I've been sitting here wondering how people can "do it all" and still function. I just have been feeling like I have a FULL plate and I do not like it. Granted, I enjoy everything I'm doing but I realize that I can't do it all anymore. Right now I'm working a full time job plus I just took on another small job to be a travel accountant for one of my professors. On top of that, I am taking two classes from UW this semester. Both are Intro. courses for Communications and one is online and one is on-campus. In between all of this I need to keep my apartment clean, cook myself a meal once in awhile and try not to neglect my friends and family.
But how do people manage? How can one person maintain a go-go-go schedule like this? Where are the moments that you enjoy the NOW and where you take the time to reflect about life? What about just taking one day at a time and not planning everything out for the next week? Some people say, "Cut out the socializing!" but is that really the healthiest option? Others say, "Well, you choose to be in classes!" but what about wanting a better job that will allow me to buy a house and set up a good retirement fund and all that jazz? People seem to want degrees to pay you for what you already know you're worth. So, I continue to work on the degree.
I just keep thinking that there's got to be a balance somewhere. I guess that the trick is finding it. In the meantime, I just continue to inadvertantly neglect my friends and family or inadvertantly get behind in homework or my part time job...all while I struggle to find the balance. So far, it's not going very well.
So, if you've figured it out, share your secret. (You are welcome to remain anonymous.) Tell me what your method to the madness is. I'd love to know.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Balloon ride? What balloon ride? (part 2)
Update (8/24/2007): I would LOVE to be posting more pictures of the hot air balloon ride that I went on last Sunday, but life has just NOT allowed me to sort through the pictures and put together a post. *sigh* So, I am hoping that I will be able to do it a week from today (basically over Labor Day weekend). Hang in there! :) There will be more pictures...eventually. :)
Oh, that balloon ride!!! :o) Yup...it happened! The weather was perfect and we went on an hour and twenty minute ride and it was S.W.E.E.T. I cannot emphasize that enough!!! If you're EVER interested in going, the company we went with in Fort Collins was awesome! I highly recommend them!! You can find more about them at http://www.windtracker-balloons.com/.
So, we were there at 6:15 AM and got to watch/help set up the balloon and we took off a little before 7. By the time we landed, helped put the balloon away and went back to where we started to get our cars and have a little celebration, it was 9:30. I think I got my money's worth. :)
After that I headed to Eaton, CO for my Sunday morning church meeting and then had lunch and spent the afternoon with my good friend, Kimber. I'm just getting home now in time to go to a friend's house for supper and then it's EARLY to bed tonight! However, I wanted to leave you with a taste of what my experience was this morning. I will do a LONG post later (hopefully by Wednesday), but I have to sort through and weed out some of the 154 pictures I took. :)
More later!
This was a picture of the set up. There was our balloon (on the right) and another balloon of the company's (on the left). It was fun to have a "flying partner balloon" for the morning. :) The other balloon was carrying five people while our balloon had the two of us and the pilot.
Oh, that balloon ride!!! :o) Yup...it happened! The weather was perfect and we went on an hour and twenty minute ride and it was S.W.E.E.T. I cannot emphasize that enough!!! If you're EVER interested in going, the company we went with in Fort Collins was awesome! I highly recommend them!! You can find more about them at http://www.windtracker-balloons.com/.
So, we were there at 6:15 AM and got to watch/help set up the balloon and we took off a little before 7. By the time we landed, helped put the balloon away and went back to where we started to get our cars and have a little celebration, it was 9:30. I think I got my money's worth. :)
After that I headed to Eaton, CO for my Sunday morning church meeting and then had lunch and spent the afternoon with my good friend, Kimber. I'm just getting home now in time to go to a friend's house for supper and then it's EARLY to bed tonight! However, I wanted to leave you with a taste of what my experience was this morning. I will do a LONG post later (hopefully by Wednesday), but I have to sort through and weed out some of the 154 pictures I took. :)
More later!
This was a picture of the set up. There was our balloon (on the right) and another balloon of the company's (on the left). It was fun to have a "flying partner balloon" for the morning. :) The other balloon was carrying five people while our balloon had the two of us and the pilot.
