One. More. Day.

Last week I expressed to the world how I am basically getting burnt out with all of the school and work I have been doing.  One of the ways I spoke of fixing this little problem of mine is by planing a trip to go see my best friend Lauren in New Hampshire.  And that is going down tomorrow.  At 3:30 a.m.
As much as I hate mornings, I can't wait to be there.  I cannot wait to be sitting with my best friend, talking about everything and nothing all at once, and not thinking about school or life back here in Florida.

I have talked a lot on here about Lauren.  We met in college and since about Sophomore year we have been pretty close.  She is the type of friend I don't have to try to be friends with.  We don't stress about having to talk on a regular basis because we know the other will be there when we need it.  And I could not love that more about us.
Even though I am bringing some homework with me, I am hoping this is going to be a very relaxing long weekend for me.  I have been looking forward to this weekend for months now and it is much needed.  I have missed Lauren and all the fun we have.
So here is to hoping this is going to be the best long weekend ever:)

I Feel Like An Outsider

Last May I moved home from Tennessee for the final time.  I knew there would be no going back there to live, only visits.  I knew I would go back to calling Florida my home.  What I didn't know is that moving back here I would feel like an outsider to this place...even over a year later.

When I moved to Tennessee for school  I would tell everyone that I was from Florida.  But overtime, Tennessee became home to me.  It is where I spent the majority of the last four years of my life.  It is where I made the life long friends that I have.  It is where my heart always longs to go.
I was convinced that moving home, back to Florida, I would feel right at home.  I mean I did spend the first 18 years of my life here.  I was convinced I would love being back here.  I was also convinced that everything would work out perfectly and I would have everything I had in Tennessee here.

I was wrong.
I still feel as though I am an outsider in my own town.  When someone asks me where I am from I say here, but also add in that I spent the last four years in Tennessee.  When I think about home I still think about Tennessee and Milligan.  Which I always think Milligan will be my home in some way shape or form.  But sometime soon I should fit in here...right?
I have made some new friends who are new to this place, yet they still know about more things to do around here than I do.  I still feel as though I am learning everything here and that I will never catch up.
Even though I still feel like an outsider most days, I am finding my way around.  I am planting new roots here and I am loving it.  I have my family right at my finger tips.  I have friends who love me and make me do my homework.  And I have a job I am absolutely in love with.  
So while I may feel like an outsider most days, I know I'm not.  I am loved and appreciated here.  And I know this is where I am meant to be!

5k Number 4

Saturday I ran yet another 5k.  Remember when I signed up for 4 5k's this summer?  Well this was race number 3 (I missed the second one).  I was suppose to run this race with Mattie and Brittany again, but both had to back out at the least minute.  Mattie hurt her foot and Brittany had to babysit.
I was so excited for this race so I decided to go no matter what to run the race.  I had been running more regularly before this race, unlike my first one this summer.  I had high hopes that I would improve my time.  I mean honestly as long as I did better than the last race I was going to be happy.

The night before the race I didn't feel good.  My tummy was just not right and it carried over to the morning.  I didn't sleep well either which did not help.  The last thing I wanted to be doing that morning was running a race.  But I went and I did it.
My first mile was a tough one.  And then I saw my time: 11:19.  About a minute faster than what I had been running previously.  I was proud of that mile but knew it would exhaust me for the rest of the time.  I did a lot of intervals of walking and running that race.

Fortunately, my foot didn't go numb quite as early as it did last time.  I got to at least 2.5 miles before it did and it never even got as bad as it did before.  Really at the end of the race I didn't even want to finish.  I passed my car before I got to the end and wanted nothing more than to run to it and quit.  But I didn't.
I ended up finishing the race right around the same time as the last race. At about 39 minutes.  My pace was a little better (by 3 seconds) so at least I didn't do worse?  I am happy I completed the race and now have a new plan for training for the last one.

I think part of my problem before this race was that I had not done anywhere near 3 miles.  When training I need to be doing this distance, no matter how much walking is included, so that my body can get use to it.
So here is to more training more 5k's in my future!!!

A Grateful Heart

I find it important to reflect back on things that I am grateful and thankful for.  Sometimes it's the little things, sometimes it's the big things.  Most days I find myself in disbelief over the life God has given me.  I am such a blessed person and I do not think I recognize that enough.
I am grateful for the family God has blessed me with.  He knew what he was doing when he sent me to my parents and my siblings.  I know I have talked a lot recently about how much I love them, but seriously guys you have no idea how thankful I am for them.  I wouldn't be getting through life without them.

