Elena 
1. We only have two more weeks of soccer. It’s a little bit bittersweet for me because it will be Gabe’s last time as a player. In about three years or so he can coach his daughter in the pee wee league if he wants, and of course he can keep reffing – but this is it as a player and I think we’re both a little sad about that.
2. It’s also the end of the school year for many of our activities – so why do I feel so stressed? I have a form for the end of the year dance to fill out, soccer registration for next year to work on, curriculum to see and conferences to go to and driver’s ed to schedule – It’s still stress, just a different kind of stress.
3. I’m trying to forge a relationship with my granddaughter. Izzy and Noah and Rosie have been so enamored with her, that when she comes over they are taking turns caring for her while I make dinner, finish my typing, or drive kids to different activities. Little Miss C and I don’t have a lot of one-on-one time.
I hold her and let her play with my medals, and I can make her smile and laugh. Every toy she has over here, I bought for her – but she doesn’t know that. I’m not even sure that she knows what to think of us here. I think she knows this is a place she comes a couple of times a week where she is the center of attention and loved very much. She’s relaxed enough now that she will sleep for an hour or two while she’s here.
Yesterday I made more an effort to keep her just with me, and we went to the park with some other homeschoolers. She’s a very social baby and liked watching the other kids very much. So maybe for now, sitting on grandma’s lap and watching the older kids play is enough special time for us. I’m sure it will be different even in a month or so.
4. I’ve got two books hot no my night stand waiting for me to delve into them – can’t decide which one to start first!
Looking forward to this one for further back up to this post and subsequent rebuttals.
5. I’m pretty sure I’m going to work on finishing my degree. The college I graduated from many moons ago now has an online option for adults and of course they will accept all of their own credits from my associates towards the bachelor degree, so I just need to transfer all of my credits from the three other places I have taken courses over the years to see where I stand.
Interestingly, the admittance counselor I talked to was trying to steer me towards a Health Care administration degree. When I told him I’d rather die first, he said it was refreshing to talk to an older student who had clear ideas about what to get out of a degree program.
Indeed.
6. I’m keeping this all in perspective. My mother had a master’s degree from Michigan State. When I was going through her things after she died, I found her degree all rolled up and stuffed into a lock box with insurance papers and a lot of receipts. I’m sure mom would say that it was nice that she had her degree – it saved her from losing her summers to the endless required courses that other teachers had to take. And of course it opened doors for her.
But her degrees weren’t what had her a wonderful person and a kind and loving mother. She knew lots of stuff that she learned herself simply because she was such an avid reader! She was the kind of person you would want on your team for Trivial Pursuit ya know?!!
Finding her degree sort of haphazardly put away like that reminded me that degrees, like money and possessions, can’t go with you after death. When you get right down to it, it’s just a piece of paper.
7. Izzy art
You might want to read a bit about Glenn Beck's background before you decide if he has the best take on education. I don't think he has an actual working perspective on what happens in public schools since his children do not attend. He did leave the Catholic Church to become LDS after many years of substance abuse. He is interesting to listen to.
What type of degree would you seek?
Why do you think it is important for you to gain one at this point? A bucket list thing?
I am glad you are able to spend time with your grand daughter. Delightful, isn't it?
I've listened to Glen Beck off and on for years when I can and Mr. Pete has a subscription to Blaze TV, so I'm pretty familiar with him. Some days he makes you want to put a gun in your mouth and pull the trigger – but i guess that's why he's a recovering alcoholic. I do think he has good instincts and a lot of conservative connections and the book has a co writer and looks to be heavily foot noted – so I'm interested.
The degree is a bucket list thing but i also think it will give me more credibility in other things I want to pursue. Hopefully my kick-the-bucket date is 20 or more years out and that's a lot of time to make use of!
The baby is wonderful!