Good-Bye July - You've Been Good To Me

I am counting my blessings today, and the first one is that today in itself was pretty darn good. My sweet girls gave me a $25 gift card to Nordstrom and cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake. I am truly going to miss working with them next summer. The kiddos did a great job in the talent show today and their parents loved it! Camp comes to an end tomorrow ... particularly the end of an era for me. For four years I have worked at this camp. I grew up here. I grew into a better teacher, a better educator, a better person at this camp. I have meet incredible people, inspiring families and a plethora of little guys ... each made perfect in all of their quirkiness. It has been such a blessing to work here. To touch the lives of each person I have interacted with here. To allow them to touch my lives. I am forever grateful for my experiences at this camp ... and I will be teary eyed to say my good-byes tomorrow. Because it will not be see ya later ... but good-bye for good.

Today was the first day in forever that I did not have a commitment after work. So I used the time to get my oil changed and to do a little bit of clothes shopping. It was therapeutic and much needed. I got some good deals and some cute outfits! I cannot wait to rock my new things :o) I cooked breakfast for dinner and then cleaned the main living area of my apartment, while watching Season 2 of Scandal on netflix. I was able to chit chat with my best friend throughout the day and I was elated when she shared that she would like to invite my baby sister to her wedding. Kathryn Keenan is my girl ... one of the best people I know. A beautiful soul inside and out. I feel so blessed to have her in my life ... she truly is a gem.

It was a wonderful day! Although the happy 30 is complete ... I am glad to end July on such a positive note. Good-bye July, hello August. The countdown until my 26th birthday officially begins now!

The Happy Thirty - Day THIRTY

Ok. So I will be real. Today was NOT my best day. I woke up feeling well rested and bubbly ... and then I arrived at work and everything seemed to go down hill. I realized I had forgotten my snacks, so I ended up munching on J-U-N-K ALL day long. I was exhausted the entire day, yawning and fighting to keep myself away. I felt tired and moody and judgemental and blaah.

The upside is our most difficult camper was absent today, so the campers were better behaved. I had a lovely conversation with one of the parents and her genuine thanks and appreciation for all we've done for her son this summer warmed my spirit. A parking lot conversation with Kelly also made me happy - I adore this girl and I will miss working with her next summer.

I went to dinner with Caitlin ... and boy did I feel feisty/snappy. I wanted to say something rude or snarky or just plain mean to everything she said. I felt aggressive and the need to talk louder/get the last word in. I have felt this way here and there lately with a few of my friends. I am not sure where this feeling comes from, but I do not like it. I want for it to stop.

The upside is I enjoyed a beer and the cool breeze as we dined on the patio at bdubbs.

I have been feeling frustrated ... burnt out even ... with my current summer job. The thought of teaching another year fills me with anxiety. I am worried that I will loose interest in my job or slack off. That I will not be an effective teacher or give this job my all. I know that's me being melodramatic ... but these are truly fears. My passion for teaching is ZONKED right now and I do not know how to get my groove ... that fire ... back. Hopefully I can find my fire before the 18th (when I report back to school).

Here's to a fresh start tomorrow and remembering to count my blessings because life is always beautiful.

The Happy Thirty - Day Twenty Nine

Yesterday was a whirlwind of emotions kind of day. I was pretty grumpy for a good part of the day ... with waves of kindness. I am so annoyed with the fact that I've hardly had a summer vacation, and that school literally starts in three weeks.

But there are some things that made me happy yesterday.

I was able to get in my school and send out invite letters to a family for a VERY important meeting. I am so happy all of that is taken care of ... for now. Next, I went to chic fil a for a quick chicken biscuit breakfast - yum, yum. It has felt like fall this week ... so the gorgeous weather has made my soul feel at peace. Those who know me know that I am a sucker for the season of Autumn. Camp was less than par ... I am happy that we are finished in two and a half days. But what made me happiest was my workout class in the evening. Rob made a guest appearance for the evening <he had a class to make up> and my spirits lifted! There is a group of people in these classes with whom I've connected ... and it is so much fun working out with them :) This summer has been absolutely boring without some of these individuals ... and I am so grateful that I had a taste of that camaraderie I cherish so much and had forgotten about.

Although it was not one of my best days - or happiest - I am still grateful for this thing called life and the experiences I get to have along the way.

The Happy Thirty - Day Twenty Eight

What my happiness looks like today:

• Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies ... homemade by one of my interns 
• plans to hang with my BFF this weekend <girls night!>
• happy hour plans with friends from work work at Seasons 52 [hello wine!]
• a camper doing the dance moves for our talent show - even though everyone thought he couldn't do it ... including myself -
• happy hour plans for Friday after camp ends
• camp ends on Friday
• wrote an educational report for a sped assessment in a record 30 minutes
• Caitlin graciously offered to proof read every page of that 10 page son of a gun
• home cooked meal by my momma ... spareribs and macaroni/cheese never tasted so good

The Happy Thirty - Day Twenty Seven

A day late, however yesterday an hour long phone call with my sister made me happy. I probably talked the most - whoops - but it was fun to actually talk on the phone with her about stuff that mattered ... or maybe will not matter after a couple of days anyway. Gluten free waffles and maple sausage also made me happy and talking to my BEST FRAANN for a good portion of the morning. Can I tell you I am STOKED that she's back home :o) Hell ... I am just stoked she is my person -- no words for how much I adore Kat Lynn. Snuggling with three cute little pups also made me very happy [and in want of my own pooch]. Sunday was a good day ... and I know today will be too!

The Happy Thirty - Day Twenty Six

Four days away from thirty. This blogging about positivity has been such a life changing experience. Truly ... I am thankful for the opportunity to pause for a moment each day and reflect on the good in my life. As I have said a few times before ... my life is no where near perfect and I have some lousy days and hit some rough patches. But through this experience, I have realized that it's far greater to focus on the positive in your life versus the negative. I cannot promise that I will never ever take to this blog again with heavy messages ... however I will promise to dedicate more entries to gratefulness and gratitude.

Today I am thankful for a cup of coffee that started my day off on the right foot. For traveling to the Lakeshore Teacher Store and for having the opportunity to purchase a few items to enhance my instruction this upcoming school year. I am grateful for being able to step foot on the campus I once called my home for four years of my life, and for a delicious lunch at panera. I am grateful for having Randi as my companion on these adventures today and for a morning phone call from Stacy. Stacy is truly a friend that will be in my life forever - and I praise God every time I recall how she entered my life and changed my world forever (five years ago). Finally I am thankful for my momma, and her willingness to pick up the phone every time I call <3.

I have spent my afternoon cleaning up my apartment and tossing out old papers/things. The sun is shining through my windows and my place is looking/smelling/feeling cleaner with each hour. A nice mix of tunage is playing on my ipad mini and I am at peace. Today has been a great day, even though it's not over yet.

The Happy Thirty - Day Twenty Five

Today is not over yet. However I have so much to be thankful for. A Starbucks soy vanilla latte and a dunkin donut for breakfast ... all courtesy of the fantastic ladies I work with. A camp report that was deemed well-written and finished. A former coworker who opened up her office to me, so that I could finish a special education report for an upcoming meeting I had. Buying a housewarming gift for a dear friend. And plans for a dinner date with some girlfriends tonight. We are switching things up and cooking the food at Erica's house ... the start of a new [and cheaper] way to spend time together I hope.