Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Horrible

So for the most part this weekend was good. Erica and David finally got all moved to Ohio, though I am not sure how the rest of the moving is going for Andrew's parents.....it seemed they still had a lot to do. Anyhow....I stayed at Andrews Saturday night and got up early on Sunday to go home and sing at church. After church I got home and changed and saw all these red dots on the top of my right hand. At first I thought nothing of it until I noticed the same sized dots all over my left elbow and on the tops of my feet. At this point they didn't itch at all, just red and a little raised. I showed it to my mom and she gave me the 20 questions game of "what were you doing? does Andrew have this rash? Well I don't know what it is so just stop asking me about it" and my brother telling me I had scabies. I took a bendryl that night and went to bed. When I woke up Monday it was even worse, itching horribly and the spots were bigger and more raised from my skin. I decided that although I do not have health insurance to call my doctor and get it checked out.

It was $75 for the appointment, which I guess is better than the $150 they told me it might be. After asking me what seemed like 1,000 questions and staring at all my bumps, he came to the conclusion that they were flea bites. And yes one of Andrews dogs and his sisters dogs have/had fleas. Apparently they really like me because they pretty much ate my arms, feet and ankles alive.

I didn't work yesterday bc I was in so much pain and the meds for the swelling/itching made me tired. But I am back to work today and we will see how it goes.

I hate bugs and for some reason people can't seem to understand that. Maybe now Andrew will know why I never want to sleep outside or go camping!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Torn between choices

This week has been so nuts, I have hardly even had time to think, but yesterday on my drive to Westerville to see Erica I had a few moments of deep thought. I honestly feel torn with how to spend my free time lately. Next week I know its time to spend time with friends, especially Melissa (by the way I might con you into helping me with homework....hahaha for my bio class) bc we have been trying to make plans forever. On weekends I like to be at home or with Andrew. He works till 8pm everynight of the week so its hard to spend time together when he gets off work.....I kinda hate it. I saw him for 3 hours last night and it seemed like 5 mins. Tonight I am going over there too, so I guess it doesn't matter.

Yesterday also threw me into some deep thought about him (Andrew) as well. For some reason yesterday for the first time I felt like a total part of his family. Out shopping with Erica she called me her sister-in-law many times and it just made me smile. We talked about how badly she wanted a baby right now and how he/she can call me Aunt Amanda, that made me even happier. I love his mom and dad, they are the most down to earth and sweet people in the world! His brother and sister are cool too, as well as his sister-in-law (Erica) and brother-in-law (Clark). Erica and I talked about Andrew and I getting married and I hope its not too far off. By my calculations school will be done August of 2009 assuming Spanish is offered in the summer, which it always is! Erica thinks he will propose to me once I graduate and then we will get married in 2010....maybe thats wishful thinking on my part but I think she knows him pretty well after 8 years!

So anyways.....I hope that I am able to better balance my time here soon....any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Haiku Friday - Another stressful week!

Haiku Friday

This week at my work
Has been so stressful and nuts
Makes me tired, *yawn*

No time for my friends
I fall asleep on the phone
Talking to Andrew

Weekend my savior
Payday now too, gifts to buy
Andrew birthday soon

Please let next week be
More calm and much less stressful
I want some fun now!

This week has been so insane, yet again. Yesterday I finally got to register for my classes after fighting Great Lakes to disperse my loan before Friday!!!! Had I not been able to register yesterday, I would have had to make an appeal to academic council, with no guarantee that I would have been able to register then either. And I would have had to make some crazy payment to the school.....its a long story, but its all said, done and over now!!! Sorry for not returning calls this week.....I have been so tired, but next week should be better.

I am going to our Pittsburgh office again, October 5th through the 7th for another photo project and to ride along on a route there. I am excited to go again, someone was supposed to come with me but she can't now, our schedules just clash too much. This time I had to rent a car to take, thankfully our corporate account allows me to do that since you have to be 25 to rent a car.....I either get a Chevy Colbalt or Ford Focus.....I am hoping for the Cobalt!

I also took some new photos of our company vehicles which I'll post in another blog once I get them all edited in photoshop!


Thursday, September 25, 2008

One Time Blog

This is the one time on here that I am going to discuss my opinion about something that could be seen as political. I am not at a point in my life where I want a child, and I have taken steps to prevent that from happening. I am on the shot and use other forms of protection. I've had a few scares in my life and I just know now is not the time for me to be a parent.

