Oh, that's shiny....and LOOK, a distraction!

If you're reading this in email form, I suggest you also look it up online.  I've posted some pics and I don't think they are sent in emails.



Anyways......
This past weekend was pretty darn fun.  And I admit, I really needed it.

Saturday Jen and I went to the Renaissance Festival. We had a blast.  I wore my elf ears and a red skirt.  We ate tons of food and walked around lots.  We had many pit stops since someone gets tired easily now ;)  We saw a jousting match and had 3 glasses of their Cream Ale (cream soda).  But I think we both agree that the smoked turkey leg MADE the day, lol.  We were on our way home when we decided to get another refill of Cream Ale and share the turkey leg.  Needless to say we were disappointed when it was gone. We had such a good time, now we have dad convinced that he wants to go too.  So next weekend, after Jen's baby shower...me, dad, Jillie and Lollie will be going...yay!

Saturday night I stayed at Lorraine's.  Sunday for lunch we ate at Sakura's...sushi, yum. Then we made our way to the children's museum. Lollie's Minnie Mouse B-Day party was there! We had a good time, watched the kids play (big and little, lol), and had a parade with Lollie as the lead bringing us to the party room across the street. She only got a 10 minute nap all day, but became hyper when she got to her party.  She must have climbed up and went down the slide a million times.  By the time we had the parade to get cake and open presents, she was getting tired. I think her favorite present was a sleeping bag/blanket from her mommy and daddy.  She instantly curled up with it on top of the table, and drug it around with her until we left to go home. I got some really cute pictures of her and Jillie at the party.  I have the most beautiful nieces....and yes, I'm biased....but it's still true! ;)

The Birthday Girl!

Minnie Mouse B-Day Cake

The start of the Lollie B-Day parade!

LOVED the doll she got! Look at that beautiful girl!

Hehe, love the face

Inspecting the present the museum gave her. Can you say eyelashes???

Jillie, the rock climber

Isn't she just too cute

Have a good week....it's only Monday. Time to work on Jen's baby shower present. :)

I've been thinking a lot about my life lately. I've been re-examining everything.  The past year or so has been big for me.  ....now that I think about it, I really need to update my 'goal/bucket list.' Anyways, I feel like a teenager who is looking at their life again, and what they want out of it.  And in many ways I am. 

I am divorced. Anyone in that situation has issues to work out. What you did wrong, what you did right, what the other person did wrong (and right, don't forget that.  No-one is all bad).  Then you try the what-if game. What-if I was more assertive, what if I was prettier, what if I had paid attention to the HUGE signs, what if I had not settled? I can go on and on. It's a battle you can never win. But of course we play anyways. And while the person who leaves usually does most of this before leaving, things still find ways to creep up and make you wonder.

Here are some updates of me and some of my thoughts:

• I am the strongest I've ever been. No, not physically (although I'm working on it), but mentally. If someone is mean to me I can walk away, or say something back...this is huge for me!  Also, just telling someone the truth...though it may hurt them.  Sometimes the person who teaches you how to be a better you is the one you have to hurt. I never want to see anyone hurt, but it is so freeing to be able to say what I feel.
• At the same time I feel very fragile and unsure about some things...but that's life. I am still healing from the pains of past relationships and of the pains of life......life is tough GET A HELMET, and don't get hit so much! Learn form it! Lol....trying. 
• Along with that, I am more independent....   and loving it. I have a job, income, and I do what I want in my free time....I've never experienced this before and it's just...awesome.
• I am homesick...I've been feeling it the past few weeks, but it finally became a conscious thought.  Even though I am so much closer to my family now, I want to be closer than 1.5 hours away. To be able to go to a fair with them one evening.  Or pick up my nieces and go get ice-cream.....I want to be close. Of course, I love me time....but I want the option to see them when I want.
• This week I started working out a bit again. I a playing a dancing game on my Kinect for about 30-45 minutes each day....so I am calling it Dancing out!  No, I will never do this in public...but it's fun, and Kira doesn't judge. ;)
• Which brings me to karate.  It used to be such a big part of my life.  Gave me confidence, a better body (yay), and an outlet for when I was stressed.  I have really begun to miss that.  And though the dancing out is fun, I think it's time for me to look for someplace locally to work out...and let's face it, I need a social outlet other than work!
• Financial responsibility!?!!  I am learning a crash course in it now that I'm not completely broke...and I've learned its harder than being broke! With extra money, I tend to spend, spend, spend...I have to keep that under control.
• I am furthering my career. I am learning the ropes and become more confident in my abilities. I am getting some appreciation from other colleagues (yay for respect)....and I'm feeling more comfortable in my SLP 'skin.'

