Do what you've always done and you will get what you've always gotten.

Words to think about. If you aren't changing any of your habits to get to your hopes and dreams...how do you expect to get there? Yes, Krista. This means you.

Ever sit and wonder what exactly you can start doing differently to change the outcomes. Whether it's a small action or a large decision or just a different perspective. Looking back on your days of consistent activities and emotions and noticing you aren't really changing much from day to day. 

Well. It is no longer acceptable.

 Do one different thing everyday. Smile when you get up in the morning if you are usually grumbling. Might put a positive spin on your whole day. 

Didn't get to that run yesterday because you were just too tired? Get off the couch and run!

Been wanting to take up a new hobby but you are a little hesitant if you could do it? Do it anyway! One day you might just own a business around that hobby. Hey, you never do know. I am a bit of a hobby whore collector myself and try any and all hobbies to see if I can do it. Trust me, it's fun just to try!

And if you aren't sure and are hesitant, just remember to have faith. Faith that even if you make a mistake or end up somewhere you didn't think you would, it was for a reason. There is a plan in everything. There is a lesson and something to learn in every action and mistake so take a chance.

I'm giving myself this challenge. Starting with one new thing a day. And see where it goes from there. Excited to see what happens!

What's the reason?

"Everything happens for a reason"

Things fall apart so better things can fall in place, etc., etc.

These quotes are pretty much things I firmly believe in...for the most part. All my life I have been through difficult things that when I look back I say oh yes that's why it happened. It makes sense. 

But the one time that trips me up is losing my mom. There is no reason to this. Why can't my mom be here for the next 20 years of my life? Why couldn't she see me graduate college? Why won't she be here when I move into my new apartment?

I don't think there will ever be a reason for this part of my life. I have become a stronger person, yes. But I don't see how losing my mom can make that the reason. She was a strong person. I learned from her. She was my rock. 

This is something that has been affecting me lately because of the big move. I am leaving my only home to start over in a new place and all I want to do is stand her and stomp my feet like a little child because it's not fair I can't fight with my mom over which way to put my curtains. 

I will get through this just something I needed to talk about and get my feelings out there. 

“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be”

What do you do when you don't know where you'll end up?

That's my question now. I am moving out of my house slowly but surely it is coming. Yet I have no idea where I am going.

Everyone thinks it is so easy to be able to move anywhere I want but alas easy is so far from the word. I am octupus like at the moment. Someone is telling me move here, another is saying to move there but then there is the possiblity of staying around here and keeping the job I have. Granted not the most excellent job but still a paycheck every 2 weeks.

So what do I do? Move to the one place and upset one person or move to the other and upset someone else or just up and leave the country? Leave the country, hmmm. Just kiddingggg. Not an option. At least right now. But everyday it seems more and more appealing.

The thought of starting fresh in a brand new place is exciting and scary. But I do feel like I would enjoy that. If only that new place had a job waiting for me and included a boyfriend who wanted to do that.

Such is life I suppose. These are the moments I miss my mom the most. The moments I am freaking out and want to say ahhhh Mom what do I do?! And she sits there and says I don't know Krista. Why don't you (fill in the blanks)? I then say no I can't do that because (fill in the blanks) Such it would go until my Mom would talk me through it and see my pros and cons and lead me to my decision. That is what we did. I want that back. These decisions are too much to make on my own. Big girl or not. I want my Mom's help.

As more and more boxes are packed and offers are being made on the house, my reality is coming true. And I can't seem to make the decision that is going to change my life in one way or another. 

This is the first time I look to the future and it is all jumbled. I don't know where I will be in a month or with who. Or if I will even have the same job or another job. And that is the scariest part. The unknown. A black abyss of wonder. Lily is there.

She has to be I take her where I go. Family is there the most they have been the past year. I hope friends are there but friendships alter and change through life that wherever I go the question is, will they survive? Brian is there. Hopefully he follows me where I go..he better or else  

Life isn't on hold by any means. It's weighing on my shoulders so how could I forget it's there? Just want my steady feet and ground back. But somehow I think that will now take a long while.

-I've learned never to be surprised if what must inevitably happen happens right now. ~Robert Brault

My Annoyance today.

The word 'like'

Seems silly, right?

But no, no it is not silly. This word has started to take over words and speech and it is starting to get to me. I am by no means leaving myself out of this because I have caught myself using 'like' too many times in one sentence.

