Friday, September 30, 2011

Late Night Shopping...

.....Can sort of be a really bad thing LOL especially when you have found so much you really REALLY like hehe ;) Just yesterday after running so many errands I ran by Target for a while. I was already at Barnes & Noble at the mall (Southpoint) so I decided to make a little stop in Target on my way home. Target is definitely one of my all-time favorite stores...EVER! While I was browsing I just could not believe my eyes! I, of course, was in the "Home Decor" section...which is right by the shoes and handbags.....pretty much, my own little haven :). As I was looking around my eyes just so happened to stumble upon this absolutely FABULOUS bag.
OH. MY. GRACIOUS!

Is this not the most fabulous bag EVER!!! Looks like something from Nordstroms in their handbag section. I'd say this definitely looks like a MICHAEL KORS bag or maybe even MARC JACOBS or JIMMY CHOO. I just love getting bags that are total knock-offs of the original because not only does it look EXACTLY like the original.....but it cost WAAAAAAAAAY less. For instance, a bag made by MICHAEL KORS or MARC JACOBS are around the $500-$3000 price range. This bag on the other hand was originally $35 at Target...and it was on sale for $17..........and I said YES!!!!! 
;)

I also got a little something else as a dedication to me and my BFF Allison's friendship.
Allison and I have been best friends since 3rd grade. We have come to the conclusion that we were separated at birth LOL. We were cheerleaders in middle school, we were in concert choir together in high school, and we both graduate high school together. The reason why me and Allison are so obsessed with New York is because for our senior class trip we went to New York City. For the first half of the week we stayed at a ski resort (which was rather fun) and for the last half of the trip we all went to the city and had our own personal tour of the ENTIRE city. We went through Harlem, China Town, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and best of all: Times Square. We loved it so much that Allison and I promised each other that we would one day return to the Big City and spend an entire weekend shopping and having a BLAST! So, I bought this wall decor piece for us :) now I just gotta find a place to hang it LOL.

Me and Allison - Summer 2010 - BFF's


One more picture I found online when I was just browsing out of sheer boredom. This picture just simply defines me in so many ways. Check it out:
HOW FREAKING AWESOME IS THIS!!!!!

First of all, there is a gorgeous old NIKON camera complete with telephoto lens and everything. It gets better: the journaling. Sometimes, I just like to write about stuff: whether it's about my day or what I have been thinking about lately. I even have my own personal binder of notes from training sessions with the Pharmacy. And last but certainly not least...notice the exquisite cup of Starbucks coffee off to the corner of the photo. This photo just shouts AWESOMENESS!!! I kinda wanna save it and go print it out and frame it...I mean, that would look so good in a gorgeous frame around my little study area. 

Ok, I am getting so dang tired. Today was a rather long a busy day at the pharmacy. At times it was on and off but it was busier than usual. Next week I will be working Monday through Friday (OH SNAP!) I will probably be so tired after every day LOL but it will be worth it ;)

Thursday, September 29, 2011

National Coffee Day!

HAPPY NATIONAL COFFEE DAY EVERYONE!

For the coffee lovers such as myself, I went out and got myself a pumpkin spice frappuccino and a cream puff ;) Couldn't resist. Today and yesterday mostly consisted of running errands for mom and dad since I didn't have to go into work today or yesterday. Went to see my aunt Mitzi and uncle Ed on Tuesday (didn't have to work Tuesday either lol). We went out to lunch and I got to tell them the good news about Rose Hill and my adventures at the pharmacy. They were real excited! Today I ran by the pharmacy to pick up my first paycheck :) YAY! When I got back home I realized mom's car was parked underneath the carport. I thought she was here on her lunch break when I realized it was a little passed her regular lunch hour. When I walked in dad said she wasn't feeling well at all. She even felt a little nauseous this morning and tried to make it through the day but just couldn't. Don't know what's up but I certainly hope it's nothing too serious. Dad is just getting over a bad sinus infection he had this week and now mom is feeling BLAH. Like I said, I hope it's nothing serious because I don't wanna be next.
I'm still sitting here in Starbucks at Southpoint Mall just enjoying my frappuccino and one of my favorite magazines: MARIE CLAIRE.
Now, this is what I call HAPPY HOUR!

