Some updates

I have spent a good portion of this morning going through old blogs and putting labels on all the old posts. As BFF lost a piece of information yesterday and had to search through her blog the HARD way because she had done SOME labeling but as many of us do, had not totally labeled her blogs. So she had to go through and find the blog in question. She mentioned that she needs to go through and label her blogs so this doesn't happen again. It made me think, most of my blogs are unlabeled as well. So that is what I have spent probably 2 hours doing this morning. (In between breaking up little fights with the kids, taking care of them, getting coffee, etc. LOL)

I also wrote one update during this, it is the post immediately prior (I suppose following this LOL) to this one about Bug's speech/hearing. I felt it was very pertinent as I read that prior post. I did also post one embedded edit into a prior post, it's one that I felt was better to put as a retrospective edit that looking back that was a powerful day.

But most importantly there were some little things that I jotted down to write about in a new post.

One post I wrote some months back What do you want to do with your life? needs a bit of an update. In it I was excited to move on to learning to do cakes and possibly turn this into something more. I did begin the Wilton courses as you can see from several of my subsequent posts over the following months. I completed courses 1 and 2. I did quite well. I enjoyed it quite a bit. And I discovered that although I enjoy doing it as a hobby and enjoy having the more advanced skills of having taken the classes, I do NOT want it as a career.

I ended up spending SIGNIFICANTLY more money for the classes than anticipated. And although it WAS fun, it was also frustrating. My work schedule made it quite difficult at times to concentrate because I'd end up going straight from work to class. I'd be tired, sometimes aching from scanning groceries all day. I just realized toward the end of the second class it was NOT for me. I did not sign up for class three, and I've had no regrets about it.

I enjoy baking cakes for church, our family, and when asked, for friends. BFF and I still do mostly vegan cakes, it has become our specialty sort of. People at church who are having parties for their children who are NOT vegan and are ordering a big non-vegan cake and are inviting us and any vegan guests will ask us to do a smaller cake for BFF's children (due to the allergies, not because we are vegan. Most store cakes involve a LOT of soy) and any vegan's in attendance.

Another factor in that post was why I did NOT want to go back into the medical field. The fact is, the more I think about the more I realized how much I miss it. I really enjoyed being an EMT, and I really wanted to go on and be a Paramedic. So I am now planning to go back. I really WANT to go back this spring, but for personal and financial reasons I don't think it's going to happen. But hopefully by summer the financial side will be worked out, as well as the personal.

Another thing I wanted to update on... In this post: So much to update on I had said I wanted to be more minimalist. NOT that I wanted to get rid of everything, or be one of those people with only 100 personal possessions. Just that I wanted to purchase less, be more cautious about WHAT I purchased so that I could purchase NICER things, etc. Well, I have been trying to do that to an extent. Although I am still sticking for the most part to my rules about shopping (most items on sale, etc.). But due to my weight loss, I've had to buy a LOT of clothes lately, especially pants. I've actually been able to get BACK into some pants I haven't been able to wear in YEARS, so that is great. But the fact is, the time has come for a purge. I have GOT to go through the closet, the drawers, etc. Sort out what fits, what doesn't, and what has no hope of ever fitting. Some of my things that don't fit, BFF will fit now or soon. (I'm only a size or 2 smaller than her and we've both been losing weight). But there are distinct body differences between us, so some things will NEVER fit her. Those things need to go.

I need to do this same purge with the girls toys. I have multiple boxes of toys and animals in the garage that they haven't played with in MONTHS. MOST of them can be sold. They have plenty of toys inside. Most of the toys in the boxes in the garage they have "aged" out of anyway, since they are primarily rated for 18-24 months!! So, I think that in the near future I will be doing a MASSIVE toy purge. Fortunately I do have a great twin club that I can sell many of the toys to.

I am in the process of setting some goals for 2010. I will make a separate post for them, one that will post on January 1st. So yes, you will have to wait!! LOL I don't believe in setting resolutions for the year. I don't like them, I think that it sets me up for disappointment. I prefer to have goals. Because I do not feel as much sense of failure or disappointment in myself if I do not succeed. I know to most people it is a matter of semantics. But it matters to me.

So what sort of goals can you expect to see on my list?? No, I won't be totally mean and make you wait. What you will NOT see is "I will lose 20 pounds" or "I will work out 2 hours every day" or anything like that. I have in mind some spiritual goals, some physical/fitness goals, educational goals, employment goals, financial goals, and parenting goals. None are set in stone, none are make it or break it, none will make me feel like a failure if by December 31, 2010 I have NOT completed them. A goal is just a guideline, something to aim for. I will NOT tie my self esteem or self worth to it!

