Where have you been?

Dear Bog,
Ok so I've neglected to write on you and tell you have things are. Sorry! I guess theres no excuse, but I have been super busy. So let me share with you what I've been up too since our last encounter. Still in school, but in my 5th term and loving the fact that I'm that much closer to graduating. Physiology & Anatomy 2 is one of my classes, and it is difficult! Keyboarding, not so much, but I do enjoy the challenge. I am suppose to have 60 WPM in my chosen career, how that's gonna work out, I'm still unsure. Other then school, the kids have me go, going all day, not to mention all the little things in between. I promise I will TRY not to neglect your wonderful outlet you give me every time we meet. So for now, i will see you again my friend..........
Rachel

Finally Finished!

As I reflect on this term in my college course, I find myself thinking about it being over now. Where did the time go? As fast as I started, is about as fast as I've finished. My final thesis about mentally ill inmates was both challenging and exhausting. I'm not sure why I had such difficulties with writing this paper, but I feel really good now that it's done. I do have to admit, my brother Daniel J. Gallant was very instrumental in this process. He gave me an insiders point of view on how prison life can effect ones ability to have hope. I feel for those who are incarcerated and lack the certainty to have a normal and productive life. Through my research I have found that funds is the most pressing of the issues that plague our prison system today. I am having a difficult time understanding where our taxes go. Why has our government forgotten about Americans who struggle on a day to day basis with life in general. I have so much disappointment in our government, and look at my children and know they are going to inherit huge issues. Hopefully one day in the future, my child or someone else can make the difference that is so badly needed. Maybe one day, our country can reclaim it's glory and rise above these ugly decisions being made by those who care more about themselves than their people.

Nice and relaxing....

This was probably the best weekend my husband and I have had in many years. Things really seem to be turning around for us. For the past 7 years we have always had the things we need, but now it's nice to finally get the things we've always wanted. My husband and I finally bought our first motorcycle. Oh, is she beautiful. We were so blessed! Of course, our mothers are not happy at all with this decision, but knowing what kind of man my husband is should put them at ease a bit. So now comes all the paper work involved. Which shouldn't be that much, but it still prevents us from being on the back of the bike.
Other than getting a bike, it was such a relaxing weekend at the lake. Taking in the smell and the sounds is enough bliss to get me through the week. My children love going up there too. There's always something for them to do. Although the lake water was cold, my kids didn't seemed to mind. The fishing was amazing too. I don't think there was one cast that we didn't catch a fish. This weekend was the nicest and most relaxing weekend we've had in a long time.

Almost there.....

I can't believe it's been almost a year now since I enrolled in school. Last August I thought I'd give myself a birthday present to top them all. So now I look back and I only have about 9 months until I graduate with my Associates in Science for Medical Transcription. Gosh I can't wait. I've been a stay at home mama for 7 years now, so I'm abit apprehensive about returning to the work force. I have this feeling like everything is going to be ok though. So as I look forward to my future, I see many great things that are in store for not just me, but whole family. My children are the most important to me, so showing them the perseverance and dedication to achieve a goal is imperative to their educational goals as well. I just hope they don't wait as long as I have. I don't know though, because I think waiting until I was older was a great choice. I'm more comfortable with myself and I know what I want. So I don't think it would be such a bad thing. I just know, I want them to enjoy what their going to do and be successful. So here's to another 9 months of hard work and perseverance.

My Random Thoughts

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. That's what I feel like singing. If would do any good I would, but I don't think that singing that song will help. I feel bad for all the farmers who have planted all their crops. This rain seems to be flooding all the fields. Not to mention all the flooding going on in the residential areas. I don't think I've ever seen so much rain.
So I had my garage sale last week and didn't do very good at all. I was hoping to make at least $50.00, but I think I made like $12.00. That's alright though, I have found some things around the house I can sell on craigslist to get my husband a guitar for fathers day. He hasn't figured it out yet and my 7 year old has been pretty good about keeping this secret. So today I'm going to get rid of some jewelery i never wear and go look at a blue acoustic/electric guitar. I did ask him yesterday what he wanted for fathers day and he replied, "Just a pack of white t-shirts". I kind of chuckled and said, "isn't a present suppose to be something you want and not something you need". He didn't really answer me, but that's ok, I gave him some food for thought.
Other then all that, I finished my draft for my thesis. I have never had so much trouble writing. At first I thought it was just writers block, but after realizing how much pain and anger I have in my own family regarding my topic, I began to question myself weather I picked the right topic or not. All i can do now is push through whatever feelings I have about it. I don't feel as confident about what I've written so far, but my peers say that I've done a great job. I wanna believe them, but at this point in my writing process I don't think I have it in me. I think though if I didn't have the support system that I do have with my peers and my professor, I would have no followed through.
My 2 year old is now demanding my attention, so I must return another day.................

Oh What a Day.....

