Movin' On Up

I am all moved in to the new place! Thank goodness!

As you all are well aware, I moved last week. My former apartment complex was asking for everything short of my first born as monthly compensation for living there and that was just too much for my liking and so I found a better deal.

After hours of grueling heavy lifting I had all of my things in the new place. Here's a shout out to my moving crew- Tim, Derek, Riley, Kelby and Kit.... thanks mucho for muscle and brawn and for your trucks too- hope the pizza was payment enough.

When all was said and done, as promised, I stayed up until every box was unpacked and the majority of my apartment was set up and decorated. Yes, I am crazy- lets move on. I finally gave in to sleep at 630 AM- only to turn around and wake up at 9 AM on Saturday to finish what hadnt been completed the night before. Kim came over armed with her drill and with her help as well as Derek's, we got every last picture hung and finally, it all came together. My Internet was set up and even the clothes in my closet were arranged by sleeve length. It was then and only then that I allowed myself a break. I fell asleep for about an hour and it wasnt until then that I even knew just how tired I was!

Having said all of that, please come and check out the new digs and the pool... oh the pool.
Come one come all.

A Bonus Round!

Because I am working late tonight, I will give you a little something extra to read:

A is for age: 24...almost 25 =(
B is for beer of choice: Bud Light or Dos XX with lime
C is for career right now: Cancer Information Specialist
D is for your dog's name? Molly Elizabeth (no, I didnt give her a middle name- Kyndall did)
E is for essential item you use everyday: Toothpaste is a good one, but so is a cell phone
F is for favorite TV show at the moment: Dirty Sexy Money, LOST, Ugly Betty, Greys, MXC (they make those people say the funniest things ever)
G is for favorite game: Go fish
H is for hometown: Austin, TX
I is for instruments you've played/play: The recorder in the third grade
J is for favorite juice: Apple, orange, cranberry
K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: My own at the gym
L is for Last restaurant you ate at: The Deli in Pflugerville
M is for marriage: I am not married, moving along.
N is for your full name: Desiree Kara Kniker
O is for overnight hospital stays: zero
P is for people you were with today: Derek, employees at Massage Envy, everyone I work with
Q is for quote: "We're all a little weird, and when we find those people whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness and call them our best friends"-author unknown
R is for biggest regret/mistakes: I refuse to regret my choices
S is for status: Many status options here- at work, in a relationship, tired, hungry, anxious
T is for time you woke up today: 8
U is for the underwear your wearing right now: Noneofyourbusiness brand
V is for vegetables you like: Asparagus/zucchini/cucumber/tomatoes/artichokes
W is for worst habit: Biting my nails, though I go through phases where I have it virtually kicked, over-analyzing, over-organizing
X is for x-rays you've had: Teeth, right knee, spine
Y is for yummy food you ate today: Chicken sandwich, fresh fruit, granola bar
Z is for zodiac sign: Leo

All Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

My hunt for a second job has come to a temporary halt. Celebrations are in order.

First, the not so newsy-news. I went to Pier 1 after I left work yesterday. While I walked up to the store, a very strange feeling washed over me- almost depressing for lack of a better word. It was a pretty empty parking lot and everything in the window screamed SALE! I almost immediately met with the manager for what I thought was to be an interview. She told me to take a seat anywhere in the store and so I did. With all the displays and furniture to chose from, I was actually afraid she might not find me! Find me she did, and an application came with her as well as an employee handbook to peruse. When I was finished checking boxes and accounting for the last few years of my professional life, she proceeded to drill me with quesionts right in the middle of the store, not quite near the check-out stand/not quite far from it. It was very awkward to say the least. Then to my surprise, she asked me to come back next week. To be honest, she said later this week, but I was all booked up with other interviews and moving. I left feeling a bit icky and wondering if any of my other prospects would pan out better than this one had.

Then today, I had an interview at Massage Envy in Round Rock- it is 2 exits away from my new place and really was my first choice of places to work. After about a half an hour of talking with the manager and the general manager of all Austin locations, I was offered the job! I will be a "Sales Associate"--which really means, I will answer phones, schedule appointments, cancel appointments, make confirmation phone calls, and sell new massage packages to any and every sucker that comes my way. I kid, I kid. Well not really. I find it funny that despite all of my duties falling most logically under the description of "receptionist", its that little tiny detail of my ability to sell memberships and packages that determines my title. Dont get me wrong, Im not complaining. Not me. No sir.

