College and Life

I love the fall. I love the fall for so many reasons. Because the weather gets crisp and cool, and the leaves turn gorgeous colors. Because it's back-to-school time ... time to buy that "back-to-school" outfit and a new pair of shoes. Oh yes, and of course, because of football.

And all of this takes me back to college.

I recently made a trip back to my Alma mater for a weekend of friends, family, football, and fun ... which lead me to reminisce about my college days.

College. What a wondrous time in my life. Four fabulous, life changing years.

Now I can look back, and truly say, that my years in college made me who I am today. Not just the book learning I did, but the friends I made in college. The experiences I had. The adversity I faced. The faith that I found, developed, nurtured and strengthened. All of these things made me the woman I am today. And I feel so blessed for the opportunities I've had, the successes that I've had so far, and God willing, the bright future that I have in front of me.

Life is a blessing, and a gift ... enjoy every moment!

Notre Dame our Mother ... pray for us.

Cheers!

Bridget

Roll Reversal

You spend all of your life learning, and growing, and trying to achieve bigger and better things.

You go to school and learn reading, and writing and arithmetic. Then you pick a specialty and go to college to further yourself in order to reach your goals. You meet someone, get married, and then have goals, together, that you are trying to reach.

And then you start a family.

Suddenly your goals change. You shift from spending 100% of your time on growing your own self, or your partnership ... and place a large percentage of your time into growing your children.

You begin with filling their basic needs: food, clothing, shelter. Then you teach them how to walk, and how to talk. You teach them their ABC's, how to count to ten, how to tie their shoes, and you send them off to Kindergarten to have a teacher continue what you have started.

You watch them progress through grade school, and on to middle school and high school, as they grow into young adults full of their own hopes, and dreams and goals. And one day, you look at your child and realize that all of the sudden ... they are smarter than you are! And though you are deliriously happy with your handy work, you realize that the rolls have been reversed. And though you can still teach them things, now they can teach you things as well.

I was once told that parenting is the hardest job on earth, with which I whole heartily agree - but I also believe that it is the most rewarding job on earth as well.

So all you parents out there ... keep on, keeping on ... there is a beautiful light at the end of the tunnel.

(And no, my kids are not in college, or even high school yet; but already I see an amazing, beautiful light at the end of childhood tunnel!)

Cheers!

Bridget

It's almost Christmas day ... well, in my world at least.

It's almost Christmas day ... well, in my world at least.

Saturday is the official start of College Football.

Yes, I realize, there are games on tonight, but the true "opening day" is Saturday. And in my world, it might as well be Christmas day!!

I'm so excited. College Football opening day for me entails getting up bright and early, turning on ESPN Game Day, and planting myself on the couch for a fun-filled day of football game watching!!

And though I am a tormented Notre Dame fan ... I am still cautiously optimistic about our season. It certainly won't be as bad as the 3-9 year we had a few years back. It may not be a 12-0 year, but hopefully it will at the very least be a 9-3 year! I'll take that over 3-9 ANY DAY!

My dark horse ... jump-on-the-bandwagon team for this year is ... Ole Miss. If you want to read a little bit more about them, check this article out. This kid Snead may end up leading the nation in passing at the end of the year, and if he does, the Rebels are my "dark horse" team for this season to get to the BCS Championship!

:: Ole Miss' Snead emerging as top quarterback ::

Okay boys and girls ... enjoy opening College Football weekend ... and hopefully my present will be waiting for me under my Christmas tree (a Notre Dame win on opening Saturday)!!

Cheers!

Bridget