I will try to blog a bit in the next few days if time permits, otherwise, look for my 2010 Goals on January 1, 2010!!! :)

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Pumpkin Cheesecake

The last of KG's Holiday recipes! Another delicious concoction!!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

2 8oz cream cheese packages
1 1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 15oz can Pumpkin puree
1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
2 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanila extract
1 tbsp all purpose flour
2 graham cracker crusts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Beat together cream cheese and sugar. Add the pumpkin and spices. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add salt and flour. Beat until creamy. Pour batter evenly into 2 graham cracker crusts.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until knife slide into center comes out clean. Let cool and top with cool whip or whipped cream.

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Ahhhhh.... a day off...

I am BEYOND excited because from 3 PM this afternoon when I clocked out until 9 AM Friday morning when I clock back in, I am OFF!!! WOOHOO!!!

I have no real plans as of yet, but I am EXCITED. A day off... yay!!! :)

I do plan to make ricotta cheese cookies, I NEED to wrap presents. I'm sure there's other things that need to get done, cleaning, laundry, etc...

But I get a day off!!!

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Pumpkin Roll

Another one of KG's favorite recipes!!

Pumpkin Roll

Ingredients
3 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons butter
8 ounces cream cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a jellyroll pan (large cookie sheet with sides).
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs on high for five minutes. Gradually add white sugar,and pumpkin. Add flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and ginger. Spread batter evenly in pan. Sprinkle pecans evenly on top, and press lightly into batter.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until it springs back when touched. Loosen edges with a knife. Turn out on two dishtowels that have been sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll up cake, and let cool for about 20 minutes.

To Make Filling: Mix confectioners' sugar, vanilla, butter or margarine, and cream cheese together till smooth.

Un-roll pumpkin cake when cool, and spread with filling. Re-roll, and push aside the dishtowel. Unroll long sheet of waxed paper. Put pumpkin roll on waxed paper. Dust pumpkin roll with powdered sugar. Twist ends of waxed paper like a piece of candy. Put pumpkin roll in refrigerator and chill overnight. Before slicing, dust with powdered sugar. Serve chilled.

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Ricotta Cheese Cookies

This recipe comes courtesy of one of my old neighbors who is an awesome friend. KG will be her name (unless she outs herself, cuz if you've been reading my blog for any time you know I don't use real names!!!!) I LOVED LOVED LOVED these cookies when she made them for me several Christmases ago. This year she has shared several of her recipes with me and granted me permission to share them with my blogging world! :) ENJOY!!!

Ricotta Cheese Cookies

Ingredients
1/2 pound butter
1 3/4 cups white sugar
2 eggs
15 ounces ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:
5 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup colored candy sprinkles

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, cream together butter, sugar, eggs, ricotta cheese, and vanilla extract. Combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda; blend into the creamed mixture, mixing in additional flour as necessary to form a workable dough. Drop dough into teaspoon-sized balls, on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned.

In a medium bowl, beat milk, confectioners' sugar, and almond extract until smooth. Spoon over warm cookies, and sprinkle with colored candy sprinkles.

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Busy week ahead...

Hot coffee and homemade peppermint biscotti is being quickly put down my throat, and the car is already warming up/defrosting outside. I need to be on my way to work in about 5 minutes really, 10 at the most (but I could still clock in on time if I left in 15, how sad is that??). OH how I dislike the 7 am shift... there is NOTHING to do a 7 am at that store!!! It will pick up a little at about ten.

My parents arrived yesterday, and my ex-husband arrives Friday. Let the mayhem begin! LOL Tomorrow BFF and I are taking advantage of the baby sitters to go do Pilates. Since Peanut is contagious and we can't risk the others being possibly contagious we can't put ANY of them in daycare at the Y. But Grandma and Grandpa don't mind :). And I need to call the doctor's and let them know Savannah is now sick. And I have to call the insurance and verify info about Bug's upcoming MRI. And I have work tomorrow.

And I work Tuesday and Wednesday. I'm off Thursday. I don't like mid-week days off. :( They are not nice. I work Friday right up to my special requested time off to allow just a sufficient time to go get the ex from the airport.

Saturday is Sabbath and we will be HOPEFULLY taking 13 people. That is if Peanut is healthy and no other kids come down with it by then. *sigh*

Well, Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go...

Have a FABULOUS day!!!!! :)

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Last night's cake and needing a miracle.

So there it is, last night's EXTREMELY disappointing cake. I know I know. I've been told already I did a GOOD job, stop being so hard on myself, etc. But, I am NOT happy with it. I will be redoing it soon. I have to or I won't be happy. I had so many problems with it though.

-girls ate one layer
-icing firmed up too much and we had to thin it out to ice with.
-I had to stay up WAY too late the night before
-we never could get the icing as smooth as we like.

