Where Have I Been?

I don't know where time goes anymore! I can't believe it is NOVEMBER. Yikes. I'll do a quick life update here if I can.

This happened to my best friend from back home:

She tried to call and text me the day of Homecoming, when I was of course working (trying to get the 82-hour work week over with!). I threatened her within an inch of a life if she was playing a trick on me. But she was very serious -- I cried (multiple times), but they were happy tears! Her fiance is a great guy, and she has said basically since the moment she met him that she knew she would marry him. I made a quick trip home the weekend after to see her and catch up. It was a great break for a few days.

Friday, my mom took a fall during her Zumba class and now looks like this:

Broken wrist (right hand), a day at the hospital getting it checked out, surgery, and a brace. I think she feels pretty helpless right now. Dad has been putting in her earrings for her and cooking dinner. I guess this means I'm in charge of Thanksgiving dinner now?!?!

Add in an early October wedding, Race for the Cure, football games with friends, plus work and my classes, and I have had my hands full! Lately I have really felt good about myself as a confident, independent person. I can do what I want, when I want. I have just been trying to dedicate more time to me (eating right, working out, spending time with family and friends) and to the people important to me. I put so much effort into work and my classes sometimes that I have just been exhausted and not putting enough energy into myself. I'm working on it...

Simply,

MJ

Wondering Where I Have Been?

Uuuhh...so it has been almost a month since my last post. I knew I wasn't very good at this blogging game, but seriously -- I need to kick it up a notch. So with my deepest apologies, I'll give you my updates:

1. That sweet Kate Spade Posy Vase? Epic fail...apparently there was a "problem" with my order and it "could not be filled" or something. Bummer. But they did give me a $20 credit, so I'll keep my eyes peeled for my next sweet deal.

2. I did get a new phone. Samsung Solstice. But no worries...same phone number. (errr...or maybe I shouldn't say that, so when people say "Why has MJ been MIA?" you will respond "Oh it must be because she got a new phone.")

3. The sunglasses? Yeah, I totally got some new Ray Bans. And I love them. Some people hate to spend $$$ on expensive sunglasses, but in my experience I usually take care of them and wear them for years. I mean, let's be honest. You wear them. On. Your. Face. -- like direct center of focus for all people...except creepy men.

4. I had a WONDERFUL birthday filled with lots of sweets and sweet friends! I attended a beautiful wedding. Had a rockin' time at a hole-in-the-wall Owensboro bar. And I saw Gary Allan at our hotel...I could have shared an elevator with him, but chicken over here took the stairs. Minus the hour long wait for a cab and Creepy Tim (who hasn't had a girlfriend for 15 years and is trying to learn to talk to women and doesn't drink and was beaten by his step-dad, etc etc and then offered us a ride home...) it was an overall fabulous weekend.

5. I have 667 unread items in my Google Reader....and thats after unsubscribing to a bunch of blogs last week. Because I haven't had time to read them.

6. I have been working mucho hours. Like I think I calculated 56 hours last week? And it's almost 7, and I'm still at the office (taking a mental break to blog) and I took a 15 minute lunch at my desk...so crank that up to 5 extra hours this week already and it's only Tuesday. I'm exhausted. But through it, I've realized that I LOVE my new job. Like seriously. I work with wonderful people. I get to interact with students every day. I get such a high level of satisfaction from what I do. I really am blessed to A. be employed and B. get to do something that I enjoy every day. On that same note, I would still really like a vacation day to clean, iron, grocery shop, regular shop, and do something fun and relaxing. I'm just saying. (Hopefully after K Week and getting my old position filled I'll return to semi-normal hours.) Someone asked me today what I like to do for fun and I went blank...so then they asked what the most exciting thing I did in the last week...scratch that, month....was and again, blank. I said, "I met Archie Manning! But it was at a work conference..." Apparently that doesn't count. Like really...my idea of fun now seems to equate to take-in Chinese and movies. Although I will be trying to factor in some more fun or working out or something...and blogging of course :)

That's all for now! Back to work so I can go home!
MJ

Wedding Weekend

I spent 3 days in Paducah, Kentucky this past weekend for the wedding of a good friend and sorority sister. The beau and I spent Saturday experiencing the town and had lunch at the fine establishment known as Whaler's Catch.

A fish po'boy sandwich filled me up quickly! Yum!

Afterwards we walked off the big meal down by the river and through downtown. I was enjoying the sight-seeing and wanted to go in the antique stores, but the beau wasn't quite so thrilled that there wasn't anything "from this decade." Still, the sun was shining and the sky was blue.

He was ignoring me in this picture. I think he was embarrassed that I looked like such a tourist, but at least I wasn't wearing cut off jorts and bandannas like the crew a few yards away from us.

Brooke's wedding on Saturday night was beautiful. She looked absolutely stunning, and I couldn't get over how much she seemed to look like a mature, young lady. She just exuded class. The wedding was a traditional Baptist ceremony. Everything was simple, traditional and classy. Nothing too over the top, but each detail thought out. I hope that one day I have as much luck and love (and luck in love!) that she did! She deserves all the best and has my wishes for all the blessings life and marriage can provide.

It was my pleasure to be part of her day, and I am so honored to call her a friend!

P.S. I have no idea what the heck was up with me being so shiny! Seriously. Argh.