Thankful

On here, I often mention my friend, Kate. Kate was one of my college roomates. We didn't meet until partway through my freshman year, but clicked instantly (must have been a displaced IL girl thing!) We have stayed really good friends, though we don't get to communicate often (blogging definately helps!) She always writes blogs that make me think about things. Her most recent post was about being thankful. This made me think about what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for a lot of things. It hasn't been the best year for me, but somehow I can still look back on this year with great memories, and have hope that what is in store for me in the future brings the same. I'm thankful for the friends who surround me, for they really do make the world a better place. I have a supportive family, which is something I've learned isn't the case for everyone. I'm thankful for my faith, because without it, I'd be one lost soul. I'm proud of myself for sucking up my pride and mending some fences this year...it felt really good. I've come to realize how blessed I really am, even when I feel that I've failed.

This past week was crazy, but I've been thinking about these things a lot. I'm gearing up for Christmas. This weekend, I'll head north to WI once again, for some birthday and Christmas celebrating. It should be a great time. I'm hoping to come home with some more great memories. Wishing everyone a great start to their holiday season! Lots of love, AJ

It's been awhile

Wow, I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. Well, lets see...my WI trip was amazing! Kate, Collin, Maia and Sophie were great hosts. My new BFF Maia helped me make breakfast, and lunch, and helped me make jewelry...you name it, she was there! We had a great time. I got to see the beautiful fall colors near Stevens Point, which were as amazing as I predicted. I meandered my way to Milwaukee to hang out with Nick, Shannon, D. and E. Shannon wasn't feeling the best, so it was pretty low-key, but we still had fun. We attended Ted and Erin's wedding, which was a blast! I miss my WI "family." They're always a good time. I wore some killer heels, so it took my feet a few days to recover, but was well worth it.

Lets see...when I got back to IL, I decided to apply for a FOID card. I don't know that I'll ever use it, but my father is currently working out of state, so I thought someone should have a FOID card in the house. I love the questions they ask you on the application, such as "Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Any mental health diagnoses?" You get the picture. It makes me wonder how many people lie about these things. IL State Police do a background check, so they'll find these things out. Why bother asking? Oh well.

I got to see Kate again for her baby shower. It was so much fun catching up with her friends and family, most of whom I haven't seen since the wedding. We found out that most of us have blogs, so hopefully we can stay in touch better. I can't wait for Baby Madden to get here!

I guess that's it for me. Work is still work, teenage girls still make me crazy, and I'm dreading winter weather. I'm okay with snow around Christmas, but the rest of the time it is a pain. You have to wear so many clothes, find boots/scarves/hats/gloves and hopefully have a full set, drive on yucky roads, and your pant legs get the lovely white "salt stain" look. Oh well, I guess that's the price you pay to live in the Midwest. I guess without winter, we couldn't have spring, which is my second favorite season. And I planted some new flower bulbs and can't wait to see them. Hope everyone is well, and I promise to post again soon!

Ahhh, the week I've had!

Well, I guess it really isn't that bad. I sat through training for 3 days (which is really hard to do when you work an active job like I do!) I didn't, however, doze off or daydream, so I was pretty happy with myself. Unfortunately, because I didn't have adequate time, I had to eat out all three days, and I think one of my meals lead to food poisoning. Now, I'm not good at being sick, especially that kind of sick. I had the ear infection-sinus infection-working my way to bronchitis sickness a week and a half ago. Needless to say, I wasn't a very happy camper. Oh well, what can you do? I'm feeling better now, but still don't have much of an appetite ( I can't imagine why!?!?)

I work the next couple of days, then its off to Wisconsin for some R&R! This time, I'm traveling the majority of the state, which will be absolutely beautiful this time of year. I get to see Kate, Collin, Maia and Baby Kono, and I can't wait! It's been a really long time! Then it's off to Milwaukee for a wedding of two friends. Those are always fun! I hope I have good stories to tell!

From the mouths of little ones...

I am so blessed to be around "little ones" quite often. Those of you who know me, know that I often would rather play with kids than with adults. They are so fun and unpredictable. I thought I'd pass on some recent tidbits heard from some of my "little friends."

First, there is my Goddaughter, E. I spent quite some time with her this summer, and she's growing up to be a very bright young girl. After several days of rain and storms, the weather finally broke and we were on our way to Chuck-E-Cheese for some supper and games. E. says to me "Um, AJ, is da sun out?" Puzzled, I said yes. She then asked, "Ummm...did it dry up all da rain?" I told her it was trying to. The next day when I put her down for her nap, I heard her singing "the itsy bitsy spider." Little smarty-pants was putting it all together!

My friend W. took her 4 year old son C. to Arizona this spring to visit relatives. They went to the Pheonix Zoo, and C. got to ride on a camel. When his dad asked him what the camels name was, C. replied "Uhhh...I think Cameltoe!" Enough said!

My friend J. was talking to her son K. on the phone and K. dropped the phone. He yells down to the phone "Mom, are you okay???" Freaking hilarious!

One of my favorite stories is from some time ago. My little buddy D. was patiently awaiting my visit. It was getting late, and I had gotten stuck in some traffic during my trip. I was trying to explain that other cars had been in accidents and I had to wait for the fire trucks to clean up the messes. D. asked me if I had been in an accident, and I said no. He then asked if I had been stuck in a hole (kids minds...go figure!) I again told him no. He then went on rambling about how I should call him (4 years old at the time) if I got stuck in a hole and he and his grandpa would come get me out. He waits a minute, then asks if I have a hitch on my car. I asked "D., don't you think AJ's little car would look funny with a hitch on it?" Like I'm an idiot, he says "AJ, it's not for towing things, it's in case you get stuck! So we can pull it out!" Wow.

Life is never boring with little ones around!

