Quote for 12-30-10

Find out who you are and do it on purpose.


-- Dolly Parton

almost a done deal

2010 is.

The streets of San Francisco

This a view from the plane when I was heading back from San Francisco in March of this year.

Went for an awards ceremony. Great fun. Didn't stay in the downtown area like I had before. Nearer to the airport. Catching the bus line to downtown, I asked this guy for directions on using the bus system. He volunteered to show me where I was trying to go. But first he insisted we eat hot dogs-- he had a polish one that he offered me a bite from. uhm, no thanks, I've got mine--at Costco.


There was a car show going on-- I love old cars. An affinity for Chevy's 'cause they remind me of that little car on the back of the Little Golden Books I had as a child. Like Ford Fairlanes too.

There was also a rally going on. Protesting war and a variety of other things.

I love the architecture there. One day I will have to share my first experience of San Fran and post the pics from it.

Snow days

It's looking like it just might snow.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More pics below of Nashville. It started coming down while I was at work and the guys and I -- the cooks, the bartenders, the manager-- went out for a snowball fight. They were getting a little rough-- boys will be boys-- so I opted for a snowman. Scrounging through the cooler for something to create a face-- a baby carrot and a diced-up olive (I told you it was gherto) but I had a snowman nonetheless.

Audi used to drop me off after work and I'd get down a few blocks from where I was staying. Yes, that was me wandering the snowy streets at one in the morning.

I wish I was in the Northeast already!

My buddy Bill told me there was snow in California where he lives. I told him he was a lucky rascal. It's supposed to snow here on Friday; we'll see.

Below are (and tomorrow there'll be more including the ghetto snowman I made while I was at work) pictures from Nashville in late January/early February.

It was snow wonderful;-)

misc random stuff

Am falling behind on all sorts of things 'cause my time is spent making bears. A new craft market opened up on Sundays at the mall here and I would love to be a part esp. since I need/want to push the graduation bears. I've had a story reprinted and a photograph published (finally and yes it's a tree) and a work was in the top ten contenders, out of 300+ works submitted, for the latest Glass Woman Prize.

Quote for 12-21-10

A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn.

--Author Unknown

House hunting

Looking at foreclosures and places for sale in Vermont. One was a true fixer-upper-- what made me click away from it, though, was the seller's disclosure. Most everything was marked 'don't know.' Really? How could you not know if there's structural damage? The floors evidently had problems and the roof and the electrical system. Questions regarding those were marked 'yes.' So I thought 'no.'

Last night

was so awesome. The white full moon was slightly hidden behind clouds around 8 p.m. But the sky cleared and yes, I was out there early morning at various times watching the various stages.

Beautiful, beautiful.

Hours later, just before six, the darkness over, moonlight streaming in through the open blinds of the bedroom.

Quote for 12-20-10

He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.

--Friedrich Nietzsche

lunar eclipse

I wish night would hurry up.

uhm, duh, Gwendolyn

A student wrote me. He said he'd heard I was a writer and he wanted to get permission to add my already-full English class in the spring. A co-worker of my daughter's (whom I know of 'cause I used to work at the same place) said she was hoping to get into my class as well.

I thought it was kind of cool, the idea of students trying to get a particular teacher, in this case, me and I reminded myself that I am a good teacher. There were times, when I taught previously, that my evaluation scores were higher than the dept scores, and some aspects were even higher than the college as a whole.

It hit me then that there are colleges in Vermont. Onto the internet and found a community college. I've got the credentials so I'm working on the application now.

Quote for 12-19-10

I'm delirious with joy. It proves that if you confront the universe with good intentions in your heart, it will reflect that and reward your intent. Usually. It just doesn't always do it in the way you expect.


--J. Michael Straczynski

Quote for 12-14-10

Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.

--Alan Lakein

What it comes with

Looking at places in Vermont. One place comes with snow plow availability!

I'm so looking for snow in my life, but not sure I want that much. Got a feeling Vermont living might be a tad different from when I lived in Colorado.

Quote for 12-11-10

Be bold-and mighty forces will come to your aid.


--King Basil

and so it begins. . .

When I was trying to get to Vermont before, people who could help me found their way into my life.

So it is again.

An editor who'd published me read my blog and emailed that she was in New Hampshire, included a phone number.

I told some friends of mine about my move (they'd only previously heard about me wanting to go to St. Louis) and it turns out they have a friend in Vermont. In the very city I want to live in.

