tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53890102687967972002024-03-08T02:12:09.985-08:00Bond's Eye ViewBondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-90744920545963016152018-07-27T16:32:00.000-07:002018-07-27T16:32:19.980-07:00Say goodbye?I have woefully neglected this blog. There is no purpose to it so perhaps it is time to close up shop and either start my co-parenting blog or not bother with another blog at all.
I suppose I could keep this one going...
Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-5979522724325998732016-11-05T18:57:00.002-07:002016-11-05T18:58:26.318-07:00Just Keep Writing.I am not good at keeping this blog up. I am sorry. I was talking to my eldest daughter about writing and she told me that no matter how long it takes, to just keep writing.
"Even if it takes 40 to 50 years," she said. I will write. If not for me, I will write for her and show her that I kept writing.Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-37036656323443434822016-02-10T17:59:00.001-08:002016-02-10T17:59:14.196-08:00Good IntentionsLong story short. I missed the mark on writing and posting daily on this site. Why? I didn't plan time for writing. I allowed myself to just go with the flow and flow into what others needed and wanted me to do. If this is going to be important to me, then I need to make the necessary time for it.
<blockquote></blockquote>I can celebrate the fact that I am more active on this blog, but I'm not. This was a goal setting fail. Must do better next time. Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-7110917970456739532016-02-04T19:25:00.002-08:002016-02-04T19:25:26.498-08:00ConcentrationI can't seem to concentrate long enough to write anything this evening. So I asked my oldest child to pick a writing prompt for me to write about. During Christmastime, I had purchased a book of writing prompts because I wanted to sharpen my writing and try to write something everyday...I have only written in it twice. At any rate, here is the writing prompt Miss E selected for me: Do you like horror stories? What is the best one you have ever heard?
<blockquote></blockquote> I do not go out of my way to read horror stories, but I would read a horror story before I'd ever go to the movie theater and see a horror film. I don't like such books and films because they take me to a place I don't like going. I believe the last horror story I read was probably an R.L. Stine book when I was in high school. I can't say this is the best I've ever heard, but the horror story that sticks out in my head is the story about the girl with the yellow ribbon around her neck. I was in elementary school when I first heard the story; it bothered me to no end after I heard it. Now that I am much older, I can handle it much better, but I'd rather leave the horror stories for people with better stomachs and minds to handle such tales.
I may have to sleep with a light on tonight...Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-90592719477703746392016-02-03T19:49:00.002-08:002016-02-03T19:49:36.776-08:00#BeforeFacebook Writing Everyday 2/3/2016Yes, there was life before Facebook. It's hard to imagine, but there was a time when people did not post their random thoughts, selfies, and meals for everyone to see. Before Facebook, I was less concerned with the happenings of acquaintances, friend,s and family. I first learned about FB when I was in college. A friend of mine from high school would ask me regularly if I was on FB; at the time, it was only available to college students and even then only certain colleges and mine was not one of them. But, as soon as it was, I joined. It's hard for me to believe I have been on FB for over 10 years now. I don't know when I went from an occasional user to someone who checks her FB page several times a day. For the most part, I have enjoyed the evolution of the website as well as my own evolution of usage. Lately, I have enjoyed that FB shares memories. It has been interesting to see who I knew, what I was doing and what I was thinking all those years ago. I have shared a lot of random thoughts, quotes, and life happenings on Facebook. It will be interesting to see how FB will be 10 years from now. Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-32787166345115975082016-02-02T18:27:00.002-08:002016-02-02T18:31:45.185-08:00Writing Everyday 2/2/2016I am working on a reflection piece about my fathers and my family. Six years ago today, I spoke to my father for the first time. Speaking to him on the phone helped me to take the all-important step of moving on from the anger and frustration I felt of not knowing who or what my father was about and the constant anger, hurt, and sadness I felt knowing my biological mother wanted nothing to do with me.
<blockquote></blockquote>I am by no means completely unscathed by what happened, but meeting him and talking to him and including him in significant parts of my life helped me to really know my place in my family.
