I am getting way too old!

Holy Smokes........I cleaned the house for the kids and Chrystal's room (she helped of course and the boys cleaned their own rooms) After the cleaning....I sit here, one load of laundry in the dryer, then I will be done. Here is the count.......are you ready???? 3 loads of dishes cleaned in the dishwasher, 10 garbage bags of pop cans, 20 garbage bags of garbage/junk and 22 loads of laundry (that counts 3 of my own loads of laundry that I brought with me) I threw away their microwave because it was SOOO encrusted with gunk that there was no cleaning it (and the paint in it was pealing off when I tried) and bought them a new one. Now...the entire house is spotless, I made then 2 meals while I was here and a batch of brownies........this all in the last 24 hours folks.......I am beat. I am sitting here watching football with Ben. We are watching the Bears and the Lions and game casting Green Bay on the PC laptop. I will likely head back to A2 With in the next hour or so.....of course there was a big family discussion during dinner about the need to be more responsible for themselves because my time is limited and I can't come rescue them too often.......we will see.....I don't have tons of confidence in their ability to clean around here.....we all know how that has gone in the past...LMAO!!! I do know I am way too old for this shit! :o) Peace out!

Apple Snob

It is true, I have now become an apple snob. I gave my PC laptop to my kids and here I sit typing on it, realizing that I wish I had not worn the battery down on my MacBook before I arrived at updating the blogging world. I will never go back to PC land.......it is all Apple from here on out...........Thanks Scott!

Michigan won today. I think that is about all I can say about that......I didn't get to watch the game (mainly because Comcast is ....well....I suppose I should not use that type of language on a public forum.....anyway....I also was not in A2 to get it on the radio........my point here folks is, by looking at the scoring......we played a terrible first half.......improved in the second half (or maybe Northestern simply decided to hand us the game on a silver platter.....at any rate we did win, and a win is a win, particularly when we are not even rated in the top 25. Who knows, it is possible that we reach that status after this weekend, however I highly doubt it........but I still have a big GO BLUE!!!!!

I am at the kids house, it was VERY messy......I have a few more loads of laundry, then heading to bed. Tomorrow is more cleaning, and helping my daughter with her bedroom. She is a pack rat, and it gets to a point that she just can't do anything about it......so I need to go in (with her of course) with lots of garbage bags and start tossing things in them and organizing what is left. She is in nursing school, working 2 jobs.....and her ex fiance who left her a month or so ago....she just found out that it was for a married woman with kids just about his age. So my daughter needed a little pick me up with her momma comming over to help......so that is what I am doing. Ok....I might go to bed before I get the laundry done........I hope you are all having a great weekend!!!

Time for a job?

It is possible that I may need to look into getting a job locally if I can't make time to get back to the west side of the state for consulting more than I am. The new glasses hit hard and I still have dentist issues.....so.....I am working on the budget for the rest of this year.......if it looks like I am anticipating it looking.......I either need to build in time for consulting (and the travel and expense that incurs) or look at a local retail type job. I am tying up some loose ends today so I can go see the kids this weekend. Next week is going to be very busy, I need to be sure I have the homework under control. I will check on ya latersssssssss.....Peace, Katie

Hi Peeps

Out and about all day today.......lots on the schedule........will check in with you all tonight. Peace out!


Mid day note! I sit here at Taubman Library (the medical library at UofM) waiiting for a orientation on RefWorks a reference website that we have free access to. I had an eye exam before this because I have been having so much trouble with all of the reading, I just can't see with my glasses.....sure enough a major change in my distance and close vision.......another few hundred bucks out the window....but at least I will be able to see. The only problem is..........they dilated my eyes and so now I really can't see.......I hope they are better before this RefWorks thing starts........(so pardon any typos here......HA!)

Ok.......time to locate the right room! Peace!

Ahhhh......

I let myself have the afternoon off..............it was nice to get out of the apartment a bit. Not much more to say except a little tid bit I ran across today...........as most of you know........I have had lots of change this year.......almost too much......and being alone now in a new city.......has made it even more challenging..........I read this...........


