Excitements and Anticipations

I am excited! Yesterday I was at school -UofM-Flint and went on down to the Psych dept. to see if they had a list of places for me to check out for an internship. I am taking an interneship in the fall for my degree. Well they didn't have a list but a box of large index cards with previous students experiences with their internships, dating back into the 1980's. At first I was slightly overwhelmed but I decided to look over the most recent years. I compiled a 6 page list of places to look for an internship! Just reading over the other students experiences made me excited to start mine. I just have to decide what kind of experience I want to have and hope that they will take me on as an intern. I am torn between trying to work at a personal counseling clinic or look into trying to intern at a school with a school psychologist. I was actually thinking about asking the counseling center at Mott but I will have to think about that. I almost want to do at least 2 internships.  I can't wait though.

 

Right now I am on campus - I had a little picnic of pasta salad. It is such a beautiful day out. I love UM-Flint and I love Flint Michigan. I went downtown today to check out the new grocery store that recently opened. It was a cute place. I bought an apron - such a wifey thing to do. I hope it does well but I worry that maybe they won't get enough business although new condos are going in accross the way in the Durant Hotel and I believe a bunch of new apartments and student housing is being built all over. It is exciting to see stuff happening downtown. My husband and I went to Blackstones in Flint for our anniversary dinner (3 years married but 11 together, woohoo!) - they have awesome food there and the atmosphere is wonderful.  Anybody in the Genesee County area or passing through should check out Flint.

 

I have been working for the U.S. Census. It has been quite the learning experience - fun but challenging. It seems to be winding down now which is sad but we'll see. I have put away a little bit of money so I am excited about that. It would be nice to have a little more but c'est la vie. My husband and I haven't really planned any trips this summer because of my job but if it winds down soon we may be able to. I am so in the mood for a road trip. I really want to go back to the Upper Peninsula (Michigan). We do have a trip planned for Labor Day, we are going to Mackinac Island and are also going to walk the Mackinac Bridge. I have always wanted to do that so I can't freakin' wait!

 

 

Beautiful Smile

So I have been working quite a bit lately. Luckily I have
some happy pills now and I keep smiling, even at work. What makes it better is
when I am dealing with nice people; even better is when I get lovely
compliments like the one I did today. I was pretty happy this morning, if not
more than a little tired. I very nice couple came in and the woman told me “You
have such a beautiful smile!” That made me feel great because working at McDonalds
you often feel like a greasy frump – well at least I do, LOL. So when that lady
told me I had a beautiful smile I felt less frumpy and more happy. I like to
remember compliments – they are gifts to me, something to bring me up when I am
feeling a little out of sorts about myself. And it reminded me of a couple of
other times customers had complimented me on my smile.

 

One early morning a man came in to the store and I was
making coffee. I turned to him, smiled, and told him I would be right with him.
He seemed surprised at my greeting, almost awestruck. At first I thought I may
have had something on my face but he told me that the way I smiled at him was
beautiful. He seemed amazed and a little embarrassed. It made me feel really
good though. It was a beautiful compliment and I had not quite fully realized
the power of a smile until then.

 

Another great compliment I got was a lady told me I had nice
smile – that I smiled with my eyes as well as with my mouth. She kept looking
at me and I felt I brightened her day. I love brightening someone’s day! It is reciprocal
– when I feel I made someone feel better I feel better and give out more smiles…
until some ass comes along and ruins it. Haha, not always though, you can’t win
over everybody. Overall though I think a smile goes a long way to making everyone
feel good. 

-----------------------------------------------

Work 

Another person who has a beautiful smile - my stepson. I hope he keeps that smile. He just got his first job. He is working at Wendy's, another fast food restaurant. I think he likes it so far and I hope they treat him right there. He has wanted a job for a while now and I am happy for him but I worry too. I want him to put school and school activities first before the job. I know a job is a good opportunity for both earning money and learning but I want my stepson to be able to enjoy being a kid (he is 16 yeah, but still a kid - not grown yet and he does not need too many responsibilities yet). It is important that he is able to do well in school and take advantage of experiences being in school offers. I don't think job experiences should be top priority right now but I am afraid that once he really starts working he will get caught up in wanting more and more money and material possessions, the kind of drive that goes along with having a job and leaves little room for anything else in life. 

