Well friends, this will probably be my last blog. It crazy to think that about two months ago, I was headed to Nashville to spend the summer nannying, not knowing exactly what was in store for me. When I left Midway, I was scared. I hate being away from the people I love most and for the past two years I lived for the summer to go to camp. But that wasn't possible this year, so I helped out family.
Tomorrow, I'm going to spend most of my day packing and doing laundry. Sounds fun, right? Tonight when I was giving Camille a bath, she told me that I didn't need to go home to see Sarah (sorry babe) or to see my two puppies. A couple of weeks ago, when Camille and I were playing with my bracelets, my Livestrong bracelet snapped in half, and since that moment, it has been talked about constantly. I told her that I needed to go home to buy her a new bracelet, so when I come visit again I have a surprise for her. I think what she is most sad about is that she won't be able to play "birds" on my kindle fire. I never have seen a three year old more obsessed with anything in my life. It will defiantly be hard saying goodbye to my little mini me and she is now called. Patrick on the other had gets to stay home from "school" tomorrow because he was sent home with a fever today, even though we took his temp as soon as he got home and he was fine. But, it'll be nice to spend a few hours with him. I know he probably isn't old enough to remember all the fun times we have had, but I know that when he comes home from "school" each day, he gives his Chacha a big hug, and sometimes even a wet kiss. It melts my heart. From the time I have been here, he has learned to walk, say some words, climb, eat big boy food, and celebrate his one year old birthday. That is something that I am glad that I was able to be a part of.
Wednesday, is going to be a day of traveling for me. I fly out of Birmingham at 11:25 am. For those of you who don't know..I like to be early for things..and some may say that I like to be to early. So I plan on leaving the house at 8:30 to be there by 9:15. From Birmingham, I fly to Baltimore. Through this whole summer, I never thought that I would be spending a few hours there, even if it is just at the air port. It is a three hour flight, so nothing to bad. Then at 5:50 pm I will board the last flight to the good ol MKE. They say home is where the heart is, and I can defiantly say, my heart has been in Milwaukee (well Rosholt) this whole summer. It is only an hour flight from Baltimore to Milwaukee so that one will seem like nothing. For all of you interested, it is only an hour flight from Chicago to Nashville.
Anyways, I have learned a lot about myself this summer and also the people around me. I have learned that traveling three hours south, will change the environment totally. It almost has a tropical feel to it. I have also learned that people aren't always friendly to others, which breaks my heart, especially because everyone deserves to be loved. When I first started this journey, I was talking to one of my friends, Phillip, and he said that being away from your significant other is really a true test of your relationship. Well you were right my friend. I have learned so much about my relationship, and I have never been happier. You were right, it would be rough at sometimes, but if you were strong enough you would make it. And I'm happy to say, that Sarah and I are making it :) I learned that no matter what kind of mood you are in, if you show just that slight smile to the kiddos and put everything behind you, you can have a fun time with them, and they will really appreciate it.
I hope you guys enjoyed my blog this summer. Maybe, just maybe I'll keep it up :)
Later days my friends,
Chels
Monday, July 23, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
July 13
First off..Happy Birthday Mom and Dad. I have always found it ironic that my parents have the same birthday..even though my dad is a year older. I think they were married for 13 years or something like that...crazy if they decided they wanted a divorce on Friday the 13?
Anyways. I feel like life in Alabama isn't that exciting compared to life in Nashville. Living in Hoover, doesn't really put me in the "ghetto". Where I am living is basically on a golf resort. It is only when I go into town to Walmart or Target do I see a person who is African American. It makes me think a lot about Milwaukee and how segregated we are. But, I fell like if I was actually to go into Birmingham it may be a little different? My first night here, my uncle and I were told to "watch out for those black people, they are more racist then we are" I was appalled. In my eyes, every one is created equal whether you are black, white, purple, yellow, gay, straight, or bi. I had all I could do to tell this women that maybe if you weren't so closed minded and probably racist towards them yourself, this wouldn't be an issue. So far, after living here for 13 days, I have to say everyone has been friendly to me. Being nice to people really goes a long way. One of my favorite quotes you could say is that you should be nice to everyone because you never know who is fighting a hard battle. And I am also a firm believer that no matter how bad your problems may be a the time, someone always has it worse then you do.
