My Aching Heart

     My chest hurts right now. I just read a devastating article about Joey Feek, the 40-year-old singer who has cervical cancer. She's days away from dying. I'll be honest: I am not all that familiar with her, but I have somewhat followed her story in social media. To read tonight that she said her goodbyes to her family...it broke my heart. I thought my chest would explode when I read that she gave her little girl one last kiss. 

     I cannot even imagine. I can't imagine how hard it is for this woman to say goodbye, knowing she will miss out on that sweet child's life. I have a hard time dropping my kids off at school in the mornings because I worry so much when they are out of my sight. I cannot even imagine saying goodbye forever.
     Cancer scares the crap out of me. It is easily my biggest fear. I worry about being robbed in the middle of the night. I worry about fires. I worry about my kids being bullied. I worry about car accidents. But I am TERRIFIED of cancer. I feel like it is a silent monster that is lurking behind every corner. It's not a matter of "if" we get it, but "when" we get it. It's evil and unrelenting. It doesn't care who you are, how much money you have, or what you need to do tomorrow....if it wants you, it will get you.
     As I sit here tonight thinking about the highs and lows of my day, I realize I need to be happy that I actually HAD another day. Joey Feek is my age. She's not 80. She's 40. She has a little kid. She has a husband. She has parents. Everything I have. 
     But cancer is about to take her away from everyone she loves. And it breaks my heart.

Following Your Happiness

    If you had met me last year at this time, you wouldn't have recognized me. I was recovering from an almost-breakdown....I had taken about 2 weeks off of work because I just. couldn't. do. it. I was a high school teacher in a stressful environment. I couldn't handle the constant criticism, the constant neediness, the constant backstabbing -- and that was just the adults. (Some of) the kids were actually the only good part of my job. I realized, however, that it would be that way no matter where I went....my career choice was not working for me. It was time for a change. I could no longer handle the paperwork, the educational and political changes, the constant negativity. No matter what I did, it wasn't good enough. I was sick to my stomach every morning I walked into the school. I hated it so much, it literally made me sick.
    So I put a plan into motion. I took the plunge and signed up for real estate courses. It was an accelerated class that started in mid-June and ended around the 4th of July. It was ALL day, every day and it was an hour away. But I was determined to do it. There were a lot of obstacles (including the math test I had to pass), but I was so ready to move forward with my life that I didn't let anything stop me. 
     People were negative, skeptical, dismissive. "Realtors are sleazeballs." "That's not a real job." "What? You think you'll be rich?" Usually, I let those comments seep into my brain and nag at me until I believe them. But not this time. This was my way out. I absolutely HAD to do it. 
    Long story short, I passed the state and national exams on the first try. I had already talked to a local real estate agency I wanted to work for once I was licensed. I was moving forward. It was really happening.
    In August, I had to make a big decision. I did not want to go back to teaching high school. I was offered a position at another school, but it wasn't what I wanted to do. I wanted a whole new career. Luckily, a local community college extended me the opportunity to teach 18 credits during the fall semester. This gave me the ability to bring in some money while also giving me the flexibility to sell real estate. My husband, who is as conservative as it comes, wasn't sure we could do it financially. But (amazingly) he relented. He knew I couldn't go back to my own version of hell. I turned in my resignation and never looked back. 
     My whole life and lifestyle changed. I no longer had to set the alarm for 5:15am. I could actually take my kids to school on the first day (something I had never done because I couldn't leave work) and every day after. The morning routine was so much easier and less hectic because I was less stressed. I could walk in the morning, take a shower, then go to my job (either the real estate office or the campus).
     But I had just given up $48,000 to do all of that.
     I was scared out of my mind.
     And I have never been happier.
     Don't get me wrong. Life has been tough....very, very tough. When you lose a huge chunk of income, things get hard. The hubby and I have had many "disagreements" and stress-induced conversations. We've had to count every penny. We had just paid off our credit cards a few months prior, so we were adamant that we weren't going to go back down that route. We would only spend what we had. Which wasn't much. God, it's been so hard.
     But guess what? My blood pressure is actually down. I look less ragged. I've better controlled my eating. And more importantly, my kids are SO HAPPY. They don't have a mom who is too beat down by her job to do anything but sit on the couch at night and cry. 
     I was told that it could take up to 18 months to make money in real estate. Luckily, I have a settlement next week (fingers crossed) and one in April. I also have a lot of irons in the fire, so they say. The potential is there, but it hasn't been easy. I still look at jobs every week, but I honestly can't imagine going back to full-time teaching. 
    We may have a lot less money - however, I've gained so much: confidence, new friendships, real-world experience, contacts, happiness. I never knew there was a real world beyond the walls of a high school. 
     I've always been very susceptible to others' opinions. I've been a quitter. I get scared and go back to the "safe" place. And trust me, I've been close recently. But I am following my happiness. Yes, money is important. And life is better WITH money. However, life is even better when you're HAPPY. I've been at the bottom and I'm climbing my way back up. 
    I choose happiness. Even with very little money, I choose every day to be happy. To appreciate my children. To appreciate my home. To appreciate my life. Being a well-off but miserable mom is much worse than being a penny-pinching but happy mom. THAT'S what my kids will remember. My happiness.

     

Chloe + Isabel Deal

     I've been loving my Chloe + Isabel jewelry this week. Every day I've worn something and every day I've received compliments. I am putting in an order tomorrow night (Tuesday, 2/16), but I have a great offer for YOU.