<blockquote></blockquote>More to come!Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-18835888844189406482016-02-01T20:25:00.002-08:002016-02-01T20:25:51.793-08:00Writing EverydayThis month I am going to write everyday. If I am serious about this whole writing thing, then I need to set aside the time to write and to work on my craft. Time is something I haven't felt I have had a lot of in recent months, but I've got to make the effort and find the time. I know some of my pieces will be long and others, such as this, will be quite short because of time constraints and Writer's Block. I am convinced that most of my Writer's Block stems from the over-analyzing I do about everything. Confidence and my desire to not ruffle any feathers keeps me extremely cautious. I don't know when I started being guarded in my writing, but it is a hindrance that has kept me from opening up.
At any rate, all I know is right now I want to complete my goal of writing everyday and using this blog to help me keep track of my work.
Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-22677822813241142512016-01-19T17:35:00.001-08:002016-01-26T17:20:25.430-08:00Finding PurposeWhen I was a child, I dreamed of being a writer, lawyer, and a reporter. I started writing stories when I was seven years old. I had a knack for storytelling;I was asked to write a speech for my 5th grade graduation and I won an award for my D.A.R.E essay (also in the 5th grade). I slowed down a bit on my writing in middle school, but picked it up in high school. I excelled in my English classes, especially when it came to creating stories. I was still interested in being a reporter, so it seemed like a natural progression that I would write for my high school newspaper, become co-editor and carry my love for writing and storytelling into college.
<blockquote></blockquote>By the time I got to college, I had not given another thought to becoming a lawyer, but becoming a writer and a reporter were still pretty high on my list. I wrote a lot in college. I wrote the required research papers and essays and I wrote stories too. I wrote a couple of articles for my journalism classes and I believe one of my articles was published, but truth be told, my heart wasn't in it.
<blockquote></blockquote> I listened to others when they said that becoming an author wouldn't pay the bills. I set aside my dreams of being writing books for a living and focused on being a reporter instead. It was still a career in writing after all and that was good enough.
<blockquote></blockquote> Fast forward ten years: I have graduated college, wrote for a local paper for two years and then became a teacher. I still write as a teacher, but it is not what I thought I would be writing (ex.lesson plans, tests, quizzes, writing prompts,projects, etc) nor is it the profession I'd ever given serious thought to pursuing. Interestingly though, when I was in college (perhaps my junior year) I had written a letter to myself asking my future self what career path I would follow and teaching was one of the careers I had listed.
<blockquote></blockquote>Nevertheless, as I look back on the decisions I've made, I've deferred my dream of becoming a writer. There's no getting around that. So now what? What happens to a dream deferred? What has happened to my dream, my love for writing and telling stories?
<blockquote></blockquote>I love writing too much to ever be completely done with it. I have several stories that are in various stages of completion; they are the glimmers of hope that keep me inspired to write. No matter what is going on in my life, I always go back to writing. Writing gives me peace, and an escape from my regular life. Lately, my desire to write is stronger than it has ever been and I want to capitalize on that.
<blockquote></blockquote>I hope to use this blog as a way of reconnecting with my writing and connecting to others who write. How far can this love for words take me?Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-16823822591491210352016-01-11T15:17:00.000-08:002016-01-11T15:17:07.282-08:00Running on EmptyLife is short. Life is precious. Life is hard. Life is...whatever you can make of it. This is the only life on Earth we will have. What are you going to do with the life you have? This is what I have been asking myself. Lately, I have been running myself ragged and yet I don't feel like I am making any progress. Then after a couple of trips to the doctor's office, I finally realized my problem.
<blockquote></blockquote>I have been running on empty. I don't think I can say I am even running on fumes. I am completely tapped out. Nevertheless, I tried to give and give until I was giving...nothing. And I'm exhausted.
<blockquote></blockquote>How can I get back to being full? Life isn't about running on empty. It's about being well enough and well-adjusted enough so that you can enjoy the little moments and get through the tough times.
<blockquote></blockquote> <b>Be Healthy</b>
"Self-care is the best care," as a dear colleague once told me. If you're not healthy, the energy you put out will not be healthy. Try your best to eat enough healthy foods, exercise when and wherever you can, and rest. If you need to and you can, go to the doctor. Don't let minor health issues turn into big nuisances. I probably could've gotten my Vitamin D problem taken care of and avoided feeling fatigued all the time if I had gone to the doctor sooner rather than later and saved a few bucks in the process.
