Vacation is over.

We got back from vacation early yesterday afternoon. It was a nice week. I am not a true "beach lover" but I do like to walk along the water, especially in the evening. We did see quite a bit of the filming of "The Last Song" and saw Miley a couple of times, even got one picture when she was leaving the set. They had the carnival set up when we got there, but took that down and moved to the very south end of the beach for more filming. It looked like they were setting up a different scene near the pier as we were leaving. I don't think they film during the weekend. I am not a "star-struck" kinda person, and I go so tickled at the teenagers saying things like "OMG I am going to faint - I saw her." I did read a book - Nora Roberts first in the Bride Quartet - Vision in White. It was a light, quick read but now the second installment isn't due out until December. Guess I'll wait. Also started reviewing a textbook. I have to finish that this week. So far, so good. I enjoyed sitting on the porch watching the beach without having to go down there. I do like that a lot. We are not close to the beach at SSI, but I do like it better. Eating, which is one of my favorite pasttimes, is much better on SSI and overall, it is a much more relaxed island. More my speed. We like to entertain the idea of selling our place there, but I guess deep down, I'd love to always have the option of going there.
What I really enjoyed last week was spending time with my kids. Daughter's boyfriend couldn't make this trip, so it was just the four of us and for the most part there were no major arguments.
Busy week ahead. I need to go into work and take care of things that I can't do when people are there constantly interrupting me. I have a book review due and a chapter of my manuscript due as well. I want to finish that surprise for my friend who just got married.
I like to stay busy. Even if I am sitting, I have to have something to do. I have SO many projects in various stages of completion right now - my book, the Christmas stocking, the scrapbooks, books to read - this is when my ADD gets in the way. I am trying a new tip that I read about and that is focusing on one thing and getting that done before moving on. Maybe I'll try that this week. Finish the review, then finish the chapter. And maybe in between, I can work on the scrapbooks or needlepoint. See, I am already off track....

getting ready for vacation

I made it back from Tampa - it was a really good visit. Tight airline connections that all worked out fine, good flights and a school that was ready. Went through a hailstorm on the way to the hotel on Wednesday and during that storm a lightning bolt hit 12 Brahma cows and their prize bull. Some calves were killed along with mothers of other calves. The farmer said the cows were worth about $1500 each and the bull was "priceless" but he had paid about four grand for him several years ago. It was a gruesome sight on TV. I wish I hadn't looked.
I have my report that I have to complete about the school visit and today is my very good friend's wedding. Another really good friend is getting married in Atlanta, so since I couldn't be two places at once, Barry has gone to Matt and Kerry's wedding in Atlanta. More of his friends will be at that wedding and I could never miss Michele's. I can't really imagine not going to work after 12 years and not seeing "MT2" at her desk. I am very very happy for her. I hope only the best for her as she heads north to Pennsylvania. She deserves a man that loves her as much as Philip does, so as the book of Ruth says - "whither thou goest, I will go."
After the wedding, I really hope to put some words on paper for my book. I have read a lot about procrastination and focusing, now I would like to use some of the tips I've learned. We'll see.

Starting...

I guess there are several reasons to blog and as my title suggests - everybody does it these days and it seems like a good idea! You always hear that journaling helps in many ways. This is what I hope will happen with my blog: I may reconnect with old friends, I won't be a "fuddy-duddy" because I don't Facebook (but I have a blog!!!); it will help me with my actual textbook writing, and it will be an outlet for my rants! One of my best friends says that I "internalize" everything and that is why I have high blood pressure. I think it is just because I am naturally patient and hate arguing! So for whatever reason, I am going to blog.
I am heading to Tampa Florida today to survey a school for program accreditation. When my son was younger, we traveled a lot to Taekwondo tournaments. These days, my travel is to survey schools for program accreditation. You know, make sure their T's are crossed and I's dotted! I have been able to see places that I otherwise would have never been able to see! I saw my first real snow (8 inches in one day) in Maine, the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and I get to go back to Chicago in July. Maybe this trip will be better than the last when we were lost for 6 hours in downtown Chicago packed in a 7 passenger van with 8 people, mostly adults!!
So, I am off for today. Gotta finish packing.