What's my news?

Hello Dreamers!

Happy Saturday and I hope this post finds you well!

I know that I haven't been around here lot, but things have been kind of busy ((isn't that always the excuse when bloggers are absent from their blog??)) I know that I haven't posted since my post about my first week of college.... which is weird because I seriously thought that I did my usual Sunday post last week but apparently I didn't... maybe because I worked all day after Lee went on a training mission.

The only other post I've done so far was my post yesterday about the band's latest show! That post was even a week late, but it's up. You should check it out, and if you like rock music, make sure you check the band out on YouTube and Facebook. :)

So, the big news. I put my two weeks notice in at Starbucks last Monday, and this coming Thursday is my last day working there ((Since my two weeks notice, I only worked last Monday, Tuesday, tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday)). I haven't been getting enough hours, and the pay isn't enough to pay my bills due to minimal hours. So I will be putting down the green apron on Thursday.

Some of you, who follow me on social media, will know that I have started a new project with my dear friend Sarah, called The Creative Assistants. 

This little business venture is basically where we are virtual personal assistants for people that need office help while still being about to work from home with flexible hours. Within the first week of setting up our website and getting on a couple of freelance virtual assistant websites, we already have two long-term job proposals set in stone, and the possibility of a short term job still pending. I get to work from home in my down time from school for like 10-20 hours a week and still make more money then I was at Starbucks. This means more time with Amy and Mem, more time with Lee, more weekends with the band, and not having to worry about taking off of work for shows and other events. We get to set our own schedule and work when we can, and still have time to do the things that we want (or need to do). 

The band has another show this coming weekend at the same venue as last week's show. We also officially can say that in August, we're opening for the band Art of Dying as well. We have a lot of awesome shows coming up in the next two month's alone and we couldn't be happier.

Life is going to continue to get busier and we're not complaining at all. We're going to be doing what we want to do and things are getting better for me!

Much love,

"I Love" Sunday's v.65

Happy Sunday dearest friends

I hope that this post finds you well! I can't believe that I missed out on last week's post, but I was at work most of Sunday and was busy for the rest of the day. It's a sad excuse, I know.

** I worked a whole lot this week, at least 6 hours most every day of this week. This sucks, but it means I get paid more. I also got a decent amount in tips this week. They also put me on hot bar this week, which means that I got to learn how to actually make the hot drinks (they are easier then the cold bar drinks and more popular). Today was one of my coworkers last day, which totally bummed some of us out.

** Saw Batman vs. Superman this week (finally) and I have mixed feelings about the movie. It was interesting I guess... and Mem and I geeked out at certain parts, but it wasn't what I expected. I kind of like how dark Batman was in the movie though. That is all.

** Amy's best friend and her daughter drove down this week to surprise Mem, which worked quite well actually. On Wednesday and Thursday I got to take pictures of her daughter G, who is ridiculously gorgeous. I don't get to do this as often as I would like, so I jumped on the chance to take her photo's. Make sure you check out my Facebook page to see more photos of this gorgeous girl!

** I got a Toothless plush this week from Build-A-Bear, for which I am most excited. I have been wanting this plush since it came out around Valentine's Day, but I didn't get one before now. I finally decided to get one. 

** I participated in Day of the Life on Tuesday. I wish that I had done better with the project, but it was a busy day, so I didn't get as many pictures as I had wanted, but at least I remembered to do it. I'm working on a post to share that one with you sometime this week. I'll even show you how I documented it.

** I completed my first project as part of the Awesome Ladies Project Creative Team. I was a day late (family surprised us by coming in for Mem's Spring Break), but I had a lot of fun getting the project done! I'll share a post about my project later this week, but here is a look at what I did.

** Yesterday Lee and I were supposed to go to the beach, but the forecast called for rain, so we went to Raleigh instead. This is the first time we've both had an entire day off together. Usually one or both of us has to work. It was about an hour drive there, and the first thing we went looking for was the Art museum, which appeared to be closed. Then we headed to Crab Tree Valley Mall and we walked around. We got some lunch and looked at all the stores. I was very bummed when I realized that they had gotten rid of their Hot Topic in favor of some trendy store.... I've never seen a mall without a Hot Topic. They used to have a big one, bigger then the one where I live, so believe me, I was bummed. After that we both upgraded our phones, we both got the brand new iPhone 6SE- all the perks of the 6 but in the size of the 5, which means neither of us had to replace our Mophie charging cases. LOVE IT!

Then we left the mall to find 5112, a drum place that Lee geeked out about, and it was kind of like watching a child in a candy store, he was so excited and kind of all over the place. There was so much for him to take in. He ended up only buying a new set of drum sticks and a 5112 drum shirt.

After that we headed back to the mall to get some cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory, and then headed back home. He'd never had their cheesecake, and was supremely impressed when he tried it later on that night. Once we picked up the cheesecake, we drove back home. We dropped the cheesecake off, stopped by the Hot Topic in our mall, and then went and tried Chedders for dinner.

