A day in the Life of Kel

Friday, September 29, 2017  with KEL

I find it utterly amazing how fast time really moves. It seems like one minute we are ticking on by...watching the clock...hoping and waiting for things that seem so far ahead in life...then Summer is over and Christmas is just around the corner. 


Schools is back in session for my beauties...back to the grind, the homework, the wake ups at the crack of dawn (which btw are now done in the dark ... since the night has begun creeping into the 7 o'clock hour before the 7:45 sunrise), the clothes battles, the hair pulls, the breakfast indecision...every.single.day.  





Yup, all is back to normal here!

We are lucky that the Hubby is working 1st shift right now, which let's us have dinner and night time routine with him. It will change soon enough, but for now, I think we are all enjoying his company. When it does change...we are talking 5 days where we are literally ghosts to one another. #tear




The end of our Summer season has been one for the books though.  Go carts (KJ)... tracks in the back 5.... pool time (it's now closed) .... and a lot of fun...fun...fun...

          
BIG NEWS comes from Ms. 8 who recently went for STUDENT COUNCIL of her 3rd Grade Class. So, she made it to the 2nd part of the process...but ultimately did not win (or make runner up) so tears were shed. But, seriously, DO YOU KNOW HOW FREAKING PROUD I AM OF THIS GIRL?  I mean, I NEVER had the courage to do something like that at her age, let alone NOW even. She is amazing, that girl. She really wanted that spot, and after wiping some tears and a little anger that crept through, she will be OK. #soproudstill






We have CATS...introducing SMOKEY and STORMY, the newest additions to our family. They are barn cats and in August- 5 months old.  They seem to be doing great, they come in before J closed the barn doors at night to sleep inside and mind their business during the day when they are outside of the barn. Who knew....




And, I would like to say a QUICK - but notable RIP to Diamond.  We just learned that she passed away on Wednesday, September 27th, 2017. She was one of Choppa and Chloe's pups and belonged to J's Dad.  It looks like she just fell over, maybe old age. Poor girl. She will be missed and tears have been shed. She and Papa G are in our thoughts.

Other News...I obtained my Notary. That is exciting. I am legit too!

That's ALL FOR NOW!

~Kel

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Monday, July 31st, 2017 with Kel

Time is still flying and I often sit and wonder if I will ever catch up... #truestory

I just had a birthday... 27 (I wish) and I am enjoying the little moments that go with each passing birthday...something I am calling 'EMBRACING IT" because at the end of the day...that is all I can do(right?). 

So, I was blessed to have some birthday cake on Friday with my work family- chocolate, chocolate cake #yum; and came home to have something crazy going on with my senses.... #spideysensesengaged

Saturday, I woke up to two little ladies and my hubby who spoiled me rotten! My gift from my crew was Oil paints, Acrylics and water color paints, brushes, and a desk easel. And the cards...well, they were special!

We went to my Mom and Dad's and I was spoiled some more with some chicken shush ka bobs (and lots of mushrooms!), some rice (that was excellent), corn and cake! 

I received an offset umbrella with solar light add-ons and a cover for our pool patio; a chicken vegetable dish; awesome old school nesting bowls; a Barnes and Noble gift card #yestobooks; a Michael's gift card #yestocrafting; a bunny dish and some moolah. All of which I am very grateful and thankful for!  

So, another birthday has come and gone....with it goes the weekend as we move onto another week, with a few left before school bells ring once more. 

My little family make my life complete and I feel very lucky to have them.  We spent a glorious day in the pool...all day yesterday!  Yes, I started my Monday off a bit burnt, a little fatigued from over sun exposure...and water logged...Now, if I can keep my eyes awake for a while longer, I will be moving carelessly onto Tuesday. 



Oh...and check out my NEW blog- one that I am very excited to debut...as it is truly ME in all senses: 


http://www.lostgypsysoul.com/




But, this is for another day! 

