Vinyls & Vino

Man, where have I been? When I come back to this place, it's like visiting an old friend.  It's nice, it's comforting, but also it's a bit sad.  I get sad that I let time, distance, and life get in between this friendship.  I always vow I'm going to visit this space more often... and then I get back to life. So, what has life looked like since my last post, back in the summer of 2018? I'm married. I now have a son, who will be one next month. I've lived through the worst part of potty-training. I've lost a grandparent. I've lost some friends. I've gained some new friends. I've strengthened some dear friendships, thanks largely to technology. I'm feeling more and more "settled" as an educator.  I've continued to work on that life balance of work/family/friends/community/me.  (Still working on it.) I've learned about enneagrams. I've finally become a podcast listener.   We are living thr...

More than I would like to admit, I find myself wondering, "Am I good enough?" I'm loud.  (I get louder with wine). I don't mean to, but I interrupt and talk over people.  I always try to let people know I relate by telling a similar story.  Then I realize I may be coming off as a 'one-upper.' I don't mean to harm or offend, but I say things before thinking.   Ok... sometimes I get sucked in to the gossip circle and I say things that I know may harm others. I may come off like I don't care, but I worry about how I'm dressed, how my hair is fixed (or more often, not fixed), and how my makeup looks. I get caught up in my day-to-day and lose track of what is happening in others' lives.  This is even worse now that I have a daughter. I fail every.single.day.   But... I never meet a stranger.  (I become friendlier with wine). I love conversation and get excited when sharing stories with people. I do my best to empathize ...