Up Up and Away!

So the other night I was sitting on the couch with J. It was midnight and we had just finished watching a movie and out of no where the sky turns from black to bright orange! I was not really paying attention and thought maybe a cloud had parted and the moon came through, but no.....
I just happened to have it on the news when the movie was over and I hear....Shuttle is now 4 miles out.....and then it hit me! The shuttle was finally launching!! Woo Hoo!!

Since moving here, I've seen several launches, but this was the first night launch and it was absolutely amazing. The whole sky was orange and I stood there in awe. I tried to take some pictures, but my camera is a little outdated.

This picture does no justice. I was a little late in snapping my shot, so all I got was the tail end of the launch right before the shuttle went into orbit. Too neat.

If you run with dogs, you're going to catch fleas!

We'll I guess that's not the best analogy for my situation, but it works! Ha Ha! What I'm getting at is that being around the older generation is rubbing off on me! :) In my position I have the privilege of participating in activities and leading some activities of my own. Yesterday we had a presenter talk about crocheting and knitting.....and I'm hooked! I've always been interested in both of them, but now I am jonesin' to find my needles and get to work!! One of my residents is going to show me everything I need to know. She is fabulous! If I could tell you what she used to do for work I would....she's actually famous in the New England area. But I'm excited. I can't wait to get started. I found a website that has great patterns if any of you want to knit or crochet yourselves.

www.lionbrand.com

These are a few projects I want to start on:

The week is almost over!! Woo Hoo!!

Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

My brother and I finally got to hang out this past month. It was the first time I'd seen him since Christmas. He spent a semester in Europe for school and those seven months felt like forever!! Glad you're back Bub and I hope to see you soon! Love you!

Gotta love KY!

Are there favorite hometown things from your state that you just can't live without? For me, there are tons of things from Kentucky that I love and miss; things you can't find anywhere else.

1. Magee's Bakery - My first birthday cake came from this shop and I've had several since. Chocolate cake and butter creme icing.....TO.DIE.FOR. My brother actually got me a cake from there last birthday....such a sweetheart :)

2. Hall's on the River - home of beer cheese! I don't' know if you have a clue what it is, but beer cheese has been a staple in my life since I was an infant. It's a spread that can be put on anything, but my favorites are to top plain saltine crackers and also in a bowl of chili with some jalapenos!


3. Nothing goes better with beer cheese than an ice cold Ale 8. O.M.G. I can't explain it. You either love it or hate it. The closest thing I can compare it to is ginger ale, but soooo much better. Outsiders say its somewhat like swamp water.....I promise its not that bad!! You'll have to try it to trust me :) And if you do, make sure its in a long neck glass bottle!!!



4. Keeneland - This place is magical! They have races two times a year, fall and spring. Fall meets are perfect because its right when the weather starts to change....the leaves are changing colors and there's a little crisp in the air. Amazing. Spring meets are the beginning of summer. Right before spring break (if you're in college), the weather is starting to warm up and its a great time to wear a cute spring dress. The atmosphere is like no other.....you have to check it out!!

5. Anything UK - Being raised by UK graduates and being a UK graduate myself, I can't help but say that I bleed blue. I was raised tailgating at football games...no not the kind of tailgating that happens in college. Fall football ranks up there with fall meet at the horse track. It just makes me smile!!

What do you love about your home state? About where you grew up? Hope you're having a great week!

Still getting used to Florida!

As time goes on there are more and more things that I find odd about this state. As I mentioned in a previous post, the wildlife is ridiculous. Aside from the roadkill walking around, there are a few other things I'd like to talk about.

When I lived in KY I had a tanning package at a tanning salon and was know to get my nails done every now and then. It just made me feel better about myself. Sun Tan City was a place I could go to clear my head a get a little tan, if I needed one.Another place I would go would be the gym. I loved the gym in KY. It was never crowded when I went, offered great classes, and had a great cardio room.

Now, in FL, I can't find anything like at home. Tanning beds are outrageously priced and the salon techs have no idea what they're talking about and the gyms....they're so expensive I don't even dare walk in the front door.

I mentioned getting my nails done earlier.....in KY acrylics are also reasonably priced and you have plenty of options when it comes to finish. You can have color or french, gel or acrylic. I was always one to have acrylic overlays on top of my real nails and have them airbrushed french. I was shocked to find that every nail salon in My Neck of the Woods, Florida doesn't airbrush! Arg.

I'm still trying to get used to all these changes. What about you? Are there any differences between states that just drive you nuts? Or am I just crazy?

I need to vent....

***This is a warning.....I've had a day. And you're going to hear about it! Read at your own risk.

Ever had one of those days? You know, where nothing seems to go right, everyone gets on your nerves, and throw hormones in the mix, you have one helluva day? Well I've had a full week like that. I'm about to pull all my hair out. Today at work, mind you I wasn't supposed to be working today, people seemed to forget common courtesy and work ethic. I didn't know how to react.....I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry, I wanted to quit. I'm really tired of being treated like someones B-word! AHHHHHHHHHHH!

