Long Story, Short ...

My life is complicated hectic.

Here are my current happenings and thoughts (in no particular order):

Pop:
My grandfather, Roger, was admitted to Carroll Hospital Center on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning after falling out of the shower and breaking his hip. Unfortunately, there is not too much of an update. I will know more in the morning after we get his blood work back, but as of now surgery is not scheduled for Thursday. And the only reason he has not been in surgery yet is because certain meds he is on makes his blood too thin, so they cannot operate. As soon as the fluidity of his blood thickens, they have the green light to operate. And for the actual surgery - it could just be some pins, maybe some pins and a plate, or a whole new hip. He is beginning to grow more impatient as the days drag on. He really hates not being able to move around and do things on his own, but mostly he sleeps because of the pain medications. Fingers crossed that it will only be a few pins, and that his recuperation will be limited.

School:
Despite what my dad really wants me to do, I think I am taking a semester off from school. I am anxious to go back though. I passed my PPST, but Carroll Community did not receive the scores in enough time for the May 2009 graduation deadline. And it does not benefit me to start classes at Towson without having "graduated" from Carroll. So everything has to be re-submitted and get re-approved. But I pretty much can't wait to get back to school :]

Wedding:
An April 30, 2011 wedding is still in the works. We are currently looking at black and white damask patterns for our wedding with maybe a little bit of color - I'm thinking a deep teal?! Hmmm...then again we have been known to change our minds. Good thing nothing is set in stone, huh?! :]

Home:
Judging by the baskets of clean clothes sitting on my floor waiting for transport into my closet and the papers strewn all over my desk, you can tell I don't spend a lot of time at home :[

Crafts:
(For more information see the Obsessions updates)
I returned my sewing machine. Maybe I am just used to my grandmother's sewing machine, but I did not like the one I bought. I haven't thought about buying another one, yet. I just do not have the room for a sewing in my room. I found/was directed to a couple of websites with awesome crafty ideas. Maybe one day...

Obsessions:
Thanks to my super-crafty-soon-to-be-sister-in-law (whew!), Brandee and her mom Kim, I have been obsessing over quilting. I am a fabric-holic. I want so badly to go to the quilting stores and buy all types of fabric, but I know I will probably buy all kinds of patches and never use them :] - It seems to me that I have scrapbooking paper like too :] I am also obsessed with earthy colors/rustic colors/bright colors. Oh! and polka dots :] Pretty much anything crafty to consume my time and keep my hands busy :]


Well, thanks for listening to me rant! I will update later about Pop if I can.

Two by Two

Quilt Progress:
I tried to start sewing my quilt by hand, but it just takes too much of the time that I already don't have. That, and not to mention...I cannot sew straight to save my life :] So, as you can see...I broke down and got a sewing machine. It's nothing fancy. As it's name says, it's simple.



It took me a few tries but I finally got it to work for me. I've only ever used my grandmother's almost-ancient (sorry, Gran!) sewing machine, and this one is a little different. I'm too much like my father to worry with directions, so as usual, they got thrown back into the box. And I'm too much like my mother and I was stubborn enough to think all of those tutorial videos showed me anything, so I tried my own way, got too frustrated, and gave in to following suit :] And things went much quicker. In one night, I got all the pieces laid out, matched together, and sewn in pairs. See exhibit B.





I have a couple of four-squares done. But nothing else. I still have to buy batting and fabric for the back. Then I'm moving on to making Justin a quilt (Fred, Brandee...don't tell!).


College Update:
Speaking of time that I already don't have, it looks like I will have even more time this semester. I called to Towson and they said they cannot defer my enrollment from the Spring to the Fall. So I'm not going to Towson this semester. I'm contemplating two alternative...apply to Towson for the Spring 2010 and still take a couple classes at Carroll (even though I have already graduated from there with my AAT) OR apply to Towson for the Spring, but just work this semester. My dad would prefer I stay in school. Justin hasn't said if he has a preference or not. So who knows at this point. I guess I'm on my own to figure it out. Yay :/

Change Your Look, Not Your Sole :]

So if you are following me on Twitter, you know that I am biting my nails on a daily basis waiting for my PRAXIS PPST scores to arrive. Here's how they score:
Reading: 177 points to pass
Writing: 173 points to pass
Math: 177 points to pass
= a composite score of 527

I got a 182 on the Reading. And I don't know if I feel so confident about my Math. Some of the people I went to school with, missed the mark by only 1 point. 1 point. That would pretty much devastate me. Which means I would have to take one of the tree tests again to up my composite score. So maybe my Reading will compensate a little for my Math. Fingers crossed.

