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!

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!

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.

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:

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!

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.

Tannehill

For my sister in law's birthday last weekend, she decided that we would all get together at Tannehill state park and grill out. I decided to just go early and take the pups since my mother in law was there. Let me just tell you, three dogs by yourself on leashes is some work! When I first got there I just tied their leashes off on a tree so that I could go and get their cables and bowls. Before I walked off, Max decided to take a leak at the waters edge. Of course he's a little unstable and plopped right in the water. I quickly pulled him up and directed him away from the creek. When I got back from the car, Donna was yelling at me to hurry. Max had jumped back in the water after the ducks and when she tried to pull him back to safety, he got out of his collar/leash and was walking in the water with nothing. Every couple of steps he was going completely under so I yanked off my shoes and socks and jumped in to retrieve the old man before he stayed under. It was disgusting! He attempted several more times to get in the water, but I made sure the cable was short after that fiasco! Poor Lucy really doesn't know what to do being outside for extended periods of time. Everytime we walked by the camper, Lucy tried to go inside. She is not much for the outdoors! After about 5 hours of being outside, Max finally gave it up and got in his bed. He was so tired. When it was time for them to eat, Max decided he needed dinner in bed, courtesy of the hubs. Those are the only 2 pics that I took, but we had a really good time! Our great friend Mark grilled some yummy steaks, and Donna fixed a salad bar that would put Ruby Tuesday to shame.