If there was no change, there would be no butterflys.............


Nice huh? Yeah yeah.......peace out!

YEAH!!!!!!!

Ok, the 20 pager has been edited, printed and going to class with me tonight to be turned in (there is no turning back on that one). The other paper.........is also finished! (and it is only noon!!!!) It isn't due until Thursday morning, but my time is limited the rest of today and tomrorrow, so I knew I needed to get it done. But that does give me time to do a final edit on it. Whew. I am so relieved. Now I need to check my syllubus for all 4 classes and print out what my assignments and readings are for this week and next week........it is a good thing I have 2 new ink cartridges and 5 reams of paper....any bets on how much paper I use today???? Peace out Peeps......catch ya laterssssssssssssss

Almost there........

I nearly have my 20+ page paper in the can........it took me 2 full days of doing nothing but sitting here, reading, typing, reading, typing.......yuk ola........now....before you start laughing your ass off.........thinking, um exactly what did she expect when she started the doctoral program at the UofM? Yeah....I expected as much......I did not expect as much on topics that I could care less about..........I really was delusional enough to think that being in a doctoral program, allowed me the opportunity to read about, write about the field of study that I am interested in...................patience......I will get there, probably after this semester, in the mean time............this is "F***ing" drudgery!!!!!!!! Ok......this must go in the can tonight so that I can finish the other paper tomorrow............ta ta......

Crap, crap, crap

I have a seminar that I signed up for in Kalamazoo tomorrow. It is on suffering. (Sounds fun huh? LOL, but it really is going to be a good one that will put me in touch with others that might help me with my research, plus I have a great interest in this topic because it is closely related to the experience of death, my field of study) ANYWAY, I have 2 major papers due this week and I am STILL trying to put them together..........I don't know if I am going to make it to this seminar....which just sorta screws with a bunch of other things.........one is my ability to acutally have a conversation with someone besides myself. I am frustrated......but I am continuing to plug away.........just thought I would stop in here and whine a little. I hope your week starts better than mine is going to! Peace............Katie

We Won!

Michigan won a great game! It was so awesome to be there and watch it. Ok......homework......sigh.......

Life at UofM

I provided a link for you before that did not work. I am going to give it again, you will have to copy and paste, I am doing it solely to give credit for the quote I am about to type! LOL http://www.ponderingpool.com/p_pool/newcards/card47.html


I NEED to know - by Susan Morsek

I'm stretched again, but my resilience is long gone and I can't bounce back. It's tiresome dragging around the excess, yet I'm unsure whether it's safe to cut it off. What if it houses my essence, or the directional portion of my id?

The drawing that she has with this is a lady with her "second skin" or the excess dragging behind her. I LOVE this card......it is so descriptive of how I feel at times.......this week is one of those times.........I can't seem to get ahead of any of it........I just keep trying.....that is all I can do......3 papers that I am working on today........I really want to get them done so I can head to TR to help my daughter with a few things on Sunday, but it is not looking like that is going to happen........

The good news.........Michigan vs Penn State tomorrow........hoping for a win for the conference opener.........not feeling it though....so we shall see.


Peace and GO BLUE!

A bright new day!

I have a new strategy for the remainder of this week and so far it is going well. I am not going to let stuff pile up and get side tracked with things that I shouldn't worry about, but do in order to avoid what it is I should be doing. I am probably not making much sense, but that is ok, just know that some of the stuff I have learned this year, is being put to good use right now. Which is to also say, I need to get moving.......I hope your day and week are going well.......Peace!

