Who I Am

Competitive
- sometimes to a fault.

Talented
- and now not afraid to say it.

Responsible
- to the point of exhaustion.

Needing Encouragement
- never realized this one, until five months went by without it.

Strong
- I will stand up for others and now - finally - myself.

Adaptable
- until I realize I no longer should be in certain circumstances.

Valuable
- to those who can see past the ends of their own noses.

Accomplisher
- as I cross off item, after item, after item, after item...

Perfectionist
- dust must go and laundry must not pile...unless homework incapacitates me.

Trainer
- of myself, others, dogs...

Tough
- I will not let others treat me like I wouldn't treat them.

Just
- I give people a chance...sometimes too much of one...

Creative
- I need time to mull over an idea, but when I do - Amazing!

Particular / Anal
- what an asset! Unless the paper is due right now.

Loyal
- until you prove yourself unworthy of that loyalty.

Loved
- by God, my husband, my families and my friends. (Oh - and two dogs!)

Is this Ok?

Can I write an entire blog post using only questions? Not a single answer? Will you get sick and click that "x" or keep reading?

How do we spend more time with those we've chosen to have in our lives? How do we get beyond the "should'ves and gottas" to spend quality moments - and lots of them - with the people we claim to care about?

How do the responsibilities grow so large that they block the sun, the light, any hope for a peaceful future?

How do I just STOP it all and take a peaceful moment? And find the time for healthy choices, healthy activities and healthy relationships?

How do we move beyond the stress of work and find the joy?

Does it ever get easier?

(Aren't you glad you encouraged me to get back on the blogging wagon?)

The Sound of Silence

I've been pretty quiet lately...and was chastised for it last night! So, to keep my extensive readership happy and knowledgeable, here's what I haven't blogged about over the last couple/many weeks:

1. I did not lose my job! However, a guy in my dept. did. This leads to me taking over all of his responsibilities after his final day on Sept. 27 and making my crazy life just that much more insane.

2. I nearly lost the tip of my finger to a my dogs teeth: While breaking up a fight between Sadie and another dog, my right-hand index finger got in Sadie's mouth (don't even ask - it happened too fast. All I DO know is I remember the moment when her teeth cut through my flesh. Not a fun memory.) I got five stitches from edge to edge. Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch and ouch. I've since discovered the great sensitivity of finger tips.

3. My final semester of school has begun. I feel like there should be an exclamation point behind that sentence, but I'm waiting for the elation to set it - it hasn't yet...

4. I'm still pondering the diet thing - we'll see.

5. I would love to post some great pictures of our amazingly redone kitchen. However, I'm NEVER home during the day for good light. So, try to be patient. Maybe this weekend?

6. I had a great weekend with my newly-turned-11-year-old sister! We did a spa day, went to see UP (a great movie! I cried. Twice.), went shopping and had some good chats. Happy (belated) birthday Janna girl!

And that's what's happened while I've been inaudible here. More audibility to come. Promise.