WOW. Just when I think it's been a while since I've blogged, I log in and see that is has almost been a year. A YEAR!
Life has changed immensely since this time last year.
In a nutshell:
Best Friend J had a baby in July
Best Friend J (other one) moved to Texas in August
Grandma Peg passed away in September
Went on vaca to see J in Texas in October/November
Met a guy in November
Started coaching club volleyball in December
Began dating this guy (T) in December
Best Friend R had a baby in December
and that was just 2012!
The funny thing is, I can't do a month-by-month update for 2013.
January, February, March, and now April have been filled with all the things that took place in 2012.....volleyball, work, boyfriend, work, volleyball, best friend(s), work, volleyball, etc....
Volleyball is almost over though....and while is it bitter sweet to see it come to an end, I am so looking forward to getting my life back. Having a set 2 nights/week automatically full from practice is just a lot to lose while working full time. (I know this is likely better preparing me for when my future children play sports and take up all the evenings, but wow....been a good learning lesson.)
Honestly...I feel like I have been short-changing everything collectively in my life, because of how much I have on my plate right now. I no longer see my best friend on a weekly basis, because of how much church I have missed due to tournaments. I feel like my boyfriend gets "whatever free time is left at the end of the day/week." (THAT'S NOT HEALTHY) It has been a long time since I have had a great, deep conversation with my mom...who is one of my best friends.
Bottom line....I'm spent.
The highlight of 2013 so far? Going to Cancun for 6 days, then Florida for 4. It was EXACTLY what I needed. Time to kick back, relax, and truly rejuvenate my batteries. I didn't realize just how burned-out I was, until I spend 5 of 6 days laying on the beach, reading books, and just relaxing.
Blech....didn't realize how much I needed to just spill my guts about some things. Maybe this blogging thing really is good for my mind and soul.
NOW...I just need to find and make the time to do this more regularily.
SO...until next time, hasta luego (told you I loved Cancun!)
Friday, April 19, 2013
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Looking back on life...
Journey back with me...back to 2008. I was just weeks shy of graduating from college with my Associates of Science Degree in Physical Therapy. The count-down was on...
April 2008 was a busy BUSY month for me. I was finishing out my last clinical rotation before graduation. I had a 70minute, one-way, commute to the facility where I was working with developmentally delayed and special needs children. I LOVED IT! The kids were amazing...and my co-workers were wonderful. The downside to working with so many children, is that it is almost impossible to avoid all their germs. By the 3rd weeks of April, I asked to leave early one day to go back to campus and get a strep-test done. I had had a sore throat for a few days, and the last thing I wanted to do was give this to one of the kids. Test came back negative, but they still gave me an antibiotic due to my circumstances. (My co-workers were impressed I was able to get 4 weeks into a 6 week clinical before getting sick...most other students maybe got into week 2.)
3 days after finishing the antibiotic, my throat hurt again. I went back to campus early again one night (see, awesome bosses/coworkers) and the PA-C (Physicians Assistant) did another strep test. When this one also came back negative, she decided it was time to do blood work to see what was going on. Up early the next morning, the blood work was drawn...and the following day (Friday) they called and confirmed their suspicions. MONO. At this point, I had 5 days of work left, 1 week of review classes for my board, and then graduation. I was literally 14 days away from being done with college. Or so I thought.
I felt good, so I was ready to bang out the next few weeks. I had no idea how long I had been symptomatic so I wasn't about to let it change my plans. That was until Sunday morning when I woke up, and was unable to eat anything in the cafeteria besides yogurt and milk (this was due to how swollen my tonsils were...pretty much closed most of my throat off). That was it. I called my mom as soon as I got back to my room and said "come get me...immediately." I then called my boss and my professors to let them know of my change in health status, and they were AMAZING. My boss was willing to let me come back "whenever...just get healthy." And my professors were willing to give me an extension to get things done. (Pays to have a great relationship with them.) I was able to complete things by June 1st...my goal.
Fast forward a few weeks...I had graduated from school and had moved home with Mom & Dad, but not the way I expected to move back home. See, take one head-strong, independent college grad + parents rules = disaster (in most situations.) BUT...take one head-strong, independent college grad that was sick and needing mom and dad for EVERYTHING = success.
Mono ended up being a blessing. (EAK! I know...not what you expected, was it.) Moving back home as a "fully-dependent-on-mom-&-dad" college grad, was the best way to move home. As I started to heal from this sickness, my parents were willing to give me the freedom and respect and lack-of-curfew I wanted/needed. Mono allowed my relationship with my parents to become an amazing friendship with both of them. (Heck...I still willingly live at home 4 years later! The relationship must be awesome!)