Back "home" in A2

Ok, so I washed all the laundry, cleaned the bathrooms (which were so gross, and why I am now back in A2) I could not imagine taking a shower in my kids bathroom, even though I cleaned it, it was so gross...LMAO! So I decided to drive back tonight....just got home. I found out the agency I consult for is expecting a mock Joint Commission Survey in October and they want me present for it, plus there is some work I need to help them with to get ready for it, so I am not only buried in homework, but I have to get over to the west side of the state as much as possible the next few weeks........a tall order....but honestly, I need the cash too...LOL. There is some stuff I can bring back here and work on from here, but the problem is, I can spend every minute of the day, every day just on homework....plus I have my presentations that I need to finish.......ok......I am rambling now. Sorry...............I just need to take a deep breath and go to bed....LOL. Did I mention I need to have FUN too? At least it is football season and I have THAT! Ok......off to dream land for me..........peace out!

Photo

My photo has been missing from my profile due to circumstances beyond my control (that is to say I don't have time to do any thing about it right now.....so this is one way for me to get there.

Holy Shit!

Sorry folks, I have been buried in homework and have ignored ya'll!! I happen to be at my kids house over on the West side of the state. I arrived around 9pm, will do some consulting work tomorrow and hang with the kids tomorrow night. I have a meeting with a prof on Wednesday at 1pm, so I will head back to A2 Wednesday late morning. The cash is starting to dry up, so I need to start lining up some more consulting and speaking engagements, or else go to work at Macy's, and that might be a bad thing, since I would probably spend everything I make....LMAO! Anyway....as a docoral student, I probably should stick with consulting and speaking vs sales clerk at Macy's. Of course the kids love me to visit because I clean and do laundry. They are extra glad to see me since I brought them my PC laptop. It is only 2 years old, an excellent machine, but seriously, I don't need 3 computers and I am over the top in love with my Macs! They had to promise no downloads to the laptop, to use if for college homework only, no porn, no Lime Wire......they have 2 other desk top computers here that they have already trashed with all that type of crap. They agreed. Ok....enough babble........I need to finish some homework and head off to dream land so I can get a nice long day in tomorrow! Peace Out!!! (Jenny.......I promise to email soon.....I know you are swamped too....just know I am thinking of you!!)

Much needed win........

We will not discuss just exactly how HORRIBLE Notre Dame is.........creaming them today.....felt so good. I am getting to know my seat mates and liking those who are sitting behind me and beside me. The people in front of me I am not so sure about......they don't stand up (except at halftime for the band) and they keep looking at me like I have two heads (I happen to scream pretty damn loud...hee hee) I did have this incredible idea today........how cool would it be to MEET a single guy at the game? Seriously......we would have to get past the "I love you because you have season tickets", but I am sure I can convince some hottie that his season tickets really isn't the reason that I love him...LMAO! (After I graduate, I will no longer be able to go to the games, so you see why this could be a good place to meet a man!) Anyway......as I walked home alone....I really thought how silly it is......what the hell am I doing??? I need to get a hook up and start having a little bit of fun in this town! Anyway..........Michigan looked good.....Mallet is going to make a great QB.......GO BLUE!!! Peace out!!

Go Blue!

On my way to the Stadium and I am feeling anxious, a win would be wonderful and do a lot for team spirit ........


GO BLUE!

Killing Trees

Just a quick note.....so far in the second week of the semester, I have used nearly 1000 sheets of paper and I am on my 3rd Black Ink Cartridge.............I was not creating drama when I told you I was buried in homework...LMAO! Ok....I am still digging out.........wish me luck.

RIP

I am buried in a sea of homework and it is so much that I am having a difficult time sorting it out. That is my goal this afternoon, to sort it out and make a huge spread sheet of what I am suppose to read, for what class, and then what is due, when, for each class. Three of the classes are web based so I must be online at certain times and I don't know what those times are either. I am not pleased that I am so overwhelmed, but I should be better later tonight. I do know that I have an assignment due by midnight tonight, so I need to do that as well.

On a more upbeat note...I will be at the Michigan vs Notre Dame game tomorrow. There is a plan to show the team support. Former Michgigan Players are meeting at the tunnel when the team gets off the bus at 1:45 pm to show them support. I will be there as well. You know, it has been a great disappointment for Michigan fans to have such a horrible start to the season, but it is important to step back and remember that these are KIDS, playing ball......it is that simple......anything but support to them is harmful. (The coaching staff is another story, as they get PAID, BIG BUCKS to do a job.......and well.....that is in question in my book.......but that can be dealt with at the end of the season. So for now.....it is all GO BLUE!!!!!

