From the monthly archives:

December 2009

The New Year

by Megan on December 31, 2009

Since it’s the last day of 2009, I decided to do a bit of a blog cleanup. First, if you’re a subscriber, you might want to click through to see my new blog design (made by Judith Shakes Designs). It’s simple and clean, just the way I’d like 2010 to be. I’m also in the process of revamping my about page by answering a few FAQs in an effort to make my blog more “reader-friendly”. (If you have questions, please send them my way.) I’d like to continue with the cleanup by organizing my blogroll in a Kyla-esque manner.

Today is Husband’s twenty-third birthday; tomorrow is the first day of 2010. Soon, I will be back to blogging on a regular basis.

Until then, enjoy your New Year’s Eve.

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For Brandy

by Megan on December 28, 2009

I know it has been a while since I’ve blogged … and it’s going to be a little while longer. I decided to take an unannounced break from the internet during the holidays. However, when I return, I’ll come back with a new blog design, and I have a few ideas for the blog.

Today, though–today is not my day. Today, I’m allowing Brandy some space on my blog. Because blogging is all about community. If you feel so inclined, copy & paste this to your blog.

My name is brandy. And I have a blog.

And a plea.

I use my blog to showcase the crazy I meet everyday, share the stories of the kids I teach and document my love for tequila, dairy products and the abdominal muscles of Ryan Reynolds. Rarely do I talk about personal issues on my blog- as personal as the dude that I adore (who I actually met through my blog- single ladies, let that be a very good reason to blog, the possibility of meeting someone as wonderful as my man), but I need your help. And it involves my dude.

He’s a guy who made math comics for my class, so they would love learning about addition. He’s the kinda guy who sends my friends gift cards when they are having hard times, who remembers every story I ever told him, who was the first person I celebrated with when I got a teaching job. He’s the guy who sent flowers to me at school- dozens of my favourite pink roses just because he loves me. He’s a guy who has spent a year patiently explaining (and re-explaining) everything there is to know about football during the important games when silence is preferred. He’s made me word puzzles and comics and stayed up late playing Scrabble with me (even though I beat him almost every time). He’s listened to me cry about school and family and jobs. He is everything I never knew I needed and everything I always knew I wanted.

The holidays have hit us hard. He’s recently been told he may have something called multiple myeloma- an incurable cancer, that gives a person an average of five years of continued life. Though this news has came as a shock, he continues to be exactly who has always been- spending his time worrying about me, rather than worrying about himself. He’s the most selfless individual I know- (he stayed late on Christmas Eve to work, so his co-workers could leave early) and a post like this would never be something that he would promote or encourage but when I’m overwhelmed and feeling helpless, the blogging community has always given me tremendous support and comfort, two things I desperately need at this time.

As I write this, the future is uncertain and we aren’t sure what’s happening. He’ll need to see an oncologist soon, to verify what’s going on in his body. My hope is that everyone who reads this think positive thoughts and if you are a person who prays, could you add him to your list? (You can refer to him as ‘brandy’s hot awesome dude’). If you don’t pray, please keep him in your heart. This cancer is only a possibility and I believe that the prayers and positive thoughts of people can make sure it never becomes a reality.

I want to give a big thank you to the blog owner who scraped their original blog plans and graciously put this up. My goal is to get as many people as possible to see and read this post. If you are reading this and want to help, copy and paste my plea into your blog or send a link through twitter, so more people can keep him in their thoughts. I would be so very grateful (even more grateful than I am to my friend who first showed me the picture of Ryan Reynolds on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. If you haven’t seen it, google it. You. Are. Welcome).

I realize this all sounds dramatic, a Lifetime movie in the making- but this is life. Right now. And I’m throwing away any hint of ego and am humbly asking for you to pray or think kind thoughts. If you are able to pass this on, thank you and if you know anything regarding MM- please email me (my email is on my blog). This isn’t a call for sympathy or a plea for pity. It’s just one girl hoping you can think positive thoughts for the person she adores. If my current heartache provides you with anything, let it be with the reminder that life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next. Maybe it is silly, but I really do believe that positive thoughts can make a huge difference. Thank you for reading this and if you haven’t already? Please tell someone you love them today.

I did.

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I’ve Been Busy

by Megan on December 15, 2009

I’ve been busy. Too busy to blog, too busy to open my Google Reader as much as I would have liked, and too busy to just be. Things are beginning to slow down, though.

I mentioned a while ago that my company would be losing their contract. Well, long story short, a little over a month ago, I interviewed with a new contractor, and I got the call back this week with the offer. Relief, I swear. I’ll be working the same position I work now, but it will be “permanent” rather than “temporary,” so I’ll have benefits. Finally. I’ll be switching to the company this week, but I have to take a two week furlough after the switch. It’s bittersweet, really. I welcome the vacation, but it’s going to be tough not getting paid for two weeks. Next semester, though, I’ll be a full-time student as well as working full time, so I’m going to enjoy this while it lasts.

This past weekend, I finished my fall semester of school. I passed all three of my classes with flying colors (2 A’s and 1 B), and I don’t have to return to tests and homework until January 14, 2010. Ah, the beauty of Christmas break. So, yes, I will have at least two weeks free of work AND school.

I’ve finished all of my Christmas shopping. I may get a few stocking stuffers here and there, but it’s so wonderful to be completely rid of the stress that is Christmas shopping. (I ordered mostly everything online, though, so it was relatively stress-free to begin with.)

Sadly, most of my goals had to be put on the backburner for a week or so (aside from the not biting my nails part. They have remained “bite-free” for over a week!), but it’ll be so nice to get things back on track this week.

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Making Progress

by Megan on December 7, 2009

I was going to post about the gifts I’m giving my family, but I’m not sure if they read the blog or not, so I don’t want to ruin the surprise. Instead, I’ll give a little update on my resolution progress.

Stop biting my nails. I’ve refrained from biting my nails since Saturday. They’re growing slowly, but I really should start taking my vitamins again to help them out.

Figure out what I believe in. Husband and I have been going to church (two weeks in a row now!). I’m still trying to figure things out on my own, though. Over the summer, I’m hoping to sign up for a Religions of the World class, if it’s available.

Figure out my purpose / Become more clearly myself. As part of 20sb’s Blogger Tour, I’m participating in Stratejoy‘s “Joy Equation.”* It’s a 30-day program of figuring out how to overcome the quarterlife crisis and “live your life on purpose.” I’ll be journaling daily, and with the help of Molly Hoyne, I will hopefully figure out my purpose.

The-Joy-Equation-v2

Maintain a happy, healthy marriage. Honestly, right now, this one is the easiest. I’m not saying things are always perfect, but we’re at a good place right now. We’re learning how to support each other every day.

Yoga. Okay, this is where I need YOUR help. (Hey, Doniree! Or anyone, really.) I’m not sure where to begin, exactly. I have the equipment, but do you have any suggestions on where to start?

*Disclaimer: Yes, this is offered to me for free as I was one of the chosen members of 20sb after I signed up.

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