Week 2: Prompt 7 Looking in that photo album, I see--

Looking in that photo album, I see a little girl.  She is cute, bubbly, has blond hair and green eyes.  She is quite a tomboy.  As I keep flipping through the years, she's growing.  Through her teenage years she is given messages about her weight.  Photo's of self-consciousness around her weight, food, and eating flood the pages!  Though she had never really been overweight, the pictures were there!  Where did they come from?

When she graduated high school weighing in at 118 pounds, not bad for being 5'5.  If you ask me, she was a bit anorexic looking!  Flipping a bit more, she finds herself with ten extra pounds from baby number one; size five.  Two years and several pages later, baby number two causes her to max out at 207 pounds!  Whoa!  Fast forwarding towards the last quarter of the pages, divorce and stress cause her to put on even more.  With babies three and for she finds herself with gestational diabetes!  What a wake up call.  She responds well to a weight gain of only 22 and then 12 with the last baby!  Still flipping, photos of her sitting on the porch, out in Seattle, wearing shorts and shirt at the beach, she lingers around 230.  Photos of her return from Seattle, she's dropped about fifty, then even more a few months later!  Then, in creeps those photos of that haunt her again!  About twenty of the baggage she'd lost reappears.  In that album, she finds more pictures embedded than she wanted to see.  Awakened, she finally sees, those weren't pictures of her!  They were pictures that someone else painted!  What the hell are they doing in this album?!

She decides it's time to set fire to the old album! She is filling a new one of the real her instead, no impostors, no yearbook committee; this one is on her own!  This album begins to blossom with a woman, blond hair and green eyes, about 5'5.  She has a positive attitude, with will and much determination.  Nothing can stand in her way now!  Pages are filled with confidence, passion, and success.  She is finally true to her self and her goals!  This album has pages with pictures of a healthier her, at the gym, playing racquetball, hiking, and having fun!  Sweat, tears, and achy muscles all inclusive.  The latest photo includes two trips to the gym in the same day, full of energy, and a smile larger than life!

I can't wait to see when the pages are filled, it's gonna be great!

Enamoured by ...

I believe I am totally smitten by...
because I love to write poetry.

When I write poetry I write from the heart, I write about what I'm passionate about and what moves me.  Many times I find that I could go on... and on... and on...

Which is WHY I use ... so much.  I use it when my thoughts and feelings continue but I choose not to write more.  Sometimes I do that to let the reader draw their own conclusion and sometime because it brings up strong and powerful emotions that I don't care to share.

Now you have it :)

Week 2: Prompt 8 REWRITE (For the Happiest English Teacher in the whole USA) in It (SHE) was the first, but not the best--or was it (SHE)?

It was 1988 when I got my Coupe DeVille Cadillac, 1978 edition.  She rode nice, especially down the strip in Virginia Beach.  She was candy apple red with white leather interior, sunroof, ass kicking stereo system!  She was a boat, no question about it!  I gave her back to the guy I was buying her from the day she hydroplaned.  I smacked her right into the rear quarter panel of a Sunfire!  She was definitely too big for an 18 year old that just got her license!

Number two was a black 1980 Buick Regal.  Just got it, waxed and detailed it up nice for a road trip to New York. I tinted the windows over the weekend.  Had it for 6 days, and on the way back had a blow out - totalled it on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, right between the two tunnels! It wasn't me driving this time!

Then came a 1979 Olds, Cutlass Supreme Limited Edition, white with a black top and sunroof.  It was big enough for a baby seat in the back.  I had this one a year before 'he' thought the head gasket blew.

I just made the last $1500 payment, sold it for $350.  Then I found out it was only the radiator!

1993 Dodge Shadow, black again. My favorite color!  My first brand new car, not the greatest but it got me there.

Next was a 1997 Plymouth Neon, it was red with a moonroof.  I didn't have for long since I needed a minivan!  When some of the kids got older I got a Chevy Blazer.  I hated the Blazer!  It was four wheel drive and I went off the road both winters I drove it!  What the hell?!

