New Decade, New Year, New Month, New Day...

New Year's Day--such a fresh start. I woke up to a clear, cold, sunny day. I felt invigorated, especially after drinking my grande cafe mocha (made at home, not at Starbucks) while doing the Sudoku puzzle from the newspaper. The 4-star puzzle required my using little numbers to complete. But for someone who spends so much time dealing with words, I enjoy the challenge of the number puzzle.

I am debating whether I should make any resolutions. I am no good at keeping them (like so many other people). What I most want from this year is to enjoy each day, spend quality time with family and friends, do my best in my job, and be generally healthy (body, mind, spirit). I will not make a list of "things to do in 2010" and try to check off items every week or month. I don't need added pressures and stresses in my life. I will not obsess over a number on the scale. Feeling good is better than achieving a weight or waist size.

I do want to make the most of my time, finish reading all the books I have started, try new foods and new restaurants, and see some new places. I can do all that without making a list.

What I am looking forward to this year are some milestones. My husband and I will celebrate our 25th anniversary in November. Our older son is graduating college in May (he is finishing in 4 years--yea!). Our younger son will turn 20--no longer a teenager. In May will be 25 years since I graduated college with my bachelor's degree and 15 years since I earned my master's degree.

You may think that admitting all these show my age, but I have earned every wrinkle and every creaking bone. I'm not THAT old yet. And I don't want to be 20 or 25 again. I am much happier, much more content with myself that I was in my 20's. It's okay to get older.

I wish all of you the best year -- be happy with who you are, be the best person you can be, be truly happy.

Finally over--now for Happy Holidays

I finished grades on Friday. When I clicked "save" on the last set of grades, I did breathe a sigh of relief. The semester had some high points and some challenges. It's a little bittersweet. I got to know many great students and read some wonderful writing. I will miss seeing you all in my classes next semester.



A few "lucky" students will be in my Lit 215 class. Thanks Laura and Jessica for signing up. It's a fun class. There's still a few slots left if anyone else wants to join.



I loved John's "how to survive a zombie attack" movie. When I watched it on youtube, I appreciated all the work he put into it. Thanks, John.



Overall, the blogs were funny and inspirational, through them I got to know most of you better than I did my classes that did not do blogs. I hope the New Year brings peace, happiness, good health, and energy to face spring semester.



I will miss seeing Mere walk in to class late because she went to the wrong classroom, again. It's okay. I have done it too. So many of you came to class with smiles and good attitudes. Good luck to all who are transferring to other schools and continuing your education (including Angela C., Mere, and Tiffany).



I am wishing Megan W. an easy labor and healthy baby girl. Send pics! Brandi--good luck planning your wedding. I am sure it will be wonderful.

Thanks to who all participated so well in our class discussions and WebCT discussions. You all added so much to the class (and kept me from talking too much).


I hope to see many of you around campus in January. Happy Happy Holidays to each of you, however you celebrate.

Think about those less fortunate

I often say "thanks" for what I have been blessed with. Today especially I am glad for heat in my home (even though I am currently in a very chilly office) and food in my fridge and pantry.

Many of us I know struggle to get to class, provide for our families and continue our education. I read an article today that may make some of our day-to-day challenges a little less difficult. In the Washington Post on Tuesday, Dec. 8, was the article "For homeless students, each day is a test." Here is the link (I hope it still works): http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/07/AR2009120702414.html

I can't imagine working on a college degree while living in a homeless shelter. Wow!

Let's count our blessings and even be grateful for the job with demanding hours, the difficult boss, the temperamental car, the house or apartment with small problems.

Thanks to all of you who have struggled with illness, transportation issues, crazy work schedules, personal/family problems, and computer/Internet issues. We are nearly done with this semester. Let's hope for a saner, safer, healthier, quieter New Year and spring semester.

Memphis Weekend

An enjoyable, yet tiring weekend is coming to an end. Friday afternoon, my friend Kelly picked me up at 3:45 p.m. and we left for Memphis. Our husbands and two other couples were already there. We stopped in St. Genevieve for dinner at Olive Garden, which was relaxing (and a decidedly wonderful change from the quick fast food pit stop on a road trip). Following dinner we treated ourselves to Starbucks hot chocolate.

We arrived in Memphis at 10 p.m. and our husbands helped us unload our stuff from the car. We stayed at the Comfort Inn Downtown. Our room had a view of the river and the Pyramid.

