The Good, Bad and Ugly...

I'm going to be honest, I had written a really long, whiney post about how I had all sorts of crappy luck and stupid car problems over the weekend.  I (as I often do) was focused way too much on myself.  Yeah, I had some bad luck over the weekend, but my "good, bad & ugly" was nothing compared the devastation and heartbreak those in Newton, CT felt.

Tomorrow, December 18th, will be a day of blogging silence. 

We will post the button and that's it. Please try to not post anything else that day if possible.

We are also raising money that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. The organization is called The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services. Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to: 

"Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING."

You can make a donation HERE

We can't imagine how they must be feeling, especially this close to the holidays. We would love for you to spread the word on your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Let's make a difference and use blogging in a positive way. Thank you in advance for participating.

Linking up with Kate & Kati for a GBU Monday.

GBU Monday Link Up

Happy Monday Friends!!

I'm exceptionally perky today because I wrapped up my western civilization class yesterday afternoon and was in bed by 7pm.  I know what you're thinking "7pm?! you freak!".. Stop your judging you Judgy Judy, I get up at 4am four days a week, so I'm routinely a wet blanket and go to bed stupid early.  The fact that my morning members let me play Christmas music also puts a pep in my step.

Let's get down to business shall we?

The Good:
I went to two different Christmas parties, and despite having my butt on my shoulders because I was the youngest person there by far, I ended up having a great time at both events!! Friday was the annual Post Parade Chilli Dinner that my neighbors have.  It is always an excellent time.  My neighbors, regardless of their questionable taste in College Football (Auburn graduates..tsk tsk), can always throw a kick-butt party.  My favorite part of Friday's party was spending a ton of time with our Mayor's wife (Lorraine.. she's amazing).  Lorraine recently graduated from the same program at Pfeiffer I'm currently in (It's a weirdly specialized program designed for students who work full time, so classes are all at night, and online to accommodate those of us who work full time day jobs), so whenever we get together we talk school, and kids, and education.  It's always a good time if you're into that sort of thing. 

Saturday was the Annual "Bash & Barter"  for TreesNC.  This event I was really NOT looking forward to because we've never been before and I only knew of a few people who were going to be there.  Again, I was the youngest person there by far and I was just not looking forward to going.  (I was also feeling frumpy and gross, and my hair wouldn't cooperate so there was that).  Well, The Mayor and Lorraine were there again, but this time apparently Lorraine had some tricks up her sleeve.  She very slily introduced me to a handsome young man who is a recent transplant to our fair city.  We ended up talking for most of the evening and having dinner together.  (We did exchange numbers and have plans to get together sometime this week). 

The Bad:
I was super proud of myself for making it through Thanksgiving having actually lost weight, but alas, I've gained 6lbs and we're only 10 days into December. I need to get it together, but y'all.. Girl loves a glass of wine, or a beer every now and then.. and can you really expect me to bake you 47,000 cookies and not have one three, MOM!!  But I'm officially in slim down mode until further notice..

The Ugly:
WHO WANTS TO BE IN SLIM DOWN MODE RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS?!!? 

Linking up with Kate & Kati for The Good, Bad & Ugly Original Linkup!!

You are all amazing, and I hope you have an amazing week!!!

Happy Monday!! (GBU)

Happy Monday Lovelies!!

 I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!!

(Look at me being super duper perky on a Monday Morning! Don't worry, I'm sure it won't last!)  Part of my Perkiness is due to the fact that I got decent sleep last night, even though I woke up in a panic 3 different times thinking I overslept and was late for work.  I also was settling in to do my usual 2 hours of history homework on a sunday night, and I would click to start my quiz... and it would take me back to the blackboard home page.. and then I would do it again, same thing.. so then I thought "Hmm.. Maybe I should actually read the course announcement for once?"  Yep, due to finals week our weekly quiz doesn't open until TODAY!! AT 8AM!! So I got to take a shower and go to bed stupid early!! Well I would have if SOMEONE hadn't decided to run the dishwasher thus leaving me with ice water to bathe in, so I hopped out of the shower with shampoo in my hair and lounged around in my robe till we had hot water again.. I'm classy.. what can I say?

So lets get down to business with the Original Good, Bad & Ugly!!  Linking up with Kate & Kati the creators of GBU.. Did I mention this is the Original GBU linkup? Cause it is.

The Good: Bama Won the SEC Championship!!! (Yes, I have already ordered my victory shirts.)  Did you watch it?! Y'all.. That was one of the best games I've seen in a while.  This might make me a bad Bama fan, but it's only fun to watch them shut out teams for so long.. seriously.. I prefer a nail biter every once in while!! Every week? Hell No! but games like the one on Saturday reminded me why I LOVE football so much. I watched it with my dad who is generally a pretty calm cucumber (is that a saying? did I make that up in my head?) but he would throw his hands up and say "ohh Geez!".  I however am less calm in nature and football brings out the Sailor in me (You can take the girl out of the Navy, but you can't take the Navy out of the girl).  Have y'all seen that beer (Bud Light? Coors Light?) that talks about football superstitions and that they're only weird if they don't work?  It's totally true.  During big games I always wear the same hat, one of like 4 different "lucky" shirts, I have to drink the same beer (Rolling Rock), sit in the same place on the couch.  I know.. I'm a weirdo.

