#Write31Days - Oct 31 - Friday Favs

And the end of the #Write31Days challenge has come!  It's Friday, so time for Friday Favs!

Linking up for Friday favs...with Andrea, Erica & Narci

 

Last Saturday included several of my favorites...

 

The weather is cooling off and the morning was perfect for outside breakfast with a friend.  Saturday breakfast is one of my very favorite things and one I miss the most living in the burbs...but it's worth the drive every time! 

 

My Mom treated me to this new fleece...perfect find from Academy in the LITTLE girls department.  It's Columbia brand and 1/2 the price of Women's and fit me better than any women's Columbia jacket I've ever tried on.  I am tall, so this was a shocker that the sleeves were long enough too. It even has a place for me to write my name on the inside, ha!

 

Patterned and colored running tights are every where this year and I snagged this pair from my favorite place, Marshall's.  I have a feeling they will be on repeat this winter!   

 

One of my favorite things about breakfast on Saturday is not being  rushed.  I love to drink coffee when I can sit and chat for a few cups of coffee.  It really is the best start to my Saturday. 

 

Littles are my favorite and I babysat this sweet boy on Saturday. The gift of time is one I never take for granted and am reminded of the simple joys from children regularly.  We walked to the park, chased shadows and celebrated catching them.  I've babysat since I was 11 or so, and rocking babies has always been my favorite. We rocked at nap time and I was thankful for sweet friends and their families that I get to be a part of. Reminded me of the days of rocking my nephew and nieces! 
 

 

Volunteering is one of my favorite things and speaking recently to 4H Leadership Council about Rodeo Houston scholarships brought back so many great memories growing up.  I was a member of 4H Sewing and Horse clubs and there were so many things I learned about responsibility and leadership through participating in 4H (and FFA) so it is great to be able to give back to those organizations.  The amount of money awarded through Rodeo Houston for Scholarships is amazing and to be able to encourage students and talk with parents about the scholarhsips is a blessing!

 

Big Mama featured this scarf a couple of weeks ago on Fashion Friday. I've been looking for a plaid infinity scarf and it was even on sale so I picked it up.  This was the first time to wear it and I'm very happy with it!  

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Have a great Friday! 



#Write31Days - Oct 30 - Story

It is hard to believe 30 days have come and gone of the #Write31Days challenge.  I honestly wasn't sure I would make it, that I could come up with 31 days of things to say.  I've written most days on the actual day, aside from a couple of days I knew I would be out of town/not at the computer. I've learned a lot about myself, had a lot of great conversations with friends who read my blog and one crazy day a re-tweet brought 1500 readers to my blog. 

I wish I could count how many times I've heard the song "Unfolding" by Steven Curtis Chapman this month, it seems to be on the radio over and over when I'm in my car, and comes on just when I feel a hint of doubt, a little bit down, some sort of why question, what-ifs playing through my head...a lot goes on in a month's time. 

Lay your head down tonight
Take a rest from the fight
Don’t try to figure it out
Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart
‘Cause I know this is not
Anything like you thought
The story of your life was gonna be
And it feels like the end has started closing in on you
But it’s just not true
There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding

God’s plan from the start
For this world and your heart
Has been to show His glory and His grace
Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of
His unfailing Love
And the story has only begun

I am reminded, this is only part of my story, it has only begun, God has a plan for me, there's so much that is yet to unfold. 

And, it will be a glorious unfolding. 

I will be amazed. 

I am going to just wait and see. 

I have to believe. 

To hold on to every promise.  

For a #Write31Days recap, click here

My story is so far from over, but I know my story matters,





#Write31Days - Oct 29 - Start Over

One of the classes I teach is typing, my students learning how to type by touch and have a cover over their keyboard.  The playing field in this class is leveled because it doesn't matter your academic skill level, typing is a new skill majority of students don't have other than typing to text and large percentage struggle through learning the keys. 

(In case you are wondering, like my students last year who asked "How did YOU learn to type?"...it was on a TYPEWRITER. The ancient old machine and God bless my typing teacher who called out letters to us and I can't even imagine how she graded those papers. I can remember not paying attention and typing right off the right edge of the page on more than one occasion though.)

One day I'm going to have an antique like this in my house...

I have a couple of students who try to be "creative" with how they get around using their covers and think I'm not watching or won't see that they are essentially cheating and looking while typing. My students work through lessons in a course and each lesson has a test to move to the next one. One student just asks what everyone else is thinking though "Can I take off my cover for the test, it will be easier." 

A lot of students will get started on the typing test and if they require more than one try to pass the test, they will repeatedly start the test over.  They make a few errors in the first line and close out, re-start the test and some will do that more than a handful of times. I talk to them about working through, continuing to type, mistakes will even out and words per minute will improve, but you can't always restart over and over again. It is a psychological war for most, I tell them the persevere through and type to the end of the time, between 2 and 5 minutes. 

