Monday, November 25, 2013

Getting crafty

Its the week of Thanksgiving and people are crowding stores everywhere. When it comes to shopping, I hate crowds.

Fiona and I went to a fabric store to pick some scraps for a project. There's a Michael's not far from my house and there's a giant building next to it that I always assumed was a place that sold flooring. So we were driving to Michaels and I ended up in the wrong driveway. I turned a little early and pulled in the parking lot of a Kaiser medical place. I couldn't cut over to the right parking lot because there was a hill and trees that seperated them so I just parked anyway and walked over. That's when we passed this "flooring place" and saw that it was really a fabric store.

Fiona has been talking about sewing and how she wants to make stuff. She was excited and wanted to get everything. If they weren't closing I bet we would have been in there a lot longer.

We ended up going to Michaels anyway just to look around and get some white paint. We got to the yarn section and I ended up buying her a loom. I remember using one as a kid and this way she doesn't have to work with needles.

The place was packed and that's probably a good thing. I just wanted to get outta there and now my wallet is thanking me.
So we got home with 2 different yarns and I had to figure out how to get the scarf started. Once Fiona took over and got the hang of it I didn't hear a peep. I came to check on her while I was in the middle of making dinner and she said "This is kinda cool, I like it!" As it was getting longer she had to show me her progress, it was cute. So maybe in the future she can make me some cool stuff :) If I didn't already buy her a birthday gift she might have gotten some more yarn.

Fiona's birthday is the day after thanksgiving this year.She's going to her dads for both so that's kinda sad. I'm hoping at least I'll get Xmas with her. We decided to celebrate the big #7 on Wednesday tho. She wants to go bowling, should be fun.

Be thankful and enjoy the holiday.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Decisions decisions

After almost 2 years using a refurbished phone, mine decided give me trouble. I was sure that whatever was wrong with it (the microphone went out and no one could hear me on a call) wouldn't be covered and I needed to just buy a new phone. I waited almost a week before Marcus decided to call customer service from his phone. They started asking a bunch of questions and he handed the phone over. Turns out the issue is covered under warranty (I had an extended one and didn't even know) so I got a new phone for FREE. Oh and the best part is, I got a free upgrade because they don't carry my particular model anymore. Cool huh? Its basically the same phone but the new version of it. It has a longer battery life, a slightly better camera and its HD. So that makes me happy.

But, I do have a dilemma on my hands. I'm now back at the decision making process (which I strongly dislike) about where to go now in my career. I've been doing the groupon thing for 4 month now. Recently I've been offering the same price to those clients who come back a second time and then I try to sell them packages for an awesome price during that visit. Doing that helps them because its cheaper and helps me because I get a lump sum to help me pay the bills. Its also making sure that I stay busy because the busier I am, the more people want to see me. So that's all been going OK. Things are slowly starting to turn around but now the wellness center wants me to join them. That's all fine and dandy but I'm gonna have to spend a lot of time there trying to get started ( again). They offered me a killer deal but I feel like now that things are picking up at the salon, I don't want to just drop it. Even if I did figure out a transition period I still owe the salon a lot of money. The owner Jenny has been so patient with me and very nice.

I think in the long run,I think I'll be making more $ at the wellness center but I'll be somewhat limited because its not my own business. I kinda wish someone would just tell me what to do.

Anyway, that's what's going on with me. How have you handled hard decisions?

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Wake me up in November

Oh wait, it is November! This week was somewhat busy. It was also a week of firsts. I've been cooking a little more than usual. Sometimes I just get so lazy and end up taking the easy way out. Sometimes its difficult because I work during the day and then take a break just long enough to go home, pick up Fiona as she gets off the bus and head to the salon for one last massage (which she hates).

By the time we get home I just want to sit and relax for a minute. Except a minute turns into an hour and then I'm wondering how we're gonna fit dinner, homework, nightly reading and a bath in before bed. It's all taken its toll too. I've gained more weight than I'd like to say. That needs to change asap!

Anyway, I made chili for the first time. It was a recipe given to me by the lovely Krista. It was yummy! I also made fried chicken for the first time (I know, not a healthy choice but I wanted to try) it didn't turn out so well :( Lastly, it was my first Halloween with out my lil bubba. It felt so strange. I'm sure she had fun at her dads though.

I dressed up just to enter a contest my apartment building was having. I was a bag of groceries. I threw it together in like 30 minutes but I think it came out OK. The ladies who work in the office though are super unorganized and I waited for 20+ minutes to have my picture taken. One of them ended up snapping a pic with her phone. She was supposed to email it to the office manager but I have a feeling she never did. Oh well, I had fun making it.

I hope the weekend treats you well. I'm off to a gala tomorrow evening so that should be fun. See ya around

Monday, October 21, 2013

Halloweeny

I don't know whats up with me this year. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays but I haven't gotten into the spirit yet. Usually by now my house would be decorated and I would at least have an idea of what I wanted to dress up as. I dont think I'll dress up this year :( That was something that was always so fun to do with my best friend. Now that we aren't friends anymore I don't think it will be quite the same. No trick or treating with Fiona this year either, she'll be with her dad. We did go to the pumpkin patch though while we were visiting some friends in California last weekend. It was fun to surprise my friend who had no idea we were coming. We got so many cute pictures of all the kids.
This was the look on Jen's face when I started walking up the driveway hehe

The first stop was at the park. (I had just gotten off a 15 hour train ride) Jennifer and I planned the whole thing for about a month.

