Too cute!

This little girl is just too cute. Seriously, those lips, those eyes...she is just too much!

I'm Alive!

Yes, I am still alive. After my last mini-vacation of the summer, I am back and ready to get back into the swing of things. I have finally made it through the final Harry Potter book (which I LOVED!) and am getting ready to start school again on Tuesday.

I had a wonderful time up north and will post pictures soon! It was a beautiful cabin right on the lake and we had really nice weather until the morning I left (I was okay with that...it made leaving a little easier since it was pouring!)

Tonight I went out to dinner with a friend and we ended up spending 2 1/2 hours at the table just talking and catching up. It was so nice to just relax and talk about anything (even if it was stupid!) Then we both ended up having to go to the grocery store so we did that too! After over 3+ hours, we both parted ways to come home. I have 3 classes this fall and she is in all 3 which will make it bearable!!!

So...what did I miss while I was gone from the blogging world?

Family time

Well, I got to spend some quality time with my parents this weekend. The picnic on Friday was a big success. Although some people didn't show up that had said they would, it was a beautiful day and fun was had by all! We definitely had plenty of food!!!! Then it was off to my parent's house for what I hoped was going to be a weekend of laying around in the pool. Well...mother nature had other plans. It was pretty chilly and rainy the whole time. Oh well. Instead we sat around inside the house. Went to lunch. Had a nice dinner. Watched a movie. It was nice to not do much.

This week starts another shortened week. This Thursday I am having a Tastefully Simple party with my mom at her house. Then Friday we are going to see the new Matt Damon movie and then Saturday I am heading up to see my friend and her family at a cabin. I took Monday off too so that I can get home on Monday some time and have another mini vacation :) I am beginning to enjoy those. And since September 4th starts my final semester of grad school, I am going to relax as much as possible before the final semester begins!

Oh and speaking of family....aren't these two cute?

Back.

This is what I felt like on vacation (ahhh I'm FREE!)

So I am back from vacation. I got back on Monday but life has since been hectic again and I am just now getting a chance to get back to writing and saying HI to everyone! It was a very hot and humid vacation, but that meant time by the pool and lots of AC. I had a wonderful time and felt completely rested when I returned on Monday.

Then....I went back to work. I hate going back to work after vacation because there is just way too much to attempt to catch up on. Needless to says I've been putting in long days. Tomorrow is our staff picnic. I was somehow put in charge of planning it and everything to go along with it. I'm crossing my fingers that it will all go smoothly! Then I am spending the weekend with my parents and hoping it's warm enough to use the pool.

How is everyone else doing?

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!

Thursday Thirteen!

Thirteen Words I love:

1. Discombobulated

2. Ginourmous

3. Harry

4. Potter :)

5. Vacation

6. Home

7. Graduation

8. Babble

9. Plethora

10. Quam

11. Serendipity

12. Convolute

13. Liquor (haha!)

What's your favorite word? (Thanks to goofy girl for the banner!)

A bridge collapses and life stands still....

6 killed in Minneapolis bridge collapse
By PATRICK CONDON,
Associated Press Writer

