2009 (in a nutshell)

Hey everyone!

Today is the last day of 2009. The past few months really flew by! I'm just sitting here, thinking about this past year.

January is always special: Joe and I celebrate our anniversary on the 19th and Dad's birthday is on the 15th. Then school starts up again (but I wouldn't call that "special").February brings Valentine's Day, then my Mom and little sister's birthdays (the 16th and 26th).
March, April, May and June was so-so. Nothing too extraordinary!

Joe and I traveled to Tyler, TX for the second time for the Fourth of July. That is always a fun trip, but unfortunately we won't be going back there in 2010...or probably ever again. Jen and Brandon (Joe's sister and brother-in-law) moved to Colorado Springs, CO! So we'll be visiting them in the spring!

August marked the beginning of the fall semester, and my last day at David's Bridal. It was bittersweet, but when you're barely getting hours you've gotta move on! August is also when I started working at Florence Elementary with the Clayton YES afterschool program. I love working with my kiddos, and I'm glad the opportunity came up when it did! I work with an amazing site director, Sara, and it's been a blast! I can't wait for next semester!
Speaking of semesters, did I mention I made straight A's? I worked my ass off, and it definitely paid off! Keep in mind, all my classes were psychology courses so maybe that's why I did so well!

Joe and I celebrated our birthdays in September. His on the 22nd, and mine on the 28th. It's a birthday, nothing more to it!

October is my older sister's birth month (on the 26th). And of course, Halloween. November is pretty much the start of the Holiday season. I started shopping a week or so before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was filled with lots and lots of food!

And of course, December! You already read about my Christmas and now today is New Year's Eve! Joe and I are celebrating with dinner at Olive Garden then going to a friend's house!

Happy New Year, everyone! Peace out 2009 and I hope 2010 treats us all well!


Later Days!
Dani

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Merry Christmas!

Hello, hello!

How was your Christmas? Mine was awesome! North Texas had a white Christmas this year!

It started snowing on Christmas Eve morning, and I honestly thought it wasn't going to stick. The snow was melting before it hit the ground! Was I wrong or what?! It ended up being almost-blizzard like! I got my nails done in the afternoon, then I spent time with Joe and my family.

Christmas day consisted of waking up early, opening gifts and eating breakfast. Joe and I went to lunch at his parents' place, and then dinner at my house!

I know this is going to sound like a kid rattling about what they got, but I want to share!:

Arizona "ugg" type boots. (these are a pain to put on, but once they're on-super comfy!)
New Moon: The Score soundtrack
Twilight Scene-It? DVD game
Ceramic straightener (with a mini-travel sized one!)
Winter Candy Apple Lotion from B&BW
Twilight Woods lotion and bath spray from B&BW (this may be my new favorite scent)
Handbag Heroes set from BareMinerals
$50 gift card to Southlake Town Center
$25 gift card to Forever 21
2 $20 gift cards to Barnes and Noble
$25 Visa gift card from my Aunt Glenda
Cherry-flavored Carmex (I kept stealing my Mom's)

...I think that's it. I went shopping today and got two sweaters from AE, a red peacoat from Delias (it was on sale for $50!), and the first two books from the Wicked series!

It's been a great holiday season! I hope you got everything on your lists!



Later Days!
Dani

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Updating is NOT my forte!

Hey everyone!

Apparently I forget I have a blog, and it needs updated every once in a while. Oops.

I saw Avatar this past weekend and WOW! I was thoroughly impressed! The story line, the CGI, the acting....everything made it amazing! James Cameron seriously set the bar for great movies! I think everyone should go see it....twice. Once in 2D and another time in 3D. I haven't done that yet, but eh! Time! Where does it go? I'll get to seeing Avatar in 3D eventually! ;]
"Sounds like Crazy" is finished! The way the author ended is was genius! Now I'm re-reading Eclipse and preparing for the next movie! Yes, I'm aware it isn't out until June, but I don't have as much time has I used to! I have to start early!

