Christmas

The week before Christmas, my Dad came up to visit. He wanted to bring up some things of Mom's. So my sister and her family came down to visit too! It was great having a little family Christmas get-together. It didn't last very long, but it was wonderful getting to see everyone again. Thanks for making that long drive, Sis, just for a couple of hours together. I love ya!

This year, I was sick on Christmas day. It all began the day before. I had to pull a double shift at work, and we ended up staying late trying to set up the store for after Christmas. I was really late to a Christmas party, and didn't feel very well. Didn't eat much, didn't talk much, was dizzy and started getting chills. I was sitting right by an open fire and still couldn't get warm. So we went home early. I had a fever of 101+... *sigh* I woke up the next morning and still had fever. Didn't make the big dinner I had planned. I was so upset! Oh well. We're going to make dinner tonight and invite our neighbor over. She's a single lady who didn't have any visitors for the holiday either. Hopefully I'll get it all done in time.

Work

I've been getting better at putting outfits together at work. Recently, I've really enjoyed getting to try out new styles and I've been experimenting with creative ways to bring in the customer. So I thought I'd take a few pics of the ones I've really been proud of. Hope you all enjoy!!

Penquin Ed's

Okay. This is the best BBQ place we've found here so far. I love it!! It's at one of those places that you have to wait for a table because they're so packed. When we finally did get a table, this is what we saw. *See sign* If any of you come and visit us and you want BBQ, then this is where we'll go! Yummy homemade goodness!

Morning

I feel like I'm living in a wind tunnel.

Sleep, anyone?

Well. The cleaning guy came. And now we've got four large, LOUD fans trying to dry out our apartment. Two in the laundry room and pantry. Two in my closet. I'm so naive. I thought it was going to be a quick thing. He comes in, does his cleaning magic, then goes home. Imagine my surprise when he said, "We'll be back every day to check on it. Don't turn the fans off. It may take 3 or 4 days to get completely dry."

Huh?! Oh boy.

When it rains, it pours...

Apartment life... isn't it great?! The good news? I don't have to worry about paying for problems in my living space. The bad news? My upstairs neighbor's washing machine flooded.

It all began when Daniel and I were on the couch relaxing after a hard day's work. He had made me dinner, which by the way was delicious and extremely appreciated! We had just finished watching the season finale of "Jericho". We had just decided to go to bed cause Daniel has to work in the morning... like most everyone else. Then all of a sudden, we hear this strange noise like a little water fountain. You know, the kind like in a spa, or a doctor's office, or a little one that you can put in your home. So we listened for where this water was coming from. We haven't quite figured out all the noises in our new home, so we weren't quite sure what it was. We opened the laundry room, and wouldn't you know, there's the source. Although, it's not coming from us. There is this pvc pipe with water streaming down it. D thinks it might be made on purpose like that. Then it starts leaking from the door frame. I'm thinking this may not be what the construction plans had in mind.

So I call the landlords. They come over. However, by this time there's water now leaking (I mean a heavy waterfall) coming from the light fixture in my closet. Huh? Yep. You heard me right. From the LIGHT FIXTURE. D says, "DON'T TURN THE LIGHT ON!" And I'm in disbelief. So my clothes are getting wet. The floor is soaked. My camera equipment is in there, so I'm frantically pulling stuff out of the closet. Clothes, camera stuff, Mom's blankets, D's Christmas presents. Sigh. I was hoping those would be a surprise.

So now we're waiting on the cleaning people to get here so they can wet-vac our apartment. I'm SO TIRED. I just want to go to bed. At least I don't have to go in to work until later in the day. Poor D. He's got a long day ahead of him!

Update

Okay friends. I know it's been quite a while since I last updated. I've been incredibly busy with work, then my dad came to visit. Let's see, where shall I begin?

Work. I officially stepped down as store manager. And we actually hired a new girl to be the store manager. But... she hasn't come in to do her paperwork. She hasn't called. I don't know what to think. So I'm still "acting" as store manager until we can get one in our store. Grrr. So I'll be a busy little girl during this wonderful holiday season pretending to know what I'm doing.

Thanksgiving. Because of work, we couldn't travel anywhere to see family. We were stuck here. But some friends of ours were having their family over, and they invited us. We had a good time. The food was yummy. The company was great. It was good. But it was still difficult not being with our own family. But it was neat seeing the families' traditions mix together. And I'll have wonderful memories of that time together. *Thanks, Amanda!*

Dad. This past week, he came to visit us. We had a great time.

Well, that's about it. OH! Except that we did get a little bit of snow! It started out as ice, which made the roads difficult to drive on. And we really didn't get that much snow. Probably only about 5 inches. But it was beautiful all the same. *Sigh*

Well, until next time. Maybe I'll post pics of our Christmas tree!

Pepper

Here is our neighbor's dog Pepper. Isn't he SO cute?!! He's a happy little hyper dog. Can't remember the breed, but he's a rare type. Anyway. So cute!

Oh, and I'm not the store manager at Vanity anymore. I decided that I just don't need, or want, that much stress in my life right now. So I stepped back down to assistant. We're making an offer to a girl for store manager today... hopefully she'll accept and the stress will be taken away from me!!

Vanity

As well as it being one of the 7 deadliest sins.... it's also where I work. After 3 weeks, they promoted me to store manager. What are they thinking?! And what was I thinking when I accepted the new position?!

Ah well. Here's just a glimpse into what my store looks like. It's located at a new outdoor mall. Very upscale and posh. Enjoy the pics!

Test

This is a test to see if blogger is working correctly.

Love you Sissy.