So yeah......I'm sure there's more but my brain is tired from thinking and I have a few more  hours of work to do for this job where I'm overworked, but love it at the same time...

-Jan

Lots going on for the next month or two.  This Saturday I will be helping Jen and Jared out putting the nursery together (also to give her a pedi), and going to a bonfire that night at Lorraine and Kris's, then Sunday is the Mitchell Family Reunion.

November 10 me and Jen (and whoever else!) are going to the Renaissance Festival!!! Haven't been in years, can't wait to go, trying to find an 'elf' costume there too. Or at least some pieces for it. The next day is Lollie's 2nd b-day party! The next weekend is Jen's baby shower, and right after that I leave for Indiana for the week.  That Sunday is Ryan Rushing's Halo b-day party!  Thanksgiving with Howk's family, etc, then Black Friday shopping!!!  

After Thanksgiving, Howk should be coming to visit me around the beginning of December, then it's Christmas, then I may go see Howk again the day after Christmas...we shall see. So anyways...yeah, got lots going on. Finally, lol.  

Oh! And my bestie, Lara, and I ...are collaborating on a new blog.  We (plus Anna) tend to send each other long emails for tips/tricks/product recommendations about make-up, beauty, clothes, etc. So one day we thought of the great idea to make it into a BLOG!  Hopefully we can get together tomorrow sometimes to set it up. Then after that we can post independently. Can't wait!

Other than that, I didn't really have much to say, just had time to do an update, so I did.


Random owl pic:

If you're reading this in email form.....it might be better to read this one online instead at http://shiny-distractions.blogspot.com/


I know, strange title. But that's what I'm gonna talk about today.

Teeth:
I got 3 of 4 wisdom teeth out this past Thursday.  Was supposed to be taken out during Fall break but because of the hurricane I had to use 2 sick days. Oh well, I had it planned and couldn't put it off any longer.  Mom came up and took care of me after I got it done.  I did pretty well, my dr. is awesome (Dr. Clement in Thibodaux, if you're wondering).  I'm recovering nicely, mom was even able to go home the next day. Today was my first day back at work.  Let's just say that the medicine did not work as well as it worked this weekend (just higher doses of ibuprofen and Tylenol). I think it was because I was moving around so much more.  Mainly had a headache all day, and it would get considerably worse when I needed to take medicine. Also had bouts of feeling like I was going to faint...maybe because I haven't been eating much? But overall, due to some school activities, I had a fairly light day and was glad for it....and VERY happy to go home today.

Energy:
With brings me to the energy part. For the past I don't know how long, I've been so listless when I get home.  I have the epstein-barr virus (AKA the virus that causes mono).  Most people do, but I seem very susceptible to getting it (reactivation) whenever I'm stressed or don't get enough sleep for a long enough period of time.  Well, stress levels have been crazy at work, which also means bringing home work....and not getting enough sleep. The perfect mixture to get mono again.  I've been feeling extra tired lately, so I'm guessing that's what has happened.  But you can't do anything but rest...so that's what I am/have been trying to do.  This past weekend, while in some pain, was awesome because I got to rest so much.

There are these new B12 5 hour energy shots we've all seen on TV, etc. Drs even say it's safe to take every day because they have not much caffeine  are easy on the heart, and usually low sugar and calories.  Anyways, bought some at the store the other day to see if it would help my 'OMG I just want to take a nap when I get home' issue.  WOW, within 5 minutes I felt like I was awake again.  I was taking the usual hour and 15 minute drive home and it was great.  It is actually the only reason I am able to write this right now.  I am sensitive to energy things, and my heart isn't racing, I feel no different. Only that I am now not in need of a nap.  Now I need to add these things to my monthly budget, lol.  I figure I will be so much more productive with just a few per week (even though it's safe to use every day).  I am going to see if I can find them in bulk somewhere, maybe Sam's. So yeah, I recommend them.

Make-up:
This one is for the girls.  Lately I have been LOVING those 24 hr tattoo eye shadows. They have primer built in and I have many of the colors. They stay on all day and are just awesome.  I don't use an eyeshadow primer for them.....except for the white. The white is sort of glittery and tends to make my face too sparkly.  I recently got a plumish color (bottom right in the pic)...wore it today and LOVE it.  The color goes on light, so if you use multiple layers to put it on, it looks like a smoky plum. Very pretty.  Mom recently got the orange one, gonna have to try that one soon. Anyways, the plum makes blue eyes POP, for yous out there with blue eyes. I also put a tiny bit to line half of my lower lid and it looks great.

Left to right, top then bottom row: Blue, chocolate (also lovely for blue eyes), green, sparkly white, gray (very dark...also kind of sparkly), and  plum.

