Time, Time, Time.... See what's become of me......

Holly, Tony & lil' Max stopped by for a visit this last weekend. It was so good getting to visit with them for a little while. It seems like yesterday we were at Holly's mom's house listening to the Chipmunk's Christmas & watching the muppets. Where does the time go? Every time I hear Alvin & the Chipmunks, Kenny Rogers or Dolly Parton I think of Holly.... =)

While out looking for gifts and stuff for the family, I came across a little yellow tractor & I knew just the little boy that would like that. So I put it in a little bag & put it under the tree. As you can see Max was all smiles when he saw it. Holly said he even sleeps with it. Awww!!! He kept looking in the bag to see if anything else would come out of it. Maybe he was hoping we would refill it. LOL!

The Emig family met Terri, our crazy lil' round dog. She loved meeting them - she just wanted to lick them all. Then after I gave Holly a grand tour of the House of Bowers, we visited for a while. Before we visited the goats, I got a pic of Max by our tree. He is a photo pro. He flashed a very cheesy smile, but I was laughing too hard to get the photo, but I ended up getting this great one. Then we had to get a photo of Max Blue on a Blue Tractor....... As you can see-- ADOREABLE!!!

Then Max & his parents got to meet our extended "smelly" family--- the goats. They were very curious about him..... I enjoyed feeding George out of my hand (See Emig Family Blog for photos from that "enjoyable" time.) Our time was over & they had to go. It was time for them to go to a Christmas party. I know Max will be excited to see what Santa is going to leave him. He is a good boy, so I know Santa will leave him lots of goodies.

Merry Christmas to all & Happy New Year too!!!!

Whew!

I took my last final last night. It was in Government. While I was taking the test, I thought to myself, "hey this isn't so bad," When I was finished with the test, I looked at my study guides & I got a lot right, but I did get some wrong, and there was 2 questions about the House of Representatives that I didn't study. I did not know at all the answers to that question. Hopefully I did well enough to pass. I am so glad this semester is over.

I was watching Andy Griffith this morning & it was the episode called Opie the Birdman. This is where Barney helped Opie make a slingshot.
Andy warned Opie to be careful. Opie, says he is only going to shoot tin cans and stuff. Opie shoots all kinds of stuff, then he sees something in a tree, he aims for it & shoots.
A little bird falls onto the ground. Opie pleads with the bird to fly away. He finally realizes it is dead & he killed it he runs inside the house crying.
The bird he killed was a mother bird. In doing so, he oprhans several baby birds.

He asks his Pa, Andy what should he do? Andy says he should take the place of the mother. So he gets all of the birds in a cage & he dutifully cares for them.

Then one day the birds are grown and not babies anymore. Andy tells Opie that it is time for the birds to be set free. Of course Opie has become so attached to his little babies.

So they are outside, and Opie asks, "Pa, do I have to?" Andy says yes, and explains that these are wild animals and they need to be able to fly around. So Opie sets one of the birds free & it flys away up into a tree. Opie asks again before he sets the second bird free, "Pa, do I have to?"

Once again, Andy looks at him and nods, so the second little bird is set free and flys away into another tree. All now that is left in the cage is the last little bird. Opie's eyes are full of tears & he looks at Andy and begs once more to keep the last bird in the cage.

Andy says no & that he must let it go..... So you see the last little bird fly away from his cage.

Opie says "The cage sure looks awful empty, don't it Pa?" Andy says, "Yes son, it sure does. But don't the trees seem nice and full?"

*sniffle*

FINALLY FINALS!!!!

WHEW!!! It is finals week. I am so so so so so glad. I had to go to the college on Saturday to a study session & to take the final... but when I got there, the professor said that the final was not ready yet. :(

So I will take it tomorrow. I had a History & Nutrition final yesterday and I had a Computer final today. I am so glad to be finished with 3 of my 4 classes. My math class starts tomorrow. :(

It will be good to go through it even though I don't want to. I have to finish & make it through the spring semester.

Well, Joey bought a Trackloader. He is going to use it to clean up the property & build a bigger pond. A semi truck delivered it. I have posted some photos of it being delivered. I just wish the driver would have left the black Hummer that was on the truck too. Andy was so excited to see it. (Me too)

SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!!!

I just love snow!!!! Especially when it is bad enough to not go to work!!! It is so rare that I get to enjoy a good snow fall here. It usually starts snowing while I am at work & then I have to drive home in it & by the morning everything is ok to drive in. I was so excited that I have my camera so I could take some photos of it.

This is a photo of our pond. You can see it while driving up our driveway. As you can see, the top was almost frozen.

This is a photo with our pond on my left looking down our drive way. This photo is deceptive, where they cleared the brush to put up our electric poles looks like part of the drive.... actually before you get to the first pole you turn to the left & go on down the hill. I was going to get a photo of that, but I was frozen solid by this point.....

These are the trees just north west of our house. I can see this view from the bedroom windows. These trees seem to just go one forever. It is like our own personal forest. By late spring I will not be able so see very far into the woods because all of the leaves and vines.