On the same topic, I have to call Towson to see if they will roll-over my acceptance from the Spring to the Fall semester. I sure hope so :] But it all really depends on my PRAXIS scores. I'm waiting on them to graduate from Carroll with my AAT in Elementary Education, too. So hopefully by Monday.

Aside from all my school talk, Justin and I went to Noodles Thursday night for dinner. And he bought my graduation present:

SwitchFlops :]
I really like love these shoes. They are so comfortable. I can't wait to get some more of them :]

I'll leave you with the latest picture of the plant I have managed to keep alive!



It get's bigger by the day. Soon it will take-over my desk :]

Playing Catch-Up

^^ Is exactly what I am doing. It has been almost two weeks since I have posted anything! So bear with me. I have lots of pictures to post - including: our anniversary weekend, the speedway, and my poster.


April 30, 2009 marked our 4 year anniversary :] I can't believe it has been so long. I feel old (Justin and I have been together since Junior year at NCHS!) He surprised me and took me Shining Dawn Bed & Breakfast for a night. It was so romantic. We were the only guests in the house :]

The house was pretty much huge. It was built in 1902. I was a little weary of it at first. Considering most of the places on Ghost Hunters that turn out to be haunted are hotels and B&B's. eeeepppp!! But I made it through the night, and if any ghosts were there, they didn't come looking for me :]
Justin took this once we got there. The following pictures are some of my favorites from our stay.
Outside in the garden.
Looking down from the deck off of our room.
More pictures of the backyard. It was really pretty even though it was rainy that weekend.
He looks so excited doesn't he?! This is what he does when I say "Justin, smile :]" Cheese!
The mural that was painted on the wall behind the day bed. There were glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. We stayed in the Mid-Summer Night's Dream room.
The sunroom. When we got there, we sat in this room for two hours. I read Twilight and Justin was looking at stuff for GNW.

Breakfast included: broiled grapefruit (weird, huh? but tasty!), German apple pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee, and OJ with raspberries!

This concludes our anniversary weekend!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS is the poster that took all day Wednesday, most of Thursday afternoon, and Saturday to make. But thankfully, I am done with it. I spent all day Wednesday cutting out the letters and add-ons with my Cricut (what a God send that machine is!!) and glue sticking! A 5 page paper and lesson plan goes with this. Oy Vey!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then, last night - Saturday May 9 we went to Trail-Ways Speedway to watch Justin's cousin Charles Shaffer race. This was my first trip to the races and I am glad to say...it won't be my last! I had a blast. Next time, I will dress for the occassion, though. Flip flops, bermuda shorts, a v-neck t-shirt, and brand new glasses is not the right attire. I had dirt everywhere! But it was lots of fun! I can't wait to go back :] Our brood included: Uncle Steve & Aunt Treasa, Jeremy, Adam, Justin & I, Bert & Raquel, Mark, Tab, Markie & Maddie, Hog & Woofy, Anna May & Ed, Charles' son (I cannot for the life of me remember his name...), Melissa & Drew. Here are a few of my favorite pictures that Maddie and I took :]

Justin and me in the stands!
Me and Porkchop (aka - Frank) :]
Markie minus three teeth!
Aunt Brittany and Maddie!!
Charles' car is behind the orange one. Number 12!
These cars kicked up more dirt and mud than any others :]
Maddies "James Dean" Zier! haha!


That pretty much concludes catching up on the fun things around here. Thanks for bearing with me, I know is was long :] I'll try to post more often :] No promises.

Happy Mother's Day!

Procrastinating

I have been trying to write these papers for my class tomorrow...and I can't seem to stay focused. The days of sitting around and reading by the fireplace with some coffee are days long past. I can't wait until it it nice enough outside for me to sit on the deck in the crisp morning and read my book! That's my favorite!!

