New Beginnings.

Happy September!

Today I felt something I have not felt in a long time- a renewed sense of joy. 
The last month has been a roller coaster of emotions. I have become stronger- mentally and physically, smarter and more in control of my life.

Today, I spent the afternoon in the sunshine, catching up on everything I missed out on this summer- Picnic, walk, ice cream, and mini golf. It was a perfect day. 

I am ready to face September head on. I have a lot on my plate and I cannot wait to see what's next for me.  I am going to focus on the JOY in my life this month and I cannot wait to see how JOY comes to me.

Today I found JOY: looking out into the deep blue sea, playing uno, long walks, tiny putt putt courses and in rainbow sprinkles.

Seek joy everywhere.

G

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

Happy Monday!

Oh Monday, you always come too fast after a great weekend. I am happy to start this week and I woke up at 5:30 ready to start my day! (I know, crazy! but I take a long time to get ready!)

5 Things for Monday
1. There is a TORNADO WATCH for OCEAN COUNTY today! From just watching the wind whip the trees around outside- I am afraid of going outside today!
2. I think it's finally time for me to give up the search on the 3.1 Philip Lim for Target Tote with Gusset in Black. I have been to FOUR different Target's in the area and to no avil there are none to be found. It's such a pretty bag.  As much as I would love to add this to my collection, It just isn't going to happen.

1.

 It's just a pretty bag that I am in Love with. It is as elusive as trying to find a boyfriend in my case.
3. Being a Maid of Honor, for Biff's wedding is kinda really important, I am starting to realize real quick, as I mentioned in other posts (LIST POSTS) It's funny, I feel as if I would be the last person to pick for this job. I'm organized but this is someone's wedding! I will keep you updated on it.
4.I need to fix my printer that has been out of serivce since maybe the beinning of the Summer! There are so many cute outfits I find from my fellow bloggers that I would love to print out and put into my look book but I just can't.
5. Lux hit 300 miles over the weekend! Yes I did just get Lux 11 days ago and I have been driving non stop it feels but its so darn comfortable to drive how could i resist. ( I got Lux with 28 miles on it.)

What I am Reading:
 Currently I have been reading Quiet Influence by Jennifer Kahnweiler PhD. I thought it would be intersting learning how introverts can be effective in mangement positions. I typically relate to more introverts than extroverts just because i need time to recharge my batteries after being with a large group of people for a long amount of time and for other reasons too. I've only just started reading it and it seems it will keep my attention for a bit.

Noteable quote:
     " I believe with all my heart, that if you treat little things like they are big things, the mundane thlike they are all the miraculous, the tiny detail like they are the big picture, your life will be infinitely better. Start slow and try it. Notice more, See more, Appriciate more. You will find out. " Tyler Knott on Instagram today..

Does anyone have exciting plans for this week?

XX, the everyday jersey girl

My oh My!

My oh my, what a week this has been.....

I am happy that the week is over and grateful for a new week to start. 

I have found my creativity again, which makes me happy and sad. 

I am happy I can be creative, painting, doodling, baking, jewelry making- I even opened my open Etsy shop too: Handmade by Gabrielle7!

The sad part is that it always takes a boyfriend breaking up with me, to find my creativity. I had high hopes for this boy too but alas, he ended it, and I was left crushed, heartbroken and with a bunch of unanswered questions that he would never answer. I am a strong person and I will get through this little hiccup in my life, as I always do. 

I am eager for this week to start, I have some plans, some ideas and new projects I would like to start this week. 

My to-do list this weekend was pretty packed solid, and I was happy to finish most of it, some of the things (reorganizing my extra closet in my room or cleaning out my nightstand) were just too large for this weekend, and I wanted to enjoy some of the beautiful weather.

New Jersey sure has been trying to hold on to the summer still- with it being so hot out! 

Goals for the week:
*Get to the gym twice
*Dinner and Catch up with Emily
*Read each night
*Try a new craft

Breathe.You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. 
 -Gabrielle