becks

a year of survival

2012-01-12T16:02:00.000-08:00

as i type, my momma and daddy are eating a yummy dinner and dessert celebrating a year of survival. i'm pretty sure everyone knows that a year ago today, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. im pretty sure ill never forget that day. i was on a break at work. i walked outside the store and sat on the corner of a planter. the word cancer came in that phone call. i'm really not sure what happened the rest of the day at work. i was pretty numb. cancer. cancer is something that happened to my grandpa, friends grandparents, old people, not MY dad. i do remember my friends K and M calling and telling me to come over to their house after work. there was no way they were going to let me be alone. so i went. we watched a fun movie. cloudy with a chance of meatballs if i remember right. i'm pretty sure i cried through the whole thing. there was popcorn and candy. and hugs. lots of them. i am blessed by my friends.

in the week that followed, we found out all the crappy details. stage four colon cancer, with metastatic liver tumors. immediate surgery was scheduled...one pretty scared daughter jumped on a red-eye home just in time for surgery. day after surgery, in walked dr chemo into our lives. she sat in dad's hospital room and told us we had six more months as a family. i have never more wanted to punch someone in the face. and trust me, i've wanted to punch a few people before. i wish i could tell you i handled this news well. i wish i could tell you i simply trusted that God had this all under control. I wish i could tell you i didn't have a pretty big freak out. but i was pretty much a disaster.

the next day was better. scans had been reviewed, all the doctors had a little chat...they believed they could fight it, they believed we had a shot. amazing what a little hope can do for you. you entire outlook on life can change. the fight was on. little did dr chemo and the other dr's realize who we had in our corner. little did the drs and the cancer know how many people literally ALL over the world do we have praying.

january flew by... february brought chemo...march brought more chemo and another trip home for me (and another red eye--i'm learning i'm too old for these flights..)...we decided to have a birthday party for dad. just in case. i really hate that "just in case". still do. april, may... more chemo... june brought good news and more surgery. good new-- tumors in liver had shrunk with chemo and they could be removed. So another red eye and off I went. I was very blessed to be able to take 3 weeks off work to go hang out with my fam. This time around we were in the fancy new tower at FL Hospital O-town... free internet but still not so good food. hospitals should really work on that... one of the days we were sitting watching dad sleep, the pathology reports on the liver tumors arrived. They were dead. dead, dead, dead. as in not alive anymore. the chemo worked. or should i say, God did.

just when things seemed like maybe they were going to be ok. i got a phone call. my gramma. i just gotten home being at the hospital all day. i sat down on the couch to zone out in front of some tv. and my cell phone rang. i knew what was about to be said. i had been ignoring it all day. but now it was in my face. stage 4 ovarian cancer. surgery was scheduled for 2 days later. could this really be happening to us? the next six weeks became a blur. multiple visits to the hospital and nursing homes to see gramma. emergency phone calls to get to gramma quick. then a few days of peace, when gramma got to come home and all her kids got to spend some time with her. Dad was given permission to fly out. So I got a few extra days with my whole fam.

Then one saturday morning, i was at work again, prepping for a big event and I got the call. gotta come now. need to say goodbye. not even sure how i got to that hospital. praying to God the whole way I would get hug my gramma one last time. My gramma went to be with Jesus just after midnight. Cancer had won. Or, as I choose to see it. God was ready to hang out with Gramma. A funeral brought a few more days of hanging out with my parents. Cancer has sucked royally, but I have gotten to see my family a ton this year.

november arrived and so did another trip home.. another red eye... by now i have confirmed that i am too old for that flight... due to my crazy job as a retail manager.. we decided to have an early thanksgiving. it was a great day. football, lots of food, and the best part, hangin with my fam.

just when i thought cancer had reared its ugly head too much this year, I got one more phone call. oddly enough i was at work...trying really hard not to blame all this crappy cancer on lotion kingdom... a friend, and one of my bosses, who is entirely too young, called to tell me she was just diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. well then. i'm pretty sure God should have had a case of kleenex delivered to my house on New Year's Day last year. I could have saved a few bucks over this year! My friend has started her fight. I am blessed knowing she has Jesus in her corner too. Even while i've been sitting here typing this very long blog post, God has provided a super awesome miracle in her fight. just yesterday morning, my friend wasn't scheduled for surgery until then end of the month, then yesterday afternoon it got moved up a bit, then just an hour ago, it was scheduled for tomorrow. God cut through all the red tape. God will be in that operating room tomorrow, and God knows the outcome of her cancer.

so...what does all this mean? what have i learned this year? where do we go from here? i wish i could tell you i'm no longer scared. i wish i could tell you cancer isn't an issue anymore. i wish i could tell you it doesn't hurt when i think of my gramma. but what i can tell you, God is faithful even when I am not. God knows what tomorrow holds when i do not. God gives you what you need to get through what He brings you to. I wish i could tell you I'm no longer scared that my dad could die of cancer. but i am. pretty scared everyday. but what i can tell you is God has it all figured out. I daily must rely on God's plan. just this past sunday, the guest speaker at church said something that smacked me right in the face. those things i see as obstacles are actually opportunities for God. wow. what if we all lived everyday with that in mind? what if when we are running late, get a flat tire, lose a job, lose a love or someone gets cancer, is all an opportunity for God to work? may God help me live that everyday.

one final note. i want to say thanks. thank you to each and every person who has stood up to help out me and my family this year. thank you for everyone who has said a prayer or a hundred prayers. thank you to God for the extra six months those doctors said we would never have. and thanks to my dad. for fighting when it would have been much easier to give up. and thanks to my mom, for taking care of everything with dad and all of us kids. thank you to my friends who have let me cry like a crazy person and been my support when i am so far from home.

of all things i have learned, it is this. I am blessed <3

A Thankful November...Days 1 thru 9!

2011-11-09T15:49:00.000-08:00

1st: Today I'm thankful for fall leaves, scarfs and cozy jackets. Beautiful sunsets

2nd: Today I'm thankful that even though the silly drive thru girl asked me if I wanted regular or decaf, I got a yummy cup of coffee and something to laugh about the rest of the day.

3rd: Today I'm thankful for my roomie and his dad, who when I melted down in tears, fixed the small problems for me, and knew the tears were about much more and loved me right on through it. They were an encouragement and got me through the rest of the somewhat crazy day.

4th: Today I'm thankful for good friends. New and old. I'm thankful for the beyond sweet words Erin had to say to me tonight. I'm also thankful for fun girl times.. mani's, pedi's, lunch and getting all dressed up!

5th: Today I'm thankful for my dear dear friend Cas. Without her, I would have had a pretty crappy last 2 years of high school. And well, the last 10 years would have been far less fun as well! She is the most caring and thoughtful friend. Never forgets a birthday or special date. Always on top of sending cards, encouraging notes or texts that just plain make the day all better. Happy Birthday my friend!
Today I am also thankful for marriage. Today my two dear friends, E and J, got married!!!! eeeeeee!!!!!!!!!! it was a beautiful day full of love, hope and fulfilled promises.

6th: Today I am thankful for Mike and Kel and Sara who saved the day when my car decided to be dumb. Thanks Kel, for letting me borrow your hubby to do the boy things I can't do and don't have a boy to do for me. Silly radiators!!!!! I'm also thankful for cozy early nights, falling asleep on the couch after a long, fun weekend!

7th: today I'm thankful for sleeping in, dr. pepper and making my sales plan at work.

8th: today i'm thankful that the doctor was wrong and that God is bigger than any cancer diagnosis.

9th: WOW what a day today!!!! first, today I'm thankful for my little brother. Happy Happy 24th Aaron!!! From tea parties with dr pepper and cheeze its, to living through the roller coaster of death, i love you to pieces!
today I did my shopping for operation christmas child. i am thankful that i have the means to do this every year. its one of my favorite things!
today i'm thankful that daddy got the all clear to start chemo again. never in a zillion years did i think i would ever be thankful for that. but today i am. now chemo can get finished and we can get back to the business of beating this crappy cancer and getting daddy better.

5 months is a long time...

2011-08-06T23:28:00.000-07:00

so, i haven't blogged in a long time..

i haven't forgotten...i've just not really sure what to say.

tonight i read a new post from a friend who hasn't blogged in a while either.. i was so excited to read her again that when I commented to her saying I've missed her blog, i remembered i haven't blogged a long time too.. then i thought, "yea, but your life is crazy, no one wants to hear about all that" then I was reminded, "yea, your life is crazy, and yet you've gotten through it one day at a time and oh yea, you have a LOT to be thankful for".

so, instead of complaining about my crazy life, here is what I am thankful for in the last 5 months. top 10, in no particular order...

1. Airplanes--I've flown home 3 times this year, and my family has flown here once. much better than that 3 day drive!
2. My Job-they have let me have some major time off this year to go home and be with my fam.
3. My Daddy's doctors--after two successful surgeries and 5 (so far) rounds of chemo, i'm thankful God made people like them to do what they do.
4. The prayers of friend and family and people I don't even know, praying for my family. They have been faithful to pray and support us.
5. My friends who have never once made me feel like my life is too crazy for them to be around me to support. They have let me cry, be angry, emotionally eat, keep me distracted and just sit with me when everything has been too much. They send encouraging emails, texts and phone calls consistently checking in and keeping me going. I am one blessed girl.
6. All the people who donated to my mom/brother and friends who walked in the Relay for Life this year. You rock.
7.Dr. Pepper. ok, i know so not important. but trust me when i say, it has helped :)
8. My Dad-- He didn't have to fight this crazy disease and go through all the crappy chemo and surgeries-- but he did. And I know he did it for us. I'm sure I don't tell him enough. So Dad- thank you. Thanks for fighting for one more day with us. Thanks for keeping an amazing attitude through this whole thing and keeping us all going. You truly are my hero. I only hope to be half the person you are. Oh and next time you want me to come home more often, don't draw the short straw!
9. My Mom-wow, what can I say? My momma is one tough cookie. I'm glad I am like her. She has pushed through every single crazy day this year and fought to keep going and keep us all going right along with her. While some people would have let everything crumble right around them in the midst of a lot of crazy, my Momma has held it all together beautifully. She has been an amazing nurse for Daddy and kept me from going crazy. She continues to take care of my brothers, the house and even the darn cats, and no one is taking care of her. She is also my hero. I think I got pretty darn blessed by the parents God gave me!
10. I'm thankful for a God who is faithful even when I am not. When I am angry, upset and I just don't understand, He loves me continually and reminds me He has got this all under control. When I want to give up, He is right there to keep me going. When my entire world has shattered into a zillion pieces and I don't have a clue which way is up, He holds me all together. He gives me the faith I need to take the next step, gives me peace and encouragement exactly when its needed. When I think I'm at my limit, one more thing happens and yet God reminds me He is still God and still in control. I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I do know who holds tomorrow and me in it. I am thankful.

Missing RAT

2011-03-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

Last year on this day, I jumped in my car and drove out to see my Grandpa for his birthday.

He had no idea I was coming to spend the day with him. I wanted him to be surprised. I think some how I knew that it would be his last birthday with us.

So I got to his house an I called Grandpa to tell him happy birthday and chat for a bit. I asked him if his present from me had arrived. He said "no" and I said, "are you sure?" He again said no it hadn't. So I said, well "why don't you check the back porch?" He proceeded to give me a hard time about why on earth would his present be on the back porch and I just told him to stop being stubborn and GO LOOK! So finally he came to the back porch and there I stood with chocolate in hand and a hug for my Grandpa. He was quite surprised and I'm sure he even cried a bit. :)

We had a great day together, a dinner with him, grandma and a few of their friends of pizza and hours of talking about days gone by.

