Weekend Update

I had a whirlwind weekend in Florence. I had a late start leaving Nashville and didn't get home until 9 o'clock. I spent a little time with Mother and Daddy before bed, but the week caught up with me and I crashed by eleven. 

Saturday, I was up early. I wanted to spend some time with Daddy before he went out of town for the weekend. I was sad to not spend Father's Day with him, but I'm so glad we got to spend a little time together Saturday morning. 

After I said goodbye to Daddy, I rushed to get to my hair appointment on time.  It makes me feel so good to have my hair done!

The majority of the remainder of the day was spent with Grandaddy. It was important to spend as much time as possible with him since Sunday was Father's Day and Monday is his 94th birthday. He doesn't talk much anymore, but we still hold hands as we always have. We made an unexpected trip to the ER Saturday night, but it was a good excuse to hold his hand for most of our time we had to wait. Any chance to hold his hand is one to jump upon. 

Church on Sunday was absolutely wonderful. We were welcoming our new minister today as well as reuniting with friends that have been away for a while. There were lots of hugs and smiles going around!  I almost cried as we practiced the anthem and smiled like an idiot as we sang in the sanctuary.  I couldn't have been any happier to sing with such dear friends. 

Now, I'm back in Nashville only 48 hours after I left. I love any chance I get to go home to see friends and family. All in all, this was a great weekend with the people that I love. 

Monday, Monday

Today was the best Monday in quite some time! I'm definitely getting used to four day work weeks now that this is my third short work week in three weeks!! 

I went to Florence this weekend and it was so nice to have a relaxed weekend and to not have to rush back to Brentwood after church and visiting Grandaddy on Sunday. We had a nice family meal Saturday evening and I certainly enjoyed my Sunday nap. 

Today, I was up early (Emma woke up before dawn), but I didn't really mind since I had plans to shop at one of my favorite stores. My friend, Becky, and I drove to Memphis to shop at the Williams-Sonoma Outlet. I love Williams-Sonoma and I love outlet prices!  We looked around ooh-ing and ahh-ing at everything in sight for over two hours before selecting our purchases.  I bought several things, but I'm most excited about my new piece of Le Creuset. I've been eying this piece for a while and even convinced Becky that she would regret not buying one as well!  I guess I'm a bad influence!! :)

After laughing over our shopping cart full of purchases that we barely got off the sidewalk (Why there was no ramp I'll never know), we went next door to Pottery Barn. There were many pretty things, but nothing that I had to bring home. I didn't find a bargain rug for my dining room, so I may just have to pay the Pottery Barn delivery fee!

My friend, Molly, lives in Memphis and recommended several nearby restaurants. We decided on Swanky's Taco Shop which happened to be super close and super good. I'd definitely go there again. I'm so used to eating quickly and making it back to work in under an hour, so it was refreshing to have time to enjoy our food and talk. Not like we hadn't been doing that nonstop since we left Tuscumbia!!

We made one more quick stop to check out the sale items at Soma. We both love their pajamas and the 50% off sale made our purchases that much sweeter!

Before I knew it, it was time to head back to Alabama. Thankfully, we just hopped on Highway 72 and chatted the miles away. I really should have a sore throat from all the talking!!

It's so much fun to spend time with someone you share so many interests with and makes for such a fun day! Now, I can't wait to cook with my fun new finds!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

In the spirit of being more optimistic despite working all the live long day, I decided to participate in What I'm Loving Wednesday today!

 

 

 

First off, I'm loving having sweet work friends that go out to lunch with me to get away from the office for a few minutes.  I'm really lucky to have these ladies as my friends--yes, we work together, but we like to do things together outside of work, too.

 

Me, Melissa and Sandy at Arrington Vineyards for part of Melissa's Bachelorette weekend last summer.
 



 

Next, I'm loving late night chats with my friend, Molly.  She's in audit, not tax, but she definitely understands how bad busy season is.  Sometimes it's nice to have someone that you don't work with, but still understands the jargon to complian talk to.

Molly and I during my visit to Memphis last summer.
 

