Playing catch up

So, once again, it's been a while....

Jason said, "Um, so are you not writing our family blog anymore because you're going back to work?"

Truth is-- I'm thinking of a blog post as we speak for my professional blog... (required piece to the puzzle of working here)-- I'm stuck and over-analyzing what I'm writing *shock* so I decided to take a break and go back to my first love--- my PERSONAL blog :)

What's happened since the beginning of July??

TONS.

We went to Colorado.  Post and pics to come.

I've been back at work since August 6.

Jack transferred to a new school.

Sarah started 5th grade, and she is definitely acting like it's her senior year in elementary school.

Caroline is in 1st grade.  She has the same teacher Sarah and Jack had so it's kinda like revisiting an old friend when I get an email from Mrs. Salmon.

We have a babysitter in the afternoons.  The kids call her their nanny because it sounds fancier.

And... I'm tired.

The most tired I've been since my babies were little.

But... I'm so happy!

The happiest I've been in a long time.

This is the best first week (with kids) of a new job I've ever had.  I have no idea what I'm doing most of the time.  I'm winging it, faking it til I make it, and learning as I go.  But I feel so supported by the staff that I'm not scared to ask questions or mess up.  It's incredibly freeing and empowering to work in an environment like this.

................

Huge milestones today--

I got my very first parent phone call.  So exciting :)

I even ventured into the lounge today and ate with other people. Super proud of myself :)---

The past 3 days I've eaten at my desk. Partly because I've been busy.  Partly because I didn't have anything to heat up so going to the lounge seemed unnecessary.  And partly because I still feel new and was scared to eat with everyone else.  Very "new girl in the cafeteria/ Do you mind if I sit here?" type feelings.   But I pushed myself to be brave enough to commune with others. ;)

Yay me!!

One of my biggest parenting fails

 Good grief! It's been a while since I've blogged.  I've said it before and I'll say it again... I like this therapeutic rambling journal I call "my blog".  So I hate when I'm too busy or tired to log on.

 

Weeks ago I alluded to this parenting fail.  I have a million fails every week, but what makes this one particularly bad is that I thought I was a parenting hero... until reality and humility smacked me upside my head.

 

Here's the scoop...

 

Caroline came home from school and asked if she could write her friend, Taryn a letter and mail it to her.  (Taryn lives about 100 yards away, but who doesn't love getting mail, right?!)

 

Sarah has mailed letters before.  Jack has mailed letters before.  This is not an unusual thing for my kids to want to do.  

 

So I said, "Sure!"  And then probably went outside to work on my tan. 

 

Which brings me to this point... With each kid, I'm more exhausted and seemingly less tuned in.  It's not ok, I know.  But the lines of "laid back parent" and "bad parent" get reeealllly blurry by Kid #3. 

 

When Jack and Sarah used to write letters to their friends, I would read them before we sent them off.  Now when Sarah has an issue with school that she needs to address with a teacher, I encourage her to email her teachers.... BUT the rule is: "You can't hit 'send' until I've read the email." 

 

But when Caroline decided to write a letter, I gave her a marker, a piece of paper, an envelope and a stamp. What is wrong with me??

 

She asked me to write Taryn's address on the envelope.  So I took it from her and did just that-- addressed the envelope.  Without a care in the world about what was INSIDE the envelope.  Seriously WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

 

Look how sweet the back of this envelope was.... 

 

 

 

 

Taryn is Caroline's best friend. 

"Love Caroline" on the outside of the letter. 

Let's put this thing in the mailbox.

 

 

Around 7:30, I partially awoke from my bad parenting stupor and had the wherewithal to ask, "Hey, Caroline, what was in that letter that we put in the mailbox?"

 

Caroline said, "It was an apology letter.  I was mean to Taryn at recess, and I wanted to say sorry."

 

My 5 yr old....  My sweet, precious, 5 yr old ANGEL BABY.  Writing an apology letter.  Taking responsibility for bad choices and making it right.  I'm fairly certain I wiped a tear from my eye.

Dang, I've got some sweet kids.  Must be my all-star parenting.  I. am. AWESOME.

 

A few minutes later, Caroline asked if we could pull the letter out of the mailbox. 

 

Ok, now I'm WIDE AWAKE from my bad parenting stupor.  I give her that squinty, Mom look.  You know the one.  The "what's going on?" look.

 

But otherwise I played it cool.  "No problem! I'll go get it right now."

 

I went out to the mailbox, pulled the letter out, and opened it.

