I was just thinking about the past few years of life and how each year has been full of big life changes:
2011: I graduated from ECU, finally stopped working at Reeds Jewelers, was hired as a third grade teacher at Grifton, made some new work friends (whom I miss seeing everyday).
2012: Engaged to Brandon, planned a wedding ( well maybe that year wasn't as busy as i thought, but planning a wedding was a lot of work).
2013: Bridal shower, bachelorette party, married, honeymoon in Jamaica, applied for Grad school, got into Grad school, quit my job, started school, started working as a sub...whew!
It's crazy how quickly time flies by, in the blink of an eye, everything changes! This year has had a lot of ups and downs for many people, but I guess that is what life is like when you become an adult, unfortunately you have to witness the passing of loved ones or friends, and I feel like I am always seeing sickness. I do not believe in making resolutions because, lets be honest, no one really keeps them. I was reading one of those posts on FB yesterday about real resolutions that people should make, it's probably the first post about resolutions that I actually enjoyed reading. One resolution, it said you should make is, that if you hate your job, you should quit! Glad I could check that one off of my list! Let me make something clear....in NO WAY did I hate going to work, I loved the people I worked with, I loved working with the kids, and I really loved teaching (that's why I sub) but I didn't like that I wasn't ever going to get a real raise, I didn't like being so micromanaged, I didn't like that I felt like I was setting my kids up for failure based on a system I couldn't change. Most days, I felt helpless, and I couldn't do it anymore. I'm not saying a new job would be easier, I am sure that being a librarian has its ups and downs too, there isn't a perfect job, but at least I can sleep at night.
Another one was to value your friendships, I try really hard at doing this, but sometimes I find that life is busy and I forget to pick up the phone to say, "How is life going"? I try to remember birthdays and send cards, that counts, right?
Anyways, the point of this blog is really to say that I have had many blessings this year, and if I didn't wake up tomorrow because the good Lord decided it was my time, I would be okay with that because in reality I have experienced amazing things!
I have been truly loved by my husband, and by my family, I feel like I have made a difference in at least one child's life, I have traveled, and I have challenged myself to do great things. So to all of you, may 2014 bring you another year of happiness, health, and blessings :)
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Family traditions
Let me start off by by saying, " I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas celebration"! You know what I have realized? I have realized that Christmas with my family has not changed one bit, our traditions have remained the same:
1. The kids wake up early ( not human kids yet, the DOGS!)
2. We all grab coffee
3. We take our "places"
4. We do our stockings, and we watch each other in awe at the silly gifts
5. I disperse the presents (this has not changed one bit)
6. We take turns opening one gift at a time
7. Dad makes sure that the music is playing and he takes pictures and or records
I like to keep our family tradition, I always enjoy watching everyone else open their presents, even when I was little. My favorite thing this year, was that we watched all (well almost all) of our previous Christmas celebrations. My parents invested in a video recorder back in 1993, and this video camera weighs about 100 pounds and is as ancient as ancient can get. However, we used it from 1993 to 2000 to record all of our Christmas celebrations and even a few birthdays, ( so basically from the time I was 6 until around 14). We haven't seen them in probably about ten years, or at least I haven't, so I was thrilled when we figured out how to connect the cam corder to the tv so that we could watch the tapes..mind you, we do not have a VCR. The best thing about watching these is that my husband got to see what I was like as a child, and we laughed our butts off, but the best thing was to see how much we have changed or have not changed. Here are a few things I noticed:
1. At the age of six I wanted to be on camera all of the time...look at me, look at me, watch me dance, watch me sing ( I was annoyed with my child like self). I'm not like that at all as an adult, I am very quiet, shy, and modest.
2. My brother was hyper active, he liked to be in everyones business, he basically opened a lot of my presents and I let him. Let's just say I had a lot of patience with him, I never got mad at him, I let him do whatever. I guess this is why I have a lot of patience with kids.... and my brother doesn't say a peep now, he is sooooo quiet (what happened???????)
3. When my parents told me to do something I did it the first time, when they told my brother to do something....they said his name like 100 times...Derek, Derek, Derek...we heard that name a TON in the videos...poor kid!
4. I think it's hilarious that my brother's nick name was Pooter but we called him Poo...hahahaahaha
oh I went by "sissy"
5. It is interesting to see how my interests changed from year to year...when I was little I enjoyed baby dolls, then I played with Littles pet shop, by third grade I wanted books, games and puzzles, in fourth grade I was into music and received my first CD player with CD's ( go ahead and chuckle: Alanis Morisette, Celine Dion, Jewel) and by fifth grade we got Giga Pets, and Barbies ( yes I still played with toys in the fifth grade). My brother pretty much wanted the same types of toys: action figures, big trucks or cars, and video games.
