Last test but questions still to be answered

Well, I’ve finally taken my last final exam of law school. It was a long one, but when I finished the test after 3 hours. I had a raging headache and knew I had passed. That is my goal when ever I leave a test, feel as though I passed. Now whether I passed with a 65 or a 85, that I don’t know.

I’ve been reminded of how I felt when I graduated with my bachelors. What am I going to do now? I’m going to be out of work for a while to prepare for the bar exam. Will the funds last? What if I fail the bar? How long will it take me to make any money if I even pass the bar exam? Where am I going to work? How am I going to get any clients? Am I going to sit in an office paying overhead cost and no clients? Will Matt get a teaching job? When will we finally feel settled?

I know that everything will work out. It won’t happen overnight but it will fall into place eventually.

On to another topic that does bring me great joy… Graduation. Its just around the corner. Well about a month ago we voted on who will be speaking at our ceremony. There were a few Judges, local lawyers, and instructors to choose from. The results have never been posted. I’ve asked a lot of students and no one has any idea who the speaker is. Well someone was picking at me and said, “Shelby, I thought it was you,” and I joked back that they had wanted me to address the graduating class, but I just couldn’t do it. Then the joke continued to “______ (insert the name of any student that has something to say about everything) is going to speak.” You know, there is always that one person, or few, that have comments to make on every topic. They love to talk/ feel important/ be validated. I love the guy that reads a week ahead, asks a question that is about to be covered, because he thinks that he will impress us all with his superior knowledge. It became aggravating after 4 years. Especially when they want to discuss their view point when the teacher is just about to dismiss the class. Anyhow... some of you might find the following facebook conversation funny. Here goes:

Fellow student: “{blank} is willing to speak.”

Me: “There are a few folks that I'm sure would speak. Most of which, at the end of four years of their mouths, I would be tempted give the Bush treatment (pull my shoes off and throw 'em at the person speaking). {blank} isn't one of them in particular, but my fuse is short at this moment :)

Fellow student: “I can't understand why you would be a little short-tempered at this time. There are some that throwing a shoe at would not be satisfying enough. I'm thinking, maybe, a brick.;)”

Depending on who is speaking, I might be wearing stilettos to graduation.

Farm living is the life for me**

Yeah I know, I'm more of the middle of the road. I'm a little Mrs. Douglas (Eva Gabor) and Mr. Douglas. I loved being in the city, but I love being in the country too. When I was making frequent trips back and forth, I would get a rush that first step out of the subway from the excitement of the city. And when I would go home, I would let out a big relaxing sigh of relief at being back in Tennessee.

Anyhow... I wanted to write about the awesome things that I saw on the farm. Yesterday I saw a PACK of deer sprinting across the field. It was about 6-7 of them running full speed. They are so graceful and beautiful when they run. I absolutely love to see how elegantly and effortless they are when they leap the high fences.

Also, this morning a saw a flock of wild turkeys next to the house. This is not unusual. Some mornings they wake me up gobbling outside the bedroom window. We've also come home to catch a about 20 of them in the front yard. But this morning there was a big tom out there strutting his stuff for the ladies. He had his feathers all fanned out and his chest puffed to impress. Matt and I like to call them pilgrim turkeys because they look like the images we associate with Thanksgiving. Anyhow, I wish him luck in his courting.

**Green Acres theme song**

Drum roll....

So it is time to unveil the creation that I made a few months ago.

I made owl pillows for my friends children!

Here are pictures of S holding the two I made for baby “s” at the shower
*Thanks to Amanda for the Pictures*

I had seen a die cut for a valentine card that gave me the idea to make pillows using the shapes (the evidence is the heart used for the face).

Well look what I’ve spotted at Pottery Barn Kids, in their Brooke collection for girls.

Similar, cute, but mine were WAY cheaper. And it has given me ideas for others projects. PB yours my have a handcrafted look, but mine are. Score 1 for me!

done R-U-N-N-O-F-T**

This weekend was pretty normal for Matt and I.

