Finals Week

Doesn't seem that long ago I was crying over my empty nest. Now, Carter has finished classes and his first semester of college is complete. He's cheering because his finals are done. I'm cheering because he'll be home for a month so the odds of me seeing him are finally in my favor.

This also means it's Finals Week when it comes to Christmas shopping (I think we're done) and meal planning (not even started). Of course, as Christmas draws near, it also means my daily German chocolate treat from my Advent calendar.

Or is used to mean that.

Here's a holiday tip for you kids: Even if you are fleeing the mainland, don't ever, ever leave your Advent calendar unattended. Especially at the office.

I knew I had catching up to do since I hadn't been in the office since the 12th. When I opened up #13, there was no chocolate... but there was a little note that said, "Sorry." Say what? When I opened up #14, there was no chocolate... but there was a little note that said, "Nope!" Now I knew I was pranked.

Opened the rest of the doors to more notes and no chocolate.

After a handwriting analysis from my CSI North Pole division, I identified the culprits – Jeff the Instigator and Cassie the Shenanigan-ator for Hire. Glad no one had to work too hard in my absence. They obviously had free time! Still brought in some coconut cookies to share with co-workers on both the Nice and the Naughty lists. And got back to the grind.

I guess I've passed the vacation baton to Carter, who took it eagerly.

He got home this evening and we both went (separately, of course) to the Assumption boys basketball game. Quite a night. The Royals had at least a 20-point lead early on in the game. Thank goodness after two, yes two, overtimes, they kept the victory in their hands! Good stuff.

Now I suppose I should catch up on sleep. Although it is "finals week," I am not pulling any all-nighters. It was bad enough when I signed on to a meeting at work today and the computer said, "The meeting will start in 23 hours and 59 minutes..."

What day is it? What time zone am I in?

I need that chocolate!

Study Buddy

I felt like a college kid this week, cramming for exams. While our college boy has had several tests already this semester, I haven't had to study for, well, anything in a long, long time. Until now.

This week I had two tests. And honestly, Carter was not my study buddy for either one!

The first one was relatively easy.

Just had to remember to finish up my movie popcorn the other night by 8:30 p.m. so I could fast for 12 hours before my 8:30 a.m. blood test. No studying required. Just had let them prick my finger and do a screening for cholesterol and such. As part of this free health screening at work, I also had to let them measure my height (holding on at 5'2") and my weight (none of your business). Love when she said, "We weigh you then subtract 2 pounds for clothes." Nice. And so true. I always have heavy clothes!

Immediate results! Apparently I passed the test! Well, my blood pressure is low/normal. My cholesterol and triglycerides and all that jazz is fine, too. I just sneaked into the acceptable BMI range, too. So yeah, glad that's over.

The second test was not so easy.

It was for a professional certification at work. Yes, you already know I am certifiable, but I had to wade through an inch-thick study guide in order to prove it! I gotta tell you, I forgot how to study! Unlike Carter, who can read and study with headphones on, I needed complete silence. No distractions. I did get some review time done at work earlier in the week. Then I locked myself in the quiet basement last night to cram. I gotta tell you, I forgot how to cram, too! Saw no need to stay up past 10 p.m. or anything. Too old for that!

Took the exam just before lunch. Well started it then. It was 75 questions that had to be completed in 60 minutes. I was nervous about running out of time. I didn't. I was nervous in general about forgetting everything. I didn't.

Immediate results! I passed! I will have a certificate in my hands in 2-3 weeks confirming I am certifiably certifiable!

How's that for a banner week? It's like acing mid-terms! But now I need a study break!

King Cone, anyone?

Slightly Off Balance

The good thing about the World Wide Web is that you can plug in all your symptoms and find out what may be wrong with you. The bad thing about the World Wide Web is that you can plug in all your symptoms and find out what may be wrong with you.

Yup. We now hold cyber medical degrees and are smarter than doctors. Barring all the times you may freak out thinking you are dying of a rare disease, it can be helpful, though.

After taking a walk with a friend yesterday, I mentioned that I felt like I've had shin splints – but all over my leg muscles and joints – for several days. After noting a few other minor ailments over the past week, she said I should get tested for Lyme Disease. It made sense after she said it. Although I don't have the tell-tale bull's eye rash, I do have the achy joints, steady headache, stiff neck and fatigue. According to Mr. WebMD, that totally could be Lyme's.

I don't recall getting bit by a tick or even having one crawl on me, but I certainly could have had that exposure between running, golfing and kayaking. So I popped over to the walk-in clinic before work and had blood drawn for a Lyme test (and a few other tick-related diseases noted in our area). Won't get results for a few days.

So I won't know if I have it or if I am just a run-down old lady who needs to, as the quote suggests above, "shut down, kick back, and do nothing."

Because you know I have an educated opinion about everything... I suspect more than anything that the stressed old-lady theory is what is going on. I spent the first half of the year prepping for graduation, then the summer prepping for college. Neither one were MY thing personally, but I guess I made them MY thing, with both stress and joy added to my plate. Now that the big stuff is over, my body is off balance and telling me to chill.

