This is My Life

So...my evening tonight was one to be remembered for a long while. There are so many subjects, I might have to split it up into a few posts. Tonight I helped out with the graduation ceremony for the Eastern Shipbuilding students with the ESOL program. Here's the deal, Eastern Shipbuilding Group allows Guatemalans with trades to apply to work in the US. They help them obtain passports and work visas (usually for 8-10 months) and fly them over here to work for their company. Yes, I know it's a super controversial subject, but I'm gonna table that particular issue for tonight. What I DO want to talk about is this group of students. The "foreman" for this group of workers coordinates classes with our ESOL program, we send a teacher out there three days a week, Eastern drives them to the college two nights for them to take their tests, and we drive out there for their graduation ceremony. So...that's where I start. We drive out there, arrive in this little "b...

Okay...so it's been a while...which probably doesn't matter 'cause I'm not sure that anybody's actually reading these. But that's okay...I'm not hurt. So...it's almost been a year and SO much has changed. I'm no longer at Hatch Mott MacDonald. I came to the realization that engineering (at least in the field of wastewater treatment) wasn't for me. My WONDERFUL husband let me quit and I took six weeks off before finding a job at GCCC with the ESOL department. (English for Speakers of Other Languages) It's totally different but I seem to be liking it so far. Which makes Ryan super happy. And me too. It's only 30 hours per week but that's okay, too, for now. I just turned 26 (on Monday) and it has somewhat knocked me back. Maybe not so much about turning 26 but I keep thinking, "Whoa, next year I'll be 27...whoa." So what have I accomplished in 26 years? Well, I've graduated college, worked as an engineer, learned that...

Mom and Tommy came over for Halloween and we passed out candy. We didn't have too many kids come by but we still had a great time. They brought Pheobe so Sebastian definitely had a great time. Sebastian went as a golfer. Tell me this isn't cute... And Pheobe...she loves him so much... Geez....I just love these sweet puppies.

Okay, so let me start out by stating that I was never any good at keeping a diary when I was little. As long as that's understood...we should be okay. So...my birthday was Sept. 1 and was a grand event. Once again it fell on Labor Day weekend (my poor mother...the heat and the so-not-funny pun) and so I claimed the WHOLE weekend as my own. It's tradition. Ryan got me a keyless entry for my car. Love it! If I could only remember to use it....it's true, old habits are hard to break. Then...on the 12th, Sebastian also had a birthday. He turned the big 01. For his birthday we got him a huge bone (well, huge to him...to others, not so big), a can of dog food (ate the whole thing in about 45 seconds), and...drumroll please...an ice cream cup from Sonic. Now this...this was the best. We weren't going to give him the whole thing afraid that it would make him sick, but...he won our hearts and we ended up giving him all of it. He's so spoiled and we're lovin' it.

The Busy Beaver. Yep, that's been me, lately. Since I haven't posted in a while, this will probably take some time. Okay...here we go. Last weekend was a whirlwind of projects. Ryan was basically reading Harry Potter ALL weekend so it kinda left me on my own. So...I sewed bunches of stuff. (Here's one of the pillows I made...my favorite holiday is Independence Day.) I also planted some plants around the utility box in the front yard, cleaned out the junk drawer, finished our bedroom curtains (which I'm not sure I even like, now), put up a trellis for my climbing rose and lots of other things that I can't even remember. I asked Ryan, but he doesn't remember...'cause he was reading. Hillary could have been moving in the house behind us and he wouldn't have noticed. Next area of interest, I've started reading the Harry Potter books. I know, I know...I'm a little late. I finished the first book this past week. Excellent. I'm the type of pers...

We're here in the mountains on vacation and today's our last day. Tomorrow we pack it up and head on home...actually tonight we pack up, tomorrow we head to GA to spend the night and then go home Sunday. Tomorrow we'll hit Newnan, GA for a wonderful stop at the Goodwill Emporium. Woo hoo!!!! My favorite shopping. Here's a brief recap of our trip: Sunday: Walked the touristy shops on Main Street. Definitely fun, but I learned a valuable lesson. I went in a jewelry store and found the most beautiful necklace with matching earrings...on clearance...but couldn't make up my mind. When we went back, it was gone. Lesson learned. Later on we drove into Boone and just looked around...nothing major. Monday: We drove around and hit "junk stores." I now know how much Ryan really loves me. We spent most of the day tracking down thrift stores for my mom to go to. Don't know why, but it's a hobby of hers. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed most of it. But Ryan......