Notes on Life

I found the above graphic on Instagram one day and it truly spoke to me. I am 100% a 'noticer'. I love looking around to see what small insignificant but super special moments.

Life is funny and I feel like the more goodness you see,  the more good comes to you. 

Life can be crazy, hard and frustrating but it can also be really really beautiful too. 

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I entered 2023 with a good mindset after 2022 ended up being a really transformative year for me. I wanted the mindset of joy and happiness and kindness and wonder to carry throughout this year. 

Well, with the first quarter of the year complete, I'm reflecting on what has happened, what currently is happening AND what's on the horizon. 

Honestly, I feel like I'm in a good spot in life. I feel content and happy with what I'm doing and what's happening. 

In the midst of all the goodness,  I do feel like I'm in-between. Let me explain, I am in-between my current life's adventure and my next adventure. It can be slightly unsettling at times when I have panic moments but I remember and remind myself that I am exactly where I need to be. 

This in-between space is a funny space and I'm not sure I've been here before do it's very new and very unknown. 

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I saw one of my friends on Instagram post a 'women crush Wednesday' post for herself. She was reflecting on how far she has come, what she has done, what she is currently doing AND where she is going next.  She is clapping for herself and being proud of what she's doing. 

Her post partially inspired this post ( I had an idea already floating around in my mind about this, Her post made me take action )

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The other day, I was looking through my Google photos and a memory from 2019 popped up. I took one look at it and chuckled to myself because on that specific day in 2019, I was wearing the same top I was wearing in 2023. I don't remember why 4 years ago, I took that selfie but I am so glad I did.  

With this post in mind, I decided to take a selfie almost identical to the one from 2019. 

A lot of things are the same, but there are some big differences I see in these two photos. 

The biggest difference you can't see in the photos is I was struggling with my health in 2019 and counting down the days to my surgery which I had very high hopes that it would help me but no one knew for sure.

My eyes were tired and my face was puffy. I was just trying to make it through each day. I wanted to feel better and to be able to experience all that life had in store for me. 

In the 2023 photo, my eyes are bright blue and I'm doing really well with my health. A complete 180 from 2019. My life is in a completely different spot than I thought it was going to be in 2019 and I couldn't be happier. 

2023 Gabrielle has grown up and experienced so much; she is wiser, kinder, goofier and most importantly more comfortable and confident in her skin. 

I wish I could go back and tell 2019 Gabrielle, things are going to be really hard for the next few years but just wait to see what you have waiting for you in 2023. 

I think its so important to look ahead and know where you are going BUT I also think it's super important to look back to see how far you've come. 

What is something you would tell yourself 4 years ago?

[[Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. -Gordon B. Hinckley]]

Three Years Later

Moving Out  On

Three years. 

Three years ago I did one of the hardest things I have ever done. I said I'm DONE. 

I had no idea what was going to happen next but I knew I had to do it. 

Saying NO and I'M DONE and walking away from something that was supposed to be forever, was hard but I knew I had to put myself first and I do what was right for me. 

Looking back, I am so SO proud of myself. I remember I was scared, but I knew it was the best choice I could make. 

I am still learning and growing and realizing life is different for every single person. 

I am the person who I am today because the girl 3 years ago was brave and spoke her truth, even when her voice was shaky. 

Looking back, I couldn't be happier that I knew the weight that I felt after I said NO was lifted off my shoulders, I knew immediately I made the right decision. It became even more evident when I was moving out and I felt calm and I just wanted to get away as quickly as I could. 

One year later, on August 1, 2020, I found a Flamingo statute placed by my car without any note or card. 

One year later, on August 3, 2021, I wrote this post about how so much has changed and how much I've grown. 

Three years later, the week of July 24, 2022, I got my redemption  and I went to Holterman's Bakery in Staten Island. Why do you ask that I went all the way to Staten Island for baked goods? Good question, I will tell you.... My ex used to get me these cupcakes all the time and I always felt like it was his thing. I happened to be in the area of Staten Island and it just felt right that I went and bought my OWN cupcakes with my OWN money. It was empowering and they were still so yummy. 

The emotions are still there- not because I want to go back but because it was a really hard thing to go through and at the time, no one knew what was really happening. Shame on me for not being more forthcoming but I learned to let others in and not to be afraid to speak about hard things. 

So here I am, three years later, still growing, still learning and still making her own path. 

[[ Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path]]

Ramblings and Photos

These past 30 days, I clearly did not make taking photos a priority but that is okay. Life is funny and sometimes gets in the way. The photos I did take, below, are kind of funny.  I feel like a life not documented is sometimes good- it means you are too busy doing things that you don't want to interrupt getting your phone out. 

