Twitter

Good afternoon, friends! :)

I know many of you use Twitter and I am trying to bulk up my list of followers and people I am following. I keep my tweets locked for personal reasons but know that this probably hinders my chances at creating a bigger following.

Do any of you keep your tweets locked? What suggestions do you have for finding more followers? Do you reply to people that don't follow you, but you follow them? I have several that I comment on, on a regular basis but they must not check their replies and follow those people.

If someone requests to follow me I almost always approve (unless it's a spammer) and then turn around and follow them. I obviously don't expect this to happen with the celebrities, but it's cool when they do! Like Britney Spears turned around and followed me! How cool! I'm sure it's not actually HER but still, pretty neat and made me grin! :)

If you are interested in following me here is the link to my page! Amber's Twitter page! I've been checking it and tweeting a lot more than Facebook lately and am becoming quickly addicted! :)

On my weekend, more books and winning a giveaway!

Happy weekend everyone!

What? It's not your weekend? Well, it's mine! :)

I am off today and tomorrow and let me tell ya... it could not have come at a better time. The past five days at work have been exhausting. Partially due to this "bug" I have caught that is just hanging on enough to ride my last nerve! I truly miss breathing through my nose.

Well, earlier this week I wrote about my mountain of TBR books and since then I have added to it! Someone stop me. (No, don't. I'm just kidding) I know I will not make it through all of them before they are due back to the library but that's okay, I will just put them back on hold some other time.

So yesterday I picked up the first two books in the House of Night series by P.C. Cast and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The YA blogosphere raves about this book and it's sequel, Catching Fire so I just had to look into it and see what the hype was all about.

I also checked my mail and had this little puppy in there waiting for me!

It is Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver! I won a giveaway from Sharon at Sharon Loves Books and Cats. So, thanks Sharon! If you're a fan of YA you will like her blog. She is honest in her reviews and has a hilarious voice.

From the back cover:

Samantha Kingston has it all - looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it's her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she relives the last day of her life several times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined.

I'm really excited to have won this because it sounds awesome and just look at that cover! I am such a sucker for a good cover...

It's also an ARC, which is an advanced reader copy and has not been released yet. I have never had an ARC before, how exciting! The book will not be out until sometime in 2010. So, this will definitely be going to the TOP of the TBR pile, can't wait to dig into it! After I am done with it my assistant (a fellow YA book lover) is really interested in reading it and then after that I will be happy to pass it on to anyone else that wants to read it! Just let me know! :)

Hope you're all having a great week, happy hump day!

My TBR is out of control!

Seriously, I should have taken the weekend off and participated in the 24 hour-read-a-thon!

Here is a picture of my stack of books that are next up...

In this list is:

Retail Hell by Freeman Hall borrowed from Lesli! Thanks Lesli, you're so sweet! :)

Last Christmas by Kate Brian (library)

Wicked by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie (purchased)

Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty (library)

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott (library)

Mommywood by Tori Spelling (library)

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris (library)

Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian (library)

Paradise Lost by Kate Brian (library)

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (purchased)

Shadow Kiss and Frostbite by Richelle Mead (library)

I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass (library)

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen (purchased)

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (purchased)

Theeeeeeen I have several on hold at the library. Many of those books on hold are books I need to read BEFORE I can read the books on this list! Such as Revelation and Ambition by Kate Brian (which I just got the email notice that they are in). Oh, and I heard about the books by P.C. Cast (House of Night series) and I just had to put them ALL on hold at the library. Of course, I am number 1 for them all so they will all come in at the same time, I'm sure. Am I getting out of hand? Yes? I am officially obsessed. It's all fun though! I am achieving my goal of reading more and watching less tv so it's a good cause, right? :)

As you can see, I really utilize the library. Many times I am at the top of the list for books and it doesn't take long at all for them to come in. I do buy a lot of books, but I don't really see the point if I can get it for free at the library. Although for my favorite authors, I do buy their books because I want to!

Here is a bigger picture of my bookshelf.

Besides my favorite authors' books I tend to give away/swap lots of books so if you're wondering if there's anything I have that you're wanting I would be happy to send it your way!

GREAT Book giveaways!!

