Follow-Up

Well, I know you all were on the edge of your seats about how I did with the assignment I wrote about in my previous blog!! ;} I ended up doing the correct assignment and figured the wrong assignment is just extra practice that I apparently needed! The bummer was that the correct assignment was much easier and didn't take near the time as my extensive Excel spreadsheet! The good news is that I got the assignment done and turned in on time and am one quiz and exam away from completing the class! I hope to have those done by Thursday so I can just get it over with! Hopefully I won't goof up and do the wrong assignment again anytime soon!

I hope you all had a good Memorial Day holiday! Leo and I went to his grandfather's house and I got to help plant some plants in his garden. It was quite fun and Holly was having a blast throwing dirt everywhere! The row of okra seeds that were planted just might be scattered throughout the entire garden after she got done with it! Oops! Oh well it was cute anyway!

You've gotta be kidding me!

I don't know if many of you knew this or not, but I am taking online college courses towards the completion of a bachelor's degree. The school I am taking these classes through is Indiana Tech and the degree program is awesome! I can complete the Bachelor's of Science in Business Management solely online if I want to. It is so convenient for me because I get to "go to class" whenever I want to. From home. In my P.J.'s, if I choose to. In nothing at all if I want to, although the leather chair at my desk may be a little uncomfortable for that! ;} I just have to have the discipline to do it. And, I am usually pretty good about it.

Like for instance tonight. I sit down at my desk, crack my book open to the assignment, and just start plugging away. The class that I am taking is Intro to Operations Management and the chapter we are working in is concerning Facility Layout. The assignment I am completing is a Case Study of a business and what I think should be done to correct the problem given in the Case Study. My first thought is dread. I'm tired, I don't want to do it. I mean really, why can't the professor just hand me my "A" and let's be done with it already! Should I really have to jump through these homework hoops?! Okay, okay, back to reality. So I begrugdingly start working on the first problem. Heh- it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. My frown is beginning to turn upside down. Ooooh- I get to make an Excel Spreadsheet! I am really starting to get excited. I'm telling you, nothing makes me happier somedays than putting a bunch of information into an Excel Spreadsheet! I'm serious! So, I'm working away, entering the numbers I need, making formulas so I don't have to use a calculator because, well, let's just say I love a good challenge. I'm sitting up straighter in my chair. My shoulder's are going back a little and my chest is pushed forward with pride at my pretty spreadsheet. I'm coming up with some good answers that I just know are gonna knock the socks off my professor. I can't believe it but I sailed through that assignment with no problems and I'm wondering why I even get so stressed about these things. Now it's time to submit the assignment, as it is due tomorrow, and I am done with it now so why not?! I go to the website that I have to attach this information. The instructions for the assignment are listed before the link I have to use and something draws my attention to the title of the Case Study I was supposed to do. It's supposed to be "Sawhill Athletic Club (B)".

Ohhhh - you have GOT to be KIDDING me! I did "Sawhill Athletic Club (A)"! Well, there's 2 hours of my life down the drain that I could have been doing something much more fun and exciting like reading and posting on other people's blogs! And who the heck thought naming the two different case studies the same name with just one letter difference would EVER be a good idea. Grrrr....

Here's how terrible my mind is. My first thought is submit what I did and see if the teacher catches it. And then I'm thinking, if he does, I'll just play dumb like I didn't notice. Maybe he'll just grade what I did do and take a little off since it technically wasn't the correct assignment. Or maybe he'll give me the chance to do the correct one and I'll do it then, if he asks! Why, oh why do I put more effort into not doing the right thing sometimes than I do to just do what was asked of me the correct way. Well...I know what I'm gonna be doing tomorrow. Anyone want to help?!! ;}

Who am I?

I have really pondered for a long time about what to write next. I am completely drawing a blank (hence the filler post with pictures!). I have read every blog tonight that I have saved to my favorites (10 of them to be exact-wow how awesome to get to know you all this way!) in hopes for inspiration. Maybe I have been inspired and maybe I haven't, I don't really know but I feel like something is bottled up in me and just needs to flow.

