I'm back?

Recently someone told me that they had been waiting for me to start blogging again. It was actually on my "summer project" list. The list I make every May after graduation of the grand plans I have for a very productive summer. I usually have a house project list, a personal/fun reading list, a professional development reading list, and an attempt at some sort of template for a daily schedule to try to keep all of that on track. However, the summer reading list I created 3 years ago still only has a few books marked off, so you get the idea of how effective my lists are!

I actually do feel like I'm productive so far. I would probably be more EFFECTIVE had I not once again forgotten how to say no to myself or others. Martin is teaching SCI 200 for a few more weeks on Wed/Thurs afternoons. I'm teaching an on-line course, taking an on-line course (and another in about a month), and getting ready to be in Kansas City for about a week participating in the Advanced Placement Psychology test scoring. I just checked out the website for the hotel where I will "live" for that week, and I have to say I am really looking forward to this again! Last year we were in Louisville KY. I had a great time, but there wasn't much else to see. I think where we are located in KC will have a lot more to offer in the evenings after a long day stuck in the convention center (if I ever leave the beautiful hotel!).

On the homefront, we have a # of projects: paperwork for Lutheran Adoption Services; finishing the entry way (painting, putting in those last touches); stripping wall paper and prepping walls in our master suite; gardening/landscaping. We also are now "gamers" with our Wii system, our contribution to stimulating the economy. Last week we bought the Wii Fit "game" and we are both regularly working out thanks to Nintendo! It feeds our competitive spirits to break each others records I think.

Last fall our dear friends gave us a gift certificate to a local nursery so that we could get something to plant as a memorial to our Papa. We didn't have time to plant anything last fall, so we set it aside until now. Last week we picked out a Crimsom Maple. I remember Mom and Danny had planted a red colored maple at the Fagerud House (they called it a Japanese Maple - it may be the same thing!), and I always loved it. It is 10 feet tall so we couldn't exactly put it in the trunk, so Martin called his former student and wonderful friend Moose to ask for a big favor. Friday he will help us with his truck to get "Danny's tree" home to us.

I've been missing Danny so much lately. Perhaps because I've attended 2 funerals recently, and because we bought the tree, and because it is almost Father's Day and when I buy shower and grad cards I have to see them and feel the shock of realizing I can't buy him a card this year every time, and because we bought our tickets to go home this summer so that we can finally do a burial, and because I have more free time to be alone with my thoughts.

By the way - Sherene told me to buy him a card anyway. I'm going to do it.