Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you’re struggling with right now.
I have learned to accept my body as it is: curves, shortness, and all. It still would be nice to lose just a few pounds and tighten up just a little. Almost all of my summer wardrobe fits, but just barely. I want to fit comfortably in my clothes.
I don’t know if I will actually get to my goal weight, which is what I claim on my driver’s license. I’ve gotten real close a time or two, but then it seems I take a step back.
A long time ago, I eliminated as much junk food as was reasonable from my diet. I’ll be honest with you. I love drinking soda even though I know it is super unhealthy. If I stop drinking soda all together, it only leads to a soda binge. So I limit myself to a couple during the week, and one on Saturday (usually).
I love carbs and although I try to moderate the amount, they will always be a part of my diet. If I can’t have good bread or pasta, there really isn’t much point in eating anything.
I have also worked to sneak more vegetables into my diet because I know they are good for me, even if I am not a huge fan of them. I have learned to appreciate many veggies, but peas and carrots will never be a staple of my diet.
I know what I should eat, but I don’t.
I exercise, but not regularly. I feel so tired after being on my feet all day at work. I often talk myself out of doing a proper work out. I get into moods where I exercise for a while, but then I stop.
I know what I should, but I don’t.
If I did what I should instead of just talking about it, then I could finally see the results I want.
Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them
Hopeful Leigh- Leigh is a great writer and excellent link up host. I love her monthly “What I’m Into” link ups. I discover so many new things to listen to, read, and watch through that series.
Dear Abby Leigh- Dress for the day isn’t the biggest fashion link up, but it is one with the most personality. She always comments back on your posts and I really like that.
Devotional Diva- Renee is a wonderful writer who turned her blog into an online magazine. She also is excellent at prompting those who guest post on her site. Plus, she is authentic and honest, even if it is painful.
A Place to Dwell- Katie is one of those bloggers who is always encouraging and inspiring. When I read her blog, I feel that I really get to know the real her.
Lauren Nicole Love- I am a huge fan of the work Lauren does both on her personal blog and the Good Women Project. She shares truth and confronts many lies that get tossed around in Christian circles
and since I did not post on the 5th, here is one additional blogger friend who is awesome:
Ames was one of the first blogging friends I connected with. She found one of my posts and was so encouraged that she wrote her own take on it. Since that day, we have shared thoughts and blog inspiration, even though we live on separate continents.
I think I was six. We had gone down to OC to visit the Nodders. Their house was along the back bay which meant there was an awesome view of the water. Mrs. Nodder gave us some tickets to visit some of the rides on the boardwalk. Their grandkids had been down earlier in the week and these tickets were leftover. Of course, you can’t turn down free ride tickets.
When we got to the boardwalk, I decided that I wanted to go down the big slide with the sacks. Dad came with me. We were going to race down. However, just as I was getting ready to slide, one of my pink sandals got caught on something. I had to stop and retrieve my shoe.
My dad didn’t realize I was stuck and started to slide down in his lane. Once I finally got back on the ground, I had to explain how very bad it would have been if I lost my sandal. I complained that the race was not fair because I HAD to have both my sandals. I complained about something else. I started to describe how I felt and everything I saw from on top of the slide. It really was a fun boardwalk ride.
I talked to my family the entire was out of the amusement park. I talked until the end of the boardwalk. I talked as we walked to our truck. I talked the entire drive home. I had so much I needed to tell them.
My mom timed my monologue and told me later that I talked for over an hour. I literally did not stop talking for 60 minutes.
I don’t remember everything that I said, but I still remember that I had a lot to say.
What is your favorite boardwalk memory?
Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why
I could not choose just one so I decided to share many of my favorites, with many of my favorite people.
Team Fedora on our scavenger hunt last summer. It was an awesome day. Plus somebody told me this picture reminded them of Harry Potter. I laughed because why else would three people huddle in a fireplace?
When I shared how Life Doesn’t Hurt Anymore, these were the friends who helped me through the dark days when I barely held onto my faith. This particular picture was taken on the last day of our retreat in 2007
This is another picture from the Basiliea retreat during college. I spent five weeks over three years at that camp. It will always hold a special place in my heart, as will these lovely ladies from NJCF. We all found ourselves up by those mountain lakes.
My Mom-mom is the little girl on the left. She still thinks it is super amazing that I am her mini-me, especially when you look at pictures of us when we were both little girls.
We had a birthday party for Annie. Somehow icing got on one of us accidentally. Naturally, she retaliated until we were all covered in green icing. Then we had a photo shoot.
Here is the obligatory awkward teenage picture. Here is my cousin, my sister, and I at another cousin’s wedding in 2003.