It is fun to talk to him about the job though. We share working in fast food in common now - he will soon realize all the 'joys' of working I have discovered. LOL. In a funny way I am proud of him for taking on this challenge. I hope he does well and is able to balance everything AND we still get to see him. 

Frustrations!

So mad and frustrated about a certain situation but of course I can't do much about since I don't make decisions in a certain young man's life. Let me tell you, if I did and if I had more control over the money designated for his care things would be a lot different because I am not a stupid, selfish bitch. Have a nice day : )

Uh ...yeah...DUH!

I saw this article/video on MSN entitled "Should Gay Americans Serve?" and my initial reaction was 'Uh yeah! Duh! Why shouldn't they?" I haven't had time to watch the video but I think some peoples opinions will make me mad.

 

Is it time for openly gay men and lesbian women to serve in the military?

Last week, the House voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the policy that bans openly gay Americans from serving in the military.

 

http://americas-soapbox.msn.com/?from=en-us_msnhp&Gt1=24000#d0cf860f-0eca-4eed-968a-60f336da82a1

Oh yes!

"Say whats in your heart and speak whats on your mind, for those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

 

Stolen from someone on facebook - kind of what I always thought and I am really feeling it right now.

Wow! I can't believe this.

 http://publish.vx.roo.com/nypost/viral/2010/flashembed/

What's wrong with this picture?

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/05/illiterate_for_most_of_his_lif.html

 

The Good, The Bad, The Heartbreaking-ly Sad

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/04/former_secretary_of_state_made_1.html

http://www.umflint.edu/music/In%20Concert.htm

Family Tree

So is April family tree month? On Thursday my stepson made mention of the fact that his mother is researching her family tree (as well as stepson's family - his father's family, go figure). Then on Friday I went on facebook as I am watching the show "Who Do You Think You Are?" (that show where they trace celebrities family tree) and see I have received an email from a lady researching her husband's family tree and she wanted to know if my husband's family could be connected to her husband's family because she recently found out they had ancestors in Flint with the same last name as ours. It was so weird and coincidental. Maybe it is the show that is making everyone want to research their family trees. Of course it got me thinking about my ancestors. 

I am sort of interested in researching my family tree but a lot of the work has already been done on both my Mom and my Dad's side. My Mom is big on genealogy. I get frustrated because to me a family tree is sort of like a bunch of names strung together - 'so and so begot so and so, etc.' A lot of the family stories are lost. I am more interested in the stories. I kick myself for not taking down my Grandparents stories while they were alive. I have a few stories my Grandmother told me, or memories of hers really. I remember being fascinated by all her old pictures - she had dozens from the late 1800's and early 1900's and calling cards too (I loved those -.they were so Laura Ingalls Wilder!) By the time I came along though, she couldn't remember who a lot of the people were. Sad. I will have to write out all my memories of my Grandma and also the things she told me.  

I do have one story of my Grandfather's (Orvis is that family name, which I always thought an unusual name) family - who were loggers and lived all over Michigan. Then there was the other side of my Grandpa's family (his mother, I believe), the Wisdoms (another unusual surname). This branch came over from England to Michigan in the mid 1800's. I want to make a fictional story based on this family story - it is sort of romantic. I wish I had more details but I suppose that is where I will have to create stuff. To make a long story short, my Great, Great-Grandma was a 'Lady of Quality' in England and lived with her family in a 'house with many servants, and they had a London town house' too (this was noted in her obituary). She married a gamekeeper and they emigrated to Michigan where she had to learn how to cook and clean and adjust to living in a one room cabin! Also noted in the obituary was that she had a lot of lovely linens her sister sent to her but they were ruined from use on her rough-hewn cabin table. I couldn't even imagine. I want more details!! I have done a little research and found the estate my Great-Grandfather was a gamekeeper at. I want to go to England someday and check it out. So that always ends my interest in genealogy because I do not have the time to chase down the stories - I need to see and physically go to the places.