ANYWAYS...The kids started "school" this week. On Monday, Patrick went from 8-2 and then Camille stayed until 5. Up until today, both kiddos have been going from 8-5. You wouldn't believe how many episodes of Friends you can watch during that time. However, today was a different story. I got a knock on my door at 11 just to find my little man all sad eyed and runny nosed. The poor kiddo had a fever of 104. For those of you who don't know much about him..he is the happiest kid you will ever meet. It broke my heart to see him so sick. The only positive to him being sick, is he wouldn't lay down for a nap, so me being the sucker I am, I let him sleep on me. He was all cuddled up on me and his head fit perfectly right into my neck. Needless to say, he took a three hour nap, and I took an hour nap. Next week is the real deal for them, my aunt starts her new job, so it is crunch time for them. Tuesday, I get to have my hair did. It has been a while since I have had it professionally done, so I'm super excited yet super nervous. I like the way Sarah has been doing it for the past year! (Thanks babe) I'm also sad that my time is almost up here. My flight leaves on the 25 in the morning and I'm traveling all day. But I know that there are bigger and better things to come in my future and I'm really looking forward to being back in Milwaukee and starting a new chapter in my life. AAANNNDD I get to volunteer at camp and also go to weddings.
Well I'm sorry if this bored you, but this has been my life this past week.
-Chels
Anyways. I feel like life in Alabama isn't that exciting compared to life in Nashville. Living in Hoover, doesn't really put me in the "ghetto". Where I am living is basically on a golf resort. It is only when I go into town to Walmart or Target do I see a person who is African American. It makes me think a lot about Milwaukee and how segregated we are. But, I fell like if I was actually to go into Birmingham it may be a little different? My first night here, my uncle and I were told to "watch out for those black people, they are more racist then we are" I was appalled. In my eyes, every one is created equal whether you are black, white, purple, yellow, gay, straight, or bi. I had all I could do to tell this women that maybe if you weren't so closed minded and probably racist towards them yourself, this wouldn't be an issue. So far, after living here for 13 days, I have to say everyone has been friendly to me. Being nice to people really goes a long way. One of my favorite quotes you could say is that you should be nice to everyone because you never know who is fighting a hard battle. And I am also a firm believer that no matter how bad your problems may be a the time, someone always has it worse then you do.
ANYWAYS...The kids started "school" this week. On Monday, Patrick went from 8-2 and then Camille stayed until 5. Up until today, both kiddos have been going from 8-5. You wouldn't believe how many episodes of Friends you can watch during that time. However, today was a different story. I got a knock on my door at 11 just to find my little man all sad eyed and runny nosed. The poor kiddo had a fever of 104. For those of you who don't know much about him..he is the happiest kid you will ever meet. It broke my heart to see him so sick. The only positive to him being sick, is he wouldn't lay down for a nap, so me being the sucker I am, I let him sleep on me. He was all cuddled up on me and his head fit perfectly right into my neck. Needless to say, he took a three hour nap, and I took an hour nap. Next week is the real deal for them, my aunt starts her new job, so it is crunch time for them. Tuesday, I get to have my hair did. It has been a while since I have had it professionally done, so I'm super excited yet super nervous. I like the way Sarah has been doing it for the past year! (Thanks babe) I'm also sad that my time is almost up here. My flight leaves on the 25 in the morning and I'm traveling all day. But I know that there are bigger and better things to come in my future and I'm really looking forward to being back in Milwaukee and starting a new chapter in my life. AAANNNDD I get to volunteer at camp and also go to weddings.
Well I'm sorry if this bored you, but this has been my life this past week.
-Chels
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Real Deal.
So my last post..was a crazy mess..I apologize.
So I have been told..by many people..that Wisconsin is HOT...like super HOT. And I promise that I didn't send any weather up to you. For the last like two weeks that I was in Nashville..the temperature was about 100-110 and humid..and is what I hear it is like in Wisconsin. Well fortunate for me, it is not like that here. Today it was 97 degrees and humid, but there was a nice breeze. It was actually doable. Next week it is supposed to be in the in the 80's..yes the 80's.
