Chicago!

I leave for Chicago tomorrow morning. This is the first time I have traveled without my children in about six years. I have been to Myrtle Beach with them and my parents the past several summers, but I've not really done any other traveling. And, for the record, I miss it terribly! I am the kind of person that wants to go and do things. I want to be spontaneous and pack a bag in ten minutes then take off to a destination. I want to plan an all-inclusive trip out of the country. I want to see shows, eat at nice restaurants and meet new people.   But I'm afraid that just isn't going to happen.
I'm very afraid of that.
And it weighs on my mind constantly.
What if I die tomorrow?
What if I don't live while I'm alive?
Then what?

Migraines

It has been a very long time since I have had a migraine like the one I had Friday night through Saturday morning. I had to be taken to the hospital and given two rounds of medication. I was dry heaving, dehydrated, and very sick. I don't wish that kind of pain on my worst enemy. If you are a migraine sufferer, you will know what I am saying. If you aren't, just imagine someone having your skull in a vice, squeezing until you think it could squeeze no more before your skull cracks wide open. Then compound that with intense throwing up. Not a good combo! Thank God for doctors and drugs.

Minute by Minute

Sometimes things just throw you for a loop. It can be a tragedy, or it can even be a nice gesture. In the past few days, I've had both. Examining myself, I find that my mind naturally focuses on the negative things that surround me. Call me a Debbie Downer. Judge me. Make assumptions. I don't mind. At least I'm big enough to admit my faults. 

So, today, I find myself in a constant state of tears. I simply can't help it. Just when I think I may be okay, I shed a tear. Instead of taking things one DAY at a time, I am going to have to take things minute by minute. 

IHOP

I love a good 1am IHOP run. I do. But, tonight the friends and I decided that we would just do our own IHOP version at home. So, I volunteered to cook an IHOP breakfast at the friends' house. We decided on a menu of s'mores French toast and over - easy eggs. It was a hit. I didn't eat the items on the menu... I'm not a breakfast person, per say.  Had a beverage of choice instead.  Everyone who tried the French toast, though, loved it. It was a fun time had by all.  I may not be able to wake up very early tomorrow, but it is well worth it.  I love cooking for other people when they greatly appreciate it. It makes me feel like Bobby Flay or something.

It's a twister!

Taking cover for these supposed tornado activities reminds me of the time I saw and heard a tornado when I was little. We would always go over to my aunt and uncles house when the tornado sirens went off because they had a basement and we did not. We would hide out there and then go ride around town after it was all over to assess the damages, if any. That's what people do in small towns. Everybody knows everybody else's business. You couldn't fart without the whole world knowing it!
There are times when small town living is a good thing, though. I will admit that.

Behind Enemy Lines

Yesterday was another milestone of sorts...I dropped my daughter off at Purdue University. Now, don't get all excited. I did not drop her off to get an education there...Oh, no,no,no. I wouldn't dare do that! Haha. Instead, I dropped her off to attend a Track & Field Camp there for four days. I still felt like I was a traitor of sorts. But, hey - if it comes to them wanting to give her some scholarship money, I guess I will have to re-evaluate. Who would turn that down??
I am already finding it very difficult to be here without her. She is my rock. She keeps me sane. I am lost without her. I am looking at this as a reality check of sorts. she only has one more year of high school, so roughly one more year at home with me. I have to try and get used to the fact that she won't be here with me forever! It's a tough reality to face, though, let me tell ya! I just have to keep myself occupied. And with dance practices, tutoring, and laundry, I think I will manage to stay busy.

Legendary Artist

Sunday evening, on Father's Day, I was fortunate enough to attend a show at the Murat Theater in Indianapolis. This show was spectacular. By far, it is the best artist I have seen perform in my lifetime. Brian McKnight rocked my world!!
Brian was witty, entertaining with his facial expressions, a great dancer, and comical in his delivery sometimes. He just really knew how to entertain. And his songs? Well, of course, his songs were mind-blowing. He is probably the best songwriter there is. His ballads will bring you to tears. If I could sit and listen to him playing piano on a daily basis, my stress would slip away.
I was lucky enough to get to meet him, too. I have a picture of us in my possession! He is handsome, tall, clean-cut, and has a beautiful smile. He can pique the interest of the females quite quickly! Sunday night's show was fantastic. It's one I'll never forget.

39 and holding

Today I turn 39. Not the milestone like next year will be, but let's just say this day is unforgettable.

Huber Winery and Farms

Monday I went with a girlfriend of mine to Huber Winery and Farms in Sellersburg, IN. We had so much fun picking out our pumpkins with our girls, getting a huge homemade cookie to eat, tasting wine, and more. They have a couple of award-winning wines. I tasted eight of their wines and really didn't have one that stuck out as undesirable. Take a little trip and stop by there! You won't be disappointed!

