What a Saturday!

The day began at 6 am in the pouring rain. When my alarm clock went off at 6 am, mom was already up. As I got myself around, Melanie went downstairs and made breakfast for all of us...scrambled eggs and toast with jam. It was good to have a nice warm breakfast on such a dreary day. ///

A few minutes before six, Melanie left for school. Mom and I were off next, and finally, Dad and Ryan with the Carmicheal's van. Mom and I stopped at Starbucks on the way, and Dad and Ryan stopped at the donut shop (Ryan waited until five minutes before we left to get up, thus missing the gourmet breakfast Melanie had prepared). ///

At 7: 30 Melanie calls to tell me that the highway is flooding so be careful. Wonderful! But despite the hazardous road conditions, we all made to her apartment safe and sound. ///

Melanie made it there before the rest of us, so she went to stand in the check-in line. She was to get the keys to apartment and her bedroom (she shares a suite with three other girls). One of her roommates was at the apartment so we got to go check it out. Melanie showed up around nine with the keys to her room. By the time Melanie had arrived, we had most of her things unloaded (three cars worth mind you!).

And then the drama began! None of keys worked. So there we are, boxes stacked high in the commons rooms with no way to move it all into her room.

Back she went to management. After much more drama, the complex decided to change the lock on Melanie's door. The door handle was removed and replaced. Apparently, the girl, who had previously lived in the apartment, had changed the lock and left no keys. The complex had tried to contact her but to avail. And they had not tried to get into the room at all!

When we opened the door we found a mess...the carpet was filthy, as were the walls and bathroom. The room had not been cleaned, painted or recarpeted as promised!

Back Melanie and I went to management. Within two hours they had a cleaning crew out. But much to out disappoint, the cleaning crew did not know how to clean. Mom and I had to reclean Melanie's room! After another talk with management, everything was set. Sunday the painting crew was to paint her room and Monday she is to get her carpet replaced. ///

How frustrating for Melanie. As on 8 pm Sunday night, she had not been able to print her class schedule (she can't hook up her computer until the carpet is replaced). Her room is also not unpacked or decorated, and she is exhausted!

So that was Saturday and the move into Melanie's first apartment. What an experience!

Here's Melanie in her new apartment!

I have bangs!

Thursday I went and got my hair cut...cut, not trimmed. I had not been to see my hairdresser since June, before the my best friend's wedding. My hair had grown! I had her take an inch off the bottom and add lots of layers. For some of the layer she cut three inches! The layers frame my face perfectly! The shorters layer (the bangs) come down to my nose. I love my new haircut!

The story behind a blessing...

It has been so busy at work! Non stop phone calls, students climbing out of the walls, and more paperwork to do in a month! Yesterday was especially busy, but today was especially quite...kind of like the quite before the storm. And being Wednesday, it is my night to work late. I was sure it would get busy tonight...I would get all the challenging students tonight when I was the only one in the office. But, quite to the contrary, nothing happened! I can count the phone calls and walk ins on two hands! I have only one answer for the amazing quite, slow evening...the chief police officer. ///

Shortly after five he walked into my room to make sure I was okay. "Just wanted to make sure no students were throwing staplers at you." From five until eight, he stopped by to check on me.///

It is so nice to have some one to call when things get rough. If a student starts yelling, call Ed. If a student barges in your office, call Ed. If a student threatens you , call Ed. If a student wants to be smart, call Ed. ///

Here's a big thank you to Ed, our police officer.

To be thankful for....

1. Sleeping in late in the middle of the week.
2. Walks in beautiful weather.
3. Mexican food.
4. My best friend is doing better.
5. Kind customers.
6. Police officers.
7. Relaxation.
8. Chic flics
9. A hot shower.
10. A new magazine.

My new office!

Here are the long awaited pics! This is my new office. I moved in on Thursday and, as you can see, there is still some unboxing today and decorating to do. ///

The plus side of my new office: I have a door to shut! It can be very quite or I can listen to the music department down the hall. Students leave me alone if I shut my door. ///

Bottom line: I love my office!

The view from the door.

The other view from my door.

Where I sit each day.

Where students will sit.

Forth Place

The U.S. men's archery team lost the bronze-medal match Saturday afternoon, giving them a fourth-place finish and ending the Americans' hopes of winning a medal in the sport at these Games.

Today on NBC Olympics...

The U.S. men's archery team, which won bronze in at the Sydney Olympics, advanced to the semifinals Saturday morning by defeating Italy. The team faces Chinese Taipei later today.

US Team is moving on!

Oh the drama....

