Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Infinitely Crazy Life.

Maybe I should change that to the title of my blog, that seems to be the title of my life the majority of the time. As per usual I have been insanely busy. Late nights, early mornings, and never stopping. I have made an effort to enjoy my life right now, I know I need to have an eternal perspective and need to make sure that things are organized but I was so concerned that I wasn't enjoying the blessings I have in my life right now. Especially with the crazy fiesta Alyssa and I put on, I needed to focus. Today was the first day off that I have had that I actually got to just relax, there was nothing that I needed to make sure got done, or freak out about.


(Stolen from Alyssa)
So last weekend was incredibly nuts! I seriously have never been that stressed in my life. Exams were no where close to that. I really thought I was very organized. I have a clipboard which consisted of the purchases we made, confirmed people. billet list (with name, number of spaces, gender, address, and phone number), To Do list, copy of scavenger hunt (done by Alyssa), floor plan for the dance, diagram of how the lights should be, and all the receipts. I had a To Do list going for at least 2 months before and I thought I had everything done. I spend Thursday running around picking up groceries (FREAK food is expensive) and setting up, and I spend Friday day running around with Charmaine finishing setting up and getting last minute things. A couple weeks previous I found the speakers and all the chords for it so we could use the awesomeness for the dance. Friday I thought I was going to die as we couldn't find the chords. I seriously could of broken down at any minute. Apparently even if people tell me that I need to calm down, IT DOESN'T WORK! I am incapable of calming down when I feel there is a crisis. Eventually we found everything, everything got set up and Charmaine and I cruised home so that we could get changed and go back in. The dance was awesome, other then the fact that people drank the punch like there was no tomorrow- I refilled the bowl like 5 times!

After the dance we stopped at Boston Pizza. Due to the fact that I was dead tired I have a dessert. It was delicious. Other then Charmaine and Alyssa, who I will go into detail later, these 3 people are the ones who kept me sane!

Kristine, Luis and Adam!

They seriously kept me busy the past couple weeks and kept me from going crazy. There has been some dance parties, movies, Donairs, and trips to the beach.

Back to Saturday. Saturday I could not wake up. I was so tired it was crazy. I got there and thanks to everyone's help the rest of the day went fairly smoothly, minus the rain which SUCKED! I was hoping that it wouldn't for the scavenger hunt but I guess not everything can go as planned. The meals went super well, I was really pleased. The lesson done by Bishop Pilling was awesome! Minus the fact that I was super tired I highly enjoyed it. I asked him to do the lesson on how we can continue the feeling of institute and such into the summer. I was very happy with the way he went with it. After cleaning everything up I drove Charmaine home, walked into my house, looked at mom and told her I wasn't home. I walked into my room and fell asleep faster then I think I ever have. After just the right amount of time I woke up and then babysat my cousins. They are so cute! The twins were asleep so that was super easy, so I got to chill with Ella. She is so freakin' adorable.

She was quite the fan of the camera and sunglasses. 
The craziness did not end there. Sunday was good, I was a bit more rested and we had an awesome fireside with Bishop Pilling again. I loved it! I'm not going to go into detail about what it was about but it was definitely well worth the time. Also, after church Shuling ran in and gave me a pair of shoes that she was giving to me because she is moving. I was stunned! First I wasn't sure if I would ever wear them, but I can definitely do it. I have a few outfits lined up that I can wear them with. 

After working from 10-6 yesterday I chilled at home, and then decided to take an adventure to the beach. It's weird how kind of creepy the beach can be when there is only a few people. It is so calming though, the sounds and the breeze. Only bad things, it is super dark..... and getting sand out of your hair is super hard! It took forever! Though it was loads of fun.

Today I got to sleep in and relax. Boy was I relieved. I finally got to watch the season finale of Criminal Minds which was AWESOME! I was so glad I was finally able to watch it. I took my time showering because I never had to worry about anyone else banging on the door. I had to house to myself and I needed it. 
Lastly... I wanted to thank Alyssa and Charmaine for all their help. Alyssa you did a ton and I am so grateful. I definitely couldn't of survived this weekend without you. Charmaine, seriously I think I would of died of stressed related causes if it wasn't for you. You guys are the best!!! 

