I'm pretty happy about the baby steps I've taken so far this year. The Year of Reinvention is off to a great start! Some updates:
*Shaking it up even more where the healthy living is concerned. Not seeing the results I want with the way I'm doing things. Sooooooo......going to try something else. Rather than get frustrated and throw in the towel I am going to channel that energy and focus on making additional changes....positive changes!I will not be defeated dammit!
*With that being said.....let me tell you about my first Zumba class. For those of you have been to a Zumba class, you already know. For those of you who haven't, I'm here to tell you that once you go through a 45 minute Zumba class you will hurt in places you didn't even know existed. It is very high energy and a ton of fun. Jeanne and I are definitely going to go at least once a week. Lots and lots of calories being burned. Maybe somewhere down the road I can teach a class---do the Zumba Latin signature moves but put it to some rock-n-roll music. I'm telling you she did one routine to "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and I was able to get through the whole thing because I could sing along! If you haven't tried a class......I highly recommend it!
*Trying to have more patience and not sweat the small stuff. That is a constant battle for me. I like everything the way I like it, when I like it. I am not good at working on other people's time tables. I have a lot of talks with myself when it comes to this.
*One of the things I mentioned in my original "Reinvention" post was that I want to be more involved in church activities at Crosspoint. This is also a work in progress. My friend Cheryl commented to me one day that she thought I would be a great person to work in the youth ministry. I took her advice and have been in communications with the Pastor of Youth Ministry. I have a bit of a scheduling conflict as far as getting involved with the cell groups that they hold each week. The details aren't important and they will sound like excuses anyway......bottom line is that I live in West Allis and go to church in Oconomowoc. It's just going to be tough to get out there twice every week. Right now I'm looking at getting involved with their special events as a volunteer. Perhaps I have to take baby steps in this area too. It will all work out.
*I saved the best for last. Cheryl and I have embarked on a very exciting new journey. We enrolled in an American Sign Language class at WCTC. We had our first class this past Tuesday.....LOVED it! The instructor, "Suz", is amazing. She is completely deaf, yet is able to speak perfectly. That was a God moment when I found that out. She has never heard a sound, never will - yet she can speak more clearly than many hearing people I have met. She took the experience of a very rocky childhood (16 - yes I said 16 - foster homes) and used that as her driving force to succeed. Not only does she teach sign language, she also teaches psychology at WCTC. She shared with us that she was the first Latina woman in the United States to receive her doctoral degree. Probably comes as no surprise that she is a sought after as a motivational speaker. It's worth the price of the class just to hear her story. What an inspiration.
The class was mostly an introduction. We went through the syllabus and a few group activities. I'll tell you this, sign language is not for anyone who is self conscious or afraid to express themselves. I guess I'll have to learn how to break out of my shell a little ha! It's another language and another culture to learn about...I'm very excited to learn more. Did I mention that starting next week (yes, the second class) we will not be able to talk? Yep. She will not be speaking either. She is going to teach us everything through signing. Way to jump right into things!
A little tidbit that some of you may want to look into. She has a business where she teaches children 4 months to 5 years old....hearing and deaf. How cool is that? Apparently these classes are big on the West and East coasts and just now gaining attention in the Midwest. Here's the link if you want to check it out (there is also a bio about Suz).
baby signs
I hope that everyone is having a terrific year so far....thanks for reading!
Showing posts with label CHURCH. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CHURCH. Show all posts
Friday, February 11, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Rainy Days and Mondays ~ The Year of Reinvention
So here's the scoop. I gave up on New Year's "resolutions" years ago. Seems to me that declaring that I am absolutely going to do something by such and such a time has always set me up for a let down. Why go there? Maybe I just don't like the word resolution. Maybe I don't want to be held to something? Who knows. Here's what I will say -- I have a vision for 2011. I am looking at it as the year of reinvention. Here are the things that I will be focusing on...
I have spent the better part of my life supporting others and helping them achieve their goals. I'm a great "cheerleader". Please don't misunderstand me. I don't think that there is anything wrong with that. It's who I am and I will continue to cheer all of you on as best I can. My point is that in doing so, somewhere along the way I lost sight of my own dreams. This year I plan on reinventing myself and bringing some of those dreams back into focus.
I don't only want to talk the talk, I want to walk the walk as well. I became a member at Crosspoint at the beginning of last year. My biggest goal for my reinvention is to find ways to be an ACTIVE member of the church. I have a few ideas (thanks to the suggestions of others) that I am working on to achieve this goal.
Health is also at the top of the reinvention list. Time to ramp it up. The goal is to figure out a way to stay motivated. To make eating healthy and working out FUN! First thing on the list is to try out at least one of the classes my gym offers...zumba will be first. Once I have a bit more strength and more confidence - I'd love to try kick boxing. As far as the eating part----finding a way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables is my top priority. If anyone has any healthy snack ideas that they can share.....I would appreciate it!
