In less than twenty-four hours, I officially re-join the work force. It has been eleven years since I have worked outside of my home...eleven years! I am both excited and nervous about this new chapter; mostly excited.
I am not sure I intended for my "break from work" to be quite this long. When I was laid off from my job at the cable company (the company was bought and the office was closing), the timing was perfect. I was halfway through my pregnancy with Julia. I wasn't going to look for a job at that point, then go out on maternity leave for a couple of months. Financially, we were able to make ends meet with Ryun's income. Going back to work and shelling out for day care seemed counterproductive. I remember thinking at various points I would probably go back when Julia went to kindergarten. Kindergarten came and went...year two of kindergarten came and went and here we are, more than half way through her fourth grade year.
Looking back, I feel fortunate to have been home for as long as I was. Truth be told, the first six years of Julia's life involved more doctor's appointments, physical, speech, and occupational therapy appointments, meetings at school, and developmental evaluations than I could possibly remember. In addition to all of the commitments I had with Julia, just before Julia was born, Emily had her first seizure. So for the two years following, we had many trips back and forth to Boston, meetings at school etc. as we worked through defining Emily's diagnosis. I know how blessed and lucky I was to be able to afford to stay home and take both of them to every single meeting, appointment, therapy session, etc. without having to worry about calling out of work, rearranging my schedule or anything else that would need to be considered as a working parent. I am truly in awe of working parents every day and how they, like me, manage every day life, with the added consideration of work in the mix. Thankfully, my days of continuous appointments, therapy sessions, meetings etc. are a thing of the past. Emily has been seizure free for 8 years. Julia has made such an incredible amount of progress that is hard to even picture that she ever needed all of those services to begin with.
The time feels right, and as a believer in the phrase, "If it is meant to happen it will," I know the time is right. Getting this job is exactly what was supposed to happen, at exactly when it was supposed to happen. I am nervous (how am I going to "manage" my still very busy life with work being added to the calendar?) but mostly I am excited. Everything else that work will affect will work itself out, just the way it is supposed to (even if I don't know what that exactly is yet). I am looking forward to meeting new people, learning new skills, and quite simply, just getting back out there "in to the world" again.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
#dearme
The "dear me" campaign is in full swing on you tube and other social media sites. I thought it would be a fun thing to participate in and realized, though not exactly the same thing, I kind of already had. Not too long ago I wrote a post on another blog titled, "Things I Wish I Knew Way Back When." I have copied it below and added to it.
I suppose the old adage, "It's never too late" really is true, but do you ever wonder why lessons come so "late" in life? Something happens and you think, "Hmm...wish I had known this, heard that, thought about this etc. back when I blah blah blah." This sort of thing happens to me all of the time. Is it a "late thirties" thing (ok almost 40)? Here are some of the things I wish I knew back when...
-Sometimes you think you know exactly where your life is headed. Sometimes you are right. I would venture to say most of the time you are not. And that's ok. Sometimes the path is clear. Sometimes there are obstacles. Sometimes there are forks. Sometimes you have to forge through the forest. There might be people on your path for some of the time. They may go astray. That is ok too. If they are meant to walk with you they will. There might be some parts of in the journey in which you feel completely alone. Maybe you are. Just keep moving. Many times, your final destination changes. Different paths emerge. Obstacles force you to take a new road. Just let it happen. Ultimately you will get to where you need to be, where you are supposed to be.
-"People will hate you, shake you, rate you and break you, but how strong you stand will make you." No one knows you like you know you. In the end that is all that matters. Know yourself and love what you know. If you don't love what you know, work harder than ever to change it so you do. It will be hard but it will be worth it. Trust me on this one.
-In every situation GO WITH YOUR GUT. Yes, I am "yelling" that one. It's probably the most important thing I will say in this whole entry. Trust yourself. Don't let anyone make you second guess yourself. Just do it.
-Sometimes it just feels "right" to eat a bag of chips. Like a whole bag. With french onion dip. Yeah, maybe you need to lose 50 pounds and maybe the greasy mess will do nothing for your complexion but trust me when I say one bag of chips is not going to kill you.
