Yesterday I worked from 7pm til 1am and tonight I'm on from 5 to 1. My store is open until midnight every night this week, but thankfully most people don't know that. So around 10 customers stop showing up and the store gets nice and quiet.
I work in the juniors department. Some of the clothing we have is absolutely awful. Shirts with built-in necklaces. Purple zebra striped jackets with gold trim. We've got a young professionals section that would make you question what profession these girls are working.
I started working last Wednesday. Thankfully, I'm getting plenty of hours. I should have about 61 on my paycheck. Basically I clock in, go to my department and start picking up messes. I don't stop cleaning until around 1 in the morning. Sometimes people ask for my advice, "Does this faux business top look good with these distressed jeans with the manufactured wrinkles?"
There are customers who want you to be their personal shopper. Any other time of the year, I'd be fine with that. But when my department is such a wreck...jeans scattered everywhere, purple zebra shirts all over the floor, I just can't run around to find your granddaughter the perfect green sweater. Especially when everything I bring you she either has or you don't like.
The sales are really good, but if you have any more shopping to do I recommend taking advantage of the extended hours. Shop from about 8pm to midnight. The stores will be cleaner and less crowded!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
3 days til Christmas
This will have to be a pretty short post. I still have lots of Christmas presents to buy, and lights to hang and gifts to wrap!
I started my new job on Wednesday and yesterday was my first day off. Tonight I'm working from 7pm until 1am. But I'll write more about the job later.
Yesterday I went shopping with David and of course all the stores were *packed* we went to 8 different stores looking for the perfect gift for someone in particular. Then we made use of our store discounts, mine at Penney's and his at Best Buy. We had dinner at Logan's steakhouse (at the loop) and watched a mini fight break out between the hostess and one of the waitresses...thankfully they took it to the back so that after a while we couldn't hear them anymore. I was sat facing the kitchen so all of their animated physical gestures towards each other made it a bit like dinner theater! :)
I left a note on the back of the check that said something like, "Your hostess is scary. She and the blonde girl with the santa hat got into a fight at the door. We are afraid of her. However you (our waiter) seem very nice." David added that he liked the guy's goatee and that the food was tasty.
After that drama we went back to the stores for a bit, and then when everything was finished David took me back to his house to pick up his Christmas present to me. He ran inside and brought out a huge beautiful wooden box with my name engraved in the front. He told me to promise not to open it until Christmas! The suspense is killing me. It would be so easy to open, just flip the metal latch on the front...sneak a peek and close it back up....but I promised him that I'd leave it til Christmas.
So now I have to rush to get out of the house and finish my Christmas errands. I hope that everyone reading this is having a wonderful Christmas season!
I started my new job on Wednesday and yesterday was my first day off. Tonight I'm working from 7pm until 1am. But I'll write more about the job later.
Yesterday I went shopping with David and of course all the stores were *packed* we went to 8 different stores looking for the perfect gift for someone in particular. Then we made use of our store discounts, mine at Penney's and his at Best Buy. We had dinner at Logan's steakhouse (at the loop) and watched a mini fight break out between the hostess and one of the waitresses...thankfully they took it to the back so that after a while we couldn't hear them anymore. I was sat facing the kitchen so all of their animated physical gestures towards each other made it a bit like dinner theater! :)
I left a note on the back of the check that said something like, "Your hostess is scary. She and the blonde girl with the santa hat got into a fight at the door. We are afraid of her. However you (our waiter) seem very nice." David added that he liked the guy's goatee and that the food was tasty.
After that drama we went back to the stores for a bit, and then when everything was finished David took me back to his house to pick up his Christmas present to me. He ran inside and brought out a huge beautiful wooden box with my name engraved in the front. He told me to promise not to open it until Christmas! The suspense is killing me. It would be so easy to open, just flip the metal latch on the front...sneak a peek and close it back up....but I promised him that I'd leave it til Christmas.
