tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31743050327962773522024-03-19T02:47:45.814-07:00the independent nation of brookeBJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-19394396319609312702012-05-03T19:25:00.003-07:002012-05-03T19:25:46.163-07:00Last Semester of my Undergrad Career ...And the grades are (drum roll, please!) ...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="" cellpadding="3"><tbody>
<tr class="left"><td>SFLM</td>
<td>W342</td>
<td>FILM GENRE</td>
<td> A</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr class="left">
<td>SJOU</td>
<td>W450</td>
<td>WOMEN IN THE MEDIA</td>
<td> A</td>
<td><br /></td>
<td><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr class="left">
<td>SMUS</td>
<td>W140H</td>
<td>HONORS HIST ROCK MUSIC</td>
<td> A</td>
<td>HONORS</td>
<td><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr class="left">
<td>SSPH</td>
<td>W301</td>
<td>THEOR PRINC HUMAN COMM</td>
<td> A</td>
<td><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-9599848952671461612012-05-02T21:39:00.000-07:002012-05-02T21:39:26.421-07:00Graduation 2012<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXfS8PGhOxQyhIGAdR7U-KbGjGoewOvv0p63lCDaoC1rtPCY0STyLyj_Hy-9c6MtNddAtD3WooBnhfS_ZSjVXPewXN_3PhvG6GLEobMNWN3D6k4S4N1rfphsBEyNrLW9E7v6cbWm0Chw/s1600/Upstate+fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXfS8PGhOxQyhIGAdR7U-KbGjGoewOvv0p63lCDaoC1rtPCY0STyLyj_Hy-9c6MtNddAtD3WooBnhfS_ZSjVXPewXN_3PhvG6GLEobMNWN3D6k4S4N1rfphsBEyNrLW9E7v6cbWm0Chw/s320/Upstate+fountain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The University of South Caroline Upstate (photo credit to Parker Anderson)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPXR_6RmwubdRwv1qXcuZX_J3sdxwnCxAq7lf007uAZagt1vXCGMlsGM7E-8y3YknEKgekmRxtj9J4nbXCaS5UFp6WS0pF4-L1n-akG00WqQpSYyq5XVg2eJO1gLqqWys8Jku7zK9pKY/s1600/Brooke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPXR_6RmwubdRwv1qXcuZX_J3sdxwnCxAq7lf007uAZagt1vXCGMlsGM7E-8y3YknEKgekmRxtj9J4nbXCaS5UFp6WS0pF4-L1n-akG00WqQpSYyq5XVg2eJO1gLqqWys8Jku7zK9pKY/s320/Brooke.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, in line to shake hands with Drs. Harris Pastides (President of the University of South Carolina), Thomas Moore (Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Upstate) and Dirk Schlingmann (Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, USC Upstate) (photo credit to Parker Anderson)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlarPT3zBtqxMadYkkbdxBwz3c50eQn2FqpqWsj0hcpnpMm8bOjwQJAYRpQxAUKyhz9qthJ_Zg-9v_ebWW_TyH-AV9ndl32hMyyIoT7-AhD1jv4yfo6F0igWVe8cSyWkNwUWsCmIDIhds/s1600/Lindsay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlarPT3zBtqxMadYkkbdxBwz3c50eQn2FqpqWsj0hcpnpMm8bOjwQJAYRpQxAUKyhz9qthJ_Zg-9v_ebWW_TyH-AV9ndl32hMyyIoT7-AhD1jv4yfo6F0igWVe8cSyWkNwUWsCmIDIhds/s1600/Lindsay.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Lindsay, pre-graduation (photo credit to Lindsay's iPhone)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpgIF7x7scwedYQBlO2neWAh9Lb3xJ-cfyMI3e_V_G8T2VZIluf86tiwvjBeiPAwHhsKYPN5dOM8TilVHxKYNl5UK9h3ZTTErHNH22fZqCXruzH9__iyMx6YVjsSKsqOHM0kV1Zsh_aI/s1600/Moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpgIF7x7scwedYQBlO2neWAh9Lb3xJ-cfyMI3e_V_G8T2VZIluf86tiwvjBeiPAwHhsKYPN5dOM8TilVHxKYNl5UK9h3ZTTErHNH22fZqCXruzH9__iyMx6YVjsSKsqOHM0kV1Zsh_aI/s1600/Moore.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, shaking hands with the Chancellor (photo credit to Suzanne Heneisen)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-fytdrr0eKOn-5es8xQy72pnjt2HRPI1xxK7CTaxdVWmG3eV2kbb0RNWYmp7N1ZMsjl49kLX7rBi39XB3Lc0cPRaU_05vxSL_u9QJ-3Fj43r-YTWqXHVT8YNMP2IP8TXPHNRqzm9ank/s1600/Parker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-fytdrr0eKOn-5es8xQy72pnjt2HRPI1xxK7CTaxdVWmG3eV2kbb0RNWYmp7N1ZMsjl49kLX7rBi39XB3Lc0cPRaU_05vxSL_u9QJ-3Fj43r-YTWqXHVT8YNMP2IP8TXPHNRqzm9ank/s320/Parker.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Parker (photo credit to some chick & Parker's iPhone)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DXhud-K3GTPiVMJIalQC1dT_2sqyyVjoRN8EtsHWGQMx9Lwzck2GNnPhAbBv9lVaIyTMd1d4l0lHMQKs0V9AXREQP3_enjKqr6YulCD_IAD87ItZ9aDdVegm6P0KGza9WlUrpcEOBoY/s1600/Suzanne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DXhud-K3GTPiVMJIalQC1dT_2sqyyVjoRN8EtsHWGQMx9Lwzck2GNnPhAbBv9lVaIyTMd1d4l0lHMQKs0V9AXREQP3_enjKqr6YulCD_IAD87ItZ9aDdVegm6P0KGza9WlUrpcEOBoY/s320/Suzanne.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Suzanne; One of my dearest friends, her brother graduated with me, earning a degree in Education</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> (photo credit to Lee Heneisen)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRWItHwb5h2PXMTiFI4smYahfNiiKZ3hbjWrPPyQ2-9W9LSDr8Q9-OAcG_JwtMvqH7L5vPqtTJMeGVqD_8DhebrZrfYWu2VE62gcr8EcqOFosjKpH6AQjdQPb2ptKV1ZXacIy63UsNME/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRWItHwb5h2PXMTiFI4smYahfNiiKZ3hbjWrPPyQ2-9W9LSDr8Q9-OAcG_JwtMvqH7L5vPqtTJMeGVqD_8DhebrZrfYWu2VE62gcr8EcqOFosjKpH6AQjdQPb2ptKV1ZXacIy63UsNME/s1600/group.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-graduation celebration with Lindsay, Karen and Maurice (and others!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-29826886353046581752012-04-28T13:11:00.000-07:002012-04-28T13:11:01.561-07:00So ... when I graduate Tuesday evening, I will get to wear my brand new collegiate class ring. I am so, so excited!<br />
<br />
My ring is very traditional - yellow gold, antiqued with a black onyx stone and the school seal. Additionally, it has the year (12) and degree (B.A.) and in the event that you are tempted to steal it and pass it off as your own (and I don't knock you down and break your fingers), you'll be in B-I-G trouble because it also has my full name engraved inside.<br />
So there.<br />
<br />
I love the school motto, which in latin says:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Emollit Mores Nec Sinit Esse Feros</i></b></div>
<br />
which translated reads<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Learning humanizes character and does not permit it to be cruel.</i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sc.edu/toolbox/universitySeal.php"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzHEL7W5Gvgn-VrXQhWyop6sCdT9L73ql4XnLdsxb0kC7yGwhhmo6_E9yQtoOyBRNo1cIiR-NFJOfxZrvrq2E4eq5neC66dK179TkNYKVFTbmIDkK_TODT0WG-93dyqKan8PbCUYItVQ/s400/USC+seal.png" width="400" /></a></div>BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-22104187959031522652012-04-26T20:33:00.000-07:002012-04-26T20:33:19.070-07:00Pre-Graduation Thank You'sBack in the Fall of 1998, I began my Undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg.<br />
I didn't know what I wanted to be or do for the rest of my life but I, like hundreds of other 18 year-olds, began the journey toward adulthood.<br />
Along the way, I met a lot of great people - classmates, professors, co-workers who would become friends ... And I learned a lot - mostly how much I didn't know that I <i>thought </i>I knew. <br />
And in the Spring of 2003, I left school 9 credit hours shy of my B.A., expecting my first child, intending to go back in the Fall. But I didn't.<br />
Life got in the way and eight years passed before finally, things came together for me to re-enroll in school. As of Tuesday night, I will be a graduate of the University of South Carolina Upstate and I need to take a moment to thank some people who share in my success as a student this year:<br />
<b>My husband</b>, Mike.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj-h8WWsAk1_bSU9mKpmEc5_H9bz91RhZGExMXBmfUvATszAqJfqeu2XDf24JTpwVKHGnnRsN8Pxp_RmavbYtA92iujdX3TKj2PaoZh5t9zfskb6oWDWJWQPAjSAaaosUhnMYC39MRzM/s1600/mike+heritage+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKj-h8WWsAk1_bSU9mKpmEc5_H9bz91RhZGExMXBmfUvATszAqJfqeu2XDf24JTpwVKHGnnRsN8Pxp_RmavbYtA92iujdX3TKj2PaoZh5t9zfskb6oWDWJWQPAjSAaaosUhnMYC39MRzM/s320/mike+heritage+2012.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike on the green at the RBC Heritage Media Day (Hilton Head)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He is the ultimate encourager. He has never - not once - implied by thought, deed or word that I might not be able to accomplish anything I ever want to do. He has proofread papers, he has done 100% of the parenting while I camped out in the library, he has put up with my reliving funny & not-so-funny stories and a million other things that I can't think of right now;<br />
<b>My parents</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQo_0oaxNmQYSBDj4l6KNq8N2lpDPUJrtEROFe3B66E5KphWwwqJwOEyck3UFYcOj2sSGK-gpSvAvDTvD77bGE3oX1B3Y7wyxDFG74RMu97TUSnn7qIzImpV_Xb8qz0FHkcNmLFALDP1g/s1600/Easter+2012+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQo_0oaxNmQYSBDj4l6KNq8N2lpDPUJrtEROFe3B66E5KphWwwqJwOEyck3UFYcOj2sSGK-gpSvAvDTvD77bGE3oX1B3Y7wyxDFG74RMu97TUSnn7qIzImpV_Xb8qz0FHkcNmLFALDP1g/s320/Easter+2012+009.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents with the kids on Easter Sunday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
who have pushed and cajoled and quilted me to go back and finish what I started. They have picked up the tab for the first five years of school - you know, the five years when I had no idea what I wanted to be or do and spent a lot of time taking classes that had nothing to do with any of my multiple majors. They have kept my children every Tuesday night of this semester so that I could go to my 2.5 hour film class. They have listened to me complain and vent and cooked dinner and washed clothes and gone on field trips and ... They've just been there, telling me, "Yes you can" when I have cried, "I don't know if I can do this!";<br />