I now remember another story about my Great-Grandma (my Grandpa Orvis' mother) and I believe daughter to the lady I wrote about above - I think both their names were Elizabeth. She lived up in Clare, Michigan or thereabouts. She was a tough woman - she cooked for all the loggers. Then if she needed to go to the store she had to hike 20 miles there and 20 miles back through the wilderness. She had to hide from the Native American's because they would take her purchases. It has been said that she was a medicine woman and new all about herbs and natural medicines. More story fodder. See this is the stuff that gets lost along the way, so I really need to start recording it. 

I forgot another funny tidbit. Once I dreamt I was going to visit relatives in Italy. Well as far as I knew I was not Italian. Lo and behold, a few weeks later my Mom, who was doing research on the family tree found out that somewhere on my Grandfather's side (her Dad), we are either Italian and/or Spanish. A ha, so my dream started making a little sense. I had a premonition! That was weird but cool. I don't think anything else has been discovered about these Italian or Spanish ancestors though. Agh! So much gets lost. That is why I believe writing, journaling and even blogging is so important. 

Fantastic Tree Houses!

I so want one, but I suppose I am too old. My creakin' knees and fat butt would have a difficult time getting up in one. I am not giving up hope though! I will have one yet!

http://glo.msn.com/living/7-tremendous-tree-houses-2006.gallery?GT1=49000

Joan Didion

“Life changes fast. Life changes in an instant. You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends. The question of self-pity.” Joan Didion, from The Year of Magical Thinking

I have a presentation today on Joan Didion and writing. Just trying to put it all together. Didion is an interesting person and I have learned something about writing from learning about how she works - I am not quite sure what yet.  Well it is hard to articulate but she is definitely an inspiration. After this semester is over I am going to read her book The Year of Magical Thinking, it is a book on grief.

 

Men and Divorce

I am taking a developmental psych class this semester. We have to make weekly posts on BlackBoard (an online learning site) about a topic or topics discussed in class over the week. We were studying marriage, divorce, and work this past week so below is my post which my professor praised me for. I like to post my school work that I am proud of and I get awesome compliments on - haha, I know, I am weird or whatever but I really like my post and I plan to do some more work on this topic in the future. Lately I have been researching parental alienation syndrome and hostile parenting in divorce to come up with a research project. More research definitely needs to be done on those subjects as well as fathers going through divorce and those 'deadbeat dad's'. I know there are plenty of deadbeat parents but I believe some are labeled unfairly. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Men and women do recover differently from divorce
but I believe that as far as finances go, things are changing. I believe men
are having a more difficult time recovering financially from divorce than in
the past. The NPR article Prof posted touches on the fact that the current
recession has hit all men hard (not only African American men, although they
already suffered from high unemployment before the recession due to racism and
other factors mentioned in the article), really cutting into manufacturing
jobs. Many current news articles have addressed the problems of a lot of people
(both men and women of course) not being able to afford divorce because of the
economy – no one wants the marital home anymore because they cannot afford to
make payments. This has forced many couples to stay together or at least live
together even after divorce. This illustrates that all people are being
affected negatively financially. 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120351534

Also I believe that perhaps men’s problems may not
have been reported in the past giving inaccurate information as to how divorce
actually does affect them financially. Most men 'fly under the radar' because
they do not have access to government assistance if they are in financial
crisis; well other than if they lose a job and obtain unemployment insurance.
Unlike women, they do not typically receive Medicaid and food stamps because
they are less likely to care for children and do not bear children. So women
(with children) in poverty are more likely to be reported and counted because
they apply for and qualify for government assistance. Men usually just have to
suck it up and deal with financial hardships as best as they can and pay their
child support if there are children involved - they are even expected to
maintain the same level of child support even if they are experiencing
financial hardship. 