Tonight at 8PM is another new episode of the Big Bang Theory :) I'm real excited about that. Hopefully mom will be somewhat better by the time dinner is ready. We do the traditional Chinese take-out whenever there is a new episode on. Last weeks episodes were HILARIOUS! According to the previews I have seen tonight's episode is supposed to be even FUNNIER! 
*crossing fingers*

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Animalz

Well, I think by now you all must know how much I love my pets. I have a dog and a cat - my Shih Tzu named Rollie and my sweet kitty-cat named Leo. Sometimes they do the cutest and funniest things. Rollie is just spoiled rotten (and he knows it). Here he is laying down next to mom before bedtime. He has one of his favorite toys right underneath his neck ~ TOO PRECIOUS!




And here's my baby Leo snuggled up all comfy on the living room couch. LOOK AT THOSE EYES! My mom and dad call it "The Possessed Feline." LOL! The flash on my camera REALLY brought out those piercing eyes hehe ;)
 His legs are in every direction LOL! He's such a sweet kitty and he loves to cuddle.


Controlled Chaos

This past weekend was also the world premier of comedian/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's new  performance called Controlled Chaos. I'm a big fan of his work and he is one hilarious dude and I must say my favorite dummy of his would have to be Peanut :)
JEFF-FUH-FUH! DUN-HAAAAAAM! DOT COM!

This new one was pretty funny but I must say the funniest performance he has EVER done would have to be Spark of Insanity done in 2007. If you haven't already seen his new performance check it out at http://youtu.be/hvaPfsmaRi4.

In other news, I don't know how this happened, but I must have sprained my wrist doing something while working at the pharmacy this past week. It's been hurtin' pretty bad for a few days so finally I had to get a brace for it after I was done with my shift yesterday. The worst part...it was WAAAAAAAY too expensive. Oh well, hopefully it will do me some good until it heals completely.
 


This is BIG STUFF!!!

Well, I know it's been since Saturday but a whole lot has been happenin' since then. I woke up real early on Sunday morning to go to Rose Hill Baptist Church around 6:15AM. I took my time getting ready, got my coffee and breakfast and started getting dressed with the TV on. Suddenly I realized it was 8:55AM and I should have been out the door on the road by 8:30!!! So, I had to rush to get everything in my purse and in the car ready to get on I-40 (THE. BUSIEST. INTERSTATE. EVER. IN NORTH CAROLINA!!!). Thankfully, I-40 isn't as bad on weekends - around 4:45PM - 6:30PM Monday-Friday is TERRIBLE! Anyways, I kinda remembered how to get to Rose Hill, but I still needed my GPS to take me down the other roads. Here's where things got interesting: it took 5 minutes for my GPS to finally load the directions to Rose Hill and by the time it finished loading it had already taken me through Downtown Durham.....WHAT!?!?!? I'm sitting in my car freaking out thinking, "Crap, I'm gonna be late to church and I'm gonna be so embarrassed." I finally had to call my dad (who has lived in Durham all his life) to help me get outta Downtown Durham and back on the highway. It didn't take long, but I was able to get on I-40 without anymore problems. After all that chaos, it was smooth sailing from there. Got to the church at least 7 minutes early - not bad, but not great either LOL next time I gotta watch my timing and be a lil more careful. OOPS.

The service was great and seeing everyone again really put a smile on my face. I sang with the choir again and this Sunday was also the last Sunday that the Music Director was going to lead and direct the music. Her name is Linda Murphy. I met her and her husband and they were both absolutely the sweetest. After the service, we were all invited to their house for lunch.