Three amigas. Jennifer, Jennifer and I

We went apple picking first. That was fun and the kids had a blast.

Then we were off to the pumpkin patch. I took the older kids in the corn maze and they were more interested in picking the corn.

Hanging out with baby Lizzie. Shes such a cute little chunky monkey

These two are so cute together, I swear theyre gonna get married. Anyway, do you have plans for halloween?

Friday, September 20, 2013

Fiona the fashionista

The weather report says rain into next week, booo :( Fiona has so many cute outfits for summertime, it'll be sad to see them stuffed in the back of the closet. Most of them to never be worn again, by her anyway. We didn't buy a whole new wardrobe for school this year but I'm ok with that because she still has plenty of clothes that she can still wear. I've been trying to get pictures of her everyday since school started but you'll see, sometimes she is just not amused.
Here is the first day of school

The picture doesn't do this outfit justice, it's a really cute dress and it looks better with the cute flip flops she has but you aren't supposed to wear open toed shoes at school.

This is one of those times she didn't feel like taking a picture haha. She did actually sit up and smile for me but I thought this one was funny.I like this outfit and it was only $12 for both peices.

This outfit isn't anything special but I like the cute panda shirt and her Converse boots.

This one is about the hair, she likes the side pony. She also calls that shirt her "fancy" shirt (said in a fancy voice) it's covered in sequence.

Shes showing off the newest space she has from losing her tooth at school. Aren't those the coolest leggings tho? Who doesn't love unicorns?
Anyway, I didn't have much to write about so I thought I'd share some cuteness :)

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Moving forward

I often think to myself, what is my life going to be like in a year, two years, five years? But today I'm looking back to see what I have done with myself. 2001 was the year I graduated high school and moved to San Diego. I had a lot of fun while I lived there and made some mistakes. Since then, I worked my way up in the hotel business to assistant general manager. Then got preganant and moved to Oregon, that is when I started massage school. I had Fiona in '06 and got my massage license excatly one year from the day she was born. A month later I was working at Massage Envy and I was proud of that. 5 years later I was really fed up with the company and the people I worked with but I have to say that I am greatful for the experience. It's where I got my start and I met some really great people too. Now here I am, my own boss (even though I was thrown into it.) I always wished and hoped I would have a place of my own someday but never imagined it would come true. And its so much harder than I expected. So it comes full circle and I wonder 'where things will go from here?'
In rememerance of 9-11. Although I wasn't affected personally, its the reason I reflect each year. I feel for everyone who lost a loved one that day.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Summer is over!

School is back in. It's been a long time since I've been able to post anything. First, I've been crazy busy with all the people coming in from groupon. Labor Day was my first day off in 2 whole weeks. The other thing is that I no longer have internet at home so staying later to blog at the salon is not on the priority list. I also need a new computer but that'll have to wait as well. So here are some of the things we did this summer:

We went to oaks park.

We had to stop this ride becuase it was a little bit too scary for her which is funny because she told me she wanted to go on it alone, and that she loooves the scary ones.

We went to the pool quite a bit.

Played balarina

Spent lots of time with the kitties.

Got some ouchies

Took a nature walk




Visited OMSI. I especially loved the mummy exhibit but Fiona wasn't that impressed. She wanted to PLAY (and she did, we were there for hours)
Visited the always lovely Krista and got some face paint.

Went to a concert.

Built a fort and had a sleep over with the neighbor boy.

Made some awesome cupcakes and played in the backyard. (Can ya tell I'm getting lazy here haha)

Whew, arent you just exaughsted from that?
We definatly did a lot, I hope your summer was just as great.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Summertime fun

This mama needs a massage. After having some time off and only doing a massage here and there, its hard to get used to having a busy schedule again. I only have 3 groupons left. I was hoping to sell out of them by today but really I'm just happy I got so close.

In other news, yesterday our neighbors decided to fish for some crawdads in the creek that's in our backyard area. I had no idea anything lived in that creek. We saw a bunch of tadpoles too. The kids had a lot of fun.

Shortly after releasing the crawfish, we decided to go swimming. About 6 kids in the neighborhood came. I'm so glad Fiona has kids to play with. The one person who has brought us all together is leaving though. Her husband got a job in Coos Bay area teaching middle school so it's all happening very quickly. I've never had an experience with a neighbor like this before so it's really sad to see her go.

Last school year I would take Fiona to the bus stop and send her off to school. Then Andi and I would get together for coffee one or two times a week and just hang out. I'll miss that. 

It's been difficult after losing a best friend and losing a job. There aren't many people to talk to. My coworkers drove me crazy most of the time but I have to admit that I miss having a few of them around to BS with every day.

We'll make the most of it though and hey, now that we know someone near the beach, we'll have somewhere to stay ;)