Overall, men are less likely to talk
about their problems. Many of the deadbeat Dad's we hear about just disappear
from their children's lives because they feel of little value when they are
unable to pay child support (or maintain child support payments) when they are
in financial hardship. In Chapter 10, implicit social beliefs are discussed. It
seems that there is an implicit social belief that children are better of with
Mom after a divorce. This is not always the case but the belief seems to be
upheld by courts and it scares a lot of men into not fighting for custody, or
at least shared custody. There is also a belief that men that do not pay their
child support are all deadbeats. Sometimes it is just that they were
experiencing financial hardship and could not get caught back up after.
Generally, it is then that they disappear from their children's lives so they
get the bad reputation of not only not providing for their kids but not wanting
to have anything to do with them. 

I wish that there was some way to get people to
consider the consequences of divorce before they get married or at least before
they have children. Divorce seems to be much harder on both males and females
in the relationship when children are involved (not to mention the toll it
takes on the children). 

http://www.theartofloveandintimacy.com/2007/03/four-horseman-of-apocalypse-john.html



The 'four horsemen' (John Gottman's work) we talked about it class, how
they negatively impact a marriage, continue to negatively impact relationships
(including a child’s relationship with their parents) after a divorce. Usually no
one, of course, has any interest in maintaining any sort of relationship but
many people forget (or try to ignore the fact) that if they made a child
together they are tied to the other parent for life. I know first hand the detrimental
effects divorce has on men by watching my husband have to deal with his ex-wife
over visitation and child support issues. He has always paid his child support
but his ex (blog disclaimer; of course this is my perception of events and even though she has admitted to being 'petty' I am sure she sees things differently, so all this is my opinion, perception, conjecture, etc.) often treats him like he is a deadbeat – sometimes criticizing him
in front of their son (God only knows what she says behind his back); she shows
open contempt for him, gets defensive when anything she does is questioned
although seem to feel free to question him, and she also often stonewalls over
visitation/parenting issues. It is like WE are all stuck in a bad marriage
because we have to deal with each other for the sake of the child. Sure this
will lessen when my stepson turns 18 but there are many events, milestones or
'rites of passage' that happen after 18 that parents are likely to be involved
in. So if relations are contentious it is really bad for all involved.



I could go on and on about divorce and the
negative effects, especially what I have witnessed with my husband and stepson.
It always brings me back to this: people need to be more careful who they get
involved with, get married to and make children with. Sure the stigma has worn
off divorce in this country but the negative impacts of divorce are great and
there is much research to be done on its effects, especially of the effects on
men, who are often forgotten in the mix.



Here are a couple of good websites I like
concerning divorce:



http://www.mediate.com/articles/psych.cfm



http://www.paskids.com/

http://www.hostile-aggressive-parenting.com/what_is_Hostile_Aggressive_Parenting.asp

http://divorcesupport.about.com/od/childrenanddivorce/qt/chilfrens_right.htm

 

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is one of the most thoughtful and
informative posts I've ever seen.  Thanks very much.  How the economy
affects divorce rate, gender differences in how one reacts to divorce and
unemployment, the 4 horseman "following" the couple, even after
they're divorced and negatively affecting the remarriage...and more.  Lots
to consider...thanks again. 

Chit Chat

Spanish not so good - darn verbs

Writing conference - good and free food

went to poetry reading

great thoughts about writing

Pecha kucha

sharing of ideas - that is what college is all about

met a rather impertinent lady but nice - she meant well

late for psych class though

Psych class outside

beautiful day

good class - all about marriage and Gottman's work

afternoon appt. - good work done, hard work done

kids playing in the yard this evening - nice that winter is over

nice to have the windows open, nice to hear the crickets in the yard

all and all a good day

 

 

 

 

