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Dwayne

I started the day yesterday with a very inspiring article about Gretchen Wilson. It was funny actually, because I never usually read or listen to anything at the gym. I like to talk with people there. But when I got to my machine to do some cardio, this magazine was there. And I opened it at the right page to find this article.

Now, if you are not from the United States, or if you are not into country music, you might not know who Gretchen Wilson is. I am not particularly into that kind of music but one of my friends is a big fan, so I knew the name and a couple of songs. Gretchen Wilson is really pretty big on the Country Music scene.

Anyway, much as one could say that she had everything anybody could dream of, there was still something missing: a High School Diploma. You see, Gretchen went through a not-so-easy childhood and she left school in 8th grade. And she went on with her life. Her career picked up and became what it is now and she is doing well for herself. Probably better than most will ever dream of.

But that was still not enough for her. Her fears stopped her for a long time to jump in and go for it but she finally did it. She studied for the GED and finally passed and graduated. There was a very moving part in the article where she tells about wanting to be able to help her 7-year-old daughter with school, and how proud the little girl was when her mom was receiving her diploma. Gretchen said she achieved pretty much all her dreams, but this one was so important.

At the time she was in 8th grade and left school, she didn’t see that. Now maybe she’ll carry on further in her education. She is a talented woman and had a dream and a vision and went for it. And yet, the education part was missing for her. I wonder if you feel that your kids might be thinking the same way she did when she was in 8th grade… and maybe you can point them to Gretchen’s story.

Of course, this shows that it is never too late but, unfortunately, the opportunity that Gretchen had is not what everybody can have. There are way more high school drop outs who struggle on a daily basis than Gretchen Wilson’s who can afford the time and have enough comfort in their lives to just do it. This opportunity is given to all children in this country. There are skills and knowledge that you can gain in High School that are served on a plate for you. Make the most of it! If you can become rich and famous and reach your dreams another way, that’s great. But your education will remain yours and it will always be valuable.

So enjoy your school days, try things out, discover who you really are and get a sense of achievement and pride. It will shape your future!

To Excellence for all, at the best time for all.

Gift baskets: Chances are, the woman you’re after loves variety, especially if it comes in the smoked meat variety. Take some time to figure out what her tastes are, but if you’ve got a general idea of what’s going to please her, look for a gift basket that’s going match what she would buy for herself if she were feeling like indulging herself. Make it something that you can share with her and suggest a picnic. This can be a great way to greet her at the end of a long week.

Comedy: The woman of your dreams probably has a great sense of humor and when it comes to getting closer, you just can’t beat laughing together. If she drives a lot, give her some comedy CDs or tapes, or get some DVDs that’ll get both of you rolling on the floor. Old standbys include Jeff Foxworthy, of course, but check out Ron White, Christopher Titus and Larry the Cable Guy as well. When you want to keep things funny, pop a DVD in and just settle down for a terrific night at home.

Knives: A woman really just can’t have too many knives around. This is a great gift if you take some time with it. Get her something that matches her style and what she’s going to use it for. It should be small enough to fit her hand, and large enough that it’s still going to be useful. If she’s the kind of girl who likes looking after herself, think about getting a good Swiss Army knife, which has plenty of functionality. If you really want to get fancy, have the handle engraved or carved with her initials and the year. If you’re feeling more confident about the relationship, put your name on there too.

T-shirts: Whether she lives in the city or the country, there’s a good chance that she’s got some T-shirts for casual nights or for hanging out at home. She’ll love getting some more to add to her collection, so think about what designs are going to suit your favorite redneck woman. Is she the type to wear the Rebel flag proudly across her chest, or is she going to prefer something that has her favorite drink on it? Earn yourself some extra points and make sure that you get the ones that are cut for women; they’ll flatter her figure and you’ll be doing yourself a favor!