So, coerced into getting a 2008 Toyota Corolla. My second new car.  Ugh!  What an ugly car!
Yes, it's very fuel efficient.  Gas prices were killing me driving from Hermon to Orono in a blazer!

I'm still driving it today!

So, looking back, the 'ol girl may have been a boat.  A sharp looking, 425 V8, ass kicking sound and speed...was the first.  When she kissed the sunfire, she was tough,  not a scratch on her.  You should have seen the Sunfire!  Looking back today, knowing what I know about wheels,

maybe she was the best, she sure was the most rugged and most fun!

(*note: I purposely refer to the 'ol girl as 'she' and the others as 'it', no pun intended.)

Week 2: Prompt 8 It (SHE) was the first, but not the best--or was it (SHE)?

 http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3856136/
1978-cadillac-deville

1978 Coupe DeVille Cadillac...got it in 1988.
She rode nice, especially down the strip in Virginia Beach.
Candy apple red with white leather interior, sunroof, ass kicking stereo system!
She was a boat, no question about it!
Gave her back to the guy I was buying her from the day she hydroplaned.
Smack, right into the rear quarter panel of a Sunfire!
Definitely too big for an 18 year old that just got her license!



1980 Buick Regal, number two.
Just got it, waxed and detailed it up nice for a road trip to New York.
Tinted the windows over the weekend.
Had it for 6 days, and on the way back...
Blow out - totalled it on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, right between the two tunnels!
Not me driving this time.

1979 Olds, Cutlass Supreme Limited Edition.
Big enough for baby seat in the back.
White with a black top and a sunroof.
Had this one a year before 'he' thought the head gasket blew.
I just made the last $1500 payment, sold it for $350.
Then I found out it was only the radiator!

1993 Dodge Shadow.
First brand new car, not the greatest but it got me there.

1997 Plymouth Neon, it was red with a moonroof.
Didn't have for long, needed a minivan!
When some of the kids got older I got a Chevy Blazer.
Hated the Blazer!
Four wheel drive and I went off the road both winters I drove it!
What the hell?!

2008 Second new car.  Gas prices were killing me driving from Hermon to Orono!
So, coerced into getting a Toyota Corolla.  Ugh!  What an ugly car!
Yes, it's very fuel efficient.

So, looking back, the 'ol girl may have been a boat.
A sharp looking, 425 V8, ass kicking sound and speed...was the first.
When she kissed the sunfire, she was tough,
not a scratch on her...you should have seen the Sunfire!
Looking back today, knowing what I know about wheels,
maybe she was the best, she sure was the most rugged and most fun!


(*note: I purposely refer to the 'ol girl as 'she' and the others as 'it', no pun intended.)

Week 2: Prompt 6 The stuff she's collected over the years in her little box marks every step of her way

The box doesn't look very big, it's actually pretty small.
When she looks inside, what does she see?
A little girl, blonde hair, green eyes, and a big bright smile.
She eats watermelon, plays with trucks and trains.
She goes to stock car races with her father.
Then there's another with blonde curly hair, she calls her 'sis'.


There's make up, punk-style clothes, and Madonna memorabilia.
Some blue hair dye, a bit extreme for Aroostook County.
Deeper in the box there are boys and cars.
Broken hearts and silly tears.


There's an old U.S. Navy uniform, they call them 'dress blues' and their black!
Then there's a white uniform, maternity.
She finds baby booties in blue.
She uses them again two years later.
The 90's are in there and more silly tears.


Maine made moccasins, 2001, they didn't come in blue; just tan.
Two years later, she adds another to that box.


In the middle of the box, there is a lot of change.
Some of it shiny, some of it dull.
Ah, and even more silly tears!
Getting beyond the change in there, much to her surprise,
she finds textbooks, notebooks, pens and pencils!


Finally she finds health food, gym shoes, big boys and little boys, and even a puppy dog!
Peace, happiness, gratitude, and love top off the box.
What a collection!


Wait, what's that?
Dried up tears, finally, those silly were getting everything wet!

Week 1: Prompts 1,3, & 4 Know Thyself Prompts

Know thyself...