I will be looking at ways to embrace my passion of music. Honestly, I had all but given up on the idea of ever being in a band or a duo. No one has told me I cannot do it....I just get in the way of myself. I'm friends with so many talented people - I compare myself to them and think I just don't stack up. Part of the reinvention is a different mindset. I CAN hold my own and there is no reason why I can't use my God given talent of singing! Keep your ears open people....I'm throwing it out there to the universe!
Lastly I want to focus on doing things that will continue to broaden my horizons. This spring I will be taking a sign language class. Who knows where that will lead to!
The biggest thing about reinvention is that it's a working plan. There are no rights and wrongs. It's a plan that is constantly in motion. Here's to the year of reinvention!
I have spent the better part of my life supporting others and helping them achieve their goals. I'm a great "cheerleader". Please don't misunderstand me. I don't think that there is anything wrong with that. It's who I am and I will continue to cheer all of you on as best I can. My point is that in doing so, somewhere along the way I lost sight of my own dreams. This year I plan on reinventing myself and bringing some of those dreams back into focus.
I don't only want to talk the talk, I want to walk the walk as well. I became a member at Crosspoint at the beginning of last year. My biggest goal for my reinvention is to find ways to be an ACTIVE member of the church. I have a few ideas (thanks to the suggestions of others) that I am working on to achieve this goal.
Health is also at the top of the reinvention list. Time to ramp it up. The goal is to figure out a way to stay motivated. To make eating healthy and working out FUN! First thing on the list is to try out at least one of the classes my gym offers...zumba will be first. Once I have a bit more strength and more confidence - I'd love to try kick boxing. As far as the eating part----finding a way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables is my top priority. If anyone has any healthy snack ideas that they can share.....I would appreciate it!
I will be looking at ways to embrace my passion of music. Honestly, I had all but given up on the idea of ever being in a band or a duo. No one has told me I cannot do it....I just get in the way of myself. I'm friends with so many talented people - I compare myself to them and think I just don't stack up. Part of the reinvention is a different mindset. I CAN hold my own and there is no reason why I can't use my God given talent of singing! Keep your ears open people....I'm throwing it out there to the universe!
Lastly I want to focus on doing things that will continue to broaden my horizons. This spring I will be taking a sign language class. Who knows where that will lead to!
The biggest thing about reinvention is that it's a working plan. There are no rights and wrongs. It's a plan that is constantly in motion. Here's to the year of reinvention!
Friday, December 31, 2010
What a Long Strange Trip its Been...
Let me start out by saying I am blessed. I have my health, a terrific husband, a loving family, and the most amazing friends a girl could ever ask for. This past year proved it to me once again - that even at the lowest of low times, we always need to remember to count our blessings.
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes.....how do you measure a year in the life? Man o man so much can happen in the course of a year...
My first memory of 2010 was attending the funeral of my lifelong friend Beccee Kujawa. No one single event in my life has made such an impact emotionally on me. It was the most surreal feeling walking into the sanctuary for the first time. Being completely grief stricken yet feeling totally "at home" all at the same time. Beccee brought me back to the church and I became a member at Crosspoint this year. The outpouring of love that day was indescribable. Hundreds of people from all stages of Beccee's life were there to pay their respects to a friend that had made such an impact on their lives. I remember giving Ron a hug in the receiving line and thinking he looked so broken (wouldn't we all?). At this time I hardly knew Ron...pretty much just from our time together planning the benefit. As I said, things can really change in the course of a year :) I remember Carol as she was leaving with the family. We made eye contact and she stopped and gave me the biggest hug ever. I know that there is no way that I could have, but if there was a way I could have taken away even one small portion of her pain and sorrow that day I would have done it in a heartbeat. It was bizarre to see faces from my "other" life so long ago...the Mirgage guys, Benet, Lisa, etc. I remember the video playing at the end of the service with Beccee singing. I literally could not move. I could not take my eyes off of the screen. Even though I know with complete certainty that Beccee was taken home to be in Heaven....saying goodbye completely broke my heart. Beccee's passing has affected me profoundly. Not a day goes by where I do not think of her or pray for her family. Beccee's light continues to shine in my life....I imagine it always will.
In January I became a Supervisor! Go figure! I am very fortunate to have a team of people who are dedicated to their jobs. I'd still drop everything in a heartbeat for a job at Summerfest (in case anyone is connected) - but I honestly am lucky to have a job that pays my mortgage and puts food on our table.
My friends continue to amaze me with their "wonderfulness" (my blog, I can make up words if I want to!). I just can't express how cool it is to be surrounded by such amazing individuals. Some friends I am lucky enough to see on a regular basis - but even those that I see only occasionally continue to be a HUGE part of my life. Know that each and every one of you plays a very important part in my life. Thank you for putting up with me. I know that I'm opinionated and relatively (ok VERY) impatient...but I mean well :) I am also excited about the new friendships that developed this year. It's always very interesting to me how certain people are put into our lives.
It was a tough year in the job department for Casey. This put a lot of stress on us emotionally and of course financially. I won't drudge it all up - but I will say that I am very happy that he has settled into the job at Nona's.
