Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!! I hope you all enjoy celebrating the true meaning of this holiday and what God did for us with family & friends. I'm heading over to my brother's house later to spend the day with family, after I pick up my grandma and take her to the cemetery to put something on my grandpa's headstone as well as my dad's.

I am so glad I figured out (and remembered) to pay my Chase Bill through the extra money I have from my college. It was kind of a big bill because it had a deductible on it from when I had a car accident back in February. And speaking of which, the rental company *just* charged my credit card for the rental in March. Weird. Oh well. 

I normally don't go so "personal" I guess on this blog as some others that I read/follow. I find it ironic since everyone tells me I don't hold back and tell it like it is, which can either be good or bad. At first, the situation was something I really had not given a lot of thought. If this is too personal, I'm sorry but I want to see if I am going nuts for no reason at all. I take the birth control pill Lo-Estrin 24 Fe. I have taken it probably for over a year now (it was a year back in October). I had switched from Ortho-Tri Cyclen Lo and after I had been on the Lo-Estrin for 6 months, I went back to my gyno for a follow up to see if I was liking it. Everything was working fine, so I really saw no problems with having switched or problems that would ensue. WRONG. I don't think my period has come since I had it last time in January of this year. YIKES! I keep track on my calendar and I got all the symptoms (cramps, bloating, etc) in February but it never came. Same thing happened last month. Ensue panic attack.  I took a pregnancy test and it came up negative twice. But I still haven't gotten it. I know sometimes those tests are not as accurate as people would like to think so I've got this cloud of doubt in the back of my mind. My boyfriend asked me what was wrong because I was "off" one night and I told him...to which he googled what my brand of birth control can do to your period. From what I have seen too, even when taking the pill religiously as I have been and using any backup form of birth control (like condoms), the pill can reduce/eliminate your period. That is not my intention at all! It had gotten lighter so I don't know if it was any indication of it deciding to disappear but I am really freaking out here. As much of an inconvenience a period can be at times, I have never wanted mine so bad before (ha ha!).

I did get a card from my gyno's office to call for an appointment so I am going to call tomorrow. My doctor is only there on Mondays and Thursdays so I want to see her ASAP. By now I am hoping that the three tests I took which ALL came up negative are correct. Has this happened to anyone else? Everything I have read online has said it is common with this brand of birth control and I really just want an answer. Hopefully I can get an appointment relatively soon and she'll ease my mind. I am all ready to either get off the pill all together to see if I can get my period back or just switch another brand. 

 

 

Sunshine Award

Katie over at Katers Potaters nominated me for a Sunshine Award. How fun! I love meeting new bloggers and getting to know people through this form of social media.

Favorite Color?: Lime green and pink! The color of my bedroom walls is "Spring Meadow Green" by Benjamin Moore but my mom says it's more limey. I just love them together. Coincidentally, this was the color scheme I went with for college. ;)

Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drink?: I really like Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry or Diet Coke. I know soda is so bad for you. :-X My motto is "I'm going to die eventually. Might as well enjoy what I like now"

Facebook or Twitter?: I still prefer Facebook at times over Twitter, although I am not a huge fan of the new timeline. I do love following verified celebs on twitter!

My passion?: Languages. I just love how "sexy" it can sound. I would love to learn Italian next!

Favorite Animals?: DOGS! I am TOTALLY a dog person. I have grown up with them my entire life and there's something about cuddling with them when you've had a crappy day that makes it all better.

Getting or giving presents?: I LOVE giving presents. I love to give people gifts that mean something. Hence why my sister-in-law has scrapbooks for 2 of her 3 kids (I got really busy with the third one but I am working on it!) of their first year.

Favorite pattern?:  Probably polka dots.

Favorite flower?: Pink roses!! I have insisted forever that this is what my future wedding bouquet is, regardless of the price!

Now, who am I going to give this award to? Well, these fine ladies:

1. Ginny @ Musings From a Breast Cancer Optimist
2. Asha @ Asha's Aspects
3. Kristin @ Kristin's kNook
4. Kristen Danielle @ From Kristen, With Love
5. Emily @ Paging Dr. Grace

It's okay Thursday!

Another one of my favorite link ups! Link up with Neely @ A Complete Waste of Makeup & Amber @ Brunch with Amber to tell what's okay with you today on this fine Thursday!

IT'S OKAY...

...that I literally cried over the amount I owe for student loans. With interest, it's up to $70K between undergrad & grad. I wanna cry more & vomit  now that I admitted it!

...that I bought a new Vera Bradley hipster & wallet for my cruise next month. Hey, at least I had the $30 giftcard!

...that I told my manager (while I was at my job having lunch today) that I didn't understand why they needed two hosts tomorrow morning...and got out of working the lunch shift. :)

...to enjoy "people watching" while at the gym.

