Monday Mantra

This week...is going to be super crazy busy!

I believe...I won't be reading many blogs this week. :o(

I'm addicted...to saltines and peanut butter. It's like the perfect snack!

I wish...it wouldn't take 3 months before new guy (starts Monday) can help lighten our CRAZY workload.

I'm jealous...of everyone who actually likes their job.

Soundtrack/Mantra for the week...Happy Birthday to Ward!!



Sorry...it's the only picture of him on my phone!

Happy happy joy joy!

I’m not sure exactly why, but I am in just a terrific mood this morning! So of course, I just had to share with you guys! Aren’t I the sweetest? Really, there could be numerous reasons for my gleefulness this morning…

It might be because I am so proud of my doggies. Yesterday, it was (supposed to be) raining and storming all day long. I really didn’t want to have to put the dogs outside in that kind of weather. They would be miserable and covered in mud when I got home! So, for the first time ever, I left them inside. OUT of their crates (which we’ve broken down and stored away). For the ENTIRE day. Now, I did contain them to the upstairs hallway, like we do at night, but still. I was very nervous to what I would come home to. Well, I got home, let them outside then went up to survey the damage. Or rather, LACK THERE OF!! No damage at all! They didn’t try to eat their pillows. They didn’t chew on the furniture. They didn’t even pee on the carpet!! Oh, I was but ecstatic! I even gave Major a hug. (He’s a good hug giver) And while they were cooped up all day and all night yesterday, they were still perfect little angels this morning as I got ready for work. I love my dogs. They’re the greatest!

You know, my good mood most certainly could be from the fact that I went to Bunco last night, at my mom’s house, with my best friend. It’s actually been a while since my best friend, B, and I have had some just us time. And it was great. She got me all up to speed on her pregnancy. Her new pictures. Her new due date. Her eating rules. What they’ve started picking out for baby. It’s all just so exciting! While I didn’t win anything at bunco, (though B did!) it was a great relaxing night with a fun group of ladies. And I definitely need that every once in a while.

Really, it could just be the weather that makes me so giddy. We had a cool front come through yesterday and I woke up to 52 degrees this morning! BRRRRR!!! The sky is crystal clear blue today with the most perfect cool breeze. I even wore a long sleeve shirt to work! I L-O-V-E this weather. That alone can put the hugest smile on my face! Though it would be even more perfect if I, you know, didn’t have to work. But hey, we take what we can get, right?

Also, I finally started rereading Twilight (again)!! Though I'm only two chapters into it so far, just the fact that I'm reading it again makes me smile.

Now, my last reason, is, well, a little controversial. I’ve been debating whether to post it. But I figured y’all would have the best advice, so here goes. I’m actually in a good mood partly because my husband is out of the country. Now, please don’t take this the wrong way. Let me explain. I love my husband dearly and I am sad when he’s away, but he’s been sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo super stressed lately and he’s bringing all this bad stressful energy home. I’ve been trying very very hard lately to simplify and declutter and relax my life. I stress out too easily. Even though he’s got about 1000 times more stress than I do, he’s not trying very hard to rectify the situation. And really, his stress and bad energy just ends up bringing me down with him. I try my hardest to get him to see the light and make changes, but he just doesn’t. And so, while he’s away, I feel so much…lighter. Like I can breathe again. It really does break my heart to see him like this. Who knows what I can do to help him out?? I want to be able to have these wonderful, carefree, happy feelings when he’s at home!! I want us to be happy and carefree and relaxed TOGETHER! Help a girl out??

Okay, okay…I really do need to get some work done today! I truly hope that all of you are having a super wonderful fantastic Friday!

So pushy

How Major lets you know he wants some attention:



I know it's a little hard to see, but that's him setting his head on my laptop...while I'm in the middle of typing! Sheesh...

Poor guy...

Yesterday I posted about how Ward was heading off to Brazil pretty unexpectedly. Well, his plan was to come home at lunch today and pack and then he would head to the airport right after work. He called my at work just after 5pm and said he was on his way home. For just one split second I got super excited like maybe the trip was cancelled and he wouldn't have to go after all.

Uh huh. Yeah.