So now I have to rush to get out of the house and finish my Christmas errands. I hope that everyone reading this is having a wonderful Christmas season!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I somehow find you and I collide
The other day David and I were walking around in a shopping center together and he put his arm around my waist and moved himself to my right side--the side closest to the road. I was so astonished that my jaw nearly hit the ground. He mentioned that when he was younger his mom taught him to walk this way with his sister.
Recently, he took a bag from me and commented on how I'm always carrying purses and things and that I should really let him carry stuff for me. ^_^
And as if that's not enough, he has even been opening doors for me.
Is it silly that all that is important to me? It's simple stuff but it absolutely makes me feel like I've picked a wonderful guy. All of the sudden, that boyfriend of mine is becoming the man I want for a husband. It's amazing to watch.
Being engaged is nothing like I expected. I keep commenting on how it's going to get easier, but I don't think that's the case.
Last night David and I went to dinner and a bookstore. While flipping through a book on childbirth, for the first time I saw these women and thought, "One day in the foreseeable future, that will be us." I've always wanted kids. David wants kids. We've gone through baby naming books together and talked about raising a family. Yet for the first time, I saw these women in tremendous amounts of pain and realized that the path we're on leads to this.
It's not going to get easier. It's going to get much, much harder. Where we are right now...this is the easy part.
Right now all our work and money can be spent on ourselves. We're saving up to throw a big party for us! We're going to buy cars and a house and all sorts of things for us. But then sometime not too far away, something else--- someone else, will be at the center of our world. We'll go from being completely selfish to completely selfless.
Looking at the pictures in the book brought this to a whole new level of seriousness. I guess that's the bottom line. Being engaged is serious. Extremely serious.
Tomorrow morning I'm starting a new job. I'm not really excited about it at all. But it's something that I want to do because every hour that passes where I'm not earning money or helping us move closer to our goals is a wasted hour. It is time that I will never get back. I know that David feels the same way. We both are putting everything we've got into this.
I think the trick is being able to love and enjoy the company of your partner even when life is incredibly stressful. Since getting engaged, we are working harder than ever and have been seeing less of each other. At first I thought this was going to be miserable. Now I see that it just makes our time together more valued.
The truth is, as scared as I am, and I am really scared of all the mountains in front of us, I cannot imagine going through all this with anyone else.
I want David at my side when I'm sweaty and gross and in lots of pain. I want him holding my hand when I'm scared. I want him to stand on the side closest to the road and make me feel protected and loved. That is the part that makes it all easier.
Recently, he took a bag from me and commented on how I'm always carrying purses and things and that I should really let him carry stuff for me. ^_^
And as if that's not enough, he has even been opening doors for me.
Is it silly that all that is important to me? It's simple stuff but it absolutely makes me feel like I've picked a wonderful guy. All of the sudden, that boyfriend of mine is becoming the man I want for a husband. It's amazing to watch.
Being engaged is nothing like I expected. I keep commenting on how it's going to get easier, but I don't think that's the case.
Last night David and I went to dinner and a bookstore. While flipping through a book on childbirth, for the first time I saw these women and thought, "One day in the foreseeable future, that will be us." I've always wanted kids. David wants kids. We've gone through baby naming books together and talked about raising a family. Yet for the first time, I saw these women in tremendous amounts of pain and realized that the path we're on leads to this.
It's not going to get easier. It's going to get much, much harder. Where we are right now...this is the easy part.
Right now all our work and money can be spent on ourselves. We're saving up to throw a big party for us! We're going to buy cars and a house and all sorts of things for us. But then sometime not too far away, something else--- someone else, will be at the center of our world. We'll go from being completely selfish to completely selfless.
Looking at the pictures in the book brought this to a whole new level of seriousness. I guess that's the bottom line. Being engaged is serious. Extremely serious.