Here's to summer...the last few days that remain before the leaves begin to fall and the sun begins to set to early in the day, before the pumpkins linger on the porches and the ghost and goblins haunt the streets...let's enjoy the campfires that light our darkness and the pool water that cools our heated bodies, and let's make some lasting memories to carry us through the coldness that lasts a bit to long with each passing year. ~Kel

Be on the lookout- this girl has been writing!   I am going to start sharing some here and there for feedback and I would love you ALL to be a part of the process!

Until next time (let's hope it is not so long of a lapse, as it has been to date...and yes, I say this almost every time I post a new update!)

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Tuesday, March 28th 2017 With Kel

I can not believe that it has been over a year since I updated this page. I have been busy since then.  I feel like that is a perfect representation of the way life is funny. 

Things change. 

Nothing is constant. 

Today, my life looks NOTHING like it did last year, and that my friends, could be a hard one to swallow if it weren't in black and white.  I still believe that so far, my career has been part of the journey that God has provided for me, to find me.  I still believe that everything happens exactly as it should. It does. I can say that simply. 

I was a heck of a substitute teacher. I will say that with confidence.  I loved it. I loved the kids. I loved being able to put my own spin on things. I loved being able to fill in and have the teachers trust that their classroom wasn't going to .... while they had to take a day off. 

So, why is that part of my life now behind me, you might ask.  Well, the reality, I'm talking BIG PICTURE here, is that, at the end of the day, I was just a fill in. That wasn't good enough for me.  Sure, I could go back to school, finish those 7 classes, get my cert and teach.  But, my reality is, I have a degree.  A darn good one. A strong one and going back to school seemed selfish.  Things in our life were stacking up, and I am not proud of the decision that I made, but it happened they way it was supposed to happen. Lessons were taught, ones that I am still learning. There was a purpose.

Then, I was granted with a wonderful gift.  A position was placed in front of me that I took a gamble on. It seemed like a perfect fit. I worked hard to interview well, to be myself and present my strongest attributes before the hiring managers.  It paid off.  I got the job and I, honestly, would not look back.  Sure, it is still new, there are lots of things to learn, but I have never felt more like I am right where God intended. Honest truth.

And, things are moving forward, as they often do. 

Yes, I  miss my kids. My office is a shrine of sorts for them and that is OK.  I know that I am showing them the way, work hard, rewards will come.  This is life. 

Writing is still a big part of my life and my position not only allows me to use my technical abilities, with website maintenance and newsletter creations, Facebook posts, but also I get to use my writing abilities, which is a win-win for me, personally. 

The girls are doing great. Both are learning and growing and adjusting to our new normal, just fine. 



Hubby is doing well.  Adjustments have been made on his schedule as well, but we are all managing just fine. 



Life is good.  We keep moving forward, the best we can. 

I have found my way. (thank goodness, right!)  #letswrite




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Thursday, March 17, 2016 with Kel

Hi All!

Well..L I F E is always two (2) steps ahead of us, in reality. 
We might know where we are headed, what we are destined for...for rest assured that LIFE does. 

It's no secret...really... that I have been a little lost. 

Many have thought it was some kind of MID-LIFE CRISIS that I had and have been on some sort of downward spiral in the art of finding myself and what I was meant to 

• be...
• to do.... in my life. 

Funny thing is... 

• I still live with uncertainty. 
• I still struggle with how to go about my days. 
• I still find enjoyment when I do go out into the work field filled with this void of missing my family. 

I doubt THAT will ever change.  


But, in the midst of all the uncertainty...there has been one (1) thing that I do everyday..day in...day out...no matter what.  

• I do it when I am sick. 
• I do it when I am stressed. 
• I do it when I am dog tired and feel like I can't go on... 

I AM A MOM.

I AM A WIFE.

Those two (2) things are MY LIFE, that are simply... ME. 

It sounds crazy, this I know. 

Especially from ME. 


I mean, I was never all about being a stay at home MOM. I had my...CAREER... in some aspects. 