Hopefully both will become part of my support system. I don't want to be out in the cold alone:-)

I anticipate more serendipitous events. I have complete faith I will get to Vermont and TO PUT DOWN ROOTS. This time I will get there.

This time, though, I just gotta avoid getting arrested again! LOL!

Quote for 12-10-10

Experience is one thing you can't get for nothing.


--Oscar Wilde

Quote for 12-09-10

Don't go through life, grow through life.

--Eric Butterworth

Quote for 12-01-10

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn.


--Henry David Thoreau

Head still attached

This is the time, usually, that I'm running around trying to get stuff done before the new year and such, but I'm not that chicken with its head cut off anymore.

Feels really good ending the year -- I got some things done that I wanted and I'm laying the groundwork for even more in the quickly approaching new year. God willing and the creek don't rise.

Quote for 11-30-10

Every day that is born into the world comes like a burst of music and rings the whole day through, and you make of it a dance, a dirge, or a life march, as you will.

-- Thomas Carlyle

Gainfully employed

Kind of.

The newspaper publisher I sent an email to wrote back and said there was indeed a possibility of a reporter position when I got to Vermont. I then sent her my resume to get a headstart.

Call me when you get into town, she wrote this morning.

Oh I plan to. I soooooo plan to.

My goal is to do some freelancing while I'm at the studio and then continue when the residency is over or move into a full reporting position. Makes no never mind to me; as long as I've got a job and it's in Vermont.

Quote for 11-28-10

I find the great thing in this world is, not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.


--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Quote for 11-27-10

Some think it's holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it's letting go.


-- Sylvia Robinson

channeling my inner Nicey Nash

The plan is to travel lighter-- literally and figuratively.

Gave away some stuffed bears and much of the snowman collection. Have 16 plastic containers that I will go through again (that number is knocked down from 20) and see if it all is truly necessary.

I've had a lesson lately in what I choose to carry around, hold onto and I really need to, literally and figuratively, let go.

The up side of this is, of course, that when you let go and there's an empty space, something always comes in to claim it. Like when you clear off your desk and before you know it, there's stuff there again.

Like that, but this year I've learned so much about what I carry around, both figuratively and literally, that I've had to make some choices, still have to make some choices, but the goal is to have what matters, what truly has meaning for me, what brings joy, beauty, laughter, whatever into my life claim that space. Hold onto those things. Yeah, that.

Quote for 11-26-10

The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created--created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating.

--unknown

We interrupt this hiatus

Well, one ofthe best things possible happened while I was away from this blog.

A way was made for me to be able to get to Vermont. That is where, if you've read this blog for awhile then you know, I want to be.

Just sent an email to a newspaper about a possible job and I've started looking at houses. Different though, this time around; looking at smaller places 'cause I won't have children around which feels so odd-- the thought of no children in my life 'cause there's always been kids there--27 years. Whew! That's quite a span of time.

I wish I could say that I have no idea what I will do with myself without my children around but then I'd be lying;-)

I've got plans. Boy, do I have plans. . .

hiatus

Have signed up for the National Novel Writing Month. My painting class was cancelled so I'm picking up a quiltmaking one starting next week.

The bears, trying to finish lots of short stories in order to submit.

I'm breaking from here for the rest of Oct and all of November.

You can catch me over at my other blogs. Don't know where they are?-- look to your right.

Adios and take care.

A 2nd quote for 10-21-10

I'd rather have a moment of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.

-- unknown

oh my oh my oh my

what a difference a year makes. Last year this time I wasn't an unhappy camper but I wasn't necessarily a happy one. I was struggling with and facing lots of stuff.

This is turning out to be an amazing year.

Difficult at times, some things unforeseen, but today there was a moment when I embraced the good and the bad that has occurred this year and those before because I could honestly without reservation say "Yes, I don't regret any moment because they all lead to this one right here."

The moment was that damn sweet.

I guess I'm finally aging. . .

a woman said she thought I was 35 years old!



(for the longest time I was mistaken to be in my twenties. I guess when I'm 60ish, I'll look my current age?)

Quote for 10-21-10

Sometimes the answer to prayer is not that it changes life, but that it changes you.


--James Dillet Freeman

I'll be back to this blog in a bit.

Busy unpacking, puttting away, getting settled.

and I'm spending a lot of time writing and making bears. So I'll be lurking at my other blogs.