Moving on......I find myself more concerned than ever with President Bush's ideas about contraception and a woman's right to choose. I know that I am catholic and I should be pro-life, but I know that's just not me....that's the one thing (well maybe like one of three things) that I do not agree with my church about. I don't really want to have 16 kids or have one right now, so I choose to be on birth control, if that means I'm going to hell than so be it! I have pre-marital sex and I know that by doing that I am putting myself at risk of becoming pregnant, thus the birth control. I have been reading a lot on the planned parenthood website about these new laws, some that could be passed tomorrow, preventing women from getting correct information about their choices concerning birth control and abortion. Read this opinion piece or even this one to find out more about what I am talking about, its too long to copy and paste into my blog.

It scares me, it really does that when I go to the OB/GYN in December that I could be denied access to birth control, STD's tests and many other things that affect my health as a woman. For the first time, I feel really strongly about a political issue because its going to affect me and every other woman that I know. Almost 98% of women in this country have been on birth control at some point in there life; condoms are not always the most effective method and I am sure we have all heard the stories. I feel its only right for us to have the right to choose when we want to have a child and to choose to be on an oral contraceptive, the patch, the shot or whatever it may be.

If you feel the way I do about this issue please go to the planned parenthood website and sign the petition before midnight tonight. I hope I have not offended anyone by writing this. I know that the two friends that read this are parents, but that they probably have used some form of birth control at some point in there life.....please don't think that I don't value you both as parents because I do, and I am proud of you both for being able to do that. Its just not what I want at this time in my life and I know you would both support that!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

My appologies

For posting two days in a row.....although there are probably only like 2 people who even read this thing, but whatever!

Anyhow....I finally finished two of the major projects that I was assigned to at work...man was it stressful and a pain in my butt! The first was 2 brochures for an upcoming conference, easy enough right?!?! Noooo, all the photos that had been used previously were crappy quality for printing so I had to retake tons of pictures. When all that was said and done I layed out several versions of each brochure. At first everyone agreed on the same one, then they realized it had too much text and needed more photos. So I had to start all over again basically, I finally got it all approved and onto the printer late yesterday afternoon after many struggles and stressful days. I now loathe that brochure, well both actually but whatever.

Then there was the tradeshow booth, no matter what I did it was going to look better than what we had before. That was easy, actually much easier than the brochures because all it really entailed was blowing up some photos and our logo and making it into a large panel piece for the booth. Thankfully nothing has gone wrong with that and I go pick up the booth tomorrow afternoon as well as the brochures. I hope I make it to Westerville for class on time.

So now I get to start creating a company intranet, re-do all of our hiring forms so they are consistent, re-do brochures for another special service and finally go back to Pittsburgh to create an ad campaign for them....whew....working full time is nuts!!!!

Monday, September 22, 2008

The Luminator

So I just got done reading Melissa's blog about modern conveniences that people cannot live without and it got me thinking. I think the blog that she got the idea from is for parents, which you all know I am not yet, but I honestly had to think hard about this one.....first I thought my cell phone, no that's too easy, then my computer, that's too easy as well....so what then.....MY CAR!

I honestly do not know what I would do without the good old lumina. Even with all her miles, scratches and dents and issues, she's been good to me and gets me where I need to go. Without her, I'd never get to go see Andrew, make it to work or class on time and I probably would be bored out of my mind. I don't think I could have survived before cars. I doubt I am good at horseback riding or riding any animal, elephants, camels....whatever! I just love having a car, and honestly I don't even care what it is, if I can jam to the radio and get to where I wanna go thats fine with me!

So this is a tribute to the Luminator as I lovingly call her now......she's been a great blessing in my life!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Purpose

So I have been thinking a lot lately about the purpose of me having this blog....yes maybe its a place for my friends to continue to stalk me via the internet (which is fine because I do the same darn thing)....lol but it is also a place for me to just talk about life. Maybe I should write more poignant things here....but I'm not really sure yet. I like to just talk about life, so maybe that should be the point of this.....a place to talk about life, the life of a 23 year old, continuing studies college student, working full time as a marketing coordinator, a girlfriend, daughter, friend, cousin, niece, goddaughter....whatever other categories I would fall into. I don't want to get into religion or politics via this blog, I know we are all entitled to our own opinions on those topics and I'm not always up for talking about mine, not sure why but whatever.

