Sunday, December 11, 2011

Hi, I'm Mary

Wow! I took a longer break than I thought. I thought if you read this you may need a new introduction....
-When I started day shift back in August, I just felt like I really didn't have time to read any blogs, much less keep up with posting on my own. I feel like I've hit a rhythm now, so maybe I will start posting at least semi-regularly now. We will see I guess.
-Alot has gone on since I last posted. We went to Cabo in October for our 4th anniversary and had an absolute blast! Kent planned us a deep sea fishing adventure and we ended up bringing home around 70lb of frozen mahi mahi. So, really our catch paid for our trip. I also wanted to go snorkeling while we were there and purchased us an underwater camera prior to leaving. I probably should've practiced a bit on the video part, but our still shots really turned out amazing! The videos remind me of watching the Blair Witch Project. We actually had our pics taken by someone at the resort that was a "professional." They offered it as a free service and then you only pay for the pics that you want. We have never had our pics taken professionally except at the wedding, so it was nice to get some with great scenery!
-Since we got home, Kent has had 2 unsuccessful pain blocks and the bills just keep coming. I'm really glad that he has insurance, but come on! Can you pay for something!?!
-Since I have to work on both Chrstmas Eve and Christmas day, we are having my big family get together next week. Hopefully I will have everything ready and wrapped! I've gotten a ton of orders for monogramming items for friends and coworkers and I'm down to only 1 pillowcase, so hopefully I can finish up the things I want to do for myself.
-And since I'm having to work the holidays, I am more than ecstatic about our pending New Years trip to NOLA! We have reservations at Emeril's restaturant and Kent is hoping that we will spot Will Ferrell. Kent found out he is filming a movie there now, so he would probably pass out if that dream came true!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Times They Are a Changin'

Today has been my last official day of being 7 on 7 off. I took full advantage of my last week off! Tuesday I went to the river and hung out with some family. I watched the kids innertube and have a great time. I went shopping and got some awesome deals at M@cys, ate lunch with friends and family, cleaned my house, played with the pups, watched a lot of Sex & the City, sewed, monogrammed, and just hung out like I didn't have a care in the world.
Tomorrow I embark on a new chapter in my life. When I started my nursing career, I worked evening shift. I did that for a year before I went to "the dark side." I've been working nights for 7 years. I've only worked 7 on 7 off my entire career. Tomorrow I start being a full time employee working every week and to top it off, its day shift. That means getting up before the sun, doing something that I have said on numerous occasions I "will never do."
I will definitely miss my girls on nights! I've made great friends throughout the 7 years and will continue those relationships no matter what! I've seen many people come and go and now I am transitioning with them. I will see my night shift friends still, but I can't lie and say that it will be the same. I know it will be different, but I have no doubt in my mind that this is the right thing for me to do. Not only for myself, but for my husband. Honestly, he is more excited about this than anyone. It's been so funny to listen to him talk about this and it's been amazing to see his true feelings shine through.
This entire week, I have had so many thoughts about all of the changes that will be taking place as I transition to "normalcy." I mean, I have to actually wear makeup, have some kind of breakfast options, and I will have to set an alarm clock. I haven't done that on a regular basis since college.
All of that said, I am excited to see what a difference this will make in me. So, tomorrow, I will rise with the sun and drive to work on my least favorite road, with everyone else in Shelby county. I'm just praying that we start of on a good traffic foot!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Completely Random