Quote for 10-18-10

To live happily is an inward power of the soul.


--Aristotle

moving on, forward, and up

embracing it all

Wait! there's more!

a separate space for crafting and a room just for writing:)

the space I'm working with

This is the family room.



Great space, right? Skylights and that shelf you see on the right-- home for all kinds of plants.

This is the living room/library:






Across from this wall you see is a wall long enough for three 50" bookshelves. And smaller ones under the windows and maybe two against that far wall. . .

Quote for 10-17-10

Live every act fully, as if it were your last.

- Buddha

Today

is October 17th and it would have been my father's 82nd birthday.

I don't celebrate birthdays but I wish he was here to celebrate it.

Today

is October 17th and 22 years ago, I was in the hospital in Colorado, by now having given birth to my son Noah.

Quote for 10-16-10

A home without books is a body without soul.


--Marcus Tullius Cicero

I'm tired but I've got sh--, er, stuff to move

Stayed up late/got up early to finish some bears for the Farmer's Market. Packed the truck last night (that was my father's) with stuff. When I went to go pack the car and go to the Market,this morning, thought I had a flat tire (it was just really low). Had to unpack the truck-- books are so freaking heavy when you're in a hurry -- and then pack all the bear stuff, tables and chair.

Not even bothering to take it off now that I'm back. Just repacked all the stuff I took off earlier around the containers with bears. The hope is to get everything out of my parent's house tonight. (I've been staying with my mother since my father died.)

This week I will start to empty the storage unit. Take moving stuff out of there a day at a time or at least till Oct. 31 'cause otherwise I'll have to pay another month's storage!

Quote for 10-15-10

A good many dramatic situations begin with screaming.


--Jane Fonda

all I'm saying

today is going to be a crazy day.

Quote for 10-14-10

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.

-- Groucho Marx

all I have to say

I am pretty damn happy right now:)

Quote for 10-13-10

Change is the essence of life.Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.

--unknown

went by the house. peeking in through the open blinds. so very excited about this house. The last place I had in Las Cruces was gorgeous and spacious but this one is a step up in location and size.

got a lot of boxes and today is the final packing day. Choose three outfits and zip up the rest of my clothes in the luggages or wrap that on hangers in a giant trash bag. whatever.


just ready to get my stuff and G-O.

Quote for 10-12-10

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.


--Carl Sagan

the only thing on my to-do list today

buy hangers

Quote for 10-11-10

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.


--Joseph Priestley

Quote for 10-10-10

First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.

--Mahatma Gandhi

today

in this order:

laundry
writing
bears
packing
class preparation

Quote for 10-08-10

Above all, try something.

--Franklin D. Roosevelt

today, tomorrow and the next day

I'm just going to write. And get back to the bears 'cause the holiday season is upon us. But first it's write.

Have a glorious one-- I will!

my newest grandchild

3-day weekend

straight ahead. hallelujah!

the cell phone kept making a noise

it's one of those cheap pay as you go ones. It cost me, I think, 11 dollars. Haven't used it for about five months except as a time piece. So when I went to see what was going on with it, I noticed something about the account balance. I had no idea and did no investigating. I thought maybe it was beeping because it was out of power so I plugged it up. Turns out the carrier's giving me a free month of service.

So nice of you. Thanks. Yes, I'm going to use it until the month is up and then I'll just have a time piece;-)

Quote for 10-07-10

Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth.


--Martin H. Fischer

assigned a class for next semester

and there might be another. but at least I will be employed next year and the class is in the evening so I could have all day to do nothing or something like write, make bears. whatever I choose.

down to two

:( and :)

I had 19 sunflowers in my garden this year. I planted them late and two have yet to open; though they're about to.

One grew almost to the roof of the house and another was, well, two-headed. The flower blossomed and then another flower grew out from the back, just to the side.

When I get the pictures of the sunflowers developed, and if it comes out, I'll post it. Weird and interesting.

Am planning my garden for next year. There are two designated gardens, one in front, one in back, at the house I'm moving to. There, there, and all alongside the outside walls. Yep, it will be a sunflower jungle.

Quote for 10-06-10

My life is my message.

-Ghandi

Waiting to move. Otherwise, just writing. Life is quiet. I like that.

Quote for 10-05-10

We must not give only what we have, we must give what we are.


--Cardinal Mercia

Quote for 10-04-10

What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner.

