What a Wonderful World

Today is a day for being thankful.  Which is definately not what I was feeling while I stood outside of Bestbuy for almost 3 hours freezing my butt off.  But after purchasing all 10 season of friends for $90, I was much more grateful than I was before.  There are a lot of really weird people in the world.  We were in line behind 5 guys and they reminded me of the guys on the big bang theory so much.  There was a Indian guy, a tall smart one, a seminormal one who kept making nerd references, and then a little one who seemed to be talking constantly. The fifth guy showed up about 10 minutes before the doors opened and was suppossed to have been getting coffee for the other four but couldn't find his car.  However, props to them because they like my ninja turtle hat.  Behind us was a woman who positively reeked of alcohol.  She took every ticket that was offered by the Best Buy Guys, even if she didn't want the item, because she needed them to validate her reason for being there.  There was also a lady who ran ahead of where she was in the line to grab a ticket from the BBG and when he found out that she was out of the line, made her give it back.  It was a madhouse.  Now I am broke again.  Whatever.  I think that after tonight Jon will be too.  He got an Xbox 360, an extra controller, several games, and some other stuff.  He got a great bundle.  He and Josh are still out shopping, but I am home in bed because I have to go to work tomorrow.  Thankfully, i don't think that Deb's will be as busy as Best Buy.  There had to be almost a thousand people in line, and after we left, there was still a line out the door.  As this was my first black friday shopping expierence, I think i got a great deal, and I am very happy with my purchase.  In honor of Thanksgiving, here is my thankful list:

Thankful List 2011
#1 What I am most grateful for in the whole world is my husband, Jon.  I am also grateful that no matter what stupid thing I say or do, I never have to doubt your love for me.
#2 I am also grateful for my parents and brothers and family.
#3 I am grateful for my job and my awesome boss.
#4 I am grateful for my beautiful apartment and being able to live in such a beautiful town.  Niantic is awesome.
#5 I am grateful that I am able to drive myself where ever I want to go and for being able to purchase a second car.
#6 I am grateful to always have food when I need and clean water to drink.
#7 I am grateful that Jon and I both have jobs.
#8 I am grateful for all of my stuff: clothes mostly, but also games, movies, wii, ect.
#9 I am grateful that I live in a country that is not a war zone, and I can go out and be safe.
#10 I am grateful for all of the pie I ate today!

Under Pressure

Awesome news.  On  whim this morning, I tried a smaller pair of jeans than the ones that I usually wear, and to my surprise, they fit.  2 whole pant sizes smaller in 3 days.  I have to say, I am pretty damn proud of myself.  Yes, I said that.  I think i have earned that right at this point.  Good day at work.  I was happy to leave a little earlier than I thought I would be able to.  Also, i found out that the girl who was harrassing me at justice was arrested recently for stealing from the store and FIRED from the company and the boss who wouldn't do anything about my being harrassed is under police investigation.  Justice is SERVED!  They could have avoided all of this by taking care of it when i reported what happened to me, but no one would listen.  I feel vindicated.  I am so glad that i left.  i had another funny return today.   Here's a little back story.  Every few days, there are two very gay men who come and look at all the clothes in the store (we only sell women's clothes).  Yesterday, they made their first puchase:  2 clubbing dresses in large sizes that were obviously for them.  They came in today to return them because they were too small and wanted to know if we had them in bigger sizes.  My first drag queens!  A double.  That has to be bonus points.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I miss being little and being able to dress up in my little pilgrim costume.  I will never forget how in the second grade my whole class learned a thanksgiving song on the flutophones and we played it for the whole school. i still remember the song.  On the first thanskgiving day, pilgrims went to church to pray.  Thanked the Lord for sun  and rain, thanked him for the fields of grain.  Now thanksgiving comes again.  Praise the Lord as they did then.  Thank Him for the sun and rain, thank him for the fields of grain.  It was so cute.  We were all dressed up as little pilgrims and indians.  I did my almost 2 hours of excersize again tonight.  I was so tired when I was done, but I think that that was because I was doing them much later at night than I have been doing.  I fell asleep on the floor as I was finishing up my leg presses.  Nine miles on the bike though, which I think is pretty good.  Well, i am pretty much exhausted, so i am going to bed now. 

Can't Take My Eyes off of You

I read somewhere that when you watch a tv show that you really enjoy and are familiar with, it is comparable to spending an evening with close friends.  I don't know if that is true or not, but here is a list of the shows I watch this season and a quick review.

Monday

2 Broke Girls-best monday show this season!  Two girls are trying to open a cupcake business.  I love Max the main character because she says outloud the things I think in my head. 
Castle-Rick Castle is a novelist who tags along with a police detective in order to be able to accurately write crime novels.  Also, he has to be the absolute cutest dad ever.
Mike and Molly- 2 fat people in love struggle to lose weight despite their crazy families.  Very funny.
Two and a Half Men-Alan continues to mooch.  Ashton Kutcher is better eye candy, but the show just isn't the same without Charlie Sheen.
Terra Nova-People from the future go into the past in order to try to save a dying planet.  Kind of like a really really long Jurassic Park.  I actually think part of the set is from the Jurassic Park movies.
House-House is still a jerk.  13, Masters, Cameron, and Cuddy have disappeared.  Two new doctors along with Chase and Taulb get to be physically and mentally tormented by House.  Will this be the last season?

Tuesday
Glee-Incredibly old looking highschoolers who look like they should have already graduated from college sing and dance their way through high school.  A personal favorite. 
Raising Hope-A clueless single dad tries to raise his daughter assisted by his equally clueless family and eclectic friends.
NCIS-Gibbs, Ziva, Abby, Ducky, Denozo, and McGee continue to solve murders.  What we really want to see is Gibbs finding love again, Tony and Ziva in a relationship, and McGee and Abby making another go at it.
NCIS Los Angeles- I just started watchnig this so I really I am pretty clueless about this
New Girl-Zoey Deschannels is brilliant in this comedy about a very unique girl trying to understand her 3 guy roommates. 
Last Man Standing-Tim Allen.  Enough said.

