Fuzzy Wuzzy....

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy Wuzzy has a tummy?! I have decided the little protruding belly I have is a "teddy bear tummy". Look at a teddy bear, they have a little beer belly going on. Mine isn't really a beer belly. I think part of it is poor posture. I have noticed since I started really trying to get flat stomach that I tend to let me lower back go sway back and stick out my tummy. I'm also working on strengthening my lower back so I don't look so sway backed.
I'm about to take a much needed nap. I was up studying last night and this morning. I feel like I did really well on the test I took and the rest of my day is easy, just classes and work. And of course, Grey's Anatomy.
On The Playlist
Sweet Dreams - LaBouche

Down the rabbit hole....

I'm so tired from my visit to Charleston. I am also dehydrated and need to go to the grocery store but I'm going to put that off since it's so late now. I did manage to make it to the gym today and I am serious about getting back on track in that area. This afternoon I watched The Family Stone with SJP. It was a good film and made me cry! It is a Christmas movie and now I am looking forward to Christmas.

I had a lot of fun this weekend. J and I went to a rooftop bar on Friday evening (after her mom cooked us a delicious meal). It was very chic...good times. Saturday we went to IHOP for breakfast, went and relaxed on the beach (I saw a jelly fish while there - are they following me now?), met up with an old friend for late lunch/early dinner, and went to a Halloween party at the Plex. The theme was Pirates of the Scaribbean. There were some amazing creative costumes and a lot of pirate wench hos. We sat in the VIP area. I was happy with the way my Alice costume turned out. J made the cutest bee ever. More pics to come soon! Halloween is the best!!

Spooky Playlist

Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.

Thriller - Michael Jackson

Replay

Today is another rainy day. I actually LOVE rain. I love to watch it, I love to listen to it fall...I just don't love making it to class in the rain. Today I went with a more weather friendly hairstyle and wore my hair curly.

A few friends and I went to Delaney's in 5 Points for lunch after class. Okay, let me be totally honest here, the prof was not there and had his t.a. showing some really boring video of a person giving a lecture so we ducked out. I had a pint of Amstel Light with my lunch. Ahhh how I love Amstel Light. And it is all the much better in the middle of a rainy school afternoon. I have great friends. Especially my friend S - she is a sweetheart. Just an observation, but isn't it weird how a when there is a group of people drinking the mood can go from happy and upbeat to pensive and sad quickly? Today the conversation drifted to relationships...I talked about my former love before Shawn, other people talked about stuff and all of a sudden the mood had really shifted. I still had an amazing time though.

The rest of the day is just classes for me...

Have a great one!

Playlist

Rain - Patty Griffin

Rain Keeps Fallin' On My Head....

It's a rainy day here in the city. I don't much care - except my hair was so beautiful and sleek and glossy this morning before I got caught in it.

Here's a list for today

1. I read about the cold case that had been re-opened in Anchorage, AL online and now I am facinated with it. Apparently the woman who commited the murder around 10 years ago got the idea from a movie plot. Now I must see the movie. The movie she used as inspiration is The Last Seduction (1994). At any rate, I'm glad she got caught all these years later and impressed with the justice system. With any luck A & E will do a show on it that I can watch. Crime shows are the best. I watched one as a fell asleep last night, but it gave me nightmares and I did not sleep well.

2. I put on my cap and gown today. I hope my hair grows some before graduation.

3. Shawn said his step mom wants to throw me a graduation party. Yay! That would be fun. Their home is beautiful. Of course my two blog readers will be invited.

4. I have some weird sore place on the top of my left leg. Swollen lymph node? Pulled muscle from practing dance while babysitting? I don't know. All I do know is it is painful and the pain is spreading down and around.

These gorgeous photos of San Fran were taken by a friend of mine over fall break. I think she has a job all lined up....so far I don't but I may send out more resumes this afternoon, depending on what's going on at work. I'm still hoping I can line something up for myself. And of course, there is always nursing school I can go back to. I would love to move to San Fran or NYC or Texas, I really would. Honestly, knowing myself I just don't have to courage. There's Shawn and I don't see me wanting to move away from him and the fact that I am very close to my Mom and don't want to be far away from her. I do sometimes wish a turn of fate would land me in a great city, but more than likely I will be living near home after graduation.

Have a great day!

Playlist

Everyday I Write the Book - Elvis Costello

Almost Halloween!

It's almost Halloween, yay! My big weekend w/ J in Charleston is fast approaching. Can't wait to wear my Alice costume.

Last night I decided against going home last night to register at TCTC this morning. If I decide I do want to persue nursing, registration will just have to wait. Maybe I can make it up there next week. After the game and going out in 5 Points Saturday and then a day full of babysitting yesterday I was beat. And had a huge basket of laundry waiting on me.

The girl child I babysat had taken dance so we had a little mock dance class....warm ups, barre work, and of course dancing. I am sore today. Today I also plan on going back to the gym, I haven't been in two weeks since I have been sickly. I did find out I had lost a little weight when I went to the doctor though.

I have to head to work now. Tonight: watching the Bachelor w/ my girls!

worth 1000 words

this is yesterday. The first photo is the hilarious and gorgeous C that I used to live with. The others are my with AM. Today I am tired and ate Applebee's leftovers which made my stomach feel funny, but I'm off to babysitting!

Crank Dat - Soulja Boy

Moving Slowly

I am moving so slowly this morning. 12:30 Kickoffs are just too early! I need to eat breakfast, shower, put on makeup, get dressed and make it out to tailgate. I feel exhausted...from the school week, from the situation I think may or may not be going on at home, from my bout of bronchitis....

Tomorrow AM and I are babysitting A BUNCH of kids.

And I may still need to come register and reenroll in TCTC Monday morning. I have Pell for this year which should cover the one class I need to take at TCTC in spring so the way I see it is :

1. I don't have a job lined up right now, but can continue to look now and while I am taking one class at TCTC in the spring

2. Just b/c I reenroll and put my name on the list and take the class I need in spring dosen't mean I am comitted to doing this (which may be the wrong attitute) I can still look for a job and continue to really think about if nursing is right for me

3. About the earliest I would be able to start clinicals (due to competitive admission I may be able to cut down the wait time) would be fall semester of '08 so I still have plenty of time to search my options (job wise) and think about what I want my career path to be

4. As I mentioned above, for the class in spring semester I won't be out any money. Probably just my text book is what I would pay for. Not bad at all!

