thankful

Today I am thankful…
for the daffodils that bloomed in the glass on the table
for one more serving of coffee at the bottom of the can
for today being the last day of midterms before Spring break
for my sweet blogging friends

friday...in all of its splendor

It's Friday...at last...and it's raining. I have my coffee and my day's agenda and I am prepared to get this day started. After I get my house picked up, I am going to spend the afternoon with my mom. During this hectic semester I haven't been out to see her much so when she heard I was coming out today she got excited and said she would bake a cake. She's so cute. I've never known anyone else like her. She is an amazing woman who has experienced things most people only read about in books. I have even toyed with the idea of writing a book based on her. Especially since one of her stories involves me. I think it would be a good idea to get all these stories down before they are forgotten and there are certainly enough of them that I could write a book. I've talked with her about this and I don't think she minds, she is a little hesitant because there are some scandalous things, but it's just her way of being cautious...something she has practiced over the years. So we'll see...but for today I'm happy that I am going to spend some time with her. It will be nice to get away from these English books...I'm starting to dream in narration, but I only have a few more days left...and then I can sing and dance!

I've decided to host a Valentine Day give-away on my blog...so stay tuned for details. I need to get it all figured out first.

A Very Windy Day...

Yesterday was my first day back to school and it was a good day, albeit busy. The kids and I left for San Francisco just as soon as I got home. We go there from time to time when we want good sushi. It's only about an hour and a half's drive and there are so many beautiful sights to see, especially at night when the power plants are pouring light into everything. I like to soak in the culture and taste the many flavors that are unique to San Francisco, but I wouldn't want to live there. I am always happy to return home to my quiet street in the valley. I was apprehensive about going to the city because there was a big storm coming, but thankfully it waited until we were safely back home before it began. This morning I woke up to crashing noises all about and wind chimes trying to break free. I haven't seen wind like this in years! It is definitely not a safe day to be out. I don't have school today, but Erik does, so my maternal worry meter is preparing itself for a heavy load. Maybe things will be better by then - 1:00...I sure hope so.

I am excited about sharing our precious "things" with each other. It's not so much to see what objects have captured our heartstrings, but the story behind them. I think stories connect people. Even if there is no historical significance, there are still reasons why we cherish the things we do. Like Kim, I tend to think everything is a treasure! I have even tried monitoring my sentimentality because I have been accused of being a pack rat, but there are just some things that bridge the past with today and are deserving of their keepsake status. So as you go through your things, have fun recollecting all the sweet memories associated with your treasure and I look very much forward to visiting your blogs.

*A special note to those friends who read my blog, but don't have one..."create one!". I would love to visit you while I'm drinking my morning coffee.

Time...

It's another beautiful morning and I must say I haven't been up this early in a very long time! I have a loooong day today, My classes are scheduled from 8:00a.m to 7:00p.m. with only an hour and a half break at 2:30 so I thought I had better get a jump on the day. Sunday I took Jim to the movies to see The Bourne Ultimatum. It was a pretty good action flick and it was fun to share downtown with someone who remembers it's history but hasn't seen it in awhile. I love to listen to stories about the past and particularly from the older generation. There is always a little sparkle in their eye when they recount stories and events and it's quite alright if they don't remember entire details because I don't know the difference and just getting out what they do remember just seems very precious to me. I think it is true that we end up much like how we started in life. I can tell that Jim was once socially ambitious and very confident and yet now he measures the direction of each conversation and seeks approval for the slightest action. Kind of like when the kids use to play sports. They would confidently walk up to the batter's box (or whatever was relative to the sport) and establish their position, but just as they settled in to where they needed to be, they would make eye contact with me. I don't believe it was just to make sure I was watching. I think it was a last dig for confidence. They knew I believed in them and they needed to gather quick assurance before the ball arrived. The stages in life are very unique and it doesn't take much observation to be completely fascinated by the richness they each contribute. So I'm alright with aborting the securities of social expectations and just living in the moment. I can't quite explain my relationship with Jim. He is a stranger to whom I have no emotional ties or personal attachment and yet he represents a passage of time to me. He is every apology and every regret a man might feel when he wishes he had his life to live over again. On the surface he is a gentleman. His gestures are refined and his vocabulary suggests an education and yet I know he is (or was) a vagabond of sorts with absolutely no sense of responsibility. I sense that he is simply trying to make a real connection with the world through me. I feel sorry for him because he is dying and at the same time I am cautious of him and I really do not even know why. Kristin thinks I am his closure in life and me, I'm not sure what I think, but I do know that a movie and a milkshake on a sunday afternoon doesn't take up that much time.