Well I guess this may be my last blog, as least as far as being assigned to do. If this wouldn't have been a homework requirement of class, I don't think I ever would have written any blogs. I am still not comfortable with putting my personal thoughts out for the world to see, although doing so has peeked my interst in maybe keeping a personal journal. So I guess you could say that something good has actually come from blogging.
Sometimes I just find it a struugle to think of something to write about. My life as I know it, is completely taken by school work and then domestic responsibillties come next. Some of the assignments that we get in English consume my thoughts enough that it hinders what I might be able to think of to write in a blog.
I do enjoy reading other classmates blogs and realizing that there are others out there that have the same issues and thoughts. It is nice to share that to help keep your sanity in this crazy world. Maybe, from this point forward, I may consider blogging because really no one will know who I am except for English class.
I am looking forward to my next semester. I think I did okay considering the number of years I have been out of school. I have learned a great deal in all of my classes.
So I guess for now at least this is farewell.

Appreciating life

This past few days has been emotional for me. Life currently is in a mode of appreciating life and all the big and little things we take for granted every day.
This past Sunday my husband and I were heading to East York to do some shopping. It is very hard sometimes to get him to go shopping with me, even though this was for a computer. We were coming off of Bull Rd. turning left onto route 30, and in the far left lane. We were in a black Dodge Durango and there was a black older model Camaro beside us. The light had turned green for us to proceed. I was driving and I started pulling out and immediately noticed that a big cream colored Lincoln Town car was obviously not going to stop. I slammed on my brakes and watched them continue to cruise straight through the light. The Lincoln has just missed us but the poor camaro sitting beside us, was blinded to see beside me. The Lincoln plowed into the Camrao, pushed the other side of the car into the truck that was going straight through and then yet proceeded to somehow wind up in the far left lane of the east bound lane of route 30, and only hitting one other car in its path.
My husband and I pulled over and called 911. We then walked over closer to the accident scene and waited for police, ambulance and fire trucks to show up. The police officer took my name, number and address. He said thats all he needed from us and we were free to go.
As we drove away, I looked in the rear view mirror and got a little teary eyed. It sort of seemed like an out of body experience. I saw all those flashing lights in multiple colors and told my husband that I felt so guilty for leaving the sight. Even though we weren't directly injured, we were still a part of this accident and actually that should have been us back there, not walking away. I wish I could have done something to warn the other cars but the seconds had passed too quickly and was not possible.
Thankfully no one was seriously injured. Aside from that, I have been thinking about the events for the past few days. Feeling guilty because, what if I didn't stop in time? I would have been seriously hurt but could have saved the other cars and people. At the same time I am thanking God that my husband and I did stop inches short and were not hurt. I am just totally greatful for life, and at least for the moment I am not taking any aspect of it for granted.

The weather this week has been beautiful. Flowers are starting to grow once again. I love this time of year. Added colors from the boring winters and everything seems fresh and new. I love to work outside in the flower garden and each year I strive to see how well I can tend the flowers and make them grow. Unfortunately, since I have returned to school I just don't even seem to have the time to the things that I really enjoy. Since it have been too many years since I have been in school, my first priority is my school work. I expect myself to do well so everything else in my life takes a back seat right now. I even have to take at least 2 summer classes. I am hoping that as I continue school that balancing everything gets a little easier.

I am sitting at the kitchen window looking at all the snow outside. It has melted a great deal the past few days but it is still too much left. In spite of all the snow, my husband and I are actually planning our routine summer vacation to Ocean City Md. We have been going there for many years and it has become second family to us. We used to go with my in-laws but my father-in-law is now deceased and my mother-in-law is not of physical condition to go anymore. We are just not ready to give up this routine yet. This year we are taking my nephew and his wife and their two kids ages 1 and 4. This will be a little different for us with younger children but will allow us some quality time as well. We usaully have a group of at least 8 people so there is always something to do and someone to do it with. My husband looks so forward to going, partially because it is difficult for him to get time off from the family business. He is a funeral director and even though he may be at home he is still working 24/7. We usually try to stay in an ocean front condominium. We love the serenity of listening to the waves and watching for the daily swim of the dolphins. We usaully try to do at least one thing new and different each year. Last year was jet skis and the year before was parasailing. This year we may charter a boat and go deep sea fishing and catch a variety of seafood of which we will keep and steam for dinner. Just the thought of going on vacation to a sunny beach in a few short months is helping me endure these winter blues.