This was the best picture I could get of the reflection of our balloon in the lake we were flying over. Pretty sweet, huh? :)
Friday, August 17, 2007
A bit about my day today. (Long post)
Wow. What a day! I'm house sitting this week so my normal routine is off in the first place. Well, this morning, my alarm goes off around 6:40 (remember, I'm not a morning person!) and, of course, I hit the snooze. I'm laying there, just thinking about stuff and I think, "Huh. That's funny. The alarm hasn't gone off for a long time." I look at it and the time says 7:31 AM. Ugh. I'm supposed to be at work at 7:30. Obviously the dumb thing didn't work again. Aarrgghh!
So I flew out of bed and was doing the "super speed" flight of the bumblebee and at 7:40 I was heading out the door to go to work when I thought, "I should open up the living room windows again." (I closed them last night due to a storm.) So I went sailing over the cat that was sitting in the middle of the living room and I opened the curtains and then the windows. I turned around to go flying back over the cat and I halted. It suddenly occurred to me...that was not a toy mouse the cat had laying next to it. Sure enough. A real, albeit dead, mouse. Now what? I didn't have time for that this morning!! So I made the quick decision to leave it and deal with it when I went home from lunch. Gross, I know, but when you're late in the first place you have to prioritize. However, I got in the car and I thought, "I cannot leave a dead mouse in the middle of the living room for half the morning!!" So, at that point, I called my boss to explain that I hadn't forgotten that I had to be at work today but that I was just running a bit late. Back into the house I go and wouldn't you know...the mouse was not in the spot where I had left it 30 seconds ago. My only thought was, "If that mouse is still alive, he's on his own." Unfortunately for me (seriously unfortunate), the mouse was indeed still dead but the cat had moved it about a foot further into the living room. So I got a broom and brushed the dumb thing to the door (it was dead by this point). I had a bit of a problem with the lip at the base of the door so I had to brush Squeaky onto an old newspaper and then move the edge of the paper over the lip of the door so that I could brush Sqeaky OUT the door and off the deck. Boy was I glad when that chore was done!!! And I think I ended up re-taking my shower by the time I finshed washing my hands. Yuck. I must say, though, that I handled the situation quite well. I didn't freak out and act like a baby, but I still could not pick up the thing, even with a glove on. Sorry, Squeaky, you're just going to have to "rock and roll" out the door!! Ha!
So that's how my morning started. My allergies are kicking in again, but I received some good advice that I'm going to try and that was to purchase some honey that is made in our area and take a teaspoon of it per day. Apparently the idea is that the bees feed on everything in the area and by eating their honey, you build up a tolerance for the weeds/flowers/pollen in the area and...wallah! Allergies are gone! I've talked to two people I know that said it was successful for them, so I might as well give it a try!!
Last, but not least, I had my hair cut today. I know some of you might gasp at that news, but please don't. I donated it to "Locks of Love" (Fantastic Sam's is one place that takes donations and that's where I had it done). I've been thinking about doing that all summer and so today, I finally did it. I felt really good about it, too, especially when the lady in the chair next to me said, "You know, you're really doing a good thing. My sister had breast cancer and you are helping someone with what you are doing." I wanted to say, "Stop, before I really start to cry!!" So, really, my hair is a bit shorter than I wanted, but the stylist knew that I wanted to still put it up so she kindly showed me some hairdos that work and it will be okay. The other reality...it will grow back. I really do feel good about my decision, too, and for any of you women out there that want to cut your locks off, I would recommend this! They only need 10 inches! For me they took 12 and that was fine. They'll take whatever you want with the minimum being 10 inches. The ladies in the shop were excited and practically crying because I wanted to do it. It was nice. :)
So that's been my Friday. Crazy, but good. Now it's rest and relaxation for the weekend and hopefully off to the balloon ride in the early hours of Sunday morning. Life is good.