 

 

 

"Thanks for ruining my friendship.  Mean Fat Taryn.  Love, Caroline"

 

The "Love Caroline" throws me.  I need to teach her to commit to the anger.  And while I appreciate the darkness of the black heart-shaped butterfly, it is still smiling. And colored a pretty purple. ;) Kidding 

 

Y'all.

 

I had addressed this envelope.  Taryn's name and address were in MY handwriting, implying-- of course-- that I knew exactly what this letter was and that I fully approved sending it.  (Because most parents WOULD know what was in the envelope.)

 

I was embarrassed about how BAD that would've been if the mailman had delivered it.  Horrified that I had fallen asleep at the proverbial parenting wheel.  And angry that Caroline would write such mean things, especially when I thought she had been writing an apology letter.

 

And THAT'S when the REALLY big whammy hit me.  Not only was she not writing an apology letter, my "sweet angel baby" had looked me in the eye and lied with an elaborate, yet convincing, cover story.

 

An apology letter because she had been mean to Taryn at recess???  I mean, that took some thought.  It's not an "Oh it's a picture" lie.  It's a lie with a backstory to make it more believable!!!

 

Yikes!!!

 

I laid into her.  And I was deservedly knocked off of whatever arrogant pedestal I had put myself on for the last several hours.  And was reminded.... DON'T GET LAZY.  Don't "dial it in" and assume that the kids are doing the right thing. 

 

My mom always says, "Trust. But verify!"  No joke.

 

Caroline has always kept me on my toes. And this is no exception. 

 

.........

 

P.S. Sorry about the dirty fork in the second picture. I was sampling a red velvet cupcake just before I decided to blog.

 

 

 

 

 

What a crazy week!

Long time, no blog. This has been a FULL week. 

On Monday, I went to my new school, got the key to my office :), and took a tour of the building.  I CAN NOT express in words how much I love my principal, the people I've met so far, and the idea of being the K - 2 counselor.

No words.  Honestly.

I'm nervous, but I think it's a "healthy" nervous.  I feel so supported already and was met with a thousand "We're so excited you're here!"s.

...................

On Wednesday, I met to discuss decorations for Vacation Bible School.  Thrilled to help out and NOT be in charge.  Sometimes it's fabulous to be an Indian rather than the Chief. 

Am I right?

On Wednesday, I also got an email that Caroline had been selected to receive the Principal's Proclamation Award for the last 9 weeks.  So proud of her!!!  She's a great kid!

....................

On Thursday, I got an email from Jack's teacher that he has qualified for Math Rocks.  Math Rocks is a pull-out Math program in which, essentially, students can complete college math (depending on their intended majors) before they leave high school. 

High School Honors Algebra and Honors Geometry are completed by 8th grade. 

The University of Texas at Dallas developed this program.  And they offer dual credit to these kids starting in 9th grade.

Math Rocks is for incoming 4th and 5th graders, but they will invite incoming 3rd graders, like Jack, into the program if they are more than 3 standard deviations above the district mean on their Math MAP scores.

(I read "blah blah blah" when I read that last sentence, but in reality, it means Jack is in the top 0.3% of 3rd graders in Plano ISD when it comes to Math.)

He was SO EXCITED to qualify.  We were excited for him!!!

The catch?  He has to transfer schools.  From Barksdale to Brinker. 

Brinker is a FANTASTIC school five minutes away from us.  But my sweet Jack doesn't like change.  Who would really want to switch schools halfway thru elementary school??

So then the internal angst starts for me as his mom....  Should I force him to transfer and seize this opportunity?  Does it really matter if he's challenged and accomplishes all he's capable of accomplishing at such a young age?

And then I thought of Shelton.

A private school for students with learning differences. I know of at least 3 families who, without hesitation, pulled their children from their home schools to give them an opportunity for an education more tailored for them.

So yes.  Jason and I have decided to have Jack transfer schools.   This is an educational opportunity we don't want him to forfeit.

And school is his sport. 

Parents don't hesitate to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on private coaches and special equipment for students who show athletic promise.  Why should I hesitate to allow Jack to be pushed (for FREE) to his full potential when he's showing academic promise?

................

Next year will be a big year for all of us.

I will be working full time.  I will miss Meet the Teacher and Open House for my kids.

My kids will be at 2 different elementary schools. 

Jason will have to step up in a BIG way to make all of the logistics work.  (And he's willing and able to do just that!)

We have hired a babysitter to help every afternoon after school.  I've NEVER been away when the kids are home from school.  Big difference!

..................

But can I tell you.... AGAIN... that I'm excited?!

I'm excited that we're all growing up as a family.  We're taking chances and seizing opportunities that we've worked for.

