90 Day Probation - Complete!

Well I have successfully made it through my 90-day probationary period with MDA! I'm super excited about this and can only hope for many for days, months & years with this great organization :)

MDA Summer Camp was a SUCCESS! We had 58 campers, 65 volunteers and a team of Medical Staff to assist this year. The theme "League of Superheroes" was a hit.. every year the campers get to vote on the theme for the following year! So for 2010 - we'll be "Jammin' in the Jungle". Camp touched my heart in SO many ways - you definitely look at your life in a totally different way after spending a week with Jerry's Kids! I also felt myself more "at ease" with this camp then any other camp I've been to & had a leadership role with. There's no need to get worked up over the small stuff there.. the kids are just happy to be there, to be barrier free and to experience things they aren't able to on an everyday basis.

Other updates in my life... since I havn't blogged in awhile!

After my last blog - I let my guard down! Met a great guy named Matt... which, I'm sure you've all heard me talk about "Magic Matt" by now - well that's him! LOL Matt has became pretty good friends with both Kristin and I over the past month - everything from showing his skill in magic tricks/illusions, to being our babysitter on the evenings when we can't babysit ourselves (haha!) to grilling us the greatest steak dinner ever! I don't ever foresee myself dating Magic Matt - but I'm pretty darn proud of myself for letting my guard down, letting a guy come up & talk to me, keeping conversation with him and now having a great friendship out of it - there is nothing to complain about there!

I also met another guy.. Derek, but his friends call him "Boomer". He's probably the reason I hate to date! Derek actually works with my bff (facebook wifey!) Sharon at ASK Powersports.. Derek was talking about girls and Sharon said "Oh my gosh! I don't know why I never thought of this before, but you NEED to meet my friend Laura!" So she gave him my number (with my approval!) and the phone calls began.. we'd talk for hours a night about anything & everything.. opened up with one another fairly quickly and finally agreed to meet that weekend .. of course, he comes over - we watch a baseball game, hang out with my roommate Kristin, he kisses me good night, can't wait to call me again - and .... yeah, that was it. We talked the following day.. and then, nothing.. Sharon knows the rest of the story, but I'm not so sure I want to hear it. He was the complete opposite of what I'm normally attracted to - tattoos, piercings, biker guy, and loves Bob Marley - he was an awesome guy with an awesome personality.. not sure I could have taken him home to Father Joe (LOL) but it would have been worth the shot. Oh well... life goes on, right? Right!

My birthday was fabulous.. THANK YOU Kristin, Sharon, Steph, Wes, Chris, Steph's little Sister, Val & Derrick for coming out to Ann & Tony's for dinner that evening! And to KRISTIN who surprised me at work with Roses & Calli Lillies and my bedroom a complete mess of balloons & streamers! It was amazing :) I'm 24 now.. means, I'm getting old!

Well I guess I better get back to work... I'll keep you all updated on the happenings of my life! On another positive note - this past Friday I paid off 2 of my 3 credit cards AND my car! Hopefully now that means I can start saving money.. I'm making a lot more than I was before, but I just can't get caught up from the time I was laid off.. I need a stimulus package..

Dear Obama..

Very Overdue Update!

It's been awhile since I've posted.. for some reason, I'm too involved in other Social Medias (Facebook, Myspace, Twitter) and just havn't had time to update Blogspot. I'm making it a goal, however, to update more often & find more people that I know to follow!

yay!

Things have been very hectic & busy lately.. My new position with MDA is absolutely fabulous. I'm catching on pretty quickly and 1 month from today, we'll be heading to MDA Summer Camp for a week - which I'm totally excited about! 1 week away from the office and in the middle of Camp... I always feel like everyone at Summer Camp - no matter what kind of Summer Camp your attending - shows their true colors. It's a time to be the person you want to be, discover the person you are and really enjoy life. It's 1 week when I don't care how everyone else is judging me because I'm going to have the time of my life. If only we all acted like this on an everyday basis - I think life itself would be much more enjoyable. More enjoyable & blessed than it already is!

I was reading through my New Years Resolutions today and decided that it was time to give an update.. since it's essentially been almost 5 months since they were made... these were posted to my MySpace after the first of the year...

Get Healthy, Get Fit!

