up up & away

A few weeks ago I saw a video with Brené Brown and she was talking about boundaries. I've been thinking about it ever since for a lot of different reasons: I continue to reflect on my last relationship, I'm thinking about possibilities of new relationships too, and deciding what is and what isn't acceptable. I'm in relationships with lots of other people too - family and friends, colleagues at work. The more and more I think about boundaries, the more I'm coming to realize it's in my best interest do draw a line in the sand: One side is okay with me, the other side is not.

Before I go any further, take a few and check out her video:

I have learned so much from my friends, and one thing from Katie and drastically improved my life: Be honest and upfront when people piss you off, and then it's over.

So last year, when my ex brought up something that had been on his mind for months, years even, I totally understood what it felt like to be left in the dark, and I decided I didn't ever want to do that to someone because it wasn't fair. I am be honest with my family and friends and get things off my chest because I would want the same in return.

It's not easy to tell someone you care about (or maybe even someone you don't care about) things they are doing that are crossing the line. Talk about vulnerability - that's it right that. But the thing is that once you do, you feel lighter. Then, the other person knows where you stand and this really creates the space for self-love. They can choose to do what they want with the information, but then it's off your chest and I'm not even kidding when I tell you that you feel like a balloon, drifting up, up, up, so high above everything, feeling light and happy and having nothing bring you down.

Thank you, Brené for reminding me of this.

Your thoughts?

Sunday Skinny

It's summer, friends! I'm so excited! Tomorrow is Monday and I will be sleeping in till about 8 and then sipping coffee and writing even longer. I'm so happy!

Here's the skinny on my weekend!

Piqniq
Summer officially began for me yesterday when Hektor and I went to the Piqniq concert in Tinley. Here's the lineup:

I don't really listen to this music much when I'm by myself, but with Hektor I do! The Mowgli's are my fave for sure, but the others, Offspring included, were all fun.

But even better? Ry randomly spotted Hektor and I (who originally were planning to go alone) so we had a bunch of friends to hang out with!

 Love the Panozzo's, so glad we had a whole day together in the sun!

Random side note...now I see why one of my students, Ayden, drew me like this with the sunglasses:

 Anyways, a few more pics:

Ryan apparently had too much fun - luckily Marissa was there to take care of him:

(When I say take care... I mean, hold his beer?) :-)

Super fun day! Glad I've got this guy to show me new music!

Pinterest Project
Three summers ago I made a summer Shutterfly book and I loved it. Then last summer, I went to Europe, and then came home with hundreds of pics, and so it was overwhelming to think of making the book. This year, I'm going to make it as I go. It's called "Summer Love" and it's going to feature all my faves in these sunglasses:

Here's the front cover - will have pics all with friends and family in these glasses:

My niece is the first one to come for a visit (her first visit to Chicago!!!) and get the glasses. I told my sister to ask her what color she wants. I guess this was the exchange:

Stacey: Caitlyn, Auntie's buying you these sunglasses, what color?
Caitlyn: Really, Auntie?

and when I told Katie, she said, "You're dumb, but you're cute."

Why does no one like my styles? Important note: If I tell you I'm buying these for you, just pick a color and go along with it!

Book Review

This book really pissed me off. Main character, cheating on her fiancé. (Spoiler if you're reading it!) Then come to find out at the end that the fiancé was doing the same to her. Then, he is telling her, "We're perfect for each other, we're both the same, having meaningless sex with others on the side and it's okay!"

I was just so mad that they thought this would be okay, that it underminded (is that the past tense of undermind?) monogamy. I mean, maybe we're not meant to be monogomous (research on that, anyone?) but still.... Not cool. This book was just okay, I'm actually surprised that I actually finished it, but I committed to summer reading and am also hoping to read all these before we go back to work:

I'm holding a book study on Daring Greatly over at BigTIme Literacy if you blog. It will be every Thursday in July!

What are you reading this summer?

How was your weekend? Hope it was fab!

Ratings or Research?

I don't get it.

Last night as I was watching the coverage of the election, I saw a promo for Fox News this morning saying they were going to interview a guy who was saying that marriage is dead. Since one of my besties is a Marriage and Family Therapist, and because I'm on spring break, I thought this was something I should definitely tune in and see.

So there we were this morning, me, my laptop and coffee, and the news. I'm patiently waiting for this segment, and finally it comes on and the guy is being interviewed via Skype. As I'm listening, I'm wondering what his credentials are - oh, he's divorced and dating? Well that sounds like someone qualified to be ON THE NEWS.

Anita has her own therapy practice in Chicago and she has yet to be on the news. (I'm sure she's well on her way, but not yet!) But this guy who has no background in Marriage and Family Therapy is being interviewed.

Which got me to thinking - how concerned is the news with reporting real news and research vs. getting ratings? I mean, I tuned in for the same reason I'm sure many people did - for the shock value of the story. But then I hopped right onto Antia's facebook page to get her input:

See, I'm just so used to her preaching marriage and loving relationships and getting the knowledge we need to live those amazing relationships that I was just not feeling this guy and his blog post.

But, shout out to him for tweeting back to both Anita and I, and opening up the conversation.

If you want to read his blog, you can find it here. And, he's on twitter here.

And you definitely need to follow Anita! Here's her website, and here's her Twitter.

Go read his article. Thoughts?