So many book bloggers are doing the 24 hour Read-a-thon!! As much as I would like to participate, I just couldn't this week!! :(I don't know if I would make it though! I love to read, but I have a hard time sitting still for thaaat long. :)

Lots of bloggers are doing some great giveaways and Princess Bookie is NO EXCEPTION! She is hosting TONS of great giveaways! Most of them are YA books, but they looks fabulous! Check it out!

I'm really hoping to win this lot of 4 ARC (Advance reader copies)

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Voices Of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn

They look SO good! I'm hoping to win these b/c I'm quickly becoming addicted to YA novels and the library doesn't have a very good selection of them! :( Luckily, they are a little bit cheaper at the bookstores, usually under $10.

Hope you're all having a great weekend!!!

Thankful Thursday

I'm following Katie's lead over at Loves of Life and doing a Thankful Thursday post! After feeling so down in the dumps yesterday I really need to remember how I blessed I actually I am.

I am thankful for... my Mom coming over to my apartment on Monday night and helping me kill the five wasps (still shaking my head at that one... I think it was the fireplace, I accidentally left the flue open) and ladybugs that were taking up residence. Love you Mom!

I am thankful for... feeling a little bit better today, just a little sore throat left. I think I can remedy that on my own! :)

I am thankful for... a job that makes me feel comfortable and secure. That allows me to live alone and make a few splurges on myself every once in awhile.

I am thankful for... the leftovers my mom always brings over to me from their house. Keeps me out of the grocery store spending money! ;)

I am thankful for... amazing pets that are always excited to see me when I get home.

I am thankful for... great benefits that are cheap, yet still have great coverage.

I am thankful for... having the opportunity to get lots of sleep the past few days and sleep off whatever it is that decided to make me feel like I was hit by a truck.

I am thankful for... a great staff that I know really cares about my store and is extremely protective over it.

I am thankful for.... Facebook and keeping everyone connected. In the midst of planning my 10-year HS reunion, I have no idea what we would do without it.

I am thankful for... Dunkin Donuts coffee. Seriously, it's amazing.

I am thankful for... friends that I know I can depend on, even though we're getting older and seem to be growing apart I know in my heart our love is unconditional for each other.

I am thankful for... the blogosphere and all my blogging friends. Your never-ending support and enthusiasm continues to inspire me daily.

What are you thankful for on this lovely Thursday?

Little ladybug killer

Today was quite the day... let me tell ya!

I was actually excited to head into work, back from my little vacation! When I got there I was so surprised and impressed with how great the store looked! They were out to impress and they sure did! I'm SO proud! I am not easy to please either. I'm not saying I'm a bad or mean boss, I'm just very picky and often called "anal" but my standards are just high and I want my store to look its best at all times.

Everything in the morning went well, but then after lunch I had my weekly conference call with my boss and she had some bad news. We got a customer complaint sent into home office on my store from Saturday. Apparently, one of my girls was really rude to a customer on the phone and the woman was preeeeetty ticked off. I do not know exactly which girl it is but I have it narrowed down to two. Unfortunately, since I cannot pinpoint who it was I have to lay down the law with everyone. It's probably better that way though, because we are a team and I believe you are only as strong as your weakest player.

Then when I got home I came home to... creepy crawlies in my apartment. On Facebook I only mentioned the ladybugs, but it was more than that! There were FIVE wasps INSIDE my apartment.

I. was. fah-reak-ing. out.

I called my mom practically hyperventilating because I was sure if I smashed one another would fly at me and sting me, Libby or Zeke. Luckily, she came right over and we got them taken care of.

Seriously, though? Wtf? Then the ladybugs. Oh my, the ladybugs.

I am still getting them. Apparently, I am not the only one with the problem because I posted a status on FB about them and I got comments almost immediately from other people with the same problem.

I may be going to hell but I had to kill them. There was no way I could have shooed that many out the door. I have smashed so many ladybugs I have officially lost count.

Does anyone know why this happens? We had an unseasonably warm day today so I'm figuring it is definitely weather related, but still strikes me as very strange. I may have to Google it and figure out what is up with all the ladybugs because I am very curious now.

Talk about a strange night!

How did your week start off??

Weekly Weekend Review!

