by Sarah | May 6, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Oola, Personal, Redefining Perfect
I’ve had a few different jobs in my life, as many of us have.
I’ve been in food service as a waitress, a host, a barista, a cafe manager. I worked in retail at several different places from a clothing store to a dollar store. I was in banking on and off for 20 years. I hated banking. With a white hot passion hated it.
In 2017 I dared to quit my job without something to back it up (Very un-oola, but I didn’t know oola yet) and left the banking industry determined to never go back to it.
It wasn’t easy, but thanks to a few good turns of events, a good friend, and a little sprinkle of luck I landed a new job in a completely new-to-me field.
Health Care.
I swear I mean it when I say I had NO idea what I was getting into. I knew I’d be working in the ER, but how much would I have to see? I have a very poor/weak constitution when it comes to things like blood and guts. I’ve never worked in health care, and while I have special needs children, my medical knowledge was pretty much…next to nothing.
I never dreamed how much this job would change me, my life, my goals. How it would inspire me to hope to return to school. How I would feel I found the place I belonged.
Over the past year and a half many things have changed, and some things at my job have changed, too, to the point where my job was just flat out not the same…but I still loved the people I worked with and the company I worked for and my managers and the doctors, nurses, and the many varied stories. My tasks were always the same, but every single day was so different.
Having to turn in my notice here was the true definition of bittersweet. It gave me great joy knowing that I was pursuing my dream and preparing to move, but I have never struggled so much to leave a job. My last day led to some great laughter, great hugs, and great tears.
This place took a chance on me, a woman with absolutely no experience in the field, and gave me some real goals for my future. They turned out a person that loves the field of healthcare administration and cannot wait for the opportunity to learn more and do more.
I have been saying for a while now that I’ve found what I love to do and where I love to do it, it was just in the wrong state. I’m hoping that my next position furthers this belief and brings me as much joy as this job did.
I will miss my doctors, my nurses, my hospital.
Leaving a job has never been so hard.
Only the draw of the future I’m meant to find could have ever made me leave.
by Sarah | May 4, 2019 | All of Us, Blogging Life, BlogRollin', Redefining Perfect
With so much going on in my life this month – I feel like I may have missed out on some posts…but I still managed to gather a few that I enjoyed, and I don’t care to skip a month on this if I can help it! So, without further ado, onto the sharing!
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The Queen of Free, Cherie, always has some great tips on paying off your debt. This week she breaks it down into 7 small, easy to follow tips that could have a big impact. One of which I need to practice with more frequency for sure…the grocery list. Ugh. I suck at that one!
Linda over at All & Sundry writes a beautiful post about a task she was iffy to complete, but her husband wanted to “check off that box”…and yes, it’s Disney-related, because of course…but she writes beautiful about their trip to Disneyland and how lovely a time their family had together. Just be careful, it’ll make you want to check off that box, too.
Karl’s post is about his Unfavorite Things is so much fun, I may just do that thing he talks about where I steal it and credit him back..I mean, I spend a lot of time in gratitude, but sometimes there are things that just my unfavorite…
Rachael could be writing my own thoughts and feelings when she talksa bout why she’ll never quit Facebook. Which is funny, considering I never wanted to start…
You’ve heard me wax nostalgic about Give Kids the World…but I’m not the only one. Matt talks about his family’s recent trip for his daughter’s wish in a way that makes me super excited to go back as an alumni again soon!!
The Bloggess is so crazy popular because she continually exhibits how she’s just like us (but occasionally weirder, which I aspire to be)…and this latest post about an embroidery incident is so totally me.
In recent months I’ve been revealing a lot more of my real self than I ever have in the past…it’s totally terrifying in many ways. So, this post by Amy on her recent experience doing the same touched my heart and gave me all the feels.
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That’s it for now. I’m keeping my eye out for more.
If you think I missed YOURS, let me know in a comment here! I’d love to find some new feeds for my reader!
by Sarah | May 2, 2019 | All About Family, All of Us, Blogging Life, Disney, DisneyTips, Redefining Perfect, Universal
I haven’t been to Disney hundreds of times (yet. Give me a couple years), but I’ve been my fair share.
I’ve done it with crazy intensity, and in a casual jaunt.
I’ve done Disneyland (finally), and Disney World.
I’ve picked up a few tips along the way. And while there are blogs across the web, I wanted to hand out my own Disney advice I’ve learned along the way, and tips I’ll be learning as I begin to go more frequently.
This months tip isn’t anything new if you’ve been in the past few years, but I still think it’s worth a mention. We’ve sure appreciated it on multiple occasions.
Use Disney’s Mobile Ordering for your quick-service meals.
When you’re trying to pack everything you can into a Disney day – the last thing you want to do is spend half an hour in a line ordering and waiting for food at a quick-service restaurant. Even if it is air conditioned, and themed, often there’s plenty more you’d rather be doing than waiting to satisfy the rumbling in your tummy.
Mobile ordering was a huge plus for us on our last couple of trips. While we weren’t as rushed to get through ALL the things because we’d been several times, it was nice to expedite what could be a long delay for the next thing.
I’ve already mentioned that we are notoriously bad at remembering to eat while in the parks. Mobile ordering lets us scan our app at the first pangs of hunger to see what we want along our route and order it in advance.
