Welcome Home!!

So I am sitting at work yesterday typing up some evaluations and my phone starts vibrating in my pocket. I let it go to voice mail since technically I'm not supposed to have my phone (shhh...) And when I got off work, I checked my messages and it was my grandmother...she called to tell me that they were releasing my grandfather from Kernan's Hospital yesterday and he is coming home!!! He was originally scheduled to come home today, but he was doing such a good job (and I'm sure he nagged them a little bit!) that they let him come home a day early!

So my plan for today is as follows:
1.) Go to work and develop our zoo pictures (I'll post some later!)
2.) Give Brittany M her going away present (I'll post pictures of that too!)
3.) Go to Joanne Fabrics and Patches to look for material for my rag rug (Yes...I'll post those too)
4.) Going to see my grandfather AT HOME!!

Holy Hannah!! Look out! The next blog post will be long and full of pictures :] So be sure to pencil in a few minutes when reading this :]

Off to hopefully get everything accomplished today! Going to look at fabric is sooo exciting :] Wish me luck on some good finds!

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.

* Yawn *

That's all I did today. Being up at 3:30 in the morning really bites the big one!! It really takes a toll after a while. And while I dislike being up that early, I am REALLY REALLY thankful to even have a job :]

Last night we made dinner and went up to Fred and Brandee's. Katie stopped by for a little bit to see Ella. Who is totally cute...by the way. I had lots of fun spending time with her. We played some Wii and Bran and I rocked out on Kabookii :]

I sent Justin flowers at work today for Valentine's Day. Fred was my accomplice :] HaHa!! I was really nervous that they wouldn't be sent in time OR that I may have been scammed. But he got them and they are really pretty.

Tonight we are going to Arundel Mills mall to see My Bloody Valentine. Not my cup of tea but Justin wanted to see it so it is part of my Valentine's gift to him. The rest of his gift should be coming in the mail tomorrow :]

Off to take a nap. I am bushed

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.

Updates :]

My blogs feel so boring compared to Fred & Brandee's.... :]

This weekend, Justin & I took my niece down to my grandparents' house for a sleep over. We went and got our toes done :] Brooke was really excited to get her nails painted too. Then we had spaghetti for dinner. And Brooke baked cookies with grandmom and played cards with pop. Here was the run down for the evening...

8:30 - bath and medicine time (she was sick)
10:00 - she finally felt sleepy and i put her to bed.
4:00 am - Aunt Brittany accidentally fell asleep with Uncle Justin while watching a movie and was woken to turn her movie back on.
5:00 am - "I want you to come sleep with me"
5:30 - 8:30 am - we both finally got some sleep.

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Saturday and Sunday were crazy at work because of the Super Bowl! Oy!

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Today's activities included laundry and throwing $130.00 down the drain on ONE BOOK for my class. Outrageous! Getting my hair cut followed by more laundry. Then Justin and I watched Chuck in 3D. I was a little disappointed. I guess I have been spoiled by Disney World's 3D films. But it was a pretty cool season premier, none the less :] And now it's snowing. So off to bed because I will have to leave for work early. Toodles.

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 :]

Ice Ice Baby

I am convinced that my house and the houses on each side of mine, are the only houses in Carroll County and Hanover with ice on the driveways and snow on the grass. This is cantankerous. There is about 2 inches of ice in the tire impression from my dad's work truck. Madness I tell you.

And for once...work if offering as much overtime as anyone wants :] So I am taking them up on their offer. From this past Saturday to Blitz Friday I am working at least 60 hours :] 20 hours of overtime, plus holiday pay :] GO ME!

Fall Fever

Recently, I have been obsessed with oranges, greens, browns, blues and reds. I really think that fall has sunk in. I have also fancied leaves and trees. That's not weird at all, right?!