Also.. Happy belated birthday to Alyssa. Though I already wished you happy birthday I wanted to say it again. I know we have been through a lot but I totally wanted to let you know that I hope this year is better then the last. Craziness will come but I hope we can always be friends. Check out her blog.. its pretty sweeett. www.alyssafraser.blogspot.com. (cheesie.. I know)

Have a spectacular week!



Monday, May 16, 2011

AHHHHHH!!!!

So much has happened recently and I have had no time to blog. It is insane! I suppose I will try and go from the last time I blogged which was about friends and family.

This weekend is the YSA FIESTA!! It will be an awesome time! At first I was kind of disappointed that I only have 2 shifts at work this week, but when I realized how much stuff I have to do, and how tired I am going to be I am extremely grateful! I am going kind of nuts about it but I will come through.

I have been working a lot in the past two weeks. So I have been dead from that, but I am totally looking forward to Thursday- PAY DAY!!

Last Sunday (Mothers' Day) I had the opportunity to talk in church, though I ended up crying, which I try to avoid I love my mom and I am going to miss her a lot. She has done absolutely everything for me and has definitely taught me everything. She has brought the church into my life and raised me to know right from wrong and be the best I can. For that I am ever so grateful. I spoke on the importance of righteous mothers and my mother is a wonderful example of that. She is amazing. I had no problem talking on that and it made me think of how blessed I am. Also it really made me think about the major role I will eventually have to play once I become a mother. What an amazing calling to be a mother and to be able to raise a child of God. Though I obviously don't want a child at the moment I will be happy when that opportunity comes along (AFTER MARRIAGE).

What else... well in the middle of my lovely love a TON of YSA came to PEI. (well theres some non YSA too). THEY ARE AWESOME! I seriously have not had that much fun for a very long time!!! Considering we never even left their motel half the time it was great! So grateful that Charmaine and Alyssa could come! Both of them just add to the awesomeness! Going from chillin (with inception), to donairs and ice cream, to dance parties (including strobe lights- Thanks to Adam, and amazing music- LUISSSS!!!), to some apples to apples. It has been craziness and I love it! These people really know how to have a good time, and it just creates itself.

I am not going to go into detail but yesturday I had a pretty rough time, but I really appreciate and love my friends. They go out of their way to make me feel better and to do whatever they can. I am so blessed to have friends like them. I especially want to thank Charmaine, she is the bomb, my other half, my best friend. She loves me even when I screw up and would still do anything. And thanks to the guys in room 157 (plus Adam, Kristine, and Dexter) you guys seriously know how to have a good time, not be judgmental and just totally go at it!

To all my friends I thank you.

PS. Song Charmaine sent me. I love. ( don't really like videos with lyrics, but oh well)

Monday, May 2, 2011

Whirlwind X50!!

So life has most definitely been a crazy time. Last weekend was the Friends and Family sale at Reebok & Rockport. I seriously thought I was going to lose my mind. These would be the following top 3 reasons:


1. People are seriously extremely selfish, they will make a complete mess of the store (result of people not putting back the shoes they try on) and not feel the smallest bit sorry.
2. People obviously do not understand the concept "NO returns or exchanges until after the sale"
3. Everyone and their dog will come out for a 40% off sale. 


Though this sale almost killed me there was a few things that made it possible for me to survive.
1. Joe bought pizza
2. People came in and used my coupons.
3. No one yelled at me for being slow or anything (I worked the cash the WHOLE time)


Every night I went home dead tired and sore. I'm pretty sure I complained a lot once I got home but it's now over and I got paid for it. So that's all that matters.


So the sale consumed my Thursday- Saturday. Saturday night I went with my dad, Krista, and Cory to the race track (horses). I`m not a huge fan by any means but it wasn't too bad. The poutine there wasn't too bad either. After we watched a few races I met up with Scott then Chels, Amanda, Jonathan, and Travis after Chels' dance show. I was definitely disappointed I had to miss it. We went classy and stopped at Wendy's. Definitely not what I was planning on but it was still fun. Afterwards, we called it a night.


