Busy Busy Busy!

Things have been crazy around here lately. So crazy that I can not wait to get back to work from my so-called lunch 'break' so that I can catch my breath. If I am not running to deliver children to friends' houses for visits, or to school for summer AR testing, it's something else.

As of Thursday morning, I am hoping to get a little more time to breathe. I took the rest of the week off and since Monday is a holiday, well I have a little vacation time. But then again, I doubt that much rest will be had because first of all me and my girls have a date with these guys:

I can not wait to see it. I love me some Edward, my oldest loves her some Jacob and my baby girl, well she loves them all! Movie theater, here we come!

After that, I have planned an afternoon of shopping, eating and enjoying some time with my girls!

I could not ask for more!

Flash Back Friday-Still Crazy For You

OK, so as not to bore you all to death with my posts of music lately, this will be the last one this week, but I wanted to participate in Flash Back Friday with Therese! Who also shares a love for Rick along with me.

Taking you way back on this Friday, here is another of my all time favorite songs from my all time favorite singer.....Enjoy!

What Kind Of Fool Am I?

As I continue on my quest to bring you a few of my all time favorite songs from my all time favorite singer, I present to you a song that brings back so many memories.

Back in the day, as a pre-teen, I would spend many Saturday mornings listening to albums on my mom's stereo in the living room. I would dance and sing and read the lyrics that were included in the album sleeve. Daydreaming that this gorgeous man was singing directly to me.

If only!


Anyhow, I think it's the nostalgia, the remembrance, the simplicity of the songs that made me choose the ones that I did. This one is no exception......

Don't Walk Away

Music plays a big role in my life. Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I love music and have a wide range of musical interests.

Another thing that anyone who really knows me well can tell you, is that my all time favorite singer in the whole wide world is Rick! It is no secret, people. I have blogged about him before, I have gushed about him and how gorgeous he is and even bragged about the fact that I have met him on numerous occasions.

But that is not what I am here to do today. I am over that. A little. For this little bit. For the time being. Ahem. Anyway...on with the real meaning behind this post....

It was recently asked by me and his trillions of other fans to participate in a poll to vote for a few of my favorite songs, videos, etc of his and believe it or not, out of the hundreds that the man has written and recorded over the years, it was a fairly easy task.

Over the next few days, or heck, maybe even weeks. I am going to talk about some of the songs of his (and believe it or not, other artists and songs, that I adore. Yes! There are many!) that I enjoy, that mean something to me, bring back memories, or hold a special place in my heart.

So, first up is song that holds special meaning for me in more ways than one.

Not only is this the very first song he sang, the very first time I saw him live in concert, it also brings me back to a time in my life when I had no worries, no responsibilities and a dream about what it would be like to experience a relationship.

The song is called "Don't Walk Away" and I have to say that this may very well be my all time favorite song of Rick's. It also played a part in my life when I had to deal with divorce and the after effects that came with it.

So crank it up! Enjoy it! Good music was meant to be played LOUD!!

This is something that a fan threw together with a few photos (and some great ones, at that) but the audio was better than the actual video, itself.

Marriage

This post has been a long time coming! I have thought about it over and over and finally decided to sit and write what is swirling around in my mind.

First of all, my intentions are not to insult or belittle anyone for their own beliefs, thoughts, values, etc. I know that probably ninety percent of my readers are married and I just want to get it out of the way, to start off, that this post in no way was intended to offend any one of you.

And so now I shall begin.........

Most everyone knows that I am divorced. If you play a part in my life any at all, whatsoever, it's no secret. I just want to state that divorce was never something that I wanted, needed, or asked for. Nor is it something that I would ever wish on the worst of people. To state it plainly and simply, it sucks!!

For those out there that are happily married, I applaud you to the highest. There is nobody in the world that could be more happy for you than I. As a child, that was my dream in a nutshell. Grow up, get married and have kids. That is ALL I wanted to do. And I did. But then it all ended.

