A Custom-Designed Disaster

I know.  I need to STOP changing the look of my blog.  I get it.  But I wanted to prove to myself that I could design my own header-thingy.  Banner-whatev.  The thing at the top with my blog title.

Anyway...

So, in true Chrissy fashion, and yes, with many much better things to do with my time, I taught myself how to use Paint (I'm a little behind...no judging!) and I slopped together what you now see above.  I had too much fun with the eraser tool, and WAY too much fun searching for each individual letter.

And yes, that is my father with me when I was about two-years-old.  Ugh.

If that isn't bad enough, this is what I had about 2 hours ago:

Yep.  And since I'm so cross-eyed right now, I just might have to fix the latest version tomorrow.  Wait, who am I kidding?  It already is tomorrow.

What have I  learned from this experience?  Truly?


That I am not a designer.  (but wish I was!)

Time to tumble into bed.
Ta ta,

-DTL

"What the French, Toast?"

"FUDGE!!!!!"  

Dirty mouth?

As a teacher and lover of kids, I need to be careful about the words that I choose to say aloud.  I also love playing with words, and making up expressions.  If you (like most people!) have ever had a dirty mouth, how did you (or would you) choose to "clean it up?"  For example, instead of saying "Shut the f@$k up!" a friend of mine came up with, "Shut the front door!"  Would love for you to share your gosh darn filthy-turned-clean creativity.

Here's a little motivation from one of my favorite all time commercials:
-DTL

Anomia Annoy-a-Me

Anomia: A problem with word finding.  Impaired recalling of words with no impairment of comprehension or the capacity to repeat the words.  Also known as anomic aphysia.

Aphasia: One in a group of speech disorders in which there is a defect or loss of the power of expression by speech, writing, or signs, or a defect or loss of the power of comprehension of spoken or written language. 

I have recently learned that anomia is common in adults with learning disabilities.  It's a fancy word for "I know what I want to say, but my mind is blank."  It goes beyond simply forgetting a word here or there.  It actually happens to me so often that it literally makes my brain feel like it just ran a marathon (wouldn't THAT be interesting!)  It induces paralyzing anxiety for me, and messes with my self-confidence.  Sure, it annoys me, but it also makes me worried and fearful.  

Anomia stinks.  Worse than amonia...

Anomia keeps me up until 1 a.m. the night before my first teaching job interview.  Anomia, you own me.  But some day I will own YA.

-DTL

"To Rekindle, or not to rekindle?"

Cliche or not, that is still the question.

"I blog, therefore, I am." Cliche? Definitely. True? Not exactly.

I "am" and therefore "have been" the following: preoccupied, lost, found, wandering, exploring, breaking, bending, twisting, turning, tumbling, fumbling. And breeeeaaaaatttthhhhing. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....

I realized that I choose to blog when I really NEED to. And I haven't felt the need to for almost 2 years now. I certainly WANT to all the time. Desperately and hopelessly. But wanting and needing are two entirely different...well, as quickly as I catch my breath, I bet you catch my drift.

I have decided to officially rekindle my relationship with the blogging world. For now. Not sure for how long. But I want to. Because I can. And frankly, I NEED to.

Why? Keep reading. Check back often to find out. Not because you need to. But hopefully, because you want to.

Reunited, and it feels fairly awkward...
On my path back to "so good,"

-DTL

When I was 29... ("it was a very good year...")

Hello all! I'm back.

("All?" Out of the handful of readers that I may have once had, I'm pretty sure I might have lost most or all of them. Bummer...)

Well, just a quick post with an update: (I promise to elaborate in the near future)

1. Well, for about 6 months, I fought a bit of depression and I had no idea what was happening to me. I had never felt so low... So, with much support from my fiance (now HUSBAND!), friends and family, I got some much needed help and now I'm in a much better place! I'm proud to say I'm so much stronger for it. Anyway, hence the lack of blogging...

2. AND, a little over 2 months ago, I was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and with much research I learned that my depression was caused by the ADHD which was unattended to for nearly 30 years. I've been reflecting back on my past and I know for a fact that I had it as a child. I have been reading and researching and changing behaviors and researching some more so I can learn how to function better and live a better, more productive, happy life! It has been such a breakthrough for me... My whole life I've known that something wasn't right...that I wasn't processing information and learning the way that most typical adults were. And now I finally have my answer! There's a book out there called, "You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?" and believe me...the title SAYS IT ALL.

3. During my break from blogging, I applied to graduate school for education and got accepted! I begin classes at the University of Colorado at Denver on August 11th... I will quit my preschool teaching job and become a full-time student. Wow...changes ahead!

4. I GOT MARRIED!
I've been married for 5 whole days now. Mark and I got married on Saturday, July 12the at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Despite my "emotionally busy" first half of my 29-th year, I was able to have the BEST time of my life on our wedding day!

So...needless to say, I've got a LOT of elaborating to do. I'll post pictures too, because my hair grew back, I've lost weight, and I look different than in my current photos. Can't wait to get back into the swing of things!

Well, here's to a fabulous second half of age 29!

Cheers! Stay tuned...

DTL