Wednesday
Up All Night- 2 new parents try to keep the spark in the their romance despite the demands of a baby and a crazy boss.  Super funny.  I am thinking Emmy material.
Modern Family-Demonstrates that a family is what you make and cannot be definded by anyone but you.  Lots of laughter.  <3 Cam!
Happy Endings-Kind of a remake of friends, but in this version, Joey is gay.  Not as good as the original friends, but still lots of laughs.
The Big Bang Theory-Howard, Raj, Sheldon, and Leonard, while geniuses in science, bumble there way through social situations.  Lovable geeks.

Thursday
Bones-Now that Booth and Bones are together, the show just isn't the same.  The build up was sooo huge (8 seasons I think), where do we go from here?
Whitney-Whitney is absolutely crazy.  And I love her for it!
Charlie's Angels-The angels aren't as hot as the originals, but Boz is way hotter in this version, so I guess it all evens out.  The real question is, will we ever see Charlie?

Friday
Grimm-A guardian of the supernatural world has to come into his own aided by an unlikely sidekick.  One of the best new shows this season.
Extreme Home Makeover-This season they have decided to make us wait twice as long to see what the newly remodeled home looks like since they have stretched the show an extra hour.  Shame on you ABC.

Saturday
There are no good shows on Saturday.  Boo.

Sunday
Pan AM-Gorgeous models flirt their way through each episode.  Blast into the past.  Awesome.
Once Upon a Time-The blonde girl from house finds herself in a town popluated by character from fairy tales with amnesia.  What's not to like.
Sister Wives-Kody Brown and his four wives show us what it is like to be polygamists.  It is not what you would expect.
Our America with Lisa Ling-Documentaries about current issues in America.  Very informative. 
All American Muslim-New series depicting the lives of Muslim families in Dearborne, Michigan.  Too early to tell, but I think I like it.

Walking on Sunshine and Boy It Feels Good

Ok, it's not so much walking as it is biking.  Lots and lots of biking.  Another 45 minutes of bike followed by about a hour of stretch thingy.  I was kind of not in the mood to excersize after a really long day at work, but I am really glad I made myself do it.  I feel good.  It's really exciting to feel all of my muscles working and I feel like I feel stronger every day.  I am sculpting my body into what I want it to be.  I am not going to weigh myself until I start my diet, but I bet that I lost weight already. I also feel taller.  Jon says that is not going to happen.  A girl can always hope right?  Work was long buy good.  I am working on our gang plan for Black Friday.  The key to not being overwhelmed is being prepared.  Especially for Black Friday.  Totally dreading that day.  It is the worst day of the retail world.  I hate frikin Black Friday.  OOO, another great thing excersize has done for me, is I feel like I am a nicer and happier person.  I have more energy which is great!  Day 3 of 3 I would have to say is a success.  I also learned a valuable lesson.  You cannot crochet and ride an excersize bike simultaneously.  It becomes a BIG mess.  But while it was working (before the thread got all tangled up in the pedals), I felt like I was really optimizing my time.  I was watching TV, while excersizing, while crocheting).  It was pretty impressive if I do say so myself.  So tomorrow I work 9-5, and then excersize, and then I have to figure out what make for Thanksgiving at Aunties.  No grapefruit infused sausages this year!

Dynomite

Just a quick post before i go to sleep tonight.  Busy day again.  Spent another 45 minutes on the bike and another hour with the stretchy bands.  I feel a little sore, but not uncomfortably so.  Actually the part of me that hurts the most is my butt, from the seat of the bike.  TMI?  Nah.  Had to work for about 6 and half hours.  It was really slow and then two ladies came in 15 minutes before closing and one of them wanted to try on a bunch of dresses.  I guess she had recently lost a lot of weight because she was super thin but kept asking me to find her extra larges.  The girl she was shopping with was a total bitch!  She kept telling the other girl that the dresses she was trying on made her look big or pointing at the other ladies stomach and laughing.  I felt so bad for her!  She didn't even have a stomach to speak of.  She had to have been a size 4.  The other girl was like stick thin.  She kept complaining that all of our clothes were too big.  We have clothing for people, not saplings.  I swear this chicks legs were thinner than most peoples arms.  Freaky skinny.  Kind of gross too, if you ask me.  Well, that's all for today.  Gotta hit the sack.  OOOO, one more thing before I go, the girl that was giving me all kinds of heck at work quit yesterday.  I told my boss I would bake a cake for everyone else that said so long sucker!!!  She told me my evil side was coming out.  I do have an evil side, well, it's more of a dark side.  You know, the dark side with cookies!

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot bikini

So  I am not quiet on my diet yet.  I have started doing the excersizes prescribed and doing some prep work.  I bike for 45 minutes today, followed by an 18 minute stretch band workout.  I did a lot of recipe look up and as soon as I get the groceries for it, i will be starting my diet.  I am really excited.  I have found myself "hoping" that this will work.  However, now whenever I finding myself "hoping"  I tell myself, "you don't have to hope.  You are strong.  You WILL do this".  My goal is to be 125 by may of 2012.  Now I am not going to say how much I have to lose, but it is fairly significant.  I have never been 125 pounds in my life.  My skinniest was 135 pounds.  I would be so proud of myself if I could be that way.  And no, I don't judge myself based only upon my physical appearance.  I know i have other important things going in my life.  I have a great job, an amazing husband, a wonderful family.  i would just like to fell a little better about myself.  My other goal, and I know that not everyone will approve,  but I am going for it anyway.  i am going to wear a bikini next summer!! Preferably a white or red one. 

