Shed What was Left of Our Summer Skin

Miss Who (that's me) is decorating her classroom today and ditching the summer things. I have a huge tote containing autumn things that is just busting to get out. I'm one of those people that if you tell me the fall and winter depress you I look at you in disgust. Trust me this is the time of the year that I love and I blossom during it. Unlike summer time when I come in to hide from bugs and the summer heat. You find me out a lot more and even taking more evening strolls. I love the colors. I love winter and fall colors.

Today is the 13th and I meant to get on here on the 11th but with just getting back from Disney, cleaning, work, and school. That just didn't happen with how busy I was that day. Rest assured that day has major meaning for me that day as well. Even if America did verbal attack the French community after that. I remember sitting at the table and father calling us into the living room to watch what was happening. I am still in amazement about that. I do not care what conspiracies are brought forth that is still sad what happened to those poor people trapped in those buildings. I do not think I will ever forget that.

Speaking of French, my cousin is moving in with for a little while. So my accent has returned times 10 and I'm using outlandish phrases that Americans very rarely use. She has recently been let go of her job and is looking for something more challenging anyhow. She has had a few minor setbacks, but she has gotten through them. It's been interesting having her around to talk about things and share things. It is not a permanent set up with her living with me. She wants her own space. She is, however, moving to Huntsville.

School is going great. I'm slightly worried about the work I will miss while going to Disney but I think I can pull it off and not worry about it. I like the atmosphere of our college. It is no where near as uniformed like the University of Alabama, but I am still prideful. I haven't exactly gotten used to the colors yet but I'm warming up to them. I love all of my classes except one and I find it very boring and useless. I have been using Microsoft Word for over 10 years and yet I'm having to learn how to save a Document and close Word? That's the only let down. On the upside I have classes that I love as well. My procedures class is amazing. I love the learning and templates we are acquiring from that class. As for my electronic booking class, I adore it! However, I do not adore the timing of the class. The professor is incredibly sweet and understanding.

Chris and I got our questions for counseling and we have went over them. It has been very interesting some of the questions. We have found out so much about each other on so many different levels. Questions have been asked that I never would have thought about because of their complexity. So it is not only beneficial; it is also very fun and interesting.

Surprise!

Ok, so most of you should know I go back to school tomorrow. I'm slightly anxious because a lot of my classes are online. That way I can work and still go to school at the same time. So on Mondays and Wednesday you won't be able to reach me from 11am-1pm. I have a class that I can take while at work but I really need to keep my focus.  On Thursday nights I won't be able to talk because I will have a class then as well but that's actually requiring me to go to the campus.

I also have to more classes but they are on Podcast and I just have to have them finished by the end of the semester. So I will be working on a few things here and there while writing blogs and such. This is probably where the blogs will start to dwindle, however, I will strive to keep the same pace.

When I arrived home yesterday I had a small party waiting on me. My dad, my stepmom, my lovely stepsister/cousin, my other cousin and all my baby brothers were there. I was really excited because yesterday the two oldest of the baby brothers started school and I was happy to hear how their days went. John starts having after school practice today after school. I cannot believe he is in the 7th grade.

They all wanted to know how my first day back at work was and how Sunday night went going to the Target Takeover with the School. It is really nice having family that cares about you and is dying to know how even the little things go. I quickly made some snacks and fixed drinks. While I was gone they produced a big present. I was quickly pushed and coaxed into opening the box. Inside was something I had to laugh at to myself.

Vera Bradley

I had just bought a wristlet from her company on Sunday, but inside my present was a backpack that matched the wristlet I had bought yesterday. The outside is black and white flowers with a red background. The inside is black and white houndstooth. I'm sure I'll post pictures soon but for now here you go:

However, that was not all as I quickly told by my 2-almost-3 year old brother who popped my hand and told me to "ook or!" (Look more! for those of you who don't speak toddler talk.) I smiled at my stepsister, Viv, who I'm sure I'll be discussing more now that she has moved from Paris, France to Huntsville, Alabama for good. I know she had something to do with the next thing I seen.

