Schedule Stress

I am sure you cannot tell from the blog, but let me just inform you that my schedule is a mess. Overwhelming and difficult and downright tiring to tell you the 100% truth.

I will admit it, I bit off more than I can chew....but for the moment I can't change anything.

For this reason and many others, I am just about desperate to get home. To see my family and just be with them. To travel to Tampa for weekend fun and a wedding. To see water and maybe get some ocean breeze to revive me.

I will be better to myself in the Spring. But for now I ask for you to pray for me. Thanks!

FLORIDA!

"Florida has its own rhythm, too. People go to work, they watch their children learn and grow and start families of their own. They play in the sun and pass their lives enjoying the outsized blessings that make our state unique."
Jeb Bush 
* Though I do not agree with all of his politics....his words match my thoughts.*


I am heading home to Florida on Friday! I am ecstatic! One thing I do know from this move to Georgia....is that there is NO place like home. The people, the places, and fun that makes home, so amazing can not ever be replicated.


I am settling into my schedule more each day and getting more sleep so that I can power through my days....and be less grumpy! College football rolls out this weekend and I can't wait! I have to admit that I am more FSU fan than UGA.....but I want both teams to do well!


Trying kickboxing classes and they are the BEST workout I have ever done! I mean you have to WORK. Also, keeping tabs on my daily allotment of fruits and veggies. Still trying to have healthier habits.


My camera is working again....so now I can update with some photos. Have a blessed and purposeful week!

Bye Verizon

One trait of my type A, oldest sibling persona is the fact that I get attached to people and things and experiences. There are certain things that I don't want to change or get nervous about giving up. I am a hoarder of experiences.....I know that is kind of different.

Recently, our family made the decision to move on over to AT&T. It is exciting, because I will get an iphone....ohhhhh.....ahhhhh:) However it means we are leaving Verizon. And would you believe it.....I think I am attached to Verizon.

I mean it was our first ever cellphone carrier. So back in the day when Mel and I would take our mama's phone to high school for emergencies (I'm dating myself I know!) that was with Verizon. And then there was the time when my family dropped me off at FSU and our LAST stop....as they were on the way back to Jax. was a Verizon store to get me my own cell phone!  ALL of my sustained long distance friendships have included a plethora of calls on my Verizon phone. I mean there are friends I only see about once a year (sadly)....yet our phone talks are a treasured part of the life of our maturing friendship. Learning how to text? Yeah that was with Verizon. My first text was to Melanie and I will always remember it because I didn't know how to find the space button. So it looked something like this......hellohowareyou?

Time and people change. Cell phone bills get more and more expensive and companies offer great deals that can be hard to refuse. So phone upgrade here we come.....but Verizon you connected many, many an important phone call for me during our 11 years together. Thanks!

Friday Tunes

It's about to be Friday!!!!

So excited for this relaxing, totally fun weekend with my sister:) Then next weekend I get to go HOME! Too excited to even think about that right now:)

Here's a song to get Friday started right. Mellow and chill....thanks Norah!

Fall Life

It's the second week of Fall semester. And I can definitely say that this Fall and probably Spring also will be the time when the grad school rubber hits the road. It just feels different to be in my second year. Like everything REALLY matters. I don't know, I can't explain it.

Updates:
I have very reduced hours at my athletic mentoring job....but I still love what I do! I have enough organizational skills to share:)

My Assistantship is so much of a God send that you would not even believe it. The people...friendly and helpful. The experience....useful and worthwhile. And with more and more competition for these spots around campus, I say a thankful prayer often that God provided such a great one for me.

Classes.....yep I am still taking classes. 3 classes this Fall term. All interesting and all pertinent to my future profession.

Internship! Ok, I am almost done. My school site is a hub of activity. However, I feel as if I am getting a wonderful and real experience so that makes me happy. The job of a school counselor is often misunderstood and I have to admit that I continue to learn more and more each day.

Church is new students and restarting girls Prayer Group. It is continuing to read my Bible as much as I can. Currently I am in Psalms and learning from David and his transparent heart. I mean really.....he was an open book!

In the miscellaneous section goes all the other things that make Fall so fun. Overall, if you were wondering, life in Athens is blessed and full of growth and personal revelations. Have a great week!

