Funerals bring out the best and worst of us.

Shortly after my last post, probably a few minutes after it actually, I received the call from my mother informing me that my great grandmother passed away. I shed a few tears, but she wouldn't want me to cry. Studying for exams and finishing up assignments wasn't the easiest thing in the world. However, I woke up Monday morning with a hopeful mind that the day would be sunny. It would only be proper to have a sunny day after Memaw Lucy was in Heaven-God had waited 88 years for his devoted servant to return to him. However, I received an email an hour after I woke up that placed a heavy cloud over my mood. After waiting for weeks to find out when   my financial aid would be available, someone finally decided to inform me that I was not eligible for summer aid. That would have been something to let me know before I began Maymester. Luckily, my dad said to just forget about it. Now, he's stuck with my bills for the summer, and I am slightly ashamed about it. I've prided myself throughout my college years to support myself and live off of my aid and my paycheck. I may have had to borrow here and there from my dad, but it was never this much. And then the exams began. And then we had to find another funeral dress because the one we chose previously had short sleeves. And then I had to get gas and pack and get Millie settled. It was a miserable Monday. But laying in my bed that night, I was glad to be in Weir and in the bed I've slept in for years.

Tuesday night was the visitation. Ironic that my best friend's dad owns the place, but it made it oddly comforting. Mr. Terry was all smiles and hugs. I thought I was going to follow my Memaw Lucy to Heaven when he introduced me as his future daughter in law to one of his employees. The man looked at my hand for an engagement ring and only found a very red-faced girl. I'm really going to have to talk to Trey about his dad. People will see me with Alex and think me a two-timing, cheating person when that is certainly not the case. Anyway, Alex came to the funeral home and met my family. I would say that he didn't have to come...but in all honesty, he kind of did. In a moral sense at least.  He met my mother's side of the family (definitely not how I envisioned it), and he is finally in the clear to attend Kayla's wedding this December. I just hope my family doesn't always associate him with "that guy that Chelsea brought the Memaw Lucy's visitation". How perfectly awful that would be! However, I was so thankful to have him there, holding my hand. It was a comfort. I was in such a stressed and ill mood, but he still stood by me. I love him so much! Just as we were about to leave, Trey also came to see the family. Afterwards, me, Trey, my mom, and my dad all went to Sonic for a late supper. We were kind of starving. It was great to sit back and laugh though. Trey is truly a fantastic friend. He managed to put everyone at ease and make my momma smile. I have such a wonderful life. A family that supports each other, a boyfriend that loves me, and a best friend that I can always count on to be there.

Wednesday was the funeral. It was harder than I expected. I made it through Amazing Grace, but when my sat next to my brother and saw him cry...I cried, too. I'm okay at events, funerals, weddings, etc...as long as someone I love doesn't cry. I tried to see Alex after the funeral, but that didn't go quite as planned. In fact, the stress of school and my sadness of my great grandmother's death made me feel quite hopeless. When things didn't go as I wanted and needed them to with Alex, all hell broke lose.

Thursday and Friday were better. Saturday, Alex met the Collins clan. I do believe they liked him. Hopefully, he'll be around my family more, and they can see him as I do. A sweet, loving, calm, very put-together person....the perfect balance to their loving, crazy, quirky, all-over-the-place Chelsea.

It's now Sunday-a week since my great grandmother passed. This past week has been a roller coaster. Hopefully this one will be smooth sailing, but I'm not promising anything.

Although I know neither one of them will read this, shout out to two of the most important guys in my life. Alex, you're an amazing boyfriend that has changed my life and healed my heart. Trey, you're the best friend I could ever have and I appreciate you more than words can say.

I love and miss you Memaw Lucy. Keep them rocking in Heaven and say hey to Grandaddy. You've taught me more than anyone that love is

Love,
Chelsea Leann.

As the semester comes to a close...wait, what?

Maymester is truly a semester...squished into two weeks. Two very long long weeks! Four hours of library time in the morning, six hours of class in the afternoon, and two hours of library time at night. My life 8-8 every day. But tomorrow I have exams and then I'm done with school until June 1...it's not a very long vacation, but I'm going to enjoy it.

On the downside, my great grandmother, Vassie Lucille Ramage Jenkins to be properly said, is about to pass away. She's 88 years old, born 1922. She worked at a fabric factory and lived through WW2, Vietnam, Korean War, and everything else that's happened since then. Sad thing is, she has Alzheimer's and can't remember much. She's amazing though. She used to always sing. It wouldn't surprise me if she knew every hymn ever written. She eloped with my great grandfather and didn't tell her parents for two weeks. She stood up for her family and was a strong woman. I'm going to miss her once she is gone, but I won't ever forget her. I've been practicing Amazing Grace on the guitar like crazy for her funeral. I guess that's my way of saying an official goodbye.

