The Plague, Witches and New York!

I survived!

Barely.

The plague hit my house last week and boy, was it a doozy.

It started out like a normal little cold, but when Nyquil and sleep weren't doing anything to help me get rid of it, I knew this was a whole different beast.

Lets just say, one whole week, days of fever, tons of hot baths and meds have kicked that puppy in the butt. The cough is still lingering, but boy, do I feel so much better.

I really hope I didn't pass it along to anyone and I am so blessed to have a boss that lets me work from home so that I could recover and still work.

Like I said, I survived, and just in time.

Saturday was Brittany's annual Witches Night Out party and I would NOT miss it for the world.

I have this saying (since I worked as a witch at Filch's in Hogwart's dungeon):

"Once a witch, always a witch."

So, I donned my witch hat and got a little more dressed up and hit the town with my fellow witches.

Brittany always decorates her home so perfectly and has the best games.

We paid homage to Halloween movies by skillfully acting them out in less than a minute, put our boogie shoes on and did the "broom dance", and even brewed up a potion or two with our spell skills.

I cannot wait until next year and had an absolute blast with all my witchy ladies.

Anyhoo, I'm leaving for New York City tomorrow night and

CANNOT WAIT!

Seriously, my day has gone by so incredibly slow and I just want to be on that plane already.

Tomorrow I'll share my list of things I want to do while I'm there.

Only one more sleep and I'll be in the Big Apple.

Whoop Whoop!!!

Great Friends

Last night was the start of my book club with some of my girlfriends.

I was worried because I didn't think people would show up.

Those who showed up made it worth it all.

I'm so grateful for such sweet friends in my life.

Like Mary, who came, even though she had a party to attend after.

And Jess, who had to wake up at 4 am the next day for clinicals... and she lives 30 minutes away.

And Magen, who had just worked a full eight hours with me.

I really am one blessed lady.

And we sure like to party.

Even if Mary can't keep her eyes open.

Fear

With it being October...

Have I told you that lately? That's it's October? And my favorite month? I have? Oh, my b.

... I thought it would be a good time to talk about some fears that have been on my mind lately.

Laziness:

When I was young, I was super active. I loved running outside and playing.

In elementary schoo, middle school, high school and even some of college, I played soccer religiously and was always involved in some kind of sport. I didn't mind running around and I sure didn't care what I ate.

BOOM!

Adult life happened.

Now I work an 8 hour job, where I sit in front of the computer daily.

And, and you might be surprised, but it is exhausting.

So when I get home, the last thing I want to do is work out.

And I still have my "healthy" eating habit (and by healthy I mean "I can eat a lot").

Basically, I've gained weight. Not a ton. And most people probably wouldn't really notice.

But I do. And I really want to lose it. Mostly, I want a healthier lifestyle.

The problem: I'm lazy.

I'm fearful that I won't overcome my laziness and actually get my butt up and back in shape.

Selfishness:

I have the most incredible husband. Really, I do.

The King really does treat me like his queen.

If I need ANYTHING, he will find a way to provide it.

If I want ANYTHING, he will do his best to get it for me.

I have this horrible habit of letting him serve me hand and foot.

The problem is that I used to be this really independent person and I rely too much upon my husband.

I'm talking about things like, "Hey AMOOOOOOORRRR, will you please get me a glass of water?" while he is painting a room across the house and I'm sitting on the kitchen floor. 

Like I said. I rely too much on him.

I need to spoil him more. I need to not be so selfish and I need to get him the glass of water instead.

And just treat him right.

I'm fearful he will realize how selfish I am and have to try a little harder to love me.

Blogging:

I took the almost six month hiatus from blogging.

It was really scary at first and then I completely forgot about it.

Then, one day, I felt like I had something to write about again.

I bucked up, put my big girl panties on, and started blogging again.

THEN, I started to peruse the blogopshere again.

None of my former bloggy friends were there, or they had left me far in the dust.

I almost don't recognize that world I used to love SO MUCH.

I didn't even really know where to start to find those genuine blogs that I would love to read.

I don't even know how to forge the relationships anymore.

It has all changed too much.

I'm fearful that I might re-not find my passion in blogging.

Book Club:

A lot of my friends kept saying that they wanted to be in a book club and meet new people.

So, I started a book club for them to meet new people.

They all keep bailing.

And it makes me really sad, because I never bail on their stuff.

I'm fearful that this new book club that I'm not really doing for myself, but for my friends, will end up being like the Blogger Book Club that I was co-host of.... something that ended up dying because no one ever really joined.

Traveling in NYC:

I'm also super terrified of traveling from JFK to Manhattan via train at 11 pm at night when we fly in.

But what the hey... I get to go in the first place, so that's good enough for me!

I have SO MUCH to be grateful for, but sometimes, you can't appreciate them until you voice your fears, even if it is just so you can hear them out loud. Even if it is to try to face them and change them.

October Surprises Are Underway

One of my all time favorite traditions for October are the October Surprises.

My lifelong bestie, Laurel, and her mom were so obsessed with October and Halloween that it kind of rubbed off on me. Well, Laurel's mom, "Mama Marzek", would give out "October Surprises." They were just little things like candy, or a lip gloss or Halloween dinky item. They were awesome.

I've been in the habit of giving out October surprises and it's one of my favorite things to do.

Well, yesterday Laurel surprised me with tickets to the pre-screening of "About Time."

BEST OCTOBER SURPRISE EVER!

The movie was phenomenal.

It was created by the makers of "Love Actually" and had a stellar cast.

It's about a guy who comes from a long line of family time travelers and his life, love and consequences from his gift. Rachel McAdams is in it, and I was a little worried because she already stared in a movie eerily similar to this one. But it blew all time traveling romance movies out of the water. I highly recommend it when it comes out in November.

Also, on a whim, Laurel and I decided to fly to New York to visit our friend, Esther.

We leave in like two weeks.

It was super last minute, but I am SO FREAKING excited.

It's only the second day of October, and the surprises are already underway.

I got a box of RedVines from my co-worker, Magen, and I brought her delicious cupcakes from Sweet! by Good Golly Miss Holly (they are super delicious too).

I cannot wait to see what the rest of October has in store.

I TOLD you it was magical.

It's October

It's scary how long it's been since I've blogged.

Like really scary.

So scary, that I'm actually nervous as I type this.

So scary, that I'm not sure what to really type about.

But what's not scary is that it's finally October.

It's no secret that October is my favorite month.

There is MAGIC surrounding this month.

There is PEACE as the weather changes.

There is HOPE in the world and the year.

There is LOVE for your fellow man and the little things in life.

There is CLARITY in what you want and need.

October is special. 

It rejuvenates me.

It inspires me.

It makes me remember who I am.

What I love.

And where I want to be.

Here is to October. Welcome long lost friend!

It's so good to have you back.

I cannot wait to see what you have in store for this girl who loves you oh so much.