I am grateful for the friends I have...new and old.  I have had some awesome friends the last few years.  I am grateful for the ones who have stood beside me no matter what.  I have also been blessed to have made some awesome new friends.   Between Lili and all the other girls in grad school, they are key in keeping me sane through grad school.
I am grateful for my nanny family.  I got so blessed last fall when Wendy asked me to nanny for her.  I could not have picked a better family to be around.  I love those kids and I love spending time with them.  And Wendy and Gabe could not be nicer or better to me.  I don't even look at it as a job anymore, it's more of a time to relax and have fun.

I am grateful for running.  I may ride the struggle bus with it a lot, but at the end of the day I love it and look forward to that time to myself.  I love reaching goals and pushing myself to achieve them. And I love when I find a buddy to run with!

I am grateful for perfect Florida days.  There is absolutely nothing more relaxing to me than to float in the pool on a hot day.  I took time off this past weekend and did just that.
I am grateful for ice cream for the days that have not been so great. It's a great little pick me up at the end of a rough day. And it is my weakness. And sometimes I just need it. 
Finding the things in life to make me grateful makes my days so much better and more enjoyable.  I am a firm believer that you can find something good and positive, even in the worst of days.  So friends, find something today or yesterday that you are grateful for and focus on that, not on all the negative!

To Smokey, From Brutus

Yo, Smokey what up man? I saw you blog post on your Nina's blog the yesterday and asked you if I could steal the idea and write you.  You told me to so I am.  My name is Brutus and Mosby is the human who belongs to me.

She thinks that I am her kid, but let's be real here she is MY human. And I'm a cat. Not a kid. She also seems to call me all kinds of names, never really Brutus. And like dude that's not cool. I am a man and shouldn't be called "B" "Beebs" "BB" "Baby" "Boo Boo" "Bunny" (doesn't she know I am a cat!?) or "Honey Bunny". 

She also tortures me with pictures all the time. And I am all like "I'm over this dude. Stop right now!"  It didn't seem like Nina did this to you. Or really you have figured out how to make it stop. Help a bro out dude and give me some tips on how to stop this now!

I really wanted to show you the house I tricked my Mosby into getting me. I really just wanted a new toy so I kept jumping up on her counters and messing with her food and knocking things over so that she would get one. Do you have one of these Smokey? Just follow my example and you will get one!

Also do your humans have these things called shoes!? Mosby has a bazillion of them. And dude THEY ARE AMAZING!! They smell sooooo good and you can fit your head inside most of them. Find ya one and try it man, I promise it's better than catnip!

I have this other tip I wanted to give you. Take your bed and pull it up to your bowl of food. It's like heaven (do you believe in heaven and God? Don't tell Mosby you don't, she will talk you ear off about that and try to "save" you. Again I'm a cat mom!) Seriously dude try this one and you won't ever have to leave your bed. 

And even though you are like way older man, here is my last tip of advice for you from us young ones: wear the clothes! They are quite comfortable dude and you can get away with things like eating human food from the table.  I mean my Mamerz didn't even know till now at I did this. Got you again Mamerz and I will win the war!!!!! But back to the clothes dude, get ya some. Seriously worth it in the winter. 

Well Smokey, my man, I am off for another nap. Give me shout for our world take over if your in. I think we could make it happen...just don't tell the humans!

BRUTUS

I'm Burnt Out

For those of you who know me, you know I love school and I love learning.  I have always said I would be a forever student if someone would pay for it.  But right now?  I WANT OUT! I have been going nonstop since August and I just want to be done!
I am literally counting down the days until I have a break (last two weeks of August) and until I get to go see my best friend (10 days!) and until I graduate (approx 280 days).  None of these dates can come soon enough.  I hate school right now and I just want to quit!
Every week I have 4-5 papers due ranging in length of 2 pages to 10 pages.  I have more reading than I have ever seen before to do.  I am working on classes I HATE with a passion.  And I do not want to do any of it ever.  It is like pulling teeth over here to get me to do my assignments.
One of my goals this year was to work on my procrastination and I have say I have failed majorly at this recently.  I put everything off till the last minute and then stress because I have so much to do.  This is not a good cycle I am in right now.
Oh and lets add onto that the 15 hours or so I am doing as an intern.  And the nanny job I have (which I love and I am SO ready to quit school and just become a nanny).  And I have been working at the gym at least once a week in the kids club.  So yeah I have a lot on my plate right now.
I am burnt out.  I knew this could happen but I prayed it wouldn't.  I didn't want to be that student who pushed too hard and then fell apart.  And I am not there....yet.  So prayers that I can keep it up till the end of the month will be greatly appreciated.  I am loving what I am doing and I know I can do this.  
ONE.  MORE.  YEAR.

