Weeks End

I have had that pink clutch for several years and I have only used it once, until this summer. I have no idea why I never used it?? because I LOVE it and I have gotten so many compliments on it since I started using it this summer. It's my new/old summer bag.

My Mom's beautiful flowers. This is only one of the millions all over their beautiful yard. It's a #paradise 

Coffee Date

If we met up for coffee I would take you to a new coffee house because there are so many that I want to try in the area! Unless you were my Mother, then we would be at a nice restaurant and I wouldn't mention coffee. Ever. First I would make you tell me all about yourself, or get me caught up on your life and then I would tell you that I love my new life in the city! I love coaching figure skating and I have two new students!!!! I would tell you that moving here was the best decision I've made in a long time. I would tell you that I really miss my old coworkers though. They weren't just coworkers they were my friends and we basically shared everything with each other and I miss that. I would also tell you that I like my new coworkers, as I slowly get to know their personalities. My schedule is amazing I'm not going to lie, I have every Thursday off and every other Friday. The weeks I have a four-day weekend almost feel like I have a week off!

You would ask me if I met a guy yet because everyone does these days, and I would say, no. And then I would tell you about the middle aged shirtless (he should not have been shirtless) man in the park who told me I was beautiful as I walked by, and the guy who was killing it trying to flirt with me from his car on the freeway! He formed his hands to make a heart and made it a beating heart in my rear view mirror. And other things that I tried to ignore because really, what was he thinking was going to happen? Was he actually thinking that I might pull over?  Wow! I call it car flirting, like, is that an actual thing?

slumber party

I love three day work weeks!:) It finally feels like summer has hit around here, and I am getting out in that sunshine as much as I possibly can and I can't get enough! I love exploring this city and finding all of my favorite places to go! I am feeling like I am getting into a good rhythm here and getting more and more comfortable with it every day.

I shared a couple of photos from my slumber party with two of my Godchildren last week, and I wanted to share the rest of the fun memories with you. Because it was so fun! These two have the cutest personalities and are so fun to have around. They are always full of energy and always have something to say!:) The day I picked them up it was raining, so we took a walk in the sprinkling rain to the Science museum. It was all about space and astronauts. We also went to the omnitheater while we were there if not only because I really wanted to go, but I knew they would love it too! They were in awe of the hugeness of the screen and how it felt like you were in the movie, it was so fun to see their facial expressions! 

Wordless Wednesday

Around the apt this time. 

I am working on depth of field lately and I think it's getting better.

Confidence

What is confidence? The first time that I was told that I was confident I thought "What? me confident?" And I thought about it and what actually makes a person confident. Whether it is a person's accomplishments, smarts or being comfortable with who you are.

So what makes a person confident? Sure experiences play a part, the more you do something the more confident a person is when performing a task. The old adage "practice makes perfect." What about the first time you try something, what if it doesn't go as planned? Does that mean that you weren't confident? Or maybe you just don't have what it takes. I think it takes a confident person to fail well and get up and do it again. To be able to perform something confidently even while not being confident that the ending will be what you had hoped, is confidence in yourself. You are okay with the outcome good or bad. Not doing something because it might not be successful the first time is the greatest failure. That my friend is a low point. I think it takes a pretty confident person to give your all without the fear of failure. Mostly just scary.

Wordless Wednesday (2)

My place

Here it is finally!

Wordless Wednesday

Strangers and social media

It is a new season and a big season of change for me. While I am not where I want to be yet, the tide is still changing and building in the right direction and my sails are wide open and ready!

Remember how I said last week was a quiet week? My weekend was just the opposite.

A parent contacted me to inquire about her skater taking private lessons from me! You guys I get so excited every time I get a new student! Eek

I met some new friends this weekend as well. I can hardly believe it. My neighbor, literally a wall away is a really nice Catholic girl. Woah peeps I was SO meant to have this apartment! We were on the elevator (gasp) both on our way to the farmers market and talked the whole way there, and plan to get together sometime soon.

Weekend recap

~ I realized over the weekend that I was totally letting myself down. If any of you know me in real life I exercise twice a day and ALWAYS take the stairs, the elevator is not an option even with groceries in my arms. People, I live on the eleventh floor now, and I have been using the elevator since I moved in. It's a disappointment to my character I know....... I can tell you now that I take the stairs. I will not take the stairs with groceries, well okay not with more than two bags, I draw the line, I am not that crazy. Are not my stairs pretty though?

Friday Links

Ah, it's Friday, and it's June already. It has been a pretty calm week around here. I didn't have any coaching because we are in between winter and summer contracts. I missed it like a LOT! On a side note, I just discovered a sweet park a block away from my apartment! They have live music and food trucks every Thursday. Who wants to come with me? Or maybe I'll just go myself with a book and a blanket.

Ha okay, I'll try.

This article is wonderful for those of us who play the waiting game in life. When God Makes You Wait - The Praying Woman

Sweetening the pill A proposed documentary on the side effects of the pill and how it is suppressing the most natural cycle of our bodies. It is basically Natural Family Planning but it's not from a religious viewpoint, and won't be used in a Godly manner. I do think it is a step in the right direction though. Women and girls need to know what they are doing to their bodies! 

People of The Heart  This one is so good! You should read it.

Woman to Marry Swiss Guard  I thought that was SO cool! God is amazing, and you just never know when He is going to put that special someone in your life, or how! 

All of Elizabeth's of Oak and Oats ice cream recipes are making me want to make ice cream! They look delicious.

Have a beautiful day.

Ciao,

Rachel

Impromptu

If you can't spend the weekend with your best friend the next best thing is her Mom. Right? That's what happened spur of the moment this past Saturday! My best friends Mom and two sisters were in town from Chicago. I was so glad it was on a weekend that I didn't have any plans! We were able to meet up for Mass at one of my favorite Parishes here in St. Paul. I have to say I haven't been there for years and I remember it being so much bigger! I don't know if it is because I was so little the last time I went or because I have visited all of those huge beautiful Cathedrals in Rome. I walked in and I was disappointed, because it wasn't how I remembered it. Do you ever have those moments? Either way St. Agnes is still a beautiful Church. We were planning on finding a fun place to go out to eat, but after spending too much time looking at my Rome and Ireland photo album we ran out of time, and our supper out turned into a pizza party in:)   

She was having a Verily moment:) 

It was a fun impromptu visit from great friends. I love these people, the laughs we have when we are together are my favorite!

Have a beautiful day!
Ciao,
Rachel