Anyways..now the real stuff. For those of you that have never been to Alabama, I highly recommend it. For those of you who don't know..the Appalachian Mountains actually go through Birmingham. It is wooded like it is in Northern Wisconsin. Which makes me miss camp a lot more. We live on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Which the course that we live on is part of the PGA Tour. Which I am not a huge golf fan, but I still find it super cool. Defiantly never something I ever thought would be imaginable in my life. The grass is the greenest I have ever seen grass..well maybe except the lawn at camp that is Dale's baby. haha. On our front porch, there is a wooden bench swing and a ceiling fan which circulates the air around..leaving sometimes a hot breeze, but a hot breeze is better then no breeze. Tonight we were able to just sit outside on the bench, have some wine, and just relax.
The kiddos start school next week. Patrick is going from 8-2 and Camille is going from 8-5. Crazy, Crazy change to how things started out. Even though I'll have them at night for the most part with my uncle, but they go to bed around 8, so it really isn't much time with them. Which is sad because I'm leaving in three weeks. Even though I'm hoping to come down over break for a week or two. I've grown to really love these kids. They have seen me in super high points in my life and also super low.
I'm hoping to have an exciting weekend, so I can write even more..I think fun stuff.
-Chels
So I have been told..by many people..that Wisconsin is HOT...like super HOT. And I promise that I didn't send any weather up to you. For the last like two weeks that I was in Nashville..the temperature was about 100-110 and humid..and is what I hear it is like in Wisconsin. Well fortunate for me, it is not like that here. Today it was 97 degrees and humid, but there was a nice breeze. It was actually doable. Next week it is supposed to be in the in the 80's..yes the 80's.
Anyways..now the real stuff. For those of you that have never been to Alabama, I highly recommend it. For those of you who don't know..the Appalachian Mountains actually go through Birmingham. It is wooded like it is in Northern Wisconsin. Which makes me miss camp a lot more. We live on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Which the course that we live on is part of the PGA Tour. Which I am not a huge golf fan, but I still find it super cool. Defiantly never something I ever thought would be imaginable in my life. The grass is the greenest I have ever seen grass..well maybe except the lawn at camp that is Dale's baby. haha. On our front porch, there is a wooden bench swing and a ceiling fan which circulates the air around..leaving sometimes a hot breeze, but a hot breeze is better then no breeze. Tonight we were able to just sit outside on the bench, have some wine, and just relax.
The kiddos start school next week. Patrick is going from 8-2 and Camille is going from 8-5. Crazy, Crazy change to how things started out. Even though I'll have them at night for the most part with my uncle, but they go to bed around 8, so it really isn't much time with them. Which is sad because I'm leaving in three weeks. Even though I'm hoping to come down over break for a week or two. I've grown to really love these kids. They have seen me in super high points in my life and also super low.
I'm hoping to have an exciting weekend, so I can write even more..I think fun stuff.
-Chels
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Sweet Home Alabama
Whaaattt..a move.
So since the last time I have updated this..so much has changed. All last week, we spent time packing up the old house in Nashville and watching the kiddos. Well really my job is mainly to watch the kids..for what it is worth..I repacked all of my stuff. On Friday, a woman came to the house to pack up the odds and ends that my aunt couldn't get to during the week. It was actually a lot more then what I had expected. Saturday, the moving company came and packed up every thing up in the big ol semi and we played the waiting game. Saturday night was one of my better nights in Nasvhille, I was able to have dinner (by chance) with the wife of the lead singer of Kings of Leon. Totally cool. Sunday, once we finished packing up the stuff we wanted to take in the car, we made the three hour drive to Birmingham, Alabama. Where the skies are so blue...they really are blue here..but they are also in Nashville...and Milwaukee.
The drive was also long. I was exhausted and in a car with no one else to talk to. It was a lot of thinking time, but it was fun in the end. I noticed that driving three hours can change the climate A LOT. It looks like Florida down here, there are even lizards. Camille and I named one today..his name is Pascal. For those of you non-disney lovers that is the lizard from Tangled. I also have found that the Churches are much smaller down here, and that I shouldn't wear Wisconsin clothes in public without being asked what it means or if I am really from there..
I'm sorry this is so short..I promise I will update more this weekend!