I'm relinquishing control to Jason and our babysitter....  (That's not easy to do, by the way!)... but is healthy for me and positive for Jason. 

He deserves the chance to be "fun dad".  And the dad that is here when they're sick.  The dad that volunteers for field trips and the first one to find out about report card grades.

He's willingly handed all of that over to me for 10 years.  But I'm not so sure he really understands what he's been missing while he's worked VERY hard to provide for us. 

Now-- we share responsibilities like never before. 

I help provide.  He helps with the kids.  And I think he's going to appreciate what I've been through the last decade a lot more...but he's going to LOVE those kids in a new way too.  I'm excited for him!!

And I'm excited for me!! I'm earning more than ever before! I'm going to be doing something I love! I'm going to respect what Jason's been doing for the last decade like never before.

BIG changes for the McGlamerys are ahead!!

But change is not always bad. :)

our annual birthday boy dinner

 

Thanks,  Mom and Dad, for taking us to another AMAZING dinner.  This time at Nick and Sam's.

Such a great night! As always.

 

 

 

 

 

Overnight road trip

Mom, Hil, and I are on a girls' trip to College Station.

While walking around, we passed this law office next to the Northgate bars. Hil took pictures of the signs.

"Having more fun than the law will allow? We provide a reasonable doubt for a reasonable fee."

Haha!!!

Chilifest is one of the big annual parties here. I love that he's running a "Chilifest special. Reduced rates on any Chilifest related arrest."

He reminds me of Saul Goodman from "Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul".

College towns are the best!

This folder contains a copy of my offer letter and all information regarding being a new PISD employee.

Eek!!! :)

And I took my picture for my badge today. First school badge since 2005. :)

I'm back in the game, baby!  And crazy excited about it.

I got a job!!

I'm signing paper work with Plano ISD this week!

I've accepted a shared position with Christie and Thomas Elementaries.  

I will be the 3rd - 5th grade counselor at both campuses.  Their current counselors will stay on board as the K - 2nd counselors and will be at each campus full time.  I will be at one school Monday and Wednesday, the other school Tuesday and Thursday.  Then I will alternate Fridays.

I interviewed with both principals on Thursday at noon, and they called me at 2:00 to offer me the job.  I am SO thankful for a quick deliberation and job offer.

The principal at Christie is a first year principal, and everyone (my kids' principal, my mentor, even the HR representative who called me to schedule signing my paperwork) has said that I am so lucky to get to work with him.  He's apparently a lot of fun and is doing a lot of exciting things at Christie.  I'm looking forward to being a part of it!

The principal at Thomas also seems great, and it is NEVER a bad thing to get to know more than one administrator in the district.  I am looking forward to being at two campuses!  I'll be busy, and it may be a little crazy at times.  But I know this is EXACTLY where I'm supposed to be.

Apparently, the applicant pool for counselors in the district is pretty large.  I have no experience and have never been a PISD employee so I wasn't sure if that would work against me.  It is a HUGE blessing to have had a job offer as early as May 7th.  

It's the culmination of 3 years of work.  :)  Thank you, God!

YIPPEE!!

Today's challenge: iFLY

Today is Jason's birthday.  **HAPPY BIRTHDAY!**

 I asked him last week if he'd be willing to take the day off so we could spend it together and go to iFLY as his birthday present.

He had a gift card he had never used.  And I am trying new things.  Seemed perfect to me.

iFLY is an indoor skydiving place.  I hate heights... won't climb on a ladder...  won't look down over our railing when I'm upstairs in the house.... I hold onto the railings all the way up when riding an escalator.  I hate small planes.  You get the idea.  This idea was a major thing for me!!

We had some time to kill before our flight so we watched the instructors for a while doing their thing.

Bad idea. 

Jason said the color drained from my face.  I knew he was right because my fingers and toes went cold and numb.  Just watching.

I almost had tears in my eyes-- I'll admit it-- and said, "Jason, I don't want to do it."

He told me I didn't have to but that I'd be perfectly safe.

We met our instructor, Andrew, who took us through the training video.  He tried to crack jokes, and I laughed politely.  But he took one look at me and said, "You look really nervous."

Ummm, YES!!!!  What gave it away?  The trembling?  The ashen color of my face? The look of dread in my eyes?

Jason told him that this was a really big deal for me to be there, doing this.

We suited up and headed into the chamber where you sit on a bench and wait your turn.  I said I wanted to go first.  I did NOT want to watch any more people do this thing before I did it.

Andrew motioned for me to go to the door of the wind tunnel, fall in, and he'd catch me.  I told him, "no".  Still terrified!!