Fat Bottomed Girls You Make This World Go Round

Just a quick update and now that I have more time for things in my life I will definatley try to start blogging every day.   No new big news really.  Well there is one thing, but i will get into that in a little bit.  My job is going really well.  i have been promoted to part time assistant mmanager.  Not to toot my horn or anything, but this is pretty big news.  The best part is since deb was recently bought out out because it was going bankrupt, I was able to speak to one of the head haunchos and I mentioned this position to him (because it did not previously exist) and based on some of the things I mentioned to him, he created the position.  I was also the first one in the entire deb company (or so I was told).  That was what I meant by not wanting to toot my own horn, but I was very rewarding, and since this is a documentation of my life, I thought I would just shoot that out there.  So if anyone was wondering what was going on with the title of this post, we are getting to this.  My mom and I are going on a diet together.  We are suppossed to be losing 30 pounds in 6 weeks.  If not we get our money back.  And i know that this is really personal, but if you are over weight, I am sure that you share these feelings with me.  i am tired of feeling ashamed of my body.  I am tired of avoiding mirrors.  I am tired of wondering how big my body will be in a few years.  I am tired of feeling embarrassed at the beach and the pool.  I am tired of  looking at old pictures of myself and wondering who is that person?  Yeah, its embarassing.  AND I am tired of other people's comments like "you used to be so skinny"  or "you used to be so pretty" and the classic "what happened to you".  And even though I am disgusted with other people's insensitivity, I am not going on this diet because of what other people say.  i am doing this because I want to feel good about myself.  I don't want to be ashamed of me any more. 

Don't Worry, Be Happy

I know a lot of these last couple posts have been a little harsh and weird, especially the fish one.  But I just want everyone to know I am ok.  Im not having a psychotic break, or a nervous break down, and I am not depressed (not to mention, if you think i am depressed, come talk to me about it, instead of running around telling everyone that I am depressed.  How is that helpful at all?)  I am pretty frustrated about a lot of things going on in my life, am really stressed, and this is a great place to put all of that out there.  So don't freak out.  I am fine.  And I am finally being  honest, truly honest, not censored honest.  So if you can't take it, you probably need to find a new blog to read.  And i don't think I should have to apologize for that.  This is the place for my most private and deep or even random thoughts.  I am allowing you into my head, as it were, and if you don't like it here, no one is stopping you from leaving.  But if you feel like you can handle my kind of crazy, you are more than welcome to stay.  But just be warned, this is my place to express whatever i want, so consider yourself forwarned. 

Mean

There are a lot of different kinds of interpersonal relationships.  I pretty much have divided all those relationships into 3 groups: ones i care about, ones I really don't care about, and the ones i hate.  The ones in first category are the ones I really count on in my life. And it really hurts when the people you care about let you down.  If I come to you with a problem, now is probably not a good time to preach to me about what I "should" be doing with my life.  It would be nice if people could just listen and give appropriate advice instead of using a vulnerable moment to push your agenda.  I try to be there whenever you need me.  I would do anything you needed me to.  But a lot of times when i need you to just be there for me, you can't just shush and listen without a huge pouring forth of whatever you are thinking of me.  Whenever you do this to me, I then not only end up having to deal with whatever my problem  is, I also have deal with the horrible feeling that i am a disappointment to you.  So thanks for your help.  You would think I would have stopped expecting you to actually help me.  Stupid me.

Traffic Light

When I drive home at night, it i time it just right, i get to watch the traffic lights turn from red to blinking red for the rest of the night.  It is actually really cool to watch.  The first time i saw it i couldn't wait to get home and tell Jon about it.  And as i drive home, i can't wait to see that light, because I know once I see that, I am almost home.  There is nothing better than driving home at night and seeing that light and getting home.  Then I can snuggle up with my hubby and just relax.  That light is litteraly the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, and whenI see it flashing red at me, a huge sense of relief rushes.  I have kind of appropriated it as a part of my home and when ever I am either coming back from work or running errands or coming home from a trip out town, I see it and I know I am home.  The second most beautiful 4 letter word:  HOME.

I Will Follow You Into the Dark

Sad new on the home front.  My beautiful pink beta, Sunset, passed last week.  First he started swimming slower and slower.  Then he was only able to swim with 1 fin.  It was really sad to watch.  Then he sank to the bottom of the bowl and wouldn't even swim up to the top to eat his red worm flakes.  I knew the end was near, and i said my good byes to him before I went to bed.  When i got up, he was gone.  He was stiff and still in the bottom of his murky little fish bowl.  I went to work, and when i got home, he was floating at the top of the fish bowl, tangled up in the pretty little plant we put in there for him.  He floated for 3 days on my kitchen table and I when it just got too sad, i put him out on the porch for Jon to throw out.  I wanted to have a nice little ceremony and throw his cold lifeless body into the ocean, but i didn't want to scare people at the beach, so we just put his bowl and him in a stop and shop baggie and put him in the trash can.  RIP, Sunset.  I will remember you as you were with you stiking pink and purple scales shimmering as you swam in clear plastic little bowl above all the shiny little brown rocks.  I know that's what you would want.  Be happy in the big fishbowl in the sky. 

When You See My Face, Hope It Gives You H*LL

Like I have said before, when you work retail, you have to put up with some crazy people.  And I am not just talking about the people who shop in the store.  I am talking about the people that work in it too.  First of all, we had this gross little gnome of a woman who wanted to return this absoultely reviling pair of stinky pants.  When she handed them to me I started gagging from the smell.  We called her on wearing them, put she absolutely refused to admit that she had worn them.  She even rubbed them on her face to "prove" that they didn't smell.  Yeah, because rubbing that on your face is totally worth the $3.56 you got back for those.  Then there is that inevitable customer that comes in 15 minutes before close and expects to try tons of prom dresses on an' d that we will just stay open just for them.  NOT HAPPENING.  I wish I could be like one of my old bosses who would just look at them and yell "WE ARE CLOSED!".  However, I don't think that that is very proffessional, and i have refrained from doing that.   For now.  And then i had another lady who was so pissed off at me for refusing to return her clothes that had no tags, no receipt, and were worn, that she started yelling at me and dumped all her non returnable clothes all over asking if it was "store policy not to fold the clothes anymore?".  That was fun. 

Lucky

So, Jon and I celebrated our 1st year of marriage.  I cannot believe that it has already been a year.  Sometimes, I feel like our wedding was just yesterday, but then I feel like we have been together a lot longer than that.  I can't belive what a wonderful life we have together.  Sometimes, I feel like we have it too good, and then I get this horrible feeling that something our lives are too good, and something awful will happen to us.  Then Jon tells me I am just being paranoid.  That's another great thing about him.  He tells me when i am being nuts.  I started watching a sitcom called Whitney.  It reminds me of Jon and I.  She is crazy and he keeps her in line :).  I can't believe how LUCKY I am to be married to such a wonderful man.  And to everyone who was thinking that our marriage wouldn't last: HA HA HA.  In your face.  Yeah, not my most mature moment.  Whatever.  Get over it.