This year, I'm missing my Grandpa so much it hurts. I'll end this with a note to my much loved grandpa. If your grandpa is still with us today. go call him and tell him how much you love him. xo

Dear Gpa-
Its your birthday and I know we are all missing you beyond words. I miss your laugh, your smile, your hugs. I even miss how stubborn you were. Anytime I see anything Notre Dame, your face comes to mind. Anytime I have a really great dessert, I think about how much you would have liked it too. I miss our talks, I miss you asking about the price of gas or how my car is running. I miss talking about football or movies on tv or an documentary you had just watched. So much has happened in the last eight months. Every time I go see Gma, I sit in your chair hoping you won't feel so far away. I hold on to the hope that I will see you again someday. Unitl that day, you will be missed terribly. love you forever.

must get to baking...

2011-02-17T00:34:00.001-08:00

i found this recipe tonight.

gimme!!!

ohmygoodness!

#6

2011-02-13T14:30:00.001-08:00

I'm sure just about any one who reads this has seen the movie "The Bucket List". I love this movie. A great story of two unlikely friends who complete a list of "to do's" before they kick the bucket.

Not long after this movie came out, Facebook made a "Bucket List" app and you could create your own bucket list. So I did. Its not super long. Nothing too daring to most people's standards.

One of my "goals" this year is to cross a thing or two off my bucket list. Maybe its due to looking a life a little different light due to my Dad's illness, or maybe its due to wanting a bit more adventure in my life, whatever it is exactly, I've decided to work on my little list.

So a few weeks ago, I was sitting at lunch with my friends after church and the topic of a snowboarding weekend came up. We tentatively planned something, and I wasn't sure it would really happen so I didn't put much thought into it.

Then my Dad got sick and I went home for a week and really didn't think about it again.

Well, last week, I got an email from my friends giving all the details of our snowboarding day. I actually had the day off work (rare!) and my girlfriends had enough extra gear for me to borrow to go. My friend J was able to score me a great coupon for a rental, lift ticket and lesson.

How could I not go? And more than that, Snowboarding is #6 on my bucket list.

So, off I went. Thinking the whole drive, "are you crazy? your the least athletic person you know! You went to FASHION school for goodness sake. You like to SHOP not snowboard! Don't you know how COLD snow is!!"

So after telling myself to just shut up and give it a go.. off I went!

After a super frustrating lesson, I was ready to give up. But my awesome best friend, K, said not a chance and her and her hubby, M, got me down the mountain three more times and it was amazing.

So I went, I saw and I (sorta) conquered. And more than that, I did something I never thought I would do. I'm proud of myself for jumping out of my box and crossing #6 off my list!

and p.s. today, I've never been more sore in my life. :)

sunday evening notes...

2011-01-16T21:51:00.000-08:00

It's very interesting how one word can change everything.

It's crazy how last week I was irritated over the cost of an extra shot of espresso at starbucks, and this week, I would pay $100, shoot even a million, for that same shot if only this one word would go away.

One word, changes your entire life, your entire outlook, your entire thought processes. Your wants, your desires, your dreams. Things that were once important are now just a frivolous waste of time. Things that you once thought to be a given are just a hope and not a guarantee.

tonight i sit here, trying to act like i care about the dresses at the golden globes.. something I normally love. I've been texting my dear friend about the dresses, our mutual love of all thing Couture, and yet, my heart is just not in it.. i could care less about these masses of tulle and silk and sparkles..

this week life has forever been changed.

faith has become the only thing of importance.

May God give me the faith to move mountains.

i hate cancer.

2011-01-15T23:54:00.000-08:00

Today is a sad day.

You see, today, Mr. Noel, our adopted Grandpa lost his battle to cancer.

My heart is broken for his beautiful wife Miss Sue.

Noel and Sue married when Miss Sue was just 17 years old. They were married 66 years.

I am forever blessed by an "extra" grandpa in my life. <3

Another one bites the dust...

2010-12-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

Well 2010... its time for you to go. Sorry to say, but I am not going to miss you. I mean you weren't all terrible, but you weren't all so fabulous either. We had some good times and some really not so good times...

I checked back on my two resolutions for 2010.

They were: Graduate and get a kick butt job.

Well one out of two ain't too bad... :)

I don't really have any resolutions for 2011....

I think my goal is to just cross something else off my bucket list, maybe even two things if I try hard!

The two things that come to mind first are to go snowboarding.. and to make a wedding dress. Both very obtainable goals... both very challenging. But hey, I'm always up for a challenge!

So goodbye 2010. Happy New Year everyone! <3

'twas the night before the night before christmas....

2010-12-23T22:35:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

I'm missing home tonight.. I'm missing being so excited for Christmas day that I couldn't stand it!
I miss fort building... Dad climbing on the roof to shake the jingle bells to make little children think Santa had arrived... I miss laying in bed hearing Mom and Dad stuffing the stockings and laughing together..

I miss family reading of Luke 2, coffee and a big breakfast, opening presents one person at a time, I miss teasing the cat with all the ribbons and balls of wrapping paper. I miss hours of new movies, and watching the Lakers...I miss Honey Baked Ham Christmas dinner..

Most of all, missing the five people on the planet I love most.

Not to be all sad and depressing... I am grateful I get to see my Grandma's on Christmas. Not everyone will and for many years, we didn't get to either. I am grateful I will be able to be with Gma on her first christmas with out Gpa. I just looked a a picture from last christmas of the three of us. Oh how I miss my Santa Claus so, but am blessed that I will someday see him again.

I read a quote today and now I will share with you...

"Jesus was God ‘Spelling Himself out” in Language we could all understand."

and another..

"and i, celebrate the day that You were born to die, so i could one day pray for You to save my life"

So to all of you, I pray your Christmas is blessed, you hold the ones you love close and you truly remember the Man we celebrate this day.

rainy night in so cal

2010-12-05T23:15:00.000-08:00

hello bloggy friends :)

its a fabulously rainy night in so cal! i love nights going to sleep with the rain! even had a pop of thunder! could use a few extra of those!!

here's a little sum up the week list!

1. I read a book. I have a love/hate relationship with books. I love love love to read. I hate when I finish the book, cuz well, I its over, and now I don't have anything else to read. I can't put books down. I have a really hard time. I lose sleep when I read books. This book took me a whole four days. That is an eternity for me when it comes to book reading. At least this a book in a series, so now I need to find the next one.

2. Lotion Kingdom is selling lotion faster than I can put it on the shelves... its a never ending battle of barely getting the box on the shelf before I need to put another box up...

3. My parents are the best in the whole wide world. Just sayin... They got me a ticket home for a week in January. I'm beyond excited!!! Counting the days! Sweet tea.....bbq....a Daddy's milkshake... and hanging out with my fam!!!!!!!!!!

4. UGA is playing UCF in a bowl game on 12-31. Bring it on Knights. :)

5. My friend wants me to hurry up and get married so we can have babies together :) hahha. i love it. now what she doesn't know is she's got to find me a hubby! :) friend, you remain nameless, but you know who you are :)

6. 20 days till christmas! who's ready?!? I'm so not. lol

7. i'm working on a little wedding blog... more to come :)

goodnight moon :)

time for a list

2010-11-20T23:25:00.000-08:00

I'm getting pretty bad at blogging these days... so maybe a little list action....

1. I'm all moved into my new home. I'm loving it! A beautiful house with hardwood floors, a ice maker, laundry in the garage, and a great roommate. I'm blessed.

2. I've been sorta promoted at Lotion Kingdom... I've been sent to a new store to help get it in shape.. its proving to be more challenging than I was expecting... not thrilled with the move, but trying to make the best of it... Black Friday is quickly approaching and a goal of $100,000 has been set. That's a lot of lotion my friends...

3. Turkey day is coming... sad to say, really not looking forward to it.. bummer... missin home way too much....

4. Was reminded of an old friend today... I miss this old friend... I wish I could find him... but even with the help of facebook, I can't.. seems to have disappeared forever. This is sad.. I hope he is well, wherever he is.

5. My parents just took a super fast vacation to NYC... the pictures are amazing... Wanting to run away to the Big Apple!

6. Can someone really run away more than once in their life?

7. I hope there is stuffing at my Aunt's house... i'm really looking forward to stuffing :)

8. I feel like this post is kinda a bummer... that wasn't my intent...

9. Browsed through Vera Wang's Spring 2011 line... oh my goodness! Stunning.. I want to go try them all on! :)

10. Have decided I am going to make a wedding dress.. Don't know how I'll do it, or what its going to look like, or how long it will take, but i'm going to do it. I'll keep you updated on the process.

11. i'm all warm and cozy in my bed, so now i must sleep.... happy sunday!

excited...

2010-11-07T20:47:00.000-08:00

sooooooooo long story short.. I'm moving.. I could give you all the crappy details of the why, but I'll only make myself more upset. My roommate moved home and I didn't find anyone to move in here. I have a friend who needs a roomie, so off I go!

But let me just tell you what I am excited about! No more slamming doors!!!! :) I am moving into a house, where there aren't downstairs or next apt over neighbors who feel it necessary to slam the door every time they go in or out! woooooo hooooo!

i'm also excited for a automatic ice maker and a washer and dryer on site that doesn't require quarters.

its the little things sometimes :)

Tagged...

2010-11-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

There is a bit of tagging going on... Lori over at Tree Climbing Adventures tagged me, so here I go! She submitted 8 questions I must answer and then I have to create 8 new questions and tag 8 people to answer them.

1. Football or basketball? Is this a trick question?? College Football of course :)

2. Chocolate or potato chips? Potato Chips for sure. I'll pick salt over sugar any day! I get this from my momma :)

3. What book are you reading right now? Ugh not a one.. how sad is that!

4. Are you still in touch with you childhood best friend? Not as often as I'd like to be....

5. Did you cry harder in "Up" or "Toy Story 3"? (If you saw both but didn't cry in either... do you have working tear ducts?) I haven't seen either. As soon as they make it to netflix, I'll let you know!

6. What did you eat for dinner last night? chicken fajitas

7. Favorite book you read as a child. I loved so many books!! I couldn't pick just one!

8. Do you paint your toes? If so, what color are they right now? Normally yes... currently they are not painted and need to be! I think I'll go with a dark purple this time..

Ok! Your turn!!

Cas at Writing Waves Happy Birthday!
Andrea at Werners A New Mommy!!
Nellie at Us! A 3rd Time Mommy :)
Kate at What Katie Does Time for you to blog again!!

Your questions are....

1. Favorite Ice Cream flavor?
2. What are your favorite pair of shoes you own?
3. Do you watch sports?
4. Where did you get your wedding dress?
5. All time favorite "girl" movie?
6. Coffee or Tea?
7. What was your first pet and their name?
8. Dream vacation spot?

Patience..

2010-10-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

Patience..

Not something I am very good at.... I hate waiting... I like to be doing. I don't like sitting around.

I'm in a big giant state of waiting right now. Waiting to figure out who to live with next... waiting for that right job... waiting for a phone call that just may never come...

AGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! ok thanks need to get that out :)

So here I sit, and wait...and wait... and wait...

Game Day!

2010-09-04T09:06:00.001-07:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!

College football is a bit different on this coast... you see, i'd have to get up at 6 am to watch Game Day... yea, that's not happening.. But I did set my alarm this morning so I could see Kirk and Chris and Lee make their picks...

The first games of the day start at 9am around here.. I am quite ok with football as soon as you wake up, its just a change from the east coast... there you have a few hours in the am to get things done before you are glued to the couch for the rest of the day :) Its just odd to start football games out with coffee and not a Dr. Pepper!

And this year, and for the rest of the years to come, College Football will never be the same. You see, every Saturday for the past few years, there would be phone calls to Grandpa to discuss Notre Dame and how his beloved Irish were doing. Then we would discuss how my team was doing and what was happening in the top 25. So today is a bittersweet day in my love for College Football. My most favorite time of the year, and yet, a day that I'm really missing my Grandpa.