Oh and my photo for the week is from my college friend Sarah's wedding back in May. I just love that pic and thought I would use it for this week. The new photo of Andrew and I on my sidebar is from my 23rd birthday before we went out to Easton for dinner. I have been bored at work and playing with the photo edit options on Photobucket, which can make for some really cute or really funny photos depending on what you wanna do.

I've been thinking about getting back into my photography this fall after coming across all the fall photos I took last year. I am going to convince Andrew that a day trip to Hocking Hills is in order for us here soon!!! Probably one of the most amazing places I have ever been to in Ohio.

Well I guess thats it, if anyone can think of a purpose for my blog let me know!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Haiku Friday

Haiku Friday

Stress at work this week
Has made me need a cocktail
Maybe Jack and Coke

After work today
Finally the weekend now
Two days I enjoy

Friday see Andrew
Saturday cookout with the
Neighbors and good friends

Sunday Westerville
More time with my love Andrew
Don't know our plans now

Next week will be good
No more stress at work thank god
Boss is out of town

I have been doing a ton of preparation at work this week for 2 conferences that are coming up for work. I don't get to go to either one, but I did all the leg work for both. Whatever, I knew that going into the job. What makes me the most mad is that I have had hardly any help and more and more things keep getting dumped on my lap. Oh well there is nothing I can do about it because its pretty much over. I honestly do love this job though, my boss is amazing and she is always really good to me and I have made a lot of friends here. I have a girl I eat lunch with everyday and everyone at the office is super nice. Its good that things are finally falling into place here and that I am enjoying it so much!

I should probably get to work now.....that way I can leave at 3 to start my weekend!!!!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

A moment to exhale....

So I need a minute to vent....read if you want but sometimes this is the best place for me to dump my thoughts out and see them written down.

Andrew and I had our first fight yesterday. I'm not going to go into detail, but it was pretty intense and I still don't think I am okay. Its a really long story as well, and I doubt anyone wants to know what really happened. I honestly thought though that we were going to break up and the whole day until I saw him last night I felt horribly sick and awful. Things are better today, but I'm not fully recovered. I am hoping tonight after my class I can see him and that things will get better as each day goes by. I know that he is the one and I never want to loose him, but I feel like the fight is something we needed, everyone has to have some kind of misunderstanding every now and again, not matter if it seems dumb or not it makes your relationship grow.

Things at work continue to be totally insane and I am feeling the stress and pressure of the "adult world" big time. After this week it should blow over, thankfully!

And the chinese restaurant by my work, as I discovered today, is totally gross. I know now to never ever eat there again. Even the crab ragoon was bad and that seems really hard to mess up.

I start school tonight, not sure how I feel about it, but we'll see how things go! All for now everyone, I just needed to vent. I have a meeting in five minutes!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

POWER!!!!

We got our power back around 2:30pm today, internet, phones and cable are all working as well....just wanted to let everyone know....I'll post again toward the end of the week!

Powerless.....literally


So we still don't have power at my house. We have it at work, Andrew has it back at his house as of this morning....this is just getting crazy. We are literally the only street on our neighborhood without it. Almost all of Pickerington seems to have power back, some people are still without phones, internet and cable, but whatever at least they can do laundry and turn on a gosh darn light!!!!!!!!!

And is so nice that the power companies website is "down" and you can't talk to anyone when you call there. They said on the news it might be Sunday before some people get it back.....totally nuts. Its costing more than the power bill to run the generator so we don't loose all our food or go insane. This must be what its like to be in a hurricane or tornado, but I wouldn't really know.

Please pray that our power comes back on today....I don't know how much more of this I can take at the moment.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Haiku Friday

Haiku Friday


So now Andrew is finally done with his work training and comes home today!! I cannot wait to see him when I get off work! Oh and here's my haiku for the week!

Andrew is done now
Dumb work training sent him out
Now I can kiss him

Seems like its been long
Ago I saw his cute face
No more work trips, sweet.

Steelers day at work
We all get chipotle too
Yes, TGIF

You know I really like doing this every Friday, I've even started writing Haikus just in my journal lately, they are a good way to get things out when I am too lazy I guess to write a poem that totally makes sense. These are way more fun. I was thinking of writing some that go with my recent photographs and framing them as Christmas gifts, we'll see how it goes but its a thought at least! Hope that everyone has a good weekend!!!!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

9/11


I totally believe that this day 7 years ago is my generations Kennedy assassination....and still to this day I can remember exactly how I felt on this day 7 years ago.

