Summer

Howdy do all! Well here is the big vine railing installed several months ago. It took 6 men, and a crane to get it up there. I was in school, so I missed that fun installation, but it fit perfectly. I owe that success to careful mock up building in the shop, and making sure we took lots of measurements.

Summer has been fun, camping, seeing friends, and working on a smaller railing for the same contractor. I am also preparing for school this fall, I will begin taking course at PSU, higher level core classes. I was accepted into the Honors Program since I had a 4.0 for for my freshman year  at CCC. Yep, a solid straight A for my first year in college. Iam still in shock, so is my Mom.

Summers heat has given way to a wonderful cloudy, rainy, warm day here in Oak Grove.
I spent today picking apples off the mystery tree; I filled every container I had with delicious apples of this unknown variety. It looks like a Gala, but is more tangy sweet. Great for all cooking, or hand eating. I originally found this tree as a sapling,  growing in the shade of our maples in the front yard way back when we first moved in here. I transplanted it to the back yard. It along with two other apple trees, have since flourished. The other two fruit every other year, but this one is annual.

So, I have to get it going on in the fruit processing dept. since I have no cold storage, and they won't keep well: they all have worms in their hearts. I just didn't spray, or put little socks on the fruit to keep out the bugs. Next year I swear, I will be a better orchardess.
 See ya later!

Grades

4.0
I sat in my chair gazing intently at the computer for probably an hour or more. Soaking it all in.
4.0 GPA
All A's up there on there on the screen, all A's.
Wow. Not bad for a drop out failure in life.
The last 12 years have been hard. Dan and I fight a lot, and we are always struggling for money and  I am no business woman. Trying to work with my husband has been hard, and fraught with stress. Quarreling doesn't describe the full on scream fests of hate we directed at one another. I found myself dreading the shop, dreading the work. Our marriage has suffered because of it, all the arguing has aged me, crushed my heart, and hurt Dan too. We are still together, still partners, but I wish we could have NOT worked together. Two strong personalities who both have to win at all costs will never pull a plow together effectively..He is a good man, and I am grateful for his new career, because he deserves to be there, being appreciated for his skills and his talents as a historian and archaeologist. For the the first time in 12 years he is happy. I am grateful I can go to school full time, he won't let me take a job, but that will have to change, we need the extra money. He looks forward to work every day, and I thank the gods for his good fortune.

Little old Me? Being in college brings me more satisfaction than any handrail ever did; no amount of praise for my metalwork skills (awesome thought they be) is one ounce as fulfilling as seeing that GPA up on the computer screen: 4.0 I did that!! I did it!!! Me, the drop out, the one who couldn't finish high school, who could never get a good job, who always felt "stupid". ME! I am able to meet deadlines, I am able to study and write essays that earn a perfect score. Whoo hoooooo!!!!
I just want to go and scream it from the highest tower, look at me I did it.
This one is for you Gram, I put my mind to it, and I did it.Just like you said.

School

School has me in it's clutches, which is good.  I realize I am just not a devoted blogger.  The bummer is that all the interesting folks who's blogs I read don't read mine.  I admit to being jealous of people who have amazing lives, and that mine is duller than old milk paint on a fence. oh well, I m off to get my degree, forge a little, and lead my  life. Bye!