Oh Sunday. Sunday, Sunday, Sunday... How I love to hate you. Monday is just right around the corner and taunting us with it's reports that are due, emails overflowing and projects to get done. Yuck.

Buuuut, I have been on vacation this week and it has be wonderful! Did you guys know I was on vacay? I can't remember if I brought it up. Well, anyway, I was! Except for Tuesday and Wednesday I have been off work since last Sunday. I didn't have anything planned besides some R & R and it was fabulous! Just what the doctor ordered Amber needed! Sometimes it's nice to just have a week to do nothing. Ya, know?

Here is what I did do though! I read lots of books! Not as many as I wanted to get finished, but enough! I read the second, third and fourth books in the Private series by Kate Brian. They are so good! They're quick easy reads (very YA, so if you're not interested in YA, you probably won't like it) but entertaining and I love that I can finish them in about one sitting being that they're only 200-250 pages. I also finished Just Listen by Sarah Dessen and am about 3/4th the way through Lock and Key by her as well.

Friday I had plans for lunch that fell through, but ended up getting my nails manicured instead which is kind of an every other Friday ritual for me. I go the same girl every time and we just chit chat and gossip the entire time! It's really great, because I have been getting my nails done for years (literally, almost ten years now. It's ridiculous how addicted I am) and I have not found anyone as great as she is! She is Asian, but she does not make me feel uncomfortable like most do. She treats you like an old friend.

Then that evening I met up with the girls for happy hour/dinner at TGIFridays then met Cy* for a late movie. We saw The Informant and neither of us were too impressed. I think he felt like he had struck out with me twice now, but it has actually been quite the opposite. So far, the chemistry has been fabulous!

Saturday I slept in, then did nothing all day (tried not to think about work) and then met up with a big group of friends at PF Changs for dinner. Luckily, one of us was thinkin' (no, it wasn't me) and called in a reservation assuming it would be busy (it was) and that still wasn't enough! When we got there it was a 1 1/2 hour wait to get a table for the six of us! We were all starving so we walked next door to On The Border where there wasn't a wait at all. I was disappointed, because I was craving PF Changs (it was my suggestion to go there) but On The Border wasn't too bad either. I will have to get PF Changs to go some night this week. Have any of you had their lettuce wraps to go? Those are what I'm really wanting but I get the feeling they just won't be the same wrapped up and sent home!

The entire evening at dinner Cy was texting me little updates on the ISU Homecoming game which was really sweet because it wasn't televised! We won! 24-10! Our season hasn't been too great so it feels to at least win our Homecoming game! :)

Sunday I got up around 9:30, threw on a KU (my other fav team after ISU) sweatshirt because I wasn't allowed to wear ISU gear and headed out to do one of my favorite activities on Sunday! The infamous Sunday Funday! Can that be called an activity? If not, oh well. I am now calling it an activity! Ha! My old roommate and I headed out to Front Row for bloody marys, omelettes, football and gossip. Ok, so not so much football and lots of gossip, but you get the idea. Front Row is a famous Iowa Hawkeyes bar, which is ISU's biggest rival so that is why I am not allowed to wear ISU gear in there. I have before and I was not a very well liked person, so usually I just wear it underneath my KU apparel. Muwahahahaaaa! :) At Front Row, I ended up having two bloody mary's instead of just my usual one (the bloody mary bar is to die for, they have everything you could ever want to put in it. Its awesome!) and then a couple of beers. I was feelin' preeeeettty good by the time I left. Let's just say I'm suffering from a mid-day hangover right about now. The nap I took once I got home was probably not the best idea. I had fun though!

Tomorrow it's back to the daily grind but I'm actually a little excited! I can't wait to get in there and see how my team did without me this week!

So, that is what my weekend consisted of! How was yours? What did you guys do?

*Cy is the nickname I have come up with for the new guy I am seeing! He seems to be making regular appearances here at ALPITC so it was time I came up with a name for him! Like me, he also went to ISU and is a huge Cyclone fan so what name could be more perfect than Cy? :)

Over the TOP! :)

I got a Blog Award from Sam!! Thank you so much Sam! I think you are "Over the top" as well!!!! :)

1.Where is your cell phone: On the end table, conveniently right next to me! Full blown addict here. That's me. Can't going anywhere without my Blackberry without feeling like I'm missing a limb.

