A rarity.

*sigh*

A day off.

And it's beautiful out today! Doors are open, fresh air coming in. I've been cleaning up, doing laundry, working on a few projects, and will be doing more edits later. Oh yea, and another shoot today! Busy day, but a great day nonetheless.

Trying to put together some Christmas presents... Yes, more crafty ones, but I don't think that I could do it any other way. Not only is it cheaper, but it's also more personal and I love it.

Still trying to work out organization things around the apartment... Got a new make-up organizer which is working out fabulously. Still need something else for my art shelf... I'm acquiring quite a few glass jars and i almost want another shelf for my shelves... Maybe just use one of those "add-a-shelf" things... I don't know for sure. Just know that I need something. *brainstorms*

What else?

Hm... I guess I better get back to it. ^_^



Stay Tuned!

Updates and such.

Been busy, busy, busy lately... Between working at Walmart, working at Aero, and doing some photos for MelJean Designs (To see blog, click here!), I've barely had time for anything else! Including blogging.

So here it goes...

Work, at both places, is going well. Just kind of in a groove of going in, getting done what needs to get done, and going home. Nothing too spectacular happens. We are closing in on Christmas rather quickly... or so says Walmart... UGH! The "Christmas Shop" is open already. Layaway is up and running "earlier than ever" as the commercials put it. Lame. Sauce. All of that makes me want to boycott... Hardcore.

Had last weekend off, however, and Travis and I went to a wedding for one of his high school buddies, Wyatt. It was a fun time! Met Wyatt and Bill, both friends of Travis' from high school. Bill had a wife and kid. The baby was ADORABLE! His name is Kirby and he knows how to fist bump! Only 18 months old, too. So cute! Wyatt and Bill actually ended up coming over to the apartment Friday night to hang out. We played P & A and bullshitted all night. Funniest part? The two of them, mostly Wyatt though, kept asking Travis when he was getting married. They bugged him enough that he ended up saying, "I would very much like to when the time is right." ^_^ That made me feel better and put my mind a little as ease just to hear him say it out loud... and to his friends even! Hope isn't gone. :)

That's about it for this one. Thanks for tuning in!




Stay Tuned!

.... a little lost.

Today isn't the greatest day. It's one of those contemplative kind of days.

Why am I where I am?
Why am I doing what I'm doing?
Where should I be?
What's wrong with me?

Just too many thoughts for one mind. I don't have the motivation to do anything creative which is very depressing. So... I'm stuck in this downward spiral.... Just lost. And I hate being in this rut. I really do. I just don't know what needs to be done to get out of it.

I have my paints, cameras, pencils... everything all around me... yet nothing. No spark. Just a big block.

I know it's getting really bad because Travis doesn't even know what to do... I try to talk things out and I don't have the words. I don't know what to tell him or how to tell him. I'm worried that if I keep this up much longer, it'll wear down on him too much. Hell, I'm wearing down on myself too much.

If there were ever a time that I would reach out for help... It'd be now. I'm not asking for pity... absolutely not. Just encouragement. Support. I don't know what else to do...

Reverted... :(

Alright... so the planner and such... thing. Yea, didn't work. Well, that's not completely true. It worked for about..... 2 days.

*sigh* Sooooo... I'm going to try again with this week. Hopefully.


Anyway..... What else? Hm... Well, been thinking... And I am pretty sure I'm going to end up putting in my "two weeks" at Things Remembered. I love what I do there, but I am not getting any hours. So... I'm meeting with someone at another store tomorrow and see what happens. Yep, I'll be all dressed up tomorrow. Make-up and all. I wonder if I still know how to apply it... :P

Tried Kung Fu last night. Feeling it today. It wasn't bad at all! It was actually kind of fun. I just need to not overthink it. (As with everything in my life.....) Might actually start going every week. :)

Alrighty, well... I think I'm gonna call it a night! Will update you with what happens tomorrow. :D




Stay Tuned!