<b>My Children:</b> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxh5ZEDZE6T1eISd8QbCh5k_I1a0Yp8PLpHBi8M-Wm4jPTGdB7S3WkFqPpo9o9X2YNR801xofzuaUHOX3w4k-RiQEMpDoa8WoIR1FudgJNKbZjC9W0E5PGV21OojOjt8IEBZ7ieVPRjQ/s1600/Spring+2012+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxh5ZEDZE6T1eISd8QbCh5k_I1a0Yp8PLpHBi8M-Wm4jPTGdB7S3WkFqPpo9o9X2YNR801xofzuaUHOX3w4k-RiQEMpDoa8WoIR1FudgJNKbZjC9W0E5PGV21OojOjt8IEBZ7ieVPRjQ/s320/Spring+2012+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan & Ella at D's Art Show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I cannot even think of all the things my children have done this year to encourage me but I can tell you that too many nights when they've wanted me to snuggle or watch a movie or even read a book, I've said, "In a few minutes - I have to finish reading/studying/this paper/this assignment/etc." But they are both so, so excited and proud of me and I am so, so glad that they can now say that both of their parents are college graduates (Mike is a 1997 Graduate of <a href="http://www.clemson.edu/">Clemson University</a>);<br />
<b>My friends</b>: <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jJhBHsJ4a-_AcZlT3Vw1JvcxDcx3QU0ZPX4iDILUtC3bar7uBmcrVTeKNOgUABDqW3VVNZUdLibgrl_IDYBQbDpq153Y0U6HwcbbjHzz75WlkGJF6byFevxCbKoGVezjr03mdVXZTD0/s1600/Investiture+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jJhBHsJ4a-_AcZlT3Vw1JvcxDcx3QU0ZPX4iDILUtC3bar7uBmcrVTeKNOgUABDqW3VVNZUdLibgrl_IDYBQbDpq153Y0U6HwcbbjHzz75WlkGJF6byFevxCbKoGVezjr03mdVXZTD0/s320/Investiture+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen, Parker, Lindsay, me & Nick at the Investiture Luncheon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Monica from all the way in Toronto cheering me on and saying, "I'm so glad you're going back to school!", Emily keeping me in the loop with all things cool and all things One Tree Hill, Summer who has covered my gray so I don't feel 10 years older than my classmates and kept Ella and had dinner and listened to my griping, Suzanne who has prayed me through this semester and last, Amanda who has been willing to sit in my disaster area of a house and have a drink and let me vent whenever I needed it; to new friends who may be 10 years younger than me but are kindred spirits who have challenged me academically, who have made me laugh til I can't talk, who have shared you scariest secrets and not run screaming when my children join us for college fun stuff like lunch & luaus, for late-night texts about tests and papers and grades - Lindsay, Karen, Maurice, Parker - you guys have made this year so much fun & in my book you are all the No. 1 Communications Students at Upstate; the Dance Class Mamas<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tdVDrr2QQ2pPxIXcWnBnMt6yUSAKF3ylaKJxHY3x_Q-YM6lNifRxb9H5Si4ATW3GSswY-MGjgnIM_ldpOLPDw-tQSJUaSsFYjA1y8xgvcCEpbcc1MirO_RhyphenhyphenvhUWhmtAWwnCL5Ms458/s1600/Dance+Class+Mama+GNO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tdVDrr2QQ2pPxIXcWnBnMt6yUSAKF3ylaKJxHY3x_Q-YM6lNifRxb9H5Si4ATW3GSswY-MGjgnIM_ldpOLPDw-tQSJUaSsFYjA1y8xgvcCEpbcc1MirO_RhyphenhyphenvhUWhmtAWwnCL5Ms458/s320/Dance+Class+Mama+GNO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dori, Andrea, Jordan, me & Melanie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Seriously, I am not sure that I could have made it through this year without knowing that on Thursday nights I was going to have 45 minutes to sit and laugh and cry with y'all while our girls danced their sweet hearts out - Melanie, Dori, Jordan, Andrea - you guys make me so happy I could spit out my strawberry-mango daiquiri (oh wait - did that already!);<br />
<b>My Professors & Instructors at USC Upstate, specifically</b>:<a href="http://www.uscupstate.edu/academics/arts_sciences/fine_arts/theatre/faculty/faculty.aspx?id=12062"> Jimm Cox</a> (Chair of Fine Arts and Communication Studies, Director of Theatre and Director of the Foreign Study London). When I was at USC Spartanburg the first time, I had Jimm for my Voice and Diction class and later, when I became a Communications major (previously I had been an English major), Jimm became my Academic Adviser. After I left school, I would regularly see Jimm out and he never failed to say something along the lines of, "So, when are you coming back to finish that Degree?" And so last summer when I just <i>knew </i>that this was the time for me to go back to school, Jimm was the first person I called. And over the course of the last year, Jimm has advised me academically and encouraged me personally. Jimm is the epitome of what an educator should be - someone who has knowledge to share & the desire & ability to share it well, someone who knows when to be firm and someone who knows when to give a student a stern-talking-to or a hug; Dr. Ray Merlock (Professor of Journalism; Fine Arts and Communication Studies) - Dr. Merlock was my Senior Seminar teacher back in 2003 and this semester, I have had the pleasure of being in his Film Genre class (which has absolutely kicked my butt). Dr. Merlock is that rare mix of professor who can stand up in front of the class and keep your attention with jokes and puns while explaining to you why oranges are important symbolically in Frances Ford Coppola's The Godfather and stand around after the hardest mid-term ever and be absolutely overjoyed at the confusion and frustration he has caused. Drs. <a href="http://facultyfocus.uscupstate.edu/arts-and-sciences/warren-bareiss-scholarly-pursuits/">Warren Bareiss</a>, <a href="http://facultyfocus.uscupstate.edu/arts-and-sciences/andrea-davis-scholarly-pursuits/">Andrea Davis</a> and <a href="http://facultyfocus.uscupstate.edu/arts-and-sciences/allison-cantrells-scholarly-pursuits/">Allison Cantrell-Ludwig</a> are three of the most available professors one could ever hope to have in academics - they know your name, they are available when you have questions or you've second guessed yourself on paper topics for the millionth time or just to have a laugh with as you head to class. USC Upstate is a great place to go to school because of faculty members like these who care about their students and go the extra mile to create a classroom & campus environment where students can feel comfortable asking questions or speaking up in a discussion during class, or just stopping by their office to whine about all the stress we're under. (Also: Drs. <a href="http://facultyfocus.uscupstate.edu/arts-and-sciences/marilyn-knights-scholarly-pursuits/">Marilyn Knight</a>, <a href="http://news.uscupstate.edu/2011/03/african-american-scholars-and-educators-convene-in-spartanburg-for-college-language-association-annual-convention/">Warren Carson</a>, <a href="http://www.uscupstate.edu/academics/arts_sciences/languages_literature/default.aspx?id=3333">Thomas McConnell</a> & <a href="http://news.uscupstate.edu/2012/01/dr-andrew-myers-to-moderate-lets-talk-about-it-reading-and-discussion-series/">Andrew Meyers</a>, as well as Ms. LuAnn Mawby ... all of whom put up with me in classes).<br />
<br />
I know that there are people I am failing to thank and for that, I apologize.<br />
<br />
I am so, so thankful to have had the opportunity to go back to school and complete my degree. I am so proud of my classmates who will walk across the stage with me on Tuesday night. And I am so excited to say that I am an Alumnus of the <a href="http://www.uscupstate.edu/">University of South Carolina Upstate</a>.<br />
<br />BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-59595915805002629142012-04-26T10:38:00.000-07:002012-04-26T10:38:02.690-07:00FinishedI have no list of "Assignments Due" to share with you all because as of Tuesday evening when I completed my film Genre Final, I am finished with my Bachelor of Arts in Communications-Journalism.<br />
I'll post something longer later, because right now I am at a loss to find the words to describe how I feel.BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-68103860571182932982012-04-21T19:23:00.001-07:002012-04-21T20:45:59.670-07:00Prom 2012<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAdxCVzdQlIo5DjVJqPo9-hesSmi6g4TC1UGCdoXgHHqq18XyBg2BQiVOPh5crlKysLngOfZS7VfobA7Z5eapWVIzUF-lplQh7YWf-iLPJeKFGCB0lkDwXIvdOta4qqlgS34C-zVbuDg/s1600/Prom+2012+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAdxCVzdQlIo5DjVJqPo9-hesSmi6g4TC1UGCdoXgHHqq18XyBg2BQiVOPh5crlKysLngOfZS7VfobA7Z5eapWVIzUF-lplQh7YWf-iLPJeKFGCB0lkDwXIvdOta4qqlgS34C-zVbuDg/s320/Prom+2012+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carly and Laurel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRehVb0zoxVMMXdradTyehZdbEuwNuujzHBHmaIvHbJptrmFllr6QH6q_dtXUSYidkgsRb5-LO0FgvHpBn0SupZoio_IvX_V6SnsMHg3I2scTqs9xkT92rZ9tFz73Bf9AlI7rZmrYwgQ/s1600/Prom+2012+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRehVb0zoxVMMXdradTyehZdbEuwNuujzHBHmaIvHbJptrmFllr6QH6q_dtXUSYidkgsRb5-LO0FgvHpBn0SupZoio_IvX_V6SnsMHg3I2scTqs9xkT92rZ9tFz73Bf9AlI7rZmrYwgQ/s320/Prom+2012+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carly and Dylan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzTk6r_nCdexHptIXCSjHDc8S_hxuM7MmxVOslW0QvRlLqBylyyYpJlJz9F_qz64GRws00uKBjFBYrDKVAxvWwxR14LsCxzIXQWbIR0X1O7ecDM8rxP7TZorWl7UOmdsz3g6Z3dOQLVQ/s1600/Prom+2012+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzTk6r_nCdexHptIXCSjHDc8S_hxuM7MmxVOslW0QvRlLqBylyyYpJlJz9F_qz64GRws00uKBjFBYrDKVAxvWwxR14LsCxzIXQWbIR0X1O7ecDM8rxP7TZorWl7UOmdsz3g6Z3dOQLVQ/s320/Prom+2012+005.