Ok....back to this massive sorting of homework.......peace out!

The Journey

This year has been a transformational journey for me. It changed everything, and at the same time, changed nothing. I read a poem today that resonated with my soul and I thought I would share it with you.

The Journey - By Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice-
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles,
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible,
It was already late enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do-
determined to save
the only life you could save.


Peace~~~~~

Did I mention.........

I now have a MacBook? Yeah....I just couldn't take it. Once all the money was in for school.....I figured I could swing it.....I went to class.........I was really thinking this Tuesday night class was going to be my blow off class.......until he gave out the exam for the text book that we were suppose to read in one week................the good news........it is a take home exam........the bad news..........it is a 16-20 page paper on the state of health care in the US. We have 5 text books for this class.......and 5 exams for the class.........guess what I will be doing all semester..........and that doesn't count the other three classes I have....that I already KNOW are tons of work. The fun just keeps getting funner...LMAO!

I can't sleep...........

Buried

beneath a sea of homework! Missing the first class for 3 of my 4 classes has made this a tad bit difficult. I have so much to try to figure out and so little time to do it! First things first.............I have class tonight and I was suppose to have read an entire text book (in just one week). That of course did not happen. We will discuss the book tonight and have an exam over it next week. I should be ok with that. The other 3 classes are the ones that I am slightly concerned about.....and I really think that I need to get a Mac notebook........I think I can swing it......I think it is going to be necessary for this degree. At this moment in time, I am grateful that I am not working this semester. Ok....I need to pull some things together, run a few errands and head to class. Peace out........(things will get better on this end....no fear!)

Mommy!!!

The reason I brought my laptop to SF was soley to check the score of the Michigan game. I now wish I had stayed in ignorance.......what the F***???!!!! It does not help that I am not with a group of people who are very sympathetic to me. In fact the day I arrived here, one of my peers came up to me singing the fight song for App. State. (what an idiotic song that is!) So....now that I have season tickets to a losing year......the only thing left to do is attend the games, feel the pain, and cheer on a team that sucks the big one. The coaching staff needs to go......Carr, English and Debord......and Martin.....he REALLY needs to go.....he is a real estate guy....who worked for $1 per year for a while, of course he gets paid big bucks now....and oh isn't it great that he is getting renovations for the stadium....blah blah.....how about getting good coaches, how about recruiting talent and USING it....developing it.......Lets clean house at Michigan, starting NOW. Alright, back to work.......I had to whine a bit.....Peace Out

Safely arrived.............

I finally made it to SF......I realized once I was here that I forgot to have them hold my mail. So for the next 3-4 days, the books for school that I have ordered will be piling up in the entry way of my building, and or by my door. I sure hope my neighbors are honest and don't steal them, now that it will be obvious that I am not home all weekend, I hope they leave my apartment alone too. I am NOT happy about this, I just need to cross my fingers I suppose. Too bad I don't know anyone in A2 yet, I could have them collect packages for me while I am gone. Of course there is Scott and Scott....but they can't drive to A2 everyday just in case I have packages tehre.....ugghh! Anyway........all is well here....aside from a lot of smoke in the air due to some forest fire somewhere in CA......it is lovely to be here as always......the smell of the redwoods.....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....wonderful. Peace!

Flight Delayed

Here I sit at the Detroit Metro Airport (Yes I paid the $8 to get on the internet). My flight is delayed, at this point it is only delayed 30 minutes, however I think that is positive thinking. Now I need to be sure that those who are waiting for me on the other end are aware that I am going to be late. I don't hae anything worthy of blogging aside from that fact, I am slightly bored. I did download 2 movies to my iPod to watch on the plane, however, do you think I brought the cable to charge my iPod? Nope...so we shall see how long one good charge lasts on an iPod. Of course I have homework from 4 classes that I broght as well...so I really have no reason to be bored. Ok, I have guilted myself into getting off and reading some of the homework that I broght with me. Peace out.