Also missing my Saturday afternoons/evening with my Daddy. Our delicious chicken nacho's, dr. p's and so many hours of football, our eyes change into the shapes of footballs :) these days we "watch" together via facebook and texts... not as good, but it will do :) gotta figure out how to get that family to move here :)

So to all my fellow College Football lovers, Happy Opening game day!! May it be an amazing season and my MY team win the national championship :) Ok Ok, at least get a good bowl game! And may the Irish pull out a good season for gpa :) <3

A girl's best friend..

2010-07-20T22:40:00.000-07:00

they say diamonds are a girl's best friend, and while i do think they are on to something, i have something even better...

since all my little thank you posts have been in a kind of bedtime story format.. maybe cuz i'm writing them all at bed time...

so here we go :)

it was a no good, very bad day.. one filled with coughing and sneezing and no voice.. a day of laying on the couch watching terrible tv and playing endless games of solitaire on the computer, because even when i'm sick, i have to be doing two things at once...

as i was dying on the couch... my momma left me a two sentence on my MySpace page...

"Did you know there was a fashion school in Irvine?

Love ya!"

My first thought? "duh" of course i knew there was a fashion school in irvine.. FIDM has a campus there..

My second thought? "my mother is one smart cookie"

You see, my mother wasn't telling me something she knew i already knew.. my mother was telling me to get off my @$$ and do something with my life...she was telling me i had been wallowing in my pathetic-ness for long enough... she was giving me the push she knew i needed..

you see, i had sorta lost my way... i had lost the life that i had planned on living... love had left and all i had left was a job that i didn't love and not many friends, due to my pushing them all away.. and all i did was sit on my couch and wallow.. pretty pathetic...

fast forward --- there is my mom... helping me with my entrance projects... being the first call when I got accepted.. helping sort through all my stuff, running garage sales, packing, cleaning, getting me all set to run away from home..

I mean, who's mom actually helps you run away from home? who packs and repacks boxes and your car so that you use every single inch to get in as much as possible?

So to my very best friend on this planet, thank you.

thank you for telling me to run away when you'd really rather me live down the street.

thank you for filling my freezer with your meat loaf so that when i'm missing home, i can have a mom made dinner.

thank you for organizing my tupperware so everytime i open the cabinet i smile.

thanks for answering the phone, multiple times a day, when i'm having one of those days.

thanks for the cards full of coupons.

thanks for making my apartment super cute and all the cleaning you do when you visit :)

thanks for sending care packages

thanks for being my biggest cheerleader, especially when I didn't think I would make it through, when i wanted to quit and run home.

So as I walked across that stage, and earned a degree, know it would have never happened without all your love and support. Thanks for getting me off that couch and starting a new life. I can't wait to see where it goes, but wherever it does, it will be because you got me there.

LOVE YOU!

Good, Better, Best...

2010-07-11T21:15:00.001-07:00

Up in the Big Bear Mountains, sits a cozy little cabin right up the road from a beautiful little lake...

Outside this cozy cabin sits a huge four car size garage.. This giant garage was separated into two sections... one was the laundry room, storage, firewood side and the other was a magical workshop.

In this magical workshop there was a door, a door that was actually a measuring stick to see how much little grandchildren had grown.. The door also was an art gallery for a future fashion designer..

The workshop had all kinds of big giant tools that made lots of noise and yet turned out the most beautiful projects...

There was a cabinet that hung on the wall that held dozens of bottles of paint in just about every color you could ever want.. and there was always a extra big bottle of pink, waiting for when a certain granddaughter would come visit..

dozens of paint brushes in all shapes and sizes, the smell of sawdust in the air, a little radio playing quietly in the background and the rustle of the breeze in the giant pine trees all made this workshop a place I'll never forget..

In the middle of the workshop sat a silver topped table. The silver was speckled with paint from all the years of projects... and at this table stood a small white stool, also speckled with paint.

It was in this workshop, atop this white stool at this silver table that I learned a love and appreciation for art.. not Monet paintings or amazing photography... but for art carved from wood. I learned to mix colors to find the color I was looking for.. I learned how to paint smooth and straight, no bumps or lumps or streaks.. it was here that I learned that I could be whatever I wanted to be. It was here that I learned that if I just did my best, I would succeed, no matter what it was.

It was here that a wise old man taught a little girl a saying that she will never forget...

"Good, Better, Best, Never let it rest.. Until your good is better and your better is best."

I sit here tonight, not so little anymore, the cozy cabin now belonging to another family, and a grandpa who has little time left.... I remember all the hours spent in that workshop and wishing I could sit there now, with my grandpa, painting away... oh how the world was a much simpler place when you were in grandpa's workshop....

My dear grandpa will probably never read this, but...

Thank you my dear grandpa. Thank your for making me your Sweetheart. Thank you for spoiling me rotten, for supporting me through every step of the way, for all those letters and postcards you wrote when we moved so far away, (I still have every single one). For the World's coolest Barbie house, dozens of watches, happy meals, ice cream cones, and on and on..

I love you.

Love,
Your Sweetheart

warning..

2010-07-11T21:11:00.001-07:00

OK here we go.. going to finish all my thank-yous.. yes, I'm super behind.. my thank you week turned into a thank you month...

and just so you can't say i didn't warn you.. mom get Kleenex.. yours is coming :)

My Favorite Daddy

2010-06-24T01:55:00.001-07:00

(I'm super behind on my thank you's.. and yes its 2 am and I am trying to catch up)...

There once was a little girl, who after waiting 10 years for a sister and not getting one, figured out that now, she got to be the Princess and Daddy's favorite daughter.....

This same Daddy spent years and years and years of listening to the favorite daughter ask endless questions about sports and answered every one quite patiently, even as she interrupted his favorite teams.

He spent hours and hours teaching her too many things to list.... how to do a spreadsheet.. how to drive, how to balance a check book...how to make the perfect salsa...how to be responsible.... how to put money in the savings account and keep it there... the list goes on and on...

He's wiped away countless tears and provided countless number of laughs...

Then when this little girl decided to run away from home to go to Fashion School, he helped pack the car, and drive her with her all 3000 miles to the other ocean. He about killed himself getting the mattress into her apartment and got her all settled in...

He volunteers for and asks for all business trips to anywhere in SoCal.. just so he can take this little girl to dinner and check on her.. He leave's 20's for gas, In-n-out cards for study snacks, and big hugs to keep the homesickness at bay....

He's there when she calls saying she is not so sure she will get through this.. and promises her she will.

So as she walked across the stage in their beloved Lakers Staples Center this past weekend... and earned a degree she wasn't so sure she would ever get.. She knew that is would never have happened if her favorite daddy wasn't behind her every step of the way.

Text message to me while I'm sitting on the floor of Staples Center waiting for graduation to start and Dad is sitting in the front row...

"Ok hard question of the day, maybe the year- really think hard

If you could change being here for last Thursday (Game 7 of the Lakers/Celtics Final) night would you?

(my reply)
"Ugh so hard!!! But no, this rocks!!"

"Good answer!"
"Oh and btw I have the same answer".

That boys and girls, is an amazing Father. And he is all mine :) Not sure he knows that, but that simple one sentence made me cry :)

So to the best daddy any little girl could ask for...

Thank-you. Thank you for all you do for me and our family. Thank-you for all your hard work. Thanks for always being there and never leaving. Thanks for being not just a father but a Dad. I wouldn't be where I am or who I am with out you. I am one blessed little girl.

LOVE YOU
-The Favorite Daughter <3

behind...

2010-06-20T22:45:00.000-07:00

well the last few days have been busier than I thought, so I am behind in my thank-you's!!!

So I will catch up soon.. but right now, i'm going to sleeeeeeep!

oh and its official.. I am a FIDM ALUMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roomates

2010-06-16T23:11:00.000-07:00

Going to get two blogs in tonight.. I'm running out of time and lots of people to thank before saturday!!

About 20 months ago, I started looking for a place to live when I moved out here to HB.. I didn't know anyone here and knew I would have to get a roomie in order to afford anything. And God being the amazing God that He is, brought me to a cozy little apartment, a little over a mile from my favorite place on this planet.

Along with this little place came Christina. :) So to you MRS. Hunter ( i love calling you that), Thank you! Thanks for letting someone you have never met, and barely had talked to, move into your little home. Thanks for helping me when I would get lost...eating chili cheese fries and corn dogs with me, chatting about boys and being such a doll. xoxo! California misses you!

After Mrs. H moved to marry Mr. H... I found a new roomie.. Lauren :)

Lauren and I started out at FIDM OC together, had some classes together, but didn't spend a lot of time together.. one day in class we were chatting and we got to the topic of living situations and how my roomie was moving and how she was possibly looking for a new place to live.. few more convos later, she moved it and it has been a blast ever since.

From watching the Bachelor, eating on the kitchen counters, hours and hours of homework together, being boys, working together, going to the beach for a few precious hours away from the grind, and how we can just look at each other and know what we are thinking, She has become a true friend who I am very grateful for. Here's to a few more corona's, more fro yo, crack burrito, laughing at the hot messes that come into work, and having to be the boys! Love you!

Starbucks, Del Taco and Quiznos....

2010-06-16T23:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry I missed yesterday.. I was busy finishing studying for my two VERY LAST final exams I had today :)

Today's thank-you goes to a few people in this world who I don't even know their names.. But they are kind people who have made some of my day to day nicer and have always put a smile on my face..

Like my two girls at Starbucks, who without fail, remember my name, my drink and to ask how fashion school is going. Who this very morning, had huge smiles on my faces when I said today was the day to finish FIDM.

Or the cute ladies at the Del Taco at my mall, who always are smiling, even though they just found out they are losing their job's. Who always are so sincere in asking how my day is going and how my job is...

And the adorable girl at Quizno's with a bright smile, who saw me every week when I went to Intern and always knew exactly what sandwhich I would order and how I can't stand mayo or tomatoes.

These oh so small things made huge differences in my life. So to each of you, Thank-you. I only hope someday I can be a bright spot in your day as you have been in mine.

A-J-M

2010-06-14T22:35:00.001-07:00

One of the things that kinda sucks about being the big sister, is well, the big sister is older than the baby brothers.. and when big sister moves far far away, she misses lots of things going on in the baby brother's lives.

Like how they all of a sudden are all bigger than you when you come home to visit...

Or how they graduate from college and you don't get to watch...

Or they are in a band, and you've never gotten to hear them play...

Or you've never seen them in their ROTC uniform...

And dozens and dozens of other things...

So today's thank-you blog goes to three baby brother's who still love their big sister, even though she has missed so much.

Brothers who are all getting on planes to come watch me graduate this weekend.

Brother's who I just plain can't live with out. I love you! <3

Fabric Land...

2010-06-13T23:50:00.000-07:00

So my in my first semester in LA, I had a Fabric Identification class. This class was a bit intimidating due to the need of many different fabrics. I thought I was going to have to drive to LA an extra day a week, just to go to the fabric stores up there to find the fabrics I would need. Can't exactly get what I needed at JoAnns..

So I started googling fabric stores in Orange County that may be able to help me out.. I found one called Fabric Land.. So I pick up the phone and call, and I Mary answers the phone.. she laugh's a bit at my silly request for fabrics and my lack of knowledge of what I was talking about. She tells, me, "Just come in, I'll take care of you".

So off I went to Fabric Land. I was met with a smiling face, a warm heart and a new friend. Miss Mary, Andrea and Maddy became my personal superhero's. Every Saturday morning for that quarter, they let me wander the store, make piles of fabrics on the cutting counter, give me a hard time about my eating habits and teach me more than my teachers about the fabrics...