Some Fun

I had some fun in band class. I sit next to the euphonium player (who is a very talented musician) and today he brought with him a little rubber fetus about 2 -3 inches long. He got it from some event at the University Center. This band mate is a character to begin with (during one song, which is very cartoonish, he kicks his one leg out for emphasis while playing - it is funny to watch) but with props, especially with something off the wall as a little rubber fetus, he is hilarious. Ok, maybe I just needed a good laugh too. He was putting that little fetus in all sorts of places - in his instrument (it almost got stuck in there), up his nose, hanging from his glasses. Of course the funniest spot was hanging out of the fly of his pants; naughty, naughty but very entertaining in a juvenile sort of way. It gave me the case of the giggles which is not good (although I did need the laugh) because I am not a very talented musician (at least not on the trombone) and need to be focused in band. I hope we were not irritating the band director. I felt like I was 15 and in high school again. I don't know if that is good, bad, or just makes me out to be a very silly woman.

 

Well I felt like a 15 year old until I went over to UCEN after to class, weighted done with my trombone, a big purse, and my backpack - I can barely walk with all that stuff and it makes my bones ache. I had to see if I could get a little fetus of my own but they were all gone. Darn it! I really wanted one.

 

Now I am sitting in the library with my lovely new pink laptop. I skipped my last class so I could come up to the top floor of the library and write. I like it up here - it is quiet and I sit facing a wall of windows, looking out on the campus and the Flint River. It is a nice day outside. I half thought about going out on the grass to write but although somewhat pretty to look at, the river often smells like sewage. PU... Flint is looking good up here though. It warms my heart and gives me hope. Spring is on the way, rebirth... and all that.

 

I love my new pink laptop. It gives me more freedom around campus and I am hoping it is going to give me a push to write more. It does seem to be working. I am thinking about hanging out in the library more often - I seem to get more done in here than if the computer labs at school. I think it is because of the quietness and also I have windows to look out of. 

 

I also have a new pink backpack to go with the laptop and it seems to lighten my load, even with carrying the extra weight of the computer. Must be that it distributes the weight better than my old backpack. Can't really do much about the trombone though. Now if only I could find a way to get some good hot tea up here everything would be perfect. Well that an the fact that I have to pack everything up to go to the bathroom. Note: Don't drink a huge bottle of water (1 pt. or 700 mL) quickly while trying to get some writing done in the library.

 

Well that is a little snapshot of my day. Today was a good day and I am grateful for these little moments of silliness and contentedness.

 

Good Quote, Good Wisdom

"The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them." ~ Maya Angelou

I love this quote - just heard it on Oprah. It was all about women who were betrayed by their husbands. Very interesting show and I agree with the quote 100% although these men were very good at hiding their true selves. Reminds me of a few people and a few mistakes I have made in not trusting my instincts. Of course, being a fair person I try not to let my intuition and initial judgments of people (I give people a few chances at least, always at first believing that I am to harsh a judge)  rule how I feel about them but it comes down to this: how many times do you have to be knocked in the head before you realize you cannot trust someone?

Health Care Passed The House!!

WARNING: This is going to be a rambling RANT because I am sick and tired of the pissin' and moanin' done by Republicans and HATERS against national health care. 

OH MY GOD people! I cannot believe national health care could ignite such a firestorm of divided opinions. I cannot even pretend to know a whole lot about this health care bill and I am not 100% sold on it because I think a lot of concessions were probably made to get the damn thing passed but WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH ALL AMERICANS HAVING HEALTH CARE? Please tell me ...especially when the happiest countries in the world have nationalized health care. What does that tell everybody? If the happiest countries in the world have health care why can't the RICHEST?

Also WHAT THE FUCK IS SO RIGHT ABOUT OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM NOW THAT SOME PEOPLE JUST CAN'T EVEN CONCEIVE THAT IT DOES NEED TO BE OVERHAULED?

So you people who are against a national health care because America does not have the money, are you happy that all of our money has been going out the door to support fat cats at the nations banks? Anyone remember the BAILOUTS??? And Obama did not start that mess so fuck off. 