Was it what I wanted for the rest of my life...well looking back in hindsight, NO, but it was something that I never, ever thought I would just GIVE UP and walk away from. 

I mean, who does that?  

Fourteen (14) years as an Administrative Professional and let's face it...I am DAMN good at it. 


BUT, waking up one day and having this amazing...unheard of opportunity to 
work from home...having the ability to get my kid on the bus and get my other one ready for the day...well it CHANGES a person. #duh


When that left my grasp and I had to go back out into the scary work world...into a cold, stone building that had those bright florescent lights and people to match the mood...

• I was miserable. 
• I did my job great, of course, because this is ME after all and I will not give ANYTHING but my very BEST. 

But, that, in retrospect, was the BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ME...

WHY? 

• Well I found clarity. 
• I knew what I wanted. 

I worked with those same strings that fed my family to find my way. 
 
YES, I met disappointment. 

I mean, seven (7) dang classes to my Teaching certificate... 

HOW FRUSTRATING... but  

when one door closes, another one opens... 

and this people, IS TRUTH!





I found Substitute Teaching. 

I found a job:

• that was part-time
• that was challenging 
• that was creative for me
• that was F U N 
• that was exhausting 
• that gives me full access to knowing that my children are with me, in a sense, each day. 

I found a position that, well, I was GOOD AT. 

Yes, I missed that calling, although I know it is NOT to late. 

 

• I get to pick when, where, and how often I wish to work. 
• I get spring break OFF, which is coming up! 
• I get SUMMER BREAK with my girls and the really exciting part is that this fall, I will have BOTH my girls with me when I sub!

 
Right now there are challenges. I am a bit timid and scared. BUT, I am finding my way and enjoying my time O F F so to speak. 




 
The funny thing is, as a FULL TIME working MOM/WIFE... 

I have NO IDEA how I got what I got done each day, week, month...because just doing the housework, kids, and laundry/cleaning... KICKS MY BUTT daily!

So, here I sit...MARCH 17th 2016... the same girl...just a little different. 

• I am a MOM. 
• I am a WIFE. 
• I am HAPPY.

 & not in that order!

Me & my Girls (2015-2016)

Friday, February 5th, 2016  ~with Kel

Life has been rather still, for once in my life, and to be honest... 

I am loving it!

• Two days ago, that all of changed. 
• Stress re-entered my stress free zone.

W O R K 

Its an ugly four letter word...one that I seem to constantly be running away from.

I am trying to...

• build me
• my brand
• my eBook series 

and I feel absolutely enthralled with what I am producing, proud even. 

But, when you have the work experience that I have, and the drive I have to succeed... and the motto: No Regrets...it causes more problems than it should.

Substitute teaching is what I am supposed to be doing....except no jobs are available yet.

When I think of substitute teaching, I feel excited, ready!  

But, it does not feel ready for me. 

Then I think about summer...

• being OFF with my kids
• enjoying them
• enjoying life...

 But no pay coming in.  

Sure, the plan in my head is that the income I make from my brand will cover this gray area...but honestly...WHAT INCOME?  

I know...patience needs to prevail, 

but let's face it...this world is scary!

So, here I am..

• on this sunny
• lovely Friday morning
• sitting here looking at my pond in the backyard
• my four year old sitting beside me asking me to play "Can I play ABC Mouse yet, Mom?" 
•  and honestly, I love THIS life.

CAN I really go back to the 8-5 grind? 
CAN I really leave my kids, again?
CAN I go back to the brick and mortar?

Then the question comes...from sensible Kel... 

Do I have a choice?

I don't want to jump into something...I feel like the last position was a leap and I was NOT ready and it left me a shell of the person I am.

• I was miserable. 
• I was away from my kids.
• I was sad...depressed even. 
• I never...NEVER saw my Hubby. 

Can I do it again?

I hate decisions!

So, for today,

• I am going to back up. 
• I am going to stop in my tracks.
• I am going to think. 
• Make my list. 
• And pray to God to lead the way. 

To teach .... or not to teach.... this is the question...