Peace and Sunflowers


The world of Instagram has been blowing up with pictures of these sunflower fields. It's not wonder-they're gorgeous, especially the shots at sunset. I made my way out there with a friend from Madewell, Alex of Tinted Green on Instagram and YouTube. 

This was also during the awful spell of 100+ degree days, so we made our way out for sunrise, hoping to avoid the melting temperatures that basically hit after 8am. I'm so happy with how it turned out.







xxo



This Time Last Year

This time last year
I was drowning in grief
I spent almost every waking moment analyzing
My heart ached and my mind raced
Days were spent working at a summer camp I couldn't give myself to
Each day felt like a rollercoaster ride of emotions

This time last year
I was lost and alone
I couldn't think of anyone who had gone through my specific turmoil to connect to
I cried and I prayed
I took long road trips with no destination in mind
My eyes took in the beauty that unfolded around me
And for a moment
I was comforted

This time last year
I began collecting crystals and using them as physical reminders
To let go
To heal
To believe in myself and my path
To continue to trust my intuition
To stay grounded 
and to release


Today I am starting a new job
Today I step into a position working with young girls
Today I see the reason for last year's departure
Today I begin to understand a little bit of the why behind the trauma

Today I open up my heart to new situations that are
uncomfortable
scary
foreign
challenging
hopeful
exciting
adventurous

Today I say yes

Today I begin again

Coming Up on the Finish Line


This week is my last with the summer program I've been working at. I'll start in my new position July 17th...which gives me a week off to finish writing my first draft of my thesis.

Yikes.

I've been "writing my thesis" for the past year now. And although I've got most of the research/reading/notes out of the way, I still have not organized it or put it into my own words to argue for my thesis. I've always been one to procrastinate. I used to feel bad about this character trait. Until I realized that I truly do my best work when I'm under the wire. My brain turns into overdrive and although I'm stressed, the quality of my work is far greater this way. 



There's so much temptation to just not finish my masters program. In reality, I'm frustrated with myself for going through this program in the first place. At one time I thought about getting my masters in counseling, but the time commitment scared me. Not the mention the whole reason for going to grad school was so that I could stay with the kids I was nannying at the time for a couple more years without feeling like a loser for being 25 and a nanny. But this is a whole other post...

My grandmother paid for my tuition during grad school (and undergrad. Shout out to my amazing grandmother!!). That's a huge reason for following through and finishing. But even more than that, I need to finish this degree for me. I need to close that chapter of my life-which I believe is the final thing keeping me entrenched in my grief over losing my relationships with the kids I nannied. 



So here I go. Pray for me. Hold me accountable. And don't let me get distracted with memes and youtube videos...May the odds be ever in my favor.

xxo


Sonoma


Two years ago we started a new tradition of a wine tasting weekend with the Boylan women. My Aunt Joanne lives in Santa Rosa and knows all of the wineries and shops. She's one of the most gracious women I know-always opening up her home and her heart to me and everyone else she meets. She's the first born of the six children in my dad's family of origin. She knows so much of the Boylan history, much of what my dad never experienced being ten years younger than her. I love hearing her stories of growing up and into adulthood. 



We started the day out at Jacuzzi Winery with olive oil tasting and wine tasting. The grounds are so beautiful. Lots of flowers and fields. Then it was on to Cornerstone, a fabulous shopping center with several different tasting rooms, a restaurant, boutiques for clothes and home decor, and gardens galore! 







It was a weekend full of family, friends, laughter, and vino...who could ask for much more?

xo