BFF and I are both perfectionists. But we finally decided it was "good enough." I had made up all of my icing for roses in 4 different colors, and it was the PERFECT consistency. I know it cuz I PRACTICED with it!!!! I did up the icing for vines and leaves too. I packed it all up and got ready for everything.

Somehow that perfect consistency icing turned ROCK HARD by class. Which is really odd with tall the humidity. Normally humidity will cause frosting to thin out, NOT to get stiffer. But it was IMPOSSIBLE to work with. So I spent much of my class trying to adjust the consistency of my icing to even be ABLE to use it. I was putting incredibly high amounts of water into my icing. Even our teacher was amazed at how much water I was putting in. And I don't blame her. It was a TON.

I finally managed to pull off three sorta roses, several decent leaves and some vines. the picture above is the result.

This morning we got up CRAZY early to take my sister to the airport to head home. BFF's DH's car has been acting up lately, he said the tranny has been slipping. Well, it died this morning. He made it to work, but the transmission fluid is all UNDER his car. And we are moving next week, and BFF is supposed to start school at the end of next month. She says she's not going to go to school now. She has financial aid, except for books. She needs $400 for books. I told her I will NOT let her quit because of books. NOT HAPPENING. I think I know how to help her. But I know a few people who won't like it.

I think I'm going to skip my California trip. I was already debating it for SEVERAL reasons, but I think that the biggest one is that it would be a better use of my money to pay for her books then fly to California for a week. She'd give me the money if positions were reversed, and she's been SO excited about this. I am NOT letting her give it up.

I don't know how to help on her DH's car, other than learning how to repair a transmission, so I guess I best start learning. I have done other things on a car before. LOL But seriously, we need a miracle, with the moving expenses, his car repairs, and her books, we NEED a miracle.

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Exhausted

Yup, I'm tired, exhausted, wanna throw the towel in. And I can't. And I'll get over it. And Starbucks will be my best friend today LOL.

I was out late, stayed up even later working on cake and icing. Never did make roses, BUT, all my colors are done. So at least I don't have to worry about that!!! :)

I got up early because BFF had physical therapy this morning and I needed to finish the cake. Only to be told that BFF's DH says "check the creamer, he thinks it's gone bad." I check the first one, yup, stinky. And it was bought just the other day. Check the 2nd one, bought SAME DAY, also bad. *sigh* By this time BFF is gone. No coffee til she gets home with creamer. I finished up the last color for class and went out on the trampoline with the kids talking on the phone with BFF. After I hung up with her, I fell asleep!!! This girl NEEDS her coffee!!!!

I need to pack up my cake bags, set out some cake clothes (since I'm going straight from work to class), and if there's time, get over to the YMCA to see about joining.

I have work from 2-6, cake class from 7-9, and then we have to get to bed pretty early to get my sister off to the airport at O dark thirty in the morning. LOL

Smoochies all, pictures of my cake will be uploaded to facebook tonight and on the blog sometime tonight or tomorrow!!!! :) :)

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Cake anger

Okay, so BFF found this absolutely FABULOUS vegan "white" cake recipe. I don't care so much that it's vegan, but we need vegan for church. I love this recipe. It has a nice lift to it. It tastes as good as any non-vegan cake, and is totally safe for her DS3. It's also easy to change the flavor by subbing a different extract. One of my other favorite things about it is that it has a high sugar content. No, I'm not a sugar freak. But it causes a slight caramelization on the crusts that is DELICIOUS!

So we made my 2 layers of cake yesterday for my cake class. One of orange one coconut. YUM YUM

We put them into the freezer during dinner so that they would be safe from kids, food, and bugs. Left them out overnight so they'd be ready to ice today. This morning they were still intact. I put in english muffins for the adults to eat and they were still intact. I went to extract the english muffins and...

HORROR!!!!

Little hands had gotten to it. You have NO IDEA how upset I was. Especially since I'd had to convince BFF to make them for me. I admit to one part laziness one part I think she makes better cakes! But now I'm gonna have to convince her AGAIN to make the layer for me. It was the coconut layer by the way.

So now we have to clean the kitchen, cuz her DH wants to make chicken and dumplings, but he requires a SPOTLESS kitchen for this, make a cake layer, let it cool, fill and ice said cake, and make several roses for the cake. AND I need to go buy new work shoes and go to work at 3. Guess I better get to work since that is only 4 hours away!!!!!

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Temper Tantrums

I threw a temper tantrum.

Yes I did. I am not exactly ashamed of it either. Here's the explanation.

I have been baking all these cakes lately right? Well, my last cake didn't rise, but that is beside the point. My real problem has been that they have NOT been releasing from the pan. DESPITE using the tried and true method. So we've had to do A LOT of damage control.

