Adventures, Decisions and Life....

Wow, has it really been since January? Life flies...even when you aren't always having fun! Since I've posted, I've been to FL twice, celebrated my 28th birthday, lost a family member, had a visit from my aunt, attended a wedding and been working a ton! Whew....it makes me tired just thinking about it.

I have fallen in love with FL. The fact that it's warmer all year round, there's no snow and you can actually feel warm when you walk outside is a huge advantage. I've done a lot of thinking about my life and where I want to go and what I want to do. I do really love my job right now, but I remind myself that my job is not my life nor do I want it to be. I'm still single and am not really happy with where I'm living or the area. I haven't found a place where I really feel like it's "home." Now I fully realize that when I'm in FL, I'm on vacation with no work responsibility and it's all about fun. But it's an option. I celebrated my birthday in FL this year and had a blast. I finally ate at Bonefish Grille (which was DELICIOUS), did some shopping, went out, and visited with family. It was a great time.

Life continues to be busy. I feel like I'm working too much but don't know how to accomplish everything in less time than I'm putting in so it gets frustrating. I'm really loving the co-workers I have right now and the families I'm working with so that definitely helps. The kids I'm working with right now (for the most part) have been great and I've really enjoyed getting to know them.

It's baseball season again so I have been going to games and watching as many as I can. I don't know what it is about baseball but I just love it! My dad and I are going to another game on Sunday and I'm so excited. It's quite an experience to be at a game and jsut to take in everything going on around you. I know plenty of people who don't enjoy it but that's definitely not me :)

Other than that, just normal day-to-day things. I've been working out again and I'm loving it. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I started going consistently again. I currently have a sinus infection so unfortunately I haven't been going as much recently, but hope to be back at it soon!!!!

Hope everything's going well with all of you. Sorry for the really really delayed writing!

Did anyone else realize it's June?

I wish that Wisconsin would figure out it's summer and turn the heat on outside! It's been rainy (think: Seattle) and chilly. I'm not a fan of having to bring out my sweaters or jackets when it's June. My mom actually turned the heat on this past weekend because it was in the 50s and the chill wouldn't get out of their house. It was crazy! Now, I do fully realize that it'll be July or August and I'll be complaining about it being so humid and not wanting to even go outside and that my hair now lives in more than 1 zip code due to the humidity, but for now...I'm going to complain about it being cold. Today was a little better in the 60s and I commented that unforunately that seemed really warm due to the fact that the sun hadn't seen Wisconsin in quite a few days.

Overall though, I still can't believe it's June. I remember talking a few months ago about being so excited for summer to start and all the things I have planned and now it's here. Wow.

Well, I've had a pretty draining week so far so I'm headed to bed, but as always, wanted to put my two cents into whatever was bothering me at the moment :)

Another weekend...

Well, this weekend is the first in a while where I am not doing any traveling. I'm sticking close to home and just getting things done. I decided I was sick of my master bathroom (the decor) and went to Kohl's this morning to change that. I am pretty happy with what I picked out and plan to change that over this afternoon. I've also been able to make some muffins, get 2 loads of laundry done, clean the kitchen and hang up my clothes. I'm also watching some NCAA basketball as well. It's been a productive day but it feels good.

I do need to do some work this weekend as well. I hate working on the weekend when I'm not getting paid, but sometimes life happens and I just can't get everything done during the week. Oh well, it's not the end of the world.

Last night I ran some errands and when I got home I watched the movie "Why Did I Get Married?" I have to say...I was pleasantly surprised. I think Tyler Perry is funny, but I really enjoyed this movie. It wasn't his usual humor, but there were plenty of surprises and it just really struck me in some parts. It was intense, but also light-hearted. It is a movie that I would watch again. Janet Jackson was in it too and actually did well. I do want to see Tyler's new Madea movie too. There is something about Madea that just cracks me up.

Other than that, not much new. I leave for Tucson early next month and can't wait. Then I have my birthday shortly after I return. I'm excited for a fun-filled month :)

Time goes by too quickly.

I can't believe how fast time has been going lately. It seems like it was just Thanskgiving and now I'm worried about getting all my Christmas shopping done. I am usually pretty good about having my shopping done the day after Thanksgiving with just a few minor things to pick up. This year though, I feel like I am missing a lot. I think it has to do with moving next weekend all my stuff being in boxes too! My goal is to have the apartment up and running by the 1st of the year. Yes, it's a lofty goal but one I hope to make a reality. I'm sick of living with boxes and I've been doing it for too long. Let's just hope that this is a place I stay in longer than a year so I can actually unpack everything.