It is F***ing hot!

I finally complained to the management group about my AC not working. (And the fact that my sliding glass door doesn't open anymore) I have been sweltering, as I am at this moment...sweat just pouring off me..............they showed up today, fixed the door and looked at the AC and said "Yep, its broke" They should have a new one tomorrow for me after the truck arrives. So, lets NOT mention that I should have said something a long time ago, lets just be grateful that when I return from San Francisco, I will not have to sweat in my apartment again......unless of course it is for something naughty and fun......*evil grin*.......If you did not pick up on the fact that I mentioned San Francisco, yes indeed, I will be heading for the West Coast one more time tomorrow. It is my graduation from the training that I have been doing all year. I leave tomorrow and will return home on Monday. I am taking my laptop, for the sole purpose of checking the score of the Michigan Game on Saturday, so you may get an update as well. Peace out and I hope you all have a great weekend!

Picture this...........

A room full of 24 year olds, a male professor, and me. The professor is calling names to have people introduce themselves. He talks a LOT. He decides that he wishes to let these young girls know just how bright they are for seeking their graduate degrees at such a young age "you are very wise, so often we see 45 year olds in class getting their PhD, which is just stupid"



I am NOT shitting you. He said those words exactly.............then..............he called MY name.


"I am a 46 year old, getting my PhD"


Yeah....the circus freak has come to town. Lovely.

I am safely home. I think I might stay here for a bit.....LMAO!

Oh the joy

Ok, so here I sit in my first UofM class. It is suppose to meet 5-8pm on Tuesdays, however when I registered, I remember (now!) that the first night it was going to meet 6-9pm. So here I sit, an hour early and most of the rest of the class also here, not realizing the class is an hour later today.....and guess what........these are all KIDS in this class.....what happened to the "non-traditional" student??? Crap.....and....since these are kids....they are just going on for graduate school after getting their undergraduate...which of course means they have almost zero experience as a "real" nurse..........oh the joy......I so do not want to be here right now. Wish me well....LMAO!

Labor Day Weekend

I was so stunned by the Michigan Loss, I swear I woke up each morning thinking maybe I dreamed it, then realized that I did not dream it. I am disappointed, but I can not imagine how the players must feel. There are grief issues that they must deal with, I wish I could help them out with that, since it is my speciality, somehow I doubt they wish to have me help them...lol! Ben and Emily are here and we have had a grand time together, it has been so wonderful to spend time with them. We went to borders and got some great deals on some very cool books, then to the mall where the new Sephora store has opened. I was in heaven.....it is an awesome store! Then Ben and Emily picked up a few clothes thanks to Momma and then we came home and played some cards and looked at our new prizes. They will be heading out soon, which will give me some time to clean up after them and make sure I have my school work ready to go. I DO have a class now on Tuesday nights, so I will be going to class tomorrow night. I also meet with a professor from one of my other classes tomorrow. I am feeling pretty ready..................*deep breath*.........I sure hope I am!

Ouch!

If you live in a hole and have not heard what happened to Michigan yesterday, then I will tell you that they lost in the biggest upset in college football history. (that is NOT an exageration). It was painful to watch. Painful. I really don't wish to comment more than that, it is just that before the season even started, it is over. There were hopes for a National championship.....those are now gone. Even if they win every other game this year, losing to the team they lost to, in the way they lost.................It is over. Boo!

The reason I am in doctoral school

Michigan Football of course! (totally joking) But I am excited as today is the home opener, first game of the season, I am packed and nearly ready to hoof it over to the stadium. Yes I am walking the 2 miles because I probably can't park closer and besides, who wants to deal with that traffic! My Michigan flag is hanging in the window and I am going early enough to watch the band march into the stadium and see the pre game show band performance. I am excited, however I am not too excited about sitting in the student section, we shall see how this goes. I just thought I would stop in here and say


GO BLUE!!!