Last night we get call a call from the hospital in Nachodoches, TX, where Grandmother has been all week. Teh hospital was discharging her and taking her by ambulence to Baylor Hospital in Dallas! ///

It looks like she has a rare heart defect. One of walls in her heart is extremely thick and has caused an artery to be too small. When ever her heart rate gets above 50, her heart pumps less and less blood. They have her on medication. ///

There were three options to help her: 1. To be taken into surgery to repair her heart and artery. 2. To install a pace maker. 3. To be placed on more medication. Right now she is on medication. Due to other health problems, she will no undergo any type of surgery at the moment. ///

So what happens now? For the time being she will stay in hospital and be monitored. If the medicine proves to help, then she may only need medication. If the medication does not do enough, the hospital will begin addressing other health concerns to prepare her for surgery. ///

The bottome line...we wait and see what happens. There is a good chance that grandma will not make it through this. It is hard to see family suffer and face the possibility of losing a family memeber.

Sad news...

Today Vic fell in the fourth round to Marco Galiazzo of Italy, who went on to win gold. He scored 108 while Marco scored 109. Even I feel the pain of defeat; but I only glimpse at Vic's pain. But he competed well and was a tough competitor to beat.

Boxing...

The house now has a 'Sale Pending' sign up. And we are boxing! I can't believe we are moving!

A few boxes in my room.

Boxing!

Health Updates...

Melanie recently went for her annual gyn appointment. After a brief conversation about Melanie's continuing problems, the docter decided to send Mel to a PT. There has always been a chance that our problems are muscular but no one has ever sent us to a physical therapist. ///

Well, good news has come from the PT. ///

According to the PT, Melanie's hips are out of line. Since her hips are out of line, the right hip is higher than the left hip. This means that one of her legs becomes shorter than the other. Well, that also means that her abdomin works in ways that it should not work. As a result, she feels pain. ///

That would explain why I can so easily pull my abdomin muscles. It also explains why my left leg has always seemed slightly shorter than my right leg...every time I buy a pair of jeans, my left pant leg drags...as if my left leg is shorter than my right leg! ///

Right now Melanie is working with the PT. I am waiting to see how Melanie does. I know I need to call and get referred to the PT but am slightly afraid. I hate doctors and I hate disappointing news. My mind races...what will the PT tell me? Will she be rude and mean? Right now I continue to wait and see how Melanie does, but it is great to hear this news!

All College Day

Today was our faculty/staff in-service day. It was also the first time that I met several of our financial aid staff from other campuses. ///

But before I get ahead of myself, what is All College Day? On All College Day, the college closes down. No students allowed. The day begins shortly after 8 am. ///

I met everyone in my department at 8:15. We met in our office and then walked down to the new conference center, where the fun would be held. They had drinks and breakfast foods sat out for us. Until nine, we mingled and I tried to catch up with friends I had not seen in a while. I was able to see my good friend Donna, who I used to work with. I also caught up with a few professors. ///

At nine, the president of the college started his hour presentation. He talked about the changes over the past year and those expected to come this next year. One of the changes that has recently occurred is the addition of a school mascot. We are now the cougars. For the announcement of our mascot, one of the departments had put together a video presentation. It was so cute! It showed the students voting for their mascots, the most popular choices (SUV's was among the choices), and the final decision with our new mascot logo. ///

After an hour of listening to the President we had a short break before reconvening. The second morning session was a time for awards and welcomes. Each year the college gives out faculty and tenure awards. The college also recognizes all new employees. About 100 new employees stood on the podium to introduce themselves. When the microphone got to me, I said my name, division, and location: "Hi. I am Stephanie with Financial Aid." ///

After the morning fun, we were provided a huge buffet lunch of fajitas. Over lunch I got to know the financial aid staff at our two other locations. So far I have worked with all of our staff, but had not met half of the staff. The financial aid advisers I met today were just as different as I had come to expect. And different may be too kind a word...One was the witch we have come to know her as...The other was more needed more mental help than we had thought. ///

After lunch, we each choose a session to attend. I choose to attend the one on 'Burn Out.' It was okay, not spectacular by any means. ///

The best part of the day was at 2:45....when the last session of the day ended. I got to leave work at 2:45 today. It was so nice to have an afternoon off and time to run errands. ///

And so that was my day. My first in-service day.

The aliens are coming!

Today it sounded as if aliens were coming...about to break down the wall and walk right into the office! ///

Right now the bathroom around the corner is under construction. Today the jack hammer was used a lot. ///

I kept thinking of the movie "The Signs." In the movie, after the aliens would land, they would scope out their surroundings. As they circled your house, you could hear the tapping of their claws against the wood of the roof. Each step they took brought the aliens closer to where you were hiding. Today, each time the jack hammer went off it made me think that the aliens were coming...each big boom was a sign that they were closer to breaking down the wall and capturing me.

Vic is moving on!

