Waiting, Distraction, and Youtube don't you?

It seems like I am always waiting for something. Today I am waiting for tomorrow when I can go look for places to move to. I am waiting for the kids to return to school, for Sienna to have more medical tests (for which I can then wait for the results), for the spring semester to start, and I am waiting for graduation day to finally arrive. I suppose most of life is spent waiting for something to happen but, recently I am finding it annoying. While I wait --I try to distract myself.

Gifts, Gratitude, and Refusing to Talk to Santa

It's the big day and gifts have been opened. Everyone seems to be happily occupied with their personal treasures. One delightfully happy teenager with a gift card to Hot Topic, one particularly picky child very pleased with several things, and the youngest very happy to be playing a brand new video game (Zelda Twilight Princess). I am happy that there were presents under the tree. When I began this journey of returning to college I knew it would take a toll on us financially. The end result being that the long term value of education will outweigh the temporary hardship. Some days it's difficult to maintain that perspective. When I look at a stack of bills wondering what to pay and how to buy milk I have to remind myself that in the end we will be better off. A sense of humor gets me through most days.

This fall semester has been especially grueling. In the spring of 2005 I moved from one coast to the other in order to attend a woman's college with 115 years of tradition in educating women. Attending a woman's college was a long awaited dream come true. Ironically, the board of trustees of my college voted to change to a co-ed institution beginning the fall of 2007. More specifically, the fall of my senior year. You might be thinking what's the big deal? Instead of attempting to explain it I refer you to this website The Women's College Coalition. The fight to save my college is still on.

Despite the changes at Randolph-Macon Woman's College I have made friends that are amazing, intelligent, strong, and loyal. Thank you to the ladies of Prime Time who have made this a Happy Christmas. Enjoy a picture of Sienna refusing to look at or talk to Santa Claus (she was upset that he didn't bring Rudolph over).

One last thing... Goodbye to The Godfather of Soul James Brown.

I Caught a Falling Star and Then Some

Where do you begin with the first post of a blog? To be honest this isn't my first attempt at blogging. Alas, those other blog attempts never even saw a first post. I wonder what the proper first post etiquette is? Does one give some exposition about their life? I suppose I'll just jump right in and share news of the day (previous day to be more precise).

Yesterday was a day of strange happenings. I decided to head to the local bookstore for a bit of a break from the kids. With a cup of coffee in hand I began the browse. As I passed the customer service desk I overheard two employees talking about some autographed books. I stopped and looked to see what books they were talking about. I just about fell over when I saw the graphic novel version of Neil Gaiman's Stardust (illustrated by Charles Vess) sitting on top of the pile. Merry Christmas to me! Mr. Charles Vess had just been in the store and signed the only illustrated copy of Stardust they had and he also signed several copies of Susanna Clark's The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories. I am now the proud owner of a signed graphic novel. Not that I didn't want Clark's short story book but, as a single mom (this will be recurring theme) struggling to finish college I have to make these difficult choices.

Now as if my day hadn't already been interesting. I received a phone call when I arrived home. A friend of mine wanted to know if the kids and I were busy. She informed me that Santa Claus needed to stop by the house and make a delivery. Within an hour of her call Santa came over and delivered a load of gifts for the kids. (Which I must thank the wonderful women that I go to college with who made all of this possible.)

The strange happenings didn't stop there. We had one more incredible experience. My son, Lydon, received a gift card to Gamestop. As we waited in line with approximately 14 other people and only one register running, on December 23 mind you. My middle daughter, Sienna, kept asking for a new video game. There was no way I could buy her this game. My older daughter, Poet, took Sienna out to the car. (Sienna has Asperger's along with other physical disabilities. She doesn't always appreciate lack of cash.) A couple standing in front of us picked up the game Sienna was asking for and attempted to purchase it. The young man behind the counter couldn't find the disc for the game and the woman turned to me and asked if there was another game my daughter would like for Christmas? Honestly, I was shocked and touched. These two strangers who I have no names for purchased a brand new video game for my child, handed it to me, and wished me Happy Holidays. So, thank you whoever you are out there!

Despite the fact that my life seems to be crumbling around me-- I have to find a new place to live, this fall was the semester from Hell (with a capitol "H"), I have serious cash flow problems, my film is in limbo, my daughter needs a better school and much needed therapy -- other things are on an upswing.