Now, here comes the real surprise: I rode with Mrs. Cynthia Price and her husband to the Murphy residence after church since I didn't know where to go - this is only the second time I have ever been to this town. We had almost arrived when we approached a HUGE gate...like REAL HUGE! I said, "Whoa, are we going to a country club or something?" And Mrs. Price said, "Have you ever heard of Murphy Farms?" I said, "Yes." And she replied, "Well, this is Wendell Murphy - former North Carolina farmer, Democratic politician, and namesake of the Wendell H. Murphy Football Center at NC State University." "..............................................." I just sat there in total amazement after what I had just heard...and I became absolutely blown away when we drove through the gate and I saw what I call a freakin' ESTATE! I was about to enter into the presence of THE Wendell_H._Murphy! I was stunned: the front yard looked like a golf course, their backyard was a lake, and they had a screen-in front porch that was gorgeous. We walked inside and I almost shouted in awe. Their dining room looked like Croasdale Country Club where I had my senior prom. Check it out!
 This is the dining room. Told you, it was stunning!


This is the living room. Their massive flat screen was simply breath-taking (sorry didn't get the TV).


Here's the bar. Not only do they have a mini flat-screen on the top left corner there but they have a coffee maker AND espresso machine IN ONE (I'm not the only one who appreciates that)
;)


This group of folks is Rose Hill's finest ;) They have been a part of Rose Hill Baptist Church's Adult Choir for more than 10 years (some have been in the choir for over 60 YEARS!!! Not everyone in the choir could make it but at least the real important people came (JUST KIDDING!!!!!)



The woman on the right end in the black dress is Mrs. Linda Murphy - former choir director at Rose Hill and Mr. Wendell H. Murphy's wife. In a few weeks I will be filling her place as, not only the choir director, but also the worship leader. I got some big shoes to fill ;). She is highly admired and everyone in the choir has, and still, loves and respects her. I'm really looking forward to being a part of Rose Hill and being their Worship and Music Leader. God has certainly blessed me in so many ways. After worrying about how I won't find a job in my field or anywhere at all, I am blessed with TWO part-time jobs...and I absolutely LOVE them both!


So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Saturday, September 24, 2011

LaZy SaTuRdAy

Woke up around 11AM today...I know, I sound like a lazy bum but trust me I have slept in MUCH later than that LOL try 4PM (this was back in the day TRUST ME)! Anyways, didn't have to go into work today and tomorrow I go to Rose Hill again :) really looking forward to it. So, to pass the time I cleaned house a little while mom and dad were outside doing some yard work and stuff. It's been raining on and off here and it STILL doesn't feel like Fall yet (meh). However, it started looking like Fall by dinner time when I went into the living room and saw mom asleep on the couch and dad watching the Clemson game - football = FALL!!! But, that wasn't the only thing I saw in the living room ;)
Check this out:
This is my baby Leo. Look at that face! He's fast asleep and my dad gave me the signal to go get my camera before he moved. And he's not the only one.



Look at Rollie LOL such a cute face. Here's the whole scene: my mom and Leo fast asleep and Rollie just happened to be awake hehe. 

 

That's been pretty much my whole Saturday. Like I said, pretty lazy, huh? Anyways, it's getting late and I gotta get up with the chickens in the morning LOL.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Week One...DOWN!

Well, this week has been jam-packed...but in a very good way! My first week of working at the pharmacy has been fabulous. A few times would get hectic and then at other times it would be rather calm. I'm working with a few other girls who are also techs and the two pharmacists (Terry and Warren) are awesome! Btw, Warren is my BFF's step dad :) pretty cool, huh? Anyways, I'm still learning about a lot of stuff. There are so many technical things I'm still learning and already so many things I have learned. It's different, but I will say I really do enjoy it. How awesome is that: looking forward to going to work every single day and loving what you do! I haven't felt like this about any job I have ever had...SERIOUSLY! Well, that's just ONE job...I'll be getting a SECOND job soon! Technically, I have already been chosen for the job at Rose Hill Baptist Church as the Worship and Music Leader but I haven't been "ordained" yet, I guess.


Got a little more scrap-booking done this evening :)
This is one of me, my Memaw, and my Mamaw. My Mamaw is in the top photo on the far left. She was my great-grandmother on my mom's side. In the top photo I was about a year old an in the bottom I was probably two - that's me and my Memaw in November of '91. 
 


And this is me and my dad. I think I was a year old...maybe. Sorry for the weird looking splotches on dad's shirt there LOL those are bubbles from the lamination. We were at some kind of family picnic. This was back in...90? 