I will keep my interview at Crate and Barrel tomorrow just in case they too offer me a job and it happens to pay more. It is a bit further away from my new apartment so that will have to play a role in the decision making, but lets be honest, my mind is close to being made up.

J-O-B

I wanted to let you all know the good news:

1) After work today I am stopping by the Pier 1 in the Tech Ridge shopping center to fill out an application and meet with the manager I spoke to on the phone (within a few miles of my new home)

2) Tomorrow morning at 10 I have an interview at Massage Envy in round Rock (two exits from mine off of 35) for a reception/sales associate position.

3) Thursday at 4 PM I have an interview at Crate and Barrel (which is the furthest away of the 3 options but still not too far).

Surley at least ONE of those places will want me on Nights and weekends, right? I will feel oh so rejected if not...

Wish me luck!

Churchs Chicken? Really?

I did a shift switch at work today and will be working the grueling shift from 1-9 PM. Why would I do this to myself, you ask? I wanted to attend a job fair.

I got up around 830 though I was not expected at work for a few more hours. First stop I made was HEB to cash in on a mug full of loose change Joanna found in my closet during our packing adventures this weekend. $6 richer, I drove to Derek's work. I dont have a printer at home so he was kind enough to print a few copies of my resume for me and sent me on my way having also printed out directions to the Embassy Suites where the job fair was being held. I dont know how I dont know my way there, either- its a lost cause, really. I seriously lack any kind of mental compass and find myself asking really silly directional questions, but its who I am so lets move on.

I arrived at the job fair in what I decided was my most appropriate attire only to look around and find some individuals in jeans, flip flops and... TANK TOPS. Are you kidding me? You want a job from these people and the best you could do to make yourself stand out was to display the fresh ink on your forearm and your magenta bra straps? Come on people. I guess if nothing else, they made me look even more professional.

I waited in line for about 30-45 minutes making small (and somewhat uncomfortable) chit chat with the man ahead of me. Once I was the next in line and it was my turn to enter the room, my heart sank. There were about 10 booths set up in the room and the biggest one my eye caught was that of Church's Chicken. I kid you not. There was also a booth for Travis County, New York Life, AAA, Bed Bath & Beyond and a few others I didnt commit to memory.

I dont want to make it sound like my efforts were a complete wash, I did meet with some good prospects, and if nothing else- its great experience on selling yourself and meeting people face to face which can sometimes be very nerve racking! I refuse to let today get me down or make me feel like my hunt is not going well- I have a job that I love and I am in no hurry to leave it... I just need more money when the universe decides it is time to give me more. I also have many other prospects I have been working on and some are turning out to be very promising!

I made my exit about 20 minutes after I had entered and headed to work, I got here a bit early so I was able to heat and eat my lunch and respond to a few emails before my shift started.

I hope your Monday has been more worth the effort you put forth than mine has been (so far). Here is hoping this week flies by, and the big move on Friday goes off without a hitch!

The Calm Before The Storm

Its Saturday and Im at work again. Having assumed my "career" as a wine guru at Cru would last longer than it did, I took off a day this week for training. So here I sit making up the hours. What I would give to be laying by the pool with a good book...

I am happy to report that its been a calm few days since I last wrote. Only one small hiccup in the otherwise nutty life of mine: Molly has or had fleas. I was rubbing her belly after work on Thursday and much to my dismay, I saw little black bugs darting around under her fur. I have never in my life seen a flea so I immediately ran to the always trusty google.com, after reading lots of information that made me even more nervous than I already was, I came to the conclusion that it was indeed fleas making a home on my sweet puppy. We got her some medicine and gave her a serious scrubbing. From what I can tell, theyre gone- though I have read about how sneaky and hard to get rid of they can be, so we will see what happens in the next few days. My skin itches just thinking about it and every single time I say the word "flea."

Thursday night, Derek had an impromptu party at his house. It started small, and before we knew it, his back porch was covered in some of our favorite people. Walt's bachelor party is at Lake Charles this weekend so he had some friends from college come to town- this apparently is the perfect reason for Derek to have a party (to kick off an even bigger, weekend long party.) Needless to say, we all had a great time but it made for a LONG Friday. I was so happy that both my friends and his made the trip out to PVille for the occasion.