Here is a photo looking up toward our house. The pond is on my right. When we get the trackloader we will be able to clean up a lot of the brush in front of the pond & we will be able to landscape it....

I opened the door to let Terri out & this is what I found. A snow drift!!! I know it is not much of a snow drift.... There was about an inch on the threshold. You can also see where Terri romped in it on her way out & in.

I am going to stay home again tomorrow. It is not worth wrecking my Jeep to get to work.

We are planning on putting up our Christmas stuff tomrrow. I will post the photos....

Stay warm & safe.... =)

Hugs!

-SB

Photo Finish

Well, I started working half days in my new job in training. I think it will be a piece of cake. I cannot wait to do it full time.

On Thanksgiving day I got online & checked out the online deals... Well I looked on Circuit City's website & the camera I have been eyeing was on sale a day early... So I bought it right away.. YIPPEE!!!! The estimated delivery date was Dec 1-11th.... So I have been patiently waiting for it to arrive---- when I arrived home, my camera was by my front door!!! YEAH!!!! So I charged up the batteries & I started clicking away... The only thing hanging around was my lil dog Terri.... So She started posing... I posted some of the photos.... As you can see she was getting very tired of all of the extra attention... Me too Terri-- I am sleepy & ready for bed.
I cannot wait to get more of friends & family... I will post more later.....

Hugs!!!
Enjoy Terri at her best.... =)

Thanksgiving

I know it has been a while.... I am beginning to think I am too old for the whole school thing... I am doing ok considering I haven't cracked a book in months, I have just been reading just enough to understand and answer the assignments. I have an 84% average on all 4 classes. So that is not bad. I really need to work on school work this week, because I have some very large assignments due the first part of December. I have a dissertation due for government. I need to look up that word, because I don't even know what that means exactly... it sounds like lawyer speak to me.... oh well. I would not be in school if I knew everything, right? LOL!
I should be finished with this semester by Dec 12. I cannot wait..... Then I start a 6 week course on De 13. The teacher will release 2 assignments a week.... Yikes!!! It is a math class... I really need to do well in it. I have a lot of math to take & chemistry & physics & calculus..... zzzzzzzzzzz I must be crazy....

In the midst of all of this craziness, I am starting a new job.... I was "recruited" to a new job. I just can't stand to leave my current job, I really like my boss, he treats me like an adult & lets me make my own decisions & he is so nice. We have the same personality type... we really get along well. I will be be the training poc for about 2500+/- folks. It will be a great experience for me, as well as a little more cash. I have always wanted to do that job. I am not very secretarial, but I have given it my all the past 2 years. I am not one for policies and format & attention to detail--- I just do entirely too many little jobs & I cannot remember to follow thru in all the different directions. This new job will just be training. One direction & I have a lot people I delegate everything to -- WONDERFUL!!! I am great at delegating!! I will manage 3 different training systems. I will start this new job on the 27th. The lady I am replacing retires on Nov 30..... So I have a lot to learn in a very short time.

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!! And be sure to stay out of my way on Black Friday!!!
I am wanting to get a digital camera on Friday.... I think I found the perfect one..... I will find out when all of the ads actually come out. Then I can post more photos.... Eat lots of turkey & enjoy your families!!!

--SB

HAPPY FALL, YA'LL!!!!!!

Happy Fall!!

I am loving this weather. Yesterday it was a lot cooler & it has really got me in the holiday mood. I have started my Christmas shopping. I only have a few more items to purchase & I will be done. I cannot wait. I love getting my shopping done early. I also love buying things online. It is so wonderful to get packages in the mail, it really pacifies my wanting to get actual gifts in the mail & the best part is that the items will take up space here at my house only for a little while, then they move on to some one else. =)

Well, I have mid-terms next week. My grades are pretty good, but I am pretty tired. I really hope I can sustain this for another 3 semesters. I know it will be extremely difficult when I actually have to physically be in class. But in the end it will all be worth it.


Well, that is all I know on this Friday the 13th.

Hugs!
-SB

I Pity the Fool!

Well here I am .... It is almost time for mid-terms. I am kind of thinking I am insane.... But I think I should leave that up to the professionals.

My sister in law, her son & her hubby stopped by on Sunday afternoon to see our new/old house. We are settling in very well. She called me Thursday evening & said she was going to be in the neighborhood & I freaked out..... For the last month we have been living out of boxes & plastic totes. I have been so busy with work and school I have not had a minute to spare. And definitely no time to unpack & straighten up. So this was a perfect opportunity to straighten the house up.

So I became a mean cleaning machine. We whipped most of the house (the visible rooms) into shape. Joey's nephew brought his bb gun. He was wearing a little Mexican hat (he could not find his cowboy hat). We had a blast.

My stepmother in law is dying to have a house warming party. I would love to. Now that I am getting everything on track, maybe it will be soon. I like parties...


Work is going fine. We have a company picnic on Oct 20. We have to be at the park at 645. I am afraid it is going to be cold. I guess we will survive.

So Far So What....?