 

 

Finally, I'm loving my sweet family.  I'm still so happy that I got to spend some QT with them last weekend.  My sweet Mama is worried about me eating when I'm working all the time and is trying to figure out how to send me food when Dad comes for a conference tomorrow (I think).  Plus, my precious Grandaddy is feeling better, too, which is a huge relief to say the least!

 

 

 



 

It's terribly obvious to me that I do not take enough pictures since the most recent one in this post is from over six months ago and the oldest is from when I still in the MAc.  I'm going to have to work on that! :)

A GREAT weekend!

This was the best weekend I've had in AGES!!

Friday was the filing deadline for corporations, so the first big deadline of busy season is behind us. I didn't think we'd make it on Monday, but we did!

After work, my friend, Sandy, and I went to our favorite nail salon for pedicures and then went next door for Moe's for dinner. I'm so lucky to have good friends at work that I enjoy spending time with. After dropping Sandy off, I went home, watched some DVR with a glass of wine and was in bed at 10:30. It was AH-MAZING!

Saturday morning, I worked for about four hours before hopping on 65-South to go home to Florence. I did have to swing back by my house for my medicine that I managed to forget when I packed. :(

After getting home, Dad and I went to Muscle Shoals for a few minutes before he dropped me off at Grandaddy's house. We visited for a while before Mom and I went to Sam's. I think everyone knows how much I dislike Wal-Mart, but I really like shopping at Sam's. After that, we ordered dinner and Dad and I waxed my car. Then I went over to Grandaddy's to visit with him and Mother before going back home for the night.

This morning, I slept through the start of early church, so I decided to only go to the late service instead of both. As I was getting ready, I discovered that I left all of my hair styling products in Nashville besides my hairspray. As a result, I ended up looking like a mess. For a while, I thought I'd also left my foundation. I luckily had it and could still go to church. There's no way I would have gone without it. I don't allow many people to see me without makeup, so there was no way I would stand up in front of the congregation to sing with a bare face! :)

I made it to church in one piece and got to visit and sing with good friends who have become like family over the years. It always makes me happy to have an opportunity to sing (and get the good gossip, too)!

I practically ran out of the Sanctuary to get to my hair appointment. It had been seven weeks and I was looking rough! I had the ombré look--and not in a good way! The sweet man that does my hair graciously offered to do my hair on Sunday since I work weekends during tax season and can't make it for my usual Saturday morning appointment. I know it sounds superficial, but I feel so much better when my hair looks good!

(On a hair note, for the first time EVER I needed my hair thinned out. Just in the side opposite my part because I bring so much over, but still. When I was sick, my hair was so fragile and thin. I've always envied people with thick hair, but apparently I'm one of them--even if my hair is baby fine. I'm so grateful that my body is confirming outwardly how good I feel!)

I went back to Grandaddy's afterwards and finally decided to drive home instead of leaving early tomorrow morning. I am NOT a morning person plus it looks like its going to storm, so I decided I was better safe than sorry.

All in all, a GREAT weekend. I'm ready to repeat parts of it in 13 days for Easter weekend!

Walking in Memphis

There wasn't that much walking, but I had the BEST weekend in Memphis!  My best friend from Auburn's MAc program, Molly, lives in Memphis and we decided it was high time I came to visit!

I left Friday right after work and made my way down 40 West.  The drive was not bad at all, but nobody maintains a steady speed, so no cruise control for me.  Once I got there, we watched the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics and talked for a while before bed.

Saturday morning, we watched more Olympics before heading out.  We had a yummy lunch at Central BBQ before going on a tour of Memphis, getting pedicures and doing a little shopping at the Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn Outlets.

Later that night, we watched more Olympics before getting ready for dinner.  We went to Memphis Pizza Cafe (so good, btw) before going to a couple bars.  We were out pretty late and I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow that night!

Sunday, we were slow-moving and didn't make it to brunch, so we decided to go to Young Avenue Deli.  I definitely ate too much here, but everything was so good!  I'm positive I was the group fat kid, but that's why I went to the gym four times last week!

Not long after we got back from lunch, it was time to say goodbye.  I definitely didn't want this weekend to be over!

