Friday, July 31, 2009

One more post

Apparently, I am having a competition with myself. Last month I set the record for number of posts posted in a month and I just noticed that if I post one more time before midnight, I will beat last month's number! GO ME!

Things I didn't accomplish

I decided to stay home this evening instead of gallivanting around like I normally would on a Friday night. Last night I made a mental list of what I needed to get done if I stayed home. I knew I should have written it down. I basically didn't accomplish anything. Around 9:30 I remembered I was going to do a load of laundry (which I didn't do because at that point I thought it was too late.). I also remember I was going to transfer some Scripture I am memorizing onto note cards, so I turned the TV off and did get that accomplished. But basically I was lazy. I never even ate dinner! I wasted most of the evening on the Internet and then I watched a movie. I was also supposed to exercise. I didn't forget that one, just chose not to do it. Although it was my plan to exercise 4 nights this week (I managed 2). Oh well. There's always next week, right?! It's 11:45 and I am barely feeling tired. Apparently I have not needed as much sleep this week because I have been going to bed between 11 and 12 every night. Normally that would leave me feeling exhausted, but somehow, I am wide awake and going to bed later than my roommate two nights in a row which almost never happens. Alrighty then, thanks for letting me ramble. Oh wait, you don't have a choice. Thanks for sticking through until the end of this paragraph if you made it that far! Have a great Saturday. I'm off to watch some softball in the morning.

I forgot

I took a client to McDonald's on Wednesday and found out that Happy Meals turned 30 this year just like me! Happy Meals, Dust Busters, and Teresa...1979 was a good year!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Random bullet points and a quote

I have a bunch of random statements to make. None of which are important. None of which go together, so it's time for a random list.
  • I now have access to facebook through two different independent sources :). I wish I could see your faces right now because I know how much this is annoying so many people!!
  • When did the corn get SO HIGH! It seems like just yesterday we were worrying that the farmers were never going to get to plant the corn because it was raining so much.
  • I think I only had two eye twitches today! Which is nice because they got a lot worse yesterday.
  • I drove over 200 miles in my car today.
  • I can't do math. Actually, my last bullet point was supposed to be "I have posted as many times on my blog as there are days in a year." And then I laughed at myself and decided to bullet "I have posted as many times on my blog as there are days in a year minus five." You figure out the rest...

And now a fun client story. I had a last session today with a 7 year old who I have been seeing for one and a half years. She wanted to paint a piece of pottery, so we did that and then she wanted to glue some beads on it. After locating the glue, I was shaking it because it was coming out really watery. I PROMISE I closed the top, but all of a sudden, I felt something wet on my cheek. Once we realized it was glue, my client started giggling uncontrollably! Lucky for her, I was laughing to. She continued to giggle while I went to the bathroom to clean my face. She continued to giggle while she tried to tell Stephanie the story of what happened. Ten minutes later, project back in hand, we are working quietly and she announces, "I am still laughing on the inside!" Then, while we were driving home, I realized that I had glue in my hair and she started laughing again, stating, "I am laughing on the inside and outside!" It was kind of a bittersweet moment, because she has made so much progress but I don't want to stop seeing her because she is a joy to be around!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Power of a Post

WOW! Just as I hit "publish post" on my last entry, I received an email that someone had commented on a previous post! Amazing! And it wasn't my mom!!! I could go back and delete it, but I think I might get more sympathy posts....

Say it ain't so

My mom thinks she is the only one who reads my blog because she is the only one who consistently comments on my posts. I'm just sayin' is all!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Continued Research

Disclaimer: Read post entitled "Twitching" before reading this post.

Upon further research of eye twitching, I found several "remedies." Emily and I were laughing over some of them:
*Myectomy:a surgical procedure in which some or all of the muscles and nerves of the eyelids are removed
*Anti-epileptic drugs or other oral medications
*Botox
*Prescription Tranquilizers & Anti- Psychotics
*hot baths
*cold compresses
*warm compresses
*eye drops
*flushing eyes with water

And best of all: one of the preventative measures:"Because stress and/or anxiety often causes eye twitch, one of the best preventative measures is to keep stress levels down." Well, duh!

