Snow Sports - work and play!

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I work at the Slopes.  About once a year, I get to enjoy it too!  Last night was my big ski trip for the year.  Ben and Staci went, along with Ben's sister and BIL, another couple they know, and Kevin.  For the first time in YEARS, I did not have to babysit beginners - I could just ski and enjoy it.  What a rush!  I forgot how freeing it was to fly down the hill - and the speed!  Not following beginners sure does make a difference.  I always wear a knee brace when I go - an injury in high school makes me require the extra support.  Today, I feel less sore after a full night of skiing than I have in ages.  It was so fantastic - I wish I could go more often.  I definitely don't ski by myself - I have an irrational fear of falling and no one finding me.  It was so nice to be with a group that was having as much fun as I was.

How about you?  Anything extraordinary about this weekend?

A year later.... definitely better.

Here I am.  365 days after my life took a detour... that turned out to be the road I needed to go down.

I am so grateful for the past year.  I have grown as an individual, as an adult, as a teacher.  I've bought my own house and done some major (for me) renovations.  I've reconnected with old friends.... that a year ago, I didn't know I had lost.  I tried for a second chance... and it didn't work out.  That one still stings a bit, but I'm glad I tried it.  Better to know than always wonder.

I have come to know how lucky I am.  I work with an amazing staff, who supports me and cares about ME, not just the music teacher.  I have an amazing support system in my family and friends.  While I may be considered a work-a-holic right now (full time teaching job, plus 25+ hours a week at the Slopes), I'm lucky enough to get friend time in too.  Staci and Ben are the best for letting me crash every time they work.  I get to meet new people and hang with them, and I don't have to drive the hour home after (thanks to my parents for dog-sitting so it's possible!).

Today was an example of my new-found perfect day.  I woke at Ben and Staci's after a relaxing evening.  Went to church with them this morning, saw their boys.  Drove to Mom and Dad's, talked with them for a bit before bringing Jager home.  And then.... we chilled.  Laundry, making dinner, catching up on some shows.... it's just relaxing.  I wish it happened more often - but then it would be someone else's life, not mine.  I am glad that I can luxuriate in the simple things and enjoy where I am in life, even if I did feel a pang of envy this morning.  Watching all of the happy families in church this morning... I know someday I'll be a mother.  But for now, I'm happy to be a doggy momma and be able to be a little selfish :)

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

~Robert Frost

4 Day Weekend!

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Unexpectedly, I have a 4 day weekend on my hands!  I guess it's not entirely unexpected - they have been calling for this snow since last week.  However, I didn't think I would truly get lucky enough to have two days in a row!  Today was my favorite - I didn't have to work at the slopes tonight either, so I got to stay home.  ALL DAY LONG.  I got wintered up and walked with Jager to the mailbox.... over my PJs.  I caught up on the shows on my DVR... from my couch.  Not doing a SINGLE productive thing!  Plans are forming in my mind for tomorrow - need to shovel the front walk before my dad or brother comes to plow me out.  Want to run.  Probably should think about doing some things for school - although, really, I still have some time.  I do have to work tomorrow night and Saturday at the slopes, so it's not a TOTAL weekend of freedom.... but still.  TWO days in a row of sleeping in - unheard of during the winter!  AND I get to go hang with Ben and Staci Saturday night.... it's shaping up to be a GREAT weekend!

How about you?  Was Mother Nature cruel or kind to you this week?

Broken - or better?

It has been 361 days since my engagement ended (I had to look at a calendar to figure that out!).  So much has changed, I feel like a totally different person since then.  However, there have been some moments in the past few weeks that have made me stop and think.

