Imprints on my Heart

I was just looking at some of my friend's blogs (because I am tired and I am avoiding doing what I should be doing - homework!) I'm behind in reading, months and months behind, which is too bad because many of my friends are excellent writers. As I read my friends' posts, I was observing that I seldom write (and publish) angry. Sometimes I write to vent, and occasionally I let Tom read it or read it aloud to him (which does wonders for me) but I think it takes a special kind of guts (and comfort with oneself) to write when you are sad or upset. At the point of publishing your anger, you really are putting yourself "out there".

Recently I decided I should always have a picture with my posts.
Even if the pictures don't really relate to the post, it's nice to have a visual reference.
Besides, I take SO MANY pictures, I *SHOULD* share them with you!

I realized that I have been a bad friend lately. I have been so consumed with completing my school work and keeping up with the boys and house and Tom being out-of-work, that I really haven't had time for much else. I don't cook. I don't clean. I don't {gasp} sew. I don't write. I don't chat. I've just been focused on school-school-kids-school! :P Exhausting I tell you! It helps me realize sometimes people really want to be involved but they have to prioritize how much of themselves they can give and to whom.

May I share some thoughts with you that I had tonight? I have only just shared it with one friend. Today someone called to tell me how important I've been in their life. It was wild for me. I've been the one saying those things before, about a few special people. My Aunt says some people come into your life for a short time, but live a print on your heart for a lifetime! I warmly think of those people who've made those kinds of imprints on my heart. It was touching to hear how I've now returned the favor and life begins to travel full circle (a friend wrote about her idea of life moving in a spiral.) So, I just crossed over an event.

In any case, tonight I was thinking about friends. Some friends you grow with (I think these may be Best Friends), some friends you learn from, and some you teach. All friendships have a place, but they serve different needs. Have you ever heard the analogy about having different friends for different needs? One you can hang out with. One you can cry on the shoulder of. One you can laugh and let-loose with. Anyway, I was thinking of all these things as I read about someone not-having a best friend. They sure are special when they come along, and it's weird, I think when you find one, you treasure them all the more because they are so infrequent.

Being in Rock Springs, knowing it was so temporary, I knew I needed support, and started out (unconsciously) looking for the best friends I'd left behind in Arizona... at the beginning I even gravitated to people with the same first names! Somewhere along the line, I realized it's okay to have friends for a short time, and have fun, but not have a life-long bond. I continue to nurture one particularly close friendship. I sometimes mourn friendships lost or changed, but realize that as we grow and change, our friendships must also grow and change.

In a strange way, I found these pictures suited to my topic.
They remind me of the quote along the lines of
"Go often on the house of a friend, for the path soon covers over with weeds."

It's important to maintain our relationships, whether in town or far away, for they soon become clouded over, not to mention, being involved is, well, a great way to BE INVOLVED!

I know I'm totally rambling! I'm tired. I'm sore. AND, I'm STILL avoiding homework (at this point I'm so tired, I'll make the bed and then crawl into it (the dryer just finished my sheets!)) Thanks for allowing me to share my mental ramblings and musings; I appreciate it!!!

Warms the Heart

Yesterday I watched Jack at his first ever Little League (T-Ball) Practice. We've tried catching and hitting once or twice, but it's been more than a year (two I think). He has always been such a natural at anything that involves aiming! Seriously, since the kid could throw/hit, he "always hits his target". We recognized this last summer when Tom woke me to tell me Jack had just hit a neighbor girl in the head with a rock. Coming out of my nap I said "what did she do to him; he always hits what he aims at." No one had thought to ask, turns out she had been taunting Jack, telling him her little sister was his girl friend. Jack didn't want a girl friend!


In any case, all this to say, I wasn't at all surprised yesterday when he excelled at hitting, catching and throwing. He even caused the first injury of the season when he smacked his first ball from the T and caused two boys to smack noggins chasing his hit. Many tears ensued and I watched, full of pride at Jack's great hit... is that too wrong? I really felt a swelling of pride watching him play... he's such a natural athlete. I wonder what sport(s) he will enjoy most and I will be watching through the years... I really do like baseball and hope that I am on the side-lines of many future games!

Dinner at the Governor's Mansion

I've been looking forward to dinner at the Governor's Mansion for about two weeks. Tonight was the night and I enjoyed being there every bit as much as I thought I would!


My room-mate and I drove to a Representative's condo, where we chatted with her while waiting for our ride, the good Senator from our area. We enjoyed visiting and relaxing with her a few minutes before he arrived. I was glad we rode together, not because we couldn't have followed, but because of the conversation in the car and the fact that I didn't have to walk across a dark parking lot, with ice and snow, and high heels on.

After being driven through the gates of this former American Legion Park, we were dropped off at the door of the Formal Home of the Governor and his wife. The first thing we noticed was "The First Cat of Wyoming." This playful guy walked us to the door, stopping at each of our feet and looking up with a cry in greeting.


Along with a 12-year-old Lhasa Apso, these two mingled with the crowd all night long. When nearly everyone had left, a calico kitty showed itself, but she was camera shy, just like the puppy!

After hanging my coat, I found the door to the ladies "powder" room hidden in the wall.


A few moments alone afforded me the time to snap a few silly pictures of myself and the crazy powder room!


Every piece of paper was embossed. From the place cards and menus...


All the way to the pile of paper towels in the powder room!


We were blessed to listen to a fellow intern (a homeschooled High School Junior from Cheyenne) as she tinkled the ivories tonight...


Even waiting for our ride became a bit silly this evening at this interesting place!

Vacation Flashback

I just went to use an old back-up drive



where I found pictures from our last family vacation


(yes it was back in 2006).


The boys were 2 & 4.


This was the boys' AND Tom's first trip to Wyoming.


Oh!


They were so CUTE and CHUBBY!!!
The Boys, not Tom! ;)


Enjoy!

This Vacation Flashback brought to you compliments of Keith's Gift Kaser Portable Vault Flash Drive.

Capitol Exhaustion

I *really* did mean to write you each and every day,


but I have been working crazy-long-exhausting hours.


And sleeping whenever I can.


I hope you enjoy these pictures from last week.


You can see I am working literally from sun-up, to sun-down.


Time for some sleep before the 5am alarm tomorrow!

least sleep - ever - first ticket

yesterday after 4 hours sleep, around 2,000 steps during 9 hours of running about, a dead car battery, the new battery not starting, and pure exhaustion, I neglected to hang the parking tag in my window. this morning I came down to my first ever ticket, from the college campus police, for $60. now I must find the time (and person) to show my pass to to prove I had it and get the ticket pardoned.

3.5 hours sleep last night. a record low for me.

tonight I am going to get 7!!! yeah!

Exciting, Exhilarating Energies

I ran on adrenaline all day today (with another 4 hour night, and tonight looking like it will have fewer than 6 hours in it). Much as I want to keep you informed, I am limited in what I may share AND I am writing for 3-5 hours each night to report to my professor, so, I find myself completely brain-dead by the time I can write you.

Tonight, I even made a Montage of scenes from the opening day of the 60th Wyoming Legislative Session, however, we are still trying to hammer out the logistics of even this and what I may share photography wise and with whom... perhaps soon you will get to SEE some of what I am seeing... I hope, I hope, I hope!