Well, BFF decided to make a random cake today to see how well the recipe worked. She asked ME to prep the pan. No biggie. She goes to release the cake... AND IT RELEASES PERFECTLY.

She calls me in, I see in, I clench my fists, I excuse myself. I run out the back door and begin screaming as I run to the trampoline, fling myself on, and throw a fit like my daughters do.

And surprisingly, it felt good.

So yes, I threw a temper tantrum. LOL

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Auntie arrives and Cake 2

Well, yesterday was a full day for us!

BFF dropped me off at work and headed to the airport to pick up my sister who was arriving. I was a bit upset that I couldn't go to the airport, but that is my own fault. I didn't get my time off request in soon enough.

I got to fly solo at work for a while, at the service desk! I had no problems. :) Work was, well, work. LOL BFF and sister came with all 7 kids for my break. That was a nice treat. And then they did some quick grocery shopping and went home.

BFF and sister then picked me up from work to take me to cake class. Other than forgetting my change of clothes, we were good to go. We stopped at North End Treats for a slice of pizza and off to Micheal's for my 3rd cake class.

We were doing clowns, shell borders, star flowers, swirl flowers and roses. Let me start by saying... The clown bodies are cute, but the heads are UGLY!!! I have dreaded making these clowns because of their heads. But I want to learn and it is a part of the learning process. So here is my poor clown...



I think those heads are just plain scary! LOL

I did my shell border in white because I just was not wanting to mix colors LOL. The pink and blue of my clown were colors I already had and I just added a little more white icing to the batch to lighten it and give me enough to work with.

The star flowers and swirl flowers are in pink on my cake. I like them pretty well but need to work on them more. For the roses I decided to mix up some color. I did a light lavender, but I didn't FULLY mix it. I left it slightly unmixed to give it a purposely mottled color. I liked how it turned out, though it's pretty much impossible to see in my picture! LOL I think it actually has a very natural look to it.



The cake itself is a modified vegan lemon cake, with buttercream filling and frosting. YUM YUM Can't wait to cut into it today! LOL

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Mosquitos, health insurance, and a cranky me.

Okay, I'm cranky. I FREELY admit it. I am snapping at people, and I think more than anything I need to curl up in bed. But that is not an option.

BFF has physical therapy today and I am home with all the kids. It's wet and rainy outside so they can't go out to play. It was like that yesterday, and will be again for almost a week straight.

The mosquitoes are out in full swing, and apparently I have "sweet blood" so they bite me A TON. And I'm tired of it. My poor ankles are so itchy. I am trying so hard not to scratch, but it's nearly impossible.

I am almost at my 90 days with Job "B" and am supposed to have insurance starting day 91. Well, day 91 is the 24th. I had been told I'd get information in the mail. Well, nothing has arrived. So I talked to my HR person, who said call this number, they'll get it straightened out. I called that number and feel like it did me no good. They took my phone number. They said they'd open a case to look into it, and get back to me in a few days. ARG.

I hate icky weather, just for the record. It makes me feel icky, it gives everyone cabin fever.

On the plus side, I have work today, and while I'm at work my sister is arriving. BFF is picking her up for me. Then I have my cake class, I can't get my cake to smooth, but it'll be okay. After cake class BFF, sister and I will probably go to Friday's for a snack.

Given how this morning has gone, it can only get better!!!!! :)

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Rough day

This has to be short, I have to get ready for work in an hour.

-I baked my cakes yesterday, barely any rise, and I followed the recipe.
-I went to make my frosting and we were kinda low on powdered sugar.
-Frosting didn't taste right.
-Got that all fixed, and I'll pick up more sugar tonight for the cake.
-Had to handwash all my "Featherweight" reusable icing bags because they hadn't been done yet.
-Started icing the cake and had to stop because...
-The girls managed to open and spill an entire can of white primer, on their feet, the chair, the faux wood floor...
-Had to CLEAN said paint up (with help)
-Had to send all the girls outside cuz they had paint on their feet. It's raining, they weren't happy.
-cleaned up girls
-made girls lunch
-started working on smoothing the icing, but it was not cooperating.
-BFF reminding me that it's raining, it's humid, so the frosting isn't setting up as well.
-FINALLY got it smooth enough for now.
-will finish the smoothing process after work.

I'm tired, and I have a 5 hour shift ahead of me.

God, grant me strength, endurance, and help me to find my happy attitude to be cheerful with my customers. Amen!

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Desk training and cake class.

I had a great time yesterday.

I did my first training shift on the service desk yesterday. I was working with someone I like pretty well, and she did a good job showing me around the service desk. The lottery machine LOOKS intimidating, but it's easier than I expected. The Western Union is harder than one would think. LOL Answering the phones is tedious. People want to tell you your life story :) And then there is the customer who just WILL NOT LISTEN to what you're saying.