After Monday he is the only male American archer that will continue on. Tuesday he defeated another competitor! Saturday is the final competitions for the archers. Who ever wins Saturday takes the gold!

Day two at the Olympics

The Village

I saw 'The Village' by M. Night hymalion. It was great!/// I enjoy his movies for his story telling ability and his keen observations about society. /// The Village was a story about a group of people who had been brought together due to dramatic events in each of their lives. A counseling center is where they had first met. Each had lost a loved one in a terrible crime...one sister was raped and murdered, a husband was robbed and left for dead, a close friend was shot in the head. /// One of the men decided to build a village. It was to be away from civilization and the pain that civilization had brought each of them. The village was built at the edge of the city...in the forests. Anyone else who would wonder by the woods assumed the area was a wild life preservatory. Few knew what the woods really held...a self sustaining village. /// The turning point was when the people realized that in either existance...in the village or in civilization...ther would be pain, loved ones lost and crime. /// His movie left one thought in my mind...we cannot hide from pain. No matter how much we try to escape our pain and what brought it, we will again face pain. The question becomes, how do you chose to live with the pain that is in our lives.

I missed your call!

You called! Wow! So how are you doing? Are things going good? How is the new house? How is Stuart? Are you eating? Are you sleeping? Are you taking care of you?///

Like my blog? I am getting better and better at the blog thing. It's pretty cool. The only problem I have is finding time to write. Things are so hectic.///

Since Sunday, I haven't found much more time to pack. Of course, I forget that it is only Tuesday. I did get a few boxes packed yesterday. Time seems to be moving so much faster than it is.///

Tonight I went over to a girl friend's house to hang out. She called me at work to see what we wanted her husband to make for dinner. :) She never cooks so he had given us two choice. Chinese or Fajitas. I choose the Chinese because he is Chinese and his food is so good. We chatted and dug through her scrapbook stuff while he got dinner ready. After dinner we ate chocolate and scrapbooked. It was fun. ///

Tomorrow I get to sleep in! Yeah! Of course then I start to think...I really should get up and get my car washed, go to Target, run by the bookstore. Too much to do! ///

Each night I have something going on! I have over booked myself. Which isn't horrible, but since Tom is visiting, I need rest! I don't need to be trying out for the Olympic team! ///

So I have to cancel something this weekend. I either cancel a birthday chin dig or cancel the conference with Primerica. I lean towards the conference with Primerica. They have another conference in October with a woman that I would like to hear. I just hate to cancel because I know the guilt trip I will get. But I would rather cancel that, knowing I can do it another time, than ditch a friend whom I already told I would celebrate her 30th bday on Friday. Either way, I feel guitly and will get a guilt trip. I would rather a guilt trip be placed on me by another person...so I will cancel with Tracie at Primerica. ///

And work is so busy...but my boss is awesome. She walked in today and told us that the rest of the week we are to take it easy and not let the stress get to us. This morning it was me and her working in the back. She could tell how tired I was and she herself was tired. After seeing the rest of the advisors, she gave us permission to take it easy. That will be hard with payment deadline on the 12th. We get a ton of phone calls from students wondering where there money is. Since when do I just pass out free money? Plus our deadline for paperwork to be turned in was June 1st. What that means is that if you had all your paperwork done by June 1 and into our office, we would have your money in your student account by payment deadline...no need to pay for tuition up front or pay for books out of pocket. Right now I spend a lot of time with students who have turned in their paperwork after June 1st who feel they have the right to have money given to them by August 12th. Never mind that it was their responsibiliy to take care of paperwork or that they are now adults and are responsible for their own being. ///

Yesterday at work I sat down with one of our banks. As soon as this mad rush ends, I will be working with Wells Fargo. We have a huge number of students in default. You can look at the job as just a collection specialist. But I get the chance to teach students about budgeting and their finances. Together we will put together a budget and work to get their credit back in good standing. A side effect will be lower default rates. ///

Plus, I will soon begin implementing some new procedures at the office. I am very excited to get our office running smoothly! There is so much to do, but I can streamline! ///

Well, I'm off to get some sleep. I'll write more later. I can't wait to hear how things are on your end! Miss you!

