Hurray !!!!

Today is back to school!!!

But not for me... for "M" :) Anyone who knows me knows that I was home schooled my entire life... so back to school was never a really big deal. I think that this year is the first time that I've ever been really, really excited about it.

The excitement is not so much from the fact that "M" will be gone for half the day (although I don't mind LOL), but more from the fact that after a very chaotic, messed up summer, we'll finally be getting back into a routine. This summer was fun... but so stressful!

I think that most humans thrive on a routine, but they never really realize it. I know that I can give my job and the family I work for my best when I have a "schedule". Its just the way that I was created.

Oh and one other thing... I've made a solid decision about moving to Florida... I just have to firm everything up with my bosses, but I'm going to go :)

Now to figure out what to pack and what to leave behind for 5 months.... :s

To move or not to move...

As some of you know my bosses have asked me to move with them to Florida for the winter. And while that idea is immensely appealing... there is a catch. If I go I'd have to share a room with "M" (the 15 year old that I nanny/tutor/drive around). And while overall she's a good kid (if slightly spoiled), she is still a teenager. And I highly value my privacy.

We talked about options today... she really, really, really wants me to come with them for the 5 months they will be there... some of the options we came up with included putting up some sort of dividing wall, me coming after christmas, and me flying back and forth a couple times around her school schedule. All which could potentially work.

So I am asking for you opinion.. Go or stay? Share a room or fly back and forth?

Please keep in mind that until I get to talk to the Parents, this is strictly a theoretical discussion.

Thanks for your input!

I know...

OK so its been forever since I've posted... I guess I felt like I ran out of things to write. I mentioned that to someone the other day and they were like "Are you kidding?!?! You're a walking story!!" I guess that's a compliment. Right?

There is always so much floating around in head. Trying to pinpoint something can be next to impossible at times. Lately I have just been thinking about my life. The things that have happened... The things that are happening... and the things that I want to happen. And the people that have been/are a part of my story.

Sometimes its hard for me to believe that this is me life. I just turned 27... ya I know... I'm getting old (LOL). And this is definitely not where I thought I would be. But all things considered, I'm not doing to badly. Are there things in my life that I wish I could change? Abso-friggin-lutely!! And there are other things (life lessons) that you couldn't pay me to undo.

Things I've learned...
I'm stronger than I ever thought I was.
The "stuff" (aka crap) I've gone through can actually help other people if I let it.
Letting fear dictate my life means that I miss out on the most important things.
People, not things, are what matter in life!

I'm sure there are about a billion things that I could add to that list. But those are the things that are at the top of my list right now.

Well its time for me to head to bed... so I guess that's enough for now. I promise to write more soon :)

For my Girl Jac :)

On of my favorite people recently started a new blog. She's probably one of the most creative people I know and is the original inspiration behind my scrapbooking/ card making addiction.

I love this Idea and may do it for my birthday as well :)

http://jacernst.typepad.com/sunshinethroughmywindow/2010/05/blog-candy.html

BLOG CANDY.....

So I know everyone loves a little candy treat every once in a while. Well I have some nice blog candy for one lucky person.

Since it's my birthday next Tuesday, I thought I would share my day and give someone else a present. I'm giving away a Starbucks travel mug, and a $20 gift card.

Want to have a shot at getting some quality time with coffee? Here's the scoop. Post a comment on this post with a link to your blog or twitter or facebook page that tells others about this blog candy and maybe a little birthday message for me :).
On my birthday , June 1st, I will randomly choose one winner, and post it here.
Good luck!!

what + if = ???

I went to the movies last night with "the family" and we saw 'letters to Juliet'. And I must say I LOVED it! I'm not going to go into details about the movie. If you've seen the previews then you know its about finding a long lost 'true love'. It was a very nice way to spend a Sunday evening.

Now I'm not bring up this movie because I want to "review" it, or talk about the plot or the premise of finding ones true love. What I want to talk about is part of the letter that is read at the end of the movie.