A gentleman was apparently given some incorrect information the day prior about one of our sale items being on the 3 day sale. It was actually NOT, it was a regular weekly sale item. Well, of course, the tag on the shelf shows the sale price!! He's basically getting irate with us before he even gave us a chance to speak. He's going on and on that his wife used to be a manager in a grocery store and she says we HAVE to honor the tag on the shelf and the tag is still there. I'm TRYING to show him that the flier SHOWS the item is on the regular sale, NOT the 3 day, but he doesn't care to listen or look. Finally my co-worker told the gentleman that he was getting too worked up and he needed to calm down and listen. He was INSISTENT that she come out and LOOK at the sign. She finally gave in and went with him, pointed out the date on tag. She said he never apologized or anything. *sigh*

I think I will enjoy the service desk. :)

I had my 2nd cake class last night. We did piping gel transfer images and then star tipped the designs. I'm NOT a fan of star tipping. I don't like how it looks. BUT, it was what we were doing. I chose to do a transfer of one of my tattoos. I really love this image. However it's TOO detailed for a star tipping design. So I modified it in the transfer process. I am still pretty happy with how it turned out :) And for your viewing pleasure...



I cannot WAIT to eat it though!! It is a mango cake with a pineapple filling, and homemade buttercreme frosting. YUM!!!

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Cakes

Yum yum cakes...

So yesterday BFF and I made a totally 100% vegan cake for church. It's also soy and nut free. Her 2 allergic kids can eat it, it tasted great AND was vegan for church.

It was a raspberry mocha cake with a chocolate buttercreme filling and icing, and regular buttercreme decorations.

I did the baking and a good chunk of the icing, but BFF smoothed it out, and she did the decorating. It was getting pretty late and bluntly it would have taken too long for me to try to do it.

Here's the pic, it was taken with a phone camera, so excuse the quality of pic.

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New layout!

Well, I have a new blog layout, let me know what you think of it.

Job A caused me a bit of stress the other day. Our newly promoted Assistant Store Manager came out of the office and barked at all of us that we needed to cut the chatter to get the work done. It upset me because bluntly, we CAN talk and work. We open packages of clothes and put them on either a hanging rack or folding rack. We are in close quarters and we're almost exclusively female. But we all quieted down and worked. "New Girl" (NG) and I were working together and really, we were busting it out. We went through 20 boxes in 20 minutes. This is no small feat. We unload the box, open the packaging, sort, and size the clothing. There's usually 25-50 items per box, we were FLYING through these boxes at warp speed. But it was all for naught as we got a "group" lecture after the shift that we (summarized) hadn't gotten it done (NG and I got OUR assignment done) and that since we talk too much and the music OBVIOUSLY distracts us, we will no longer be allowed to have music and if we talk we will be given verbal warnings. *sigh* I was pretty upset about it. I truly feel that a formerly nice, fun, "cool" manager got promoted and is now trying to "prove" that she's worthy. And she took it out on our team.

I decided that in regards to this situation I'm just going to keep doing my job. I KNOW I was doing my job properly and plenty fast enough. And so I will just keep doing it. Most of the time they give me only ONE shift per week anyway. As long as I have one shift per month, I keep my discount. In MANY respects, that discount is the ONLY reason I continue to work there. I buy clothes for the WHOLE family there. And 25% off is a NICE chunk to be relieved of. As I said in my previous blog, I am trying to start being more minimalist. I try to not buy too much new clothing, but the fact is, we have to buy some sometimes. So I need to keep this job so I keep the discount. If it truly becomes an unbearable environment I will leave there will full 2 weeks notice. This way I could still re-hire with the company when we move.

One of the supervisors from Job A called yesterday late afternoon while I was at Job B. Fortunately Job B supervisor was cool since it was slow and she let me walk out and take the call. Job A sup was calling to tell me my shift this morning was canceled because the store didn't have the hours to give me. I said that was fine. Bluntly, they usually give me 5 hours a week, this week, the 2 days I've worked are already 7 1/2 hours. So I really didn't mind NOT working this morning!!! LOL

Nothing new to report on Job B really. I will go to both Jobs today to get my schedules for next week. I'm supposed to be Service Desk training at Job B. My schedule will tell me :)

My cake class started on Wednesday night. Although this class kinda was boring, because the students had nothing to do. But we are to bring a cake to class this week to work on. YAY

