So Sad......

Exactly 2 weeks ago today I found out-quite abruptly-that my company was filing Chapter 11. It started off on a random conference call that my boss had set up, but was not even sure of the content that she was to share with all her store managers until 9am-the precise moment the call was to begin. As she proceeded with the call she told us all to remain on the line and she would be calling a few of us to speak with us individually before we continued with the actual content of the call. Then BAM!!! One of my colleagues says, "Whoa!....uh guys?.....I just received an email titled: Stores Closing.".......all of our chatter instantly came to a halt. Before we could even proceed with a professional call with our boss about the impending store closures and as to why they were closing, a bone-head secretary had prematurely sent a fatal, and all-be-it, tacky email. When my boss resumed the call with us, we all began speaking at once telling her how upset we were and that we knew what the call was all about. My heart was in my stomach and I didn't know what to even think as my boss read the sad little script that corporate sent her to read. When she ended I was the first to blurt out and say, "So you're telling us to be hopeful during this Chapter 11 crisis-yet we've never heard of a company actually pulling out of a restructure successfully. Wouldn't it be wise for us all to update our resumes and start looking for jobs? I don't want to be on a sinking ship then all-of-a sudden find myself at the bottom of the ocean when I really should have jumped." Now, I was definitely way more heated than anyone else on the call, and my store is NOT one of the company closures, but who's to say mine won't be next?

So my question to all who care to answer is....you know of anyone who is hiring? Or possibly any other careers out there that seem like a good change for someone like me? I've got the teaching thing, but I'm off for the summer (in a few more weeks that is) and I've worked for other retailers.....I'm just so sick of working 12-15 hours days without a day off most weeks. I'm willing to take on plenty of suggestions.

Memorial Weekend Mildness

So as my last post explained, Donny had lasik surgery on Friday. I took Friday off to be with him as well as Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Of course, the first day was not good because that was the actual day of the surgery, but Saturday and Sunday weren't so good either. Our entire 4 days off together consisted of him sleeping for anywhere from 2-6 hours at a time, while I did housework or skipped out of the house so I wasn't bored. We had dinner with Donny's mom, Michelle, and Jeff....then another night of dinner with my parents and bro...we went to Stephanie and Chad's house and watched some old 90210 and Max and Ruby shows....hit up Chick-Fila (Donny's favorite).....and went to Walmart a couple of times to get his prescriptions filled. And the whole time this is what Donny looked like (see below), even when it was pitch black in a room he wore shades and a baseball cap.

Donny's Surgery

This afternoon Donny had Lasik surgery. It was a 2 hour process, even though the entire surgery takes about 15 minutes. This is his pre-op and post-op pictures. I had some funny opportunities, but Donny was NOT in the mood for the funny bug-eyed moments. He has been instructed to sleep, sleep, sleep so that his eyes can rest and do their healing. Hopefully he'll feel better tomorrow after his post-op check up.

Back From Baton Rouge

On Sunday we came back from a whirlwind trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We had a very mini vacation on Donny's company (Thanks to Dr. Boehle). Noone else really could go so D's boss asked if I wanted to go-and as you can see I gladly accepted. We had a chance to see down town Baton Rouge, eat some alligator sushi at a very high-in-the-sky restaurant, and just eat anything that wasn't Mexican food for a change. We had a great time seeing as much as we could in less than 3 days. And, of course, it wouldn't have been a complete trip of any kind if I didn't come home sick. (I guess good ol' creole food don't agree with me all too much). I'm really glad we got to go, I never imagined that it was going to be so beautiful. I would gladly go back and visit Baton Rouge again.

Donny Figuring out how to "shove in" the fun

Why don't we have these in AZ?
Donny on the steps of the Ol' State Capitol

The Ol' State Capitol building

a REALLY big tree

Sunset on the Mississippi

Focus on the wall...not my WHITE legs

The traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall

Casino on the Mississippi

Our dinner destination: Tsunami!! (at the very top)

Me on top of a "Tsunami"! (it's almost funny)

Did you notice the crazy date ? ^^^^^


I got a little bored so I jumped on the bed......

....it was fun so I kept on jumping :)

Gots to be prepared in case there are any random Mardi Gras parties

Dinner Destination#2

But...of course......hmmmm.....

There's a Stranger in My Closet!!!!

No, not really....it was Vista. I was packing my suitcase for Louisiana and I heard a faint noise coming from the closet. Of course, it was Vista and she was just chillin' there. I really like the second one....it's very scary.....BOO!

Dryer Balls....Really?????

I've seen it in her eyes, but I never thought she'd actually go for it-she took the leap and STOLE my dryer balls and right in front of me!! She knows they are not a toy because she's been scolded many times.....but this morning she was feeling sassy and thought my yelling at her and running after her was a game......fantastic! >:( Don't you just love those new bad habits?

Things I am Thankful For

So I have been quite stressed lately, but dare not show it. I have to do a million interviews for work, I'm trying to finish choreographing some dances for my students, I'm diligenlty planning when I'm going to take just an hour of vacation, and trying to live my day-to-day life in between. So, I've decided to make myself feel better with things I am thankful for in my life:

(In ABSOLUTELY NO particular order)

1. Dishwashers-so that I don't have to spend hours out of my week doing this by hand
2. Skillet meals-so that I don't have to cut up all that food myself, and so dinner is served before 10:30pm
3. Family-because you get to love them and lean on them
4. Marriage-it's just good times....and some frustrating times
5. Dancing-because it's my passion and I can share it with whoever wants to know about it
6. "The Vista"-because she finds any scary bug in the house so Donny can kill it
7. A day off from work-so that I can drive myself crazy with other things in life ;)
8. God- He reminds me to stay grounded
9. Sleep-because it MAKES me stop being so crazy
10. Cameras-they can capture memories in an instant
11. Memories-so they can be replayed in my mind forever
12. Sunshine- it just makes me so darn happy
13. Children-they give me so much hope when I'm not sure about things
14. Working like a Crazy Person-it REALLY makes me appreciate my spare time and avoid a result from #7