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carly and Dylan trying to stay dry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaYNCyO7BRoq9oPS2vtFz49sp8lTX8dXMcBNjvxPTyBU3V0_KRmQaeHw8YZ8pm2fi-EsXZVRWWsBPv6qBQv-68oZSvw_2py73JNh80EYGyK5Kl-VF4Mx3RS66tZ0rx-UTLQ-GkCLmxZM/s1600/Prom+2012+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaYNCyO7BRoq9oPS2vtFz49sp8lTX8dXMcBNjvxPTyBU3V0_KRmQaeHw8YZ8pm2fi-EsXZVRWWsBPv6qBQv-68oZSvw_2py73JNh80EYGyK5Kl-VF4Mx3RS66tZ0rx-UTLQ-GkCLmxZM/s320/Prom+2012+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carly's cute shoes</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc3et9GgZf490CrWKGAgU8lEF7T7vcm8SzLVsRuaRAL4ZlQYD2Mj63mwEe2PW2g6c-pinYYEpFMfrXZjq5dyJ8O_7a8vjVZOVoqBuRuhSQBAvlHZN-khDK8LgAczc5u5q1a55Vf3pUqA/s1600/Prom+2012+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc3et9GgZf490CrWKGAgU8lEF7T7vcm8SzLVsRuaRAL4ZlQYD2Mj63mwEe2PW2g6c-pinYYEpFMfrXZjq5dyJ8O_7a8vjVZOVoqBuRuhSQBAvlHZN-khDK8LgAczc5u5q1a55Vf3pUqA/s320/Prom+2012+009.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXuipO074RDX7kex19cwHP9lKckM2oG1mseDLxaG79CFb4VEx-825QsY8K8qNUgUjMIPycBhMQ8uKMyw3hIVISO9dMfI24vGziAEJi76twJ4eFjgnSkdbMVNisoPrJ7pskgxrt_QhTnE/s1600/Prom+2012+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXuipO074RDX7kex19cwHP9lKckM2oG1mseDLxaG79CFb4VEx-825QsY8K8qNUgUjMIPycBhMQ8uKMyw3hIVISO9dMfI24vGziAEJi76twJ4eFjgnSkdbMVNisoPrJ7pskgxrt_QhTnE/s320/Prom+2012+011.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of Carly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop7FKI5OKlKi6RbehkisYvhHvUpkpe0A3rzHgrh04irgcrzg_tapdMLriZH5uLlUETEfB3hhvabRL1qpJChcB5kgRcZtx_ZwvJ0Byx4mo8ZeTEg_PzDz7DuMqNX8nYeZN2VA4xP2CCC0/s1600/Prom+2012+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop7FKI5OKlKi6RbehkisYvhHvUpkpe0A3rzHgrh04irgcrzg_tapdMLriZH5uLlUETEfB3hhvabRL1qpJChcB5kgRcZtx_ZwvJ0Byx4mo8ZeTEg_PzDz7DuMqNX8nYeZN2VA4xP2CCC0/s320/Prom+2012+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole family</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsJtxIbw1XQb5yFu3kXYTTaxz_HpzTiZ1UEcfYAQjK4E0dKBOIs1aPku4Z8lUI0mdtPq1ZHkDgT2nGhD65HV2jyMIIhWjFFqVz8LS1sbfSRTX0JnlCZ_51K4-MyukYd1nVySQBO2kwoE/s1600/Prom+2012+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsJtxIbw1XQb5yFu3kXYTTaxz_HpzTiZ1UEcfYAQjK4E0dKBOIs1aPku4Z8lUI0mdtPq1ZHkDgT2nGhD65HV2jyMIIhWjFFqVz8LS1sbfSRTX0JnlCZ_51K4-MyukYd1nVySQBO2kwoE/s320/Prom+2012+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and Dad with Carly and Dylan</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiCOHg87iXwqh-hD762wuiRWrUyFvPpem08sLlDsAAR_O3N20IiCK3H07Uls7B_YmaZ-9XJtTZAPFPJ30aNGhRg_lZpNljPkJ-9xsTlDj3Ml1R1VXS559zMI1Hv8sjtItcbV9jdYIXH0/s1600/Prom+2012+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiCOHg87iXwqh-hD762wuiRWrUyFvPpem08sLlDsAAR_O3N20IiCK3H07Uls7B_YmaZ-9XJtTZAPFPJ30aNGhRg_lZpNljPkJ-9xsTlDj3Ml1R1VXS559zMI1Hv8sjtItcbV9jdYIXH0/s320/Prom+2012+025.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYyjyDm2VY2DsC-EP1YdPT8pKC6mwKM2XjQ-wNJMqec9BcjD00ZgyBI1H0-bTMiZe5t4knVJiVHsB98zsJeGavs5-p_AcMoGtEuKTqlHN3QuWCa6eWkgPREE1P4UwYOfHZ3pPYjj332Y/s1600/Prom+2012+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYyjyDm2VY2DsC-EP1YdPT8pKC6mwKM2XjQ-wNJMqec9BcjD00ZgyBI1H0-bTMiZe5t4knVJiVHsB98zsJeGavs5-p_AcMoGtEuKTqlHN3QuWCa6eWkgPREE1P4UwYOfHZ3pPYjj332Y/s320/Prom+2012+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her pretty hair</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCQK1kV2jOr0XMMVkyTrs8FCOAQocJIr25H7byzqW61uLzhhyphenhyphenM1wU6WcoZuYHF6FlPcif-NSr2wpYPz_vUXz2FGj1IzM0w8ELvg5DpF3_OUTuNCXItC2ZGBw2F6M3sod1n1lWRsKBPOA/s1600/Prom+2012+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCQK1kV2jOr0XMMVkyTrs8FCOAQocJIr25H7byzqW61uLzhhyphenhyphenM1wU6WcoZuYHF6FlPcif-NSr2wpYPz_vUXz2FGj1IzM0w8ELvg5DpF3_OUTuNCXItC2ZGBw2F6M3sod1n1lWRsKBPOA/s320/Prom+2012+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally stopped raining long enough to get a few outside pictures</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV97NYpIkMuKCC4hp-P17jhb8Y8WiyddvYY9_GfJThOWiWr6wFUdbXzoe9s2APMZvBxyo7wl4WFkDPyCKN0tKmY7qwehcjNsuc66IZhqes6bUsUn-boFedLXvLuAO22z2qlB83Pod8ic0/s1600/Prom+2012+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV97NYpIkMuKCC4hp-P17jhb8Y8WiyddvYY9_GfJThOWiWr6wFUdbXzoe9s2APMZvBxyo7wl4WFkDPyCKN0tKmY7qwehcjNsuc66IZhqes6bUsUn-boFedLXvLuAO22z2qlB83Pod8ic0/s320/Prom+2012+073.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaking wet outside and Daddy helping her dry her sweet feet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-Wt-ARauxNby_hsX5OgF1wLk1Tutl2IYBCbRzIEHJQ56AEMHUpbhEuokBZ5GLv1rW0vEfYLq4Ic4QA7o5nRToxNcrRbJmIce1-lBlcNIyNUDFYu0nh30GtSewt3i6SU4JxCwtYzT03c/s1600/Prom+2012+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-Wt-ARauxNby_hsX5OgF1wLk1Tutl2IYBCbRzIEHJQ56AEMHUpbhEuokBZ5GLv1rW0vEfYLq4Ic4QA7o5nRToxNcrRbJmIce1-lBlcNIyNUDFYu0nh30GtSewt3i6SU4JxCwtYzT03c/s320/Prom+2012+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never, ever too old to be a Cinderella</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav97BREKb_ftyxR64Yu_UOLIVwZ3Inb_Tt0s3nHKiitXo_bEgKUpDpeddTPGlYJz2CKYqUIABtZd2Wqf7hP5KpI3KyirOdx41gPUG_1iLns3iw_Qbw25Z1wus58lHf3La6HMkRdhSgqQ/s1600/Prom+2012+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav97BREKb_ftyxR64Yu_UOLIVwZ3Inb_Tt0s3nHKiitXo_bEgKUpDpeddTPGlYJz2CKYqUIABtZd2Wqf7hP5KpI3KyirOdx41gPUG_1iLns3iw_Qbw25Z1wus58lHf3La6HMkRdhSgqQ/s320/Prom+2012+076.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carly with my handsome guy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ2Den4epDtdcv0vhOlUjlIJ8jKswiNv0mFKtq0niJ-jUBQDwSwJHRwDPDAQ5GklhYc9l91otYOJbJh8OKOWD8L5j_NiFMoG-H3yMxsx8_WwevkoxgWKcxRSKE6CAmKPm15LS2rTLiyY/s1600/Prom+2012+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJ2Den4epDtdcv0vhOlUjlIJ8jKswiNv0mFKtq0niJ-jUBQDwSwJHRwDPDAQ5GklhYc9l91otYOJbJh8OKOWD8L5j_NiFMoG-H3yMxsx8_WwevkoxgWKcxRSKE6CAmKPm15LS2rTLiyY/s320/Prom+2012+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three of my favorite super silly girls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNfSGVcQnQxzcHbAc_pds-7hjyRRzhGRS-RoslzHKlHDhK8L3WIwBI2xFMsLKNWWmkqtrxe624smNP_A_Jl6zjulHHhUeAfvPoxwlNhZDrrnEbxZf8W2WuzZhhuMThyphenhyphengZxBxZ7mde3k0/s1600/Prom+2012+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNfSGVcQnQxzcHbAc_pds-7hjyRRzhGRS-RoslzHKlHDhK8L3WIwBI2xFMsLKNWWmkqtrxe624smNP_A_Jl6zjulHHhUeAfvPoxwlNhZDrrnEbxZf8W2WuzZhhuMThyphenhyphengZxBxZ7mde3k0/s320/Prom+2012+080.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way out the door ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15KoQjBxaKGYbge8PU0R9Y-Xl_CDMIum8W2_VW8-K0Ql3VRXA2JqlOK0ea7pc_7d0v0waAHkTRHu2SeULWmUS6qxrJjP-4meFjWcNFF2RUEmupBDtLv3GWLUfPYMvOlF6-mMS4qLswWU/s1600/Prom+2012+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15KoQjBxaKGYbge8PU0R9Y-Xl_CDMIum8W2_VW8-K0Ql3VRXA2JqlOK0ea7pc_7d0v0waAHkTRHu2SeULWmUS6qxrJjP-4meFjWcNFF2RUEmupBDtLv3GWLUfPYMvOlF6-mMS4qLswWU/s320/Prom+2012+081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting the door for the pretty girl is the wise move </td></tr>
</tbody></table>BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-64928046734526725682012-04-20T21:35:00.000-07:002012-04-20T21:35:08.809-07:00Roughly 81 Hours To GoLast of the To-Do List:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><li><strike>a lit review for my Theories & Principals of Human Communications (due the 17th)</strike></li>
<li><strike>a film paper (due the 17th)</strike></li>
<li><strike> Pop Culture Assessment Paper (dues the 18th) </strike></li>
<li><strike>a final test on the History of Rock & Roll (due by 5 p.m. the 20th)</strike></li>
<li><strike> 20 listening blog entries (due the 20th)</strike></li>
<li>a paper for my Women in the Media class (due the 23rd) <strike><br />
</strike></li>
<li>Final Exam for my Theories & Principles of Human Communications class (10% of grade) Tuesday the 24th 9:30 a.m.</li>
<li>Final Exam for my Film Genre Course (unsure how it affects my grade but we're being test on The Godfather, Fargo, Crash, The Departed, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) Tuesday the 24th 6:30-9:30 p.m. </li>
<li>my portion of a wikipedia entry (dues the 25th) </li>
</ul>On-going projects until we make our official move: <br />
<ul><li>Pack and pack some more</li>
<li>Find a job </li>
<li>Laundry</li>
<li>Wash dishes</li>
<li>Feed, clothe, house & keep healthy two amazing children</li>
</ul>So ... If you're hiring, message me - I am definitely looking for a j-o-b!BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-55148348586627837692012-04-19T18:19:00.000-07:002012-04-19T18:19:56.109-07:00Hours To Go ...So ...<br />
Today was my last day of undergraduate classes.<br />
Ever.<br />
I have one day of finals on Tuesday and ... That's it.<br />
As of May 1, 2012, I will have my B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism.<br />
Last of the To-Do List:<br />
<br />
<ul><li><strike>a lit review for my Theories & Principals of Human Communications (due the 17th)</strike></li>
<li><strike>a film paper (due the 17th)</strike></li>
<li><strike> Pop Culture Assessment Paper (dues the 18th) </strike></li>
<li>my portion of a wikipedia entry (dues the 20th)</li>
<li>20 listening blog entries (due the 20th)</li>
<li>a final test on the History of Rock & Roll (due by 5 p.m. the 20th)</li>
<li>a paper for my Women in the Media class (due the 23rd) </li>
</ul>On-going projects until we make our official move: <br />
<ul><li>Pack and pack some more</li>
<li>Find a job </li>
<li>Laundry</li>
<li>Wash dishes</li>
<li>Feed, clothe, house & keep healthy two amazing children</li>
</ul>So ... If you're hiring, message me - I am definitely looking for a j-o-b!<br />
<br />
Best, all!<br />
BJMBJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-67740861803613297022012-04-07T18:27:00.000-07:002012-04-07T18:27:41.881-07:00Easter Weekend AlreadyI can't believe that it has literally been 40 days since I last blogged.<br />
I either owe my readers an apology or ... I hate to think of the alternative!<br />
For now, I just wanted to do a quick update:<br />
I have 4 (yes, FOUR) <i>days </i>remaining as an undergraduate student (I only attend classes on Tues/Thurs). Uh, yes. My finals all fall on one day (April 24) ... of course, between now and then I have:<br />