Alone in a quiet room...What do you hear?
Typically silence, but not today.
The auger turning...
The blower blowing...
A car just drove by...
Typically quiet, not today.
With skyrocketing fuel oil...
and jack frost nipping...
I hear the pellet stove heating..
...alone...
not so quiet...

Alone in a quiet room...What do you see?
Alone...I am...
I see windows, caressed by winter
I see flames, warming and scenting this room
I see plants as they clean my air
I see photos...on the window sill...of my children
papers, books, computer, cell phone...
Inside...I see calm and stillness
relaxation...
alone...
and quiet...

Alone in a quiet room...But what's really happening?
What's really happening?
With the chill outside, pellet stove is running
My body is still...though my fingers are moving
My puppy is sleeping...
I am working...and relaxing

Now thinking...maybe over-thinking...
did I write enough? I read some others...
Were they more interesting?
Yup, definitely over-thinking...
back to relaxing...it's been a long day...

But what's really happening?

More than meets the eye...

My heart is beating, blood is pumping

lungs inhaling, then exhaling

my body is aging, wrinkles are forming...

now fingers are slowing...

homework is ending...

still alone...

still relaxing...

Week 1 - ...journal...

1-17-2012
Well, I'm off to a bad start already!  It's Tuesday and I didn't read this until tonight! <finger shaking..I know>  Directions state journal for a week...so I will add Monday to the end of mine :) Assuming it means a 7 day week, not five.  Journaling is a little scary in the public eye.  I'm one of those 'too honest for my own good' people and I talk a lot!  So I will proceed with extreme caution.

The nitty-gritty of right now.  I'm sitting here with my 4 month old min-pin trying very hard to write!  She is having a blast teething on my fingers, chewing my hair, growling, being feisty, and just plain old being BAD!  Ok, so on the floor she goes.  Ugh!  I've never had a puppy that was so spoiled rotten and an attention hog like this little one!  She thinks she owns me (well, she kind of does) I just got her in November and recently had to start leaving her alone a little here and there.  I left for about an hour and a half today so I could go to my biochemistry lab and then out again a bit ago for about a half hour.  She did alright today.  Of course, she is starving for attention, as always, when I have something I need to do.  She is worse than my children!  So, my spouse left for Maryland today (for 13 weeks~ugh!) ... I'm assuming that is why Lil-Roo is having attention withdrawals.  I neglected her while I did dishes this morning, went to school, ran an errand, and did a load of laundry.  Yes, I'm neglecting her now too while I type.  I just couldn't handle the hair pulling anymore, so down she went.  Good thing she is just a little 4 pounder or she probably would have just jumped back up on my lap!  I had to type my first blog today one handed while she slept in my other arm!  Ok, so now she is sitting in front of the pellet stove giving my those puppy dog eyes.  Guilt trip is on ~ I shall end today's here and now post so I can pick her up again!  Oh no, now the whining...til tomorrow...

1-18-2012
Morning.  Woken up by ferocious biting.  Lil-Roo wanting her breakfast.  Being a nutritionist and a little OCD, I made her her all natural breakfast; brown rice, natural chicken, raw carrot and a few blueberries.  I then jumped in my car and ran my usual Dunkin run while jamming to some tunes.  Pulling in the driveway I thought, wow, it's early.  There was a small, maybe a quarter of a moon and stars still out!  Sitting in my living room listening to the pellet stove again.  I'm sitting here wondering if it's too early to workout.  I'm kind of lazy when it comes to exercise.  I'm on a mission to lose a few pounds.  Health is very important to me.  My spouse is out of town for three months and I thought I would take advantage of this alone time and attempt to lose a little weight and maybe quit smoking.  It's easier when you don't have added pressures and stresses.  What to do today...no classes...maybe I will go snowshoeing with my little guys after school if the rain doesn't melt all the snow away.  Well, as promised (or should I say, as expected) this is my journal entry for today.  Until tomorrow...farewell...

