Moving Forward

I have not been good about posting lately. However, during my absence, I do have very exciting news.  After a LONG process of job hunting in this gross economy, J is finally employed! Thrilled is not even strong enough to describe my glee. A few months ago he began speaking/interviewing with a mergers and acquisition company locally. It was a connection made through Rotary (continually grateful for all things Rotary/Rotaract) They had just raised a significant amount of capital and were looking to purchase several companies to ultimately "flip." They wanted to teach Jordan the ropes of the business world by inserting him into different roles within these companies over the next few years. With the idea that he will then be able to go into the M&A world in the future. I call it an on the job MBA, but it's also called an amazing opportunity. So, he started this week at Crystal Springs Water, and he will be their sales manager. Obviously this is some serious on the job learning since im pretty sure he didnt take a sales class in law school, but he is very ready for the challenge. Its so fantastic to see him re-energized and motivated. For me its a huge weight off my shoulders after being the sole breadwinner for almost four years now. So, this weekend I will be celebrating this good news and spending Halloween weekend with good friends. Tonight: Halloween party at Laura's, tomorrow: watching football and playing with Erin & Hill.  Both events: going as snookie.  Pictures will def follow. Bring it cristin.

And Happy Friday.

Early bird?

Most of you know that I am not, and never have been a morning person. I blame this on both the primary education system (making students catch the bus at like 6:30), and my college soccer coach for making me practice in the dark at 5:30am. For the past four and a half years of my professional life, nothing has really changed. Most of my colleagues know that it's best not to come to me with big issues before 10:00am. However, since Mac has arrived and my CFP studying has started, i've been forced to get day started earlier, or else I wouldnt be able to get everything done. Surprisingly, I have enjoyed the past few weeks of getting up, drinking my cup of tea with Mac, and checking my sites while Meredith Viara bothers me on Today. Never thought I would see the day. 

I have to make a side note now. I just saw an election add for someone running for State Senate here in Bama. He starts by standing in a jail, apologizing for getting a DUI, and says that his drinking days are over. Insert scene of a happy family, and then him asking for your vote. Really? Who runs that campaign? Can Nov. 2nd please get here soon, ive been over this election season since July. 

Huntsville Safari

This weekend I really needed a breath of fresh air, so I headed up to my fav getaway: Huntsville. Not only do I love visiting Jensi and Liv, but it's just so peaceful up there among the farmland. When i stay with Jensi, you know good fun will be had. This visit was no different. Sat morning before our obligatory cheap mexican lunch, we headed over to an Animal Safari. This was on the outskirts of the city and totally worth the drive. For $7 a person, we got to see so many cool animals. Like:

So much fun. I love going up there to visit. We also hit up an amateur hockey game while we were there. It was a very fun weekend and wonderful to get out of Birmingham for a while.

Also, to keep up my theme this week of random videos. Check out my new fav Second City man.

You're welcome.

Whoa.

Ive been absent lately, i know. But for good reasons. And yes, there are several. This has been the worse week of 2010 on record. Why? you ask. Lets recap, shall we?
First, I spent last Saturday over a toilet after eating way too many hot wings (i thought supporting a charity was suppose to fele good...?) And then Bama lost. I havnt been able to listen to Fienbaum all week as a result. And I kinda like Fienbaum (one of my guilty pleasures). Although bad, i should have relished in the weekend more bc the week was just getting started.

 Monday was actually decent. Normal work day, then a lovely evening at The Club for my Rotaract Board meeting. Also my pledge sister Samantha had her beautiful baby Sam on Monday, so things were really looking up...or so I thought.

Tuesday is when things start to go downhill. First, im way stressed because the first test for my CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation is Thursday, so im trying to studying between working, and that never works. Then the VP of our office comes in and lays some seriously shitty work news on me that I have no control over (no job loss, but an office move that was not expected nor justified) Im full of feminist fury and drive home to study with my pup for the rest of the day.

Wednesday was a day of random learning about Shelby County. One of my fab co-workers put my name in for Leadership Shelby County and I got selected. Its actually a really awesome program, but im already stressed and overwhelmed, can I add one more thing? apparently. I'll have to have another post about this, bc we learned all about the history of Shelby County and i LOVED it. That evening I had another event at The Club where I had to come into contact with the Vp I was not happy with. Luckily, I have the best clients in the world and they made me happy that night.

This leads me to today. I havn't mentioned that Ive been getting up at like 5am every morning this to study, bc when the hell else am I going to do this? Note: im not a morning person. But, im feeling good about my test, so i get ready for work and head in at a record 7:00am to study some more. On the way in, the B starts really acting up. Not cool. I detour to Cahaba Heights and the take it in. Luckily, David, my business partner is the coolest guy ever, and picked me up on work on his way in. I take my test, pass it with an 88%! Holla! Good news! Then... have to move offices.  If anyone knows me, they know I am most proud of few things, and one of them is earning my own office. Having this taken away from me without justification, once again, was such a blow. But, by today, I decided to take the high road and earn it back once again. Plus, im closer to the bathroom now.

After an exhausting week, all i could think of was margs, so Jordan picked me up at work (my cars needs like $600 worth of work, im not thinking about that right now), and we headed over the Superior Grill. Lucky for us it was free buffet and happy hour drinks night. WHOOOO>! Just what I needed.

In summation, the week has sucked, but in true Jordan style, I was rejuvenated by another one of his awesome internet finds. Enjoy. 

Heading to Hunstville to play with Jensi and Liv this weekend, pics to follow on Sunday!

Living for the weekend...

Im heading to the ATL today and back tomorrow afternoon for work. I really hope next year doesn't consist of Atlanta trips once a month, this is getting old. However, I cant wait for this weekend and the Chicken and Wing Fest! Some of my Rotaract buddies have worked very hard to get this organized and Magic Moments is such an amazing organization, so I will def be supporting! However, first I must conquer the Race for the Cure that morning. I say conquer because I have not run in several months, so it will be a very interesting 5k. But it's for another amazing cause and always a fun race, so Im not too worried.  It's a philanthropic Saturday!

On another note, I must cut down my amount of tv watching.. My list of shows we and I are currently watching:

Glee
Dexter
Boardwalk Empire
Weeds
The Big C
Desperate Housewives (i might be the only devotee)
Grey's
Private Practice
All the Housewives of....
30 Rock
The Office

Of these, Im willing to cut the Housewives of...(although such a guilty pleasure), The Big C (sorry Laura Linny, but we loved you as Mrs. Adams) Weeds (only bc ive missed two episodes and can watch it later) and I'll resort to Desperate Housewives on abc.com. Not a bad trimming, but I need some time back in my life because it's getting much too busy.

Under Construction

I get a bit frustrated this time of year because I really really like summer, and it's hard for me to deal with a change of seasons. I know how weird that sounds, it was weird to type it. However, I am how I am. So, in order to cope with a change in weather, Im giving my blog a face lift. The problem is, I cant decide on how I want it to look. So, it will be under construction until I can figure it out. You might see some random backgrounds, probably even more than one a day. If you like one, let me know. Input is always appreciated.

Otherwise, life is back to normal. October is a travel-free month. I just found my camera after a few weeks of it being lost, so hopefully pictures will resume again soon. missed yall.

Back to Hog Country

We're in the Bham airport on route to Fayetteville to watch the Tide dominate yet another team. Another weekend out of town. What is Birmingham like?