Ok, enough of that. I feel better now.

A few good things that have happened.....

1. J and I got to visit his uncle for a few days and he took us fishing! It was a blast. I haven't been fishing in years and I loved it. We fished a salt water river that had about 2-3 feet of water. I caught the first couple of fish.

2. J started his new job and let me just tell you, he looks like a doll in his uniforms!! I am so proud of him. He is such a hard worker and I love to hear his stories from the jail!!


3. I have started using a budget. I'm not the best at it just yet, but I'm trying. If anyone has any suggestions or tips I would greatly appreciate them. I know it sounds dorky, but I love having my budget and feeling grown-up. Ha Ha!!

Well I'm off to make some dinner. J gets home from work soon and I thought it would be nice to have something ready for him :) Have a great Friday night!!

Happy Monday!

.....this means nothing to me. My schedule is all out of whack now that I have to work weekends. It'll be Monday and I'm thinking it's Wednesday! Yikes. Anyone else have this problem?

I'm so excited this week, because I actually get two days off in a row and I don't have class! I'm so happy. Tomorrow I am headed to a little town on the Atlantic coast to go fishing with my boyfriend and his uncle! I haven't been fishing in so long, this is going to be such an adventure! I am also going to try and visit my little brother. He's flying in from TX to visit and I'm going to try and make our paths cross. I didn't get to see him for 7 months, so now I have to play catch up.

Today is also the official start of Halloween diet....you know what I mean. That time of the year when you know Halloween is only a few months away and you have to make sure you're in super good shape and lookin' good for your costume!! No? Maybe that's just me. I also do this because my birthday is right around the corner from Halloween and I want to look my best :) So the weight watchers is back. Sodas and fast food/eating out are gone-di. And running is in full effect! I ran Saturday for the first time in a while. J is getting ready for the academy and persuaded me into hitting the pavement with him. Not bad for taking a month and a half off....1 mile in 9 minutes. Stop laughing!!! That's good for me. And hopefully it'll get much much better!

So that's all for now....enjoy your week :)

I LOVE LAMP!

...wait, I mean I love pen!! I have a new find that I have to tell you all about! I have a mild obsession with office/school supplies and I'm very particular about my ink pens. I don't like anything that has too wide of a tip or too fine of a tip. I don't want anything that smudges. I had gotten used to the fact that I'm not the best speller and I'd have scribbles on my paper because of mistakes...but now I don't have to worry about that!

Introducing!!!

Pilot Frixion Erasable Gel Ink

These pens are amazing! They are a step above old erasable ink pens. This gel only requires friction to remove the ink and there is no left over residue!! The pens come in a variety of colors and sizes. My favorite size is the 0.5 mm tip. Not to thick, not to thin! Find them in your local Target or order them from www.jetpens.com! You gotta see it to believe it!

So, am I the only weirdo with an obsession for school supplies?? :)

National Chocolate Chip Day!

Look at me....two posts in one day! But I couldn't miss the opportunity to wish you a Happy National Chocolate Chip day! I'm sitting at my desk right now waiting on a batch of cookies to come out of the oven. I am instructing a class on how to make cookie baskets today at 2:30.....that's if I don't eat all the cookies first! :)

What's your favorite chocolate chip? I like the mini's the best!!

edit....I'm way off with the holiday....its actually may 15th....but my residents will never know :) just don't tell on me!

What I love about my new JOB!

1. Swimming with the residents every Saturday morning! I get the opportunity to instruct water aerobics and socialize with the residents and it is so much fun!


2. Happy Hour! Monday through Friday from 4-5 pm I have the opportunity to enjoy live music played on the grand piano, wonderful finger foods from our 5 star kitchen, and dancing with the residents! Last night was a treat, I got to learn some swing :)
3. Playing games all the time!! Last night I shot 2 under in Wii Golf. I'm signed up to learn how to play the real Majong. Phase 10 is a big hit on card night!

I get to be a kid at work and I love it! What do you love about your job? It's always nice to point out the positives. Have a great Tuesday!

I forgot what it's like....

...to have to work every day from sun up to sun down. Phew! My life for the last month has been turned upside down and thrown in a blender.....a good blender, but a blender none the less. I started my new job and feel like a big girl again. Class is finally over for the summer and I managed to finish up with A's across the board. Hopefully all my remaining semesters turn out the same!!!
Now that things have started to settle down, I'm trying to reorganize my life. I have to figure out when there is time to play (I work weekends...boo!), time to rest, time to eat, time to work out, time to spend with J, and time to blog! I miss my little outlet so bad. Its amazing how much better I feel after posting a new blog and getting to catch up on everyone else in my blog world.
I've been keeping a list in my planner of everything I want to tell you about that has happened in the last month. I'm not going to unload on you this time....I'm going to try and spread it out. It'll give me something to talk about. So, pull up a chair and lets get cozy. I'll tell you a few stories if you tell me yours!