Information obtained from: www.eyecarebasics.com

Funny weekend story

I don't know if this will translate as funny written down, but this story took on a mind of it's own this weekend which continues to make me laugh. When I first got to Chicago I went over to my grandma's house. Now, my grandma knows everything that is going on in the family so she is an excellent source of information. One of my cousins graduated from college in May and is now working in the real world. I asked grandma what he is driving these days. Here is how the conversation went:
Me: What's Nate driving these days?
Grandma: His car (I had a "Duh" moment but decided I shouldn't say it out loud to my grandma. Pat on the back for respecting my elders)
Me: Yes, but what has he been driving.
Grandma: He bought a new car just before he graduated.
Me: What kind of car did he get?
Grandma: A blue one.
End conversation.

Fast forward several hours. I have already recounted the story to my mom and my cousin Michele. I am driving us to the mall to meet several other family members for dinner. I start to make a turn but a car is coming around the curve so I stop rather suddenly.
Me: Michele, Mom is probably going to say something about my driving.
Mom: No, I was actually going to say that I thought that was Nate that you almost hit.
Me: Oh, Nate drives an Impala?
Mom: No, but that was a blue car. (Seriously, does he drive the only blue car in Chicago?!)

Fast forward to dinner and I recount the grandma conversation and mom conversation to everyone else at dinner (including my cousin Nate). Everyone laughs. I am a good story teller. I forget to ask and no one volunteers what kind of car Nate actually drives.

Fast forward to Saturday afternoon. Mom and I are about to pull into grandma's driveway.
Mom: Oh, you should go into the house and tell Nate you like his blue car.
Me: That's Nate's car in the driveway?
Mom: Yes.
Me (after not-so-close inspection): You mean he drives a Civic? Like me?! No one in all the story telling could remember that we drive the same car????
Mom: I guess not.

Fast forward to inside the house. I recount that conversation to my cousin Nate.
His response: But you drive a hybrid.

End of story. I am still laughing. My family makes me laugh.

Twitching

Over the last month I have had several days where my left eye has been twitching on and off throughout the day. I decided to look up common causes of eye twitching today when I was bored and getting frustrated and procrastinating from doing work. Here are the common causes of eye twitches:
*Fatigue or lack of sleep
*Over consumption of caffeine
*Physical or emotional stress
*Anxiety or phobias
*Brain damage or other neurological disorders
*Associated with temper tantrums (especially in children)
*Eye stress associated with extended viewing of the computer screen
*Epilepsy
So, I was able to eliminate a few: I have been sleeping very well lately, I have not consumed any more caffeine than is typical for me (one can of Dr. Pepper a day), I don't think I have suffered from any brain damage (2+2=4, right?), and I don't have epilepsy. So, the only thing I can figure is that I am under a lot of stress, I am anxious about something, I have been throwing a lot of temper tantrums, or I'm on my computer too much. Most people I've talked to have voted on the stress, but those temper tantrums get me every time...

Regardless, eye twitching is annoying!

Friday, July 24, 2009

A Very Family Post

Yesterday was my little (and by little I mean 5'5" younger sister) sister's 15th birthday!!! When I arrived at the house for her party, she was watching home videos of herself as a 1 year old. Boy was she a cute baby. She also got her learner's permit yesterday, so look out world! :) It's so weird to think of her being old enough to drive. But apparently she is and I just have to face facts. She was making me laugh though because she was the same old Daynah :)! Giggling her way through opening presents, pointing out that she was taller than me, repeating things over and over and over and over just to see if I would keep responding, and attaching herself to my hip because she loves me so much (well, at least I think she does). I don't know how much I have mentioned it, but I love being a big (and by big I mean a 4'11 1/2" older sister) sister. God blessed me through my younger siblings and I cannot wait to see the woman He is going to turn Daynah into.