So to these beautiful ladies, Thank-you.

Thank-you for getting me through fabric class, thank-you for caring, thank-you for a mini home away from home at your cutting counter. thank-you for the free education on fabrics. I couldn't have done this with out you. <3

A week of Thank-you's

2010-06-13T13:48:00.001-07:00

This is my last week of The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.

This little adventure started 18 months ago, and at the time, I had NO idea what would happen, how it would all work out, if I would even like it..

But here I am. 6 days away from a College Degree. Something I was never sure I would obtain.

There are never enough words to thank all the people who help you through life's little adventures. But I am going to try. So in the next few days, in no particular order, I will be posting little "thank-you" blogs to those fabulous people who got me where I am today.

Good Bye 26

2010-05-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

Dear 26,

Our time together is ending, time for 27 to take over. We have had a good time together. No major catastrophes, lots of laugh's and lots of good times. Waaaaaaay to much homework, but I guess that's not your fault. Lot of hours at Lotion Kingdom and not enough hours at the beach... They say how you spend your birthday is how the next year will go... and its pretty true.. a year ago was a 6 hour class at FIDM and then snacks at Disneyland.. And the year brought plenty of hours at FIDM and well, lets face it, lots of snacks....

So on our last day together, I bid you farewell. Its been fun. I shall remember you fondly.

Let 27 know as you two pass in the night, to be as nice as you have been and maybe just maybe shake things up a bit..

xoxo!

Moving on...

2010-05-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

No dice on dream job...

So the search continues...

waiting and waiting and waiting....

2010-05-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

sooooooooooooooo I'm still waiting to hear about dream job...

i am not good at waiting...

in other news.. tomorrow is cap and gown pick up day.. I can't believe that this day has arrived. There were moments I wasn't sure it would...

Graduation is one month from tomorrow. And I couldn't be more excited :)

and now we wait...

2010-05-13T22:36:00.001-07:00

Ok so interview done.

10 minutes.

short? a bit awkward.. Have no idea how it went.

So now we wait to hear....

Thank you all for your support and comments :)

And then the phone rang...

2010-05-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

around 11:30 this morning, I got the phone call...

I have an interview tomorrow morning at 10 am.

Can this really be happening???

Go Big or Go Home

2010-05-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

So today started like any other Monday.. wake up late, rush to get ready, rush to get to work..

Checked my phone around 10ish and saw I had a missed call from FIDM.. didn't really think much of it.. figured it was something about graduation or whatever..

So on my lunch, I listened to voice mail.. it was one of the career counselors.. she has an incredible job lead for me and I needed to call her ASAP. I checked my email, and there it was. The i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-e job lead.

I called the counselor back and when I got a hold of her, I couldn't believe it. The job offer to end all job offers. I mean its not to run the company or anything :) but its an amazing place to start.

So tonight after a cover letter and resume check over.. I hit send on the email that could change my life.

I'll keep you updated!

Spring Break??

2010-03-24T20:50:00.001-07:00

So Spring Break started a week ago.. I am quite lucky to have a 3 week long spring break.. but wow, I feel like I've been busier on break than when I'm in school!

Highlights of the last week...

My Daddy was here last week!! YAY for two very fun dinners and getting some quality time with my favorite daddy. While taking our customary walk on the HB pier after dinner on Monday night, I thought about what a lucky girl I am to have such a fantastic dad. Not everyone is so blessed. Oh how wonderful it is to have dinner and talk to someone who really cares and listens and has great advice. Oh how much a guy will have to live up to in order to be with me.
I had my final presentation for my Brand and Portfolio development class last week as well. I was nervous as h***. Like can't eat, wanting to puke all over everyone nervous. I had to present my line of wedding dresses to my professor (The devil wears prada), another professor (Mohawk), the Director of Product Development (Director) and a vice president of a headhunter (VP) company here in LA LA land. The presentation went amazingly well and I guess I made a pretty good impression, and I got some great feedback. The VP gave me her card and told me to call her when I graduate. Sweet.
Got a bit of sunbathing in at the beach. FAN-TAS-TIC.
I ran out to Grandma and Grandpa's house to surprise Gpa for his 81st bday! he had no idea and it was so nice to make his day. I had dinner with gma and gpa and two of their friends at a little pizza place in their little town. Dinner with four 80+ year old is so interesting. I think we as young people don't give our elders the time of day they deserve. They are fascinating if you really take time to sit and talk to them.
My goal over spring break is to watch a bunch of movies and force myself to relax and not multitask while the movie is on. I'm currently typing this while watching a movie. Fail.
Finally, I hate traffic. It's torture. Lets stick terrorist's in the middle of the 405 with no AC, music, and make them drive up and down the 405 at 3 miles an hour. They will talk in no time. Promise.
ooops, one more. For those of you praying types out there.. my little "niece" is going thru some pretty rough leg pains.... her momma and daddy are searching for answers and haven't found one yet... i'm sure her big sister is worried too.. being a big sister, I know how we worry about our siblings...sending big hugs to my little "L"... xoxo

ok i'm off to try to watch the rest of this movie... i'm turning off the computer so i can't play solitare and watch at the same time! :)

Junior Mints and Peanut butter Filled Pretzels...

2010-03-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

Weekly Top 10....

1. I've been a little obsessed with these peanut butter filled pretzels that I've found at Sprouts.... Sprouts has this lovely little section that allows you to buy yummy things by the pound so you can have as much or as little as wanted... So far this week I've been through the pretzels, pistachios, and sour gummy worms...

2. My airplane ticket is book to go home in June!! Baby brother #2 graduates high school and I'm going to see!.. seriously? where did the last 18 years go? I will be in O-town for 6 days and am super excited! can't wait for family time, sweet tea and wings from Gators.. YUM!

3. The Oscars were this weekend! My favorite Red Carpet of the Year! I was quite impressed this year with the dresses.. there were only a few that I did not love...

4. My dear friend Cas was in town this weekend!! YAY for shopping, fidm museum, chatting and fun times with friends!!

5. This morning on the freeway, i saw 3 of the exact same color and year Honda Civic Hybrids in the carpool lane all in a row.. it was odd.. just thought I'd share :D

6. Today I turned in my final portfolio for my Brand Portfolio class. I affectionately call my teacher, The Devil Wears Prada... these days its just Prada.. she is no where near as scary as she was in my first quarter with her. I now quite enjoy her class and will almost miss it.... almost :)

7. I want junior mints... just sayin...

8. I have a bunch of new blog "followers".. i find this interesting, I can't imagine anyone wanting to read my blog, let alone people who don't know me. So hello out there people I don't know! Sorry if I bore the snot out of you, but hopefully you get a laugh from me every now and again....

9. Have you heard of swagbucks?? its this fun little search engine website that you win "swagbucks" when you search for anything you can think of.... you bank up the bucks and then you can turn them into prices or giftcards... so far I've won $30 in Amazon cards.. if you want to try it out.. I'll add you to my account.. you can earn extra bucks for each person you add to your account and then they add to theirs..

10. I've managed to avoid the girl scouts this spring.. but I'm thinking I may have to search them out... Thin Mints are calling my name....

OK y'all.. one more week of school.. three final exams and 1 final presentation await me.. so I am off to do the reviews... have a wonderful evening...

2010-03-04T20:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Short Guy in front of me in line at Chipoltle.....

Yes, I just ordered a steak burrito.

Yes, I am going to eat the whole thing.

Yes, I think you are a wuss cuz you ordered two tiny chicken tacos.

Yes, I think you are a wuss cuz you got mild salsa and I ordered the hot.

So please stop looking at me like I'm crazy.

Much Love,
R

Blessed.....

2010-02-26T23:09:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, I was having quite a bit of a pity party..

friends having babies... old crushes getting engaged.. new crush getting a gf.. missing home.. etc... and all the while trying to remember that "Godliness with contentment is great gain"......

as I told a dear friend of my pathetic reasons for heartache, she let me in on a little of her life.. ahhh how to fix my pathetic-ness in one quick email. I told my dear friend that if I could give up this same thing she wanted so that she could have it, I would do it in a heartbeat, no questions, no reservations. I'm sure she thought I was silly...

On Tuesday, I drove up to LA LA land to print some stuff for school and had a bit of a chat with God about my dear friend. It was simple. "Lord, you know what my friend desires, you know how much I want this for her, please make this happen for her, soon would be nice, but you know the perfect time."

I've been thinking of my dear friend all week, and tonight I got a voice mail. My God answered. FAST. Tears have been in my eyes all night. I am grateful that I serve a God who listens, and answers. Sometimes answers come fast, sometimes slow, yet I know its always in perfect timing. Tonight I was reminded that though I have things I want so badly, they will be answered in perfect timing.

Simple Words

2010-02-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

Isn't it amazing how simple words can make your whole day?

I am getting ready for work this morning, and I get a little beep on my phone informing me of a Facebook notification, and so I look to see what it was...and these simple words were there..

"Rebecca you are beautiful"....

Since I don't hear that one every day, these four little words just made my whole day. They came from an unexpected source, and will cause me to smile all day.

So Mr. B, if you ever see this, Thank you.

Irritated...

2010-02-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, so as most of you know, I don't really have much to say about politics and social issues and all of that. I have my opinions and unless asked for them, I usually keep them to myself. I don't like getting into debates over opinions. I firmly believe we are all entitled to our opinions no matter how anyone else feels about them.

all that being said, I have something to say.

I am currently sketching my way through a line of wedding dresses for school and I have the news on as some background noise. Fox News is on and the show in which Megyn Kelly is the host is on. Now I don't watch Fox on a regular basis, but if i have cable news on, its on Fox.

Kelly just had a guest on who's organization (NOW) is currently outraged over two Superbowl commercials.

The first, the Tebow ad. Now we all know all the controversy over this ad. Should CBS allow a pro life ad? Should Tebow be telling the world his opinions? blah blah blah blah blah.. I saw the ad. Good for Tebow and good for his momma. But was the this crazy chick's problem with the Pro life/anti abortion message of the ad? Nope. She was mad cuz the ad... are you ready for this?

Promotes violence against women.

Yep, little Timmy Tebow tackles his mom, who jumps right back up un-hurt and this crazy chick says that this promotes violence against women. Any woman who has been "knocked down" by a man would be hurt by this ad.

Um hello? yea you crazy chick, ITS FAKE. HE DIDN'T REALLY KNOCK HER DOWN. If any guy on this planet loves his momma, i'm pretty sure Tebow does.

And second, this crazy chick is mad at the Snickers ad with Betty White being knocked down, due to "elderly abuse". Once again.. ITS FAKE. SHE DIDN'T GET KNOCKED DOWN.

I really don't like it when young 2o something or 30 something women get on TV and act like a total moron. Women have come a long way in the past 100 years and then you get on TV and open your stupid mouth and make the rest of us look like idiots.

My favorite line of the whole interview was when Kelly said, " you need to explain yourself, because there are alot of people out there laughing at you right now." Darn right, me included. I mean really, violence against women? She was really pissed off that CBS allowed Focus on the Family to have an ad at all. Sheesh she was super anti Focus on the Family.

The next story did make me laugh a bit.. A town somewhere, (sorry i forget what town) has a billboard with a picture of Bush and its says.. "Miss me yet?" hahaha too funny :)

Ok, done venting. ya'll enjoy your tuesday.. back to wedding dresses....

Where did January go?

2010-01-31T23:15:00.000-08:00

well that was a very fast 31 days. wasn't i just making resolutions?