--Colette

And these are my babies. . .

senior pics

Quote for 10-03-10

Every child begins the world again.

--Henry David Thoreau

I have another grandson

and he's the cutest ever!!!


Pic and name to follow.

Quote for 10-02-10

Quote me as saying I was mis-quoted.

--Groucho Marx

Road trip

to Az later this month.

I'm going to visit a friend, meet some online friends in person and go to Borders.

Paris in June

I am attending the writing workshop in Paris, France next summer. Confirmed.

currently making my world smaller so I can make it bigger. deleted the Facebook account; have not a clue the usefulness of that. Maybe when I get something to promote. Otherwise ????

Just got another follower on the twitter acct which I rarely use but maybe I'll come up with 140 characters of something to say sometime, or not.

Have given up an online writing group for awhile and by not going there, I've actually gotten some writing done. HA!

Quote for 10-01-10

You’re writing the story of your life one moment at a time.


--Doc Childre and Howard Martin

I'm going to write all day. Starting now. Have a great one.

This is the Sentra. It's for my high school daughter. It has a sunroof. A satellite radio. I'm not too crazy about the color but my daughter likes that it stands out.








This is the Altima. It's for the daughter in college. It's standard so I'm trying to teach her to drive.

Next is a small truck for my son who let us use his vehicle that didn't run as a trade-in.

Me? Nah, I don't need a car; I've got children with cars to haul me around;-)

Quote for 9-30-10

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.


--Henry Ellis

Today I got a check in the mail from Vanderbilt. I love unexpected cash.

The other day I got a letter from them saying that I could keep my insurance through COBRA.
THAT is wonderful. I have to pay the full amount, but the peace of mind is worth it.

El Paso, Tejas -- otra vez

Had to go back to El Paso. Again, not good with scheduling time. Hauling A** down the interstate 'cause I had to teach at 12 noon and I was on Lee Trevino at 11. Back on campus parked where I shouldn't have, grabbed my book with the room code ['cause we were in the computer lab and it's locked so people don't walk off with computers] and I Ran! Got my class journaling and then I went back in search of a parking space. Too close.

Anyway passed by my old house and the Mervyns (now closed) where I used to spend my time and my old boyfriend's money. Had I more time, I would have gone to the zoo [I used to looooooooooooove going there], but I had to get to my class.

Going to do that drive one more time-- go to Office Depot and get my writing room furniture and I'll go early morning, on the weekend. Miss all that traffic and construction.

Quote for 9-29-10

If I fail, if I succeed,
At least I live as I believe

--from the song "The Greatest Love Of All"

moving and not

Have moved most links over to the writing blog. At least they're gone from here.

The realtor handling the house I'm in love with has been sick. I had left my deposit with someone in the office and she called to say she got it, now getting the paperwork done is phone tag and then some. So Friday will not be a moving day. And that's okay. Would be actually better if I can move in on the 15th 'cause that means I can use tomorrow's check for more things for the house. And some heels. And some bills. And more books. I didn't join/rejoin Book of the Month Club, Literary Guild, Doubleday, Black Expressions and One Spirit for nothing!

We'll just have to see.

Truly not much going on in my life. Ended up buying two cars-- curious how that happened. A Nissan Altima and a Nissan Sentra. I'll explain and post some pics later.

I am really, really tired. So much, so fast. I need a rest. A three-day weekend? Right around the corner. Nope. I've got orientation for the tutoring position Saturday.

I have to decide how much tutoring I want to do and with how many children before then. And I need to go down to the school district office and get fingerprinted/arrange for a background check.

I had to go to work a few Saturdays ago. 7:30 in the morning but there was a hot breakfast and I was bad and had several pieces of bacon which isn't good for my blood pressure but I justified it 'cause I was up so early for this workshop which is where I met this man who I mentioned before who told me something, gave me a tool to use and it's made a difference in how I see things, approach things. I know something's changed 'cause some things in my physical world are changing.

Life is fast right now. But it's good. I still need a nap though.

Quote for 9-28-10

Success is getting what you want. Happiness is liking what you get.


--H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Quote for 9-27-10

If you're not enjoying the journey, you probably won't enjoy the destination.

--Joe Tye

Whew! What a day!

I had to go to El Paso, got a late start and then spent much more time than I expected there. Had the appt. for the tutoring position so I was driving like a madwoman down the interstate. It has been a really long time, maybe 8 years, that I've driven on the interstate and I wasn't missing a thing! Still I got done what I needed to get done and that's all that matters.