Can you feel the Love Tonight?

So much has been going on in my life right now.  I work six days a week, usually 40 hours or more.  Since I was hired as a part time assistant manager, this is a lot more than I expected.  I have put a hold on my personal life, as a favor to my boss, Betsy.  However, this being said, I have taken over more and more responsabilities as I have become more acclimated to this job, and am basically doing the job of the full time assistant manager.  When i was hired, I was told that they would be looking for a full time assistant manager.  Well, I guess they quit looking.  After all, why look when the job is being done, right?  Well, last week i had a meeting with the district manager, and I basically told her, that I am doing the full time assistant's job, and I may as well get paid for it, meaning, if she expects me to keep performing above my duties, I had better be compensated.  Well, apparently, she took this as a "graci wants to be the full time assistant manager"  and called today to offer me a 75 cent raise if I took the job.  I know how much full time assistant managers make, and let me tell you, it's not 10.25.  I work so hard for this company, and that's the thanks I get.  Thank you so much people, FOR NOTHING.  I didnt' lose my temper on the phone, I told her I would call her back today.  When I did, I told her that for what I was offered it was not worth it for me.  She didn't even up her offer, she just said, not to worry about it, that they would find someone else.  Boy do I feel appreciated.  Feeling the love.

If I Die Young

Had a super scary near death experience the other day.  This actually really hard to write about, not because it freaks me out or anything, but because i am totally jamming out to the rhythm of love, which is not really a near death experience.  At all.  On a side not, it is totally my new fav song.  I just started a spotify account.  Loving how I can chose a song, and create playlists and stuff like that.  Soooo much better than stupid pandora or even iheart radio.  OOO, wait, finding a sad near death experience song.  One sec.  Ok, listening to If I Die Young, by the Band Perry, which was the inspiration for title of this post.  Back to my NDE.  It was pretty late one night last week, and I was driving home from work in this horrible horrible rain storm. I was soaked wet from dropping off the bank deposit.  I turned on the heat in my car to get warm.  It was poring rain, so I decided to take the highway home becasue I thought it would be easier than the back road I usually take.  It was really hard to see because some of the street lights were out, and I have really horrible night vision.  I was about half way home, and all of the sudden, my car started fogging up and I could see at all.  I had to merge over to get into the correct lane, but I couldn't see at all.  I was driving blind in a foggy car, in poaring rain.  I tried to get into the emergency lane in order to figure out which buttons to push to de fog my car, but I literally couldn't see a thing.  My hands started shaking as I slowly crept down I-95, trying to see where the emergency lane was. I turned on my air conditioner and opened my window in a desperate last ditch effort to be able to see.  I was soaked and frigid air was blowing on me.Suddenly, the rain slowed and miracously, my windshield cleared up just enough for me to see a little.  To my absolute frustration, I had been driving in the emergency lane for the last few minutes.  I managed to see enough to drive home.  I climbed into bed totally soaked and frozen.  I started thinking about what could have happened to me while I was driving blind all  of that time.  All of the sudden my body started shaking, and I started crying hysterically.  Totally freaked Jon out since he was asleep.  Glad somebody upstairs was watching out for me that night.  When I was falling asleep later, I started thinking about just how fragile our lives are, and how easily our secure little worlds could all come crashing down around us.  It's really a frightening though. 

The Terrible, Awful, No Good, Very Bad DAYS

Yesterday started out very well. I was cruising around town in my truck (yes, I said cruising) and getting ready for my crepe birthday party.  I got pink and green balloons and streamers and special candles for the ice cream cake.  I was driving out of the Crystal Mall parking lot when all of the sudden the engine in the truck died.  Whatever.  It happens sometimes when it is really hot outside.  So I give the truck a minute, and then I crank it up and go, no problems.  I was on my way to deliver pretzels to grammie for her birthday.  On the way over to Grammie and Pop's, Johnny ate ALL of the pretzels that I had bought for him to split with me since I didn't have time to eat lunch yet.  When we get there, Grammie tells me the results from her doctors appointment:  her cancer has spread to her ribs, spine, and stomach.  She also tells me that my cousin Whitney is in the hospital in premature labor.  When we left Grammie and Pop's the truck stalled again at the stop sign at the end of the street.  I crank it up and we are off again.  We are at the stop sign by a big intersection and all of the sudden the truck stall again.  I try to crank it up for 5 minutes and nothing will happen.  I finally get on the phone with Pop and ask him to come help.  We still can't get it to start so we had to push it off the road.  Thankfully some people stopped to help us. I used my mom's AAA to call a tow truck.  I couldn't get in touch with Jon this whole time to ask him what to do because he doesn't have cell reception where he works.  So the tow truck is on the way, and I get a call from Jon.  We had a communication issue and I started crying in the street because I thought he was upset at me.  After waiting for the tow truck for 20 minutes, I get the truck started and park it at my house, because that is what Jon wanted me to do.  As I am walking into my house, i gnat flew into my eye, and I ran into the house clutching around my eye in pain as the gnat dies trying to get out of my eye (I had to get it out once it was dead).  I finally take a shower, and wait for mom to pick me up for my party.  I get a call from my mom.  She isn't coming to get me.  Pop is.  When I ask her why, she tells me that Josh's girlfriend broke up with him and he was so upset/distraught that she doesn't feel safe leaving him alone.  I felt bad having to have pop pick me up after he already spent so much time helping me and I could tell that all his exertions from helping to push the truck have really given him a hard time with his breathing (He has emphysema) I walk to Grammie and Pop's.  By this time, I am emotionally exhausted and noone is really in a party mood.  We finally get to Mom's where I put up a couple of decorations.  Plus I find out that my dad had to work and won't even be able to be there for the party.  When Jon got there he and I had to have a big discussion about what had happened earlier and ended up talking for about half of the party.  By this time I am absolutely starving as I haven't had a chance to eat all day.  The crepes were really good as was the carvel ice cream cake. I was completely overwhelmed by everything that had happened.  I didn't sleep well at all last night, probably due to stress.   When I got to work today, Betsy asked me how my party was and I just broke down crying right at the cash register.  She let me go home early and I finally was able to just take a break.  Jon and I went out for Chinease and are just taking it easy.  I hope that tomorrow will be a better day.  It's my Birthday!