Though I was exhausted, work on Friday was pretty slow and calm. I got off early and went home to lay down and catch up on some me time while I could. Kyndall came over for a visit on her way home from bathing suit shopping and we sat and chatted like we do best. We ultimately decided to trek it to her parents house for a good, home cooked meal as Kyndall's Mom, Barbara, is a phenomenal cook. We ate dinner with her parents, caught up and had some good laughs at the expense of others (per usual) and eventually headed back to my apartment to look through some old photo albums I unearthed during my packing last week. Looking through the pictures was so funny- we really couldnt believe the fashion, our personal style and how there were pictures that at age 16, we assumed were the best pictures we'd ever have of ourselves. My oh my how we have changed over the years.

Cheryl came over not too long after and we started packing up the kitchen. We opened a bottle of red wine and many many boxes were filled. I was very impressed with as much as we got done in such a short amount of time and I am endlessly grateful for her help. Now if only I could get the rest of my apartment packed that effortlessly...

And so it is Saturday and here I sit at work... I brought a book and my earphones to pass the time. More packing tonight! Joy!

All is Well That Ends Well

I have decided to put Cru to bed.

As all of you are aware, its been one thing after the next with that place since day one. The straw that broke the camels back was when I showed up for day 2 of my training and the manager WASNT THERE! A phone call was made and he asked me to come back in two hours to meet him. Keep in mind Id taken the day off from ACS specifically for this meeting. Sure, I love having the day off but I had a plan and a timeline to work with, and he ruined it with his "miscommunication"

I said I would come back to meet with him and so I did. I arrived at 3 PM for the notorious mandatory all staff meeting (the main reason I had so much trouble balancing my two schedules) and stayed until 6 PM for additional training. The longer I sat there, watching people come in and out and order tons of food and wine, the less comfortable I felt. When I was told I would be opening an average of 10 bottles of champagne every Thursday night, I freaked out. I am NOT good at opening champagne. Sure, I could learn- but whose eye would I take out along the way? My own? No thanks. I was also told the position in which to lay the napkins, at what degree the wine flights were to be set down, how they would be best carried, how to hold the different bottles, and which wine would be served in which glass. Dont get me wrong, all of these things, in time, would most likely become second nature to me and would seem minute compared to the cold hard cash I would be making but I couldnt help but wonder what I would be giving up to work there. I asked a waiter what time he made it home on a weeknight and at what hour he was free to meet up with his friends on the weekends. His answer was "I get home around midnight on the week nights and Im lucky to get out of here by 1230 or 1 AM on the weekends"- THATS what stopped me dead in my tracks. I simply cannot invest that much time in a second job. I cannot be staying up that late, only to turn around and come into work at ACS and have the patience to do my job.

Id had a nagging feeling that all this trouble along the way was the universe's way of telling me it just wasnt meant to be, Cru was not going to work well- and everyone knew it but me. I was so determined to make it work and found myself justifying things that just seemed crazy.

So the moral of the story is... trust your instincts.

Im not giving up on the idea of a second job. Nor am I giving up hope that I will find another, better paying full time job... but in the mean time, I will most likely take on a silly job to pass the time and to drum up dollars. I have applied at Crate and Barrel, Williams Sonoma, James Avery and quite a few more. If you throw enough stuff at the wall, eventually something will stick, right?

Another One Bites The Dust

Michelle is a married woman.

My weekend runneth over with wedding happenings and today I find myself worn out, a little sore and waiting for next weekend already. Dont remind me that it will be spent packing and working- its still a weekend, and a wedding-less one at that!

Friday night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at County Line. Yummmmmmmmmmmy. We got our procession, holding of the flowers, passing off of the rings and exit from the church down and then we were allowed to over-indulge on massive amounts of really good BBQ. We had good food, good drinks, lovely toasts, and great company. Saturday morning all the girls met at Michelle's Mom's house for brunch and mimosas. We laid around in our pjs until the last possible moment then started lining up to get our hair done. Falon's Mom was on hand to help us all with hair and make up and pretty much anything else we needed. Dresses were steamed, perfume was sprayed, nails were touched up, nervous laughter filled the rooms and then it was go time.