School started back with a vengeance! Week one had as much homework as the last two weeks usually do...
Its now week 5, which means only 5 to go.. then just 10 more weeks after that and GRADUATION!
I'm just a little excited
I started my internship at Stony Apparel and I LOVE it! I am working for a designer, his assistant and the graphics guy. It is fantastic. I am learning fun things and I get to see all the behind the scenes of creating a garment. I can't say enough how much fun I am having.
Lotion Kingdom is going.. It was a very busy holiday and semi annual sale season. I'm ready to not work retail anymore. But for now, its working :)
My dear friend Cas is coming next month to visit me!! wooooooooo hoooooooooooo!!!
Daddy will "hopefully" be in town next week!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY :)
I like visitors :)
I had a lovely case of bronchitis and an equally fabulous ear infection last week... the cough is still hanging on.. They both got me VERY behind in homework.. thankfully my teachers have been somewhat understanding.. I should hopefully get caught up in the next two days..
I miss having a clean bedroom floor. When I lived in the townhouse, the ONLY things in my bedroom were, the bed, the dresser, a TV and my bedside table. I didn't even have pictures on the walls. It was very white, boring and bare. I didn't like it then, and I MISS it now.

I think that's all for now. Hope you all are well :)

A Must!

2010-01-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

My Dear friend N. has created an amazing new business. She is finding amazing, new or gently used wedding gowns and selling them at amazing prices. I am in love with this idea. My beautiful friend has amazing talents and you can see them and the gowns here!

Resolutions....

2009-12-29T21:18:00.000-08:00

Well looks like another year has passed us by..

I was just looking back over my blog and saw my New Year's Resolutions post from last year... My two resolutions included...

Get all A's...

and

Be better at staying in touch...

Yea, I failed at both... oh well.. such is life... I've never much liked resolutions so much anyway :)

But I do have TWO for this year...

Graduate.

Get a kick butt job :)

Happy New Year!

2009-12-28T16:53:00.001-08:00

Dear Urban,

Please make up your mind.

Love,
rebecca

t'was the day after Christmas...

2009-12-26T23:08:00.001-08:00

So I made it through Christmas, with only one major crying episode :)

About two weeks ago, my phone rang, it was my Daddy and I said Hello and I was greeted with...
"I just mailed you one of those flat rate boxes and if you open it before Christmas morning, I'll never speak to you again." I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry.. I chose laughing and promised I wouldn't open it.. Of course my daddy was laughing as well....

Soooooo fast forward to yesterday morning... I called home and opened the mystery box..and inside was a Web cam.... and my daddy told me that my Momma got a matching one.. So now I can see my family when I call home!!!! Let major crying episode begin :) What can I say, I'm beyond excited!!!!

After all this, I jumped in the car and went to Gma and Gpa's house for Christmas morning and lunch.. it was a very nice and relaxing morning...

Then I jumped back in the car and drove to my Aunt and Uncle's house for Christmas dinner with Daddy's side of the fam... it was a nice evening and my little cousin who is 19 months old was my best buddy of the evening.. she started calling for me as soon as I walked in the door..

So after two big giants meals and lots of junk food.. I went home and opened my stocking.. I wanted to save something for the end of the day :)

Then off to Lotion Kingdom today.. (I'm stealing this title from my friend Craig who calls my job this)... People were a big on the crazy side of things today.. you would think they had never seen lotion on sale before :)

On a different note.. Urban Myer is retiring... all that rejoicing you are hearing is coming from the rest of the SEC... I'm sure Mark Richt is very excited about that Christmas Present :)

T'was the Night before Christmas.....

2009-12-24T23:04:00.000-08:00

So here we are on Christmas Eve... Its freezing here in Southern Cal, and by freeeeeezing I mean 46 degrees :) Yes, I have the heater on, the electric blanket warming up and will be sleeping in a hoodie!!

I've had a very hard time getting into the mood for Christmas... I only put up a tree because my Momma and I made a deal.. She would decorate hers, if I put up mine... hung some lights in the windows of the apartment... Put out my cute Christmas placemats. Mailed cards, Wrapped presents, made cookies, even listened to some Christmas music.. and yet, no Christmas spirit...

You see, this is my first Christmas in 28 years that I will not wake up to my family. No Stockings overflowing, tree jammed with presents, coffee brewing, candles glowing, daddy in his Santa hat, music playing, mom with the camera, Luke chapter 2 being read... taking turns opening presents..no "Its a Wonderful Life"...

Top 10 Favorite Family Christmas Traditions and Memories

1. Christmas Eve dinner, christmas lights, and "its a wonderful life"
2. Fort Building and sleeping on Christmas eve...
3. Dad climbing on the roof to stomp around and ring the jingle bells...
4. Big Christmas breakfast...
5. Taking turns, one at a time to open all the presents.. we get to see what everyone gets and it makes present opening last a very long time...
6. baking dozens and dozens of Christmas cookies with Mom...
7. Wrapping all the presents for Dad...
8. Can't believe I'm saying this, but Mom's very annoying Christmas clock.. yep even miss that stupid thing :)
9. Movies, Laker Game and Snacks all afternoon...
10. Spending the entire day with the five people on this planet who I love the most....

I can honestly say, i have taken a lot of this for granted all my life. And tonight I sit here, pretty sad, yet thankful. You see, I get to talk to my family tomorrow, many will not. My family is safe, warm and healthy, and many are not. I will get to see loved ones tomorrow, and many will not.

So tomorrow as you wake up, open presents, and spend the day with the ones you love.. hug them close and enjoy every moment...

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

DONE

2009-12-15T15:08:00.000-08:00

just turned in my last project of the quarter.

7 more classes to go.

6 months and 4 days till graduation.

and now its time for a nap.

Stadium Nachos....

2009-12-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

So I love Nachos at a sporting event.. something about them makes them the best in the world :) kinda like Disneyland popcorn... nothing beats it...

Today, my daddy flies into town.. I'm sitting here waiting for him to arrive... I'm super excited!!

Little does he know, that today, we will be eating stadium nachos...

Little does he know that we have tickets to tonight's Laker game...

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! I've wanted to go to Laker game in LA for as long as I can remember... So tonight, we are going!! Wooo Hoooo!!!

Pictures to come :)

Today

2009-12-04T20:54:00.000-08:00

Hello out there...

Yep me again.. that girl that doesn't write very often :)

So two weeks left of the quarter. I. Can't. Wait.

So today something amazing happened.

Let me back up a few weeks. The Thursday before Thanksgiving, I went to a meeting at school that is for what is called "premier product development students".. you must be nominated by a teacher to be invited into this group and I was invited at the beginning of the quarter. So.... I've been going to the meetings, and at the last meeting, we had a little talk given by an assistant designer for a small division of a large apparel company... They were looking for an intern to every week to help out with all sorts of things.

After the meeting, I stayed to get some more info and was asked to email my resume and sample of some work i have done.. So off my email went that night.

The next morning, I had an email to set up and interview..

So my interview was two days ago and was odd.. It lasted all of 10 minutes. I left not sure how i felt about it, but just was hoping it worked out.

Then the strange part comes in... I FORGOT all about it.. I worked all day yesterday and today and have been so focused on a huge project at work that i haven't even given one thought to the internship.

Then tonight driving home, my dear friend who has been a giant cheerleader in my FIDM career.. texted me and asked if i had heard yet about my internship.. I was shocked that I had totally forgotten all about it. So I quickly pressed the "mail" button my my new best friend my iphone, and there it was... and email about the internship...

I GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOO HOOO! I'm so excited!! Starting to feel like maybe, just maybe dreams do come true... :)

Not happy about...

2009-11-19T00:31:00.000-08:00

I have a few things today I am not happy about...

I'm not happy that I again missed a band gig....

I'm not happy that I still haven't seen him in his ROTC uniform...

I'm not happy that I can't go get a cup of coffee from my favorite Barista...

I'm not happy that I can't tag along on a trip to Old Time Pottery...

I'm not happy that we haven't watched one football game together this season....

More wedding pictures...

2009-11-07T19:55:00.000-08:00

Here are some more pictures from my dear friend Cas and JW's wedding!

Pining in her beautiful veil!

having some fun while taking pictures!

my favorite picture of the newlyweds!

me, craig and me ro! :)

tuesday evening thoughts...

2009-11-03T19:35:00.000-08:00

hey ya'll..
i know i don't write very often...

but i'm in a blogging sort of mood...

today is tuesday.. i don't much like tuesday's.. tuesdays are mondays annoying little brother..

i've been feeling crazy overwhelmed lately.. i'm working like an insane person since my promotion.. i'm trying to keep up with school.. forget sleeping.. or any downtime.. i live one mile from the ocean and its been weeks since i've even seen it.. i try to drive by every once in a while just to remind me its there.. I feel like all i do is complain any more. i'm always tired.. not very nice most of the time and just plain crabby most days!

tonight walking back to campus from a yummy little quizno's dinner..i looked at the big city all around me and the glowing "Fashion Institute of Design and Technology" sign on the side of the building and the feelings i had when i first saw that sign came rushing back..

the first time i saw the building was July of 2007.. on vaca with my fam, we drove to LA so I could get a glimpse of where I would be going to school one day. Overwhelmed, excited, scared to death, nervous and just down right happy all at once. having no idea what to expect.. i knew i just had to jump in.. no reservations.. like all those years ago in swimming lessons when i had to jump off the diving board.. scared to death.. yet knowing once i did it.. it would be just fine..

so tonight as i looked at the sparking lights of the city.. i had all that again.. Overwhelmed.. but at the same time.. thankful. i mean. how often in your life do you stop and think. i'm living my dream? i know i don't stop and think that. but i am. i am living my current dream. i'm making it happen. its hard as hell. but its happening. so in the next 2 months of absolute insanity, i'm going to try to remind myself of this very thing. i'm living my dream. i'm doing what i want to do. maybe the details aren't much fun (cuz they for sure aren't) but its all adding up to make dreams come true.

so tonight, after my crazy day.. i'm choosing to be thankful. thankful that dreams do come true..

Wedding Weekend!

2009-10-22T07:51:00.000-07:00

Good Morning ya'll!

So I had a fantastic weekend in Reno!

I broke up the drive, by stopping in Stockton to spend the night with Donna and Greg! Love them! Love there house.. Its pitch black out side and sooooo quite.. best sleep I've had in a long while!

Then the next am I made my way to Reno.. I drove I-80 from Stockton to Reno, What a beautiful drive! There were snow on the mountains!

Made it to Reno and the wedding fun began!! I met my beautiful friend at her Mom's house and after lots of very girls hugs and excitement we got down to work! the MOH Mel and I (we also went to HS together) finished up the memory board, and a few last minute details...

Then off to SOAK, a super adorable nail salon.. it is in an old house.. you sit in this fantastic leather lazy boy chairs and get PAMPERED.. it was way fun!!

Then it was party time!!! The girls all met at the Chocolate Bar for dinner, drinks and CHOCOLATE :) Then a little dancing after.. well a lot of dancing actually! I'm tooooo old for 3 am!!

Friday was a BUSY day :) Ran around a bit in the am, then off to make bridesmaid bouquets! 10 beautiful bouquets later, it was rehearsal time!!

After Rehearsal we headed to JW's parents house for a beautiful dinner out side in their beautiful back yard! It was so fun to catch up with Mel, and all of Cass's family!

Then Saturday was the BIG day!

I have to go to school.. more later!

well that was a fast four weeks...

2009-10-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

School starts again Tuesday..

I had a four week break.. but i think I missed it.. :)

I'm still working waaaaaaaaaaay too much... but glad i have a job...

its getting cooler out here in sunny CA... i'm kinda freezing :) Sorry my florida friends who are still roasting at home...

i'm off to reno this weekend for my dear friend Cassandra's wedding! I'm super excited! pictures next sunday when i get home!

the big Notre Dame/ USC game is next weekend as well.. my fam and my grandparents are all going back to South Bend.. PRAY those Irish win... Grandpa may not make it another college football season, i would love for this to be a big win for his beloved team!!

ok ya'll have a great night!!

never enough time for blogging...