• A co-worker at the slopes turned to me and asked "So, how's married life?"  The two people in between us had a look of horror and shock on their face - I kind of wish I had a camera to capture it.  I simply responded "I didn't get married."  That's all I needed to say, right??!?  SHE DIDN'T BELIEVE ME!  She thought I was kidding when I said that!  It took one of the other ladies saying "X, she REALLY didn't get married" for her to believe me.  It struck me, not because of the question, but because of the disbelief.  With the tone I had used, I really don't know how she thought I was kidding!
• Today, a friend sent me a text.  She started it by saying that if it drug up bad memories or I didn't want to talk about it, she understood and I could ignore her.  I was a little worried, until I read the rest.  She's worried about how to keep her wedding budget down.  I guess I can understand why she would think it would bother me.... except I've already offered her help.  It's been 361 days - and I'm EXTREMELY happy that it ended.  I told her she might as well use the knowledge, I wasted enough time accumulating it!

 There are things that have happened in the past year that were extremely negative that dealt with this topic.  As a whole though, I look back... and all I am is thankful.  Thankful I am not looking at an impending divorce.  Thankful that I've been able to reconnect with some people.  Thankful that I could buy a house and decorated it how I wanted needed it.  I might have had some hard times, and I might not agree with all decisions, but I am so so SO thankful that I am not a Mrs. yet.  It will happen, and when it does, I will know.  And as my friend said, I can put all my researching to good use (or just have someone else plan it all for me!).

Post It Note Tuesday - the one where I talk about sleep.

Frustration Abounds

If I had to describe my mood and feelings for the past 15 days, the word would be FRUSTRATED!  It seems that everywhere I turn, I simply become more frustrated at my lack of control. 

Even with the preventative meds, I am dealing with long lasting migraines.  This makes it frustrating to get out of bed - it's the only place I really want to be when my head hurts.  I try to exercise - it makes my head hurt more.  I do my job - it makes my head hurt.  Frustrating!

 A lack of communication = frustrating.  Being put in the middle means more frustration.  I keep trying to find ways to make it better.  It seems a solution may have been found, but we'll see how this week goes.

Men = really frustrating!  Not that I think I've found "the one" yet, but I don't like wasting my time.

Sometimes, all I want to do is sit on my couch and enjoy my house.  More often than not, I can't.  Work, school, other people's needs, keeping up with the chores.... frustrating.  I did last night, but only because I hurt myself at the slopes and it was all I could do.

I felt like I needed to explain my lack of blogging.  I hate being negative all the time.  Hopefully things will get easier in the next week or so, and I'll be back around more.

Post It Note Tuesday

Update

I forgot to update here after I got the call on Thursday - the MRI was clear.  It truly is just migraines that are haunting me yet again.  Major one on Wednesday, a hint of one today (which is extremely frustrating, since I slept 12 hours last night!). 

Plans to go skiing tomorrow with two of my favorite girls - my principal's daughters!  I'm very excited, but sad that we go back to school on Tuesday.  I am NOT ready!

Looking back on 2010

It's amazing how different I feel this year than I did at the same time last year. 

NYDay last year I was excited to be getting married and worried about how to reserve parent tables.  Less than a month later, I was dealing with calling off a wedding.

With changing my relationship status, I also dealt with buying a house.  It's had it's ups and downs, just like any new home does, but I am thrilled to be a homeowner.  Although I sometimes get lonely, I love having my own space.  I've enjoyed decorating a lot more than I expected!

I also had some heartbreak that I didn't expect though.  I got my second chance, but things ended.  Not my choice, and I'm still dealing with it.  It's funny - after just a few months, my heart broke more and harder than after years.  Maybe because I had spent years thinking about it.

I've started and dropped exercise routines.  I need to get going again - my big sis wants me to run a mini-marathon with her in 2012.  I need to start training, because with my history, it will take me this long to get ready for it!  One of my goals for the year is to run a 5K in April - it's sponsored by my school, so I need to make sure I don't embarrass myself!

I saw my best friend in the world marry her love.  I was Josh's date when his best friend married HIS love.  Both weekends were so much fun, it's hard to look back and feel sad.  I'm glad he was by my side, and I by his, as I so enjoyed myself.

It seems like there has been a lot of change in the past year.  Some good, some bad.  All in all, I think when I look back in 20 or 30 years, I will see it as a defining year.  When I started growing up as myself, and not as "Christy and". 

Here's hoping 2011 is a better year all around!