I have realized a lot this year that giving yourself grace, is probably the best thing you can do. Life is all about balance; you have to take the good days with the bad days; productive days with the not productive days.

Here I am sitting on Sunday afternoon writing this, thinking back on these photos and overall how life has played out in the last few months and how grateful I am to be right here. Do some things suck and they are hard and I cannot figure out why they are happening? YES!! But when things do work out and things are good, I am thankful and filled with gratitude. Life is what we make it and I am determined even in the midst of a global pandemic to make life as good as it can be. To me, that is saying no to things that don't bring me joy, limiting my time on social media and doing things that do bring me joy. 

My advice to you: do what you love, fcuk the rest. (OOPS! sorry about the language but I felt like its appropriate.) You only have this one life to life and why not live it doing things you truly love. 

My goals for the fall are do to just that: doing what I love and finding joy in the ordinary. 

Phew, I will step off my soapbox and let you see the photos I did take...

I moved him 2 inches to the left and I found
him like this the next day. 🙈

Work Stanley enjoying a muffin wrapper

Grainy bathroom selfie

I am pretty sure I am growing weeds at this point.

Morning Light

I love the natural gradient of blues. 

 Thanks for readings as always. Having this spot on the internet, the last 8 months, has been really awesome. Wishing you a wonderful week filled with exciting possibilities. 

What are you looking forward to this week?

[[Every next level of your life will demand a different you]]

-gabrielle

How A Year Can Change Everything

As I look back on today, August 3rd, 2019,  I remember it being a sunny and humid day. I remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach driving,  my parents in a U-Haul behind me to move me out of a house that no longer was a home. All I wanted to do was to get in and get out. It took 3 hours, 6 people and a whole lot of willpower not to confront him but we did it, I was packed up and I closed a really hard chapter in my life. As I drove through the gates one last time, I breathed a sigh of relief and said to myself, I did it. I was out of that situation that was no longer serving me. I felt proud of myself, for standing up for myself and for making a decision that was not an easy one to make. I had no idea what my next step but I knew I was going in the right direction. 

After we unloaded all of my belongings and returned the U-Haul, my parents and I made it back home to a mess-literally a mess, it looked like my things threw up in the house. They were EVERYWHERE. I think at that point was probably the 5th time I broke down crying that day, looking at this mess. It was hard for me to fathom, where we were going to put everything. We got some things situated and made the mess a little more manageable. I sat down in my new room, feeling overwhelmed and frustrated at this situation, I remembered one of the people who helped move me out, gave me a note to read later. I pulled it out of my purse and sat down to read it. This note was from my aunt's friend who always seems to always to say the right things, in the right moment. While I read this letter, I laughed for the first time in days and I cried. What he said was so true...

"Meantime, you need to keep moving forward and never look back. You have great strength and faith. The best is yet to come and God will be with you to wash away hurt with tears. You have beautiful and many bright days along with years ahead of you. Just stay strong for Mom, Dad and mostly for yourself. Don't you ever, ever give up."

Those words really stuck with me. I had needed to keep my faith that things will work out and things will come together. I folded the note back up and stuck it in my wallet as a reminder. 

Today, August 3, 2020, a year later, its hot and humid and I think know I am in a much better spot than I was last year this time. Besides being in the middle of a global pandemic, life is pretty good right now. I have fallen into a new normal with work and life. Work has been super rewarding with my new position that I started officially (by myself) in December. It has been a learning curve but I am happy to report that I feel comfortable and I have a new rhythm at work that I couldn't be happier with. I am consistently learning new things- no two days are the same. 

Life outside of work has been fun- I dated for a while, I re-connected with friends and I focused on myself and my health. Speaking of my health, it has been stellar. After the stressfulness of moving out and everything surrounding it were gone so were all the stomach pains which I initially thought were from the surgery not working. It was like one day I woke up and POOF! they were gone and I started to feel better consistently. I was in amazement, I was feeling so good after a month, then two months and here we are 12 months later, I am still feeling that good. My doctor and my parents couldn't be happier and I am over the moon about it. 

I am signed up for Fall classes and I make a point to spend time outside at least a few times a week. Living by the water has always provided me with clarity and calmness; I have been savoring each moment I have been lucky enough to spend by the water.  As much as last year sucked, I am happy it happened. It has taught me ALOT about myself- I'm strong, I can speak my mind and  I can go through hard situations and grow from those experiences. I can make a plan for a goal and follow it through to the end; I have saved more money than I have ever thought I could; I re-evaluated what I wanted in life and I make sure I chase after what I truly want. I am leaving nothing to chance anymore- I have changed for the better. 