I have 6 more days of work and then I'm on vacation until January 5th which is great. I need the break from work and I just need the break in general. I have been on the go for too long and haven't just able to just be. So yesterday, I didn't get out of bed until 12:30 and then did absolutely nothing all day. Didn't do dishes, didn't do laundry, didn't clean, didn't pack, nothing. I did lay around, watched movies on TV and was back in bed around 7 last night. I then watched more movies and did more of nothing. I woke up this morning feeling very refreshed and so glad I had taken the time to do nothing the previous day. My cold I felt coming on is feeling almost gone and I'm not feeling as stressed as I was the previous weeks.

Thanks to those of you who continue to check in to see if I wrote. I'll try to be better about this as I am now trying to take more time for myself and I do enjoy updating this...it's my online diary :)

Here comes the....cold?

Well, it's turned cold here again. I don't know why I'm not prepared for it. I have lived here all my life and every year...it gets cold. However, I am somehow surprised at the cold every year, like I can't believe it's cold. It's strange really. We were spoiled with some nice weather into October and November has definitely not been kind. It was only 17 degrees when I woke up this morning. Let me just say, I had difficulty getting and staying out of bed knowing that little fact!

A friend and I were discussing PMSing yesterday. It actually turned into quite a funny conversation. She was discussing that things she normally does not get upset or frustrated with can just be the biggest deal while she is PMSing. I said that I have the same thing and that I then become upset with myself for being upset over those things. We both started laughing when we realized how silly that was but that we still continue to do it every month! Does anyone else have that?

Well, I went to look at apartments down near Milwaukee this weekend. I actually found a really nice one that I really like. Now the only problem is figuring out if I can afford it. The economy isn't the hottest and although currently my job is stable, it's scary to look around at other places cutting jobs and people struggling who have always seemed to get by easily. It makes me nervous that perhaps I should reconsider moving knowing that what I have now I can afford and I'm stable. With everything else in my life up in the air, it's difficult to not have something that I can be concrete about. Thankfully this has not kept me from sleeping otherwise I would really be hurting. Normally when I have this much stress or uncertainty, I will not be able to sleep. But I am thanking my lucky stars as every night when I lay down, I am almost always able to go right to sleep. Whew. At least I'm resting!

A lesson in bad blogging

I can't even tell you guys how many times I have sat down ready to write something "interesting" to keep all of your attention and falling short....every time. I just haven't had much to say lately. I have still been visiting all of you and leaving comments here and there, but I just haven't had it in me to write.
Nothing really is new either which may be part of it. I leave next Thursday (the 28th) to go to South Carolina over the Labor Day holiday. I am really excited about this and hoping it's not 116 like last August when I went down there. But if it is--I'm still on vacation so I'll be just fine :) I'm hoping to really see more of Charleston and take lots of pictures. I didn't get to walk by Rainbow Row last time so hopefully I will be able to do that. The shops in Charleston are really neat too so hopefully I'll spend some time in those too :)
I also booked a vacation for FL in October. I'll be down there from a Thursday-Monday. I am going to visit family and hang out. I am also hoping to go skydiving again with one of my cousins! We have both done it before, but this time might go together. It would be really neat and I've been wanting to go again since I went in CO 4 years ago. I'm excited just thinking about it!!!
So that's my update....short, sweet, and to the point! I hope you are all enjoying your summers and have some weather that is cooperating :) We haven't had much rain the past few weeks so it's been nicer days which is really nice!
Have a great week!

Where does time go?

I can't believe it's the middle of July. Really? Where did the beginning of July go? I swear I didn't get to enjoy all of it! I have been busy--but in a good way. I am staying busy (and out of trouble!) and enjoying some good weather too. I went to two more Brewer games and had really good seats. I've also been to some cook-outs and spent some time just reading and relaxing.

Work has been going well too. Nothing too exciting going on (well more than usual) and seems like perhaps things are calming down for a bit which would be nice. I have a conference that I will be attending in Madison on Monday and Tuesday and I am excited about that. It's a conference I have attended the past two years and have really enjoyed. They provide excellent information and I don't fall asleep during the presenters which is a big deal for me! If I am bored, there is no doubt that I will fall asleep!!!

Well that's about it from me. Just thought I should put something on this blog so people know I am still here--just been busy :) Have a great rest of the week!

Stress...it's not always about making lemonade

I have a stressful job. I don't think anyone could deny that. I really enjoy my job, but there are days when I feel like I put so much into it and get squat out of it. Today is one of those days. I went to the doctor a while back because I had been getting massive headaches. I found out they are actually migraines and now have medication for them. I have only had to use one pill (let me tell you--that thing knocked me out all night!)

People say when life hands you lemons, to make lemonade. Well, I wish it were that simple. Sometimes things are out of your control. I just need to remember that I can not control everything (nor would I want to) and that sometimes my best isn't going to solve everything. That is not something that is easy to grasp all of the time.