No more fast food & it's time to cut back on fried foods. Make exercise a part of the day, not a chore, but something to continually look forward to. Lose 50 pounds by December 31, 2009 and look great for Megs Wedding on 9.19.09! I'm trying to stick to Weight Watchers, however, my current schedule may make that impossible, as far as attending meetings. It's time to use self-strength to do it on my own and see the results even faster. Continually try to reach the minimum daily allowances according to the Food Pyramid, esp. in the area of fruits & vegetables. Continually try new foods to discover new foods that I do like and maybe someday I'll like salads - gotta get over the lettuce thing first!

Well... I have cut back significantly on fast food! I'm so proud of myself for that... it's a rareity anymore and actually it's starting to make me sick when I do eat it. Exercising is still a work in progress.. but I'm trying my hardest. I went back to WW when I was living in London & didn't have much progress (please read the posts below! LOL) but it also significantly changed the way I do eat, which I'm very proud of. And Lettuce... well, it's coming along and yes, I'm finally eating it - small bites at a time!

Simplify....

Don’t really need it? Don’t buy it! Start saving money and cutting back on things I really don’t need. Find ways to cut costs and still live the life I love to live! I'm trying to reopen my savings account and start putting money away for future use

I havn't reopened my savings account yet.. but being laid off for 1 1/2 months really helps to put things into perspective. Now, I only buy the things I really do need - instead of just having it for fun. =)

Continually learning how to be the “better, bigger person”....

Replacing bar time with better hobbies. Ready to settle down, but not too keen on meeting “the one” at the local bar establishment with Jack Daniels doing all the talking. Learn to point out the good qualities in a person before the bad. Learn to love everyone the way I would want them to love me. Become the person I want to see within my 4-H members and all those around me. Be the girl you really can take home to mom!

I rarely go to the bar anymore - THANK GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So glad I'm over that stage of my life... don't get me wrong, we still go out maybe once a week - but it's not to get completely wasted and wake up hating yourself the next day. A few drinks and I'm good... to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure how we managed to go out 3-5 nights a week before.. seriously. Physically I can't do that anymore (I'm getting old...!!) and financially I REALLY can't do that anymore! wowsers!

Career Advancement....

Take State Committees and County duties more seriously. Have a better consistency of meeting deadlines on time. Become the person who I would want my 4-H members to become. Look for ways to improve my productivity on the job – lay off of facebook & myspace and do work! Be the program assistant that Madison County needs!

Well as you all know, I no longer work for Madison County 4-H anymore due to budget cuts. But I have advanced myself @ MDA .. my position is more stable & I'm making A LOT more money than I was before w/ benefits! Certainly happy about this change!

Prioritize....

Work hard, play harder. Do I really need a weeknight out at the bar if I have an early meeting the next morning? What are my priorities in life and how do I decide what ranks before another..

This has definitely happened =) yay for growing up!

Make a “Bucket List” and cross off 5 things by 2010....

Just like they did it in the movie.. continually add new ideas to the Bucket List...

*Want to spend 1 month in Europe exploring ..Germany.., ..Switzerland.. & ....Italy.... **Maybe someday, but not in 2009** *Fall in love and spend my life with my best friend who truly is my other half! **Still Searching!**

*Find a hobby! I really don’t have any.. **Cooking.. Shopping.. Small Town Shopping** *Skydive **This might take awhile!**

*Donate my hair to Locks for Love **Not happening anytime soon** *Start my own Wedding/Event Planning Business **Hopefully by the end of 2009 or 2010** *Write a Children’s Book Series on Manners & Etiquette **Starting this in the Summer!**

*Own a Bar, either on a beach or in Downtown Columbus **My goal is by 2013** *Try Skiing **well it's summer time now** *Take a vacation, without e-mail or a cell phone **maybe in the fall**

*Visit all 50 States **16 down...** *Give broadcast journalism a try **hmm..** *Visit all 88 Ohio County Fairs (95 with Independent Fairs!) **county fair season is almost upon us!** *Have a beautiful family **this will take awhile!** *Learn how to sew, not just a button, but actual outfits *Visit New York City **hopefully soon!** *Watch the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade in NYC **Fall 2010** *Visit the Eastern Most Point of the United States to celebrate New Years *Spend New Years Eve in Time Square *Visit Aunt Judy & Uncle Keith at their new home in Arizona

*Go White Water Rafting on the New River *Attend a Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets Game *Go Scuba Diving *Be in a Commercial or an extra in a Movie *Become a Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation **I don't know if MDA will allow!** *Learn to play Guitar

*Read the Bible (the whole thing!) **Started this in May 2009 after find a "through the bible in 1 year" outline**

Erase the Debt....

