Give Thanks...even if it's late.

I know, I know...I'm a little late but our Thanksgiving really WAS wonderful. Adam and I spent time with friends and had some pretty amazing food. I probably gained 7-10 extra pounds but it was totally worth it. All month long I've been twittering?...tweeting?...on twitter?... giving thanks for the blessings in my life, ONE thing per day. (Thanks, Kyle Seig, for the idea!) GJ, since I know you don't have Twitter and you're probably curious I've decided to share those things with you now.

I'm thankful for...
1: Change (sometimes it needs to happen)
2: Quiet evenings with my husband. With both of us working such different schedules, it's great to spend time together.
3:My wonderful friends (near and far) that I can count on for anything; a laigh, a smile, a listening ear, etc.
4: A warm place to lay my head every night.
5: My two adorable (obnoxious) papillons and their giant personalities.
6: That I have a job to complain about.
7: Awesome friends (I guess they're so good I had to list them twice.
8: Technology. Silly, but it makes my life easier and allows me to keep in touch with long distance family.
9: Forgiveness.
10: The little things- leaves changing colors, sunshine, warm sheets, the perfect song coming on the radio, etc.
11: Perspective. Without it I'd feel lost, void of motivation and stripped of purpose.
12: Mark Baker for introducing me to the wizarding world of Harry Potter. I don't know how I lived my sad, muggle life without them.
13: Humor.
14: The unending support I get from my husband. He deals with so much and he's amazing in the way he understands me.
15: Falling asleep during rainy evenings
16: Shark Week! Here's to another month of being baby free!
17: Heat. This time last year we didn't know our heater was gas-powered so we were shivering next to our space heater.
18: The world's sweetest, most supportive sets of grandparents on this Earth.
19: The first Gator win in a while. "...in all kinds of weather we all stick together for F L O R I D A"
20: My health and government provided healthcare.
21: The men and women that serve our country & daily put their lives on te line for our freedom.
22: The RARE guest that dines with me and treats ME special.
23: LIFE! I complain but I have it pretty darn good.
24: Time away from family. It makes me realize how important they really are and just how much I love them!
25: My in-laws for birthing and raising the love of my life and the man of my dreams.
26: Memories.
27: My parents (mom in particular) for getting me into the TRUE holiday spirit at a young age.
28: That this dang month is almost over. (Giving thanks is HARD.)
29: Hot beverages on cold nights
30: The ability to be able to attend school and further my education, no matter how difficult the system makes it

Speaking of school, I spent HOURS at TCC today testing my patience. After what seemed like an eternity, I finally got some answers, albeit, NOT ones I was searching for! Come to find out, it will be more cost effective and less stressful for me to forgo an AA and skip straight on to a Bachelors program at ODU. Apparently earning an AA isn't as big of a deal as I thought it was (it hold little to no special powers, unfortunately) so skipping over it wont affect me in the slightest. It's truly a wondering anyone is college educated because it seems to me "the system" makes the process as mind numbing as possible. Oh well, with my new found answers, my next step will be going back to ODU (where I've previously been accepted) and registering for classes. I'll save my crying for AFTER meeting with financial aid advisors.

We just got word that Adam's ship will be going out on a prolonged "work-up" this month, returning just in time for the holidays. He's a little less than excited but at least he'll be home for Christmas (hopefully). Other ships have been pulled off "work-ups" to deploy early if they're needed...so let's PRAY that doesn't happen! There's also been talk that his ship will be stationed in Spain in 2014. I understand that's a while away and it's only hearsay as of now but CAN YOU IMAGINE?! Spain!! Nothing sounds more glamorous than being completely immersed in a new culture, learning different customs and traditions and, obviously, a new language! Ugh...what a wonderful thing to dream about!

If you aren't already aware, my beautiful soulmate is a terrible snore-r and lately it's gotten out of control. On top of snoring, he likes to converse in his sleep. A few nights ago, I rolled over and told him he was talking and asked what he was dreaming about. Sound asleep he answers, "Shh. It's not like I'm dreaming of doomsday monsters!" He's asked the score of "the game" before and got frustrated when I told him I didn't know. He's asked me to take his Chicago deep-dish pizza out of the oven. He constantly informs me that "he's NOT snoring. He's not even BREATHING". Haha. Of course, Adam never remembers the things he says the next day and it's always hilarious to see his reactions.

I had an interview today with WellsFargo for a teller position. They want to schedule another interview but they have to wait for a position to become available. I'm really hoping that this (or SOMETHING) works out in my favor. As much as I LOVE serving food and making almost a 1/4 of minimum wage, I feel it's time for a change. Something good is coming, I can feel it!!

Now it's time to watch Water For Elephants. It's our most recent Netflix pick and I've been dying to see it. The book was PHENOMENAL so we'll see if the movie lives up to the hype.

PS. Mom and Dad, thanks for the thoughtful, timely (cough*cough*) birthday cards for Adam and me.   :)

Whew.

Good thing I decided to procrastinate on things that actually matter...otherwise I would have NEVER posted a this month. I forget to get online all the time, especially since I'm spoiled enough to have internet on my phone. If I ever figure out how to blog on my phone, there may never be a need for me to get on the computer again.

I wish I could say that I've been too busy but that's hardly been the case. Adam and I were lucky enough to go to the Florida-Georgia game on Halloween weekend. It was a wonderful experience...but it would have been even better had we won. Adam's not used to the crazy, tailgating experience so it was sort of interesting. It was also nice seeing family, albeit rushed.

The first weekend in November Adam treated me to a live show! Beauty and the Beast was amazing!! We were a little late (we missed the first 15min) due to dinner running a bit over schedule but it was okay. I swear if anything in my life ever went perfectly, I'd be pretty concerned. It felt great to get dressed up and see a show and, unlike last year, it wasn't snowing (which made walking around in heels MUCH easier).

Work has been terrible. For some reason I assumed a higher end restaurant would be more profitable than the hell-hole I was at before but it isn't. I'm currently seeking new employment. It's rare for me to leave with more than $40 after a shift. Unacceptable! Ugh.

The good news is that I will be starting TCC in the fall with hopes of getting my AA, ASAP. After that, its the fast track to getting my Masters. Anything to get me out of the service industry.

I was going to finish this blog with more stories; however, I'm becoming increasingly enraged with the tedious process of filling out online job applications and profiles. GAH! I promise you, it will make being dragged behind a speeding dump truck seem enjoyable.