<ul><li>a Pop Culture Assessment Paper (dues the 13th)</li>
<li>a lit review for my Theories & Principals of Human Communications (due the 17th)</li>
<li>a film paper (due the 17th)</li>
<li>my portion of a wikipedia entry (dues the 20th)</li>
<li>20 listening blog entries (due the 20th)</li>
<li>a final test on the History of Rock & Roll (due by 5 p.m. the 20th)</li>
<li>a paper for my Women in the Media class (due the 23rd) </li>
</ul>On-going projects until we make our official move: <br />
<ul><li>Pack and pack some more</li>
<li>Find a job </li>
<li>Laundry</li>
<li>Wash dishes</li>
<li>Feed, clothe, house & keep healthy two amazing children</li>
</ul>Things I have checked off my list of Things To Do: <br />
<ul><li><strike>Order my class ring (and it should be here by May 11th)</strike></li>
<li><strike>Purchase my cap & gown. </strike></li>
<li><strike>Give $20.12 for Senior Gift</strike></li>
<li><strike>We have found a place to live, put down the deposit and signed the lease. </strike></li>
<li><strike>Find a place to live</strike></li>
</ul>It's been a super busy <strike>40 days</strike> 10 weeks with another 7 to go ... But graduation is just around the corner (May 1) ... and once school is out, we will be making our move official. And boy oh boy, it will be nice to have the four of us under one roof!<br />
<br />
Thanks, y'all, for your prayers, your kind words & thoughts, your support ... I will continue to update the blog as time allows ... thanks for your patience!<br />
<br />
BJMBJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-75330799936569369162012-02-22T15:38:00.000-08:002012-02-22T15:38:57.498-08:00Ash WednesdayI have never given up anything during the Lenten season. But this year, I am.<br />
Well, I'm trying.<br />
This year I am giving up meats and sweets.<br />
For forty days.<br />
I hope.<br />
You see, it's 6:30 p.m. on Day One of my Forty Day Lenten Fast, and already I find myself bargaining to get to the next meal.<br />
"Here you go ... some almonds until lunch time."<br />
"Here you go ... some fruit to tide you over til supper time."<br />
When of course all I really want is the Double Stuff Oreos that are on sale at Ingles.<br />
I am hopeful that some local seasonal fruits or veggies will be available before Easter, but probably not.<br />
So if you have vegetarian recipes you want to share, please do ... I am not giving up dairy, so feel free to share those recipes, too.<br />
<br />
<b>In other news ...</b><br />
<ul><li>School is going well for all at our house. </li>
<ul><li>Our 8-year old is on track for the 3rd 9-weeks Principal's Honor Roll (all A's) and our 4-year old loves preschool more than chocolate (which is a tremendous accomplishment for preschools everywhere). </li>
<li>I am doing well and can hardly believe May 1st is just 9 1/2 weeks away - Wow! I really need to buckle down on my application for Grad School, as it's due 3/15 (yikes!). </li>
</ul><li>We need to re-home two pets. We are re-locating and have 4 pets (two dogs, two cats). Since we are going to be renting for a while we have run into an issue with that number of pets. So, we are looking for a new home for: </li>
<ul><li> Jedi (20-month old male orange tabby cat who has been fixed and is in excellent health). Jedi is a rescue kitty who is the opposite of every stereotype about cats - he is incredibly affectionate and loves to play and snuggle. </li>
<li>And for Lucky, a rescue dog who has been with us since Thanksgiving of 2005. We think that he is about 7 years old. He weighs about 45 pounds and prefers women to men. He is also in great health. If you or someone you know might be interested, please comment with your e-mail and I will happily tell you more. We will be asking for veterinary references for any home that either of our pets go to - they are very loved, but we have to be reasonable about where we can live. </li>
</ul></ul><br />
Ummm ... that's all, for now.<br />
<br />
Happy Ash Wednesday!BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-18673741724193725022012-02-13T06:10:00.000-08:002012-02-13T06:10:53.364-08:00Valentine's What?Just sitting here, the day before Valentine's Day, watching my recently-turned-four-year-old address and sign her own Disney Princess Valentine cards, <b>that's all</b>.<br />
Wow.<br />
A week ago, she could only write her name ... this week, she wrote her brother's name, her cousin's name, her grandparent's names and "Daddy" ... Um, I dunno about you, but where <i>I</i> come from, that's almost as awesome as say ... a Grammy.<br />
And speaking of Grammy's ...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QzyVXWzzgnw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Did you watch? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I did. </b></span></div>I watched because I wanted to see the performances but <b>also </b>because I actually know two artists who were nominated. Um, yeah - I'm awesome like that.<br />
<a href="http://petercoopermusic.com/fr_home.cfm">Peter Cooper </a>was nominated for Best Children's Album for his album <i>I Love: Tom T. Hall's Songs of Fox Hollow</i>. Peter didn't win, but that's o.k. - he's got lots more music to make and I'm excited for him. I am also looking forward to taking my children to hear and see him perform live in our hometown this March.<br />
<a href="http://laurastorymusic.com/">Laura Story</a> was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Song for her song, <i>Blessings</i>. I met Laura for the first time when I was in high school and she was a student at the University of South Carolina and part of the band <a href="http://www.christianmusic.com/silers_bald/silers_bald.htm">Siler's Bald</a>. Although we grew up in the same town, we don't really know each other, but we've met at several functions and I was excited to see a hometown girl win.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">“It was wonderful to see a fellow Spartan, Laura Story, win a Grammy,” Peter Cooper told the <i>Spartanburg Herald-Journal's</i> Dan <a href="http://www.goupstate.com/personalia/01241101" rel="author">Armonaitis</a> after the afternoon ceremony. “My award came when (Grammy-winning Country Music Hall of Fame member) Emmylou Harris told me she voted for me.”</blockquote>Highlights of televised portion of the Grammy's (at least for me) were:<br />
<ul><li>Hearing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ugPDLVXH78&feature=colike">Alicia Keys & Bonnie Raitt</a> pay tribute to Etta James, singing her <a href="http://youtu.be/nfNLspDL3ns"><i>Sunday Kind of Love; </i></a> </li>
<li>the <a href="http://youtu.be/zBllOWNuG-E">Glen Campbell Tribute</a> (so, so amazing to see how gracefully he is handling an Alzheimer's diagnosis) - The Band Perry, Blake Shelton and the Rhinestone Cowboy himself took part and it was beautiful; </li>
<li>Taylor Swift's performance of her awesome song, <a href="http://justjared.buzznet.com/2012/02/12/taylor-swift-grammys-performance-2012/"><i>Mean</i></a> (click on the link and scroll down to watch) ... Just have to say that I love this song and if you're wondering, the entire album is just as strong musically and lyrically; </li>
<li><a href="http://www.foofighters.com/us/home">Foo Fighters</a> winning Best Rock Album. 'Cause seriously, they were the <i>only </i>rock band nominated and they recorded the album in their garage!; </li>
<li>A new band ... the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thecivilwars">Civil Wars</a>. Oh. My. </li>
<li>And of course, <a href="http://youtu.be/FiMK9e0h6YE">Adele</a>. I'm not really sure that there are words to describe her amazing voice and if it's that amazing from the television, I can't imagine seeing and hearing her <i>live</i>! </li>
</ul>Alrighty then. That's all for now, y'all. Go listen to some amazing music and Happy St. Valentine's Day!BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-62696989817510126562012-02-02T20:04:00.000-08:002012-02-02T20:04:46.721-08:00Just Sayin'My last day of undergraduate classes: April 24 (a day <b>full </b>of exams).<br />
<b>That's 11 weeks</b>.<br />
Or <b>22 days</b>, since I only have classes on Tuesdays & Thursdays. <br />
<b>264 HOURS</b> of class time. <br />
Um. <b>Wow</b>.<br />
Last week my Grad School folder came. No, not the one that says "<i>accepted</i>" (although that one will be so much more awesome!) - the one that gives all the details for what I must do for admittance:<br />
<ul><li>GRE Score</li>
<li>2 Professional Letters of Reference</li>
<li>3.0 GPA</li>
</ul>I am a little anxious about applying (Deadline is March 15), but it's still what I want to do.<br />
Master's of Library & Information Sciences.<br />
I'm already dreaming of literacy programs & books clubs; of ordering new books & putting them out for <i>my </i>students to read; for helping with research & pointing kids toward books they'll love & bringing in authors & holding writing seminars.<br />
I'm actually getting giddy just typing this.<br />
So ... 22 days of this preparation for the <i>next </i>thing.<br />
<i><b>And there will be a next thing. </b></i>BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-2692952112052746402012-01-21T18:29:00.000-08:002012-01-21T18:42:59.565-08:00GOP Primary Time In S.C.So it looks like the win, though votes are still be tallied, goes to <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/newt-gingrich-9311969">Newt Gingrich</a> in today's S.C. primary.<br />
<br />
While I can say that I did not vote for Gingrich, I won't say who I did cast a vote for, as a nod to my parents.<br />
<br />
"What? Why?" You might be asking.<br />
<br />
Well ... here's why.<br />
<br />