I took today off in order to head up to Chicago a little early to spend time with my family. My cousin is in town from Maryland, another cousin is having a brunch on Sunday for his college graduation, and I realized that I haven't been up to see my mom since Christmas! So, it will be a fun time of spending time with family and being able to catch up. And shopping because I can't go to see my mom without shopping (she even told me that my grandma said I must need some new things because we shop every time I go to see her!). Anyway, I need to get going so that I actually get there early and not right during rush hour!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Turning it around

I am so glad to report that today was a MUCH better day. It might have something to do with the sunshine throughout the day. But I think mostly last night I was finally able to get myself calmed down, I slept pretty well, and I woke up ready to begin a new day! Like I said yesterday, I was able to enjoy my rainbow day, peaking out of the gray sky of yesterday.

And on the exercise report....oh my goodness am I S-O-R-E. As the day went on, it became more and more difficult to walk up and down stairs. I was contemplating going rollerblading tonight but then I didn't get home until close to 7 and I needed to get some paperwork done and I'm just too lazy :). My mom told me to bring the exercise tape and we could maybe do it together. I'm not sure I want anyone else to see me do this tape :) but I will take it just in case.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Big SIGH because of one of "those" days

I can't count the times that I breathed in and out a BIG SIGH today. It's been one of those days. Frankly, I think they happen far too often in my life, but I'm trying to get my head on straight. Luckily I have a way to do that. Really the big sigh day started last night. And because I didn't have my head on straight, I was up for awhile trying to fall asleep. Oddly enough, I finally decided to start reciting some Scripture that I'm memorizing. I believe I got through "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and..." before I fell asleep. I did wake up with a knot in my stomach that caused the sighs throughout the day. I hate having a mind that likes to dwell and dwell and dwell on things. Anyway, back to the solution for getting my head on straight. I have just begun to memorize a large passage of Scripture. It has helped me to focus my mind and energy on Someone who is not going to let me down. I have also spent more time in the past couple of days praying than I have in a long time. I know that I know that if I keep my focus on God, He will sustain me through my melancholy days. And yet, He is not the first thing I turn to when I have these days. And let me tell you, THAT IS FRUSTRATING to me. I'm also in a Bible study where we are studying the book of Esther. Today I got to study probably the most well known passage in the book. Esther was chosen as queen and placed in the palace in Persia for "such a time as this." That time was to save her people, the Jews, from complete annihilation. Now, I don't presume to think that God has me in the place I am in order to save an entire people group, but I am convinced that God takes great value in my obedience in service to Him and He has a purpose for my life. Did I live out that purpose today, even amidst some very self-focused moments. I think at least partly. I know that I know that God will see me through this day. He doesn't promise all rainbow days with only sunshine, but He promises to get me through the rainy, stormy days so that I can appreciate the rainbow on the other side! What a mighty God we serve.

Thank you Lord for considering me for such a time as this. Help me to live each day in complete surrender and obedience to You so that I may impact those around me for Christ and may live a life worthy of the Lord, making every effort to please You in every way. Amen.

Back in the Saddle Again

Maybe. If I survive the evening. I decided after, well, we won't mention a time frame but say a long time, to do my exercise tape again. How could I feel worse today than I did after the very first time I did the tape. Every time I stand up I am afraid that my legs won't support me. And I am not exaggerating this statement. I was nasty after I exercised so I decided to get in the shower, but I almost didn't make it through the shower. Now I just want to lay on my bed and die. Okay, maybe that is an exaggeration. Exercise is supposed to make us feel good about ourselves, not make me feel like breaking every mirror in the house so I don't have to worry about what I look like and just not worrying about it anymore! Okay, I'm done whining. Maybe dinner will make me feel better. But that means I have to get up, walk into the kitchen, and concoct something amazing for myself. Slight sniffle and a longing for a chef, and then I'll be off. I promise. Just one more second of sitting. Or maybe I'll count to three. Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Tttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
And UP!

Monday, July 20, 2009

4 years later

So, I debated for a while whether to blog this story or not, but it's too fun to pass up (and I don't think that the friend, who shall remain anonymous, that it is about will be upset that I shared it!). I received a voice mail this morning that my friend had sent me a package and to be expecting it. She also said that it actually had a funny story to it. So I get home this evening and my package is waiting for me. I open it up and find a pair of the cutest turtle pajamas ever. But, just in case you can't tell or surmise from the snowflake on the pocket, they are flannel and it is July!