You never know how things are going to work out and you never know where you truly are going to end up, six month from now. You have to trust and have faith that things will work out for the best. It might not be exactly what you wanted but somehow someway, how things work out are in your very best interest and its where you are supposed to be. 

Have you changed in the past year? 

[[God has a reason for allowing things to happen We may never understand His wisdom, but we simply have to trust His will. Psalm 37:5]]

-gabrielle

April Photos

Full disclosure: You will see a lot of my neighborhood for this month's photo story.  I have been taking advantage of the nice weather we've been having to take nice long walks around my neighborhood. I love living so close to the water and seeing the boats getting unwrapped from the winter and getting ready for the season. Its a particular favorite of mine.

Here are some of my favorite snapshots from the past month.

That's a wrap on this  month's photo story. What have you been taking snapshots of during the month?

Is anyone else's Google Photos filled with screenshots of things you want to do, remember or just like?? Oh, okay, just me! Thanks! HAHA

[[every little thing is going to be alright.]]

-gabrielle

New Season of Life

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Hello! Happy 2020!

Can you believe it? Its here- 2020! The year of clear vision and new opportunites.

I feel like this year I have entered into a new season of my life.

How do I know?

I turned 32 last week! I had a great report from my gastroenterologist from my colonoscopy and something clicked inside me- this is the first time in at least 6 years that I am feeling the best I can AKA being symptom free and I feel as if I am back to my old goofy self. Being back to my old goofy self is something I lost in the past few years and its really nice to have her back.

Being symptom free and being my old goofy self at the same time is something rare and it needs to be celebrated- hence a new season in my life. The last season was hard, trying and eye opening ( more on that in a future post).

I am curious to see what this season has in store for me. I missed blogging a lot. The last year, I was getting my life back together and when I was blogging back in September,  the posts were short and melancholy- that was my life at that particular moment in time. Someone who I thought I knew told me very bluntly, that I was complaining. I was taken aback by this and it hurt a lot. I know I was in bleh place back then but that is to be expected after what I had gone through. I learned from that person and I grew from that. I decided I am not going to let someone tell me what to do.

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Since its been a minute, I think introductions are in order.

I'm Gabrielle, 32 and living in New Jersey.
I am quirky and smart and funny.
Three things I love: Reading, Painting and Going to the Gym.
I've had Crohn's Disease for 5 years and currently symptom free.
Things I love are my family, bright colors, coincidences, life, yoga and random acts of kindness among other things.
I work as a paralegal for the last 8 years and I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
Blogging has been part of my life for a better part of the decade and I am excited to share more with you!

Life is wonderfully crazy, enjoy it while you can.

-Gabrielle

Midday thoughts- warm fuzzies

Warm Fuzzies. 

You know what I'm talking about- that feeling you get when you see your food come in a restaurant; the sweet note someone gives you and among other things,  the butterflies you get in your stomach when we see someone you love. (Okay that sometimes feels like a zoo, but you get the idea)

This weekend I decided to dive into my jar of warm fuzzies. Sweet notes I've collected over the years from different things I've been involved in. A love note from my first boyfriend; notes passed in class from best friends; backpats from marching band, RYLA, and various college weekend retreats and other random notes I've stuffed in this jar over the years. Reading them brought back so many good memories from over the years. 

It was funny to remember exactly who the warm fuzzy was from even with no name on it. It was a nice walk down memory lane and made me think about these nice things. 

Do you have a collection of sweet notes you have kept over the years?

More later!

-g

Slow Down Sunday

Hi! This weekend was a weekend. In the best possible way. Was it slow? nope. Was it a little hectic? yes. Did the universe kinda mess with my head? why yes it did. Did I drink all the rose' and sangrias? why yes of course, they were delicious (and probably my kryptonite).

Its Sunday night and I have been in bed for about 2 hours already. Do I care? Not really because for me this is self care- crawling into bed, watching the last few episodes of The Good Place and just breathing.

As I reflect on my weekend, I am happy how it went but my little head hurts. I have so many questions/situations/memories swirling around in my head, I feel like Chidi on the Good Place trying to make a decision.

None the less, I enjoyed the beautiful weather, had a lot of laughs, ate all the food and got to have some really great conversations. I was present, I felt for most of the weekend and enjoyed it. That is something, I feel that most people do not do- be present. We are all so connected via our smartphones and yet we are so far away from people. We live through our phone screens and its sad. I hope I can improve on being more present in life and actually showing up for it not just watching it through my phone's camera.

Have a wondeful night, do some self-care, get ready for this week and always remember to smile.

-g

Saturday Night

Hello! Hi! Howdy!