I will have plenty of time to search my options and think about my options and I won't be out anything for taking the class. The way I see it I have nothing to lose. And even if I freak out again like I did last time I was supposed to begin clinicals taking the class I need won't have been a waste. As dorky as this sounds I think learning something is never a waste.

Maybe I am incredibly immature for my age...an arrested adolescent...among my friends those that I graduated high school w/ are long through w/ college and all in their carreers, my friends here are all set on what they want to do after graduation. Then there's me who is about to graduate and still not 100% what I would like to do.

Nursing is a really good profession for several reasons. You can work in a lot of areas and many settings. You can work in the hospital or if you prefer 9-5 you can work for a doctor in a private practice. You will be helping and healing people on a daily basis. You can make good money do it!And I am good w/ my hands and enjoy doing things that use my hands.

On the other hand, it can be high stress and if you make a mistake you can kill a person. WOW.

I have got to get the surgery on my ankle. Right now it is tender to the touch. Eow!

These pics are Addison Claire (Addie) just cause she's so effin cute! She's the one we found this summer. Needless to say, my family is keeping her.

This song makes me think of fall for some reason and my old roommate J. We played it all the time the first year we lived together (2002/2003). Time flies b/c that dosen't seem like long ago.

Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest

Yay for Friday...

Glad today is Friday....just got out of my 6 hour class. I'm always so busy! I badly need to do laundry and to try to work out a bit. I'm going to try to do part of a work out video. I don't want to do anything to strenuous b/c I still have a cough a little bit.

Ordered two books off Amazon last night and I can't wait until they arrive. They both look so good and at a price I can't pass up. They can not get here soon enough.

And now, I think I must have a nap. Tonight AM and I are watching movies and resting up for the Vandy game tomorrow.

A Redneck Playlist

Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On - Mel McDaniels

Halloween Kitty....

Today I got an adorable Halloween card at work from my Mom. We own a kitty, Daphne "Roo", that is very Halloween. She is a black and orange tortishell to explain. We found this little sweetie + her litter by the side of the road the summer between 7th and 8th grade. I remember being so excited to have kittens. Her litter mates were adopted by the couple that I worked for at the restaurant all through high school. I love snail mail and the card totally brightened my day.

Another thing that brightened my day was my awesome co-worker was watching an old episode of Designing Women on YouTube when I came in this afternoon. The episode was "The Night that the Lights Went Out in Georgia"...it's a good one.

I really want to see Tyler Perry's movie Why Did I Get Married as well as The Night Is Ours with Eva Mendes.

I have been productive today and sent a nice professional looking (or so I hope) resume and cover letter to BMW today. I also spoke with old advisor at TCTC about re-enrolling and putting my name on the list for nursing. I know, I've been in school so long now and I left that to come here, but I just don't know that I have it out of my system. Before I had so many doubts about doing the clinicals (and still do have some!) but I think I am in a place now (study skills, maturity) where I could hang with it. As far as careers go I think I might want to be a nurse more than work in hotel or restuarant managment. My friend M, a doctoral candidate, told me today she thinks I would make a phenomenal nurse b/c I am caring and a good listener. She is one of my favorite co-workers anyways,but that is serious one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. My Mom said I can live at home while I complete the nursing program at TCTC (she enjoys it when I'm home) so I wouldn't have to worry about living expenses (housing, utilities, and some of my food for free). I think financially it will be possible due to Pell Grant and Lottery. On the other hand....dang! I'm just finishing one degree to begin another? and it takes two years once you start so will I be like 26 and still living at home with Mom?! In a way I think that is lame and in a way I could care less. See clinicals are very demanding so TCTC advises you do not have an outside job while doing them so paying my own rent would be out. I feel what I want as a career is most important though. I also have an interest in working in/around HIV/AIDS b/c I already have some familiarity from my job now and know that area interests me.

So, yeah, lots of thoughts tonight. Tomorrow:my 6 hour class and then tailgating bright and early Sat for the Vandy game...and soon I could be back in A-town enrolling at TCTC and meeting with my advisor...........wish me luck and warm wishes and prayers.....registration there is coming up soon and the class I need to enroll in fills up very quickly so I'll need to make a decision and get up there.

J says we are going to the biggest party in Charleston on Halloween and the rest is a surprise!

90's Throwback Playlist Tonight

Save the Best for Last - Vanessa Williams

Like a black cloud....

Like a black cloud, my dark mood from this morning seems to have blown over (for the most part). I had lunch with AF (you know, Frashley). It was nice. My Halloween costume has arrived and I am looking forward to my weekend with J.
I'm still having some turmoil about a situation...but this blog is public so anyone in the world could see it so I can't say much. It is a situation where I don't have a lot of information. At all. One would not want to be at one extreme and be paranoid and jealous.....but the other extreme would be naive and in the dark. Hmmm.

Already

It's just past 8 AM and already I am in a terrible mood. A teeth grinding terrible mood. I feel like I don't want to go to my classes because I hate them and my major. I should have stuck out nursing. In addition....stuff with Shawn :( Grrrrr. Damn. I want to skip and lay in my bed all day. The entire day. Maybe the rest of the day will go better, but I have a feeling if I don't change my attitute it won't.
An Angry Playlist
You Outta Know - Alanis Morisette
St. Anger - Metallica

It's Been Awhile.....

I'm back from the mountains. Shawn and I had fun. I cooked a nice meal with wine and cheese the first evening. We got in the hot tub and it was so nice to be in cool weather for a change. We went to the outlet malls in Blowing Rock the next day, where I got a red sweater from the Gap. Then we had lunch at Ruby Tuesday. That evening we both got sick and had to deal with that for the rest of the trip. We managed to go out for bbq that night, even with the illness. I haven't had much of an appetite though.

When I got back to school I went to the MD and it turns out I have bronchitis. Yuck! It hurts, too. I have an antibiotic and hopefully will be better soon. I can be grateful that this is not a bad week school/work wise so I do have a little extra time to rest.