Made the interview though I forgot to take a second piece of writing. No matter, the coordinator was highly impressed with my publication record. Had to do a creative exercise with her and I momentarily froze 'cause sometimes I'm not good at spontaneity. But whatever, she hired me. Much of the interview was spent talking Civil Rights Movement-- she was surprised/impressed to find that I knew something about Rosa Parks that isn't generally known that she also knew. She said something about that information needing to be known and something inside me said, 'Get on it, Gwen" 'cause I think I'm supposed to set the record straight or just inform people about some things I've learned-- the way things really happened.

Found out that my pay is still wrong and I'll see another 100 bucks/month in pay and after this semester, I'll hit the next level of pay and I've been asked if I want to teach in the spring (which doesn't mean I will; generally adjunct faculty don't even think about teachng 'cause the full-time faculty get all the classes but just being asked means something).

Crazy day but a good one.

Quote for 9-26-10

Unless one decorates one's house for oneself alone, best leave it bare, for other people are walleyed.

--D.H. Lawrence

out and about

picking up stuff for the house. I'm in love with some furniture in a store in Nashville. I'm going to look to see if I can find some things similar here, but if not then I'm going back to Nashville and buying the living room set and dining room set there. I will pay ABF to bring it here 'cause I can.

That is such a wonderful feeling, knowing you can get what you want-- and evenmoreso, GETTING IT. The second time in my life (the first was when, yes, I was an instructor before) that money is a non-issue.

Quote for 9-24-10

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.


--George Bernard Shaw

zoom zoom redux

Today I should have a car.

Taking care of insurance, faxing proof to dealer and collecting those keys.

Finally.

Quote for 9-22-10

Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these.


--Susan B. Anthony

ETA - -today

According to the tracking system, I should get packages of books in the afternoon's mail.

Mom, look what I did!

My kids are ordering class rings and technology is such that they can design/personalize them. I remember when I was a senior, it seemed either you got a boy's ring or a girl's ring and the only option was if your entire name was engraved inside or if it was just your initials.

Anyway my son was on his laptop, designing his ring and when he was done, he called me to look at it. It was a gorgeous ring, reflecting his interests and person.

How much is it, I asked.

Five-hundred, he said.

American dollars?????????????????????????

Like I said previously, cha ching cha ching cha ching. . . at least the cap and gown are free. . .

The Power of Forgiveness

Mr. Vick-- starting QB

Quote for 9-21-10

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.


--Walt Disney

Moving Day

is set for next Friday. It will be an all day thing.

Not looking forward to hauling those thousand + books I've got-- my kids have caught on as to what's been in all those boxes we move-- but I'm looking forward to getting back to my reading.

Don't tell my daughters but I bought two plants the other day. Keeping them out of sight like stash. HA!

Do I need help? Why sure! I've got bookscases to assemble and a glass cabinet that needs the same. Bring an allen wrench, some lunch and your muscles!

My granddaughter slept over so I did nothing last night but be awed by her charm. Up early 'cause I've got things to do! But it was worth it.

She's an absolute doll.

And speaking of grandchildren

awaiting the birth of one within weeks and another in the new year. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just when you think it can't get any better

I got the house I wanted!! Time to buy more bookshelves!!!

I have an interview for possibly doing afterschool tutoring and the pay starts around 30 bucks an hour, and you tutuor for 1 and 1/2, as many days as you want.

My pay has been straightened out-- the tax withoholding, my pay scale, the hours I've taught (I am almost an asst. prof.) I should see about $300 more a month in my bank acct. YES!!!!!

I met a man this weekend who was obviously sent to give me a message and I received it and well, Life is taking on a whole new glow for that and all other besides.

Quote for 9-20-10

Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

-- Mary Oliver

I'd talk but

I've got grandchildren coming over!

Quote for 9-17-10

Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.

--Angela Monet

3-day weekend

yup, every week. but I have lots to do. I'm making a giant bear for the "Tough Enough To Wear Pink" campaign and I've got papers to grade. I've got to start looking for a flight to Puerto Rico 'cause my sister lives there and I'm going to go visit in December and research the slave trade, visit some historic sites there and go to the beach 'cause I've never been to one outside of Long Beach and I'm not sure that one counts. And I need to find a flight to NY 'cause I'm reading there in November. Laundry. A painting class starts. I've got to go to the post office TODAY. Go to B&N site and order those short story collections on my wish list (posthumous Vonnegut, new and selected Tobias Wolff, Joyce Carol Oates and some others). The list goes on. . . so I will be in absentia 'til Monday 'cause well, you can see I've got lots to do. . .