When I was a girl growing up in my parents home, I would ask things like, "Who did you vote for, Daddy?" and my Daddy would say, "That's private."<br />
<br />
As a (very, <i>very </i>nosy) little girl, I did not understand this response. But today, in the world of facebook, twitter and other methods of instant gratification - I do.<br />
<br />
I enjoy talking politics - mostly. I enjoy offering my opinion. I enjoy fact-checking. (I prefer <a href="http://factcheck.org/">factcheck.org</a>, if you're interested). <b> </b><br />
<br />
<i><b>But </b></i>I don't enjoy the pure anger and hatred that politics bring out in (some) people when you disagree with them, or offer a differing point of view from theirs (mine).<br />
<br />
So I won't be saying who I voted for, but I will say that I voted for him (No, I did not vote Michelle Bachman, despite her name - along with John Huntsman, Rick Perry and Hermain Cain - remaining on the ballot) <i>knowing </i>that he most likely would not win. <b>But </b>I voted knowing that on major issues, I agree with the person that I voted for and on some issues, I could live with his stand.<br />
<br />
So, there. It's no BBQ post, but that's politics in South Carolina.<br />
<br />
Let's hope it's not a reflection of the National party's stand.<br />
<br />
(Ooops - sorry - that was a bit opinionated after all).<br />
<br />
Ok ... I was going to stop there, but let me say this - just in case someone out there reads this and cares.<br />
<br />
<b>What we (I) need in a politician is this: </b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Someone who is <b>honest</b>.</blockquote><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Someone who doesn't pretend to be perfect. </b>You've screwed up? Big deal. So have I. As my 9th grade Geography teacher would have said: Fido. Forget it and drive on. Just tell me - honestly - that you're going to try to do better.</blockquote><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Don't tell me you're going to do something you're not. </b>For example, if you're <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/mitt-romney-241055">Mitt Romney</a>, don't tell me that you're going to repeal ObamaCare - you're not. It's modeled on <a href="http://www.factcheck.org/2011/03/romneycare-facts-and-falsehoods/">YOUR </a>healthcare program in Massachusetts. Say you support public health care options and remind us that you've helped set up a <a href="http://www.factcheck.org/2011/03/romneycare-facts-and-falsehoods/">program </a>that (seems to, at least) work. Tell me you know how to tweak the healthcare bill to make it better for Americans who want healthcare and can't afford it at its current cost.</blockquote><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Is there someone out there who wants to run for office who DID NOT get his (or her) first job because of connections? </b>Family, Fraternity/Sorority? I'm all for networking, but c'mon - I know that there are qualified people out there who did not get their first jobs because Mom or Dad made a call, or because they were in a Frat with so-and-so's brother. Some people have become successful through hard work, through trial and error, by making mistakes and learning from them - where are you?? Three words: <i>Run For Office.</i> (Note: I also admit that some people have done well - in the public and/or private sector with the benefit of their "connections" - I'm just ready for a <i>something </i>different!)</blockquote>I have several friends who have run for local office, several who have been elected. These (for the most part - haha) are great people who love their families and their community and want to make decisions that will help set the stage for their children to have opportunities and to see their communities thrive - there must be people like them out there who want to make a run for a national office - c'mon, don't be afraid!<br />
<br />
Ok. That's my soapbox. I'm getting down now.<br />
<br />
Oh! Last thing: To those of you who have voted - either today or previous weeks - thank you.<br />
<br />
Seriously, even if you voted for the wrong guy (or girl), you did your job.BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-84341147257942811452012-01-18T18:03:00.000-08:002012-01-18T18:03:42.216-08:00Here's What You Get ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrY8VSrAQWaI_DYN-qbG_kOB1jRQ4PDKqpgaP-AMys2MXS5knNzNuXH1gBd1QmhF4WxgOAdD4luWugRgYYKrqdbQ7JIPSEuza1hVYQPZZ5XcWsCJEaLs44bb9Umf_GX5MeY4xHZmmMBA/s1600/Pig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrY8VSrAQWaI_DYN-qbG_kOB1jRQ4PDKqpgaP-AMys2MXS5knNzNuXH1gBd1QmhF4WxgOAdD4luWugRgYYKrqdbQ7JIPSEuza1hVYQPZZ5XcWsCJEaLs44bb9Umf_GX5MeY4xHZmmMBA/s320/Pig2.png" width="302" /></a></div><br />
I love barbeque.<br />
<i>Seriously</i>.<br />
At Thanksgiving with my Dad's family, we always had Prosser's BBQ which my aunt picked up in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prossers-BBQ-Inc/165990480093456?sk=info">Hemingway</a>.<br />
When we go to the beach, my first stop after unloading the car, is <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/prossers-bar-b-que-murrells-inlet">Prosser's BBQ in Murrell's Inlet</a>.<br />
I also enjoy politics. Somewhat.<br />
So it was with great enjoyment that I read <a href="http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/01/5047002/romneys-mustard-base-guide-south-carolina-barbecue-and-republican-p">this article</a> today which merged the two.<br />
Personally, I'm a girl who <i><b>loves </b></i>the vinegar and salt bbq of the low-country, but I also <i>like </i>the mustard-based bbq of the midlands. And in the Upstate, I love <a href="http://www.bullhawgsbbq.com/story.htm">Bull Hawg's</a>.<br />
So, now you have my recommendations and maybe I've piqued your curiosity about my politics. I will be voting in the S.C. GOP Primary, but I've not decided yet for whom ... is the bbq map any kind of indicator? Hmmmm ...BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-19004503751072746122012-01-17T20:11:00.000-08:002012-05-02T21:45:21.794-07:00Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday!Today has been <b>sweet</b>.<br />
<ul>
<li>I had a quiz that I was totally prepared to take, despite its being of the 'pop' quiz variety. </li>
<li>I got my newly-turned-four-year-old enrolled in preschool for the remainder of the year. </li>
<li>I got to have lunch with my husband. </li>
<li>My eight-year old brought home another stunning report card - beautiful A's in academics and S's (for satisfactory) art, music, P.E., computer & library. The best part? He's as excited as we are and loves challenging himself. </li>
<li>I went to film class and got to watch a great movie that I would've never chosen to watch on my own - the 1941 Best Picture Award went to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033729/"><i>How Green Was My Valley</i></a>, set in a South Wales coal-mining town and narrated by the youngest of six siblings, Huw Morgan. Yes, you should look it up. Yes, you should watch. Yes, it's in black & white - get over it.</li>
<li>I came home to my sweet girl who wanted nothing more than to snuggle - with me. </li>
<li>I got to watch <a href="http://www.fox.com/new-girl/full-episodes/4840598/">The New Girl</a> and <a href="http://www.nbc.com/parenthood/">Parenthood</a>. </li>
</ul>
<br />
You know, it's pretty easy to get caught up in the - to put it bluntly - <i><b>crap </b></i>of when our lives aren't going exactly right, or exactly the way we've planned. I am <b>so </b>guilty of that.<br />
I am ashamed to say that sometimes I put my children off until bed time.<br />
Sometimes (okay, most of the time) I don't take the time to 1) watch and 2) appreciate a film that has stood the test of time.<br />
Many times (more so in the past), I have taken school for granted and not put in nearly the effort that was necessary for me to do well.<br />
Today was one of those days where things just seemed illuminated for me.<br />
I'm thankful to be in school.<br />
I'm thankful for well-done movies.<br />
I'm tremendously thankful for my beautiful, sweet, smart, funny, certainly-not-perfect-but-who-cares-'cause-they're-mine children.<br />
I'm <i>awfully </i>thankful to be married to my best friend and even more thankful that we still enjoy having lunch together and talking about the details of our life. <br />
Tuesday - you have been a good day.BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-8395255622089343412012-01-13T19:47:00.000-08:002012-01-13T19:47:56.797-08:00The Home StretchAre any of you runners?<br />
I used to be.<br />
In high school, (I may have mentioned this before) I ran the 800 meter and the 1600 meter for our high school track team for one season.<br />
I was not an especially fast runner (which is fine for both of these events) and while I am not now nor was I then "built" for running, I was in great shape and better-than-average endurance.<br />
I actually only ran track so that conditioning for volleyball and basketball would not be so, well, hellish. But it turned out that track was fun.<br />
I had a couple of friends who ran track and were really good, and I made more friends that season of running.<br />
Our coach was not a lot of fun and his shorts were inappropriately short, but he was fair and a good trainer for us.<br />
Over the course of the season, I got some help from new coaches - working on my stride and changing things I naturally did to improve my times in both events. <br />
And so, while I hated the actual act of running, I loved being on the track team.<br />