-The other night as I was trying to catch up on SYTYCD, Kent starts making fun of all of the wardrobes. He can't understand where they come up with any of the outfits and thinks that they just throw stuff together. Therefore, he decides he will go and find his best dancing outfit. He comes back from the closet wearing one of my tshirt dresses, his lounge pants, a scarf tied around his waist and a neck tie. I thought I was going to pee on myself I was laughing as he came out from the bedroom doing ballet turns and bows. Believe me, there is never a dull moment!
-I made corn chowder the other night for the first time ever and it was delicious! I've been getting the Cooking Light magazine for around a year now and finally made one of the recipes.
-My sister sent me a video text of my 4 yr old niece singing If I Die Young by the Band Perry. That sound pretty awful, but I'm telling you it's the cutest thing. She emphasizes several words and even gets the "ooo-ooo" at the perfect time. She's the sweetest thing EVER!
-Four of my friends from work are engaged and getting married within the next year. I've been looking at dresses, cakes, flowers and really wish that I could get married again. To Kent again of course! But the planning for our wedding was so much fun! We plan to go to Vegas next year for our 5th anniversary to renew our vows at a little chapel with Elvis, so I'm thinking I'm going to get an awesomely ridiculous dress. It's gonna be FUN!
-In less than 3 months we are heading to Cabo! Words cannot adequately describe how elated I am about our trip! We had so much fun on our honeymoon that I can't wait until we are there again and reminiscing over our 4 years of marriage.
-I'm really excited about my side business and some of the outfits that we are planning to start making. Our crab and houndstooth hat outfits have been a big hit and I'm ready to start making more little boys clothes!
-This post has absolutely no direction, but I really don't think anyone is really reading.
-I've read 5 books in the last two months and will probably make is 6. I really have no idea what has gotten into me! I haven't actually watched a lot of TV this summer which is so unlike me! The only shows I've watched consistently this summer are SYTYCD and Swamp People. And if you didn't watch Swamp People, you missed out! It quickly moved up to one of my all time favorites!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Not His Plan

You don't always get what you want...

Recently, I applied for a different job that would ultimately change my entire schedule. It was a day shift position working Monday thru Friday, no weekends, no holidays. I've been working night shift for over 7 years now and I have felt that I was being led in that direction. I really thought that I had a really good chance at getting the position. Well, a little over a week ago, I received the call to let me know that someone else was offered the position. I will not divulge what the situation is, but I will just say that it was a huge kick in the gut. I was quickly thinking about being in elementary school and being the last one standing when teams were picked for kick ball. It's amazing how our insecurities manifest themselves.
I was never the most popular girl is elementary school. I had some really great friends, but the scars are still there from being a bit heavy and being called "thunder thighs" as I was sitting on the monkey bars in PE. I digress...
Since this situation occurred, it has made me rethink some things. Like I said, I really felt like I was being led into this position. Now I can't help but wonder if it was really God leading me or was it my own voice just wanting something so bad that I convinced myself that it was God. I did have some reservations about working Mon-Fri since I've worked 7 on 7 off for 8 years and have never actually worked that schedule before. But I know that it is something that I could handle. I would love to be on the same schedule as the hubs and not stress so much around the holidays trying to work and fit in 2 family events. It's just tiring. Night shift is starting to get rough. I'm so happy that I have the schedule that I do, otherwise, I just don't think that I could function on a weekly basis.
Its been a rough couple of weeks! The day after I found out about the job, my father in law passed away. He had been in ICU for a week and is no longer hurting or living through the struggles he has had for 3 years since his massive stroke. During this time, I have been so blessed by the love shown from our families, friends, and coworkers. There is no doubt in my mind that the things that happen are for a reason and He has my best interest in hand. When God closes one door, another one opens. For now, I think that I just need to be quiet. Be still and listen-not to my own wants, but to His direction.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Beach Getaway

