I'm on vacation!

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I'm on vacation! I'm on vacation! I'm on vacation!

(skip around in a circle and repeat the above over and over in a sing song voice and you still won't be as giddy as I am!)

The Story of Me part 19

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August 3, 1996

Harmony was sitting on the porch bright and early waiting for Gene Harrison and his wife. They had promised to come over and help her learn to ride the new bike she had gotten for her birthday. Harmony was excited for many reasons. She thought that learning to ride the bike would make it easier for her to befriend the other kids in the neighborhood. She also thought that once they saw her on the beautiful, shiny new bike they would stop making fun of her used clothing and worn out shoes. Who could tease a little girl that was riding such a beautiful bicycle?

“They’re here! Grandma Pat, they’re here!” Harmony yelled into the house before running off the porch and into the yard. She threw her arms around Gene Harrison and hugged him tightly before he had time to completely exit his car.

“Harmony, be careful. You’re going to knock the poor man over.” Pat said laughing as she walked out the front door. She was happy to see the girl excited about something for the first time in her life, but she didn’t want the Harrisons to get hurt.

Gene returned Harmony’s hug and held onto her hand as he walked around the car to open the door for his wife. Harmony let go of Gene’s hand and threw herself into Mary Harrison’s open arms as soon as she stepped out of the car.

“I’m so glad you came. Thank you for helping me.”

“Oh honey, we’re happy to help.” Mary said as she held onto Harmony and looked up at the smile on her husbands face.

“Harmony, you let the Harrison’s come in and sit for a minute before you guys go bike riding.” Pat called from the porch as she held the door open for everyone to enter.

Harmony ran ahead of the Harrison’s and hugged the lady she loved and called Grandma. The lady who had clipped coupons to save enough grocery money to buy the beautiful bike. The Harrison’s smiled and exchanged quick hugs with Pat before following Harmony into the small neat house.

The grown ups settled around the small kitchen table as Pat poured glasses of cold lemonade for everyone. Harmony ran to her room and returned carrying a picture she had drawn and one of the Barbie dolls the Harrison’s had given her for her birthday.

“I made this to thank you for my birthday present and also for helping me to learn how to ride my bike.” Harmony held the drawing out to Mrs. Harrison as she held onto her Barbie doll. Pat watched and smiled with pride.

Mary Harrison took the picture. Her husband stood up. “Harmony, what to you say we leave these two ladies here to talk while you and I go outside and start riding that bike.”

“Let’s go!” Harmony exclaimed and ran for the door. The adults laughed as Mr. Harrison followed Harmony out the door.

Sad stories?

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Someone came into my life recently who is a real downer. It's part of the reason I've been so grinchy lately and can't think of anything but vacation.

I'm sorry that bad things happen to people and if it were within my power to stop them or to fix them I would. But, honestly, we've all got a sad story to tell. We can walk around and constantly tell it, bringing ourselves and everyone around us down even more or we can consider it a lesson learned, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and move on.

Trust me, no one knows better than I do that moving on isn't always the easiest thing to do. Some days will be harder than others and you will backslide. The important thing to remember is that life goes on and you need to move on with it.

This person has talked non-stop about their story and used it as a reason and/or excuse for everything. This person doesn't know my story and they never will. They also don't know that if I put my sad story up against theirs in a contest I would win. Well, maybe it would be more appropriate to say that I would lose because my story is way sadder.

However, I will never enter that contest because I don't want the sad/bad things to define who I am.

What do you think?

I'm really, really trying....

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Is it Friday yet? I am so ready for vacation!

Christmas Wishes by Nibbles Skribbles

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Check out this beautiful kit called Christmas Wishes by Nibbles Skribbles...

This kit has 32 elements, 12 papers and an alpha. Check out the Nibbles Skribbles store for matching goodies and an awesome bundle deal!

Take a look at some layouts I've made using this pretty kit...

Every year I make "Good List" certificates for the kids in my class and this kit was a perfect match for what I needed. Check it out...

That's right---I'm on the good list! lol!

If you would like a free copy of this Good List Certificate, just become a fan of the Nibbles Skribbles facebook page.

I will survive!

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I will survive this week...I will survive this week...I will survive this week...

I just have to make it to Friday and then it's Christmas vacation time!

I slept and slept and slept.....

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I didn't wake up at 4am today!

After falling asleep a little after 10pm I slept until almost 8am. It felt so good and my body really needed the rest!