MINNEAPOLIS - An interstate bridge suddenly broke into huge sections and collapsed into the Mississippi River during bumper-to-bumper traffic Wednesday, killing at least six people and sending vehicles, tons of concrete and twisted metal crashing into the water.
The Interstate 35W bridge, a major link between Minneapolis and St. Paul, was in the midst of being repaired when it collapsed.
"There were two lanes of traffic, bumper to bumper, at the point of the collapse. Those cars did go into the river," Minneapolis Police Lt. Amelia Huffman. "At this point there is nothing to suggest that this was anything other than a structural collapse."
Jamie Winegar of Houston said she was sitting in traffic when all of a sudden she started hearing "boom, boom, boom and we were just dropping, dropping, dropping, dropping."
The car she was riding in landed on top of a smaller car but did not fall into the water. She said her nephew yelled, "'It's an earthquake!' and then we realized the bridge was collapsing."
Mayor R.T. Rybak said at least six people were killed. There were no immediate reports on the total number of injured, but Dr. Joseph Clinton, emergency medical chief at Hennepin County Medical Center, said the hospital treated 28 injured people — including six who were in critical condition.
Other hospitals also were treating the injured. Clinton said at least one of the victims had drowned.
The arched bridge, which was built in 1967, rises about 64 feet above the river. An estimated 50 vehicles plunged into the water and onto the land below, the Star-Tribune reported.
A burning truck and a school bus clung to one slanted slab. The bus had just crossed the bridge before it crumpled into pieces, and broadcast reports indicated the children on the bus exited out the back door.
Christine Swift's 10-year-old daughter, Kaleigh, was on the bus, returning from a field trip to Bunker Hills in suburban Blaine. She said her daughter called her about 6:10 p.m.
"She was screaming, 'The bridge collapsed,'" Swift said.
She said a police officer told her all the kids got off the bus safely.
Dozens of vehicles were scattered and stacked on top of each other amid the rubble. Some people were stranded on parts of the bridge that aren't completely in the water.
Melissa Hughes, 32, of Minneapolis said she was driving home across the bridge when she went down when the western edge in the collapse.
"You know that free fall feeling? I felt that twice," said Hughes, who was not injured.
A pickup ended up on top of her car, partially crushing the top and back end.
"I had no idea there was a vehicle on my car," she said. "It's really very surreal."
Many motorist could have been headed to the Minnesota Twins game scheduled not far from the bridge, but the game was postponed, team president Dave St. Peter said.
Ramon Houge told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he was on his way home from work on the bridge when he heard a rumbling noise, saw the ground collapse and cars go down.
Traffic was bumper to bumper and hundreds of people would have been involved, he said. He said cars backed up as best they could and he parked in a construction zone and was finally able to turn around and drive off the bridge. "It didn't seem like it was real," he said.
Local television stations captured video of injured people being carried up the riverbank. There was no official word on injuries, but dozens of rescue vehicles were there. Divers were also in the water.
Workers have been repairing the 40-year-old bridge's surface as part of improvements along that stretch of the interstate, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported on its Web site.
Homeland Security Department spokesman Russ Knocke also said the collapse did not appear to be terrorism-related.

So happy together!

Doesn't she just look so happy? Even though it took forever to come to the conclusion of who is the baby daddy, it looks like Dannielynn is finally able to be a baby and have baby worries (like "why is my diaper dirty" or "where is my bottle?")

I'm just so glad she is with family....

What are your thoughts on this?

A small package...a huge surprise!

Well this week was just a long week. As you can see my TT, I am very overwhelmed right now and just can't seem to see the end in sight. My parents had sent me the new Harry Potter book earlier this week (thanks, guys!) and on the outside of that package, it said "look for something else later this week." Yesterday they came down and took me out for dinner (to a restaurant called Champps), and it was really yummy! It is like a sports bar, but they have everything from steak to burgers to fajitas. So there was something for everyone!

Well, today, I got home from my LAST Saturday class (YES!) and I was talking to my mom and checked my mail. There was a package in there for me. I couldn't wait to get upstairs...and what did I find you ask? Remember this?

My mom reads my blog occasionally and had seen that I had lost island girl's giveaway and that I really liked them and really wanted them. So they decided to send them to me as a surprise. I jokingly told my mom that I better post it before everyone else orders theres (or has to cancel their order for me...since I know everyone ordered me one...ha!) for me. Then I said I should post them to show how nice my parents are and my mom said "yes, I will look for that later." So here you go, mom and dad. The world can now see that I have the best parents in the world!

Oh and by the way, my mom is still waiting to get credit for doing the majority (okay 99%) of the organizing of the apartment after my ex got kicked out, er moved, in December. So there ya go, Mom :)

Happy Weekend everyone!

Want to win a free TV?

Check out 5 minutes for mom and enter to win a 37" FLAT SCREEN TV! We also want to thank Best Buy for sponsoring this :)

It is open to US and Candian addresses. So get your butt over there and enter. You don't have anything to lose!

Thursday Thirteen

13 Things I have "on my plate" right now

1. I have one more Saturday class this week with a paper due (10-14 pages....ugh!)

2. I am still working 32 hours a week, doing internship 20 hours a week and attempting to have a social life (attempting is the key word there!)

3. I am going out of state soon so I am trying to plan (and budget) for that!

4. I really need to clean up the apartment (like scrubbing the tub and toilet)

5. I wish I could spend more time with my family so it's been stressful not seeing them as much.

6. I have another semester with three classes plus work, thankfully no internship though!

7. I have to figure out my life plan after December and getting my Masters

8. I have papers to do for internship before the end of August.

9. I am on a lot of committees for work, which can be fun, but at this point are a source of stress!

10. I can't seem to sleep as well which makes the days really looonnnngggg.

11. I want to read the last Harry Potter!!!!

12. I have a lot of emails that I need to read through and reply to!

13. I need to take some time to just enjoy life!

Thanks to goofy girl for not only the banner but also adding my BlogHer Ads on the side. Take a peak or click on them if you wish :)

The Price Is Wrong, Bob....