I am looking forward to this weekend though. Tomorrow I have an aunt and a cousin flying in from FL and another aunt, 2 cousins and my grandma driving in from SC tomorrow afternoon. I am incredibly excited to see all of them. It will be nice to have another 3 day weekend and to just relax and enjoy some time away from work and with family!

April showers bring...no May postings?

Yep, I'm a slacker. Well, actually....okay just a blogger slacker. I've been busy! Work is hectic as usual. But it's a good hectic. It's a hectic where I know my position isn't in jeporady. YAY! I had some visitors at my apartment for a weekend, celebrated Mother's Day by taking in a Milwaukee Brewer game (they won!) and have had some really late nights.

This picture is of my best friend, Erin, who surprised me by coming to town for my birthday weekend. That was fun!!! I had just had a manicure and pedicure before the picture so we were pretty relaxed (my first mani and pedi by the way!) I believe this was right after the cake too--very good cake I might add!

I wanted nothing with my birthday number on it so my mom thought that little saying would be just fine! The dogs also helped to celebrate.

So, all in all, the past few weeks have been really good. Just very busy. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about all of you! I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

The pictures

Goodness. If you people knew where I lived I have a feeling you would have been beating down my door for these! Sorry this took me so long. Tomorrow is my birthday and between my parents and my best friend, I had the best birthday weekend ever. I will fill you all in later. First, here are the pictures so I don't get beat up :)

This picture was just taken a few weeks ago when I was in Eau Claire visiting my best friend Erin, and her husband, Mike. That was hair before.
Here is the "after." Don't mind the double chin. It chooses to enter pictures at random. But you get the idea of the hair change. My mom took some pictures of me and Erin this weekend that I'll post later (by later I mean probably before the end of the week, okay?)

Men with blue paint on their heads

Wow, I have been busy lately! It's been a fun busy though. A few weekends ago, I went to see STOMP! and I have to say that it was FABULOUS! We had great seats (2nd row) and were able to see everything. The way those people can make music out of anything really amazed me. It also takes a lot of strength in order to do what they do. I highly recommend it if it ever comes near you. Here is a link to a clip on youtube. Click here to watch the clip! It isn't the same cast as when I saw it but they do just as amazing things.

Also, I went to the Blue Man Group a week ago. I have to say that I was pleasently surprised! I had heard they were good, but I didn't realize how big of a production it would be. I really enjoyed the band too and the songs they played. How to be a Megastar was hilarious and I loved how they incorporated that into the show. It was also very interactive and they brought people from the audience as well. I have heard that the Vegas show is better, but since I have never been there, I felt this one more than stood up to its reputation! I would also highly recommend this if you are able to see it.

Tomorrow, I am taking my mom to see Carrie Underwood in concert. I really liked her on American Idol and continue to really enjoy her voice. My mom really likes her too so we're going!

Other than that, this past weekend I went up to Eau Claire to visit some friends and go out. I had a wonderful time and had some much needed time going out with friends. I hope to be able to do that again soon! Work is keeping me busy but it's a good busy. I really am enjoying what I'm doing and for the agency I work for which definitely helps :)

What's going on with everyone else?

Leaving on a Jet Plane..Unfortunately I know when I'll be back

Well, I am getting excited. I'm leaving for Arizona next Friday. WOOHOO!! I know I just went to South Carolina in December, but I am SO excited. After getting this much snow too, I am ready to go somewhere that it isn't all white. I miss the green. I miss the warm. I just miss being able to see if cars are coming down the road before turning.

Work continues to go well. I am just much happier all around. This past weekend a friend from college came to visit and that was a lot of fun. Then last night, my BEST FRIEND, and another old co-worker came into town for a conference so we went to dinner and went shopping for a bit. We went to dinner at Olive Garden (love, love, LOVE it) AND had a very attractive waiter which I have to admit..added to the enjoyment of the conversation, friends, and food!

In other news, the apartment is looking much better thanks to the patience of my mom and dad. Without their help, I would still be living in a pile of boxes, sleeping on my couch. So I am very thankful for that! I've had a bit of a cold which hasn't entirely helped the past week, but I'm just making the most of it.

Tonight, I am going to dinner at The Melting Pot (a fondue restaurant) and I am VERY excited because I've never been to a fondue restaurant before. I'm so excited though. It's also Ladies Night so things are cheaper for ladies (woohoo!!) I have a coupon too so the night will be great!

What's new with all of you? I feel like it's been forever again.

8 children? And Still Alive?

Hello out in blogging world! Yes, it's been a slight departure again :) We all have those days, er weeks, right? I'm been in my own world lately and been neglecting my blogging friends and for that, I apologize! I do miss you when I'm gone though. But who can expect my blogging friends to comment on the same blog for 3 weeks? Ooops! It was MY fault that nobody was leaving me nice comments!