He showed me what he wanted me to do, and I made myself get off the bench.  One of the hardest things I've ever done was getting off that bench and walking to the door.

But then I flew!! :)

We had two flights and the video below is of the second flight.   At the end he made me stand on the cables and walk to the door instead of flying me to the door, like they usually do. 

Being able to walk on the cables is difficult... As you'll see, the wind was blowing at 105 mph, and I couldn't get my bearings.  I look like I messed in my pants. But I promise I didn't. :)

Watch until the end because my reaction once I'm in the hallway sums up the way I felt perfectly!!

JULIE-- FLIGHT #2

I am SO GLAD I did it!!! I think I'm still on an adrenaline high three hours later.  Might look like nothing but fun to you, but it was a majorly big breakthrough for me.

WOO HOO!!

And since it's Jason's big day, here's the birthday boy's flight.  He loved it!!! He couldn't get enough.

JASON-- FLIGHT #2

What a day!

Last night recap

I read an article about things you should do once you turn 30.

Things like... stop eating fast food.  Start lifting weights.  Yada yada yada.

But one thing they said was, "Do something that scares you every day."

I. LOVE. THIS.   Well, I love the idea of this anyway.

The older I get the more I believe in the importance of getting out of your comfort zone.  I really don't want to fall into a routine that isn't challenging. I like pushing myself. It's a RUSH.  The fear and nerves that set in make the sense of accomplishment that much greater when you conquer the challenge.

It could be big things... like training for a marathon... or small things... like trying a new hair color.  Life's too short to limit yourself to the "same old/same old".

Which actually brings up this point--- My mom and I were talking yesterday, and she said something to the effect of, "Life is too short to choose to be unhappy.  You only go around once."  Attitude is everything!!  Believing you can do something or that life is good is the key to making that your reality.

There are bazillions of books about how important your mindset is.

So here's where I'm going with this.... are you still following me? In a very long-winded way, I'm saying... I've resolved to continue to do things that push me.  To wholeheartedly believe that I can do whatever I put my mind to.

Yesterday-- as I've said-- I modeled at a little fashion thing.  And I was terrified!

Standing in front of a group of women knowing that they're judging the way you look is the stuff nightmares are made of.  We all know men may do an overall scan, but women pick each other apart.

I've become comfortable in the last couple of years with being the center of attention if I'm talking.  I can keep your attention if I'm able to show my personality and crack jokes and gesture a lot. It's my presentation style. :)

Standing silently in an outfit I didn't choose, knowing that people are judging the clothing based on the way it fits my body... ugh.



Here are the top 5 things that made last night awkward:

1.  The white pants---

My first outfit required white pants.  The white pants I needed were being worn by the first model.  So I had to wait for her to be finished with them so I could put them on.

Jane, the lady heading up this shindig, told me to get dressed in my outfit.  I said I couldn't because I didn't have the pants.  She was a little stressed and repeated herself again in a "Don't argue with me" tone.  So I went to my dressing room and put on my shirt and my jacket and stood there... pants-less.

Then someone opened my door so I could hear the emcee, saw me pants-less, and walked away with the door open.  Is this some sort of hazing?  I don't know. Not the debut I intended to make.

Thankfully, the dressing rooms are in the back of the showroom where we were having the event.  Only a couple of people saw.

Oh-- and also the pants that I was waiting on were being worn by a lady in her early 60s.  Not that there's anything wrong with being 60, but I don't want to share pants.


2.  The blue jacket--

I had a blue jacket on and was instructed to take it off and show the crowd the shirt underneath.  I acted like a moron who had never worn a jacket before.  I fumbled trying to get it off.  It was like zippers and snaps were the most challenging things ever created.  Awful.

I started to sweat.  So so much sweat.  I hope no one ended up buying the shirt I was wearing.


3.  Nicole--

Nicole is a size 00, tall, pretty, Black woman with big boobs and her own radio and television show.  Everything looks GREAT on Nicole.  Nicole is charismatic.  Even though we're supposed to stand there quietly, she owned that stage and was able to make people laugh, and they were whispering about how cute she is.

No lie-- every time she came out, there was an audible gasp because she was so stunning.

Guess who was in line right behind Nicole and had to follow her act every.single.time.?

Boo.


4.  The black heels--

I needed black heels for one skirt.  I forgot them in my van.  I ended up borrowing black heels from a woman in her 70s.

Her heels were way cuter and way sexier than any black heels I own.

I think I need a black heel intervention.


5.  Water + No bathroom--

I needed to go to the bathroom the entire time I was there.

I wasn't hurting, but by the end of the night, I was dancing, if you know what I mean.