It seems as though lately a few people have inquired as to when I will get married again. Basically, I tell them, I do not know that I ever will. Not because it is something I do not want, nor that I am totally against it. I am not. I would love more than anything in this world, to be 'settled' again and blissfully happy. Honestly though, I do not believe it is something I need in my life anymore.

Years and years ago, and even today, many people did it with the intentions of the old adage, 'till death do us part' but I can not say that I feel the need to have someone tell me that it is required of me. I truly believe that I can have just as a productive, happy life as anyone who signs on the dotted line. I can not, nor do I want to, have any more children, so that is one less reason to do it. Secondly, the divorce rate is so high right now, and the numbers and odds are even higher that a second marriage will fall apart, that I just feel better playing it safe.

Of all the people that I know, and I know a lot of people, I have to say that at least 95 percent of them have been divorced. At least once. For one reason or another.

Most everyone knows what happened, and why I am divorced, and honestly I never thought or believed it was my fault. I could be wrong. I am only human. I know there are things that make me less than admirable on any given day, but who is perfect. No one.

So to sum it all up, I am happy with my life the way it is. I feel that if one day I decide to spend the rest of my days with that one person indefinitely, that I do not have to make it legal. I do not have to change my last name. I do not have to be tied to anyone via the bonds of marriage. I can just live happily ever after as is. And that is very well what I intend to do!

School's Out For Summer!

School has been out now for oh, about two and a half weeks now. The most severe case of boredom ever has hit this household. Not me, mind you. Those two female youngsters that call me mom are the ones who have been bit with the bug.

In a sense, I am terribly happy that I have this time to stop and catch my breath, if you will. Sad that they are home most days, not really knowing what to do with themselves while I work, but glad that there is no homework. No stress. No deadlines for dues. Field trips, expenses, etc.

What stresses me most of all, is that my oldest hates school. She really really does and it drives me insane. I mean, she has NO INTEREST in ANYTHING school-wise and I am to the point of pulling my hair out!

It is summer, what is there to stress about NOW, you ask? Well, I will explain.....

Chelsea will be in the 8th grade this year. In the state that we live in, it is required that all 8th grade students must take and pass what is called, the LEAP test. What this basically means is, they must take a mandatory test which covers Math, Social Studies, Science, and English. If any of these sections are not completed with a passing score, then they will be held back in 8th grade. Even if she makes the grades which make her eligible to pass on to high school and fails any part of this test, she will again be required to repeat the 8th grade. Or go to summer school. Whether or not she will pass on after attending summer school, is not to my knowledge. Yet.

So yes, summer has just begun, she has not even begun 8th grade, but I am already a mess. A wreck with worry about what will happen in the months to come.

Math is not her thing. At all. I can not say as I blame her, I myself did not do all that well in Math, but I never border lined on failing. Chelsea did. And has. She was struggling very much so in the 6th grade, so I hired a tutor. Not only did I pay tuition, because she was still in private school at the time, but I paid a tutor on top of that. And she failed math that year. However, she moved on to the 7th grade. In public school. Where she passed math this year. With a D!

I feel so guilty for feeling bad about this and worrying. Sad, because there are mothers out there with sick children. Children who have serious illnesses, whose mothers are just so happy to have every second with their child. And those mothers who do not have their child in their lives anymore at all. I wonder if I am just being trivial in a world of so much real loss and sadness.

I should not be complaining. However, all I want is what is best for my child. And to get her through high school with all of the hair left on my head!

Social Networking

Every day, in one form or the other, I like to connect to the outside world.

Whether it be Facebook.

Or Twitter..

I am there! Every day. Especially now that I have my new iPhone I am easily reached at all times.

So if you are on Facebook...friend request me. Most of my friends, well probably 99 percent of them, do not know I have a blog. And I'd like to keep it that way, k?

If you are on Twitter, then follow me. I promise to follow you back. Not on Twitter? Why not? I did not really get it at first, but I am catching on now. And I feel like I am talking to myself, so come follow me! And keep me company!

Don't be shy, I'll be waiting for your requests!