<blockquote></blockquote><b>Do Something You Enjoy</b>
Even if it is something you haven't done in years, revive an old hobby. I love to crochet. I learned how to do it when I was a child. I recently decided I wanted to make a blanket, so I went on YouTube to find some videos on how to make one using the Granny Square patter. I haven't established a time frame on when I will complete my blanket, but when I crochet, I immediately feel relaxed, even if for five minutes. Find something you enjoy and carve out some time to do it.
<blockquote></blockquote><b>Phone a Friend</b>
We're all busy and don't always have time to chat for hours on end, but a phone call every once in a while is okay. One of my closest friends and I try to make it a point to catch up at least once a month. We're both busy with families and jobs, but we still try to talk on the phone for at least a few minutes before our attention is diverted elsewhere. In a world where emails, Instagram, and text messages rule, phone calls can be almost nostalgic, a relic of less stressful, hectic times.
<blockquote></blockquote>This is just a partial list of things to do to keep yourself centered and not running on empty. What are some things that you do or would like to do to maintain balance in your life?Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-17573299366564805962016-01-05T16:48:00.001-08:002016-01-05T16:48:40.114-08:00Create Opportunities...where there are none. It's all about perspective. How we look at our circumstances determines whether or not we can see opportunities, even when it seems there are none to be found. When our perspective changes, we can find new ways of thinking and being. It's about being willing and capable of trying new things. This has been hard for me. I am a creature of habit and I have been hesitant to look at things differently.
<blockquote></blockquote> This month, I am going to take a different approach to how I look at what makes up my life, especially my daily struggles and triumphs. In some ways, I feel like I have already started. I would really like to try my hand at freelance writing. I know it won't be easy, which was why I never attempted it in the past, only talked about it. I would take the defeatist attitude approach, convincing myself of all the reasons why it wouldn't work, thus creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. This time, I'm going to go into freelancing with the mindset that I will look for opportunities no matter what the outcome of this venture turns out to be.
<blockquote></blockquote>Everything that happens provides us the chance to learn and to make changes. Embarking on this journey means that there will be a lot of trials and errors, but also plenty of chances to create opportunities where there are none and learn from the challenging times.
Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-15689721263669058992016-01-02T15:12:00.000-08:002016-01-03T20:57:25.203-08:00Living My TruthWhat does it mean to live your truth? I posed this question to my students about a week before we left for winter break. As with most assignments, some took it seriously, others did not.Nevertheless, I heard some though-provoking responses and was encouraged by what I heard. I had a few students ask me what the question meant. I wanted authentic responses so I asked them what it meant to be truthful and go from there. Many students said living their truth meant living for themselves and staying true to their beliefs.
<blockquote></blockquote>Now that 2016 is a couple of days old, I felt the need to revisit that question and to answer it for myself. What does it mean to live my truth? It means that I finally move past my poor decisions,hurt feelings, and negative attitude so that I can forgive myself, and strive to do better. It means that I stay true to who and what are important to me. It means that I am going to let go of the ideas others have about how I should life my life and live it in the way that is best for me. I couldn't be more thrilled and scared about listening my inner voice and following my truth. It means I will have to embark on some pretty major decisions and stick to my convictions no matter what happens.
<blockquote></blockquote>For years, I have told my students to consider their dreams and do what is necessary (work hard in school, research your career path, etc.) to reach those dreams, knowing I am not even close to living my own dream of being a writer.
<blockquote></blockquote>Life has had a way of forcing me to put my aspirations on the back burner and I can say that for a very long time, I have not been living my truth. I almost spent all of 2015 not doing any personal writing. A lot of my avoidance had to do with adjusting to my new normal of motherhood, working full-time, maintaining a relationship, and preparing for marriage. I almost convinced myself that writing was not my talent and I should just give it up. Though I scoured writing and freelance writing websites and resources was minimally encouraged, it just wasn't enough for me to pursue it.
<blockquote></blockquote>Being a mother, wife,and an educator has taken top priority in my life these days. While those roles are a part of my truth, I have to work on getting back to me. I have gotten lost in the shuffle of roles that benefit others in my life. What do I enjoy? What do I believe? What stories can I tell? What new characters can I introduce? What about my life can I share with others? What new things can I discover about myself?
