“Instead of asking people what they do, ask them what they love to do.”

So, I’m asking you.


“What do you love to do?”
~*~*~*~*~*~*

Laugh until I cry.

Be understood.

Finish my husband’s sentence- because I can.

Singing. LOUDLY!

Help a kid express him/herself in a way that other people GET IT.

Work (I know, LAME).

Making cloud pictures.

Snuggling my puppies.

Crunching leaves.

Puddle jumping.

BIG, GIANT, HUGS!!!

Talking in Friends quotes.

Playing video games.

Reading. Reading. Reading.

Being in school (it’s a love-hate thing)

September 19, 2009.

Hiking.

Gym dates.

Writing out cards – for no reason.

Practing random acts of kindness!

Love. I love love love spreading love.

When we’re at our most challenged, our most frustrated, our most overwhelmed, knowing that someone believes in us is the most priceless thing imaginable.


Who believes in you today? Who believed in you in the past? 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I’ve had my moments.

Beautiful moments.

Grasping a diploma in my hand – not once, not twice, but three times. Receiving my license to practice in the mail. Running a half hour all at once. Completing a triathlon. Saying “I will” to my husband nearly two years ago.

Without many- these moments mean very little.

Without the person who I could call at any time on the phone and cry to when the world seemed overwhelming.

Without the person who paid for my books the first semester of college because I had no idea that a book could even cost over $100.

Without the person who took care of my dog for the beginning of his life so that I could attend classes, and work, and do an internship.

Without the person who I am most at peace with – whose arms are truly where I am meant to exist.

Without the person who I call when I have a flat tire, when I’m not sure I remember how to check my oil, when I’m scared and need someone to tell me it’s okay.

Without the person who pushed me- mentally and physically when I did not believe I could complete a triathlon.

Without the person who randomly sings musical show tunes with me through my tears.

Without the person who can finish my sentences, and understand me when I randomly say “Speaking of cool!”

Without the people who have made all these moments possible, and worthwhile.

I’m lucky to have all kinds of people who have, and do believe in me.

Part of what I hope to do in my work is pass on to these beautiful children that someone believes in them, because believe me – it makes all the difference.

I’ll admit it. We’ve been BAD. VERY BAD. BLOGGERS!

The many small dogs we walked



We visited Vermont and walked lots of dogs, and saw Carly, Kyle, Antoinette, and Jess!

Antoinette & Jess

Carly & Kyle and their new home!

Lido Deck on our Cruise Ship

Monacco

Monacco

The Ruins of Pompeii

Sicily

The Island of Stromboli

The 1992 Olympic Stadium in Barcelona

Barcelona

View from the Top of the Leaning Tower



The Colosseum



The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Woot woot!

Erica, the Bride

Allegra & Robin



Erica & Josh We did the Race for the Cure in Vermont

We celebrated 40 years of marriage with Casey’s Parents!

We vacationed in Islesboro with Mom & Stacey, and took in a little piece of heaven, did a lot of reading and a lot of relaxing!

 We repainted our kitchen cupboards (still a work in progress!

Mom and I introduced Casey to the wonder that is Groton!

 

Found this website that gives writing prompts, so we’ll try it out!

1.What were the circumstances surrounding your most embarrassing (physical) stumble?
    
           The one I remember most vividly was walking (and I mean WALKING) into a glass door when I was in Mexico with my Mom. I cracked my glasses and everything! Very embarassing (and painful!)

2.As summer winds down and autumn makes its approach, what are you most looking forward to in the changing of the seasons?

           There are lots of things I love about fall. Walking in the cool weather, leaves crunching under my feet, hot chocolate, chex mix, and so many more. This fall, I think I am looking forward to undertaking some steps for major change. Overhauling the house, moving things into storage, and getting ready to sell our house on our own. An adventure for sure!

3.What’s something you’ve recently fallen for?

            Onetruemedia.com   ~ I love making montages, and they make it SO DARN EASY!!!!

4.Of what has there been a shortfall in your life recently?

             Sleep? down time? Looking forward to getting some of that on our vacation in Isleboro in a few weeks! 

5.Has there been any kind of windfall in your life in the past few months?

             I wish. There has been a windfall of lessons I suppose – about who you can trust, who will be there when the chips fall, how to let go, how to move on, how to keep hope. Lots and lots of lessons. So many that I think I need a break from all the life lessons.

IT’s OK. . . .

– to eat generic cheerios for lunch because you haven’t gone grocery shopping

– to unfriend people on facebook that annoy you *everyflippingtime* they post

– to skip a workout in favor of cuddling with your husband

– to screen your calls, work or otherwise

– to sit and read an entire book when you should be doing paperwork

– to spend idle time looking at houses for sale on the internet dreaming of the future

– to cry. at random. without reason

– to admit you need help

– to have a creemee for dinner (soft serve ice cream, for Non-Vermonters)

– to feel overwhelmed by BIG.STRONG.EMOTIONS sometimes

– to wear your jammies all day long

– to leave the air mattress blown up after your guest departs, so you can watch DVD’s laying down in the living room.

It’s all OK, it’s THURSDAY!

Have a good one folks,
Jenn

Who you would have looked like.

I think I’m crazy most days, because by lots of definitions – you never were. You were gone before I even knew you were there. How can I miss you? The very idea of you? I think I miss you because you were so very wanted. Because I don’t know if they will ever be another of you. Because I loved you before you even existed that short time. I think of you often, and can’t express how sorry I am that you are gone.

Love,
The Mom that Almost Was

I wrote this post awhile ago, and Blogger ATE IT. Ahem. So, because I think it’s a good topic, I’m going to blog about it again.

As likely all of you know by know, Casey and I have both lost a significant amount of weight. But like the trauma that I address with the kids I work with, my overweight life has not let me move on.

                                                                      I am a triathlete.

                                                             I look like this today
                                (the day I wrote this actual post – the first time, about a month ago)
                                                   (weight loss maintained for 3 YEARS)

But when I look in the mirror, I don’t see this – any of it.

I see this –

 or,

I can’t look at pictures without critiquing EVERYTHING. My hair, the leftover skin left behind by the weight loss. Oh, it’s bad. I annoy everyone, (even myself) with constant questioning of “Do I look fat?” and so on.

It makes me sad and angry with myself, and I vow over and over again to myself that I will make a more conscious effort to stop – but these negative thoughts pour through my mind on a daily basis.

I’m not the only one – I think women in particular have such struggles with self image, and I am certainly among them. As a gender we have a hard time taking compliments, and a very easy time picking out faults – whether it be wrinkles, collar bones sticking out, gray hear, loose skin, stretch marks, etc.

I can take compliments on my work, my choices, my personality even – but when my husband tells me I am beautiful, I can’t accept that.

In my work, I do a lot with kids around changing negative thought patterns – it’s super hard. We all fall into the traps of negativity, around whatever we feel vulnerable about. My appearance? Makes me feel vulnerable.

I will continue to try and accept the new me, the real me. Someday I do hope to have money to do the surgery to remove the excess skin, especially around my arms – because it keeps me from feeling like I’ve lost any weight at all.

But I need to be gentle with myself, no matter what I look like, because it doesn’t define who I am. What defines who I am, is that I accomplished a huge goal – I reduced so many risk factors for developing health problems, I completed a triathlon with my husband, I am healthy. And that’s what really matters.

So, I encourage you as well – be gentle with yourselves. Maybe we can all learn how to do that, together 🙂