What about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - we spent a ton of OUR money (not to mention the blood of Americans) on those wars and on helping other countries build their infrastructures (are we back to colonizing?). We have gotten very little for our money spent on wars. Has anyone in AMERICA heard of INTELLIGENCE - that is how we stop terrorism here and against our people not trying to colonize other countries all in the name of democracy which is concept some people DO NOT WANT!! THE WAY AMERICANS SPIT OUT THE WORD SOCIALISM HERE IS THE WAY OTHERS SPIT OUT THE WORD DEMOCRACY IN THEIR COUNTRY; if they do want democracy they need to fuckin' fight for it themselves not have it thrust upon them. We do not even have peace of mind for all that money spent. WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION MY ASS!! WTF? We can't spend some kind of money on the American people for a change??... on something we all need - HEALTH CARE!! Anyone that doesn't agree with me can just SUCK IT because you know I am right. We spend tons of money on other countries and do little for the people here other than welfare mothers and old people so either you got to be poppin' out kids or have one foot in the grave to get anything from the United States, from your own tax dollars (Oh yeah, forgot to mention third world countries that give birth to and hide terrorists). IS THAT RIGHT? 

So what some people are saying is they are FINE with their tax dollars going to support people in other countries, AND people here that don't believe in common sense and birth control and also people that Americans most often forget about because they are to old and infirm to work anymore but they WILL NOT STAND FOR THEIR TAX DOLLARS TO SUPPORT REGULAR WORKING AMERICANS THAT PAY TAXES, THAT ARE THE FUCKIN' BACKBONE OF THIS COUNTRY? That is a damn shame.

P.S. 

Socialism is not a bad word.

OBAMA is not what is wrong with this country - GREED and CHAUVINISM is what is wrong with this country! Not to mention RACISM.

The 2 most interesting news stories of the day:

Hurt dog limps into New Mexico ER

German shepherd mix finds his way to a hospital after injury

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35896305/ns/health-pet_health/?gt1=43001

 

Cute and what a smart animal!

 

&

 

$365 a year for food

It's not a social experiment for her but rather a matter of a very tight budget.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/blog/page.aspx?post=1708340&_blg=1,1708340

I would love to be able to this but alas I am at the whim of my cravings and would be totally crazy the within the first few days. I will be checking this blog thought to see how it turns out for her and maybe get some ideas. Of course I have to consider my husband and stepson - they would not like this lady's menu.

So close...

I am so excited! A little bit of something to kick me in the arse and give me some get up and go. I went to talk to an advisor today and I am sooo close (a little closer than I thought - 8 MORE CLASSES CLOSE!!! I can't freakin' believe it!) to graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I am actually even closer to getting a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology but because I want to go to graduate school, getting the Bachelor of Science is better. The BS offers an internship. If I had planned it better I could have graduated this May but I was fooling around working on a double major - silly me. I took way too many English classes (and I found out I do not need Foreign Language credits for a BS either). Yikes! I am a ways away from graduating with the 2 degrees I wanted (BS in Psych and a BA in English, it would probably add another semester or maybe even another year) so I decided I am just going to concentrate on the Psych and get that done. I can always finish my second degree later and I also want to investigate how to get a teaching degree because one of my goals is to work on a college campus either counseling or both counseling and teaching. 

The English classes were fun an interesting though and I am not sorry I took them (and I am sure my Spanish will come in handy too). I am kicking myself a little because I found out that when I graduate I can walk with the U 0f M - Ann Arbor class, and this May the commencement speaker is Barack Obama. I would have loved to hear him speak in person. Darn it! 

Well now I have to start looking at Graduate schools. I saw a couple of programs in Michigan that I was interested in. I think my top pick is at Wayne State - they have a combination Clinical and School Psychology Program. I have heard that it is really competitive to get in a Psychology Program so I am going to really have to study hard for the GRE. I need to get an outstanding score! I even have a back up plan if I do not get into Grad school right away and of course I hope I will be able to find a good job. So I have my work cut out for me for the next couple of years to say the least. 

So close ... yet so far. 

