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If life does not slow down...

I don't think I will ever catch up. I haven't blogged since before school started and that was over a month ago. I am committed to so much that I can't keep my head on straight. I just need to learn how and when to say no. Unfortunately, the ones I end up saying no to are the people that mean the most to me- like my friends and family. I always say yes to responsibility and no to fun. Is that right?

Well, here's another glimpse into the life of Mrs.Moon...

Dustin has been selected to dance for the Best Buy Holiday Show in Phoenix, AZ. He's been rehearsing like crazy so I barely get to see him. They fly out on Monday and return on Wednesday. I'm proud of him, and it should be a pretty sweet paycheck too.

In August, I started directing Robin Hood at school. It's been a good time. The kids are really into it, and it's a really funny slapstick comedy version of the story. I recently started collecting costumes for the show. It's a full time job. Yesterday, I was thinking of how stressful directing theatre and teaching is, but then I thought...I can't live without theatre. I'm thankful to get to teach theatre and talk about it and put it into practice daily. I just hope that I am inspiring someone to love theatre just as much as I do. The show opens November 11th.


My favorite television shows are back for fall. GLEE and Dexter. There is nothing like coming home from a long day and watching great television with my husband. Project Runway is also on this month. Bliss.



I've also been on a gluten-free diet for the last week. That means nothing with wheat or flour and let me tell you- EVERYTHING HAS WHEAT AND FLOUR. I'm trying to see if I have gluten sensitivity. I'm hoping that it will cure my intestinal and weight gain woes. TMI? Sorry.

Gluten sensitivity (GS) encompasses a collection of medical conditions in which gluten has an adverse effect on the body.



Life is busy, but life is good. I love being married, and I love my husband. I've gotten to spend some time with my parents lately as well which has been nice. I just miss my friends. Being balanced is one of the best accomplishments in life. Too bad I haven't mastered it yet.

Ms. Sylvester

I have to go back to work tomorrow.

I think I'll do things differently this year. Maybe I'll model my teaching after Sue Sylvester. I won't be able to get rid of the Glee club because I would essentially be sabotaging myself. However, I will need to work on my witty insults and banter. I'm on this.


"Hot Cheetos have been proven to raise endorphins and make happy kids, and I can't have that."

ATL

Last weekend we ventured to Atlanta, Georgia for a mini-vacation before I have to start school. We had a great time and were dead tired when we got home. We went to six major attractions in three days and walked a lot! It was very hot in The Big Peach. Here are a few photos from the trip.


Ryan and Chelsea on the Carousel at the Atlanta Zoo

Dustin in the petting zoo

Dustin and Chelsea climbing the rock tower

Dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History

The Atlanta Aquarium was so crowded but so fun!

They had whale sharks!

Ryan and Chelsea outside of the Coke Museum

The history portion of the Coke Museum

The American Idol Couch

The best part of the tour was tasting the different soft drinks from around the world. These are from Asia.

At Six Flags after a water ride.


We also went to the Museum of Fine Art, but I didn't take any pictures. This is definitely a trip that I would suggest taking whenever you get a chance. It was fun and fairly inexpensive when you buy the Atlanta City Pass. It was a great trip, and Dustin and I had a lot of fun with Ryan and Chelsea. It was worth the sweat, headaches, and tired feet to experience the rest of the city.

Stoner

I can't believe how long it's been since my last blog...

time is flying around here even though I've spent the last 3 weeks on the couch watching endless episodes of Food Network and reading The Twilight Saga (that's another story in itself). This is all due to the horrific kidney stone that my body could not birth despite it's greatest efforts. It has been a terrible episode in my life and here's the story...

Kidney stones run in my family and this is my third one. As soon as I felt it, I knew exactly what it was. I thought that I would be able to pass it [like my stone in January] so I just waited it out in excruciating pain. I've never birthed a child, but people say it's worse than labor pains. After a week, I had to go to the ER. They told me that I had a 4mm stone in my right ureter [mind you the ureter is 3mm wide], 3 more stones in my right kidney, and 1 stone in my left kidney. Greeeaaatttt. They gave me some time to try to pass it, and I woke up 4 days later in the worst pain of my life. I won't paint that picture for you. I went back to the ER and after much waiting I was scheduled for surgery. It was removed and a stent was put in it's place to help the healing process. The stent was almost worst in my opinion. This had me glued to the couch for another week. They finally removed the stent [which was traumatic in itself with little anesthesia] and it took me a few more days to recover from that.

[here is an image for the visual learners]

I was also scheduled for Lithotripsy.