6. After age six I could care less about being on the video, I was patient, quiet, a kind child :D always helping the little brother read the name tags on the presents, and picking up everyones wrapping paper, maybe this is the beginning of my OCD?
7. My brother learned how to ride a bike without training wheels before I did, yes folks, he was 4 and I was 7...I have 0 coordination!!
8. I am so happy that my grandparents are featured in these videos! My Paparoni who died two years ago from lung cancer is in a few of the videos, and it was so nice to see his face and hear his voice, we miss him so much!
9. My dad wore his undies one Christmas...bahaha, Brandon laughed so hard! Then he wore shorty short shorts, dad the 80's are over!
10. My brother inherited his fuzzy caterpillar eyebrows from my mom! Glad I didn't inherit that trait ;0 I'm sure that was the style back then, right mom?
All in all, I am so happy that we can look back at these memories and laugh at each other, that's what family is for, to share traditions! I am happy that my husband can join our traditions, and who knows, maybe one year in the future their will be a little Jones waking us up at 5 am to open presents? For now, we will stick with our pup :)
1. The kids wake up early ( not human kids yet, the DOGS!)
2. We all grab coffee
3. We take our "places"
4. We do our stockings, and we watch each other in awe at the silly gifts
5. I disperse the presents (this has not changed one bit)
6. We take turns opening one gift at a time
7. Dad makes sure that the music is playing and he takes pictures and or records
I like to keep our family tradition, I always enjoy watching everyone else open their presents, even when I was little. My favorite thing this year, was that we watched all (well almost all) of our previous Christmas celebrations. My parents invested in a video recorder back in 1993, and this video camera weighs about 100 pounds and is as ancient as ancient can get. However, we used it from 1993 to 2000 to record all of our Christmas celebrations and even a few birthdays, ( so basically from the time I was 6 until around 14). We haven't seen them in probably about ten years, or at least I haven't, so I was thrilled when we figured out how to connect the cam corder to the tv so that we could watch the tapes..mind you, we do not have a VCR. The best thing about watching these is that my husband got to see what I was like as a child, and we laughed our butts off, but the best thing was to see how much we have changed or have not changed. Here are a few things I noticed:
1. At the age of six I wanted to be on camera all of the time...look at me, look at me, watch me dance, watch me sing ( I was annoyed with my child like self). I'm not like that at all as an adult, I am very quiet, shy, and modest.
2. My brother was hyper active, he liked to be in everyones business, he basically opened a lot of my presents and I let him. Let's just say I had a lot of patience with him, I never got mad at him, I let him do whatever. I guess this is why I have a lot of patience with kids.... and my brother doesn't say a peep now, he is sooooo quiet (what happened???????)
3. When my parents told me to do something I did it the first time, when they told my brother to do something....they said his name like 100 times...Derek, Derek, Derek...we heard that name a TON in the videos...poor kid!
4. I think it's hilarious that my brother's nick name was Pooter but we called him Poo...hahahaahaha
oh I went by "sissy"
5. It is interesting to see how my interests changed from year to year...when I was little I enjoyed baby dolls, then I played with Littles pet shop, by third grade I wanted books, games and puzzles, in fourth grade I was into music and received my first CD player with CD's ( go ahead and chuckle: Alanis Morisette, Celine Dion, Jewel) and by fifth grade we got Giga Pets, and Barbies ( yes I still played with toys in the fifth grade). My brother pretty much wanted the same types of toys: action figures, big trucks or cars, and video games.
6. After age six I could care less about being on the video, I was patient, quiet, a kind child :D always helping the little brother read the name tags on the presents, and picking up everyones wrapping paper, maybe this is the beginning of my OCD?
7. My brother learned how to ride a bike without training wheels before I did, yes folks, he was 4 and I was 7...I have 0 coordination!!
8. I am so happy that my grandparents are featured in these videos! My Paparoni who died two years ago from lung cancer is in a few of the videos, and it was so nice to see his face and hear his voice, we miss him so much!
9. My dad wore his undies one Christmas...bahaha, Brandon laughed so hard! Then he wore shorty short shorts, dad the 80's are over!
10. My brother inherited his fuzzy caterpillar eyebrows from my mom! Glad I didn't inherit that trait ;0 I'm sure that was the style back then, right mom?
