Happy Birthday & Coronavirus

Today is my birthday....yeah happy birthday to me! This year I was actually going to do something for my birthday to celebrate, unlike past years when my birthday was just another day. Mmmmmm....well there was this outbreak of this crazy virus called COVID-19 or Coronavirus.  I've been following the spread of the virus since January since my teaching with the Chinese kids was/is affected by it as well. (Okay, so don't take it wrong, I've been doing great since the virus broke out in China...) I've been teach and working a LOT!!! 

So back to my birthday celebration.  I decided I wanted to do something fun this year. I looked up information and told my family what I'd like to do.  Plans started being made.. .well come March 18, all nonessential businesses are closed down for 30 days. Once 30 days comes, it'll be reassessed. In all honest, I'm skeptical businesses will be allowed to reopen, seeing as how China is now just starting to restructure and flourish once again....SLOWLY! VERY CAUTIOUSLY AND SLOWLY!!! And well, we can officially celebrate later too....

Okay, so back to my birthday. I came to accept the quarantine long before it was required. So....we began celebrating a day early. Breanne and the twins came over and Grandma took the day off work. Funny thing,  Breanne brought me a cake knowing I won't eat cake. Ummm....well a cake mix and frosting I should say. I loved that she brought that. I wasn't going to make the cake, but decided that we needed a small celebration and the twins needed to see Grammy having a happy birthday during a crazy time in the world. 

I enjoy baking, but I'm far from a cake decorator. So I did my best effort and I'm happy with my results. I made a round layered cake with chocolate filling. I thought hard about eating any because of my diet changes, but decided I'd be okay if I took a couple small bites. Which is what I did....

So unbeknownst to me, I gave myself a gift. I have always loved fresh clean bedding. I bought new sheets for myself and they finally came. I spent the day cleaning my room & washing my comforters. I also had bought new jammies a couple days earlier. So for my birthday eve I slept on brand new sheets and satin pillow cases, with fresh clean bedding and new jammies. Since days are a bit slower and unplanned right now, I'm just enjoyed the time in the moment....this will always be remembered since it's affected the entire world this year...2020 has yet to disappoint me!

So happy quarantining and birthday to me!!!

(Had to remember my new jammies and sheets)

                        My cake.

I'm taking the rest of it to Adam since he had surgery on his broken ankle and couldn't be with us...

I've learned it's best to make the best out of bad situations, so do your best as well. We will all have memories over where (HOME SWEET HOME) we were and what we did this year....

Shower for Emma

On February 29, I hosted a baby shower for Breanne and baby Emma. All I can say is it was beautiful.  Family and friends came to celebrate our soon to be newest member of our family.  I worked hard tohave the girliest, pinkest party we could have. What is more girly than ribbons and lace?! So we went with it....

I made this wreath with supplies from prior parties...added a few ribbons for added fluff...

          Gift area...(prior to party of course)

Rented tables and chairs. Beautiful lace table clothes bought fairly inexpensive from Amazon. Flowers bought at Sam's Club and u mason jars from our stash wrapped with ribbon and lace bows...

Baby girl clothes line swag....why put the cute clothes in a bag?

            Another clothes line swag....

Wall flowers borrowed from my friend. Food tables with lace....

A well coveted Alayna cake! It's beautiful! I told her the theme and colors....this is what she came up with! OMG!!!!

Tables with lace table clothes. Breanne made the floral centerpieces....rolled utensils in napkins and tied with ribbon.

Breanne loves Ghirardelli chocolate...so our thank you for coming bags had Ghirardelli chocolates and mints tied with ribbons and lace.  

It was a fun shower. We talked, ate, played games, ohhh'ed and ahhh'ed at more cute clothes. 

I am excited for Emna to join our family.  I am looking forward to so much more joy and happiness she will add to our family....

My Journey

So I did it... 

I have always been a person to set goals and accept a challenge.  I set a goal to lose 25 pounds...as of two weeks ago I met my goal. 

Since meeting my goal, I decided to set another goal weight.  I am excited to work towards it. I know it's going to be a challenge because its seriously something I have never done before.  But, I'm determined to see the new changes that will be coming. 

I have learned I am capable of more than what I thought. When I began this journey I accepted the responsibility of myself. I also set a goal to learn to do push ups to possibly build my upper body strength.  I know sounds dumb, but there's a reason why I've had to learn how to do a push up....I have a disease in my arm call arthrogyposis. Basically, I have crooked arms and don't have the ability to push myself up when doing a push up. Any kind of arm exercises hurt...I would try different exercises,  but I would end up in tears. So I've felt determined to just try....even if I could only ever do just one push up a day. I started just doing what I knew how to do. When I say it was hard to do one... I mean it was hard!!!! Every day I just tried....tried an tried! Finally, I was able to slowly add onto that one. Now, four months later, I can do twelve! I know it's not a big deal for most,  but for me it's a huge accomplishment.  It's hard and it hurts! But my goal for push ups is to reach 15 by the end of March....I will reach it, I don't back down from reaching goals...big or small. 