Blogmopolitan Quiz!

Since I am finally feeling inspired to blog more regularly, I thought this was a perfectly fun way to keep going this week!  Can't wait to see all yall's answers!  Happy Friday friends!

Linking up with Erin @ Two Thirds Hazel

Things I Don't Understand

There are many days that I find things I just do not understand. I mean sometimes this world comes up with some pretty crazy things. Or people do. Mostly people. In fact if I reflect on just one day alone I am pretty sure I could come up with several things I didn't understand...but that also may just be me and my brain farts over here!

Why water collects on top of yogurt or sour cream

Seriously this just grosses me out to no end. I just close my eyes and mix it as fast as I can so that it goes away. And I eat yogurt for breakfast every morning. 

Why Brutus must obsessively clean his litter box

He literally can spend 15 minutes in there at a time pawing at the sides (where there isn't any litter) trying to clean it. Most. Annoying. Thing. Ever. Especially at midnight. 

How people eat cottage cheese

That stuff is pure nastiness. Like all kinds of wrong texture going on there. 

Rude people who say "don't take this personally but..."

Hello I'm pretty sure not only will I take it personally but that you meant it to be in the first place. Rude. Rude. Rude. 

Why the amount I pee doesn't match the amount if water I drink

The more I drink the more I pee. As in I pee every 20 minutes some days. But I swear if you measured how much I peed to how much I drank it wouldn't be the same. There would be way more pee. 

How Barbie dolls go from cute to ratchet in 5 seconds or less

Their hair goes wild and unruly. They have teeth marks on them. Ok maybe that's just in the kids club at work...

Why it has to rain every afternoon in July 

Here in Florida we haven't had a day with out rain all month. I hate the rainy season. 

How I lucked out to have a job where I get to play by the pool

Nanny life is the best life. I think I want to quit school and just nanny...

How someone cannot like sweets

Ice cream is my one true weakness. I want it after every meal. And if you don't...then something must be wrong with you. 

Nuts in cookies

Nuts do not belong in cookies. Or brownies. If you put them there and don't warn me, I will never trust you again. 

What are some things you don't understand?  I can't be the only one out here:)

July Goals Update

It is July!!! And we are officially through half of the year! 2014 is flying by and I cannot believe summer is almost completely over!  I mean it seems like just yesterday I was wearing long sleeves and scarves.  But time goes on and the weather changes.  And so does life.  So here is my monthly update on my lovely goals!

1. Put 10% of each paycheck into my Savings. Instead of putting away 10% of each paycheck I changed this to reaching a certain number in my savings and staying there. I have reached that number!!!!! And now I just have to keep it there! I have kept up with my revision of this goal. And now I want to revise it again.  I want to start saving more money each month.  Even if it is just simply $50.  I know in a year I will be having more responsibilities and I want to be prepared for them.
I still have not added to my savings. But I am working here and there at the gym trying to get to where I can! I promise once I get back to subbing this will be top priority!
2.  Go Back to Charleston Need to get to work on this one! Nothing has changed here :( 3.  Focus on my Health So I told you last month I was starting Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. But I didn't really do. I lasted maybe a week. And then I ran approximately three times before my race last Saturday. And my time definitely showed that. BUT since the race I am totally back into running and I am getting myself some new shoes to help out!  This month my goal is to run at least 2 times a week and train for my next 5k!

I have been consistently running 2 times a week for the past month ish.  I finally ran over a mile for the first time in a long time this past month! Here is to my 5k in a week in half! My goal is to beat my last time!!