Thanks so much for a great time, Molly!

I had to make this picture B&W so I didn't look completely day-glo!  For some reason, this is the only picture I have of just the two of us. We need to work on that!

  

I caught the bouquet!

I went to the wedding of my work friend, Melissa and her sweet fiancé (now husband...eek!), Patrick tonight. It was a beautiful wedding and suited their personalities perfectly!

I hated that it rained nearly all day today. I don't think I would be as good of a sport if it rained on my wedding day!

Traffic was awful due to road construction (part of one interstate is closed) and rain. I missed Melissa's walk down the isle, but arrived during the reading and heard the vows and witnessed the first kiss as man and wife.

The reception was super fun and the food was great. Both Melissa and Patrick live barbecue, so Jim-n-Nicks catered the reception. I think everyone enjoyed that. I hope we get leftovers at work on Monday! The also had snowcones with many favors and some more "adult" add-ins! The cakes were beautiful and the Bride's cake was very good. I chose to skip the Groom's cake after all the calories from the meal!

There were lots of people from work, so we had a very good time. We all get along pretty well and it's always nice to see my coworker's spouses.

For the third time in my life, I caught the bouquet! I was 16 the first time and almost 22 the second time. I think the third time might be the charm--maybe 25 is going to be a good year!!

Time for bed--it's going to be time for church much too early tomorrow!

Here to Stay

I'm back in Auburn to stay...for a little while at least. I haven't been here for the weekend since the second week of June. Yep, that's five weekends of driving and about 2,500 miles on my car...yuck. The visits here and there were all pretty good though. I was home four of the five weekends and visited with family and even got to see a dear friend from high school get married. She was beautiful, as always. The other weekend, I stood by another dear, dear friend who married her very own Prince Charming.

It's so weird that people I went to school with are getting married and having babies. Kinda makes me feel like I'm still a little kid in a grown up world. But, on the other hand, I cannot imagine being married at this point in my life. I definitely want to finish school and hopefully have passed the CPA exam before tying the knot. I think, for me, following my parent's example and being a little older before getting married is the right way to go. That being said, there's still a little bit of the green monster of jealousy when I see my friends and seemingly everyone around me finding someone to spend the rest of their lives with

Enough of the marriage talk. I have the Charter people coming tomorrow afternoon (or night!) to install digital cable and high-speed internet. I also having a group coming over tomorrow, so I need to unpack and do a little spot cleaning before I have people coming over.

My parents are also coming this weekend! They haven't been down in quite a while and I'm excited to take my Dad to Sno Biz. It's an old treat from my childhood and the place here tastes just like home. Sorry to the one at McFarland Park...you're better than the waterpark shaved ice place, but not the shaved ice of my memories!

Florence, Here I Come!

This is where I'm going this weekend! Over my four years at Auburn, I have really learned to appreciate Florence and all the good things there.

First and foremost, the majority of my family is there. Mom and Dad, Grams and Grandaddy, and my as-close-to-family-but-not are all there or close-by. I am so grateful for every minute I get to spend with them--especially with Grandaddy in light of the events of the past few months.

There's also my church family. They are a big part of my life that has been missing while I have been in Auburn. It's just not the same here and I have never felt like I really belonged. Maybe because I knew it was only temporary, but my church home is at 415 N. Seminary Street in Downtown Florence. I know when I'm there, I will be welcomed home with open arms and pulled down to the choir room to sing and gossip, of course!

I'm a little ashamed to mention this, but I love coming home and planning my meals! Mom has always asked me if I'm thinking of food all day. I do admit to planning dinner sometimes during breakfast! I love Saturday lunch at my Grandparents' house--always something good and always accompanied by ice cold tea. I can't remember when we started going over there for lunch, but I also can't remember what we did before the days of Saturday lunch. I love summer at Gram and Grandaddy's house because Grandaddy and I would sneak off and cut a watermelon. That's always been our thing. We would share if there were other people around, but it was really just for us. I know to look in the basement refrigerator to see if we have a treat for later that day! At trip to Florence is not complete without a visit to Casa Mexicana or Ricatoni's either! You just can't beat the food you grew up on!