BFF's DS1 has a birthday this Monday, and BFF is going to have me do the cake. She's going to help me, so it'll be fine! LOL I'm excited about that cake, a NASCAR themed cake for him. And my class cake will be a picture transfer thingy, I'll explain the details on the HOW later! I have a VERY dear friend of mine emailing me the picture today for my transfer. I LOVE this image so much that it's been tattoo'd on my back for the last 6+ years!!! LOL But I don't have a good drawing of it to use for the cake, so she's sending it to me. She designed it! LOL

Anyway, this week is another baptism at church, and I'm looking forward to it. :)

Well, we have a lot to do this afternoon. Hopefully BFF can go get her contacts today, I need to get both my work schedules, and we need to go buy one more thing for the cakes. well, hopefully only one more LOL. I'm seriously debating buying a pair of jeans at work, because I have an employee's only coupon for any pair for $19 PLUS our employee discount of 25%. This brings my total down to $14.25. A pair runs between $29.50 and $34.50 making this at LEAST 50% off in the end. I don't NEED more jeans, especially in my current sizes. I'm considering buying a pair the next size down though. It's a risk, but I AM losing weight, so I will fit them eventually! LOL

OFF I go to do stuff!

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So much to update on

And so little time to type LOL. Well, not really, I have several hours, but I will not be able to convey all of it without making a 20 page post LOL.

Okay, so we had a good weekend. We went to church Sabbath morning. It was a baptism. A young adult who was very excited to be baptized, and then the pastor did an altar call for others who'd like to be baptized. Several people went to the front, including one gentleman who is considered a leader in our church. He was re-baptized immediately. It was inspiring. I have been wanting to be baptized, but every time the opportunity has presented itself to either speak to the pastor or bible worker, or an altar call has occurred, I have found myself either unable or not ready to take that last step. And this Sabbath was no different. I know the right time will present itself. When the time is right I will be calm and able to stand up and take the steps needed.

Later BFF's DH fired up the grill and we had delicious chicken, corn on the cob (cut off the cob for me), grilled squash with garlic, and watermelon. It was DELICIOUS. I enjoyed it very much.

We then packed up and headed out to a nearby school for a fireworks display. We were very lucky to get about 10 feet from the barrier. I was excited to be so close, but had concerns about the girls being afraid. Especially Bug, she is like her momma and is afraid of thunder. But we told the girls before it started that it would be like their favorite book "Chicka Chicka BOOM BOOM" And she handled it pretty well at that point! LOL

SO that was our 4th of July, it was an overall great day.

On the work front...

Oh me Oh my... I have had some "interesting" customers the past week.

At some point this past week I was informed that I was now a "Customer Service Champion" and I am responsible for making sure that the customers are receiving appropriate service. Among other things we are implementing the process of asking the customer if they found everything okay or something similar to that. In many ways this question is a formality. We have associates all over the store that would be happy to help if the customer asks. But still, it's a nice touch to double check. In my first shift of asking this I had three separate customers who all stated they had NOT found everything, and with mine and my fellow associates assistance we were able to help them. So I'd personally say it was an effective policy. Furthermore, several of the customers have THANKED me for asking, saying how nice it is that I asked. All except this ONE customer. I asked the question and she says "Did you come from Trader Joes???" And of course I respond no, since I've never worked for TJ's. She launches into this huge speech/lecture about how useless it is to ask that question, that if she'd gotten to the checkout obviously she HAD found everything, cuz how could you NOT know where to look etc. She just went ON AND ON about it. At first I was ready to just brush it off. She might have been having a bad day. But when she kept going and was beginning to say that I was an idiot for asking, well, I got angry. I behaved, and in a restrained, and fairly calm manner, informed her that in fact this question was not a waste of time, useless, or make me an idiot. That in one days time, and my shift was only 5 hours, I had assisted 3 separate customers to find something they couldn't. She backed down at that point but OH was I mad.

The next day, I was FINALLY given the paperwork to do that will get me a 50 cent raise for being a cashier. YAY for raises. This will put my hourly rate at $8.75/hour.

The same day as my paperwork arrived, our general manager came through my checkout line. I totally didn't recognize him though. I'm used to seeing him from a distance. So I gave him the same exact customer service that I give everyone. I truly pride myself on giving everyone good service, because I believe it will come back to me, and I should treat others as I wish to be treated. Well, it was EXACTLY the right thing to do to my general manager!!!!! He got so elated that I was giving him the "customer" treatment and DOING what they want us to. He looked for a green card, kinda a recognition card that you can save up and trade in for $$, but he had none. He said he'd get me one though. Within 5 minutes the manager between my department manager and the GM came over and complimented me on pleasing our GM that way! :)

But best of all, yesterday, my dept. manager brought me 2 green cards. One she said was from our GM, the other was from her for earning one from the GM and therefore making the whole dept look good LOL. A little later she came over and told me that next week I'm going to start training on Service Desk!!!!!! :D :D :D :D This is a TOTAL promotion, and a total shock!!! I guess the GM told her to make it happen. I've worked there roughly 2 1/2 months! I will get another raise!!! I don't know how much, probably 25-50 cents, but still, that's a nice raise!!! :) :) And I'll be able to work more hours now too cuz I'll have another area I can work in.