So I flew out of bed and was doing the "super speed" flight of the bumblebee and at 7:40 I was heading out the door to go to work when I thought, "I should open up the living room windows again." (I closed them last night due to a storm.) So I went sailing over the cat that was sitting in the middle of the living room and I opened the curtains and then the windows. I turned around to go flying back over the cat and I halted. It suddenly occurred to me...that was not a toy mouse the cat had laying next to it. Sure enough. A real, albeit dead, mouse. Now what? I didn't have time for that this morning!! So I made the quick decision to leave it and deal with it when I went home from lunch. Gross, I know, but when you're late in the first place you have to prioritize. However, I got in the car and I thought, "I cannot leave a dead mouse in the middle of the living room for half the morning!!" So, at that point, I called my boss to explain that I hadn't forgotten that I had to be at work today but that I was just running a bit late. Back into the house I go and wouldn't you know...the mouse was not in the spot where I had left it 30 seconds ago. My only thought was, "If that mouse is still alive, he's on his own." Unfortunately for me (seriously unfortunate), the mouse was indeed still dead but the cat had moved it about a foot further into the living room. So I got a broom and brushed the dumb thing to the door (it was dead by this point). I had a bit of a problem with the lip at the base of the door so I had to brush Squeaky onto an old newspaper and then move the edge of the paper over the lip of the door so that I could brush Sqeaky OUT the door and off the deck. Boy was I glad when that chore was done!!! And I think I ended up re-taking my shower by the time I finshed washing my hands. Yuck. I must say, though, that I handled the situation quite well. I didn't freak out and act like a baby, but I still could not pick up the thing, even with a glove on. Sorry, Squeaky, you're just going to have to "rock and roll" out the door!! Ha!
So that's how my morning started. My allergies are kicking in again, but I received some good advice that I'm going to try and that was to purchase some honey that is made in our area and take a teaspoon of it per day. Apparently the idea is that the bees feed on everything in the area and by eating their honey, you build up a tolerance for the weeds/flowers/pollen in the area and...wallah! Allergies are gone! I've talked to two people I know that said it was successful for them, so I might as well give it a try!!
Last, but not least, I had my hair cut today. I know some of you might gasp at that news, but please don't. I donated it to "Locks of Love" (Fantastic Sam's is one place that takes donations and that's where I had it done). I've been thinking about doing that all summer and so today, I finally did it. I felt really good about it, too, especially when the lady in the chair next to me said, "You know, you're really doing a good thing. My sister had breast cancer and you are helping someone with what you are doing." I wanted to say, "Stop, before I really start to cry!!" So, really, my hair is a bit shorter than I wanted, but the stylist knew that I wanted to still put it up so she kindly showed me some hairdos that work and it will be okay. The other reality...it will grow back. I really do feel good about my decision, too, and for any of you women out there that want to cut your locks off, I would recommend this! They only need 10 inches! For me they took 12 and that was fine. They'll take whatever you want with the minimum being 10 inches. The ladies in the shop were excited and practically crying because I wanted to do it. It was nice. :)
So that's been my Friday. Crazy, but good. Now it's rest and relaxation for the weekend and hopefully off to the balloon ride in the early hours of Sunday morning. Life is good.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Mimicking Jocelyn...
I have to write on here, Happy Anniversary!!! Today is Craig & Jocelyn's three year anniversary so make sure to wish them a wonderful day! :)
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Ballon ride? What balloon ride?
*sigh*
It was canceled. There was a slight "surface wind" so the pilot of the balloon decided that it wasn't worth it to give it a try. He said, "I really want to take you on this ride, but I really want you to be alive when we come back down." I guess I have to agree. He will be calling me this afternoon to reschedule.
Blargh.
UPDATE: I realize that I completely forgot to update this! The balloon company called on Saturday afternoon and we have rescheduled for Sunday the 19th. Lift off is at 6 AM with an hour to an hour an half ride. Then back home for meeting and SLEEP. :) However, withour RAINY weather this week that is predicted to go through Sunday, I'm not really getting my hopes up. I'll keep you posted!
It was canceled. There was a slight "surface wind" so the pilot of the balloon decided that it wasn't worth it to give it a try. He said, "I really want to take you on this ride, but I really want you to be alive when we come back down." I guess I have to agree. He will be calling me this afternoon to reschedule.
Blargh.