- Don't let anyone dull your sparkle! This quote explains: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Marianne Williamson~
-Forget about all of the reasons it won't work and focus on the one reason it will. Just be positive. Think positive. Change your self talk from I can't, to I can.
-Caffeine is life. Up there on the same level of importance as oxygen. Functioning without it may actually be possible but not recommended.
-Someday, actually on multiple occasions as you approach your 40's and probably even before that, you will realize that every once in a while, your Mom did have a good idea. You will eventually get to a point, when parenting your own kids, that you open your mouth to speak, and your mother comes out. Those times will be defining moments. You will look back gratefully and maybe even want to apologize for not listening to her advice in the first place.
-When you have kids you will wish you could teach them all of these life lessons (and then some) now. You will, to some degree try. They won't listen (or at least you won't think they are). Then someday, perhaps when they too are in their late 30's, they will come to some of these realizations (as well as some of there own), and life, will come full circle once again.
-Sometimes you think you know exactly where your life is headed. Sometimes you are right. I would venture to say most of the time you are not. And that's ok. Sometimes the path is clear. Sometimes there are obstacles. Sometimes there are forks. Sometimes you have to forge through the forest. There might be people on your path for some of the time. They may go astray. That is ok too. If they are meant to walk with you they will. There might be some parts of in the journey in which you feel completely alone. Maybe you are. Just keep moving. Many times, your final destination changes. Different paths emerge. Obstacles force you to take a new road. Just let it happen. Ultimately you will get to where you need to be, where you are supposed to be.
-"People will hate you, shake you, rate you and break you, but how strong you stand will make you." No one knows you like you know you. In the end that is all that matters. Know yourself and love what you know. If you don't love what you know, work harder than ever to change it so you do. It will be hard but it will be worth it. Trust me on this one.
-In every situation GO WITH YOUR GUT. Yes, I am "yelling" that one. It's probably the most important thing I will say in this whole entry. Trust yourself. Don't let anyone make you second guess yourself. Just do it.
-Sometimes it just feels "right" to eat a bag of chips. Like a whole bag. With french onion dip. Yeah, maybe you need to lose 50 pounds and maybe the greasy mess will do nothing for your complexion but trust me when I say one bag of chips is not going to kill you.
- Don't let anyone dull your sparkle! This quote explains: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Marianne Williamson~
-Forget about all of the reasons it won't work and focus on the one reason it will. Just be positive. Think positive. Change your self talk from I can't, to I can.
-Caffeine is life. Up there on the same level of importance as oxygen. Functioning without it may actually be possible but not recommended.
-Someday, actually on multiple occasions as you approach your 40's and probably even before that, you will realize that every once in a while, your Mom did have a good idea. You will eventually get to a point, when parenting your own kids, that you open your mouth to speak, and your mother comes out. Those times will be defining moments. You will look back gratefully and maybe even want to apologize for not listening to her advice in the first place.
-When you have kids you will wish you could teach them all of these life lessons (and then some) now. You will, to some degree try. They won't listen (or at least you won't think they are). Then someday, perhaps when they too are in their late 30's, they will come to some of these realizations (as well as some of there own), and life, will come full circle once again.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
First Post
Here it is! I have set a goal to blog more as I have always found writing to be therapeutic, a great way to record a memory and something I thoroughly enjoy doing. Some particular interests I have which you may see more of here include Celiac Disease, ADHD, Autism and other special needs, photography, reading, arts and crafts, and education...all sprinkled generously with stories from my everyday life. Welcome to Life According to Shaz!
Friday, February 27, 2015
These are a few of my favorite things...
I have seen this done in other diarys and I thought it was a good idea so, guess what? I am going to do it too! I got this survey through email today so I thought I would share my answers.