Newfound Motivation

Okay, so I'm not completely back into the painting/drawing aspect.... However, I'm starting to be creative more.

Example: I've looked at Pinterest for a while now and came across a "Calendar Journal" project. You take notecards, cut them in half, (enough for a year) and put the month and day on each one. Then, for each year, you write down something you did that day. Imagine what that'd be like too look back on after 5 years? Even if the events are minuscule, that'd be awesome to remember!

In a lot of ways, I almost feel like I'm trying to anticipate losing my memory... :S Is that sad? Or weird? Okay, most definitely weird. lol

ANNNNNYYYYWAYYY..... I've submitted an entry into P!nk's Creative Invite on Talenthouse! *(Click here to see it!)* As of 11 pm, July 8, I was #58 of an unknown amount of entries with 58 votes! Too funny! That is all thanks to my wonderful friends and family for supporting me!

*end of plug*

Hm... sooo.... what haven't I written about lately? *saves and checks*

Ah ha! Travis and my 2 year anniversary date went really well! ^_^ First, he came home from work and knocked on the door. I wasn't sure why he had to knock until I answered the door. There, standing at the apartment door, was Travis with 2 roses. <3 Smooches, hugs, etc. We got ready and headed downtown. We parked by the Pavillion and walked down the street to Minerva's. It just so happened that the Auto Show was going at the same time. It was okay though. It made the walk to and from the car interesting. (Plus, we ended up with 2 bags of kettle corn to take home!) We went to the restaurant and waited just a few minutes. It was funny though... as we stood there, we had probably 3 different groups of people cut in front of us to get tables -- without reservations. Now, we're aware of why people with reservations get snotty at those who don't. So... after that, we were seated. :D (Which is funny... because I'm pretty sure I remember putting "not next to the kitchen" in the special requests box when we were making the reservations, and yet.. we sat right next to the door way to the kitchen. Hm.) Besides the point. We sit down, order our drinks, and grab our first trip to the salad bar. When we get back to our table, we decide to open gifts before diving into our food. He loved his pocket watch! My new bead was beautiful, as well as the card. They almost matched, actually. :D The bead had 2 hearts connected by a gem at the bottoms of each heart. Liked it. Loved it! By the time we finished that, our food had arrived. We chatted and ate. He ordered Buffalo Ravioli and I ordered Crab-Crusted Salmon. Soooo delicious! When we were done, we took a jaunt around the Auto Show, just because. :) We still had time to spare so we ended up going to Coldstone for dessert. In true Travis-fashion, as soon as we sat down he pulled out a second gift. It was another bead! This time it was an Open Heart bead from Kay's. (For those that aren't familiar, the Open Heart design has 2 hearts combined into one shape.) Completely surprised! Loved, loved, loved it! After that, we went to the movie, Brave. Amazing movie. It was great! And the rest of the night was just as amazing. <3 All in all, our two year anniversary was perfect. 


So... I've decided... sort of... that I need to start working out. I've been talking with Travis about setting up a weekly schedule working around his work schedule and starting to think that I need to do that too. Like, designating a specific hobby/event per day and work in an hour or two of specified event around work. Maybe I can work that out tomorrow. :D

Speaking of, I have all day tomorrow off! ^_^ Spending the bulk of it with Britney! Sooo excited! :D Know we're going to the mall... other than that, I have no idea what we'll do. :P



Stay Tuned!

Short check in!

Hey there!

It's been just a little while... I almost think I'm out of practice... Let's see

Work is going well. I've had a few days that I've second-guessed accepting the promotion, but it's still going well. :) Still makes the day go by faster than when I was on the floor.

Now, one thing that I'm super excited about it this Friday. Travis and I are coming up on our 2 year anniversary on Saturday! We're going out on Friday night to celebrate. We're going to somewhere new for supper (Minerva's) and going to a movie (Brave.. I think). Just realizing that we've been together for that long is awesome! I'm so happy! I really hope he likes what I got him, which I will reveal later. I'm so anxious to find out what he got me! :S Omg!