You Make Me Want to Say "I DO"

Right now, I am kind of tired.  I worked 9 hrs.  drove 4 times (which is still a little mentally exhausting at this point), came home to a messy house where I picked up 3 out of 4 rooms (Jon was sleeping in the other one), unclogged the sink (which someone who will remain nameless clogged with the little rocks from the fish tank), did some dished, scrubbed all my counters, and then finally collapsed on the couch.  I am not going to lie.  It wan't the greatest day.  Wasn't the worst, but it wasn't the best either.  But, despite everything, there really isn't anything I would change about my life.  I am so very happy married to Jon, I can finally drive, I like my new job, and I feel like everything is finally in a good place.  Therefore, I am sleepy but satisfied with a full day filled with many accomplishments!

Here Comes the Sun

So to catch everyone up:  there has been so much going on in my life lately!  I have been working a lot!  Almost full time, which is a lot more than I was promised to get.  I a happy for the $$$$.  I really enjoy working at DEB.  It is a lot of fun and most of the people who work there are really nice.  I love having Betsy as my boss.  She and I worked together at JUSTICE and she is awesome!!!  Also, Jon and I are buying our first large purchase together:  a 2001 Ford Focus (which is the car I really wanted!).  Now that I am driving, we both need cars.  This one is a really great price and we were able to get a loan from my parents and are paying them back asap.  Thanks Mom and Dad!  Also, Jon and I were able to get away for 2 days and go on a great mini vacation to Coco Key.  That however is going to get it's on post!  But, thing are really going well for us and we are very happy!  In honor of my 21st birthday, I will be uploading a bunch of older pics on Facebook.  Hope y'all enjoy.  OOO, and one last BIG new item:  Jon and I have decided to take a trip to France sometime hopefully in the next year!  After we go visit his family.  Sooo, between paying off the car loan and saving up for the FRANCE trip (center parc, anyone?) it is a good thing that I am finally in a job I feel good about, because I will have to be there a lot! 

Would You Hold It Against Me

Big News:  Graci is DRIVING SOLO!!!!  I am so happy and proud to finally be able to drive myself where ever I want to go whenever I want to without being a bother.  I am grateful to everyone who helped me reach this point including:  my husband, pop, and my parents.  Wow.  I feel like I am giving an awards speech.  Anyway, it is just a huge relief to know that I can get where I need to without having to depend on other people to help me.  Not to mention, I really really won't miss the "driving miss graci"  jokes!

Born this way

Skip excited! Just found this app that allows me to blog from my phone! Anyway, things are really going well for us right now! I am really enjoying my new job. It's so nice to be able to enjoy what u do instead of being total miserable. me the people who work there are really nice too! Anyway we got the funniest phone call yesterday! It was a crossdresser and he wanted to know what balloons we had in his size. He was only interested in the ones with tiller under skirts! We thought it was a prank calal, but it wasn't!  Thankfully I was able remain professional until I Hung up. Then I about died laughing!

It's Been a Long Day's Night

I started working for DEB stores yesterday.  And i have to say, I really like it.  It is a lot less stressfu,l there are a lot less shoppers, and the staff is great.  I am back with BETSY!  She is awesome.  I am soo happy she got me this job.  She is the best boss.  Anyway, apparently, the store is trying to groom me to become an assistant manger.  I don't want to be an assistant manager.  I am very happy as a keyholder.   I was looking at their clearance and they have so many great sales!  I can't wait to go shopping.  The only downside is we have to do a bank deposit every night.  bleh.  But we get paid to go so it's ok.  We got out late last night and then had to do the deposit and then betsy and I ended up talking about all the crap from justice so I didn't get in til almost 10:30 last night!  We will get faster though with closing the store once we know more about what we are doing so hopefully we will be out earlier tonight.  Anyway, I am going to tidy up my house so that when jon and I get home tonight it will be all nice. 

No Justice For ME

I was finally able to turn in my keys yesterday at Justice.  I made it very clear to my boss that I was leaving because a co-worker was practically harrassing me, and nothing was being done.  That same co-worker, suggested I could switch shifts with someone and when I did called the district manager to tell her I quit.  So glad I am out of that situation.  Well, i called the district manager this morning to let her know my side of the story.  My exboss had already spoken to her about it.  She listened to my side of the story.  Apparently, it hadn't been relayed to her correctly either.  Then I wanted to talk with her about the way I had been treated by the coworker.  She said it was "moote"  because I don't work there anymore.  She said i should have dealt with it while I worked there.  I told her I tried to and nothing had been done.  I may call human resources and see what there opinion of the whole situation is.  I am so glad to be done with my boss and her evil minion.

It's Not Easy

Finally got my very own, personally created playlist up!  It took awhile to figure out exactly how to do it, and maybe once I get a better website the music quality will be a little better, but for now, enjoy the music!

Oops, I Did It Again!

Ok, I found this hilarious picture online.  I didn't know how to incorporate this into my blog, so i am just giving it its own article.  So funny! I guess this answers once and for all the great question if Scotts wear anything under their kilts!

I've Got the Power!

We finally have electricity again in our house. So when Jon gets off of work tonight, and after I cook chicken Parmesan for everybody, we will move all our stuff home! Also, I was expecting to have to do 2 more shifts at Justice, but I was able to work it out so that is over! I start at DEB tomorrow, and I am going to drive there myself. Scary. However, not thinking about either of those today! Today is my relax and stress free day. I just finished a new book, and I am about to start another one. Well, that's all folks!

Smile At The Birdie!

Spent about an hour tonight trying to get my blog just the way I wanted it! Let me know what you think of the new design!

