Excitement is in the Air!

• Hubs and I are officially registered for The Ranch Ride!  34 miles cycling on a hot June day...here we come! 
• I found tanning for $10 a month unlimited!!!!  It's at the place where last year I was paying $30 a month - so this is super!  I just happened to luck out and they were running a special - I had to sign a 6 month contract, but I figure even if we do move before then, I still go to school in our current city and it's only like a 20 minute drive from where we'll be moving one day.
• We had TWO house showings yesterday evening!!!  Who knows what will become of those, but a girl can hope!  I think I'm gonna try to talk hubs into doing a little bit of yard work this month sometime.  Don't worry, I'll be out there helping him.  :)  Since things are turning green again around here, it's time!
• I'm off work tomorrow (because I have to work Saturday).  I have plans of getting my hair cut, tanning, running OUTSIDE, and studying for my midterm that's next week!

TGIF

Thank goodness this week is over!

I've worked from home two days (which I hate).
I've worked a 50 hour week.
I've been getting home at 6pm, instead of 4:30pm (which it's dark before 6).
I've been getting to work at 6:30am instead of 7am.

And you know what, it's all okay!  Why?

Because I've got a 3 day weekend!  We're off for MLK, Jr Day!

The hubs isn't off on Monday, so it's gonna be a ME day.  I'm kinda excited ;)

Ya'll have a great weekend and be safe!

The Small Things

Today is going to be a great day because of the small things.  Like....

• Finding my textbook on Amazon Prime for WAY cheaper than the bookstore, plus 2 day free shipping, plus the book is new instead of used!  For those who don't know, Amazon Prime has a little bit lower prices than Amazon and has free shipping (sometimes 2 day) for most items.  Most people have to pay a yearly fee for Amazon Prime, but it's free to students.  Just tie your school email address to your Amazon account and wah-la!  You're Welcome! ha!
• The other day a coworker had nachos from Cactus Jack's in the office and they smelled wonderful.  Well, today a coworker and I are going to eat there for lunch!  I rarely eat out for lunch!
• Today is payday!  That's always a good thing! ha!
• The last book in The Hunger Games series should be on my doorstep sometime today!
• And, the hubs and I might go watch a movie tonight!!!  We never ever go see movies in the theatre!

Happy Friday, Friends!  Enjoy the small things!

Smiling Is My Favorite!

Ya'll, I had a great weekend.  Friday and Saturday we were at my MIL's doing our Christmas exchange.  We had a nice time - I love spending time with family, it's the perfect weekend for me. 

Then after coming home Saturday, hubs went back out into the deer woods.  So, I had a very lazy day Saturday!  I spent all day reading my new book (Oprah:  A Biography by Kitty Kelley) and watching movies on tv.  It was so relaxing and peaceful.  I even brought the dogs inside since it was kind of cold and they fell right asleep!  (Don't feel bad for them, they go straight into their crates on their own and munch on peanut butter in their kongs.  Then, they just chew on bones and sleep! If they weren't crazy outside dogs, then I'd let them out to lay around the house.)

Then Sunday, I went grocery shopping and shopped for a gift or two.  Then spent the rest of the day doing a couple of loads of laundry, reading, wrapping presents, and watching fun movies on tv.

I love this time of year and can't wait for the rest of the week and weekend! 

Back To Our Regular Scheduled Program...

I know I've been kind of hit and miss for the last few weeks, but we all know that's due to the crazyness of grad school and working full time (and life).  Well peeps, this semester is officially over!  I should get my grades sometime next week!

What does this mean?!  Until January 19th, I'll get to do some of the following:

• Read books for fun.
• Watch tv and movies.
• WORKOUT!!!!
• Hang out with my hubs and family and not think "I really need to be studying/doing homework."
• Not stress out over school.
• Do whatever I want and just enjoy a stress free time!

Also, I'd like to mention that I've done something I consider smart....  I'm only taking one class next semester instead of two, because I need a break from the crazyness and I've heard that Organizational Behavior is HARD and time consuming! 

So, all of this to say... Thanks for sticking around - I'll be back to my normal self starting NOW!  Have a wonderful weekend!  I'm leaving work early today!

Oh, and PS... My awesome coworker made me homemade brownies as a congrats on finishing the semester!  Be jealous :)

Soooooo Ready!

The countdown is officially on!  I have tomorrow off to study for my LAST final of the semester.  Tomorrow night, I'll take that final and then do a little dance out the door!  LOL  I'm so excited and ready! 

Ya'll on a little side note... I have some awesome co-workers.  Well, mostly.  :)  Sometimes they bring me Starbucks, sometimes they leave candy on my desk, etc... Well, one told me she will be baking homemade brownies for me and bringing them in on Friday to celebrate my end of the semester!  She even went as far as to ask me what I wanted in them.  That just makes me feel so special!

After tomorrow, we'll be busy, busy, busy with all of the Christmas season rush, but I seriously could care less because I will be so happy! 

