So a while ago I mentioned that I am addicted to shopping at Goodwill & Salvation Army. I love a good deal anywhere! Clearance at Target, saving by using coupons, getting a Groupon for travel or local events; I am not too picky but if I can save some of the hard earned money that my hubby brings home I am happy!
So when I found out that the Denver Goodwill was opening a boutique in Cherry Creek I was all about it! Sure we had to stand in line for a while but they had water on hand and we were able to park less than a block away. It was a great way to start a spring day in Denver.
Cute Exterior & glimpse of interior.
It was a blast to eye stuff that was super cute and wait breathlessly to see if someone decided they didn't want it. (I won out at least twice with this method of shopping.)
Cute Decor- Notice the painted pallets
There was so much to go through and the line to try on and check out was long but then you could shop while in line and the people in line would totally hold your spot!
Although I love finding deals at my local Goodwill I will for sure be going back. The prices were a bit higher than a local Goodwill but when it goes to Goodwill and it is still less than retail.
My scores this trip included: Levis capris, grey flutter sleeve shirt (Target brand), Green and white polk-a-dot skirt, and a tags still on red pea type coat.
Do you ever idolize people that you have never met? I have a few. My grandmother who I am named after. My facebook friend Molly. And Ree Drummond. Now you too may LOVE Ree. A.K.A. The Pioneer Woman. It is easy to do. She is beautiful, talented and basically amazing!!!
So when I was on her blog recently and saw that she was having a book signing in Denver- bestill my beating heart- I had to go!!!
She is BRILLIANT- Sigh
She is funny.
I found out that she is about 10.5 years older than me- you wouldn't know to look at her.
So my goal?? In ten and a half years to be as happy as she is.
She finds joy in everything!
And has a quiet confidence that just makes you want to be her BFF.
(I think I look pretty darn good here)
Oh I hope that I will be as cute & lovely & awesome as Ree
BUT
in my own SPECTACULAR
Katie way!
I even convinced some friends to come BUT that wasn't too hard....
So my dear Pioneer Woman I love you!
I am grateful to you for your example of finding joy in your life!
Many of my friends and family have endured higher education with children in tow and survived to tell the tale. Now it is my turn.
Over the past two years things have been harder but not impossible. It almost seems like a dream that my DH will soon be free of the bondage of higher education -MBA- and able to resume the normal humdrum tasks that he hasn't been able to do since before this endeavor began. When we decided that this was a necessary step in our lives, shortly after returning from a vacation without children, it was something we thought may not happen right when we wanted. Crazily enough we applied and were accepted first thing.
As we have both loved and hated this process it has become evident that we were inspired to take this jump when we did and where we did.
The program Ryan chose was completely online, allowing him to keep up his strenuous travel schedule while studying and reading etc., etc. Although there have been times that we have all be ready to scream about more school it has been a great blessing to get this done before the tuition went up and before we had kids that were too old to remember that Dad was gone all the time. So here we are with only about 12 weeks left and all I can say is HALLELUJAH!!!!
For about 9 years or so I have had varying extremes of pain that is pretty constant (ie. chronic). Due to this pain I have seen multiple doctors, gone to physical therapy, taken various drugs, been adjusted multiple times, & on and on. Recently my sweet husband indicated that he was done with me being in pain all the time- probably because I make everyone's life miserable.
Years ago it was determined that I suffered from something called sacroilliac joint dysfunction. Basically I have a constant pain in my behind! Some days it is worse on one side than the other but for the most part something always hurts. (This video is the best explanation that I have found)
Due to my husband's ultimatum to figure this out I am going to yet another doctor. After my initial visit with this new doctor I realized how long this has been going on. I realized that I have tried to figure this out. I have worked to lose weight and get stronger. I have worked really hard to be able to walk and be there for my children but there is no guarantee that I can always be there.
For instance, last June my in-laws invited us to Vail with them for a few days. I did something and threw everything out of alignment and BAM I had to find a chiropractor ASAP! The cane was pulled out and my lack of mobility made me a burden rather than a joy to have around.
Unfortunately I also get to have migraines & depression & back pain & neck pain. I really do try not to tell people that I am in pain or that I hurt. I try to suck it up more often than not but something has got to give. I can't continue to be such a bummer for my family.
After I spoke with the doctor I had a mini breakdown and realized that right now there are NO answers. I don't want surgery & I don't want no answers. I want to at least understand and hopefully find an effective treatment. In some ways the idea of not living in constant pain is just as scary as coping with it forever. If I am not in this role then WHO AM I? If I feel good all the time- is that even possible?- then what do I do with that?
I am sure this all sounds quite self absorbed but this is me trying to figure this out and also because there are others that feel this way too.
I don't know what my answers will be; thyroid? disc issues? Who knows? I do know that somehow I have to explain this to my children so that they don't misunderstand my pain and frustration as anger towards them. They have to learn that when they make a mess or neglect chores my frustration comes from not only knowing the time and effort it will take to clean it all up BUT also the pain I must re-endure to accomplish a task that had been done. This will probably be harder to teach them then finding the root of these issues.
This painting by Salvador Dali sums up my relationship with time. I try to be productive and accomplish things- possibly too many things- and then it just seemingly melts away.
Something always happens and the time I thought I had just evaporates. Unfortunately this does not just apply to the unimportant aspects of my life but to every aspect of my life. (Time management is not my talent.)
I go to bed with good intentions and then I don't sleep well. So then I don't wake up easily. Then I get grumpy and I am tired and then there is this chronic pain- more on that in a different post.
Somehow I WILL find a way to manage this stuff better. I have to.
Until then....thank you Senor Dali for describing how I feel perfectly with your work of art!
