Tired

and ready to go home

So, I really don't have much to say, but I am waiting on Jared and Hicks to load an order so we can finally clock out and go home.

I had my second interview today with the American Cancer Society and I think it went well. It is so hard to tell and I was the first interviewee, so I don't know who else they will meet with. If they liked me, the next step is a panel interview and then a personality assessment (good thing I am soooo cool) and then reference checks, so it is still a long process. So, I am going to focus on my part-time contract job that I start on Monday and working at Jake's to make ends meet and try not to worry and stress about this interview process. If I get another interview that would be awesome. If I don't, well, at least I have something lined up.

Sorry this is sooo boring, but my brain is fried this evening. Hopefully I will have something profound or funny or just enlightening to blog about soon. :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Better than I thought

i better start preparing

I have a face-to-face interivew with American Cancer Society on Friday!!!!! I guess I did better than I thought on my phone interview. Wish me luck, I really want this job... even though I haven't even started my contract job with the Drug Free Community Council. Oh well... it would be nice to have a choice!

Birthdays, anniversaries and those we remember

Reflections and thoughts on Memorial Day

Jared's great-grandmother passed away yesterday. I never had a chance to meet her, but she lived a long, exciting life and God called her up at the age of 97. We had just received a card from Jared's Grandma Birk telling us that grandmother wasn't doing well, so we knew the end was near. Jared has fond memories of hanging out with Great-Grandmother Steele and Grandma Birk and I know that Jared, along with the entire Birk family, will miss her.

The passing of Great-Grandmother Steele got me thinking and reflecting on the people in my life that I have lost. I am fortunate to not have a large amount of loss in my life, but everyone who has touched my life and was taken to soon has a special place in my heart.

PePaw... everytime I smell sawdust and see power tools I think of you and all the hard work you did as a carpenter and all that you taught my dad about building quality houses and doing quality repairs. I can still see you running around our backyard with Benji and always making sure Alicia and I were doing ok. We all miss you, but know that you are well and we will see you again someday.

My Jim... you never stopped believing in me and I have never forgotten that. Even though I was not a biological granddaughter, you treated me like one and I am forever thankful for everything you did for me and how much you loved me. Thank you. I miss you and can't wait to tell you all the things I accomplished because you believed in me.

Grandmother... you left our family a long time ago but the memories of spending the night at your house are still vivid in my memory. How you put up with all of us kids over there, I have no idea, but we sure had a good time. I still think of you whenever I eat colored miniature marshmallows, and whenever I take a bite of your cornbread dressing. We all miss you.

Rosie... you were the best golden retriever we could have ever had. I still feel bad that you got sick right after I left for college. I know you were getting old, but I also know that you were sad when I moved away. You were the best dog, even though you always moved my shoes, stole my pillows and got hair all over everything, haha. I miss you

Bo... you were taken way to soon. No one has been able to figure out why, but God had a reason to take both you and your brother. I miss you and I think of you often. No one could tease me with a goofy grin on their face like you could and I will never forget all the nights we spent talking on the phone, sitting in your car outside my house and how happy you made me when you came to see me at work. I miss you and please help OU out this football season! You gotta have some kind of Angel powers or something, haha.

OK, ENOUGH SADNESS.....

Today is also a day to celebrate. Today is my friend Jeremy's birthday, my friend Melanie's birthday and my parents 30th wedding anniversary!

Happy Birthday everyone and Happy Anniversary mom and dad!!!

Our first trip to Lake Michigan

wow, that's a big freakin' lake

After a short day of work, Jared, Hicks and I decided to take the 45 minute drive (which feels like nothing because you drive back into Central time so you gain an hour, haha) to Michigan City.

The goal of this trip was to head to the casino and see if we can get lucky with the tiny bit of money we set aside to gamble. Which, I am happy to say, we made a profit of $367!!!! Now THAT'S what I call gambling! (Wish it would happen every time)

But before we headed to the Bluechip, Hicks took me by the huge area of premium outlet stores. The boys wouldn't let me shop, :( but I will definately be heading that way sometime soon! Then we headed towards the lake and looked at all the big vacation rental homes right on the water. We thought, "how expensive could these be to rent, really?". Then we started looking at all the cars in front of them.... Lexus, Mercedes.... So, maybe we CAN'T afford it.

Then we paid $6 just to go park at the beach because Hicks and I were determined to put our feet in the water. We got out of the car, kicked off our shoes and stuck our toes in the cold sand. It was a pretty nice day yesterday, but by the time we got to the lake it was overcast and starting to get chilly (it felt at least 10 degrees colder right there off the water and the wind was blowing like crazy). But, we didn't care. Jared hung back but Hicks and I walked down there and on the count of 3 walked our feet into the water. "Holy crap that is cold!" haha. But, it was worth it! I can't wait to head to the beach when it is warmer! It is such a beautiful lake and it feels like you are looking right out into the ocean. I absolutely love it!

Here are some photos from our lake adventure! (Excuse my wind-blown crazy hair)

You can see Hick's teeth chattering, haha! That water was so cold!

It's Official!!!!

i start on June 2

I received an offer for a contract position with the Drug Free Community Council in South Bend today! I am so excited and it is very likely that it will turn into a full-time (with benefits) position in August. I should receive anywhere from 20 to 40 hours a week, hopefully closer to 40 and the hourly rate is very good since it is contract work and I will be accounting for, and paying in my own taxes. That part sucks, as well as the fact that there are no benefits! But, Hicks and I figured it up on a calculator to see how much I need to put back each month. So as long as I stick to that, I won't get screwed by the IRS.

It will be a different way of doing work, but I knew a lot of people that did contract work in Kansas and never complained about it, so obviously it has perks!

Anyway, I had a phone interview today with the American Cancer Society as well. I felt like it went well, but you never know. I hope I receive a chance to interview with the director of the Mishawaka office.

Well, that is pretty much my life right now, haha, and STILL working at Jake's. I am getting better with the forklift and only got it stuck once this week and tipped a skid over the wrap machine only once... so I am doing well! :)

YAY!!!!!!!!

YAY for David Cook!!!!

Here's my favorite songs he sang this year!

Congratulations David! You made Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma proud!