Christmas Eve is tomorrow! How did December fly by so quickly? I feel like August was a few weeks ago, and now we're approaching 2010! Next thing I know it, I'll be turning 23 in September! Ugh! I wish I could slow time down just a little bit. We could always use a little more time. There's always one thing we couldn't get to in a day, in a week, in a month or in a year. Wouldn't the ability to slow time down be handy? I think so.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year! I'm not sure if I'll update again before January 1st, but if not I hope my wishes find you and yours!


Later Days!
Dani

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Christmas Rant.

Hey everyone!

So, I have a Christmas rant.

Most of you know I work for an afterschool program. The age group that is "my kids" are the kindergartners and first graders. On Tuesday the kindergartners were not listening, so after asking Sara I told them I knew Santa's phone number and that Santa and I were BFFs. The kids TOTALLY bought it, and even though I had a "naughty list", anyone who was on it was removed and told they were going to have nothing but good things said about them to Santa Claus!
Apparantly, one of the children didn't get that they was no longer on "the list". This child went home, cried to their Mommy that they were afraid that I didn't give Santa a good word about them. The child's Mom sent a letter to Sara and I. She said she would "appreciate it if we would remove the Santa threat." We had to explain to ALL the kids that what I did was in jest, and that I don't actually have Santa's phone number, and the "Santa" I called was Joe and he was just playing along.

The situation kinda ticked me off, and ruined my day (well, not completely! One of my kiddos brought me a Christmas gift)! The fact that this child is SO sensitive about fictional characters (tooth fairy, Santa, the Easter bunny, etc) and possibly everything else, I don't want even say anything to them anymore! Like if I say anything while joking around that they're going to run home crying to Mommy because their feelings were hurt! UGH!

When I was in kindergarten and misbehaving around Christmastime, my Mom totally used the "I'm going to tell Santa that you're being bad" thing! She even told me that Santa would tell the Easter bunny I was misbehaving! I didn't get my feelings hurt, I went along with it and I behaved!
When did we get to the point where parents are way too overprotective of their kids and making them into a bunch of sissies? This child got so worked up over being on the "naughty list" that they made a bigger issue of it then what it really was. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I know MANY parents use the Santa threat and it works like a charm! I think this particular Mother overreacted.
If I knew this was going to cause such a problem, and it blowing up in my face I wouldn't have done it! I guess this is a learning experience. :/

So I ask you:
Did your parents use the "Santa threat" when you were misbehaving as a kid?


Later Days!
Dani

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Meteor Shower!

Hey guys!

I watched the Geminids meteor shower tonight! I saw ten shooting stars, so naturally I made ten wishes! I wished for the same thing every time, so maybe my wish will come true sooner? I believe the next one is the Quadrantids meteor shower. That happens on January 3 (a little after midnight) til 4am-ish on the 4th. Mel, you get to see it! Yay!

It's only 11 more days til Christmas, 8 more days until Lauren visits from Port Angeles, WA and a week before Mel visits from Moranbah! It's going to be a great holiday season! I've finished all my shopping, and all I need to do now is finish up the wrapping! I found out that Joe's sister, Jen won't be coming home for Christmas. I was kinda sad because I haven't seen her since she left for Colorado early last month! I think Joe and I will go visit Jen and her husband, Brandon in the springtime though! That will be a nice trip!

Onto bigger things: I'm thinking about possibly looking for government/other jobs outside of Texas. I know it's a huge leap of faith, but I figure why not? We have a family friend who has offered to help me apply for some government jobs. He said you have to word so many things on your application a certain way to even get considered for an interview. I'll take whatever help I can get! I talked to Joe about it, and he didn't seem all too happy about it. He pretty much has a job lined up once he's done with school next year. However, this job is only located in Irving, TX and once he's at that job he needs to stay for a while. I love Joe very much, but let's be honest. I would be foolish to bank on us getting married before I turn 23 next September and getting on his benefits. As of right now, I have to look out for me. If this means an opportunity in Colorado, New Mexico or Washington, then so be it! All I can do at this point is pray and let the good Lord lead me down the right path. I need your prayers also, friends. This kind of decision is HUGE and I'm not sure how I'm going to do it!

