Kari Brooks

in october i celebrated a milestone of sorts… (not that every birthday isn’t a milestone..) but, everyone seems to make a bigger deal out of the decade birthdays. so here’s (there’s?) to 30.
dirty 30.
purty 30.
30 being the new black.
rocking the 30s.
30 being the new 20.
well, you get the idea. apparently 30 is something to be excited about.
and of course I am.
my 30 years have been pretty incredible. in the scheme of life, i’ve had a good one.
but, as a true educator, there is always so much more to learn.
one exciting thing about this 30th year of my life, is the fact that my husband is living in another state. not, exciting in the fact that he wants to have facetime naked time, like everyday…
but, exciting in the fact that i really get to spend some time on me.
on making me a better a person…. a wiser person, a healthier person, a more aware person.
and so my plan was to document this year month by month (but, let’s be real… more like quarter by quarter) about things i have started doing, stopped doing, things I have learned, things i have grown to appreciate. things that have become important in my life… and maybe even somethings that have become not so important in my life.
and even though i am one quarter through my 30th year, and i do have lots to say about all those things… one thing stands out the most. and it took me one quarter of my 30th year to figure it out. but, i think it’s important enough to share.
i started my 30th year going to a series of dermatology appointments. i had been slacking on my yearly skin checks, and figured now was as good a time as any to get back into that routine.
i had just turned 30, after all.
long story short, i had a spot of skin cancer removed from my leg.
i am fortunate in many, many ways.
i am fortunate that i get my skin checked frequently enough that i noticed a change.
i am fortunate that my dermatologist wasted no time in taking care of my health.
i am fortunate that i caught my skin cancer before it became melanoma.
i am fortunate that it was not melanoma.
and most of all, i am fortunate that i was able to learn from the experience, and am able to educate others about the experience as well.
the situation isn’t over with the removal of my chunk of skin. in two weeks i am having a few more lymphnodes removed and biopsied. and i have to get a skin check every three months to make sure nothing has spread.
but, to me that’s fortunate.
i can do that.
i can get a few more lymphnodes removed.
i can go back to the dermatologist every three months.
i can check my skin every month in between.
and, i can remind my friends and family that your skin is just as important to keep healthy as any other part of your body, your mind or your soul.
so, yeah… there’s a lot of learning to do this year.
and that’s exactly what i plan on doing.
as the HEALTHY (dirty, purty, rocking, dressed in black looking like a 20 year old) 30 year old me.

Well, it’s the end of November. Weird.
Today I am most thankful that I can finally start my countdown… Exactly one year from today will be the last day of Derek’s lease in Chicago!
Here’s to a busy, productive, creative 365 days.

Tuesdays are always way harder for me than Mondays… especially after a long weekend not at work! I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline that keeps Mondays moving… but today is no exception to the exhausted Tuesday rule.
And for that I am thankful to have a bed (which of course includes a house) to sleep in. … I am even more thankful to think about next Tuesday. Which I am bound to be just as exhausted, but will have a brand new bed to be sleeping in!
It’s the little (king size, it’s a king size bed!!) things…

I had a little anxiety about today…
Some changes were happening, and when things change I tend to get a little nervous. I didn’t sleep much last nite, rehearsing my plans of action. But, when the morning came and the kids returned back to school I just took a deep breath and hoped for the best.
And I am so thankful that my calmness was apparent to my students. Everyone was (seemingly) comfortable and ready to be back at school.
Here’s hoping the feeling continues tomorrow..

Today on my drive back from Chicago (which I made in record time, woot!) I was super thankful for music. Just when I felt like I was getting a little bored, or feeling a little restless, a great song would come on and get me rocking.
(Ahem, never mind the fact, that it was sometimes Lady Gaga or Britney Spears.)

In the end of this “live in a different state as your husband” chapter of our lives, I know there will be things that I am stronger, more grateful for, more wise about, etc.
One thing I do know already…
I am so grateful for the time that we are able to spend with my family here in Chicago. Having the mister here makes it so much easier for us to hang out with family members that are literally minutes away.
I love that.

On a day of insane shopping traditions, I am so grateful that I don’t actually honor any of those traditions at all. Black Friday for me was spent walking the dog, feasting on left overs, drinking Bloody Marys and watching football and hockey.
That’s a day to be completely thankful for.

I love holidays with my family. And today is no exception… super thankful that I have a happy, healthy family that is able to all celebrate together.
Also, I’m not going to lie… I’m also real thankful for green bean casserole and pecan pie.
In that order.

I just had my favorite dinner.. beer and pizza with the mister. Now, at this very moment, I am all cuddled in bed with Garth Brooks while the mister plays computer.
Thankful for the feeling of home… in my home away from homes.

My job is about to get a bit crazier starting on Monday. A few changes are coming that will bring some stress, some anger and some anxiety. But, hopefully there will also be some love, some honesty and some success.
In the meantime, I am thankful for this long weekend. Spending time with family is one of the best ways for me to rejuvenate and take care of me.