Grateful for a do-over.

The "I already flubbed up my new year's resolutions" blues. Right off the bat, I should've planned better. I should've rid my home of food that would tempt me during my paleo commitment - but I didn't. I should've picked a workout routine that I could commit to doing six days a week - I didn't do that, either. I probably should've asked people to be my support system - to hold me accountable - but well, you guessed it - I didn't do that either. So on Wednesday, I'm starting over. Why Wednesday? Because I have food in my house that I want to get rid of - and I didn't work hard to pay for it to throw it out. I'm going to eat it and be done with it. I decided on Power 90 for my workout routine. I've done it before with great success, so I know what I'm getting into - it's a half hour workout six days a week - I can do this. Starting Wednesday gives me a day to make sure I have my starting weight and inches recorded. I can't be this uncomfortable for another year. I'm finishing grad school and looking at and hoping for new challenges this year. The driver's seat is mine. It's been 2 weeks of "this isn't what I wanted for 2013" - and now that time is over. My birthday is in less than a month. I need to take care of business.

Anywhoodles...I've been hanging with Will Shakespeare, creating a new(er) curriculum for a magical project and continuing research for my thesis. I look at the (thesis) task before me and think "HOW WILL THIS TURN OUT?" and then I think, "oh yeah, it's only 4 months. I can do this." Whew. Must.Keep.Brain.In.Check.

Other thoughts: I've been battling forgiving myself. The enemy likes to remind me of my ick...but thankfully, I know that I've been forgiven, so I have to audibly say, "Get behind me. I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb - and you have no hold here. May I remind you where you are heading?" And he usually shuts right up. In case you might be struggling with the same thing, I encourage you to confess (if you haven't already), speak these words out loud, then (as Joyce would say) claim forgiveness - because it's already yours.
1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."Psalms 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

Matthew 26:28, "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

I'm so grateful for a God of fresh starts. I love New Year's - it's my favorite time of the year. (I could do without the snow, but hey - you can't have it all.) I screwed up the beginning of the year, but I won't be messing up the rest of it. I have to keep reminding myself, "I CAN do all things through Him who gives me strength" - and I can :) He's proven Himself time and time again. You got this. I got this.

Happy New Year :) 

Rest

I finished all of my grad classes. I'm crazy tired and feel as if it's impossible to stand still - like I'm wasting time or missing a deadline. My thesis is left, and yep, I'm still researching and reading like a nutcase. But, I'm also crafting!

I've made redneck wine glasses, a wine cork board/ frame, cork coasters, cupcake jars, painted wineglass stems, and created a piece of felt pie. I also made a few magnets and necklaces - and will continue working on those and frappuccino bottle crafts for the next few days. Oh, and there was the handmade paper covered canvases...I'm pretty happy with myself.

Now to chill out over the holidays (I'd rather stay in bed and avoid the chaos) and look forward to a new year and all it brings - graduation! Paleo takeover! New job or something!!!

Grateful for what Christmas means, grateful for a safe and healthy family, and amazing friends. And of course, I'm THRILLED beyond words to be finished with classes!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Give yourself a break!

Grad school. 2 years of demanding deadlines, teachers with clashing guidelines, countless hours of homework, oodles of severe migraines, and weeks of sleepless nights.

I have too much going on. I am in my last semester of classes for grad school, then I start my thesis in January. I've been taking 6 credits every 8 weeks since January. My brain is exhausted. My body is worn out. My asthma is cranky and my antidepressants have run out. I need to cut myself a break.

I have a 3.9 GPA. I work 40 hours a week. I'm single. My apartment is a disaster. I'm so tired.

Tonight, I had a panic attack because I thought I was late for a discussion board post. Seriously, I thought I was going to puke. I got an A on my first paper of the term today and it was all I could do to not burst into tears. I thought I failed that paper.

I need to give myself a break. Today - give yourself a break. Put down the caffeine. Turn off the computer, and rest.

And, avoid gluten. Good lord it's trying to kill me. More on that later.

Be still. Ex 14:14

God bless you-
M

Oy! I suck at keeping up on this!!

Ok - it's been about 5 months since I posted...lame! I'm finishing my 6th & 7th grad classes tomorrow. Yippee!! I moved AGAIN, this time into a very small apartment. My dog is mad at me, there's not much room, and I could easily get a spot on the show Hoarders. Yikes.

One year from tomorrow, I graduate with my Master's in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga. Praise the sweet Lord!!! In June, I head to Italy for 3 weeks for GU's Intercultural Communication Immersion course in Cagli. I'm super stoked. I was awarded one of the Intercultural Fellow scholarships, which is super flattering and inspiring.

I didn't get to run the Mercer Island Half in March. Doc said the knee is in no shape for 13.1 miles. Admittedly, finishing 4 grad classes in 16 weeks (w/ only 1 week break) has taken a toll on me. I fell off the Paleo wagon, but am happily back on it now. I feel so much better, need to lose weight, and want to RUN! Paleo/Primal will help with that. If I can get my rear in gear, I hope to be posting more travel writing here along with Paleo recipes that I like. (I'm not making any promises!)

At this juncture, there are NO distractions - which is just fine. I wouldn't have time for one! First things first, I'm heading to the JMM Conference in Tacoma next weekend (WOOHOO!) and then I'll tackle the living room. I have a storage unit, so I just need to USE it!!

I'm talking too much. If you're reading this - I hope you have an amazing weekend. Do something nice for yourself. No matter what's going on in your world, take care of you.

God Bless!!
M