Sarah Who Wanders...

Good morning! Today I first started by wanting to post about success. Then I wanted to write about happiness and gratitude. Then I started thinking about goals, and realized they all go together like the ingredients to an amazing Dutch apple pie...you know the kind with sugar/cinnamon/butter crumbles on top? FYI that is my FAVE dessert ever and I must learn how to make that...but I totally digress. Success, goal domination, happiness and gratitude are intricately woven together, and do not exist in a vacuum. Let's discuss briefly, with a few practical tips at the end.  I had a few hard days this week. Like days that I ugly cried, you know, with lots of snot...days I lost my temper, days I looked like a hot mess (or just a mess...). You guys, that happens. That happens to everyone. I posted on FB about it instead of being perfect and choosing to be vulnerable, and you guys were like "yep, we all do that." The enormous stress of Grandpa in the hospital (he's home now,...

It used to be that excellence was rewarded. I’m going to use this phrase because I can’t believe I’m old enough to use this phrase… But when I was a kid.... not everyone got an award for participating in a sport or for showing up to class! Only the top athletes and students were honored. Somewhere along the line our society began to praise mediocrity. I’m probably going to piss some people off with this post, it’s fine and dandy if you or your child are not the best at something and I completely celebrate everyone with their unique differences and trying things out that you might not be good at- that’s not what I’m saying. It's totally okay to suck at something, but the point is that you know that people are better and if it's something you care about being better at too, you keep trying and become better . Most people aren't just naturally awesome at something, they work at it.  I’m also saying at what point did we take away from people that when you work very very hard t...

I spend a lot of time on here writing about my nurse stories, my professional goals, and even my personal goals, but I haven't written much about being a mom, which is obviously a huge part of my life. I got to thinking today, what makes a good mom?  Through the course of the "normal" day here I lost my temper with Isaiah when he asked if since "he had to go shopping with me could I buy him a few things?" I full on was ticked. Ummm. 7 hours at a water park yesterday with 2 friends which cost plenty I might add as well as 2 meals for 4 boys. A warm home, clothes that fit, food in the fridge, private  school, sports, piano. Yeah, probably not my best ever attempt to rein in my temper. There were tears (him). Thank God kids are pretty resilient though. I apologized on the way to the store that I had raised my voice, and started to make excuses then apologized for making excuses, and simply said, "I want you to realize how much we have, and it bothers me when...

Though I have not been in a classroom since June 2014-the summer prior to beginning my RN program that fall, I have been on/off substitute teacher lists and kept my teaching license active ever since obtaining it way back in 2008. Shortly into my nursing career I dreamed of just hanging up the stethoscope and returning to the classroom. I made myself stick with it. I made myself keep going, thinking that more years and more time in would give me what I needed. But I left one foot dangling over the fence and into teaching just in case. I would like to think that I have gained wisdom. I know now that no career will ever be 100% perfect for me (or anyone for that matter). There will always be pluses and minuses. There will be days I excel and days I think "why the heck did I want to do this?" I wavered back and forth though. Repeatedly. I would tell myself I could not truly leave nursing because I worked my butt off for those 2 little letters. Literal blood, sweat and tears ...

In this day and age many people for some reason want to be seen as the martyr. I work so hard, they say. I care for my family so well I barely have time for myself, they say...and they wear their lack of self-care and health like some sadistic badge of honor. You know 2 types of people who are the WORST at this??? Moms. Nurses. And I am both. I define myself with both titles, and know that I am part of not one, but two groups of women who pride themselves on the type of work that they take no breaks from (certainly not playing cards 😏 but I digress), that they pour themselves into 110%, leaving no room for themselves. Sometimes this is no room for things like bathroom breaks, snacks, or enough sleep. Other times it is more insidious (especially for mamas) and looks more like no time for you to do anything that you want or need to care for yourself. This might be reading a book you like, exercising, meditation, or getting your hair done. Too many well-intentioned mamas let their offspr...

I got to thinking today as I submitted my last exam for pathophysiology this AM: I am done with Term 1 of NP school!! Sure, I still have 6 terms to go AND a post-grad 12-18 mos program to earn psych certification, but let's take this one step at a time. You see, years ago I wanted desperately to be a nurse. My ex husband and I made some bad (albeit typical for young adult) financial decisions which made any RN program pretty much impossible because we needed me to work full-time. So I did what I could. I got my Bachelor's in Psych, then my teaching license, then my Master's in Education while working full time during the day and attending night and online classes. The latter 2 while raising a very young family. I still was drawn to nursing (that feeling has definitely waxed and waned some during my first few years as a nurse, but stay with me), but it just wasn't possible. I was even told it would be a bad fit for me. "Sarah you feel things WAY too deeply, you woul...

As a busy mama, nurse, and student, I will admit that a fair amount of my social interaction comes from these 3 categories: social media friends and acquaintances, co-workers, and parents of my children's friends. Each category is VERY important for a busy gal to have. Parent friends matter (how else would we make it through marathon track meets, rainy and cold soccer games, and the annual choir and drama shows?). Co-workers, even with me working part time, see me approximately 18-20 hours a week...that's a lot. Social media friends are always there to cheer you on and lend advice. All friends are great..or are they?? Today's confession is that in order to succeed, Negative Nancys must be avoided at all costs. These are the people that say things that may be overt or implied that you are taking on too much and likely will (inevitably) fail. How do you spot a Negative Nancy? They say things like:  **Now, let me break down these comments and respond. Some are not all ba...