Reflections-Looking Back

I found this little thing that I typed back in March. 5 months later and it is still applicable. Life lessons now at age 35. Happy birthday to me.

March 5, 2012 - Reflections from the morning

You know when you get an idea in your head that you WILL be determined and disciplined to accomplish something? Well, I ponder on what stops me from succeeding. Why do I stop the good thing that I started? Is it genetics? Is it complacency? Is it fear of failure? I think its human nature to get distracted, to be tempted by the food that we shouldn’t eat, to say the things we shouldn’t say, to not say the things we should say. 

In conclusion: 

God has given me certain insight and gifts that need to be used accordingly. April: Don’t front and act like you know it all. Remember to be in his presence and you will see more clearly. You will see what he wants for you and your life. Your gifts will be made known to all as you spread joy and love. 

Summer lovin

Exciting happenings and yet-to-comes for Summer 2012:


1. So pumped to watch the Olympics!


2. Looking forward to a new tradition during our Labor Day beach weekend: a stay at a bed & breakfast prior to heading to OC MD.


3. Had an awesome time at Dutch Wonderland for the 1st and 2nd times ever in my life. Once in June with my brother & his family and just recently with Diane, Nicole, Matthew, Millie, Morgan, Rachel, Zach & Logan. 


4. Started working for my Grama Marcie as her caretaker/chauffeur to the JCC. What a remarkable elderly matriarch! I have learned so much about her childhood and my grandfather (My Mom's Dad) that unfortunately passed away long before I was born. 


5. Great times keeping nieces & nephews overnight.  Zach & Logan did VBS with me and we had sooooo much fun! Took Morgan & Rachel to Nixon Park to see reptiles and got to swim at Codorus Creek & Codorus pool. 


6. Learned some new recipes to create with our CSA harvest.  Yum...beet salad and maple kale!


7. Hosted our first Memorial Weekend camp out/bike trip on the rail trail with Marc, Diane & the girls. 


8. Tried 2 weeks gluten free. Recently tried 1 week vegan. Very hard but very beneficial.

Oh yeah, I have a blog

I was just looking back at my few posts on this blog and smiled remembering how each and every moment is a true blessing.  I think that this blog is in need of attention.  I vow to either shut it down or become more diligent with actually posting on it.

New job

I have been offered (and accepted) an internship position with HRG as a Geologic Technician. I will be performing remediation of soil, sediment and water at a Brownfields site in York. I am thankful for the opportunity and can't wait to start driving 10 minutes to work instead of 55!

More to come...

New Year Struggles

Eric had challenged me a while back to blog about my training for our half marathon. I thought it would be a great idea but kept forgetting to start the documentation. My first inclination on getting serious about this training (I mean, we are only 2 months away here folks-I got to get working on my distance goals) was to get some advice from some dear school friends. Olivia and Mandy are both runners and had great advice for a training plan that would work for me, a non-runner.

They both suggested to run outdoors at least once a week so I knew how my lungs would react to the cold air. They also suggested one longer distance run once a week so I could build resistance in order to be successful at this half marathon. Here is the recap of what has transpired since enacting their advice.

Monday January 17: Feeling great, ran 3 miles easy on the treadmill; Great cool down and stretch

Tuesday January 18: Wake up rested, not sore in the least (woo hoo, right?)

Mid day at work develop sore throat

End of day = full fledged cold symptoms

No run today

Friday January 21: Doctor visit, get an inhaler and cough syrup (thanks codeine)

No run since the 17th

This whole time I am thinking in my head: April, you have to get running because Eric is going to blow you away at this marathon. In addition, you have not peeled your big booty off the couch due to coughing and dripping. GET OFF OF THE COUCH, push yourself and that sinus cold right out of your face!

Ok, Fast forward to now. Monday January 31: No running but to the doctor today.

I have walking pneumonia.

Umm...Can I forgive myself now for not running the last 2 weeks? Can I allow myself some rest for my weary stuffed sinuses? The one doc said "This is going to set you back." Duh-ya think so? I feel horrible for putting this out there but I think that for now, I will just ignore the treadmills in the living room. I will concentrate on resting so that whenever it is that I'm able, I will resume training. And when I do resume training, may my muscles be forgiving.

Well, that's the post for now.

By the way, I'm headed back to school next month! More on the free education and certifications later. I'm going back to my favorite spot on the couch.

Wedding Renewal

We renewed our vows after 10 years of marriage at a drive-thru/walk-up window in Las Vegas. It was amazing. The video will follow shortly.

Drum roll please

I did it: I finally graduated.

I even got an un-wrinkled diploma in the mail. I was hoping that it wouldn't be wrinkled. Good ol' HACC sent a copy of the commencement bulletin, of which I did not attend. I was proud to see my name and 2 little "High honors" stars next to it. High honors?!? It's not like I'm in the military or anything! I think if I had squeaked a B in O-chem I would've been done better. C'est la vie, right? I shed a little tear at the sight of the paper, a diploma of all things. I have been in school for the last 3 years, and now what?

No major job offers are pouring in. I feel like I've updated my resume a hundred times and sent it out about a million. I am hoping that a company takes a chance on me, although I only have an Associates degree.

So, if anyone has any sage advice: Keep it to yourself. Ha Ha! No, seriously I am optimistic of a great future. I know that regardless of my choices, I have Eric as my biggest supporter. He continually encourages me to follow whatever it is that makes me happy.

And that folks, makes me happy.

Thanks for the positive words, hugs, tissues to cry in, and whatever else any of you have contributed to my continuing education.

Here's to the next 3 years!