Not a Scrooge

I have so much to tell you guys! Like, what happened on my birthday/Thanksgiving, our fun little service opportunity on Saturday, my outing with a friend and so much more!

Unfortunately, I am in crazy-woman mode. And it isn't for hormones this time either. The holidays are upon us, and while everyone is celebrating and decorating (I wish I was one of those people... but that ain't gonna happen this year), I am pretty much drowning in work, work, work. Christmas means lots of orders to process, people to talk to, messages to reply too.... And it also means the end of the semester ( SO MUCH HOMEWORK!!!!)

Needless to say, I am wondering if there was any sanity on sale Black Friday and I missed it?

Don't get me wrong, I am excited for the holidays. I love Christmas music, decorations and this is the one time of year I can tolerate snow. I guess I am just fighting hard to stay afloat (I have so much laundry that needs folding, on top of everything else!), and when you are trying to not drown it is hard to get into the holiday spirit.

Don't worry, I will. It probably won't happen until December 18th (the day after the semester ends). But that is better than nothing!

I feel almost Scrooge-ish with all these blogs/pictures/tweets about Christmas trees and how much everyone loves this time of year. I envy the happy faces around the bright Christmas tree, the hot chocolate being shared and stories being read. I was getting depressed at my own lack of joy, when I realized that most of these people are in a completely different stage in life. I'm sure when I have little ones I will be working overtime to make sure they have happy memories of Christmas time. So it is ok that right not I am working overtime to stay on top of work and school. After all, this part of life isn't going to last long. Right?! (Everyone agree with me, or I might cry.)

So I am saying, "Hello!" to a ton of work, a lot of motivation, a little sleep and a lot of hope, faith, sweat and tears that I'll make it through this in one piece. The rest of you, enjoy your holiday happiness! I'll join you in a few weeks.




(Linking up with: Monday Meet Up, Make It Pretty Monday, Mingle Monday, Hello Monday)

A Week of Learning

It is amazing how much one can learn in a week. And it isn't always in the places you'd look for new knowledge, and it can be so incredibly varied.

This week I was faced with a pile of homework, and I thought it would kill me. I went into overwhelmed mode. You know, so stressed out that you just shut down and don't do anything?

Yeah, it isn't very useful. But that's where I was at. I was getting so frustrated because I liked what I was studying. So why was it so hard to just get it done? I was praying for help, for motivation for anything that would help me get through this.

My brother gave me this New Testament.
I love how small it is.

And then, in my scripture study along came a verse, Matt 9:23 and it had the answer. I wasn't looking for an answer there. It was such a simple verse.
"And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise"

And then it hit me: Turn off the noise.

That was my answer! Turn the noise off, quiet my mind and my soul and I would get it done. So simple. It has turned out to be harder than I would like. But I am trying. I am keeping the TV off, music off (or playing classical music quietly) and I quiet all the noise in my mind. I focus. I make a conscious effort to focus. And things get done!



Another thing I learned this week was learned while procrastinating said homework. I was just going along, looking at pinterest, when I saw a hairstyle. It inspired a completely different hairstyle. But I love it. It is simple, easy and fast!

Yup, new go too hairstyle. Now I just need to figure out how to do this without having my front pulled back like that... I would like to make it a little bit more feminine and pretty. Still, pretty awesome if I do say so myself!

I also re-learned the whole snacking healthy thing. Remember how last Friday I was super sick and wanted to die? Well, I also lost some weight in the process. And I really liked how my jeans fit afterwards. So, after that whole awful experience, I changed my eating habits this week. Just a little. I just try to go for healthier alternatives. I keep healthy snacks on hand (healthy snacks that I like!) and I feel so much better! And I have been drinking more water.  It is the little things that add up.





I've also been learning a lot about marriage recently. How important it is to support your spouse and be their cheerleader. Everyone needs someone in their corner. Everyone needs to know that no matter what, someone loves them. My husband has a had a bunch of tests at school this week and has been really stressed. It is so easy to respond shortly when your spouse is all wound up. You can let their stress get to you. But I have learned that if I can focus on being his cheerleader, on being the one waving the pompoms and telling him how much I believe in him everything gets better. He feels supported and less stressed. I feel like a superhero for making him smile. We like each other more. It is just all round beautiful.

I am also learning to take a minute, breathe and look at what is all around me. Beauty is everywhere. We just have to stop and enjoy it. I like to see all these pretty leaves and think how happy God must be that I am noticing the beauty He created for me. Life is wonderful. Sometimes we just have to remember that.

(linking up with: Lauren, Weekend Blog Walk, Fantabulous Friday, Friday Favorite Things, That Friday Blog Hop, and Womanhood With a Purpose

Yellow Galoshes

I just love being happy. I don't know what it is, but I am in a fantastic mood today. Work is good and busy, but not too busy and life is just... happy.