Let the Good Times Roll

today was kind of a lousy day at work. We have managers from the other stores without power working at our store so they don't lose their benefits. So my manager was more than happy to visit with her old boss in the back eating pretzels and leave me alone on the floor. She also spent most of the rest of the time helping her daughter shop in our store. Whatever. Only 1 more shift there. Also, I found out that I don't get paid for the days we were out during the hurricane, because I am not full time management staff. Boo. Then we went to grammie and pops where we are still doing hurricane pick up. We still don't have any power. The whole feeling of excitement of camping in the living is slowly wearing off, but i have to remind myself to be grateful. After all there are lots of people who have no where else to go and have no power or hot water. The high school are being opened by the state for people who can't shower at home. Just bring back the torture of the locker room for people of all ages to enjoy. Good ole high school memories!

Like a Vacation, But not...

Night two of camping out at the 'rents! My whole family spent a long time cleaning Grammie and Pop's yard, and then Mom and Dad's yard today. Thankfully, some people with chain saws showed up to help. Then we went to see the Planet of the Apes movie. It was ok. Not my favorite of the summer though. Anyway, I found out that since the mall was closed during all my shifts yesterday and today, I get paid even though I wasn't there! How great is that! It's kind of like a paid vacation. But I have to say, I hope we get to go on a real vacation soon! Carnaval Cruise anyone?

Hurricane Irene, Part 2

Everyone is doing ok. Grammie and Pop have a tree down in their back yard. Mom and Dad have 4 trees down on the edges of their backyard. Jon and I lost power. However, we are camping out in mom and dad's dining room tonight in hopes that the power will be restored tomorrow, and not in 2 weeks as predicted. All of Main Street in Niantic has lost electricity, and since it has so many shops, homes, and businesses, we can only hope that we will have power again soon. Thankfully, no one in our area was killed. There are lots of trees down and lots of debris to be cleaned up. It was a little scary this morning to look out of our windows and see the ocean coming up over the train tracks (which is a good 10 or 11 ft. above the usual sea level). We grabbed some clothes and necessities and drove to my parents as quickly as possible as we already didn't have power and were afraid to become stranded in our apartment if the road was to flood. However, I may have been a little over concerned, and everything is returning to normal. All we have left is a strong breeze. Good bye, Irene!
P.S. Will post some pics when time allows.

I...Can't...Resist...

Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like...

Bee Honest, Buzzz

Today, there was a girl at work. I thought she was just another customer, but little did I realize that she would teach me something. This girl came in with her mom and grandmother. She was a little louder than most of the other kids that come into the store. There was something a little different about her. After observing her and her family for a little while I realized that she must have a higher functioning autism. I was busy at the cash wrap, and didn't notice her again til she and her family were ready to cash out. She walked up to one of my coworkers. My coworker has been through a rough time lately.
The little girl walked up to her and said, "Are you ok? You look sad!"
My coworker said, "I am ok, just a little tired".
The little girl repeated, "Why are you sad?"
"My best friend left for college today, and I won't get to see her for a long time. I miss her."
The little girl replied, "I am sorry you are sad. I hope you feel better".
I had been feeling sorry for this little girl, but now I realized that she didn't have any problems. She was perfect just the way she was.

21 Years

I about 2 weeks, I will finally be 21. I am very excited as this means I get to sit at the bar in a restaurant, and won't have to wait in line forever anymore! I still won't drink. Drinking has never really been appealing to me. I feel like you wouldn't be yourself, if you are drunk. But, I guess that that is something that everyone has to decide for themselves. Anyway, there's lots of interesting things I have learned all my life and I thought I would share them.
-A Free gift, is not really free.
-You cannot use a restroom in a dunkin donuts without making a purchase.
-Playdough tastes really gross.
-If you ask for something for long enough, odds are you will get it.
-The best stuff in a store is on sale...if you wait long enough.
-Shepherds way out in england or somewhere near there stick lights on their sheep and make youtube videos.
-The Force does not exist, even if sliding doors open whenever you want them to.
-Bigfoot is not real, but the chupacabra is!

AHHHHH!

I have a ton of stuff going on right now. Obviously, everyone is a little stressed by all the hurricane drama going on right now. However, I am also starting a new job, pushing myself to drive, and dealing with back to school at work. Back to school is a whole lot a pain in the butt when you work retail. There are crazed mothers, screaming children, bored dads, and random grandparents who complain about how much everything costs. I have had some really weird experience with customers the past few days. For example, the little girl who was screaming at her mother "I am not fat! Stop making me upset!". Or the crazy shopping lady (you know who you are, DEBBIE!) who kept opening the curtain while her little girl was changing to get my opinion on the outfit. (How am I supposed to give an opinion on an outfit, when all your daughter is wearing a SHIRT!) That was awkward for everyone! Then there was the slightly scary older lady who wanted me to smell her ARMS (?? WHAAAT?) because she bought new perfume. I am 2nd guessing myself about leaving my job. I am kind of scared I am jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. Oh well. We shall see. Jon says I need to stop worrying. I am trying. I was going to be working 80 hrs. in 11 days without a break, but I am thankful the mall will be closed tomorrow so I don't have to go in to work. And the best part is I still get paid. When I get my paychecks from justice, I am going to go get a mani/pedi and it won't come out of my spending money! YAY!

Hurricane Preparation List

Here is my list of things to bring to my mom's house for the hurricane!
-Computers (3) w/ their chargers
-Phones (2) w/their chargers
-Portable DVD player w/charger
-Food/Paper Utensils
-Flashlights
-Garbage Bags
-3 outfits/PJ's/unmentionables :)
-Toiletries
-Board Games
-Movies
-Bedding
-Fans
-Photo Albums
-Valuables
(The last 2 are in case we need to evacuate)
I am going to feed my fish before we leave tonight, and hopefully we should be able to get back to our house in the next 3 days. I really really hope we don't have to evacuate or lose power!!!!