2.Your hair: A little case of bedhead, but overall, not bad. I am in desperate need of a haircut though.

3.Your mother: One of my best friends, but can drive me crazy sometimes.

4.Your father: is smart and my favorite person to talk books with!

5.Your favorite food: It's hard to choose just one... lol! I love Mexican food.. I could eat it everyday!

6.Your dream from last night: I cannot remember! I know it was weird though and it involved people in my life. Don't you hate it when you can't remember??

7.Your favorite drink: Non-alcoholic: Diet Mountain Dew. Alcoholic: Malibu/Diet.

8.Your dream/goal: To have a big family with a happy marriage. To write a book one day.

9.What room are you in: Living room.

10.What is your hobby: Reading, writing, blogging, decorating (just getting into it though, I'm not that good!), trying to cook.

11.What is your fear: That I won't be able to have children.

12.Where do you want to be in 6 years: married... with possibly kids or at least thinking about kids.

13.Where were you last night: Happy hour/dinner with the girls, then a late movie! :)

14.Something you are not: a mean person. I'm constantly told I am too nice.

15.Muffins: Are okay, but I prefer bagels instead. A chocolate chip bagel with cream cheese. MMmmmmm, mmmm good!

16.Wish list items: This list is huge... I want... A kindle. A new tv ( I want a flatscreen to put over the fireplace), an ottoman that matches my furniture, new boots to wear over my jeans, jeans that will work with boots to wear over my jeans (I have not tried this trend in public but I really want to!).

17.Where did you grow up: Most of my life has been spent in Iowa, although I was born in Spokane, WA. Moved to Iowa when I was 2. Lived in Kansas City, MO/KS and Myrtle Beach, SC awhile after college. I'm happy where I am now. Iowa is home!

18.Last thing you did: tried to cook pancakes. Epic failure.

19.What are you wearing: My most comfy jeans because I'm feeling icky today and an old sorority tshirt.

20.Your TV: On the movie "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton" I love this movie!

21.Your pets: A cat that is all white with a black tail and ear named Libby and a black puggle named Zeke. They are the best!

22.Your friends: Sometimes I think we are all growing apart, but we're all just growing up.

23.Your life: Is very good right now. I am very, very blessed.

24.Your mood: Ehhh, I'm not feeling too hot, so I'm thankful I am off today so I can be bum on the couch!

25.Missing someone: always! I have friends everyone and I wish I could travel more to see them!

26.Vehicle: 2003 Accord. I hate it. I really want something new.

27.Something you're not wearing: socks.

28.Your favorite store: Von Maur. LOVE THAT PLACE!

29.Your favorite color: Pink.

30.When's the last time you laughed: last night when I was texting with the guy. (btw, we need to name him. I need to think of a nickname...)

31.When's the last time you cried: I don't know! It's been awhile.

32.Your best friend: just had a baby! Congrats! :)

33.One place you go over and over: work, and luckily... I LOVE it, but I also LOVE my time off too. :)

34.One person who emails me regularly: My best friends. There are four of us and we communicate quite a bit through mass email/text. Easier that way!

35.Favorite place to eat: PF Changs. I LOVE lettuce wraps!

I'm going to pass this award on to:

Lesli: She recently sent me the book Retail Hell to borrow, she is one of the most thoughful people I have ever met!

Scoop me Skinny: Sweetest person in the world. Wouldn't hurt a fly.

Jessica: We have similar tastes in books and I love reading her reviews!

Amber: Definitely a must read every day! She's such a great writer!

I will not play games, I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

I will not play games...

Last night I had plans to go to happy hour/dinner with a group of girlfriends, our plan was to start early so we can be home early because so many of the girls had obligations early in the morning. That was fine by me!

Then mid afternoon I got a text from that guy asking me if I wanted to go to a movie that night, he said he knew it was short notice but he really wanted to see Couples Retreat. Now, I felt like "the rules" said I should say no.

But, I didn't want to say no. I wanted to say yes!