My mom said this was her favorite picture of me because of my smile. I also think this is a great picture of me. It was taken last Christmas.
I need to wear clothes every day, so I try my best to make every outfit interesting.
I am a huge fan of polka dots, so they show up often in my outfits.
You might not see it, but the gray leggings have tiny polka dots on them.
The first outfit was worn on a relaxing Saturday that involved a delicious steak dinner.
We had to ask for our fries twice before we got any.
So I didn’t take any pictures of my food.
I wore the second outfit last Sunday, for church and visiting my grandparents.
I really like that sweater too. It is so comfortable.
In no particular order because how could you choose, I present 1o things that make me happy:
Polar bears
Eeyore
Snow
Glitter/ sequins/ sparkles
Harry Potter
The Ocean
Seeing My Favorite People
Laughter
Pink
Dresses
and because ten is not enough: Christmastime
Dear readers,
I am not sorry that sometimes I forget who my audience is and refer to things like Bunny Cakes and nursery rhymes. I am not sorry that sometimes I borrow the structure of children’s books as the format of my blogs. Those things are absolutely ingrained in my mind. I can’t help that they sneak out when I am not at school.
I am not sorry that you found my blog by searching for Disney princesses. Cinderella and Belle are my favorites. I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Nor will my affection for Eeyore disappear.
I am not sorry that my blog changed its tone and purpose over time. That is proof positive that I am changing and growing and all that awesome stuff.
I am not sorry that I stand my ground on the things I find most important. I am not sorry that I have refined and clarified my views over time. I have grown up as a person and grown more comfortable with my faith. I am not sorry that I changed my mind on some of the little things.
I might be a little sorry that the realities of my faith and beliefs do not necessarily match up with anyone’s perceptions of Christianity. I try to follow Jesus, but I make mistakes. I cannot answer for any other person. However, I can say that no one is perfect, not even Christians.
I am not sorry for being me, not one bit.
What do you miss?
When I heard this post, I immediately thought of my college days. I had tons of friends nearby at all times. I went on so many adventures, most of them spontaneous. I was on my own. It was wonderful.
However, I do not have true memories of that time period. It was not always perfect. I spent many nights crying because everything was so overwhelming. I was lost on so many levels. I was lonely.
Yes the adventures were awesome. That doesn’t mean that I cannot adventures now. In fact, I can have bigger adventures since I have a larger paycheck.
Yes, I was surrounded by peers and friends. However, it was only after we entered the adult world that I realized the difference between people who say you are friends and those who can really be counted on when things get difficult. Also, since my friends are scattered and time together is sparse, I have learned to treasure time together a whole lot more than when we saw each other constantly.
Also, I do not want to repeat my student teaching semester. Nor do I want to relieve the time after graduation when it seemed like every part of my life was falling apart. Once was more than enough.
Besides, if I went back in time, I would miss all the awesome parts of my current life. I really do love how things are now. Life is good and it is getting better.
Get it? Because I’m short. Just kidding. Today’s prompt is to sell yourself in 10 words or less
Day 11, Saturday:
Loyal, Lovely, Kind, Generous, Witty, Sweet, Awesome, Funny, Big Smile, Unique
Day 10, Friday: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill.
- During my college teaching practicum visits, I was twice assigned to classrooms in the middle school grades. More than once, I was mistaken for a 6th grader even though I was in college. This also happened when I was a substitute.
- Last school year, one of our preschoolers came up to me when she was supposed to be napping. She complained that she was coughing and she needed a drink of water. Knowing that she tried anything to get out of resting, I started to send her back to her rest mat. Let’s just say that I was wrong. She really didn’t feel good. That wasn’t the embarrassing part. The embarrassing part would be that I had to ask the school nurse if I could borrow a pair of pants. They were boy pants, and they were clean. However, it was not my favorite day.
- When I was in high school, I somehow managed to get gum stuck to my leg. I was wearing a dress and it was apparently under the desk. I sat down and the next thing I know, some one else’s gum was on my leg. Of course I had to tell everyone what the matter was so I could get a pass out of class to clean that sticky mess off my skin.
- At our National Honor Society induction, as a whole, we messed up the oath. So much for being the smart kids.
- Early on, I was so nervous around my now BF that I gave him the wrong directions to my parents house. It’s not like I have lived there my entire life or anything.
Luckily, the Five Minute Friday word this week is COMFORT. I could use some after sharing all those embarrassing moments.
Things I find comforting include:
- snuggling under my favorite blankets with a book
- when my students say funny/ adorable things
- warm cookies
- nearing home after a trip
- dates with the BF
- knowing that my prayers are heard and answered
- knowing in whom my hope lies