Well, it's gettin' late and I have the weekend off from the pharmacy...which also means I get to do more scrapping and prepare for Rose Hill on Sunday morning.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Lunch Break

So, I'm on my lunch break at the Pharmacy. I tell ya, things got a tad crazy after a while. Still, I absolutely love it here. I saw my sister-in-law this morning as she came by to do some kind of check-up (she's the district manager.....I think...) I got connections ;) Anywho, break is almost over but I can't wait til tonight: SEASON FIVE PREMIER OF THE BIG BANG THEORY :) I'm super excited about this. The last season really disappointed me...hopefully this season will not be a repeat. Until then, I'm back on the clock. CIAO!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

BLESSINGS!

So, it's been a few days since I have filled anyone in on what's been happening lately. A lot...and I mean a WHOLE FREAKING LOT has happened since Monday. I mentioned before that I went to a church near Warsaw on Sunday morning (Rose Hill Baptist Church) and got a chance to speak with the Pastor and the personnel committee during that visit. After that one visit and speaking with everyone including the Pastor, they emailed me a very lengthy and detailed message saying they wanna hire me as their Worship Leader!!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!!!! Not to mention I am loving working here at Kroger Pharmacy :). Everything is fabulous! God is just so good! Praise Him for these awesome opportunities! I know that's not a lot after a couple of days but if you wanna read the whole thing go to my Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150304252861634Hope y'all like my scrappy project of the day from the post below - MY HERO. That's me and my Papa when I was a baby. He's my hero and will always be my hero :).
I LOVE YOU PAPA!


 

My HERO

HERO 
by SKILLET
 I'm just a step away
I'm just a breath away
Losing my faith today
Falling off the edge today

I am just a man
Not superhuman
I'm not superhuman
Someone save me from the hate

It's just another war
Just another family torn
Falling from my faith today
Just a step from the edge
Just another day in the world we live

I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero, save me now
I need a hero to save my life
A hero will save me just in time

I've gotta fight today
To live another day
Speaking my mind today
My voice will be heard today

I've gotta make a stand
But I am just a man
I'm not superhuman
My voice will be heard today

It's just another war
Just another family torn
My voice will be heard today
It's just another kill
The countdown begins to destroy ourselves

I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero, save me now
I need a hero to save my life
A hero will save me just in time

I need a hero to save my life
I need a hero, just in time
Save me just in time
Save me just in time

Who's gonna fight for what's right?
Who's gonna help us survive?
We're in the fight of our lives
And we're not ready to die

Who's gonna fight for the weak?
Who's gonna make 'em believe?
I've got a hero, I've got a hero
Living in me

I'm gonna fight for what's right
Today I'm speaking my mind
And if it kills me tonight
I will be ready to die

A hero's not afraid to give his life
A hero's gonna save me just in time

I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero, save me now
I need a hero to save my life
A hero will save me just in time

(I need a hero)
Who's gonna fight for what's right?
Who's gonna help us survive?

(I need a hero)
Who's gonna fight for the weak?
Who's gonna make 'em believe?
I've got a hero

I need a hero
A hero's gonna save me just in time

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Great Day

 So, I woke up early this morning around 6:30am to get ready for church. I know, that's pretty dang early but I wasn't going to church here in Durham...I had planned to go to church in Rose Hill, NC - Rose Hill Baptist Church. I had a GREAT time! I met with the choir members and the personnel committee...they even asked for me to sing with them in the choir this morning and I was more than happy to do so. We sang "Beulah Land" - such a good song. It really didn't take me long to get to know most of the people in the choir and it was fun singing with the choir. Their Call to Worship was led by the praise team, the Pastor, and the choir and unlike other churches I have attended they led with track and not a live orchestra or rhythm section. It was so cool though. After the service, the Pastor, his wife and a nice couple from the personnel committee took me out to eat at this real nice restaurant - very old fashioned but very good. We discussed some stuff regarding possibilities at the church in the future. I felt real positive about the whole ordeal and I look forward to hearing back from them sometime this week.