If I don't get antibiotics prescribed, I think the next-best medicine will be my weekend away. Yup, three days to our 18th annual sister weekend. I am not stressed about that. I decided tonight to get an early, non-rushed start and pack some of the essentials like disposable plates, napkins and utensils. Thank goodness for grad party leftovers! I vowed not to stress about "extras" this year either. Just grab the required items and hit the road Thursday.

Pretty sure my body is craving some down time. Restful time. Visiting time. Belly laughter time. Sister time.

I don't need a blood test or the Internet to tell me that!

Senior Moments :: The Final Final Countdown

This is it. Two finals down. Four to go. Then, so long senior year, high school, everything.

Too dramatic?

Honestly, this year went by so quickly for me, I am wondering if the seniors feel the same way. Suddenly, they are down to the final countdown with finals!

Carter got to sleep in a bit today and had finals for Religion and Physics. Tomorrow, it's a juxtaposition of finals in English and German, plus Calculus or Stats. And he wraps up his finals and secondary education with one test on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, I am trying to wrap up my work by end of day Wednesday, too, so I can have Thursday and Friday off to do final party prep. Let's just say I have a few extra things on my plate right now and none of them are cake.

Dang.

I was actually jealous of my sister and niece tonight because they are working the Beyonce concert at the Minnesota Gopher's stadium where we helped "work" during a Vikings game this winter. I thought, don't mind me, I'll just sit here watch The Voice on TV while my 61-year-old sister, who doesn't know a single one of her songs, has to suffer through it.

Maybe a bit jealous, but then I heard there was lightning at the outdoor concert so they had to evacuate. That was about 2 hours ago. Not sure if the concert is back on yet, but the radar looked ominous.

I'm not so envious after all. And really, Robyn, would you have had time to drive over to the Cities to help this week of all weeks? Not really.

For the record, if it had been Adele or a few other choice artists I really, really like, I would have made the trip!

I'm not the one with 3 finals tomorrow. Good luck to those who do!

Winter :: That's Putting it Mildly

I created this little graphic this morning because I was in a sassy mood. The days are getting longer, after all.

Actually, the first official day of winter did bring some snow. Just enough to cover roads. It didn't even stick to the grass. So I had a bit of a slippery drive to work, but so thankful it was not my old Iola commute!

For a moment I thought we were in a for a white Christmas. Pretty sure the rain and 44-degree temps predicted for tomorrow will clear that off.

Tomorrow is also the last day of finals and school for the semester. This also means the Golden Mass service will be held at Assumption once again. I have made this a few times but cannot take off from work this time. Still, I get to be a part of it, sort of.

Tonight, the senior class and parents had to set up the gymnasium for the event. That meant everything from lining up chairs to stringing lights to make it all pretty. I'm sure it will be beautiful as always. Came home and ironed some shirts for the guys, then finally sat down and addressed the last of the Christmas cards.

Well, probably not the last since I keep thinking of more people! As long as I have cards left, I might as well send them, right? People like Christmas cheer in their mailboxes after Christmas, too. It helps ease the pain of the credit card bills coming in January. I'm all about spreading the cheer, ya know.

Jingle all the way!!

Baby Steps

Don't you hate those dreams where you show up to class (sometimes clothed, sometimes not) and the teacher hands out a pop quiz for a subject you've never studied? Panic ensues and you hope to god the person having this dream wakes up and gets you out of this mess.

I have that nightmare occasionally. This last one has lasted a whole month!

Well, let's just say I'm happy to report it is transitioning from Nightmare to Dream status. So that's a positive. Who knew a new job doing something I've never done before about topics I know nothing about could be stressful?

I am trying to be patient, mainly with myself. I feel like I should be contributing more to the team. My higher-uppers say I am right where they want me to be, but my own set of standards puts me in a different place -- that I haven't reached and feel like a should. That's my own problem, I guess. Darn work ethic!

Today I marked one month on the new job. I know my way around the building, have made some new work friends and even remember their names, have saved $100 on gas, and have only succumbed to the free ice cream temptation 3 times. No wonder I NEEDED King Cone so badly last week!

Despite my intermittent frustrations, I am glad to be there. Just gotta keep taking baby steps and eventually I'll learn what I need to know and inevitably contribute. Maybe those baby steps will find their way to the soft-serve machine again... 

Only for a baby portion, of course.

Race to the Finish

When I say "race to the finish," I'm not talking about the 5K hubby and I did today. I am mainly referring to Carter getting packed for Germany. But more about that later...

Jim and I walked the Renaissance Race Against Cancer today. We sort of wished we ran it instead just to get it over with quicker. There was a steady light rain for the entire morning. And a bit of a breeze. Needless to say, I turned the heat on when we got home!

And needless to say, there are only BEFORE photos, not after. Just picture my BFF Christine and I looking like pretty drowned rats with tiaras at the finish line. Not good. But it was enjoyable to spend time and share the course with several people we knew.