Rachel's Wedding

This past weekend, we drove 6 hours to Memphis for the wedding of the year. Daniel's baby sister found the love of her life last year, and they decided to get married. At first, I objected strongly. But then I realized I couldn't argue with her. She's the same age I was when I married Daniel! How weird! But she seems so much younger than I was!! Ha! Oh well...

Anyway, moving right along. Here are just a few pics from the glorious day. She was so beautiful. Very different than anyone was expecting. They had such a wonderful time, and you could see the love between them just bursting! *sigh* Check out their cake toppers! How cute!

Fall Colors

The fall here has been one of the most beautiful times I've ever witnessed. The colors are indescribable. These photos don't do it justice, but I wanted you to get a small taste of the beauty. I see this beauty every day. When I'm driving to work, picking up Daniel from work, or going to the store, these sights are before me. So enjoy, friends. Enjoy.

Serenity

I was downtown in Fayetteville trying to snap some pictures of the beautiful fall colors. I found this little bench, kind of hidden away. It reminded me of the need that we sometimes need to stop our busy lives. We need quiet time to ourselves. We need to refocus our priorities. Slow down. Enjoy life. Don't just let it pass you by.

So here's a little reminder to all of you. Slow down. Live your life. Enjoy your life. Be blessed by the little things that you normally don't pay attention to.

I'm off to a wedding this weekend. My sister-in-law is getting married! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Missing Momma

I've been having a lot of days lately where I am struck with the pain of my momma's absence. It hits me like a ton of bricks. What it's triggered by is nothing and everything. I'll see a picture of her. Or I'll see her favorite blanket. Or I'll be eating dinner. Or I'll be driving my car. I miss her so much.

As Promised...

Well, I finally have the pictures ready for you all. I know... it's been a long time coming! ;) I hope you guys enjoy these pics of our new place. I really love it here! It's a great place. We're in a quiet little apartment complex just off one of the main roads. Right in the middle of everything! It's great! We're in a two bed/two bath. I didn't post any pics of the 2nd bed and bath, because they're just not that important! ;)

Part 1b

Okay, okay. I KNOW that I promised. I know! But I've been so busy with my new job, I haven't hardly had time to even eat. And I've had even less time to sleep. But I have several days off this next week, so hang tight. Don't give up on me folks! I will keep my promise!!!!

Pics to come this week. Love to all.

Our new apartment, part 1

So I've had lots of requests for pictures of our new apartment. *sigh* If only you guys knew... It's really not anything to write home (or friends) about. But I will cater to my lovely friends. This week, I PROMISE I'll post some pics of our place! Then you will see that it's not that great. But I love it still the same!

So stay tuned... pictures to follow soon!

More from last weekend

I found some more pics from when our friends were visiting last weekend. We went to the Olive Garden to eat one night. It was yummy! We tried the "Venetian Sunset" drink. That was also yummy! Our server's name was Leslie... same as my friend. So "the Leslies" had their pic taken. We're so goofy!

Cheap Thrills

I found the coolest vintage shop! This is probably my favorite store in Fayetteville so far. They have all their clothes seperated into decades. I've gotten a skirt and a dress/shirt both from the 60's. Just love it. *Sigh*

Sunsets

Since we've moved, I have seen some of the prettiest sunsets. Almost every day there is such a beautiful view of the sun as it's setting. So I thought I'd post a couple of pics of some we've seen. Enjoy!

More from the weekend

Here's some more pics from the farmer's market.

Our first guests

We've had our first guests visit this weekend. Jeremy and Leslie came up and have been spending time with us. We went to the farmer's market on Saturday morning. I love this place! I will probably go back every week!! Here's just a few pics I took of flowers around the square.

Internet, television, and laziness

We finally got our internet hooked up at home. It's been great! We also have an antena (sp?) for our t.v. That's been great too.... except that I can't seem to get as much done around the house now. I don't even watch it that much. But I haven't made much progress on my new apartment. *Sigh*

As soon as I get some more stuff set up, I'll take pics and send 'em your way.

OH! I found the coolest vintage store in town! They have their clothes divided into different decades. 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and etc. So cool. I think I've found my new weakness. I've already spent some moolah there! Whew.

All moved

Well, we're all moved! Still unpacking boxes and arranging the new apartment, but we'll get there soon. Won't have internet till Sat, so stay tuned....

T-Minus 3 days!

Well, we've done some packing. This takes a little work, you know? We're moving slower than expected, but I'm pretty sure we're gonna get it all done. I'll be away from the net for a few days, but then again, I don't post everyday. So you won't even be able to tell! ;)

Wish me luck. Off to pack more boxes.

T-minus 6 days

I had my last day of work today. It was a busy day. Almost all our rooms were filled, and almost everyone was checking out. No one made a big deal about this being my last day, which was okay. I didn't want a big tadoo anyway, especially since I had only been there for 2 months.

Well anyway. I got to go home early, too. Which I'm glad about. I came home and slept for 2 hours! Boy did I need that! Then Daniel and I ate dinner and made our (hopefully) last trip to Wal-Mart. Of course, who knows if we'll have to go back before our move? Wal-Mart is just down the road from our new apartment, so I'm sure we'll have lots of wal-mart runs in the future.

My future days will consist of packing. That's it. So wish me luck with all of that!

New Jewelry

I know some of you might be shocked to see these pics, but I'm posting them anyway. Really, it's okay! Also, sorry for not telling some of you about this first (i.e. Sissy)! I got a new peice of jewelry yesterday! My sister-in-law did too. Did it hurt? Umm... yeah. But I like it.

Finality

Well, they finally got Mom's headstone finished. It came just in time for her birthday. Weird. Here's a couple pics of it. Kinda makes it more real... not that it's not real, but you know. I think Dad and I did a good job of picking it out. It's really pretty. Pretty stone.