Busy bee!

It's going on 2 months since I've put my thoughts on paper...or the computer, in this case. Things have been busy, as always. Work started back, and although I'm still adjusting, things are getting better. I do still miss my KES friends, however. I have come to the conclusion, that I (and the other new speech therapist) have been placed in this school to clean up house. Unfortunately, it will likely take me the entire year to clean up the mess-of-a-caseload that was left behind. I am the type of person who wants things neat and clean as quickly as possible, some might call it impatience, so this year is going to teach me patience for sure!

School has also started back. Phew - without a month off, I don't know if I could've gone back! Summer semester was a lot more intense than I expected it to be, but so far, it seems like fall semester is going to be a little more low key - which is awesome considering it's my LAST semester! I can't believe it's been nearly a year since I went back to school. I feel like the older I get, the faster time flies!

And with fall right around the corner, comes football, tennis, and cooler weather! Fall is my favorite season of the year! The leaves, the busy birthday-filled month of October, the cool breeze - ahhh. But even closer than fall, is our vacation! Taylor and I are embarking in less than two weeks with my parents on an exotic Western Caribbean cruise. Honduras, Belize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel are calling my name. I am determined to travel as much as possible before we start making additions to the Newton family! I'll be sure to post pictures of our tropical vacation! Bon voyage!

Lemonade

I'm a Libra.  Libra's are all about balance - hence, the scales. I'm not a huge astronomy/zodiac/horoscope follower, but if there is something that I do that not everyone else does, I typically blame it on my sign. So, with that said...I am a planner. I am not spontaneous. I like to plan things out, sometimes ridiculously far in advance. Unfortunately, planning in advance can sometimes backfire!! Taylor and I were planning on starting a family last March - so that I could hopefully be due in Aprilish of 2012, and have 5 months of maternity leave with my summer break (there's that planning thing!). Well...after a routine Tuberculosis test for my (then) part time job, I found out that I have latent Tuberculosis. Who knew? While not contagious, they still treat latent TB...FOR 9 MONTHS! One little pill a day for nine months. So, it's like being pregnant....only no baby at the end. I can't drink alcohol (gotta take care of the 'ole liver) and I'm not crazy about the idea of trying to get preggers while taking a class C drug. So, I guess that's what I get for planning. The big man upstairs obviously has other plans for when I'm supposed to be a momma. So, at this point, I'm halfway done with my meds and am seriously contemplating having a "Melissa-can-drink-again" party sometime at the end of November when this is all done. So - there's my sour lemons, thrown my way. My lemonade? Having more time to plan for when I'm gonna welcome a little Newton into my life!

Speaking of lemons - here's a sour one I bought at the thrift store. I got 2 of these chairs, a couch, and a coffee table that I'm painting and recovering cushions for when we redo our deck in the fall.

 

Lemon

Lemonade!

Summertime, the Livin's Easy (well, mostly)

So the first official day of summer was yesterday - but my summer has been in full swing for nearly 3 weeks. I. love. summer. Not because I can be a lazy bum if I want (well, having the option is nice I suppose), but because I can get things done - and make a few extra bucks working part time! On the agenda for this summer: make it through summer semester alive (school has been tricky this semester!), organize/establish a craft closet (check!), clean out all of the closets (master bedroom - check!), clean out the garage, and do some crafts! I. love crafts. My dream job (after being a model - ha, pretty sure my 27-year-old, 5'1 3/4" self can kiss that one goodbye) is to make and sell crafts! It can be anything...jewelry, bags, paintings, photography, etc. I wish I had more time to craft. BUT - I have started and finished my first summer craft, so I thought I'd post to share. I found this idea/pattern/how-the-heck-do-I-do-this from this website my sister-in-law, Erin, shared with me called craftgawker. This website is awesome and is definitely a great distraction from anything more important I should be doing! Anyways, here is my first project - a fun beach tote! I'm no seamstress, but I'm learning (on my mom's 1970's heavy, old, metal sewing machine)!

CH-CH-CH-CH -CHANGES!

Well, I know that "change is hard." And "change is good." And "change is inevitable." But, how do you know if change is right? I guess that's where the whole "leap of faith" thing comes into play. I have recently accepted a job offer in Cherokee County Schools so that I can work closer to home and in the same school district that our kids will be in (I'm planning a little ahead - I know, me, plan?). I was hoping for a "speech utopia" type of school, but ended up with a Title I (lower socioeconomic status students) school instead. So, I am obviously nervous about leaving my current job and moving to the new job - but, it feels like the right thing to do. New coworkers, new students, new room...the uncertainty of it all is overwhelming. But, as cheesy as it sounds, Oprah had her last show this week and she, too (I'm sure) is experiencing some of the same feelings as I am. One of the quotes she ended with was "I believe every single event in life that happens is an opportunity to choose love over fear." So - here's to choosing love!

One year ago today...

One year ago today the world lost an amazing woman - my Grandma. I think of her often and miss her everyday. I am thankful for all of the moments we shared together and know that she is in a better place with the love of her life, my Grandpa. Here is a poem I wrote for my Grandma T. when she passed:

Milanos

To some it’s just a cookie or a snack on the go,

But for me, it’s a reminder of you, who helped me to grow.

With a touch of chocolate, some say it’s perfection,

To you I am forever grateful for your warmth and affection.

Savor every bite, for before you know it it’s gone,

But you’ll be here forever, in mind and spirit, from dusk until dawn.

A piece of heaven, some say of these sweets,

Watch over me from there, until again we meet.

Love you Grandma!

Juggling

So, I can't literally juggle - at least not very well. But figuratively, I think I'm pretty good at it. I am able to keep a few balls in the air, and then I think "why not add another one?" Some people may think I'm crazy for all of the things I have going on in my life - school, new job #1, potentially a new job #2, tennis, family and friends, taking care of my fur-children, and being a wife. I think I'm crazy too, at times, for all of the happenings I have going on in my life. But to be honest - I don't think I'd want it any other way. Sure, some extra "down time" would be nice occasionally, but when it comes down to it, my busy life provides me with all of the things I have. Not necessarily all of the material things (but yes, my jobs help pay the bills!), but the sentimental things. I have the opportunity to further my success in my career through continuing my education. I have the awesome ability to help children and adults communicate! I have the ability to fulfill my competitive nature with a game of tennis (and get some exercise, too!). I have an amazing support system that is my family and friends. I have the pleasure of being loved unconditionally by my fur-children. And most of all I have a best friend and the love of my life that drives me crazy (good and bad)!  So yes, my life is often insanely busy...but that's the way I like it! Just think of what it will be like with children!..
 
"Life life to the fullest" - Ernest Hemingway

                                         

Here goes nothing...

Well, I hear this whole blogging thing can be therapeutic. Not that I am feeling the need for therapy, but everyone can use a little therapy in their lives, right? I find myself enjoying reading other peoples' blogs, too, so perhaps others will enjoy reading mine!

Here's to blogging!