This and That

Wow am I bad at this. It has been a good while since my last blog… I really was hoping for at least a once a week post but Fall has kicked in which means it’s back-to-busy for me. Dance has started back, and I’m teaching two nights a week this year. Plus I’m starting my project for my masters program (the only thing standing between me and GRADUATION in May, woo!). A few things have happened since my last post, so this post will most likely be all over the place and quite random. I’m going with the approach of “here’s what popped in my head as I’m typing this”.

I am so excited for Fall! I just got out my Fall decorations (candles, table centerpiece, etc.) and they make me super excited. I’m going to have to hold on to this Fall excitement for a while, because I fear my Christmas decorating will be a bit of a bust. See, for the last several years I’ve kept my Christmas decorations in a big Rubbermaid container and I kept the container in a closet during the year. Once I moved in my house, I realized I had an attic that I could store (read: shove up there and forget about) things in, so I put my Christmas container up there. Unfortunately I realized about a month ago that I have about 10 Christmas candles in that container, which has been in the 100+ degree heat in the attic all summer. Needless to say I’m not looking forward to unpacking that box. For now, I think I'll go buy a pumpkin and be festive in all the Fall pumpkin-ness.

Last week I went shopping after work because I needed to pick something up from A.C. Moore. As I pull in to the parking lot, I realize that I'm in trouble. There before me is a shopping mecca; A.C. Moore, Total Wine, DSW, and PetSmart all in a pretty little row. Ahhhhhh I could hear the angels singing. How could I ever survive such a thing? That is just cruel punishment having those stores right next to each other. I'd never make it home with my bank card in tact. I barely survived A.C. Moore. They had all of their Halloween crafty goodness on displays right when you walk in the door. Immediately I'm having visions of scary shaped cookies (using the halloween cookie pan), Fall flower arrangements (2 for $5!), cute scarecrows and bows (for my mailbox!), make-your-own Halloween cards (which I totally have time for, nevermind the fact that I never do Halloween cards) and more more MORE! When marketing people sit around and decide how to make these displays, I'm the person they are thinking about. The person who immediately thinks "hey, I can do that!" or "I totally need that or I will not feel complete" or "Oooo pretty! Must have it." Luckily, I made it out of there with only what I went in there to get. Ok mostly just what I went in there to get... but hey, it's progress. I decided to skip Total Wine as a favor to my liver and headed straight for DSW. When I walk in you can literally see the heavens open up and hear the angels sing. Row after row after row after row after row of shoes shoes shoes shoes! I went down every aisle, tried on many, and managed to buy only one pair. One perfect pair of black sling backs. They rode home with me on the front seat because I just had to look at them. Sigh. It's the little things.

After getting two weeks behind schedule, we FINALLY got our advisor assignments for our research project. We were given a timeline at the beginning of the semester, and the fact that we are two weeks off track is making me seriously nervous. I twitch just thinking about it. Get organized people! Serious Type A/slightly self-diagnosed OCD people like myself cannot handle your complete disregard for organization and timelines. Type A's unite! Ok anyway, we get our first email from our advisor, and so far so good because she was our first choice. Oh but guess what! She's having a baby, like, next week, and while she's out on maternity leave Teacher A will be her replacement. Well Teacher A just happens to be the pain in my ass and thorn in my side and gives-me-a-headache-after-every-class from spring and summer semester. Sweet! Now I'm totally psyched to begin my project. NOT. I was waiting to see what slap in the face I would get from Camel school this semester and they delivered with flying colors. By the way? Getting your masters is seriously overrated.

Tonight at Sam’s ballgame Susan Claire decided to be our entertainment. She never really pays attention to the games anyway, so her entertaining antics keep her busy. We sang songs , played Go Fish (or something like it) with princess paper dolls, and she and Papa went to “order some popcorn”. My favorite part of her shannigans tonight would have to be when she came back with her bag of popcorn. She walked up to each of us (me, mom, dad, Paul, and Gail), handed us one piece of popcorn, and said “Bless the Lord”. We were having Popcorn Communion.

Work has been a little crazy lately. I’ve been super busy, and that is actually a good thing because I think I function better under pressure. In my job I deal with a lot of different people and have to depend on other people sometimes to get things done. Lately, I feel like every time I get off the phone with someone, or get an email from someone, I just want to bang my head on my desk. It’s like dealing with Ms. Swan. If you are not familiar with Ms. Swan, please see the link below. It’s quite hilarious on the show, but in my real life I assure you it makes me want to strangle someone! Somehow, saying “You are an idiot. How do you make into the building from your car everyday? Am I not speaking your language? DO YOUR JOB!” doesn’t seem appropriate, so I just bang my head on my desk instead. Sigh.

Ms. Swan

I was so mad today when I left work I could have spit nails. God has really been testing me lately with patience, and I have been struggling. Then today I get in my car for the 45 minute ride home, and I turn my music way up so I can blow off some steam. What song comes on? Kenny Chesney, “I’m Alive”. And all is well again. For now.