Okay, checklist. New date shirt = check. New nails = check. Now... I wanted to have my hair done again by Friday, but I'm not sure if that'll happen... :S Either way, I'm excited! ^_^

Official Start to Summer!

Was actually last weekend... BUT It's June now!

Either way, it's a time for sunshine and being outside. ^_^

Let's see... Lately... Been working. I'm actually really liking being a CSM. Maybe that's just because I'm still "new", but I truly am enjoying it. Interacting with the cashiers/customers, multitasking, etc. I don't mind it.... Granted, I'm sure (and I've been warned) that I will learn to hate it and maybe at some point I will get there, but it's not now. :)

Travis said the sweetest to me a few days ago on our 23 month anniversary...

     "I knew there was a reason I didn't date random girls... I made a good pick the first time."


LOVE! *sigh*

I guess that's all I really wanted to share... Hm...




Stay Tuned!

New Learnings

Good... morning!

I should be in bed, but I'm kind of buzzing still. If you've read the last couple posts, you know that I've been promoted at WalMart to a CSM (Customer Service Manager). Well, tonight was my first night actually getting a "hands-on" experience. It was exciting! Actually, it made the night go a little faster than I'm used to. Before I knew it, it was supper time. Of course, I was only working a 3-11... we'll see tomorrow how another hour affects my perception. Also... we're only 2 days into the work week (tomorrow being the 3rd) and I'm already over by an hour. :S *sigh* So... I'll try to trim down a few minutes here and there, but it won't be easy. lol

Since I do have to get up early again tomorrow and be to Things Remembered before working at WalMart at 2, I had better get going to bed. Frustrations will be expressed about that one later. *sigh*.... Oh, what the hell.

Okay, so... Things Remembered is still going through management switch over... The Manager is set, but she hasn't hired a new Assistant Manager yet.... so I think she's still trying to depend on me for it, but I'm not able to put in that many hours... She still schedules me whenever she can. For example, last week, I worked at WalMart starting at either 2 or 3 all week. She ended up scheduling me open to 1 or 2 with respect to my schedule at WalMart... I got through it fine. The hours aren't really the problem. It's the fact that she's relying on me to do all the engraving that she won't do or that the others can't do. She's hiring ladies that are middle age and older. Now, they're great ladies... nothing against them. However... it takes them a while to do... everything. Therefore, I've pretty much become The Engraver. I'd like to know what is going to happen this coming weekend when I'm gone from Thursday until Tuesday... Is she going to say that certain orders won't be done for like 4 days?! Especially glass or carry-ins. Carry-ins could probably get by with that... but any glass orders..? How about big orders? I just... I should have known that it would happen this way... but I really didn't expect this. *sigh* I'm trying to tell myself that it's just a rough patch and it'll get better.... I hope....


Alright... to bed for reals. lol




Stay Tuned!!

Great News Day!

Well, well, well.... Saturday was a day of great news! ^_^

I'll start with my favorite piece of news! My little sister had her fiance have chosen a date for their wedding. July 4th, 2013... (It's on a Thursday... sooo it may end up changing slightly, but... again, it may not. :)) She also asked me to be her Maid of Honor! ^_^ So excited! Just wish I was a little closer to help out more when it gets closer to the date.

     (On a side note, that makes 6 weddings that I've been in.... or will be in... Alicia & Charles (BM in 2006), Sami & Roy (BM in 2008), Erica & Brian (MoH in 2008), Brit & Aaron (MoH in 2012), Krisha & Trevor (BM in 2013), and Callie & Nick (MoH in 2013). That doesn't include the two weddings that I was in as flower girl when I was little. Starting to feel a bit like Katherine Heigl from "27 Dresses"...)

Annnyway.....