I got some good news at the doctors office, I've lost some weight. I think it's from not having much of an appetite for about two weeks, walking a lot on campus, not eating late at night and trying to limit the fast food. I am very very happy about it! I haven't seen the 130s in a long long time....maybe like since 2005. I think it will be hard to keep from putting it back on, but I really want to stay around this size.

I am totally having Senioritis. Today is 62 days until graduation. I think in weeks it is 6 weeks, which is not long at all. I still have no clear direction about what I want to do after. I am pretty sure that since I hated my internship I do not want in a hotel or in customer service, period. I have been an assistant manager in a retail store and waitressed for several years too so I have a good idea of what customer service entails. I am pretty sure it's not for me. I may end up taking a job just becuase I need to ($), but I hope some other opportunites come my way. Tonight I had to go to an Alumni Career Night. A bunch of students had to sit and listen to alumni speak about thier post college life and career. The alumni's talks were all quick, painless, and fairly interesting. We were supposed to network and talk to them afterwards, but with the bronchitis, senioritis, and me knowing I don't want to work in this field I just left as soon as I could get out of there. The whole thing left me in a weird mood, but maybe it's just the bronchitis.

Hopefully soon I'll be over this illness and can start going to the gym again with AM. She and I went to California Dreaming yesterday and it was so good. She is always great company anyways. Afterwards she had an appt. so I headed over to EP's for the Bachelor. Fun times...

OK, right now I've got to stop blogging and do something about my toenails. I hate to neglect my feet, but right now they look awful. I don't know why I've been doing it. Laziness, I guess. It has got to stop so now I'm going to go remedy this situation. Usually I make sure my toenails are in impecable condition, as I said I don't know what's up with me!

On the playlist

Valerie - Steve Winwood

I'm Off!

I'm about to be off to Boone, NC for fall break. Right now I'm listening to my itunes, doing laundry, doing dishes, cleaning and packing. I am not capable of packing light. I envy people who are, but I like to have all my hair stuff, makeup, and clothing choices when I get to my destination. The pics are me and A at the last game, a bed I want to order from Pottery Barn (I need my big girl job first), Melissa Sue-my horse that is in retirement due to navicular disease. She earned her retirement. She has spent many a long week at 4-H camp getting the bejesus ridden out of her. She is one gorgeous horse, she won a lot for me, but was always tempermental as mares tend to be. She is probably more so than most mares. In all the years we have owned her my Mom has never been on her back b/c she is afraid of Mel's sometimes nasty tendencies. Once I was on her in a riding lesson and she got fed up with what we were doing and swiveled her head around and bit my foot while I was on her back. The last photo is sweet little Ruby.

I probably won't post for while. After the mountains I'm home for the weekend...which involves meeting up with SC and getting a haircut. I also need to spend some time with my dog, Morgan.

Have a great week!!

Playlist

Friday I'm In Love - The Cure

Dosen't Get Any Better Than This

A just sent me these pics from the Mississippi State game we went to. On the 20th we are going to Vanderbilt. I know I say this everyday on this blog but I hope it will be cooler by then. Is it global warming or what? It is not fun.

The girl cock with Cocky is his girlfriend, Cockette. She only comes out for Homecoming. Is she adorable or what?

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice.....

The weekend was good, but busy. I went home for my Mom's birthday on Friday. We went to the football game at the high school where she teaches. This is also the high school I attended. We brought our chihuahua (my "sister") along with us and everyone thought she was adorable. We sat with some teachers I knew and had a good time (or as good a time as you can have at a high school football game). Some students got into a big brawl and the police came so that was a lot of drama to watch. It was really ghetto so we left shortly after that.


Saturday Mom and I went to the sale that is going on at Express and a few other stores in the mall. I got some new things; two new purses, a black pencil skirt, black capri pants, a going out top, a sweater and a purple satin shirt. Now I will have more stuff to where on the days I do dress up for work and to wear on the job interviews I will hopefully be going on soon.


Last night I spent the night with AM. We didn't do too much (I had a test this morinig to study for). We ate popcorn and watched The Girls Next Door and had lots and lots of girl talk.


Today after class and work AM and I went to the Columbiana Mall. She needed to black dress and found an adorable one that looked great on her. I got a Spiced Pumpkin candle from Yankee Candle Company, some items from Victoria's Secret, a small surcee to give Shawn in the mountians and foundation from Benefit. I love Benefit and got the Playstick foundation which feels super light but makes your face look very flawless and smooth and velvety. The color I got it in is Tea Party.

That reminds me, I ordered my Halloween costume. I decided on Alice in Wonderland. It is so so cute! This is the actual one I ordered. I am not going to wear the stockings even though they come with the costume because I can't stand them. I will probably wear panty hose and then boy shorts on over them since it is sort of short. I will have to do some try ons and decide if nude or black panty hose looks better. I'll also get a black headband. I think it is adorable. I am going to visit J in Charleston that weekend. We are going to go out in Charleston in our costumes for Halloween. She is going to be a bumble bee.

In addition to everything else I did over the weekend there were issues with Ruby. She got an abcess in her hoof, then apparently the fence shorted out and she got out of the paddock while we were gone to Panera and grocery shopping, then when we came home to discover this she had also banged up her leg pretty bad. The swelling went down the hyrotherapy (the waterhose) and ice. It was stressful but she is ok now. Note to self, I need to find the time to work with her on her ground manners. She's a sweet filly and adores attention and being groomed, but is less than cooperative for anything new or that she might not be sure she wants to do. Horses are pretty huge so it's imperative that they have good ground manners, otherwise they can really drag you around.

Tonight I'm headed over to E's to watch the Bachelor. Some of those girls have had no raising...tacky! It is so addictive.

I have more laundry than is fathomable to do right now before I can pack for my trip over fall break. I need to pack tomorrow night since I am leaving right after classes on Wednesday.

Playlist
Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson

Heavenly Day

Today has been an awesome day. I was up very very late preparing for the marketing test and visiting with Shawn. I got up at 7 and went to take the test at 8. I prepared enough because I knew all the answers. Such a good feeling. After the test I came back to the apartment and Shawn was starving. We walked to IHOP and had a yummy breakfast. I had scrambled eggs with tomato, green pepper and mushrooms and strawberry pancakes. I almost got pumpkin pancakes for fall, but thought they sounded too risky. Maybe next time. After breakfast I crashed and slept deeply until around 1 PM. Then I went to work and worked all afternoon. When I got off at 5 Shawn met me in Five Points and we went for Japanese food (followed by TCBY). Now he is watching sports as I blog. We rented Knocked Up to watch tonight. Tomorrow AM he leaves ;( and I go to my 6 hour class. After, I'm at home all weekend for my Mom's birthday. I love Shawn so much. He is just so much fun to spend time with. I have never met a person like him (oh my gosh I have got to stop this right here, I sound like I am in high school). Have a great weekend!!
The In Love Playlist
Heavenly Day - Patty Griffin

I want them!!!!