Strange thing is, I should be (or maybe I shouldn't be?) stressing like there is no tomorrow. I have to write (I kid you not) 17 papers by Friday. No, that is not 17 pages. 17 papers.

Call me crazy.

The funny thing is, I didn't procrastinate this work. Usually that is the case. But I actually did my best to stay on top of things. But life and other things kept happening. And now Friday is coming at me like a fast speeding train, and for some reason I feel like I am skipping down the tracks in yellow galoshes to meet it.

Go figure.

I think it is God's way of making sure I don't implode or something. I am pretty sure that this feeling of peace and calm is a gift because I told God I would take this class because He wanted me too, but I would need help to do it. This is my help. I am so grateful!

In spite of all this craziness I have a brand new week ahead of me! And I am excited for it. I have a week of training for my 10K (I am really falling in love with running). I get to look forward to date night with my hubby. I am hoping to squeeze in dinner with a dear friend too. And I bought tickets to the opera for next week! (I feel so grown up and cultured saying that... But you really can't say no to $13 tickets)

Another thing that has me jumping for joy? I have some new followers! HI GUYS! Every time I see that I have a new follower I quite literally do a happy dance. Around my room. Singing. And then I stalk them and find out that some truly amazing, awesome, incredible people are following me. My friends (can I call you my friends? I like to think that we're friends) you are inspiring! Thanks for being here!

P.S. I really, really, really want a pair of yellow galoshes. Yes, I have a pair of polka dot ones. I may or may not have plaid as well. But that is besides the point. I need yellow ones. They would totally match my car!

Goodbye Guilt, Hello Happiness

Isn't it funny how Monday seems to happen every week? I do like Mondays. Kinda. I mean, the whole two-days-of-sleeping-in doesn't ever seem like enough... But I enjoy Mondays and a fresh new week. It's a good thing I love my job too. That helps. Lots and lots.

So... this week I am going to try to be more productive, and less stressed out. My husband pointed out that I was wound up a little too tight. And he is right. School as me stressed. And not the good kind of stress (which does, in fact, exist), but the bad turns-me-into-crazy-lady-who-can't-take-any-jokes kind of stress.

This past weekend, I had so much to do that I just... didn't. You know, you have so much homework and you get so overwhelmed that you just kind of shut down? Plus, I was feeling under the weather. So I only got a couple of things done, and then I settled in under my comfy blanket to watch a bajazillion episodes of Say Yes to the Dress (why is this such a guilty pleasure of mine?!).

Productive, right?

So this week, I am going to try a little harder to be productive yet less stressed.

My strategy is to make a plan, have some lists, and then go through those lists (cause I always end up adding way to much to them) and crossing off at least two items that I could do later without harming any deadlines. And then I make sure I work out.

Now, I know that many people work out to be skinny. I used to be one of them. This is not a good reason to exercise. It really isn't. I mean, yes it is motivating to some. But for me, it makes me hate it. Now, after many months, exercise is a mental health precaution. If I don't work out... Watch out world! Crazy lady is on the lose.

So this week, I am going to MAKE time to work out... Or else. Even if it means not doing an assignment THAT DAY. I am learning that I have to put my health (mental and physical) and happiness above just about everything else (except my husband... and even then. If I don't take care of myself I am not a happy camper. He would rather me be happy and he be a little less priority than other wise. If that makes sense...).

I think this is something everyone struggles with. Guilt. Guilt of putting themselves first. You feel like you will be the worst person ever. If you aren't putting everyone before you. That is just so egotistical. Really. I mean... do you really think that you are the only one who can solve everyone's problems, take care of things at work, etc? Honey, in all those things, you are replaceable. But in living your life, in being happy and enjoying your family... you are not.

So stop with the guilt trip, go take a bubble bath and tell those kids/husband/friends/family/professor/boss/world to just let you be. It's ME time. And Me time rocks!

Not to mention, everyone loves you more when you aren't about to explode from frustration, anger and neglect. I promise.

So let us say HELLO MONDAY! (With Lisa) and say hello to a new week of putting ME first, and being honest-to-goodness happy.

Hello running! Hello yoga! Hello down time with my favorite TV shows (The New Girl, Go On, The New Normal and various cooking shows), Hello dinner with my husband. Hello new iphone!!!! ( I am going to be phoneless AAAAALLLLLLLLL week. This is day 5 without a phone. Yes I am going slightly crazy. And yet, it is kind of nice to be findable to the rest of the world. At the same time, it is driving me crazy to not be able to just text my husband... GAH!) Hello Fall Leaves!

And, of course, Hello Homework. I hate you.

How do you stay de-stressed when you have lots to do? I would love to hear your tips and pointers.