. I just don't really want to clean right now. Things seem to be a little better with Marty. We watched a movie together last night. No, I wasn't in Florida, but we watched the same movie and chatted online. Maybe it's a little cheesy but I enjoyed the attempt to feel a little closer to him. I'm going to try to go visit again during spring break. I'd also like to spend some time with him this summer. It will depend on what class(es) I might take during the summer. I may not take any depending on if I have students that go to Nationals.

Christmas was mostly just another day for me. I went to church because I played again and then came home and put some cinnamon rolls in the oven. Josh was up so we opened presents. I got a $50 Amazon gift certificate from my brother, $50, a crucifix necklace and slippers from my aunt, some bath & body stuff, socks and a Hastings gift card from my friend Kirsten. I spent the rest of the day reading the last Twilight series book and then made the steak dinner for Josh and me.

Today I went to the pet store to get stuff for my dogs. They have ear and skin problems so I gave Max and Roo baths. I also trimmed Max's hair. That was an ordeal. Then I made some dinner and have just watched t.v. this evening. I played one game of rollercoaster tycoon. There's nothing interesting on tv right now. I guess I could do more reading but I don't feel up for that either.

Well, that's all the excitement going on here. I may just go to bed early and start tackling the house again tomorrow.

Merry Christmas to All!

No, I'm not going to be politically correct and wish you a Happy Holidays or Season's Best. Regardless of your personal beliefs, I want to wish you all Merry Christmas. May you remember the reason for the season and have a wonderful day tomorrow. I hope you are celebrating with friends and family. If not, I hope that you find contentment and peace wherever you may be.
Josh and I are getting ready to head to Mass for the Christmas Eve service which I'm sure will be extraordinary. I feel very blessed to have found my home in the Catholic Church and to celebrate the birth of Christ once again!
I am thankful for the many blessings this year. For my friends and family. For my job, for the opportunity to pursue my master's degree, and for Marty being a part of my life again.
Thank you all for reading my blog despite my lack of posts here and comments to yours. I will try to be a better blogger during the break - at least until I find myself overwhelmed once again. But it's a good kind of busy.

Once again... Merry Christmas!

Cleaning break

It seems like forever since I've posted anything about cleaning. Oh... that's right... I haven't cleaned in forever. I procrastinated as much as I could this morning, but I finally got started by soaking the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. I was awake at 5:45 for whatever reason but forced myself to stay in bed this morning. I should have gotten up earlier than I did, but it's my vacation so I can do what I want. Yesterday I read the third book in the Twilight series. Just one more to go but I'm going to hold off on reading it until I get some work done around here. I spent a lot of time yesterday uploading music to my new player and this morning I created a few playlists. I have a "working" list that is full of upbeat music to keep me moving. That's what I'm listening to right now. I also have my "melancholy," "romantic," and "hopeful" music. I could create a multitude of lists because right now I have about 600 songs on the player. I even have a handful from this decade including (dare I say it) one hip-hop song. I never thought the day would come that I would actually have such "music" on my player. But I am really happy to have a player again. I have missed it very much. I just need to get better earphones for it.
I keep worrying that Marty is going to start reading my blog again. He hasn't it read it in almost a month but I said I would try to not write as much about him. But it's my blog and I guess I can do what I want. It's my way to vent, share, talk, whatever. I have really held myself back for fear that he might read and I haven't really talked about the many things on my mind. It's nothing that I'm getting totally worked up about, but I have my concerns. I may need to go back to my paper journal and start writing there.
I guess I need to get a tree up today if I'm going to do it. I'm still debating about a smaller tree just to make it easier. I have to go to the store later to get milk and some grocery items. I guess I'll decide then. I need to wrap a couple more gifts for Josh and then I'll be good to go. I should probably get a couple of stocking stuffers for him. I guess if I want my stocking filled, I'll have to do it myself. I did get a present from my aunt so I'll have something to open Christmas morning. I suppose my brother and sister have something for me, but I don't know when I'll see them. My dad said he would do Christmas for Josh and me when he comes to visit in January. I have no idea about Marty. I guess my gift from him will be his trip to Orlando - if he really decides to come. I really hope he does. The last I talked to him he said that was the plan... but it would be foolish for me to hold my breath in that regard.
I don't mean to sound pessimistic right now. I still have hope, but I still have that intuitive feeling that something is yet again amiss and unless things change, it will still be there for a while. Well, enough about all this.. I gotta get back to cleaning.

