New Year, Same Ol' Me

New Year, Same 'Ol Me

Happy Belated New Year to my dearest friends, family, and internet searchers. 

I don't think it is to early to know that things haven't changed with me much, even though it has been quite awhile since I've written anything non-medically related down on a computer or paper.

Welcome to the new year.

The year where you can either create a new you, or just stick with the old you- guessing that one was working pretty well before the last digit of a 4-number date changed.

Anyway, I'm clearly still the same. I planned on starting my blog back this year.

Successful? Yes.

Late? Always.

Fashionably? Yours to determine.

BUT I'M HERE.

I am so here.

You have no idea.

SO many things to update you all on. So many fun stories to tell. So many disgusting stories to tell. And even still, many sad.

I'm keeping it a goal of mine to write one blog a week.

They will (should) contain more entertaining and useful information than this blog. This is just a head's up blog, because I AM BACK! 

For real this time.

I think.

Here's a quick summary of the past 7 months I've been gone.

Pinning Ceremony. Special Olympics. Vomiting. Student Nutrition Services. Cancer. Las Vegas. Ohio. Rehabilitation Center. Ohio. New Year. Married Men. Oncology. EUROPE (sneak peek link).

More to come -- soon!

 gofund.me/EuroTrip16

GASPARILLA!

I'm back, for awhile.

By now I'm sure you've all seen how this goes.

I write for a few days in a row. Then I disappear for a month, maybe two. But today, I'm here.

And so, I write to you all:

Happy extremely belated New Year- I hope it was wonderful! We visited Ohio and had great times with our wonderful families and friends. Also, I didn't have a computer for the entire 2 weeks I was there, so it was difficult to write (that's a good excuse for now).

This is the year I've been dreading for, eh, 2 years now. This is the final year of school!!! Which actually just means the most difficult and stressful year of my life. Basically, I have 5 classes left (including the one I'm in now) and I go directly into "internships" which we called Supervised Practicum (legal reasons). These practicums will last for 8 months, I will work 40 hours a week and I will work for FREE. Gah. It literally hurts me to think about this even for a second. 

And so, somehow, I'm going to have to figure out exactly how I can continue doing assignments for school, work a 40 hour/week job, and balance a REAL job on the side, for the bills and stuff.

And on top of this? We are 90% sure Jordan (hubby) will be losing his job in the rather near future. The earliest would be February 15, and the latest would be the end of August. And so, I'm stressed. As I should be. Except, there's literally nothing I can do about it, besides not shop and spend all of our money while we have decent income.

But, NO WORRIES. Because so far this year has been wonderful. I've, in fact, already done enough really fun things that if I stopped now, I would be okay for awhile (: And that's a great feeling. We even bought tickets for the next few months, so that when the time comes we won't lose any out of pocket money (it's practically already gone to us, terrible logic, I know). 

I'm not here for sympathy (I already know it all sucks) but I'm here to say this: No matter what, I know that we will be okay and that things will work themselves out. It may not go as smoothly as I'm hoping, but we will be OKAY. 

I hope you all find your silver linings in whatever issues you're facing today, because we're allowed to be upset and stressed, but we will always be okay (usually).

Enjoy your Manic Monday!

Xoxo,

    B!

Late Night Walmarting

Let's talk about my late-night trip to Walmart last night. Though it's my favorite time of year I know that this season can really bring out the worst in people. Each of these things happened within the last 10 minutes of my shopping trip:

1. I was trying to turn into a main aisle but I saw a cart coming and so I stopped and grinned slightly at the man pushing the cart. He looks at me, smiles rather big and says, "Thank ya baby, for smiling. Have a Merry Christmas!" Wouldn't you know that he's an employee? I can only imagine how many shitheads he's had to deal with in the past few weeks, but he was thankful that I was smiling and not silently rude.

2. I get in line to check out. I have about 15 items in my cart but the man behind me only has two items and so I tell him to go ahead and go in front   of me. His response? "Oh no, it's fine, (while smiling) I'm in no hurry at all." SINCE WHEN IS EVERYONE NOT IN A HURRY?

3. We both end up switching lanes because a couple of new lanes became available. I get up to pay and realize both my debit and credit card are in the car and I only have about $100 cash on me. I'm about $3 short to purchase that other bottle of wine, but it's fine really. I mean, it's just wine, and the party isn't until Friday. The man behind me speaks up, "Oh, hey, how much do you need?" "Let me get that for you" I mean, he is insisting. I, of course, do not let him pay because I literally have no cash out in the car to pay him back- but it's the thought. 

Each of these things completely gave me a warm & fuzzy feeling. So many wonderful people still exist in this world, even at 11:00 at night in a Walmart. Did I mention I was extremely sick and in severe pain from a fever? Thank you, kind souls for being genuine people! This is why life ins't so bad after all (:

And actually, I'm feeling a bit better today! Everyone, enjoy your day and don't forget to stay kind even in the most impossible situations.

Xoxo,

    B!

Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Since today is our day of giving thanks I want to say thank you, to all of you!

