updates and such...

work work sleep...work work sleep...
this seems to be all my life is involving right now. But that's really ok. It keeps me busy and it more or less gives me something to do. Work forces me to be productive, and no matter how much I SERIOUSLY dread it some days, I always do feel accomplished by the time I finish a good shift. It's still going well. I'm really getting the hang of serving and actually enjoy it just as much as being in the kitchen (which was not true at all when I was starting out). I'm much more confident now about how well I am able to do my job, and that does a lot to boost my performance. Overall, it has been a positive experience...but more than anything, it makes me so happy to know that this isn't my "real" job! I can't wait for school to start again! I'm really starting to seriously miss my students! I'm so excited to see how much they've all grown and changed over the summer! And about school starting back, I'm planning to take off shortly after August 1st so I have a few days to recharge and get my internal clock back to a setting that is more appropriate for the schedule I will be keeping! (I start back to work on August 14th if you were wondering)

I know I emailed a picture to Dad about a week ago that he has been so proud of, he's shown it to pretty much anyone who'd look at it. So I'm going to put it up on here and do some of the leg work for him...just incase he left anyone out :)
At this point in time, I have officially lost 45 pounds since before the move to Florida (in December). Here are a couple of "before and 'After' " pictures. The word "After" is not the truest of statements because I still intend to lose about 15 more pounds, but obviously, you can already see a big difference!





I also want to take a minute to say "THANK YOU!" I have always known that I have been TRUELY DEEPLY BLESSED with the very most supportive family and friends in the WORLD! But we often don't think about how much those around us love us and support us until we have a time of need. I cannot being to express how much the cards, letters, and phone calls I have received have meant to me over the past few weeks. I am so thankful to be surrounded by the love and support of so many people! I don't know how I would have gotten through this without you! It has not been an easy time and it will continue to be a challenge for many days, weeks, and months to come. However, it does get "better" with each passing day. Someone told me at some point this week that they have always heard that "Time heals hurt" but that they believe it is not time that heals, but rather what you do with that time. I truly believe this in every way! I strive to be positive each day when I wake up. I strive to be kind and caring rather than bitter and filled with regret. I must admit by the end of each day, it becomes increasingly harder to be positive, but I'm still fighting. Each morning is a fresh start and each new day is an opportunity for growing, healing, and changing. I will not lay blame. I absolutely will not. I really truly want for each of us to be able to lead a life of happiness and belonging. I have said it before and I'm sure I will say it again that I don't want for either of us to ever look on the past with disdain or regret. I want to focus on the lessons we have both been forced to learn. I want nothing more than for us to both emerge from this as "better" people who realize their flaws and now have to time to make the necessary changes to eventually live full and happy lives. So again, thank you for your undying love and support. I will never be able to express what it truly means to me!!!

The boys

Most of you know it's been a rough week or so for me around here, but I'm not ready, just yet, to write a fully public blog about all that's going on.
Just know that I'm doing well. I'm working hard and spending most of my time tired and trying to recover! However, I am doing ok. I was lucky enough to get 3 WHOLE days, in a row, off this week. So yesterday I took advantage of the time and headed down to my sister's house to spend the night. I slept at Mom and Dad's, because no one was there. It was nice, quite and relaxing. I'm so blessed to have a neighbor who is willing to keep my dogs on very short notice. (He even took my trash out for me because I forgot it was trash day!) Of course I took pictures of my beautiful wonderful nephews, so here they are...





Warren is still crawling. He's walking too! However, crawling is SOOOOOO much faster!!!


Ben has a brand new Lighting McQueen towel...he's a little proud of it!


We went to the pool...and, as usual, a good time was had by all!


Ben decided he was "sliding" around CiCi's house...with coasters on his feet! :)

I'm exhausted...and Chris is at the beach!

I'm thrilled with my new job but I'm pretty tired. Getting into the swing of working at night and being on my feet the whole time is a little harder than I expected. I've really enjoyed it so far though.

When they hirer new servers, they place them next to the prep table in the kitchen for the first two nights. They want you to learn what all the food looks like. I think it's a pretty neat thing to do. Apparently, most new hires just sit and watch what's going on. I couldn't just stand and watch. So, I jumped right in! By the end of my second night, they've hired me to work in the kitchen on the days I'm not serving! I guess the good thing is that I'm getting as many hours as possible...and that's probably the bad thing too. I have to go in again today at 4:30. I've yet to see a schedule, so I'm really just playing by ear.

Chris left, to go spend the week with his family at the beach, at 4:00 this morning!!! I just talked to him and he's in South Carolina, his drive seems to be going well. He'll be back some time next Friday. I have no doubt it's going to be a long week with him gone and me trying to take care of our "zoo" as well as my two jobs.
Well, I need to get going and get my errands done before it's time to go to work again! I'm going to try to get off a little earlier tonight! I've stayed extra late two nights and I think I should get to head out early tonight!!! Well, at least I hope so!

have a great weekend all!
Thanks again for reading!

!!!my new job!!!

Hmm...what are we looking at here? Oh, yeah, that'd be the place I that just hired me! YEA! So excited! I got the job. I'm going to be serving at the Fish On Fire! The restaurant is just down the road (literally...7 tenths of a mile!) from our house. I'm just so excited to get a job I don't think I could care where I'll be working! However, I do like the restaurant and when Chris and I go out to diner, it's generally where we go so I know most the faces and some of the names. I'm going to be working part time to start...they would have offered full time but they just don't have enough room on the schedule at the minute. In all honesty, I'm ok with that. I still have my workshops for school and some other obligations I need to fulfill. So I'm not worried. I just wanted to let you all know the good news. I start this Thursday at 4:30!

Our little trip...

We just got back home from Parish, Florida...visiting my grandparents, nephews, and brother in law (my sister was out of town) We had a lovely time visiting with everyone (and playing BINGO last night :) ). We didn't get to stay long because we had to hurry back to take care of our dogs. However, it was still a really nice break...Thank you guys again so much for having us...and, of course, for feeding us so well!!! :)
My youngest nephew Warren wasn't feeling well so I was only able to take pictures of Benjamin...So I'm going to post the pictures I took of him last night while he was playing with his "Tow Mater" toy. He wasn't in the mood to have his picture taken so I had to fight for what I got!











I'm sure if you've turned on the TV in the last 24 hours you've heard all about Tropical Storm Barry! Just so you know, we have REALLY needed some serious rain for about 3 months now...we we are generally thrilled to get anything we can! So this storm has given us at least a little bit of exactly what we needed. It has rained off and on all day today and rained all night last night we are pretty happy about that! No wind...well, no more than usual...and no severe weather (at this point)...I'm sure that having our first tropical storm hit on the second day of hurricane season is probably a pretty good indication of what's to come. Those of you who know me well know that I'm absolutely obsessed with weather and storms so I'm sure I'll be blogging all summer about our storms and changing conditions!

As always, thanks for reading! Have a great weekend!

by request...

Upon seeing my pictures of Tank, my nephew Benjamin has informed his Mommy that he wants to see Ozzy too...So, here you go Ben, just for you! Love you!

My "Puppy"

My sweet "puppy" Tank was laying in the grass this morning and was just too cute...really, he was begging me to get out the camera and take some pictures of him...I promise :) So I obliged...he's just too sweet...I had to share the pictures!