Have a fabulous one.

Quote for 9-16-10

If you have enthusiasm, you have a very dynamic, effective companion to travel with you on the road to Somewhere.


--Loretta Young

Quote for 9-14-10

By having a reverence for life, we enter into a spiritual relation with the world By practicing reverence for life we become good, deep, and alive.


--Albert Schweitzer

no no no no no

I found my floppy disks the other day so I took them to the computer lab to see what was on them.
Interesting to see my beginnings.

I wrote a lot when I first started. That was because I was able to set and adhere to boundaries. I used to try and help out anyone I could but then I started saying no.

No.
No.
NO.

'cause that gave me time to do what I wanted. I'm going back to that position. Not just so I can get some writing done, but so that my time, my life, is spent where I want. It's much too costlier the other way.

I saw two houses yesterday.

One was strangely laid out. Additons to the original in an odd manner. The other house was nice -- great master bathroom-- but neither compare to the house (size, configuration, wall space) that I first saw.

It's still available --at least I hope-I didn't turn in my application because I was going to look at another house with the same number of bedrooms but one less bath and it was $200 cheaper which is about 10 books, more if they're trade paperback. Anyway when the landlord called my daughter's cell, she didn't answer it 'cause she didn't know the number. When I returned his call, he'd already showed the house to someone else who took it:(

Yesterday I ran into someone I knew when I taught here before. He's a professor now and he suggested, too, that I pursue the asst. professorship for the higher pay. He also told me that I could/should get certified to teach online classes and then I could go whereever I wanted and still get paid.

An internet cafe and a laptop. Welcome to Gwendolyn U. LOL

Quote for 9-13-10

When I stand before thee at the day's end, thou shalt see my scars and know that I had my wounds and also my healing.


-- Rabindranath Tagore

I can't have a cat or plants

My daughters had an intervention with me. Said when we move, I can't go all jungle crazy.

And though I've been scouring the thrifty nickel for kittens, I am going to have to bypass pets. I went to dinner on Friday and in discussing my future plans, I realized that I truly do want to just bounce around when my children graduate and (as my friend Joe says) "live interesting lives elsewhere." I can't bring pets and plants into my life now 'cause I'd have to get rid of them later:(

just when you think things can't get any better

I am on the verge of healing the biggest thing in my life. I have been wrestling with this forever and finally I have the breakthrough! I've been working on a story that mirror the issue I'm dealing with, a core issue that totally runs and ruins parts of my experience of life, and for awhile now the story's been writing itself-- words, lines coming to me out of nowhere that kept pushing me to face what I did not want to face.

But I have. Whew. Not as scary as I thought, but I read somewhere that FEAR is an acronym for False Expectations Appearing Real, so what I thought would slay me if I ever chose to look at it face-to-face, didn't.

So I'm all giddy with this knowledge that I don't have to be Sisyphus anymore. That I can let that stone roll away. I plan to finish the story today, finish my healing today:)

------------------------------

The issue of the number of classes I've taught is being researched but the prelimanary info points to this: I am just semesters away from being an assistant professor-- not that I want to be one, but still.


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It looks like I may be attending a writing workshop next summer in Paris. Yes, the one in France!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just when you think it can't get any worse

several things in my life have come to a halt-- the house,the car-- 'cause I may not be getting paid this week. I was a late hire and there's a process, and the process for me might have taken too long to get me $$$ on the 15th. If so, I won't get paid until the 30th.

Ouch.

And there was a problem with my w-4 and someone was correcting it, but that was unacceptable so I might have taxes taken out as if I were a single person and not a woman with a gazillion dependents. Ouch.

And if I do get paid this week, there's the chance that I will be getting paid $100+ less than I should 'cause the university switched over to a system that has records from 2004 on and I worked 2003 and back, so my pay rate is based on someone who has never taught and I've taught plenty.

Quote for 9-12-10

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

-- George Bernard Shaw

I have been a bum all weekend

for the most part.

It was great fun.

Quote for 9-10-10

The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.

--unknown

Quote for 9-09-10

Each day is a new life. Seize it. Live it.


