by Joey | Jun 15, 2015 | Throwback
I’m stuck in my tracks. I’m moving forward but at a glacial pace. And not exactly in the direction I was hoping for. And the only person I have to blame is myself.
When my time was my own, I was a master of it. I ceased the opportunities that weren’t even in front of me. I put them in front of myself. I made them happen. And the funny thing is, I still have that power. And so do you. But instead I’ve curled back into myself. I’m complacent and that’s not okay.
I keep telling myself I’m waiting for the right moment. I keep saying I’m waiting for the right inspiration. It’ll come when it’ll come. But the truth is, like with most things, you have to make it the right time.
I never felt more in place or more like myself than when I was tackling the book last year. I woke up with purpose to my days and felt so fulfilled at the end of the day despite the exhaustion. I didn’t allow myself any excuses. I squashed the fear that constantly bubbled up and dove in. I stood on a ledge or two that I needed to be talked off of, but for the most part I knew what I was doing was the right thing.
I am good at my day job. I’ve always been strangely good with kids, but this age group is my place. I didn’t know it but my husband did. And he guided me into this job. It’s all the blessings that I knew it would be. I fit. And it works. It got us out of Buies Creek. It got us into this apartment where life blossomed before my very eyes. It brought a part of me back to life.
But this new life has set me off balance. I’ve taken every excuse and worn them like an armor fighting against the things that scare me. A security blanket.
The funny thing is, I’m a master at doing what I’m told (I’m pretty sure my parents are laughing out there somewhere. har har). Someone says jump, and I do my best to jump higher than they expected. But lately I’ve been having trouble respecting myself in that same way. When you’re at the start of something, it’s hard to identify yourself in a certain way.
Last night I came into the living room and told J I wrote an article for an online magazine and that it was being published today. I’m a writer! I exclaimed and then realized how stupid that sounded. I know, I wrote a whole freaking book. I should know I’m a writer. But this part of me is always something I’ve struggled with. You all know it. And I know it.
I guess there isn’t much point to all of this except to say that I have to think that we are all constantly battling something. Everyone has something right? We put on our brave faces and face the world like we have it all together but behind closed doors the we shrink down in front of the monsters.
by Joey | Jun 12, 2015 | Throwback
Hi friends! Happy Friday!
And to all those with kids in public schools in Charlotte, NC
Happy first day of summer!
I feel like that should have had a blow horn entrance or something.
Moving on.
It’s Friday. The day I’ve dubbed binge watch OITNB, live in my pajamas and order pizza day. You know. After 6:30PM that is. I have another marathon day at work, but I’m seriously looking forward to actually having a real true day with the kids.
In other news, I went to bed fairly early last night. I needed a good night of restful sleep, and I just didn’t get that. I ended up having a nightmare that I was working in some building that fell victim to a gunman. It was absolutely terrifying. The odd thing is, though, I woke up multiple times thankful it was over only to fall back to sleep where the dream continued on. How come that doesn’t happen with good dreams?
So needless to say, coffee is imperative for this ten hour day.
Day 5 of Julep Lori
DAY FIVE!!!
I want to share with you a few reasons that I love Julep. I know I’ve been talking about them quite a bit lately, and as someone who was hugely hesitant to sign up for any kind of monthly subscription service, I have to say…I’m in love.
- I like that I have the option to skip out whenever I want. If we just don’t have the expendable cash that month or I’m not feeling any of my options, no harm no foul. Opt out.
- If they select a box for me that I’m just not digging, I can swap out products. This last box that I received, I customized the entire thing.
- The staying power is unlike any other polish I have.
- The formulas are great. Two coats of any polish and boom: opacity. The polish I’m featuring today is a straight up jelly. You can probably tell from the picture of the bottle how sheer it is. The finished look was absolutely gorgeous though. People kept confusing it for a gel polish!
They’re currently featuring their Plush Pout Lip Crayons which I’m also obsessed with. They have moisture boosters in the center of the balm which you’d think would sheer out the product, but no. These suckers are full color! For a limited time, you can receive two plush pout lip crayons and two new gorgeous nail polish colors for free as part of the Lipstick Welcome Box* (a $68 value). Just pay the $2.99 shipping!
Click either picture or
HERE to be taken to the registration site!
**this is a monthly subscription service you would be signing up for. You may cancel or skip a box at any time. I am a julep affiliate, but I wouldn’t recommend the product or service if I wasn’t truly in love with it!
by Joey | Jun 11, 2015 | Throwback
It’s officially my last day of sanity. As of tomorrow, I shift into summer hours which for the rest of you might mean slower, more leisurely days. But for me it means something completely different. I’m currently a little overwhelmed trying to sort out my writing schedule around what my new summer hours will look like. I know one way or another everything will get done, but I do worry just a little what that will mean for you know, any kind of actual life.