4.  Really get involved in Church This month Church wasn't exactly a priority for me. With summer comes weekends at the beach with the family. So I really only went one or two Sundays this past month. My goal is to make it every other week, so that I can also enjoy some beach and family time. 
5. Meet a blog friend in person Plans to meet Rissa in October maybe!
It's close enough that Rissa is starting to look at flights down here!  So so so excited for her to come!
6. Visit Tennessee and New Hampshire twice at least before the year is up! I visited Tennessee March 1. And I have plans to go to New Hampshire at the end of the summer! This remains the same.

Ashlee did come down for Easter last month which was so great.  I was so happy to be able to spend some great time with her! It was much needed best friend time!

I have officially bought my ticket to New Hampshire to visit Lauren at the end of July! I am so stoked to be going and cannot wait to be there!
7.  Finish decorating my apartment I have loved my newest additions to my apartment. I added some new prints to my walls. I love the prints and the frames!
Here is what it looked like before:

The first three prints are from Lauren's Blog
Here is way it looks like now:

The new Prints are from this shop.
I also found this tin bin that I absolutely LOVE. It is going a over my kitchen cabinets. I am working on decorating up there and as soon as it is done I will share a finished picture!

So I haven't quite finished a room yet.  I am so close to having my kitchen done and I cannot wait to share it.  I had plans to get a bookshelf for my dining/living room. And then Brutus started jumping on the counters so I got him a cat tree and it sits where I would have out the bookshelf. So I would say at least I added something!?

8. Find a Practicum and Internship site I wrote all about my site here.  And I have also committed to being at Lighthouse until December for my internship.  I will also be working at a church doing support groups and working on gaining individual clients.  To see what kind of work I am doing read this post.
9. Go visit my sister at least one weekend before she comes home from Law School. I am thinking this one is going to happen in the fall.  This spring just got a little too busy for me!
10. Quit one of my jobs I DID IT!! You read all about it here. 
11. Do 10 Random Acts of kindness I completed two already! I sent Lauren and her hubby a gift card to go on a date. Those two just moved and I knew life was crazy for them. I just wanted them to take some time for themselves:)  Also when I was in Tennessee I treated some friends to meals. It was my way of showing love to them:) Ok so this might sound completely conceded but I feel like I have completed this one unintentionally.  I love doing things for others and don't even think about it!
So I am changing it to intentionally going out of my way to do RAOK.  AKA paying for someones meal in a fast food line.  Or something that I have to go out of my way to do, not something I normally do.
12.  Spend more time in the Word Still a work in progress. I was doing good and then I let life get in the way:( Still working on this one too….
13.  Stop procrastinating work as much New semester, new start right?!  I have begun my summer semester and I will be forced to be more diligent with my work.  It's a lot more busier and I have to really watch when things are due.  But I am looking forward to doing it all!
I find it funny I put this on the list in January.  Mostly because currently I m procrastinating more than I ever thought possible.  It's horrible and really stressful.  I MUST GET BETTER AT THIS!
14.  Put my phone away more I really worked on this one. And I am proud to say, I have put my phone away a lot! I have enjoyed time with my family and friends without my phone involved. And I have loved it. It has also made me more aware of when others are on their phones or devices when I am trying to talk to them.not a fan of being ignored and so since I now know how it feels I won't be doing it as often anymore!
Slowly but surely I will be completing all of these goals! Like I said, I am loving doing them and I know they will get done!

Brain Farts

Brain Fart: When your brain totally gives out on you and you completely forget something or you get everything mixed up. Aka everyday of my life recently. I swear I don't know where my head is half the time. And here I was thinking Grad School was suppose to make me smarter...nope. Here is a little glimpse into how my brain has been working...or not working!

1. I went shopping the other day with my brothers girlfriend and had coupons from my mom for Bath and Body Works. I went in and picked out what I could get with the coupons and then went to pay. I looked down at the coupon and read when it expired: August 1,2014. And immediately said "great mom gave me an expired coupon." Except it's not even August. It's July. And the sweet lady checking me out told me so. At least I got me deal!?  And looked a little dumb in the process. 

2. Brutus got a little sick last week. Long story short he somehow injured his eye causing it to cloud up like a blind eye. I had to take him to the vet multiple times for check ups to make sure he got all better. And he did. Well Monday I completely forgot when I was suppose to take him in. I was about 95% sure it was suppose to be Monday and about 75% sure it was at 2 p.m.  So I just showed up at that time hoping I was right. Thank goodness I was! 