I "retired" from my (very small) role in the music business. I had been managing Majestic Mudd as well as booking them and a few other acts from time to time. I said I would get out when it wasn't fun anymore and that's what it boiled down to. We all know I don't like to chase people (musicians, bar owners - anyone). It just wasn't a good fit for me anymore. Now I'm a fan....and please do not call me a groupie ha!
Where one door closes, another one opens. My dear friend Laura Kiley asked me to work with her on her latest business venture localstopp.com. We will be going full force come the new year....it's a brand new website devoted to all things Lake Country. The backstory is what I find most endearing. Laura came up with a business to fund a foundation to help others. She's my hero. More to come on that soon.
I've been bouncing around an idea to start an online bakery business.....thoughts?
Of course the year was filled with seeing live music......Amileigha and Mike,Majestic Mudd, Keith, Ryan, Phil, Rebel Grace, the Love Monkeys, Erin and Matt, Ron and Droopy, Old Mil, and the list goes on and on! Love me some live music!
I no longer make resolutions (Brea and Debbie will remember our NYE at Cactus Jacks writing resolutions on bar napkins!). I will say that I am very excited about the new year. I'm calling it the year of reinvention. Stay tuned!
I hope all of you are doing something special to ring in 2011. Here's to a happy and healthy New Year for all of us!!!!
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes.....how do you measure a year in the life? Man o man so much can happen in the course of a year...
My first memory of 2010 was attending the funeral of my lifelong friend Beccee Kujawa. No one single event in my life has made such an impact emotionally on me. It was the most surreal feeling walking into the sanctuary for the first time. Being completely grief stricken yet feeling totally "at home" all at the same time. Beccee brought me back to the church and I became a member at Crosspoint this year. The outpouring of love that day was indescribable. Hundreds of people from all stages of Beccee's life were there to pay their respects to a friend that had made such an impact on their lives. I remember giving Ron a hug in the receiving line and thinking he looked so broken (wouldn't we all?). At this time I hardly knew Ron...pretty much just from our time together planning the benefit. As I said, things can really change in the course of a year :) I remember Carol as she was leaving with the family. We made eye contact and she stopped and gave me the biggest hug ever. I know that there is no way that I could have, but if there was a way I could have taken away even one small portion of her pain and sorrow that day I would have done it in a heartbeat. It was bizarre to see faces from my "other" life so long ago...the Mirgage guys, Benet, Lisa, etc. I remember the video playing at the end of the service with Beccee singing. I literally could not move. I could not take my eyes off of the screen. Even though I know with complete certainty that Beccee was taken home to be in Heaven....saying goodbye completely broke my heart. Beccee's passing has affected me profoundly. Not a day goes by where I do not think of her or pray for her family. Beccee's light continues to shine in my life....I imagine it always will.
In January I became a Supervisor! Go figure! I am very fortunate to have a team of people who are dedicated to their jobs. I'd still drop everything in a heartbeat for a job at Summerfest (in case anyone is connected) - but I honestly am lucky to have a job that pays my mortgage and puts food on our table.
My friends continue to amaze me with their "wonderfulness" (my blog, I can make up words if I want to!). I just can't express how cool it is to be surrounded by such amazing individuals. Some friends I am lucky enough to see on a regular basis - but even those that I see only occasionally continue to be a HUGE part of my life. Know that each and every one of you plays a very important part in my life. Thank you for putting up with me. I know that I'm opinionated and relatively (ok VERY) impatient...but I mean well :) I am also excited about the new friendships that developed this year. It's always very interesting to me how certain people are put into our lives.
It was a tough year in the job department for Casey. This put a lot of stress on us emotionally and of course financially. I won't drudge it all up - but I will say that I am very happy that he has settled into the job at Nona's.
I "retired" from my (very small) role in the music business. I had been managing Majestic Mudd as well as booking them and a few other acts from time to time. I said I would get out when it wasn't fun anymore and that's what it boiled down to. We all know I don't like to chase people (musicians, bar owners - anyone). It just wasn't a good fit for me anymore. Now I'm a fan....and please do not call me a groupie ha!
Where one door closes, another one opens. My dear friend Laura Kiley asked me to work with her on her latest business venture localstopp.com. We will be going full force come the new year....it's a brand new website devoted to all things Lake Country. The backstory is what I find most endearing. Laura came up with a business to fund a foundation to help others. She's my hero. More to come on that soon.
I've been bouncing around an idea to start an online bakery business.....thoughts?
Of course the year was filled with seeing live music......Amileigha and Mike,Majestic Mudd, Keith, Ryan, Phil, Rebel Grace, the Love Monkeys, Erin and Matt, Ron and Droopy, Old Mil, and the list goes on and on! Love me some live music!
I no longer make resolutions (Brea and Debbie will remember our NYE at Cactus Jacks writing resolutions on bar napkins!). I will say that I am very excited about the new year. I'm calling it the year of reinvention. Stay tuned!
I hope all of you are doing something special to ring in 2011. Here's to a happy and healthy New Year for all of us!!!!
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