Again...This is Me

Since laying low for awhile I journeyed into unknown areas. Last year, I needed income in the worst way possible.  I ran out of money and no way to pay my debts. I was healing from surgery for several months and felt all was lost.  I was applying to job after job, but it was getting me nowhere. That felt like a blow to my self-esteem as well. Here I am with a college degree, applying to qualified jobs, but getting the 'thanks, but no thanks' emails over and over again. I even went to school to get my real estate license,  but as we all know, you can't force someone to buy or sell their house. I was told of a company that hires people with degrees to teach ESL online to Chinese children....so I figured, what the heck at this point I'll do anything. I applied and went through a crazy interview process,  but again I was given the 'thanks, but no thanks' email, and you can apply again in 90 days. Ironically,  I came across another company that did something similar,  so I figured what the heck I'll look into it. Amazingly,  I began the process of applying and stepping outside of my comfort zone to make an introductory video of myself and online mock class over and over again....I believe I did 7 different mock classes, lots of practice, stressed beyond belief because I was in such a dark place because of so many life changes.  When I received an email from the company after what I felt was yet another failed mock class, opening that email I was feeling defeated,  but seeing CONGRATULATIONS  you are now an ESL teacher! I think I cried so many tears of relief and joy. That was on May 2 of last year. I was so happy to finally feel like I would be making a difference for myself.....finally! But, it was a slow start.  I had classes here and there for about a month.  The first class I taught was at 230 in the morning.  I was so nervous, scared, excited I couldn't sleep.  So I stayed up working on things for my real estate.  When the class was getting ready to start,  I sat at my computer and literally prayed! I prayed that I would be able to do this, be able to just make enough to pay for my jeep every month. Pray for just 25 classes for the week to make enough to pay my payments or lose my car. It took me about a month and a half to get enough classes and feel comfortable enough to not feel intimidated or what I felt a total nightmare.  I set goals to make a certain amount each pay period. I worked the hardest hours at any possible time I could. I would sleep an hour here and there, wake up all hours of the night just to meet my goal.  On my 3rd or 4th pay, I did it! Since May 2, I have not taken a day off. I work 3 hours every morning starting at 2:00 and finishing at 5:00, the depending on what's happening in China, I will teach 3-4 more hours in the early evening. I admit,  it exhausts me. 25 minute classes goes by very fast, but the energy I use for different kids wears you out. I sometimes think my family thinks I've lost my mind when they hear me because I can get so loud having a good time with these kids...while they learn. Today, I had a boy laughing uncontrollably because I corrected him when he said 'bananers' for banana. I then began singing, 'This 'stuff'* is bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!' Every time he read banana,  the kid laughed so hard he had tears! And he still said bananers.....

Anyway, I have found that, despite being tired and having horrible working times, I enjoy what I am doing at this time on my life. It has helped make a difference for me when I was in a dark place....

I took this picture today after I hung up paper lanterns I made for the Chinese Latern Festival celebration that should be happen this week.  But, because of coronavirus,  people are quarantined in their homes and unable to have their normal traditional celebrations. I thought it would be fun to have some lanterns of my own for our class time. Maybe the kids will see and mention them, maybe not. Heck, I dragged my Christmas tree from my room on Christmas morning, so why not a couple little lanterns for a few days. 

I've been blessed and everyday I do give thanks. I'm not always able to do a lot at times, but I am doing what I have to do to take care of myself and my needs at this time.  

I'm Back

It has been several years since my last blog post. Tons of changes has occurred in those few years.  I've decided that I need to start keeping better record of me and my life. Reason being....I now have 3 beautiful grandchildren that need to know and remember who their Grammy is. I want them to know the Grammy who loves life and who strived everyday to be an example to them. Life is hard and difficult,  but making diligent choices that make a difference is what I chose to do, not only for myself,  but for them as well.

Over the years, not only do I have grandchildren,  but I have also gained 2 son in laws, and a beautiful daughter in law (that's what I consider her). And sadly the divorce of Joshua and I. Don't get me wrong, we are still friends (maybe I will share more about our relationship another day). Needless to say the past few years has been a rollercoaster of trials, emotions and happiness.

I wanted to reinitiate my personal blog so I can show the world I am still here. Making strides and efforts to become the best me I have ever been. Conquering one day at a time....step by stumbling step!!!!

                               My family 

Growing Up

The past month seems to have been really eventful so far with Nicole...my baby is close to being an adult. A couple weeks ago she earned her Young Women's medallion. I am so proud of her for working so hard to earn it! For awhile I honestly thought she wasn't going to earn it in time, but she did!

This is Nicole & I the night of her Young Women's Recognition night. 

This month also had us taking her senior pictures...

This is one if her cute posses we had to chose from...

We also had her senior prom...

Our cute baby growing up! She didn't go with a date, she went with a group if friends...

From what I understand this was just a few of the friends.

Then of course here's the two of us...

In a couple weeks she will be graduating from high school. I'm not sure how I feel about that just yet! I personally don't feel like I should have another child graduating from high school! I feel like I should still have young children at home, but that is no longer the case! I do have to admit, I am so proud that all three of my children have graduated from high school! That's honestly a huge proud mom boost!!!

Like I said...it's hard for me to believe all of my children are grown adults. All three if my kids have made and still make me extremely proud!

Random Kindness

Yesterday, my mom and I had a few errands to run.  While we were out, we decided to stop at Del Taco for a couple tacos.  After we got our food, we notice three little boys waiting to order.  Mom and I sat and watched them...

What made us notice them was they were counting their money that they had between them.  We watched them for a few minutes while they each individual ordered their food, then passed their extra change the one received to the next, carefully counting out what they had.  We noticed that they each ordered a tiny $.75 quesadilla.  When mom and I saw what they were doing we decided that we were going to buy each of them a drink.  But Mom got her money out first....which is totally okay with me!

When the boys were done ordering their food, mom walked up to the counter and ordered three medium drinks.  By the time she got the cups, the boys had sat down with their food.  She walk to their table and said "Here guys, here's a drink for you to enjoy!"

The looks on their faces were priceless.  I sat and watched as this with so much happiness...

I say kudos to those who choose to do a Random Act of  Kindness.  Even the littlest things in life make a huge difference when least expected.

I have decided that I really want to focus on doing something for others.  I may not be able to do something big like I would really like to, but small things add up to big things...right?