Today is Enough

Flaw revelation time.....

I have this thing about imagining/planning the future. And looking back at the past.
It is something that I think is a problem. I try to be present in the moments, but when I am alone or relaxing my mind wanders forward to an unseen future and back to a lived past.

Here is what I think I need to tell myself when I catch my mind a'wanderin.....

Today is Enough.
It is enough to be with the people you will see today.
It is enough to take part in the activities that one day can bring.
It is enough to be right here and now, in this place.
It is enough to hold the emotions that will come up during this time.
It is enough to be thankful for the past and then move on.
It is enough to be prayerful for the future and then live on.
It is enough to have questions and no answers.
It is enough to let go and be here!

Each day is enough, all by itself. I cannot experience that when I am not all here. When I am wishing for things to be different. Or wanting what is obviously not in the plan for me currently. Entering this busy and stressful yet delightful last year of grad school, I need to focus. To be here. Because sooner than I can imagine I will be looking back at these moments. Here's to my last Fall of graduate school and every experience of enough in the present day!

Old School Reads:4

"Books are a uniquely portable magic."
Stephen King

Mr. King was exactly right. To me and all those who share the love of reading, books are magical. They can make you laugh and then burn with anger. They can make you cry and then hold your breath in suspense. Books are wonderful!

To end up these few posts on old school reads, I will introduce you to one of my most read books. I read these books so much that the pages are stained and bent because I loved to read at breakfast!

Have you heard of the Ms. Piggle Wiggle books? They are a funny set of books about this quirky woman and her remedies for common childhood issues. Got a picky-eater in your house? Ask her! What about siblings that argue day and night. She has a cure!

I loved these books because the children in them were so ridiculous. They were involved in all types of hijinks that would not have happened in my household. And I ate that up! I loved to read about children and their funny lives! I liked to let my little imagination just run wild with possibilities. And I promise you, that is a part of the reason that I have an active imagination, and take joy in the hilarity of everyday life to this day:)

Friday Movie Update

I took myself out to the movies last night. I almost backed out on myself, but I don't want to become that old lady who doesn't go out by herself anymore. Nope, I gotta cling to the free spirit in me who takes time to eat out and go to movies by herself (Note to self),

Ok, well here we go. There will be no spoilers in this, because that type of thing drives me absolutely crazy!

Crazy, Stupid, Love was Funny, Entertaining, Amazing. I mean I really liked the movie. Some real quick one liners had me sputtering out laughter. The plot kept me fully engaged except for a little bit towards the middle/end. I have no personal connection or extreme like for any of the actors in the movie, yet I would recommend it if you are looking for something to entertain you. It is a little hard to explain but I will say that for once a preview did not spoil a movie or give the whole thing away. Searching for something to do this weekend? Try Crazy, Stupid, Love.....you might like it!

Week One!

So that I don't forget what the start of this school counseling journey was like. Also, for all of those people who keep me in prayer and are interested in my life up here in GA.

My first week of Internship is done! It was busy and wonderful, and full of the special back to school wonder that resides in elementary schools in particular.

I was watching itty-bitty kids in Pre-K and Kindergarten find their way into this thing called "school".
Secretly seeing parents trying to hold it together as they left their babies. It made me think that I might be a mess one day if I end up being a mama.

As a teacher, I did not realize ALL that the front office and administration did to keep our classrooms peaceful. In good schools, they put out a lot of fires up in the front so that you can focus on teaching. So, it's interesting being on the other end of that.


There was a back-to-school play about working to stop bullying. There was the first of 6 parent/family breakfasts. There was breakdowns and tears that lasted over an hour (for one child)!

However, I am already getting to know the staff. They are a nice group and remind me of the treasure of my Roberts family. Of course, you know me......I have volunteered to help with the patrols, and work with the whole school on education surrounding cyberbullying.

Week One is done and I think that it hints at a full and fulfilling school year.....leading all the way up to Graduation in May!

Old School Reads:3

Did you ever have a series of books that you gobbled up? Books that you just could not put down!
Well, I did because I loved series books. I always wanted more. And sure the plots were not that rich, but the comfort of remembered characters was just what I liked as a child.