Got another couple of scrappy projects done ;)
This is me, my cousin, and my Memaw in October of '91. I was two and Scott was only three. Wish I could tell ya whose house we were at, though.
And this is me and my Memaw and Papa when I was around 5 months old in October of '89. 

Thanks again to the reliable source for the scrappy goods ;)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

FINALLY

Man, my brain still hurts from taking that test yesterday for the pharmacy. At least I passed, though :). I start my first day as a beginner pharmacy tech on Tuesday at 10am. PRAISE GOD! I'm not gonna lie, I have never felt real positive about a job before. It took a while for me to get used to the routine of stuff but I got it...still learning though, which is not a problem. I'm really looking forward to working at the pharmacy.

Onto other things...I did another lil scrappy project
This is me, mom, and my grandmother (aka Memaw) back when I was almost a month old on Father's Day. I call this one "Three Generations." Once again, using old scrappy goodness from a very reliable source to make this happen ;).

Tomorrow morning I gotta rise and shine real early to make sure I get to church on time...at Rose Hill Baptist Church in Rose Hill, NC that is. One of the members of the personnel committee gave me a call the other day wanting to know if I was interested in meeting them after the service for a meeting with the Pastor. Here's the catch: I have no clue where this place is LOL! Good thing I got a GPS system cuz I would be so lost without it on the road.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The Next Best Thing

So, instead of an SVU marathon...I'm now watching the next best thing: NCIS marathon. Gotta love Gibbs! A few years ago I dressed up as Abby for Halloween - she's the goth with the pig-tails in the back of the pic. I pulled off that look pretty dang well, if I do say so myself. Anyways, I didn't have training yesterday and I don't have training today. Tomorrow and Friday will be my final days of training and by then I should be ready for the floor. I'm really ready to start this new job. I'm still sending out my resume to different churches as well through churchstaffing.com - it's difficult but it's helping me out a whole lot. That site is definitely helpful. Anyways, I did a few more lil "projects" yesterday. Take a look for yourself ;)
This one is of me and my mom just a few moments after I was born.


I found these old photos of me and my fam a few days after I was brought home. The guy holding me in the photo on the bottom right corner is my older half-brother.  


This is of me and my grandparents. The top pic is my Grandaddy - my dad's dad :). The bottom is me and my Memaw and Papa - my mom's parents.


 And finally, this is me - being lazy LOL!
Hope these are "acceptable" once they're viewed by the "Scrap-Master." ;)

Monday, September 12, 2011

More Training & Something New

Well, today consisted of a lot more training at the pharmacy. Instead of being at the pharmacy in Durham (the one where I'm originally supposed to work) I went to the pharmacy at Raleigh. This one is the training grounds for new pharmacy techs. Not gonna lie, throughout half of the training session today I caught myself nodding off LOL! Not only was it real early in the morning but I was staring at a computer screen for a real long time once again underneath a bunch of fluorescent lights. However, I will say that I felt confident after the session today...a little overwhelmed due to how much information was fed to me but still rather confident.






Thought I'd try something new. I made this with old scrappy pieces from a very reliable source ;). This is me and my mom in '89 and '90. The top pic was taken in June of '89...basically, I was only a month old. The bottom pic was taken on my first birthday - May 27, 1990. Sorry the whole thing looks a lil faded. I laminated it so it would never get damaged. Maybe I could continue this lil trend here ;) thanks to that reliable source who taught me this lil trick.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Weekend with the Bunner Clan

Wow, what a weekend! I got a chance to visit the Bunner family and celebrate Ashley Bunner's 18th birthday, attend the family reunion, and of course.....spend some quality time with my Christopher ;).
I was hoping to buy something real special for Ashley's bday but unfortunately I haven't started getting paid at my new job yet - I'm still in the training process. However, I was able to make her something that I just new she would like: two and a half dozen pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies :). I honestly didn't really count how many cookies I made but Chris said that I "made way more than over two and a half dozen." LOL! So, Ashley took half of the batch I made back to her dorm and her mom, Mrs. Amy, took the other half to save for the reunion. According to everyone who had a sample of the cookies, they were pretty dang good LOL!
Ashley and Michael (hehe this pic makes me giggle)