In fact, this pressing need may have contributed to my awful sweating habit and part of the reason I was flustered and couldn't get the blue jacket off.


BUT I got through it! :)
I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and decided that, if nothing else, I'll have a good laugh when it's over.

I'm not planning on doing anything that scares me today, but I'm trying something new tomorrow!! :)  I'll tell you about it later!

TGIF!  Have a good one!

CASA gala

Friday night Hilary texted me to see if I wanted to go to the CASA gala with her this weekend.  Her husband is out of town, and the friend she was going with bailed at the last minute.

Lucky for her (and me), I'm a loser with absolutely nothing going on and am ready and willing to be a last minute date. 

CASA and the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center are my favorite charities to help with or attend events that benefit them.  The work they do is SO very important!! 

So the dress I'm wearing doesn't look that great in this pic.  It has a really low back and that makes it fun and special.  I should've posed facing the giant boot. ;)

They had casino tables set up.  Hilary and I decided to learn how to shoot craps.  John was an excellent instructor.  We got really good by the end of the night.  And it is BY FAR the most social table in the casino.  Cheering and talking.  It's my new favorite game.

Neither of us had any idea that our friend, Nancy, was being honored.  She is very deserving!

After dinner, we gambled more... we went from $2500 to $9400 over the course of the night.  If only these tickets could buy things!!

Then we did a little line dancing and two-stepping.  We will shut a dance floor down.  Watch out!!

A special, fancy girls' night out!  Thanks for thinking of me, Hil.  xo  

Knock it out in a day

Since all 3 kids are at the same school, I've become a "See you at 2:45!" kind of mom.

I don't want to volunteer in the classroom.

I don't want to work the school store.

Need a mystery reader? Ask someone else.

If you need parents to send in more glue sticks, I'll hit up Walmart for you.

More Kleenex for allergy season?  I'm your girl.

But I've served my time holding 2 positions on the PTA Board.  I've served my time spending every waking minute with my kids. 

 Now that they're all elementary age, I'm 100% OK with giving them a hug and a kiss and not seeing them again until 2:45.

However, now that I'm not working, I signed up to help with Field Day this year.  First time ever.

I also helped last week with 2nd Grade Measurement Olympics.  

So. Much. Volunteering. I'm exhausted. ;)

Anyway, every year I promise I will eat lunch with them at school... once.  

Today was that day.  And I knocked them all out today.

.......

Jack eats at 11:00.  Sarah is 11:30. Caroline is 12:30.

I worked out this morning and laid on the ground... a sweaty mess.  I finally peeled myself off the ground, looked at the clock, saw that it was 10:08, and realized that I needed to:

~ shower

~ shave

~ get dressed

~ makeup on/hair done

~ get food 

~ and get to school

in 52 minutes.

I realize you might be thinking, "If you're in a rush, why waste time shaving?"  

Because I NEEDED to shave.  Trust me.

You might be thinking, "Well then, just put on jeans or wear a maxi skirt."

Shut up.  Stop making sense.  Hindsight logic is obnoxious.

I was frantic.  And then I started sweating from the shower, the hair dryer, and the flat iron.  There is nothing more frustrating than sweating when you're getting cleaned up.  Am I right?

Somehow I got ready, bought food at Whataburger, and pulled into the school parking lot at 10:59. 

Nothing short of miraculous.

.........

JACK

Jack's goal for 2015 is "to try new sandwiches".

Don't ask.  

But, hey, at least he's goal oriented.

He's added a Reuben and a Philly Cheesesteak to his list of new sandwiches this year.  He wanted me to buy him a Club from Potbelly, but they weren't open at 10:50.

So I got him a Patty Melt from Whataburger.

..........

SARAH

Sarah came out next and she had her Whataburger, ketchup only.  

Her 2015 goal is most definitely NOT trying new sandwiches.  

...........

CAROLINE

Then I had 30 minutes to kill before Caroline came.  So I went to get myself Chipotle, and she had requested McDonald's.

I headed back to the school and got there with time to spare.

..........

I feel accomplished. :)

But I CAN'T WAIT for them to go to school tomorrow so I can get a few things done!

"See you at 2:45!"

Hooray!

The sun is out! The sun is out! It may be cold, but THE SUN IS OUT! :)
 

Spring Break is right around the corner, and I am HAPPY!
 

I love spring! It's a season  of new growth and rebirth. 

To celebrate the idea of "fresh starts", I got my nails done.
 

(NexGen is awesome! I feel like this is a happy neutral.  Pink without being Barbie pink.)

 

I cleaned out my desk at the office.

