Flowers and a New Job

I have been the queen of impending doom the past while. The reason for my misery has been my job. I took the job because it was an amazing opportunity and I would learn things I'd always wanted, and be involved in some really important things in the company. My boss was someone I had worked with prior, and recruited me for the job. I really enjoyed working for him and actually doing all the things I was hired to do. Then things took a downward spiral. They put me in charge of credentialing (I won't even try to explain), which I had experience in, but absolutely loathed doing. Slowing it took over my entire job, and eventually it sucked all the happiness out of my life. I tried to keep a positive attitude and just be grateful that I had a job in this economy. But really, it was so depressing. I was sick and miserable with it all. I wasn't actively searching for a new job, but then one fell into my lap! My good friend Brie is leaving for a mission in February, and her employer needs to replace her. And who better to replace her, than someone who already knows how to do the job, knows the system they work on, and knows the boss personally as well?? ME!! So I met with them right away, and right away they offered me a job where I KNOW I'll be much happier. It's like the weight of the world is off my shoulders. So today, I actually smiled and meant it. And then Gary came home from work with some flowers!! The note said he wanted to do something nice for me during such a crazy time. He's been really supportive during all this and I adore him! YAY FOR ME!!

Marci at the Gym

Blind, Deaf, and Dumb

Thursday night Gary and I went to the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert, and I lost my sight, hearing, and my voice. I wish I would have lost my sense of smell because of the rather large, unbathed man in front of us. Apart from the hinderance on my senses, I had a wonderful time! They were absolutely amazing and the lighting in the show was nothing like I had ever seen before. There were pyro-technics, lasers and lights so bright that I regretted not taking my sunglasses. I don't have pictures because they weren't allowed. The only thing I have to show for my good time is the voice that comes out of my mouth, that sounds something akin to an old man on quaadludes.

Arts and Crafts

I'm not the most crafty person in the world, but lack of funds has forced me to create my own home decor. You've seen the "BOO" blocks that I did, and they worked for me, so I just did the exact same thing for Fall with some cute paper.Now, Christmas is coming and turns out, it costs a butt load to decorate a tree...so yes... I am making my own ornaments. There will be more than just the two pictured below, but the basic theme of our tree is red and white and green and all types of Winter and Christmas stuff suffocating the tree to death. And it's all going to be sparkly!!

Flashy or Trashy?

I told Marisa many moons ago that I would post a picture of my purple purse that I kind of splurged on and got in a little bit of trouble for. Yes, that's correct, it's an $80 purse. (I got it for $40...ha!) And while it's not exactly runway worthy, it's a darn cute purse in my opinion. But then I found out that a couple of 60-something year old women in my office collect the same brand of purse...meaning they scout these purses out and change them up everyday to match their sweaters with the scottie dogs and apples on them. One lady is up to 27 of these purses in all shapes, colors, and sizes. What I'm trying to say is that had I not bought this purse, then they would have bought it for themselves. So now I'm wondering, am I behind in the times or are my co workers too cool for school? You be the judge.

Ppffft...!!!

So...I just don't know what to do. I never wanted to go private, and then I did for a bit, but then I changed my mind, and now with all of this hollabaloo, I just don't know now!! I mean, we all knew the web was never the safest place to share anything personal, but for crying out loud, do we all really have to go private?? I'm torn, stay tuned for my next move...

4 and 4

4th Picture in the 4th Folder Tag!

This picture makes me so happy! It's my 2 nephews, Peyton and Jace. Jace is the one holding the sword with the excited look on his face, and Peyton is the one who has just been smitten by Jace's lethal blow! And at the top you can see my other nephew Calvin's little leg trying to excape. Cutest boys ever!

I never know who to tag so it's up for grabs!

Girls Day Out

This last Saturday I was introduced to Girls Day Out by the female members of Gary's Family. Gary's mom bought our Halloween t-shirts to wear for the day, as well as a cute Halloween bracelet. Here is Hali, me and Cheryl at Archibald's in Gardner Village. I had the enchilada salad. Excellent. You may be wondering about my cheesy smile in this picture. Well, Hali was rubbing my leg under the table and it took me by surprise. This is all of the girls. We happened to be at Gardner Village the same day as Witches Weekend, and it was SO crowded!! So we spent the rest of the day at Tai Pan (I had never been) and the Fashion Place Mall. It was really a lot of fun and I love my inlaws!

Of course the only downside to the day was that Marisa wasn't with us. We missed her lots!

As a side note, I decided to make some Halloween decor for me and Gary's place. It's too close to Halloween to spend money on something that would only be out for a couple days. So I made these blocks out of black paper and stencil lettering and some orange ribbon. I think they are stinking cute!

DC: The Saga. Day Five, Six and Seven

Given my current state, having the flu and a whole day off work, I thought I would post the last of our trip to DC. I can't bring myself to do a lot of commentary today so I hope pictures will be sufficient.

Gary and I got put in the stocks in Colonial Williamsburg. I didn't think it was warranted. This is us dressed in the traditional garb. Gary's face makes me laugh. I truly enjoyed the National Art Gallery. This was one of my favorites!

The Capitol Building

Our day in Gettysburg was quite enlightening, thanks to the historical insight of my father in law.

Beautiful fall leaves!

Best part of the entire trip! Hershey's Chocolate World! I have never been so happy in my entire life.

And singing cows!

We love chocolate!

This was such an amazing trip! I would love to do it all over again one day! Peace out I'm going to back to bed.

DC: The Saga. Day Four

Are we done yet? NO! It's only Tuesday! Let's start off at the White House! We tried to get tickets for a tour but never heard back from George W. Here's as close as we got.

That was fun. We spent the rest of the day touring the Mall once again. This time we were able to get tickets to go to the top of the Washington Monument, and I got an awesome picture. The capitol building sits right at the top.

We also went to the National Archives Museum and saw the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. We couldn't take any pictures because they didn't allow flash photography inside. But after standing in such a long line, we stopped by the gift shop where they had all types of patriot trinkets. And among all the scrolls of imitation Declarations of Independence, my mother in law spotted what is now my favorite souvenier of the trip. A stuffed squirrel!! Introducing Douglas!

Isn't he cute! Gary won't let me have babies and our landlord won't let us have any live pets so Douglas now serves as both. Pathetic but true. At least I'm happy about it though.

I guess I didn't take a lot of pictures of day 4. We went to the old post office with a bell tower but I've got nothing on that. Just a quick story though. We took a tour of the bell tower, introduced to us by the lamest, dryest, most lifeless human being alive. The man that explained to us the history of the bell tower and gave us instructions to our self guided tour, was about as excited as a loaf of white bread. We all had a good laugh at him. I believe our last stop was the Natural History Museum. I really liked this place, so I'm surprised I don't have any pictures of much of it. I saw the neatest jewels and stones, including the Hope Diamond...which Gary promised he'd steal for me one day.

There were displays for everything. Dinosaurs, mammals, dirt, flowers, butterflies, Egyptians, cave men, etc. etc. I think they even had a display of a large dead squid which I thought was unnessessary. Once again, another wonderful day!