I guess I spent too much

I went out shopping on Saturday after I slept off the effects of the lock-in. I guess that I used my debit card too many times because my card was declined when Josh and I went to dinner. I thought well, it was just a freak thing and then it was declined on Sunday morning for a $4.00 charge at a convenience store. I was not a happy camper about that. I used another card that I don't like using but when you don't carry cash or checks these days, it's good to have back-up I guess. So I went to my bank this morning and found out that I had a limit of using my card 10 times in a 24 hour period. So I had them change the limit just in case I needed to go on another shopping spree. I'm done with my shopping though. It was easy this year since we're not going to Albuquerque. The only people I actually bought gifts for was Josh, Marty, and my brother's kids. Everyone else is getting a gift card.
Yesterday I went to church and played. I came home and pretty much acted like a lazy bum. I napped and read most of the day. I did more research on the mp3 players and finally made a decision. I couldn't go get it yesterday though because of the issue with my card.
I got up early to go to the bank but found out it didn't open until 9:30. So I went to Walmart and picked up a few necessities and then back to the bank. After the card issue was cleared, I went to Amarillo so I could go to Best Buy. I finally decided on the little Sony Walkman 8GB player. It's about the same size as my old player, but it's thinner, lighter and has twice the memory. I read too many negative reviews of the Sansa players that I didn't want to risk another one. It was also on sale which was a plus. I got it for $99 and paid an extra $11 for the 2 year warranty. I'm transferring music to it right now. I lost all my play lists and subscription music when my other player stopped working so I'm having to try to find all those songs that I downloaded once before. I still have all my other music from my hard drive that are from my CD's. I'm currently transferring 539 tracks to it. I'll be so happy to have a player to listen to in the car again. I've missed it a great deal.
Well, I think it's time for a nap. I haven't started cleaning but will probably start this evening. I have to clean the kitchen to make dinner. Still haven't put up my tree. Thinking of just getting a smaller tree and just putting on a few ornaments. It's not that I'm not in the Christmas spirit... it's just such a pain.

So this is my break

I'm still waiting for it to start. You'd think that now that school is out that things would slow down, but they haven't. Last night was the lock-in for my speech team. We had 20 kids show up. I stayed up all night unlike most of my students. I had a very large mountain dew and a couple of cokes during the night which kept me going. It was touch and go for a while but I managed to stay awake by playing scrabble and rollercoaster tycoon. The kids seemed to have a good time and they were all on their way by 7:15 this morning. I drove back to Canyon somewhat bleary-eyed, but made it home safely. I went straight to bed and slept until about 1:00. I took a shower, got dressed and headed to town to do some shopping. I got some gifts for Josh and I bought myself a new pair of shoes and two shirts. I also went to the movies and saw "Twilight." It was nice to just get out and enjoy myself. I wish I could do it more often and I know I should - but I still feel guilty about such excursions. I am still searching for a new mp3 player and I still can't make up my mind. The one that I wanted was not in stock so now I have to rethink my choice. So I'm still without a player.
I could tell that the economy has had some effect this year but the crowds were still present for the most part. I was surprised to find parking at Best Buy though.
After the movie, Josh met me in Amarillo for a late supper at Applebee's. I picked up gift cards for my family since we're not going to Albuquerque this year and I have to mail them. I also need to mail some stuff to Marty. I'll get that done on Monday.
Marty and I are still doing o.k. I still have that sense of a barrier but that's nothing new. I'm just dealing and trying not to think about it too much. I'm to the point that if it works out, that's great. If not, I'll still survive. I can't make others love me no matter how much I may love them. Marty will get there or he won't. I just have to accept the way things are right now and appreciate the fact that he's at least taken a small step towards a possible future by opening up to dating again.
Well, I'm going to head to bed. I'm ready for a good night's sleep.

Christmas Meme

Borrowed from Terri. Now that I can post again, I have to catch up.

1. What was the best present you've ever received?

As a child, it would have to be my jam box. (Large radio with cassette player) It had a strap so that I could carry it on my shoulder and I played it constantly and took it everywhere. I have always loved having music around.

As an adult, it would be the emerald earrings that Marty gave me the first time he said he loved me when we dated four years ago. It wasn't a Christmas gift, but it was very special because it was an amazing moment in my life. I still wear them and think of him every time I do. I hope he'll get back to that point soon.

2. What was the worst?

For Christmas - a jacket my sister made me that was made out of faux blue leather and funky plaid material that was way too large for me.

