Baby Time!

No- not for me, for everyone else it seems!

For the past 4-5 months, I've been volunteering in my church's nursery with the 2 & 2 1/2 year olds. I know they say "terrible twos", but I have yet to really experience this! Maybe it's the environment of the church that prompts the angelic behavior, but I truly enjoy working with the little ones.

I find that working with the babies as opposed to my daily task of middle schoolers stands in stark contrast and is a nice change. The worries of social controversy, appearance, and athletic ability are foregone and instead we ponder potty training, play-dough, and snack time.

From these little bundle of joys and a recently impregnated friend, I have really started to think about when I want to have some of my own! I know, I know- I'm skipping quite a few steps here including a wedding and career.

I know it will all come- and in due time! For now, I will relish working with others' little ones and spoiling the new addition to my friends' families. :)


In honor of these cute little ones, I wanted to share some funny family photos I found of myself & siblings when we were little things. Oh how the years have flown!

Playing with boxes from my parents' restaurant, Smittys. The funniest things amuse kids! I think with my own I'll just gift wrap empty boxes. They'll like that, right?

While in this stroller I would continuously run over our poor pup, Spanky. He was a good sport though & let me drool all over him as a toddler. I think I look a little crazy, haha.

This is my little brother, Joel, on his first day of kindergarten!! Isn't he adorable?!

An old Easter picture with my sister Andraya (left). My mom made these dresses for us, staying up all night to finish. Needless to say I wasn't in the mood to pose for a picture, but I laugh at my expression which still works its way into my repertoire!

PS- Here's a cute blog link to making Christian Easter eggs with little ones. I was researching for my middle schoolers, but this is definitely more toddler/elementary appropriate....Resurrection Eggs DIY

Second Wind

This week I've really been trying to workout, for my own mental health. One of the things I've realized I really enjoy doing is running! While I haven't run a full marathon, this video depicts what even half-marathoners (like myself) experience or think about during a long run. 

This video is absolutely hilarious and something just about any runner can relate to!

I love the solidarity of the sport, but as this video shows- you think about some weird things during that alone time.

Enjoy & Happy Running!

Lazy Sundays

After spending Saturday crisping out at Cocoa Beach, this lazy Sunday afternoon is a nice reprise from the constant goings-on that permeate my daily schedule. I absolutely love my job and the kids I work with; however, I feel we are all relieved when given some free time to relax and rejuvenate!

What is on my mind today is the contemplation of the need for human interactions. From  the time I was able to drive myself around, my schedule has been packed beginning to end with work, volunteering, groups, and time with friends. I find myself a happier person when I am busy, but conversely, I crave my quiet time- away from my roommates, boyfriend, friends & family.

I've found in living with my significant other, as amazing as that is, I have to really work to be alone and find that quiet corner that I crave. I feel abnormal when I turn down an invitation to go out ( I am still young despite the crocheting), but yet I'm satisfied with staying in...

After my contemplation, I did a basic Google search on solitude and came up with some interesting facts.

Check out the page for some basic if not obvious benefits of solitude.

Thoreau was famously known for his writings & his hermit style of living. This quote states,

"If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment."

I also liked this quote by Marilyn Monroe,
"I restore myself when I am alone."

I think I go through periods of "withdrawal" so to speak. I draw into myself for awhile and then emerge a much happier, refreshed person. Considering Spring Break just ended where I was surrounded by others the entire week, I feel justified in my need for solitude.

After searching it out, I guess I'm not so abnormal. In a culture that stresses 24/7 togetherness through Tweets, Facebook, and heck, even a blog it is okay to be alone. On that note, I'm out!

Extreme Couponing & Other Such Nonsense

Has anyone else had the chance to watch the show Extreme Couponing?
This show while horrifying is one of those that makes me feel grossly inadequate at couponing. I am seemingly proud of my BOGO finds, and I dutifully clip coupons that happen into my mail or similarly throw themselves at me within newspapers or other such papers. However, I do not make it a point to go out of my way to find deals, and this show makes me all the more aware of that.

I will never be as extreme as those people (who needs 1000 candy bars, really?), but I do welcome tips as a fairly new "young professional". :)


On another topic, I picked up the materials to teach myself how to crochet! I am super, super excited to start learning the stitches and make something extraordinary! It may seem old-fashioned; however, I've always fancied making quilts, and hats for my family. My grandmother made beautiful blankets for all of us grandchildren, and I hope to be able to do the same someday! She has arthritis in her hands now and so finds it very difficult to do small projects, let alone teach someone.

Lastly, here is a recipe I have tweaked and made my own. This was thrown together in about 20 minutes at 10:00pm last night after a full day of teaching followed by yoga. My boyfriend has also just arrived home so together we made something quick, filling and satisfying.

Ingredients:

1 box Stove Top stuffing mix (chicken)
1 lb chicken breast, cubed
2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 c broccoli florets ( or 1 small bag frozen broccoli)

Make the stuffing as directed on box, set aside. Preheat oven to 350F.

Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning to taste. Light seasoning is suggested. Cook on medium heat in skillet until juices run clear, approximately 10 minutes.

Steam broccoli in a microwave safe pan for 4-5 min, covered. Add 1/4 cup water to pan before cooking, season broccoli with salt and pepper if desired.

Everything is cooked now, right? Lastly we mix everything together in a small casserole dish, adding the cheese & cream of mushroom soup. I save 1/4 c cheese to sprinkle on top of the mixture before throwing it in the oven.

Let bake for 10 minutes. Bon Appetit!

Thoughtful Driving & Melancholy Weather

Whenever I find myself on a long drive or even driving by myself in melancholy weather, I innately start to ponder life.

This introspective wondering often leads to little or no solution, but I come out feeling like I've acknowledged my foes and whether I conquer them now or later they will be conquered.

For those of you who live in Florida, you are well aware of the tornadoes and crazy weather these past few days have given us!

Here in a nutshell are some things that the weather brought to my mind:

•My dad. As a product of a mostly single-parent household his MIA status is made keenly aware during holidays and special occasions.

•Location, location, location!
Where to live? This college town was fun during school, but I feel I've outgrown it. Ready to move on, I dream of teaching abroad... BUT with a serious boyfriend that I foresee being an important part of my future, I need to consider where he wants to live. With an engineering degree, it will be much harder for him to find a job than me. :/

• (Insert Any Large Life Question Here)
I think, in general, I engage in long-winded talks with myself about anything and everything. Being a 20-something, I'm done with the college style of living that was more worried about friends, my social life, and getting through classes. Instead, I feel drawn to taking up cute hobbies (I've been eyeing a knitting book at Michaels), figuring out what the best method to actually get myself to exercise is (yoga, running & biking are holding my attention), and really trying to focus on things that are important to my future.


On that note, I say farewell to melancholy weather and this rather dreary first post in hopes that this beautiful sunny weather continues so that another post of this caliber is far, far away. :)