Lastly, I can't wait to sleep in my bed. My bed has such special memories. Before it was in my bedroom at my house, it was in my bedroom at my Aunt's house. It actually belonged to my Great-Grandma Almond and was passed down to my Aunt and then to me. I slept in this bed at my Aunt's house for most of my childhood and it was what I wanted most from her house after she died. I guess I felt like bringing this bed home with me would keep a part of her with me always. I have other silly things with me all the time--the ring from her keys has been on my keyring for years--but seeing this bed when I walk into my room still makes me smile and remember good times of weekends past.

Another good thing about Florence is Emma is there! She's been with Mom and Daddy for two weeks since I was so busy last week with school and I was out of town at Tiffany and Will's wedding this weekend. I miss her like crazy! I hope she's excited to see me and will cuddle up to me so we can make up for lost time!

Well, I'm off to pack so I can get home to Florence faster. I'm leaving as soon as my class gets out at 11:15. I'm so grateful for only having classes four days a week this minimester. I'm looking forward to being in Florence alot during July!

New Pictures!

Emma and I like to have pictures made with pretty flowers! My all-time favorite hydrangea in my favorite shade. Emma does get a little distracted during long photo sessions! It's a little hard to get both of us looking good in one frame!

Emma likes to walk around on the balcony. She loves being free from her leash! She looks around at the cars and people below and gets plenty of fresh air. She doesn't get to go out for long on the balcony now though since it's so hot. Poor little thing just has too much fur to live in Auburn during the summer. She's been in Florence for a week already and I'll finally get to see her again Thursday. I have talked to her on the phone though! :)

My sweet Grandaddy turned 90 on June 17. He is such a wonderful man and I am proud to be his granddaughter. I can't wait to see him over the 4th of July weekend! I'm so glad Grandaddy is doing better. He's had a rough few months and I pray that he accepts his new limitations and continues to improve.

One of my oldest friends, Tiffany, married her fiance, Will, this past weekend in Tuscalooserville, AKA Tuscaloosa to those of you who sport crimson. This picture was made right after we showed her the practice bouquet and veil made from ribbons from her shower gifts. She carried the bouquet and wore the veil for the rehearsal on Friday night. There will be more wedding weekend pictures later.

Finally, a picture of me at the rehearsal dinner made by the bride. I guess the sunburn did pay off since I don't look quite as pale as a sheet of paper!

Procrastination

So, I've been back in the world of Academia for three whole days. I can't say I'm liking it. I would much rather be back with my friends and coworkers at Pearce Bevill. I wonder if Chase, the guy Morgan and I shared an office with, is missing us or is relieved to have his office back to normal without girl talk and stupid questions. I bet he's happily back into his world of being productive and listening to his earbuds all day.

Emma and I are bonding more and more each day. She's going to hate me soon though because I have to put her in "EmmaCare" twice a day at the least--when I go to each class. Some days, like today, I went to dinner at Firehouse Subs with a friend who is in the Accounting program too and will be starting the MAc program this summer. I've really missed her this semester since we have only seen each other like three times and last Fall, we spent two days a week side-by-side in Audit class. She's become a really good friend who I know I can count on when the going gets tough! The best thing about her starting MAc in the summer is she'll know all about my classes a semester before I take them! haha

I'm so happy to report that my Grandaddy seems to be doing better! Apparently, he is tentatively set for discharge a week from tomorrow. I personally think that's a little premature since he has only been at the rehab for eight days. I know he is getting stronger physically, but I am worried about the quality of speech therapy he would receive as an outpatient. Frankly, I'm worried about the quality of the speech therapy he is currently receiving. I guess that just comes with the territory when you are not able to witness the rehab and can only visit during set visiting hours--the therapists and workers can do whatever they want during the non-visiting hours, I guess. I won't even get started about how I feel about ECM and some new information I learned today. All I can say is, "How frustrating..."