If you place an order with me by tomorrow night at 9pm/ET (February 16th),
you will receive free shipping and $10 off each piece you order. Orders can be sent to 
kelley.j.cole@gmail.com and paid for via PayPal.
Don't miss out on this AMAZING deal. 

Saw This a Few Places Today....

A Starbucks Trip that Opened My Eyes

     Right now, as I type, I am sitting in our local Starbucks. (You're shocked, I know). I just finished class and still have an hour until I need to pick up the kids. This is my "me" time. I usually grab a non-fat latte and my favorite chocolate flourless cookie. Then I sit....and surreptitiously people-watch.

     Last week I had the pleasure of sitting next to a man I dubbed "Mr. Farter". He was larger, quite sweaty, balding, and made lots of grunting noises as he drank and read the paper. Based on is nickname, I probably don't have to tell you that he would get up every few minutes to "stretch". That's when the smell would envelop all of us in the area. It wasn't pleasant. You can imagine my panic when he stopped me on my way out and asked "what business" I was in. Oh joy.

     Today is a little different. There are still a few characters here, but one in particular has tugged at my heartstrings. He is obviously homeless and looking for a warm space. Someone bought him a coffee and several others have said hello to him as they exited. I guess he's a regular, just one I haven't come across in my visits here. It really is cold out today and I find myself wondering where he will go after Starbucks closes at 10. I hope the staff allows him to stay as long as he wants. As someone who comes here every day, I know that they are good people. I know they'll let him sit and stare off into space for as long as they are open.

     But then what? Where does this guy go at 10pm?

     At 10pm, I plan on being cuddled up on the couch watching my DVR. I'll have already made dinner, given the kids baths, and helped them with their homework. I'll probably be drinking a bottle of red wine and nibbling on Godiva dark chocolate. I'll have on my super-comfy pajamas while I sit in front of the fireplace.

    But where will this guy be?

    It's easy to start taking things for granted. Life has been "tough" for our family recently. I haven't had a paycheck since January 8. The hubby has been carrying the entire household for over a month and that has caused stress on our finances and our relationship. However, I put "tough" in quotes because, in all honesty, life could be so much worse. Our bills got paid, we have a roof over our heads, there's always gas in the cars, we're not starving, and I still have had my daily Starbucks. Could we go out for expensive dinner dates in Philly? No. But, so what? Could I buy that Kate Spade purse I've been salivating over? Nope. But I will be able to at some point. There's a light at the end of our tunnel.

    What happens when there is no light? When the tunnel is seemingly endless?

    I feel somewhat guilty sitting here, texting on my iPhone 6 Plus, typing on a laptop, drinking coffee, and dressed in nice clothes (and jewelry...don't forget the jewelry. Chloe + Isabel. Already had one compliment on my bracelet). There is a man 6 feet away from me who apparently has a lot less than I do. How humbling must it be to have someone buy you a cup of coffee because you can't afford it? Obviously I don't know his circumstances and I am making assumptions, but I think it's safe to say that I am lucky. And yes, I've seen homeless people before. This time it really hit me.

    When I wake up in the morning, I wake up in a bed. In a warm house. With my family next to me (yes, the kids are in bed with us when we wake up). I make breakfast and start my Keurig. I take my kids to school in one of two cars I own.

    And yet I still complain.

    It's time to stop looking at what I don't have and to start focusing on all that I do have. It's time to stop being a spoiled brat and to start sharing with others more. Perhaps my path crossed with this man so I could have that wake-up call. Who cares that I dropped an entire bottle of shampoo on my foot this morning? So what if my husband's incessant talking drives me crazy?

    Those are good problems to have....

 

 




 

Chloe + Isabel

I couldn't resist. I love jewelry. Sadly, I rarely buy anything for myself because I feel too guilty.

Then I started seeing ads on Facebook for a company called Chloe + Isabel. I was intrigued. Funny enough, it was the logo that attracted me in the beginning. It was classic, modern, and fun. (Marketing peeps: logos matter. Just an FYI.)

Honestly, I had already almost invested in the more popular brand of Stella & Dot. But when I went to look at their inventory, I wasn't madly in love with a lot of the pieces. I also felt that the company focused more on recruiting "stylists" than selling their jewelry. I wasn't that interested in becoming part of building the "sorority".  

Chloe + Isabel was different. I absolutely LOVED so much of their stuff. I also liked that they have a lifetime guarantee AND a 30-day money back guarantee. They are young -- only about 4 years old -- but I liked that as well. It's exciting to be a part of something fresh. And Ashton Kutcher is an investor....how can you beat that???

I caved and signed up. A week later (and $182 poorer), I received my box of business materials and samples. I was so excited to open it....seriously, better than Christmas. It seemed like there was just package after glorious package. Being a catalog whore, I almost loved the lookbook more than the jewelry. It was just so....pretty.

I am usually super-picky when it comes to my personal style. From clothes to jewelry to shoes to make-up, I can be annoyingly peculiar. Therefore, I wasn't expecting to like 90% of what I received. Guess what? I loved 99% of what came in that big box! (There was some weird rope bracelet thing that I don't even know how to put on.....).

Needless to say, I am totally chloe + isabel obsessed. The earrings I am wearing today have weight to them, making them feel much more expensive than they are. And today's bracelet? Stunning.

Let me know if you want me to host a fun pop-up shop at your home or office. It's about more than just jewelry! If you would rather just check out our items, shop my boutique: https://www.chloeandisabel.com/boutique/kelleycole?time=2

Join the chloe + isabel obsession!