We didn't do a whole lot this weekend. I took the reading part of my PPST exam. I will get the results in about 3 to 4 weeks. For me, that is not soon enough. I wanted to know as soon as I filled in all of the circles with my no.2 pencil :] I will check everyday until I know if I passed or not :]

We spent all afternoon together though. Watching a really weird and poorly filmed movie...28 Days Later. No good! I do not recommend it. And then we played some Mario Kart :] Oh! and we made sundaes!! YUM!

Okay...enough prolonging. I have to write my papers :]

Crazy Snow !!

Today's forecast....YUCKY!

Sure, snow is pretty, but it is a pain-in-the-butt. Justin even got stuck leaving for work today. So he didn't get there til close to 11. His day is now half over :]

The wind at my house is ferocious! Some parts on my yard are barely covered, while other looks to have about 2 feet of drift piled up! It's crazy! Hence why I am so nervous leaving for work today. What if...I am driving down the road and all looks okay and I hit a huge pile of drifted snow and I get stuck! What then!! I guess I'll put the kitty litter and a shovel in my car... fingers crossed.

I am waiting for the snow to stop so I can see how badly my road looks before I see if I am even going into work. I hate to call off, but what can a girl do? Tomorrow morning is going to be ever-so-fun going in at 6:30 :] Another day, another adventure...

So I feel really guilty. I've been lazy today. I have been in the basement all morning snuggled in my blanket drinking coffee and reading my book. It seems like that is all I do now. If I'm not at work, or working on school work and spending time with Justin, I am reading. He told me to find a cheap hobby and I guess I accomplished that. And we buy the books because I like to re-read them from time-to-time. I have a few that look promising when I am done my new ones :]

Speaking of school work, I have a paper due tomorrow night so I had better on that. I don't want the whole day to be a total wash.

TGIF

Thank goodness it's Friday! Too bad I have to work all night :[ My manager asked if she gave me off on Monday night, would I work Friday night. Being the nice person I am, I said yes. I usually have Fridays off though. And then I have to work all night Saturday night, and pretty much all day on Sunday. Bummer dude.

This week will be spent trying to figure out what to get Justin for Valentine's Day. I had an idea but that fell through. So back to the drawing board!! Then the rest of the day includes working, reading the chapter for my class. What kind of a publisher makes one chapter 43 pages long? Cantankerous I tell you!!

I made cookie dough brownies the other night and my dad pretty much scarfed them down. So much for not liking chocolate. I think Sunday night I am going to make caramel blondies for Justin to take to work. I think Fred likes them, and it won't give him a migraine since there's no chocolate. I often times think about making stuff for work but there are so many cashiers, service desk girls, courtesy associates, and people greeters, I wouldn't even know how much to make!

Okay well off to the drawing board to figure something out for Valentine's Day. Do guys like flowers?!

Snow Day!

So not only do I not have class today, I don't have to work either :]

I didn't get to sleep in as much as I would have liked, but that's okay. I'll just take a nap later. I figured up my taxes. But they aren't final yet. So I guess my dad and I will take a look at them tonight. I'm not waiting until April 1st to send them in again. That was crazy. I actually think I'm still waiting for one more bank statement to come through. And then off they go!

Today's activities include laundry and reading :] I have a chapter to read for my class and then I will dive into my new novel! I finished my last one :] It was really good! Cindy at work is next in line to read it. Then Kristie :]

Off to do laundry and read.

The Brittanys

Me and Brittany (from work) went shopping last night. We ate at Noodles (or as Mandy calls it...Cup O Noodles) and we did some shopping. Gretta couldn't come with us so we sent her pics galoore on her phone of all of our purchases! I took back the present I got for my grandmother and I got her something else. That I think she would like more.

Today plans include...taking my last final (woot!), selling back my book, going to Old Navy to buy a new pair of pants and to get a holiday shirt to wear at work Xmas eve, and coming home and wrapping the rest of Justin's presents before he sees them!!! and cleaning my room and taking inventory of the presents to make sure we have everything.

So off to get in the shower and take my exam! Wish me good luck!

Neglect

Wow!! I have really neglected my blog for the past week.

Now I know what a work-a-holic is! I worked 60.34 hours this week (or so the time clock said :]). And boy was I pooped. And on top of that, it looks like I might have to work a little overtime this week too!! I have tons of homework, transcripts to send out, bills to pay, and take care of Justin.