The handy thing about mobile ordering is that you can order it when you’re waiting in line, or on the other side of the park. You’ll be given a generous enough time frame during which you can pick up your order – but don’t worry that doesn’t mean they’re making it yet! Nope. They won’t start making the order until you click the “I’m here!” button in your Disney app. They’ll make it fresh and you’ll pick it up at the easily spotted “Mobile Order Pick Up” window.
You can find your seat, get your family situated and you’ll get a notification on your app that your meal is ready, then pick up and dine away.
Know what is awesome? Especially on those really hot days?
<<—–It’s available for grabbing your Dole Whip!!!
Oh yeah, baby…
That’s a stop we make a LOT.
I mean, it’s Dole Whip – and Aloha Isle is right by the silly-fun Jungle Cruise!
by Sarah | Apr 29, 2019 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Home, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All About Ripley, All of Us, Blogging Life, Disney, Disney Mom, Florida Dreaming, Oola, Redefining Perfect, Universal, Universal Studios Mom
*disclaimer* I am writing this over a week before publication. All information is subject to change. I’ll try to update if that happens, but I’m packing and moving and all the things…sooo…
It’s been over a month since the last update and a LOT has happened.
I mean, a LOT.
Namely…
WE ARE MOVING!!!
After months of a lot of nothing and nowhere interviews…I had a great interview about two weeks ago that led to a job offer.
My notice has been turned in at work, I’ve worked my last day, Erik has turned in his notice.
I’m on a packing, cleaning, planning, freaking out, ecstatic, so much to do rampage…all while trying to spend time with hubby and kids before I go…
Yeah, before I go. The kids are still in school so Erik & the girls won’t be down for another month after I head down.
That means I get a month to explore, learn the ropes, and FIND A HOUSE.
Yeah, no house yet. No job for hubby yet either.
It’s gonna be a squeeze, but I know it’s going to pan out.
It’s time to move on, out of Indiana.
My target was June, 2019.
My entire family will be in Florida in June, 2019.
I love it when a plan comes together.
by Sarah | Apr 28, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Gratitude, Redefining Perfect
As part of my Oola journey, I’m making an effort to be more grateful. My daily planner has a place specifically labeled for Gratitude. I’d like to spread some of that love here, too.
I am grateful for –
Moving.
Fixed blogs.
Big hugs.
Friendly cat.
House to myself for 48 hours.
Evening walks.
Earth reading.
A month in FL to explore.
Charter school.
Last days.
Bittersweet.
One last game.
One last night.
Firsts.
Lasts.
Progress.
Two teens.
Jobs obtained.
Boxes packed.
House buyer.
Going home.
by Sarah | Apr 17, 2019 | All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Book Reviews, I'm A Reader, Redefining Perfect, Wordy Wednesday
I thought about doing one book per recommendation post – but then changed my mind.
I’m going to recommend One, one, and one every month. The genres may change, but it lends some variety.
This week we’re going to look at Series that I recommend. One YA, One Graphic Novel, One Romance.
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Oh, don’t look so surprised…or are you looking annoyed?
Either way – stop.
Call it the gateway drug, call it what you want, but I’ve read it like 7 times, which is still not as many as the Little House books, but it’s a lot for someone that never re-reads books. Like, ever.
I was late to this party. Seriously. I’d heard plenty about it, even given book one to my son in a desperate attempt to get him interested in reading (it didn’t work, FWIW). However, I never picked them up. That long-mentioned tendency toward not liking things that are immensely popular.
Then, we got free tickets for a pre-screening of The Goblet of Fire in the theaters. Arguably, not the best book or movie, BUT it was my introduction into the series and it excited hubby and I both enough to leave the theater saying “We have GOT to read these books…”
And so we did.
Unfortunately, only 5 books were out at the time. While I breezed through and loved the first four books, I hit a road block. It took me almost a year to read that super-depressing Order of the Phoenix, and then book 6 was out, but then I had to wait a year for book 7…and by then I’d forgotten many of the characters and it lost all magic.
Several years later, though…that’s when I had some time to sit down and read them all in order without stopping. It took 2 weeks but I finally “got” it.
That’s a long way of saying I can’t recommend them enough. It’s a magical world you never want to end. While people scrambling for more has led to some intriguing theories, and stories, it’s also led to some questionable ones.
But the initial 7. They are classic. The time and effort spent building the world, the magic, everything. I will forever read and re-read these books in both print and audio form. They hold all my love and the love of so many others. If you haven’t read them, give them a shot. They may not be your cup of tea, and that’s okay…but at least you tried.
Okay, there are 8 books in this series currently, despite only having 4 pictured.
This is a series that both my girls and I devoured like it was water and we were stranded in the desert.
There are many things to enjoy about the series. The story itself is riddled with magic, technology, mystery and some fun characters along for the ride with out heroine, Emily.
It’s definitely a fun series both kids and adults can enjoy. I highly recommend it for your kids – and for you.
Okay, to be honest I personally only REALLY enjoyed half of these. However, that was personal preference based on the story type more than anything.
The series as a whole is great. Each book is written by a different author for a different season. Each book takes the Beauty and the Beast story and revises it in a modern take using various paranormal tropes from shifters to monsters to plain old magic.
I really enjoyed the modern, paranormal take on the classic story. The series really brought to light how four different authors can take the same base story and put their own, unique spin on it.
side note: These are labeled erotic, and they each definitely have some racy scenes in them. It’s well worth it for the fun ride, though. Trust me. 😉
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Those are my recommendations for this month! Hope you enjoyed.
What are some of your favorite books? I love adding to my TBR.
I’ve had a few different jobs in my life, as many of us have.