Tomorrow morning I'm starting a new job. I'm not really excited about it at all. But it's something that I want to do because every hour that passes where I'm not earning money or helping us move closer to our goals is a wasted hour. It is time that I will never get back. I know that David feels the same way. We both are putting everything we've got into this.
I think the trick is being able to love and enjoy the company of your partner even when life is incredibly stressful. Since getting engaged, we are working harder than ever and have been seeing less of each other. At first I thought this was going to be miserable. Now I see that it just makes our time together more valued.
The truth is, as scared as I am, and I am really scared of all the mountains in front of us, I cannot imagine going through all this with anyone else.
I want David at my side when I'm sweaty and gross and in lots of pain. I want him holding my hand when I'm scared. I want him to stand on the side closest to the road and make me feel protected and loved. That is the part that makes it all easier.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sleepy bits and pieces
Lately I've been relying on coffee a lot. I hate coffee that taste like coffee. I like coffee that tastes like melted ice cream.
I spent the start of the week doing data entry work, the middle of the week applying for jobs and finishing my resume, and the end of the week cleaning and driving kids to/from places. I am pretty exhausted. It's half ten on a Sunday morning. I'm debating going back to sleep or making coffee and doing some data entry.
My Grandmother sent me $25 for Christmas. That's exactly how much I need to open a savings account at my bank. Thanks Grandma!
Yesterday I got a call to come down and interview for a job on Monday at 8AM. I'm not super excited about this job. It's retail and it's nothing special, but I need the money so I can't really be too picky. I'd love to wait for a more exciting job offer, but if this place offers me something, I can't in good conscience turn them down. There is so much to pay for (See my last post!) and so every extra dollar is going to be a major help!
So we'll see how it goes... at least I'll be able to set aside more than $25 into savings.
That said I think that I'm going to go back to sleep. David and I have Mass at 6 tonight and sometime this afternoon I need to take my Astronomy and Biology final exams. So a nap sounds about perfec'.
More later...
I spent the start of the week doing data entry work, the middle of the week applying for jobs and finishing my resume, and the end of the week cleaning and driving kids to/from places. I am pretty exhausted. It's half ten on a Sunday morning. I'm debating going back to sleep or making coffee and doing some data entry.
My Grandmother sent me $25 for Christmas. That's exactly how much I need to open a savings account at my bank. Thanks Grandma!
Yesterday I got a call to come down and interview for a job on Monday at 8AM. I'm not super excited about this job. It's retail and it's nothing special, but I need the money so I can't really be too picky. I'd love to wait for a more exciting job offer, but if this place offers me something, I can't in good conscience turn them down. There is so much to pay for (See my last post!) and so every extra dollar is going to be a major help!
So we'll see how it goes... at least I'll be able to set aside more than $25 into savings.
That said I think that I'm going to go back to sleep. David and I have Mass at 6 tonight and sometime this afternoon I need to take my Astronomy and Biology final exams. So a nap sounds about perfec'.
More later...
Friday, December 11, 2009
December
This has been the most productive month of my life and it's only the 11th.
Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but life has definitely taken on a sense of urgency over the past few weeks. Ever since the big engagement flop. David and I have been in a mad dash to set things into motion for married life.
Our current checklist includes:
__Better jobs/more stable income for both of us
__A conclusive decision on my undergraduate major
__Living expenses covered each month
__Establishing a savings account for our wedding
__Establishing a savings account for savings
__Graduating with my AA degree
__Parish registration
__RCIA courses
__Pre-Canna courses
__Reliable transportation bought and paid for
__Graduating with my BA degree
__Wedding planning
__Paying for a wedding
__Apartment Hunting
Since December is the month of spending it's probably the worst possible time to *try* and start putting money aside. Basically we need to save $450 a month for our wedding. Just for our wedding. Then we've got living expenses and a nest egg to build. Not to mention cars and other expenses that I'm sure I'm forgetting right now.
Once we sat down with my dad to discuss money it became blatantly obvious that there's no way for us to become financially responsible...based on our current income levels. So we're both looking to upgrade our jobs.