Fakiness

Doesn't seem sometimes that the majority of people in our society today are fake and are leading lives that are fake - more or less based on what they have seen on TV or built on an image they want to project rather that being a REAL person? They are unable to or are scared and/or lazy to do the work, take the time to become a real, genuine person. It seems like it to me and I cannot stand all the 'fakiness'.

It is Spring Break

It is spring break and I am in a reminiscing mood. I guess
it is not Spring Break exactly, maybe mid-semester break would be the more
proper term but anyway I have a week off. I can't really relax because I have a
few papers to write but it will be nice to sit a home. I have been in that kind
of mood for the past few months - just want to sit at home or hibernate. Yes I
an in hibernation mode, as I call it. I always get super tired in January and
February. This year it has been really bad. I can't stay up past 11pm and I need a damn nap everyday too! I hope
that after break I will start feeling more energized. 

I can't believe we are already 2 months into the new year
and my school semester is half over. I didn't really get to reflect and write a
blog on 2009 like I wanted to. And 2010 seems pretty HO HUM so far for me,
although besides being exhausted I am feeling a bit better in other areas. I am
hoping it will get a little more exciting. 2009 was a good year in some
respects but a bad year in others.

My husband and I took some good trips in 2009 - those were
the highlight of my year. Of course all the trips were in Michigan
but I love Michigan and the more
places I go to within my home state the more I find to explore. 

In May we went
to Grand Rapids, which was awesome
because believe it or not Grand Rapids
is a happening town! It is probably the place with the most growth in Michigan
right now. I hit up a few museums (the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum is
great!) and relaxed after a very trying winter semester. The best part of that
was that it was paid for by somebody else besides us, haha. My husband had to
go there for a Homeland Security Conference. On our way out of Grand
Rapids we decided to take a detour by Holland,
Michigan since the tulip festival was going
on. We saw the longest parade ever – the kinderparade. Holland
is a lovely place and it is close to my favorite lake – Lake
Michigan. Of course we stopped by the beach. I love it over there,
I just can’t say enough about it! 

Then we took our anniversary trip to Mackinac
Island. I was almost afraid we would be sick of Mackinac because
it is not a very big island and we have been there a lot within the last few
years but I was soooo wrong. We caught all the lilacs in bloom and it was
heavenly. We went on an island ghost tour - it was magical walking the island
at night. We also saw a band (Michal Bailey Band, blues) that we love there.
Then we hiked all over the island and discovered a few places we had not been
too yet like Pontiac Trail, a scenic path along the west bluff and Manitou Trail,
a quite arduous trail (the oldest on the island I have heard) off of the East
Bluff that goes to Robinson’s Folly and on to Arch Rock. I took some amazing
pictures and my love and appreciation for the island deepened. 

In July we had our annual family camping trip with my husband’s family. We went
and camped just over Mackinac Bridge
at Straits State Park
in St. Ignace, Michigan.
Our campsite was on the Straits with a terrific view of the Mackinac
Bridge. We had an amazing time - I
love the U.P. The weather was not the greatest but we did go to the beach a
couple of times. Of course we went to Mackinac Island
for a day and I got most of the family to hike the treacherous Manitou Trail to
Arch Rock. Then we (my husband, stepson, Wally the dog, and I) drove out (my
stepson actually drove the majority of the time – he has his learner’s permit) of
the bad weather to places all around the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula
that I really wanted to show my husband and stepson. We went to a ghost town in
Fayette, Michigan.
That is the on the Garden Peninsula
that juts out into Lake Michigan. Words fail me in
describing the beauty of that region. I had been there as a girl and it made an
impact on me - I always wanted to go back and I am so glad I made it and got to
show my husband and stepson. We drove up to Munising Michigan
on Lake Superior and saw Miners
Falls and Wagner
Falls – beautiful of course and I
took some lovely pictures. Our dog Wally really loved the waterfalls, so
thankful we got to take him. Then we took a scenic boat tour of Pictured Rocks. Again
words fail me but it was awesome, amazing, beautiful…. Lake Superior
water around that area is a clear emerald green and too beautiful for words. I
really want to go back to that region and do some hiking. Another day we took
in Tahquamenon Falls,
largest falls in Michigan and in
the top five of the biggest falls east of the Mississippi.
We drove on up through Paradise to Whitefish Point on Lake
Superior and went the Shipwreck
Museum. That was cool. And we got
to see the fog role on in from the Lake. That day I put
my foot in three of the great lakes, haha – Lake Superior,
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. On
our last day we went on up to Sault Ste. Marie and took the Soo Locks Boat
tour. I had been on it when I was a girl but it seemed more interesting this
time around. It was something my husband and stepson really wanted to do so I
am glad we got to do it and I believe they enjoyed it. Really the whole trip
was awesome and writing about it makes me want to go back. Also I it makes
realize I need to come up with some new adjectives because I cannot express
enough how awesome, amazing, lovely and beautiful the Upper Peninsula
is with my limited vocabulary! LOL, it grows tiresome, cliché and boring but
the UP is wonderful!