UPDATE: I realize that I completely forgot to update this! The balloon company called on Saturday afternoon and we have rescheduled for Sunday the 19th. Lift off is at 6 AM with an hour to an hour an half ride. Then back home for meeting and SLEEP. :) However, withour RAINY weather this week that is predicted to go through Sunday, I'm not really getting my hopes up. I'll keep you posted!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Whoopee!!!!
Yes, if you are reading this between the hours of 4 AM to 8 AM on Saturday, Aug. 11, then you will know that I am finally participating in my hot air balloon ride!!! Yippee!!
I spoke with the man tonight (the 10th) and he said, "It looks like it will be a beautiful day for a balloon ride!" Wahoo!!!
An update is coming!!!!! :o)
I spoke with the man tonight (the 10th) and he said, "It looks like it will be a beautiful day for a balloon ride!" Wahoo!!!
An update is coming!!!!! :o)
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Another poll
Okay...this has been on my mind for a few weeks and I just can't resist running a poll on it this week. (I know I said I wasn't going to post until this weekend, but oh well. :)
I've googled "blog etiquette" and have found that there is no article that soundly discusses blog etiquette so I've decided that we should put some things together right here!! :)
As with the last poll, you may post anonymously or with your name. I couldn't care less. It's your comfort level that's most important during these "sensitive subject" polls. :)
What is a rule of blog etiquette that you feel people should abide by? This isn't to say that people will follow these rules, but when you think of kindness and etiquette for a blog, what are your thoughts/feelings? Talk to me about this one!! I'm really curious!! :o)
I've googled "blog etiquette" and have found that there is no article that soundly discusses blog etiquette so I've decided that we should put some things together right here!! :)
As with the last poll, you may post anonymously or with your name. I couldn't care less. It's your comfort level that's most important during these "sensitive subject" polls. :)
What is a rule of blog etiquette that you feel people should abide by? This isn't to say that people will follow these rules, but when you think of kindness and etiquette for a blog, what are your thoughts/feelings? Talk to me about this one!! I'm really curious!! :o)
Monday, August 6, 2007
Busy Days!!
Well, with this post and the previous post of Graham & Lana's wedding, you should be set for pictures from me for awhile!! :) This coming Saturday I'm supposed to go on my hot air balloon ride, so wish for good weather! If the weather is good and I go, that will be my next post of pictures. :)
Quenten isn't quite old enough to have a "street seat" so he sat on the porch. By the look on his face, though, you realize that he is very aware that the parade is serious business! :)
In the parade, we saw horses...
Anyway, this weekend was B.U.S.Y.!!!! Friday was the wedding, and then Saturday Monique and I headed North to visit her dad. We ended up having lunch with a family friend, watching the Lusk parade and heading to the ranch rodeo. Sunday was our church meeting, then lunch with friends and then off to Vedauwoo for an evening picnic! Busy, busy! Here's a recap with LOTS of pictures!!! :)
Cassidy and her Grandma were ready for the parade to start! Look at their great seats!
Quenten isn't quite old enough to have a "street seat" so he sat on the porch. By the look on his face, though, you realize that he is very aware that the parade is serious business! :)
In the parade, we saw horses...
...and old cars...
...and tractors....
...and much more, but I can't fit it all in!!! :)
...and tractors....
...and much more, but I can't fit it all in!!! :)This is how Cassidy spent most of her time during the parade!! There was no one around on her side of the street, so she made a killing in the candy department!
One thing that I didn't post about was the massive amount of motorcyles passing through town for the annual Sturgis rally. I learned, though, that Quenten loves motorcycles, so this is how HE spent most of the day...
Trust me...you don't know what I went through to get that picture above!! :) After the parade, we had a nice lunch with Dorothy, a family friend of Monique's and her family, and then we took off to the ranch rodeo. We got there just in time for the beginning of the rodeo! What fun times!! There was so much to see and so much visiting to do! :) Here's a bit of what we saw.
Wade and Callie in the mutton busting competition. Clayton was also in the event, but I missed getting his picture!!! Ugh!!
One thing that I didn't post about was the massive amount of motorcyles passing through town for the annual Sturgis rally. I learned, though, that Quenten loves motorcycles, so this is how HE spent most of the day...