These are on sale right now at Nine West. I want to get them to wear for graduation with my cap and gown (of course between now and then I will be getting a cute little black dress to wear under the gown). Aren't they devine? So femine and pretty. I must have them. I will just die if I don't get them. Since they are on sale I hope my Mom is feeling generous and buys them for me. Nothing would make me happier.

Tonight I am getting a visitor! I expected him to come in the morning but he will be arriving later tonight! I can't wait. The visitor is Shawn, by the way. It is 1 PM right now...I've been up studying. Didn't work out or eat very well today so tomorrow I have to make up for that. Which, by the way, is hard to do with Shawn around. I'm not complaining, I love going on dates, but it is so hard to be healthy when you have a boyfriend and are always going on dinnner dates. B had touched on this topic earlier making the point of saving money. Going out for nice dinners adds up fast. I guess what I'm saying is it adds up fast in more ways than one!!

Playlist

I Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis

Productivity...

It's been a productive few days. I stay so busy...but I talk about my to-do list all the time so I'll spare you. My guess is most adults are as busy as I am. I'm going home this weekend for my Mom's birthday. I got her a supercute top from Express. Then it's back to school for a few days then fall break and my trip to the mountains. Yay! I'm also getting my hair trimmed on the Saturday of fall break. It needs it.
I'm trying to coordinate another fun weekend with my good friend and former roommate, J. She is just as busy as I am in addition to working weekends (which I don't) so it hasn't been easy so far. We are trying to do something the weekend before Halloween (in which case dressing up would be involved). If she can't get off that weekend then it looks like it will be around the 17th of November before we can meet up. I'm hoping for sooner rather than later!
I think I have decided on the firefighter costume for Halloween. My hair isn't blonde enough for Alice in Wonderland and I'm also concerned about how short it might be. Last year I was Paris Hilton one night and a cop the next. The year before I didn't dress up at all :( and the year before that I was a french maid( OMG time flies...). I've been a cat before also. The firefighter costume is a dress. It is sexy, but not overly risque. I'm going to order it on payday and I can't wait. Now I just need to figure out what shoes I'm wearing with it.
I need to go study for a test tomorrow AM. I also have two more classes today.
On The Playlist
Everyday I Write the Book - Elvis Costello

For Inspiration...

I have been a little overwhelmed today. LOTS of work to do, but I'm getting it done. I got the grade for my summer internship back today and I made an A so all my hard work is paying off. Now, if I can just find the right job for me.
I know everyone already knows this poem from like 8th grade english...but it's a good one so I'm posting it for today.


Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

1. The Road Not Taken


TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;


Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Full Moon Fever...

the moon in Columbia has been gorgeous. I think it is what you would call a harvest moon. The moon knows it's fall even if the weather dosen't. Last night after the game I went out with a good friend and sat on the outdoor Patio of Terra, a restaurant here in town. The moon was nearly full and we could see the city all lit up under it. It was really breathtaking. After one cocktail we got too cold and had to move inside. The food at Terra is phenomenal. For an appetizer we got a cheese platter. It has thinly sliced apples, bread and an assortment of cheeses. I was surprised to find out one of the cheeses we sampled was from Split Creek Farm which is in my hometown. I have been there to buy cheese many times. Is there anything in this world better than a day of watching football followed by wine and cheese tasting under the full moon? It dosent' get any better than that.

After dinner we went to the Blue Martini and had a few more drinks and listened to a jazz band. R's friend L sat near me (R has a new boyfriend she is in love with) and he is almost as fun and interesting as PR (but there is only one PR). Today I'm paying for my fun night. I have been exhausted all day. All I have done is take naps on and off, until around 5 when I finally pulled it together and went to the libraray and for a walk around campus.

I am trying to get motivated to do a workout. No telling how many calories I binged on last night.

I am looking forward to several things right now. I'm goal oriented and always have to look forward to something. Here's my list:

1. Trip to the mountains!!

2. FINALLY seeing SC and PR over fall break

3. Halloween

4. Thanksgiving

5. Graduation

6. Christmas

7. B's Wedding

8. The Sex and the City Movie is finally coming out for real this time in May of 2008

On The Playlist

Man on the Moon - R.E.M.

A Surprise....

last night Shawn called me around 1 AM. Bless his heart he had just gotten off work. He had a surprise for me...we will be going to the mountains over fall break. Fall break is not this week, but the next. I am so excited! We will be staying at Shawn's dad's cabin in Boone, NC. I can't wait and I hope it's semi cold up there and I can wear sweaters. Look forward to pictures.

I am about to start shower, do hair and makeup, and then head over to AM so we can make our way over to Williams Brice Stadium. I am feeling super tired, have sore muscles, and a little bit of sinus issues this morning, but with any luck this will all go away with a nice hot shower. Today is our homecoming so I don't want to miss it. Warm wishes to Mr. Spurrier and the team today!

On Playlist

Leather and Lace - Stevie Nicks and Don Henley

Shopping Makes Me Feel Good....

Today I got up (very tired from playing with my friend L and her amazing four year old son all night) and went to my class. I ususally enjoy myself in that class but today was hot and the day dragged on and on. To reward myself for a hard week of work I treated myself to some shopping. I went back to the sale at Express. I got a pair of pinstripe dress pants regularly $80 for only $50. I got a super-cute going out top to give my Mom for her birthday and a white button up blouse for myself. It is sort of tuxedo stylish. I also hit up Victoria's Secret. I used to work there a few years ago and had accumulate A LOT of stuff from there. Since I haven't worked there (and haven't gotten my discount) I had kind of gotten out of the habit of shopping there. However, as all my female readers know, this stuff does wear out after about 18 months. It is supposed to be handwashed and laid flat to dry, but really, who had time for that? I don't. The time had come to do some replacing. In my opinion undergarments are as important as clothing. The public sees your clothes and not your undergarments, but wearing something spiffy under your clothes really does add to your self confidence. It's like a fun little secret only you know. I really do believe in this.