Our last trip of the year was to my parent's place in Manistee County, Michigan (west side, Lower Peninsula) - another beautiful spot, one of my all time favorites. My husband and I went there for Labor Day week-end and we got to take Wally too! We relaxed and went to the beach (Onekama, on Lake Michigan - I highly recommend) a couple of times and also did up the town of Manistee with Wally in tow. I took more great pics. We took Wally walking all around and swimming too so he enjoyed himself and got tons of attention from people we met along the way. Everyone made much of him and would tell him and us how pretty and well-behaved he was. He got lots of pets. Again I find myself so grateful for that opportunity of time spent with our poor doggie - the memories and also for all the pics I took.These are the moments I live for, truly.

The bad part of the year was I was sick (respiratory
problems) and stressed because of it a lot of the time, and so damn tired of
course. I started of the year with 3 pets (my two birdies and our poor dog,
Wally) and ended the year with none. Also a couple of me and my husband's family
members have major health issues so it was poopy to see them going through pain
and all the other stuff (a lot of changes and learning to deal with chronic illness)
that go along with being sick. To add to our (hubby and I) stress our well (sometimes I wish we had city water, or lived in a city or suburb) quit
working … twice! That cost a pretty penny to get fixed (had to replace the pump
and tank, the second time it was due to a defect in the new tank so luckily we
didn’t have to pay for that). Then to top it all off our furnace quit working
too! That wasn’t as bad of a fix as the well but we may need to get a new
furnace in the near future and we are so not looking forward to that expense. It
really was beginning to feel like we were stuck in a bad country song (are
there any good ones?? LOL)… “the well runned dry, my furnace broke and my dog
up and died…” But my husband and I made it through the year all-right. 

School last semester (fall) was pretty stressful. I thought I planned my classes so they would be lighter and easier to handle while I took a hard statistics class I had to take, but it did not quite work out as well as I planned. Even though I only work part time I have trouble fitting everything in. First I joined the Wind Symphony last fall because I thought it would be fun and easy - found out that I pretty much suck at playing the trombone, LOL. It is not like riding a bike. My memory has been getting bad lately so to remember all the notes and what stuff is supposed to sound like is challenging. I did get a little better but it was a struggle. I also took a creative writing class. I like to write but I found out that what I truly like about writing is the finished product and not necessarily the process. Plus I go through phases where I do not feel like writing at all and this summer and fall I was in one of those phases. Very difficult! The aforementioned stats class was a bear! I will not bore anybody with the details but it did have me wanting to pull my hair out at times. The other class I took was Spanish and that was fun and easy. When all is said and done I made it through the semester and made the Dean's List. Wahoo!

The Christmas holidays were nice. We had my family (my Dad's
side - my aunts and uncles, my cousins and my two great-aunts) over for a big
party. It turned out great! Our house looked beautiful and I can't believe it
can hold over or about 40 people. Everybody had a good time. My husband and I received a
lot of compliments and it was good to have everybody over, especially my two
great aunts whom I hardly ever see. That was also a highlight of my year.