Today I sat in the bleachers at Plainfield Central High School for their graduation ceremonies.  My niece Sara graduated.  As I watched her march on the football field with all 614 students, I saw a woman.  Not a teenager.  Not a child.  A woman.  My niece, the one that always says, 'Aunt Melissa!' like I've done something wrong, is no longer a kid.  She's now an adult.  I loved seeing all the kids faces (yes, I can call them kids, as I am WAY older than them!) with high hopes and expectations for life after high school. 

Reality check.  Twenty years ago today I graduated from high school.  This means I am 20 years older, physically.  Mentally, I am probably still 18.  Though I go to the doctor and they give me test results for a 37 year old female.  Crap.  I'm not so young any more.  Where did it all go??  I probably need to do a life inventory for years 25 thru 36. 

Someday in the near future, Sara's high hopes and expectations of the world will come to a screaching halt.  Just like when it happened to me about 4 months into college.  School was twice as hard.  Keeping up the grades and the job forced me to learn time management and Mom wasnt on my back to get things done.  I was now accountable for ALL of my actions.  I dont want this to happen to her, but it will.  Its inevitable.  Happens to all of us.  I will be there for her when it does happen, because I cannot turn her away.  I love her too much. 

It was a good graduation party.  Grandparents and grandchildren. 

I havent been posting much lately because I am in a work rut.  Working way too much, which leaves little time and energy for me to do the things I love.  This makes for an unhappy Melissa.

Though during this rut, I've been researching alternative incomes.  More and more people I know are quitting their full-time corporate careers to do something that is not considered the 'norm'.  One person I know quit her full-time corporate communications job to sell Mary Kay.  Another person I know of quit her full-time day job to become a full-time blogger and freelancer.  Then there is dooce.  She started her blog as a way to vent her work frustrations.  Now its the most read personal website on the internet.  She has enough income from her advertising (and books) that she was able to 'retire her husband' (as they say in Mary Kay).  

Why cant we all do this, quit our jobs and do something that motivates us, is our passion or brings us total and complete joy?  Why are these people who are able to do such a thing so few and far between??

I believed when I graduated from college that I had to get a job in the field my major was - Speech Pathology - and I had to have a 9 to 5 job with benefits.  I ended up in software testing and am really not liking this 9 to 5 Monday - Friday business.  

I want joy.  I want happiness.  I want financial freedom.  I want a paid adveriser on my blog!  

I'll settle for joy, happiness and financial freedom.   

I went to water the flowers tonight and I found this.  I was pleasantly surprised.  This blooming shrub was planted a couple of years ago and hasnt really taken.  Its hanging on by a thread.  Though this is the first season it bloomed!  I believe that these things - blooms and plants coming back to life - happen in happy environments.  This makes me smile.

I cannot believe the motivation that I had today.  It felt like the motivation flood gates bursted open.  I love the feeling I have sitting here in bed, exhausted. 

I was able to accomplish this list today.
-packaged up ebay sales for trip to post office on Monday.
-organized the cabinet underneath the kitchen sink.
-laundry, all of it!
-ran to Target for office supplies.
-organized the last 10 years of tax returns.
-organized my store to start business on Monday.
-made muffins for breakfast.
-watched the last three innings of Cubs game.  (they were robbed!)
-planned this week's ebay listings.
-paid bills.
-went for run.

I am a bit tired.  Have a long week ahead of me.  Looking forward to this upcoming weekend for three days off instead of two. 

Especially when we are doing something fun.  Remember this post? The one where I mentioned I was asked to be the responsible adult?  Well that event I had to be said responsible adult was last night.  My 17 year old niece, her friend and I went to see the Plain White T's.   Awesome time!  Whoa, totally not expected.  

This event was at the Metro in Chicago, a place that is usually a punk, punk alternative, alternative music venue.  So I was a bit surprised they hosted an all ages show.  The staff at the Metro are usually dark, gothic and like their tattoos.  I cant imagine what they were thinking when they opened their doors to tweens, teens and any one else under the age of 21.  I have do give them credit, they seemed okay with it. 

It was a great show from the 'parents' section.  I met another cool aunt there with her 16 year old niece.  Like this other cool aunt, I sat back while the young ones stood close to the stage.  She, Nancy, and I both agreed that we thought we were going to be the oldest people there...much to our surprise there were older.  And they were hanging with us in the 'parents' section.  I like the 'parents' section, there is room, it doesnt seem to be as loud and there is always an open spot at the bar.  ;o)  (was wondering when you people were going to catch on...said parents section was the bar! Of course there would be room at the bar at an all ages show!)

And the Plain White T's do put on an awesome live show.  They sound great live, and they interact with the kids.   I can put this concert in the top ten I've been to.

I am very thankful Sara asked me to do this with/for her.  I am glad I was there for her.  This will be a memory she has forever.  This is a memory I will have forever.  Thank you Sara! 

Lots of things were done this past weekend, and today.  Things that I am very thankful for. 

1.  Coffee with a group of women who are single and professional on Saturday morning.  It was nice to meet new people.  It was especially nice to know what they feel and they know how I feel. 
2.  Scrapbooking Melissa's baby shower.  Again it was nice to get out and meet new people and see a few I havent seen in a few months.  Good times.
3.  Babysitting the boys on Saturday night.  I love them.  I think they love me (or atleast they dont know yet that they love me).  We always have a good time.  We went for a walk, we played on the mat, we watched Baby Einstein like 4 times to keep you-know-who from crying.  It was good QT with my sister Laura too. 
4.  Brunch and shopping with Kimmy on Sunday afternoon.
5.  My new fence in the yard.
6.  Ebay - sold all my items this week.  YAY!

I like this feeling of thankfulness, it leaves a sense of positivity in my life.  I like it when I feel positive. 

Cant have a blog post without a picture??!!!  Especially when its this picture, taken on Saturday night.  My sister Laura and Charlie.  Good times.

or this one.