Sunday just brought another wave of craziness into my life. I was told the week before that there was a family coming from Utah and that they wanted to watch the CES Fireside by Sister Wixom. (It was wonderful!!) So I planned to have a little gathering before hand with food to enjoy ourselves before the broadcast. So up until Sunday I was guessing probably 10 people tops. I come into church on Sunday and there was a TON of YSA there that I never knew anything about. We talked after church and found out that the group of them was selling security systems and would be here for probably 2 weeks. I was pumped! Interesting enough, the family from Utah wasn't even there yet. 
Sunday night at 8:00pm there was probably 15-20 YSA, we ate and mingled. I set up the TV and there was something a little off but I figured that it would fix itself before the broadcast. Five minutes before the fireside was scheduled to begin the picture still wasn't working. I started freaking out! I ran to my purse, pulled out my cell phone and called my dad, who talked me through everything and had the picture working wonderfully by the opening prayer. By the time everything was fixed the family from Utah came and they added another 4 to our group. I felt bad that I wasn't able to talk to them beforehand so I introduced myself to a couple of them right afterwards. Lets just say by the time I got to bed, I was dead tired again. For the broadcast I made these amazing squares. Heres a picture and the recipe:


Karen's Cookie Dough Brownies Recipe( I didn't put the chocolate chips on the top)

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup margarine
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  •  
  • 1 cup margarine
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  •  
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons shortening

Directions

  1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 11x17 inch baking pan.
  2. Melt vegetable oil, 3/4 cup margarine, and cocoa in a large pot over medium heat. Remove from heat, and stir 2 1/2 cups sugar and the salt into the chocolate. Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then add the vanilla. Stir 1 3/4 cup flour into the chocolate mixture. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow to cool completely.
  4. Beat 1 cup margarine, 1 cup brown sugar, and 1 cup white sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Add milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; beat well. Mix in the flour until just incorporated.
  5. Place chunks of the cookie dough over the cooled brownies; then place a piece of plastic wrap between your hand and the dough and squish it down into place. This gives an even layer of dough and helps "stick" it to the top of the brownies. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
  6. Melt the chocolate chips with the shortening in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, until the chocolate is warm and smooth, 1 to 3 minutes (depending on your microwave). Do not overheat or chocolate will scorch. Spread over the chilled brownies. Refrigerate uncovered until set, about 30 minutes, before cutting into squares.


They were absolutely amazing. 

Finally today I went to work, and turned a ton of things. That is my least favorite thing about a sale. Too many returns. Also the day included trying to restock the shelves with the very little merchandise we have left. That sale absolutely killed the amount of stock we had.

Last but definitely not least. Today was Cory's last day on the Island. He is moving to Halifax tomorrow. My parents are driving him and Tim over and is going to help them get settled. That means that Carissa and I are going to have an adventure. Will be a grand time. Cory will definitely be missed. He was always great to have around to talk to, rant to, drive with, and have a good time.


Have a great night everyone!!!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Sweet Serendipity, Wonderful books, and Hilarious Little Girls.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to work all the time, now I know. Since school finished I have worked a lot, and I am super grateful. Today was pretty busy. I had one break for about 5 minutes where I actually got to sit down. The result of working, and being social is this: 9:20pm and I am already in my PJs. I;m definitely not complaining. It's interesting, sometimes you get cranky people, people who ignore you, ones who think you are their parents and will pick everything up after you, and then you get the most enjoyable people ever. Today a little girl came in with her mom, she talked to me the whole time she was in the store. She told me about daycare, and how next year she gets to go to primary school. (Kindergarten) She would start half her sentences with "you know what?...." It was simply adorable. Those are the kind of people that I love going to work for.

So for some reason the song Sweet Serendipity (Lee DeWyze) still makes me super happy whenever it comes on. It most definitely brightens my day. If you need a pick-me-up, totally listen to this song. It's just so catchy.

Also I am still reading The Lucky One, I am totally loving it. It's SO cute. Also, a highly suggested book. Everyone's gotta get their share of Nicholas Sparks. I also read somewhere that the movie is coming out sometime next year.