So, I tried to compromise and told him that I had plans with friends but they were early plans and that maybe him and I could see a late movie? I also told him I had already seen Couples Retreat and asked him if there was anything else he wanted to see. We ended up seeing The Informant and we both pretty much hated it. I kind of felt bad because I knew he wanted to see Couples Retreat, and I offered to see it again but of course he said no, that it was okay.

I'm trying really hard not to play games... not that I am any good at the gameplaying anyway. I'm just worried I am appearing overly eager or too available. I don't think I am, but it's still sitting in the back of my mind.

What do you guys think? Would you have turned down his invitation because it was such short notice or do you think it isn't a big deal?

Scarf Swap fun!

Recently I participated in a Scarf Swap hosted by Katie over at Loves of Life. I just love these swaps and can't help but sign up every time I come across one!

My partner was the fabulous Meagan over at The Life of Me. She sent me this fabulous scarf along with these other goodies!

She really hit the nail on the head with what I like! The colors are perfect, I have several outfits that this will go with and I have actually worn it twice already!

Next up is a Lipgloss Swap hosted by Kelli at Unnecessary Drama! Can't wait! I love lipgloss!

Hope you all have a good weekend! I'm off to get my weekend started with happy hour/dinner with the girls then out with.....dun, dun, duuuuuuuun, that guy! We're going to see The Informant tonight. He wanted to see Couples Retreat, but I had already seen it.

I'll be back with a full report next week! :)

My favorite part of my closet...

It's getting colder here and that means I get to pull out one of my favorite sections of my wardrobe.

OUTERWEAR!!!

I have a slight obsession with coats, scarves, hats, mittens... all of it! I just love it! I don't know where it came from or why but I have bought at least one or two coats each season since I was a freshman in college.

Here are the coats I regularly wore last year and will probably wear this year too. I'm missing one of my favorites that I wear ALL THE TIME because I accidentally left it at work. :( I probably wouldn't have pictured it here anyway because once I got in the car the morning I wore it I noticed it had a stain on it, so it will be taking a trip to the dry cleaners very soon.

So, without further ado...

This is one of my favorites. I have had it for over 5 years now and I get complimented on it every time I wear it. I don't wear it too often though because it's white! Scary! I get it dry cleaned at the beginning of each winter and they put a scotch guard on it that usually keeps it clean all season. Isn't it gorgeous? Great for dressing up a little bit!

Just your basic black coat! It's a size too big so it's perfect over big, bulky sweaters but I always feel huge when I wear it.

I have been in love with this jacket since I got it... when I was 16! Can you believe it?? I have had this jacket over TEN YEARS! It's a beautiful suede and looks great with some sexy high heels and jeans for a night out on the town with the girls! I bought this coat when I was working at Wilson's, The Leather Experts, which, by the way, I quit the wrong way! Ha! I will tell you all about it another time.

This is one of two coats that I bought at the end of the season last year. I had been eyeing it all winter but didn't agree with the price tag (Hey, I was a fashion major, and I know how to play this game. I rarely pay retail.) Finally, the price went down to something that I felt I could get along with ($30, I think. Score!) and I snatched this baby up! I'm not sure if I will wear it very often though, I like longer coats better.

This coat is by Libertine for Target and I fell in love with it at first sight! Luckily, I got a good deal on this one too because honestly, I loved it too much to risk not buying it right away. It didn't photograph very well though, trust me it's so cute in person. It looks great with these red shoes that I wear all the time. It's not warm though, it's more of a spring jacket but I could get away with it for a couple more weeks.

I also got this little thing at the end of the season last year at Von Maur. It is by Steve Madden and I can't remember when I bought it for, but I know it was CHEAP. It's seriously my new favorite though, it's adorable! You can't really tell in the picture but the bottom part (below the belt) is pleated! It sort of looks like a little dress, haha! Not everyone's cup of tea, I'm sure, but definitely mine! I know I will get lots of use out of this one this winter.

I haven't dug out my mittens, gloves, hats and scarves yet but I will soon! :) Usually I buy a few new pairs of all that stuff each year. I'm also on the hunt for a couple pairs of new snow boots. I want a practical (i.e. ugly) pair for traveling to and from work and to take Zeke out. Then I would like a pair to wear to work over my jeans. I have not been able to get away with that trend, but I'm going to try really hard to do it this year. I'm really short and I feel like it just makes me look like a big stump. Does that even make sense? That's what I feel like though.

