Two Roads... Both Will Change Your Life

Tonight, I'm writing outside. It's very peaceful. I'm alone. No television. No radio. No dog. No husband. Just the constant humming of the air conditioner and birds chirping. 


It seems as if a lot has happened lately, and yet, nothing of real merit has happened at all. So much is on my mind tonight. Finances. Job. House. Town. SIGH.................................


My husband came in this evening from his 7:30-4:00 job + 2 hour (total) commute and told me his boss basically ragged on him today. Brandon is working part-time as a computer technician assistant at a local school and going to college full-time. Brandon already has his Bachelor's Degree, but all that education and money got him was a piece of paper. No experience. No applicable knowledge. No nothing. So, he's taking courses at a community college where he's getting hands-on experience and training. Anyways, his boss ragged on him about his absences because he apparently took off too many days for school. Also, ever since Brandon started working there, he hasn't had a pay raise. With the price of gas and food going up, I have to wonder, is it really worth him driving down there? 


I love my husband, and I try to be as supportive as possible. I try to stay positive. However, I'm so ready for a change. Ever since we got married, I've had the financial role of our marriage. I know it's important for him to finish his education so that one day he will be able to have a career that he loves and is able to complete with full confidence and knowledge. I'm just ready for a break financially, emotionally, mentally, etc. 


Maybe I'm being too materialistic. Maybe I'm not appreciating all that I have. I know that most people in this world would do anything to have what I have, and yet, I'm complaining. 


I feel trapped, and I don't like it one bit. 


Times like this, my favorite poem comes to mind:

The Road Less Traveled—by Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

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"I Smell of Sweat, Grass, & Moth Balls"

Usually, when I get home, I pick up the house and start making dinner. Last night was not a usual night. When I got home, I took Chester, our 1 1/2 year old yorkie, on a walk. Walks  get both of us out of the house and off our butts, and we absolutely love them! We got home, and Brandon had just pulled in the driveway. Even though Brandon was exhausted, he decided to mow the grass. He wasn't happy about it, and in order to make it less of a task, I told him I would help out. From 6-8 pm last night, both of us were outside working on the yard. We hadn't eaten dinner yet, but we knew this needed to get done. While Brandon mowed, I weed-eated and cleaned out flower beds. Also, we've had a recent snake incident. I'm deathly afraid of snakes and won't go near them. So, after I weed-eated and cleaned the beds, I spread moth balls all over the perimeter of our house. After all that work, I smelled of sweat, grass, and moth balls. Sexy, I know. My next step in snake prevention is getting some marigolds and planting around the house. I'm going to make our yard a "NO SNAKE ZONE!"

I will be the first to admit that I have failed at keeping the flower beds "clean" and weed free, which is most likely why we've had the snake issue. Also, I'm far from being done! I feel awful for letting all of the flower beds go for this long. Okay, brace yourself because here comes the excuses...... I feel like I have absolutely no time. I leave for work at 7 am... drive 1 hour... stay at work until 4-5 pm... drive 1 hour... house work... cook dinner... AND THEN if I'm not tired, I have time to do anything else before going to bed and starting all over again. 

I'm glad that school is coming to a close so that I will have time, or at least feel like I have time, to work on the house and the yard. Any suggestions on gardening and snake prevention will gladly be accepted! 

GOD BLESS! 

Ramblings of Summer

It's officially almost summer!!!! :) :) I cannot even begin to describe how ecstatic I am that school is almost out and summer is almost here. So, that gets me to thinking: What am I going to do this summer? I work in a school setting, and I am not going to work during the summer months. Also, for the first time in 4 fours, I will NOT be moving. Every summer since 2007, I have moved, and finally, this year, we will not be moving! So... what is going to take up my time this summer??? Maybe I actually have a chance to focus on myself this summer! 


So, I'm sitting here thinking (and de-stressing and relaxing) about my up-coming summer. 


Hmmmmm.........


Summer Dream Wish-List
1. Go on a tropical vacation for 2 weeks.
2. Get a tan without the damaging effects of the sun.
3. Complete the re-model/make-over of the entire house.
4. Have an un-ending supply of books at my disposal! 
5. Blog everyday! 
6. Lose 20 lbs.


So, obviously, we won't be able to do these things. Vacation to a tropical destination is out. Gots to have monies put back for that, and heck no, we don't! I am a fair-complexion gal with a family history of skin cancer. Yeah, a real tan is out! Finishing the entire house could be done, but is a long shot. But, a girl can dream; can't she??? 


Reality Summer List
1. Vacation is possible, but limited to where. We are going on vacation somewhere, but we don't know where, yet. Somewhere within 5 hours of where we live. Suggestions????
2. Fake tanning lotion here I come!
3. Finish at least 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom this summer.
4. Read at least 10 books. The public library will be my friend! :) 
5. Blogging everyday is a possibility! :)
6. Losing 15 lbs is a possibility! :)