 

And I dyed my hair strawberry blond again. (I'm not good at selfies, and I think that's a good thing. ;))

 

Next week I might bust out the self tanner. :) C'mon, spring! I think we're all ready for you! !

  

  

  

Moving right along

I interviewed at the Plano Administration building on Tuesday and was told I would hear something from them in two weeks.

But I got my letter yesterday. :)

I'm in the applicant pool which means my name will be given to principals looking to hire a school counselor.

I'm so thankful the committee liked me despite the ungodly amounts of sweat pouring from my body.

Praying there will be a principal who likes me too.

Rest

I met a girl today (She's my age, but I still say "girl".  Women are old. LOL) who was talking about her mom.

Her mom is a superwoman.  According to this girl, her mom could make anyone look lazy.  She had eight arms, managed to get everything done, never got sick, never looked tired, never dropped a ball.

Until 3 1/2 years ago.

She was getting her groceries out of the back of her car and was so busy-- probably running through checklists in her mind-- that she accidentally put the car in Reverse instead of Park.  The car ran over her and she was killed.

This girl said that her dad had been inside and could've helped get the groceries.  Her dad could've gone to the store instead.  But this was a woman who was always "on the go" and never asked for help.

She didn't slow down long enough to make sure her car was in "Park". 

I can't imagine.

But then I thought about the last two years and how busy I've been.  I have a certain level of anxiety this semester because I'm not as busy as I have been in the past.  I'm worried I'm losing my edge... or my drive... or my work ethic... I don't know.  I should be embracing this season of rest, but it's hard!!

I know I'm not alone.  I have friends who check work email at 2:00 AM.  We can't shut it off. We are accessible at all times... and feel like we need to be.

Now jobs have taken us to social media.  We're tweeting and posting and texting on behalf of our work.  Most of us don't leave work at work.  We can't.  There are emails to be returned, fires to be put out. 

We feel wrong for disconnecting.  It's almost more stressful to NOT check email and Twitter and Instagram and Facebook and wonder what we're missing.

Even my downtime revolves around technology.  Like I posted, I'm obsessed with a game called Trivia Crack.  I blog for fun.  I will check personal email 10 times a day even though there's nothing there worth reading.  I scroll through facebook and Instagram and am disappointed if there aren't any updates.  It's kinda pathetic.

I need to make a serious effort to disconnect and set boundaries for myself about how often I'm staring at a screen.  I want face-to-face relationships and interactions with people I care about rather than depending on the Internet or my phone.

My goal is to embrace the rest I've been given this semester!!  And make myself shut off the crazy part of me that wants to move at a fast pace at all times.

(Now to see if I can actually do that...)

stupid quizzes

We've all seen the Facebook quizzes...

Are you a history buff?

What farm animal are you?

What is your hippie name?

Take the quiz and find out!

Well I just took the "What's  the sexiest thing about you?" quiz.

I got "sense of humor".

Oh boy. My personality is awesome. That's what all the ugly girls hear.

;)

I'm gonna struggle....

Getting back into a work/school routine.

This is what the clock has said almost every morning when I get up.

Side note: This has been my alarm clock since 7th grade.  It went to college with me, was in my first apartments, etc. I could never use my phone as an alarm.

Crucial Conversations

I have had this book for several months but was unable to get past the first chapter because I had textbooks to read.

This week I read the book.  I marked in it.  I underlined, wrote notes in the margin.  This is why I prefer to read works of fiction on my Nook and have an actual copy of the book if it's nonfiction.  I love to mark up books.

It's a really great read.  It is right up my alley because it involves introspection.  How are you when it comes to having difficult conversations?  Are you able to give honest feedback?  Are you able to receive it?  Then the book gives tips and teaches skills for you to improve your dialogue.

I read it because I have to have hard conversations in my current job, and I know I'll have many more tough situations once I'm a guidance counselor.

I've had a few crucial conversations at work this year.  I learned from each of them. 

One did not go well at all, and the parent threatened to contact an attorney.  She didn't. She was mad.  I wasn't wrong in what I said, but I should've handled it differently.  It didn't need to escalate to that point.  One big mistake?  I tried to handle an issue over email.  I thought it would be good to have my concerns in writing, but it wasn't well-received by the parent.  Tone is so hard to read over email.

The other went very well.  I dismissed a student from our program.  I had the conversation in person with both parents.  They heard my concerns but-- more importantly-- they heard my heart.  They knew that I really wanted what was best for their daughter.  Not only did they end up agreeing that their daughter was not ready for the program, but they want to enroll next year and try again.  I didn't lose them as "customers"-- for lack of a better word.