It's as if 'like' is taking over words we used to use frequently but now for some unknown reason replace with 'like'. Or we just throw 'like' in between words for some unknown reason.

For example: (Here's a hypothetical conversation) So like yesterday, I went to the office to get my paper that like needed grading, but the paper wasn't there so I went to the secretary and was like "Do you know where my paper is that was graded?" and she's like, "No, I haven't seen any papers in there today." Well now what I am supposed to do because that paper was like the only thing I had for research and it's like so frustrating that she said it would be there and it's not.

WAY.TOO.MANY.LIKES.

Granted, I just made that up, but I assure you it is the way people talk on a regular basis.

Here is the fixed version:

So yesterday, I went to the office to get my paper that needed grading, but the paper wasn't there so I went to the secretary and said "Do you know where my paper is that was graded?" and she said, "No, I haven't seen any papers in there today." Well now what I am supposed to do because that paper was the only thing I had for research and it's so frustrating that she said it would be there and it's not.

A few changes but it instantly sounds slightly more educated. In that sentence above 'like' replaced the word said and was just added whilly nilly, as they say. I just hate to see smart people talking in this way and sounding so not smart.

Many people do this my age and around my age. But once you realize you are doing it, it is easier to catch. A month ago I noticed I was one of the 'like' users. I caught myself using it 4 or more times in one sentence. ONE SENTENCE!

I knew it was time to remedy the situation. 

Therefore, every time I started to use 'like', I would stop in the conversation and replace it with the appropriate word. It caused and still does cause me to speak slower sometimes. But eventually I know I will wean myself off of 'like.' And I will feel so much better about my speaking because when I realized how many times I was saying 'like' I thought about how people probably heard me when I talked and it made me cringe.

I am begging you to stop using 'like' so darn much. Only when comparing should like be used. I would like for the word 'like' to go back to its normal vocabulary. Please and thank you. 

-Do not be surprised when those who ignore the rules of grammar also ignore the law. After all, the law is just so much grammar. -Robert Brault

Achoo!

Itchy, watery  eyes, coughing, sneezing, congestion, itchy nose.

Yes, allergies. They are back. And with great force. 

According to recent reports, this is predicted to be the worst allergy season in years. That could explain why many previous non-allergy sufferers seem to be springing up with allergies. And there were already 35 million of us!

We apparently owe it to the cold, long winter we had already been hating on. Because the winter was so long temperatures soared quicker than usual. This caused all spring flowers, trees and weeds to grow very quickly and at a fast rate.

Then add in all the rain and flooding, even more of a rapid rate of growth. That rain also brought plenty of mold spores for the allergen sufferers to enjoy. So it seems that the normal allergy season was supposed to start this week but according to my itchy eyes and sneezing, it started weeks ago and doesn't show signs of letting up anytime soon. 

I don't know about you but everyday I can't wait to pop that pill that at least makes my allergies bearable. This year it doesn't even seem able to eliminate the symptoms completely. But I guess I'm not the only one.

It also makes me wonder if the reason so many people are feeling the brunt of the allergies is because when you get the allergies pills or sprays you are directed to start taking them 2 weeks before allergy season starts. Since that started early many people weren't prepared for the onset of attacks. Hmmm. Something to think about there. 

New allergy sufferers, welcome to the other side. And old allergy sufferers, pills and nose sprays up! And repeat in a few hours.

-If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome-.

Question...

Why is everyone always out of milk, bread and eggs whenever it snows?

Upon my adventure to the store today, I am faced with the madness of the impending snowstorm. As it happens I am out of milk at home. It's just one of those random days my milk is low. Low and behold, the shelf is quite empty.

Hence the question I have.

It's as if it is a psychological complex. When people hear snow=getting in the car and going to the store to get milk, bread and eggs. Everyone is in tune. 

Maybe it's the pancakes. People want pancakes when they are snowed in and you need milk, bread and eggs. Or even french toast. I was one of those heads out today but I just needed milk for cereal in the morning.

So why is everyone in a 25 mile radius at the store grabbing for the same three items? Feel free to offer suggestions or reasons.  And maybe take the advice of this nutrition blogger and be prepared with more substantial shopping lists before the next storm.

Here's to more pancakes in the morning!

-Snowflakes are kisses from heaven-