Without readers of this blog, it would be more than pointless (minus a bit of a relief to my very frantic brain). Anyway, I greatly appreciate it! Thanks for stopping by when you do and taking time to listen to what I have to say.

In honor of this delicious day, I mean, day of thankfulness here's a list of 10 things I'm currently thankful for in life:

1. My husband. He's such a good guy and I'm so very lucky to have his love (always), attentions (sometimes), and hilarious jokes (never).
2. All other family- you know who you are. Not necessarily the blood relatives; the ones who actually exist in my life and care. Thank you for always being there.
3. Our military family. Today, without our military family, Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same at all. I remember our Thanksgiving in Pendleton, we had no friends and spent our Thanksgiving at a Panda Express because they gave out free food to military. I am SO thankful to spend this year with amazing friends, making good memories.
4. Friends. I mean, most of my friends are pretty much family to me, but just in case there was any discrepancy, I wanted to clarify that I am thankful for you.
5. My job(s). All of them. I work myself to death and I'm constantly tired, but I'm so thankful that I'm able to work and have been lucky enough to stumble upon so many wonderful opportunities in life.
6. School. I hate it. I hate it so hard I couldn't hate it any harder. But I'm thankful. So many people aren't able to go to school, and I am. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm thankful to have the capability to finish and have the opportunity to find a wonderful career.
7. Shelter. It is great, owning a house and all. Even more importantly I'm thankful that I have a home, true shelter, where I feel safe and comfortable.
8. Food! I'm thankful that I do not experience food insecurity and that I'm able to eat when I need to.
9. Technology. It sounds bazaar, but it isn't what you think. Being so far away from home makes it difficult to stay in touch with our friends and family all the time. Social media, especially  makes communicating and keeping up with loved ones enjoyable and easy with our busy schedules. 
10. Love. I'm so thankful to both give and receive love from so many people. I find myself to be truly blessed for all of the wonderful people Jordan & I have in our lives. There's nothing that will make you happier in life than giving and receiving love, I promise. 

Feel free to leave the 10 things you're exceptionally thankful for in the comments (:

Happy Turkey Day, everyone! Enjoy your full tummies and memory making<3 I truly hope each of you have a wonderful day & if you work retail- GOOD LUCK to you tonight!

Xoxo,

    B!

Why You Hate the Holidays

First- let me start by saying thank you all for all of the wonderful, kind words you sent our way yesterday as Jordan was undergoing surgery. Everything went well & they actually did BOTH levels on his back so he wouldn't have to go back (this is very rare, but awesome). He's definitely in some pain today (as expected) but he is up and walking, and in high spirits. If this continues he should have a great recovery!

& now, onto the important stuff (;

I pretty much consider myself to be one of Santa's helpers-

I LOVE Christmas and everything about the holidays, seriously. Well, except traffic. Nobody likes traffic.

But I've noticed how many people truly dislike Christmas and everything it stands for (not including Jesus Christ) because obviously people care about that part.

I'm referring to: Christmas music, Christmas decorations, Christmas cheer, Christmas shopping, Christmas everything. 

And so I asked myself, "Why?"

I don't understand how someone could not like Christmas.

Afterall, it IS the happiest season of all.

It is the season of giving- giving thanks, giving goods, giving love and giving memories.

Really important things if you ask me.

After much thought and consideration I think I've figured it out.

The reason(s) you hate Christmas is because:

• You're a procrastinator. If you wait until two weeks before Christmas to start your shopping, OF COURSE you hate Christmas. I mean, how stressful is that? Extremely. I should probably be ashamed, but I'm not- I started Christmas shopping in February this year. Yes, as in less than two full months after the last Christmas passed. And guess what? Here I am, before Thanksgiving, and almost ALL of my shopping is done (My list this year contains 58 people).
• You don't donate. Now, I'm not saying everyone is able to donate $10/mo. to a great cause, etc. But what I am saying is that when you go through the line at Dollar Tree and they ask if you'd like to donate a gift for a child in need (all items are $1.00) and you say no, that you just don't understand what the season is about. GIVING. The season is about giving, and a dollar could do a lot for one child's Christmas.
• You don't decorate. Decorations are literally what create the Christmas environment in homes, businesses and in the streets. Want a truly magical Christmas? Decorate! P.S. the Dollar Tree has incredibly adorable items, all for $1.00. I'll be making a post here soon about some DIY crafts for Christmas this year. I should sort of include that you should watch Christmas movies and listen to Christmas music (; It's good for the soul!
• You love getting gifts. I've sort of said it before- it's the season of giving! This means you have to love to give gifts more than you love receiving gifts. This is me! I'm such a cheerful giver & I love nothing more than to make others happy and give them things they'll love. P.S. homemade gifts are awesome also! My husband's family always does a "girl's gift" which is to be a homemade gift from each girl to each girl. How fun, right?!

Now, I understand there are other reasons that people hate the holidays. Family issues, mostly. I get that. At the same time, the holidays will be here year after year, and there's no true way around them. Why not make the best of the season and embrace as much of the joy & happiness that you can?

Now get into the holiday spirit and start making wonderful memories with friends and loved ones- you completely control your happiness (especially on the holidays)!

Xoxo,
   B!