We arrived at the church and took some pictures- the usual- girls getting ready, putting the dress on the bride, then the outside shots were taken and we all stood as patiently as we could while our make-up melted off and sweat rolled down the backs of our legs. It was hot hot hot out there on Saturday! Once we cooled off and touched up our faces, one by one we were sent down the aisle. The ceremony was beautiful, short and sweet and pictures after were equally as fast. Before we knew it, Michelle and Brian were being announced and dinner was served. We ate, drank, danced, and then we had to send them off.

Much of the wedding party could be found downtown after the reception, in tuxes and floor length dresses- we were quite a sight! I cant even count how many times I got the strangest of looks and whispers as I passed. No, I do not regularly wear gowns to bars, nor do I fix my hair like it was- all up and curls falling out all over the place. But I guess its okay if they thought so, if nothing else, it will give them something to gossip about later.

I guess you could say we all made our own honeymoon for ourselves... minus the whole "I do" thing and no plane rides were involved, but we had a heck of a time nonetheless.

Ahh the Luck

You will never, in a million, billion years believe the evening I just had. I dont think I would believe it if you told me, anyway.

Just when I thought things were on the upswing, I am reminded that the world can be a very very unfair place.

I left work this afternoon with an immediate destination of home, but after that, I had planned to attend two classes at the gym. I have done so well and I didnt intend to let the idea of it being Thursday and therefore an excuse to blow off the gym and have fun, get in my way.

I drove home right after work and went in to my apartment to give my cat fresh water and change into my gym clothes. I swear on my life I was inside NO more than 7 minutes- but much to my dismay when I walked back outside, my car would not start. I tried and tried but the results would not change. I walked back inside where it was air conditioned and called my knight in shining armor. As if I wasnt frustrated enough, he did not answer. After a few more unanswered calls I started to brainstorm as to who might else be able to come to my rescue. Chris was on a plane back to Austin, Michelle is 2 days from her wedding and has family in town, Kyndall was shoe shopping and then I ran out of ideas. Finally Derek called back with the promises of a short arrival. I figured it was best to be stranded at my own home so I made the best of it and watched a few Sex and the City episodes while I waited. Its amazing what those girls can take off your mind.

I got a call from Derek letting me know that he didnt have his jumper cables or the tools necessary to remove my battery should we deem it useless. I also informed him that no, no chance in hell did I have a wrench of my own. I put on my most patient face and told myself he was doing me a favor and that 30 more minutes would not be the death of me, meanwhile visions of dead batteries and alternators danced in my head.

Now here is where the story gets truly unbelievable. I get yet one more call from Derek informing me that he'd pulled into his driveway, parked his truck and gone inside to do two things: grab his jumper cables/wrench and feed Molly her dinner. When he walked back outside, it was his turn to feel the wrath of a non-starting battery. What the heck are the odds that his truck would not start?! He said that he was in the process of jumping it and he would be over just as soon as he could. In the meantime, he suggested I try my car just once more. I could not believe it when my car started, I could almost hear it mocking me the whole time, "I was just pretending to be broken." Derek called once again to tell me he'd gotten his car started and moving only to have it die a few blocks from his house and that I should head to the store (aka battery mecca) to get my own car taken care of.

I drove to Wal-Mart (my own personal hell for those of you who know me) as they were open the latest of all my options and asked that they use their magic battery gauge to tell me what the verdict was. I was relieved to learn that all I needed to buy was a new battery. Though I was not excited to spend a single dollar of my hard earned money, I was relieved it was nothing more.

Derek eventually showed up, having borrowed a car from his roommate and we stood together, baffled at the coincidence, horrified at the money we had to spend unexpectedly, and ultimately laugh at the fact that our evening ended up being spent buying his and her batteries at Wal-Mart. How romantic. How silly of us to have assumed we would be eating homemade enchiladas as planned.

I swear, only in my life would something like this happen.

Check List

I have made arrangements to transfer my electricity, internet and set up an account for gas services. I have changed my address with my bank, with my insurance, with unecessary catalogues, with the post office and with my cell phone provider. What am I forgetting?

Ask And You Shall Recieve

I did it. I made some me time. I guess life has a funny way of giving you what you need, just when you need it.

