Anybody there?

Whew, I have been a terrible blogger lately. In all honesty, I have just either been busy or exhausted. You can probably just try to come to terms with fewer blogs between now and Christmas. Please take a tissue to wipe your tears. I'll try to do better than I have been lately though.

We have been busier at work lately and it wears me out! Working one on one with kids for the majority of work day hours is completely exhausting. There is no "Here kid, do this worksheet" in my job. I take my hat off for those of you with children. I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to do all that I need to do already and I am only a mother of two needy cats.

 

I've also been trying to find my sanity by reading. Here's a couple of my favorites lately...

 Super short, super fast read but I really enjoyed it. I felt like I really related to the main character and that most girls would. Even though I couldn't relate to every experience discussed in the book, I found myself nodding along and giggling to her inner monologue.

 This is the second book in the Mara Dyer series...I think I read this one in about two days. There were definitely times in this book where you can tell it is a YA book..."Hello characters! You can't put 1+1 together yet?!?" But overall the series is really addicting. Super great for a quick, mindless, fun read. I hate when you finish a book and know you have another year to wait until the next one comes out.  I put book release dates on my iphone calendar. No joke.

Second tip in keeping your sanity:

 

 Exercise. For the most part it really helps me zone out and de-stress. Although there are some days when I wake up and mentally debate about which I need more..Sleep or exercise. Sleep won this morning. If I work until 5 or later, I know I have to do it first thing or there is no way it'll get done after work.

And lastly, but not least, while trying to maintain your sanity.. I recommend...

 Pie. The above is what my Thanksgiving pie should've looked like. It actually looked nothing like that but it tasted delicious! Turns out it's hard to make pie without a mixer. If you are looking for an amazing pecan crust though..let me know!

 

Long Time No See!

Hi there! Sorry for the long absence. I don't really have a good excuse. I just felt kind of off last week. My work outs were lacking, I got way behind in house chores and just overall had a blah week. This past weekend was pretty relaxing though and helped me get back in the groove somewhat. We got caught up on our chores and had some time for fun.

 

I'm still lacking in motivation this week for whatever reason so I was really proud of myself for completing my work out today.

 

 

 

I really just wanted to nap.

 

I am super pumped about having a short week this week! No huge Thanksgiving plans but I'm excited to eat some food and hang out! I'm hoping to get the Christmas decorations up this weekend.

 

Some of my favorite things lately.....

 

1.Last week I tried out this new "fast" food place on Greenville called Start. I put fast in quotations because while they do have a drive through and are set up like a fast food place...they serve fresh, organic fare. Think salads, wraps, burgers with grass fed beef, sweet potato tots/fries, fruit, hummus + veggies etc.  They also offer gluten free options for the wraps and burgers! I had the spinach and strawberry salad though because it happens to be one of my favorite meals. So good!

 

 

 2. We did get out last Saturday night and went to see The Perks of Being A Wallflower (it was my turn to pick). It was excellent! Even Kyle loved it.

 

 

 

 3. I finally got a new phone! Having sound is not overrated.

 

 

From My Heart to Yours

I am ashamed. I am embarrassed. I am scared.

No, not because Obama  was elected President, but because of people's reactions to this outcome. I went into this whole thing thinking that I wasn't going to react, write a post, or be involved in any banter. I am still trying my very best to do that. However, I feel the desire to pour out what is in my heart right now. It is your choice to read this or not. This post is for me.

 There is negativity on both sides but I will be really honest right now about why I cast the vote that I did. 

I fully respect your right to believe what you believe, to pray to who you pray to, to pray for what you pray for. I wish that you felt the same. My hopes and dreams for this country is that we can be a shining example for unity in diversity. That we can create laws that protect people and embrace people's rights as humans. That you will be free to follow your own morals and guidance and I can follow mine. This is what makes America what it is. If we can embrace our differences, learn to respect each other and work together, we will have the opportunity to build such great strength.

I cast the vote that I did because I don't believe in going backwards. I don't believe that anything in the Constitution should be added or changed to take things away from people. I don't believe this would be what our founders had in mind. 

Some scream "Jesus" while simultaneously screaming words of selfishness, hate, stereotypes and falsehoods. Please ask yourself if this is really what Jesus would have done. You don't believe in abortions or easy access to contraception but you also don't want to contribute to helping people raise kids they can't afford. You want people to pass a drug test to get welfare and foodstamps. Who feeds those kids? You want to restrict people's rights based on who they choose to love...what makes this different than restricting rights based on the color of someone's skin or the sexual organs in their bodies? 

I want to live in a country where you are free to practice your religion, teach your children what you believe and practice what you preach. I want to be able to do the same. I want to live my life the way I believe that Jesus, Gandhi, Mother Teresa and St. Francis as well as many others have and will. I want my children to grow up with respect for people who feel differently than them, who never feel the fear and sadness of persecution, who will give their shirt off their back instead of clinging to their own wallets, who will love beyond the boundaries of race, gender, religion and sexual preference.

I believe in hope, kindness, perseverance, equality, and strength in diversity. The hope of our country lies not with the president. It lies here on the streets among us and how we treat each other.

I am a  daughter, friend, girlfriend, teacher, reader, thinker, student and dreamer. I am a Christian. I am an American. I am a Texan. Most of all, I am a human.