In fact, Carter's cross-country team was represented well. While he and 2 other members were stuck taking their ACT test this morning, 3 others (right side) ran the race. Connor (bright green shirt) actually won the entire race! And there were hundreds of people participating. That's awesome!

Together we raised $28,000 to aid cancer patients right here in central Wisconsin. That's even more awesome!

The rest of the day was spent taking care of last-minute details for Carter's trip. We had to pick up his new phone with a better camera component, buy a few extra treats to share with his "other family" and coordinate their location in his suitcase.

Even though we've gone over the checklist a few times, it was 8 o'clock tonight when he asked for a 3-ring binder. Uff da. Who knows what he will forget.

We took a break to go out to eat for a goodbye dinner. We were joined by my sister Renell, who drove over from Minnesota today and is staying here before heading to a Packer event tomorrow. You'll hear more about that tomorrow.

For now I better get my boy home from the neighbor's so I can tuck him in one last time.

Finally Final Finals

I'm not gonna lie. We're all pretty happy today was the last day of school.

This has been "hell week" for Carter, who had 7 finals in 3 days. Two on Tuesday, two on Wednesday and three today to wrap up his junior year. If all went well, we now have a senior in the house! He's already been assigned to read 3 books over the summer. Trust me, those won't get cracked open until mid-July at the earliest.

Hubby and I are just glad we get a break from being the human alarm clock!

Most school mornings, Jim has that fun job since I am at the 5:40 a.m. kickbox class. But some mornings I am the one trotting up and down the stairs every 5 minutes, trying to wake him from his up-late-for-homework-induced coma. It's a chore we will not miss during the summer months. It's like our version of a summer vacation.

Wow, we aren't that boring, are we?

The next 9 days until he leaves for Germany will be plenty packed with activities that I guess better include packing soon!

But first we've got some sports to see... Tonight, Carter and I watched the first round playoffs for girls soccer. Assumption beat Washburn/Bayfield 3-1. Now they move onto the next level somewhere on Saturday. Tomorrow and Saturday is the state Track & Field meet. Not going but will be keeping our fingers crossed for one of Carter's cross-country teammates, who is competing in two events at state. Tomorrow evening, the Royals baseball team travels to Pittsville for a regionals showdown. Weather permitting, Jim and I will be going to that. Weather permitting, Carter will be having a campfire in our backyard with friends.

It's not supposed to rain, but with 94% humidity, it might feel like it.

Ahhh, summer. Keep calm and bring it on!

'80s Live On

You can run from the '80s, but you can't hide them!

I don't know if I should be offended or honored that the teenager next door thought of ME when she needed some '80s clothes for a school project.

Pretty sure she just knows a fashion icon when she sees one!

Since it was a last-minute request (as all teenagers with homework tend to do), I could only gather two neon graffiti shirts and spandex shorts, a rare GUESS sweatshirt, a Luck Cardinals painter cap (those rocked), my coveted sunglasses collection (which seems to be in style now), and the little Lynn Dickey and Tommy Kramer jersey shirts my twin sister I wore, respectively. Oh, and a t-shirt from the '84 Olympics when my sister lived in L.A.

In case you're wondering, there is probably more where all that came from. Probably best I didn't have more time.

I had to race into school for a senior class registration meeting. At the end of this year, Carter will actually have enough credits to graduate. Crazy. But he's not sloughing off his senior year. He'll have fun stuff like physics, calculus and stats. Yikes.

We also learned about next steps for college prep – from ACT testing to campus visits and admissions applications. Gonna be a busy 2015. But while there seems to be more to do than back in "my day," there are more helpful resources, too.

If I flounder, I'll just ask other parents who have experienced this recently. Or, if I see a spot of neon or some totally tubular outfit, I'll ask that parent. They obviously know everything that matters.

Like, totally.

Please Hold On To The Bar

Fasten your seat belts. Hold on to the bar. The roller coaster ride is about to begin!

Yup, we just registered Carter for his ACT Test in April. From here on out, we are on the college-bound ride from hell. Or, thinking positively, maybe it will be gentle and calm like the Lazy River at a waterpark.

Ha. Unlikely.

Between the 2-hour financial aid meeting last night and the 30-minute registration for the test, this is occupying our minds AND our time already. Of course it will all be worth it. I'm just still in denial that our baby is this close to moving onto the next amusement park without us!

I also can't believe a 16-year-old HAS to know what his career will be. Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? I don't even know that yet! In order to appease all the inquiring minds, he tells people "chemical engineering." Granted, he will likely use his math skills to go in that direction, but who knows if that is going to be it. For now, I think he just wants a ready answer when people ask.

This avoids a further grilling and a bevy of suggestions. That inevitably comes when they ask what college he is interested in. The answer: He doesn't know. We haven't reached that peak on the roller coaster yet. But I am sure we'll be picking up speed in that direction before we are ready.

And by "we" I mean Boy Wonder AND his soon-to-be impoverished parents. I mean proud parents!

Should be quite the ride over the next 12 months or so. Good thing I don't get motion sickness.

I will keep the anxiety pills handy, though!