If you kept up with my Summer Bucket list you know one of my things was to get a personalized planner from Erin Condren. I did get that but they had gotten me a personalized iPad folio. Which is similar to a cover for it but it also folds certain ways so I can do more with my iPad. 

designer ipad folios -favorite things

This matches my planner and Viv was very sneaky about how she got what my favorite 50 things were for the design. But once again I was told to keep digging in the big TV box. (Which hopefully means dad got a new tv. He desperately needed one.) There were many more gifts. I'll just list them below. 

Storage Bath Rolling Mirror

Houndstooth and Black Faux Leather Instead of Zebra

Jewely & Storage Organizer

Dry Erase Collegiate Calendar

Now the reason I got these things was something I wanted to know. I was stunned, shocked, and overwhelmed. I asked daddy why. He didn't respond instead my stepmom answered. "Because you deserve it." The woman that for over six years and more I had despised, and was the reason I had to ask forgiveness so many times, was complimenting me. She told me I had worked hard to get to where I am today and that I deserved a little pampering. I hugged her and for the first time ever I think we both felt like it was a real hug.

We all talked for a while. They left because they were all going out to dinner. They offered to me and everyone staying at my house if we would like to join and we declined. I just sat there in awe with my youngest baby brother Jackjack who was playing with Abby. I sent my stepmom an email and I think now we might have realized what we have been missing out on all these years.

Happy, I'm Not

So while it was 3:15 a.m. it was thundering, lightning and raining. My puppy was beside me whimpering while my cat was behind me on the couch hiding under a pillow. I have too much on my mind right now. Tuesdays are usually my favorite days, apparently that will not be the case today unless somethings radically change.

1) I have called the school so that I can pay for my classes. I only have 2 more days to do that. The best part it won't let me log in to do that online. Which royally ticks me off. And reason why? Their servers are down and they don't know when it will be coming up! If I lose my classes I might go insane.

2) This problem cannot be rectified I have a feeling for a while. Pottermore has only released part of book 2 and I finished it up about 2-3 hours ago. So I can either brew potions or duel which really bite.

3) This headache won't go away. I've taken Tylenol but it does not appear to be working. I just want some relief.

4) It storm all morning so I didn't get to go running. I love my running helps me think and helps me relieve stress. I will probably do some yoga, but I'm not sure yet.

On a better note, I have come up with some great blogging topics. I was a little worried I was coming into a slump, but I overcame the drought of no inspiration. That in itself is a great accomplishment to me. I think I was just overcome with some things going on in my life. I sat down and thought about some things I really think I should write about.

Chris is fixing to start his own blog and is now on Pottermore. He also made a Pinterest and showed me up on there already. Though I love looking up his pins because it shows me what kind of a man he is.

So for the rest of the day, since I'm now home because school has made me sick at my stomach, I will be on Facebook, Google+, Tumblr, and trying to get into the school's website.

Quite Remarkable....

Yep 100 degree weather, sun beating down and I spent the day at Warp Tour. It was so worth it. I'm exhausted. I was really thankful for my iPad though during the bands that I didn't care for hearing their music. I did have a good time though. I met the girl that I watch religiously do hair tutorials and is also the one I won the giveaway from a couple of weeks ago. She was so awesome.

Apparently, an old friend of mine has become OBSESSED with my blog and basically me. I didn't realize it until she literally quoted my blog. So shout out to her. You know who you are.

Anyhow, yes I have become obsessed with Pottermore. I wasn't very happy my first time on it and I deleted my account and started from scratch and in a better mood. I know have a new wand and was sorted in.... wait for it.... GRYFFINDOR!!! And Chris got Slytherin when he played this morning. It is awesome having a boyfriend that isn't as obsessed but still obsessed nonetheless.

