Others.

I was walking at the park the other day and I had this thought: 

"How often do we let the actions or thoughts of other dictate our thoughts or actions?"

I don't know if maybe it was God talking to me saying "Quit worrying about other people... quit thinking about how they may react if they knew things going on in your life. Quit comparing yourself to what they have or what they don't have. Stop letting other people dictate your thoughts or feelings."

And as I was walking, I realized that I was even doing that on my walk!
There was a dad and a son walking on the trail.
They would turn right... I would turn left so I didn't have to worry about having to cross paths with them. Didn't have to worry about that conflict.
How often do we do that in our lives: too often!

We allow someone else to dictate which way we go. 

I'm trying to listen to God's subtle message and not worry about it.
Not totally disregard others.
But worry about myself and the direction my life is going. 

Until we know better, we can't do better, right? 

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I announced it on my Facebook page: I am taking a new job next year as the Secondary Principal at La Monte R-IV. I've been in a lot of trainings and conferences so far this summer just trying to learn all the things that I need to know so that I can do a good job! 

This past week I was at a four-day conference by myself in Jeff City.
Learned a LOT in four days! 

So... I was asked to make the cupcakes on the left for a bachelorette party.
I didn't have a legit piping bag, but I still think they turned out okay!
And they tasted pretty okay, too! 

So... now there are 5 months left in 2018.
I am re-committing myself to a healthier life.
Re-committing to getting back to my Driver's License weight haha 

I'm coming up with new goals, a new set of 2018 dreams!
Let's do this!! 

Contradiction

I've been thinking about these lately.
And probably this post will seem like a straight up contradiction to the last post.
In all honesty, it is hard to stay totally motivated when you don't have the people you need who are supposed to be cheering you on.
Cheering you on to make good choices, cheering you by giving compliments, cheering you on by lifting you up and giving you advice and prayers. 

When that isn't there consistently, motivation is harder to find!
Likewise, there's no need to keep people in your life who are doing the OPPOSITE of that.
And while it is easier said than done, I know I can look on my life and see when I re-set my standards.
And by doing so, some people fell away.
And that was scary at the time.
But it was so so so necessary in order for me to live the life I am. 

I heard someone say recently that "women aren't supportive of each other"
And I wanted to say "Then you're hanging around the wrong people" 

My group of friends supports each other almost to a fault.
We want each other to be successful, to reach our goals, to live out our dreams.
We want each other to find those successes, and we clap and cheer for each other when we reach a milestone:
A new job, an engagement, wedding, babies, finishing degrees... we are happy for each other.
So if your "people" aren't being supportive and clapping loudly as you accomplish your goals... get new people

That being said.... Last weekend I went to watch the Royals Friday and Saturday nights. 

Friday night was "Country Music" night and we got hats! 

And then we stayed to watch the fireworks!

It was some of the best fireworks ever!

And then Saturday I sat up high with my cousin... it was the longest game I had been to in a long time and after about the 7th inning when it was apparent our fate as losers was sealed, we left! 

Most of my days have been spent at SC Fuel, prepping meals for other people!
I really do enjoy the work- it's pretty much mindless and fun. 

My new SC Fuel shirt 

We had a surprise birthday party for my aunt. She's turning 50.
This is a picture of my mom and Tenley  

Me and Ave, hanging out...
She was impressed with the filters

This weekend, I went to the lake with my girls.
This was my morning view:
I was the first one up each day and just went out to have some quiet time on the deck, all that was missing was a cup of coffee and a book haha 

I know now for sure that when I grow up I want to have a lake house. 

So when I talked earlier about your circle, your people, your posse, whatever ... these are mine.
I love these girls dearly.
We can (and do) talk about EVERYTHING.
This weekend was exactly what I think all three of us needed.
We needed to hear about each other's trials and struggles, about each other's successes and achievements.
I am so happy to have had these girls by my side for the last 11-ish years, and look forward to at least that many more to come! 

I've been thinking about this as well.
Am I where I want to be?
No.
Am I a LOT further (mentally and physically) than I was?
Yes. 

Sometimes all it takes is a good compliment.
<3 

Accountability

I want to take a minute to talk about accountability. 

Accountability is defined as "A person/organization/institution being required to justify actions or decisions." 

While going through Healthy U, we had a mentor/coach who was our "go-to" person.
They weren't there pushing us along the way necessarily.
I never got calls to go to the gym and really wasn't "checked-up" on a whole lot.
But that was what made it so great. 

Because I didn't have someone riding my butt, I knew it was totally up to me.
I had to go to the gym and schedule workouts to fit my schedule.
I had to schedule in time to meal prep.
It had to be my choice and I had to follow through and put in the work in order to see the results.
And thereby, I became accountable to myself. 

I had to develop really good self-talk. 

And boy or boy was that a good lesson to learn.
Because not only is good self-talk valuable as you go through a weight-loss journey ... good self-talk is so valuable in every aspect of life.

Now. Just because you have great self-talk and just because you are accountable to yourself that doesn't mean that you don't also need a "person" or even a group of people who you look to. People that will encourage you to make good decisions and compliment your hard work. People who won't "treat" you with candy and say "oh go ahead, it's just one meal" or "just come hang out instead of going to the gym"
These people will respect and support your decision to become healthier.
This also goes for other things in life: job changes, relationships, etc. 

I am lucky that I have several people like this in my life!
Add these wonderful, caring, supportive people to the self-talk I have learned, and I know that I can be unstoppable and reach any goal I set. 

---- That being said, here's some pictures ----
*And they are out of order, but they have the right days on them* LOL 

Last Friday, I got to be photographer for my cousin's wedding.
They did just a simple ceremony and tacos afterward at grandma's house!
It was sweet.

Tuesday and Wednesday I got to participate in the NEASP/MoASSP New Principal's Conference in Columbia. It was fun to get to learn some stuff and network with some new people!

Wednesday night I went to the Bridal Shower for this lovely lady. 

And I got to hang out with this girl! 

Thursday I got to eat at our favorite Chinese place and catch up with these two!
Such great friend time! 

Then I went up Friday/Saturday to hang out with these wonderful people! 

It was most of ours first Joe's BBQ experience! 

And then we went and got rolled ice cream for the first time also!

So after that week (or two) of over-indulging, I am really hitting things hard this week. My diet so far has been on point. I have been active every day... going to the gym and/or walking each day.
Going through Healthy U I learned so much.
I know that in recent months, I have had a little "back-slide"
But I also KNOW that it won't take much to get me back on track and succeeding.

So... there ya go!
Here's to the next 6 months of 2018!