3,500 miles

The last post I made on this blog was June 25, 2010. On June 26, 2010 I had a date with a guy that I sort of knew in college. My freshman year. And now, six months later, we're still dating. Is that why I haven't blogged? Hmm maybe. He lives in St. Louis and I still live in Jonesboro, so we have both carved out quite a bit of time in our days to talk. on. the. phone.

Casey and I have had some great times. We've done some fun things like Six Flags, the Arch, meeting each others' family, going to a wedding and we got to be together on Christmas morning!! This was one of the Best times. Unfortunately I have no pictures of us at Christmas. Slipped my mind. Here is a picture of us at his Christmas party for work.

I calculate that approximately 3,500 miles have been put on my old 2005 Altima traveling to see my fella. But it's been worth it!

New Office at Tiger

So, I changed jobs at the beginning of June and I've finally gotten my new office fixed the way it should be. It is a very nice office. The company I work for is located on the outskirts of town in two plain jane -on the outside- warehouses, but the building I am in is a new addition for the company and the front part of the building

was remodeled for offices just before I came there. The girl that had the office before me picked out the paint color.

I don't know that you can tell in these pictures, but it's a dark blue/gray. Very cool. I never would have picked it myself, but I love it.

The first picture here is my favorite part of the room. My mom came and helped me put it all together, so she gets full credit for this credenza area. I had the starburst

mirror in my office at the clinic. I knew wher

e I wanted everything in this office, but I always need my mother's help with these things. The vase there looks like a tiger and the name of the co

mpany I work for is Tiger Correctional Services. A mere coincidence? --I think not. It too was left in my offi

ce and it's solid glass so I didn't do anything with it because I was afraid it would break, but my mom is not afraid. She fixed it right up!

This cool shelf pictured on the right is awesome. It's from IKEA and it's perfect for this office. i can put stuff on the shelves and see it all. At my old job I was really bad about putting things away to work on later and then completely forgetting about them because well, "outta sight, outta mind". The two red vases on top were left as well.

Here's the story behind my office fu

rniture. The girl that worked

there before me ordered all new office furniture from IKEA. Which so

unds like a splendid idea. However, IKEA furniture is not durable enough for everyday office use and the desk she chose was much too small, short and had no drawers. It just wouldn't do. So, after getting my feel for the place I ordered my desk from Office Max.

I think it looks great!

The last corner of the office is by the huge window. :) This is a work table and where my assistant, a.k.a. a college student that works a few hours a week and helps me out if needed

or anyone else that needs help, sits. The stuffed tiger on the table is one of our give-a-ways. Cute.

And finally the inside of my very organized drawer. It's so nice to be organized. Starting a job has been a very good experience so far. I'm glad I did it. It's been stressful for sure, but I'm really enjoying it. Starting fresh is a good thing.

The Johnson's new Casa

My friends Brittney & Michael Johnson got married in March and just bought their first home in July. They had us over for homemade ice cream Saturday night. Here is a pic of her cute! kitchen. Also, she had the ever-so-clever idea to use a shoe storage door hanger for all of her kitchen utensils that wouldn't fit other places. I'm so happy for them!

Keeping Up

I have decided to blog a few things that I need a great deal of discipline to actually follow through with each day/week. I thought if I wrote them out I'd have a better chance of doing them. We'll see how it goes.

I've been to the gym each night this week. I really need to lose some weight. Went to spin on Tues & Thurs. Both times we had a teacher I'd never had before. On Monday night I went to the gym and watched The Bachelorette (my guilty pleasure) for 2 straight hours while working out. And Wednesday night I went to church, then went to the gym after. I meant to weigh tonight but I do it next time. I also bought some healthier choices for food. Er... I tried. I'm still trying to get used to preparing my meals. At Clopton we had breakfast & lunch provided so actually having to give thought to the fact that I'll have to each each morning and noon has been an adjustment. I got some lean cuisines or whatever. I had one today at lunch. Not bad. And one of my fave lunch foods is strawberries & cottage cheese. Yummy. :) I also got some english muffins for breakfast. I'd been doing the bagel thing, but that's too much.

I'd been eating way too much fast food since starting at Tiger. I was feeling it big time. These frozen dinners are really easy & don't like preparing a lunch.

I'm also reading my Bible as part of a girls Bible study at church. Praying for the Lord to bless me and for a positive attitude.

freezing

It's cold today. It was below freezing this morning. Officially winter weather.

I went to see Grandma in the hospital last night. She was sleepy and drugged and in pain. I feel so sorry for her. :(

I'm going to spin class tonight. The first time since my surgery. I'm kinda nervous about it. I think I will go home at lunch today and pack a bag for the gym so I can go directly from work.

It's the weekend

So, I'm sitting on the couch at 10:20 on Friday night watching Will & Grace. This is really the "right" place to be blogging instead of on company time... hee hee.

I just got home from Amanda's. Matt's deer hunting and so I went over to help her hang some pictures on the walls. The house is really coming together. It's amazing how much cozier a home can feel w/ pictures on the wall. It was funny. I felt like my mother because I was all making decision for her. If the situation were reversed, I'd NEVER the the stuff on the walls. She was glad I came to help.

We're going to Aida tomorrow night at Valley View high school.

It's cold and rainy this weekend. D-Now is in action at church. Hannah is doing that & Andy, Lori & Shaun are in Florida for a small vaca to see the Blue Angels. Andy's bro-in-law, Dustin, has a bro-in-law that's an Angel. Very cool thing. I would've gone too, but really couldn't afford it plus I'd been off for two week for surgery and i didn't need to take off two days this week.

I bought Life insurance today from Northwestern Mutual via Gene McIlvoy. Gene called on me about a month ago and I finally decided to purchase $35,000 of whole life ins and $100,000 of term. It's $40/mo. and the whole life builds cash value. I'm glad I did this. Even though it is very odd because I can't imagine dying and needing to have life ins. It's really just for a type of savings.

I'm loving my new Christmas CD. I may get my xmas decorations out tomorrow. It depends on if I get the house clean first.

I went back to see Dr. Haughey today for my foot. He basically dismissed me. Everything looks good. :)

I haven't talked to Tiffany since Brian's funeral. I called her on Wed. night and left a message, but she hasn't called back. I bought her a massage from Roman touch. thought it'd be a good way to relax. I mailed it today with a card.

signing off