A Penny Saved is A Penny Earned

These are the purchases I am most proud of this week.
-Feather Hair Extensions-$6-Justice-with employee discount
-Cheese Its-3 for $6-Stop and Shop-stop and shop rewards program
-brown suede boots-$6-Justice-employee discount
-2 tops-$30-American Eagle-clearance rack
-2 sweaters-$16.99 each-JCPenny-2 $10 off $25 coupons
-4 belts-$8-Claire's-clearance rack
-1 peasant top-$6-Rue 21-clearance rack
-3 bras-$15 (for all 3)- vanity fair outlet-clearance rack

Hurricane Irene

We are expecting hurricane irene tonight. It is a little bit difficult to not allow myself to be somewhat scared. I may have went a little nuts at the grocery store, buying a hundred dollars worth of food that can be cooked over a camp stove. We are going to have a hurricane party at mom's and Jon and I are going to spend the night on an air mattress on the living room floor. We have lots of board games and candles. The governor declared a state of emergency yesterday. I don't know why yesterday, since nothing was going on yesterday. Hopefully we won't have to evacuate. I think we should all go to coco key if we do have to. i don't know if we will have electricity. Governor Malloy says we might not have power for 2 weeks. I don't like him very much. He has changed way to much stuff since he became governor. If it weren't for him, I would have had an awesome job at a tooth whitening place. But he outlawed tooth whitening except for by dentists. Also, he is taxing EVERYTHING. I am waiting for the Breathing Tax. Anyway, I am getting off topic. Hopefully, our water won't be cut off either. I will post next whenever I am able.

Summer Lovin' Had Me Some Fun

The summer has gone by entirely too quickly. I was thinking back over the summer and wondering to myself what was the best thing we did. We had some beach days, went to lake compounce, swam in Mom and Dad's pool, and went to a couple fairs. But the best thing of all that we did was go to subfest. There was tons of great food and rides. We saw some really cool acts: an elephant show, a tiger show, and some acrobats. The games were lots of fun too. We won lots of prizes because a lot of the people that were running the games were stoned. One of them invited Josh, Jon, and I to go clubbing with him, but we declined :). Jon and I even got to ride and elephant. It was amazing. But, the best thing of all was the firework show. We found a deserted place behind the ticket booth and lay down in the grass. Hidden from the rest of the fairgoers, it felt like we were the only people. The ground shook beneath us as each firework exploded. As we lay there in the cool grass, with my head resting on Jon's arm, watching the colorful fireworks, it was a perfect summer moment.

It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To

Sometimes life takes you down roads you would never expect. My first idea for a career came to me when i was around 6. i wanted to be a missionary/nurse to Africa. I stuck with that idea for a few years, and when I became involved with music i wanted to become an opera singer. Not much of a job market for that so my parents steered me towards picking another career. Finally, when it became time to pick major for collage, I picked one off of the internet. It was called commerical writing and since i had just won an award for a patriotic paper and another for a play I wrote, it seemed fitting. Unfortunately, I hated most of the core classes for that major, so I was going to become an elementary education major. Of course, then came that whole pcc blow up thing. i moved back home and decided to do online school. I couldn't decide which major, and my parents told me I had a month to decide. I finally decided on Business. i passed all the classes i took, but i have no clue what I was doing in most of them. So now I have 59 credits and no degree. About $4,000 down the hole and nothing to show for it. Working part time for $9.50 and making less than $10,000 a year. Now, most people would be ready to write off my education as a loss. But I wouldn't. I learned that you can't pick what you want to do with your life over night. I learned that maybe you should go with your dream instead of going with what is practical. And the best thing that came out of all of it, is I met my husband. AFter all, if i hadnot gone to college, i would never have met him. About a year and a half ago, I realized what I wanted to do with my life. it's not something that came to me over night. Through a culmination of all my life experiences, i have realized the thing I want to do the most, is be a wife and mom. And I don't need a degree to do that. Now, i am not going to let my 59 credits go to waste. I am planning on finishing some kind of degree. But now i realize that there is no burning desire for some kind of great career in the working world, because the career i want, is going to be right here in my home with my husband and kids. So, for now, I will finish my school. I will continue in my little job biding my time. Because this is only temporary. Eventually, the day will come when i will be ready to start the job i was put on this earth to do: being a mom. So make all the little housewife/soccer mom jokes you want. There's nothing more that I want to be than somebody's mommy and Jon's wife.

Driving Miss Daisy

Driving has become my personal shame. I have my license after a 3 year struggle starting my senior year in high school and finally ending in the old saybrook dmv, May 18, 2011. When everybody joked about how old i was and didn't have a licese, I would laugh along with everyone else, but inwardly looked forward to the day when they wouldn't be able to make fun of me anymore. But, it gets worse. After finally getting my license, I have been to afraid to actually drive on my own. I still have to bum a ride of my grandparents or mom or dad. I am really tired of having to ask. Its embarrassing to be almost 21 and still having to be chauffered around like a little kid. Not to mention, having to deal with the inconvience to everyone around me. I drove once by myself. it was only about half a mile but it was the longest one in my life. I felt terrified as if a familiar road that I had driven on with someone in the car with me had suddenly transformed into a huge mountain. However, I am finally done with it. Jon is going to have to start carpooling with his millstone buddies. Septembe 2, when i start my new job at DEB, I will be driving myself to my job in my truck. So wish me luck. I have to push myself to do this until i will finally be independent and able to go whereever I want, when I want. When I started driving school (way back in high school with the unfortunate Mr. Click), my mom taught me "THE Driving Song". it goes: you start to live when you learn to drive, you start to have fun where you used to have none. Make your life complete take the driver seat.." and I can never remember the end. She likes to sing it in order to allegedly "Motivate me to drive". I think she likes to sing the song too. September 2 opens a whole new world for me, and shuts the door on a lot of "Driving Miss Graci" jokes.