I watched a Jon and Kate + 8 marathon yesterday and have to admit, I wouldn't want 8 children, BUT I must say that those parents love all of those children and make decisions based on what would be best for the FAMILY not just for themselves. I was impressed with Kate. Yes, she gets upset and inpatient and may yell at times that aren't needed, but really, the woman has 8 children! She may also yell at Jon when he's trying to help, but really, the woman has 8 children (this could be used for almost any arguement-really!) The kids are adorable and do, for the most part, seem to get a long. I can't imagine having that many siblings or living in a chaotic house. It was refreshing to see so much love in a family and see parents that dedicated to their children. I really enjoyed watching the show and plan to watch more frequently.

On another aside....I did not enjoy the Grammys. I didn't feel they were that entertaining and honestly, I stopped watching. I was even shocked and how ugly a lot of the dresses were! Ugh! Where did those women go shopping?

It's freezing here again. It was about -40 with the windchill yesterday. Needless to say, I stayed inside all day and turned up the heat. I just hate the cold. I don't mind the snow, don't mind winter, it's the cold. The bitter cold that you can't even go outside. The cold that nothing living could survive. Ugh.

I still really enjoy my new job. It's a new adventure, but it's great. I'm still so glad I decided to move back to my hometown. Everything is familiar again and I'm feeling more and more like myself. So, overall, it was a GREAT move for me!

Well, I should get back to work instead of rambling on. What is new with all of you?

Is this thing on?

Where have I been you ask? Well, between starting my new job, moving twice, and attempting (that is the key word!) to settle down in my apartment, I have been busy! I have still been trying to visit, but by the time I get home, I am exhausted! I still can't sleep in my bed since there is too much piled on it, but I do have a kitchen, living room, dining room and bathroom--so hey, I can't complain!

I love the new job. I just feel happier. My mood has changed so much just with the move and the new job. I feel like myself again.

It's been so darn cold around here lately. With windchills -20 to -40. I am just so happy my car has started every morning! We have also been getting a LOT of snow. Way more than I remember having last year. Last year it was fairly mild.

My new apartment is awesome. I have a washer/dryer now which is AWESOME. I don't think I could live without having one in my apartment at this point--not after being spoiled now.

Other than that, I'm good! I'm happy, healthy and ready to continue taking on 2008.

How is everyone else doing???

I am alive!!!

Well, I am alive. I had a WONDERFUL vacation in South Carolina with my family. We did lots of touristy things and spent time with my aunt and cousin. We had a two hour delay in Atlanta on the way home, but still made it home safely around 5ish on Christmas Eve.

Everything else has been doing fairly well. My dad has his partial knee replacement today and is in the hospital until Sunday or Monday. He is doing well, just really tired and pretty sore. They have him on morphine so that is helping!

Tomorrow is the moving day. We leave my parents house at 7:30am and can get the truck at 9am. Then it's moving back to my parent's garage (my storage unit for about 2 weeks!) So it's been hectic around here. What's new with you guys out there?

Really? Nobody?

So I guess nobody (besides my mom) took the time to follow all of the instructions for the last post. Did anyone watch the video? My mom did and really liked it!

Today is homework day (or as it's turned out to be: day of procrastinating against homework). I have gotten my work bag cleaned out, shred lots of papers and killed a spider. I would say the day is a success.

I have lots to do before Tuesday. I leave Tuesday afternoon for a conference that runs from Wednesday morning until Friday. Then Friday I go to my parent's as my dad's birthday is Saturday. Then back here on Monday in time to get home, unpack and head to class. Whew, I'm tired just thinking about it!

Any big plans for you this week?

Life Happens

Well, as you can tell, I haven't been the best at posting lately. I hope you all will still stick with me. It's been hectic. I am almost within two months of graduating and I'm hopeful to make some pretty big life changes soon after that.

Life has been going by fast lately. Lots of homework, work is crazy, and plenty of traveling. I have been really tired lately. I think it's just been a lot of stress lately and then not sleeping the greatest = a lazy Amy. So that has been part of the reason I have been writing. I also have taken more time to look inside myself and see where I am in the healing process. I'm feeling pretty darn good about all of this and definitely have a more positive outlook. Which helps in just my every day life.

Well, I am going to continue watching the Packer game and then head to bed. Happy Sunday night or Monday (depending on when you read this!)

My life...as a social worker

There are days that my profession is very difficult. As I look at going on vacation on Wednesday, there is a lot of work that needs to be done. I need to get my apartment looking decent so that I don't come home to a mess!!! I also need to pack and I need to be all caught up on work before Tuesday night. So it's going to be a busy couple days before leaving bright and early Wednesday morning. I won't have access to the internet but I will try to post a TT before I leave for your enjoyment :) There should be LOTS of pictures when I get back. My TT will have clues of where I am going and we'll see if you can figure it out.

Happy Monday!