<blockquote></blockquote>In 2015, I hope to get to know myself again and see how far my talents and my experience can take me.Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-72903009469290133612015-12-30T18:10:00.000-08:002016-01-03T20:57:10.018-08:00On the Eve of New Year's EveSo much for posting regularly on this blog. It seems that almost as soon as I hit publish on my last post, I had forgotten completely about this blog and writing. My last submission was 9 months ago. This may be my last post for awhile, or this could be the genuine beginning of me reigniting my writing. Looking back at previous posts, it is really no surprise that I would neglect this blog. I have done it in the past and past is prologue, right?
<blockquote></blockquote>On the Eve of New Year's Eve, I am taking this opportunity to reflect. I am naturally an introspective person and of course since we are approaching a new year, I am even more so reflective on my life and what I have done with it so far. Overall, my life is good. I have some things in the works and some projects to complete and I am looking forward to finishing many of the things I have started over the years. I have some career decisions to make that will not only effect my life, but the lives of my family members.
<blockquote></blockquote>The dynamics of my family changed in 2015. A year after the birth of my youngest daughter, I married the love of my life. We've been married for eight months and I'm excited for what the future has in store for us and our four children.
<blockquote></blockquote>I have made New Year's Resolutions in the past; one year, I did an entire list of goals that I planned to accomplish for that particular year. I don't even know where that list went and I know I didn't finish half of what I set out to do. This year, I just plan to usher it in and take whatever comes my way. One thing I do resolve to do is to take better care of myself. One of my colleagues told me that "self care is the best care." I CAN'T give my best to all of the people in my life if I am not well.
<blockquote></blockquote>I came across the following list on a friend's Facebook page. I plan to refer to this often as I go into 2016.
<blockquote></blockquote>Twelve Steps for Self-Care
<blockquote></blockquote>1. If it feels wrong, don't do it.
<blockquote></blockquote>2. Say "exactly" what you mean.
<blockquote></blockquote>3. Don't be a people pleaser.
<blockquote></blockquote>4. Trust your instincts.
<blockquote></blockquote>5. Never speak badly about yourself.
<blockquote></blockquote>6. Never give up on your dreams.
<blockquote></blockquote>7. Don't be afraid to say "no."
<blockquote></blockquote>8. Don't be afraid to say "yes."
<blockquote></blockquote>9. Be KIND to yourself.
<blockquote></blockquote>10. Let go of what you can't control.
<blockquote></blockquote>11. Stay away from drama and negativity.
<blockquote></blockquote>12. LOVE.
Here's to 2016!Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-43060251723422908452015-03-05T09:43:00.000-08:002015-03-05T09:43:12.407-08:00Back Again!Wow! After a hiatus of several years, I am back! It goes without saying that so much has happened in the past three years...I hope to get back into the groove of writing again and post regularly. (Ha ha...)
I had forgotten about this blog. But what brought me back? The new found interest this week in Prince and his ability to play basketball.
It boggles my mind how news and gossip sites have taken this non-news story and made it news worthy. None of the articles I have seen have yet to actually say that his childhood basketball photo has been available on the web since at least 2007.
I wanted to expound on this and realized I didn't have an outlet. Luckily, in a misplaced brain bucket (as my oldest daughter calls the places in our brains where we deposit information) pushed back to a corner in my brain, I was able to locate this blog again.
At any rate, I plan to write more about how and why people "forget" what's on the Internet and act like information presented is indeed brand new.