Did I Ask If Your Grandmother Rides a Bicycle

"Did I ask if your grandmother rides a bicycle." Random phrase? Nope. It is actually a translation of an old french saying which basically means mind your own business. That being said i am going to bring up a topic that kind of pisses me off but I now feel at liberty to discuss with the world in general. Actually there are a few and they all revolve around the same topic: my marriage to Jon. First of all, before we were married there was a lot of people who I could really have used support from who thought it was there place to tell me, I was too young to be married. Yes, I will admit that I was/am young. However, if that is my decision, support me as I will support you in your life decisons. As I like to say: Boo to haters. Secondly, someone accussed me of just getting married so we could have (should I say the taboo word?) sex. Number 1: You don't have to be married to do that Number 2: It's none of your business Number 3: That's why you didn't get invited to the wedding. Not that I believe in sex before marriage, but what kind of Christian woman walks up to a young engaged woman and tells her in all seriousness that she shouldn't be getting married and that she is only getting married for sex. Guess we know why she got married!!! Anyway, my 3rd issue is people assume that we were getting married because I was pregnant. (If we were only getting married in order to have sex, how could I already be preggo?) I was not nor have ever been pregnant and do not intend to find myself that way for quite some time. I was considering a florist for the wedding when she asked a friend of mine who worked with her if we were getting married because "he had knocked me up". We did not ever call that florist back. Seriously, if people have nothing better to do than pick apart at my marriage they really need to get a life. This is my statement about my marriage: I have never loved anyone the way I love Jon. He is everything to me. I married him because I love him. He is my best friend and my soulmate. He makes me a better person than I could be on my own. He is my other half. Marrying him was the best thing I ever did and I wouldn't change a thing about our relationship. I love my hubby.

P.S. i hope noone is offended that i talked about intimate issues. However, this has been something I want to address for a really long time now, and can now freely express my thoughts without fear of negative recriminations from outside sources.

Walk Down Memory Lane

Today, I took about an hour and read my entire old blog. It was a little bit emotional. I didn't realize that I had started blogging when I was 16 (holy cow, 5 years ago). There was a lot of things I hadn't thought of in a while. Most of the time i don't think about my life in France. But once in a while, certain things remind me of my time there. My old blog made me think of a lot of good and some kind of hard memories. Anyway, i looked at a lot of my high school outfits and thought, What the Heck am I wearing that for? Also, the words "Amazing" and "Fabulous" seemed to pop up a lot. I kind of wish I had kept up blogging. Oh wait, now I remember why I stopped. Thanks PCC. But I definately wish I had picked it back up sooner. So much has happened since I graduated high school. I feel kind of oldish after spending time with high school graci. she seemed like she had a more optimistic outlook on life than I do. Actually, in comparison to h.s. me, 2o year old me seems a little on the bitter side. Ideally, it would be a mix of both: Happy outlook but not taking crap from anyone. I am really glad I took the time to read my old blog. Hopefully, sweet dreams tonight :)

I Cannot Ride your Emotional Rollercoaster Any More

The dreaded meeting with my boss is finally over, and I have to say it was a lot better than I thought it would. My boss thought i was leaving because a coworker of mine was leaving but it was a lot more than that. however, i couldn't tell my boss that. I don't want her to scream at me. I will tell her the real reasons i am leaving on my last day. of course, i didn't lie to her about why i was really leaving. i just gave partial insignificant and slightly exaggerated reasons. Basically the reason i am leaving is i cannot stand the way she favorizes a coworker who is terrible at her job, but because she is a family friend, my boss will do anything to cover her butt. in addition, i will not be treated like crap any more. You love me one second, you hate me the next, and somehow no matter what the problem is, you mange to make it all about you. So I am finishing up my 2 weeks, (working 60 hrs. in the next 8 days with no days off, booo), and moving on. i already have new job lined up at DEB, which is another clothing store. I am so tired of being stressed about my job. When I walked into the store, I get a tightening feeling in my chest, like i can't breathe. I cry sometimes before I get to work because i cant stand having to go. I get nightmares on the nights before i have to work. For pete's sake: Justice is a little girls clothing store! why has it come to this? Anyway, I couldn't be happier to get off this crazy ride and get on with my life. So long angry people!

I am a Cat Lover and I Like To Run!

http://youtu.be/mTTwcCVajAc
This is my favorite youtube video in a long time. I think that i have watched it about a half dozen times. Even better, some genius has taken this video and turned the whole thing into a song. Beware, if you watch this. The tune is absolutely addicting. i find myself singing it at work, in the shower, while i am cleaing my house, even while i am trying to fall asleep at night. It's a great song though! Apparently, it is an app for I-Phones. I hope they come out with an Android alternative sometime soon. Unfortunately, nothing is avaliable at this time. For you I-Phone users the app is called songify, and you can record phrases and turn them into songs! Here is the debbie the cat lady video turned into a song.
http://youtu.be/sP4NMoJcFd4.

Enjoy!

Note To Haters

There are a lot of nice people in the world. There are unfortunately about just as many jerks in the world. If you are a jerk, and want to say nasty things on here, do your best to rein your nasty comments in, because if I don't think it is an appropriate comment, I will delete it. It is nothing personal. Nasty comment will be deleted. End of story! Not that I am anticipating any problems, but i just thought it would be fair to warn people so no one will be complaining about there comment being gone later. It is bad enough to have to put up with all kinds of nasty people in life. I have to put up with angry customers, careless people in the Ocean State Job Lots who run over my foot with their shopping cart, and people I am just not allowed to speak my mind to because of either their relationship to me or because of their position. So on my blog, no nasty mouthing!

Tomorrow is a Big Day

Tomorrow is kind of a big day for me. Last week i gave my boss my 2 weeks notice. It appartently came a big surprise to her. She left me a voicemail last Thursday asking my why i was leaving. I meant to get back to her, but it was one of those things that you dread and put off, and now suddenly, it's five days later, i am going back to work and i still haven't called her back. So tomorrow should be an interesting day at the workplace. i am almost at a point where i am dreading to go in, but I am almost looking forward to seeing what will happen just to have it over and done. So after 10 months at justice, I am moving on to DEB. I am sad to leave justice. it is a great job. I really enjoy working there. Unfortunately, not everyone there feels the same way. So tonight, I am trying not to think about it. Watching lots of episodes of house, facebooking, checking my email, and still thinking about it. Well, tomorrow it will all be over. Bumbumbum!!!

Hello, Dolly!

After almost 3 years of silence on the blogosphere, I have decided to recommence blogging. I realized the other day, that I have been married almost a year and i don't have half as many pictures or updates as I should. This year has been so special in my life and I don't want to ever forget anything. I am starting this blog as sort of a online journal so that I would be able to remember all of the special things going on in my life.