Vanity shot with plum on, hehe

OHHHH, also got a Mr. Coffee Keurig coffee machine! I LOVE IT!  Even better, the principal at one of my schools has one, so we trade flavors to try.  I have to say, one of my favorites is the Chai Latte.  It's relaxing and I drink a cup almost every night.  I don't have to add lots of sugar either.....so if you like Chai...you'd like this.  I also got the filter where you can add your own grounds, so that saves on money.  But all in all, VERY glad I treated myself with this one.


Ummm, so what else?

Found out Jenn and Jared are going to have a baby GIRL this January!  Exciting!

Howk and I are going to DISNEY next June with Lorraine and Kris......soooo excited.  We've both only been once, I was 6 and he was 7 or 8.

Work is going better, learning the ropes even more, love working with the kids.  Funny how it works out, I wanted a job in healthcare to make more money....but could only find this job.  And now I can't even fathom working at a hospital....not having summer off? What??? hehe.  Oh, and biscially got a 'raise' I guess you could call it (since I'm working the full school year)...it's so nice to be able to afford everything, have extra to save up, and be able to cook again. :)

Speaking of Pinterest, if anyone has any requests for Christmas presents I will take them.  I actually have money to buy presents this year, but you know me. I love to be crafty too.

I have an infatuation with owls now...as most of you know.  And have it baby blue?  Love it!

I have also renewed my interest in CANDLES.  So yeah....I burn like a million every night....I enjoy it, so who cares, hehe. PS did you know there are HUGE tealight candles now?  About the size of 3 put together.



See what you can accomplish when you have energy!!!???!!!

All in all, I guess you could say between work, family, and boyfriend... nothings perfect... but I'm still ecstatically happy and appreciative to be where I'm at and who I'm with.  And that's just awesome!

ttyl
-Jan

Pics are of flowers my special someone has gotten me in the past month or so :)

Anywaysss....

I finally have internet (though spotty...for now) at my house!!!  ......this will hopefully mean I can start posting more...but don't get too excited...you know how I am. 

I have soooo much to update u on!!!!  But between my keyboard moving around these keys and making me mess up, and this headache ...it will have to wait for another day.

I've miss you!  :'(   hehe

Let's face it, this past year has been crazy. From moving Back to Louisiana to separating to getting a job and moving....


So, I deciding to make a small list of the memorable things, good and bad, that have happened in my life in the past year or so.


So, over the past year:

... I had to make some very hard decisions, and I did
... I've had several life changes. /whew
... I came home to louisiana
... I got my first big girl job
... thus, my first career paycheck
... I stood up for myself
... I began putting my heart back together
... I got back into karate
... I rediscovered myself
... I found a new love for makeup (with help from Lara, of course)
... I reconnected with my nieces (and the rest of my family)
... I'm a good mom to Kira, she is my heart
... I watch my dad become more famous (how weird is that!)
... I've learned that with pain youe become stronger
... I need family more while depending on them less
... ADD Medicine has changed my life.. I am not lazy, dumb, or forgetful...I know that now
... you don't have to be a size 0 to be attractive (still working on that one, but much better than before)

And the best one of all:
I can be happy.

Sooo I'm down the river with Jodi/Tab and the kids for my long weekend. :)

Yesterday Jodi and Tab fixed the dock that had been messed up for a while.  They even found all the boards minus 2 we think floated off in one of the many floods the past year or so.  I was holding one of their little chihuahuas and talking to them.  I obviously forgot about the two missing boards and stepped back right into the hole!!!

So they're all next to me asking if I can get up by myself and I ask them if the dog is okay.  They got a kick out of that, but for a little backstory, this dog has an old injury: broken back...and it still hurts her sometimes so I was worried about that.  And she was fine, btw.

I, on the other hand, am stuck in this falling position on these boards and its starting to hurt.  I'm wondering if anything is broke and hoping its not.  I feel pain in my right arm from my elbow to almost the wrist.  I also feel pain in my right leg from above my knee to my hip.  But at that point my arm was beginning to really feel it and my leg felt like a slight scratch.

I laid on the dock while they ran to the other side of the pass to get more ice.  The pain subsided from initial impact and I could talk a little easier, lol.  Tab stayed with me and we found out nothing was broken (whew).

My arm and leg were nastily bruised up (and still hurt like crazy) but I'll live and no visit to the hospital needed.  There's no sleeping on my right side for now...which sucks. 

Oh, but one cool thing is the bruise that's right below my hip..the way the boards hit it made scratches/bruise that looks like an arrow.....how weird/cool is that! 

Moral of the story?  Take your ADD meds, always be aware, and find the silver lining in everything.  :)