My New Favorite

"We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names and all are different colors...but they all have to learn to live in the same box."

A Funny One

Many people tell stories from work. I'm always intrigued by them, but nothing compares to the stories I could tell you. Some are humiliating, some strange, some sad, but most are hilarious. Take this one, for example. I work with this guy (we'll call him Tim) who is so unpredictable. He's sometimes crass, but not in a mean way...it's just who he is. His version of how the world works and the actual way are opposites. Anyway, last week "Tim" was our cook for the day. He had prepared a wonderful meal, and we were sitting down with the first group of kids to eat. Two of our other co-workers ("Pete" and "Doug") went to get food for themselves and were sitting at a table with me. "Pete" began coughing as he had choked on a small piece of food. "Tim," in a manner only he can do, says "Keep choking so I can use the shocker!" Now, mind you, I am the type of person who plays the "first thing that comes to your head" game, and usually everything presents itself in a sexual nature. I don't know why, but it always happens that way! So, you can imagine where my mind was when he said "shocker." I immediately began giggling. I look up and notice one of the kids is staring at me and laughing equally as hard. Then, "Tim" pipes up and says, "Wait...we can use one shocker on Pete, and the other shocker on Doug!" I completely lost it and had to excuse myself from the dining area.

It was after about 30 minutes that I realized he was talking about the AED (Automated External Defibrillator.)

It was almost as funny as the time one of our "rural" kids asked a staff member if he had ever eaten beaver....but I'll save that story for a later date!

It's been a long time...

Wow, I haven't posted anything in a long time! Let's see, where do we start? Well, my "Girls Trip" was amazing as usual. We had great weather, plenty to drink, a lake to float in, plenty to drink...did I mention we had a lot to drink?!?! The end of my summer was spent mostly on the lake with friends, and that's the way it should be. I was also able to meet up with a friend I haven't seen in over a year, and was a blast as always. I mended some relationships that were strained. It's funny...I can be so stubborn sometimes (okay, all the time) that I fail to see the big picture, but I like to think of myself as the opposite of that (I guess no one's perfect.) Anyway, I finally decided to leave the past behind, be the bigger person, and mend broken fences. And it felt good! I just returned from Wisconsin...again! I went to a bridal shower for my friend Erin and got to catch up with old friends. I also got to spend time with my 3-year-old drama-queen Goddaughter, E. She is amazing! We got to go to a "girl party." Everything's exciting when you're 3! But she tells me she loves me, and it makes everything worth it. I guess that's it for me. I found a quote that I thought I'd add. Hope you like it!

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the nicest things you can be." ~Douglas Pagels

Ouch...

So I played softball yesterday. Sounds like fun, huh? Yeah, that's what I thought! Softball was lots of fun 10 years ago, when I played almost every day. I anticipated being sore, but I'm sore in places I didn't know could be sore. Like around my rib cage (27 is a fine age to finally get the hang of batting!) Goodness! Oh well, I was able to get out of bed this morning, so I really can't complain.

I am anticipating my upcoming "Girls Trip" with my friends. We are headed South this year and I can't wait for a week of laying out, drinking, and having a good time. It is my favorite time of year (next to the Christmas season, of course.) 6 days and counting.....

I suppose that's all for now. Hope everyone has a great week and weekend!

FINALLY!

So I can finally post that my dearest friend, Katie (though she hates that name), is going to have a baby! I've been waiting for about a month until she let everyone else know (I love having secrets!) We've been waiting and stressing for a long time, and her dream has finally come true. I couldn't be happier for her! Katie has been my saving grace for a long time, and it was hard to know how much she hurt. I'm amazed at her strength and perseverance. She and her husband are those people you know God put in your path for a reason. We've taken a long journey together, and a new one is just beginning. So, with lots of love and all the best wishes I can give, here is my post to you! I can't wait to meet you Baby Kono!

What's in a name?

So I feel like I should explain the title of my blog. This "quote", if you will, is something I found a few years ago in a crafters magazine. All the other quotes were so meaningful or cutsie, and here comes this quote, barreling in like a freight train. Of course, this type of quote is right up my alley, so I've used it quite frequently. I work with lots of teens, and sometimes I feel like I'm in high-school hell! I didn't deal well with whiny, crabby, gossipy kids when I was in school, and now I work with them...arrgh! When I hear whining, I bust out the quote, and by now all the kids know that means I don't want to hear it. It was a much bigger hit than my "Excuses are like a**holes, everyone's got one," though that one still holds a special place in my heart. What I've found most amazing is that I find myself saying things that my parents said to me, things I swore I'd never say...damn them! Oh well. I really can't complain; I love my job, and I'm able to do lots of things that interest me. I listen to other peoples' occupational horror stories and realize how blessed I am. I work for great people who genuinly care about their staff, which is not something everyone can say. So blessed!

My First Blog!

I guess, first of all, I would like to thank Kate. She's the one who encouraged me to start blogging. {I think it's just because she wants me to vent to someone else ;). } I figured I'd start out with a fairly simple blog. I just returned from a vacation to Wisconsin (I know, I know,...yes, again!) Wisconsin is my home away from home, and I have some great friends there. I spent a lot of time with my "niece and nephew," a.k.a my friend Shannon's kids. We had lots of fun together! I went to Shannon's parent's house for a few days, and her in-law's house for a couple more days. What gracious hosts! I'm so blessed to know such great people. The only stop I didn't get to make was to Stevens Point, but hopefully I'll make it up there this fall (hope you're feeling better, Collin!) I also, unexpectedly, got to spend some time with my little buddies, C. and J. They are always a sure bet for some excitement! Overall, it was a great vacation. I got lots of sun and relaxation, both of which I desperately needed. I guess that's it for now. For all who stop by, I hope you enjoyed it. Come back soon!