I was in commons when it happened, 4th period or something I think....I can't really recall. They had turned on the TV's and just kept showing everything over and over, I almost could not believe what was going on. It was one of the first times I ever remember it being quiet in that huge room. I think choir was after that and we still sang, I don't remember there being a TV in that room. I remember a lot of people crying and wanting to go home, rumors flying around that our state might be attacked too. The whole rest of the day was nothing but watching TV and talking about what was going on. My boyfriend at the time was not in school that day, I can even remember he was out of town for a funeral and I called him on the payphone at school to see if he knew what was going on....I remember crying and being so scared. At home, it was the same, just this insane focus on nothing but New York, DC and Pennsylvania. I don't think anyone really knew how to feel. It was odd not seeing or hearing a plane fly over the house for days it seemed, how nothing else mattered but the fact that one of the best countries in the world suddenly just fell apart.

I honestly do feel extra patriotic on this day. Glad in the fact that I live in such a wonderful country. People really did stand up for the red, white and blue that day and still continue to now. This morning on the way to work I saw several trucks with giant flags waving from the back and I honked to show my appreciation to them for standing up for our country and showing that no matter what we all stick together.....no one will ever forget this day, I can guarantee you that much.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Nothing too thrilling

I have decided to change the photo on my page every week. This week is the waterfall at Ash Cave in Hocking Hills State Park. I have been wanting to go back there so badly lately. Andrew and I had such a great time back in March when we went! It was a great way for us to really get to know one another on a one on one basis since at the time he was living with his 2 roommates and we never really were totally alone with one another. I'd like to go back again for the simple fact that its so relaxing and peaceful there. Maybe a fall trip is in order soon!!!! I am thinking of either going there again or taking Andrew to Pittsburgh since he's never been there. I think it would be a lot of fun!!

I finally found out today that the birth control shot was the culprit of last weeks illness. I looked into some online forums of women who have been on the shot and they had the same symptoms for a few days after the first dose. They said it tapered off after about a week. Some also complained of mood swings, headaches and a drop in libido, but I have yet to experience any of those symptoms and I am hopeful that I will not have any of them. The stomach issues were enough for me! I still have not decided if I will continue with the shot after I get health insurance or not....guess I will see what the doctor has to say about it!

Nothing else too thrilling went on this weekend, the Steelers won, which is great, first game of the season. Next week we play the Browns and they are having a Browns vs. Steelers fans smackdown at Victory Park in Pickerington. I am totally going with all of my gear on, it should be a blast! And Saturday Sarah and Dave (my old roommate from College and her husband) are having a OSU vs. USC cookout so that should be fun. Andrew can finally meet all of my college friends!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

After today

Its totally official, no more po-dunk West Jefferson living for Andrew! I am actually excited that he won't be living there anymore, its going to suck for a few weeks with him being in the old house bc there is no privacy, but I am sure that we can manage in the mean time. He still has another week of this training in Cincinnati and should be done by Thursday of next week if all goes well!

Other than that, not too much has been going on. I've still been feeling sick, hardly have any appetite at all most days and its really starting to annoy me. When I do eat nothing tastes good....maybe it is this Depo shot, but I honestly don't know. Erica said this was not one of the side effects, maybe I have a bug, but I can't go to the doctor because of lovely 90 day probation at work....my insurance kicks in on December 1st!!! That seems so far away! Today I tried to eat a bagel, but again didn't taste good, but this Tim Hortons coffee is alright.....lol

Well this weekend hopefully will be alright....I'll probably wait till Monday to write again!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Haiku Friday!

So I am going to attempt this again in the hopes that its better than last week!

Andrew has been gone
But he will come home today
Weekend go slow please

I hope when he moves
It is what he really wants
Home is his heart now

I know its shorter but I can't think of anything else that's been going on worth writing about! And yes I finally get to see Andrew either tonight or tomorrow.....I am actually excited for him to move back home. When they move into the new house in 2 weeks he gets the whole upstairs!!! Private entrance and all so that should be nice!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Okay....

So I finally found a cute background that I like thanks to a link on Caitlyn's blog....so let me know what you think, now I am going to try and make everything else look nice....well at least attempt to do so....

Sorry for posting like everyday almost this week....I've been a little lonely and bored with Andrew going out of town for work. We don't get to text all day and therefor I have nothing to do at work except sit around until someone gives me something to do!