I spent the first half of the day updating my resume and applying for jobs. My evening was spent playing ludicrously violent computer games. It's not that I'm stressed, I'm just under pressure. We both are. It would be nice to have a ring and date, but I think that both of those things are going to have to wait a bit longer. It would be nice to celebrate with friends and family but all of that is going to have to wait.
On December 21st, David and I will have been dating for six months. After just six months, it's no wonder that we've got to do a bit of proving ourselves to everyone. I would love for all of this to be easier. I'd love to wake up one morning with a ring on my finger, money in the bank, and satisfied parents and in-laws. I'd love to have an engagement party. I'd love for friends and family to be sincerely happy for us. In my heart, I feel like we are missing out on a lot. But with each day that passes I realize more and more that we've got to work for that kind of a reaction. We've got to earn the money in the bank, just like we have to earn the confidence and respect of our family and friends.
It's tough going through all this. It makes me want to play violent video games to blow off steam. But knowing that I'm not alone, makes what we're trying to do a bit more possible.
I know that when I totally collapse under the pressure, David will be around to pick me back up. We've got so much to do in the next few years-- and I keep telling myself that the first few months will be the most challenging. Hopefully that's true, because right now...we're both being really challenged.
And in the middle of all of this, is Christmas. I love Christmas. Last year I spent every penny I had on gifts and decorations. This year, I barely have two cents to rub together. I'm earning money, but every bit of it is going into savings. I just don't have the funds for Christmas this year. I hope that that doesn't read in a sad and pathetic way. I love Christmas. But this year, everyone is getting a macaroni necklace.
Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but life has definitely taken on a sense of urgency over the past few weeks. Ever since the big engagement flop. David and I have been in a mad dash to set things into motion for married life.
Our current checklist includes:
__Better jobs/more stable income for both of us
__A conclusive decision on my undergraduate major
__Living expenses covered each month
__Establishing a savings account for our wedding
__Establishing a savings account for savings
__Graduating with my AA degree
__Parish registration
__RCIA courses
__Pre-Canna courses
__Reliable transportation bought and paid for
__Graduating with my BA degree
__Wedding planning
__Paying for a wedding
__Apartment Hunting
Since December is the month of spending it's probably the worst possible time to *try* and start putting money aside. Basically we need to save $450 a month for our wedding. Just for our wedding. Then we've got living expenses and a nest egg to build. Not to mention cars and other expenses that I'm sure I'm forgetting right now.
Once we sat down with my dad to discuss money it became blatantly obvious that there's no way for us to become financially responsible...based on our current income levels. So we're both looking to upgrade our jobs.
I spent the first half of the day updating my resume and applying for jobs. My evening was spent playing ludicrously violent computer games. It's not that I'm stressed, I'm just under pressure. We both are. It would be nice to have a ring and date, but I think that both of those things are going to have to wait a bit longer. It would be nice to celebrate with friends and family but all of that is going to have to wait.
On December 21st, David and I will have been dating for six months. After just six months, it's no wonder that we've got to do a bit of proving ourselves to everyone. I would love for all of this to be easier. I'd love to wake up one morning with a ring on my finger, money in the bank, and satisfied parents and in-laws. I'd love to have an engagement party. I'd love for friends and family to be sincerely happy for us. In my heart, I feel like we are missing out on a lot. But with each day that passes I realize more and more that we've got to work for that kind of a reaction. We've got to earn the money in the bank, just like we have to earn the confidence and respect of our family and friends.
It's tough going through all this. It makes me want to play violent video games to blow off steam. But knowing that I'm not alone, makes what we're trying to do a bit more possible.
I know that when I totally collapse under the pressure, David will be around to pick me back up. We've got so much to do in the next few years-- and I keep telling myself that the first few months will be the most challenging. Hopefully that's true, because right now...we're both being really challenged.
