It's Monday...Already?

Can you believe it's Monday morning already.  As an "adult" in the "real world", I am astonished at just how fast the weekends go.  This weekend, I felt like I barely had time to catch my breath.

As you have probably read in my previous post, my Grandma's viewing and funeral were this weekend.  Those events were so emotionally draining, I don't think I can even begin to describe it. I will have to say however, that things went much smoother than I thought and I was really proud of all my family, especially my mom (whose heart is truly broken with my Grandma's passing).

Thankfully, I had the support of my nearest and dearest.  From my roommate from college (and her boyfriend), to my best friend since kindergarten, to my twin bestie, to the new amazing guy in my life, to my siblings; I was surrounded by love.

There were so many people at the funeral that the two rooms in the funeral home were filled and they had chairs set in the lobby for people as well. The funeral procession to the cemetery spanned miles, and held traffic up for a good fifteen minutes. My grandma had 15 children (2 died as infants, and 3 died as adults, leaving 10 surviving children), 40 grandchildren 76 great grandchildren, and 20+ great great grandchildren. She was truly an amazing woman.

The emotions that took over during the funeral service were so intense.  My brothers cried, and I mean they cried hard.  My father cried so hard he could barely speak.  My heart broke.

I was asked to be a pallbearer for the funeral and I accepted.  I was very nervous, as I am a week 120 pound female.  However, I had the emotional support of my family behind me, as well as the physical support of my brothers and other family members.  Despite my nerves, everything turned out fine and I can say I am proud to have been able to do that.

At the cemetery it was such a site to see everyone walking down the sloped of tombstones.  I've never seen that many people in a cemetery.  I did manage to take a few photos with my phone to give to my mom.  Once we left the cemetery, we went to our church for the traditional potluck family social.  It was packed!  I couldn't believe the amount of food and people we crammed into a small church basement.  It was estimated that 144 people were at the church alone, I can't image how many it would total with the viewing, funeral, and cemetery added.

My Grandma was a spectacular person.  She raised a crop of children and grandchildren, she could cook a meal to feed an army, she would hug you tight and always tell you she loved you.  She never had her driver's license and barely left home.  She was a spelling bee winner and loved to play cards and Scrabble.

I am blessed to have had her in my 22 years of live.  I am honestly going to be lost without her in my remaining years.

New Year, New Outlook

Oh hey 2012,

You are off to a rocky start...

In the last few months of 2011 I had been working through  heart break, financial struggles, family struggles and a rebirth of myself.

With that being said, I had high hopes for 2012; new roommate, new car, new relationship, and lots of other newness.  I was excited! 

• January 1, 2012-  Pumped!  Spent the weekend in our mountain house with family celebrating the New Year!

• January 2, 2012-  Not too shabby.  Took the secenic route home and just enjoyed the company of a new friend.

• January 3, 2012- Trouble strikes-  My first day back at work (hard enough), I get word that my Grandma has passed away.  I left work, a hot mess, and went straight to my parents house.  I spent the day with them and other family members.

• January 4, 2012-  Back to normal (I guess)-  I get to work 15 minutes late, because even though it's 2012, there is the same traffic and morning hang ups at 2011. I worked all day in a somber mood, and felt like I was in a daze all day.

• January 5, 2012- Today- It's Thursday, which is one step closer to the weekend.  However this Friday night is my Grandma's viewing and Saturday is her funeral.  Not really my idea a great weekend plans. There are a million and one things to get done at work and I feel like I can't catch up.  From being out sick for a few days, the holidays, working from home between Christmas and New Years and now a death in the family, I feel lost in all the emails, project sheets, and meetings.

• January 6, 2012- Tomorrow- I expect tomorrow to be like any other working Friday.  It will take forever, but I will get a lot accomplished (like always).  I get done at 4, and I have to at the viewing by 6.

• January 7, 2012- Funeral-  I. Am. Heartbroken  :(

So in light of the my first week of 2012, I'm not as excited.  I'm not that fun, light-hearted, hippie, blooming adult that I want to be.  I feel sad, cold, and lost. 

So 2012, let's get it together.  It's not all bad. Remember all those new things I have to look forward to?  I say we get a fresh start next week, and I can get back to feeling myself.

 If you are feeling like me and have had a not-so-hot, first week in 2012, try to make a fresh start next week.  Here is a goal setting worksheet to help you out.  You will catch me filling mine out tonight :)