2009

in 2009, i got promoted to a supervisory position and then several months later got "let go" when the economy finally hit the mental health field. 2 days after i got the news, i had accepted a job offer that significantly increased my income. for the past 6 months, the job has been great!

in 2009, my parents moved from the town that i grew up in, and i have yet to return to that small town.

in 2009, i saw wicked...and it officially became my favorite musical.

in 2009, i began to carpool to work...something that i have never done before. spending that much time in the car with another person every day is quite interesting.

in 2009, i lost my granny. i still really miss her.

in 2009, i bought a brand new car....the first time that i have ever done that. my only 2 requirements were good gas mileage and an input for my ipod.

in 2009, i had some adventures at the lake...including getting stranded on an island.

in 2009, i was able to triple my savings.

in 2009, i learned that i have hearing loss.

in 2009, i experienced the pure joy that a talking cookie jar lion can bring.

in 2009, i jumped out of a plane! and it was the coolest thing that i have done in my 28 years on the planet.

in 2009, i spontaneously got another tattoo.

in 2009, i went to one of the largest shopping malls in the world. it was a-mazing!

in 2009, due to my increase in income, i spontaneously purchased some big ticket items. let's hope this trend doesn't carry over to 2010.

in 2009, i learned (or finally realized) that i have some odd quirks...i don't like for someone to hold one of my fingers and not let go (makes me feel claustrophobic)...i don't really like to wear socks but begrudgingly will in really cold weather....i hate to eat cold ketchup...i don't really like hotel's covers and will bring my own if i can...and i really, really, really hate birds.

it's been a year. i had some stressful times. i had some very sad times. but i also had some pretty neat experiences. i guess that's the way life goes.

now, i'm off to ring in the new year with the sister and the daphster and her cute kid.

merry christmas and war eagle!

words of wisdom from tv tonight...

scars remind us where we've been. they don't have to dictate where we're going.

kentucky

this is why i'm glad i don't live in kentucky anymore...



snow is pretty and all but not when i have to drive in it.

my weekend visit in kentucky was full of fun, shopping, memories, and rest. but i do not wish to ever reside any more north than nashville.

when i got back home, i had a ton of cat hair on my living room floor, and the cats are both sporting scratches. it seems as though they had themselves quite the fight while i was gone.

ten on tuesday...

1. i got my new toms shoes the other day and am totally loving them. you should seriously consider buying a pair. they're comfortable, cute, and for every pair you buy, they give a pair to children in need.

2. please....parents don't "take away" christmas from your children when they misbehave. that's going way overboard.

3. we went black friday shopping again this year, and i impulsively bought a tv. i got some presents for other people, but i, by far, spent the most money on myself.

4. who cares what tiger woods does? i'm pretty tired of hearing about it. let the man live his life.

5. i can't believe it's december already. this year has flown by. i wish i could say that i was getting in the christmas mood, but i'm not. i'm just not feeling it this year.

6. here is your picture of the day...



needless to say, it took quite a few pictures to get this one. he liked to play with the jungle bell, and mr. k would have nothing to do with it.

7. does it make me a bad person to feel sad when they execute someone on death row? i still can't quite wrap my head and heart around this.

8. i have been taking a benadryl to help me go to sleep at night but have been drinking a little caffeine to help me make it through the day. seems kind of counterproductive...i know.

9. i brought work home to do tonight, but my work computer wouldn't let me log on. guess that means i'll be staying late tomorrow. thanks a lot technology.

10. i thought today was tuesday...all day long...until this very minute. so, it's not ten on tuesday, it's ten on wednesday. and that means it's almost the weekend, and that means that i can sleep late. i love days that i don't have to get up at 5.

thankfulness

i have been incredibly blessed.

i have never not known the love of family. i have never not known the love of Jesus Christ. i have never gone without food. i have never gone without shelter. i have never gone without education. i have never gone without proper clothing. i have simply never gone without.

as a woman, i have been blessed with some pretty great female role models in my family that all seem to love unconditionally.

they all seem(ed) to be fiercly loyal to our family, be strong and faithful believers, be great cooks, be really funny, and be really smart ladies.

and for that i'm thankful.

(here is a re-cap of thanksgiving.)

taking care of yourself...

this is a print that i bought when i was in minneapolis for work a few weeks ago. my sister said she didn't get it, but it spoke volumes to me at the store.

SELF-CARE!

it is something that i don't think people focus on enough...especially those of us that are therapists and counselors.

i know that there are days that hearing stories of trauma and pain one after another just sucks the life out of me. there are days that pain is everywhere i turn. there are days when i think that the story i'm hearing is the worst story that i have ever heard, but secretly i know that it won't be. there are days where the evil in the world is so evident, and i wonder where God is in all of this.

and those are the days that i have to be intentional about taking care of myself. i won't let myself read news stories about rape, abuse, or death. i won't let myself watch shows like law and order svu. i give myself permission to do whatever strikes my mood...regardless of whatever i have planned. i make sure i get enough sleep...even if that means going to bed at 8. i talk to friends. i cry. i exercise. i sit on the couch and watch mindless tv. i leave town and get a change in scenery. i spend time worshipping or talking to God. i do whatever i can think of to recharge my batteries enough to face the same pain and heartache the next day.