We've been pretty slow at work this week (I do realize that saying this out loud will most likely make my phone ring off the wall the next two days) and thus, I have had some extra time off. We have the option to sign up to go home on days like these when were simply not needed. The time can be taken as PTO or VTO (voluntary time off) and therefore, unpaid. I usually switch it up depending on how large a chunk of time Im taking. The last two days, I have left work over an hour early and while it may not seem like much- the extra time has more than proven itself valuable to the things Ive needed to get done. So for this reason, I am in a much better mood. Ive gotten in some very intense working out, a long walk for Molly, some quality time with Harry Potter and I even allowed myself to "shop"- I use this term loosely as I technically went to find a new top for interviews. What better way to reward myself for starting the job hunt with a colorful new shirt that will make me feel my best when Im supposed to be singing my own praises! Im usually not so great in that category... so if a shirt helps, so be it!

I have made a lot of time to surf the Internet, job boards, and network with people so all in all, I feel its been a good way to start. I do so very much love where I am with ACS- I just dont like the way my bank account looks. Im not in a rush, nor do I feel the need to take a new job just to take a new job- I will be picky, I will make the best decision I know how, and Ill be all the better for it. In the interim, I will be jugging a schedule of working at both ACS and at Cru. These two places make me feel like my next job should be 3 letters long as well. Or maybe it should be more?

Having taken you all on this roller coaster that has been my hectic life lately, I need to also thank everyone for their kind words, encouragement, and just letting me vent. I promise I didnt start this blog to just talk about negative things so just bear with me while it all works out. I also want to make a special thank you to my wonderful boyfriend, Derek. He has been so willing to help out, to talk things through with me and help me make decisions- though he might argue I ask him to make them for me more often than not. He is always willing to go the extra mile to make my day or my night as easy as he can, be it making dinner, picking up Molly or just by letting me control the remote. He really does a lot, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Please continue to send me happy thoughts and Ill keep you posted on the next positive thing that happens in my life. I promise. All good things come to those who wait, right?

Underwhelmed Would Be So Much Nicer

While I continue to count down the days until Michelle takes the plunge, I am desperately trying to cram in so much else. I have packing to do for my upcoming move, I have a dress to fit into on Saturday- and therefore, time must be made to pay visits to the gym. I have also (as you all have heard MANY times over) been trying to figure out a way to balance my two jobs as well as manage to decide if Im willing to change my schedule here at ACS. I would like to say I have been spending lots of quality time with both Molly and Bean, but for now I am afraid they most likely feel a bit neglected. And Harry Potter...poor Harry Potter has seen the light of day once in the last four months.

I am so grateful to always have so much going on in my life. I feel that to be booked with things to do all the time must mean I have a lot of friends and the fact that I am included in so much makes me feel more loved than I can put into words- but when do I get me time? I hate that my writings lately have been so whiney but I really feel a little overwhelmed during times like these. I am a planner so everything is written down, lists are made and lunch hours are filled with chores or errands. I unload the dishwasher and pack a lunch for the next day so I can bring it in and put it in the fridge in the break room, making my mornings spent grabbing one less thing on the way out the door. Laundry is folded while my Lean Cuisines heats up and Molly is walked while I return phone calls or check voice mails.

I have found over the last few weeks that Im not sleeping well, Im stressed and lack an appetite (which is good for the waistline but not for the energy level) and the one time I am not running around like a chicken with my head cut off is when I simply sit back and refuse to do things that will get to-dos crossed off my list. I find that some of the most peaceful moments I have had are spent out by the pool or running my hiney off at the gym- too busy dripping with sweat to think about the boxes that are at home not packing themselves.

I will be so relieved when I have moved, unpacked boxes and arranged artwork on the walls, when I have started and completed training at Cru and can start to make some much needed extra money, when I have the time to once again walk Molly or spend five minutes brushing Bean, when I can make dinner and not feel like it needs to be inhaled so I can move on to my next task.

I will be so relieved when I learn how to handle stress and how to balance out my life and all it throws at me better than I know how to now. Thank you for listening. You may all return to what I can only assume is also a hectic and busy life. You just dont bitch about it as much as I do.

Last Night Out

Its Monday again. Already.