It's kind of heartbreaking but relieving at the same time. Death is never easy, but it's not a tragedy. Life is short, but Heaven is forever. And I can't be sad that my great grandmother is going to paradise after working so hard here on earth.

Love,
Chelsea Leann

Maymester

Hello everyone! So for the first time ever, I'm taking classes and not having to rush to work before or after. My classes were scheduled to go from 9-4 but have recently changed to go from 12-6. However, there's a lot of homework to do, so I can use my extra time for work. In fact, I have two tests tomorrow. That's craziness, but I love it. Because by Friday of next week, I'll be finished with these two classes! Kind of. It's a weird little system. However, I am  currently borrowing a teacher's science book, because financial aid hasn't come through yet. That's embarrassing, but I feel so bad asking my parents for even more money. I just hope it comes in soon. I've called the financial aid office twice, and they keep saying that they're working on it. It's just an aggravating process when everyone else has been awarded their stuff and I'm left hanging.

I've been a little crazy lately. Mood swings of a giant, cupcake cravings, and I have way too much energy. Poor Alex has been get the brunt of the stuff, but I'm glad he's sticking by my side.

Anyway, I'm off to get ready for class. Have a great day!

Oh, and Alex, I love you.

Chelsea Leann

First Weekend as a "SENIOR"!

Well, this weekend has been spectacular! Well, atleast yesterday was. And by yesterday, I honesty mean from 3-7, because before 3 was absolutely terrible. I had to take the dreaded Praxis 2 (CIA and PLT) and for some reason scheduled it all in one day. If you have to take it in the future, don't do it! Not because it was difficult, because it truly wasn't. It was the people and the scheduling. Goodness me, it took them forever to let us in the room, forever to hand out the test and answer sheets, forever to tell us how to fill them out. For instance, the first test was scheduled to begin at 7:30, with us showing up about ten minutes early so that they could check us in. They didn't let us in until 7:45. By the time everything was handed out and filled out, it was 8:30. I finished at 9:30, but we had to stay until the end (bummer). The second test was set to start at 10:45, but we didn't get in the room until 11, and didn't start the test until 11:20, and didn't get out until 1:20. My afternoon plans were just thrown all out of wack. But, my afternoon. Well that was an adventure!

Amy came roadtripping with me to Kosciusko to the Natchez Trace Festival. We got there at three and I was quite ashamed. I had talked about the festival all week, remembering things from when I was a small kid, how fun it was and how many booths were around. We get there and there are probably fifty booths, all packing up to go home. In the old days (am I really already saying that?) the festival went on into Saturday night. But, I did get my mother a present for Mothers Day. Amy and I then went in search of Alex. She finally met him! I was very excited for my best friend and boyfriend to meet. 10 months in the making! We all went to the station, hung around, and then Alex took Amy and I to El Rodeo for some Mexican! Amy's Assessment: Pass! Well, I mean, Alex passed her approval. Now, he just has to meet Kayla and he's pretty much set for the friend area. That sounds like I only have two friends, but it's just those two that I really hang out with outside of school. But YAY for Alex meeting Amy!

Amy and I were supposed to lay out today, but it was cloudy :( However, it is important to be thankful for what I have. After seeing the destruction of the tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, Smithville, and East Webster, I am terribly reminded of last year's catastrophe in Yazoo City and Chester, MS. I am also thankful for my 4 A's! I am wating on TWO more grades to be posted so I know the verdict of the semester. I am slightly terrified, as one of my teachers has only given us one of twelve grades all semester. She's a terrible grader and if I could redo her evaluation, I would give her negative feedback, indeed! It's ridiculous for her not to grade our papers until last minute. She did not even come to class for about five weeks. It was just one thing after another. So far, she has a project to grade, a final paper to grade, a portfolio to grade, and something else that I'm not even sure of. Dr. T, if you read this, please get your butt in a hurry to grade those! That's the only class I'm really worried about, because of a mishap with a missed test...and all those missing grades. This class could possible result in a C (even though I worked very hard). In the instance that it DOES turn out to be that low, I will hauling tail to Memphis to argue with her! This is a class that I absolutely CANNOT make lower than a C in. I am ready for her to post! AH!

So here I am, cuddled up with Millie, wishing Alex were here. But, sadly, he is not here. Last day of work for two months is on Wednesday, then four days of freedom before super summer session starts. Pray for me!

Love,
Chelsea

If one more of my friends pops up pregnant, I am going to personally start handing out safe sex pamphlets. Just saying.