In general - when my ex-husband gave me a book of cool ideas to make sex "interesting" for Valentine's day. I thought it was a very selfish gift and I never used it.

3. What is something you really want this year for yourself?

A new mp3 player. And a plane ticket to Florida.

4. What is something you really want this year for someone else?

I want Marty to have a 52 inch flat screen t.v. I want Josh to have a new clarinet.

5. What's your favorite Christmas memory?

I can't pick a single event but my favorites are those times with my family where we would all be together and have a mound of presents under the tree. We would hand each other the gifts and just enjoy the morning. My mom would always make home-made cinnamon rolls and a large Christmas dinner. The family has diminished over the years. Usually we go visit my aunt and later my sister, but we're never all together any more. This year Josh and I are choosing to stay home and it will just be us. I'm making cinnamon rolls in the morning (but not home-made) and we'll have steaks for dinner. Who knows... this year could be my favorite.

A close second is the year that I got to spend with Marty. I think he came a few days after Christmas, but that is the year I bought him his digital camera and he was mad at me for spending so much money on him.

So in other news...

I took my kids to the tournament in Dallas this weekend. Surprisingly, they did ok. I had one that placed 2nd in Humorous and a team that placed 6th in duet. Two others broke to semi-finals in extemporaneous speaking. Given that they were competing against students from 48 other schools, I thought it was a success for them. On Friday night I took them to the Magic Time Machine and they had a blast. After the tournament on Saturday, we went to PF Chang's. It was ok but not as good as the last time I went. We didn't get finished until fairly late, but headed back to the hotel around 11:15. After exiting off the highway and waiting to turn on to Belt Line Road, I was rear-ended by the coach that was following me. Thankfully I was in a school vehicle which was an Expedition. It didn't suffer much damage other than some scrapes. The other car, however, was pretty much totaled with the hood bent up and the fender bent into the tire. The radiator was gushing and smoke was coming out of the engine. She was able to move it into a bank parking lot at the corner. A police officer showed up and took the report. I had to call my assistant superintendent because the transportation director didn't answer when I called him. Everyone was ok but it was a late night. The next day was a long day because we took the other coach and her student home since her car was stranded in Dallas. That meant we had to go through Lubbock on the way home which added an hour and a half to the drive. I hated missing church this weekend, but it was unavoidable.

Yesterday was a typical school day but I had a band concert last night. The concert went ok except I couldn't hear very well and I know I couldn't get in tune. But at least it's over and I'm about ready to have a real break. Once I get through the lock-in this weekend I'll probably sleep for about the first week. I haven't decided if I'm going to put my try up this weekend or not. I need to get Marty's Christmas present mailed to him soon.

Well, I think I'm going to do something I haven't done in a very long time. I'm going to go watch t.v., read a book, relax, and go to bed early.

An Impasse

First I must apologize to Marty if for some strange reason he goes on a whim and reads my blog today. So if that's the case... stop reading Marty. I mean it. No, it's nothing bad, but I have to write about it. So just close the web page and go back to playing WOW.

Ok. Now that is out of the way here's the deal. We've been skirting some of our relationship issues as usual not really talking about them but we have lots of conversations filled with maybes, innuendos, and subject changing when it gets uncomfortable. And all that's fine except for the fact that it drives me a little crazy. But I just deal and go on and figure that things will work out if they're supposed or not. I have come to realize that I can't change things and I'll take what I can get right now.

So last night the issue of me moving to Florida came up again and I again reiterated my condition of being married for that to happen. Marty finally 'fessed up to the fact that yes, he very much wants me to come down there but he's not ready for that kind of commitment. He wants me to come down there for a year without getting married. I told him that I was sorry but I couldn't do that. And thus the impasse.

If four years ago he would have asked me to do that and Josh would have been graduating at that time, I probably would have done it in a heartbeat and given no thought to it. But a lot has changed for me in that time and it's not something I can do. I cannot give up everything I have here - home, job, family, friends for a "maybe" situation that "might" end in marriage. Most of all, I cannot give up my faith which is what I would have to do for a year. I know I could still go to church, but I could not participate in communion given the living situation. I could not make enough money to just go down there and live on my own and still "date." On the other hand, if he were willing to get married, I would certainly give it all up (aside from my faith) to be with him.