I Fall for Fall Break

October is my favorite month. The leaves change colors, the wind picks up, and the temperatures drop. Wearing shorts with a sweatshirt is my favorite way to spend the day. I've gotten all that and more this October already. Today I will extend my happiness to inlcude Huber Winery where I will taste wine, venture out into the pumpkin patch and pick out a perfect one. We will then bring out pumpkins home and paint our intials on them to display on the porch. No carving for this mama! The girls have grown out of that stage.
My birthday is also this month. This weekend, to be exact. I really don't want to turn another year older, one more year away from forty. But I'm doing my best to face it, and get over it. I, however, need a huge life change in the next year. I need to crawl out from behind the mask and face the music. I need to see what the world outside my little circle is like. I need different surroundings. I'm not lacking motivation; it's the frightening part of change I'm worried about. So, let's start with today. I'll take my girls and go with my bestie to see the beautiful winery and bring home our artistic muses.

Tooth and Nail

Here goes: if a person doesn't eat healthy, their teeth will crumble with cavities. I have a daughter that's living proof of that. Dental visit today. Not good. I'm overwhelmed.

Basic Training

I am in training/seminar today and tomorrow called Bridges Out of Poverty. It is eye-opening. Look it up.

Who Says Nothing Lasts Forever?

I think I will forever love John Mayer's music. I'm just sayin'.

Who Says?

Who says you can't eat chili when it's warm outside? Does that mean Skyline is only open during the winter months? No, didn't think so. Chili is good any time!

She's a Big Girl Now

My daughter is officially out on her own now. It's difficult not knowing what she's doing. I don't want to call her all the time; I want her to feel like she's independent. But, what I want to do is know how she likes college, if she's getting along with her roommates, what she's eating for dinner (if she's eating!), and if she's getting enough sleep. I don't want to bother her, though.
I'm trying not to be a helicopter parent. I just hope she wants me to know things and that she tells me at her own pace. I guess even when you're kids grow up, you never feel like they're really adults. They'll always be children.

Send-off

In just four short days I will be taking my eldest and dropping her off at college. I'm nervous, yet excited. I hope move in day goes well. I hope we get her settled in with all of her belongings and then some. We'll have to make a Target run once we get there and see what we have left to get. I already know of a few things. Plus, we'll need to go to the grocery store to stock up on a few essentials so that she doesn't starve to death in the first week. I only pray my checking account can handle it all!

Kick It!

I used to despise soccer. I thought it was the dumbest sport imaginable. I thought, why play a sport where all you do is chase after a ball and end up running like a hundred miles each game? Now, my mind is forever changed. I love it! Ever since my daughter started playing goalie last year, I enjoy watching it live or on tv.
So tonight I looked up the IU Men's Soccer schedule and started planning to see which games we could go to - we love trekking to B'town and watching them play. My daughter and I really want to attend as many games as we can. So I think the first one we are going to is Sunday, Sept. 1 - Labor Day Weekend. I simply cannot wait!

back to school, back to school

Today was the first student day of the year. To put it mildly, this may be an out-of-control year. My students just seemed abuzz with energy. They don't know how to whisper or use "indoor voices". Now, since they are eighth graders, you'd think they have been taught that over the years. Nope! All teachings go out the window once you hit seventh grade for some reason. Then, in eighth grade, we have to try and re-train them to move on to the high school. But it doesn't work. They have their own stubborn minds that won't budge. Lucky me!
I think I need to be put away somewhere. haha

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

I didn't want to come home, but I did. We're back from our annual Myrtle Beach trip. I survived the ride home! (of course Dramamine was involved)  I wish I didn't get car sick. It sucks. Especially through the North Carolina/Tennessee mountains. That's what gets me.
The weather was beautiful in S.C. It only sprinkled once. The sun was out every single day; I love sunbathing, so it was a hit with me. Now I have to gear up for the big days ahead.
Cam's knee surgery is this coming Wednesday. She's starting to get nervous, and I have to admit I am, too. I don't want her to be in severe pain. I'm hoping they give her some good pain meds to keep it under control. Then, school starts. Man, I don't think I'm ready for that yet.

When I Travel, I Can't Help But Think

When I travel (which isn't very often like it used to be), I can't help but think about what it would be like to move. I think to myself about the infinite number of places I COULD move; since I teach, I could virtually move anywhere where there is a school, right? Well, that's anywhere!
There are some major cities who beg for teachers. Sure, they may not have ideal teaching conditions, but neither does the location I am in now. Yes, I could have it waaayyyy worse where I am now, but perhaps some other location might work for me, too. So where would I go? I could list several places off the top of my head. Those of you who know me could probably guess my top three. Of course, it is wishful thinking. Of course, I may not ever get the chance to go. Of course, that doesn't stop me from dreaming.