--David Guy Powers

today is my Friday

:)

Quote for 9-08-10

We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves.

--Lynn Hall

And so it begins

senior pictures next week. class rings. cap and gown/ announcements.
cha ching

cha ching

cha ching

Quote for 9-06-10

The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth.

--Chinese Proverb

Quote for 9-3-10

I'm only grouchy and moody on days that end with Y.

--unknown

I think I'm over my grouchiness

Had to get up early (for me)to go to a meeting for work after I was up last night reading through those 800 comments posted.

But I can crawl back into bed now. I don't have to think about work 'til Tuesday.

White People!

I shouldn't do it, you know, read the comments following online stories that have to do with black people. Heidi and Seal. The POTUS.

In Washington, a lady had acid thrown in her face. The story mentioned that the police were looking for a black woman and all the crazies and racists and such came crawling -- no, not crawling, they were a more rabid bunch, so "crawling" is the wrong word--they slithered, closer maybe ('cause well their rhetoric is so much like the original serpent Satan)
anyway some white people are just plain (when I was first typing that, it came out Palin-- ha! Freudian slip?) ignorant.

ESPECIALLY when they say:

Blacks should go back to Africa. Learn some history, stupid. Many did, many tried. Civil War costs ended a program doing such. Had I been there, I certainly would have got my return ticket. But after a certain point, like when white men were raping African women and impregnating them, people could no longer claim to be African. They were part white ( like the POTUS!!!) And like Frederick Douglass, who balked at Lincoln's plan to send all blacks, somewhere anywhere, I think when you're born in America, you're American. And they come in all colors-- get over it.

Blacks are all criminals. Generalizations aren't very arguable. Like "White people are all . . . "

One of my favorite: This is our country. HA! 'Cause you stole it fair and square??????

And another favorite: We built this country. BULLSH*T. We built this country. Most of y'all stood around, oh, I mean "supervised."

I really need to not read those comments. They get me all riled up.

And don't get me wrong. . . 'cause some of my best friends (hey, even my kids, in part) are white. . .

Quote for 9-02-10

Home is a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms.

--William J. Bennett

Oh and lots of wall space

Bookshelves could be everywhere.

That house

oh my!

So so gorgeous. 2 living areas, 3 1/2 bathrooms, a huge kitchen with an island and a pantry. A huge backyard, 2 garden spaces. . . oh I have to have it!

And the owner is willing to drop the rent 100 bucks.

Going to return the application tomorrow.

Lots of hoping and affirming and sending out vibes and praying and begging if I have to, heh heh

Quote for 9-01-10

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love my job

It's been a minute since I've felt that way. Today my students were just plain awesome.

tomorrow

I'm looking at a house. A big house with 3 bathrooms. It's close to the university, which is something I want. Hopeful and excited. Want to unpack my books. Yet again.

Quote for 8-29-10

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.


--Brian Tracy

I have been blessed

singing along with Martina McBride all day.

Exceptional day. Think I've found a place; waiting for the owner/landlord to get back to me. Felt all domestic so I gave this place a deep cleaning== showing appreciation and gratitude for the space I'm in and where I'm heading.

Even got all Betty Crocker and threw a turkey in the oven. Gonna make mashed potatoes too. Not thanksgiving but I'm giving thanks.

Lots of it.

Quote for 8-24-10

Always accept good fortune with grace and humility.


--Mark L. Mika

today was a good day

just like that rapper says in his song.

it rained. and it's supposed to rain again tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

totally enjoyed the classroom today.

wrote.

got home and enjoyed the quiet. when a daughter got home, she asked why I had baked those chocolate cupcakes.

"'Cause I've lost three pounds," I told her licking the swirl of frosting off the top of one. "And I wanted to celebrate."

Quote for 8-22-10

Now that it's all over, what did you really do yesterday that's worth mentioning?

--Coleman Cox

The car salesman said "Come on down!"

Financing is available. Yay! I kinda knew that. I was looking at getting a car before I went to Tn this last time. The car dealer said I just needed a job. Told him I was headed to Nashville for a little while (didn't know it would be so long-- darn Cedric and that wonderful paying job at Vanderbilt) and he said to look him up when I got back.

Well, I'm back.

It's not the same salesman though. Not even the same dealership. No matter. My daughter is getting a car.

gotta do the morning

I have class tomorrow morning. Early. Like 7:30. Yikes. Am finishing up my syllabi and gathering up the in-class work for this week's classes.