Name: Sharon Marie (Sullivan) Ellis
Nickname: Shazzy, Shaz
Birthday: October 4, 1975
Zodiac sign: Libra
single/married/partnered/divorced: married
children: 2, Emily and Katie
Favorites
Color: green
number: 7
Quote: "I keep my friends as miser do their treasure because, of all things granted to us by wisdom, none is greater, or better than friendship." Unknown
singers: Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett
Favorite songs by above mentioned singers: Why Don't We get Drunk and Screw(Buffet) If Tomorrow Never Comes(Brooks)
food: italian
non-alcoholic drink: Coca Cola
alcoholic: anything with Kahlua
TV shows: ER Buffy Angel
websites: the one you are currently looking at (lol) whdh.com, classmates.com, spoilerslayer.com, cabbages69.diaryland.com opiuminjars.diaryland.com
Soundtrack: Nottinghill
Cereal: Raisin Bran
Vegetable: broccoli
Meat: steak
Board game: umm...Candyland
Magazine: O
This or That
Chicken or the egg? Egg, by some miracle of God
1/2 empty or 1/2 full: was it full and you drank half of it? If yes, half empty. If you only filled it half way, half full.
Sketchers or Nike: Sketchers
Apple or orange juice: Orange
Coffee or tea: coffee, on occasion
Bath or Shower: Bath
snow or sun: both
What kind of shampoo do you use? Thermasilk
What kind of car do you drive? A "mom" car Ford Taurus Wagon
What was your first car? A 1986 Monte Carlo
Your favorite/dream car: Dodge Intrepid...I don' know why, I just like it
Names of any future children? If we have any...boy: Brendan Ryun Girl...probably Sarah Jane, maybe Sarah Rose, but definitely Sarah...with an "H"
Ever been to a Broadway show: Yup...Les Miserables and I loved it!
Physical attribute most complimented on by members of the opposite sex: my long thick red hair...for some reason, men love it.
Funniest person you know personally: My father
Silliest/stupidist/most daring thing you have ever done while drunk: went skinny dipping in a public pond.
Which friend would you be from the NBC show "Friends"? I am not really too much like any of them but if I had to pick one I would be Monica.
If you were to perform in the circus, which act would you perform in? No clue...the lion tamer I guess...yeah right.
If you could star in a love scene with any living actor who would it be and where would you want it filmed? Ben Affleck and who the hell cares where? I am with Ben...
If you could be a contestant on any game show, which show would you pick? Millionaire or The Price is Right
If you had to rely on one person only in any difficult situation, who would it be? Ryun
If you had to name your 3 greatest accomplishments in your life thus far, what would they be? My children, Emily and Katie, and this journal...lol
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
2015
I liked having a "theme word" for the year in 2014. My word was "fearless." When I reflect back I can say with little doubt that I absolutely made progress toward living life in a more fearless way. I made conscious decisions aimed at achieving this goal and I am proud and happy to say that I did. This year my theme word will be "wellness." The definition is a perfect explanation of what I want in the new year: "the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort."
It's kind of a strange thing having set a goal and achieved it (though I feel like being fearless will always be a work in progress, I certainly have made great strides and will continue to do so). I have never been one to set goals and actually follow through. It makes me feel powerful and confident, two feelings that have been foreign to me for most of my life. The "I can do anything I put my mind to" mindset is one that I never want to lose, so, I will continue to set goals, some big, some small, and I will reflect in a positive way, on the person I am becoming.
Being healthy in mind and body are two things that I believe are deeply connected. I am well on my way to a healthy mind. I believe that continuing to work in that direction will have nothing but a positive effect on creating a healthy body. To that end, I will continue to set goals; big, small, short and long term, and I will do what I have been doing all year: make decisions that help me achieve them.
There are many reasons behind why I chose the word "wellness" as my personal theme word for the year. I want to feel better and look better are two big ones. However, one of the biggest is my belief that in order to fulfill my purpose here on earth, though yet undefined, I need to "be" better. If I am not giving the best to myself, I will be incapable of giving it to others. And, though I am still not quite sure what it is, I do know that my purpose here has, in some big way, something to do with giving back to the "world" that has given so much to me.
For more on my inspiration behind this year's theme word and to follow me along on my journey, please join my new Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/mirrormirroronthedojowall/
It's kind of a strange thing having set a goal and achieved it (though I feel like being fearless will always be a work in progress, I certainly have made great strides and will continue to do so). I have never been one to set goals and actually follow through. It makes me feel powerful and confident, two feelings that have been foreign to me for most of my life. The "I can do anything I put my mind to" mindset is one that I never want to lose, so, I will continue to set goals, some big, some small, and I will reflect in a positive way, on the person I am becoming.