On to a normal topic...this weekend was exhausting but fun. It was hilarious to watch my grandparents play Wii. I'll have to put this video up later today. Left to come home yesterday morning, as I worked 2:30 to 11:30 last night. It was crazy busy at work. I managed to make it out of there with only a huge migrane and a fever. And by fever I mean...101.6 and slight dizziness. Feeling better today though, but decided against teaching. I didn't want any of the students to get sick if I was really coming down with something. I will just go to work and infect everyone else tonight :]

Next Monday is my last Monday teaching :[ This internship has been a great one!! I was really nervous about starting, only because it was something completely new. And I LOVED it!! The kids were wonderful and my coordinating teacher talked to me all the time and answered all my questions. Oh...if you didn't already know...I was working with Special Education students. I have never been so sad to leave a placement, as I am to leave this one :[ I won't have a clue as to what to do with my Monday mornings anymore...

Well...off to do fun things with trees and leaves :]

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

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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 :]

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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 :[

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

Wii Mania

I think I finally figured out how to upload movies onto this thing :]

This one is Adam (Justin's cousin) & Justin playing Wii at my house this past weekend. In case you can't tell...Adam is kneeling on his knees. He got really into the game. I think they were playing red light, green light on Monkey Ball Banana Blitz.



I think I got some bad news today. I got a message on my home phone from a professional recovery business. I'm thinking that either (a) my dad did not pay the doctors bills like he was supposed to; (b) he paid them and they did not receive them; or (c) someone in my house moved the bills and my dad never saw them and they did not get paid. So...I'm pretty sure the collection company is coming after me, and ruining my credit because my insurance company dropped me when I turned 19, and no one sent in the proper paperwork for my dad's insurance to cover me...with me being a full-time student and all that jazz. So I get to call them at 8:00 morning :] AWESOME! Not.

Work was kind of a roller coaster today. Our manager, Don retired. It was pretty much touching. We found out who he promoted at the new supervisor of the front end....good choice, good choice. And...one of the girls I work with, made the comment "to visit your mom" when I asked where everyone went. I thought she knew about my mom, and I guess she didn't, but that didn't make me feel better. It's not that I was super mad at her, just super mad at the whole situation.

OH! Then my laptop had a virus. Super!! But Justin and his dad fixed that. And then the internet didn't work since it was set to proxy settings. They fixed that too.

Simple Pleasure - awesome managers who go above and beyond to accommodate his associates :]

Simple Pleasures

So...I've decided that at the end of every blog post I am going to give that day's current simple pleasure. I have so much in my life to be thankful for, but there is always that one thing everyday that just puts a smile on my face.

So this weekend was a blast!! My dad was away hunting which was kind of a bummer :[ We were up until 1:30 Friday night playing Wii and then Saturday, Adam came over and the guys played Wii while I worked on homework. Adam was here until about 11:30 and then Justin stayed until about 2 :]

Brooke is still sick. Sandy took her back to the doctors for the 3rd week in a row. She sounds better this week, and she says she is feeling better but she still has a croopy cough :[ We decided to nix the pumpkin patch idea, and we are going to buy a pumpkin and all new paint and all new paint brushes, so we can do something fun together for halloween. Plus I plan to get all kinds of fun cookies for us to bake with Sandy :]

With all that said...let's catch up on this weekend's simple pleasures, shall we?!

Friday - Talking to Brooke and her telling me she loves me and she misses me :]
Saturday - For great managers & coworkers who are super understanding when I messed up my schedule by a whole shift...oops :]
Sunday - Justin & I going out to eat on my dinner break :]

Today's - One of my student blazed through her math work today! And she did excellent working on one digit addition using charts, tables, stamps & a calculator! I LOVE my profession :]

Puff

Sunday at work we cut Puff's hair. The deal was that if we raised $300 or more for CMN, Puff would get his hair cut. The salon was booked so Sami cut his hair right in front of Customer Service.

I can never get these pictures to upload in order, therefore, these are slightly backwards.

This is Puff with his hair cut short, and gelled up. He pretty much looks sharp :]

This is the bag full of hair that Sami cut off of his head.
Puff looking kind of emo-ish.
Checking himself in the mirror after the hair cut (I told you I can't upload)!
And, Puff before he got his hair cut. He can actually see now.
This is what happens when management and other employees challenge the Front End associates. We do crazy things...crazy, crazy things :]

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.