Sometimes I think to myself, "I can't help someone because I haven't been through the same thing." Or I think, "Does anyone really care that I hurt right along with them when they are struggling." And the longer I think about these things, the more I get mad at myself for even going there. I fully realize that these thoughts are put there by the enemy and I will not allow the enemy to prevail. Please bear with me as I try to explain my thoughts, and I'm sorry that I can't quote scripture to back up my thoughts and ideas but I'm just not to that point yet. I admire those that can and I'm trying really hard- but I'm not there yet.

You know what- it's okay that we haven't all struggled equally. We have all struggled in some way, shape, or form and we know how emotionally and physically draining it is to go through those times. How would anyone ever get out of the pit if everyone jumped in with them "to make them feel better." Sometimes you're the one pulling people along, sometimes you're the one pushing people along, and sometimes you are the one stuck in the mud. Thank God for the fact that at one time or another we will play each of those roles because of how much better we are for those times and the ability to get through them and help others as a result of them.

And maybe not everyone believes or cares that I hurt when they struggle, but there's a chance that someone does care. I will not change my ways to accomodate those that do not care. I will continue in those ways if even the slightest chance exists that it will make a difference in anyone's life that I care enough about them to hurt when they hurt. I know the feeling of loneliness and emptiness and am so thankful that I am not there, personally, right now. And from the bottom of my heart, I wish there was a way to be the wordly comfort that those that are hurting may need. But I can tell you the good news is that God loves each and every one of us just the way we are. He is the ultimate comforter. Lay your burdens at His feet and you can feel the ultimate relief. He can repair marital problems, self-esteem issues, feelings of doubt, restlesness, emptiness and loneliness if you take off that weight you are carrying and give it over to Him. Please know that I say this for your benefit and for mine because I struggle to do this on a daily basis. I am independent, self-sufficient, and controlling and try to take over my life for myself. Amazingly enough, I fail everytime and yet I keep going back to it again and again and again. Thank God for His grace and mercy.

I love you all! I really do. I wish nothing but the best for you all and truly mean that. Good night.

Pretty blah day!

Renay said she had never met my husband and mentioned I should post a picture. Since I can't think of anything else to write about, here's a picture or two! The top picture is Leo and I at an 80's party we went to last year. The above picture is us at Universal Studios a couple of months ago. Hope you all enjoy the pictures!

This is sooo cool

I have the coolest thing to tell you all about. As many of you may or may not have known, Leo (my husband) is going to school right now to become a high-school english teacher. (I personally think he is crazy for that because, at that age, the kids talk back! With serious attitudes!) Anyway, he is off from school this summer because the only thing he has left before he can graduate is to student-teach. For obvious reasons :) he cannot do that over the summer and will be able to finish that up in the fall semester and graduate in December of this year. (YAY!)Anywhoo- He has been looking for a summer job for the past several weeks and hasn't been having much luck. Not for a lack of trying, either. I mean he is amazing to me in his diligence to find a job and has applied at so many diverse places because he is willing to do just about anything for work. Well, he has finally been offered a job and I am so excited for so many reasons. I am so excited for him because he was getting very discouraged. The even more neat thing is that he will actually be working at the same place that I am working (different departments, of course) on the same time schedule that I work, which means no additional money towards gas because we can ride to work together! With gas prices the way they are, that is SUCH a blessing. The pay is pretty good and he doesn't have to pretend that this is a job he will be working at for long, either. I'm telling you guys--GOD IS GOOD!

It's so ironic (maybe that's not the right word, but it's all I've got at this point!) too because I just realized last night that all this time my husband has been struggling and I wasn't even praying for him. (Sorry, honey!) I wasn't neglecting to pray for malicious reasons, I'm just new to this and I forget! So last night, I finally got my act in gear and prayed that he would either be blessed with a job, or be able to find comfort in understanding why he wasn't being successful. God must have known of this awesome opportunity that was coming around the corner. I never ceased to be amazed at the large and small miracles that He does everyday! Thank you, God, for blessing me with such amazing family, friends, and opportunities.

Like a weight has been lifted

Leo and I had the pleasure of having Pastor Randy and Lisa at our house last night for dinner. We invited them over because we wanted their insight about a few things and the dinner turned out fabulous! (Thanks Leo for helping me make the Pork Roast).