Isn't that how we often approach life. We are drilled how much first impressions count, and if we feel we've messed that up we want a re-do, a chance to prove that maybe isn't who we really are.  When situations get sticky, when we make a bad choice, when we hurt someone's feelings, when we  _____________________________ we want to start over.  Take it back. Erase that. 

But, we can't. 

Much like my students, it's more than a typing lesson, it is a life lesson.  Learning to persevere through mistakes, figure out how to keep going and improve going forward.  Most of the time, the damage isn't so bad.  It's just that it would be easier to start over, but there are consequences to choices we make. They aren't always bad, it just is reality.  

Instead, we have to learn to just move forward. 

The mistakes we make, the lessons we learn and the perseverance through when it is hard, builds our character.  The struggle is part of the story.  They are stories we can tell to others, to help them in learning to move forward. To figure out how to get past being stuck in a start-over cycle that never really moves forward. 

 

Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

 

Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

 

The next time you're in the midst and feel like a mess has been created, wanting nothing but to erase and start over.  Take a step back. Look at where you are. Figure out how to work through it. It might mean an apology, it might mean fixing a mistake, it might mean admitting were wrong, it might mean doing ________________.  Whatever it is that applies to the situation.   

 

Ultimately, persevere and keep moving forward. 

 

Blessings,

#Write31Days - Oct 28 - Better

Today our Community Partners were at school for our mentoring program, the entire school participates once a month and we have almost 100% of our teachers and staff paired with a community partner who comes in and spends time with our students.  Our topics of discussion vary but are character driven and not academic, in hopes that we develop our students and give them an additional influence into their lives. 

Feedback from today's topic was "deep", "depressing", "thought provoking" when I asked a couple of students throughout the day about their groups.  Some acted like they didn't care, and others seemed to have been impacted. I know that even when it appears students aren't listening they are soaking in what is being said. 

Today we talked about times that you have been singled out for various circumstances, students stepped out and crossed the line when they had experienced a situation.  They looked at who was with them and who wasn't.  Situations like....

• been teased/called a name
• been picked last in a sport or game
• had a crush
• teased for religious background
• told you couldn't sing
• someone you know has a disability you can't see
• ever felt alone/afraid
• felt pressure to do something you didn't want to do and regretted it after
• if you're a guy and have been told shouldn't show emotions
• been judged for ethnicity
• had your name mispronounced repeatedly

Students crossed the line repeatedly. We talked about impact of these scenarios to self and impact to others. 

It's not just "teenagers" who fall into the category of doing these things or having them happen to them.  Adults are just as guilty, if not more so. 

I saw a post on Instagram from a favorite teacher/writer...

What if we didn't worry so much about the things we shouldn't be doing...talking down to people, criticizing, gossip, making fun of, and on and on but instead just worried about leaving them better than when we found them. 

I know for me, it makes a difference when someone really takes time to listen, pays attention and also follows up with me when something is going on in my life or they notice me struggling.  They leave me better than they found me. 

It is my hope that I do that to others.  That I worry less about all of the "should nots" and just focus on the should. Sometimes just giving a simple compliment to someone or a smile makes a difference in their day. I know this because it has to me. 

Let's leave them better!

#Write31Days - Oct 27 - (un)comfortable

Today was a hard day.  I don't have much to say really.... 

One of my dear school friends mother has been battling cancer, she was told she has 3 to 4 months to live.  One of my college besties was told her Dad's cancer has progressed, that chemo isn't an option any more, that his body is too weak, and the next step is meeting with Doctors to determine his care and to keep him comfortable. 

What about any of that is comfortable?! None of it.  

We knew this cancer was growing, we talked about it at the funeral of my other college bestie's Dad just a couple of months ago. But, we didn't know how soon it could or would decline. These are uncomfortable days, appointments, conversations and decisions. 

Dying I feel like is a hot topic right now, specifically dying of cancer. I just read the interview/article last week of Brittany Maynard who's intending/choosing to end her life this week due to aggressive brain cancer. A story which has sparked lots of debate, none of which I care to give an opinion to. 

We will pray for dignity through the last of their days and for mercy to not be long suffering. Despite circumstance, I am thankful and know that my friend's Mother and my bestie's Father have hope.  Hope in eternity.  Hope beyond this temporary body.  Hope in Jesus. 

 

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul..firm and secure.  Hebrews 6:19

For that I will rest in.  It is the one part of all of this that can give comfort.

Trusting in Jesus,

#Write31Days - Oct 26 - Real

I have recently gotten to know a lady at my church through my Community Group and the Women's ministry program I am a part of.  She told someone in our discussion the other day about how she had seen me at church and thought I was always dressed up, but got to know me and realized how casual I am when she sees me other days during the week. 