That's why I said one split second. No no. He was on his way home to pack because he was too busy to run home at lunch. AND he said it was a good thing he didn't try to pack last night for just a short Thursday to Saturday trip. He found out this morning that he now has to stay for a meeting on Tuesday. So much for hoping he'd be home this weekend. And here I thought I was finally going to get that new faucet for the kitchen sink. Well poo on you, Brazil!

I really do feel bad for the guy. He's under so much stress right now. And now all this last minute trip half way across the world business. It's just not very healthy. I told him he better workout at the hotel every day that he's down there to help with his stress. I hope he listened.

And to top it all off, with this now extended trip, he won't be home for his birthday on Monday! He actually didn't realize it until he was just about to leave and he's all mopey and says, "I'll see you in December." So I say, "You better be home for my birthday." (Which is in a week and a half) And then we both just look at each other and I exclaim, "You're going to miss your birthday!" Then he was even more upset about having to go.

Poor guy.

Random thoughts on this Tuesday eve

Hey all! Have a good Tuesday? Mine was okay, I guess. Work is totally kicking my butt. We have way too much going on for just the two of us to handle right now. It's ridiculous. But good news, my boss is hoping to give a guy an offer this week (as long as his background check comes up clean) so while it will be another 3 months of training for said new guy before he'll be able to help lighten our load, I'll be happy that the position is filled at least.

I have successfully kept my Google Reader at "0" for two whole days now!! That's like, amazing! Now, the amount of work that was sacrificed to keep it like that? Well, we just won't mention that right now. I've been able to read all the posts, but I still haven't been able to comment as much as I'd like. Eh, I'll get there. Y'all understand, I know.

In "oh, by the way" news, Ward will be heading off to Brazil tomorrow night. And he just found out today. Love the way that works. But good news is he'll be back Saturday morning so it's a short trip. Also means he'll actually be home this weekend, which he wasn't originally. He was supposed to leave Friday night to go to the Auburn vs. LSU game with his boss, but now he won't be able to go to the game and he'll have to stay home with me. :o)

I went to my workout class this evening and I am REALLY happy that I did. I've been feeling kind of down and out a bit lately, and haven't really felt like working out, but as soon as we got going and I started groovin' with the music, I suddenly felt so much better! It's so true about exercise lifting your mood.

So, while I am starving since Ward's ribs he's BBQ-ing are taking for-ev-er, I'm in a great mood tonight! I think I'll go peruse cafepress.com some more and find me an awesome Team Edward shirt to wear to the New Moon premier. :o)

Monday Mantra

This week...I had to "Mark all as read" in Google Reader. I just couldn't get through 500+. Sorry guys.
I believe...this week will be a challenge for me. I can already feel it.
I'm addicted...to all things pregnancy. Or maybe obsessed is a better word. Either way it's probably not healthy.
I wish...some things were not out of my control.
I'm jealous...of everyone who stays on top of their Google Reader. (Falls under the category of "I hate my job")
Soundtrack/Mantra of the week...keep your chin up.

Time on my hands

For once, I actually have a Sunday with a little free time on my hands. And yet, I can't decide what to do with it. I did watch my two movies that I had in from Netflix for when Ward was in Brazil (since I knew he wouldn't want to see them), Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, because while he never did end up going to Brazil, he's out fishing all day today. Those were both good movies. I enjoyed them. I've also been doing some laundry since we have like 15 loads, I swear. I know I'm going to make a run to Target in a bit, too. But we had a little BBQ yesterday with some guys from Ward's work so we cleaned all day yesterday and the house is like spotless. So, I actually don't really have any housework that HAS to be done today (besides the laundry). And now I have a bit of free time and I can't decide if I want to a) do some crafting b) start rereading Twilight c) take the dogs to the dog park or d) just be lazy and watch more movies. Who knows what I'll end up doing. I mean, it's already almost 2pm and I do still need to go to Target.

Oh yeah, so it seems like my giveaway was a big flop. I guess Burt's Bees Acne spot treatment isn't the coolest thing to win these days. Oh well. More for me! Seeing as I do actually need it! But too bad nobody got the chance to win some fun earrings by me. Too bad! I'll try to make my next giveaway way cooler so that someone will actually want to enter it!