Congrats to Drew Carey, who will take over for Bob Barker on TPIR! He announced it at a taping today for The David Letterman Show. Who can name the movie the quote from the title is from?

The picture is from TMZ.com :)

Owner of a broken heart?

Cures for A Broken Heart
Posted by David Romanelli
on Mon, Jul 09, 2007, 3:30 pm PDT

"Sometimes I wish I were a little kid again; skinned knees are easier to fix than broken hearts." -Anonymous

There's very little in life that hurts as much as a broken heart. I always wished there were a guide on dealing with the pain of having loved and lost. So I'm gonna make an attempt at such a guide. Based on my many days dealing with a broken heart in what I call "the pain chamber," I'd like to share some thoughts on what's gotten me through:

First, listen to some country music.

Second, try listening to some country music.

Third, did I say country music?

Country songs cover some powerful lessons and wise teachings on handling the dark side of love. Depending on the day or the moment, any of the following tips might help...

1. Keep in mind that a broken heart is part of being human
Be wary of the person who hasn't dealt with a broken heart. No matter how strong you might be, if you're open to love, you're automatically vulnerable to pain. So don't feel bad if you’re in the pain chamber. Know that it's very normal and very much a part of being human. In "God Only Knows," Cynthia Ford sings about the unbearable pain that no amount of strength can overcome. She learns it's faith, not strength, that can get you through:
Somebody tell me if there's
any other way
I tried prayin' for strength
But it never came
So I'm praying for faith
Cuz God only knows
How hard this is for me

2. Light the fire
When dealing with heartbreak, sometimes it helps to get a little fired up! You can spend a lot of time bummed out and weeping, but at a certain point, it might help to get off your ass. Go for a run, lift some weights, scream if you must. Think Rocky Balboa meets the Karate Kid. In other words, get pumped. Check out Dierks Bentley's song "Forget About You" for inspiration:
I heard that ol' Jones song just the other day
'Bout a man who took that ol' broken heart to his grave
But I'll be damned if a memory's gonna lay me down
I might be walkin' around with a head full of air
Actin' kinda crazy but I don't care
This heart's barely beating, but I'll still be above the ground
I'll forget about you!

3. Take solace in the fact that things have a way of working out
It's hard to understand the first time your heart is broken. But over time, you come to realize that there's a certain rhyme and reason to life. As Garth Brooks sings, you may just become grateful for your "Unanswered Prayers":
She was the one that I'd wanted for all time
And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

4. Feel the pain
We can exhaust ourselves fighting the pain. Allowing yourself to feel the pain rather than resist it sometimes can be very healing.

Harry who?

So everyone is having Harry Potter fever. I will admit that I am behind in reading the books. I just don't seem to have enough time to do everything. I'm on the 4th book (I will say, in my defense, that I didn't start the books when they first came out!) I'm sure I will somehow end up finding out what happens before I read the final book. Is the final one really over 700 pages? Do you KNOW how LONG that will take me? I am a girl who can read a book a day, but that is pushing it! I have a feeling some people will stay up until they finish it (*cojanetugh*)

On to other news, I only have 2 more Saturday classes until my summer classes are over! Yay! I just have about a month left of internship too and then it's 3 more classes until graduation! CHEERS!!!!

How is your week going?

Emotionally drained

Well, it's been quite a weekend. Friday my parents came down to visit and that was really nice. We went out to lunch with some family on a lake. It was really nice to see my mom's cousin and to hang out by a lake! Then we went to target and got some more stuff for my apartment. We came back here and hung some new decorations. I have taken down the last of the things that my ex had given me. That was harder than I thought. I was upset at myself that I broke down after 7 months (I can't believe it's been that long!), but it had to be done. The walls look nice with the new things I got. I will post pictures soon (hopefully if you want to see them!)

Then Saturday I had class from 9-4 (that really should be illegal). I was bored Saturday night. I slept until 11:30 this morning and then got on with my day. I made some cookies and watched some movies. I didn't have too much motivation.

I have my screen saver on my computer set to show my pictures. Well, I hadn't cleared out my pictures yet and was sick of seeing my ex when I would go by my computer. Seeing as I was already drained, I figured I would do that tonight. So I went through and deleted all the pictures that had my ex in them. That was definitely harder than I thought. It's hard to delete those memories, even if it's just from my computer. I got through it though and now I don't have to worry about coming in the computer room and seeing his face on the screen. I'm hoping that helps!