A sad goodbye

Today I began packing. So much has already been packed, but to see my bookshelves become empty and my walls bare, makes the move so much more real. For ten years I have lived in this room and made it my own. It has been painted, shelves put up, furniture changed and rearranged for the perfect fit. ///

It is hard not to remember all the things that have happened over ten years. Ten years ago I was entering high school. On this same computer, I have typed many essays. In this same chair, I have looked out the window to say hello to the birds that call my windowsill home. And now, ten years later, I have graduated high school and college. I find myself working a eight to five job with the rest of the world. ///

As I have packed I have come across many memories. Each picture that I have wrapped showed some event in my life...camping with high school friends, vacationing in Maine, the Greek festival, the heights church group, my best friend's wedding. Each book represented a different time in my life...Jane Eyre became my favorite book in high school; my first bible given to me; Julie, the first book I read by Catherine Marshall which began an obsession...to collect all her books. ///

Soon my closet will be emptied. Each shelf will lose the life it has held...books that I could not let go of after college; clothes that should go to good will, but whom have brought such comfort that it would be a sin to betray such good companionship; and craft projects that continue to beckon me to finish them. ///

I find myself saying goodbye. I am no longer a young teenager. My life has changed and I am growing up. And as I find myself moving, I know that it will be many years before I call another place home for so long...for ten years. In this move, I follow my parent's to their new home. But soon, I will venture out on my own. At that time I will box my belonging...saying goodbye to some of my things, but still bringing many of my things with me. ///

Though it is exciting to embrace a new place...to make a new place my own...it will continue to be hard to say goodbye to this part of my life.





What ten years I brought into this room is now coming down and being taken out.

We have a new house!

The drama is coming to a close. We are buying a house that is just down the alley. The other day we signed the contract with Jon. Jon drove over to our new home, delivered the contract, and the old owners signed the paperwork! So what does it look like....well, it's a three bedroom, large kitchen, beautiful dining room, nice family room, large bedrooms, large bathrooms. My room will be huge with a walk in closet. Ryan will have the room next to me. Melanie will have the front room. Currently her room is the living room. It will be closed off, french doors put up, and a window put in above the french doors. Some time in the future the room may become a guest room or a living room again. Exciting!

Back yard

Master Bath

Kitchen View 1

Kitchen View 2

Front View

Dining Room.

Master Bedroom

The long awaited story....

So where did I leave off my story about the wedding?

Well, after we finished putting the favors together, everyone was hungry. Who wouldn't be about looking at bags of chocolate with no lunch yet? So we all packed up and headed to TGI Friday's (a favorite Sunday brunch restaurant...eating at the bar with chicken fingers and extra gravy! Yumm!). Lunch was good. I had eaten at 11 so wasn't starving, but I knew that I might not eat for quite some time. I ordered potato skins with a large glass of ice tea. The girls were so cute. They wanted exactly what I had just ordered to drink. As the waiter takes our orders, the girls follow my example and order a glass of ice tea. I wasn't really sure if they would even like a glass of ice tea made from the South. So did they like? Not really. We tried adding sugar but that didn't help. The girls are used to flavored tea. So another round of tea was ordered but this time they ordered peach tea. Much better!

At lunch I pulled out my speech that I was to make the next day. The only person I would let read it was Pam. She loved. She said everyone would cry, but I didn't think so. I had been thinking of that speech for a long time. I wanted everyone to laugh but also wish Jennifer a warm hasta luego. Not goodbye, adios, but hasta luego, until the next time.

After lunch we went to go bye some drinks for the reception and soon after I was racing through Richardson to meet the caterer with the drinks, napkins, and favors.

More to come......

The continuing house saga...

There have been several contenders for a new home and we have put a contract on three! The first home mom and dad looked at was empty. It needed a little work, but it was empty, at a good price, and workable. It had been empty for over two months! And the day before we go to put a contract on the house, someone else beats us to it! Unbelievable! So on the more homes. They looked and looked and found three houses that might work. The one on Dartmonth in Allen was okay, but after driving by it several more time and going to another house showing, that was nixed out. You didn't feel like you were part of a neighborhood and their was something wrong with the foundation. On to house number two. Nice home. So we sent in a contract. But it doesn't look like the owners really want to sell it. They are hagling and just won't take a contract. So we move down the street. We send a contract and then find out a contract was put on the house three days before! The realtor was kind enought not to tell the showing agency or any other realator! Can you hear the scarcasim!

So we are looking again. Friday a three bedroom, nice home went on the market. Mom and Ryan looked at it today. When Dad and I got home, we all went. Tomorrow morning Jon (our realotor sends in a contract). This house is two blocks away and you can actually get to it from our alley! Talk about an easy move!

The Circus

This weekend I went to the circus...Barnimum and Bailey's 'Greatest Show on Earth.' I had never been to the circus before. I as talking to dad before I went and he said it would be just like the circus on the movie Big Fish. He was right. It was really neat.

I saw elephants, horses, ponies, zebras, lionesses, and so much more. There were the clowns (though one ran the show...Bello with bright orange hair). There were motorcycles that drove in a big, steal sphere...a total of six fit in that sphere! Who would have thought that six motorcyles could drive in circles around a sphere and each other! And the gymanastics were amazing. Those people were in shape! We got to see people on trapezees (sp ?) and also saw a man walk a wire that one story above the ground! What a show it was.