And in the middle of all of this, is Christmas. I love Christmas. Last year I spent every penny I had on gifts and decorations. This year, I barely have two cents to rub together. I'm earning money, but every bit of it is going into savings. I just don't have the funds for Christmas this year. I hope that that doesn't read in a sad and pathetic way. I love Christmas. But this year, everyone is getting a macaroni necklace.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Best Date Ever
Saturday morning, I woke up *very* early. I packed a bag with my swimsuit, towels and a change of clothes and walked downstairs to wait for David. All week he'd been asking me if I was free Saturday because he wanted to do something special, "weather permitting." At about 8:30, he and I were off to IHOP for breakfast.
We watched the manager make a balloon Elmo for a crying little kid at the table next to us. We chatted about how weird it is that English people eat beans on toast with their breakfast. I said that it sounded like camping food. David said that the English invented camping. ^_^ We finished our french toast.
When we walked out into the parking lot it was still pretty chilly. (For Florida, anyway.) So we climbed into the car and David said that we'd have to go to 'Plan B.' (I'm so impressed that he had a plan B!)
We drove to his house and he picked up a sweater...because I'd teased him about his "Penny Arcade" hoodie. Then after chatting with his mom and sister for a while, we got back in the car and drove towards Kissimmee.
About 15 minutes later, I realized where we were going. His 'plan A' was to take me to Blizzard Beach. 'Plan B' was Disney MGM Studios! The only park that I never been to!
(That's us in the front of the Aerosmith Roller coaster!)
We spent probably 10 hours in the park and did so much, that it's hard to know where to start! We made friends on the tram with a 70 year old woman, who encouraged David to audition for the American Idol Experience. Her husband, sitting next to her, wasn't quite as friendly. Apparently he was there for free because it was his 80th birthday! By the end of the tram ride, we knew this couple's life story...and all of their favourite rides.
We spent the next 8 hours or so, on Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, The Great Movie Ride, The Indian Jones show, The Star Wars ride, Muppets 3D (which was AWESOME!), A stunt show and The new Toy Story Ride/Game! I'm sure that I'm leaving some stuff out.
Near the end of the day we went and saw the Little Mermaid Show! It was amazing. David held my hand through the whole thing and didn't complain a bit when I leaned close to him and whispered every single line from the movie into his ear. Looking back, I'm sure that was pretty annoying, but he just smiled.
After our last ride, I was completely exhausted. We started to walk toward the exit...but somehow found ourselves in the middle of all of...
...all of this.
The most incredible Christmas light show I have ever seen! Radio Disney playing classic Christmas songs, fake soapy snow coming down from the buildings, and lights absolutely everywhere. That's just one street! It covered three or four, every time we'd walk around a corner, we'd find a street prettier than the last.
We stayed an extra hour or so, just walking around looking at all the lights and dancing together to the Christmas music. It was the most incredible ending to a most incredible day.
I have to admit that when we drove up to the parking lot for Disney...I was apprehensive. I know that Disney isn't cheap and letting David spend that much money on a date, was unbelievably hard for me. When we pulled into the parking lot, I was biting my lip to keep from saying "we don't have to do this." More than once I wanted to reach into my wallet and split the bill with him.
Then all throughout the day, I kept thinking about how hard he worked to treat me to this. Running the numbers in my head, I'm sure he spent his entire 'Black Friday' paycheck on our date. He was up at 3:30 Friday morning, in a crowd of bargain hunters and long lines. He did all that, to be able to treat me to something as perfect and special as this...
I am so incredibly proud of him and I'm so thankful to have someone that thoughtful in my life. He amazes me.
We watched the manager make a balloon Elmo for a crying little kid at the table next to us. We chatted about how weird it is that English people eat beans on toast with their breakfast. I said that it sounded like camping food. David said that the English invented camping. ^_^ We finished our french toast.
When we walked out into the parking lot it was still pretty chilly. (For Florida, anyway.) So we climbed into the car and David said that we'd have to go to 'Plan B.' (I'm so impressed that he had a plan B!)