I am currently wearing my cowgirl pajamas and watching a marathon of The Hills on MTV...yes I am way too old to watch shows like this...but it's a guilty pleasure. Kind of like The Girls Next Door. That show is like a car wreck I can't quit staring at.


Dillard's called me for an interview for a management position. I have mixed feelings about going into retail again. I do love fashion and live for the day each month when my InStyle and Vogue come in the mail. Eventually working my way up being a buyer IS something I think I might like to do. I think I am going to go on the interview on Tuesday or Wednesday and possibly wear my new pants and the white buttom up shirt with black heels. I hope it had cooled down a little by then as that is sort of a cooler weather outfit. I'm not sure about it 100%...black pinstripe pants and a white shirt is a little on the plain side. If it cooled down a good bit I could wear my new turquoise sweater. That would add a lot. It is almost October and I am ready for the weather to cool off.

I'm going to our homecoming game tomorrow. Yay! I am sort of irritated about the time...it is 12:30. I won't really get to sleep in which disapoints me since it is Saturday. Go Gamecocks!!

On the Playlist (another throwback......waaay back.....)

Tonight-The New Kids on the Block

Graduation Nightmares!

I have had two dreams now where something happened and I was unable to graduate or was able to get my diploma but missed the ceremony. The first dream I had about graduation was that I got a call from the registrars office and they told me I had forgotten to take a class in high school and could not graduate college until I went back to high school. No one had ever noticed that I didn't take this class in high school until now in the dream and I had to go back to high school to take it.
Last night I dreamed that it was the day of my graduation. I got in the shower at Shawn's house and as a surprise he had remodeled his shower and put all these neat product dispensers into the shower wall. I was so impressed and thought all the improvements were really neat so I proceeded to totally loose track of time and play in the shower. I was having a great time washing my hair, shaving my legs and stayed in there for hours. When we finally made it to my graduation the ceremony had begun and it was too late to join in.
In both dreams I was pretty devestated. Wow...can we say sub-conscious anxiety?
There will most likely be no post tomorrow as I will be having girl time with my friend L. She and I have been friends for about 6 years now. We met working at the Lazy Islander (my first job). She is a super cool Earth Mama. Her four year old is precious and I can't wait to play with him. I have been so busy this is the first time we will have gotten together and it's already almost the mid-point in the semester! I can't wait till tomorrow night!!!
On the Playlist
Walking on Broken Glass - Annie Lennox

Just your average Tuesday

Today was a typical day. Classes, work, homework. The usual frustrations and aggrivations of doing schoolwork (hello, senioritis...) and working on a group project with group members. I do not enjoy group projects to begin with and thanks to my poor attention span I did not entirely understand what I was supposed to do so this added complications. The guy that was the "go to" person in the group did a great job and was in constant contact with me via email so I was grateful for that. I did make time to go to the gym for the second night in a row. Yay! A went with me and it is so much more fun to have a buddy. I also had double dark chocolate ice cream from Marble Slab. I got the children's size though.

I have a test tomorrow, but I have been preparing somewhat and intend to do more studying tomorrow. So far I have done well this semester so nothing should stand between me and grauation in December.

Is this adorable or what? I want to make it for Shawn :)

It's so precious!

I am still crazy looking forward to Halloween. I just love it and always have. One thing about me is that I am very goal oriented in that I always have to have something fun and rewarding to look forward to. I have decided I am ordering either an Alice in Wonderland costume or a firefighter costume I found online. I am thinking of paying J in Charleston a visit that weekend...we'll see.

A Throw back to the 90s Playlist (I think this was 8th grade for me.....it's hilarious)

Barbie Girl - Aqua

This is why I love him....

Shawn is so special. I'm not the only one know who knows this. In yesterdays paper (the local paper, Anderson Independent) someone had called in about Shawn. He is such a sweetheart and that's why I love him. I'll retype what it says in case you can't read the copy I scanned. It's sort of hard to see. It says: "My grandson Nathan's birthday was Sept. 10. His mother's funeral had been Sept. 6. We celebrated his birthday at Outback. Shawn made this celebration very, very special. Nathan's family thanks you very much."
This is us at the Sonic drive thru yesterday afternoon on a date. We went out for Mexican and then went for ice cream. I had the low fat yogurt peach smoothie. Very yummy. He isn't really used to his new dental work, hence the funny expression and open mouth.
This is me behind the wheel of my beloved cavalier wearing the Mac eyelashes I got Saturday during my stress relieving shopping trip. They do a lot, right?
Uhhh, it's Monday. Starting another somewhat busy week for me......

One of the girls that I was best friends with back in high school just lost her brother. He was in the Army and lost his life serving our country. He has a three year old daughter. Please keep her family and other families who have lost loved ones who were serving our country in your thoughts and prayers.


An Embarassingly Corny Playlist for my Special One
I Want To Be Loved Like That - Shennandoah

It's that time again...

The big sale at Express!

This morning I decided that since I have such a busy work/school week I should engage in a little stress relieving shopping. My first stop was Plato's Closet to sell a few items that don't fit, don't fit the way I would like then to, or I just don't wear. Boo on them, they only gave me $13 for Seven Jeans. But I figured while I was already there I'd just go ahead and take the $13...it's sort of robbery for Seven Jeans but I don't ever wear them because they don't fit well and if I had taken them to the thrift store I would have not gotten $13 so oh well. I guess I could put them on eBay, but I'm only a buyer not a seller on there and right now in my life I don't think I even have the time to squeeze in going to the P. O. to ship stuff....so $13 it was. I went to the mall and went to Mac. I bought some eyelashes. They are made of real hair and can be reused over and over. It took me about an hour once I got them home to get them on correctly. Once I finally got it right I decided I love them. I think I am going to start wearing these everyday instead of mascara. They just do so much more for me. I also went into Express and was pleasantly surprised that they are having their big sale. I got the turqoise sweater I wanted for fall for $30. Not a bad price at all. I'll probably go back when I get paid next weekend and get a similar sweater for my Mom's birthday and get some dress pants. At one point Express quit making long in dress pants, but apparently they have brought it back. Yay! I could also fit into the size six that I tried on. Makes me so much happier than wearing an 8. When I go back I will probably get a pair of their Editor pants in charcoal grey or black or brown. That would definetly be a good addition to my wardrobe. I'm just so happy I finally got some time to shop!!!