Oh what a day today is going to be! I finally (after weeks of rain) got the week I needed to have my garage sale. About a year and a half ago we had a major leak in the winter of 09. Water was spilling out under the house into the crawl space for 3 months. Because of this massive leak, we had black mold growing behind our walls and were forced to move out of the house we knew as home for four years. So not having anywhere to go, we had to put everything we owned into a storage shed and move in with my mother. This was a huge dose of humble pie considering I've been on my own since I was 15. This unfortunate arrangement was only suppose to be for a few months until we were able to find another rental. Well after 2 months, my husband got laid off and our few months turned into 6 months. Realizing my mother was a bit annoyed with us being there we decided to moved to North Carolina. We stayed with my mother in law, and worked for my father in law. Missing home like crazy we saved our money and moved back to Indiana and bought our first house. Now I have all this stuff I can't fit into my new house and my husband wants it gone to make room for new. I have to say that I agree with him, a fresh start would do us wonders. What he doesn't know is with the money i make off the garage sale, I'm going to buy him a guitar for fathers day. He has given me a wonderful gift by being able to stay home and raise our children. He has sacrifice many things to give our family the things we need and want. I think he'll be overly surprised and joyful, considering he's wanted one for several years now. So as I said before, "Oh What a Day".

A New Lease

A new lease has begun! Today was a good day. I managed to get through the day without a migraine and was able to spend the day enjoying my children and the sunshine. For five weeks I have been in physical therapy for a car accident I had in April. Unfortunately it was involving a semi tracker trailer. The damage done to my car was moderate, but enough to shift every muscle in my neck and back. My two year old son was in the car with me when this happened, but came out unharmed. So, after therapy today I felt good. Trust me I'm a ways away from running a marathon. Taking the small things for granted was a huge reality check for me. I really never took cooking dinner, or reading to my kids for granted, now that I have a better understanding of what I live for, I can focus on recovering and putting those nasty migraines behind me. From today forward, I have promised myself to fight and kick butt at recovering so I can enjoy more of the things that make my life so full of joy.

There's Always Tomorrow

Today was different! I'm not sure how to describe it, but it had a different feel to it. It rained off and on, and there was a chill in the air, enough to give you goose bumps. I wanted to accomplish some things I have been putting off, but my body told me that was impossible. I managed to get a headache this afternoon, which debilitated me to the point of not doing anything. It's probably a good thing my husband was home from work today to help me with our two year old. To him, the day does not stop or even slow down cause mommy has another headache. I did manage to lay down for awhile, to quite the pulsating sound in my head. I finished up the laundry and made dinner. Now the children are sleeping and I have time to myself, and here I am writing about the day I wished I didn't have. I should be doing the things that I put off today, but there's always tomorrow!

My Personal Struggle

I'm conflicted today! I have to write a paper about something that effects my life on a daily basis. It's like a tug of war between wanting to indulge myself into learning as much as I can but, I know this process will hurt and uncover pain that my family has been dealing with for a very long time. I wonder though if this is all part of the healing process? Should I restrain myself from getting emotionally involved, or is this going to give me the peace I seek? So many questions to answer. I feel as though I will get through this, and come out stronger and better equipped to handle future situations that may arise. Arise, what a wonderful word to describe just how to approach this challenge. Picking my uneasy feelings up and throwing them over my shoulder, I will carry this hardship till the bitter end, and come out more inspired. Pressing on will be the only way to heal from the pain I consider reality.

Writing is the best way to convey thoughts and bring them to life. When I was younger, I used to spend a good amount of time writing songs and poems. At the time I had much to write about. Now that I'm older, I find the time I used to spend writing is now consumed with life's loads. Writing to me is not just putting words on paper, but bringing to life thoughts or experiences that conflict my mind. Most of the time I used writing as a therapy, to work through difficult times. I enjoyed it and it seem apart of my daily life. I have found that most of the poems I have read over the years comes from ones emotions. Love, hate, sorrow, doubt and anger seem to be just a few of the emotions we express in our writing. Taking the time to write a poem, song, short story or a novel seem to be less expensive and very therapeutic for the soul.

Your Mountain is Waiting

This morning I said to myself, congratulations Rachel today is your day. Even though the sun is not shinning and the rain is pouring down, I feel as though today is full of as many, if not more possibilities as yesterday. My schedule is bound with here's and there's, but I know I will be amongst people who might need a smile or a, hi how do you do. Little things may not seem like they can impact, but truly that have the most profound effect. Being sure to step with great tact and responsibility for others will be today's goal. So my mountain is waiting whatever it is, I'm gonna push and pull till it gets out of my way.

Todays Waiting

This is great! I've always wanted to create a blog, I just didn't know where to start. This is my very first blog entry, and so I will give you some insite into my wonderful life.
In November of 2005, I decided I wanted to set a goal. Not thinking about how far that goal may take me, so I made preperations to recieve my GED. I had dropped out of high school in grade nine, so I was apprehensive about how I was going to fair taking a test I had no knowledge of. I studied at home for a year, (mostly math) and felt it was time to jump. So a year after I set my goal, I received my GED in November of 2006. I was the second of five children to reach such a goal. During this time I was a stay at home mother of one beautiful little girl. Each day I looked at her, I knew I wanted to be an example and show her perseverance. I expressed to my husband the inner urge to move forward in continuing my education. I wanted to make sure when I started college, that I was secure in my life to be able to give 100%. After one more baby and a few more birthdays, my decision was clear, I was going to college. On August 12, 2009 (my 27th birthday) I finalized my paper work and became a full time student with Kaplan University. After four terms and many more to go, I feel the decision to continue my education was the right choice for me. Not only has it impacted my life, but I have inspired two other people to take this journey with me. So in the Spring of 2011, I will be a Kaplan University Graduate with my degree in Medical Transcription.