2009-10-02T22:11:00.000-07:00

popping in for a quick hello...

my momma was here this last week! it was so fun! did lots of hanging out, eating, shopping and went on a few adventures.

on of our adventures was to Mood the fantastic fabric store that they go to on Project Runway! Amazing :)

We also "wallpapered" my kitchen wall with fabric! isn't it fantastic!!f

i'm back to work.. crazy busy again! School starts in a week and a half.. then i'm running away to Reno for the weekend for my dear friend Cassandra's wedding! So excited!!

just stopping in...

2009-09-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

my fourth quarter at FIDM ended monday!! yea for a vacation...
by tuesday i will have worked 11 of the last 12 days.. so much for vacation...
we just had to sign an agreement that we wouldn't say anything about our jobs on any "social media" website.. including blogs.. sooooooooooo.. no more fun BBW stories.. :( but I did get "permanently" promoted last week! yea for a raise!!
they finally have gummy vitamins for adults! i hate swallowing pills and don't take vitamins because of this even though i know i need them.. my eating habits aren't the best.. so today i found some target brand ones.. not very tasty, but much better than trying to choke down a pill..
Half.com... genius.. that's all
My daddy was in town this week!!! yea for dinner and breakfast on the beach!! I miss my fam.. Florida is too far away...
My momma comes this week for a whole week!! so excited!! trips to LA to the fantastic fabric store, shopping, beach, and momma's meatloaf!! I can't wait!!
My roomie comes home this week too.. she has been gone over 3 months.. i've kinda gotten used to the quiet again.. but it will be nice to have someone to talk to!
two new favorite things of the week... Frosted Cranberry hand soap and lotion from my employer.. SO yummy!! Yes, we have our christmas stuff out.. already... its september.. technically still summer.. and second.. Lincoln Park after Dark nail polish by OPI.. its purple and fantastic! i love wearing black on my toes, and this is very similar, just purple!
Less than one month till my dear friend Cas and JW's wedding!! SO excited!
ok i think that's all :)
oh nope, forgot to update you all on my grades.. NOT happy with this one ....

Apparel Processes II A

College Math A

Fabric Identification B

Principals of Design Development A

Computerized Flat Sketching A

I'm not liking getting a B... i'm Anal about my grades... very anal.. ask my mom.. she'll tell you.. :) I know its not like a D or anything.. i'm just crazy about having all A's...

ok ya'll have a great night..

monday monday

2009-09-07T20:46:00.000-07:00

i know you get this post from me the last week of each quarter.. and i know i make it thru.. and i know there is light at the end of the tunnel.. but I'M TIRED AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE I'LL MAKE IT!

ok thats out of my system...

i've been working like a crazy person.. we were just given a memo at work that made us sign that we wouldn't discuss our job on facebook, blog, twitter etc... lets just say i'm working A LOT and i need a nap :) but i can say, that i have a interview on friday with the DM to make my manager promotion permanent.. it was just a temp position while some management changes were happening.. so i'll let you know when i know.

my daddy is coming next week. I. can't. wait.

then my momma comes the week after that. i. can't. wait.

my grandpa is very sick.. :(

we have a new candle at work its call "fireside".. it smells like my Papa.. old man cologne mixed with a stale smoke smell.. it is amazing.. it so much smells like a hug from Papa that i teared up when i smelled it for the first time...

ok all.. hope you all enjoyed your labor day.. :) one more week of school.. one more week of school... i think i can... i think i can...

tuesday tidbits...

2009-08-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

ok so i don't really have a lot to say.. but i do have to tell you about my fantastic deal...

after we have inventory at BBW, we have the ability to purchase MOS items, things that we will no longer be selling... we are able to fill one of our small shopping bags as full as we can get it and each bag is $5...

so today, I got..
-3 bottles of conditioner
-2 full size lotions
-1 full size body wash
-3 lip glosses
-3 bar soaps
-1 face scrub
-1 travel size lotion-
2 pairs of slipper socks

approx $200 in product for $5!!!! yea pretty amazing..

I'm starting to look for good deals to start filling my Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, so the soaps and lip glosses are a good place to start :)

other random thoughts for the day...

-I could totally eat about a dozen publix vanilla petite fours ( i'm sure i didn't spell that correctly)right now...
-I have the itch to move all my furniture in my room.. I used to get this a lot growing up.. along with a furniture move came a purging of the closet and desk drawers.. it would take me days.. you wouldn't be able to see my floor.. my parents didn't enjoy this.. but i think i get this urge to rearrange from my mother....
-I'd also LOVE some sweet tea... that's one thing this state can't figure out.. how to sweeten the tea while its being made.. adding sugar afterwards is SO not the same.. just sayin...

still here...

2009-08-15T21:22:00.001-07:00

i know i've been quite for a few weeks..

here is a quick little list for you...

my brother really didn't want to come visit me so he tried tried to get out of it by having a seizure and spending 2 days in the hospital.. but he failed.. they came anyway :)
had a blast! wish they could have been here longer.. or they would just move here...
so being promoted isn't all its cracked up to be.... but the paychecks are a bit nicer :)
four more weeks of this quarter.. i'm so ready for a break!
i'm super over the drive to and from LA... it gets old real fast.. i have no idea how people do it everyday...
other than work, school, homework, and driving.. nothing exciting is going on.. my good friend Kel called me tonight and asked what I was doing for my Saturday evening.. I told her i canceled 3 hot dates to stay home and do geometry homework :) HA! so kidding

Have a happy sunday!

Trade

2009-07-28T23:56:00.000-07:00

I would like to trade in today please. I would like a do-over. No wake up phone calls of my brother in the hospital.. and no family not arriving at LAX in time for a baseball game and in-n-out burger...

but i would like to thank everyone who has been checking on my fam today! and a big thank-you to Donna for taking care of me tonight!

and tomorrow i would like better news please.

Time...

2009-07-13T01:10:00.000-07:00

Time is a funny thing...

Some days time drags by....

Other days, its gone in an instant....

Sometimes you have too much time on your hands...

Other times, there aren't enough hours in a day...

I always have to know what time it is.. i can't function with out my cell phone telling me what time it is.. i have to have a clock near me all the time... My alarm clock is 14 minutes fast... the clock in my car is 2 minutes fast.. the two clocks in the kitchen are right on time.. the clock on my wall is also on time.. and the cell phone is controlled by the satellites.. funny thing though, i won't wear a watch...

I've been thinking alot about time lately.. why it rules everything i do.. what time i get up, how much time to get ready.. drive time, school time, work time, sleeping time, homework time.. i feel like my life is a race against the clock... hurry up its time for something else... but yet never enough time to get it all done.. my bathroom is desperate for a cleaning and my eyes want more time to be closed.. and my homework is yelling at me to pay more attention and my check book says work more...

And all the while time is slipping away...

No man knows his day or hour that his time will be up... I've been asked if I would like to know what my time was... part of me says yes.. then i would really "live it up" but the rest of me says no...shouldn't i be living it up anyway? Should we be living life to its fullest? Shouldn't we always tell the ones we love how much they mean to us? Should those things take up our time? Why do we fill our time with the things that have no meaning?

All this to say.. I'm afraid time is running short with my Grandpa.. He has been quite ill and this week complications multiplied.. My heart said screw school, work, and all those responsibilities and run out to see him as fast as you can... My head said you are too darn responsible to not take care of your commitments...

But it took my boss sitting me down to say.. you don't get this time back.. once its gone, its just a memory.. she sent me on my way.. told me to listen to my heart.. this time it is much more important..

So as I sat with him this weekend.. I tried not to pay attention to the time.. but as each hour slipped away.. all i could think was how much time is left? and how do I make it go slower? I also thought of my Papa, my other grandpa... How i never got to say goodbye.. and oh how i wish i had been able too..

time... its a very funny thing... how i want the hours to go fast till i can spend more time with the ones i love.. and oh i wish the sun would stop when i am with them.....

LA day one

2009-07-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

Today I started classes up at the LA campus of FIDM..

I live 38 miles from the campus, and classes start at 830 am, so i left my house at 6am so i hopefully wouldn't be caught in too much traffic... It wasn't too bad.. only took an hour to get there..but i wouldn't leave any later than that... or it will take forever!

So I had three classes today.. The campus is much bigger than what i am used to here in OC.. but its ok.. its a bit overwhelming.. I am very glad I didn't start at this campus or I wouldn't have made it.

I have Fabric Identification..which may just kill me... Principals of Design Development.. which will be time consuming, but not too hard... and then Computerized Flat Sketching.. which so far is fantastic.. I'm just exhausted by that point in the day..

ok, so just that quick update.. i'm going to bed! :)

Where oh Where....

2009-07-06T20:09:00.001-07:00

did my summer vacation go?

tomorrow is the last day of my summer break :(

too short, but very nice to not do any homework!

i did get to lay in the sun.. made a quick trip to visit grandma and grandpa... and did a lot of working..

so for my very last day off... I'm going to work at 8 am...

remember when you were young and you couldn't wait to grow up and your parents told you its not all its cracked up to be?? yea.. they were right.. :)

so back to class Wednesday and off to LA for classes Thursday.. we will see how that goes.. its a 37 mile drive... lets see how long it takes me to get there :)

Vacation Week One

2009-06-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

It has been a very nice week off!

I have gotten to lay out a few days.. only got burned once :) Been working a lot.. caught up on some laundry.. cleaning and organizing paper work..

I've discovered RedBox! Oh my goodness! i LOVE it!! I've rented The Curious Case of Benjamin Button-- quite good.. Confessions of a Shopaholic-- cute ... and Bride Wars.. also cute.. But if you haven't heard of RedBox.. its a vending machine that rents DVDs.. its only $1 a night!! its fantastic! if you sign up on line you can "reserve" a DVD so that you are sure to get it.. and if you send them your cell number, they will text you with codes for a free rental..

So this super adorable boy with a super adorable accent called me gorgeous today.. too bad he was gay.. but he did make my whole day! :)

ok thats all! i'm going to visit grandma and grandpa for a few days this week!

Report Card....

2009-06-22T17:13:00.001-07:00

Fundamentals of Sketching............... A

Critical Thinking................................. A

Apparel Process I.............................. A

Textile Science.................................. A

Total GPA 3.96 :)

Here are pictures of the re-made sewing project :)

apartment pictures!

2009-06-22T17:04:00.001-07:00

Kitchen

Bathroom

More Kitchen

BBQ

Patio

Living room

More Living room

Birthday Pictures

2009-06-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

Happy 26th to me!! :)Started my morning with a cup of coffee! Thanks Kathy!

Then a little trip for a mani/pedi....

Then my favorite lunch!

Then Sewing class for 6 hours.. yuck :)

then a little free trip to disneyland!!! :) and i think the ticket man felt sorry for me so he gave me a two-fer pass so i could come back another day!

A whole box of my FAVORITE popcorn all to myself!

Then my birthday funnel cake and fireworks!

And my birthday present from Momma and Daddy! A CLEAN APARTMENT! :)

pictures!

2009-06-22T16:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, first post of pictures for my Momma :)

These are from Easter.. yes that long ago...

This is Newport Beach..

Then I went to a bridal salon with Donna, just wanted to look around at the salon because i thought it was so cute.. and Donna and I fell in love with this dress.. is was an astronomical amount of money.. so i took a picture :)

Daddy's Girl....

2009-06-21T23:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day to my favorite Daddy!

update...

2009-06-16T22:52:00.002-07:00

after a day of sewing.. and ripping out seams.. and re-sewing....

the thrown away sewing project has been remade and is all done :)

two more days.....

just when i thought...