Pay off credit cards and be debt free by 2010. This may prevent saving a lot of money in 2009, but it will have the biggest payoff in the years to come!

I will have 2 of my 3 credit cards paid off by July 1, 2009! How exciting is that!

I've think I've grown a lot in the last 4 1/2 months as a person and I'm really excited for that. I'm excited to see where it'll take me in life & who I'm going to meet along the journey. Another fear that I'm continually trying to get over is the Fear of being hurt again. In my last relationship, which lasted about 2 years... I was constantly hurt - over & over again. Whether it be verbal abuse (NOT physical..), being cheated on, being an option & not a priority.. it was a constant in my life. Something that I didn't see until the very end. His lies, his deceit, the very mean things he said to me - I wasn't happy, but I didn't know how to leave the relationship behind. Finally.. it happened. When he claimed that I didn't have enough time for him.. (because I spent 4th of July with my Family, instead of him, Laura Schaller does NOT negotiate Family Time!) and when we broke up, this burden was lifted off my shoulders - but a huge wall was built around my heart. I've had my fair share of opportunities to date again.. but have I taken them? No. Why Not? Because I'm entirely too worried about going through what I went through.. and because of his verbal abuse, if there's a guy who shows interest in me first - before I show an interest in him - I'm completely turned off & in panic mode about why this guy would want anything to do with me.

I've really been turning to God lately for help in seeking the confidence needed to leave that part of my life behind. Some say it's because I'm not completely over Brian - trust me, I am - and Best of luck to him & his current girlfriend of 2 years that he constantly cheats on still .. I'm a better person than that. It's not about getting over him, because I've done that, it's about getting over the fear of being hurt again.

But why can't I get over that fear? I wish I knew. I'm pretty strong about everything else.... but maybe that's because he took a lot of emotions out of me too. I don't cry anymore.. nothing is a huge deal to me.. I don't stress about petty things or even big things.. I don't worry about the things I should be worrying about and all of this is starting to bother me. I'm a ball of ENERGY most of the time & totally optimistic about EVERYTHING.. but there's still something deep down inside that isn't right. It's almost like finding your soulmate or your wedding dress.. I don't think I'll be able to pinpoint what exactly is wrong until a time comes along, something pops & everything makes sense. I guess that's life. But I long for all of this to make sense.. to meet the guy I am ment to fall in love with & have a beautiful life.... and to become the person I was 4 years ago.... when I first met him. I loved that person that I was.. how do I ever get that back? Instead I've fallen into this cycle of non-emotions, bar-scenes, unmeaningful relationships and financial burden because I felt the answers to all my problems were to be found in the middle of a campus bar. Talk about foolishness..

Today I made the change and decided. It's time to rewind. Time to go back to 2005. When I was right where I wanted to be, needed to be, hoped to be and was ment to be =)

::Lost and Insecure.... You Found Me, You Found Me::

The Old Me is Dead & Gone...!

Wow! I didn't realize how long it has been since my last post on Blogspot.. almost a MONTH ago and believe me - so much as changed since then.... let me share :)

You may be surprised to learn for the first time (unless you an avid Facebook / MySpace Stalker of mine lol) that I'm sitting in the Hilton Hotel in Fort Wayne, Indiana - for JOB TRAINING!! That's right.. yesterday (March 30) was my first day with the Muscular Dystrophy Association as a Health Care Services Coordinator. Essentially, I have thee most rewarding job in the company! Okay... so everyone has very rewarding positions.. but I'm very blessed to become the newest HCSC in Columbus, Ohio - they havn't had one in over a year.

So what does a Health Care Services Coordinator do?

Everything :) Okay, so not everything.. I serve mostly as a Liasion between MDA, Patients, Patient Families & Doctors. I'll attend Clinics with my Patients 3 days a week at OSU Medical Center & Nationwide Children's Hospital.. at these Clinics, the patients may get referrels for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy & Respritory Therapy. I'll be there as a Support System.. I'm also responsible for Support Groups in my Region / District for both Patients, Patient Families & Caregivers. And the coolest part... I'm the Camp Director for MDA Summer Camp in Columbus, Ohio from June 14-19, 2009! That's Right.... you can take the girl out of 4-H Camp, but you can't take the 4-H Camp out of the girl! I'll be applying my knowledge & skills from Camp Directing in the past to this camp... in 2008, there were 80 Campers who attended - and each camper is paired with a Counselor. WOW! 80 Counselors.. I have A LOT of Recruitment & Training to do.. but I have some prospects in mind...