Saturday morning came early with a 5 a.m. wake-up call. We rolled out of bed and put on layers of clothes in preparation for the race. Steve (my husband), Daryl (Kelly's husband), Nan, and Ruben (my brother-in-law) were running the 1/2 marathon; Nan's husband Doug was doing the full marathon; Kelly, Sandy (my sister-in-law), and I were doing the 5K. The temp at 5:30 was only 24 degrees.

After a small breakfast at the hotel, we walked the 6 blocks to the start for the 5K, which began at 7:15 a.m. The other events started at 8 a.m. We walked to try to stay warm (although my toes were numb the whole time) and only jogged at the beginning (had to look cool) and the end. For someone who doesn't compete and train much, I did fine: 55 min. 28 seconds. I even got a medal and a T-shirt (which I gave to my husband; it was much too big on me).

We then darted through a throng of marathoners to cross the street to get to Starbucks (my reward for a job done). Then we went back to the finish area (at the baseball stadium) to watch everyone else finish. It was still cold and we had to move around to stay somewhat warm. Once Doug finished (nearly 4 hours), we finally headed back to hotel for hot showers.

We went to Grill 83 for lunch (had a bowl of spicy seafood gumbo--yummy). Then I took a well-deserved nap. That evening we had dinner at Majestic Grill (on Main St.), an old theater converted to a restaurant but still had the big screen where they show movies). Excellent food all around--ribs, pasta, burgers), and I had a glass of Spanish wine that was smooth and delicious. Following dinner, we walked around downtown and headed to Beale Street. We found a place to listen to live Blues music and have dessert (blueberry cheesecake for us).

After breakfast this morning, we headed back home. A good weekend--cold and tiring but worth it to spend time with family and friends. I know this next weekend will be busy with grading papers and some Christmas decorating.

I love Memphis, but I need to visit in the late spring or summer. I still haven't been to Mud Island.

Thanksgiving Break

Why is it called "break"? I didn't get much of a break this past week. I ended up doing more laundry and cooking than I usually do because of the boys being home and Thanksgiving. I had to read/grade many papers, and we did a little Christmas prep.

However, we did try to put a little fun/leisure into our week. Wednesday was my birthday (35 again, can you believe it!!). We went out to dinner and my husband and kids got me a necklace and earrings. Very generous and beautiful. Thursday evening we watched the G.I. Joe movie--actually a little better than I expected. And today, Sunday, I went to Trader Joe's with my friend Kelly and her daughter Kim. I hadn't been in about a month. It was great to stock up.

I have enjoyed reading everyone's Thanksgiving blogs as well as the other blogs too. I sympathize with the stress and craziness most of us are going through. Work hard, prioritize, eat well, get plenty of rest...we'll make through finals.

I am very thankful for my family, my health, my job (and my husband's job), our house, our friends. I need to keep a positive attitude and not let the little things get me down. And tomorrow (Nov. 30) is our 24th anniversary. My husband is my best friend, and I am so blessed to be married to him.

Chuck is Returning in January!

One of my favorite TV shows, "Chuck," was slated to return for a 3rd season in March. But great news--Jan. 10 will be the 2-hour season premiere. This show mixes comedy, action, a little drama, and a little romance all into one well-written, well-acted hour.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out episodes on NBC.com. It's a great escape from the stresses of everyday life.

To Dad--Happy Birthday

Tuesday, Nov. 17, would have been my dad's 73rd birthday. However, he passed away in January 2003. I just wanted to take a moment to remember him.

We didn't always see eye to eye

But I knew he loved me and was there for me.

He was a stern disciplinarian, but I knew right from wrong.

He lived for his grand kids, giving of himself generously for them.

a military man, a Republican, a proud American

He loved to play golf, watch CNN, and go fishing.

Family and friends meant more to him than money and things.

He preferred simple home cooking to fancy food.

Biscuits and gravy for breakfast, steak and potatoes for dinner.

He drank regular black coffee, none of those flavored or espresso drinks.

Fried chicken and breaded pork tenderloin sandwich were also favorites.

He showed me so many places in the world

and my home changed multiple times.

But I appreciate all the opportunities he gave me--

He made sure I went to college (there wasn't much of an option).

There I met the man I married--and Dad welcomed him into our family.

Thanks, Dad, for all you did for me. I miss you.