And I loved gaining an understanding of the language of running.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Home stretch. </b></div>It's a phrase that is used fairly often, so it's probably one you are somewhat familiar with, even if you don't know <i>exactly </i>what it means. But the home stretch is this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">For example, let's pretend you are running the 1600 meters (also known as the one mile event).<br />
On a standard running track, one mile is four laps. The finish line is usually on one of the long, straight sides rather than in the curve. So when a runner speaks of the home stretch, he or she is talking about the very end of that last lap - as you come around the last curve, you reach down deep and get that last little bit of *umf* and for those last few meters, you kick it up a notch as you stretch toward the finish line. You're in the home stretch. </blockquote>So that's where I find myself today - in the home stretch.<br />
My final semester of my under graduate career began this week.<br />
<br />
Back in August of 1998, starting my under graduate career and expecting to finish in that four year window was something that seemed like a no-brainer. Something that I had expected to do ever since that 2nd grade field trip to Clemson University.<br />
But life happens and things change. And while I was very, very close to completing my undergraduate degree when I left school in May of 2003, I did not.<br />
And it took eight years for me to find a way back to school.<br />
It was not easy.<br />
<ul><li>Back in August when I walked in to my first college class in eight years, I was (by far) one of the oldest students in my Statistics class (BTW - made a C!! Yay!). </li>
<li>Back in August when I walked in to my first college class in eight years, I had not had Algebra I & II since 10th grade. My "college math" class does not <i>even </i>count. </li>
<li>Back in August when I walked in to my first college class in eight years, I did so knowing that when I got home my children and husband would want to hear how it was. </li>
<li>Back in August when I walked in to my first college class in eight years, I did so knowing that I have people counting on me - not to make Dean's List (which is awesome) but to finish what I started. </li>
</ul>And now here I am.<br />
In the Home Stretch.<br />
Kicking it in to high gear to finish well and strong what I started 14 years ago. <br />
*phew*<br />
One week down, 15 weeks to go.BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-22628078238147145142012-01-11T18:23:00.000-08:002012-01-11T18:36:11.358-08:00One Tree HillUm, yes - I'm that girl. I'm that 30-something girl who is married with children and still can't get enough of the CW.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">I loved <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118276/">Buffy the Vampire Slayer</a>. <br />
I loved <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162065/">Angel</a>. (Okay - to be fair, I mostly loved <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004770/">David Boreanaz</a>)<br />
I loved <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0158552/">Charmed</a>.<br />
I loved <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238784/">The Gilmore Girls</a>.<br />
I loved <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115083/">7th Heaven</a>.</blockquote>I have been so, so disappointed that <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368530/">One Tree Hill</a> ended. Everyone (network people) said that it did have a conclusion, but I did not think so.<br />
So during the Christmas holidays, I was so thrilled when I saw commercials announcing the return of One Tree Hill for a REAL, final season.<br />
So ... Tonigh at 8 p.m. EST, I watched the first episode of the new, final season.<br />
<br />
<b>Spoiler below!</b><br />
<br />
Brooke (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0124208/">Sophia Bush</a>) & Julian (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629538/">Austin Nichols</a>) have twin boys - Davis & Jude;<br />
Clay (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2159347/">Robert Buckley</a>) & Quinn (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1416900/">Shantel Van Santen</a>) are dealing with Clay's sleep-walking and ending up in random places;<br />
Chris Keller (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1675091/">Tyler Hilton</a>) is back; <br />
Someone is (I think) stalking Haley (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0502342/">Bethany Joy Galeotti</a>);<br />
<br />
<b>So the opening one minute or so is a series of scenes from the season to come: </b><br />
<br />
Looks like Lucas (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0614877/">Chad Michael Murray</a>) is back (getting the crap kicked out of him); <br />
Haley identifying a body (is it Nathan?);<br />
Dan (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0424035/">Paul Johansson</a>) & Chris teamed up with guns?;<br />
Chase (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1739873/">Stephen Colletti</a>) with blood on his face being put into the back of a police cruiser ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rp7MBfPuRLk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
Um, I think it's safe to say that I'm a very, very excited about the upcoming episodes.<br />
<br />
Yay!BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-75487114398066889042012-01-02T14:57:00.000-08:002012-01-02T14:57:18.646-08:00We Bought a Zoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEWZoS49HL8/TwI1JROetyI/AAAAAAAAABQ/M_ov7fXI8y0/s1600/we+bought+a+zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEWZoS49HL8/TwI1JROetyI/AAAAAAAAABQ/M_ov7fXI8y0/s1600/we+bought+a+zoo.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>No, not us. But I did just finish <a href="http://www.dartmoorzoo.org/gifts/family-ticket-a-signed-book.html"><i>We Bought a Zoo</i> by Benjamin Mee</a> as my first book of 2012.<br />
<i>We Bought a Zoo</i> is (former?) journalist Ben Mee's memoir about his family's 2006 purchase of what was formerly the Dartmoor Wildlife Park in Devon County, England.<br />
The book was a quick read, detailing the family's decision to pursue the purchase of the park that has since been reopened and is now called the <a href="http://www.dartmoorzoo.org/">Dartmoor Zoological Park</a>. The book also briefly touches on the illness and death of Ben's wife, Katherine, from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glioblastoma_multiforme">glioblastoma </a>(an aggressive form of brain cancer).<br />
There were some very humorous parts and some very sad parts, but the emotion of the book is not so overwhelming that a reader is left feeling drained by its conclusion.<br />
While the movie of the same name is only loosely based on the actual story, I am still interested in the film, which I believe is well done (hello - directed by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001081/">Cameron Crow</a> and starring <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000354/">Matt Damon</a>) and interesting. And, being that I am a life-long animal lover, I'm now more interested in this family-run zoological park who has as one of its primary goals conservation and breeding of high-risk animals, I'm even more glad that I picked this book up.<br />
Next up is a book I started several weeks ago and had to put down while in the midst of the semester - <a href="http://rebeccaskloot.com/the-immortal-life/"><i>The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks</i></a> by Rebecca Skloot. I promise to let you know what I think.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7wasaypRDo/TwI2CeUL-bI/AAAAAAAAABc/kXTLEVx6acw/s1600/immortal+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7wasaypRDo/TwI2CeUL-bI/AAAAAAAAABc/kXTLEVx6acw/s1600/immortal+life.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-12527694183957352962011-12-31T23:07:00.000-08:002011-12-31T23:07:34.834-08:00Happy New Year 2012<div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix"><div>I thought about making some resolutions of <strong><em>Things I Want to Change in the Year 2012</em></strong> ... And then I remembered how hard it is for me to make changes. So instead of resolving to change things, I resolve to do my favorite things more often in this new year ... Here are a few of the things I can't wait to do!<br />
<ul><li>I will love more ... My husband, my children, my family, my friends. </li>
<li>I will laugh more often ... with those I love and by myself. </li>
<li>I will enjoy moments with those I love ... I will worry less about the small stuff and will stop to play with my children - puzzles, games, Legos, tag; I will enjoy the moments with my husband and slow down to appreciate the time we have together. </li>
<li>I will read more books with meaning. Taking suggestions now, so make yours. </li>
<li>I will cook at home and teach my children what little I know, and I will make time to cook with my Mom. </li>
<li>I will spend time with friends ... Don't worry, I'll drive to Clemson, or Lyman, Columbia, Charlotte ... Where are you, Friends? And if you're just down the street, we're having dinner or meeting at the park - but we're getting together!</li>
<li>I will plan the Girls Trip we keep talking about and we'll do it (maybe it will be a couple of years, but lets get to planning!)</li>
<li>I am going to walk the dogs farther and more often.</li>
<li>Blog more often! I promise! </li>
</ul><br />