You shouldn’t cartwheel when you’re 29. Nope. Definitely not. According to the aching in my entire body and the soreness in my left foot, while I can still physically cartwheel, I should definitely refrain in the future. But hey! At least I still CAN! That’s something, right? ::limps away::
I won’t be going back to the Aveda Institute. I was planning an entire post where I was going to share my experiences over my last 4 encounters with them, but I realized it just wasn’t worth it. The only take away is that I just won’t be back. And I will no longer sing their praises or recommend them to anyone. Their services are just fine. I’ve never actually had a “bad” haircut from them. But their customer service? Yeah. No. I get that it’s a school, but you’re literally training people to be in a customer service fueled career. You’d think you’d care a little more. So overall? I won’t be back.
I kind of forgot Monday was my birthday. Once I got home for the evening, I watched netflix and laid around. I had a yummy dinner but decided I wanted something sweet. I texted J and asked if he’d pick up something sweet on his way home (which isn’t uncommon for me). I was expecting like a pack of M&Ms or something. But no. Homeboy walked in with a Carvel ice cream birthday cake and wine. #winner.
I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend. The only plans we have for Friday night are to order pizza and binge watch the new season of OITNB. I have a good bit of writing to do/plan out for the next several weeks, also. I’m eager to just lock myself in my office most of Saturday and pounding some work out. Things have been so crazy (in a good way) lately, but sometimes it’s nice to just be quiet for a hot minute.
Okay friends! That about does it for today! It’s your turn!
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by Joey | Jun 10, 2015 | Throwback
Nah, nah, honey I’m good.
I could have another, but I probably should not.
I got somebody at home.
And if I stay, I might not leave alone.
Now better men than me have failed
drinking from that unholy grail
I’ve got her, and she’s got me,
and you’ve got that ass-
But I’ve kindly gotta be like
Oh baby, no baby, you got me all wrong baby.
My baby’s already got all of my love.
Let me first start with, no. I’m not drunk. And yes, I promise this will make sense and have a real point. This song is catchy. It’s one I find my self beat-bopping to. But it isn’t one I ever really bothered to listen to. Not the lyrics anyway.
But the other night I was running. And when this song came on, I was close to losing my groove. I wanted to quit, so I pushed myself to really listen to the lyrics and try to forget that I was running. 1) It worked. 2) I thought to myself…hmm. Yup. This guy is really on to something.
I am not poetic or even the most eloquent person despite what some of you comment down below. But what Grammer does with this song is very simply put into words what a real actual commitment is like.
Because here’s the deal. I’m not sure if this is common knowledge or not (I thought it was but…) when you find yourself in a committed relationship you do not become invisible and your eyes do not stop working. You are a human being. One whom someone else finds appealing enough to want to commit themselves to. And like with all things, if one person likes something, chances are someone else might too.
Your significant other will not be the only person on this planet you find interesting. They will not be the only person you find attractive. They will not be the only person who is interested in you. You might one night find yourself having a drink with your girlfriends and actually enjoying a conversation with someone else. And that’s okay.
Before you all get the impression that either I or my husband have cheated, the answer to that is no. But we also have no qualms about allowing (I hate using that word) each other to go out with our friends for an evening because we know to whom we go home to at the end of the night.
The thing is, being in and staying in a healthy, committed relationship takes work. You choose that person, sure. But you have to keep choosing that person. It’s not like every other person falls off the planet just because you accepted a ring from a guy. No. The world still keeps spinning, and you have to work to hold on to the one standing next to you. And despite how interesting or attractive you might find someone else, you have to make the choice to place your significant other before anyone else. Oh, snap. I didn’t mean for that to happen. And would you believe I actually loathe all these new fangled words the kids these days are using. I swear I only turned 29 on Monday, not 79. Whatever. I’m getting off topic.
What I’m trying to say here is that staying committed to one another isn’t just something that happens. It’s something you have to choose and continue to choose. You have to work at it. Some days it will be the easiest thing you’ve ever done. Others, he’ll have just pissed you off and some guy will be looking at you from across the bar and you’ll think to yourself…maybe. I promise that’s never actually happened to me, so husband please don’t have a panic attack, but you know that I mean.
No, honey I’m good.
I could have another but I probably should not.
I’ve got to bid you adieu
to another I will stay true.
by Joey | Jun 8, 2015 | Throwback
As you’re reading this, I’m probably being very snoozy, easing into my day with messy hair and a nice cup of coffee. Unless you’re reading this after 11AM in which case, I’m at my day job. It’s my birthday, so I’ll be back with regular scheduled programming tomorrow.
Everyone deserves a day off on their birthday, so since I’m the boss around these parts, I’m declaring today a holiday!
See you tomorrow, friends!