The fabulous cake made by Aunt Linda :)

Love this pic of Alli, Ashley, and Anna

The bday girl unwrapping one of her gifts


After the party, Chris and I went to try and fix Ashley's computer over at her dorm. She's been having some complications with it lately so she needed some help to fix it. It took us a while to do what we could, but unfortunately we couldn't find out the reason behind the problem. However, it's a good thing we have tight connections ;) one of the guys who lived on Chris' hall last year is a computer science major who can pretty much hack into a computer system if he wanted to LOL! He's a good guy so he wouldn't do that to harm anyone...so, we told Ashley to give the guy a call and if all else fails take it to the LU HelpDesk. Once we were done at her dorm, Chris and I went back to Maw's house to watch a movie before bed - HELLSING OVA 8.
We have been waiting for MONTHS for this to come out. It's one of 10 movie series. I probably forgot to mention that I am a huge anime nerd. I used to be obsessed with it back in my high school days but now I just like it. This kind of anime is a suspenseful and dark, action-packed anime. I love it! It deals with vampires and stuff...the REAL vampires and not the fake ones (**cough** Twilight **cough**).






The next day, Chris and I went and picked up Ashley at her dorm to head over to Shipman, VA for the reunion. I must say I was really looking forward to this :) I had met just some of the family members but not EVERYONE on the family tree so I was looking forward to memorizing everyone's name.....**cough** NOT! LOL! Man, this was such a huge gathering! I have a big family on my mom's side but DANG...there were so many family members I couldn't keep up.
I must say the most entertaining part was watching the kids play and have fun. They're just so cute!
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." ~ John 1:12-13
I told Mrs. Amy that this lil guy was "fresh outta the oven." I could just gobble him up - so adorable!


Another adorable moment about this weekend was seeing my other "babies" - my Peaches and Rocky :)

Peaches is that sweet lil orange fluffy kitten in my arms at the top photo. The bottom photo is my lil buddy Rocky, a fellow Pomeranian ;) [there's a story about that]. He has gotten so fluffy and he's only a year old. Such sweet babies. Oh, and there's more LOL!



The top two photos are of my sweet Peaches and his little brother, Moe. As you can tell Moe just loves Peaches. The bottom pic is of the Momma of all these lil kittens: MaLady. If ya can't tell she is pregnant...AGAIN lol. She's got this look of, "Ugh, I have way too many kids."

Like I said, this was one action-packed weekend. I had so much fun, though. I'm glad I got to come and spend time with the Bunner's ;) it's always entertaining with this family. Since I'm an only child, I get the opportunity to see what it's like with "sibling rivalry" and stuff like that LOL it's quite hilarious at times. I'm blessed to know this family and honored to be a part of these wonderful gatherings.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

I Smell Fall

This morning I woke up to a beautiful, crystal clear sky. Something about it just gave me that Fall-ish sensation. Even though I am not a huge fan of chilly or cold weather, I will say I am looking forward to the Fall season. I'm looking forward to it so much I made over two and a half dozen pumpkin spice chocolate-chip cookies. My dad had a couple, I had a couple, and my mom had.......just one lol. My mom loves chocolate, but she's not a big fan of pumpkin-flavor.

Today was also a huge shoe sale at BELK'S. As stated in my profile, I love shoes! I usually get a pair of shoes with heels that are over 3.5 inches but this time I had to find a pair of shoes that didn't have that. I found these nice pair of BCBGENERATION pumps (black) that are only 2 inches. If I am gonna be working in a church office, then I need shoes that I will be comfortable in and not "runway shoes." LOL! I also came across my favorite place at the mall: the COACH outlet. There is a brand new COACH outlet at Southpoint Mall in Durham inside BELK'S. I can't help but walk by and look...and touch.....and look some more. Yes, I know...they are all outta my budget, but I'm not buying anything at the moment...I just love to window shop for these kinds of things.
THIS GOES OUT TO ALL MY GIRLS WITH A PASSION FOR FASHION!