School Days...

I can't thank you all enough for your kind thoughts and prayers! You always have something encouraging or inspirational to share and you can't know how much it means to me.

School is going well...actually, it's going great! I am absolutely loving every small bit about it--I have been so entirely blessed by the whole experience.

I attend classes from ten a.m. to nine p.m. on Mondays and ten a.m. to four-thirty on Wednesdays. Mondays are a long day, but I'm so glad I was able to schedule all of my classes to fit in only two days. It saves so much on gas, and I know being away from my family for long periods over many days would be too depressing for me. So many people seem to think that it's silly and abnormal for families to be so close...but I really don't care! I've never really seemed to master that family-hating thing. *chuckle* We encourage each other in our small day to day life, and to be frank, I really haven't found anyone that is more fun to be around! ☺ It's been wonderful to have the right balance of school and home life--such a blessing to have both of my wishes fulfilled!

I'm taking 12 credits this semester. American History through the Civil War, Geology--which I love--English 131--another favorite for this long-winded writer ☺--Wellness, and Life Maps, which is a required, but extremely silly class. Supposedly, it provides freshman with all of the tools to succeed in college, but I think most everything we've covered would just take a little good, ole' common sense to figure out.

The only thing I've found to dislike so far is my writing teacher's affinity for happy little groups. Most everyone in the class was paired up in groups of four or more, but my group is one of only three. And you would figure...they are both boys. And I'm stuck with them for the entire semester. The one, blonde and thin, doesn't offer up anything except ridiculous remarks to the other boy (who just happens to be his best friend) that don't have anything to do with the work that we are supposed to be doing. The other boy thinks he is Mr. Wonderful and a fabulous writer, when he, simply and nicely put...isn't.

If we weren't being graded on the finished product it wouldn't be a problem...but we are, and Mr. Wonderful thinks his own work is so great that he won't use any of mine. As shy as I am, I became frustrated enough to speak up for myself...repeatedly, but when the paper was turned in to our instructor and read out loud, I realized he had cut out everything of mine except for one or two sentences that he mangled enough to completely change the meaning of.

I was so embarrassed that my name was linked to that story. It was simply awful and nothing really had come from me. It wouldn't be so terribly hard for me to accept it, but for the fact that this "class participation" is worth 5% of my grade. I know it doesn't sound like much, but every little bit is important to me when I work so hard to participate. I haven't gotten many quizzes or tests back yet, but those that I have, I've received the total amounts I could have.

*sigh* Maybe my teacher will let me switch groups? I doubt it. But is it really fair to have one member not participate and the other completely hog the work??

I've missed "talking" to you all so much! Thanks for letting me chat on and on...☺ I'll certainly be posting more over the next few days, so be sure to check back often! And...leave me a comment...or three! I always love to hear from you!

Love,
Emily

Lauren...

Lauren Bacall

"I used to tremble from nerves so badly

that the only way I could hold my head steady
was to lower my chin practically to my chest and look up at Bogie.

That was the beginning of "The Look". "

A Crossroad...

Hello, everyone...

I'm sorry I haven't posted in forever...things have been so busy lately. So many things to think about, so many decisions to choose, so many things happening so quickly.

I'd really appreciate your prayers. I'm enrolled in a little community college nearby for an English Literature major, and I'm still halfway unbelieving it myself! I've been wanting to attend college for years, but finances, troubles, and my own lack of confidence have stood in my way. Now, only a few months after my mom and I started finding out a bit of information--I'm officially enrolled and ready (not really) to start tomorrow.

I'm excited, but so nervous. I've never really been around many people my own age and I'm so, so shy. I know this will be a good stretch for me...but I'm still scared silly!

Don't think you're getting rid of me that easily, though...I'll still be around here writing more often than you'll probably like...☺

Pray for me!

Love,
Emily

Debbie, too...

Debbie Reynolds

Remember this photo of the adorable

Debbie Reynolds that we all loved so much?

I stumbled across another snapshot of her yesterday that was taken at the same photo session. You can't see very much of her lovely dress here, but look at that frothy crinoline peeking out from beneath her skirt...

I never would have imagined that they would have paired those ever-so-interesting, gladiator-ish sandals with this outfit. Especially in the '50's, it was all heels, heels, heels! But they do look nice...and the outfit suits sweet Debbie perfectly.

Burnt Toast...

Am I the only one who seems to perpetually burn toast?

Our toaster broke about a year back and for some reason, though we all continually wish we had a new one, we've never replaced it. We have a small toaster oven that we use to make toast or that quick batch of cookies Sarah and I long for to go with our wickedly delicious fun of watching a midnight movie together. ☺

The moment I pop the bread inside, I can't ever seem to remember that I've put it there until I stumble across it burning or someone shouts "Burning toast...Emily! Burning toast!" I don't have the slightest idea why they always link it to me...

I can't bring myself to throw away bread that was perfectly good moments before, so I'll usually half-heartedly scrape off as much of the burnt spots as I can--which is no small feat, considering that it no longer looks like a piece of bread, but rather a square-ish piece of charcoal--and try to shudder it down.

*Sigh* I've done it again. Another piece of toast has bit the dust. Whatever am I going to do with myself?

The Second of August...

I was so tired last night that I fell asleep almost as soon as we got home from visiting at my grandparent's house all day. I meant to post, I really did, but before I knew it I was out like a light...with L.M. Montgomery book in hand. ☺

We were roaring along the bumpety roads towards home in our old, beat-up, gray car just as the "dim" was settling. For some reason I always write better when it is nighttime. Thoughts and words come rapidly into my head and I am always sent scrabbling for a scrap of paper and pen in the over-stuffed bag I always carry with me (who knows when you might need a book...or six!). Could anything be more beautiful than a country night? A country night driving? The world is starting to settle into slumber...the first shimmering stars are coming out...lights in strange houses slowly blink out one by one, except for the occasional night owl who's light is still on...with the wind swooping down on your cheek like a kiss through the open car windows.

I've always loved taking drives. I love to feel the wind against my face and running through my hair...even if I do look like a wild woman when we reach where we are going. ☺

It's the beginning of August and the cicadas have returned. Ever since I was small I've loved to close my eyes and listen to their loud, melodic sound. When we were little we would find them by the dozens in the trees in our "forest" in the backyard. We loved to see how they would shed and leave their crispy "shells" behind them still clinging on to the bark.

It was a lovely night to be out driving with my family. Especially with the green hills of home looming up against a pearl grey sky tinged with pink. Could anything be lovelier?