Accidents

Some know I was invited to a cookout with OSU's President Dr. Gee last Saturday. He was coming to Tiffin; however, a couple days prior I received word the event was cancelled due to a family emergency. I just learned what happened. Life / Death - so young, so impressive, so tragic - once again reminding me.....Life is short, pursue your dreams and help others along the way. Take lots of pictures as you never know when you may last see your loved ones. My prayers are with Dr. Gee's family and I will express them in person in a couple of weeks as the Tiffin event has been rescheduled. Kids should not die before their parents! Here is the link: http://www.osu.edu/news/newsitem2069

Speaking of accidents, Shayla had her first fall from a horse last night. I've always told her she wasn't a real cowgirl until she fell off seven times. (I just wanted her to be prepared, to know it was going to happen and to get back on after it did.) I was at home studying, but Shayne saw it and said it was the perfect accident. (What?) He said, they had just plowed the ground in the arena so it was soft. She was bareback, so it was a nice gentle slide right off. She was wearing her helmet and was riding with a friend.

When I asked her what happened late last night she said with great enthusiasm, "Let me act it out! Skeeter saw a cow, got scared and then he went this way while I went that way," as she rolled to the kitchen floor! I asked her what her friend said and Shayla responded in a little voice, "Oh, Shayla! Are you ok?" Shayne gave her a "leg up" and she was back out riding under the lights of the arena having a great time with a little 4H buddy. She had another incredible week and I praise the good Lord for that! The volunteerism I witnessed was absolutely incredible! Seeing friends, students and meeting new people (some who stopped by to meet Skeeter because of the blog - wild!) was my highlight! One day Shayla told me, "It was nice of you to bring us girls to the fair for one day to see the animals when we were little. I liked it, but now it's a brand new experience. It's like I AM the fair!! And I get to go every day, not one." Oh, this one cracks me up! She nailed it right on the head! I always took the girls to the fair one day and we have great memories! I do not know why I don't have any pictures - until Christi's final year, but I still have the memories.....and obviously so does Shayla! Whew!

I think there may once again be a conflict (I hope). Things are going very well with my paper now (Finally!). I've spent the past 24 hours at home working like a crazy woman on my writing! Shayne took Shayla for her final day at the fair today while I stayed home to write. The animals will be released at 9PM tonight and I look for them to be back home about 11PM after they get Skeeter settled back in his barn. I'm very thankful I've made tremendous progress today, as tomorrow I start teaching my summer class at Heidelberg. There are 11 pursuing their Masters Degrees signed up. I'm excited as I LOVE working with teachers! They bring so much to the classroom! They're not the "sit and get" undergrads soaking up what I say, but the "Hey, I tried that, it didn't work; now what do I do?" type. I love it! I am so blessed! Here's wishing you and yours a fabulous week!