Well, that's really about all from me right now. I should go finish getting ready and run my few errands. It's such a beautiful day here, I need to get out of the house! Oh! Lightbulb! Two birds, one stone...take the dogs to the dog park AND Twilight and read while they play! Hmm...enticing. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Whoa! 200 posts!

**UPDATED**
**Wow...okay...so no one wants to enter my giveaway? Is it that bad? How about this? If I get at least 10 entries, I'll throw in some fun, fall inspired, handmade earrings by yours truly! Did I sweeten the pot enough for you?? Come on guys! Tell your friends!**

Can y'all believe it? I've had 200 (hopefully entertaining) things to say since I started not too long ago. It's an exciting day for me and what better way to celebrate than with a giveaway!

In my role as a bzzagent for bzzagent.com, I was given the opportunity to test out the new acne line by Burt's Bees. As someone who has struggled with acne their whole life, and now more than ever, I was thrilled to try it. I must say, out of the TONS if different products I've tried over the years, I really really liked this. I love the fact that it's all natural. It works really fast and really helps out with reducing redness.

For you guys to try out, I am giving away three, count them, THREE, samples of the spot treatment. And each sample comes with two of the viles pictured below so you even have the opportunity to pass one on to a friend!



I'm telling you, this stuff is great. Not only does it help my acne, but I also have sensitive skin and using this product, my skin really has never looked more healthy. I love it!

Now for the rules:

Entering is super easy. Just leave me a comment!

Want additional entries? Tweet about my giveaway then leave me a comment linking back to your tweet. Or blog about it and come back and comment with the link to the blog post.

Thank you all for supporting me thus far and I hope for many more posts in the future! Good luck!

Contest closes Saturday the 17th and I will announce winners on Sunday!

Just getting you up to speed

It's Tuesday, which is the day after I usually do my weekend recap, but you know…life happens. I’m just lucky I got a chance to do my Monday Mantra yesterday! So, here we go:

Friday: Ward was heading off to a buddy’s lease with him so I said a quick hello and goodbye when I got home from work. I then went and met friends for ladies night at the pottery painting place. It was a nice evening. A little food, a little drink, good friends, and good times. It’s been a while since we’d all gotten together for pottery, and since I made something for myself so I painted this little guy for my kitchen.


It was a pretty lazy night after I got home. Just watched a few shows off the DVR and went to bed.

Saturday: Got up early and packed up the dogs to head to my parents. My mom and I were going down to Galveston to do an Alzheimer’s walk on the beach with the dogs. It was just a mile walk, but the weather was cool and overcast and there were lots of other people and dogs and it was the beach! We had a nice time, the dogs got to get out and do something different and fun. We went to breakfast afterwards (since we were done before 10am!) and stopped in at Marshall’s and picked up a few good deals. I didn’t get back home until about 3:30pm. Ward was on his way home soon after that. I lounged around until he got home since I had such a busy day so far. He napped a bit when he got home then we both got showered and cleaned up and we went and met his mom and brother for dinner. We got home and pretty much went straight to bed. We were both just exhausted!

Sunday: Got up at a decent time…about 7:30am. It was still cool outside so Ward and I spent some time outdoors. I pulled more weeds from the front yard and he washed his truck since it was covered in mud from the lease. When it started to rain we headed inside. I finally got our budget updated for September and Ward napped some more. After updating the budget, I was able to move $4500 into our savings!! That was VERY exciting. I mean, we’ve been spending less than we bring in every month, but this was the first time I actually moved some of that money into our actual savings account. It was a good feeling. Other than that, I did a few loads of laundry, Ward worked on some stuff in the garage, we had dinner, watched Year One, and I found Ward’s birthday present. I still haven’t been able to order it though! His birthday is in 13 days! I must do that today…I bet I can from my iphone.

And just because it’s Tuesday, and I was so proud of my accomplishments last night,

Monday: Don’t worry, I won’t bore you with my crappy day at work. Just wanted say I started the week off good on the home front. I got home and Ward was already there (!!). We cleaned off the dogs since they were outside in the mud and rain all day. We ran to Petco and got dog food and stopped in Kroger for a few items (which turned into $94 after we got a bunch of meat on sale…). We got home and Ward vacu-packed all the meat for the freezer and I cooked dinner. Pork chops, rice, and broccoli with cheese sauce. Mmm. We watched a couple shows during dinner then I cleaned the whole kitchen. After I finished with that I took a load of laundry upstairs and put away ALL of my clean clothes. Then got ready for bed and was in bed by 10:30pm! Whoa. That is an accomplishment these days! I hope to keep it up, that’s for sure. It was soooooo nice to come downstairs this morning to a spotless kitchen!!