All in all, I am so happy that we can look back at these memories and laugh at each other, that's what family is for, to share traditions! I am happy that my husband can join our traditions, and who knows, maybe one year in the future their will be a little Jones waking us up at 5 am to open presents? For now, we will stick with our pup :)
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Puppy Love
Okay, I'm really trying to complete one blog entry per month, but this month has been busy (a good busy). I've been subbing a lot, and grad school is near the end of the semester, which means that I have three final papers/projects due next week. I figured I could squeeze this entry in...Considering that Brandon and I do not have any children, although we hope we can get some good news in the next few months, our dog takes the place of a human child for now. I have had Briley since he was six weeks old, way too early to have a puppy! I believe that most breeders keep puppies until they are 8 to 10 weeks old before they sell them. Anyways, from day one he has been my little joy, I never understood the meaning, "A man's best friend," until Briley came along. I never had a dog growing up, we had cats, and cats are nothing like dogs. Cats do their own thing, and they only want attention when they feel like having attention. Dogs always want love and they are always happy to see you. You may find this post silly, but here is a list of reasons why I love my dog, like I would any other human, see this little guy, has his mom's heart...
1. He has mommy issues, (no really he does), he still suckles things like he would a mother's nipple, but it's so cute!
2. He wakes Brandon up at the crack of dawn to go to the bathroom, and I am convinced that he does this so he can steal his spot on the bed next to me.
3. He is so cuddly.
4. He LOVES EVERYONE, he is the most social dog I have ever met!
5. He barks at animals/people not because he is protecting his territory, but because he wants them to come play with him.
6. When I come home from PetSmart, he digs his head in the bags to fish out his new toys.
7. He prances around the house when he gets his new toy like a little kid getting new toys for Christmas.
8. He's gentle when you feed him food, or in my case, when we share meals...yes, I feed my dog from the table...yes it's bad manners.
9. He doesn't put up a fight when he gets a bath.
10. He always drags his bed out of the bedroom and into the living rooms just so I can put his bed in the couch so he can sleep on it.
11. He wags his tail the whole time while he is on a walk.
12. He has the best puppy kisses
13. He always gives us a kiss goodnight before he makes himself comfortable on the bed.
14. He loves car rides!
15. He's always excited when we come home.
16. When I talk to him, he listens to me and tilts his head like he "really understands."
17. He loves socks, and he will take them off of your fee( but he doesn't tear them up)
18. We call his toys his "babies" and he treats them like that, he does not rip toys open.
19. When he goes to my parents house, he searches the whole house for my brother, mom, and dad. He has to make sure he greets everyone!
20. He loves to bug the crap out of Brandon, and I love watching ;)
So maybe I'm a crazy dog lady, haha, but I really enjoy having my dog, and I really miss him when we are away.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
A Little Piece of Heaven
My husband and I recently went to the mountains for a little get away. I've never really appreciated the beauty of the mountains as much as I did this visit. One of my favorite parts about taking a mini trip is trying out different restaurants. We rarely eat at the chain restaurants in Greenville ( I am pretty sure the only one we do visit is Mellow Mushroom...best.pizza.ever), so it's not much different when we travel.Years ago ( I'm thinking four years) , when I visited the mountains, I ate a place called Coyote Kitchen and had shrimp tacos. I love anything in a taco shell...I could eat tacos everyday and be fine. If the world was going to end, the last thing I want to eat are these shrimp tacos with the cranberry salsa. I like this place because it's fresh food, good food, and the atmosphere is very relaxed. My husband says it looks like "my type of place," I'm guessing he refers to the fact that it looks like a hipster/hippie place. Whatever...I can't help that I'm artsy and like artsy places, which leads me to his comment, "how in the world did you pick me, I'm not artistic or musically talented like you". My response...I enjoy not being with someone who is like me, God planned a great thing!
Enough about my Coyote Kitchen fix, I'll actually refer to why I chose the title that I did for this blog. I have never really paid much attention to the scenery of the mountains, probably because I've visited in the summer and in the winter. In the winter, it's cold and everything is dead looking. In the summer, it's lush, and I can see greenery anywhere. In the f
Enough of my sappy story...the point of this blog... stop and take time to enjoy nature, spend time with loved ones, and especially family. Maybe you believe in heaven, maybe you don't, but we can believe that there is still beauty in this world that can take your breath away.
