Sarah Speaks Now

Earlier this year (and for the last several years) I had been battling horrible acne/cystic acne along my jawline and under my chin. I had never broken out like that before. I tried everything - various cleansers and creams, oil cleansing, etc. Everything pretty much helped until it didn’t.

A few months ago, I had the idea to stop taking my multi-vitamin and within a week my skin issues completely cleared up.

Had a fabulous hair day on Friday. Today will be lucky if I even brush it. Yesterday evening, while baking cupcakes for a co-worker’s birthday*, I was slammed by a killer headache. I’d even say borderline migraine. My vision was affected and I felt like I couldn’t focus/I was seeing like a floating squiggly line of light in my right eye. It was horrible. My vision got better after a little while but my head is still throbbing this morning. 👎🏻

It could also just be Monday. 🤷🏻‍♀️

A week ago today we flew home from 10 non-stop days at Disney. I’m still tired. It was hot (heatwave, apparently) and INSANELY busy. Pretty much everyone was sick at some point. Not to mention, trying to coordinate with even small groups of our large group (15 people) was definitely a bit more challenging than we anticipated. 😅

Still, we had a blast. Unfortunately there are pretty much zero flattering pictures of me so here’s one of the three of us from Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. We went with basic marvel character “costumes” so Spider-Man, Thanos, and Captain Marvel. The rest of our Halloween Party group had shirts too - Groot, Iron Man, Black Widow, Dr. Strange, Hulk, Scarlet Witch, and Black Panther. All shirts made by me! 🙃

We’ve been resting a lot and plan to do so for a few days longer... but the chub is REAL and, while I might be maintaining the same weight, I am certainly not as toned/strong as I was a year ago. SO. That’s fun. I feel stuck - like I know what I should do and every time I start my brain is like 🙅🏻‍♀️ All I know is I have to change something somewhere because we have 2 more trips planned (December & May) and I refuse to come out of both trips with zero cute pictures again!

But also you don’t want to ask either? Lol.

On Thursday morning, I opened my work email to find one that literally shocked me. It was a gift from the President of my company that I just couldn’t believe (and still can’t, really). I ran to his office in shock and he just smiled and high-fived me and I asked if I could hug him because I was literally ecstatic (😂) so he hugged me and then I ran off to call Jason.

I didn’t know who knew but he indirectly mentioned it a couple times when he came through my department. I knew my director knew since she helped coordinate it so I could talk to her and the process manager she shares her office with but I didn’t mention it to anyone else. Well, yesterday as I was getting ready to leave I was talking to my co-worker friend who recently got promoted to team manager (a brand new position). She asked what I was doing this weekend and I hesitated but shared with her what my plans were. She was visibly irritated because she clearly knew without actually knowing and asked if it was a gift from the President. I sort of panicked and lied (a BAD lie because I suck at lying) to avoid some major conflict at that moment but sent her a text later and came clean because I knew she knew anyway. We chatted a little bit about it and she was happy for me but definitely not happy, you know?

I’m too excited to let it totally get to me. I mean I’m thinking about it because I get it - if it happened to someone else I’d be equal parts excited for them and super jealous too. President was like “hey they’ve had their fair share of XYZ” and I am sure that’s true it’s just that I’ve been really lucky to travel and experience some work perks pretty quickly during my 3.5 years there.

4 years ago today, I was lucky enough to have this guy say “I do.” Jason thought he was the lucky one... but I know my stubborn ass is no walk in the park. Thankfully, he’s not only kind-hearted and goofy, he never gives up on me and is forever willing to be my silly picture partner. Honey, I’ll listen to you tell your stories or talk about the weather endlessly any day. Or at least I’ll always pretend to. 😁

I’ll start with the negatives: I struggled every 5-7 minutes to keep running today and had to take breaks. At the end, I was so frustrated with this all together. How am I not getting any better when I literally have been doing this for months??? I mean I feel like muscle memory should kick in or something? Also I just feel like a busted can of biscuits lately and I’ve been working my ASS off trying to eat better and eat less. I hate my husband (not really) for giving up soda and practically losing 25 lbs. instantly. 😑 Positives: I pretty much decided at 10am today I wasn’t running and I did it anyway! 🎉 I’ll be repeating Week 6. (Again).

The photo on the left is from the gym on Wednesday night when Jason and I did the circuit. I couldn’t workout for Thursday OR Friday though so I think I went a little too hard.

Love these pictures from @taylorswift last week. My #mcm every day. 😍😍😍 Jason is the best husband for so many reasons but in this case for taking pictures and video during the entire show so I could sing, dance, and scream like crazy.

I can’t explain how happy this pictures makes me.

In December, after working hard to ensure my verified fan status, I bought tickets to see Taylor Swift with my sister, Rebeccah, and some friends in Philadelphia. I’m a long time fan, probably 9-10 years - my blog name (and all social media account names) is inspired by her album, Speak Now. I’ve drawn so much peace or redemption or empowerment or laugher from her music over the years and I just absolutely adore her. Anyway. We ended up with an extra ticket. When Rebeccah (pictured, left) suggested we invite Kelsey (pictured, right) I was 1000% on board - I literally said to Rebeccah that I couldn’t have thought of a better person to invite because Kelsey is also a huge, long time fan.

Kelsey found out she was pregnant earlier this year (but she would still be able to go to the show) and we joked how we would use her baby bump to get us to meet Taylor! Tragically, the day before the concert, she went into early labor and baby Clayton Joseph only blessed us here on earth for a few hours. In addition to her obvious suffering, Kelsey was bummed she couldn’t make the show.

I suggested to her brother a few days later (we are all lifelong friends so basically family) that he boost her spirits with a flight and concert ticket to see Taylor in Minneapolis since Jason and I were going anyway. Kelsey was ecstatic by the idea and my sister even offered to go again so Kelsey wouldn’t have to travel alone. Kelsey even suggested we go to the fair! (I mean, duh).

We were in different sections but all on the floor during the concert. I have to tell you. This show was even better than Philadelphia. I know my sister and I felt it in our hearts that Kelsey wasn’t there for such a sad reason and I think it cast a bit of a shadow on the evening in July. We were having fun but couldn’t help but feel for her missing out. This time it was all in for all of us! I danced and sang my heart out and I’ve never had so much fun at any concert - ever!

The best part of the whole night came after Jason and I got back together with Rebeccah and Kelsey. They told us they had the chance to meet Taylor’s Mom, Andrea, during the show!!! I literally had the time of my life but this was one of those times when you just want some magic for someone and they got it and you can’t stop smiling about it. I mean it would have been even cooler if she got to meet Taylor (🤣) but this was seriously the next best thing. They said she was so sweet and happy to chat with them and take a picture.

It’s State Fair time!

It’s a big deal for Jason’s family (so now, of course, it’s a big deal for me!) and we always kick it off on opening day. This year, I’m not sure what exactly prompted the turn out, but I’m pretty sure a majority of the state also decided to go on opening day! 😂

It was insanely busy (which made for fantastic people watching) but we had an amazing day putting in close to 15 hours. The food is always good (especially split among 10+ people) but the wandering around and logging miles of walking and moving without thinking is the best. Except today I am SO DANG SORE. So a rest day it will be.

Highlight of the day: I didn’t upload the video here but my 8-year-old niece did 7 pull ups at the marine booth and it was truly incredible. I know 7 isn’t a record breaking number or anything (although I can’t even do 1) but you could see in her face she was tired and she powered through as long as she could. People were stopping and cheering for her and we were so proud. Marines are bad ass (I respect the hell out of our service men and women) and having one applaud her ability was pretty special.