What's old is new again. The Internet has won again.Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-79490435944118444332011-07-26T07:21:00.001-07:002011-07-26T07:32:28.126-07:00Weight Loss BattleI'm losing the battle to lose weight. My weight, while it has not gone up, it is not going down. I know exactly what it takes for me to lose the weight: exercising and dieting, but it's becoming evident that this is much harder for me to shed these pounds. It's also hard for me to face the reality that it's going to take me at least a year to get down to the weight I want. As much as I want to lose weight quickly, I know it's not healthy. <br /><br />It's discouraging, but I'm not going to give up. I'm going to have to work all that much harder to just lose the little bit of weight I plan to lose each week. <br /><br />I need an accountability/workout buddy. I get frustrated too easily and instead of completing my exercise program, I quit and then get mad. I need outside motivation because it's apparent in my lack of progress that doing this on my own IS NOT WORKING!Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-73386818310472729272011-05-28T17:27:00.001-07:002011-05-28T17:32:57.384-07:00Losing PoundsAs I continued to search for a focus for my writing, I've realized that I have a far more serious concern looming. <br /><br />My weight.<br /><br />For the majority of my life, I had been slender. I could eat just about anything I wanted and it wouldn't affect me. <br /><br />Not anymore. Before I gave birth to my daughter, I gained a considerable amount of weight during my junior year of college. When I was expecting my daughter, my weight crept up and stayed up.<br /><br />Now it's time for it to come down. The irony is not lost on me that as a child, I would comment on the pounds that others would need to lose and quite accurately, according to my mother. Mom marveled at my word choice (for such a young child.)<br /><br />"We didn't know where you got that from. He or she needs to lose pounds. Most people say weight," she would say to me. <br /><br />At any rate, whatever you call it, weight or pounds, this chick right here needs to lose them. <br /><br />Lord help!Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-81014057813766631052011-05-09T13:22:00.000-07:002011-05-09T13:33:29.796-07:00Getting it togetherConsidering it has been months since my last post, before I could complete this posting, I had to go back and re-read what I had written.<br /><br />Unfortunately, nothing has changed since that "New Year, New Post" post. I still procrastinate and I still have not decided what I want this blog to be about.<br /><br />The dominant thought I have is to use this blog to share my experiences as a single mother, but that would force me to delve into some issues that are completely unique to single parents and I just don't want to do that. But then again, tackling the tough issues can be beneficial not just to be but to other single parents out there. So, I'll consider that or perhaps I could delve deeper and discuss all family matters; not just those pertaining to single-parent families. <br /><br />Or I could post samples of my writing and ask you all (haha, I don't have many followers) for feedback. Hmm, that might not be a bad idea.<br /><br />At any rate, I just hope it won't be another 4 months before I decide to post anything because that is very well possible. I'm getting back into my writing again and this is one way to stay in practice and to stay sharp. <br /><br />Until next time.Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-60326268265304070082011-01-17T15:08:00.000-08:002011-01-17T15:17:13.322-08:00New Year, New PostI can't believe (well, actually I can) that it has been almost a year since my last blog post. I attribute this delay to of course my propensity to procrastination, laziness and sheer disinterest (like with any new toy, the novelty wears off rather quickly). I also can attribute this to the fact that I am a private person and don't always feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings with strangers. <br /><br />But, I think all of that is going to change as 2011 marches on. I realize that procrastination has to do with a lack of discipline that snow balls into laziness and then an attitude of eh, well, I wasn't all that into _______________ (insert anything here.) As far as privacy is concerned, I don't necessarily see the floodgates opening anytime soon and a complete outpouring of my soul, but I do see this as an opportunity to express myself. With the way the world is, I'm sure I'll have a lot to talk about. I'm still trying to figure out what I want this blog to be. <br /><br />That will all have to wait, however as my little one is demanding her mommy's attention, so until next time!Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-41283292064089829242010-03-03T14:52:00.001-08:002010-03-04T18:09:53.490-08:00A reason, a season, a lifetime...Just as quickly as KFS entered my life, he has exited in the same fashion. Though I'm not exactly sure why, it really no longer matters at this point. <br /><br />The reason why we were in each other's lives was to close a chapter that had been left opened and unfinished for years. That chapter is now closed, the letter has been written and now the reason for us to connect again no longer applies. <br /><br />I'm not sorry that we met at this point in my life and I don't regret that it didn't happen sooner. I don't think I would have been able to handle it in the way that I am handling it now, considering the grand exit that he has made.