I have also been ill since about Monday, I think I might know why but I'm not sure. I have a constant stomach ache and hardly any appetite, even for foods I love. At night like around 8pm I start to feel really really hungry and then when I try to eat its just like nothing tastes good. The culprit? Well Andrews sis in law gave me the Depo-Provera birth control shot this weekend. She works at an open-door OB/GYN clinic and snatched some for me. I had a scare about 2 months ago and didn't need that to happen again! I have not been on any kind of pill or whatever for a good 6 months so maybe my body is just freaking out a little...idk and I have never done this shot before. I kinda like it though, no periods, it lasts for about 3 months and you don't have to worry about taking a pill or changing a patch.

So enough sharing about my birth control....since no one probably cares about that....haha. I really have nothing else to say. Andrew comes home for the weekend tomorrow afternoon. I am trying to convince him to come see me tomorrow, even though I will be with him all day Saturday helping him move. What can I say, I've missed him!!! But my gas tank is more full from not driving out to West Jefferson a few times this week :)

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Rollercoaster

So lately I must say things have been looking up for me, not that I'm trying to brag or anything, but there for a while I was really down and bummed. It took me almost 4 months to land the job I have now, my boss at my old job was not the nicest to me when I told her I was leaving, and she has not contacted me since I left.....whatever, her loss. School was on hold because of money and my dumb lack of motivation to finish and graduate, but thankfully that's gone by the wayside as well. I did have Andrew at that point and he has def. changed my life for the better and it was good to have his support when all that was going on. He has really motivated me to be a better person, to finish school, to save money and to just let go of the dumb things that bother me. Then I finally get a good job, salaried with benefits, paid time off and the works. I finally start to feel settled then things begin to erupt at home again.

I wish I could afford to move out....I honestly don't know how much more I can take. Its not that I hate my family, they just get bent out of shape over nothing. Most of you that know my mom know that she is a neat freak and is constantly on edge about the house being clean. My brother is in that moody late adolescent phase and he and his girlfriend fight constantly, creating turmoil within our house that has nothing to do with us. I get yelled at for not helping out, yet last night I made dinner, cleaned it all up, then went to visit my grandparents and that still was not enough.....like honestly, what the hell!

Now I don't know when Andrew and I will be able to move in together, which is fine, I know it will be okay for me to visit him often and I'd much rather make the drive to Westerville then out to West Jefferson.....its just more familiar to me. At any rate, I know that its now my turn to be totally supportive of him and what he needs to do and I just need to suck it up and go with it.

Once I get some debt paid off and get more settled with my job/school schedule in a few weeks I can see where I am at and see about moving out. Just keep me in your thoughts and prayers that I stay sane after all of this because I honestly don't know how much more myself or anyone in my family can take at this point!!!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Over the weekend

Well I would def. have to say that this weekend was great!!!

Friday night Andrew picked me up after work and we headed back to his place for the night so we could leave for Muncie early Saturday morning. We left about 7:30am and got there around 10am bc I had to stop to pee twice....woops....lol. Almost immediately the boys started working on Andrews brothers new motorcycle, so Erica and I decided to go shopping. We brought the boys back lunch and after everyone got cleaned up we went to Rural King - a giant tractor supply store. We got an inflatable 30" deep pool there for like $15....the boys didn't like it but whatever! After that we went to Domo, a Japanese Steakhouse, and it was amazing, expensive but so good!!!! I had the best sushi roll, deep fried with creme cheese inside.....yummm!!! We got back that night and drank and hung out...got in the pool at 11pm when it was freezing and passed out around 12am.

Saturday we all went to breakfast at this cute little diner, and afterwards went to a gun store. Andrew ended up getting a new gun, don't ask me what, I just know its a .22 and has a scope on it...haha. Erica and I cooked the boys dinner and then we waited for the rest of the friends to get there so we could all go bowling. That was probably my fave part of the weekend, we just drank some pitchers, danced around like idiots and ended up pretty much getting kicked out because they were closing and no one told us that....oh well! We went back to David and Ericas and everyone goofed off and drank some more....I was the idiot that passed out before everyone else while the party continued. But it was still a blast, I put pics on my Facebook if you wanna check them out!


Last night Andrew also decided to move back in with his parents. Where he is living now is not the greatest situation and things just continue to get worse. His mom and dad just bought a new house, and they don't intend to use the second floor at all bc of his moms bad knee. So Andrew would get the master bedroom, complete with a full bath and its own deck! I think its for the best that he do this till they decide where he would live on the farm, there are a few ideas floating around at the moment. He'll probably move in there next weekend for good. Well thats all I've got for now....the new pic is of me and Erica, Andrews sis-in-law!