30 Day Challenge- Day #11

11. Describe 5 pet peeves you have.

I would say my biggest pet peeve is "neediness". I don't know how else to describe it. People who are really dependent  and can't do things on their own just irks me.

Gum smacking- ahhh just spit it out. This actually runs in my family- we all just kind of stare at people who smack their gum, or food for that matter. And as every good Southerner says: What, were you raised in a barn??

Singing off key. I think I need to just saw my ears off when I hear this. Again- doesn't help that my dad is a Minister of Music!

Being an inconsiderate employee- like walking into a meeting late with your cell phone beeping with your texts and calls.

I can then make a list of dumb things like: slow walkers, trying to get on an elevator before people get off, staying in the fast line on the highway with a line of people behind you, etc. In general people who are oblivious to those around them.

Have a great weekend- as long as your don't do anything on my list!

30 Day Challenge- Day #10

10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.

How can a person have just one embarrassing moment?? Seriously, I think I embarress myself at least once every day. I fall, I trip, I drop things, I walk into walls, and I get lost. I have literally no hand-eye coordination. Hence, the whole- never learned to ride a bicycle thing.

I will give just one example. I used to work in a day treatment center with kids in high school. Literally, it's the worst job ever! The kids come to day treatment instead of going to school because their mental health needs prevent them from being in a typical school setting.

We had a gym at the center and the kids were always trying to get me to play basketball with them. Which I flatly refused at all times. One day, they wouldn't let up so I told them I would shoot ONE ball. I took the ball, jumped, threw the ball, and instead of landing- fell. Once again, my lovely ankle gave out and I sprained it. I hobbled to a chair fighting back tears. By the time I got home my ankle was swollen to the size of a baseball and I was crying on the couch as my husband tryed to ice it. I couldn't even make it upstairs to get to our bedroom to sleep that day!

I am always so much fun!

Happy Friday,

30 Day Challenge- Day #9

9. List 3 people who have influnced you and describe how.

My Parents

Taught me how to be honest with myself and others. Taught me how to be independent and self reliant. Taught me to have goals and try to make myself a better person. Taught me the importance of helping others.

My Husband

We are completely different people. Which is kinda why we work. He teaches me to relax and laugh a little- at least he tries to! He lives his life wide open- emotions on his sleeve. He is not afraid to express his emotions and he teaches me to have some fun.

My Clients

I have learned many things from working with the familes I see day in and day out. One, I have learned to be extremely thankful for the relative ease of the life I was raised in. Also, I have learned the importance of choosing your battles. It is kind of hard to get upset about your husband not washing the dishes when you see mental health issues every day. I have also had to learn how to take care of myself so that I don't bring the job home with me every day.

Happy Thursday,

30 Day Challenge- Day #8

8. What are 5 passions you have?

Being crafty

My favorite wreath

Learning photography

My camera- which I still need to buy a nicer lens for

Cooking

Kabobs

Horse Back Riding

I'm serious people- I need a horse

Helping my clients- I obviously don't have pictures of them! haha

Happy 4th of July!

30 Day Challenge- Day #7

7. What is your dream job, and why?

Depends on the day! Sometimes, I truly beleive that what I do now is my dream job. Maybe not the setting I am in but- the idea of being a child and family therapist. I like helping people. I credit my family for this. Growing up a minister's kid and going on mission trips taught me the value of assisting those in need.

Then sometimes I want to just be a stay at home mom. Not that we even have kids yet- haha. When I was little and I was asked, "what do you want to be when you grow up"? I always said, "a mommy". I don't know why this has always been what I said. My mom stayed at home with us so that is probably just the norm for me- and I wish I could continue it.

My husband and I even like to pretend we could buy a farm and not have to deal with "people". Which kinda amuses me because we would have no idea what to do on a farm- we grew up in the city. I think we are just both obsessed with animals and we don't think about how tough farm work is.

So- I am basically indecisive all the time.

Happy Tuesday,

30 Day Challenge- Day #6

6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

I thought for a long time about this question. Quite frankly, it is just a hard one to answer. I try not to look at my life as having a defining moment that was- bad. I have learned many things from being a therapist and one of those is that no matter what you go through- it is up to you how your life proceeds.

I don't want to be someone who lists off the things I have gone through that are negative. The fact is- I have survived them and, in my opionon, am a stronger person for it. My life hasn't been perfect but I have seen so many young children who have already lived through three times the emotional heartache I have at 26 years old.

It is so easy as a human being to dwell in the negative. I can't tell you how many people I work with who just lay in bed and sleep away their life or hurt themselves just to feel something-anything. I admit that I am not a happy go lucky, glass half full, kinda person. But, I don't let myself sit around and analyze what I have experienced.

The fact is life isn't meant to be effortless. It is meant to be an experience. Good or bad we have to figure out who we are on our own. Not based on who hurt you, or what you have seen, or even how many people love and support you. I feel that the only person who can define me and decide how my life will be is- me.

I will not be the person who blames others for the reason I make bad decisions in my own life. I choose to truck on forward and make myself a better person on my own terms. Life may not be easy, but it is worth living and it is worth experiencing.

Happy Monday,

30 Day Challenge- Day #5

5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

My puppies

My husband

Ice cream in 100 degree southern summers
...and if you want me to really be happy- give me Cold Stone!

Vacations- or dreaming of one

Being entertained watching my husband participate in "nerf gun wars" with my cousins.

Happy Sunday,