Monday, August 12, 2013
My day with the "chickens"
Ladies, let's be real, we love our significant others and our family but there is something about being with your friends that is good for the soul. I enjoy being with my husband, I'm sure I talk his ear off and he does a great job of listening...but when you're with your friends, you can talk about everything and anything and they always support you (or at least act like they do) and you can reminisce about the good ole' days---
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with one of my best friends, and for confidentiality purposes, I won't give names. Whenever she blogs she calls her family the "bears" and she has two bears...baby bear is 5 and tiny bear is 2...(this reminds me of the books the Berenstain Bears)..hahaha.
Anyways, upon arrival baby bear does what most boy baby bears do...hide and crawl and try to sneak attack me, total boy! After teaching, I am convinced that all little boys have the same amount of energy and like to do many silly things to bother their little sisters. Tiny bear patiently sits at the table and waits for her food, at one point, she wanted me to hold her..... and who doesn't love to snuggle with a 2 year old....total sweetness!
The bears picked at their food and then rushed to the play place (we were at Chic Fil A) the perfect place for the kids to play and the adults to play catch up! I enjoyed talking to my friend and spending a few hours of girl talk; it makes you miss the moments you used to have pre-marriage and pre-babies when you could just drop your life and go see your friends. It doesn't work like that anymore, we all have our own families to keep up with. We giggled and shared recent stories...sooo soothing for the soul. Best friends are the greatest!
Some of the funniest parts of our visit were with her bears. At one point baby bear enjoyed doing brotherly things to tiny bear like...spitting water out of his straw at her, or trying to sneak attack her chicken nuggets. Tiny bear can totally handle these situations...you go girl! As a child, my younger brother liked to do brotherly things to me too! One time, he took a wind up car and put it in my hair...winding up my hair in the wheels...that was one interesting hair cut! Or the countless times he would put gum in my hair while I was peacefully watching a movie, he laughed about it! Little boys.....
So tiny bear is being potty trained, and at one point, she literally darts out of the play place and guns it for the bathroom....I don't think that Usain Bolt could of out ran that little girl..proud mommy moment for my friend but I was hysterically laughing...GO TINY BEAR!
At the end of it all, my friend thanked me for spending time with her silly bears....I love these little chickens and they keep everything entertaining!
Best friends are the best :)
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with one of my best friends, and for confidentiality purposes, I won't give names. Whenever she blogs she calls her family the "bears" and she has two bears...baby bear is 5 and tiny bear is 2...(this reminds me of the books the Berenstain Bears)..hahaha.
Anyways, upon arrival baby bear does what most boy baby bears do...hide and crawl and try to sneak attack me, total boy! After teaching, I am convinced that all little boys have the same amount of energy and like to do many silly things to bother their little sisters. Tiny bear patiently sits at the table and waits for her food, at one point, she wanted me to hold her..... and who doesn't love to snuggle with a 2 year old....total sweetness!
The bears picked at their food and then rushed to the play place (we were at Chic Fil A) the perfect place for the kids to play and the adults to play catch up! I enjoyed talking to my friend and spending a few hours of girl talk; it makes you miss the moments you used to have pre-marriage and pre-babies when you could just drop your life and go see your friends. It doesn't work like that anymore, we all have our own families to keep up with. We giggled and shared recent stories...sooo soothing for the soul. Best friends are the greatest!
Some of the funniest parts of our visit were with her bears. At one point baby bear enjoyed doing brotherly things to tiny bear like...spitting water out of his straw at her, or trying to sneak attack her chicken nuggets. Tiny bear can totally handle these situations...you go girl! As a child, my younger brother liked to do brotherly things to me too! One time, he took a wind up car and put it in my hair...winding up my hair in the wheels...that was one interesting hair cut! Or the countless times he would put gum in my hair while I was peacefully watching a movie, he laughed about it! Little boys.....
So tiny bear is being potty trained, and at one point, she literally darts out of the play place and guns it for the bathroom....I don't think that Usain Bolt could of out ran that little girl..proud mommy moment for my friend but I was hysterically laughing...GO TINY BEAR!
At the end of it all, my friend thanked me for spending time with her silly bears....I love these little chickens and they keep everything entertaining!
Best friends are the best :)
Monday, August 5, 2013
I could not be a doctor.....
Have you ever wondered how your general doctor is able to figure out what is going on with your body? Every symptom leads to EVERYTHING! I guess they have to go through a process of elimination to really figure out what is wrong. I'm guessing, by now, they are tired of seeing me in there every week with something new going on....and guess what....I'm tired of going in there every week with something new.