Mono also allowed me to focus my attention that summer to studying for my PTA board exam. Had I not gotten sick, my plan was to resume working full-time at the PT clinic I now work at. I was going to get my temporary license and work full-time. Things changed, and I only worked 3 days a week the entire summer. That allowed me ample time to study...and boy did I need it. I ended up taking my boards in September of 2008, and passed them on my first try!!!
So why did I tell you all this? Post-mono, May has become a month of reflection...where things get better put into perspective. Life has been full of ups and downs. Some big, some small. Some stick-out in my mind, and others blur into foggy memories.
Looking back on my mono-months/year I NOW can see how God had everything working to HIS plan. Did I want to be sick? NO WAY! But, am I glad I was able to pass my boards and create an amazing relationship/friendship with my parents? YOU BETCHA! Some of the best things in my life came out of that tough time.
So, that leads me to my pondering thought, that has been on my mind all day.
What am I going through right now, that will someday help define this era of my life? What will I look back, on several years down the road, and see God's hand in my life?
I don't have the answer(s). But I know someday I will...
April 2008 was a busy BUSY month for me. I was finishing out my last clinical rotation before graduation. I had a 70minute, one-way, commute to the facility where I was working with developmentally delayed and special needs children. I LOVED IT! The kids were amazing...and my co-workers were wonderful. The downside to working with so many children, is that it is almost impossible to avoid all their germs. By the 3rd weeks of April, I asked to leave early one day to go back to campus and get a strep-test done. I had had a sore throat for a few days, and the last thing I wanted to do was give this to one of the kids. Test came back negative, but they still gave me an antibiotic due to my circumstances. (My co-workers were impressed I was able to get 4 weeks into a 6 week clinical before getting sick...most other students maybe got into week 2.)
3 days after finishing the antibiotic, my throat hurt again. I went back to campus early again one night (see, awesome bosses/coworkers) and the PA-C (Physicians Assistant) did another strep test. When this one also came back negative, she decided it was time to do blood work to see what was going on. Up early the next morning, the blood work was drawn...and the following day (Friday) they called and confirmed their suspicions. MONO. At this point, I had 5 days of work left, 1 week of review classes for my board, and then graduation. I was literally 14 days away from being done with college. Or so I thought.
I felt good, so I was ready to bang out the next few weeks. I had no idea how long I had been symptomatic so I wasn't about to let it change my plans. That was until Sunday morning when I woke up, and was unable to eat anything in the cafeteria besides yogurt and milk (this was due to how swollen my tonsils were...pretty much closed most of my throat off). That was it. I called my mom as soon as I got back to my room and said "come get me...immediately." I then called my boss and my professors to let them know of my change in health status, and they were AMAZING. My boss was willing to let me come back "whenever...just get healthy." And my professors were willing to give me an extension to get things done. (Pays to have a great relationship with them.) I was able to complete things by June 1st...my goal.
Fast forward a few weeks...I had graduated from school and had moved home with Mom & Dad, but not the way I expected to move back home. See, take one head-strong, independent college grad + parents rules = disaster (in most situations.) BUT...take one head-strong, independent college grad that was sick and needing mom and dad for EVERYTHING = success.
Mono ended up being a blessing. (EAK! I know...not what you expected, was it.) Moving back home as a "fully-dependent-on-mom-&-dad" college grad, was the best way to move home. As I started to heal from this sickness, my parents were willing to give me the freedom and respect and lack-of-curfew I wanted/needed. Mono allowed my relationship with my parents to become an amazing friendship with both of them. (Heck...I still willingly live at home 4 years later! The relationship must be awesome!)
Mono also allowed me to focus my attention that summer to studying for my PTA board exam. Had I not gotten sick, my plan was to resume working full-time at the PT clinic I now work at. I was going to get my temporary license and work full-time. Things changed, and I only worked 3 days a week the entire summer. That allowed me ample time to study...and boy did I need it. I ended up taking my boards in September of 2008, and passed them on my first try!!!
So why did I tell you all this? Post-mono, May has become a month of reflection...where things get better put into perspective. Life has been full of ups and downs. Some big, some small. Some stick-out in my mind, and others blur into foggy memories.
Looking back on my mono-months/year I NOW can see how God had everything working to HIS plan. Did I want to be sick? NO WAY! But, am I glad I was able to pass my boards and create an amazing relationship/friendship with my parents? YOU BETCHA! Some of the best things in my life came out of that tough time.
So, that leads me to my pondering thought, that has been on my mind all day.
What am I going through right now, that will someday help define this era of my life? What will I look back, on several years down the road, and see God's hand in my life?