What is your favorite section in your wardrobe?

PS: I am LOVING all your feedback to yesterdays post! I don't want any of you to think that I haven't quit the wrong way. I SO have. I'm going to do a long post in response to all of your comments, so look for it tomorrow night! :)

A little good, a little bad...

Today was quite the day... (don't you just love blog posts that start off with that?) ;)

I had good things happen and bad things happen. Unfortunately, (sorry) I'm going to start with the bad because I just have to get it off my chest.

There is this girl that works for me. Let's call her Red. She is 23 years old, has a four year old daughter (who is adorable!) and lives about an hour away from the store with her parents. She drives so far to work because she wants to work at my store. Awwww!! Well... she walked out on me today. Literally, walked out and said, "I'm done." No explanation. Nothing.

This girl is the type that has tons of problems and does not leave it at the door. We all have problems, it's a fact. But, it does not belong in the workplace. I had a little soft spot for her and wanted to help her out, so I let a lot of things slide and was very understanding. She called in all the time and was very picky about her schedule. I really wanted to help her out and make something in her life work out. So, I let her know it was little out of the ordinary to be like this, but I wanted to see her succeed. I really should have known better...

The last straw was Saturday morning. I usually open Saturday mornings and she comes in at 10, an hour after me. It's usually just us two for an hour, then around lunchtime is when things start to really pick up. Well, the night before was the Miley Cyrus concert and I knew that many moms drove in to town for it, stayed the night and would probably be on their way home in the morning but many would make a quick stop at the mall. Plus, it snowed that morning (yes, snowed) and I know how mom's think... "Oh crap! I bet my daughter's clothes from last year don't fit! Let's go shopping for new winter clothes!" So I decided the night before to add one more person to open with us just in case we were swamped. Thank the Lord, I did because it was the busiest DAY WE HAVE EVER HAD! No joke! Up 100% and #2 in the company out of 900 stores. YOWZA!!!

Red called at 9:50am and asked if she could have the day off. I was a little speechless, so I didn't answer her right away. Then she said, "Do you have any other openers?" I go, "Yes.... XXXX is here...."

Red goes, "I just need the day. Can I have the day? Please?"

No explanation why. No nothing.

I. was. pissed. It's a SATURDAY and you're calling in 10 minutes before you're supposed to be here?! Hell NO!

I was so angry, I didn't even care what was wrong. I said fine, because, honestly? Her mind was probably made up and I didn't have time to argue with her and slammed down the phone. Yes, I slammed the phone down. It felt good.

So today was the first day I saw her since then. I had spoke with her Sunday to make sure she would be at work the following week, which was conveniently her last week. She said yes, that she would be there.

I am on vacation this week, but had to go in today and am going in tomorrow to finish up our first round of holiday floor sets (yes, I am a control freak. I will not be able to relax if I don't know MYSELF that it's done to my standards). Everything was fine yesterday (supposedly) and today things seemed fine. I didn't have a conversation with her like I normally did and pretty much just kept my distance because I was still angry. Honestly, I was expecting an apology from her that I wasn't going to get. We were slammed Saturday and she basically screwed me. Luckily, I was thinking ahead and was anticipating the worst so I was somewhat prepared but still. I'm upset. Can you tell I have been doing this a long time? I almost always expect the worst.

Today me and another girl were there in our scrubby clothes just doing the floorset, which is hard work. You're moving stuff around and up and down ladders so it's physically pretty demanding. I wasn't in charge of the floor, one of my assistants was and I noticed that Red wasn't talking to any customers. Not even acknowledging them. After about a half hour I was getting pissed (again, lol) so I went up to my assistant and let her know that she might want to say something to Red. My assistant asked Red to make sure she greeted people and Red flipped out. She stomped back to the registers, clocked out and announced she was "done!"

I cornered her in the bathroom (where we keep our personal things) and told her she owed it to me to talk about this. She said no, she didn't and that she was done. I told her that fine, and thank you for reminding me why it's pointless to bend over backwards for people. I walked her to the door and said good luck with things. She gave me one last nasty look and left. Maybe I was immature with my comment, but she needed to know that I regularly went out of my way for her.