I really wish I could press a rewind button and go back to the month of June when I felt like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. However, time travel does not exist, and instead I get to feel like the empty bowl....no cherries...no fudge syrup...and no ice cream!
Sooooo I may be whining a bit on this blog, but you would too!
Where shall I start...with the lumps. So I developed an almond sized lump behind my ear, went to the doctor and he said I had some crazy ear infection thing, so he prescribed me some antibiotics and referred me to the ENT doctor. After the antibiotics were up, I made a visit to the ENT in the beginning of July. Which, by the way, was a very unpleasant visit. The office staff was very unfriendly and gave me a hard time about my last name not being changed on my insurance card, one I thought we had that sorted out, she (this office clerk) proceeded to talk about me and the card to another employee where I could hear it....eeeeekkkk....a little unprofessional. I understand that we have bad days, trust me, I get it! I didn't feel like it was THAT big of a deal to need to tell someone I should get this straightened out...anyways...that's neither here nor there...just a bad experience. The doctor told me it was nothing to worry about.
About a week and a half later my poor stomach was so enlarged I looked like I had a whole football stuck in it, so we (Brandon and I) spent a whole Saturday in urgent care. They took some x rays, did the whole urine test thing, and decided that I just needed to poo...A LOT...laugh it up people! She (this doctor) gave me some crazy meds that are usually prescribed to people with chronic constipation...it made me feel very strange! It made my heart race, shortness of breath, nausea....but it did state that these were side effects so I took all of my dosage to clear up my "little"problem.
Once I stopped taking the meds I didn't want to eat...anything at all...where did my appetite go?!?!?! When I ate something, my stomach felt like little bombs were going off and I would still get nauseous. I like to eat...so when this was a problem...I went back to the doctor, she took blood to check my thyroid, liver, and kidney functions. Everything came back fine....but I still did not have an appetite....my body is dwindling away....seriously I have lost a good seven pounds in a week...not cool people!
This past week (Tuesday to be exact), after a few days of not eating, chest pain, neck pain, and a new little lump on my head...we decided to go to the ER. We actually didn't have to wait that long to get into a room, but once we were in the room we had to wait awhile because they wanted to run MORE blood work. What did we discover???? Nothing...I'm not anemic, electrolytes are fine, liver is fine. So his diagnosis is that I'm experiencing anxiety that is causing the neck spasms...well yea I am having anxiety because my once normal stomach, is not normal anymore! The chest pain could be acid reflux...dude...I have never had bad heartburn or indigestion before. However, I was taking Motrin for the neck pain so it could have built up acid in my stomach, or so we were told. I was not scanned or sonogrammed, instead I was sent home with some acid reflux meds and Valium to relax. Unless you are vomiting, pooing blood, have a high fever, have a broken limb, or are in excruciating pain...do not go to the ER because to them, its not an emergency.( Just to clarify...the neck pain was pretty intense and the new lump scared me.)
I spent a few more days lying around the house eating soup here and there and mainly sleeping a lot...thanks to the Valium. My poor husband has stayed by my side just as miserable because I don't want to do much of anything (lack of energy).
On Saturday morning I went back to my physician and she checked out some more things...thought it could be this...and prescribed more antibiotics.
After being palpated by the doctor, I tried to get dressed up, go get a pedi, and run an errand in hopes that I would feel better. When I came home...I was exhausted...probably because I haven't eaten much of anything. Brandon and I went to eat sushi (which I proudly ate) but suffered those darn stomach aches later. I went to bed early and had to miss fun with friends, but I didn't want to ruin any of the fun. However, I was glad that my poor husband got to get out of the house and join the party.
At this point, I am pretty convinced that I am running an at home pharmacy. My stomach is still not right, I had the bubblies all night long and this morning. I am praying that it is this new medication causing the bubblies ( we all know what comes with the bubblies). My grandparents came and brought flowers and some home made chicken noodle soup. Grandparents are the best! Praying that this course of antibiotics will clear up whatever these stomach ailments are.
For now, I will thank God for a loving husband, a great family, a healthy puppy, and to experience another beautiful day...goodness in the 80's?
I really wish I could press a rewind button and go back to the month of June when I felt like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. However, time travel does not exist, and instead I get to feel like the empty bowl....no cherries...no fudge syrup...and no ice cream!
Sooooo I may be whining a bit on this blog, but you would too!
