A-Zenith

A is for Achieving.
B is for Believing
C is for Consistency
D is for Dogged tired
E is for Elevating your thoughts
F is Figuring out your problems
G is for Going the distance
H is for Higher thinking
I is for I can
J is for Just one more
K is for Kicking that negative attitude
L is for Light by night to read.
M is for Magnificent..no reason
N is for Not nearly enough time to finish all I need to do.
O is for OMG how many times I could have.
P is for Panic --will I finish?
Q is for Quake, the earth will seem to when I finish.
R is for Really believing.
S is for Sight, to focus on.
T is for Teachers, could have done it without you.
U is for U all who have been a driving force.
X is the spot.
Y is a necessary question.
Z is the Zenith, the quest.

This was the first thing that popped in my mind...You try it.. my thoughts were directed at finishing school.  Do it for whatever is your focus.  It's kind of like the ink blot test....sorta.

The next thing on my list

Uphill and almost there

This has been  a well traveled,  very long road, littered with lots of obstacles on many different occasions.
Since this climb was gradual, I probably didn't feel it like you normally would if I would have plowed headstrong into it; I pretty much pulled a Frank, I did it my way.
Resistance was futile so I decided to  just "open the gate".( I explained to a fairly new student yesterday, stop stressing so much and just "Have fun with it.")    I did.  I discovered the creativity I was born with, I know I was,  and that unleashed a whole parcel of good things.

I   didn't travel that road by myself.  There were  many pushing me,  some had a harder job than others. Some walked beside me, some body slammed me, some encouraged a little too much ( it was their way :)), some led by example. 
Nonetheless, I appreciated whatever, whoever, and wherever,  the help came from.

My teacher Ms C

I just recently was made Student of the Quarter by my Instructor Ms. C.  She said many nice things, and had her own way of encouraging as well.  She did say they were concerned I wasn't going to make it in the beginning.
That wasn't an option, there was no way I was going to quit.  No way.  I had to do it come hell or high water.  If ever there was a saying more true for me at that time it was that one.
 For anyone who knows me, they should know the fear that kept me from doing ALOT.  Fear is NOT YOUR FRIEND.  We only have one go round and we need to make it/this life count.
What was I afraid of?

• I was afraid I wouldn't know anything in class.
• I was afraid I wouldn't understand
• I was afraid of being laughed at.
• I was afraid of too much.

I have a different outlook now.  I don't go into things like I know it all.  Because I don't.  If I make a mistake, so be it, I'll learn from it. and so on and so on.
Where on earth did I get such notions.  Personally, I think like many other things they were passed on from various people and some things stuck and others didn't.  I certainly didn't need for that to stick.  But! For anyone reading this, who has something in their life they are itching to do, and fear has kept YOU from doing it...Ask yourself those questions and ...then.........

I did have a younger first example who through her own tough times was a sounding board for me, she's since accomplished many things as well as her first degree.  It's still ongoing for her as her goals have changed and her sights are higher. ( She knows who she is) Atta Girl.

That's me I'm ready to hoist myself up over the wall. LOL.

If you've ever seen the photo of Kilroy, peaking over the top, that's me short of my leg being hoisted on up.  What a picture from behind- let- me- tell- you.  HA!

A new spin.....

It's Crunch time.  The party is over, literally and figuratively.  Christmas vacation is now a memory stuffed back into the corners and closets of our mind as well as the Rubbermaid containers.

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We've popped the last of the fireworks and tooted another horn to welcome in an exciting and uncertain New Year.  What will it bring?  Like all the others-it will be like all the others, much of the same but different names to  those we will welcome into this world or those we will lose, as well as another age to another birthday.  More than likely a disaster here and there,  a sorrow of major proportions undoubtedly we will not welcome to grace another paper.  It sounds  trite  but this is how it works, how it always has but as humans we hold out for hope for all good things to happen, for the ideal.  For no nasty vile human being to do unthinkable things in any shape or form.  I want that.  I'm sure the person next to me in Starbucks would want that, unless of course he or she is the vile human being.  Cynical..no, not in this day and age, more like realistic.  You'd have to be nuts not to be real, just read the godawful newspaper.  And God had nothing to do with it.  We live in a world today where good is being choked by bad more often than not...the human spirit though is like a bulb fighting it's way to the top for that breath o fresh air and drops of water and glorious sun.. emerging with color and intrigue, thanks goodness huh?