So we are spending tonight and tomorrow in Atlanta. I have a couple of things I want to do over here because when I get back I have to start cracking down on getting back into school mode. Which just so everyone knows most of my classes are online except for a Mondays and Wednesdays night class and a Thursdays night class. I am taking 5 classes so 15 hours this semester. I have to get my books and things. I am excited, however, because this is something I think will help me grow.

Blog updates.... Pottermore, Tumblr, and Twitter owls can be found in the right hand corner now. New music has been added. Oh the Products I Use updates almost every day though there is a new section I've been meaning to add. As well as some make-up products to add to the page. On the side now there is a Widget that shows books those are the books I recommend so I will be taking down the section marked books I recommend and probably will be changing that to movies. Also I have accomplished over 75 things on my summer Bucket List. It's more like 80 things at this point. On Wednesdays now there is an extra category that posts can fall into on that day which is awareness. I'll be posting about the organizations I give to and that I think are important.

So new in my life, Chris has gave me two rings. This is an odd sort of story. He had originally gave me a ring with a heart with a cross in it. It was too big and while he was at the jewelry store his eyes "fell on the most perfect promise ring." (Those are his exact words.) Now I loved the cross with heart rings but I am just speechless at my infinity ring. To me in represents a lot more. I know I know... *GASPS* But it does. Infinity means a lot of things to me like, God's love, Chris's love, and the word ALWAYS comes to mind.... Yep Harry Potter fan through and through.

I am sort of ready to get home, I miss my animals and work. Well I'll be back soon enough. I've fixing to go enjoy the pool of the hotel. Check back tomorrow for a post that means a lot to me.

Teaching A Lesson

So I have to finish everything on my Summer Bucket List by August 22. I will be attending UAHuntsville in the fall. I've decided to not continue my new college major at U of A. Everything about U of A was great, but I want to continue my education in a new direction. My job over the summer has made me realize that I can teach my passion and get even more out of doing something I love.

I could return to Tuscaloosa in the fall. However, I like where I live in Huntsville. It's really where I began to find myself and moving to Tuscaloosa, again, wouldn't feel right. I'll still visit a lot because I do love it down there. Huntsville, has been home to me for a while and I know a lot about it and here recently I've gotten more involved in the community.

It was not an easy decision. But I have prayed, and thought really hard about it. I finally visited the campus, walked around, grabbed those brochures that hardly anyone picks up, and talked to two people about the school. I made the decision and applied for admissions. I was accepted and my scholarship and credits have been transferred. I also have another scholarship since I have helped out with this summer program.

I am changing my major to education. Elementary education and P-12 Certification at that. I already have a major in art so the P-12 certification will not be that difficult to achieve. The reason I am changing is because the business world is not right for me. I believe that education will help me strengthen me and help me devote my time to what truly need attention in the world. Expression of young lives. I realize there will be set guidelines on what to teach, but I'm hoping that I can help someone else really achieve their dreams.

I'm not naive and thinking everything will go smoothly. I know there will be students that are in bad moods, have bad days, and will stop at nothing until they have ruined a class. I will be prepared for that. There is this little tug telling me this is what I need to do.

Many things for school to start back has a set date. For instance, I'm a transferring student and my orientation is July 18 4-8pm. After that there is a movie on the lawn which I think I might attend. Ms. Susan Gill and I have an appointment before and after orientation because I want to make certain I have a few things right before I go to orientation and I am sure I will have a few questions after orientation.

I already know there is a college group that meets. Someone of the ones in my church group on Wednesday attend there as well. So I will have a few familiar faces to help me around campus. Also, I started reading the Campus Crusade for Christ director's blog. I love her blog. She's really down to Earth and for that I'm really excited.

I have a feeling God knows that if I went back to Tuscaloosa, my priorities mine get jumbled again. He nor I want that. I want to remain living my life for him. He has brought me this far in life why not praise him? I'm excitably nervous. I'm looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead of me. I know with affirmed faith in the Lord I can overcome anything.

Via