2012 is going to be great and I can't wait to share it with those I love and with those I will come to love!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Some things to come ...</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KK1PEHbrqtM/TwAEiM8GIGI/AAAAAAAAAAo/jIb6YPZv7Nk/s1600/Post-thanksgiving+%2526Dance+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KK1PEHbrqtM/TwAEiM8GIGI/AAAAAAAAAAo/jIb6YPZv7Nk/s320/Post-thanksgiving+%2526Dance+144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> More ballet and tap</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vyaH1PGSDVo/TwAE1ycXQDI/AAAAAAAAAAw/cWI4oYSQ8Xg/s1600/Piano+Recital+and+MA+Ordination+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vyaH1PGSDVo/TwAE1ycXQDI/AAAAAAAAAAw/cWI4oYSQ8Xg/s320/Piano+Recital+and+MA+Ordination+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> More awesome piano music</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kMXKfsdv_ng/TwAFZ6rtM7I/AAAAAAAAAA4/7vcPSue8dDU/s1600/Piano+Recital+and+MA+Ordination+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kMXKfsdv_ng/TwAFZ6rtM7I/AAAAAAAAAA4/7vcPSue8dDU/s320/Piano+Recital+and+MA+Ordination+101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> More celebrations with family and friends</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy New Year!</b></span></div></div></div>BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-55485809792723333602011-12-19T14:19:00.000-08:002011-12-19T14:19:02.594-08:00ApologiesY'all. I am so sorry. We have been so ridiculously, insanely busy and I have been a completely slack blogger! So, to catch up ...<br />
<br />
We've had our property surveyed. No big deal. No cross words spoken. But I did have the surveyors had extra markers (normal old stakes and also re-bar) now mark at several intervals on our property line.<br />
<br />
I am finished with school for the semester ... Exams are finished and I ended up with a 3.125 GPA - .375 from making Dean's List, so I'm a little bummed about that. But I only lack 9 hours until the Degree in Communications-Journalism is mine. And then on to Grad School - but I digress!<br />
<br />
The kiddos are on Christmas Break ... we've baked and decorated cookies (dry runs for Santa's cookies), we've painted Christmas sun catchers, we've read books, we've played play-doh, we've participated in our choir Christmas specials, we've walked dogs, we've tried new recipes out, and we've cleaned and still have more cleaning to go.<br />
<br />
But we're still here, just swamped of late. But in case I don't get another chance to sit down and blog ...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas!</span></b></div>BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-24303305859256567862011-11-15T20:35:00.000-08:002011-11-15T20:37:11.291-08:00New Addition ...Ha! To the blog, you sillies!<br />
It's already the middle of November, so I'm almost too late, but ...<br />
For the 5th year, the American Red Cross will disperse Christmas (holiday) cards to soldiers. I am adding the button to my blog so that you can go straight to their site and make sure you get all the details.<br />
But do this. Send just one card, from your family to a hero.<br />
A hero?<br />
Yes.<br />
These men and women are sacrificing time with their own husbands, wives, children, parents and friends to protect our freedoms and our way of life. Even in times of peace.<br />
So, send a soldier a Christmas Card!<br />
Here's the address:<br />
<b>Holiday Mail For Heroes<br />
P.O. Box 5456<br />
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456</b>BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-90311249739739504082011-11-12T17:30:00.000-08:002011-11-12T17:30:56.622-08:00NeighborsSo, we've had a little trouble with a neighboring family lately. <br />
<br />
First, our property line is weird, and when they bought the house next door (2008), they did not have the property surveyed and the surveying posts from when we bought our home (2002) were long gone. We have a mostly-fenced back yard,but we did not come close to the property line when we fenced, since it would cost more and it was not necessary. We have an idea of where the line is, but since it wasn't a huge deal with the previous neighbors, we didn't make much of an effort to say, "This is ours, this is yours" - we just cut the grass and went about our business, waving when we saw each other. But these neighbors, for some reason, think that we're lying to them about the property line. (Don't worry - on this my husband and I have agreed - we're trying to find someone to come out and survey our property so that this becomes a non-issue). <br />
<br />
Second, we have dogs. Now our dogs come in at night and sleep in their crates, but during the day if it's nice, they are outside. This has not always been the case. In fact it's a within-the-last-month kind of recent. One of the reasons is that the children (one is 14 or 15 and the other child is 4 or 5) of our neighbors harass our dogs. The older child has been caught in our backyard on several occasions without permission and on at least two occasions, late at night. Once this summer I caught the older child with either a BB gun or a pellet gun, pointed in the direction of our house/backyard when the parents weren't home - I made a point of calling him down and telling him that if I caught him pointing the gun in the direction of our house or yard again, I'd have to call the police. And almost every day we have to go in our yard to collect the junk that gets thrown over the fence (toys, balls, shoes, coats, sweatshirts, coke bottles, etc.). At least twice I've collected the clothing items (if they weren't destroyed) and took them back the neighbors house and sort of laughed it off, but making sure to point out that these could be dangerous to our dogs. To no avail. <br />
<br />
The other problem that I have is a weird one. My husband works second shift (he goes in to work between 4 and 5 p.m and gets off around 2-3 a.m., depending on how the news cycle is that night). The family that lives next door is sort of opposite - the husband works part-time and is usually home around 3 p.m., while the wife isn't usually home until dinner time or later. But anytime they need to talk to us, the husband comes over well after my husband has left for work (which is obvious since his car is not here and we don't have a garage). I am very uncomfortable with this, since usually he comes over when his wife is home and 99.9% of the time, when he comes over it's dark out. <br />
<br />
Our houses sit sort of on a hill and we live on a very busy road. Neither of us have anywhere to turn around, so I generally back in the driveway so that I can pull out. But my mom will sometimes just pull straight across my yard to their driveway. Since our property line is odd, she does drive on a few feet of their yard (3-4 feet, I think). <br />
<br />
Well, the other night (Wednesday) he came over and rang the doorbell after the kids were in bed; I was about to get in the shower, but had to re-dress and run to the door. I turned on the porch light and stepped outside, pulling the front door closed behind me, but he never stepped back toward our steps. He came over to ask us to not drive across his yard anymore, as he is having a hard time getting grass to grow (No, he has not seeded the yard or ever even turned a sprinkler on). I said, "Sure, that's fine. We won't do it again" and literally kind of shrugged and turned to go back in the house, when he kept on and on, and he threatened to put 2x4's with nails through them out in his yard so that if we do it again it will tear up our tires. I admit, I was angry - I mean, I said we would not do it again, what more was I to do? But anger got the best of me and so I added, "We'll be happy to not do that again but you need to make sure that your kids stopping throwing things in our yard for our dogs to chew up". And I turned around, came in the house and locked the door. <br />
<br />
And I was angry. In fact, I am <i>still </i>angry. Yes, we (my Mom - haha) have been in the wrong by driving across their yard, but otherwise, <b>we've been great neighbors</b> to them (we've fed their cat, we've watched out for their home and gotten their mail when they were out of town, we've cut their grass a couple of times, we've loaned them tools and even let their son use our phone on numerous occasions, just to name a few things). But ...<br />
<br />
I can say, quite honestly when I'm looking at my heart (grrr - sometimes I hate being held accountable by what I believe), we have not loved them. We've been annoyed by them. We've judged them. We've rolled our eyes at them. <b>We have not, <i>really</i>, been good neighbors</b>. I have not been a good neighbor. <br />
<br />
The Bible tells us a lot about being a good neighbor (note: All scripture comes from the NIV) ...<br />
<br />
In the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18 tells us, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but <b>love your neighbor as yourself</b>. I am the LORD ..."<br />
<br />
In the New Testament, Mark 12:28 -31 says "<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24702">28</sup> One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” <br />
<span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24703">29</sup> “The most important one,”</span> answered Jesus, <span class="woj">“is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.<sup> </sup></span><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24704">30</sup> Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’</span><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24705">31</sup> The second is this: ‘<b>Love your neighbor as yourself</b>.’<i> There is no commandment greater than these.”</i></span> <br />
<br />
and <br />
<br />
Galations 5:13-14 says, " <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29176">13</sup> You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29177">14</sup> <i>For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command</i>: “<b>Love your neighbor as yourself.</b>” <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29178">15</sup> If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.<br />