Emma and I have a S Corp tax return to complete, so I guess we should sign off for now and become productive for a change. It's so pretty outside and it's hard to stay inside and study. Especially since I need to get some form of color on my skin for Tiffany's wedding on June 27. This girl is not going to wear black without some semblance of color. And if you currently saw my legs and arms, you would know that I'm not very good at self tanner, even the Jergen's natural glow. I can't have fake tan lines when I'm going to be photographed with the Wedding Party for posterity!

Now on to schoolwork...

Home for the Holidays

I've been home for a week now, but it seems like just yesterday. We've been quite busy with Christmas shopping and other Holiday activities.

Emma went to the groomer on Wednesday and the V.E.T. (you have to spell it) for her little operation on Thursday, so she had a rough couple of days, but got plenty of pampering to make up for any inconvenience. She got her very own Christmas stocking today that my Grandmother and my Mom made for her. It's pink satin with lace and ruffles along the top. Very Emma-like!!

Yesterday was my Grandparent's 63 Wedding Anniversary, so I made dinner to celebrate the occasion. I made lasagna for the first time and besides taking longer than planned to cook, I think it turned out well! I guess we'll have a second chance to pass judgement tonight since that's what we're having for dinner.

Oh, I got my grades in for the semester...I got a 4.0! I'm really glad to have made Dean's List for the third semester in a row! Just two more to go to finish undergrad out with a bang!

I'm really excited about starting my j0b in Birmingham, but I have to go back to Auburn for a little less than a month for classes first. It will be good to get the majority of my Advanced Accounting Topics and Taxation II classes out of the way before I leave. I'm hoping I will have some time to see old friends in Birmingham since we all seem to be migrating there! It'll be so nice to reconnect and get to see good friends much more frequently!

Well, I need to go wrap some gifts. No, we haven't got them all safely nestled under the tree yet. They probably won't even be finished tonight, but they always get done.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Almost Done!

It's almost Christmas break for me! I get to go home Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, I still have three exams to get through before then.

There's so much to do before leaving Auburn. I have to study for and take my exams, of course. I also need to pack. I think packing is the worst, but I have to get it done tonight and tomorrow night so I can leave as early as possible after I finish on Tuesday. In order to be able to pack anything, I must first wash the clothes I wish to take to Florence. That in itself will be a task. Emma finds sorted laundry waiting to be washed quite interesting and for some reason, the clothes never stay sorted for long!

I'm just not feeling like studying anymore. I have Managerial Accounting tomorrow, but I only need a 75 to get an A in the class, so I guess that's hurting my motivation. Making a 75 would be 15 points below my lowest score so far in the class which is my lowest by 7.5 points. My point being, I think it would be pretty hard to not score a 75 or higher. I hope so at least.

I've really got to get studying for Audit. I need to really hunker down since we didn't have our last class meeting and I have to teach myself some material without it ever being covered in class.

I guess I'm just getting a little bummed that all of the other schools I have friends at are out--we always get out before Alabama, for instance, what's going on here? I know there is some homesickness involved too. Even after three and a half years here, I still get quite homesick. I miss my family and our holiday traditions that I'm missing out on. I guess that I look forward to these short breaks from school because I know they are soon to end forever once I enter the real world. Sorry to be so whiny...

So, I'm going to snap out of it, start a load of clothes, study for Managerial, and make a list of things I want to take home with me (yes, I have to have a list!).

My Version of Black Friday

I did NOT go shopping today...well, I didn't make any purchases of my own today.

This afternoon, I finally got to see an old friend from middle and high school. She, her mom, and her cousin came into town to try on her wedding dress. I'm going to be a bridesmaid in the wedding, but I wasn't able to be with her to pick out the dress, so today was my first chance to see it! It is really pretty and I think the dress of her dreams. We were also able to pick out a headpiece and veil for her that complement the dress very nicely.

After we left the dress store, we went to one of our favorite restaurants, Ricatoni's in downtown Florence. It was just as good as I remembered it!

On the way to the AT&T store, we went by so she could see little Miss Emma. Then at the AT&T store we had to fight the system as they didn't want to make the process of upgrading her mom's phone easy for any parties involved. They did walk out with matching iPhones though.