Seriously? Seriously?? I was never unreasonable with this girl. If anything I was too nice. Which... leads me to this other story I just have to tell you guys. Now, I have to code her as job abandonment which, will most likely prevent her from ever getting re-hired with my company. Well, over 10 years ago when I was 16 years old I worked for this same company as a seasonal employee over Christmas. When I got this job back in February (so thankful...) and my new boss was entering me into the system, I was considered a rehire! Over 10 years later and what I did when I was a teenager could have affected my career! Yes, this is my career. I love my job and will probably do this forever. If I had quit unprofessionally, the way Red had I probably would not be sitting where I am right now. I thought this was an interesting story and I tell just about every new girl I hire. I'm sure it's hard for them to comprehend, but for me it was a great lesson that I luckily did not have to learn the hard way.

Okaaaaaay, so now you're probably wondering where the heck the good news is!! ;)

That guy I went out with Saturday night? Things are going great, we have been emailing and texting almost non-stop since Sunday and he just asked me out again today!!! :) I really hope things work out! I'm enjoying getting to know him.

That was all I had for the good news. Sorry it was so short... hopefully I will have more to report later!! :)

Have you ever had to quit a job the wrong way? Sometimes it's necessary, but if so, why? What happened?

First date!

I'm being such a bum today... basically a repeat of this day.

Last night I went out with a guy that I had been emailing with for the past couple weeks. We met at a Mexican restaurant, near the mall where I work. The date lasted only two hours and at first I was worried he wasn't that interested because it seemed like a short date.

But once I got home I got a cute text from him thanking me for going out and he said he was really nervous. How cute is that? I was nervous too! I absolutely despise first dates. They're so uncomfortable... I wish we could just jump to date three!

I do have a couple of concerns about him, but I'm hoping they don't turn into deal-breakers... if things continue I will definitely fill you all in! For now, I'm just going to wait and see. He's been texting me this evening so that's a good sign!

I don't have any crazy first date stories (besides a guy that tried to get me to eat frog legs) do you?

Photo meme!

I was tagged by A Booklover's Diary to do this photo meme and I must oblige! Right? :)

Here are the rules:
1. Go to the first photo album on your computer.
2. Go to the 10th picture.
3. Post the picture and tell a story about it.
4. Tag 5 more people and let them know.

Soooo, this is rather embarrassing but I must follow the rules so here is the 10th picture in my first photo album.

It's a picture from The Cheetah Girls concert! A good friend of mine and I took her two little sisters to see the concert when they were here a few years ago. We had pretty good seats, and it was a decent show (for 5-12 year olds) but that did not stop the girls from falling asleep halfway through the show! I wish I had a picture of that! Ha!

Here is a picture of me and my friends sisters.

Wow, I look so young!!

Ok, so the five people I am tagging are...

1. Tales of a Short Southern Mama: Her blog is so cute and she's basically the sweetest person ever!

2. Pretty Random Thoughts: When have I not tagged Lesli??! She's the best! Happy birthday girlie!

3. Scoop Me Skinny: I love when she blogs.... :)

4. Park Avenue Princess: She blogs about where she works and is a retail junkie like me!! :)

5. Simply Sam: This girl blogs and tweets about college life all the time and basically makes me green with envy every time... Haha, just kidding! (kind of.)

Happy Thursday everyone! Almost the weekend... I'm off today and blogging from the couch. Don't hate me. ;)

Three "Fun Facts"

Tomorrow I will be in Omaha all day for meetings about..... CHRISTMAS! My absolute favorite time of year! Most people think I hate it because I work in what is called "Retail Hell" but I really, really love it! I have been working in a mall since I was 16, with the exception of four years in college when I waited tables instead (more money! Ha!), and I have always loved everything about the holiday season! Except for the year that the Christmas music in the mall didn't end until mid February. That got old!