The Boxcar children was my first book series obsession! Good Grief I adored those books. I definitly read each and every one. But, I mean what an idea. Four orphans and their adventures. I was hooked!

Being in love with them got me ready for Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High later in life.
PS- Let me say that I was completely in love with the Babysitters Club books! I mean you can't even imagine how much I enjoyed those books. And besides the plots they actually were full of random, useless, trivia kind of knowledge. I even had this little free necklace that came with one of the Super Mystery Specials. Yeah, I was that girl!

What would you switch?

In the name of full disclosure may I say that I love myself! I really do.....I am unique, special and created by a God that knows real beauty.

Now with all of that being said, can I admit that there are things about my personality that I would not mind switching up......even if just for a month or two.

Most recently, I would love to try to be more laid back. To roll with the punches and not think so much about plans. About right and wrong. About protecting myself through organization.

My calendar this month says, "There are a thousand miracles to behold." and ain't that the truth.

I don't want to miss any more than I need to. Laughter, faith, connection, family, friends, travels, home, fulfillment, joy, nature, the unexpected. Yep, there are a thousand miracles to behold, and it is an awe-inspiring thing to ponder!

Old School Reads:2

Ok, I am about to take it old school so hold on. How old school you may wonder?

Back when the VHS was king. Back when we didn't have call waiting on our only phone line (the home phone that was not cordless!).

Is that far enough for you;)

Today's reads are from the Frog and Toad collection!!!! Do you remember those books? They were these easy read books about these two friends. Boy, did I ever love these books and I am sure I read them over and over again.

Some of the books were, Frog and Toad are Friends and Frog and Toad All Year.

I have really gotten into this "old school reads" thing so you will be seeing that for my next few posts. Enjoy a stroll down memory lane if you like! I sure will:)

Old School Reads:1

I don't really have much to say today. That is because this article from USA Today online does a fabulous job of pairing pictures and descriptions of some old school children's books.

Remember Babar......that cute elephant and his family? Well it has been 80 years since the first book was written! While I have not read all of the books, they remind me of a sweet taste of my childhood:)

Hmmm maybe I will feature some of my other favorite "old school reads". I was a huge reader as a child and so I have some great books to share.....and if can they stand the test of time (20+) years, and still stand out in my mind......well, that is pretty impressive!!

Peace for a hectic soul

As I sit here this morning
Not having gone to formal worship
My mind and soul are at such a peaceful and still place.

I stayed in and spent time with myself, my God, and my soul.
I found this song on You Tube, and its gorgeous, slow, and purposeful pace was just right for this moment.

I know that I am blessed to really understand the absolute beauty of the human voice lifted in praise to God.
Of course there are all types of praise and worship songs out there, but I know the God who created us loves our voices:)

Here is my prayer for myself this morning:

May the calm of this moment, travel with me through the Fall semester.
When I am happy and content may I be thankful.
When I am struggling and sad may I strive for wisdom.
May I take in the distractions of the world and release peace into my environments. 
May I live in God's word and grow in his power and grace.
May the fruit of the Spirit be evident in my heart, mind, and outer being.
Amen

Waaaah....Borders!

In the rush to end the summer session I completely forgot something. And since reading is one of the foundational (made up word alert!) parts of this blog (doesn't that sound fancy!) I need to remedy it right now.

BORDERS is CLOSING! Now, the main reason I am distraught is because they had the best book value! There is no other book store out there, that sends out coupons once a week. I know that uppity Barnes and Nobles sure doesn't. (I don't have anything against Barnes and Nobles.....they just are not friendly towards the wallet......and that matters to a grad student!)

I will admit that I have stocked up on books and things over the last two weeks at Borders. It's kind of like I am paying homage to a good friend. The kind of retail friend that was the first place I went to buy some of my favorite things!

Ah Borders I will miss ya dearly!

Ramble

I work myself hard sometimes. And I am not the only one....I am just saying my personal truth.

If I could have anything right now it would be a trip with my best friends to the beach.

Thankfully, I am going to escape to the lake for the weekend. Just waking up closer to God's natural nature should revive me.

My summer session is OVER and I have NEVER been soooo happy!

I'm too delirious to be witty or continue rambling. Night!