I don't have the answer(s). But I know someday I will...
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Update
Hey guys, I asked last week for prayers for my friend Claire's newborn baby boy. He was born a little prematurely, and was having some issues breathing.
Well, I'm pleased to say that this little man will be going home soon! I haven't seen an update yet today, but last update said he just needed to keep gaining weight and pass a car-seat test!
Keep Praying though....pray for Claire's little man to keep growing and to pass this test. Pray also for this amazing family, as they begin to transition into being a family of 5, with a newborn at their house now!!!
Thanks for all the prayers you guys have said so far, and for the prayers you'll continue to say for them :)
Well, I'm pleased to say that this little man will be going home soon! I haven't seen an update yet today, but last update said he just needed to keep gaining weight and pass a car-seat test!
Keep Praying though....pray for Claire's little man to keep growing and to pass this test. Pray also for this amazing family, as they begin to transition into being a family of 5, with a newborn at their house now!!!
Thanks for all the prayers you guys have said so far, and for the prayers you'll continue to say for them :)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Looking Back...Looking at Today...Looking Forward
Looking back...sounds so reminiscent. Makes me think of good, bad, and ugly times. But today...I'm looking a beauty.
Last year, I wrote this post and showed you blog-friends the picture of my neighbors daffodils beginning their spring-time blossom.
Well, I am pleased to present you with this years pictures: A FULL 2 WEEKS EARLIER then this year!!! (The crazy weather I have talked about before here, has meant an early spring for us here in Western New York!)
Today is March 22, 2012. I am in the middle of the most strange weather pattern (also known as winter) that I've ever seen.
We have just had our like 6th day in a row in the 70-80's. (Usually we're excited to see the 50-60's.)
I was able to go on a run OUTDOORS yesterday, and a walk tonight with my momma. It was beautiful. Simply put...I'm loving this little taste of summer.
BUT here is my fearful thoughts...We still have to get through April. I asked my dad about taking my snow-tired off my car this weekend, and he isn't sold that it is a good idea yet. While the weather patterns show we are unlikely to drop to temperatures where snow would stay long-term, he is concerned about a possible 'freak' storm happening.
UGH...I just wanna take them off. Now that I am driving with my window DOWN (!!!) I can hear the clicking sound of the studs/tread. It's loud when I drive...
Tomorrow we are suppossed to see the temperatures drop some...from the middle 70's today, to the high 50's. And for some odd reason, I'm ok with that. It is still March (last time I checked the callendar), so I typically don't get this good weather.
So long as the snow stays away, the temperature is above freezing, and the sun is shining, I think I'll survive til "spring".
Last year, I wrote this post and showed you blog-friends the picture of my neighbors daffodils beginning their spring-time blossom.
Well, I am pleased to present you with this years pictures: A FULL 2 WEEKS EARLIER then this year!!! (The crazy weather I have talked about before here, has meant an early spring for us here in Western New York!)
Today is March 22, 2012. I am in the middle of the most strange weather pattern (also known as winter) that I've ever seen.
We have just had our like 6th day in a row in the 70-80's. (Usually we're excited to see the 50-60's.)
I was able to go on a run OUTDOORS yesterday, and a walk tonight with my momma. It was beautiful. Simply put...I'm loving this little taste of summer.
BUT here is my fearful thoughts...We still have to get through April. I asked my dad about taking my snow-tired off my car this weekend, and he isn't sold that it is a good idea yet. While the weather patterns show we are unlikely to drop to temperatures where snow would stay long-term, he is concerned about a possible 'freak' storm happening.
UGH...I just wanna take them off. Now that I am driving with my window DOWN (!!!) I can hear the clicking sound of the studs/tread. It's loud when I drive...
Tomorrow we are suppossed to see the temperatures drop some...from the middle 70's today, to the high 50's. And for some odd reason, I'm ok with that. It is still March (last time I checked the callendar), so I typically don't get this good weather.
So long as the snow stays away, the temperature is above freezing, and the sun is shining, I think I'll survive til "spring".
Monday, March 19, 2012
Prayer Request (and Music Monday)
Today's Music Monday is coming to you a little differently then normally. Usually it is something that I've recently sung in church or heard on the radio, but today it is coming via a friend of mine who needs pray.
My friend Claire gave birth to a beautiful little boy on Thursday, and due to some breathing complications her little boy has been in the NICU since a few hours after his birth. She posted that THIS song is one she keeps playing and is using it to help her through this trial.
Would you listen to this song, and then remember this wonderful Christian family in your prayers? Pray for his lungs, but also pray for Claire and her husband as they stand by.