This has been a really tough week for me. I really wanted the snow but forgot how much work is involved with the digging out. My family practically dug out our whole block. All my neighbors are retired and no one could get in to help them. One good thing was that we had more hone cooked meals. School was closed for two days and I had all this extra time to complete my assignments. Well that didn't happen. I am no further ahead in studies than I was before the snow. I have taxes to get done and volunteer work also. I just wish there were more time. I don't know how some people do it.

We lost a friend of the family this week. Not sure what happened. He was found laying over the wheel of his truck. I guess it was just his time. A family member has open heart surgery but is doing well.

Today was Valentines Day. My husband and I went with some friends to Red Lobster for dinner. Had a great time. Came back home to reality and my daughter helped me clean the house.

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, we return to school before the next snowfall thatI hear is coming.

teenage children

How do you deal with teenagers and attitudes in this day and age? Things were not like this when I was growing up. When we were told we could or couldn't do something that was the end of it. I am dealing with a daughter who is 18, a senior in high school and for the most part is a real good girl. I however, have problems dealing with the attitude when she asks if she can do something.
For being 18 she doesn't run around much. Its usually school, work and home. She is just naive to the ways the world is and can be. We tell her she still lives under our roof so she can't do totally what she wants when she wants. With her being so naive, I guess her father and I feel that just letting her stretch her curfews a little at a time is better than just letting her go on her own. If she were more street wise I don't think I would hesitate as much. I just really question myself if the way we handle it is better or is it doing her more harm than good. Do I want to let her experience things slowly as I feel she is mature enough to handle them, or is this my way of not letting go?
Example: she comes to me at 3:30 and asks if she can go to a friends house. They will pick her up because of the condition of the roads. Where they live, they don't have cell phone reception. We have just had a major snowstorm. Lets not forget that the Superbowl is on tonight. So I tell her she needs to be home by 7. Normally her curfew is 9 on school nights because she is a bear in the morning. I asked her how late she was going to wait to discuss this and she said she just found out. Her attitude was that it is not enough time and she should be able to stay later. Not even thinking about the icy roads, like she is invincible. My response is, you don't call until last minute, the game is on and they are not going to want to leave in the middle of the game to bring you home and plus when the sun goes down the raods will get icy again. Normally she would probably call me at 6:45 and have some excuse to not come home on time as planned before she left the house.
Are there any other parents that can shed some light on dealing with teenagers and attitudes or in this day and age are we just supposed to let them do whatever, whenever even when there are circumstances such as the weather?

thoughts

I am developing an admiration for young mothers that are in college. I have just returned to college after being out of school for 25 years. I am really enjoying college but I am having trouble finding time to get everything that the professors are requesting to be completed plus take care of the house and all the responsibilities that includes. I stop doing classwork to do laundry or make dinner and next thing I know the day is over. My assignments require a lot of reading and comprehending, aside from the homework that is issued. Sometimes my whole day is spent working on assignments and all domestic responsibilities just wait. I sometimes find myself wondering how the single mothers are able to handle school, home and children. My daughter is 18 so she doesn't depend on me very much. Maybe I am the one who is naive. My daughter says all I do is study. This fall she will be a freshman in college. I told her to wait and see. College is far different than high school.

I am proud of myself for taking the opportunity to return to school. Sometimes I wonder what have I gotten myself into, but on the otherhand it is already having its rewards. My accomplishments just seem very small when compared to, only what I can imagine it is, for mothers in college who have young children. I admire you for what it takes to succeed.

First blog

Hello world,

This is my first blog I have ever done. I am curious to find out what the blog world is all about. Maybe I will acquire a new addiction.

I have just returned to school after losing my job of 17 years. Returning to school is my latest journey in life. Initially, I was petrified of the idea, but so far so good. It is actually amazing how some educational things really come back to mind after so many years. At the same time I am fulfilling one of my lost dreams in life. I had always regretted not going to college. Now is my time to recreate myself and change some of the bad choices I have made in life. I am challenging myself to do the best I can and just to get the most out of this experience.

I was concerned about being in a classroom with majority of people coming right out of high school. That concern has been laid to rest. I am amazed at how the different generations really get along in school and work together. I feel comfortable and not a minority. Everyone really seems to want to help each other out.