<br />
So. I have been doing a crummy job of loving my neighbor. And I have been doing a great job of holding on to anger. So. Now, I've put it out there - and I hope this will help to hold me accountable to learning to love my neighbor as myself. It's a lot harder than I would have thought.BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-74428702744638195432011-11-11T17:38:00.000-08:002011-11-11T17:38:26.968-08:00A Quiet House<span style="font-size: small;">A quiet house is something that I don't have often. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I am a talker. My husband is a talked. My 8-year old is a talker. My 3-year old is a talker.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We also like to listen to music. Or the television. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Tonight, I'm sitting at home. Alone. My husband is at work and my children are sleeping over at my parents house.My dogs are sleeping in their <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/crate_training.html">crates</a>, warm and toasty. There's only one show I want to watch (ABC's new show, <a href="http://www.nbc.com/grimm/">Grimm</a>). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And so my house is quiet. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It's a little unusual, and normally I'd be at a loss for what to do with my quiet time. But this week I've had a special project - praying for my friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Last week a friend of mine did a half-marathon -</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">less than 11 months after surgery to repair a compound fracture in her ankle. She did not run the half, she walked it. And while she walked it, she carried a notebook filled with the prayer requests of friends and family, people she knows and some she does not. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Since I'm not doing a half anytime soon (I've just recently started 'training' to run 5Ks - phew!), I've been using Facebook (this week) as a tool to collect the prayer requests of my friends. Since I'm generally a pretty selfish person, this has been a big departure from my 'normal' prayer time. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Normally, my prayers revolve around my family - my husband and children, my parents, sister and sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">But this week I have tried to focus on the needs of others. And I can say, with honesty, that I have looked forward to my quiet time each day and the honor of bringing the cares of friends and acquaintances to the feet of God. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Friends, I have, and continue to be, honored to pray as you:</span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Add to your families (through adoption and biological);</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Seek church homes in new communities; </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Worry over the health of your Mamas and Daddies; </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Seek new job opportunities; </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Overcome financial hardships; </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Work on and honor your marriages; </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Got to school; </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Raise your children; </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">For many, many other things. </span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">It is such an honor to step out of my comfort zone to pray for you. Thank you for giving me a focus for my quiet time. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">BJM</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span>BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-28433281074599632102011-11-08T19:19:00.000-08:002011-11-08T19:19:42.695-08:00GrandmaMy Grandma was not an easy woman. She couldn't be. Her parents died when she was little girl, leaving she and her siblings to be raised by the oldest brother. They worked hard in tobacco fields in unbearable heat in the low-country of South Carolina. When she was older, she married my Papa. He was an alcoholic who, on a good (sober) day was a good Daddy to his five children. On a bad day, he spent his paycheck on booze. My Grandma had to work hard to care for their five children.<br />
<br />
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</style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">— her children, grandchildren (13) and great-grandchildren (10 when Grandma passed away in 2002; 20 as of today) </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">— to be successful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">But tonight's post is more of a fun one. At least for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">My sister and I would spend several weeks during the summer break with my Grandma. We loved it. We had tons of freedom (as long as our lights were out and we were in bed when Grandma was); we got to ride horses with cousins, learned to drive cars on dirt roads and got to go to the beach at least once a week. We also got to help Grandma in her garden, feed and water the chickens, goats and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guineafowl">guniea fowl</a> and help with meals and cleaning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">But again, I digress. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">My Grandma was fun. She told jokes, acted silly with us and sang songs while teaching us a lot about how to work hard and respect others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Tonight I found <a href="http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/ohyoubeautifuldoll.htm">this recording</a> of a song my Grandma used to sing to me. I actually thought that she'd made it up. It would have been cool if she had, but I'm glad to have this since I don't have a recording of her singing it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Enjoy. </span>BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174305032796277352.post-70618490986954840782011-11-07T13:45:00.000-08:002011-11-07T13:45:24.115-08:00DogsWe have two dogs.<br />
<br />
We also have two children. And two cats. <br />
<br />
And they each need, and deserve, lots of time and attention.<br />
<br />
Our first pet, Neci, came to us the week before we got married. My soon-to-be-husband and out were visiting my Aunt the week before our wedding, when as we were leaving we heard kittens crying. It was really quite pitiful and off went my soon-to-be-husband to rescue the kittens, which had been abandoned. There were four kittens and as I had just read <span class="st">Rebecca Wells' <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/author/authorExtra.aspx?isbn13=9780060173289&displayType=readingGuide">The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood</a>, we named the four girl kittens after the four main female characters - Neci, Caro, Vinnie and Teensy. The next week we returned to our new home where "our girls" were already living with my Husband after our wedding and reception to find our Teensy kitten very ill. I spent the night holding her, trying to get her to drink from a dropper, keeping her warm. The next day, we spent the morning at the Emergency Vet, where we ended up having her euthanized due to her sever illness. Several weeks later, after placing ads in our local paper and at veterinary offices, we gave one of the calico kittens - Vivvi - to a new home. We kept Caro and Neci. When the kitties were two years old, Caro was hit by a car, leaving us with one car - a calico, our Neci. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="st">When our older child was almost two years older, we decided our family was ready for a dog. So we looked around and found a breeder in <a href="http://www.championsoftheheart.com/">Tacoa, Ga</a>. and we got our Sully, a golden-doodle male (his dad is a Standard Poodle and his mom is a Golden Retriever). We chose a golden-doodle because they don't shed (their hair grows like ours - and it needs constant attention!) and also because they are such an easy dog to train - with consistency, that is! They are (generally) very intelligent dogs and very loving. We have definitely found this to be true with our Sully. He is a very happy dog who, even at close to 70 pounds, thinks he's a lap dog and loves to flop on our feet. He also is still very high energy and needs to be walked a lot ... </span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">Our second dog (Lux) and second cat (Jedi) came to us as strays. Our cats live outside and our dogs are inside-outside. We have a (fairly) large fenced back yard, so they have lots of room to run, but we have to make sure that they get exercise. Lately that means lots of walking - 2-3 miles each day! But over the last few weeks, as they days have gotten cooler and daylight hours seem to grow shorter, the walks have been great. I tend to do the walking, which is hard for me as I'm soooo out of shape, but I also enjoy it. We walk in neighborhoods near our home and sometimes go to a nearby park to walk. And if we're lucky, we have a friend to join us. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br />
</span><br />
What do you do to keep your pets healthy, socialized and tired out enough to sleep?BJMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12986445467961406977noreply@blogger.com0