2009-06-15T21:39:00.002-07:00

i was getting close to being all done with this quarter...

i made a HUGE boo boo...

This morning, I had about an hour before i needed to leave for school, and so i decided to use my time wisely and get a little ahead on the next project that is due... so i pulled out my bodice that i am sewing in my sewing class..

so i said down and ripped out the seam that i had done incorrectly.. got it all prepared to sew on correctly.. then traced out and cut out the sleeves that also need to be sewed on.. then i proceeded to clean up all the scraps and take the bag of trash out to the dumpster..

i then packed up and left for school.. thinking i had put the bodice pieces in my school bag...

hmm.. no pieces in the school bag....

so i start to re trace my steps... the only thing i can come up with is that i picked up the pieces along with the scraps and threw them in the trash bag...

so after class tonight.. i went home to check the dumpster..

empty.. they emptied the dumpsters today..

oh. my.

so off i go to start all over....

a brilliant idea

2009-06-12T22:31:00.002-07:00

an hour in the hot tub!

today while i spent 8 hours siting on my bedroom floor working on my project for sketching class, my back, hips and knees reminded me that i'm not 16 anymore.. and then it came to me..

THERE IS A HOT TUB 100 FEET FROM YOUR FRONT DOOR!!!

so tonight, me and roomie.. ( i have a new one by the way)... went and sat in the hot tub to do a little relaxing and recharging... much needed for the week of finals that lays ahead!

feeling much better tonight.. i think i just may make it :)

i think i can.. i think i can...

2009-06-11T17:18:00.001-07:00

3 more school days...

1 more week....

countless cups of caffeine...

4 more days

2009-06-11T00:28:00.003-07:00

only four more days of going to school this quarter..

then i can sleep

and get some sun

and actually post stuff on here :)

for now.. i pass out and get up and do it all over again tomorrow...

someone remind me what i'm doing here??

Bachelorette Monday

2009-06-01T22:44:00.003-07:00

ok, just a few thoughts today...

Dave has a bit of a drinking problem.. and she picks him... nice
CREEPY foot dude has to go.. and she picks him... nice
greasy hair dude... and she picks him... nice

she better start making some better pics here....

in other news.. i promise to put up pictures from my bday.. i'm just too tired today...

Bachelorette Monday

2009-05-25T21:53:00.002-07:00

so.. i totally thought it started at 9 so i missed the first hour...

my brief thoughts for the evening...

feet guy is still super creepy
the Wes guy is hot, but a little odd-- i think he is just there for the publicity..
the dresses have gotten so much better this season!! must have gotten a new costume chick...
I'm thinking the Reid guy is super cute...
skinny dip guy.. go home...stop talking about your private parts!!!
darn cute accent boy went home :(

OK that's all.. :)

Bachelorette

2009-05-18T21:35:00.003-07:00

Ok, so as you all know, I love this stupid show! I waste my life on this show. .and then complain about it at the end of each season when my pick doesn't win and I get so annoyed that i waste my time.. but that being said, I watch anyway.. every season.. i'm a mess..

Ok so here goes my first week thoughts...

1- Where did they get some of these guys??!!?? No wonder i'm single.. this is what is out there that is single.

2. So far top picks..

Kipton
Juan
Jake
Robby
Simon--ok accent only!
Mark

3. Why have i never seen all these boys who are from CA?

4. This guy calls himself Bilbro? Seriously?

5. You call the girl a "sassy little minx" on the night you met her? Yea, you aren't going far dude...

6. The foot dude is just plain creepy.... like seriously creepy... and she picked him???

Weekend update!

2009-05-16T21:36:00.002-07:00

So I have my annual case of bronchitis... went to the Minute Clinic on Monday to get some antibiotics and a fresh inhaler.. finally feeling better today.. but the cough remains.. I'm sure it will be around for a while...

My fam is coming to visit me!!!! So. Excited! Really, can't even tell you how excited I am! I miss my family!!!

So while doing some browsing this morning online-I saw an ad for my favorite deli, Schlotzsky's. I've posted about this before.. but their Turkey Bacon Club on Sourdough is just plain amazing.. now I'm not a huge sandwich person, but i could seriously eat this sandwich just about every day. its that good. So I wondered to myself.. Self, is there one with in driving distance here in CA? So I headed over to their website and found out that there is one about 18 miles from my house.. JACKPOT! :) I already had planned to drive up to a shopping center in the same direction, so after my stop there, off i went to find my sandwich! and find it I did!! :) it was a lovely evening, so i enjoyed my sandwich on the patio outside and read a magazine.. nice dinner!

On my little trip to the shopping center, I dropped off my resume to White House Black Market. The manager had just left, so I chatted with the assistant manager, who also happens to go to FIDM. She is at the LA campus and is in my same major, and graduates next month.. It was nice to talk to someone who says, yes, you'll make it through!

Also got my birthday jewelery checked out for its warranty.. can't believe its been five years since i got it.. I'm old.. :) wanna know what also makes you old? asking for a vacuum for your birthday...lol! and being excited about it! ha!

Proud

2009-05-12T21:28:00.002-07:00

Today my momma received her acceptance letter into the Nursing program! With her perfect 4.0 intact, I have no doubt she will fly right through her program and become one of the best nurses ever :)

Congratulations Momma! I am so very proud of you! Thanks for being an amazing example to us four kids! Thanks for teaching me to go after my dreams, no matter what! I love you!

Wednesday Notes...

2009-05-06T23:32:00.002-07:00

Learned how to sew sleeves today.. i'll post some pics tomorrow
still craving candy...
its warm and sunny and fantastic in orange county this week :) but no time for the beach :(
Mother's day is the second busiest holiday at Bath and Body Works...I am thankful for the extra hours this weekend.. but going to miss spending the day with my momma...
Think I broke my toe this weekend.. its all sorts of pretty colors...
In this day and age of technology, why haven't we figured out to make doing laundry only take 15 minutes or less? Wouldn't that be amazing? I would get a lot more laundry done more often!
Sadly, I think I'm getting sick again.. no time to be sick! I've started my airborne, green tea and orange juice... lets hope it helps!
Does anyone know about Bamboo Plants? My poor bamboo is sick.. its turning yellow.. what do i do???
have become quite enthusiastic about these saving money blogs i've been looking at.. my favorite so far is here... I'm having fun signing up for free samples and printing coupons! :)
Ok ya'll have a fantastic thursday! i'll get to some sewing pictures here soon!

58 years...

2009-05-05T10:00:00.002-07:00

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa!

Candy

2009-04-27T19:47:00.003-07:00

aaahhh.. something is wrong... I've been craving candy like there is no tomorrow... if i went to willy wonkas today i would explode with all the candy i would eat... in the past two days.. I've had junior mints, peanut butter m&ms, wild berry skittles, york peppermint patty, and a whole package of red vines... and I'm really wanting Reese's or a snickers right now... the problem here is that i hardly ever eat candy.. its very very rare for me to get a candy bar.. and all of a sudden I'm stuffing my face! my face is currently not to happy with me!

ok so my little brother is a stud.. just sayin...

so nothing exciting to report... school is moving along.. still super busy..

we had two days last week that were over 100 degrees and it was FANTASTIC... but now its back to being in the 60's... I'm ready for summer!!! this girl's blood is just way too used to Florida!

I hate Cancer...

2009-04-23T19:24:00.003-07:00

Not that any one likes it.. but today I really hate it..

You see.. Our adopted "grandpa" Mr. Noel, has cancer.

I just found out today, he just found out yesterday.

Mr. Noel lives across the street from my parents, he and his lovely wife Miss Sue have become another set of grandparents to us. We just love them! They come to birthday parties, holidays, and make us dinner if Mom is going to be out of town...

So today, I really hate cancer.

hello

2009-04-17T22:48:00.002-07:00

hello out there...

i'm really tired... today is one of those days that i think to myself.. "self, what the heck were you thinking moving to california to work and go to school?"

i fell asleep today surrounded by five text books, three notebooks, a computer, and slept for three hours... thus being less grumpy, yet now really behind in homework...

i also began thinking today about how nice it would be if there was more hours in a day, but i would just be even more tired and busy! so i'll stick with the 24!

ok enough complaining... i received an application for a scholarship that is offered by my school, so i'm hoping that some how i could win that.. that would be very nice!

dad if you are reading this.. please tell david its time for a trip to LA :)

I was sort of offered a new job today.. i went to White House/ Black Market to pick up a dress for another wedding that i'm in, and after chatting with the manager.. she said she is looking for people who are good with clothes... so that is something new for me to think about... she wants me to stop in again and pick up an application and talk to her about it...

i feel like i have more to say here.. but i'm blanking.. so i'm going to go thru the HUGE pile of mail..

Happy Birthday Momma!

2009-04-14T14:21:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday to my favorite Mom! :) LOVE YOU!!!

Fabric and Easter Eggs...

2009-04-10T11:32:00.002-07:00

I've been to two classes this week, and so far, I love it! :) My first class is a SIX hour sewing class... its a LONG class.. but it does go quickly with three hours of class and pattern making, then three hours in a sewing lab.. You should see all the cool stuff I get with my class. Its like Christmas in April! :) A huge tool box of sewing accessories along with a huge bolt of fabric to play with!

My second class is Textile science.. this is going to be a lot of work and a lot of information to remember.. my first project is a textile book that has to be assembled. We were given 172 fabric samples and they have to be put into a notebook that we then use all quarter to learn what each fabric piece is...

Its getting close to Easter! :) I really miss the days when my fam would gather at the Refi's house to have Easter lunch and a egg hunt, and Kathy's egg shaped brownies! But I am really going to miss coloring eggs with my brothers.. :( last year we had sports themed eggs.. :) and camo eggs and then they turned into fantastic deviled eggs :) Sometimes growing up is not all its cracked up to be....

On a last note of me being old... my brother got his license today.. and then other got his permit.. OH. MY. :)

Last day off...

2009-04-07T18:17:00.006-07:00

School starts again tomorrow.. :) it will be nice to get back into everything, but I will miss my naps....

Found out today that I just may get promoted at work.. there are a lot of details to happen first, so I'll keep you updated...

I know I have promised pictures from the wedding, but Katie has asked us to wait on posting pictures until she gets a chance to do it first... but let me tell ya, it was BEAUTIFUL!!

So I'll give you different pictures... One from the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship!

GO HEELS!!!!!!

Report Card

2009-03-31T08:31:00.002-07:00

I have the coolest parents in the world... I printed my report card and they put it on the fridge :)

soooooooooooo here it is....

American Political and Economic History
A

Color and Design Theory
A

Merchandising Strategies
A

Merchandising Trend Analysis
A

Effective Speaking
A

Current GPA 3.94

Two quarters down.. Four to go!

50 Cent

2009-03-30T10:20:00.003-07:00

I'm a day behind...but

Happy Birthday to my favorite Daddy!

goin to the chapel....

2009-03-28T06:08:00.002-07:00

So about 20 years ago... two little girls with slightly frizzy blonde hair (ok so mine was REALLY frizzy)... decided to be friends...

A few years, a few hair colors, and a few miles have gone by... We finally learned how to tame the friz and are still friends!

Today my dear dear friend is getting married! I couldn't be any happier for her and Jon! I pray for a lifetime of utter happiness... a few nieces and nephews for me to love on...and for us to stay friends forever!

Congratulations Katie and Jon! Love you guys!

Leavin on a jet plane....

2009-03-23T14:40:00.001-07:00

Off to sunny Florida tomorrow! My best buddy is gettin hitched this weekend! I'm supper excited! Everyone have a wonderful week! I'll post pictures when I get home!

Let the Madness Begin!