Totally enjoyed being back in the classroom. My daughter in college might get a discount on her tuition and my daughter currently looking at colleges is thinking she might just stay here and attend college to get same possible discount but that would mean I would have to remain here and continue to work in general and for the university in particular and I was kinda planning to vagabond (yes, I know I'm using a noun as a verb and yes, I know I am an English teacher after all but if Alexander Haig and that Palin lady can skew the English language, so can I) around so I'm not sure how that's going to work.

Quote for 8-19-10

Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.

--Margaret Lee Runbeck

just a random comment

it is too *&^%$## hot in this town.

next

Still house hunting. I want a writing room again. Some kittens. An aquarium. A gazillion plants. The piano I mentioned previously and this bookcase I am soooooooooooooooooo in love with: 100 inches wide and it's gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

zoom zoom

Tomorrow my daughter and I go car hunting. The salesman called me back after he ran a credit report. He was telling me about a Lincoln Navigator that I might be interested in but uhm, me and her are both under 5' so I think that's a bit out of the question.

Quote for 8-18-10

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.

--Mark Twain

first day of school

Preschool for my grandson today. He was so cute. Mention school to him and he'd start talking about his backpack. So cute. So so very cute.

The first day of school

tomorrow actually. Have my outfit ready. A "power" one 'cause I don't look my age and I'm short and students have often mistaken me for another student, ha!

excited- I haven't taught in about 7 years 'cause i've been bouncing around, but this will be good for me.

Quote for 8-17-10

Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.

--unknown

Quote for 8-16-10

He who moves not forward, goes backward.


--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

So tomorrow finally came

I said I'd post that exhibit info much earlier and I cannot believe that so much time has slipped by but yeah, it has. Anyway the information is posted now.

Let me finish up my trip to Ohio-- I have to thank a few people I met who helped me: Bruce Smith, Jim Brooks, Cyndi Pauwels, and Joe Shannon. Thank you thank you thank you:) And a shout out to my new friend Jessica K!

You can go over to my writing blog wwwonewriter.blogspot (no period after the www) to find out what happened at the pitch session with an agent and other workshop news. But don't go over there now 'cause I've got to go and I can only update this blog right now.

So I was saying that I've been busy. Making bears which you can see over at teddyhugsandthings.blogspot.com and looking for a job which I found-- I'm going back to teaching at a college; senior year for my twins and the-last-ones-at-home. Come May when they graduate, we are planning to go overseas for one last adventure together. Looking for a place. Have found a piano teacher. Now to get a piano. . .

Oh Freedom Over Me

The selected images below are on exhibit at the Herndon Gallery at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Morgan Fellows, Anne Bohlen and Jean Gregorek are the curators. The traveling exhibit is from the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University.

A reading was held in conjunction with the exhibit; "Letters Home From Freedom Summer" was a short reading of some of the letters the white Northern students who went into Mississippi in 1964sent home. I didn't get to hear all the ones that were being presented (I had to get back to Antioch MacGregor for writing workshop stuff) but many letters spoke of the fear of violence, of death.

White people involved in the Civil Rights Movement often got it worse; the price they paid for being "nigger lovers."


#1-- the poster announcing the exhibit
#2-- Fannie Lou Hamer
#3-- Bob Moses
#4-- Students out registering Black voters

I have another blog

yes, yet another one.

Gwen Notes will be personal and misc stuff.

One Writer wwwonewriter.blogspot.com (do not put a period between the www and the word "one"-- that blog belongs to someone else. Literature stuff. Hope to move links over there once I figure out how 'cause it has a different template than this blog.

Teddy Hugs & Things www.teddyhugsandthings.blogspot.com - my bear business

my daughter's iPhone

is so cool. Great games and the chance to create your own alien == this is mine:

Civil Rights

There is an exhibit at Antioch College-- Freedom Summer in Mississippi.

I will post pics/info tomorrow 'cause I have to credit some people.

Other Yellow Springs misc

There were three hearses parked at this one house. I thought I'd found the last phone booth in America but it was promoting an art website, flowers were everywhere and I saw a deer crossing the street. Couldn't get the camera phone out in time, but I had a chance to photograph probably a deer carcass.

A gorgeous hippie town-- you can tell by the car with all the stickers!

Glen Helen in Yellow Springs