My friend Claire gave birth to a beautiful little boy on Thursday, and due to some breathing complications her little boy has been in the NICU since a few hours after his birth. She posted that THIS song is one she keeps playing and is using it to help her through this trial.
Would you listen to this song, and then remember this wonderful Christian family in your prayers? Pray for his lungs, but also pray for Claire and her husband as they stand by.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Whelp...I've been busy
So when I logged on here Tuesday, it said I posted my last blog on Feb 28th! EAK! That was quite a while ago. I'm doing my best to catch-up with all that you, my faithful followers and friends, have been up too...but bear with me. I have a lot more to read :)
I "disappeared" two weeks ago to house/baby-sit for a family friend. The husband and wife went to Florida for a week, and I was left in charge of a 10 and 14 year old. The week went well...I hardly saw C, the 14 y/o. Between a planned weekend get-away with his friends, basketball practice, and school he was on the go and out of the house most days. J, the 10 y/o, and I had a lot more quality time together. This went mostly-good. There was one evening where things weren't going super-great...but considering it was one night out of SEVEN, I was pleased.
I returned home for 3 (short) days before heading out of town for the weekend. (Forewarning..photo-dump to follow!)
My parents, brother Kevin, and I packed up the mini-van and took a little vacation to Toronto, Canada. (Yes...I still live at home, so that means many of my vacations still involve my parents!)
Toronto was BEAUTIFUL! (I had only previously been to the city for a field-trip in high school to the science museum.) I LOVED THIS CITY!
We were able to go up in the towers, and there, they have a glass floor that you can stand on. It was very weird, I'll admit, to walk out onto the glass floor...because when you look down, you look WAY down....
That evening we went to a Medieval Times Dinner...super cool if you've never been before. You're watching a horse-competition (dual) and eating a meal completely with your hands (if you sneak in plastic silverware and they catch you using it, they take it!)
Sunday we meandered through the city, then went to a Toronto Raptors (NBA) game. I'd never been to a NBA game before, so this was really fun!
Monday, before we went back across the boarder, we went to Niagara Falls. If you ever get the chance to see the falls from the Canadian side....DO IT! The American Falls is beautiful, but the Canadian Falls are breath-taking. The amount of water flowing over the edge ever SECOND is mind-boggling. Simply beautiful. And if you go on a sunny day (it was dreary when we were there) the rainbow is constant!
We followed that day up with a Buffalo Sabres game!!! EAK!!! I LOVE THE SABRES!!!
We ended our wonderful long-weekend with a quick shopping trip to the outlet malls in Niagara Falls.
So there....I got it all out :) Hope you enjoyed the re-cap of my absence from blogging!!
I "disappeared" two weeks ago to house/baby-sit for a family friend. The husband and wife went to Florida for a week, and I was left in charge of a 10 and 14 year old. The week went well...I hardly saw C, the 14 y/o. Between a planned weekend get-away with his friends, basketball practice, and school he was on the go and out of the house most days. J, the 10 y/o, and I had a lot more quality time together. This went mostly-good. There was one evening where things weren't going super-great...but considering it was one night out of SEVEN, I was pleased.
I returned home for 3 (short) days before heading out of town for the weekend. (Forewarning..photo-dump to follow!)
My parents, brother Kevin, and I packed up the mini-van and took a little vacation to Toronto, Canada. (Yes...I still live at home, so that means many of my vacations still involve my parents!)
Toronto was BEAUTIFUL! (I had only previously been to the city for a field-trip in high school to the science museum.) I LOVED THIS CITY!
I thought we were crazy to even consider heading north in middle March, as usually for "spring break" ya head south and "catch some rays..." Not so for us. We went north, but because of this AMAZING heat-wave the weather was in the 40's on Saturday, and the 60's on Sunday & Monday! (For that matter, the weather is still in the 50-60s most days, and will be for much of this coming week!)
We went to the CN Tower! What a beautiful building...
 |
| Both during the day... |
 |
| and night.... |
We were able to go up in the towers, and there, they have a glass floor that you can stand on. It was very weird, I'll admit, to walk out onto the glass floor...because when you look down, you look WAY down....
 |
| The view... |
 |
| my brother (Kevin) & I |
 |
| Mom & Dad |
 | |||
| looking down....way down! |
That evening we went to a Medieval Times Dinner...super cool if you've never been before. You're watching a horse-competition (dual) and eating a meal completely with your hands (if you sneak in plastic silverware and they catch you using it, they take it!)
Sunday we meandered through the city, then went to a Toronto Raptors (NBA) game. I'd never been to a NBA game before, so this was really fun!