Sadly, we had to part after the phone acquisition. They had to get back to Tennessee tonight and I needed to head over to my Grandparent's house. It's a shame we don't see each other more often, but with only about 7 months for wedding planning, we will definitely be seeing each other more frequently in the future. I hope we never go as long between seeing each other again.

I have new pictures of Emma too from Thanksgiving Day, but I haven't put them on my computer yet. I'll try to do that in the next couple of days!

Finally Friday

Today has been a great day to lounge around in PJs. It was cloudy all day, but this afternoon it started raining and it has continued on and off all evening. The only bad part about a rainy day is that Little Miss Emma hates to get her feet wet and especially hates to be rained on. After our last trip outside, she was soaking wet. I know I hate to get my pant legs wet, so I can't imagine getting my whole body wet every time the grass is slightly moist. I guess that's the life of a tiny little dog.

I spent some time at my Aunt's school this afternoon trying to help her out in preparing for next week's classes. I didn't really do much and wish I could have helped more.

Late this afternoon, I had a friend come over to study Finance with me. We have a test Wednesday night and it's definitely time to start studying. We're planning on getting together again tomorrow and probably Sunday, so I better make sure I'm on top of my game so I can be useful while we are studying.

I also have another test on Tuesday. I think I'm pretty prepared for that one. I actually joked with the teacher on Thursday as the class was being dismissed and asked if I could go on and take the test to get it over with!

I spoke with the partner who hired me at the accounting firm where I will intern next Spring. I confirmed that they still want me to work the Mid-April option from February to the middle of April. It will be busy, but at the end of it I can honestly claim I have completed my first Tax Season! As it gets closer, I'm getting more and more excited. We passed mid-semester last week, so this semester is on the downward turn. I'll be away most of next semester, and will finish my undergraduate work in August.

Now, I really have to decide if I want to pursue my Master's of Accountancy degree or if I just want to complete the minimum requirements to sit for my CPA Exam. In the back of my mind, I know I need to get my Master's, but it is so hard to commit to another twelve months of school. I'm just so ready to get out there and start my adult life. I know people say you don't know how good you have it in college, but I am excited to do "grown-up" things like buy a house! Maybe my internship will be a welcome break from school and make it bearable to be in school for another year.

Miss Emma is getting cuter every day. She's really starting to develop her own personality. She's also responding to her name with much more reliability. The potty training is going well...I guess I'm the one getting trained more than her though. I know how long she can go without being outside and make sure she goes out often. It seems like she really wants to do well and receive praise though. She really is a sweet and kind-hearted puppy. I just wish she liked to be held better and would let me cover her up with a blanket. In the coming months, I'm afraid she will be cold unless she allows me to cover her up!

I'm going to go and study a little more Finance in preparation for tomorrow's study marathon. I have so much to do this weekend that there isn't a moment to waste!

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

Life is so precious

One of my very best friends—in fact my oldest friend that I'm still in touch with—just barely escaped a horrible fate last night. She was going to see her fiancé and on her way a tire blew out, she crossed into incoming traffic on the interstate, and hit another car. Miraculously, she escaped with few injuries and the other lady involved in the wreck was not seriously injured either.

Since I found out about the accident from her roommate last night, I've been thinking about how fragile our lives are. I knew a girl who wrecked in a very similar situation and was killed. I'm so thankful that that was not the case in this situation and I do not have to think about burying a friend now.

Apparently, there was an issue with the Firestone tires on her SUV which looks like the cause of the wreck. That makes me angry. Tires are so expensive and they should be reliable. So many people have already been killed by Firestone tires on Ford Explorers—didn't the automakers and tire makers learn their lesson already?? I'm glad my Dad took time to research the best tires for my car—not Firestone—and he is careful to check my tire pressure every time I come home. But if the tires are faulty in the first place, can you prevent something like this from happening?

Anyway, I've just been thinking about how we don't know who will be here with us from one day to the next. I really wish I could see my friend just to lay hands on her. We've talked, but I know I would feel better if I saw her in person. This has just been a wake-up call for me. I want to remember how this feels and make sure I don't take any of my friends for granted.