Saturday Matt spent time with his dad. I studied for that one remaining final, and went to a baby shower for a friend. I had a request for Matt. Buy me a tree. I had spotted one at a local store for our front yard. A few years ago, I bought two tiny maple trees to plant in our front yard. Our house could really benefit from some shade. Well, one of those trees is flourishing, and the other was broken in half by a deer. It looked pitiful and was badly misshapen. Last year we bought another tiny replacement, it died. Well on Saturday I was thrilled when Matt came home with the tree I had seen and wanted. It is taller, more mature, and looks a lot better than the sad gray stick that was left of the last tree. But it doesn’t end there. Matt also bought me two dwarf apple trees. All my new trees look so pretty, and I have my fingers crossed they don’t die. (please don’t die, please don’t die, please don’t die).

We have also been pricing underground electric fence. Biscuit is driving me and Matt nuts. She likes to explore on her own. For the past couple of months, when the mood strikes her, she will take off running. She’ll bolt into the trees, across the road, through the field and disappear. She is lighting quick too. I’ll see her cross the road a quarter of a mile away from where she entered the woods. And each time, she gets braver and goes out further, and stays away longer. Basically my nerves can’t take it any more. Between the fear of her getting hit by a car, and the times that I need to leave for work or school and she hasn’t returned, I’ve reached my limit. It will be so nice to just turn them loose in the yard and not be afraid they are going to get in the road or run off. Ohh… and don’t think Charlotte is innocent in all this. She needs the fence too. She does. She scampers out in the road every now and then, but more concerning. She loves to eat the cow poo! It has been a battle since day one to get her out of the cow field. We scream for her to stop eating poo. We stomp, throw rocks in her direction. But she ignores us until she knows we are about to loose our minds, and then comes running up like “Chill out my peoples, I’m right here. I was just out there eating some cow pies. No biggie. How about I give you a kiss and make it all up to you!” Ahhhhhh!

** O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Spring Babies

We have been having babies born on the farm left and right the past few weeks. Some of them were born earlier in the year when it was super cold. It never fails that if it gets below freezing and the weather is bad, a calf is born. Last Saturday Matt, his dad, and a neighbor had to help one along. Poor little guy had alot of trouble, but he and Mom are fine. My father-in-law tells me there are a few more expected, one as late as the June or so.
Anyhow, when my friend and her family came by to see the cows a few weeks ago they had all sauntered off where you couldn't see them. So this morning, when I went out to feed the dogs they were hanging around, so I snapped a couple pictures.

Here are two of the smaller babiesHere are two of the bigger babiesThis is what Matt and I call "milky nose"
And here is how the nose gets milky. Notice the little one over to the lefts tongue :)

Pomp and circumstance Zombie trance

Monday April 13^th was my last class. 4 years ago when I began law school, I could hardly fathom the idea that there was actually a last class. I wasn’t even married when I sat down for that first class. They had told us then to look at the people on either side of you, and chances were… one of them wouldn’t be there when you graduated. I’m happy to report that just wasn’t true in my case. The person that sat to the right of me is still there (in fact, he’s my study buddy) and the person who sat to the left of me is still there (he’s had 2 kids since we began). But we have lost a few, or had some drop back.

I can remember quite a few in fact that are gone. There was one guy that was great comic relief. Everyday we would ask him if he had prepared for a nonexistent quiz, and watch his reaction. Then there was the guy that got called on by the same teacher every single class to brief a case and he was never prepared. There was the girl that always showed up in pajamas and left class directly after signing the role. There was the girl that had watched legally blonde one too many times; and came in wearing a midriff shirt and stiletto heels (she lasted exactly ONE class). There was the frat boy I went to college with, and the girl I played basketball against in High School (both were gone by Christmas). There was a very cute, very pregnant girl that sat in the back row. And many more.

Monday night I also picked up my cap and gown. And people keep asking me if I’m excited about my classes being over. The answer, very sadly is yes, BUT… it doesn’t feel like its over. I do take great pleasure in that I will never drive back up to Nashville and sit in class from 6:30 til 10:00 at night. But this milestone lacks finality. I’m still studying for my one final, although I’m seriously struggling in the motivation department. I have the Bar Exam coming up at the end of July (and if I don’t pass that, then things will get pushed back yet again.). I have 6 weeks of bar prep lectures to attend, as well as, countless hours of studying ahead. I just keep trying to tell myself to give it all I have the first time, and hopefully I won’t have to repeat.

There is one change this is coming that I’m excited about. I’ll be quitting my job for the summer. This way I’ll do the bar prep course and study during the day; and relax, rest, exercise, etc. in the evenings. Hopefully this will allow me to gather myself for the Bar exam and hopefully not wear myself out. What ever happens, I’ve still got that relief of knowing I will not have to sit in class, sign attendance, study for mid-terms and finals, OR buy books and pay tuition any more.