I am ok with the fact that he's not ready for marriage. I understand it. I don't want him to feel an obligation or pressure to do something he's no ready for. Sure, I'm disappointed because I'm in a different place than he is, but that's still ok. But now I worry that there's something bigger there or something has once again changed for him. I know the distance is still a very big deal for him. It is for me too, but I'm willing to accept it and wait as needed. But I'm sensing something different in him the last few times I've talked to him. I think perhaps he needs a little space so I'm going to give it to him.

I very much want this relationship to work out. I think he does too, but I also feel that there's a hurdle he needs to jump and he's just not ready for it. I just wish I knew what that hurdle was and if there's any way I can help him with it. I hate being in the dark. But I realize that there are just some things that people must do on their own and it's really all out of my control. Tough luck for us control freaks.

So for now I hope we continue talking and visit when we can and some day get past the impasse.

Finished!!!

I'm finally finished with my grad school classes for the semester!!!!!!!!! I am so relieved to be done. It wasn't really hard... just time consuming. I made a 98.88 in my children's lit class. I don't have my final grade for my other class. Probably won't get it until Monday. I'm fairly certain I'll make an "A" in that class as well. Unless I did something very wrong on my last paper I should be good.
I actually cooked tonight and made pizza. It was quite yummy. Now I have to leave and head to choir rehearsal.
I'm starting to get ready for the speech tournament coming up next month. I also have to prepare for the Koobraey (Yearbook) awards as well. I ordered trophies for the tournament today. I need to order other items for the awards soon. Friday I'm taking a small group of students to Dallas for a speech tournament down there. I think it will be a fun trip.
My students met their fundraising goal so now they're going to get a lock-in if the principal approves it. It will be next Friday evening. I still haven't done any Christmas shopping and I'm thinking about not doing it at all really. I just don't know at this point. I'd like to get my tree up but it won't happen this weekend.
Well, I gotta run but maybe now I can post more regularly - at least until January.

Close to the finish line

I wrote my last paper last night. It's not totally finished; I'll do some editing tonight and tomorrow and submit it before tomorrow's midnight deadline. It wasn't that difficult to write so I hope I did it correctly. Most of it was copying and pasting bits and pieces from previous materials. I have two more brief assignments to complete and then I'll be finished. I have to get everything done before Friday, but my goal is to have it all done by tomorrow evening.
Tonight I have to go to Church as it is a Holy Day of Obligation. Immediately afterwards I have to go to band rehearsal. I won't get home until after 9:00 and I'll either go to bed or do a little work on my paper. Tomorrow will spent working on the paper and then Wednesday I have choir rehearsal. Thursday will be a free evening of sorts except for packing for the trip to Dallas. I may even get my assistant to do some of the driving and I'll read a book. I wish I had my mp3 player for the trip.
I talked to Marty on the way home today, but he's having a bad day. I hope he feels better tomorrow. I did find out that I got approval on my absence request for January so I'll be able to go to the shot show and hopefully see Marty at least one day while I'm there.

Time for an update

1. I am feeling better. I am making up for all the eating I couldn't do over Thanksgiving. I sure did enjoy the Sonic cheesecake bites I had this evening.
2. I will almost certainly make an "A" in both of my grad school classes. I have received 15 out of 15 points on all of my major papers written for my Information Resources class. I have made nothing less than a 95 in my Children's lit class and most of the grades are 100's.
3. Grad school for this semester is almost done. I have to post three journal responses for Children's lit by Thursday. I have one more major project due in the Information Resources class and I've started gathering information. I have two other small assignments to complete and then I'll be done.
4. I will probably go to the Shot Show in January and will hopefully see Marty but only briefly.
5. Marty and I are still doing fine. He is still very hot and cold on the total commitment issue and I'm just letting him deal with whatever he needs to deal with. I'm trying to focus on just today but it would be a heck of a lot easier if I knew what my plans for next year might be.
6. I think Josh and I might just stay here for Christmas. I think I might cook a turkey since I didn't get my traditional dinner on Thanksgiving.
7. The spring is looking very busy and I might very well go insane but am trying not to get ahead of myself.
8. Google calendar is saving my life right now. I have all my "home" pages set on iGoogle with the calendar at the top and it reminds of what I am supposed to be doing.
9. I should be working on yearbook designs but I think I'm going to rebel and read something frivolous and go to bed early tonight. Shhhh... don't tell anyone.
10. I'm taking 4 of my students to a tournament in Dallas next weekend. What am I thinking? We're going to go to the Magic Time Machine.