lollipop moments

Tuesday, September 10: Describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn.


I don't know why, but I'm drawing a blank on this one.  I was having a conversation with Sarah and her husband about "lollipop moments" (watch the TED talk for more info - it basically means a moment where someone said something or did something that you feel fundamentally made your life better) and I drew the same blank.  I couldn't think of a lollipop moment.  In fact, I've been thinking a lot about this whole idea of SPECIFIC MOMENTS in my life and it bothers me that it is so hard for me to pinpoint them.

(image)

So today will be the day when my life will take a turn - I am going to be more deliberate to document and honor the people, places, ideas and moments that affect my life.

I might be ordinary, but even ordinary has a history worth remembering.

caregiver

Monday, September 9: Take this short personality test and respond to your results. (at the end, find the detailed profile of your personality account - click "click to view" under "You" and "self awareness and personal growth." You can even google your type and find more info on it!)  



According to this quiz, I am an  ESFJ 

I'm almost positive I used to be an ENFJ.  I wonder if I took a more exhaustive test if I still would be.  Either way.... the ENFJ is the "Giver" and the ESFJ is the "Caregiver."  Both are pretty accurate. I find it humerous that some of suggested career paths on the ESFJ page are:

Home Economics
Nursing
Teaching
Administrators
Child Care
Family Practice Physicians
etc.

Looks like being a Home Ec teacher was my destiny, as these photos from my facebook album seem to illustrate:

Does anyone else have pictures of themselves holding fruit platters, cleaning up a mess or making plates for people?  If not, I guess I am definitely an ESFJ/ENFJ.  (want to take a longer quiz one of these days to be sure which one.)

UPDATE- I took the full Kiersey Temperment sorter and it also says I'm an ESFJ, or "Guardian/Provider."   "ESFJs are social butterflies that value relationships, supporting and nurturing others. Never one to shy away from social events, they are often the host. They are great encouragers of teamwork. ESFJs are responsible, dutiful, observe traditions and follow rules. ESFJs have a deep concern for others and often end up as caretakers." (via)
So there you go.

skeered

Friday, September 6: A story about a time you were very afraid.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for you, I have a really bad memory.  However, I do have glimpses of fear from my past:

-  my younger brother being in hospital and mom staying with him
-  tornado sirens
-  getting in trouble after my friends and I stayed out too late during my 5th grade slumber party (we were listening to tapes on my new "My Little Pony" stereo)
-  New Year's Eve party getting busted my Senior Year  (I'd had a few drinks and was so scared they wouldn't let me be a cheerleader anymore if I got caught)
-  Being super sick and having my tonsils out
-  Graduating college and moving to a brand new place for a brand new job
-  My car getting stuck in the "acceleration" phase in rush hour traffic and having to pull the keys out of the ignition at 70mph
-  Trying to be there for my sister during difficult decisions
-  Clicking the "Do Not Accept" button when it was time to renew my teaching contract, even though I didn't know what I was going to do next

But of course, the time that stands out to me when I really remember being afraid - the kind of fear where your stomach churns and you're at a loss for words - is when my mom had cancer and it was time to shave the thinning hair off of her head.  I was a selfish college kid who hadn't really gasped the enormity of the situation until that very moment.  I'd said that I would help, but when it came time to do it I was frozen.  That God that my Aunt Joanne was there and took over.  I don't think I ever thanked her for that. 

listen up

Thursday, September 5: Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered.

The first thing that comes to mind is this:  "Say please, thank you, and know how to read."  That was the advice that always came from my dad.  (well - that and that duct tape can fix anything.) 

 Photo props:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/113655546/please-and-thank-you-manners-typography?ref=exp_listing

I have learned that it is pretty much the truth.  I've certainly learned that you catch more flies with honey.  Saying "please" and "thank you" and "my pleasure" and "excuse me" definitely set me apart from the crowd.  Knowing how to read (and enjoying every second of it) sets me above much of the crowd. 

The key is knowing what to do with all of this. Therein lies the problem, no?

While we're at it, here is some other useful advice that I've gleaned:
-  wear a slip
-  never settle
-  brush your teeth
-  choose your battles
-  when in doubt, dress up
-  call your parents 

take 3

Wednesday, September 4: If you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do? (bonus points for fun photos from Pinterest, but don't forget to cite the source!)

I have a pretty sweet life.  Not gonna lie.  So I don't know that I would actually 3 months off.  But if I did, I would hope that I would do something life-altering.  I'm thinking it would be good for me to go to Africa or India or somewhere that made me really understand how to prioritize things.  We assume that we are so much better off than these people who live in extreme poverty - but I already know that I could learn so much from them.  This makes me think.... what would I do if I wasn't afraid?

Aside from that, I wouldn't mind spending 3 months in the Cinque Terre.  

Photo props to:   http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/travel/cinque-terre-part-2.html

I got to visit one of them in 2007 but I would love to go up and down and stay in each of them.  I would love to absorb the locals  and stumble through conversations with my rudimentary Spanish.  I would take part in afternoon naps and giant dinners accompanied by wine.  (You may be asking if I could spend 3 months walking around, gazing at the ocean, napping and drinking wine.... to this I say YES.  Yes, I could.)

where i come from...

Blogtember, day 1

Tuesday, Sept. 3: Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

This is a tough one, how can you adequately describe the people, places and factors that have made you the person you are in one post? Since I'm not sure where to even start, I'll speak in generalizations.