1-19-2012
Ah, slept in til 7 a.m. this morning.  I woke Lil-Roo up for a change!  Did the daily routine, hand fed her breakfast, then out to Dunks for coffee...It's a cold one outside today 7 degrees!  Now I'm being bullied and barked at.  Joy!  Waiting for my son to get in the shower and head to EMCC so I can take my shower.The plan for today, biochem lab homework, ugh, just the thought of it makes me cringe!  The hoops I have to jump through to get finish my nutrition degree.  At least I am setting a good example for my children (I hope).  My oldest son is going to EMCC and doing gen eds and wants to go to UMaine for an engineering degree.  He is very smart, dedication is questionable.    On with the day I guess.  Not much to say this morning.

1-20-2012
What a day...I did my usual, fed Roo, ran to Dunkin (actually drove) then I came home and cleaned the house.  I then got into my biochemistry homework, what a nightmare!  I'm still not done.  I am having trouble with the calculations and I tried to call the TA, no answer, then I emailed her.  She read my message right away but has not gotten back to me yet!  It's the only class I NEED to complete my degree and graduate in May!  I would have graduated last December if I didn't have to drop the lab last spring!  I had some tough classes that semester and a 2 credit lab should not take over 20 hours a week to do!  Ugh!  I hate classes that are complicated, minimal instruction, and can't get a hold of anyone to help!  So, yes, I had to vent!  I feel better now (even thought my lab homework still isn't done) :)  It was snowing when I got up this morning.  My oldest son got to try out his plow on his four-wheeler.  It worked pretty good!  So, I was just thinking, this entry is going to be short because that's about all that went on today.  I know pretty it's dull, but biochem is screaming my name!

1-21-2012
Another day, another cold day in Maine!  Ugh, I don't care for cold weather!  So, I fed Lil-Roo, transplanted a plant and am sitting in the living-room listening to the pellet stove.  Hmmm..it's Saturday, I may wait until tomorrow to clean the stove out.  Ashes build up and I need to clean it weekly so the auger doesn't clog up.  Alone this morning, I will have most of my kids over later.  My oldest and his girlfriend are out of town, my two little guys are at their father's house and my 20 year old will be coming with his girlfriend and my granddaughter later.  Little guys will be back this afternoon.  I am making shepherd's pie for dinner.  I got lucky, it happens to be all 4 of my children's favorite!  How cool is that?!  Off to the shower and then a smoothie for breakfast.  Maybe today I will have pineapple and banana.  I'm trying to ease my way back into raw way of eating.  (Very healthy, it's just hard because I enjoy meat protein and sometimes I crave certain cooked things)  Good day all~

1-23-2012
Missed yesterday.  I would much rather have been doing this than that God awful biochemistry!  I actually just finished it a little bit ago.  Just in time for tomorrow's lab to do it all over again!  Ugh!  That, my friends, is why I took this class!  I wanted a class I could enjoy for my last semester.  Someday's I'm not sure what to write, but it's better than racking my brains trying to teach myself biochemistry!  So, anyhow, sitting here with...you'll never guess...Lil-Roo.  Of course!  She was born in September so she is still a baby...a VERY spoiled one I might add!  Not much exciting today, class this morning, then home and worked on homework, sushi for dinner and now more homework.  It's 9:30p.m. and I'm getting a little sleepy.  I get up between 5 and 6 with...yeah, Roo.  I wanted to work on this weeks english assignment but I'm afraid my brain won't function much longer tonight as I can feel the eyelids getting heavy.  So for now - to all a good night :)

Autiobiography (As a writer, 2nd, and 3rd person)

Writer:
Hmmm... As I sit here writing for this class, I can honestly say I have always enjoyed writing poetry.  It sort of helped me throughout my life to get my feelings down.  It's always been easier for me to express feelings in writing.  The only part of that that has kicked my a** is when I have been given a topic to write about.  I find it difficult to write about something that doesn't move me.  I am taking this class because I enjoy writing.  It is not exactly what I expected though; I have never "blogged" before.  This will be interesting!

Second:
You're good at writing papers, especially when the topic is something you can relate to.  You will likely learn something from this class since your not used to writing in second and third person.  Journaling 'in public' is new for you; it will take some getting used to.  Your better at writing personal things when only your eyes see it.

Third:
She will figure it out.  She definitely has the skills to write.  As always, she will find her way. (Story of her life...perseverance)


"Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did."  ~Newt Gingrich