So, I open the note that came with the gift and it says "Merry Christmas! So I finally managed to deliver this Christmas gift that I bought for you about 4 years ago :) For a while I couldn't find a box. Then I had a box, but had lost the gift. Now that we've reorganized the house, the gift showed up again." I laughed out loud because this is a typical story in the life of this friend! And I vaguely remember talking to her on the phone several Christmas's ago when she told me that she had a present for me. Of course, I was excited, but I even vaguely remember either telling or thinking to myself, "But when will I actually get this present?" And now I have the answer...4 years later! But it was worth the wait. And if I wasn't so darn warmblooded, I might actually be able to sleep in them with the unseasonably cool weather we are having this July.
Thank you so much to my incredibly thoughtful, if not a little scatter-brained and slightly afraid of the post office, friend! You know who you are :) And if you want to reveal yourself, just leave a comment!

Friday, July 17, 2009

70 degree weather in July!

And LOVING it! I know some people are not enjoying this, but I definitely am. I was able to wear jeans today and be comfortable. And I am SO looking forward to cuddling under my blankets when I go to bed tonight! Happy July to everyone!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Had to change my profile

It used to read "I am in my late, late twenties and single." I realized that it couldn't read like that any longer. So I did the mature thing and changed it! Today on the radio they were doing over/under with things you could tell about people under 30 or over 30. Some things I still fit into the under category, but a lot of things were pretty accurate for over 30. But, on second thought, I am neither under 30 or over 30, so maybe I shouldn't fit into either category. Does that mean I get to buck the system and do whatever I want?!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Emily and I were talking last night and realized that one year ago in July I moved into the apartment! I just looked it up and I officially moved all my stuff in on July 13. I can't believe it's been a year already. It has definitely been an eventful year, but I have enjoyed every minute of living on my own (with a roommate). Well, except that one time when Emily...just kidding! :)

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Wisdom oozes forth!

So I was driving down the road. Actually I was stopped at a red light. And I look next to me. And there is a guy in his car. He is sitting in a way that I describe as "gangster". You know, slouched down, reclined backwards, etc. Now, it's obviously not the first time I have seen this. But, I was thinking, yet again how people who drive like that can see through the windshield or be comfortable at all?! Then, in my newfound 30 year old wisdom (I promise I won't do this forever!) I realized that I sit at that same height every day when I am sitting straight up! And yes, I did just make a short joke about myself! And yes, I'm still laughing about it almost out loud!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Nothing to Report...

...but in the mood to blog.

It was just a normal Wednesday for me today. And boy do I love normalcy after the three weeks I have had!

I'm currently watching the last season of Alias on DVD. I will somewhat sheepishly admit that I watched 4 episodes tonight. A lot happened in those 4 episodes, though! I won't tell you just in case you ever want to watch from the beginning. I will say that knowing how the season ended is helping me cope through the beginning of the season!

Danell posted some really fun pictures of the twins. It makes me want to go visit again! Check them out here.

Have a nice Thursday!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Wisdom from my 30s.

Because I can be very wise after two days, I promise. And trust me, this is very profound.

I recently figured out, after living in Peoria for 3 years, that if you actually go the speed limit on Sterling Ave, you are much more likely to get through all the lights. If you choose not to go the speed limit (like 3/4 of Peorians), you get stuck at EVERY. SINGLE. LIGHT. Now, if I could just convince all of those slow-pokes in front of me. Seriously, when I am going 47 down the road I FLY by people as if I am going 15 miles over the speed limit instead of 2 miles!

That's all the wisdom I have to impart!

Monday, July 6, 2009

On my first full day as a 30 year old...

I started losing my hearing! :) That's not actually true, but it was fun to tell people. I had water in my ear from swimming yesterday. My first full day as a 30 year old actually went really well. Much better than my coworker's day (and she's not even 30 yet). Last night she broke her glasses. Today as she was walking into the office she was holding her flip-flop because it had broken. Then later, she came in with a client and told me she had a flat tire! She was having one of those days! But she seemed to be in a good mood despite all of that! And she brought me cupcakes for my birthday! On a side note, I seem to be talking in a lot of exclamation points today! :)