As I just mentioned, the meal consisted of a Pork Loin Roast which was quickly browned in a skillet and then transfered to the crockpot to finish. Then I oven roasted some potatoes and carrots with an Onion Soup mix. MMMM! I had a simple salad on the side which rounded out the meal quite nicely. I will definitely be making that meal again!

Anyway, part of the reason for their visit was because up until very recently, I have struggled with living here and being so far away from my mom. She lives outside of Savannah, GA and I grew up in that area. My mom has always been my best friend in addition to being my mother. I moved here with the plan that as soon as Leo graduated from school, I was moving back to Georgia, where I felt I belonged. I have clung to that thought for the several years we have lived here. Well, Leo will be graduating soon and I have suddenly felt alot of anxiety about the decision to move. I have a good job and a nice house and moving would mean those things would be in limbo for an indeterminate amount of time. I finally feel surrounded by friends who care for me and make me feel wanted after so long of being soooo lonely. I have renewed my faith because of the church that we go to and I don't know if my faith is strong enough to handle finding a new church somewhere else. Leo and I want to have 2 kids and I want the doctor I had with my first to deliver my second...and I'm no where near pregnant again! Talking to Randy and Lisa last night helped me realize that with as much anxiety as I am having about this decision, the best thing for me to do is stay put until I know for sure that moving would be a good idea for my family. At the same time I feel so bad for my mom because she is going through a rough time in her life right now and I want to be able to help her and part of me (because I think so highly of myself ;}) thinks that if we move to Georgia, it will fix all of my mom's problems. I just hope she understands the reasons behind our family's decision and can respect it.

So, basically what I am telling you guys is that you are stuck with me indefinitely! Aren't you all so excited?!! I knew you would be! ;} I love you guys and I will see you all tomorrow night, I hope!

Holy Moly!

I am so excited that you all have read and posted on my blog! You are so wonderful and I love you all!! Thanks for the encouraging words and I am stoked to post more!

My first blog

Well, I have decided to join ranks with the crowd of people that I have enjoyed reading and learning about through their blogs. I don't know if I will be near as insightful, witty, grammatically correct, or enthralling as those others that I have been reading, but I feel like this is something I would enjoy. I have never been one to journal or write in a diary so this whole idea is really new to me. I'm excited about the new adventure ahead of me!

I am going to start by taking part in a trend I have read on other blogs-

10 Random things about me:
1. I served in the United States Coast Guard for 7 years and was stationed in Freeport, Texas; Yorktown, Virginia; Atlantic Beach, North Carolina; and finally, Savannah, Georgia (my hometown).

2. I do the same routine in the shower everytime. I first wash my hair. Then I put on the conditioner and let it set while I wash my face. I rinse my hair and then wash my body starting with my belly first. Next is my arms and then finally, my legs and feet. Everytime, the same thing. The only fluctuation is whether or not I shave my legs!

3. I could eat Taco Bell for every meal, every day. "My name is Mari and I am an addict."

4. I never wanted kids until I met and married my husband.

5. When I was a little girl, I stuck a tack in my nose. Sideways. It was stuck in my septum. But most importantly...how the heck did I get a hold of a tack when I didn't have the mental aptitude to make a better decision?

6. I've driven a 1965 Chevy Corvette Sting Ray and a 1968 Chevy Camaro SS. And both before I was 18.

7. I hiked to the three mile resthouse of the Bright Angel Trail of the Grand Canyon and back with my husband. That is a 6 mile roundtrip hike that we did in about 4 hours with a 2000 ft. elevation change.

8. I used to clog and would love, love, love to find another group to clog with again. The group that I used to clog with in Savannah was a contemporary group and we clogged to modern music although I have clogged to country and bluegrass in the big frilly dresses.

9. I've been pulled over for speeding 6 times and was only written a ticket for one of them. My military ID always seemed to get me out of a ticket! :)

10. I love to do carpentry projects and love working with power tools but I will run like a chicken if I hear a chain saw in my vicinity.

Well- I hope you enjoyed my random things and that you will be back to read more soon!