[Pulverization of kidney stones or gallstones by means of a lithotripter or device that passes shock waves through the patients skin]

But once I got there the stones were too small to shock hopefully due to much prayer and the fact that I have been drinking Simply Lemonade by the gallons. Now, I am recovered and desperately trying to dissolve the rest on the stones so that I don't have to experience this again. I went through the exact same ordeal when I was 13 now 10 years later here I am. Apparently, my kidneys are not very good at dissolving sediment.

During this whole process, I learned how the kidneys work. If you don't know, then you should learn too. It's fascinating, and I'm a little ashamed that I made it this far without learning.

So, that's my sob story of sorts, and it's all to say that I hope you never have to experience this pain. I made it through by the grace of God and Prescription Narcotics. This telling of the story is basically the short of it, but the long version is not for the weak of heart and stomach. Now, I have to get myself ready to start school in 2 weeks and make up for lost time with friends. Thanks kidney stone for taking up 3 weeks of my summer, you're a gem.

something old. something new.

something new...

I love weddings. Maybe even more so now that I'm married, because I now understand the dynamics of the day. I had the pleasure of attending a good friend's wedding in Chattanooga this past weekend. I got to do her hair and makeup, and it was such a fun experience. She did look wonderful, and I am so happy for her. Here are a few photos from the big day.


Caitlin-me-the bride-Ashleigh-Marcella-Gerica


Emily and Caitlin


Caitin and me


The Garter Toss


The Send Off


something old...
(well 3.5 months old)

I got a few more photos from my own wedding uploaded, and I thought that I would share them.

Fathers and Mothers

When you lose someone you love it changes you.

Thursday morning of this past week my grandmother passed away. She was 74 years old and suffering the after effects of several nasty strokes. She had multiple health problems on top of that. I watched yesterday as my Papa attempted to say goodbye to her for the last time. It was hard. They had been married for 56 years. They always lived down the street from my family, and I remember frequently going to visit for short spurts of time. We always stole canned sodas and mini candy bars from their kitchen. She was a good cook and a good woman. I see glimpses of her in me everyday. Now that she isn't suffering anymore, we get to experience the hard part. Helping my Papa learn to live without her. It breaks my heart. I hope that she is watching, and I hope that she is proud. I will always miss her.


I have already lost 3 of my 4 grandparents all of which I loved very much. It was hard to say goodbye and it seemed as if it came too early. When you lose someone you love it changes you. Every time the experience came and went, I was changed in some way.

Today is Father's Day and without the lady pictured above I wouldn't have my father today. He and I are a lot alike. It's funny how that goes. My Dad just keeps getting better and better everyday. I'm thankful that he takes care of me even though I am an adult. He taught me to drive, cut the grass, and ride a bike. I love him.


It's a sad Father's day weekend in our family, but a joyous one as well. We celebrate the life of the mother who gave me my dad. Happy Father's Day.

Shred

weight loss, weight loss, weight loss...

Oh, how those words torture me. I've spent most of my teenage and young adult life wanting to loose weight or be thinner. I know what it takes, but it's just so demanding. The last time I was at my ideal weight was the summer after my freshman year of college. I worked out at the gym 6 days a week for 2 hours everyday, and I didn't eat anything. Now, that's hard especially considering how much I enjoy cooking. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those girls with a high metabolism who can eat McDonald's every day, but how many of us really are?
[not that I would after seeing Food Inc and Supersize Me]

Before the wedding, I started doing Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred after a recommendation from my good friend Cassie and wonderful wedding planner Ashley. Teaching full time combined with wedding stress kept me from sticking with it. Now, I'm going to tackle it again. I'm currently on day 4. I'm determined to do it. I'll let you know how it goes.


I also got Wii Fit which is fun, but it doesn't seem to get great results. A friend gave me the balance board, so all I had to do was buy the game. It's definitely better than sitting on the couch getting the usual finger workout. I really like the step aerobics, and it will also track your progress. The jogging is cool too, but it's really easy to cheat by moving the wii remote up and down. You don't even have to jog! Not that I did that...
Here's to being healthier after my first year of teaching and to fitting into my clothes again. Good thing I have a healthy fitness minded husband to help me out!

I married a Moon.

Three months ago Dustin and I tied the knot. It's so surreal to think about how fast it came and went. I often times wish I could relive it again. I wonder if that feeling ever goes away.

It's cool to see the evolution of it all from here to here...


















I have so many friends getting married and moving away. Plus, being an adult is hard work. I've decided to start blogging. Hopefully, someone will read it. I'll post more wedding memories soon.