It’s a new Dawn, It’s a new day…

Tallahassee Sunset in Midtown yesterday!

I was in TJ Max the other day finding myself searching for bath towels, shower rugs, and stainless steel pans. Yup… It’s official…..I’m old. Ha! The sad part is I really enjoyed it! Anyways…as I was pushing my cart with the rickety wheel down the aisle, I strolled past a picture that read:

“Sing Loud

Work Hard

Live Happy”

The girly heart in me said “Awww, I love it! I want it!” …..but the artistic, bargain shopper in me said “ I could make that!” I passed up on it, and went on to buy some sweet rugs and giant towels. That quote kinda stuck with me though.

Sing Loud: Story of my life. I feel like I always have a song in my head. Singing brings me so much joy, and I love expressing myself through it. Anything that takes talent, I enjoy. It’s therapeutic.

Work Hard: Working hard builds character. No one ever made an impact on this world just sitting back and watching. Sometimes it’s hard to go that extra mile. Sometimes you’re super tired and can’t put forth that little extra effort….but it’s worth it. It’s necessary. My mom and dad have worked SO hard in their life providing for our family! I know what good work ethic looks like because of them and the respect they acquired along the way from their peers for being the hard working people they are! I strive for that.

Live Happy: If only that were possible 24/7. God doesn’t promise us happiness all of the time, but he does promise his hand is in every step of our lives. We don’t understand the hardships. I don’t get why I had to go through all of my stuff, but he asks that we trust him. He gives and takes away. I’ve seen fruit come from the hardships in many peoples lives. Rejoicing in suffering is so hard, but so key! I try to live my life happy! Laughing is huge for me! Joy is a choice. I feel confident in saying that, because I’ve been there where I had to choose. Choose happiness.

NEW HAIR!

Decided to go with a little red! Love the change!

Today is St. Patty’s day, and I definitely forgot my green this morning! My new hair is red-ish….so in my book, that counts, right? Red Hair= Irish-y? Yeah? So no pinching! Anyways…I spent my Sunday with my sister, Lindsey (who I refer much to as Linny) and I feel so LUCKY to have her. We’ve just grown close over the past few years, going through lots together. She’s the rational mind I’ve never had and my saving grace when I’m in need! Always has been! SO incredibly thankful for my Linny! We’re slowly, but surely getting my life organized and I’m thankful for a good example like her. Really….this is the girl that paid off her students loans in less than 2 years….all 20 something thousand of them! This is where I am starting with the Dave Ramsey plan. I’m not going to go into specifics with amounts, but I will give yall an insight to where my money is going and how I’m going about it. I definitely have a good amount of student loan debt, and it’s not fun to have in the back of my head every pay check. I want to get these paid off as quickly as possible. I need a plan, and this is my attempt at one.

The Envelope System: Click Below
Envelope System 1
Envelope System 2

Fun crafty idea for envelopes! Yah that’s right, I went there!

Here are my envelope sections
-Rent
-Utilities
-Gas
-Savings
-Tithe
-Groceries
-Eating out
-Fun
-Travel (aka Ruby Claire/ ATL!)
-Coffee

AWESOME Envelope Resource DIY!

Based on my income, I have specific amounts for each. My debit card is just way too easy to swipe. I had such a fun weekend, and didn’t realize how much I spent until I came home yesterday and checked my statement. It was sad and shocking! I have a hard time buying things like clothes and getting my hair done like I did. I LOVE doing it, but I have this guilt in me because I truly don’t NEED those things and have a ton of student loan debt! We have such an excess of “things.” I lived so minimally in college and I don’t really want to change just because I have a steady income now. The Goodwill was my best friend! (BOGO Mondays, HOLLA!) I want to live with what I need. That is SO hard in this country! I was so taken care of my whole life financially when I needed help by generous people who loved me! Seriously. Blessed. Blessed. Blessed. I want to be that to others! Growing up, we never had luxurious things. We never bought much of the “name brands” and the family vacations we took were to see other family members. We never went on ski vacations or to luxurious beach resorts. We had a whole heck of a lot of love and the best times of our lives scrunched up in sleeping bags, piled in one living room full of cousins. I would not have changed it for anything else! I’m not saying there is anything wrong with taking nice vacations and treating yourself, but I do know that there are greater needs than our pleasure. I personally find it difficult as a Christian in this country to find that balance. I want to be mindful and conscious of that during my time here on this earth! I pray that God will help provide with that type of discipline! I will keep everyone posted on the envelope system. Excited to start!!