Its Saturday night, Leo and I are home relaxing. I have been doing a few things around the house and even been painting in my garage studio. 

Painting brings me so much JOY! While I am no professional, I enjoy the act of picking out different colors and just letting the paint brush wander.

 I picked up some new canvas at Michaels this week. They were having a crazy sale- Buy 1 Get 2 free! TWO free!! Naturally I ordered 30 of them; ordered online and picked them up in store. The store associate asked me if taught one of those Paint and Sip classes. HA! I said I just like to paint. lol. 

Today was a good day- Blake and I did some errands this morning, we watched a few episodes of the office and then he went off to work and here we are. 

Its officially 90 days until Hawaii! I will share what I am packing and what I am most excited for about Hawaii in August. 

This season of my life, has been very interesting and I am grateful for this crazy adventure!

Laundry and my canvas are calling my name!

XO

"If you want to be successful, its just this simple, know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing" WIll Rogers.

New Season.... New Start

Hello!

As you probably found this blog from my old blog, Everyday Jersey Girl, you saw I talked about being in a new season and outgrowing that blog. I will always be the Everyday Jersey Girl but right now it feels more appropriate to be writing about what is happening in my season of life and the two best words I could think of to describe this season are Wonder and Joy.

These two words I have been unintentionally thinking about for a while now; they both happen to be in a bible verse that has been resonating to me in so many way the last three (!!) years now.

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I found this verse when I was going through a rough time dealing with my Crohn's Disease. I have this exact photo set as my background on my phone, it is engraved on my iPad and I have it hanging in my office and in my bedroom. When you think about it....there IS wonderful joy ahead, you have to stay strong and be brave even in the most scary and unsettling situations. 

Wonder and Joy..... all of the wonder and joy I have come to after struggles and struggles , its a relief to find even the tiny piece of joy when you are in the midst of a really rough struggle.

I have had Crohn's Disease for five...that's right FIVE years now. I have no idea where the time has gone and I still cannot really believe I have been living gracefully (as my mom would put it) for FIVE years. I have seen some really high highs (getting medicine approved, finding no inflammation where there once was and finding medicine that works, even for a short time) and some really low lows (at least 4 overnight hospitalizations, finding inflammation and finding I've failed FIVE medications, the tears, frustrations and hopelessness) but through it all, this verse has always come back to me... ALWAYS. 

Living with a chronic illness is unforgiving and really really REALLY hard. Unless you, yourself, have a chronic illness, its terribly hard to explain and its even hard sometimes for people to understand what it actually is. I don't always look sick and some days I have a ton of energy and I get a lot done, and other days I can't get myself out of bed. These extremes frustrate me and make me angry that I can't be like everyone else.

My support system is pretty amazing and they are always right there next to me for each doctors appointment, hospital stay, trip to the infusion center and to help me navigate this scary and sometimes dark unknown of having a chronic illness.

I needed to find a hobby because I have been feeling less than stellar lately (and by lately I mean the last 9 months) and blogging has always been on the backburner for me. I had a Xanga (remember that one?!) back in the day and probably a LiveJournal. Wish I could find those entries in cyberspace! Then I had a Tumblr which was like the anti-blog for 10 years (on and off) and then I found Blogger-first it was Just Simply Elle for a year, then Everyday Jersey Girl for four years and now, Wonder and Joy.

My intention for this blog is to be able to share my season with you all in the cyberspace and to document this part of my life. I have a lot going on and as many photos I have, I think actually writing eh typing it out can somewhat therapeutic. I will try to be as honest and open as I can with these posts- some may be funny, some may be emotional be all in all it will be what my season in life really is.

I write how I speak and I use way too many exclamation points but I am only me, that is the only thing I can be. I'm silly, honest, emotional, curious, caring and about a million more things too. I hope you can join me in this season of my life.

Thanks for stopping by!

Gabrielle

New Season

If I have said it once, I have said it multiple times before....I think I am back after an unintentional blogger break. Life has been pretty crazy since July of 2017 and it has been NONSTOP! This new season of my life is exciting, thrilling and I am  jumping into the unknown with two feet. I never thought in a million years that all of this would be happening all at once, but you know #life.

I think after mulling it over for a few weeks, I have outgrown this blog, Everyday Jersey Girl. This was me but I am in a new and exciting season of my life.  I think I need something that is in line with my new season and all the newness happening. You can follow my adventures at Wonder and Joy.

Hope to see you over at Wonder and Joy!

Half Year Update and Welcome back

Hi Everyone!! 

Remember that time I said I would come back to blogging (here, here, here, here and here). 🤦Yikes, I've said that a lot in the past. Life always gets in the way and blogging falls to the back burner; which sucks but what can you do?