Well, so far so good. I have exams all this week in all of my classes. That will be the true test of exactly what I have been learning. I have been doing very well in all of my class assignments. I hope that will help keep my GPA up. All of my classes are online, which is extremely convenient. I can get on anytime & view my class notes & assignment info. I am going to try to take online classes next semester also.
Well I guess I will get back to the grind... I will let you know how I do on all of my exams.... Pray for me... =)

Latr-

The First Step is Always the Hardest....

Well class starts tomorrow..... I am really nervous. But I think I will be fine. The phone company is supposed to come out tomorrow & hook up our telephone & DSL. I cannot wait until we get it all done!! I have had to go over to mom's house to get on & check my mail & stuff. I will let you know how everything goes.....

Have a great week & I will chat soon!

I'm too cool in school

Greetings!!!

Well, guess what? I GOT MY SCHOLARSHIP!!! I am so excited!!!!!!!!!! I just enrolled in all my classes & I will send off my acceptance paperwork, pick up my books & turn in my scholarship paperwork tomorrow. I just cannot believe that I got it!! I am SO excited & nervous too. My job is not too happy, but they will have to just get glad in the same pants they got mad in. I am just taking 12 hours. I don't want to be overloaded. Classes start Monday. I will be so busy, but it will only be for a few years. I am nervous, but I know I can do it. This past year I have been taking a community class. I have been learning Choctaw language. It has been pretty easy to me. It is similar to Japanese. So sometimes I will mix the two up. LOL!
I will let you know of how it is going as I return to school.

Keep me in your thoughts & prayers.


Hugs.

As Garfield says... "I Hate Mondays"

I woke up this morning thinking to myself, "This is going to be a great day."
As I walked in to the building, I thought to myself, "This is going to be a great day."
As I printed off the charts & calendars for my bosses, I thought to myself, "This is going to be a great day."

As I put a paper in to the shredder to shred, my badge, which I was holding in my hand, slipped out & it shredded it to bits & pieces...... I flipped out..... No badge = no entry to work. Also, means that I was going to be wasting my day getting a new one.....

I wound up wasting my morning getting a new one made. I was kind of sad-- I liked my blonde hair badge..... Now I have a boring brown hair badge, not to mention in my blonde hair badge I was a little thinner. Oh well I really need to be skinny by 2009 (when I have to get a new one made)

Also... tick tock tick tock.... Still no news on the scholarship. I called the local contact in OK & she has no idea if I made the cut. I kind of knew she would say that. So the wait continues.

I looked at the college schedule. I was thinking that I could just go to school on Tue & Thur.
Then I could be off on Mon Wed & Fri. That would be a nice change & I would save on gas.

Ok I guess I will go to bed now. Hopefully tomorrow will bring news. I will take any news at this point. I have got to quit thinking about all of this.... It is going to drive me insane.

I will chat more later.

A photo of my kids

I thought I would add a photo of our latest addition... These are my twin kids. We have a few goats- they have really helped clean up the brush around this place. The one with the black on his face is a boy & the other is a girl. They are so cute at this age!!

Waiting is the hardest part

Well, I am still waiting on word from IHS - for the scholarship I applied for back in February. I would first go & get my Associates, then I would be off to Pharmacy school. I would go full time & the IHS would pay me a monthly stipend to go, also I would keep my job at the base & still get paid, even though I do not actually show up for work. What a great deal that would be...
I am kind of looking forward to going, if accepted.
No one will tell me if I got it or not & school starts in less than a month. I still need to get my job up to speed & get someone who I can train to replace me. I really love my job & I am finally getting the hang of things.... But I sure would like to continue my education & work for the tribe. I think it would be a more rewarding career than what I am doing now, plus I would get paid a lot better =)

I received an email yesterday & it was like a newspaper article talking about why it is a great time to go into the field of pharmaceuticals. But it was from the head guy at IHS, so I replied back to him & explained I had not heard anything on whether I got it or not. Of course it being Friday means that I will have to wait until next week to hear anything back from him..... This is driving me crazy. I promised myself I would not let this do that to me, but they have made me-- because of all of this waiting. So I guess I will just daydream for now about being the other Dr. Bowers in the family ( My stepmother-in law is the first).......

I will keep praying that if this is the step God wants me to take he will open the door.
I will let you all know when & what I find out.

---SB

Freedom

Well I just joined so I could keep in touch with friends & family.

Last month I had LASIK. I am so glad I finally took the plunge. LG (Life's Good) in 20/15. Freedom.

I also got the hubby to do it too -- but he had PRK. He has had to spend the long weekend sleeping off the procedure. So I have been taking care of him... Today he finally emerged from his slumber.... He goes back to the eye Dr Wednesday to get cleared to drive. Freedom.

Freedom is a great thing-- it is also so easy to take for granted in this day & time. But as I watch the evening news- I see folks in other countries not able to feel the freedom we experience. This is my 2nd favorite holiday, second only to Christmas- the celebrating of Christ's birth. The celebrating of our founding father's hard work, perseverance, sacrifice & divine intervention to lay the foundation of the great country is such a wonderful privilege that I am so thankful for.

Hopefully soon I will get pics posted... I hope everyone has a wonderful & safe 4th of July Holiday!!!!