Me 20 years ago

So I am excited to say I'm crunching the books this weekend to finish a paper or 3 so I can reach my goal, the goal I started nearly 2.5 years ago.  It's been quite a climb.  I've learned a lot about myself, I've learned a lot about those around me, either in the classroom and/or my own family and how they have perceived me, or even  believed I could do this.  It was more important for me to believe that I could, and for me , to trust  those whom I  didn't even know .  Never the less I am almost there no matter how it happened.
Do you see that lady with the red shoes?  Cute shoes, hair, dress, and all that.   She had  loads of insecurity and was  beginning  a mountain of "life" to wade though.  I wouldn't go back to then even if I was thinner and younger...only if I knew then what I know now .  
  I can't wait to finish this class and get on with it. It's a little scary and other students have said the same --but that's  par for the course.  I don't have all the answers, who does,  but I know where I can go to ask.
 Right now even though it sounds a little cliche' I can say, along the way,  I'm enjoying the journey. 

I said Busy not Dizzy

Been busy, how about you all?  School is taking up time, I'm trying to jam information into my grey cells.  This puts me in mind of my kids when they were being spoon fed.  You'd put the food in and it would ooze back out and you'd scrape it up and jam it back in.   That's what I feel like learning all this stuff.  I take a little in and cram a little more in and feel pretty good if one or two items have remained.

the prodigal son :)

And then Labor Day weekend was busy, I had to get ready for a wedding.  I really didn't do a lot but it felt like I did.  I had a pedicure, it was great,  and then Taryn, a new student of the nail business  and family friend,  gave me a manicure.  She did a great job, we're working on   taking photos for her new  blog,Taryn's Nail Couture  , she's been  busy with nail school during the summer and the start of school this fall so getting the blog loaded with photos and alot of  other goodies has been a slow process.  

 Then  my son surprised us on Monday, it was so nice to see him, it really doesn't matter how old our kids are just the excitement of being in the same room with them is what matters.

Billy Ho has it so rough

School is my main focus right now,( I guess I've said that), I'll be having a change of scenery because I'm house sitting  for almost two weeks.  I need that, I'll also have my pet fix too, 3 dogs, 2 cats.   I'll come home like I've had my own VA CA without any credit card charges. 
  I appreciate their trips.
 

Consistency

Consistency .  Does anyone have a clue as to what that is?  I need to remind myself of the definition,  I suppose.


I wrote myself a note a few weeks back,  to be more consistent posting to my personal blog.  I'm a few days behind my well intended schedule.  I write for two other blogs.  One for my HOA and the other I have to keep updated for school.  This weekend was riddled with good intentions.  And like the holes that pummeled them, well, you get the idea.   Today is another day and week and all the assignments are finished, for now.

School is having it's ups and downs.  I stressed mightily over an assignment of creating a logo for a T-shirt from Photoshop.                        Oh really? is what I'm thinking as I'm looking at my instructor.  Are you kidding me?  I've never used Photoshop before, I didn't say this out loud, but she must've felt the vibes,  so she looks at me and says ...you too Barbara, like she needed to single me out.  Wellllll then....okay!