Being healthy in mind and body are two things that I believe are deeply connected. I am well on my way to a healthy mind. I believe that continuing to work in that direction will have nothing but a positive effect on creating a healthy body. To that end, I will continue to set goals; big, small, short and long term, and I will do what I have been doing all year: make decisions that help me achieve them.
There are many reasons behind why I chose the word "wellness" as my personal theme word for the year. I want to feel better and look better are two big ones. However, one of the biggest is my belief that in order to fulfill my purpose here on earth, though yet undefined, I need to "be" better. If I am not giving the best to myself, I will be incapable of giving it to others. And, though I am still not quite sure what it is, I do know that my purpose here has, in some big way, something to do with giving back to the "world" that has given so much to me.
For more on my inspiration behind this year's theme word and to follow me along on my journey, please join my new Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/mirrormirroronthedojowall/
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Life Explained
I suppose the old adage, "It's never too late" really is true, but do you ever wonder why lessons come so "late" in life? Something happens and you think, "Hmm...wish I had known this, heard that, thought about this etc. back when I blah blah blah." This sort of thing happens to me all of the time. Is it a "late thirties" thing (ok almost 40)? Here are some of the things I wish I knew back when...
-Sometimes you think you know exactly where your life is headed. Sometimes you are right. I would venture to say most of the time you are not. And that's ok. Sometimes the path is clear. Sometimes there are obstacles. Sometimes there are forks. Sometimes you have to forge through the forest. There might be people on your path for some of the time. They may go astray. That is ok too. If they are meant to walk with you they will. There might be some parts of in the journey in which you feel completely alone. Maybe you are. Just keep moving. Many times, your final destination changes. Different paths emerge. Obstacles force you to take a new road. Just let it happen. Ultimately you will get to where you need to be, where you are supposed to be.
-"People will hate you, shake you, rate you and break you, but how strong you stand will make you." No one knows you like you know you. In the end that is all that matters. Know yourself and love what you know. If you don't love what you know, work harder than ever to change it so you do. It will be hard but it will be worth it. Trust me on this one.
-In every situation GO WITH YOUR GUT. Yes, I am "yelling" that one. It's probably the most important thing I will say in this whole entry. Trust yourself. Don't let anyone make you second guess yourself. Just do it.
-Sometimes it just feels "right" to eat a bag of chips. Like a whole bag. With french onion dip. Yeah, maybe you need to lose 50 pounds and maybe the greasy mess will do nothing for your complexion but trust me when I say one bag of chips is not going to kill you. Every once in a while just splurge. And I am not saying that I am doing that right now or anything. Ok maybe I am (minus the french onion dip dammit) but you know what, I refuse to worry about it.
- Don't let anyone dull your sparkle! This quote explains: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Marianne Williamson~
-Forget about all of the reasons it won't work and focus on the one reason it will. Just be positive. Think positive. Change your self talk from I can't, to I can.
-Coffee is life. Up there on the same level of importance as oxygen. Functioning without it may actually be possible but not recommended.
-Every once in a while, Mom did have a good idea.
-When you have kids you will wish you could teach them all of these life lessons (and then some) now. You will to some degree try. They won't listen (or at least you won't think they are). Then someday, perhaps when they too are in their late 30's they will come to some of these realizations (as well as some of there own). "You have to hurt in order to know, fall in order to grow, lose in order to gain, because most of life's lessons are best learned in pain."
-Sometimes you think you know exactly where your life is headed. Sometimes you are right. I would venture to say most of the time you are not. And that's ok. Sometimes the path is clear. Sometimes there are obstacles. Sometimes there are forks. Sometimes you have to forge through the forest. There might be people on your path for some of the time. They may go astray. That is ok too. If they are meant to walk with you they will. There might be some parts of in the journey in which you feel completely alone. Maybe you are. Just keep moving. Many times, your final destination changes. Different paths emerge. Obstacles force you to take a new road. Just let it happen. Ultimately you will get to where you need to be, where you are supposed to be.