2009-03-19T19:15:00.013-07:00

1. Day one of March Madness! So far I'm 9 for 11..

2. Darn those girl scouts. I can't say no. And now I'm eating my way through a box of Peanut Butter Sandwiches.. $4 for 20 cookies.. this is robbery.

3. I was stood up by the sun today. We were supposed to have a date at Huntington Beach. He decided to stay in bed. This is what it was supposed to look like...

4. I am currently eating an amazing bowl of pasta. Red Bell Pepper, Snow Peas, and Green Beans all sauteed in garlic and olive oil...poured over penne pasta, topped with a small scoop of marinara sauce and some Parmesan cheese.. Very. Happy.

5. I did not take a shower or get dressed today.. I've never done this without being sick. I am actually quite enjoying it.

6. I just remembered I have half a slice of Chocolate Raspberry Truffle cheesecake in my fridge. Very. Very. Happy!

7. I am doing my best to try to return all the emails that I haven't returned. I feel bad that I am so bad at keeping in touch..

8. I am very sad for my dear friend Cassie and her family today. Her stepmom, Sandy, a very sweet lady, lost her terrible battle with ovarian cancer yesterday. Love to them..

9. So the other night at work.. I was up (about 15 feet in the air) on top of our shelving in the stock room and I was working on organizing all our anti-bacterial soaps for the upcoming inventory.. and I hear my manager say two very magical words... Kitchen Spice. Now you can laugh at me I don't care, but Kitchen Spice is THE. BEST. of the anti-bac soaps. But sadly, it was discontinued a while ago. My mom ceremonially opened our last bottle over Christmas and it was sad.. but back to the other night.. somewhere, in the deep dark corners of the stock room.. a whole case has been hiding.. and my manager found it.. she kinda hollers up to me.. wow look at this box of kitchen spice that has been sitting here for forever. I got down so darn fast.. to see if it was really true.. and there it was... AN ENTIRE CASE. My name went on that case so darn fast.. tomorrow I'll be bringing it home with me. I am so excited. I can't even tell ya.

10. Ok Nellie- these are for you!! :)

11. Ok Pictures from Aaron's trip :)

Dinner at Don Jose's!

Aaron after our ride on the Roller Coaster of Death

On a much safer ride.. The Ferris Wheel

We ran into our Uncle and Cousin Dominick

At Graumman's Chinese Theater

2...5...7...

2009-03-16T12:49:00.003-07:00

2 more days of school....

5... finals.....

7... days till i get to go home!

and 1 promised picture of a barbie dress :) this will happen after the first two are done! I have all day thursday off.. no school or work.. and its going to be 75 degrees here.. so i have a date with uploading photos and the beach :)

and now sleep must happen.. you all have a fantastic evening!

Busy Week

2009-03-10T23:34:00.002-07:00

1-My Brother was here this weekend! as soon as i have ten minutes to breathe, I'll up load pictures....

2. I wrote a five page paper for school.. had one conversation with my teacher... then i wrote an all new one... sometimes being an over-achiever is not fun...

3. Tomorrow two final projects due...

4. Next week.. all the final exams..

5. I get to sleep next Thursday.. i hope i make it to then

6. 14 days I'm leaving on a jet plane... if its really warm, i may stay...

7. I made a barbie wedding dress tonight.. i can't wait to do if for real people :)

Miracle

2009-03-06T16:57:00.003-08:00

I have two very dear friends.. I am not sure they know how much they mean to me... They have stood by me in a very difficult time, never judging, always loving, supporting me and giving comfort when comfort could be found no where else..I can honestly say that I wouldn't have made it through with out them...

I don't get to see them very often, in fact only once in the last five years.. They have two beautiful daughters...who are too cute for words...

Today my dear friend posted a blog entry about her husband.. My friends need a miracle... Before today, I had no idea the severity of the situation.. I knew there had been an accident, but I didn't know how bad it was.. You can read the story here..

So please pray for this miracle for my friends.. I only wish I could take care of this for them..

My dear Andy and Nellie- You are loved and I am thankful for you!

Answers Time

2009-03-05T12:17:00.003-08:00

Ok.. here are the answers... i'll give you mine below..

So Questions 1 and 2 are how you see yourself.
1. Dolphin
2. Fast, Smart, Friendly

Questions 3 and 4 are how others see you.
3. Blue
4. Cool, confident, versatile

Questions 5 and 6 are you feelings about sex. (Ok so this one is random)
5. Pacific Ocean
6. Peaceful, serene, calming

Question 7 is your feelings about death.
7. Lonely, wondering, pensive

Question 8

White roses represent a giver personality..to the point of letting people take too much and walk all over you...

Red roses represent the opposite, a closed personality, someone with trust issues and has trouble making friends..

8. 12 White Roses...

So except for the whole water question.. I found this thing to be shockingly true... How did ya'll do?

Personality Test...

2009-03-04T13:07:00.003-08:00

OK, get out a pen and paper.. its quick i promise!

1. Write down your favorite animal.

2. Write three words to describe this animal.

3. Write down your favorite color.

4. write three words to describe this color.

5. Write down your favorite body of water.. (can be ocean, lake, spa, pool, bathtub)

6. write three words to describe this body of water.

7. Imagine you are in a large room, it has tall ceilings, no window, no doors, and it is completely white.. write down three words to describe how you feel.

8. You are going to a florist shop, you are buying 12 roses, you have a choice between red and white.. you can have any combo of these colors..or all of one color.. your choice.. What do you choose?

Ok... I'll post the what this all means later... I was pretty shocked by the answers... :)

Christian Louboutin

2009-02-24T16:56:00.002-08:00

So today I got to see a HUGE fashion icon... Christian Louboutin makes these beautiful shoes that are way way beyond my price range.. ummm pay rent and a car payment or buy shoes... hmmm... someday... His shoes are the one's that have his famous red sole on every shoe..

Today one of my classes had a field trip to South Coast Plaza which is the main mall here in Orange County that is a wide range of stores.. One whole wing is designer stores... Tiffanys.. Oscar de la Renta... Prada... etc and the other wing are the more "normal" stores... Gap, American Eagle.. Disney Store..

Well my friend and I went over to Oscar's to check out the dresses (Price range.. $3000 to $12,000) and work on a project... when we get upstairs to the Penthouse level of the mall, we see a large crowd gathered in line to meet Christian Louboutin and get their shoes signed!

So I took a few pictures with my camera phone.. He is in the white, and he is signing a girl's brand new pair of Louboutin's.... You had to buy a pair in order to get in line to get them signed..

Ok so I was super super excited about this... I love fashion school! :)

Dear Ben and Jerry...

2009-02-21T21:58:00.003-08:00

Your "magic brownies" ice cream is just plain wrong.

I mean, black raspberry and sweet cream ice cream swirled together with fudge brownie chunks?

Are you trying to kill me?

48 grams of fat and 1000 calories? How is a girl only supposed to eat just 1/2 cup and not the whole pint?

So who do I blame? You all for making this crazy amazing ice cream? or my roommate for getting me hooked?

Oh and its a limited edition.. thanks a lot.

I am going to get fat now...

Signed-
Me, the one with raspberry and chocolate all over my face.

Two Men and Becky

2009-02-17T18:38:00.004-08:00

This is the title of the photo album on facebook that my friend Billy posted :)

My old friend Billy was in Cali this weekend for a wedding of another old friend.. We all went to Calvary Stone Mountain and then Bible College back in the day.. I haven't seen Billy in quite sometime, so on Sunday we planned an adventure. Our friend Effran, who also went BC with us came along for the ride..

Our day started way too early at the 745 service at CC Costa Mesa.. Billy had never been to see Chuck at Costa Mesa, so off we went.. then after a much needed trip to Starbucks..off we went!

Our first stop: Hollywood! Here we are at Graumen's Chinese Theater.... They have all these crazy people who are dressed up as characters that you can take pictures with...some are very good.. others.. not so much... and I'm thinking this is the way to make cash in CA.. you have to tip these guys when you take a picture.. Johnny Depp here had a HUGE wad of cash...

"Johnny Depp" here was pretty good.. had the voice down pat... not quite at cute as the real thing though....

Next off to Santa Monica after a drive through Beverly Hills and trip down Rodeo Drive.. Trying to explain to two boys the importance of Rodeo Drive is a difficult task... :) Effran knew what it was.. but Billy.. well he kept calling it Rodeo.. like as in bull riding... In this pic, Effran and I are waiting for our funnel cakes!

This is so my favorite dessert..and yes.. my cute blue jacket was white very quickly!

Sunset as we were walking back to Santa Monica from our walk to Venice..That is one crazy place...

Good time with old friends!

Now if this isn't Romantic.. I don't know what it...

2009-02-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

Nothing says love like Waffle House

By JIM AUCHMUTEY

Palm Beach Post-Cox News Bureau

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

"Ain't nobody gonna come to Waffle House for Valentine's Day," she thought. "And if they do, it's because the guys are cheap."

Cheap or not, the couples came - some of them in dresses, coats and ties - and so did TV news crews. The promotion proved so successful that Waffle House is expanding it this year to 32 restaurants.

Pink signs at participating locations invite customers to "get scattered, smothered and covered" in romance. Reservations are encouraged, as people figure to be looking for inexpensive dates in hard times.

The idea originated with Calvin Stokesbary, a division manager for the Norcross, Ga.-based chain. The trick was how to make a sunny-side-up diner seem more cozy and intimate for the big evening.

At the first unit last year, each booth got a red or white tablecloth and a candle. White globe lights were covered in red paper to give the place a rosy glow. The jukebox was unplugged and replaced with CDs of gauzy music.

"I bought them at Wal-Mart," says Payne, now a district manager. "It was elevator music, really."

The staff was decked out in red ties. In deference to the occasion, servers and cooks were asked to communicate their orders sotto voce instead of using the usual Waffle House bark.
As V-Day approached, Payne remembers, "We got inundated with calls. You could hear them giggling on the other end of the line."

One of her regulars, a contractor, laughed at the notion that he would take his wife to Waffle House for Valentine's. A couple of hours later, she phoned in and made a reservation.
One couple drove all the way from Chattanooga, Tenn.

"Our second-shift volume was three times what it normally is," says regional vice president Derrick Hooper.

What's more, customers actually acted like it was a special night. While the menu and prices were the same, couples passed up eggs and patty melts for bigger-ticket items like steaks and chops - "our major meats," Payne says.

This year, Waffle House is adding a new wrinkle: Photographers will take pictures of the short-order lovebirds.

But there's one thing they won't be doing again. Last year, Payne bought some red food dye at Kroger and mixed it in the waffle batter. The waffles came out pink.

"People said they looked like Pepto Bismol," she says.

Not romantic.

1 am post...

2009-02-09T01:14:00.002-08:00

ok... its really late... 1:14 am... just got home from work but i had to post this...

just before I was leaving for work, ABC news was reporting on the sale of luxury items.. sales are down approx 7%.... it seems that those with money are feeling "bad" about it so they are not doing as much shopping and if they are shopping, they ask for their purchases to be placed in un-marked bags or they are having their items shipped to their homes...

but one area of luxury sales is not down.. the very top of the "pyramid"... meaning the MOST expensive stuff...

they focused on a store selling men's suits.. now granted these suits are custom made to fit you perfectly.. the grand total......

$42,000

I almost fell off the bed.....

The reporter asked if the suit had an iPod hook up... I said this suit better wash, dry, and iron itself too... oh and make lunch...

The reason for the price tag? Well its made from very rare wools from weird animals i have never heard of... oh yea and the pinstripes? made from white gold... there ya have it.. a suit made of gold...

I think that maybe i'll change from designing wedding dresses to making men's suits of gold.. :) sell two of those puppies a year and i've made a darn good living....

ok.. now its 121.. and i have a midterm in 8 hours... night ya'll :)