Boy, I'm really bad about writing on the weekends. I guess I just can't manage to find the time. However, this weekend was a tad bit different. Friday evening was spent at the funeral home for the visitation of my dad's cousin, Stevie. I had a fairly good time, as good as you can have at a funeral home, seeing family and family friends. I got to see some of my dad's cousins that I hadn't seen in years. Afterwards, the majority of my immediate family went to Logan's for dinner (my aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, etc). Saturday morning I got up early and went to my grandpa's during the funeral to help prepare the food with the women of the family. When the funeral was over, the whole family came over to eat and enjoy each other's company. We had a good time. The younger kids got a little restless so we went swimming over at my uncle Mark's house. Later that night my immediate family and the family in from out of town came over to swim at Mark's and we had a big cookout. I really enjoyed it. I gave up seeing all my friends in Morehead for my birthday to see the family. Of course I would *Love* to see my friends, I would feel guilty for years if I missed the opportunity to see family that I haven't seen in ages. It is a little sad that our family has grown up. There is the beginning of a new generation--my oldest cousin has added on a new addition with her baby. My youngest McComas cousin is 10. Amazing how time flies.

Well its Monday, and the weekend came and went. This week will be much easier...It is all preparation for my trip to Atlanta. I'll be packing all week, making sure everything is set in stone, then I will be heading out of town at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.

Hopefully I can write more later when my mind has fully awaken...and gotten into the swing of things.

On the way to work today..my mom says..."geez, you're gonna be 19 tomorrow." Out of nowhere! Yep I'm gonna be 19, believe it or not mom! And boy do I have a long weekend ahead of me. I will spend this evening with family...funeral visitation for my dad's first cousin. Died earlier this week of a massive heart attack...only 44 years old. Its so scary, it could happen to anyone at any point in your life. I guess thats why I *try* not to leave things on bad terms. You just never know I guess. Hopefully tomorrow I will be heading to Morehead to celebrate my birthday. Katy (my old roommate if you don't know me) is in for summer school and Jen is coming from Columbus. Hopefully we will be able to spend some time at the Lake and just be able to have some fun together. I was told that I better spend the night because Courtney is making the trip from the Chicago area to Cincy and then down Sunday to see us! I have so much to get done this weekend. I have one more week of work and then I am leaving for my long awaited 3 week vacation to Atlanta/Hilton Head Island. But of course, I have to get laundry done, get packed, get organized, and yet still work MWF 8:00-8:00, and ThF 8:00-4:30! YAY! I wonder how that is all going to work, but I guess I will make it work.

Can't wait till the weekend...

the best bday gift...seeing my friends again! Its been too long, too long.

About a week ago I wrote to my friends..I heard that old country song about the summertime blues. Before now I have never understood what this could possibly be written about...what a dumb song, summer is great! No school. Beautiful weather. Sleeping in late. Being with friends. Cookouts. Honestly, what could be better? But now it is so clear to me. I relate to that song. Perhaps there is something wrong with me, but summer isn't all its cracked up to be for me anymore. I used to spend it out in the sun all day playing softball with my friends. I used to go swimming in the heat of the day. I used to go fishing or camping out with the boys. But now its all changed. I work Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30...many days I go work at the tanning salon after my job at the University. I get home around 8:30 and I'm ready to crash. My mom says, "welcome to the real world (talking about my job)." I don't care to work. I've always enjoyed working. Perhaps I work too much. The blues come from missing my friends. If I had friends to come home to after work I would be okay. If I had friends to show up and surprise me on lunch break it would be okay. but my BEST friends aren't here in Huntington with me. My BEST friends are doing the same thing I am doing, day in and day out. While I do have friends here, seeing them doesn't make or break my day. When my days were rough at school, I could look forward to coming back for those late night chats..or late night runs to the C-store..About a year ago, I stood in the mall with my mom and talked to her good friend, John Hogg. He tried to tell me that Morehead would become my home, I laughed...tossed that idea over my shoulder. But here I am missing my home. Missing my friends. The highlight of my day is the 10K emails from my girls or late night phone calls. I guess this is what is meant by the summertime blues.