Where shall I start...with the lumps. So I developed an almond sized lump behind my ear, went to the doctor and he said I had some crazy ear infection thing, so he prescribed me some antibiotics and referred me to the ENT doctor. After the antibiotics were up, I made a visit to the ENT in the beginning of July. Which, by the way, was a very unpleasant visit. The office staff was very unfriendly and gave me a hard time about my last name not being changed on my insurance card, one I thought we had that sorted out, she (this office clerk) proceeded to talk about me and the card to another employee where I could hear it....eeeeekkkk....a little unprofessional. I understand that we have bad days, trust me, I get it! I didn't feel like it was THAT big of a deal to need to tell someone I should get this straightened out...anyways...that's neither here nor there...just a bad experience. The doctor told me it was nothing to worry about.
About a week and a half later my poor stomach was so enlarged I looked like I had a whole football stuck in it, so we (Brandon and I) spent a whole Saturday in urgent care. They took some x rays, did the whole urine test thing, and decided that I just needed to poo...A LOT...laugh it up people! She (this doctor) gave me some crazy meds that are usually prescribed to people with chronic constipation...it made me feel very strange! It made my heart race, shortness of breath, nausea....but it did state that these were side effects so I took all of my dosage to clear up my "little"problem.
Once I stopped taking the meds I didn't want to eat...anything at all...where did my appetite go?!?!?! When I ate something, my stomach felt like little bombs were going off and I would still get nauseous. I like to eat...so when this was a problem...I went back to the doctor, she took blood to check my thyroid, liver, and kidney functions. Everything came back fine....but I still did not have an appetite....my body is dwindling away....seriously I have lost a good seven pounds in a week...not cool people!
This past week (Tuesday to be exact), after a few days of not eating, chest pain, neck pain, and a new little lump on my head...we decided to go to the ER. We actually didn't have to wait that long to get into a room, but once we were in the room we had to wait awhile because they wanted to run MORE blood work. What did we discover???? Nothing...I'm not anemic, electrolytes are fine, liver is fine. So his diagnosis is that I'm experiencing anxiety that is causing the neck spasms...well yea I am having anxiety because my once normal stomach, is not normal anymore! The chest pain could be acid reflux...dude...I have never had bad heartburn or indigestion before. However, I was taking Motrin for the neck pain so it could have built up acid in my stomach, or so we were told. I was not scanned or sonogrammed, instead I was sent home with some acid reflux meds and Valium to relax. Unless you are vomiting, pooing blood, have a high fever, have a broken limb, or are in excruciating pain...do not go to the ER because to them, its not an emergency.( Just to clarify...the neck pain was pretty intense and the new lump scared me.)
I spent a few more days lying around the house eating soup here and there and mainly sleeping a lot...thanks to the Valium. My poor husband has stayed by my side just as miserable because I don't want to do much of anything (lack of energy).
On Saturday morning I went back to my physician and she checked out some more things...thought it could be this...and prescribed more antibiotics.
After being palpated by the doctor, I tried to get dressed up, go get a pedi, and run an errand in hopes that I would feel better. When I came home...I was exhausted...probably because I haven't eaten much of anything. Brandon and I went to eat sushi (which I proudly ate) but suffered those darn stomach aches later. I went to bed early and had to miss fun with friends, but I didn't want to ruin any of the fun. However, I was glad that my poor husband got to get out of the house and join the party.
At this point, I am pretty convinced that I am running an at home pharmacy. My stomach is still not right, I had the bubblies all night long and this morning. I am praying that it is this new medication causing the bubblies ( we all know what comes with the bubblies). My grandparents came and brought flowers and some home made chicken noodle soup. Grandparents are the best! Praying that this course of antibiotics will clear up whatever these stomach ailments are.
For now, I will thank God for a loving husband, a great family, a healthy puppy, and to experience another beautiful day...goodness in the 80's?
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Big Steps
Yesterday, I ran into my team mate at the grocery store (well former team mate now) and it prompted this post.