OH! P.S. - in case anyone wasn't at Grandmom Markle's on Friday...Justin hurt his knee again. To the point that he is having a really hard time walking. We went to get dinner last night and he walked around Wal*Mart. Well...only to the pharmacy section to get stuff for me to pamper him :] And then right to the couch!

I have a paper to write and I am really procrastinating :]

We're Moving to Canada !!

It has been literally FORVER since I made a post. So this one is going to be pretty lengthy - bare with me.

Let's see...not a whole lot has changed on the busy front. School is getting worse with thinking about transfers and applications and all that jazz. Work is getting better. We are finally working our way to a set schedule. YIPEE !!! :]
------------------------------------------------

I have been working out on my Wii Fit almost everyday. I have lost 3 more lbs :] I'm excited.

------------------------------------------------

My bubble was burst last week. I was looking forward to painting pumpkins with my girl, but it didn't work out. Sandy had to meet with her parents about details on the new house. Which is awesome that they are moving!! YIPEE :] I can't wait for them to get out of that crappy house and get into a safe house. And the best part is they can take the dogs AND they are moving only like two houses away from my other brother's house :]

SO...when they get settled they better believe I will be there all the time. Brooke is feeling alot better, and I know once they get into the new house, she will be just fine. So skipping out on pumpkins is a-okay by me for now. We will have to paint double next year :]

------------------------------------------------

We went out Friday for our 3 1/2 year anniversary! We went to Sakura in Westminster. The chef threw food into people's mouths and I caught it and Justin didn't. How embarassing :] We had a good time and went out for Hoffman's apple pie ice cream afterwards.

------------------------------------------------

This weekend is going to be super busy. We are leaving tomorrow night after work and going down to Sykesville for the weekend. My church is having it's annual Christmas Bazaar. So we will be down there helping. Up early, up late ... sounds amazing...NOT!

------------------------------------------------

Now onto the hotest topic of the hour - politics and our soon-to-be POTUS Obama. Justin really hates the idea that he is going to be in office. So much that he swears we are moving to Canada. I really hate cold weather. So I'd better pack all my winter stuff. And I'm pretty sure my dad said he's coming along, too :] Was I voting for McCain?! Absolutely. But change might be good. Who knows. We will have to wait and see. Slots on the other hand...no thanks. None of that money will go to schooling systems or to emergency responders.

-------------------------------------------------

On a happier note...the trees by my house are finally turning into rich shades of orange and red. They are so gorgeous :] I love fall. But if it were December, I would swear it was going to snow. The sky was white almost all day today. I dread the snow :[

-------------------------------------------------

Thanks for listening to me ramble. I have to be at work early...goodnight :]

Super Busy

This week has been nothing but chaos!! And I am working really hard, and I feel like nothing is getting done. School is crazy! I have had pretty much one or two big assignments due for every class of everyday this week. It's nuts!!

Thursday, I am hoping to get a pumpkin and take it to my brother's house for Brooke to paint :] She's been sick, so Aunt Brittany is going to make it all better :] I miss her loads. It's been three weeks since I have seen her. We are best friends.

Well I better get a move on with my school work. I have two reflections for a research paper due tomorrow by 9:30 and a teaching portfolio due by 3:30. It's crazy!!

Phase 1 ... Has Begun

Today started Phase 1 of my room transformation :] The five boards below are the original ones that Brandee and I picked out.

And these are the finished projects. Justin helped pick out the rest of the paper tonight :]

I finished these nine. And one day this week I am going to make like 4 or 5 more, but smaller ones. And once I get my wall painted next week, I will see if they work on that wall or if i should put them elsewhere.

Which brings me to my next point...I am very proud of myself. I bought spackle today for the first time by myself :] AND I spackled some of the holes in my wall. You can barely tell :] How exciting. After payday next week, I will go buy the darker green paint and hopefully get the wall behind my entertainment center painted. Yipee. Finally!! A room to call my own.

My step mom mostly decorated by rooms before because when we moved in with her, the house was hers. But this house is half my dads, and I he really doesn't care what I do in it. He said no funky colors. And I didn't.

That's all for now. Work tomorrow morning at 6:30. OH! And p.s. - stay tuned for Friday :] Morgan, Brittani and I are going to the botanical garden in D.C. Pictures gallore :]

It's Been a While...