<br /><br />Meeting my bio-dad put into perspective a lot about me, my past, everything that has happened to me and even how I have been towards others. <br /><br />God put the people in place who were going to stay in my life longer than just for a reason. I'm grateful for what I learned during the brief time he was in my life and wish him the best.Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-71551772057176785752010-02-03T09:47:00.000-08:002010-02-06T18:34:04.038-08:00Miss E-isms (Part II)Here's the latest installment:<br /><br />1. Miss E is hilarious and a little random...she woke up and said to me, "I need to fix your glasses." She took them off of my face, wiped them off, gave them back to me and went back to sleep.<br /><br />2. Miss E: "We get our nails done first, then shopping, OK Mommy?" LOL :)<br /><br /><br />3.While in Wal-Mart: Miss E: "Here Mommy, this will make you feel better!" She hands me a jar of Complete Anti-Wrinkle Cream... thanks a lot... lol.<br /><br />The kid never ceases to amaze me!Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-22344416302703033802010-02-03T06:15:00.000-08:002010-02-03T17:03:12.123-08:00The Unfinished Letter is Finished! (Part II)I could hardly sleep last night because of all of the questions I have yet to ask KFS were tumbling, spinning, and flipping through my head. As it was, I did not get to bed until sometime after 1 a.m. I was that excited!<br /><br />And my excitement has not worn off...I found him and he had been looking for me! I'm still shocked at how all of this turned out. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that after all of these years of searching, that I would really and truly find him. It seemed like one of those made-for-tv movies. What's even more surprising to me is that he wanted to find me and wanted me to be a part of his life and I was, even if I was not there physically. <br /><br />And what unfolded over a five day period was actually 14 years in the making...<br /><br />I was 11 years old when I found out (by accident) that a relative in my family was actually my biological mother and not the woman I call and still call Mommy. I had randomly come across some medical papers that were in the trunk of my mother's car. When I saw them, I didn't put two and two together. I thought this relative was coincidentally at the hospital the same day I was born for a completely unrelated reason.<br /><br />When my mother told me otherwise, I didn't know what to do or how to think. Over the years, I was able to get information about KFS. Throughout high school he was never too far from my mind, but I had no idea where to look, how to look or even if I should. <br /><br />I struggled with this for years and it wasn't until after I finished college and had Miss E did I decided I would search for him and if I didn't find him or if he wanted nothing to do with me, I would put it to rest once and for all. <br /><br />In 2008, I contacted the college he attended, specifically the alumni association office requesting information about him. The woman with whom I spoke told me that they couldn't give out information because of privacy concerns but that she would forward my info on. I never heard anything. Even though I was disappointed, I felt I had my answer. So I left it alone. Until recently.<br /><br />I have a Facebook page and every once in awhile, I tried to look up his name without any success. In late January, I found the college alumni association page and added myself as a fan. I had planned to send a message, telling his fellow alumni that I was looking for him, thought better of it and then decided to go back through the alumni association, only this time, I would just ask for a photo. <br /><br />I sent the same woman I had contacted back in '08 a message. This time telling her a little more about my search, why I was searching, and how that I'd really appreciate, at the very least a photo with him in it. <br /><br />In the meantime, I had asked an area library for a game photo (he played basketball) based on the game dates I gave the historian.<br /><br />I checked my e-mail every day and hadn't heard anything. I told my mom about my search and that I would probably give the woman a week to respond and then send my request to another department on campus. <br /><br />We've been out of school since having a two-hour-early dismissal on Friday and yesterday I had made plans to get ready to go to school mid-afternoon. Before I got myself ready, I checked my e-mail again. And there it was. In my inbox, his name. Right at the top. Being the crybaby that I am, I burst into tears and I hadn't even read the entire message. I didn't know what to think. <br /><br />I called my mom, told her that he had contacted me. I told her that I didn't know what to say to him or what to do. <br /><br />She calmed me down, told me to call him and the rest, they say, is history! Now I just want to focus on making up for lost time and to get to know him.Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-23694451273052995622010-02-02T15:44:00.000-08:002010-02-03T06:15:35.123-08:00The Unfinished Letter...is finished! Today has been an amazing day. I don't even know where to begin, but I have found KFS. He is no longer a mystery to me. <br /><br />More to come...Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-15614702046369949022010-02-01T17:49:00.000-08:002010-02-02T15:43:50.486-08:00Miss E-isms (Part I)So at the suggestion of one of my old college friends(thanks A.B!), I will keep a journal of all the cute, insightful, and hilarious things my daughter says and does. I usually post them in my Facebook status, but what better place than to post them here. So here is the first installment:<br /><br />1. Miss E and I are sitting in the car in the Wal-Mart parking lot and I hear, "Mommy! I'm hot! I want to be cold! If we go to Wal-Mart, we won't be hot!"<br /><br />2. So my kid sat in the front seat, attempted to put the seatbelt on and said, "Mommy, I need the keys." Awesome... :)<br /><br />3. Miss E has the Bible near her and as she was flipping through the pages she said, " I want to read God."<br /><br />4.Instead of going out and playing in the snow (Miss E was NOT interested) we watched movies and talked about her birthday party...that will be in July...lol.<br /><br />5.E-ism #101: "It's too loud, Mommy. I can't hear my mouth, okay?"<br /><br />6.Counting to 20 (According to Miss E)....13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 8,9, 20!<br /><br />7.My daughter is the sweetest...she knows that I'm not feeling well, so she said a prayer over me and she covered me with her coat...absolutely precious!<br /><br />8.Out the mouths of babes... "Look at the water! Look at the water! It's too wet!," Miss E said.<br /><br />10.I love how every song Miss E sings ends with, "Yay!"<br /><br />And more to come, from my awesome little lady!Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-69771104830236173422010-01-26T17:24:00.000-08:002010-02-03T22:15:32.190-08:00P.S. The Unfinished Letter(by the Sylvers)Even though the song is talking about an unfinished letter to a lover, the song made me think of some things in my life that are unfinished. I feel that there is one thing in my life that is unfinished, one of the few things I really need closure on. I just have to that missing piece. I've been searching for that piece (and <em>peace</em>) for 14 years. <br /><br />I know I'll always be a work in progress, but there is something that I want to know about. And once I find it, maybe, just maybe, I can put it to rest.<br /><br />I've sat on it for years and I'm past the stage of worrying about whether or not I will get my feelings hurt or if anyone else's feelings will get hurt, for that matter. KFS, I know you're out there. I just have to find you. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0KniBcbudi8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0KniBcbudi8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-22386213414160989332010-01-24T19:41:00.000-08:002010-01-24T20:08:34.830-08:00Parenthood...was something I wholeheartedly expected to NOT do alone. I had envisioned marrying the man of my dreams in a simpe and elegant church wedding, and then having children. I wanted a "traditional" family life. (BUT I've learned that when you do things the "non-traditional" way, not to expect traditional results!)<br /><br />The trials and triumphs of motherhood and single-motherhood at that, are experiences that have shaped me and forced me to look at things about myself that I don't think I would have had I gone down the traditional route. I had to go through those things in order to better understand myself and what I want for my child.<br /><br />It's hard though because I don't ever want my child to feel like she's missed out on having her Mommy and Daddy together. I don't want her to feel like she's lost something or that something is missing from her life. She didn't ask to be brought into this, so it's my job to make sure that she understands what she can when it's appropriate and that she understands what it really means to be a family.Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5389010268796797200.post-72001986538028635462010-01-23T12:27:00.000-08:002010-01-23T12:52:38.140-08:00First Blog Post<span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> I had been thinking about starting a blog, but couldn't really find a solid justification in doing so. I mean, what do I have to say that would be of any remote interest to anyone? I'm just Allyson (Ally, Al, or AJ to some), nothing special, nothing fancy over here.<br /><br />So I put it on the back burner. And then I thought about the lack of time that I seem to have these days... running after a two-year-old and teaching, when could I possibly find the time to sit down and type something? So today, I stopped over-analyzing, stopped straddling the fence and decided, why the heck not?<br /><br />Who knows, maybe at some point, I might say something profound, something worth sharing and someone could read it and then say something like "Wow. She's got something about her. I wonder what else she has to say. She's really touched me. Amazing." (Ha. Yeah, I agree. Not very likely.)<br /><br />And I guess if you talk to my family and friends, I'm more than just Allyson. I'm a mother, daughter, sister and friend.<br /><br />So here it is, Bird's Eye...err...Bond's Eye View. Take it for what it's worth. It was free. LOL.</span>Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05714046211697855178noreply@blogger.com0