In addition.. I'll also be working with the Program Coordinators to talk with potential & current sponsors about MDA Fundraising.. you've probably heard of the MDA Lock-Up's (Jail & Bail), the Shamrock Program (which ended today) and some of the others such as Bowl-A-Thons, Hop-A-Thons, Stride & Ride, Motorcycle Events & yes.. the Labor Day Tele-A-Thon with JERRY LEWIS!!

I have met some incredible people thus far w/ MDA who are becoming great friends. At our New Staff Training in Fort Wayne - we've reviewed Company Policies, Procedures, Sales Techniques, Programs, etc. It's been "information overload", but it's worth it. I'm excited about Thursday - which is my first day at the office.. and thanks to Kristin, I have a new pair of BEAUTIFUL black & white CHANEL Pearls to wear in style... love her =)

I think I've gained 10 pounds since I've been here... we've done nothing but eat amazing food! Even the Hotel Banquet food was stellar.. however, tonight's NY Strip Steak & Wine.... WON my heart (hint hint to any perspective boyfriends!). Thanks MDA for a great first 3 days!

Well it's almost 1am and I need to be awake at 7 - yikes! Please Pray for me in this new position.. I'm nervous about what is to come .... but I know that putting my Faith in the Lord will get me to greater heights!

Cheers*

Almost to the 10 Pound Mark!

So last week ... greeted me on Monday Morning w/ the Flu-Bug! And oh what fun that was! Luckily, I was feeling better by Wednesday and eating normally again on Thursday. So I'm back and I'm hopeing to update this more often.. there is so much going on lately!

I complained of course, with the rest of the world, when I woke up w/ the flu on Monday Morning.. but truth be told, I appreciated having the flu more than a sinus infection! The flu comes & it's gone... it doesn't tend to linger and for that I'm happy! It also brought along a nice 6.6 pound weight loss - all water weight of course, but a loss none the less!

I'm doing better w/ Weight Watchers than I have been luckily. The 6.6 loss was the jump start I needed, but this week, not only do I need to maintain that loss, but work towards another one. I am 1.2 pounds away from a 10 pound total loss ... I can almost feel that Blue Ribbon in my hands now & it's super exciting!

Us girls ordered our Bridesmaids Dresses on Saturday.. being measured is a HUGE reality check that I wish I would have done earlier.. now I know that I cannot get any "bigger", I just hope they have to do LOTS of alterations to make my dress smaller before the Wedding Day of 9.19.09!

I have 2 job interviews this week.... Tuesday @ 10am with London Country Club to Serve/Bartend as a part time job & Wednesday @ 2pm with the Muscular Dystrophy Association! The MDA Job would be HUGE for me.. my position (Health Care Services Coordinator) would allow me to work with the Organization, Patients, Families & Doctors as a Resource person for all their needs. I would also be responsible for Planning & Conducting the MDA Summer Camp in June for the Columbus area... quite frankly, I think this job is PERFECT for me and I'm really looking forward to my 2 hour interview on Wednesday at the Columbus Office. I'm nervous, but who wouldn't be? I'll keep everyone updated & please keep your fingers crossed!

Well, that's about everything! I need to do some basic research on MDA & the dystrophies themselves today to prepare for my interview.. yikes!!

Until the next time... Cheers!

C'mon Everybody Gotta Move Your Body to the *Bombshell Stomp*

Hello, Hello Everyone!

Since I'm no longer employed.. I also don't have much access to internet - which is why there are a lack of posts on page... thanks to the *free* internet at the WONDERFUL London Public Library, I'm back for a short time being!

Week #2 went ... okay. I guess! But things on Week #3 are going MUCH better! I did have some Fast Food, but nothing to break the bank! As of this morning, I have LOST 8 total pounds, so hopefully I can keep that off before Thursday rolls around, and even lose some more! However, right now, I want to maintain that 8 pounds.. which is hard enough itself!

I have some wonderful Job Opportunities coming my way.... they include City of Urbana Police Dispatcher, a position in the Champaign County Probate Court, being a Teacher's Aide for WSOS Head Start in London / Mt Sterling and another position in Montgomery County that I'll reveal when it's officially posted. I'm SUPER excited and hope to nail something soon enough! I had a job interview.. 2 of them actually... with Applebees in Grove City, so I'm considering that for Part Time work - we shall see!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week... I'm recovering from a gross sinus infection.. but things are looking to be on the mend! Have a wonderful weekend!

