An Award

Thanks so much to Annette at News from Aspen Meadows for this wonderful award!

I've had a bit of writer's block lately, so this helps me decide what to write about for today!  I am supposed to award this to 15 newly-discovered blogs (which not all of these are necessarily newly-discovered since I haven't had much free time lately) and I sure don't mean/hope I don't leave anyone out, but here's what I can pull together right now:

http://oneoldcowgirl.wordpress.com/
http://www.fountaincitysoccer.com/
http://fantastykvoyage.blogspot.com/
http://transitiontoharmony.blogspot.com/
http://natalietraver.blogspot.com/
http://tnicolej.blogspot.com/
http://quartersforme.blogspot.com/
http://honeysucklefaire.blogspot.com/
http://gypsymare.blogspot.com/
http://krazycindy.blogspot.com/
http://www.vintagewestphoto.com/
http://ayearwithhorses.blogspot.com/
http://larainydays.blogspot.com/
http://artbygail.blogspot.com/
http://sandysandysweblog.blogspot.com/

Next, I'm supposed to say seven things about myself.  Hmmm....therein lies the problem.  I'm just not that interesting at the moment!  But I'll give it the ole college try, anyway!

1.  Over the last few weeks I've been making a concerted effort to face many of my fears.  This sort of got started because I've got an A (so far) in Chemistry I.  Lemme explain.  No, not enough time.  Lemme summarize:  My whole academic and career-life I have purposefully avoided any path that would require me to take chemistry because in high school it was the only class that didn't come easy for me.  Cut to me now in my mid-thirties, scared to death of having to take this class but realizing taking it is the only way I am going to get anywhere in my life and what happens?  I have an A.  I got a 97% on my last test.  It is by no means easy for me, but I think I'm doing ok.

Moral of the story is that I was dumb-de-dumb-dumb for being so scared.  I keep thinking of how differently my life would be if I hadn't been so scared of this one class.  That leads me to wonder how much fear is dictating other areas of my life, so I've been knocking down those fears one by one.  One of them has been posting pictures of myself, rather than just pictures of my animals (who are soooo much cuter), online.  You may have even noticed I posted a couple of rare pictures of myself a few posts ago.  Here's one I took and posted yesterday:

You cannot imagine how painful it is for me to do this, but I am doing it simply because it is painful.  Hopefully it's not too painful for my readers.  If it is, my apologies to both of you.

2.  I am also trying so hard to get all my positive mojo back.  It all faded away when I had to face the fact that I had to wait tables again, watched all my hard-earned savings go away and return back to the days of constant financial struggle (way too soon, I might add).  I've gotten quite adept at throwing pity-parties for myself and frankly I am just sick of myself.  Everyone goes through hardships.  Everyone has a story to tell.  I kept thinking "oh poor me, not again," but hell, I should be GOOD at this by now, right?  I am nothing if I am not resourceful as all get out!

3.  I have recently discovered Robert Newman:



Brilliant!  "No one is that popular."

4.  I just found out a couple of weeks ago that my paternal grandfather took pilot lessons for a while. My dad said, "He was always trying something new...just like someone else I know," while he stared at me.  I have no idea what he's talking about.

On a completely unrelated note, I am going to try my hand at synchronized water-ballet.  I just have to find someone willing to help me haul some water to the pond out on the north-40 so I can get to practice'n.

5.  Contrary to popular belief, I don't drink (much) or do drugs.  Now that I've stopped stress-eating (which hasn't been as much of a triumph of willpower as it has been a lack of sufficient income to fund said habit), I find that I have an opening for an experienced bad habit.  Must be willing to work overtime and be on-call at a moment's notice.  Apply in person--no phone calls, please.

6.  I didn't have to go to work or school today, so I slept in, worked out, then went outside and turned my compost pile, cleaned out the chicken coop, unloaded the truck (that was full of old wooden shingles) and filled it back halfway up with the same (Dad and I are re-roofing the south shed--more on that later). It was just another nice, relaxing day on the farm!

7.  I was adopted, but they gave me back.

He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
~J