Yes, I'm excited! LOL We celebrated last night with a chocolate molten and some Starbucks Caramel Macchiato ice cream. I almost celebrated after my Job A shift this morning by treating myself to some new jeans. BUT... BFF convinced me this weekend not to spend the money since I'll probably "undergrow" them (lose weight) in a month or so, and I am really trying to watch my money to be able to spend it on nicer purchases.

I read a blog this morning at Organizing Your Way on being more minimalist. The guest writer said one of the biggest things was being the type of minimalist THEY wanted to be, not an ideal that someone else set down for them. They don't want to give away all their possessions and live on a commune or only own 100 items. It really spoke to me. I think that in the months to come I need to really pare down my "possessions" and keep the stuff the truly matters to me. And stop buying STUFF just to have more STUFF. I do NOT need to keep up with the Joneses. In a small way I've already done some of this. I have given away or thrown away when appropriate quite a bit when I moved from Tennessee to Massachusetts. Now I need to do it again.

I am using the library more (SO much more economically and environmentally friendly anyway) and I only buy books I truly feel a need to own. I have had to buy quite a bit of clothing in the last couple months for 2 reasons, first off, for work. My previous wardrobe worked great for staying in the house most of the time. But not for work. And what I did have that was appropriate for work was winter clothing, and I started working in April. I should be good to go come fall and winter, and will just pick up a few key pieces here and there and as clothes wear out or I "undergrow" them. Which is the 2nd key reason I have bought clothing. I NEEDED smaller pants. My size 16's were falling off me. In that same cut of pants I needed a 14, in a different cut I was able to move into a 12. The 12's are already getting to that point where just a little while after I put them on I am pulling them up constantly. BUT... I do not yet fit the next size down. So I have to lose more weight before they'll fit. That's okay though. I am blessed to be able to give the clothes I undergrow to BFF who is undergrowing her way into my clothes!! I'm so happy for her!!!! :)

I notice that some of my shirts from before are really wearing out, and some that I just do NOT wear. I have some I will NEVER get rid of for sentimental value. Shirts from my time in the Army for example. But I have a tough time with shirts. I have to find shirts long enough to cover my midriff, or use a tank under them to do the job, and I need some sort of sleeve for Job A. I am also that pain in the a$$ who refuses to pay full price. With a couple exceptions: jeans (I watch for sales, but, I will not WAIT for sales!!! LOL), socks (yeah, find a sale for that!!), undergarments (like jeans), tank tops (from a certain big box store, they are the ones that fit me best, are long enough, and only cost me $4 to begin with!), and shoes (again, like jeans). I am blessed to get a GENEROUS discount at Job A, meaning I am NOT paying full price, and yet I STILL frequently wait for a sale.

ANYWAY... my point to this is that I want to get to a point where I can spend the money on NICER things that I truly need and want. Like buying a new bed for myself when we move. I don't have one right now, and even if I did there'd be no room for it here. I sleep on BFF's comfy couch most of the time. But, when we get ready to move, I want to go to IKEA and buy my bed frame (cuz they have an IKEA here and I don't know if they will wherever we end up). And then the mattress for my frame. The mattress will be pricey, but if I stop buying just to have the newest things, just because I can, then the money will be there. It's going to be a change for me, but I know I can handle it!!!

I'm still pushing to eat better and be more environmentally friendly.

I am starting my Wilton Cake Decorating classes tomorrow, I'm very eager for that!! And I paid for my sister to fly up here in 2 weeks to visit. She's been sounding really down lately, and I know she'd like to see the girls. Plus, she's been wanting to meet BFF. So, BFF and I went on a hunt for a good ticket. We hit the jackpot with a flight for under $180!!

Well, I'm going to go rest for a bit before work tonight! That's my "short" update. LOL

See ya all soon!!

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Dang I was lucky...

Okay, so a little off topic, well, maybe.

I've been reading CakeCentral.com forums the last few days. Just for fun. I am reading in the cake business section, and the prices people charge for cakes for their weddings. Now I KNEW I had received a very good deal on my cakes. A friend of my mom and myself did my cakes, and they were PERFECT. She is a professional and did my cakes either AT COST or just over. By at cost I do mean ingredients and an hourly cost for her time (after all, time is money). But she really made no profit off my cakes. She did it as a favor for me, she knew my budget was small. Honestly though, I never even priced anywhere else, because I was set from years before I ever got married that WHEN it happened I wanted HER to do my cakes!