Shopping can be so extremely stress relieving. I know I am going to wear that sweater a lot.

I'm trying to get motivated to go to the gym now. My struggles with the Mac lashes sort of made me want a nap...........

On The Playlist

Got To Be Real - The Emotions

Happy Autumn!

I have been so swamped I haven't had time to post in awhile. I'm not just walking in the weeds busy, I'm talking buried. I did not work out once all week. How gross. That will change this weekend. Here's a list:

1. Shawn is recovering from his surgery. He goes back to work on Tuesday or Wednesday, I think.

2. Yay! Fall weather is here. It makes me in a good mood. I can't wait to see the leaves change more...it is so beautiful that time of year. The horseshoe on campus in fall is my favorite thing in the world. My friend J and I always send each other a Halloween card in the regualr mail and I saw a really cute one I need to go buy and send her. It's a little early, but her card always arrives first so this year I want to break the trend and be first. She and I used to be roommates and have been friends about 5 years but have never celebrated Halloween together. When we lived together we always ended up having separate plans for Halloween so hopefully this year we can celebrate together for the first time ever.

3. Last night I watched an interview with Rachael Ray. She said something I really liked, she said "You can have a rich life without being rich". She rocks.

4. Hospitality Finance is hard. Add to that I have it at 5:30 in the evening when I have already gone to three classes and worked all afternoon. I wouldn't mind it so much if I wasn't already so mentally worn down by this time of day. I just feel like my mind has shut off by the time I go into that class, which is unfortunate. I'm going to have to do something to change this. Maybe I can work extra on Tuesday and have Thursdays off or something.... It's so discouraging. But, nothing is standing between me and December 17 (my graduation).

5. Yesterday I saw THE NASTIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN. I was in one of my classes, sitting near the back of the room with my friends. I am minding my own business, taking notes, and I notice in my field of vision there is a young man about two chairs up from me picking his nose. He continued to pick it for several minutes and I became grossed out so I pointed it out to my classmate and friend Nicole. Soon everyone in my section of the room noticed us looking in horror at him picking his nose. The student was oblivious and continues to pick his nose for 30 minutes. Not only did he pick his nose, he then would roll up the boogies and flick them or worse eat them. I am not kidding. I mean, I have seen classmates do this before....in like second grade. But this is a 400 level class in college! It was very distracting and made me sick. Nosepicker in my class, please stop. Your classmates would appreciate it.

Have a great weekend!

On The Playlist

Dancing in the Moonlight-King Harvest

Awesome Weekend...

I had an awesome weekend...after a pretty long and tiresome week. My turn to be manager Friday went OK...I got 10 out of 10 points. I adore the Kitchen Manager in the McCutchen House. He is retired from being an administrator and librarian in the prison system and just wonderful to work for. Three people were out Friday so I was glad it run as smoothly as it did.

Fun times with J Friday night. We played in an arcade (for adults, alcohol was served) and got caught in a rain storm which was hilarious.

Today I went to the game with my workout friend A...didn't stay the whole time. We were both tired and the game wasn't all that exciting. Tonight I am cleaning up my apartment and going to sleep. Tomorrow morning I'm back in town for Shawn's surgery on Monday.

Breaking One of My Own Rules...

I try to only drink water and juice. Usually this is OJ, sometimes apple or grape juice. I steer clear of soda and coffee. This has been going on since the summer. When I do drink soda I drink Diet Coke. I like to be nutrtion conscious. Today, however, I am breaking my own rules. After my test at 8 AM this morning I went to Starbucks and got a caramel frappe. Yum. I need the caffeine today. I think I did well on my Marketing test. I know I prepared a lot and there were only a few questions that I did not know. I am expecting an A on the test. Marketing is a fun class and the instructor reminds me of my Mom's friend LeeAnn. I have mentioned LeeAnn before on this blog, I guess because I have so many memories of her and she made such an impression on me growing up. I thought she was so cool. LeeAnn was a single parent, like my mom, and Catholic, like we are. She was an old fashioned Cathoic and still did things like fast on Fridays and cover her head to go into mass. She looked like Goldie Hawn and had a very Banana Rama style. Big curly blonde hair and big earrings at all times. She and my Mom were hilarious...I mean a real riot. The instructor reminds me a good bit of LeeAnn so I already feel like I know her (weird how that happens) and she makes class fun. Some of my other classes this semester make me want to pull my hair out. In my career here at USC I have been an exemplary student and am always attentive in class. I think it is rude to the instructor to be act otherwise. This semester I am breaking that rule too. One of my classes is so boring I read the Daily Gamecock during it, including doing the crossword puzzle. His teaching style and rambling are so headache inducing, I'm going to have to start doing the suduko too. This is how I feel this week:

I am so thankful this week is almost over. It has been rough. Several tests, quizzes and assignments. I have managed to go to the gym with AM twice and got in really good workouts both times. Last night I knew from a time management perspective it would be better to skip my workout, but the stress relieving benefits outweigh everything else.

This week was busy with school. Next week will be busy with other stuff. Shawn's surgery Monday, which I am having to come into town for and skip class. I don't mind. I looove him. Then back here for a busy week at work. We are getting ready to go to Institute again. I am working as much as possible next week around classes. This makes me happy, b/c it means a bigger paycheck. I am still eyeing those shoes, new jeans, a new top...there is a turquoise sweater at Express that is so me. I also want to get it in white for my Mom to give to her as a birthday gift. Her birthday is early October. And I still have an outfit in mind to wear under my cap and gown at graduation. I am going to get my cap and gown tomorrow! Yay!

Tomorrow after my six hour long class my friend J is coming into town. We are planning on going out for a yummy dinner and then for drinks. We have plans to go out in the Vista b/c J wants to be away from the college scene. No Five Points. After all, we're old! Adults go to the bars in the Vista. I am thinking maybe sushi or The Clubhouse for dinner...thens stops at Jillian's, Liberty, Rust and perhaps Ra. Only if there is not riff raff in Ra. A Bloody Mary is definetly in my future. Saturday I'll be on my way to watch the Gamecocks play. Good Luck Gamecocks!!

