31 Days Update

So, when I left on a jet plane, I forgot about my 31 days... so here are lessons 4,5, & 6...

Day 4: Buying a House is Hard

So, as most of you know I purchased a house and closed in July. Note, yeah it seems like fun, until they ask you to turn over your entire life and pocketbook. Seriously, I love my house, but sometimes I think if I had to do it all over, I would just rent.

Day 5: Asking for Help

Yes, I am a self-professed, independent woman, and one of the toughest lessons learned this year has been to as for help. And then to take it. I cannot do it all, no one can and people want to help you, and not because they expect things in return, but simply because they care.

Day 6: Happiness is made

Sometimes you to make your own happiness. As in, create it, put yourself in situations that bring that smile to your face. Be around happy people, do happy things, and let yourself be happy even when you think you shouldn't. I spent a lot of February and March thinking I should be weeping constantly and not go out and let myself live. I wasted some good months of my life wallowing instead of letting myself experience some happy moments. Happiness doesn't grow on trees, go out and find what makes you smile.

Running

Story of my life. Running. I find I do it often. I run from stress, fear, and pain; from confusion, happiness, and love. I run from the Lord, I run from the tough questions and I run for sheer stress relief. Running is my comfort, my solace and my idol sometimes. I have learned its ok to run, just be sure what you are running from and running to are what you need to be doing. We often run from pain when we need to face it, only to run to comfort because its easier. Its ok to run (like literally hit the trails) to relieve stress, but its not ok to run when someone forces you to face the hard reality of life. Its ok to run, just be sure you are running to Him.

What do you run from and what do you run to?

 

P.S. I am leaving on a jet plane today to head to Georgia and I get to see none other than the Amazing Jessica!

All In a Day's Work

 

I have a treat for you. Since I spend so much time here, I thought I would give you all a little glimpse inside my office. Yup, that lawyerly lair where all the magic crap stress work happens! So, without further ado I give you me and my office:

 

 

Hope you enjoyed!

Day 2: I learned that its ok to look out for yourself. I spend so much time trying to please others and make them happy that I often overlook myself. This past year taught me that sometimes you have to stop and take a personal self-inventory. If you aren't ok, you can't make anyone else that way either

Life Ain't Easy: 31 Days of Lessons

Today is hard for me. For the first time in 7 years I will not celebrate M's birthday with him. I can recall every birthday from his 26th to today, his 33rd. I remember every card, every present, cupcake and brownie with ice cream.

It reminds me how different my life is from one year ago today, or how different it will be in 12 days when I celebrate my birthday. Yes, this year will be different. Holiday traditions will change and I will be reminded in January that my marriage ended. I admit I texted him this morning just to say hello. It seemed so cruel not to, but at the same time, a reminder of what has transpired in the past year.

So, in light of this past year of change I have decided to participate in 31 Days with Nester.

The point? 31 days of writing about something that you want to write about. I thought about this a lot... 31 days to share with you all something about me. I thought about my faith, my daily laughs, food, working out, etc... but instead I decided I would share with you 31 things I have learned over the past year. The good, the bad, the funny, the hard, here is 31 Days of Lessons.

Day 1: It's Ok to Cry

I have always cried.  I have cried when I am happy, sad, upset, frustrated, etc.. you get the point. But I have learned its ok to cry with others. Let them see your pain. I am not good at letting people see me hurt or not "perfect." I had to learn that crying helps you let go of the pain and hurt.

End of Blogtember {Something Old}

I would like to point out that this month FLEW by! I mean like a jet plane. So, to celebrate the end of this month and the beginning of my Birthday month I bring you the very last Blogtember post:

 

Monday, September 30: Share a photo of something old. Maybe something that has personal history for you, that was passed down to you, and that has special meaning to you. Tell us about it and why it's special.

 

 

See that stuffed dog in that picture? That my friends in Jamie. He is a bona fide Pound Puppy who will be 27 years old this December. He came into my life on my 3rd Christmas. (He is named after my cousin Jamie, whom I have not seen since I was umm I dunno a kid, but apparently I had quite the crush on him when I was 3.) But, Jamie, the dog, is my best friend, confidant, secret keeper, dream catcher, tear dryer, all-round comfort-giver.

 

He has been everywhere with me, yup everywhere. He came to every twirling competition, went to college, law school, London, my wedding and yup, even my honeymoon. I'm not quite sure how he came to be my best friend, but he is. He has been lost, misplaced, washed, repaired more times that I can count, but he is still alive and well. He has been chewed, spit out, buried in sand, stuffed in a suitcase, slept on and manages to keep on loving me. He knows me better than anyone else. He is the inspiration for everyone's "Jamie." V calls anyone's thing they carry with them all the time, their "Jamie." But he is the one and only, original.

 

Did you have a best stuffed friend as a kid? or a blanket? I would show you  my blankie, but Im pretty sure he finally died after college. Alas, goodbye September, its been swell, but hello October, hello 31 and hello blates!

 

Dear ___ {Friday's Letter}

I's been forever since I have linked up with Ashley for this wonderful Friday tradition and its much needed, so without further ado I give you  Friday's Letters.

Dear Clients, please, please remember I work for more than just you. I understand you want it done yesterday, but we are a team here, I can't do my job if you continue to keep things from me or choose to engage in passive aggressive behavior; Dear Critter in my House, GET OUT. You are hereby evicted from the premises; Dear Sophie, please grow up, just a little, Mommy loves you, but man girl you are a menace; Dear Chloe, sweet girl, I know your sisters annoys you to death, but its not ok to then crawl onto the dining room table to escape her; Dear Jessica, One week til I get to meet you and baby Caleb; Dear Vacation, I need you now; Dear Winter, are the season I just didn't  know I loved and needed in my life, looking forward to all you have to offer; Dear Jesus, thank you so much for allowing me walk into the darkness only to be shone the light. Your continued grace, though hard to understand and feel, is the driving force in my life.

Count Down

I am again lacking words again. I could tell you of my critter hunting aka its still in my house and has eaten me out of bananas and peanut butter; or about my saw it, pinned it, made it stuffed acorn squash from last night; or I decided I would just see what the blogworld had to offer... so I saw Jenn did this today and thought, heck why not! So, without further ado I bring you my 54321 Count Down.

5 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. My trip to Georgia in one week!!! Much-needed relaxation trip, think sleeping in, the spa and some longs walks
2. I get to have a blate with this lovely lady! Yay Jessica!
3. The return of TCU football this Saturday as we take on SMU in the Battle of the Iron Skillet

4. Christmas, that's right people you heard me the Grinch is looking forward to Christmas
5. The last week of Redemption Groups... yes I know I'm only one week in, but its taxing on the soul

4 Things You Might Not Know About Me
1. I am an only child and the youngest of 2 (aka my dad's only baby, but my mom's second child)
2. I am originally from Pennsylvania, but moved here when I was just about 2, so technically am I an yankee?
3. I lost 35 pounds when I decided to compete in Miss Texas again at the age of 24
4. I have collected unicorns and ladybugs since I was 3, but not the real ones.. that is just creepy


Left London 2005: Right Miss Texas 2007

3 Fall Shows I am Extremely Excited For
1. Grey's Anatomy - yes Jenn I am also one of 3 people still watching
2. Nashville - just so addicted to it
3. We Are Men, it looks funny but I am sure since I will watch it, it won't make it



2 Things That Frustrate Me
1. Expectations from the world on what is "normal" and feeling like I have to follow them
2. That I cannot for the life of me get rid of the critter in my house!

1 of my Favorite Words
1. flibbertogibit - I say it a lot...