With so much going on these past few weeks, my stress level has hit its limit. Therefore, Jennifer and I decided that it was time for a quick getaway to the beach. I know people think it's crazy, but yes, I've been known to drive to the beach for a quick day trip. Gulf Shores is only about a 3.5-4 hour drive from our house, so woken up early on many occasions to drive down, lay out about 5 hours, and come home after picking up some good seafood for dinner. We have 3 dogs, so boarding gets pretty pricey! Our neighbors look after them for the day and we are back around 11-12 that night.
Well, Jennifer and I decided that we needed a night, and two good meals, so that is exactly what we did. We left a little after 8, got there around 12 and did not leave the beach until around 6. Our cooler was packed with drinks and fresh fruit and we read all day. It was bliss!!!! Just exactly what we needed!
Little did I know when we planned this that the hubs saw an opportunity for a weekend getaway too! He called me on Monday, and asked if I wanted to go back on Friday and spend the weekend. YES!!!! Did you really have to ask me that!?! We spent the weekend reading, laying out and relaxing at the foot of the ocean or by the pool. I feel very refreshed and ready for whatever happens! I finished one book, read The Help, and bought another book our last day there. (I did happen to finish it tonight too.)
Since it was such last minute planning, we found a great price on a condo on the bay. We'd never stayed on the bay before and I admit, I was a bit hesitant since I love oceanfront so much! I had nothing to worry about! It was beautiful! I loved having a view of the pass and the boats coming in daily to the marina. I saw so many red snapper fresh off of the boat, it made me want to go fishing. We sat out on the dock just watching and loving the view. I really didn't take many pics of either trip, but Jennifer posted a quick synopsis of our trip in pictures here.







Here are the few measly pics I took with my phone:

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Thoughts

I've been on a bit of a break lately, haven't I? Although, my life really hasnt been that interesting lately!

I feel like I'm in a weird season right now. I have applied for a new job because my body is telling me that it is time to get off of night shift, so I am in a waiting period right now to see what happens. It's so hard to wait weeks in order to find out if you even have a chance at changing your entire life/schedule around. I just wish things could move a little faster!
I know that there is a lesson in patience that I need to heed, so some days are better than others. I do feel that the first interview went well, so now it's just wait and see time.
I know that whatever happens is going to be the right thing, so I just have to continue to remind myself of that. Everything has already been laid out and I will be alright no matter what.

I am going to the beach for a quick overnight stay on Tuesday with my friend Jennifer and it cannot come soon enough! We simply plan on laying out, reading, and doing absolutely nothing for almost 2 days! We already have our food plans laid out for dinner on Tues night and lunch on the way out on Wednesday. You know that's the most important part-right!?! We just plan to stay somewhere cheap since it's one night and we are not gonna spend a lot of time in the room anyway.

I finally booked our hotel for our Cabo trip in October. I've had the flight for a couple of months, but held off on the hotel thinking that I could score a better rate than was posted at that time. I got a great rate and ended up booking the suite and only went over my original budget by $30. Success! I just looked tonight and the suite is no longer avaliable, so I booked it at the right time! Only 4 more months! Yippee!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Memphis

For Kent's birthday 2 weekends ago, we traveled up to Memphis for a quick getaway. Last year around my birthday, we spent 10 days at the beach, so I just figured that we could do a mini vacay for his. I suprised him by booking the Peabody hotel for 2 nights with a great deal from Priceline.



We ended up getting there too late on Friday to do anything but check in, so we got an early start on Saturday morning. We headed to breakfast, then spent ALL DAY at Graceland. I didn't get our tickets in advance so we got them when we got there around 10am. Our tour of the mansion wasn't until 3pm, so needless to say it was a little boring waiting 5 hours. We did tour all of the other sites there, but it was just too much of a wait. I guess I should've checked into it before we went. Kent had a really good time seeing all of the memorabillia. Neither one of us had ever been, and Kent wants to go back to tour again when it's not so busy.

After the tour, we got back to the hotel in time to watch the duck march. Word to the wise, get there early if you want to get a good view. I was only able to see about 3 feet of their red carpet march, but it was neat to listen to the history of how it all came about.

Then we refreshed ourselves and headed to Rendevous BBQ. Can you say YUMMO!?! I ate a full order for myself.


Then we headed to Beale Street to listen to some music before calling it a night around midnight. It was quick, but a much needed weekend away for the 2 of us.