3. I regularly forget homework assignments. If I don't write it down in my planner then it doesn't happen. Case in point: Monday I was suppose to have read a couple of articles for class. Not only did I not read a single one, I totally forgot about them and left them with my book at home. Talk about not prepared!?

4. Yesterday I called one of my clients his brothers name. 3 different times. Within in 2 minutes. To give me credit they are both my clients. And both their names start with a D. But I kept apologizing and felt so bad because I always hated being called my sisters name growing up!

And all of those occurred since Sunday. Can you imagine what a week is like for me?! Please tell me you have brain farts too!

July 4 Recap

After a fun busy weekend with Denise and Dave we found ourselves having another fun busy weekend for the fourth, which also happens to be my dads birthday! My moms sister and brother in law were in town and all four kids made their way back to the beach.

Every fourth there is a parade on the Island that we go to.  It is at the end if our street and always fun to watch. This year I made a point of making sure we all were patriotic (or at least us girls) and got us headbands to wear. I also had a tank for myself. Benj and Bryce got some socks and had some fun. 

It always mandatory with me to get family picture whenever we can!

After the parade the clouds came and so we ended up inside playing cards and hanging out with the fam. We were just hoping the skies would clear up for fireworks that night! And our dreams came true!

Growing up my grand mommy always told my dad the fireworks were just for him on the fourth since it was his birthday. And he still believes it to this day :) He wanted to take the boat out to watch the show and that's what we did!

We ended the night with one sick camper and then an American flag birthday banana pudding!

I have to say I am a big fan of these fun weekends with the whole family. It's so nice that we still want to spend time with each other and will do so. I loved celebrated dad and our country. I am proud to be an American and his daughter:)

Best. Surprise. Ever.

Hello blog world!  That pesky little thing called life has gotten in the way again the last two weeks which would explain my absence from this space. Lots of travel (to the beach) and lots of work have kept me going crazy. But since I was living life, that means I have lots to share with you all!

Let's start with the Best. Surprise. Ever. 

The weekend before July 4, we surprised my mom in the best way possible. I mean it seriously was the best thing we have ever done for her!  Let me give you some back story to why this was the best surprise ever. 

When my mom was at Milligan (that's where I also went to college) she had this best friend, Denise. They were roommates and best friends all throughout college. And then they graduated and mom went to law school and Denise got married. Denise stayed in Tennessee and mom eventually moved to Florida. In the thirty years since, they saw each other off and on but it had been at least 15 years since they last saw each other. 

A couple years back they reconnected via Facebook with each other as well as us kids got to know her via that as well. You could tell even just from Facebook that this woman and my mom were like twins separated at birth from one another. They think the same things. Laugh at the same jokes. And just have so much fun with one another. 

Mom has talked for years about getting together with Denise but never made it happen. So Mattie and Denise got to taking and planning for her to come to Florida and surprise mom. After securing a date with dad and Dave/dan (her husband) it was set for both Denise and Dave to come!

Mattie told all of us kids we HAD to go to the beach house that weekend. Mom knew something was up but had no clue how awesome. She thought Mattie had planned for a photographer to come and take our family picture for Christmas cards. Yeah right mom. 

So we had the plan set. Mattie met Denise at the wine store (where we would surprise mom) and hid her in the back when dad, Bryce, Katie and I brought mom in. It was a wine tasting night so mom had no clue anything was about to happen. 

Mondher (the store owner) asked my mom to come greet his special guest so that she could make her feel welcomed that night. Little did mom know, the special guest was Denise. He opened the door to the back and asked her to come out and she and mom saw each other. 

Denise cried. Mom cried. I cried. Everybody cried. They hugged and mom kept saying she knew it. (She had guessed earlier about Denise coming but changed her mind). It was an absolutely priceless moment to see mom reunited with Denise. 

The rest if the weekend was spent with late night talks. Talks on the beach. Boat rides. And just plain fun for all. It really was one of the best weekend. I came to know and love Denise even more and cannot wait for her to come back. In fact Denise (I know your reading this) yall should just move here!

So I would say Mattie mostly, but all of us kids are pretty awesome for coming and surprising my mom. She says she had the best time and I know she did because she kept begging Denise to stay longer. If only she could have! We love you Denise and Dave so please come back soon!