Well, I am off to bed. It's up early tomorrow for me with the start of a very long week. I am going to visit my parents this weekend though so hopefully that will help me get through the week (I miss my puppies!!!!) I also have a quiz in my Saturday class that I need to study for this week. Wish me luck.

Oh and I didn't win the prize of the earphones. Who wants to volunteer to buy them for me? :)

Any big plans this week????

Contest

So Island Life Review is giving away these adorable and cute and pink and sparkly (did I mention a-dorable) earphones....and I want them!

Yes, I will admit it. I want them for myself. Others have left comments about how they would give them to their daughters or neighbors or friends who have always wanted cool earphones...nope I want them. So here is my link. If you want a chance to win them, check out the link above...but hurry it ends today!

Ways to make money

So I look at my bank account and think "so when is someone going to put some money in there!" It keeps going down yet I don't know where it's going! Those damn bills I tell you! Rent is enough by itself but add cable, electric, cell phone, etc. and you get a very broke girl!

On to some happier news...I was selected by BlogHerAds to join them and put ads on my blog! Now this makes me happy for two reasons: I have heard it is very hard to get into BlogHerAds and also because it might make me some money :) Yes, you can see from the paragraph above that this might make me happy!

I am finished with two of my classes so far this summer and I received an A in both of them so far!!!! I called my parents to give them the news and made my mom put me on speaker phone so my parents could hear at the same time! I was so excited. If I can keep this up I could get a 4.0 for my 4 classes this summer. WOW!

My parents are coming to visit tomorrow. I feel like I haven't seen them in quite a while. It will be nice to spend the day with them and just take some time to relax. This weekend, I have class on Saturday from 9-4 and then just relaxing!

Any big plans this weekend?

Concert, class, road trip--check!

So this weekend has been pretty fun-filled! On Friday night I went to Summerfest which is a huge music festival in Milwaukee that is held for I think 10 days. I went to see Daughtry and the concert was AWESOME! Chris performed for an hour and played all but one of his songs on his CD. It was well worth the heat!

Then I had class on Saturday and right after class I drove down to visit a friend who recently moved to IL. We went to IKEA (one of my favorite stores) and then went to see the movie Knocked Up! I laughed so hard that I couldn't stop at one point. It was hilarious. The majority of the movie is filled with great one liners and the actors all did a great job of working together. This is a movie that I would definitely buy just so that I could catch more of the jokes!

Today I drove back home and watched Freedom Writers. Another really good movie but for very different reasons from Knocked Up! I thought that Hillary Swank did a great job and the kids did a wonderful job of telling their stories. If you haven't seen it, I really do recommend it. There isn't a ton of bad language either which surprised me. I love movies that are based on true stories too. It gives the movie some meaning.

Anyway, this is a busy week for me. I have been brain storming of coming up with new things to do on the blog and I have some ideas which I am going to try to implement this week. Please leave me feedback and let me know how you like it!

Have a great start to your week. I leave you with a picture from the Daughtry concert!

America's Birthday!

Happy 4th of July everyone! I am working on 7--yes 7---essays for my class tomorrow. It is a take-home final so I can't complain too much but of course I just started them today. So you all know what I'll be doing most of the day!

A year ago yesterday I saw fireworks over Mount Rushmore. Now I don't know that any fireworks can ever beat that, so I didn't go to any this year. Plus I had class last night and I have class again tomorrow. It's a rough life, I know :) So in remembrance of my firework experience last year, I leave you with a picture. Have a wonderful 4th!

Another day, another dollar

Well, today is Sunday and I slept until 11:30am. Now I haven't done that in a long time but darn did it feel good! I fell asleep around 11pm so I feel so refreshed! Today I haven't done much of anything.

I was watching the Concert for Diana and am taping it. It is such a nice celebration of her life, instead of dwelling on her death and the conspiracies that everyone seems to come up with. I had watched the interview with the Princes and I feel that they are doing their best to carry out what their mother would have wanted them to accomplish. They have a lot of power to do good and I feel they have done that. But we must remember they are still young and are allowed to have fun and make mistakes. Without making mistakes, how will they learn? Unlike celebrities who choose to become actors or actresses or singers or whoever, they know that stardom comes with it. Princes William and Harry were born into the family and have done a wonderful job, in my opinion, of carrying on the family name.

Anyway, I have homework to do and some relaxing to do. What is everyones Sunday looking like? Any fun for the 4th of July?