Hippity Hop

Easter was pretty relaxed around our way. Matt finished up his teaching portfolio. I did some studying, errands, projects, and such. We visited with both sides of the family and had some together time (we called it a “Matt and Shelby” day). The extra day off I had was really nice.

Friday we had some severe weather. The cats and I crouched in a hallway, while Matt stood staring out the window to see if he could see anything coming.

Here is a picture of our deck and the hail the came down with the storm.

And here is a picture of Meeper our cat curled up on Matt’s backpack.

We could buy these cats goose down beds and they would still lay on our things and coat them with hair. I tell you nothing is sacred in our house. This little booger has forced me to require that the bedroom door be closed shut at night. Otherwise I’m awakened multiple times during the night with what feels like a 15 lb paperweight on my legs, belly, feet, etc, weighing down the blankets and making it impossible to roll over and get comfortable. You think she would know how it feels after witnessing what Hans does to her when they try to co-sleep/nap.

Until she was banished, I kept smooshing Matt and whacking him. It’s been nice the past couple of nights, but I anticipate Matt asking to let her back in soon. He likes having her cuddle in at night and be sweet. Of course this is only because she lays on him for a few minutes and then, under the cloak of darkness, tiptoes over to harass me.

A run and some other fun

Saturday I ran in a 5 mile run in Nashville. The Richland Creek Run to support the Greenways of Nashville. It was pretty apparent that this was the first organized, over 3 mile run I have participated in since the 2007 Memphis half marathon.

I miss running. I miss being in better shape. I miss being 6-10 lbs lighter. Geessh! I was a winded mess. The course was calm, scenic, and included some challenging hills. I told Ashley (and myself) I was not going to walk until I made it 2.5 miles/halfway. I made it half way, and then had to catch my out of shape, winded, congested breath. I’d like to blame it on the sinus infection and congestion, but it was totally due to my lapse in running dedication. Ashley ran on ahead of me and finished strong. I finished the 5 miles in 53:12 and ran at a 10 minute 39 second pace. I guess this is really more of an average because that last half was considerably slower than the first. All in all, it was a wonderful day, wonderful run, and a great experience. Hopefully the next event I participate in will be the upcoming Susan G. Komen ride for the cure.

Sunday Sabrina and her family came out to the farm. They had wanted to see the cows, but they were off roaming around and lounging in the warm weather. Wes, her husband, is a wonderful landscaper. He is working something up for my mother-in-law, that I’m sure is going to beautify the front of the house. We also showed them our future home site.

The rest of the weekend, we spent time together, did laundry, worked on planning our garden for this year, picked up around the house and in the yard, put up the new blue bird house (haven’t seen any move in yet), just piddled around together. I did find these cute, super cheap, galoshes for going out on the farm.

Welcome April (and its seasonal suffering)

Well, I haven’t gone to a Doc or anything, but I’m pretty sure that I have a sinus infection. I’ve been carrying around a roll of toilet paper. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of gunk that my face is producing. But I can’t really say that I feel bad, just snotty, sleepy, and a little bit of an earache. Everyone says I sound terrible though. Actually I just took a break while writing this to make an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner at my Doctor’s office. I probably need to see about getting some antibiotics. Last time I had one of these I let it drag out way too long, and its been at least 10 days now, so I might as well go ahead and see the Doctor. So I will tomorrow after work. Mucus be gone.

Last week was a super busy week. Matt and I had something every single night after work. Friday we actually climbed in the bed at 9:20 when we returned from a dinner in honor of my Grandparents 65 wedding anniversary. The weekend was just as packed, with things to be done. I hate all that running around. The upside… Tonight is my very last Wed night class. And I only have 2 Monday night classes left. This means my nights are almost freed up (except that I’ve started studying for my last final exam).

Matt is working really hard to finish up his student teaching. In fact, when we got home from all of our errands we had to run on Saturday, he did homework and class preparations until 8:00 p.m. His spring break is coming up, but it looks like he will be finishing up his portfolio and requirements for the college of education during the break. He also started another Masters level class on Monday nights.

That light at the end of the tunnel is getting a little brighter as each day passes.