Oh, oh! Guess what else! This is my 199^th post. Know what that means? My next one will be number 200! Wow! So, in honor of that, my 200^th post will be a giveaway!! Nothing super awesome, but a giveaway, none the less. Who complains about something free, right? Well, I don’t, anyway. :o) Stay tuned for number 200 and a chance to win something! (Pssst…rumor has it there will actually be 3 winners!) Thanks guys for letting me get this far! And here’s to 200 more, right?

Oh Major...

I think Major forgets sometimes that he's actually a dog and not a person. Like when he's sitting on the steps...

Monday Mantra

This week...Ward is NOT going to Brazil so I was able to plan a whole week of meals at home!
I believe...we might refinance our two mortgages into one and save 15 years and like $140,000 in interest!
I'm addicted...to The Vampire Diaries on the CW network. Like seriously.
I wish...I had some more free time to start rereading the Twilight series again before New Moon comes out!
I'm jealous...of people who can take their dogs to the beach every day.
Soundtrack/Mantra for the week...try, try, and try again.

Just a quickie

I say that, but watch, this will end up super long.

I just wanted to write a quick update while I still have a few minutes of lunch left.

This week has been an absolute whirlwind. I seriously don't know what day it is. But I need to so I don't forget to go to workout class tonight! Ward did NOT end up going to Brazil this week. Which would be a good thing if I had not already planned dinners all week for just me. As in leftovers and Tuna Helper. Ward is not such a big fan of either. That said, we went out Tuesday and ordered pizza last night. And I went out to lunch yesterday since me and coworker, M, were out in the field. I feel like I've gained twenty pounds in the past week. Oh wait. I also just finished my ten days of progesterone pills which make me retain water like a friggin sponge! So I probably have gained twenty pounds! Ugh.

In happier news, I'm doing an alzheimer's walk with my mom Saturday morning. It's a 5k walk on the beach and I get to bring the dogs! I think it will be fun. The dogs L-O-V-E the beach!

The past two evenings I've been pulling weeds out of our front yard. Seriously, our yard is atrocious! I've filled up a big potting soil bag and a 35lb bag from dog food so far and I've done about 1/8 of the yard. It's disgusting. But I'm trying! We REALLY need to work on our yard maintenance.

I had a couple very interesting conversations with coworkers yesterday about some happenings here at the office. I might blog about it all if I get a chance, but fore warning, it'll probably be a really long story!

Okay, that took up way more than the few minutes I had so I better get back to work. We are way swamped...

Look at me go!

Look at me! Three posts in one day! Of course, you know what that means...I probably won't have any more for the rest of the week! No, that's probably not true. At least not this week. Ward's going back to Brazil tomorrow. Well, maybe. It might get postponed, but he won't know until tomorrow. How's that for some advance notice?

Anywho...I thought I'd give y'all a little weekend recap. It sure wasn't too terribly exciting, but I still like to give you a little glimpse of what I do while I'm not on the computer. :o)

Friday: Ward and I went out to dinner with some of his coworkers. A guy he works with and his wife are putting their house on the market and are looking at houses in the city we live in! They've even looked at some in our neighborhood. They live pretty far from where either of them work, so they're hoping to find something closer. Ward only has a 7 mile commute! We stopped by Val's house on the way home to pick up my race shirt, but we didn't do much after we got home.

Saturday: We got up super bright and early. Actually, it wasn't bright at all seeing as the sun wasn't up yet! We met up with Val and B and drove into Houston to partake in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure with 35,000 other people. We walked the 5k, but it wasn't so much a race. Took us about an hour and a half walking with so many other people. But it was for a good cause and it was with good friends so it was a good time. Afterwards we went to brunch and ate WAY too much yummy diner goodness. After the Ward and I got home, we pretty much laid on the couch AAAAALLLLLL afternoon. I was just exhausted! But after a while we had to get up and get cleaned up since my MIL, SIL, and her fiance were coming over for dinner and to watch our Texas A&M Aggies get creamed by Arkansas. Yeah, that was a disappointing game. We turned it off before it even ended and were asleep by 10:30pm. It was quite a tiring day.