Monday, before we went back across the boarder, we went to Niagara Falls. If you ever get the chance to see the falls from the Canadian side....DO IT! The American Falls is beautiful, but the Canadian Falls are breath-taking. The amount of water flowing over the edge ever SECOND is mind-boggling. Simply beautiful. And if you go on a sunny day (it was dreary when we were there) the rainbow is constant!
 |
| American Falls |
 |
| Canadian Falls |
 |
| American Falls |
 |
| Canadian Falls |
 |
| Me at the Canadian Falls |
 |
| rushing water... |
 |
| So much water! |
We followed that day up with a Buffalo Sabres game!!! EAK!!! I LOVE THE SABRES!!!
We ended our wonderful long-weekend with a quick shopping trip to the outlet malls in Niagara Falls.
So there....I got it all out :) Hope you enjoyed the re-cap of my absence from blogging!!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Weird and Wrong at the same time!
Something is wrong with this picture...
My car is reading 70 degrees when I took this picture this afternoon. I live in WESTERN NEW YORK! It is usually ~35-40 degrees out...not 70!
It is middle of March and the continuation of a very very weird winter is going on here...the abnormally warm temperatures are continuing into this month, and the meteorologists don't expect the temperatures to drop for another few weeks!!! WEEKS!!!
I am LOVING this, and won't be complaining anytime soon...YAYAY!!!!!
So for now...HELLO SPRING!
My car is reading 70 degrees when I took this picture this afternoon. I live in WESTERN NEW YORK! It is usually ~35-40 degrees out...not 70!
It is middle of March and the continuation of a very very weird winter is going on here...the abnormally warm temperatures are continuing into this month, and the meteorologists don't expect the temperatures to drop for another few weeks!!! WEEKS!!!
I am LOVING this, and won't be complaining anytime soon...YAYAY!!!!!
So for now...HELLO SPRING!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Can you guess....
Hey guys...me here :) I've been missing-in-action for a few weeks now, BUT I promise I will be filling you in soon.
BUT here is a hint as to one of the things I have been up to. Anybody know where I've been and what I've been up to the last few days?!?!? (Answer will be revealed in a few days!)
BUT here is a hint as to one of the things I have been up to. Anybody know where I've been and what I've been up to the last few days?!?!? (Answer will be revealed in a few days!)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
ATTENTION all FRUGAL FRIENDS!!!
Attention all of my frugal friends....I have a website that is a MUST for you :)
It is http://thefrugalgirls.com/
I stumbled upon this website last week and am IN LOVE WITH IT!!
They are constantly posting free ebooks/recipes/coupons/discount reminders/etc....and their website is LOADED with tons of ideas for recipes, arts & crafts, etc....
It is a MUST SEE!
GO...GO NOW! (and then feel free to leave comments/ideas of the fun things you've learned about!)
It is http://thefrugalgirls.com/
I stumbled upon this website last week and am IN LOVE WITH IT!!
They are constantly posting free ebooks/recipes/coupons/discount reminders/etc....and their website is LOADED with tons of ideas for recipes, arts & crafts, etc....
It is a MUST SEE!
GO...GO NOW! (and then feel free to leave comments/ideas of the fun things you've learned about!)
Monday, February 27, 2012
Music Monday
We have been doing an AMAZING study in Church since September. It is called "The Story" and it takes you through the Bible in 31 chapters. My love for the Bible has been completely renewed and through this book, my eyes are being re-opened to the amazing Bible stories that I learned when I was young...yet had forgotten in my "teen/adult" years.
A few weeks ago, we learned about the story of Queen Esther. Oh what a book....I have since completed a mini-study on this book in my daily devotions, and I've got to admit...it might be my favorite book. The story reminds me that often God has me in a certain situation/location "for such a time as this."(Esther 4:14) And that ONLY HE can see the big picture in my life.
One of the things that took place during the service was the watching of a music video. Gotta admit, I've watched it many many times, for a few reasons. 1. The song is very VERY catchy. 2. The version I watch, takes you through the story of Esther.
I hope you enjoy today's Music Monday song/video "Born for This" by Mandisa!
A few weeks ago, we learned about the story of Queen Esther. Oh what a book....I have since completed a mini-study on this book in my daily devotions, and I've got to admit...it might be my favorite book. The story reminds me that often God has me in a certain situation/location "for such a time as this."(Esther 4:14) And that ONLY HE can see the big picture in my life.
One of the things that took place during the service was the watching of a music video. Gotta admit, I've watched it many many times, for a few reasons. 1. The song is very VERY catchy. 2. The version I watch, takes you through the story of Esther.
I hope you enjoy today's Music Monday song/video "Born for This" by Mandisa!
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