 I have the book and the program on my computer at school, but nada,  I don't know nada thing.. Too many negatives?  You're exactly right.  But with the help of Sara, the girl next to me and my creative idea, I came up with a basic version of what I wanted.  I know now once I 'm through that course the sky is the limit.  Finally some fun! 
 I have persevered through Algebra among other numerical nasties, Excel--and I don't care what anyone says about that..it is as exciting as a rash.  Access...what's the point to that...and the latest version of Word.  A lot of good information but overkill on the Tutorial..and the person instructing it seemed to step out of polyester blue suit land and nary a visit to the hairdresser.  Professional Indeed!
I forgot, I saved the most intense for last.  HTML...I'm in the last chapter trying to cram for two chapter tests and can't seem to stuff div tags or fixed layouts fast enough.
I'm moving on, not with lightning speed, but I am moving on.  
 I'm in a class and that in itself is big time for me.

  Without sounding like I'm planning for a pity party, I only wish  that would account for something.  I'm not a spring chicken..I was saying the other day on FB..the        chicken or the egg?...I certainly know..I am not the egg anymore. I supposed I am the chicken, lol,  but I'll know PhotoShop!  

ISBN withdrawal

I have a textbook kinda life.  I love the acquiring and selling phase of textbooks so much more,  it can be very profitable if you know the tricks and the moon phase (jk).
  When I entered school I had to readjust my way of thinking and not look at every book as $$ signs but as a learning tool.  You think I'm kidding? I had to refrain from flipping the book over and wanting to memorize the ISBN number instead of the content for an upcoming test.  I could quote sites to sell/ buy books and am darn good at it.  (some things you never forget).  Talk about withdrawal,  I've had it bad.  

 If those who sit around me would only realize how I could help them find cheaper textbooks, nice clean cheap textbooks, they might pay more attention  to  my info instead of  reading the full priced version. 
I have since learned to let it go, to not worry if they pay attention or not. 

 I am a busy girl and need to take care of what's in front of me, be it home or school, so it's important to focus.   I'm learning things of the technical nature and not flour and sugar, which was my preference for a long time,  but  knee surgery changes things.  Now, I'm in geek training, I  am learning from some of the geekiest, my teacher being one of them.   She's cool geeky, so  in the mean time as hard as I try to shake my addiction, I just can't, I know even the Kimble could be sold
  I suppose I could seek out a twelve step program but as long as I keep my eyes focused  on the title page  I'm sure I'll be fine............. 

A Whirlwind

Lately my days have gone whirring by. I'm clip clopping  along with my schoolbooks and a question on my brow.  I seem to have that look all the time now since I started school.  Be that as it may, busy has replaced what my parents gave me for a middle name.

I'm still technically challenged, like stirring muddy waters because the more I learn the more I have questions and the more confused I am.  But I look forward to knowing more, muddy or not.  I live for an a ha moment.!!

niece Athenia

I've made some discoveries in the past year besides and because of acquiring new hardware (knee) that sets off the alarms at the airport.  I've been reacquainted with a niece I haven't seen in 20+ years.  She was 6 or 7 last time I saw her, we were both nervous and happy to see each other again.  We have hopes for a closer future even though we both are very busy.  I have another niece as well,  I was able to connect with  about 3 or 4 years ago and it is ongoing from a distance and I'm grateful for that.

I've started putting together a family tree, not so much for myself but for future generations.  That's not to say I don't have questions because I do.  Ancestry .com has an area where you can just start a family tree.  So I did.  It is basic in it's format and  if you dig a little deeper it can get a little more in depth, if you want it too.

 niece Erica

There's been other things, sewing, hosting a bake sale for Share our Strength, The Great American Bake Sale, things like that.  But right now some of those things are being set aside, I have a tendency lately to say yes to everything and then find out the hard way how  exhausted I am..  It's been that way since my knee surgery.  It's been a slow climb and since I found myself dangling from the top a few weeks ago,so to speak,  it's time to take a break, kick back and do what's necessary,  for now.  Completing some of these fun things will be accomplished in due time and if they aren't..it isn't any big deal. 

I've discovered little things about me and will continue to.  So if the coffee table is beckoning me to dust it, I will, but first I'll make that cup of tea cut a slice of cake, sit down with a good book relax for awhile and then do it.  Life is much too short to fret over dust or anything else. for that matter....