So my neighbors switched their internet providers and I had to wait for them to set it up so we can "borrow" their wi-fi. Thanks goodness. I was going through withdrawl :]

Updates:

1. Justin and I went to dinner last night. Red Lobster. My favorite. And then he bought me caramel apple coffee creamer. It's delicious!

2. I lost 2 more pounds this week :] GO ME!

I think that's all for now. I am going to get my hair cut today. Contrary to what most people think... no it's not short enough. And I realized that it is the same length in the back that it is in the front. You would think that's good...but not when it's supposed to be a "bob" hair style. I don't think I described it to her correctly. So it's grown out a little so we will try again. I am going to Hair Cuttery this time since they are on my way to school. GEOGRAPHY test today! Woot Woot! p.s. - I'm going to fail :]



I am also asking for prayers for Justin's brother and his family (Fred, Brandee, Owen and Baby Girl Markle). I know lots of you from my family and friends from church read this. So just keep them in your prayers, as they are in ours. Thanks.

Under The Weather

Feeling a tinge yucky today :[

My throat is sore and a little swolen. And my neck is still acting funky.

Brit, Morgan and I gave our presentation on the Golgi complex today in Bio. We rocked it out!!

Gran and I went and got our toes done and I got my nails done :]

Brandee & Fred are having a baby girl :] :] :] How exciting!! One of each :]

Off to bed...

Everything But Dull...

There is never a dull moment where I work.

Most everyone knows by now that I applied for the merchandise supervisor position over accessories. I probably won't get it because of my hours...which is okay. But it never hurts to try. While I am waiting for my interview, I am learning the area and working with the geminis. Can it in no way hurt me or the store to learn another areas. I'm just trying to better myself.

Oh the other hand, school is nothing but dull too. Scratch that... Geography is boring as heck. More pictures, more movies...UGH! I'm sick of learning about Yellowstone. It is built on a supervolcano that will erupt anytime between now and 200,000 years from now and Yellowstone will no longer exist.

On a much happier note, and the hopefully relaxing flip-side...Justin and I are beginning plans for an autumn vacation :] Camping I'm sure. We took my beachy vacation this summer so it's his turn to pick the vacation spot :\ It's only fair.

OH! And back to the school front, I got my assignment for teaching this semester. Where I REALLY belong :] In a classroom! Middle school none the less :]

Goodness Gracious!!

My CRAZY geography teacher showed us more slides. Today, it was of rhino skeletons. Exciting. Let me tell you. Then she assigned us a reading and I spent all morning reading & typing up my notes...and we didn't even talk about plate tectonics. She is driving me insane! In the words of my 4 year old boyfriend, Jacob..."she is really killing me!"

On a happier note... I cleaned my room Sunday before work. I can see the carpet and my dresser :] And soon we will be ready to paint :]

Saturday I worked all night. Running around the store like crazy trying to catch theives in the act. No luck. But we will next time...mark my words!! They are mesing with MY quarterly bonus now!!

Friday, we went to Fred & Brandee's. And had a huge fondue dinner/dessert. The quote for the night "oh no! I lost my pickle!!" Too much food. P.S. - apples and cheese...not yummy. I don't care what the Melting Pot serves. That's gross. The guys found old movies that Fred taped when he was still at home. And Brandee and I sang love songs to each other on Karaoke Revolution! OH! And Justin and I rocked out on Guitar Hero. We only got booed off two or three times. His fault...might I add :]

Thursday we went to the barn and I have lots of pictures to move off my cell phone. I will post them later if I have time. Right now, I have a lab to do for the crazy geo lady.

Scratch my Eyes Out!

The above title has two purposes.

1. my allergies are awful and I feel like I could scratch my eyes out.

2. after watching an hour and a half of my geography teacher's vacation slides, I felt like I could scratch my eyes out. She's like the crazy aunt with the home videos that everyone hates going to visit. Plus she's really old, and my friend Brittani is convinced that the only reason she knows alot about geography is because she lived it. RUDE! but funny.

School was boring. Everyone says that, but it is. I have my sciences this year. How much more boring does it get!?

Currently looking through cookbooks to find something yummy to make Justin for dinner. Without my acid reflux...the posibilities are endless. Chao!

School? Already?!

First day of fall semester tomorrow...gross.