Expectations are a natural occurrence.  One cannot help but have a thought, therefore possessing a preconceived notion how a particular situation will turn out.  It's human nature at its finest.  As much as you can respect that, you must also evolve into the realization that things may not pan out like you had once hoped.  Along with hope, there's also intuition.  And as a side plate, there lies fear and reality.  Fear, at times, will eat away at the strength that our intuition holds.  Then there's that reality factor... what it truly is, what we believe it to be and at times, what we fail to see.   

I did it.  I moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas... just like I had planned.  And as well as the wind blows, things didn't happen how I had once thought they would and above all, I moved here for different reasons. 

Johny and I agreed to be friends, we both had our own valid reasons.  We decided upon this right before he and his band mates stayed a few days on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to play some shows mid-June.  And that visit... oh, boy.  Did that turn out to be a disaster.  The venue turnouts were low, I wrecked my car, behaved like a spoiled brat and drank entirely too much.  To sum it up, I wasn't that good of a friend to Johny. 

Even among all the disaster, we all still had fun.  We all stayed at the trumpet player's mom's house, on 2nd Street in Gulfport... one block from the beach.  Several nights we pranced to the shore for a midnight swim.  Okay... more like a three o'clock swim.  One particular night, it was intermittently raining but we decided to go anyway.  Not even a corner block we made and it began to pour.  Cold rain, at that.  What gave me strength to make the rest of the trek, was knowing that gulf water was quite warm.  As soon as I hit that sand, I ran as fast as I could to that water... and how warm it was!  Out into the gulf, we all watched the lightening in awe.  It had been years since I've had that much fun in those Mississippi waters... good stuff.

With my car in need of professional TLC, my move was held back for two weeks.  Actually, it all worked out for the best.  I had more time to go through my things, throw out what I didn't need, and store what I don't need right now.  I spent more precious time with my niece Daisy, and I'm glad I did.  It tears me up to be away from her... yet something that I need to go through just the same. 

I drove all day Sunday, arriving here just eleven hours after pulling out of Mobile at early dawn.  Got a bite to eat at Common Grounds on Dickson and checked my email while I was there.  Soon after, I went to my friends Jenn and Jeff's place in Goshen where they were all having a wonderful lazy Sunday get-together.  As the sun (finally!) went down a little after 9, the lightening bugs began dancing and prancing all around during their nightly gig and just when their show was beginning to take off, the stars in the skies above never shone any brighter for me to see.  All I could be was mesmerized... and just a little buzzed from the Chilean wine.

For a few nights, I stayed on Johny's couch.  Monday afternoon Johny brought me to a friend's apartment complex right off Dickson St. where there are a few apartments for rent.  For the record, Dickson St. is THE happening street here in Fayetteville.  Ah... just what I was looking for!  Upstairs studio, with hardwood floors, an awesome view and complete downtown charm.  OH! and priced just right for me!  It took two days, but I got it.  I got the quaint but personable, artsy little crib less than a block from Dickson St.  Sweet!

So far, I haven't done quite a bit... trying to calmly blend in, perhaps.  I have met a few cool cats in my area (I already got a bud hook-up, too!), have been invited out a few nights but I must admit, I've been somewhat exhausted the last couple of days.  For one, hauling all my things up, up, up those steps can be very tiring.  Also, I haven't an A/C in my place yet.  The plan is to get a window unit in a few weeks.  For the time being, I am thinking about getting a floor unit from Wal-Mart.  There isn't the humidity like there is down on the Coast, but it's hot just the same without A/C.  Not as hot as it gets back home, thankfully.

As far as the job situation, I'm still in the planning stages of my hunt.  It occurred to me that searching for a job with the upcoming July Fourth holiday, the effort would be pointless.  At least, I'm going with that excuse.  Besides, I want to enjoy our nation's independence.... just like I'm enjoying mine.

current mood: happy

Crosson said he took the money after other supervisors and managers signed off that the federal funds had been spent, leaving him with no way to reconcile account balances or explain why money was still there. He said his former boss told him, "and I quote, 'You're the accountant. Do something with it.' " So he put the money into his own account "while someone could determine what to do."

1. Beets
   
2. Cabbage
   
3. Swiss chard
   
4. Cinnamon
   
5. Pomegranate juice
   
6. Dried plums
   
7. Pumpkin seeds
   
8. Sardines
   
9. Turmeric
   
10. Frozen blueberries
    
11. Canned pumpkin

July 10 – Women Making a Difference

July 15 – Honduras Outreach, Inc.

July 30 – Communities in Schools

July 31 – American Heart Association

All of the above events will be held at the store, 976 Houston Northcutt Blvd. in Mt. Pleasant, from 5-8 p.m.

For more information about In the Bag or to host a trunk show during the month of July, please call the store at 843-388-7292. To design and order a custom bag online, visit www.inthebagshop.com.