We drove to his house and he picked up a sweater...because I'd teased him about his "Penny Arcade" hoodie. Then after chatting with his mom and sister for a while, we got back in the car and drove towards Kissimmee.
About 15 minutes later, I realized where we were going. His 'plan A' was to take me to Blizzard Beach. 'Plan B' was Disney MGM Studios! The only park that I never been to!
(That's us in the front of the Aerosmith Roller coaster!)
We spent probably 10 hours in the park and did so much, that it's hard to know where to start! We made friends on the tram with a 70 year old woman, who encouraged David to audition for the American Idol Experience. Her husband, sitting next to her, wasn't quite as friendly. Apparently he was there for free because it was his 80th birthday! By the end of the tram ride, we knew this couple's life story...and all of their favourite rides.
We spent the next 8 hours or so, on Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, The Great Movie Ride, The Indian Jones show, The Star Wars ride, Muppets 3D (which was AWESOME!), A stunt show and The new Toy Story Ride/Game! I'm sure that I'm leaving some stuff out.
Near the end of the day we went and saw the Little Mermaid Show! It was amazing. David held my hand through the whole thing and didn't complain a bit when I leaned close to him and whispered every single line from the movie into his ear. Looking back, I'm sure that was pretty annoying, but he just smiled.
After our last ride, I was completely exhausted. We started to walk toward the exit...but somehow found ourselves in the middle of all of...
...all of this.
The most incredible Christmas light show I have ever seen! Radio Disney playing classic Christmas songs, fake soapy snow coming down from the buildings, and lights absolutely everywhere. That's just one street! It covered three or four, every time we'd walk around a corner, we'd find a street prettier than the last.
We stayed an extra hour or so, just walking around looking at all the lights and dancing together to the Christmas music. It was the most incredible ending to a most incredible day.
I have to admit that when we drove up to the parking lot for Disney...I was apprehensive. I know that Disney isn't cheap and letting David spend that much money on a date, was unbelievably hard for me. When we pulled into the parking lot, I was biting my lip to keep from saying "we don't have to do this." More than once I wanted to reach into my wallet and split the bill with him.
Then all throughout the day, I kept thinking about how hard he worked to treat me to this. Running the numbers in my head, I'm sure he spent his entire 'Black Friday' paycheck on our date. He was up at 3:30 Friday morning, in a crowd of bargain hunters and long lines. He did all that, to be able to treat me to something as perfect and special as this...
I am so incredibly proud of him and I'm so thankful to have someone that thoughtful in my life. He amazes me.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
So...we kind of blew it.
David and I finally did something that we've been talking about doing since about our 3rd date. We got engaged. I am absolutely positive that I found the most incredible man and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life growing up together.
Unfortunately we sort of muffed the proposal. I bet that you're wondering how two people can screw up a proposal. He gets a ring. He asks. I say "yes." Done deal, right? Wrong.
We were both so excited to get engaged that we ended up doing in the least romantic way possible.
Without getting into too many details, we've decided that he and I and everyone else who wants to celebrate this with us, deserve a do-over.
I have no idea when that do-over will take place and until it happens I am just thoroughly enjoying being the fiancee/girlfriend of the most perfect partner I could ever ask for.
Psalm 130
"Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins."
Oh and Happy Thanksgiving!
Unfortunately we sort of muffed the proposal. I bet that you're wondering how two people can screw up a proposal. He gets a ring. He asks. I say "yes." Done deal, right? Wrong.
We were both so excited to get engaged that we ended up doing in the least romantic way possible.
Without getting into too many details, we've decided that he and I and everyone else who wants to celebrate this with us, deserve a do-over.
I have no idea when that do-over will take place and until it happens I am just thoroughly enjoying being the fiancee/girlfriend of the most perfect partner I could ever ask for.
Psalm 130
"Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins."
Oh and Happy Thanksgiving!
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