Experiment

This is to practice posting pictures so I can see if it works and give advice to my friend:) Or not give advice if I mess up.

My mini-vacation from life

So I originally thought of my cut in hours at Dierbergs as bad news. And I thought my not getting called to sub as bad news. But, I've realized just how wonderful it is (now, anyway). I have had a vacation of sorts. Have I made it exciting? Not really. But for the past two weeks, I have had at least three days in a row off everything. Granted, I've gotten up in hopes of being called to sub, showered, went back to sleep...but then I got to sleep late. And watch tv. And work on applications (haha...not a lot). And read. And I actually ran outside twice. I know, not the most exciting life, but I feel so relaxed. My breathing is normal, my face is not broken out, I just feel good. And happy. And a little lazy. But we all need to be lazy sometimes. This upcoming week I am also not scheduled a lot at work, so I decided to go to Kirksville to visit some people I miss soooo much. That way I don't have to take off the following week in hopes of getting more hours. And I can go during the week because I don't have to sub. Though I'd only not take a job on that Friday. It's just weird to do a 180. I was teaching and then going to work with no time and now I have all the time in the world. It's like a taste of retirement:) Not that I'm ready for that.... You know what else? I've realized some things. Like how much worse things could be. And I actually pictured things changing for me, for the worse, and I became so much more grateful for what I have now. Also, I get to mentor a student on an oratory speech. He or she will be competing for prize money, a lot of it, that he or she can use for college, or whatever. I'm excited. That's all. I just felt like typing. Smile for me, and you, and the world:)

WalMart, Go to the Place Where the Sun Doesn't Shine

I'm a little bitter. This is why. WalMart opens their damn supercenter. It affects business at the grocery store I work at. As does the economy in general. Because, although people buy the basics, they cut back on the other things. Anyway, I'm angry because my hours were cut. I'm not angry at the company because I understand why. I'm angry at the economy, but I won't bitch at that because everyone does. But what I will do is say this: if you live in a town where there is another option besides WalMart, do your best to take it. They are sweeping the mom and pop stores under the rug in so many places and soon they will be our only option. I'm just saying, be aware of that. I just needed to vent a little. Because I'm freaked out. And I need to work on that. Money shouldn't matter so much to me. And it wouldn't if my bills didn't exist. Who am I kidding? Money always matters. I'm done now. Thanks for letting me be angry:) I love this blog thing.

When the Sun Hides

January gets me down. I am convinced that so many people go through Seasonal Affective Disorder and I'm no different. I am to the point where I might go tanning just for the artificial light. Oh, but three months until spring weather:) Then summer with Nichole and Jeff back and boating and all the fun that comes with the sun. But to live in the here and now, I will find ways to be happier. I want to go get an application to volunteer at St. Anthony's but I have to figure out how. I also get to go get a shot and my eyes probed. Fun fun. I like being off work for the pure sake of freedom. It's been so long since I could do as I pleased. There's always something, you know? I guess that's life and I'll just have to make sure the somethings are things I want to be doing. I'll work on that. Mission for tomorrow: better suit and finish my errands. Then, have fun:)

Wild Nights

One of my friends once told me that I am more multi-faceted than I, and other people, think I am. I tried to figure out just how so, and tonight was one thing to add to my list. I LOVE to line dance. Most people wouldn't just think that about me. I love going to Wild Country and I get better every time. By "get better," I mean, I learn the dances kind of. I'm not blessed with rhythm but I'm making it. And I don't even care how good I am or who's watching. I just love to do it and keep learning new dances. Last time I was at Wild Country I was out there dancing while my friends watched a few and I realized how much I've grown. I never would have been confident enough to do that in the past and now I am. People tell me I'm not confident all the time, but what they don't see is the growth in my confidence so far. It's kind of like how we judge kids with the NCLB Act of 2001. We are supposed to have all kids achieving these high scores, but really we should be measuring where each individual student is from where they were. We are all individuals and grow in different ways at different times. I wish people would realize that about me, too. Anyway, moral of the story is that line dancing makes me so happy and is something I've found for me. Something that I can be absorbed in for just one night. Nothing else to worry about.

Let's Try This Again

Every year since I can remember, when the clock struck 12 on New Year's (or a little after, depending on my plans), I stood on my porch and prayed to God, both thanking Him for the past year and thinking about what I wanted for the upcoming year. Really, that wasn't working for me...for the what I wanted part. I guess I can't be too picky when talking to Someone Who has the big plan, huh? Anyway, this year I didn't do that at all because I spent the night at my sister's house. So maybe my ideas will play out now that I've changed my tradition? We'll see. Inspirational books and quotes will tell me my ideas can always happen; I just have to make them happen. Ugh. How do I do that? Anyway, here are my resolutions for 2009:
1. Find a teaching job
2. Follow Dave Ramsey's financial advice
3. Establish a workout routine, starting today with Making the Cut by Jillian Michaels
4. Following my workout schedule for the half-marathon training (third time's the charm, right?)
5. Organize my professional development stuff...and everything else
6. Live simply
7. Make sure my family and friends know how important they are to me
8. Higher self-esteem, more confidence, more outgoing...ongoing for years
9. Forgive quickly...no grudges
10. Live the life I have