Then, I went into WalMart for my shift.... and was offered the CSM position. I took it, so I am now at the pay grade 6... Sadly though, I won't be able to actually start working up front until they find someone to take my place in Toys. However, if there happens to be a lull or all of us back in the area, I'll probably be pulled up front to train. There's a lot that I have to learn.... I have a feeling. :S

Hm... other good news. The Sara Bareilles concert was amazing! Great music, as always. Quirky personality. Outstanding voice. Perfection. Loved it! Travis went with me! According to Sara, "He's marriage material." (Since he attended the concert, that makes him sensitive which, in turn, makes him marriage material. :))

And now, I'm sitting at home... alone. Travis is working. :( It was so nice to have him home last night instead of him working. Annnnd since I haven't gushed about he and I in a while... be prepared. We're doing great... as always. I mean... I just love being with him... being around him. Kissing him, hugging him. All of it just... brightens my day. He brightens my day. The little things.... the big things. I just am so overwhelmed with.... happiness, love, hopefulness.... all of the above. I want to give him everything. I want to do anything for him.... Just EVERYTHING! ^_^ *sigh*

Okay, I better go before I flood my keyboard. Hope all is well for you, my readers!




Thanks for tuning in!

Latest, Greatest, and not so much....

There's been quite a few things that have happened since the last time I posted. Let's catch up, shall we?

First and foremost - My little sister has had her baby! A healthy, bouncing baby boy, Cameron Alexander, born on March 26th at 8:21 am at 7 lbs. 13 oz. and 21 inches long. ^_^ He's the most adorable little thing!

Looks just like her when she was a baby!

I can't wait to get more pictures! ^_^ Apparently, tomorrow he's going to get his circumcision.... Oh boy!

Next order of business... I've been playing Job Shuffle. First, Things Remembered offers me the Assistant Manager position (for the second time) and I accept this time. Within a few days of accepting and getting the promotion underway, I'm pulled into the Manager's Office at Walmart and am asked if I'd ever considered becoming a Customer Service Manager.... by 3 different people. I honestly hadn't given it much though. They deal with a lot of crap from customers and fellow employees... especially managers. So... they explain the benefits to me... I explain my predicament.... They persuade further. I ended up changing my preferences about 5 minutes after they asked me. Then, I did the math in my head and with a calculator. Taking the CSM position (and minimizing TR to 8-12 hours a week) would be the same money-wise as what I'm doing now... Only, I wouldn't be killing myself trying to get from on job to the other.... No fighting for hours.... Overall, less stress. More time to myself. More time for things other than work and sleep. And since I've started working, I've never had just one job... So, that would be the best part. Not saying that I would completely quit TR, but it would be nice not to NEED the second job in order to survive... you know?

So, that's where things are at with me... Travis and I are still going strong! Just past our 21 month anniversary in March... Two year is coming up! ^_^ No idea what we're doing yet. No clue. 

Will be busy in the upcoming weekends though. This weekend, Travis and I are going to Sara Bareilles on Sunday! Sooooo EXCITED! Next weekend... no plans. May 5th is Graduation in Madison. Will definitely be there! Weekend of May 12th... nothing on the plate as of right now. Mom wants to take the kids and go to see Callie and Cameron during the weekend of the 18th... Then, it's Memorial Day weekend after that.... Another no-plan weekend for May 2nd. THEN, It's Britney and Aaron's wedding on June 9th! ^_^ So yea..... busy, busy, busy. 

OH! Speaking of Brit and her upcoming wedding! This past weekend was her Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party, which we both successes! I think, anyway. We had smaller groups that i was anticipating, but it was a good time either way! ^_^

*sigh* I suppose it's bed time now. Gotta get up early tomorrow for a shift at TR... Not even sure how long I'll be working for sure. :S It's down to just the Store Manager and myself for employees... :S This worries me a little. I hope she picks out some people from the applications that we've had come in. *sigh.... again*

Stay Tuned!