And Sunday home to spend some quality time with Shawn before his surgery. I want to make a really good meal and will probably chose a Rachael Ray recipe. He won't be eating much for several days so I want to make it a good one. If you have any good recipes, send 'em my way!

Have a fantastic weekend!!

On A Serious Note...

Let me start today on a serious note, which is something I rarely do on my blog. Today is the six year anniversary of 9/11. You may or may not agree with the decision to go to war, but remember to support our troops. This is something I feel strongly about since Shawn is a vetran. The decision to go into the military means giving up a lot. It is a big sacrifice and I know that I am grateful to those who serve our country. I also can't believe it has been six years since 2001. The six years have passed in the blink of an eye for me. Six years ago I was a senior in high school. It feels like another lifetime.

Last night I had another crazy dream. I have been sleeping amazingly well and am so grateful for that. This dream involved me being at the beach with some friends from high school that I have not seen in years. I found out my step dad was also at the same location on vacation. He found out what hotel I was staying at and made me come get a room at the hotel he was at because he said the hotel I was staying at was a dump. The hotel he was at was a LaQuinta, but it was weird because it was a four star LaQuinta. Then I go out onto the beach, which is all cliffy and looks like California, and my step dad is in his SUV. His Tahoe (which is his real life car) has big monster wheels on it and he is involved in an altercation with a motorcycle gang. I decide to beat up the girlfriends of the gang. I start jumping off of my step dad's SUV and doing karate kicks (in the dream I was like a Power Ranger, even though in real life I am only an orange or yellow belt in karate) and basically kicking @#$ and taking names. I never see my step dad during the duration of the dream but know he is at the location in his SUV. After I mess up everyone with my amazing combat fighting skills, Shawn comes and picks me up in a trolley. He is wearing a big, thick leather jacket. It has orange and black Harley Davidson logos on it (so not Shawn). I think this is super hot so I climb up on his lap and start making out with him. I then realise a bunch of his extended family I have never met is on the trolley and I am showing out. I woke up then, so I don't know if I was embarassed of the making out or not. WOW!

Coming soon: the allure of the mean friend. You know you've all had one growing up. I think everyone has, hence the popularity of the movie Mean Girls. Girls especially can be so mean to each other. I am going to blog about this topic soon. Have you ever had a mean friend?

"I'm at a social"

Today was a good day. I did the usual, went to classes, went to work, planning on going to the gym with A tonight. Today was the Welcome Back Party for my department (HRTM) at the university. It is held at the McCutchen House on the Historic Horseshoe. My good friend B went with me. He is such a great friend (and handsome) and is always so much fun to hang out with. It is always so good to see him, even though we see each other briefly all the time at work, it is just so good to sit and talk with him away from work. He was one of the first friends I made here at USC and will definetly be one of the things I will miss most about campus life.

He loves my new hair! While we were at the party B got a phone call. He politely got off the phone and explained to the caller "I'm at a social". I love that "I'm at a social". It is so cordial and old fashioned.

Last night I had one of the most bizarre dreams I have ever had. Shawn and I were on a date and went into a gift shop. I was walking around looking at the merchandise when I suddenly got extremely painful stomach cramps. I was doubled over I was in so much pain and causing a scene in the store. Everyone figured it must be my appendix so Shawn rushed me to the emergency room. He was driving some crazy tiny little bright yellow mini cooper type of car. I'm not sure why, because that kind of car is so not Shawn at all. When we got to the hospital they told me that I needed to start pushing because I was giving birth to twins. I became very outraged and insisted that could not be the case because I was wearing my skinny jeans. I kept asking the nurses how could I be pregnant and still fit into my skinny jeans. They were just like "sometimes that happens, now shut up and push". I had these twins (a boy and a girl) and then the hospital tried to teach me now to feed them and take care of them. All that was making me really bored so soon they released me and Shawn and I got into his minicooper with the twins and went to some house. When we got to the house I played with the twins for about a millisecond and then went about my usual business. After a while I realized that they would need to eat but didn't feel like feeding them so I went and got Shawn and said "you better go feed your children". He dissapeared for a minute and then went into their nursery and gave them Cheetos. Then Shawn went to work and I realised I needed to go to class. It dawned on me then that I either had to skip class or take the babies with me. I got into a real panic about this. Should I skip class...would they cry and get me in trouble if I took them to school with me....at this point I woke up. I was breathing hard, my stomach hurt and I was drenched in sweat. It amazes me that I was sweaty because I keep it chilly in my apartment at all times. Wow. What a crazy-scary dream. I looked up what this dream might have meant in Sylvia Browne's Book of Dreams. According to Sylvia a dream about being pregnant or having an infant does not mean you are or are about to become pregnant. It means there is a new part of yourself being born or that you are tapping into a new part of yourself. Isn't that beautiful? A new part of yourself....

On The Playlist

Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall

I Just Wish It Lasted Longer...

I had a fabulous weekend. Friday I worked for six hours in the McCutchen House for my six hour class. It wasn't the best day...no sleep and I kept getting really really overheated. I had taken a Relafin for my ankle. It is a prescription anti-inflamatory I take. I think there is something for pain in it too because it can make me kinda lit sometimes. After class I drove to Shawn's house. We were supposed to go for a date but I was so exhausted I laid down without even taking a shower. While I was napping Shawn cooked dinner and made up a hot bubble bath for me. He is the best boyfriend ever. I looove him. I got up and took my bubble bath and ate. The meal he made was delicious. He had also gotten some Reisling, which is my favorite, and it was out of this world good after my long day.

The rest of the weekend I hung out at my Mom's house. Saturday we went to Super Taco (my favorite), went to the lake and I took a long nap. Today I watched some of Grey Gardens, which is one of the best movies I have ever seen, read some of the new Vogue, took another long nap and went back to the lake. I am still saving up some in my savings account, I definetly want to do a little fall shopping, espcially after reading this month's Vogue. Purple is one of my favorite colors and it is huge this fall. I really want these shoes, new jeans, and a new top...

This week will be super super busy for me. My solution is to try to be uber organized and productive. I am getting up at 7:30 to get my workout out of the way early so I can study at night. My stomach is looking OK right now so I want to keep up the good work!