Birthday Pictures

Here are the pictures from my party. Just a disclaimer: it looks like Clay was the only guy at my birthday party, but that's not true. He's just the only guy lucky enough to have gotten his picture taken with me. :)
Kristi and Clay made this amazing turtle cake for me! The turtle is actually a cake too. I was SO excited! And really nervous because I was afraid I was going to drop it and ruin it!!
Kari even put 30 candles in the cake for me, which I blew out in one breath.
Kari had Teresa Trivia for everyone to play. There were some disputes over a couple of questions, including one question I would have gotten wrong. So, just for the record, I really like Birthday Cake ice cream but it's not my favorite. It's just that I can't get it in Illinois, so when I go south we have to devour the stores to try to find it. My favorite ice cream is actually mint chocolate chip. One of the questions was, "How tall is Teresa. You must be exact." John put 4'11 5/8" That made me smile! A lot of other people made me really tall! Well, by really tall, I mean 5'2'', but still!
Kari also collected pictures from friends and family and decorated the wall with them. She did all of this without me knowing it, too!
Lots of friends came to celebrate with me. Sarah and I.
Jerelyn and I. Chris was at the party too, but I didn't get my picture taken with him.
Joanne, Emily, me, and Amanda. I am blessed with several short friends in Illinois :)
Kari and I. She did a great job of throwing the party. And yes, she is squatting and I am on my tip-toes. It makes for a better picture that way!
Kim and I. We almost share the same birthday. Her birthday is on the 8th so we get to do another birthday celebration next week!
Kelli and I.
Sarah and I.
Not in pictures, but in attendance were: Jon, Joy, and baby Emery, Josh, Peter, Kinsey, Doug and Nancy (Kari, Kristi, and Kelli's parents), and Dad, Amy, Daynah, and Josh. I hope I didn't miss anybody.
Thank you everyone for making my birthday super special!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Happy Birthday to ME!

It was an amazing birthday. Partly just a normal day (which I really liked)--going to church and lunch afterward, hanging out at my dad's house by the pool (actually by myself because they were gone for the day!). Partly a day all about me! Which of course I liked! :)

A couple of months ago I put Kari in charge of planning my birthday party. I definitely wanted to do something for my 30th birthday but I didn't really want to plan anything. She did a fabulous job! Pictures will definitely follow, but she did Teresa Trivia, had a wall of pictures of me that she collected from a lot of different people, my kind of music playing in the background, some of my favorite snacks, a memory book (if you weren't at the party and want to sign the book, just let me know!), and Kristi made me an amazing turtle cake (definitely will put the pictures up of that!). I had lots of fun! It was a great way to celebrate the beginning of my 30th year!

Now who's ready to countdown to number 31?!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Another Last

Today was my last day of work in my 20s! Hooray for long weekends and not having to work on my birthday! Only 3 more days until the big 30. Someone else at work asked if I was dreading my birthday and I said, "Nope, it's just another birthday. Time to celebrate!" She thought that was funny. I got my birthday packages from my mom yesterday, so they are sitting on the table waiting to be opened. The rule is: cards that come in the mail can be opened upon arrival, but presents that come in the mail have to wait until my birthday to be opened.

Tomorrow starts the birthday festivities. Dinner and dessert at Dad and Amy's. Possibly swimming if the weather actually warms up. Have I ever mentioned that I really like my birthday?! :)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Commence pink slip burning party

What a roller coaster ride the past two weeks have been! Today we had a meeting at 4:15 with the president of Children's Home and the employees who got their pink slips yesterday. The short end of a very long and convoluted story is that I will have a letter in hand tomorrow rescinding my lay-off notice from yesterday. The longer story is this: the director of DCFS was involved in a lawsuit as of last week saying that cutting various counseling services because of budget cuts was in direct violation of the BH law. The judge decided yesterday in favor of kids in care and that the DCFS director would not be allowed to cut any counseling contracts. So, as of today, the director has said that all counseling contracts will be issued within 5 days at current 2009 levels for the 2010 budget year. As far as I know, this means that I have a job for the next fiscal year! I am not very emotionally sound right now :). I am not jumping for joy yet because of the roller coaster. And I'm still in the shock/denial phase. But as far as I know, this is only good news. Good news for the kids that I see and good news for my job!