Good vs Bad

With all of the bad going on in America this week, I'm finding it difficult to spot the good.

Bad: senseless bombings at the Boston Marathon, killing & hurting innocent bystanders
Good: strangers who aren't running away, but running to those who need help. an amazing national anthem at the Bruins game.

Bad: weather. blizzards, flooding & tornadoes throughout the midwest causing mudslides and sinkholes

Bad: explosion at a fertilizer plant in Texas

Good: names and photos of the Boston Marathon attack suspects being released
Bad: more attacks on innocent people. a MIT police officer killed. manhunt for suspect and possible accomplices and Boston on lockdown

Perhaps I'm focusing so much on the bad that I'm blind to all that's good, but watching the news this week has been disheartening, sickening, disturbing..and causing me to simply wonder "why?"

Here are some photos that speak a lot for this week's events:

A Friday Night in April

After having the flu [for the third time this year]/God-knows-what for a week, complete with...

...at least 12 hours of sleep everyday

...eating less than a meal a day

...making it through roughly two and a half days of work

...the weirdest dreams that made absolutely no sense

...getting poked by a [rookie] nurse while being tested for mono, thus resulting in a painful & nasty bruise

...not changing out of my favorite sweats

...watching the opening round of the Masters/too much tv

 

...I'm finally feeling better. I think. I did get out of the house tonight for a much-needed trip to the mall [retail therapy- a new shirt from Von Maur & candles from Bath & Body] and a much-needed trip to Target for 'groceries' ...





... oh and the new Blake Shelton cd.

Thank God for that 70-degree weather that lasted a day, to be followed by days of clouds & rain, the Masters, the Frozen Four, and great family & friends to help a girl get back on her feet.

Happy weekend.

The Best Things...

Warning: this post contains very random thoughts.

They say that the best things in life happen when you least expect it. I'm finally starting to believe it.

If I told you the last few months haven't been a struggle at the very least, I'd be lying like a rug. I've done a lot of thinking and spending time trying to figure things out. Aka, wasting my time. Here's what I've concluded...

...the best things in life happen when you least expect it. But then again, so do the worst things. Example: deaths, unemployment...see, here I go thinking too much again.

...challenges in life make us better people.

...being optimistic isn't easy but it sure can make life a lot happier.

...I've been working almost ten years. Ten years! I'm extremely thankful for this because I've become so independent and proud because everything I have, I earned it on my own. This September will mark ten years of being employed, and four years with my current company. Only +/-40 years until retirement.

...I've watched someone die. I've been close to seeing someone be born. These are two very unexplainable experiences. To watch my great grandma take her last breath was so hard, but so good at the same time. She knew I was there, and I know she's in Heaven with her boys, not suffering anymore.

...life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it. Okay, so maybe Ferris helped me on that one, but it's true. You want proof? I graduated high school almost seven years ago, and college almost two years ago. I've lived in my house for a year and four months. Taysen James turned TWO last week. I'll have two years in my current position in June. And, I'll be 26 in October [golden birthday even!]

...I can no longer eat what I want, when I want, and not gain a pound. I will be going back to Fighterbody to get my ass kicked next week because of this.

...you need to put yourself first in many situations. You can't feel guilty or sacrifice your own happiness. Don't get me wrong, I love to do things for others, but there sometimes comes a point where you just need to say "no" and follow your heart.

...the sun will come out tomorrow and the grass isn't always greener on the other side. 

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Growing up isn't easy. In high school, I couldn't wait to graduate and leave the drama and problems behind. Little did I know, drama exists everywhere. It's all how you react to situations and circumstances. And your attitude towards it.

Lately, I've had my patience tested. My attitude. My strength. To be honest, it feels like curveballs are being thrown at my face. I could sit here and feel sorry for myself. Ask "why?" a million times. Or, I could finally start to listen to that smart boyfriend of mine. He once told me, "Challenges in life make us better people." And you know what? He's right. The first boss I had when I started at JD told me something similar a few years ago: "You'll never grow if you don't challenge yourself."

I'm a creature of habit. We all are. Instead of taking risks and trying new things, I stick to what I know and what I'm comfortable with. I refrain from taking on new tasks because I'm afraid to fail. There is honestly no worse feeling than that of disappointment. It's not easy when it comes to making a decision for yourself, especially when it's you and only you who will either suffer or benefit from the consequences.

March has been a long month. I can't wait to end it with a day off from work, of course some hockey, my favorite almost-2-year-old's birthday party, and 50-degree weather this weekend. Bring on April! I'm more than ready.

Currently...

Relaxing on a half day of vacation.

Recovering from lunch at the Screamin Eagle. [i had the buffalo chicken wrap minus onions, like always.]

Thinking:
.. where is spring?! why is it like 15º and so freakin' windy on the first day of spring?!
.. of ways to draw crowds to the party deck this summer [after having the first-ever deck operations meeting today]

Listening to the NHL Network. & the washing machine. & the dryer. & the wind.

Obsessing over: my adorable nephew who turns 2 in eleven days.

Looking forward to: more blog posts, a fun party for my favorite almost-2-year-old, spring [wherever it's hiding], summer [which automatically includes baseball and no, its not too soon], and another half day of work on Friday.

Side note: I don't think most of you know what I do for work and I'm too lazy to go see if I've mentioned it in a post so, for those who may have or are wondering... I am a payroll analyst and am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work four 9-hour days in the office and have a half day (approx 4 hours) I can work from home each week. Generally our half days are on Thursday or Friday and we alternate based on department needs.

For more pictures of my cute nephew, hockey, iowa & other random things, follow me on instagram @lindseyschuler

Obession [caffeine]

As said in my last post, I'm currently obsessing over caffeine. This is not new, however, the form of it is.

I'm not exactly sure when I started drinking coffee, but lately, I've found it difficult to go a day without Starbucks. Or a Mountain Dew or Coke. [Mountain Dew is likely to be a lifesaver during grueling payroll days].

While strolling down the baking aisle at Target one day, I came across this:

Starbucks. Caramel. Iced. Coffee. Just add water and milk. Wait, what? I was lured. And now, I'm addicted. I can't afford to go to Starbucks every day, but I think I can handle having Starbucks a little different every day. You can find these at Target: $7.29 for 6 packets. [I have yet to find them elsewhere. Let's be honest, I hardly shop elsewhere]. I think that beats spending roughly $4 for ONE drink in the drive-thru...

Currently...

Working from home [on the couch + in sweats. until 10am, then my weekend begins. and yes, that means I will be going to boardwalk deli for lunch. if you live in the Cedar Valley and haven't experienced bd, go. you can will thank me later.]

Watching: the Today show.

Drinking: Starbucks.

Reading: The Happiness Project. again. & 10-10-10.

Obessing Over: 'The Streak' [Chicago Blackhawks]. Nike sweats with pockets & comfy sweatshirts. caffeine. home DIY projects. [more on all this later!]

Looking forward to: spring cleaning, warm weather & seeing Luke.

I was intending to write a 'deep' post today, but nothing makes sense and who wants to read scrambled thoughts? Here's hoping this much-needed weekend brings some clarity...

Happy Friday all!