Your Thoughts

I am up late working on something major. By major, I mean life changing. I'm too jazzed to sleep and poor Gary says he's staying up as long as I do. Looks like we'll both be dragging tomorrow. But seriously, it's worth it.

I have had this life-changing idea in my head for about a year now. It has gradually grown and I finally decided to look in to it a bit more.

What's this big idea? Well, I'm considering getting a license to teach. I have come to realize that child development truly amazes and fascinates me. I constantly am in awe of how children grow and learn and explore and create. They are so inspiring it's ridiculous. Why can't we all stay young forever? I feel like we'd accomplish so much more. Okay, maybe not. Also, I made it a commitment when we moved back to Decorah to pursue things that were meaningful and purposeful. This change would be both of those things.

I'm considering Luther's elementary education program with an math endorsement and/or a early childhood endorsement.  I recognize that this would be an incredible commitment, both financially, professional and personally. I'd become a student again full-time, have less time to work thus making less money, and we'd have to put off having children at least for a year or two more. Am I willing to do all of those things? Yes but only after some major thought.

I broke the news to my beloved husband at midnight as he was saying we should be going to bed. He said he'd support me in any decision I made and I love him for that. We will have further conversations about this of course, but his blessing is so sweet. He loves me :)

I also plan to talk to someone at Luther about this. An admissions counselor? An advisor? I'm not sure, but someone.

Lastly, what is your opinion? I'm open to it so give it to me!

Now hopefully, I can stop thinking about this long enough to fall asleep. I've got work, houses to visit, and a dinner date with a friend tomorrow!

Pixlr Fun - Oh My!!!!

I have been poking around pixlr/express for an hour or so and LOVE what I've done so far. Here are some of the photos I've messed with:

 

BEFORE

AFTER

  

BEFORE

AFTER

 

My Favorite Songs of the Moment

My two favorite songs right now are covers of two really good songs. I.Love.Them.Both. Equally? Probably not, but pretty close.

Enjoy.

Somebody That I Used to Know.


Only Girl in the World.

Not-So-Content with Boredom

I was having a really weird night yesterday. Earlier in the day I was told that the event I was scheduled to manage was canceled so I had a free night (YAY!) Sadly, I was in one of those moods where I was so bored I didn't know what to do. Continue my Grey's marathon? Nope. Watch Armageddon? Nope. Go on the computer? Nope. Eat something? Nope. Go outside? Nope. You get the idea. Nothing sounded like something I wanted to do.

I was fine with all of that except "eat something". Gary wasn't feeling well so I knew we wouldn't be eating together, but I really wanted to find something good to eat. Ramen just wouldn't do. I spent hours and hours mulling it over and absolutely nothing came to mind. I wasn't craving anything specific, just something good. At about 8:45, it hit me. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese with tuna. Oh man that really hit the spot. Clearly, that was what I was craving without even knowing it. Luckily, I forced myself to put half of it in a container so that I could eat the leftovers tomorrow (and not completely stuff myself).

After I was finished eating, I decided that being content with boredom was no longer okay. I really wanted something to do, or think or decide. I somehow landed on my blog (even though I had nothing to write) and noticed for about the 3rd time that day a new blog post by someone I follow. As fate would have it, I clicked on the link and just about peed myself. This particular post was about a free photo editing software program that suits my needs EXACTLY. It's called Pixlr. There's apparently a full version as well that is a bit more like photoshop (and it's free too) but that's way too much work for me. I just need to start using my actual camera or buy a new one. My phone is nice, but the quality still sucks.

I call that a successful night off :-)

Goodbye, Grandpa. We love you!

My grandpa died on Wednesday, March 28. When I found out, I was at a Mayo Clinic Health System Public Affairs training in Rochester. Needless to say, it was quite a shock (I was not in the right frame of mind to hear this news) and was really upset for awhile. I was able to get out of work that evening to digest his passing and though it took a bit, I felt okay. This is what he had wanted for some time now and to know he was no longer in pain was really comforting.

A picture of me and my cousin Jared with Grandpa Oelrich - 1989 

A picture with Grandpa & Grandma Oelrich - 2011

The blessing from his death was the surprise visit from my entire family. We don't get to spend a whole lot of time as one whole unit anymore and with Arya in the picture now, it was amazing. She is an adorable little peanut that is so sweet and calm and doesn't mind getting passed from one family member to another. I'm so happy that Gary (& others!) finally got to meet her :)

 

My FAVORITE PICTURE!

My SECOND FAVORITE PICTURE! :)