I don't have too much to say other then that I had an absolutely amazing Easter weekend. It was filled with Egg hunts, potlucks, Bunny visits, being librarian, and teaching a hilarious primary class. My next post I will upload some pictures, I just feel like not moving.

I hope everyone is rested for the rest of their week, and took time to remember what the true events were that we take time out for.

Have a Fabulous Week! 

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Very Tired

So it is Tuesday night and I am starting to get tired, not a good sign. Not a whole lot has been going on. Work is a blast as always. Today we had a time. A few freak outs about possible mystery shoppers but all and all it was great. We even got an order in for Greg Norman that weighed a ton (literally 1 ton). It was great. We went (minus Ellen who got to stay and watch the store) down to "help" unload, (we didn't really do anything to help). It turned out that there was only like 4-5 pieces, but they were all super heavy (and massive). At one point I remembered that we were suppose to get a new manikin which I was extremely excited about. Just after proclaiming my excitement the guy brought out two boxes, one was labeled Male Manikin, can you say super pumped? I love getting new stuff for the store, I am pretty excited to go in tomorrow. Who knows what is going to happen. Days at Reebok are always a surprise. Sometimes you get the crankiest people who require extreme attention or you get the sweetest people ever. Especially the super cute older couples, they seriously make my day. The way they look and talk to each other is so touching. I long to be those adorable old couples, who they obviously have had their hard times, but they are still madly in love. Amazing.

I lately have become a huge fan of Adele. If you don't know who she is definitely take a look. Her voice is absolutely outstanding. She is such a talented lady, and so pretty. Definitely a fan of this song, I continually listen to this song on repeat...

Someone Like You.

That's all for tonight, Night! 

Sunday, April 17, 2011

I don't know

I really have no idea why some things happen. I truly would love to know, and others I would rather not. It's interesting how people change, how before somethings you wouldn't notice, or it didn't bother you and now they do. Some times I just shake my head and other times I try to figure out why someone would so the things they do (bad idea). All I can say is that I hope I don't do the things that bother me. One of the things that bother me is when people don't think about the things they are saying before they are said. I don't understand some things, like why in the world would you say certain things, like when you like rub somethings in someone else's face? No clue. But you know what, I just need to remember that no one is perfect, my job is to love continually and to not pass judgement (though if I was allowed to I would be pretty darn good). I really need to remember these things.

It's funny how some people just come into your head sometimes. That happened to me twice this weekend. I was at a Two Hours Traffic concert? Not really it was a cafe. Anyways, I was sitting there and one of my friends just popped into my head. I remembered how much I missed them and when I got home I wrote on their wall. Just to let them know I was thinking about them. That happened again today. Sitting there listening and another friend came to mind. I also let them know I was thinking about them. I think that it is important to let people know when you are thinking about them. It makes people feel special and lets them know that people care about them.

I have also noticed a slight difference in myself in the past little while. I don't know if it's good or bad, but I am changing. I think it probably has to do with the fact that I am maturing but who knows. Certain things bug me, as I said before, and now some things I enjoy a lot more. It's interesting how I can see things like this.

Last night I had a pretty off night. I was definitely not feeling my cheerful self, and no matter what I did I still continued to feel terrible. Obviously the start of it was that I couldn't do what I wanted, but then things just continued spiraling downwards. Being tired definitely didn't help. Sometimes I have no idea why people put up with me when I'm like that. I pity my future husband, he is going to be some wonderful guy if he can manage that.

Tonight I get to hear from one of my long time friends. I haven't had the chance to talk to him for a while with exams, work, and church meetings. I'm looking forward to it. I need a good rant session from someone unrelated to everything.

