Real World Mom

Friday Fragments is brought to us by the infamous Mrs. 4444 at Half-Past Kissin’ Time. Stop over at her place, say hello, and check out the other participants!

*  I was told I should hear something about my job at the end of last week.  Well, it’s the end of this week, and I still haven’t heard anything.  Maybe today??

*  For three days this week, I worked as a Peer Leader at a seminar for an organization I’m a member of at school.  Let me just say, these three days were filled with perfect examples of disorganization, which caused me a great deal of frustration.  I was the only one who showed up on time every day, and that was just the beginning.  So glad it’s over!

However, I did meet some great people.  One in particular was my fellow Peer Leader, Jen.  We hit it off right away, and I don’t think I would have gotten through it without her!

I also had the opportunity to meet a new student who reminded me a lot of myself at about this time last year.  She too has to take the “refresher” math courses, and was beating herself up about it.  I shared my experience with her, and gave her my email address.  She seemed more optimistic after we spoke, so I hope that I helped her a little bit!

*  Haven’t been feeling well all week.  It started with a terrible headache on Monday (which I still have, but not as constant), and then added a sore throat yesterday.  I’m also exhausted from the hours I’ve put in at the seminar, so I’m sure that doesn’t help.  I slept in until 10:00 this morning (something I rarely do), so maybe I will start feeling better soon.

*  One of my classes was cancelled due to low registration (I was expecting that), so I had to register for the only other time that class is available… 8-9:15 a.m.  Not great, but, honestly, I’ll just be happy if they don’t cancel that class too (it also doesn’t have very many people registered), because it’s for my major.

*  I decided to withdraw from the class that would conflict with my work hours.  I never got around to asking Edna (not her real name) if she would help me out.  Even if she agreed to, it would mean I would have to go in on my only day off during the week (from both school and work).  The more I thought about it, the more I didn’t want to have to do that.  I’m already stressing about how I’m going to keep up with school, work, and home, so that seemed an easy way to take some of the pressure off.  I spoke with the professor, and she usually teaches the class in the spring semester as well, so I’ll just take it then.

*  Dropping one class meant I had to choose and register for another.  I’ll be at school four days a week, with two classes each day.  So, I decided my new fifth class should be an online class.  In my experience, they are usually more work, but at least I’ll be able to do it from home (or work).  I chose Short Stories.  Not that I really wanted to take another English class (thought I was finished with that!), but I think I will enjoy this, and if fulfills one of my humanities electives.

*  Even though I didn’t particularly enjoy all of the seminar, it felt really good to be back on campus this week!  I love that place!

Hope everyone has a safe, relaxing, and fun weekend!

Friday Fragments is the creation of Mrs. 4444 at Half-Past Kissin’ Time. If you’re not already reading her blog, today is a good day to start!

My Friday Fragments…

~ ~ You know how most churches these days have signs out front, usually displaying their service times, or an inspirational message? Well, one church that I pass on my way to work had a rather odd message last week. (I tried to get a photo but failed miserably.) It said, “Humpty Dumpty was pushed.” Huh? ~ ~

~ ~ Last Friday, my supervisor told me that the woman I was hired to fill in for is not coming back. I talked to the woman in human resources on Tuesday, and she informed me that the job has to be posted internally for seven days, but that my supervisor “really wants” me, so it’s looking good! Hopefully, I will get an offer today (and a raise)! ~ ~

~ ~ In case you somehow missed it (as if that were possible!), Tim and I got engaged on Tuesday! You can read/see more about it in my previous post.  I am the happiest and luckiest woman in the world! ~ ~

~ ~ Today is Tim’s birthday!  Happy birthday, Sweetheart! I love you so very much!! ~ ~

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

Marie (not her real name) didn’t come into the nursing home while I was working Tuesday night.  This was very unusual.  She always comes twice a day, in the morning and then in the evening.  I first wrote about Marie here.  I was concerned about her, and disappointed that I didn’t get to see her.  Her fiancee’s card was still in the file.

It’s not quite a month since I met Marie, but, she has made an impact on me that is likely to stay with me for a very long time.

