Sweet Relief!

The paper is done - completed and reviewed by the teacher. After a few tweaks, I'll turn it in on Friday, confident and completely stress-free. As I wrote my "Works Cited" page, I realized my shoulders were nearly touching my ears - I always scrunch up my shoulders when I get super stressed. But, the stress is over, the paper is done and I'm ready for a nap. Thanks again Renee' for your FANTASTIC advice! As soon as I'm un-sleep-deprived, I'll get some vacation pics posted.

Thanks Renee'!

I've been de-stressed due to great advice from my sister-in-law. And my paper is practically writing itself! Now, back to the the grindstone. Just giving a quick credit where credit is due!

Eek!

This is very un-type-A of me, but I'm still avoiding! Blah! And I'm starting to freak out a bit.

Avoidance Technique

I love school - I really do, but this paper coming up (due in 1 week) is driving me crazy. I don't care enough about my stance to write - when I'm passionate, the words flow, otherwise...

Instead of writing my paper, I am writing about writing my paper. Clever, no? The biggest problem is that I need to have hours and hours of uninterrupted library time. But due to a family crisis, will not have the time I need. The crisis has prompted family visitors as well - who we're delighted to have - but that means a quick dusting and vacuuming (as well as laundry from vacation and extra bedding).

All this to say, the paper will not be spectacular. It will actually probably suck royally and I'll get a non-A grade. All because I don't really care and it's too late to pick a new subject.

New Topic:
Our vacation was wonderful! I'll post many pictures later.

The Great Ride

After 17 1/2 hours in the car, we are here! I did get my entire list finished and will post again when we return! Vacation! Whoo!

I'm Tired - Update #2

I hesitate to post about being tired - everyone is tired, right? But, I have taken this state to the extreme. Right now, it's 6:59 a.m. It's still dark out (although the eastern sky is turning blue) and the dogs have had their breakfast and are sleeping again. But, me? I'm up typing...here. I don't have anything to do until 11:00, so why not sleep? The circles under my eyes have doubled - which means they have extended beyond their normal boundaries to halfway down my cheeks. (I'm not joking - if I had better morning hair, you'd get a picture sans makeup.)

I can't sleep because my mind won't shut off. I think this is usually a female phenomena. Or it could be one of my particular quirks. Because of the insane amount of things to do, I can't slow my brain down enough to rest. So, in an attempt to empty them from my mind, here is the dreaded list:

1. Finish all laundry -wash towels
2. Empty suitcases (which are storing seasonal clothes) and begin to pack - DONE
3. Dust and vacuum the house
4. Sweep kitchen and bathroom floor
5. File paperwork - DONE
6. Make a grocery store run
7. Head to work to take advantage of my 45% discount before I leave - DONE
8. Attend a three-hour lab, skip a class, do 6 pages of workbook exercises, write a peer review for 2 classmates' papers and attend my grammar lecture. - DONE
9. Go to the credit union for trip money - DONE
10. Wash dogs blankets which are currently on the living room floor and smell like - well - dogs! - DONE
11. Make the guest bed for our great housesitter!
12. Walk dogs (necessary for our (and their) survival - otherwise they'll drive us nuts) - DONE
13. Wipe down bathroom
14. Print off paper work for trip and pack car bag, cooler, backpack and food cube (I'll take a picture of this later.) - DONE
15. Stop by Best Buy and get a converter for laptop to plug into car cigarette lighter.

I think that's it. You know, I am getting a little sleepy, but wonder if I could bust out parts of my list to get even better sleep later. This vacation is going to be a lifesaver - or sleepsaver. Take your pick!

Update #1: Only two things done, but I'm feeling the energy! I'll get it - I promise!
Update #2: Feeling good = getting things done!

Perfection? Who Needs it!

I got a comment from "someone" about posting pics of the trashed-out house last week. At first, I was a little miffed, as I am when I get comments (criticism) about MY stuff. But, then I took a step back to analyze the situation. Why did I post such "unpolished" pictures about my life? The answer: I'm attempting to be more "real" - showing the both good and bad. Doesn't everyone experience both?

My world is not a perfect place where fairies fly and birds do my housework for me and an orchestra plays a soundtrack matching my mood - I think that would be a creepy place to exist. But, I do love the people in my life, I love the activities in my daily planner, and I'm beginning to love the way I'm reminded of my imperfections every day.

For instance, this morning, I set my alarm for 6 a.m. I really was going to wake up then - but somehow reset my alarm for 7:15 and hit snooze twice until 7:35 rolled around. I have a class at 8 a.m. Do you see the problem? Turns out I still beat the instructor to class and had a great little adrenaline rush for the first 2 hours of class. I could have gotten mad at myself, yelled at the dogs as I rushed around getting ready, but chose (and it was a conscious choice) to just deal with it and resolve to get up a tad earlier next time.

Some people (me) don't like to share about their trials, mistakes and flubs, but those people can be the loneliest ones out there. I've tried it - no one likes a "perfect" person. So, here I am, flubs and all, trying to be honest with my family and friends about who I really am. Love me for me! And I'll do the same for you!

The Situation

All of this...

...has lead to this...

and this...

and this.

My paperwork, laundry (that picture was too awful to show), home's surfaces and dogs are suffering because of thc copious amounts of homework assigned to me over the last 2 weeks. You'll think this disgusting (I do) but our bathroom towels that we use EVERY day, haven't been washed in two weeks. BLECHH! And I've only done 2 loads of laundry in the past 2 weeks, because I ran out of socks (Load #1) and Eric ran out of jeans (Load #2). Also, Eric and I have yet to spend a whole day alone together since this craziness began. Every weekend we have 1/2 day off together, we spend sleeping or trying to catch eachother up on the entire week's activities. College and work are rough on the ol' relationship.
On the plus side of this situation, I am doing AWESOME at school - making new friends (the most difficult part of school for me), loving my classes, sucking up to my professors which results (or maybe only contributes to) getting great grades in all my classes (biology excluded, of course).
But, the countdown has begun: In ONE WEEK, Eric and I will hit the open road and head south. I can't believe that winter is still in full swing here - last night we got another sprinkling of snow and it has yet to get above 20 degrees today. I am ready for spring!
The house needs my attention, although I'd rather curl up on the couch with the dogs and nap. What are your weekend plans? Any extra time to be my laundress or launderer? Or dog-walker? (It never hurts to ask!)