We're Moving

There is a "for sale" in our front yard.

For the last few months, Clint and I have talked about moving to Mount Pleasant on the other side of Charleston. It would put me much closer to my job. Plus, the area is nicer. One of the downsides is that the houses are more expensive, so we often tossed the idea around but didn't think we could make it happen.

Our conversations took a more serious turn a few weeks ago and we decided to start looking -- it's free to see what's available in your price range. We found a real estate agent and she's been showing us houses. In an effort to catch the school's-almost-out-so-it's-time-to-move crowd, we decided to put our house up for sale contingent on our finding suitable housing.

It's exciting and a little scary. Plus, this was our first house so I'll be a little sad to leave it behind. But house shopping is fun and we're hopeful we can find something we love soon.

Stay tuned ...

Slow Down, Life

I sometimes feel as if I have lost control of my life. It's just this endless sea of chores, tasks and responsibilities. My weekdays are jammed with work activities. Then my evenings and weekends are full with organizing a regional journalism conference in Athens, Ga., and with teaching my class at the College of Charleston. And I've been doing a weekly Bible study that comes with homework. No matter how much I enjoy these activites, there is always so much to do.

Not to mention there is always a floor that needs sweeping, clothes that need washing, furniture that needs dusting and dogs that need bathing or walking. It's truly exhausting.

So, this weekend I tried to take a little break. I took care of some of the more pressing tasks but managed to squeeze in some couch time. It was a much needed break and I think I might actually be able to start the week feeling slightly rested.

Slowly, I'm trying to take back control of my life.

Dear Dogs and Cats

This came to me from the land of e-mail forwards, which I normally lothe and rarely pass on. But, I found this one delightful and a perfect description of my two girls.


Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -- canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.

The proper order is kiss me, THEN go smell the other dog or cat's REAR. I cannot stress this enough!


To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets
1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3. Are easier to train
4. Usually come when called
5. Never drive your car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't wear your clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children

My Life

American Express has been running a series of ads in magazines in which famous people answer some personal questions. It goes along with the company's slogan "My life. My card."

American Express wants to let consumers know it has a card for everyone's life. I dare say the only credit card that would fit my life would be one that didn't require me to pay back what I'd spent on credit.

But I found the ads clever and admit I paused to read the responses from people like Ellen DeGeneres and Kate Winslet.

So, I decided to answer the same questions here:

My name: Holly

Childhood ambition: fashion designer, beautician, mother of six children, being Miss America

Fondest memory: That's tough. I can think of many but one that tops the list is seeing my husband get a little tear in his eye on our wedding day.

Soundtrack: Just about anything country or the peacefulness of the woods.

Retreat: Camping with my husband and dogs or my backporch in the springtime.

Wildest dream: Winning a Pulitzer Prize

Proudest moment: Graduating with my master's degree

Biggest challenge: Cramming everything I want to do into one day; spending quality time with my God, myself, my family and friends

Alarm clock: is evil

Perfect day: Knowing there is absolutely nothing I HAVE to do

First job: Napoli's Pizza

Indulgence: Shoes, purses

Last purchase: Shoes, iPod armband, Bible

Favorite movie: Dead Poet's Society, Notting Hill, When Harry Met Sally

Inspiration: the people who love me

My life: is chaotic, loving, insane, blessed

My card: is Visa (probably not the response American Express was going for)

Rainy Days and Mondays

You know you're in for a tough week, when you get to work Monday morning and start thinking: "Is it Friday yet?"

I obviously didn't get enough sleep over the weekend. And it was rainy today -- a classic case of "the Mondays."

Professor Fisher's Debut

On Jan. 10, I embarked on an entirely new profession--college professor. I'm teaching a course at the College of Charleston as an adjunct faculty member. My course is Comm 230 - Writing for the Mass Media. It's an introductory level course for students interested in pursuing careers in mass media (print, broadcast or online journalism as well as public relations).

I spent quite a bit of time on the syllabus, determining the assignments, projects and how to test students on news writing and the AP Stylebook. The first day I was incredibly nervous and hoped the students wouldn't be able to smell my fear. I teach two mornings a week and each class has been a little easier. I know most of the students by first name and am starting to see who the more serious students are.

I'm only about 10 years older than most of the students, but they refer to me as "Professor Fisher" and sometimes "M’am," which makes me feel ancient. Despite my lofty title, I can’t help but feel inadequate. Elementary and high school teachers receive years of specialized training. Yet, I graduate with a master's degree and -- presto -- I'm ready to teach a college-level course.

So I'm drawing on my own college experiences and trying to be the kind of professor I liked: interesting, tough, fair. I'm trying to make my lectures engaging, inserting some anecdotes from my own work experience and encouraging class discussion. And I've made the coursework challenging with the hope my students will get a realistic taste of journalism.

I guess I'll see if my formula worked when students complete course evaluations at the end of the semester. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy my new status as "professor."

Back to the Grind

The first couple weeks of January are just so ... well, "blah." The excitement and energy of Christmas has passed. The living room looks empty and sad without the Christmas tree and decorations. Vacations are over. It's back to the grind with a whole year staring us in the face.

Maybe I'm being a little melodramatic, but I always find the first days of the new year a little depressing. I guess it's just tough to get back into the swing of things. On Monday, it took all my energy to drag myself out of bed. I hadn't worked a Monday -- or a full, five-day week -- in three weeks. Oh, 5:30 a.m. came so early.

I'm halfway through the work week and starting to feel a little more normal. I'm sure by the end of next week, I'll be juggling a busy schedule and cruising right along. But for the moment, I'm mourning the passing of another year, another holiday season.

Although, the retailers are already stocking Valentine's Day and Easter candy, so I'm sure Christmas will be here again before I know it.