Remember the reason for the season!  Merry CHRISTmas!  (I'll be back on here before then...)

Sigh of Relief

I woke up this morning and felt like a new person.  I feel like it's some BIG accomplishment that I've made it to Friday.  Why?  I guess because things feel so overwhelming right now.  However, today I feel like I haven't a care in the world.  Although, if we're being honest here, I know that tomorrow will be a different story! ha!  I have to work tomorrow - we have a Saturday rotation once every quarter.  Somehow, I lucked out and had a rotation twice this quarter.  But, that's neither here nor there...

My paper has been turned in.  My presentation has been completed and presented.  My homework for one class completed.  What's next on the agenda?  Homework in Econ and 2 finals next week.  Then, it's Christmas break!

On a side note, it's been pointed out to me a few times that I stress out over school related things so easily.  Well, in my defense...  I have a 2.68 GPA for undergrad.  Seriously, I just wanted out and I didn't care so much about my GPA.  Heck, I was just glad that I was getting a degree after 5 years!  So, when I made the decision to go after my MBA, I decided that I was actually going to try in grad school.  That way, I could proudly display my GPA on my resume.  I know, most employers don't really care about that stuff, but it matters to me.  Anyhow.  So, yes, I freak out now over school.  I want to maintain a 4.0 and let me just say that it is hard work to maintain high grades and work a full time job.  Almost every single day I am working on some type of homework during my lunch break.  Seriously.  I've learned to use every single bit of spare time that I have to do homework so that I wont have to do it at home.  Instead, I can spend most of my home time with my husband.  (I say "most" because I've been doing a lot of homework at home here lately...)

So, anyways, all of that to say, today feels awesome.  I know that tomorrow will be a different story, but I'm taking advantage of today AND now ya'll know why I freak out so much :)

Doing A Happy Dance!

I received my homework back in Econ last night; I made a 100%!  YAY!

I also received my midterm exam back in Econ last night, too.  I made a 91%!  YAY!

Which means..... I still have an A!!!

Now, let's hope I can say the same after my other midterm on Thursday in Operations Mgmt!

Ya'll, I seriously did a happy dance last night!  I was SO scared!  All of that studying paid off though! 

Test Results & Lattes

As you all may remember, I had my first round of blood work done on the 24th of last month to determine if I'm ovulating on my own or not.  Well, I am!  This is huge news and I'm so very happy to know that my body is at least doing that!  Now, I was suppose to get my 2nd round of blood work done this past Saturday, but due to an already full plate, I've postponed that test till next month.

Another important test of a different kind is tonight.... I have a midterm in Economics tonight.  I have studied my bottom off all weekend for this test.  I studied the majority of the day Saturday and then again on Sunday.  I'm also working a half day today and studying the rest of the day up until the test.  To say that I'm nervous is an understatement, but I'm trying my best not to worry.  I know God doesn't want us to worry, He wants us to hand over everything to Him and pray.  So, I've been studying and praying and trying my best not to worry.  So, please pray with me that I make an A on this test!  :)

And last but not least... I've been trying to find an alternative to buying lattes at McDonald's.  I only buy 1 per week, but I still feel bad spending $3 on a latte.  Well, I've looked at complicated machines and still haven't found one that I feel comfortable buying.  But, while at the grocery store Sunday morning, I found something that seems to be doing the trick so far this morning...

These little gems!  You can make yours iced or hot and they come in different flavors!  My store only had French Vanilla, but I'm really liking that flavor this morning!  The best part is that they were $1.98 for 5 packets!  So, I'm enjoying my homemade latte this morning!  It's not just like McD's or Starbucks, but for the price and taste - it's close enough for me!

Great News!!

I was accepted into the MBA Program at my alma mater! This means, that on January 4th, I will be a graduate student! I've decided that this first semester I'm only going to take 1 graduate class and see how it goes before signing up for 2 per semester. I'm very excited and also very nervous. I graduated with my Bachelors almost 6 years ago!!! I registered for my class on Friday and I got the professor that I strongly disliked...but he was my only choice. Boo! This man was also my undergrad advisor and I switched advisors - that's how much I dislike him! So, to say this first semester will be interesting is an understatement!

Anyways, I'll be in class each Monday night from 6-9pm! 9pm is late for me - I'm usually in bed by 8:30 because of my schedule. But, I'm not worried - I know I can handle it! Yay!

Back to normal news... I had a nice 3 day weekend and I only work 4 days again this week! Hooray! Also, I'm thinking of taking either a F.I.T. or Spin class tonight - I haven't made up my mind yet. I haven't ever tried FIT before though and I'm kinda wanting to try something new. Oh who knows?!

Hope everyone has a great Monday - if that's possible!

My Husband Bought Me A....

Garmin Forerunner 305!!! Yep, you read that right! Let me tell ya about the surprise...