I learned that crucial conversations are best handled in person.

I also think that I've been given challenges in my job for a reason.  I have some difficult personalities at my workplace.  I like everyone I work with, but I've learned a lot about myself from interacting with them.  I know the kinds of people who make me nervous and afraid to speak up.  I'm learning to work on speaking the truth in love.  There's a way to frame up a conversation that is honest and necessary but not threatening or demeaning to the other person.

That's essentially what the entire book is about.

Interestingly, I find it to coincide with my spirituality.  The Bible is full of scripture that teaches taming your tongue and self-control.  "Crucial Conversations" talks about sensing when a conversation has become sensitive and then implementing the skills to keep a productive dialogue going.  To me, that's God-given discernment, and in those moments, I pray in my head, "Lord, give me the words to say."

The book also talks about how we all have a story.  A past that influences the way we perceive situations. If you had a critical mother who always had sarcastic digs, then twenty years later, you may have a boss that reminds you of her.  And you may judge things she says and does with that grid of experiences from your past.  The book says that you need to recognize what your story is and how it affects your perceptions today.

Not only does that overlap with so many of my counseling textbooks I've read for the last 2 years, it's also very much a part of the 12 Step process that people use in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. And of course the 12 Steps are Biblically based.

I love when truths reappear across varying sources.  It makes me smile.  It makes me want to write the authors of this book and say, "Did you know you referenced Scripture?"  But, since they actually quoted a verse in Proverbs at the beginning of Chapter 5, I have a feeling they know.

It's a good read.  It wasn't necessarily a quick read for me because I tend to be very introspective.  I have to underline as I said.  Then I stop to think about ways I can apply what I've read to my interactions at work.  I absorb.  I sleep on it.  I go back the next day and read some more.

But I would definitely recommend this book.  And then maybe the book of Proverbs... or Ephesians... maybe Galatians... heck, you could read the whole Bible... because there's definitely some overlap. ;)

Related to my previous post....

I found this blog...

I've been reading ideas for Sarah.  I think this is more something for her when she gets older and wants to play with her curly hair.  BUT it has great ideas for products.


And this is how it relates to my previous post.

Somewhere someone has tried (and failed) to do the same things I'm trying to do.

Fix curly hair.  Find the perfect shade of red lipstick for the holidays.  (Can I even wear red?)  Get the perfect pair of running shoes for girls with uneven hips, a lazy streak, and an affinity for hot pink laces.

Then that someone somewhere found the solution.  And they're blogging about it.

And I can usually tell the posts that are sincere from the posts that are written simply for a sponsor.  I appreciate the blogger who will honestly review a product and tell you the downsides.

What's my advice?  What discovery have I made??

STOP trying to solve your own problems.  Google and find the blogger who has already solved all of your problems for you.

Take a little less initiative and show a little more dependency on others.   You'll be glad you did. ;)

What I've been up to...

For the past couple of days I've been online because I've been resting in bed, and I want to show you what I've found.  You might not care, but in my feverish state, these are some of my new favorites.

By the way, I can't seem to completely get rid of my fever and my chest is still tight which makes breathing difficult.  BUT--

I slept til almost noon today!! :) Hallelujah!! I needed rest like you wouldn't believe.  I don't think I've slept that late since I was a teenager.

So what I have done with all this rest??

I played Guess Who with Caroline...

And I dyed my hair.

Yep.  Never done it before.  But I think it's best to try something like this when you've got a fever and are on prescription drugs.

In my recent online perusing I ran across THIS blog.  From what I can tell, this girl has been a hair model, stand-up comedian, and is now a beauty blogger.  ?? Jack-of-all-trades, I suppose.

What I love about her blog is that she wrote it just for me.

Ok.  Maybe not.  But she has a lot of tips for strawberry blondes. 

She really seems to understand the ginger's struggle with make-up and hair dye.  She acknowledges that we need help picking out the right shades of blushes and lipsticks because the red in our hair tends to throw off certain shades of makeup in ways that blondes and brunettes can't understand.

Preach it, Molly.  Oh! The burden of having shades of red in my hair!!  Life. Is. SO.  HARD!  ;)

She has a couple of posts about makeup for red heads... one drugstore edition and one high-end.

Per her recommendation, I went to CVS (also while on medication) and bought a shade of lipstick by L'Oreal called "Jennifer's Nude" and LOVE it.  I'm confident I'll love it even when I'm not high on Tamiflu and Motrin. 

And because I loved the lipstick, I decided this girl must know what she's talking about.

Sooo, I watched her YouTube video and read (and re-read and re-read again) her post about dying strawberry blonde hair at home.