Its been a while since my last blog (always seems to happen over the weekend) but I really didnt have much exiting going on. Seemed like so much was up in the air and blogging about it seemed harder than it was worth. Bottom line, I was frustrated. Ive gotten some breathing room, so here I am.

Without boring you all to tears, Ill give you a run down of the last few days.... Friday afternoon I finally heard from Cru. I start classroom training on the 17th and 18th and will give it a good try before changing my schedule here at ACS. I want to make sure its something I like, something I enjoy doing and something that really does bring in the extra dough. If not, I will still have my M-F schedule here and will know that I actually tried things on for size at Cru. I know thats a bit vague, but since its my life, and nothing is ever simple it shouldnt surprise you.

Friday night- after my phone call from Cru, I met the girls at Joanna's house in Round Rock for a movie and some snacks. I knew the movie, PS I love you was sad but WOW. All three of us (myself, Cheryl, and Jo) were just sobbing. Were talking face contorted, moaning, wailing sobs. Very sad movie. We had great snacks, good gossip and then all went home and got good a good nights sleep.

Saturday we all met back up and laid at my pool for a bit- its rare we get to see one another so much in one week so it was a real treat to catch some rays with them. We all departed around 4 and I started to get ready for the night. Around 530 was the starting stages of Michelle's bachelorette party. We all met up at her house and put the finishing touches on our outfits, jewelry and make up... then headed downtown for dinner. We ate, drank and were generally merry while Michelle opened her gifts and we played little games like naming one another for the night and then we got to the fun part- the scavenger hunt I made! I compiled a list of men from Michelle's past, things about them, funny guys to avoid when dating, and red flags in general. To give you an idea, we looked for a man with no job, a man living with his parents- etc etc. It was so much fun to talk to these men and pump them for information while they had no idea what we were doing. Well, we at least thought we were pretty sly. 4 AM found us all exhausted, feet sore, crawling into bed. It was a GREAT night and I think Michelle's ready for her big day on Saturday, June 14th!

Sunday I laid at the pool again with my ever faithful Harry Potter. The longer I laid there, the more I thought about how annoyed I have been with my hair the last few weeks. The longer it was getting, the more it just laid there like dead weight. I had planned to wait until after Michelle's wedding but as hot as its been, in combination with as long as our bridesmaids dresses are... I called and made an impulsive appointment for a cut at 415. Derek was on his way back from Dallas so I didnt tell him what I was doing and I wanted to see if he would notice. Around this time last year, I cut off close to 6 inches and he said it didnt even look any different! Men!

So.... my hair is about 4 inches shorter with lots of layers and much more bounce. I have mixed feelings about it but hair will always grow back so thats that. Whats done is done. Ill post pictures as soon as I have a reason to take some.

Live and Let Be

I feel like there is so much going on in my life, so many possible turns, so much on the brink of change and so little control I have of its unfolding. Its a hard thing to deal with for a planner like me, but I guess when life gets as hectic as it has for me, the best thing I can do is sit back and just let it all unfold. This is not an easy task, but I assure you all, I am doing my best.

After much stress, tears, worrying, and discussion I have decided to let what happens happen. As for the job/2nd job drama- its on the back burner. I am waiting to hear back from Cru and then it will be decision time. For now, I have done all that I can. If it works it works and if not, I certainly wont die. Everything happens for a reason, right? In the mean time, I have started to apply for other part and full time jobs. "They" say its easier to find a job while you have a job so I guess my name is in as many hats as it can be... Today alone, I have applied for 7 jobs It helps to feel like I am at least taking steps to increase my salary and hopefully my attempts will soon pay off.

On a lighter note, its HOT HOT HOT here in Austin today. The stupid weather guy on the local channels keeps making it a point to tell us how hot and dry things will be this summer so I can only assume its all uphill from here. Should make for a fun filled move in a few weeks- Im already sweating just thinking about it.

While Im here, I also need to air a grievance- fruit flies. How annoying are those little suckers? I mean really... I literally have not one single piece of fruit in my entire home. What on earth is it that theyre looking for? My flesh? I have heard that they settle indoors- mostly in sinks in the summer months for water but if thats the case, should they not be called "water flies?" No? Fine. Either way, I need them out of my house asap. They gross me out and make my home feel dirty- and its not. Trust me. In an attempt to make light of a disgusting topic, I found a cheesy cartoon for your viewing pleasure. Dont say I never gave you anything.

