Easter with Ben!

Last night, I spent the night at mom and dad's and they had Ben over as well so we could dye Easter eggs and so I could celebrate Easter with him since I won't be in town this weekend. We had a really great time dyeing eggs and he loved it! He didn't quite understand what dyeing eggs meant because he asked why the eggs had to "dye" lol. God, I just love that kid. I brought him a small Easter basket with goodies from the Dollar Tree (love that store) and he had a good time with them. On the way home from mom and dad's, he fervently insisted that I wasn't his aunt, I was his sister! He amazes me most of the time. Posting some pictures although I didn't get good ones as he was too wound up to sit still!

Got a call back for a 2nd interview!

Well, I ended up coming to Jeff City this weekend because Ruby's right leg hadn't healed enough to have the cone off and the doctor put her on strong antibiotics to help her heal. She definitely didn't need to be around Grace since they get completely wild! Soooo, Chad and I had a relaxing weekend at our home. I got a call on Friday from Capital Region and they asked me back for a second interview with the big bosses so that happens on Thursday -- I'm very excited but nervous too -- I would like to have that job. It's so close to the house and I liked the speech path I'd be working with. We'll just have to see...

Lots of exciting things happening and time is moving fairly quickly toward the FMD!

Thoughts for the day...

Got this on Twitter from Tiny Buddha ---

Why worry about things you can’t control when you can keep yourself busy controlling the things that depend on you? ~Unknown

50 Things We Can Control:
1. How many times you smile today.
2. How much effort you exert at work.
3. Your level of honesty.
4. How well you prepare.
5. How you act on your feelings.
6. How often you say “thank you.”
7. When you pull out your wallet for luxuries.
8. Whether or not you give someone the benefit of the doubt.
9. How you interpret situations.
10. Whether or not you compete with people around you.
11. How often you notice and appreciate small acts of kindness—they’re everywhere!
12. Whether you listen or wait to talk.
13. When you walk away from a conversation.
14. How nice you are to yourself in your head.
15. Whether you think positive or negative thoughts.
16. Whether or not you form expectations of people.
17. The type of food you eat.
18. When you answer someone’s question—or email or call.
19. How much time you spend worrying.
20. How many new things you try.
21. How much exercise you get.
22. How many times you swear in traffic.
23. Whether or not you plan for the weather.
24. How much time you spend trying to convince people you’re right.
25. How often you think about your past.
26. How many negative articles you read.
27. The attention you give to your loved ones when you see them.
28. How much you enjoy the things you have right now.
29. Whether or not you communicate something that’s on your mind.
30. How clean or uncluttered you keep your space.
31. What books you read.
32. How well you network at social events.
33. How deeply you breathe when you experience stress.
34. How many times you admit you don’t know something—and then learn something new.
35. How often you use your influence to help people instead of focusing on building your influence.
36. When you ask for help.
37. Which commitments you keep and cancel.
38. How many risks you take.
39. How creative/innovative you are in your thinking.
40. How clear you are when you explain your thoughts.
41. Whether you formulate a new plan or act on your existing one.
42. How much information you get before you make a decision.
43. How much information you share with people.
44. Whether you smoke or drink (unless you’re an alcoholic, in which case I am not qualified to offer you advice.)
45. Whether or not you judge other people.
46. Whether you smell good or bad (unless you have some strange resistance to soap and deodorant).
47. How much of what other people say you believe.
48. How quickly you try again after you fall.
49. How many times you say “I love you.”
50. How much rest you get at night.

Back to School

Had to come back to Cape today since Spring Break is officially over -- back at classes -- ugh. I'm ready for finals already -- tired of teaching lol -- not really but just ready to be done. Ruby Doobie still has to wear the cone of shame -- until Thursday when her stitches come out...poor baby! The yard sale was not greatly successful last week but we did make some money so that was a good thing. Had wonderful weather for it though and that was nice. I'm missing Chad, Ruby and Jeff City already. I just keep chugging on though with that ever-present thought running through my mind...WE'RE ALMOST THERE. Thank goodness!

What a Birthday!

Today I turned 35 --- wow! That sucks just to type it! Chad started my day with a kiss and hug that was very nice. I had two interviews today for possible jobs and both went really well. Poor Ruby had surgery to spay her as well as have her dew claws removed yesterday -- she came home today and has had to wear a cone to keep her from licking at the incisions. She looks so pitiful and she is constantly running into things. Hopefully in a couple of days, she won't have to wear it anymore.

Spring Break has finally arrived!

Spring Break from the University is finally here and I am so glad! But, I am not going to Jefferson City until Sunday morning because tonight I am celebrating my birthday with my family (Ben is helping Dad make the cake lol) and then Saturday night I am hanging out with my girlfriends at Summer's house for a Slumber Party. I really wish Chad could be here to celebrate with my family and I but next year for sure.

Sunday morning, Chad and I are meeting with one of the contractors about the bid they have for us to remodel the upstairs -- we are so very excited! Hopefully, we can get the loan going and they can get started at the beginning of April. I have two interviews for jobs next week so I'm a bit nervous about that but we'll just see how they go. Ruby is having surgery to make sure she doesn't go into heat or have babies...I'm worried how she'll do.

We have a busy week next week but Spring Break marks the halfway mark for this semester and I am so glad -- only 8 more weeks until FMD (Final Moving Day)!

Starting to remodel!

Chad and I felt the need to start on some remodeling today so we aimed our sights at the fireplace. According to a local fireplace salesperson, the stone that surrounded our fireplace (circa 1930's) was chipped from large pieces of stone by prisoners on a chain gang in the '30's. Chad and I felt that it outdated the house in addition to being too big for our small living room. We slowly chipped away the large stone pieces and grout to find brick underneath with a much smaller canvas to work with. We plan to tile the fireplace with tile that matches the backsplash in the kitchen and the tile in the bathroom OR we are contemplating leaving the exposed brick -- it really is growing on us. Here are pictures from our work today.

Come on spring...

Chad and I had a lazy day today -- took Ruby down to the Missouri River access and went on the nature trail. A baby snake slithered between my feet - wow! Ruby loved the water and kept wanting to get into the water to swim! We will have to take her to a smaller river when the weather warms up. Went to visit Andy and Lesha and check out what they were doing -- hung out for a while then came back home once it got too cold -- good day.

Busy Weekend in Jeff!

Chad and I have had a busy weekend so far...Ruby and I had a good day on Friday out in this great spring-like weather -- just hung outside and soaked up the sun. On Friday night, we went through boxes for more yard sale stuff and today, we got up early (believe it or not!) and tore down the fence in the backyard and burned it before the no-burn-date of 3/15. Then, we went to Kohl's and registered for gifts for the wedding --- just in case someone wants to get us something. We are making fried chicken and potatoes tonight for dinner -- yum! I love being here with Chad and Ruby -- I just feel so much at home and it's wonderful. I am just so happy that we are getting close to the move-in date. So, so ready. We're still waiting on a bid for the house -- just praying that it comes back completely affordable!

Is it summer yet?

I'm feeling the call of summer -- of pedicures, tans, shorts, sundresses, sun on my face, biking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, sitting out under our porch, drinking a beer and listening to music. I'm VERY tired of this cold, wet weather! Could be due to hormones - not that I'm ever hormonal lol...I'm just saying.

I think I am going to start each morning by thinking of 5 things I am thankful for...I think this will help me to get through March and April with a smile on my face.