"'What' and ‘if’ two words as nonthreatening as words come. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: ‘What if?'..."

For anyone who has ever made a mistake, no matter how minor (which is essentially everyone), you know how those words can wreak havoc on your soul. I know that I went through a rough period of time a couple of years ago where the words "what if?" haunted my every waking moment. It was a horrible way to live, if you can even call that living.

On day I decided that I'd had enough. I decided that I wasn't going to let the choices that someone else made dictate my future. I decided to live with no regrets.

So I challenge you to do the same. Don't let the words "what" and "if" ruin your future...

Its a beautiful day! Go out and live it!

In this moment...

Today was a really good day.

One of those days where you get more than you expected accomplished and still have time for a nap. The type of day you look back on and say "wow! I feel good about today!"

Today started early, way earlier than necessary (I woke up at 6 am and was unable to fall back asleep). So I made the most of it, tidied my room, did 2 loads of laundry and made breakfast for "the family". Dropped "M" off at school and headed to KW. I did a ton of running around, got my old car on the road and was able to bless someone with the use of it for a couple weeks while they are getting their vehicle fixed. Had lunch with friends I hardly ever see any more. Got some legal paperwork taken care of. Went to the market. Had a nice chat with my mom. Had a nap at my mom's. Drove back to Orangeville. Had dinner with "the family". Got home, cleaned out the truck and put away the groceries. Got ready for bed, and then had an amazing conversation with "M".

Now I am not saying all this stuff to talk about how wonderful and amazing I am (we already know I am the coolest thing since sliced bread. LOL). I guess what I am trying to point out that for me, it was a wonderfully successful day because I was able "to do relationships". That is what drives and motivates me. I thrive on relationships. Even without the really good conversation that "M" and I had today would have been a great day...

But our conversation was like the icing on the cake, but not just any icing on any old cake. It was one of those moments that make some of the hardest lessons that you've learned in your life worth it. A moment were you know what you're saying is impacting someone else's life for the better.

I've only lived here with "the family" for a little over 2 weeks, but I already feel like I've made a lasting impression. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God placed me with this family. It is such an amazing feeling to know that you are walking out your destiny!

gotta say it... Thanks mom!!

Ever had one of those moments when you open your mouth and your mother "falls out"? Not that its necessarily a bad thing... and in this instance its not. In fact I'm so glad that it happened.

For anyone that has been following my blog I recently started a new job working as a nanny for a family with a 14 year old. Now I remember being 14, kinda, and I know that its not always easy dealing with parents, raging hormones, and peer pressure from friends. But I have to say that "M" is doing pretty good. Her grades are excellent, she's committed to figure skating and all that it entails, and is usually pretty respectful of her parents. But like all teenagers she has her "moments".

One of these moments happened saturday morning. "M" had been asked to clean up a room in the barn in preparation for a mothers day/birthday celebration. Her friend was here and "S" (the mom) offered them $20 each for doing the job. They split up the work and got it done, supposedly. "S" went out and inspected the work. Lets just say it was less than satisfactory. "S" came back into the house and the proverbial shit hit the fan. Her biggest issue was the fact that "M" let her friend get away with shoddy work. The tasks that "M" took charge of were done well, her friends tasks, not so much. "S" wanted "M" to learn that she needs to take responsibility for the WHOLE job.

So... after things calmed down a bit, "M" and I had a really good conversation. I talked to her about trying to see things the way her mom does. We talked about how that even though she was upset as well, that if she takes a step back and LISTENS to her mom, that things can be resolved way faster. A couple of the things that I said were almost word for word "my mom"... I could practically hear her in my head as I said them.

That afternoon I headed home. I could hardly wait to see my mom and talk to her. And to thank her for the valuable lessons that she taught me, even when I wasn't all that grateful. So next time your mother "falls out of your mouth", call her and thank her for the lessons that she imparted for to you.

Love you mom!