Sheer Disappointment

Im sitting here sobbing at my desk- neither of my schedule requests made it though. I not only dont have Wednesdays off and work Sundays in their place, but ACS wont give me a schedule on Weds that allow me to go to the mandatory meetings on Wednesdays.

The scheduling lady here will give me a schedule on Wednesdays from 6-2 (so I could make the mandatory meetings at Cru) IF and only if Ill work on Saturdays from 7-3. Im so incredibly crushed and I feel so financially tapped. Im so upset and so angry.

Sad to be Back at Work Today

I tend to feel a sense of panic when its been a while since my last blog. I feel like I need to cover what Ive been doing, but also find myself wondering if that’s even fun to read? If it is, please say so… but for now, Ill assume it is.

Friday for me was spent low key at first- Derek came over, we watched tv and ate pb&J sandwiches for dinner (I never claimed to be a gourmet cook) then met some friends at Trudy's. A few Mexican martinis later, we decided to hoof it over to Sherlock's… lots of fun music, drinks, and dancing later, we all headed home. I played DD that night so I think I deserve a gold star. Go me!

Saturday morning found me excited to spend the day/evening celebrating with Derek but also very reluctant to get out of bed. One of the downsides to having a puppy is how early they want to wake up on the weekends. Molly still has not quite mastered the difference between a Monday and Saturday morning. Needless to say, I was up at nine and decided to let her sleep with me in bed for a little longer until it was time to get up and get a-move-on. Much to my dismay, Molly thanked me for her special treat by CHEWING A HOLE IN MY COMFORTER. Luckily, its very small and in a spot that Im sure can be fixed but man oh man was I mad. In the category of “things my dog has destroyed” I can honestly say she is not horrible but after much deliberation, Derek and I decided Molly is indeed an aggressive chewer and thus I am on the hunt for more durable toys to keep her away from things like my $300 bed set. Suggestions are appreciated.

We finally got on the road and arrived in Fredericksburg around 2 or so…. Checked in to the hotel and almost immediately left on foot to explore Main Street. Much to our delight, we could buy wine and beer and take it with us from store to store… There were also shops that had open bottles of wine from which we could pour while we shopped. I guess they figure the better they get you sauced, the more overpriced things youll buy? We wandered all around, popped in and out of some very cool places, tasted wine at the winery, ate dinner and tried flights of beers at the brewery and of course took many silly pictures.

For those of you who don’t know, Derek and I seem to have made a tradition out of imitating statues wherever we go. (This picture is a little blurry so Ill try to remember to fix it when I get home)

On the way back to our hotel, we stopped at a German restaurant for one last beer and a strudel. We met some nice people sitting next to us but thought it a bit strange that they wanted to tell us all about their son and how they "finally got pregnant." I get that they feel lucky and Im sure he is quite the little blessing but we didnt even know them! It was a weird experience to sit by such over-sharing strangers.

Sunday we got up and headed home. We decided to make the most of our sunny day and have some people over to my pool. After we both got a little crispy, we headed to Sunday dinner at the Bohls' house. Our night over there consisted of wonderful food (as always) and taking a spin in their new cars. They not only got a new Suburban but also a new truck- both so very nice and so very new. I guess it goes without saying that getting in my Honda with a poorly functioning AC after that was a little difficult.

I tried to allowed myself to "sleep in" yesterday as I had the day off, but someone else decided to ruin my efforts and called my cell phone at 830 AM. After that, I really couldnt go back to sleep so up I got and started packing. I had lots to run around and do and of course, moving day certainly isnt getting any further away so I spent my day taking pictures off of my walls, washing curtains and packing up boxes. Fun way to spend a day off work eh? Nothing like being an adult...

I allowed myself a break from the work last night when I had to go pick up my bridesmaids dress for Michelle's wedding and then celebrated Elisa's birthday with her at Chuy's. And here is the best part- I finally got to go and see Sex and the City last night. So incredibly good, I laughed, I cried (many times) and of course, my heart broke a little bit when it was all over. Lets hope they make a sequel.

Hope you all had a good weekend- feel free to come over and pack boxes with me anytime!