While we're on the subject of the Crimson Tide, Can I just tell y'all that I'm in love?  Seriously.. I have been in love with Barrett Jones (#75) since 2009.  I've always had a thing for offensive linemen, but with Mr. Jones.. it's real.  I hard core Love Him.  Most girls fawn over AJ McCarron who is dreamy, but this girl.. I swoon over Barrett.  He's big and bad and tough, but deep down you know he's a teddy bear.  I have no idea if he's single, married, in a serious long term relationship, but I'm putting it out there... Barrett Jones, I Love You with all my heart and I want to have your Crimson Tide jersey wearing, football playing, blue eyed boy babies.  If you know me, you know how much babies scare me, but I would have Barrett Jones's babies faster than you can say LSWho?

Tell me we wouldn't have BEAUTIFUL football playing babies.

The Bad: Christmas Madness has started!! As the manager of a gym, I get the honor of setting the hours.  Specifically the hours/days we will be closed during the holidays.  So queue the next two weeks of constant whining and complaining from my members about how A: We're closed SOOO MUCH, B: You should pro-rate our memberships during months that you're closed SOOO MUCH, and C: Now is when we NEED to work out the most. D:Why can't you just work the normal schedule!?  SERIOUSLY!?
A: We're closed exactly 4 days total (not counting Sundays when we're always closed).  Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.  4 freaking days that I can guarantee you not one person would be here if I were to open up..
B: No other gyms do this, and I'm not going to either. Corporate won't let me do that.  You're paying less than $1/day.. deal with it.
C: You're right, this SHOULD be when you work out the most to combat the holiday munchies, however, You won't.  Attendance has been SO SLOW recently.  3 people in 4 hours.. not worth it.
D: I am working "Holiday Hours" the 26th-28th because our usual staff of 3 (including myself), is down to just me starting the 23rd, and there's absolutely no need for me to be here from 5:15am-7:30pm on Christmas week, when I can promise you.. Next to no one will come. Holidays are a time for family and I'm pretty sure that my members forget that I have one.. I may be single, but I do still have a family that cares about me and would like to see me.

Shheeesshhh!


The Ugly: Finals Week. Yay for the last full week of the semester!! Boo for final papers, final exams, last lectures, and Hellllllooooooooo Winter Break!!


I hope you all have a Marvelous Monday!!

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly...

Can I just tell y'all how much I Love a link party?! I'm sure that there are link parties for every day of the week, but let's be honest.. that would get boring.  Today though, I'm linking up with Kati from Incorporating Color (You should totally check out her blog, because A: her background is polk-a-dots, and B: she's funny.. but seriously, I love her blog!!)

The Good:  There was a lot of good that happened over the weekend when I stop to really think about it.  I often get bogged down with a case of the Monday's where I'm pretty sure that everything actually sucked, but I really only feel that way because it's Monday and I'm unhappy about it being Monday.  So the good.. I got a lot of sleep, We (I) got the Christmas decorations down and the Christmas tree is up!! I got my Thanksgiving menu planned and the shopping done!!  My sweet booboo kitty gave me lots of snuggles this weekend.  I had a really small group in sunday school, all  boys, and there was only minor bloodshed! I'm sorry.. That's a win in my book.

My BooBoo baby in his Christmas sweater and his Christmas moose.

The Bad: Walmart. The Sunday before Thanksgiving.  BIG MISTAKE!! Okay, lets get a little bit offensive in here.. What meats do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving? Turkey! duh!, Ham.. okay weirdo, Chicken, sure!, Turducken, whatever... BEEF TONGUE?! No thank you.  Seriously. Put that away.  Put it way back in the back.  Leave a sign out with the meat that says:

 "People who desire beef tongue for Thanksgiving, please reconsider.. after you've reconsidered, and if you decide you still want it.. ask an associate"

Seriously.. I think that I have a pretty strong stomach.. for the most part.  I also consider myself somewhat of a foodie.. but I could not handle the beef tongue.  Add that to the crushing throngs of people, and needless to say, I came home, and immediately showered to decontaminate myself, and went to bed.  I was just exhausted after that little trip.  

The Ugly: I am now about 12 hours into what I can only hope is this nasty 48 hour bug that's been going around... I have like 12 layers on, I'm freezing, I have a low fever (My normal healthy body temp is between 96-97 so when it goes up to 99.. I'm pretty sure I'm dying), I'm nauseous but I've only tossed my cookies once.  So this is not only ugly... it's pretty disgusting.  I don't feel fit to be around people, yet I was at work at 5:30 this morning because I'm the manager and we only have a 3 person staff (including myself).  As soon as I leave work I'm off to the doctor, because my dear friend Jerrica is pretty convinced that every time I get sick I get some rare infection that only 12 other people in the world have ever had.. That is not true by the way.  Work. Doctor. Home.  That's my Monday.

On the bright side though, It's after 9am, and I'm only here till Noon!!