It's a logical jump, right?  I like the lipstick you suggest so let me dye my hair how you suggest... even though I've never colored my own hair in my life.

Here are the results:

Photo cred:  Caroline

Sometimes I have to love on my dog, even if it means sitting on the kitchen floor.  She's so sweet, and I love her!  You'd do it too if she were your dog. :)

And am I wearing the same shirt as I was when I did my graduation-cap-selfie?  Yes, I am. :/

Back to the hair-- granted it's a blurry pic, and it's hard to judge because you're not seeing it in person, but let me tell you...

It's not bad!!! Not bad at all!! In fact, I'm happier with it than I have been when I've had it done professionally.

I spend roughly $125 at Elizabeth Arden to get my hair colored and usually end up with my scalp stained.  But I do it because it feels luxurious and I like to have a glass of wine there.

Well, honey-- I can pour myself a drink here and save myself 90% because this cost me $15.

Words can't describe how excited I am that this worked.  At-home hair can be scary.  At-home red hair can be disastrous.  Thank goodness for the prescription courage... because I am not disappointed with the risk I took.

..................


Other online things that you've likely been doing for a while, but I just started while I've been sick...

Getting paid to shop online.

I'm not at all sure why this works. 

I'm shopping just as I normally would, but if I go through the ebates website to get to the retailer's website (like Kohls or The Gap, for example) then I get cash back on my purchases. 

They just mail me a check.

I'm sure they're selling my information right and left to all kinds of people and that's how they make money, but at this point, I don't care. 

After some last minute Christmas shopping, I've got a $50 check heading my way.


....................

My last favorite thing is my Walmart App.

I'm just that much of a redneck, I guess.

The Walmart App has a "Savings Catcher" button on it.  And if you scan your receipt within seven days of purchase, they will price match all of the items you purchased.  If they can find anything for a cheaper price somewhere else, they will give you the money back in the form of a Walmart gift card.

Ok, yes, I'm trusting that they truly are price matching and scouring competitors' ads.

And, yes, the money comes back on a Walmart gift card so the money has to be spent in their store.

And, fine, after scanning my first receipt, they were only able to find 78 cents that they could save me had I purchased my groceries elsewhere. 

And, ok, OK, I'm sure when you scan your receipt, they're also collecting ALL KINDS of personal information about you and then selling it.

BUT STILL.... it's found money.  Think of all the things I can do with roughly 3 quarters!!

And I like the theory that I don't have to collect all the coupons myself.  The app will do it for me.

...............

So that's what I've been up to...

I'm about to cook dinner.  Apparently the fam's attitude is "We've already been exposed to your germs; you might as well prepare our food.  So hurry up, I'm hungry!"  But before I go, one last thing...

The BEST cough suppressant in the world is this nastiness...

Buckley's is liquid VapoRub.  If you've ever wanted to swallow liquefied mentholatum, here's your chance!

(I can only find it on Amazon.  They used to sell it at regular drug stores, but I haven't been able to find it in a long time.)

You will wish your taste buds didn't exist.  You will do that "wet dog" head shake thing that everyone does when they taste something N.A.S.T.Y.

But then.... then, my friends... you will put yourself to bed and sleep until noon.  Because you didn't wake yourself up with that annoying cough.

That's my secret to last night's sleep. 

Well, that and Ambien.

But don't let my use of a prescription sleep aid take away from my review of this Buckley's crap.  It's HORRIBLE but works SO well!!

The calm before the storm...

Apparently this time last week was my sweet spot.

As soon as I graduated, I started to feel sick.

My chest hurt.  I was congested.  I immediately lost my voice.  Jason has been sleeping on the couch just so he can get some sleep since I cough all night long.

I went to the doctor Monday.  She prescribed me a Z-Pack, cough syrup with codeine, prescription cough drops, and nasal spray.


I don't mean to be a complainer, but it ain't working. 


SOOO... I went to CareNow.... and came out with a prescription for Tamiflu.  No wonder I've felt so bad.  The year I didn't get the flu shot is the year I got hit hard! (Although I've heard the shot didn't do much good this year anyway.)

But... glass half full... I am SO thankful that this hit now.  Not when I was in the middle of my internship.  Not with work to be done.  Not the day before Christmas. 

I can focus the next few days on getting well. 

In related news, I have decided that Tamiflu and prescription strength Motrin are among the nectars of the gods.

 So don't tell me that it won't work because I was diagnosed too late!!  I don't want to hear it.  ;) I'm WILLING myself to be better.   Positive thinking works like that, right? :)