On a different note, work was quite the ride this past week. Had my first cry-fest of 2013. It more out of frustration I guess. I was so tired and sleep deprived, and just wanted things to get done right! I felt like I was hitting one wall after the other when it came to implementing things I had already been taught. I would just get confused or forget simple tasks. It was overwhelming and the defeat just built up inside. I kept watching the clock, waiting for my day to get over! It finally did. I went to the parking garage, called my mama, and teared up on the phone telling her about my day! So pathetic! I try to put on such a hard front and hide behind my humor sometimes, but I’m really super sensitive and emotional! I guess it was bittersweet. I got my first “ bad day” out of the way, and life went on. It was a learning experience. This week, I kind of searched for some scripture that I could tape in my locker at work for these kinda days. Came back to one of my favorite verses in Colossians:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Colossians 3:23-24

This just puts it all into perspective for me.

Some days are going to be harder than others. Some days I’m going to love my patients. Some days I’m going to wish I had different ones. It’s life. It’s nursing. And that’s just how it rolls. I am called to be equipped and do the best I can with all that I have. Thank GOD for amazing co-workers who encourage me to keep my head up and that they’ve been there. All hard-day-things aside, nursing is still my heart! I love what I do! I love talking to people. I love laughing with my patients and making them smile. Love caring for them. I’m excited to get new scrubs tomorrow! Just another thing I need to knock outta the water before I crack down on this budget. I’ve got the ward-robe down, I signed a bill at dinner “Kelsey Worrell, RN” out of habit accidentally, I’m dreaming with IV pump alarms going off, and I noticed the guy at Publix in front of me had really good veins…I guess those are all good signs….I’m getting there ;). I want to know more and know more now, but I know any good thing takes time. Everyday I learn something new. Time management is big for me right now. And organization. I’m being forced to figure it out. It will only make things easier. Microsoft Excel is becoming my best friend.

Here is my affirmation for the mornings!

Life is a bit crazy right now. I feel like God has me in a funny season. I definitely feel the transition happening. I don’t feel settled here in Tallahassee, that’s for sure. I’m not thinking about that right now, but I’m excited for this year. Excited to learn. Excited to grow! Not having to study on the weekends anymore has opened up life to so many cool things! I love being a part of an amazing church. I love singing. I love working hard and being able to relax on my days off. Running is freeing. I’m loving all of my new friendships, and SUPER thankful for them. Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan have stolen my best friends! Missing them big time! Tallahassee feels like a “new” Tallahassee to me now. Your “home” is a lot about the people, not the place. Enjoying this rainy afternoon sharing about my life :). I’m ready to take on a new work week with a renewed spirit…butttt I won’t rush the time I have before I go back! Just sayin. Whatever’s in front of me, help me to sing Hallelujah. So this is life right now. Life of a new grad nurse, and a transitioning young adult. I’m a mess and so is this world, but praise GOD for his control over my life! Saying goodbye with this Psalm that inspired this blog and an awesome new recipe 🙂

“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.”
Psalm 28:7

Chick Pea Cucumber Feta Salad!

Great alone or over salad!….or with grilled chicken !

2 cans chick peas, or garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
2 roma tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes) , chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 tablespoons Italian parsley- I used bottled!
the juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar ( I substituted Balsamic)
6 oz crumbled feta cheese
salt and pepper to taste

YUM!