I come from a place that is flat, dry and dusty. The sky can turn from blue to brown in an instant. There aren't many trees and there is even less water. But who needs trees when you can look across a cotton field for miles? Who needs water when the sunsets are breathtaking? It is easy to overlook the beauty of the Texas panhandle... unless you're paying attention. Amidst the red dirt, tumbleweeds and brushy plains are the people. And the people.... well, they are the most beautiful scenery you could imagine. My people are people who care about each other. They subscribe to the idea that it takes a village to raise children and they show up to do it. They're there to help, to babysit, to hold one another in the darkest times. My people are the first ones to show God's love to the masses. They leave the "talk" at the door - they're too busy doing what needs to be done to listen to what others say they should be doing. They don't need to read Love Does (which I actually really enjoyed).... it is an innate part of who they are.

I come from a family that understands unconditional love isn't always easy, but always worth it. We are faaaaaaar from perfect but are as close to it as you can get in my opinion. We look forward to seeing each other and enjoy one another's company. We root for one another's successes and cry for each other when life gets hard. 45 years of marriage, 5 kids, 5 spouses and over a dozen grandkids - we leave an impression wherever we go, that's for sure. A normal gathering includes guitars, BBQ and lots of singing.(and a whole lot of dishes.)  I come from factors that aren't politically correct. The obvious: we should strive to glorify God in all that we do. That pretty much summarizes the basis of my upbringing. But I was fortunate enough to see this in action, not just hear about it in a Sunday school class. You need a car? Here, take ours. We don't need two. You need somebody to care for your kids while you're in prison? We have room. You worried about where your next meal will come from? Here are some groceries that we really can't afford to spare - but are glad to share. The less obvious factors are the nights I spent as a child in smoky bars because my dad wanted us to appreciate live music. The summer vacations we took because my parents wanted us to know and love our relatives across the US. The barbie clothes my mom sewed even though they were a pain the the bleeeeep.  The mustard and brown VW van we drove around in.  The preparation of cheese plates for visits from the Bishop. The Tuesday night "singles" group we hosted at our house. "Sunday Funnies," which meant going to a different house every Sunday to watch the Dallas Cowboys after church. Staying with friends while my brother had yet another surgery.

The people, the places, the factors that made me who I am cannot be described in a blog post.  (You can get a glimpse of it if you go to iTunes and download a few Eddie Beethoven songs - - just picture me as a 12 year old girl in Stubbs BBQ singing along.)

All I know is that I am Blessed to have had the people (parents, Fr. James, Bishop Sheehan, Richards, Cochrans, SJN teachers, crazy Whitney in the back yard, Lori, Jenny, Spice Girls, Sarah, Grand Prize girls, Stephanie, all of my students ), places (Canyon, Lubbock, Shallowater, Tech, Austin), and factors (too many to name - that is a whole other blog series) that I had.

There is so much that has made me who I am.  But at the end of the day, I'll say that my mom's homemade pizza made all the difference.

blogtember

In my efforts to be more productive, I figure I can at least do something more worthwhile with the time I spend online.... Writing (even on a blog) does require myelinating a few neurons, so I'm going to hop on this Blogtember that this cute girl at Story of My Life is facilitating.

She made it realistic... No weekends and start after Labor Day.

Here are her rules:

1. There really aren't any rules. If you miss a day, you can make it up or skip it. The blog police will not come knocking.

2. I will be including a linkup option at the bottom of my post each day, so you are welcome to leave your links here for others to peruse, as well. 

3. You can still post other things every day, too. I plan to do normal outfit posts, life posts, around-Austin posts, and sponsor posts just like usual.

4. I'd seriously love you if you also include the "Blogtember" button (below) either on your sidebar or at the end of your posts, but again, the blog police will not come knocking. My main goal here is to get us all back to the basics of blogging, not to gain a million new readers (though I wouldn't mind that). 

5. Here are the topics. You can be as creative and awesome or as boring and bland as you like with these. Take 'em and run with it. Use creative post titles. Interpret each "prompt" however you like. There's no wrong way to do it. Have fun.

Tuesday, Sept. 3: Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

Wednesday, September 4: If you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do? (bonus points for fun photos from Pinterest, but don't forget to cite the source!)

Thursday, September 5: Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered. 

Friday, September 6: A story about a time you were very afraid.

Monday, September 9: Take this short personality test and respond to your results. (at the end, find the detailed profile of your personality account - click "click to view" under "You" and "self awareness and personal growth." You can even google your type and find more info on it!)

Tuesday, September 10: Describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn.

Wednesday, September 11: Share links to your favorite online shops, preferably with a few photos of your favorite items in each shop.

Thursday, September 12: Discuss ways that blogging or social media has changed you.

Friday, September 13: A self portrait

Monday, September 16: Write a public love letter to someone in your life. (It doesn't necessarily need to be romantic.)

Tuesday, September 17: A memory you would love to relive.

Wednesday, September 18: Only photos

Thursday, September 19: Creative writing day: write a (very short) fictional story that starts with this sentence: "To say I was dreading the dinner party would be the understatement of the century."

The story does not necessarily need to have a conclusion - you can leave your readers wishing for more!

Friday, September 20: React to this term: comfort. 

Monday, September 23: A "life lately" post. What you're up to, how you're feeling, how you're doing on your goals, etc. Bonus points for great photos!

Tuesday, September 24: Review a book, place, or product.

Wednesday, September 25: Write about a time you screwed up - a mistake you made. 

Thursday, September 26: Go to a coffee shop. Order a favorite drink. Write about what makes you happy and what makes you sad. Or write about anything you'd like! Bonus points for including a photo from the coffee shop. (I recommend downloadingOmmwriter and bringing headphones along!) *if you can't make it to a coffee shop, at least leave your usual space and write someplace new.

Friday, September 27: An anonymous letter to your Facebook friends. Be as snarky as you'd like. (but don't include people's real names.) 

Monday, September 30: Share a photo of something old. Maybe something that has personal history for you, that was passed down to you, and that has special meaning to you. Tell us about it and why it's special.