What else is going on? Oh! This week is the last week of school before the kiddos are out for Christmas break! Clayton has the holiday centers opened, but that's only on the 21-23rd, then it's open again on the 28-31. Yeah, I might have to work til 6:30 on New Year's Eve, but I need the money! I can't complain!

That's all I have for now! I'll update again soon!

Later Days!
Dani

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It's a bleh kind of day!

Hey everyone!

The weather is so blehhhh today! It's cold, foggy and misty! We haven't been able to take the kids outside because it's been so cold and windy! So here's another day we can't take them outside to play! Ugh...over 20 kids stuck inside! This should be an interesting Monday.

I have my last and only final tomorrow morning and then I'm DONE! Yay, no more TCC! Now going on to UNT next semester is still up in the air. I am the type of person who likes to plan things in advance, and it irritates me that I don't know what's going on come January. I don't like uncertainty! I'm praying that I either find a full time job before school starts up again, or that I find the money to pay TCC so they'll send my transcripts to UNT in time. Feel free to pray with me, friends! :]


This was just a quick update!


Later Days!
Dani

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Manicure fun!

Hey everyone!

I'm kinda done moping around. I received prayer at Gateway tonight, so I'm feeling tons better. Life still goes on!

Any who, I got my nails done today and I am in LOVE with them! I got a regular arcylic set. I tend to stop biting my nails when I have these on, so I figured I would get them done for Christmas-time!

The color is called Ruby Pumps by China Glaze. I also love the snowflake decals I got! It's very Christmas/Wintery! Ruby Pumps is a red polish with a dense red glitter. It sparkles so much in the sunlight; I get distracted! If you're into green polish, you might like Emerald Sparkle. It's the same concept as Ruby Pumps only in a deep emerald green.
PS: Please excuse the random lamp. It's the only good light source I had!

And check out this cute manicure from A Stroke of Color (http://www.astrokeofcolor.ca/)!

It's candy cane stripes! I love this! Maybe I should invest in some Konad art plates to get this look! How adorable would it be for Christmas?


I don't know if I've mentioned it here, but I have a slight obsession with nail polish. The fact that I read Scrangie's blog (http://www.scrangie.com/) really doesn't help! She reviews polishes and post swatches! She has perpetuated my habit ;]


I just wanted to share my obsession for just a moment. If you know of any cute polish colors, let me know! I love trying new colors and brands! :]


Later Days!
Dani

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Frustration and a half.

Hey everyone!

Sorry for not updating lately. School has been so crazy busy, but my hard work paid off! I'm a straight A student! This is exciting because this hardly EVER happens. I'm a horrible test taker, and to be honest school has never really been a huge priority before this year. So...yay me!

Anyways. I'm facing a lot of frustrations....and a half. Since I didn't get the position with the Keller PD, I've been back on the job trail. I posted my resume on Monster and CareerBuilder. All I've received so far is "job opportunities" from scammers. Awesome! How nice. Every entry level position says I need to have at least 1 to 2 years experience. Ummm...hello!? It's called "entry level" for a reason!

This is going to sound SO horrible, but I found out that one of my Aunts (who is totally trashy by the way) was working as a gate agent for American Airlines. REALLY!? They'll take her and her crass attitude, but they won't hire me because I don't have enough experience? I want to cry right now. I'm so tired of companies not giving me a chance. No, I don't have experience but I'm a student! How am I supposed to get experience when I have to be a full time student in order to keep my insurance?

I feel so drained and depressed over the whole thing. I need reassurance that everything is going to be okay and I really believe that I'm never going to get that. To even say I'm between a rock and a hard place is an understatement.

Friends, I need prayer. I need good vibes. Hell, I need a person who can get me a job. Something, please!! I'm trying so hard to keep my faith, but as time goes on it gets more and more difficult. Please pray that I find a job soon, and that I keep my sanity in the process. This is the most stressed out and depressed I've ever been.


Later Days.
Dani

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