I am also reading a very good book. It's titled "The Lucky One," written by none other then Nicholas Sparks. I absolutely love this man's writing. It is truly amazing. And apparently it's going to be released as a movie next year, starring Zac Efron. Should be interesting.
When U.S. Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman half-buried in the dirt during his third tour of duty in Iraq, his first instinct is to toss it aside. Instead, he brings it back to the base for someone to claim, but when no one does, he finds himself always carrying the photo in his pocket. Soon Thibault experiences a sudden streak of luck—winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat that kills two of his closest buddies. Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explanation for his good fortune: the photograph—his lucky charm.
Back home in Colorado, Thibault can’t seem to get the photo—and the woman in it—out of his mind. Believing that she somehow holds the key to his destiny, he sets out on a journey across the country to find her, never expecting the strong but vulnerable woman he encounters in Hampton, North Carolina—Elizabeth, a divorced mother with a young son—to be the girl he’s been waiting his whole life to meet. Caught off guard by the attraction he feels, Thibault keeps the story of the photo, and his luck, a secret. As he and Elizabeth embark upon a passionate and all-consuming love affair, the secret he is keeping will soon threaten to tear them apart—destroying not only their love, but also their lives.
Filled with tender romance and terrific suspense, The Lucky One is Nicholas Sparks at his best—an unforgettable story about the surprising paths our lives often take and the power of fate to guide us to true and everlasting love.
(Description from the official Nicholas Sparks website) 
Well I don't have too much to say other then that I GET to work every day next week except Friday. I am super excited. I love working! I also love the pay check that comes every two weeks. Super Pumped!! 

Have a wonderful week everyone. I hope we all remember to count our blessing and remember that we cannot choose the majority of our circumstances but we do choose how we react to them! 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

SuMmEr VaCaTiOn!

Today is the first day of Summer Vacation and boy am I happy about it! My final exam and tests went really well yesterday. I hope to be pleased with the mark from them. There were a few iffy questions on my math exam, but  it wouldn't be a final exam without a couple.

My summer vacation started with an excellent day! Woke up to have family scripture study and prayer, had a short nap, did some laundry and then the fun times began. I decided that since during the school year I don't normally have time to actually do my nails, I sat down and went to work. Take a look-


(My fingers are kind of weirdly shaped)

Today Cory offered to babysit my cousin Colby, what a kid, while my aunt, mom and dad went to a funeral. It was quite the little adventure. Colby was surprisingly pretty good for the majority of the day. It took him a little while to warm up, but once he did he was loving it here. At one point he told me he wasn't going home. Carissa wasn't too keen about the whole situation but she dealt with it. 

While Cory was having a time playing dinkies and feeding Colby ice cream cake (that dyed his face blue), my mom asked me to hem curtains for our living room window. So I pulled out my sewing machine, I forgot how much I enjoyed sewing. This summer I am going to be doing a lot more. When I was in my sewing mood I saw some super cute headbands, so I decided to make my own. 


It is pretty simple but I like it. Apparently other people like it too because I had someone ask me to make some for her daughters for presents. This kind of excited me. I went to a dollar type store to get some headbands. I got some simple elastic type ones, and fabric ones that already have bows on them (I'm going to take them off). Now to get some super cute buttons and fabric, maybe some lace? Any ideas? I'll post pictures of them once I am done, and if I remember. 

I graciously have been included in the Byrne Family Hockey pool, at the beginning I didn't think I would do too well, but as of right now, right after the Detroit/Phoenix, and Pittsburgh/Tampa Bay, I have 6 points! I hope I do well. I even watched the games tonight, well some of them, thats a first.

Now. May 20/21st is the YSA Activity the Charlottetown YSA is putting on for the Stakes and District (pretty much whoever YSA want to come). The theme for the dance on Friday night is a Mexican Fiesta (pretty stereotypical, sorry). While I was at Value Village, looking to see if they have anything cute for the headbands, I found some sweet material (some heavy, vibrant red, and green patterned). The best find of the night, and the thing that definitely for sure made my day was this find. 

The sweetest sombrero ever! The inside of it looks legit, and it was made in Mexico. I absolutely love it! It is massive and to make it the best find.............. it was only TWENTY DOLLARS! I bet whoever bought it originally spent a lot more then $20.

Off to bed now, I luckily get to work tomorrow. I am super grateful I get to work, and even more happy that I get even more shifts now. I hope that eventually I will get even more, but I will be happy for what I get.

Have a great night!