Where did it go??

Just that fast! Lost, gone, hiding, what??? I lost my drive tonight to write. Perhaps it is because I feel hot, achy, and cold all at the same time. I have lost two good days of writing thanks to bonding with my car as a I travelled to see student teachers. Who knew that in Anderson Co. you have cow pastures next to schools. Amazing.

I need some major inspiration right now or some major feeling better. I cannot get sick right now but perhaps it is God's way of saying, "Patrice, slow down and smell the roses".

two hours tonight of staring into the computer. Do I think if I sit here long enough I will pump out a sentence? Am I truly that stupid? Gee, I hope not. I will head home and crawl into the bed and pray that this is just a fast bug passing through. \

Hmmm....maybe a free milkshake at Chick-fil-A will make me feel better.

Overwhelmed but not defeated

I feel overwhelmed but I know that feeling is temporary. I know who holds my future and I am so grateful that this storm will pass soon. I got my first revision back today that I sent off a week ago yesterday. I was so nervous to open it because I worked SO HARD on it and of course wanted it to be perfect. Guess what? It wasn't. Imagine that. I have yet more work cut out for me and I knew that when I sent it off. I fully expected and expect many more revisions. It is just a part of the game. The game off jumping hoops and asking how much higher??
I have the most awesome chair ever. She is such an encouragement to me and I am blessed that she is leading me in this journey. Her comments are always so supportive and it is so nice that she recognizes that I have been busting my rump. Needless to say I am back in the office making the minor changes. Aren't track changes awesome? My chair is great about inserting track changes and all I have to do is push accept and perfection. I guess at times it is just easier to write what you want it to say then wait on me to figure it out. Hey, whatever works, right?

So, back to being overwhelmed. I definately am because it once again seems that I am climbing that mountain that never ends. It has to though and soon. Very soon. I can't wait to see the finished product. How awesome is that going to be!

A blessing!

I know what people say. She is nuts to have so many dogs. Well, perhaps they do not realize the joy those dogs bring to me and so many other people. Two of my dogs are presently certified therapy dogs. They are members of the SCDOGS group in the upstate and visit local nursing homes and rehab centers in hopes of putting a smile on lonely faces. Last Wednesday I had an AMAZING visit at NHC with MableLean (no, I did not spell that wrong). Mable is my white boxer and has so much personality. She takes her job seriously and is great at it. While at NHC we had the opportunity to visit the mother of one of my co-workers. She is there for rehab on an elbow. She is 90 plus years old and sharp as a tack. I mean sharp. She is a wonderful Christian lady and although we went there to cheer her up, I left feeling so refreshed.
This wonderful lady told me story after story of how she had been so blessed by the Lord over the years. I just sat there listening in amazement of her unfailing love for the Lord. Here she sits, five weeks ago very independent and now having to fully rely on others for most of her needs yet she continues to give God the glory. She did not mope and groan about her condition. Wow, what a testimoney. I wondered to myself how I would react in that situation. Would I be as happy as she?
I was once again shown the mercy and love of Jesus through this wonderful lady. I cannot wait to go back and visit her. God continues to show me his love through this therapy work. Perhaps he is preparing me for what is to come in my future or perhaps he is using this as a way to show me how awesome he is. Whatever the reason is, I LOVE IT.

What to do???

I have learned alot in my 35, ok almost 36 years of life. One of the things I have learned is that I work best under pressure. Ok, not too much pressure but some. I am the world's greatest procrastinator. It is not that I take pleasure in holding that title and I am sure there are others more deserving of the title but presently I feel as if I hold the title. It is Tuesday night and I doo not have the dissertation in front of me. I am not holding my head in my hands screaming "WHY ME"? I sent off my soon to be masterpiece and I anxiously wait for its return. Oh yes, track changes are wonderful and of course they come in RED! Doesn't Bill Gates know that RED is not appropriate when grading papers???? I feel lost without my precious paper but then when it returns it will be a mad dash to fix it and return it for a third revision.
So,back to my first thought and yes these are truly random brain waves here, I really seem to work better when it is crunch time. I pray that the Lord will continue to give me strength, patience, and whatever else I need to get through this process. I know the finish line is in sight. I dream about it. I dream about the moment I can tell my mom and dad that I successfully defended and you can know call me Dr. P. You see, for me that has much more meaning than anyone really understands. Perhaps even more than mom and dad remember. When I was growing up I played basketball on church and rec leaques. I was the big center and I constantly played ball in the yard. Julius Erving was hot then and of course they called him Dr. J. Well, I was Dr. P. Back then it didn't mean much but now the sounds of Dr. P are becoming a real sensation. I can't wait. I am pumped!

Well, it is Sunday am and I am in the office trying to get this section off to my major prof. My deadline WAS Wednesday. I knew that meeting that deadline would be tough as the first part of the week is always chaotic around here. Last week my parents came up Thursday afternoon and I was so excited when they called Wed. night to say they were coming. I had not seen them since Christmas and I was really, really missing them. With that said I took Friday and Saturday off from writing. Yes, I missed some critical writing time and when I left here thursday at 6 pm to head home and begin visiting I was really on a roll. I made a choice that I will never regret though. I chose to go home and visit with mom and dad. Life is so short and I treasure the time I get to spend with them. The dissertation will always be around.

Saturday night we headed to Just More BBQ in Pendleton where we met up with some of my co-workers. One of my new co-workers is the daughter of the Quattlebaums who own Just More. I have to say it was some good eatin'. WOW. The fellowship was great too! Definately a place that I will be visiting again- SOON.

I miss not being at church this am. Last Sunday I spent the mornng at home writing as well. I hope soon I will not have this distraction looming over me.