I'm pretty new to this very seasoned team of store managers. Most of them have been with their stores for 5+ years, that is absolutely phenomenal! This was was actually one of the reasons I decided to stick with retail and go with this company as I was all set to go back to school for my Masters and a more secure industry. The closing of my previous employer had me really shook up! Most of the time in retail you have to bounce around to make any money at all, which is a major contributor to the turnover with most companies. Fortunately, this company takes very good care of it's employees and I don't plan on leaving for a long time! Knock on wood! :)

So my district manager wanted us all to submit three fun facts that nobody would know about us for a team building exercise. Here is what I submitted:

1. I hate the taste of Dr. Pepper, root beer and watermelon. Three things that everybody else seem to love!

2. I failed my drivers test when I was 16 because I hit a parking sign while I was trying to park (at the end of the test) which resulted in my failing the test. My 16 year old self was devastated.

3. I was pictured in the Enquirer when I was a few months old after winning a contest my mom submitted me in. (Don't know if I should have admitted that to my co-workers! Ha!) See picture below. Wasn't I cute?!

(Excuse the photo quality. The picture is from 1982 and didn't scan very well, plus it is backwards! But you get the basic idea...)

Know what I thought when I pulled this picture out just now? "So, that's my natural hair color!" Hahahha!

What are three fun facts about you?

Possibilities...

I bet you all are wondering how my Match.com adventures are going! No? Oh well, you're gonna hear about it anyway! Mwahahhhaha! ;)

It's pretty slow going... Maybe I'm being too picky? Maybe I'm not taking it seriously enough? Maybe I just don't care? Right now, I'm just going with the flow, not taking anything too seriously and just trying to have fun.

I have been conversing with one guy that might have potential... We started emailing each other through our personal email accounts, then through Facebook and now through text. We are supposed to go out this Saturday night. So far, he seems very nice.

It sucks that women have to play games, but let's face it... WE DO. We can't seem too available and to appear that way a girl can't respond too quickly. She can't say yes to a date that is only a couple of days away. I may be completely off base here, but I can't help but think every time I respond to a text or an email, Am I responding too soon? Will he think I'm desperate?

I know, I know... stop playing the mind games and just be myself and for the most part I am. I'm just not completely putting myself out there ... yet. And there's nothing wrong with that!

My day of R & R

I have decided to spend my free Saturday here...

With these...

And this going....

Watching re-runs of The Rachel Zoe Project...

And about to eat this...

And munching on these...


Sounds like a good Saturday to me!

Wishin' and Dreamin'... over shoes!

I am drooling over these today....

Too bad they're a whopping $995! A girl can dream, right? Hope you're all have a GREAT weekend! I'm off today and have no idea what to do with myself... Suggestions? (I'm not allowed to shop!)

A visit from the boss and some great new boots!

I don't know what has come over me lately! All I seem to be doing is shopping and making all these impulse buys!!

Today I decided to pull out the winter boots because it's COLD here! They're my favorite boots because they have a tall heel and are still pretty comfortable. Well, I was wrong today. I guess I'm going to have to "break them in" again for the fall/winter. About 3 1/2 hours into my shift I had to go buy new shoes, there was no way I was going to make it. Conveniently, Aldo is directly across the hall from us so I bought these little beauties! I LOVE Aldo. I really wish we had an Aldo Accessories store in my mall because I love their accessories, but we don't. :(

Aren't they cute? The picture, which is just a screenshot from the Aldo website, doesn't really do them justice! They're perfect for work because it's just enough heel so I don't feel like such a shorty but they're not too much heel so my feet don't hurt! What do you guys think?

I truly felt I deserved these shoes!! We have had a great week at work! Currently, we are up over 60% for the week from last year and today alone I was up over 100%! WOW! It's so flippin' awesome, I love it! I had a visit from boss today too and it went well, gotta love that! Annnnnnd, I'm off tomorrow! I don't usually get a random Saturday off unless it's my weekend off so this is a treat! I don't really have planned besides doing some laundry, some reading (reading Tori Spelling's first book!) and maybe Jillian Michael's Shred. I need to go the grocery store, but I'm so spoiled by shopping on random weekdays so if I go on a weekend day I just can't handle the crowds. Tonight, after I got off work one of my assistant managers and I went to see The Invention of Lying. It was different, but had me laughing out loud a few times!

I'm not off Sunday, so that's a bummer but I'm off by 5 so I will be in my pjs by 5:30 on the couch. :) What are you guys up to this weekend?