Trust me...you don't know what I went through to get that picture above!! :) After the parade, we had a nice lunch with Dorothy, a family friend of Monique's and her family, and then we took off to the ranch rodeo. We got there just in time for the beginning of the rodeo! What fun times!! There was so much to see and so much visiting to do! :) Here's a bit of what we saw.
Wade and Callie in the mutton busting competition. Clayton was also in the event, but I missed getting his picture!!! Ugh!!
Wade...
...and Callie...notice her dad following close behind!! :) ...
...then we saw some bronc riding...
...some wild cow milking...
...and a cute little pony!!...
Fun was had by all and toward the end of it, I was able to sneak this picture of Callie. :)
We got home late from the rodeo, had a good night's sleep and then we were off to Sunday morning meeting. It was nice to meet up with some old friends there! After that we had lunch with Kip & Colleen and then we left to make it back to Vedauwoo for an evening picnic. Fun times!!
...and Callie...notice her dad following close behind!! :) ...
...then we saw some bronc riding...
...some wild cow milking...
...and a cute little pony!!...
Fun was had by all and toward the end of it, I was able to sneak this picture of Callie. :)
We got home late from the rodeo, had a good night's sleep and then we were off to Sunday morning meeting. It was nice to meet up with some old friends there! After that we had lunch with Kip & Colleen and then we left to make it back to Vedauwoo for an evening picnic. Fun times!!
Stacie and Haley...it was so chilly up there, so Stacie was helping Haley keep warm! :)
Then there was Julie! It's so great to have her back here with us! :)
Jill, Diane and Mo (holding Amelia)...they look a little too innocent if you ask me!! :)
Then there was Julie! It's so great to have her back here with us! :)
Jill, Diane and Mo (holding Amelia)...they look a little too innocent if you ask me!! :)
The great grilling crew...
...dishing up...
...and, finally, eating up!...
We had such a great time up there and it was just FUN to do some catching up! Of course, Amelia has the perfect look of satisfaction to sum up the evening...complete happiness!! :)
...dishing up...
...and, finally, eating up!...
We had such a great time up there and it was just FUN to do some catching up! Of course, Amelia has the perfect look of satisfaction to sum up the evening...complete happiness!! :)
Friday, August 3, 2007
Graham & Lana's Special Day
Well, I decided it was time for an update. Thanks to all, though, for your thoughts on the previous post. It was great to get so much feedback!! :)
I was going to wait until the end of the weekend to post some of these pictures, but I had so many that I decided to load the wedding pictures in a post of their own. It was a beautiful day and just very special to be there for it. Congratulations Graham & Lana!!!! :)
The ceremony ~
The happy couple!! Officially married!!!! Yay!! :)
The wedding cake ~
Yup... ... ... I think that Fischer is definitely sneeking a peek at his friend, Amelia! And why not? Look how cute she is!! You can just tell how much fun she is to "hang" with!! :o)
I was going to wait until the end of the weekend to post some of these pictures, but I had so many that I decided to load the wedding pictures in a post of their own. It was a beautiful day and just very special to be there for it. Congratulations Graham & Lana!!!! :)
The ceremony ~
The happy couple!! Officially married!!!! Yay!! :)
The bridesmaids, Courtney and Alisa ~
The wedding cake ~
Guests and kiddos...
Yup... ... ... I think that Fischer is definitely sneeking a peek at his friend, Amelia! And why not? Look how cute she is!! You can just tell how much fun she is to "hang" with!! :o)
It seems that Fischer is thinking, "Do I stomp on them or not?" Good thing that Mom was nearby!!! :) 
Rod & Logan (I think that's Logan! Let me know if it's not, Jill!! :) ~
Hmmm....things are looking a bit suspicious! What do you think they're doing?
Hmmm....things are looking a bit suspicious! What do you think they're doing?
The answer: Prepping the bird seed!!! :)
And they're off!! We wish you all the best, Lana & Graham!!! Congratulations! :o)
And they're off!! We wish you all the best, Lana & Graham!!! Congratulations! :o)
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