I asked for something that I thought was SUPER impressive and HAD to be difficult to do, but she told me, and I know now from my research, is actually quite easy. I had a 4 separated cakes, plain with basket weave sides. No decoration other than that as my florist did arrangements for the cakes. I realize now, I was probably one of her favorite customers! LOL I asked for something SUPER EASY, buttercream frosting, no decorations... I knew I wanted at least one level to be chocolate cake with raspberry filling, and the smallest one to be lemon with raspberry. I don't remember the other 2, I didn't eat them! LOL I paid $250 for my entire set up. She did NOT charge for delivery 60 miles away, only because she was also a guest at the wedding.

Pearl, I doubt you are reading this, but in case you stumble on it. THANK YOU. I never realized what a cake really cost.

I also had the MOST awesome florist. He also didn't make a penny off me. While he wasn't a close friend per se, I knew him before I ever asked him to do my wedding. He also was a professional with a store front. When I first approached him it was for a 12 person wedding, including bride and groom. 6 weeks before the wedding it changed to a 150 person affair and I suddenly needed WAY more flowers. In the end, for all the boutonnieres, coursages, bouquets, throw bouquet, ceremony decorations, reception decorations, and cake decorations, I only paid $400. I had a combination of white roses and purple tulips. It was BEAUTIFUL.

I really appreciate these people helping to keep my costs down. I will have to pay it forward to someone else one day.

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What do you want to do with your life?

I was recently asked this question. It's a tough one in some ways.

I'm 31, divorced, single parent of 2 BEAUTIFUL little girls. I have an INCREDIBLE, wonderful support system now. I have good friends who truly only want the best for me.

I have an associates degree that was earned 11 years ago. I have not finished my Bachelor's degree, and I've come to the conclusion that I don't care if I do. If I finally find a field that it behooves to have the degree, then I'll find a way to finish it. Otherwise, I am not going to spend my time or money to get a piece of paper. It doesn't bother me that I don't have the degree, though it seems to bother a few people around me.

There's jobs I've previously done and enjoyed very much. I LOVED being an EMT. But I have reservations about going back into that field. Primarily because I have already burned out of it once. Also because I am not too certain that the work schedules would be very conducive to my children having their mother actually PRESENT in their lives. But if I do go back into that job, it's only a 1 semester training. If I choose later to continue on to paramedic it's another 1-2 years of schooling later.

I could try to go back to school for nursing. A career that is considered VERY "portable." Meaning it travels with you when you move. This is always a good thing. But, it's a minimum 2 years of training. And honestly, I'm not sure I want to be doing nursing.

I learned how to do IV's and blood draws in Army training, so I have considered being a Phlebotomist. Whether or not licensing is required varies from state to state. IF it is required, some schooling would be involved, probably no more than a single semester.

A large part of me leans toward the medical field. It's something I've done and enjoyed. And no matter HOW bad the economy is, this field WILL be there. But... I'm not sure I care to continue working in it. It is a rewarding thing to help people, but not everyone is nice to you. No, I'm not being "a big girl-butt" as a 6 year old recently called me. Some people are hostile toward medical professionals, some are just so unhappy that they make you miserable, the job isn't ALWAYS rewarding. It can be full of heartbreak too. SO... not sure it's where I want to be.

Other things I'm fairly good at (IMHO anyway)...

Shoot, I don't know anymore. But, I have been recently reminded of something I do enjoy. Cake decorating. I am an amateur at best. I've literally done two cakes before. No, 3 cakes. I've done my girls first birthday cake. It was by far the most elaborate. It was a beautiful crown cake fully covered in stars in the various colors. I did a baby shower cake for a friend, it had colored polka dots. And I did another cake for my girls 2nd birthday, also a polka dot cake.

I was watching BFF do a cake this weekend for our friend's twins party and was reminded how much I enjoy it. (and LOVE buttercream frosting!) She's taking all three of the Wilton Method classes. She's done some pretty impressive cakes. So I started picking her brain and doing some looking. I can take the classes through Micheal's craft store, the class tuition is about $45 per course (each course is 4 weeks long, 2 hour class per week). The required supply kit is $25-35 per course. Outside of that, there's other supplies that I will need, but BFF has MANY of the tips, etc that I'll need. As for food supplies, she says overall she doesn't believe she spent too much for her classes. SO... overall, it will not cost me too much to do. And it will give me skills that I can use anywhere, so it's portable.

I am hoping to sign up for the class for next month. The store wasn't originally scheduling course 1 for July, but they've had a great interest in it. So I will stop by tomorrow after work and probably be signing up for it. :) I'm excited!! :)

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