All I know to say is “wow, what a weekend”! I don’t know if I’m happy, sad, coming or going. I do know I am feeling like I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named I have no clue. As I think back over the past few weeks, I feel like I have been sucked up in a whirlwind, dropped off in tenbucktwo and hitched a ride back home via a volkswagon hippie van full of deadheads singing “what a long strange trip it’s been”, which would have been very appropriate. Let’s review the past couple of weeks in the life of melinda:

#1. my boss of many years, one of my most favorite people on earth … up and out of no where decides to retire.

#2. we (our staff) help plan & execute a wonderful retirement party for said boss.

#3. I have the first signs of my impending (please note, previously scheduled) nervous breakdown for June of 2009. Those signs include lots of crying and general grouchy behavior on my part.

#4. I get a new boss.

#5. Heather, purposely ruptures her appendix in order to miss work she is still not feeling overly great but is home resting in her bed. I know this because I just left there. Her bed is very comfy. I know this because I piled my big fat hind end right up in it with her.

#6. In the midst of Heather being sick, Anna up and decides to graduate. Ok, that’s not really true. I’ve known for a little over 18 years that this day would come.

#7. We have a haaauuuggeee Hoedown Throwdown in honor of Anna’s graduation. We had a great time.

#8. My brother, butthead Brad and Emma Joy come for a long visit for the Hoedown Throwdown. This is my favorite part of the last 1/2 month of my life. Of course, other than being very proud of Anna.

#9. Anna & T’neal rodeo last night. Emma Joy loved the rodeo, she got to ride with Anna on Jack. She is going to be a barrel racer herself one day.

#10. Anna & T’neal leave with the other TN bound folk today for a graduation road trip to Nashville. I am not worried about them … they are in good hands. I am worried about me freaking out before they get home on Wednesday.

#11. While all of the extra stuff has being going on around me, regular everyday life has not slowed a bit. My house looks like a GDS dumpster, work has been really busy, my responsibilities at the church house are still there, bills still have to get paid and dinner still needs to be cooked at least every other night or so.

I must say, I am feeling a little cheerful that come tomorrow, life should settle back down to a normal pace. There will hopefully be no “extra” stuff that needs doing and I can relax a little. I have done very well so far containing my nervous breakdown tendancies, which I must admit surprises me a little. Maybe it’s because Anna has not officially moved all of her stuff out yet, maybe it’s because I haven’t stopped long enough to really realize my baby is no longer a baby. Maybe it’s because in a week we will all be camping together for 2 whole weeks and we will have lots of togetherness. I’m not really sure why I’m ok, but right now, I’m just that … I’m ok.

For all of you who have been on this long strange trip with me … thank you. I know it’s been so hectic for so many of you too, not just me. Many things that I mentioned above affected a lot of you too. I am so very thankful to have all of you in my life. I am one more lucky girl.

me.