-"People will hate you, shake you, rate you and break you, but how strong you stand will make you." No one knows you like you know you. In the end that is all that matters. Know yourself and love what you know. If you don't love what you know, work harder than ever to change it so you do. It will be hard but it will be worth it. Trust me on this one.
-In every situation GO WITH YOUR GUT. Yes, I am "yelling" that one. It's probably the most important thing I will say in this whole entry. Trust yourself. Don't let anyone make you second guess yourself. Just do it.
-Sometimes it just feels "right" to eat a bag of chips. Like a whole bag. With french onion dip. Yeah, maybe you need to lose 50 pounds and maybe the greasy mess will do nothing for your complexion but trust me when I say one bag of chips is not going to kill you. Every once in a while just splurge. And I am not saying that I am doing that right now or anything. Ok maybe I am (minus the french onion dip dammit) but you know what, I refuse to worry about it.
- Don't let anyone dull your sparkle! This quote explains: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Marianne Williamson~
-Forget about all of the reasons it won't work and focus on the one reason it will. Just be positive. Think positive. Change your self talk from I can't, to I can.
-Coffee is life. Up there on the same level of importance as oxygen. Functioning without it may actually be possible but not recommended.
-Every once in a while, Mom did have a good idea.
-When you have kids you will wish you could teach them all of these life lessons (and then some) now. You will to some degree try. They won't listen (or at least you won't think they are). Then someday, perhaps when they too are in their late 30's they will come to some of these realizations (as well as some of there own). "You have to hurt in order to know, fall in order to grow, lose in order to gain, because most of life's lessons are best learned in pain."
Monday, August 4, 2014
Gluten Reduction and Product Recommendation
For some time, I have had a rash on my legs. It would come and go with varying levels of intensity. Sometimes it was just there and I never would have known except to see it. Sometimes it was itchy and dry. Other times it was red and burning. I had been to my regular doctor and a dermatologist and no matter what we tried, it would not go away. A friend had recommended I try coconut oil. I had not heard of this before but after doing a little research on my own, I couldn't believe the amount of uses it has. For a expansive list, click here.
I focused much of my reading on the benefits of using it for skin conditions like eczema (which is the official diagnosis I got at my last visit to the dermatologist) and there seemed to be a fair amount of success. At the same time, I was also researching the effects of certain food on skin. Most of my reading was focused on gluten (which I had already done a good deal of reading about because of my daughter's Celiac Disease diagnosis). Though I tested negative through blood work for Celiac I had long wondered if my skin rash might be an allergic reaction to something I was eating.
I decided, at the same time, to try coconut oil and a dramatic reduction in my gluten intake. I would say I am about 75% gluten free at this point. The difference in my legs is amazing! I can not believe how much less inflamed my skin looks. So far in regard to the gluten reduction, the only difference I can see is in my skin but that alone has been well worth it. I am also very happy that I have found a natural remedy that not only works but smells delicious! I have also used the coconut oil on my body as a general moisturizer, as a sweetener in my coffee and as a cooking oil, all of which I am equally impressed.
I focused much of my reading on the benefits of using it for skin conditions like eczema (which is the official diagnosis I got at my last visit to the dermatologist) and there seemed to be a fair amount of success. At the same time, I was also researching the effects of certain food on skin. Most of my reading was focused on gluten (which I had already done a good deal of reading about because of my daughter's Celiac Disease diagnosis). Though I tested negative through blood work for Celiac I had long wondered if my skin rash might be an allergic reaction to something I was eating.
I decided, at the same time, to try coconut oil and a dramatic reduction in my gluten intake. I would say I am about 75% gluten free at this point. The difference in my legs is amazing! I can not believe how much less inflamed my skin looks. So far in regard to the gluten reduction, the only difference I can see is in my skin but that alone has been well worth it. I am also very happy that I have found a natural remedy that not only works but smells delicious! I have also used the coconut oil on my body as a general moisturizer, as a sweetener in my coffee and as a cooking oil, all of which I am equally impressed.
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