As ya'll know, I have a NikePlus and recently asked hubs if I could borrow is Garmin 305 for the upcoming 5k...

Well, he knew that I secretly wanted one, but wouldn't admit to it. My NikePlus works great and I saw no need in spending $180 on myself a new watch, when mine worked just fine. Besides, I could just borrow his - is what I kept telling myself...

Well, he sent me a text this afternoon letting me know that they were having a problem at work and wouldn't be home till later than usual. Nothing new, this happens a lot and to be honest, I was napping on the couch... Well, later on, I sent him a text asking if I should go ahead and eat dinner. He said yes. So, I ate dinner and watched a little tv.

He came home right around 7pm and pulled the Garmin out from behind his back! I flipped out!! LOL He said he left work at 4:45ish and went to our Best Buy. They didn't have the watch. So, he drove to the Shackelford Best Buy ( a good 40 min drive ) and they didn't have the 305, but had the 405. He knew I'd pitch a fit if he bought the 405 since it's so expensive. So, he had the store call the Benton Best Buy ( another 25 - 30 min drive ) and they had one left. He had them set it back and then he drove to Benton! How sweet is that?!

I can't tell you how excited and happy I am! I have the best husband! He knew I secretly wanted it, but wouldn't spend the money - so he bought it for me as a surprise!!!! Awww!!

Don't worry, it's charging up right now for tomorrow's run! And the name? It's name is Happy. Because that's what I am!!

Say Hello To The Beast

Well, we did it! We found our deal! We purchased a 2009 Chevy Tahoe Saturday!!! Yippie! I've already nicknamed it "The Beast." It's just so dang huge! I'm doing really awesome (so far) driving it. I sit up higher than most vehicles - actually I've not met anyone that sits as high as me so far!

It's a really great vehicle. It seats 7 people comfortably, is all leather, has wood grain, my XM radio, OnStar, all the options except the Navigation Center and heated seats. It was a really great deal. It was meant for us, definitely. I love it (actually we both do).

I've already been to crazy Wal-Mart and I can park there and manage to back out of the parking spot (big thing for me). It has a rear backup sensor beeping thing - we've already tried it out to make sure it works! Also, another great feature - it has a button to move the petals closer to me! Yay!

Anyways, I could go on and on about the great features... But, I feel like I'm bragging or something and nobody likes a bragger anyways. :O) And also, let's all hope and pray that GM doesn't send me a "wear & tear" bill. It's crazy, but a GM rep had to go and check out my G6 and note any "excess wear & tear" and I'll get a crazy bill in the mail. Let's hope that doesn't happen. The dealership said my car was in great shape and had been kept up very well - so let's hope the GM rep thinks so too.

The Verdict Is In...

I talked to yet another lovely GMAC rep yesterday afternoon and was told (in a very sweet, annoying voice) that I could turn in my vehicle whenever I like and pay around $4,500 (that's including over mileage fees) plus wear & tear charges. Part of me is happy - the other part of me is ticked off.

The happy part says "Great, we can finally get out of this car and be done with the whole situation." The ticked off part says "Seriously? It's gonna cost me THAT much and I have nothing to show for it?" I'm not sure which part is winning the fight right now.

It all boils down to that I've missed the "date" by 3 days. Good thing is "the dealership" says they can possibly get around that, which would be great but I don't want to deal with them! I have major issues with that dealership, but I was told by GMAC that this dealership is the only one that can "get around" that contract date since it's where I bought my car. I don't like that dealership though. Plus, they don't sell Tahoes, they sell Yukons. The hubs would rather have the Yukon (bigger is better, yada yada), but I'm gonna be the one driving this boat to work... I've decided that as long as I can go forward and not have to go into reverse...I'll be fine - HA! Anyways, another issue is the change in payments. We can afford either vehicle, but I'd rather not have that high of a payment. Ugh.

Now, some might be wondering why in the world are we getting such a gas guzzler when we have no direct need for something so huge... The theory is... we can haul around family easier (such as his fam and mine) and that one day we will have kids (hopefully in the next two years or so) - and their car seats will be much easier to fit into a SUV than a car.... Because, let's face it. If you think I'm gonna haul a kid in and out of a car seat ...in a car.. ha, you're mistaken. I've tried that before (with other ppl's children) and it just isn't happenin'. Anywho, it's also a lot easier for hubs to get into/out of a SUV than my low to the ground car. I have to admit, at times its hard for me not to fall out of it! And plus, driving back and forth everyday, I almost get into wrecks quite often. It scares the bee-gee-bus out of me when this happens - as my car is little and not very "safe." I want something I'll feel protected in. Something bigger and not low to the ground. I want to sit up high and run cars over if need be (I'm kidding, I think.).

Anyways, to cut it short (yeah right), we'll be looking at vehicles this weekend. I'm really hoping that we can find an awesome deal. There are some great incentives/rebates going on right now (ending Feb 2nd) and we also get the supplier discount - so maybe we'll luck out. :o)