generousity is abounding in my life.

My beautiful friend Jackie got married this weekend.  I had the wonderful opportunity of enjoying the celebration.  It was a beautiful day. 

I also used the trip as a convenient excuse to visit another good friend Shannon, and her husband Andrew and their new baby (about 6 weeks) Erik.  I enjoyed talking with Shannon (before she got married and we were both poor and single, we used to talk on the phone all the time, we had the best conversations!) and then holding Erik on Sunday - he was soo good and made the cutest noises.

Baking up to Friday night - I had plans to go with a friend to see The Producers at Starlight.  It was meant to be, because another teacher offered me 2 tickets to the show, 2 dinner tickets and a parking pass.  SCORE!  So we enjoyed dinner and a show - all for free.  It was a wonderful production from here in KC.   Talented people and of course the funny wit of The Producers made it a really enjoyable night.  The teacher that gave me all the free tix, actually ended up using her other two tickets for her and her husband, so we got to see them there and enjoy the show with them.  I felt so bad that she gave me their dinner tickets and parking pass.  But, at the time she didn't know she was going so I'm trying not to feel too bad about it.

On Saturday, before I drove up to Nehawka, NE, where the wedding was (at Slattery Vinyards) I shopped til I dropped.  Since I was going to the wedding alone, I thought I needed a new outfit.  Here's my reasoning for this: 1.  If you feel like you look good, your more confident, and 2. ya never know who your gonna meet at a wedding and I firmly believe in putting forth your best look on a first meeting.  So I went to Kohl's, hadn't been there in forever, and found a ton a great stuff on sale.  I bought the above shown items:  Dress (about $23, necklace $8, earrings (+2 others) $6,  a pair of sunglasses for $6....awesome deals!  I love the dress.  Plus it came with a very cool belt that I can use with other outfits.  I did some other shopping, which felt good although I'm sure in a few weeks, I'll wish I hadn't been so spendy.  However, in a few weeks when I don't have any money, I will at least be able to drink my dunkin' donuts french vanilla coffee in a really cute new coffee cup and think about all the things I could be doing had I not splurged on those things.  All this shopping was reasoned by finally getting my steps raise, although it's not a raise - just up to pay where I should be because we had a pay freeze for 2 years.  So I have a bit more every month.  I thought I should spend it on goodies for myself, rather than be sensible about it. 

Fast forward to Sunday afternoon, my mom called and said she'd treat me to a pedicure!  My toes look gorgeous.  Bright and purple-y.  It was such a nice spontaneous treat.  And so much fun to do with my momma. 

I really can't believe my good fortune of a weekend.  It was just the best.

hrmph

I'm overwhelmed, underwhelmed, too busy, bored, and not finding the balance in my life that I had this summer.

I'm missing the sincere happiness that I felt too.  This was my fear!  I've been working out everyday, thinking that will bring it all back into place, and it helps, but it doesn't do it all. 

Here's some good things going on:
-one of the 6th grade reading classes is falling into place
-volleyball is going to be exceptional
-I'm still working out everyday :) 
-my screen door rawks!  I love having it, can't wait for the front one.
-Fall is coming, I can feel it.
-tomorrow is a new day
-tomorrow is also payday

Glee Flash Mob in Kansas City

A new year

The school year of 2010-2011 has begun.  This year feels different.  My job is just my job.  My real passion right now lies within me.  I have had so much fun this summer evolving my lifestyle, and working on my own issues that I'm going to continue with that.  When your job is your passion and everything your life revolves around, it's hard to make yourself your passion.  I was kind of surprised as today crept up, no drama, no freaking out, no anxiety...it's just a job.  And what's even weirder (to me) is that I have no doubt that this year will be my most successful in all areas (paperwork, teaching, test scores, coaching...etc.).  I know that I will have everything done in a timely matter and that I will manage my time to get it done.  I also know that I will manage my time so that the areas of life that are important to me, working out, being active, making good choices when I eat, will happen successfully.  I was kind of concerned about keeping up my happiness level and keeping the low stress level. But after a day, I just know - it's a job.  There's nothing to stress about, because the important part of life is the life I've started to live.

Race for the Cure

 

The first memory I have of cancer is during my time at Mid Continent Council of Girl Scouts.  As a Membership Development Director, I managed somewhere around 300 ladies.  I don't remember names.  But I remember moments.  And I remember walking into a volunteers house, she was the kindest, honest, and genuine person, and I walked into her house on a visit after she had been diagnosed, been through some treatment and had a mastectomy.  I don't remember a lot of details, but I remember her strength and positive attitude.  It could be that I encountered cancer way before this, I just don't remember or didn't know, don't be offended.  There has been several other individuals in my life that have had cancer, their fight was strong.  I think it's always important to remember the fight, the strength, the amazing attitude.  It's humbling.

I am still pretty speechless about the event today.  There were so many people.  I really was pretty emotional for the beginning of it, I think because of the amount of people everyone was walking for.  One girl was walking for her self and she as only 27 years old.  It's really motivational to continue to keep myself in better health and be active, also to not let life pass me by.  

I think we'll try to have a team next year.  Please join - this is an experience everyone will want to have at least once in their lifetime.  KC raised over a million dollars today.

check this out.

I've been toying with the idea of doing a wordless blog for a year - just pictures.  What do you think? 

what is this?

I woke up today and immediately felt the imminent feeling of doom.  I no longer felt the easy going, what-am-I-gonna-do-today feeling.  Where did this come from?  Why am I feeling it?
I can only conclude that as time lessens before I go to work (which I'm not dreading, or fretting) that this feeling could get worse.  It's affecting everything.  My decisions are no longer made with the clarity of a substantial mind.  Everything feels shuffled around like I can't get ahold of it.
I'm unsure of whether I need to go to the gym or take a nap.  There's too much going on this weekend to allow me to feel this way.  I don't really get where the feelings are coming from, because work is work - I'm not worried about it.  I am preparing for it, but at this point, it's a no brainer for me.  So nothing to sweat, nothing to worry about, no reason for the feelings of imminent doom.