I saw her four nights a week.  She would always stop to talk to me before she went back to visit Joe (not his real name), and then again after.  Marie shared quite a bit with me, and I was happy to be there for her, offering my support and a listening ear.

One night last week, when Marie was leaving, she was pretty upset.  Joe’s condition had gotten worse since she’d been there that morning.  I felt this woman’s pain.  I went out into the lobby and asked her if I could give her a hug, which she accepted.  Marie thanked me, with sincerity and gratefulness, but I think I needed that hug as much as she did.

This past Monday, when she was leaving, she told me she would never forget me.  I didn’t hug her, and how I wish I had.

I had Wednesday off, so, when I got into work yesterday, I checked for Joe’s card.  He passed away at 4 a.m. on Tuesday morning.  That’s why I didn’t see Marie Tuesday night.  Or last night.  And I’ll never see her again.  That sweet, strong, kind, loving woman is gone from my life, and I will miss her dearly.  But I am grateful for the chance to have known her, even for a very brief time.

I hope that Marie is on the path to healing, surrounded by people who love her.  I hope she never has to go through anything like this again.  I hope that she finds peace and happiness very soon.  And, I hope she somehow knows that I will never forget her.

I snagged this from Heather at Singing With My Heart, who snagged it from Jen at Eternally Huckdoll–please take a moment and go say hello to both of them!

I am… a mother, a student, a woman.

I have…great kids, a loving “other half”, wonderful friends, a comfortable home, a bright future.

I know…I am loved, I am strong, I will succeed.

I think…optimistically–most of the time.

I don’t think…I’d be the person I am today without the people who have been there for me along the way.

I want…to continue on my journey to become the best person I can be.

I have…lived through a lot–and survived.

I like…cuddling with my Sweetie, watching the rain, laying on the beach, and coffee.

I dislike… bugs.

I hate…dishonesty and mean-spirited people.

I dream…about graduating with my degree(s), of possibly getting married again someday, of finding a job where I can really make a difference.

I fear…losing loved ones, not doing well in school.

I am annoyed…when I put too much pressure on myself.

I crave…Tim’s touch when I’m away from him.

I usually…succeed when I decide I’m going to.

I search…for information, enlightenment, strength.

I hide…my emotions too often.

I wonder…how far I can go, and look forward to finding out!

I just can’t help…wanting to be helpful to others.

I regret…not believing in myself earlier.

I love…my children, Tim, my friends, my life.

I can’t live without…my family, my friends, coffee, chocolate, my laptop, my cell phone G1.

I try to…give 100% to whatever I’m involved in…work, relationships, school, etc.

I enjoy…time spent with my kids, Tim, and my fur and feather babies; being in the sun; taking photos; quiet time; gardening.

I don’t care…if everyone agrees with my choices. It’s my life, and I’m the one living it.

I always…try to think of others.

I never want to…hurt the ones I love.

I rely on…Tim, my friends, myself.

I believe…I am very lucky to be who–and where–I am today.

I dance…with BlackJack.

I sing…mostly in the car or in the shower.

I argue…only when necessary.

I write…from the heart.

I win…when I give my all.

I lose…when I doubt myself.

I wish…for my dreams to come true.

I listen…to what people don’t say.

I don’t understand…why there are so many closed minds.

I’m scared of…not succeeding.

I forget…people’s names (it’s old age).

I am happy…because I have come so far. I’m going to school and doing very well. My children are happy and healthy. I share my life with the man I am meant to be with. I love, and am loved.

Feel free to join in the fun and tell us about you!

Some of you may be surprised to know that I have tattoos. In fact, I have three. And I want another one (at least).

I was 30-something when I got my first tattoo. One reason I decided to go for it was because I’m the kind of person that no one expects to have a tattoo. I still enjoy the surprised look on people’s faces when they find out I have one (or three). But, I also chose each location carefully. They are only visible when I want them to be. Each one is unique, and each one expresses something about me.

I’m wondering… How many of you have tattoo(s), or want one?