Tiffany—I'm thankful that you're safe and even more thankful that we're still friends after all these years! : - )

Grateful

As I was driving back to Auburn today (I made it back fine—Thanks to those of you whom I know were praying for my safe journey!), I was thinking about how grateful I am for all that I have and just how lucky I am.

I have parents and grandparents, an uncle, and an aunt that love me. I have extended family and friends who love me as well. I am a very loved person (not to sound conceited). I just love and am loved by a lot of people. I am grateful for those people in my life.

I have a home here in Auburn that more that suits my needs. I didn't even have to fight too hard with my parents to get it. *haha* I have electricity, heating and air conditioning, and hot water on demand. I have a dishwasher, washer and dryer, and just about every item needed to cook a gourmet meal at my immediate disposal. I am grateful for all of these things.

I have enough money to buy all of the things I need and most of the things I want. And if I need something that I cannot provide on my own, I know that my parents will take care of it. I am so lucky to not be like many college students who worry where their next meal is going to come from. I will graduate with no student loans or debt, and thanks to my summer jobs at TVA and my accounting internship, I should have a nice little nest egg set aside for a future down-payment on a home. I will be working in a profession that is in high demand, so I feel reasonably sure that I should always be able to find employment. There are so many financial aspects of my life to be grateful for.

I have a little puppy who loves me unconditionally. To her, I equal life. I provide her nourishment and try to see to her needs, and in return, she faithfully greets me when I arrive home and occasionally graces me with her presence beside me on the sofa. I had another little life, who I loved more than anyone in the world but my immediate family. She had to leave me because God and my family in Heaven needed her more, but she taught me how to love unconditionally and prepared me to take care of this new little life I have been charged to keep. I try to think of the passages from John 14 where Jesus says "Let not your hearts be troubled", "I go to prepare a place for you", and "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also". These passages remind me that not only Jesus left us to prepare Heaven and the place of eternal glory for us, but also our family members who went before us are preparing that place as well. We should not mourn their passing, though we do, because they sit at the feet of the Father and they are in their eternal glory. I take comfort in the fact that Jesus did die for our sins and, in his death, ensured our eternal salvation. I will be greeted one day by my precious Winnie as well as all the family that has gone before me, even the ones I never met, but long to know. I am so grateful for Emma, Winnie, and the promise of eternal salvation which will allow me to see all of the people that I love again as they greet me at the gates of Heaven. Oh, what a reunion that will be!

Enough of this—I started crying while writing the last paragraph. I was just thinking about how lucky I am and how wasteful I am. I want to live in a way where I remain grateful and also try to live in a less wasteful manner.

I've got to go unpack the car and try to get Emma to eat a little more food tonight.

Have a wonderful night!

So Not Studying Tonight

So today I went to classes. All three of them…I know, I know, poor me…three whole classes!

I went to my Aunt's house to help her out and let the furniture people in this afternoon. I tried to study Tax while she was sleeping and I read about a chapter of the five on my test Thursday. So, that makes two that I have read completely and I have only skimmed the other three. Luckily, my teacher tells us exactly what to read in the book and gives us a really good outline for our notes as well. And we can have one page of any notes we want for the test, so I can have a nice little "cheat sheet".

I went home for a little bit and studied my notes a little until I went to dinner with some friends from my Accounting classes. They decided they wanted some ice cream from Bruster's after that, so I rode along. We then came back to my house and tried to study, but watched some of the debate instead. They all decided to leave and try to study individually, since we all still need to read and have other midterms this week as well.

I watched the rest of the debate and then decided to write this post instead of reading some more.

I think I'm going to go on to bed and get up early to study before my 9:30 class. It'll be raining in the morning, so I don't need to worry too much about appearances—all I need is my North Face raincoat and rain boots, and I'll fit right in with 99% of the rest of the female student population. J

I want to get this week over…I hate test weeks. I just never seem to be caught up and then have to cram in the last few nights. Doesn't everyone do that though?

And I really want to go home…over a month is way too long to not see Florence. I never thought I would miss it so much!