...that I am seeing The Hunger Games again on Saturday. =)

...to want to go BACK to Disney because you are forever 5 years old and want to see the new Fantasyland to be finished in 2013! 

...to read running blogs for inspiration and wonder "Can I do it if these ladies can?!"

...that I am SUPER EXCITED to be eating ice cream again on Sunday. I had given it up for lent.

...that I can't wait for the next reason of RHONJ to come back!! (April 22nd!)

...to be super excited to see Titanic in 3D next week.

...to wish I lived in the South, primarily Georgia.

...to worry about your 30 yr old brother & all his $$ issues and hope he can turn things around.

...to want to adopt a new puppy. I still love my beast Shadow. =) I just love puppies.

...to be thinking of how much Vera Bradley items I can use on my cruise. 

...to watch Dance Moms Miami and think they need to put LONGER tops on the girls. What happened to a normal leotard?! The girls on Dance Moms (in Pittsburgh) are much better!

Happy Wednesday! {WILW}

Happy Wednesday y'all! Happy April! Who can believe we are already into APRIL?! Head on over to Jamie's blog to link up & share what you're loving this Wednesday!


I'm loving that today my sweet niece Emma Grace turns 3! I can hardly believe it has been three years since she blessed this world with her presence. She was a blessing for my SIL after losing her mom about three months earlier (before she was born) and by the grace of God, this child brought such joy to her face. She's a little spunky & I love her!

I'm loving my new hair cut I got two days ago. It's short & just what I needed.

I'm loving that my nice brother Brian got me my signature drink at Starbucks this morning...because I asked him to. And if I didn't have it, I wouldn't be functioning later at work!

I'm loving that now that it is April, I can say "adios blackberry" and "hola iPhone." :)

I'm loving that my cruise is now less than 6 weeks away! Oh my word I am beyond excited!

I'm loving that next week "The B in Apartment 23" premieres next week. It looks hilarious!!

I'm loving that I get to have lunch with this lovely friend tomorrow. We have such hard schedules to meet up and then I randomly saw her again at the gym yesterday. Twice in a week...I'm so lucky!

Wine-O

I love wine. I do not prefer it over beer or hard liquor but I enjoy it every now and then. After all, nothing is more relaxing then unwinding after a stressful day and enjoying a glass or two of wine. The other day, Saturday, after work, all I wanted to do was go buy a bottle of wine when I got out at 9. There is a liquor store behind my job and it was still open....only my license was MIA and at home in the end. Sad story!!

Today after picking up some things from the grocery store for my mom on the way home from tutoring, I decided to go into the store. I got a bottle of Arbor Mist White Zinfandel Exotic Fruits and it is pretty yummy!! I think I like more of light/sweet wines. I actually prefer white and blush over red. When I go on my cruise in 41 days (!!), each person is allowed one bottle of alcohol that is 750mL in their carry-on luggage. Someone want to help me with what a good brand would be to bring? I was hoping to bring a Arbor Mist but the bottle I got tonight says its 1.5L so I hope I can find a smaller bottle.

I am so excited to go on my cruise. Everyone I know that has been on one says that once you go, you become addicted. I hope that is the case because this girl loves to travel!!! I am excited to investigate new areas of the world and spend some time with the boy. And that reminds me, I need to order my bigger memory card from Amazon. Hopefully I can use my membership rewards points from Amex on the order (I have done it before and it's awesome!). One of the things I would like to do is find a simple black skirt. I don't know how many "fancy" dinners we will have on this cruise but I need a black skirt as a staple item in my wardrobe. I can wear it later on when I teach! The problem? I don't know where to look! Does anyone have suggestions? I kind of like this pencil skirt from Loft and its $49.50. I'd rather spend good money and invest it then buy something that'll rip.

I have been pretty good about going to the gym lately. Amanda and I went the last two days and it's good. I feel pretty energized from the gym afterwards for a few hours which is good. Even though she can't go tomorrow because she has stuff to deal with and a meeting, I think I will still go before work. Even if I go and just go the weights and the elliptical or treadmill, it is better than sitting on the couch! Motivation, baby!

As I sit here watching the Dance Moms Mid-season finale and anticipating Dance Moms Miami, I am staring at the laundry I did a week ago, still sitting in my hamper folded. I am lazy that I haven't put it away. I honestly don't care right now since it's 930 at night and will do it for like a half hour and then throw it on the floor. Next week is spring break. On Tuesday, my goal is to completely clean. I mean like JUST GO FOR IT and clean. Not that anyone really sees it but I'll feel better once it doesn't look like Hurricane Irene came through my room. :) Who is with me that cleaning a room at night is just daunting versus the day?