Sunday: We slept in. Late. I got up and let the dogs out and fed them about 7:30am and then went back to bed for another 2 1/2 hours! Guess I was just crazy tired. We lounged around a bit. I did a couple loads of laundry. Then we went and ran a few errands and ended the day going to my parents for a wonderful homecooked meal of chicken and dumplings, green beans, and peach cobbler! Mmmmm...love my mom's cooking!!

Yep, yep, that about wraps up my weekend. That's what I do when you guys aren't around! So interesting, huh? :o) And right now, I'm typing this up while falling off the couch laughing at Big Bany Theory. What a hilarious show! Okay, okay...I'm off my tangent. Hope it's a great week!

Mushrooms

Remember my comment about my yard covered in mushrooms on today's Monday Mantra? Yeah, I was totally NOT exaggerating.


I know it's hard to see in the picture, but every single little white dot is a mushroom!



These special guys are taking over our backyard! How can we get rid if them??

What about now?

Testing my signature...

Monday Mantra

I've seen lots of friends (again, don't hate cuz I don't know how to link to you on this app!) doing this Monday Mantra and I wanted to join in! So here goes on my first installment of Monday Mantra!

This week...the Ward goes back to Brazil. :o(
I believe...I will start rereading Twilight the day he leaves.
I'm addicted...to my DVR.
I wish...my yard wasn't covered in mushrooms!
I'm jealous...of my pregnant best friend!
Soundtrack/Mantra for the week...turn that frown upside down!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

And it all came crashing down

My first day as June, and I have to write this post letting you know that you will most likely be seeing less of me for a while. Yes, less of me than I'm around already, which isn't too terribly much these days.

I'm sure you're wondering why.

Well, today I found out that one of the three people that does the work that I do got a promotion. Starting tomorrow. So that leaves just the two of us. Doing the workload that we were already struggling with with only three. And on top of this extra workload, I will also have to train the new hire that we will (eventually) get. According to my boss, best case is we'll be back up to 3 in maybe four months. Four months of pure hell before that. And most likely more.

In order to not completely lose my marbles, I will have to force myself to very rarely partaking in blogging and tweeting during work hours. I can get quite easily distract and waste tons of time catching up with you all, but no more. I cannot. I must not. At least not during the workday.

I will, however, try to get on once I get home from work every day. Honestly, after working in hell for 8 hours a day for the next four plus months, yeah, I will need a daily does of y'all to keep my sanity!

And just when I thought my job couldn't get any worse...

I'm going to miss you all terribly on Twitter all day! I might be able to check in around lunch time. I might have to. I've grown so used to chatting with y'all all day, I might start going through withdrawls! Wish me luck!

Ta-da! My fresh start!

Welcome! Returning friends may notice some changes over here on my blog. Don't worry, it's still me! I've just decided to make a fresh start with a new identity. Hope you enjoy it!

For any new-comers, first off, thanks for stopping by! I'd like to share a little background with you and help you get to know me, here at Chronicles of June.

I'm June. I started blogging in February after a good friend revealed to me the glory that is the blogosphere! Since I started, I also joined Twitter, and have really made some wonderful friends! Friends that help me get through the struggle of a job I have right now. My greatest aspirations are to quit my day job and open a store on Etsy. I would love to be a stay at home/work at home mom. Well, to do that, I guess I would need kids, huh??

Haha!

I've been with the Ward for just about nine years now. We've been married about 3 1/2 of those nine, but we've known each other since we were about, oh, five years old! Awww...so sweet! I know, right? :o) We've decided this year that it's time for this two of a kind to get working on a full house! No luck yet, but you better believe I'll keep you posted on all that's going on.

I say this is a fresh start, but feel free to browse any of my older posts. They're all still there!

I became June once I realized that what I really wanted out of life was to be home to cook and clean and iron and sew and bead and keep house and provide a nuturing home. I know it may be old fashioned, but I guess that's just me, an old fashioned girl taking this modern world by the reins and running with it.