I do love dresses, and this summer while off from teaching most days I was babysitting, poolside, working out or just hanging out at home, none of which necessitated me getting "dressed" up.  There were plenty of summer nights out, but I decided on Sundays, I needed to get it together for church and wear the dresses I had.  

But for all the Sundays that look like this...

 

There are more days in between and weekends that look like this...

...no make up, Nike Shorts or leggings now that it is cooler weather. The pic on the far right is how I went to the grocery store this morning at 7:20am before coming home and getting read for church. :)

I spend my weekend days as comfortable as possible, usually without make-up, lots of times in a baseball cap or hair in a bun.  Mostly because my hair needs to be washed. (That's another post for another time about not washing your hair everyday.)

There have been many times that I am asked about heading out like this, what if I run into people or am "under-dressed" for somewhere.  I can remember moving to the city and going to The Galleria, where apparently people feel you need to be fashion show worthy upon entrance.  I never felt like I needed to be.  I do love to dress up, I love putting outfits together and creating my style, but I also like simple.  

Since I'm single, the biggest questions seems to be "what if I meet a guy and I'm not dressed up?"

My response...I don't sleep in make-up, if he's the one and I marry him, he's going to see the real me. Why would I never let him see that before? Sometimes you need to be spontaneous and be ready in a couple of minutes, it's not always about what you look like, but being in the moment and enjoying that moment. One of my favorite thing is Saturday breakfast, and if it's a last minute plan, I am out the door within 5 minutes, because the time spent with someone is more valuable than the time spent getting ready. 

Maybe "casual" isn't your thing. You don't ever leave the house without make-up and your hair  fixed.  My thought to you is if that's a cover for something else, it is my hope that you can let the real you shine through.  That you see yourself as the same beautiful and confident when you are dressed up and when you aren't. 

BeYOUtiful,

#Write31Days - Oct 25 - What I'm Wearing 10.24.14 - PINK OUT

 

In case you need some inspiration for your closet, my hope is that I can give you some ideas from what I'm wearing. What fits you doesn't always fit me. What fits me, doesn't always fit you. So, we all know the style of jeans that work best for us, the brands of shoes we love, etc. I'm not a "linker" to buy all of these outfits here. Truth be told, a lot of my clothes are many many years old and I pick up things all around the place. I'm don't update my wardrobe every season with the latest and greatest. I don't have Pinterest, so these are just my daily creations. Hopefully you're just inspired, maybe by something you have and didn't think about putting it together or maybe you are just looking for a simple accessory to add in and these posts can give you some ideas.

 

This week's theme day at school was "PINK OUT" in support of Breast Cancer Awareness, so I decided to wear pink every day!  It is well established, green is my favorite, so I don't have a ton of pink in my closet, but found just enough!

 

Monday...palazzo pants, denim and oversize pearls!   I found my first pair of these pants a few years ago and simply bought them because they were different AND long enough for me.  I've since added a few more pairs and love them, they are one step above pajamas in comfort and 10 steps above in looking put together.  Unless you don't like printed pants, then maybe they just rank as tacky.  But, I'm ok with that!  

Tuesday...pink + black.  I've held on to this pink skirt from the Gap through several moves and closet clean outs, every now and then it's just the right thing I need.  So, it was a definite wear for this week.  These booties are about 4" heel and another teacher commented on how high they were this week, then he was impressed I could also run down the hall in them...not that I was about to be late to my class...

Wednesday was the offical #PINKOUT...I wore one of my Ts from one of the 3 years I participated in the Susan Komen 3 day--a 60 mile walk in support of breast cancer.  I've had a dear friend who fought breast cancer, and WON as well as father of one of my besties...he also WON!  I walked with an amazing group of girls, spent nights in pink tents and the memories of survivors and family members along those miles will always hold special place in my heart.  Threw in a little leopard and floral print tank under the burnout to mix it up. 

Thursday, did you just say leopard?  Yep - again. It (and camo) are a neutral. :)  This scarf has anchors on it.  One of my favorite verses is "We have this hope is the anchor of the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19 and I thought several times about those currently fighting cancer and those who are mourning ones who cancer took too soon.  For all of life's struggle, Jesus is hope and the anchor of the soul. 

Friday, #PINKOUT for football game! Got this T with my besties while in Round Top this year and paired it with jeans, little glitter belt and suede heels.  And, realized on the 5-day picture that I wore a scarf every.day.  Welcome to fall in my wardrobe.  Last year a student told me they were going to dress up like me and wear a cardigan and a scarf. It does become my fall/winter work uniform.  :) 

PINK OUT!  For any of you who are fighting or have family/friends fighting Breast Cancer, this is for you!  Wear your pink in support, my prayers that they win the battle and may you always have hope in eternity!

Blessings,