Well, I am back, for now, and I am excited to share my journey and life with you all!

I figured the best way to jump back into blogging again with a half year update! Can you believe its almost August already?

I have had a crazy year so far! 

To update you on my health issues, I have finally found a medicine that has been working with me for the past few months. It has been such a relief to feel good each and every day I wake up. I have been able to keep up a busy social/work schedule and I couldn't be happier.  I'm very thankful I was able to find a doctor who actually listened to me and wanted to find what was best for me.

Work has been busy all year and I love it! It makes my day go by so much quicker! Each day in the office is a new adventure.

Random things I find in and around work.

I am still going to my trainer. We have been doing lots of outdoor workouts which have been my favorite! I have a beautiful park by me and its great to see so many people take advantage of it. The other day we did a pool workout-- I didn't think it was going to be that hard but it was quite a workout. The resistance from the water was an added bonus. After the workout, I felt great!

My trainer and I (After a run, of course!)

I have also started training to run a 5K at the end of the summer. The recreation department in my town started a Couch to 5K group. I am currently on week 5! I will be posting more about this later in the week.

My 4th of July run!

My parents and I have been on a few adventures and they have been great! Mama loves selfies (and also Snapchat!) We have taken part in a lot of Rotary events and we've gone out for Easter and Father's Day too!

my whole life.

I joined the Rotary Club in my town (officially) back in December. I always knew i wanted to ‘make a difference’ but i didn't know how. When i saw my Rotary Club had evening clubs, I thought that would be perfect for me. Rotary historically has always had day meetings which would have been hard for me to commit to since I don't work in town. The Satellite club was created specifically because so many people couldn't make the weekly meeting during the day. Rotary has really impacted my life and made me the person I am today, even after only 6 months! I have participated in many fundraisers and activities with the Rotarians- Its been a great way to meet people and help out.

My Rotary Sponsor, my parents, & the Club President at my Induction

I participated in the student version of Rotary called Interact when I was in high school. It was such a fulfilling experience- I loved it. I had the opportunity to take part in RYLA- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (Academy). To say that RYLA changed my life is an understatement. (If you went to RYLA, you totally would understand what I am saying). This year, as a Rotarian, I had the privilege to go back to RYLA for the closing ceremonies. To say the least, the magic is still there 12 years later! It was awe inspiring to see the kids and how excited they were for completing this crazy 4 day leadership amp. I remember how excited I was back then and how I couldn't stop talking about it! I got to see some old friends- I haven't connected with these people in 12 years! It was an amazing experience.

RYLA brings back so many magical memories

As you know, I have been taking a photo of the day since 2011 (give or take an 8 month break) It is a nice way to sort of ‘journal’ my days. I like looking back on a certain day to see what I have taken a photo of. Its neat to see what I was doing and what I was seeing. One of my favorite photos taken recently is below. I was driving by the bay and the dreamy colored sky was just too perfect to keep driving by. The cattails were an added bonus that I love.

Dreamy sky and cattails

I pray this post is the oomph I need to get back into blogging. I really missed it. #truestory

Don’t forget to check my Instagram @everydayjerseygirl for updates and fun things.

Ps.  Thanks for reading!

Back at it again

Hi Hi Hi!!! Hello Blogsphere.... I have missed you all dearly!

It's November and after a long break--- I think I am ready to jump back into the blogging world. I know I briefly blogged for a little in September with Bailey's Blogtember challenges but I really want to blog more intentionally and have this act as my journal of some sorts--- a place to keep memories and experiences.

I guess its only proper if I fill you in on what I have been up to the past few months. I think the best way is through photos; I love capturing everyday moments, things that excite me or  I think are beautiful. Snapshots of everyday life that I want to remember.

 everyday life

courtroom / best message ever / grilling in the rain / neon

office styling / flamingos / bunnies / patterns

sweet surprises / target for the win / office snow / new art friend

 

 creativity 

drips and drops / flowers/ dots

pineapple / flamingos/ mermaid

 

Selfies

after the dentist / 42 balloons in my car / Dylan Scott

B&N / Sporting Goods Store / Elevator

Colorful Skies

Big moon / sunset / Island Heights

Seaside Bridge / Point Pleasant / Back Bays

Morning Runs / Latitudes / Day

Water Street views 

Toms River Dining

  

The past few months have been rough but I have always loved looking back on my camera roll and seeing the images I capture. Life isn't always perfect but I always try to look for the good in each day. 

I found this quote really inspiring, just at the perfect moment when I needed it . I hope this can help someone going through a rough time.

My intention for this month is to blog more and to enjoy it. I am excited to try to share more this month. Stay tune for my November Goals.