-Chels
So since the last time I have updated this..so much has changed. All last week, we spent time packing up the old house in Nashville and watching the kiddos. Well really my job is mainly to watch the kids..for what it is worth..I repacked all of my stuff. On Friday, a woman came to the house to pack up the odds and ends that my aunt couldn't get to during the week. It was actually a lot more then what I had expected. Saturday, the moving company came and packed up every thing up in the big ol semi and we played the waiting game. Saturday night was one of my better nights in Nasvhille, I was able to have dinner (by chance) with the wife of the lead singer of Kings of Leon. Totally cool. Sunday, once we finished packing up the stuff we wanted to take in the car, we made the three hour drive to Birmingham, Alabama. Where the skies are so blue...they really are blue here..but they are also in Nashville...and Milwaukee.
The drive was also long. I was exhausted and in a car with no one else to talk to. It was a lot of thinking time, but it was fun in the end. I noticed that driving three hours can change the climate A LOT. It looks like Florida down here, there are even lizards. Camille and I named one today..his name is Pascal. For those of you non-disney lovers that is the lizard from Tangled. I also have found that the Churches are much smaller down here, and that I shouldn't wear Wisconsin clothes in public without being asked what it means or if I am really from there..
I'm sorry this is so short..I promise I will update more this weekend!
-Chels
Thursday, June 21, 2012
June 21
For the past few months, I have really been trying to think of exactly what I would like to do with my career path, considering I am graduating in a year. Believe it or not, just because I am nannying in my own little world down here, doesn't mean that my big kid world stops. So last night when I was filling out paperwork for an apartment and also admission into the school of social welfare, the admission paper asked what I wanted to do after graduating. I was dumbfounded and had to sit and think. After doing some research, I would now like to have a big kid job as a Juvenile Counselor. Crazy right?
Tonight, was really my first night going out on the town of Nashville. The city limits itself are really big. In Milwaukee, I feel like I'm easily crossing from one town to another. Here, we live about a 25 minute drive from downtown, and are still considered to be Nashville. Anyways, I really noticed that the churches down here are HUGE and also very beautiful. I understand that I'm in the "bible belt" but it really puts any other church I have seen to shame. I have also learned that the "projects" or poor housing, are really nice looking homes, that are painted super bright colors like yellows and oranges, so people know that they aren't really "nice" homes. Discrimination at its finest.
This week has been better for me. However, I am working all five days this week. So needless to say, I'm exhausted. The kids are cute as ever, they had pictures tonight on a sail boat with a nautical theme. However, tomorrow is my coupon day from Sarah..so I'm super excited to wake up and see what it is :)
Things I've learned: It really really makes me mad when I see unrestrained children in vehicles. I think that seat belts are super important and it breaks my heart to see young children who don't know any better being unrestrained. Also, I'm super uncomfortable going to places that I don't really know. (Tonight, I looked up shopping centers on the gps..not knowing the city..took me into a bad neighborhood) and also that I really wish I could help the homeless more than I can. Down here on almost every street corner you see a homeless person trying to sell a newspaper.
-Chels
Tonight, was really my first night going out on the town of Nashville. The city limits itself are really big. In Milwaukee, I feel like I'm easily crossing from one town to another. Here, we live about a 25 minute drive from downtown, and are still considered to be Nashville. Anyways, I really noticed that the churches down here are HUGE and also very beautiful. I understand that I'm in the "bible belt" but it really puts any other church I have seen to shame. I have also learned that the "projects" or poor housing, are really nice looking homes, that are painted super bright colors like yellows and oranges, so people know that they aren't really "nice" homes. Discrimination at its finest.
This week has been better for me. However, I am working all five days this week. So needless to say, I'm exhausted. The kids are cute as ever, they had pictures tonight on a sail boat with a nautical theme. However, tomorrow is my coupon day from Sarah..so I'm super excited to wake up and see what it is :)
Things I've learned: It really really makes me mad when I see unrestrained children in vehicles. I think that seat belts are super important and it breaks my heart to see young children who don't know any better being unrestrained. Also, I'm super uncomfortable going to places that I don't really know. (Tonight, I looked up shopping centers on the gps..not knowing the city..took me into a bad neighborhood) and also that I really wish I could help the homeless more than I can. Down here on almost every street corner you see a homeless person trying to sell a newspaper.
-Chels
Sunday, June 17, 2012
June 17
WHAT A WEEK!
Ever since my birthday, I feel like my life has been a roller coaster, I've never been so emotionally tossed around. Last Wednesday, I was having a rough day, and I never would have thought a three year old could make my day. As I am sitting having a horrible day, crying during some parts, Camille comes and gives me the biggest hug and a kiss, and also gives me "Sleep" which is her blankie and tells me to "cheer up". It's times like these where I am looking forward to having my own kiddos to make my days better.