As everyone knows I made the decision to quit working for the next two years as a teacher and, while at the time, it decided like a wonderful idea, I think that I really miss my job :( Let me create an analogy here.... its like having a baby, you forget the pain of having the baby and only remember the pure joy of holding the baby in your arms for the first time. I've obviously never had a baby, but my friend explained this to me when I asked her how much labor hurt...she honestly didn't remember! Well, that's basically how I feel about teaching-- It was crazy stressful, but I only remember the good times now! I feel like everyone thinks that I hated it..no no no..I have had two very stressful years..but hate is being irrational. The first year was stressful because it was brand new and I had to learn how to make kids behave and learn a new curriculum. This past year was equally stressful because I was planning a wedding, trying to get into grad school, and once again...learning a new curriculum. Now that I have had three restful weeks off from the job, I'm ready to go back to work but, I don't have my job :(
My husband thinks I'm crazy to want to go back to work, but sitting around all day without a thing to do is NOT and has NEVER been my style! I'm a busy body, I can't sit and relax; I honestly don't think I even know how to relax! If I'm not up doing something, I feel like I'm being lazy and unproductive. I really don't remember what it's like to not work...my first job was being a cashier in a jewelry store when I was 17. Then, I was "promoted" to learning how to sell the jewelry and then another promotion to office manager, and finally promoted to assistant manager...I was moving up that corporate ladder (hahahaha). I worked through college, during my internship, and every summer since I was 17.
Yes, I miss my 22 smiling faces who are excited to see me everyday, regardless of my mood. I miss the excitement over planning lessons like teaching Fairy Tales or teaching fractions using pizza! I miss the creativity, especially when writing stories! I am going to miss decorating my classroom for every season and doing all of the fun crafty things that go along with each season (Witch's Brew, Gingerbread Houses, Candy heart graphing.) I will miss Pinteresting new and exciting things to change in my classroom, and I will definitely miss seeing my co-workers and sharing silly stories about our day! Teaching isn't easy, it's stressful at times, and I always worried about how my students were growing academically or how I can fit more time in to do this or that. Although I can't remember what the stress felt like, or how tired I was every night, or how many times a kid pushed my buttons that day, I remember the fun and the laughter, and I know that next year, I will miss having my own class and implementing new and creative things to do.
However, change is good to, and I have to take this next big step and see where it will take us :)
As everyone knows I made the decision to quit working for the next two years as a teacher and, while at the time, it decided like a wonderful idea, I think that I really miss my job :( Let me create an analogy here.... its like having a baby, you forget the pain of having the baby and only remember the pure joy of holding the baby in your arms for the first time. I've obviously never had a baby, but my friend explained this to me when I asked her how much labor hurt...she honestly didn't remember! Well, that's basically how I feel about teaching-- It was crazy stressful, but I only remember the good times now! I feel like everyone thinks that I hated it..no no no..I have had two very stressful years..but hate is being irrational. The first year was stressful because it was brand new and I had to learn how to make kids behave and learn a new curriculum. This past year was equally stressful because I was planning a wedding, trying to get into grad school, and once again...learning a new curriculum. Now that I have had three restful weeks off from the job, I'm ready to go back to work but, I don't have my job :(
My husband thinks I'm crazy to want to go back to work, but sitting around all day without a thing to do is NOT and has NEVER been my style! I'm a busy body, I can't sit and relax; I honestly don't think I even know how to relax! If I'm not up doing something, I feel like I'm being lazy and unproductive. I really don't remember what it's like to not work...my first job was being a cashier in a jewelry store when I was 17. Then, I was "promoted" to learning how to sell the jewelry and then another promotion to office manager, and finally promoted to assistant manager...I was moving up that corporate ladder (hahahaha). I worked through college, during my internship, and every summer since I was 17.
Yes, I miss my 22 smiling faces who are excited to see me everyday, regardless of my mood. I miss the excitement over planning lessons like teaching Fairy Tales or teaching fractions using pizza! I miss the creativity, especially when writing stories! I am going to miss decorating my classroom for every season and doing all of the fun crafty things that go along with each season (Witch's Brew, Gingerbread Houses, Candy heart graphing.) I will miss Pinteresting new and exciting things to change in my classroom, and I will definitely miss seeing my co-workers and sharing silly stories about our day! Teaching isn't easy, it's stressful at times, and I always worried about how my students were growing academically or how I can fit more time in to do this or that. Although I can't remember what the stress felt like, or how tired I was every night, or how many times a kid pushed my buttons that day, I remember the fun and the laughter, and I know that next year, I will miss having my own class and implementing new and creative things to do.
However, change is good to, and I have to take this next big step and see where it will take us :)
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Mother Nature
Today I had plans to spend time with my other best friend Hannah and her children. Hannah has a five year old and a two year old. She has decided to take her kids to many of our state parks this summer, which I really didn't know that we had like thirty of these?!?!?! Anyway, I really don't see much of her because she lives in Fayetteville ( making it hard for me to visit her because B and I share one car), and as many of you moms know, it's hard to travel with kids!