Cheers! L*

On to Week #2

Weight Watchers Meeting #2 didn't go half bad last night! Aside from craming 40 people in a room made for 20 due to a funeral in our normal room - I enjoy going to these meetings because I realize there are so many people out there like myself - looking for a place to turn to, a place where they can face their weight struggles & not be labeled for doing so. It is a safe place of sorts, but it's also a place to learn! I had a rough time getting on track w/ WW this past week... however, I 'only' gained .4 pounds. Not 4 Pounds! But .4 pounds! I still believe that if I would have taken my Flip Flops off before getting on the scale I would have stayed Even or lost .2 LOL

So here is how I fared with my goals from Week #1:

No Alcohol ... After splitting Margaritas w/ Kristin on Friday & Beers w/ Liz, Amy, Kyle & Adam on Saturday... I didn't live up to this one.. but it was in moderation and not an everyday thing!

No Fast Food... SUCCESS! It has officially been since December 30, 2008 w/ NO Fast Food!

Work Out 3 Times for 30 Minutes.. meh, we're working on this! I earned 18 Activity Points for Walking.. so I'm not writing this off as a complete 'failure'!

Goals for Week #2:

*Limit Alcohol Intake .. I know I wont be able to avoid it completely, so I'm limiting it to 5 drinks per night out & limiting my going out to the weekends only!

*Work Out 3 Times for 30 Minutes.. I'm unemployed beginning Monday, I have NO excuses!

*No Fast Food... I'd like to make this 2 months w/out fast food!

*Check All My Boxes... This will be tough, by boxes I mean the Boxes on my Food Booklet for Fruits & Veggies, Dairy, Liquids, Lean Protein, Multivitamins, etc.

In other Life News! It is my last day at the Extension Office today.. I'm so bummed, but it doesn't seem "real" either. I feel like I'll be back next week... just as normal. THANK YOU Stephanie for sending me the most beautiful flowers (I'll post pictures soon!) & Box of Chocolates.. My Office for the wonderful Going Away Cake... Janet (my boss) for the Card & Gift Card... Arlene for Lunch yesterday @ Salvi's.. Carol for the Gift Set & Laura for the Card & Money! I am SO BLESSED w/ the greatest people in my life... truly, I am!

I'll be heading North this afternoon to visit my Mom for the weekend! I'll post more on Monday.. so until then...

Cheers!

It's Weigh In Day!

It's Thursday! Weight Watchers meeting #2 is tonight.. however, don't expect a "5 pound loss!" just yet..

I would, however, like to say THANK YOU to everyone who has made this past week so much fun! I've realized over the past couple of days that I am so blessed to have a wonderful support group of Family & Friends who have given me so much comfort lately. 6 deaths & Job Loss is tough to deal with.... But I'm holding my head high!

Arlene treated Josh (My Big Brudda Duffey!) and I to lunch today @ Salvi's Bistro in Hilliard.. if you've never been there, you have to try it! I boxed up half my lunch (yay!) although I'm sure I could have ate it all.. so delicious! I've been back on track since Monday w/ WW.. and I feel great! Learning not to over-eat is such a blessing, I feel better already and am looking forward to Week #2 beginning tomorrow.

In other life news... I'm not going to Louisville =( for the first time in 8 years! Can ya believe it? That's pretty good for a female LOL since usually Louisville is a boy's trip. Good Luck to the entire second family who's down there pulling & don't forget to have a few beers @ 4th Street Live for me!

I'm heading home to Perrysburg tomorrow to spend Valentine's Weekend w/ my Mom! She promised to buy me slipcovers for my Couch & Love Seat if I did! She can't go to Louisville either because of work, but I'm looking forward to the weekend at home. I havn't been there since Christmas.. wow.

As far as the new boy in my life... we have a date next weekend =) He's working in Indiana for the next 2 weeks is coming home on the weekends.. I'm looking forward to it!

I discovered the London Public Library yesterday & even got a Library Card! I LOVE to read and don't do it quite often enough.. hopefully this will keep me occupied over the next week while I'm unemployed..

Well that is it for now! Tomorrow is my last day @ the office.. I'm sure going to miss all 739 of my 4-H'ers & Volunteers.. I hope they realize that!

Happy Thursday! Cheers*