This week wasn't super eventful. Since my last blog, I haven't really done anything spectacular. Since my aunt only has one more week working at Vanderbilt, things are starting to not be as crazy. Thursdays and Fridays, I basically have the day off. I can sleep in, take my time in the morning, open up my daily surprise from Sarah :), and go downstairs and help my aunt with the kiddos. I was told after the first couple of weeks, the time would get easier, and it has started getting easier. We are moving to Hudson, Alabama which is a suburb of Birmingham on the 29. It is crazy to think that I only have one more weekend in Nashville, I still have a lot to do and also a lot to see. So after this week, it is packing up time.
Things I have learned: My family loves to tell inappropriate jokes..just as much as I do. Being a Nanny where I live, gives me A LOT of time to watch Friends..I've watched 3 seasons in 2 weeks..sorry I'm not sorry.
-Chels
Ever since my birthday, I feel like my life has been a roller coaster, I've never been so emotionally tossed around. Last Wednesday, I was having a rough day, and I never would have thought a three year old could make my day. As I am sitting having a horrible day, crying during some parts, Camille comes and gives me the biggest hug and a kiss, and also gives me "Sleep" which is her blankie and tells me to "cheer up". It's times like these where I am looking forward to having my own kiddos to make my days better.
This week wasn't super eventful. Since my last blog, I haven't really done anything spectacular. Since my aunt only has one more week working at Vanderbilt, things are starting to not be as crazy. Thursdays and Fridays, I basically have the day off. I can sleep in, take my time in the morning, open up my daily surprise from Sarah :), and go downstairs and help my aunt with the kiddos. I was told after the first couple of weeks, the time would get easier, and it has started getting easier. We are moving to Hudson, Alabama which is a suburb of Birmingham on the 29. It is crazy to think that I only have one more weekend in Nashville, I still have a lot to do and also a lot to see. So after this week, it is packing up time.
Things I have learned: My family loves to tell inappropriate jokes..just as much as I do. Being a Nanny where I live, gives me A LOT of time to watch Friends..I've watched 3 seasons in 2 weeks..sorry I'm not sorry.
-Chels
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
June 12
So once again, a crazy week. Having two kiddos running around is a lot to deal with. Each morning I wake up at 6:45 and go downstairs to start my day at 7:00 and 99% of the time, I have two little ones so excited to see me. Today, however, was a whole different ball game. When I came down at 7:00, it took the kids 2 hours to wake up. I told my aunt that I was bored. She said enjoy it when you can. So I enjoyed it for the most part, however there isn't much going on at 7:00 in the morning. It was nice because Patrick didn't need a morning nap, so I took the kiddos for a 2 mile walk around the neighborhood. It was one of the best feelings I have had in a while.
This past weekend, I went to the Opry Mills Mall. I have been to this place many times before. In 2010 Nashville suffered a horrible flood. The mall was flooded up to about seven feet, the pictures were insane. It made me think a lot about how a society comes together after these events. In 2 years, it is almost impossible to tell that these homes and famous places were considered a complete loss. If I wouldn't have known about the flood, I wouldn't of even been able to tell that anything like that had even happened.
I have also learned more things... Camille has the voice of Simon from Alvin and the Chipmunks (for those of you who don't know..I love those movies). She also loves my watch and Livestrong bracelet, very good incentives for napping. I have also learned that no matter how silly you may feel acting like a chipmunk or a Disney Princess, they love you just that much more.
-Chels
This past weekend, I went to the Opry Mills Mall. I have been to this place many times before. In 2010 Nashville suffered a horrible flood. The mall was flooded up to about seven feet, the pictures were insane. It made me think a lot about how a society comes together after these events. In 2 years, it is almost impossible to tell that these homes and famous places were considered a complete loss. If I wouldn't have known about the flood, I wouldn't of even been able to tell that anything like that had even happened.
I have also learned more things... Camille has the voice of Simon from Alvin and the Chipmunks (for those of you who don't know..I love those movies). She also loves my watch and Livestrong bracelet, very good incentives for napping. I have also learned that no matter how silly you may feel acting like a chipmunk or a Disney Princess, they love you just that much more.
-Chels
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