We planned on visiting Goose Creek or Pettigrew to cut back on travel time, but low and behold, Mother Nature hasn't wanted to cooperate! Many of the trails at these parks are closed due to all of the rain that we seem to get everyday..not that I don't enjoy the rain, but it kind of puts a damper on activities that are outdoors. (And might I add that it was supposed to rain today, and it has been beautiful! GRRR) Our biggest fear was getting all the way to the park and it deciding to pour, and no one wants to tell a two year old and a five year old that they can't run freely in the woods...especially after you have chalked them up about exploring and having a picnic!
We ended up canceling...boooo!!! Since the weather is so unpredictable these days, we re- scheduled to go to the Kids Marbles Museum in Raleigh later in the week. When I recommended it she said, "well there might be a TON of kids there, and I don't want you to go into teacher mode!" LOL! Am I really that bad? I think that I worry about kids getting hurt or wandering off probably because I don't have kids...?? She always seems so relaxed while I'm covering my eyes and saying "please don't fall, please don't fall!" I promised to relax....and actually I feel like I am the MOST relaxed on field trips, especially when I brought my third graders to the museum in October..my field trip theory is....keep your eye on your adult at all times, and have fun! Aunt Jecaduh will have fun no matter what :)
We planned on visiting Goose Creek or Pettigrew to cut back on travel time, but low and behold, Mother Nature hasn't wanted to cooperate! Many of the trails at these parks are closed due to all of the rain that we seem to get everyday..not that I don't enjoy the rain, but it kind of puts a damper on activities that are outdoors. (And might I add that it was supposed to rain today, and it has been beautiful! GRRR) Our biggest fear was getting all the way to the park and it deciding to pour, and no one wants to tell a two year old and a five year old that they can't run freely in the woods...especially after you have chalked them up about exploring and having a picnic!
We ended up canceling...boooo!!! Since the weather is so unpredictable these days, we re- scheduled to go to the Kids Marbles Museum in Raleigh later in the week. When I recommended it she said, "well there might be a TON of kids there, and I don't want you to go into teacher mode!" LOL! Am I really that bad? I think that I worry about kids getting hurt or wandering off probably because I don't have kids...?? She always seems so relaxed while I'm covering my eyes and saying "please don't fall, please don't fall!" I promised to relax....and actually I feel like I am the MOST relaxed on field trips, especially when I brought my third graders to the museum in October..my field trip theory is....keep your eye on your adult at all times, and have fun! Aunt Jecaduh will have fun no matter what :)
Saturday, June 22, 2013
New Beginnings
I have recently had some friends start blogs and say "goodbye" to Facebook, I thoroughly enjoy reading blogs because you really get to keep up with someone, rather than read a FB post. So I will join the world of blogging, however boring my life may be, and eventually say "goodbye" to FB :)
Last night I had to say goodbye to one of my best friends, while some of you may think this is silly to blog about...its never easy saying goodbye, even if you're 26 years old! I realized that she was my last standing best friend still living in Greenville, everyone else moved shortly after graduating college. But, she isn't moving to another city within North Carolina....she is moving far far away...to California! So it sparked this blog title...new beginnings.
We both stuck around this city to join the teaching world, we both became third grade teachers, and we both leaned on one another to share our "adventures." I think we both realized that we needed a change, our hearts were not dead set on living here, in Greenville, for the rest of our lives. Our hearts weren't in teaching anymore; we needed a new beginning.
A new beginning always means a new adventure....and an adventure this year has been for me. I got married ( oh yeahhhh), Brandon ( my husband) will begin a new job in two weeks, and I quit teaching to go to graduate school full time.
My maid of honor, my best friend, is traveling across the country to live with her brother and find a job in California (Berkley area). NOW THAT'S AN ADVENTURE! I'm excited, sad...sad... did I say sad? It's the end of our Panera dates, beach dates, game nights, our singing along to bands of the 90's, and endless talks about our jobs. Now, we will be left with Skype, and I will get to listen to all of the wonderful and adventurous things she is doing. I know it's the best thing for her, but I sure am going to miss her! As we parted ways last night, teary eyed,
she said, "keep me informed about any baby news!" Silly girl...there won't be any babies anytime soon :)
I wish her the best of luck and hope to visit soon, goodbyes stink, but I hope that this year is filled with adventures for her, and new friends for Brandon and I!
Before my husband, there were my best friends....reminds me of a song I learned in Girl Scouts ( haha, yes, I remember it) "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold. A circle is round, it has no ends, that's how long I want to be your friend."
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