On The Playlist:

Bubbly - Colbie Caillat

Once Again...

I spent my night tossing and turning. I got into bed at 11 completely exhausted. I know experts say if you can't sleep after trying for an hour to get up and do something so I tried that. Twice. Tried reading for 15 minutes in the kitchen, no success. Tried watching boring TV and that didn't work either. Then I finally began to relax a little and the fire alarm goes off. On top of this I get outside my building and discover I have locked myself out. I got back in and got into bed thinking maybe I could fall asleep but no. Experts say to try sleeping somewhere different if you can't sleep, such as on the couch so I pulled out my sleeping bag and tried it on the floor (I don't have a couch here-it's too tiny). This proved to be the charm for me. I can't believe I have a perfectly good bed and spent the night on the floor. I guess I slept for about four hours and now I have to go to my six hour class. I want to miss it so bad! So bad! But then I'll just have to make it up so I'm just going to go. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP. I have got to find time next week to go see someone about this. I have got to get a friggin' prescription. It is so stressful to toss and turn all night and be exhausted and dying to get some sleep and not be able to.
With any luck my weekend will be better than last night was!

Thursday Night Suprise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98XkB4bh7ic

In The Red

Last night I had terrible insomnia. I could not fall asleep and when I did I could not stay asleep. Finally around 3 AM I got into a good sleep. Grrr....Today I have banned myself from any naps. I got up at 7:10, ate breakfast and went to my Marketing class looking really busted. I came back and did a 30 minute workout DVD. I feel so much better about myself when I get in a workout. Now I have showered and done makeup and am watching Rachael Ray. I love Rachael Ray. She is just so cool!

For the rest of the day I am going to another class, working for a few hours this afternoon and then going to an evening class.

You know I hate complainers and try to keep this blog positive, but....my ankle is starting to kill me.

Tomorrow I'm going to my six hour class and then heading home for the weekend. Friday night: a date with Shawn! I've got to hit up Super Taco in Clemson, I've been having withdrawls.

I've been putting back some money into my savings account and plan on treating myself to a little shopping soon. I good going out jeans are two years old so I'm starting to look into replacing them. I would really like to invest in a good designer pair, maybe Gold Sign or Paige. I'm going to be really careful though, because I splurged on 7 Jeans a few years ago and never wear them. They don't fit right. I've also got some really awesome ideas about what to wear under my cap and gown for graduation. My big day is December 17. And you know I've already got my eye on shoes for my big day! I'll post pics of my ideas soon.

Next week is so super busy...a quiz, two tests, an assignment and I'm "manager" in the six hour class. Oh ,and a career fair that I don't want to go to at all.
Have a wonderful, safe and relaxing weekend!!

"Summer makes me...

drowsy; autumn makes me sing" - Diana Robinson

Today is still warm, no okay still hot, but is actually bearable. Today is not sticky and humid and it is so nice. It is so nice to be able to use my flat iron on my (blonde) hair in the morning and not have my hair look like a fluffball by the time I walk to my class. I still can't wait for it to get a little cooler.

This morning I got up at 7:30, laid in bed for a few minutes and then did a fifteen minute workout. I had intened to do a 30 minute workout, but my lounging around made me run out of time. It has been a long time since I did an early morning workout (a good two years) and I had forgotten how good it makes me feel. I did the Holly part of my Girls Next Door Workout DVD. Something about getting all the blood flowing and oxygenated makes me feel so good. I also feel so productive getting a workout in at the beginning of the day. I definetly want to make a habit of doing this two or three times a week.

Right now I am watching the Young and the Restless, and after it I plan on trying to sneak in a nap for about 90 minutes. I have class at 4 and then another at 5:30...Wednesdays are long for me so I don't feel lazy taking a nap. I have 4 classes in all on Wednesdays. I'm feeling much better today than I was yesterday. I really felt bad about missing my class. Last night I got myself into gear and knocked some schoolwork out of the way.

My lunch today was only 340 calories! I'm trying to eat frozen meals a lot this semester because they are easy and already portion controlled.

Saw more crocs today on campus and damn! why wear them? they are soo fugly!!!

Sleep bunny, come take me away!

Day After Labor Day

It's 10 AM. I feel like a total loser. I didn't go to my first class today. It's the beginning of the school year! Who does that when it's only like the 2nd or 3rd week of school? Me apparently. I know I didn't miss anything too terribly important. The instructor puts her notes online and teaches right out of the book. I couldn't sleep good last night. I kept waking up and not being able to fall asleep. I think taking naps too late in the day is causing me not to be able to sleep at night. It's so hard to resist a nap when you have your work done and you feel the Sleep Bunny breathing down your neck. When my alarm went off this morning I just turned it off and slept for another few hours. I'm about to eat breakfast, get ready, go to one class at 12:30, then go straight into work. I get off work at 5. I'll probably go to the gym tonight. I feel like Labor Day was so completely relaxing that I can't get myself in gear today. Come on, Self, pull it together now!! I think treating myself to Jimmy John's delivery at work this afternoon will improve my productivity level.

Here It Is...

There's not much to see by today. You can see the whip marks a bit. Damn that jellyfish! It still hurts a little. I have avoiding touching the sting and washing it w/ Dial White Tea and Vitamin E Anitbacterial Soap. I have to have things that smell good and this soap smells great.
Right now I am watching a marathon of Sunset Tan on E!. It is so totally tacky and I'm adicted.
I need to work out so I'm about to go do that. Hopefully AM will go with me. After my workout I may lay out at the pool. The only problem with that is that I like my privacy and there will no doubt be a million people out there. This is especially problematic when I'm not happy with my stomach. Not that anyone would look at me, but you have all taken a basic college psych, so you know the "spotlight effect". I would like to get a little sun though, especially since I didn't get any at the beach.
Have a great Labor Day!!!
p.s. Went on the internet last night and saw that Motley Crue is about to release a new album in 2008. Hope this means they are going on tour. J loves Nikki Sixx and I love Tommy Lee...I know it's weird (really weird) but that the music that was popular when I was little. My first boyfriend was a Tommy Lee type. He grosses me out now. But Tommy still rocks.
On The Playlist
Dr. Feelgood - Motley Crue