And with that, I think I'll go have another glass of wine. =) Cheers!

Dolla dolla bills y'all

Hey, remember that time last week when everyone was freaking out joining in on the Mega Millions? It was like up to $640 million dollars. Even my boyfriend played. I wish I had played because I need to win the lottery! Lol. Who does not?! I had a stack of checks dating back to January from my job that I had not put in my bank account. Ooops? And considering the bank is like a 2 second drive from my house, I really have no excuse other than the fact that I was lazy! HA! It's a good thing I went because I didn't realize how low it was from paying bills and I have to pay my mom rent. Uck. Can Uncle Sam send my tax return NOW?! I clearly need it.

In having this "reality check," I decided to try and cut back on some things. Usually when we go out, my boyfriend pays. I don't expect it everytime but he'll almost put up a  fight to pay. What a gentlemen. If I do pay, I usually use cash which is great because I get tips from my job in cash. I love that the servers have to tip us out.I am going to try and be more realistic about purchases. I am going to have to steer clear of Target because that sucks you in like a black hole! Anyone else agree with me on that? When I switch my closet from the winter clothes to summer clothes, I am really going to make an effort to wear everything in there and only buy what I truly need. I'm done buying swimsuits for the season (I got 3...one from Old Navy & 2 from VS). I am going to be saving money for the cruise for shopping down there...and the drinks. =) The more I think about it, the more I realize....growing up can be fun & suck at the same time. And by suck, I mean pay the bills.

Now that I am done with teaching tests, I just need to search for a job in my field. First up, revising my resume...I need to add my second certification to it. Then, printing off a bunch and sending them out. I already know what districts won't accept paper resumes/applications. It just totally is not motivating to apply for jobs in a teaching market where they are closing schools, laying off 50+ teachers, etc. You're not even safe anymore with tenure. How thrilling. My goal for the next few days is to start tackling this task.

On a brighter note, I chopped off my hair!! I had not had my hair cut in almost a YEAR. I usually only get it cut twice a year (if that) because my hair grows so slowly. I had it cut in town in June and then let it grow out since. Today, I went to my hairdressers house after I went to the gym and she chopped it all off. She said my ends were "one sad story". HAHA! Explains why my hair was just one giant knot after I got out of the shower. So I went from this:

 

to this: (and i am quite happy!)

 

Now if I only did not have to go to work later and could stay home and sleep. I slept horribly last night and that definitely affected my workout at the gym...I dropped my ipod at one point, thought I stopped the treadmill to get it but apparently didnt and went flying off. Not a good day/workout in my book. Oh well. There's always tomorrow!

Drop everything now,meet me in the pouring rain!

Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away your pain.
Cause I see sparks fly
Whenever you smile.

Sorry for that random outburst of Taylor Swift lyrics. I had her CD blasting in the car the last few days and that is probably my favorite song from her "Speak Now" album. I just love Tay-Tay as my BFF Shannon and I call her. I have seen her perform live twice and she is amazing and such a true performer. I want to go see her again! Also, she has an awesome sense of style I mean, can I just borrow her wardrobe for a few?

 

What an un-eventful weekend it truly has been so far, ha! Thursday night, John & I finally saw "The Hunger Games" and OH MY WORD, I liked loved it! So good! It was quite possibly one of the best book to movie adaptations I have seen. My boyfriend's thoughts? He rated it a 6/10. Then again, he went to school for film so he always analyzes every movie we see. I am going to see it again next Saturday with my best friend April!! After we went to the movie, I discovered at dinner at the Cheesecake Factory that John has never really seen ANY Disney movies. WHAT?!! I really had no idea someone could live such a sheltered childhood. I don't think he even ever went to Disney as a child. Now, there's a difference if you don't go and watch the movies versus what his childhood was. Oh lord. I have some work to do. First up for him to watch: The Lion King (perfect since we are seeing it on Broadway on April 12th!!)

I worked all day today (Saturday...or will it be sunday by the time this is posted). And by the end of the shift, I was going crazy. All I wanted was to go buy a bottle of wine and go have some before bed. Umm, I almost cried when I couldn't find my license in my wallet!! It was at home but what a sad day. I was only suppose to work tomorrow morning but the kid working at night asked me if I could pick up as his shift. As much as I don't want to, it is more $$ for the cruise/Cancun in the fall and whatever. Plus when you work a double your food gets comped. I did pay for my dinner tonight but that's a small price to pay.

 This pin makes me giggle because my friends would say this would be true about me when I become a mother:

I will leave you with this video my boyfriend left on my Facebook wall the other day. It is well known I love babies and think they are so cute (puppies too!). I just LOVED this. You need to watch it. It'll make you smile.