I am just astounded that not once did I take a picture to document our day. I'm kind of bummed.

** Today after work I came home to get some stuff done. I cleaned up the craft room from our impromptu shoot with Baby Girl. I did some chores in the kitchen, and baked chicken for dinner. I had the house to myself, so I was feeling productive.

I also got quite a bit done in getting caught up in my scrap journal. I am almost out of room, which means that there will most definitely be a video here soon!

Lee and I went to see London Has Fallen - AWESOME MOVIE! My favorite line - "What do they make you out of?" "Bourbon and Bad Choices"

.: Little Loves :.

|| Jack & Coke | friends | photography | Rock covers of good songs | Cheesecake | my new phone | friends at work | flannel shirts | time with the boyfriend ||

What are you loving from this past week?

"I Love" Sundays v.64

Hello dearest Dreamers!

Happy Sunday!

So the only reason that this post is so late today is because I am visiting my parents in Florida for the weekend. I had to clean out my storage unit there so I can stop spending $70-ish a month to house stuff that I want in my house anyways. I drove down yesterday and unfortunately leave tomorrow... but it's been nice none-the-less. I did however find my cowboy hat, which made me super happy.

** After arriving home yesterday my best girls Ashes and Lindsay came over for a visit and we headed out to the beach for a walk. On the weekends there are usually street vendors out and about selling stuff, but the weather kind of prevented that this time around. Which probably worked out better in the end since apparently it's Spring Break week here....

** If you haven't seen my announcement across social media, on Monday I was alerted that I was picked to be part of the Awesome Ladies Project Creative Team for 3 months starting in April! This is the first time that I have been picked for a creative team, so I am pretty excited about that!

** My first check came in from the VA finally, which was nice. I was a little concerned that it got lost in the mail, but it eventually arrived.

** While getting my oil changed on Tuesday, I made friends with the guys that worked there. I brought them coffee from work, so they said they would help me out next time I had to come in for some work on my car. They were just great guys to talk to, so I don't think I'd be going anywhere else anyways.

** Got to have lunch with Lee again this week. It's always nice to be able to meet up for lunch in the middle of the day. I see him most evenings, but lunch is always nice too. :)

** Saint Patrick's Day was definitely a blast, both at home and at work. We got to dress up at work, and we all kind of went all out on it! Amy made corn beef and cabbage, potatoes, and some other Irish things for dinner (which was awesome) and then I took some food to Lee since he had 24 hour duty.

** I also helped my dear friend Sarah start the stuff for her own blog. Once we get some stuff finalized, then I will share her with you guys. She is writing a blog about her blended family, children with autism, having a newborn, and just starting over.

.: Little Loves :.

|| Dr. Pepper | my Travelers Notebook | being home | good friends | holiday shenanigans | Clearwater Beach | Steak n Shake | crafting ||

What are you loving from this past week???

"I Love" Sundays v.60

Hello friends!

Happy Sunday! Hope all is well on this Valentine's Day for you lovely Dreamers!

** My little "family" celebrated Valentines Day this past Friday. Amy and I took Memphis and his friend to go see Deadpool in theaters before eating dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. Originally it was just supposed to be me, Amy, and Mem, but his friends mother called and asked if we could take him for the night so she could have her own V-Day with her boyfriend, so he joined us for the night. We decided to celebrate it on Friday because Amy works Saturday and Sunday as it is. I won't spoil the movie, but it was AWESOME SAUCE!!!!!

I am not really a fan of the holiday personally, never have been (at least not since middle school - but I did love getting those little folded cards and sharing them with my classmates). I just don't understand why there is a specific day set aside to show your significant other some love.... shouldn't you be doing that the whole time? Why do people only buy flowers for their significant other on this day? Why can't you buy flowers any other day? Wanna take your s/o out somewhere special? Date night?!? I dunno... I just don't get it.

** I went on a second date with a guy I met (well... he met me at work once my shift ended and we sat there and talked and laughed for about 2 hours). It went better then I expected and he seems like a really cool guy. We'll see how this all pans out. Actually, he joined us on Friday for Deadpool and Buffalo Wild Wings too. My little family thought he was awesome. And I am meeting him for lunch today....

** All I am going to say is that I really enjoy where I work.

** Thursday saw me turning in my completed paperwork for school, which starts next month. Hopefully I get accepted and my GI Bill gets everything covered and I can start school. I really want to work on my degree. The best part is that I can still take classes on base, which I am more comfortable with. 

** I got a bunch of my Geeky Valentines Day cards in for a swap I am doing with other Geeky Bloggers. I absolutely LOVE them all. I think I am going to hole punch them and make a mini book out of them. They are just too cute. Especially since I don't really have a Valentine this year. Although Memphis (through his mom buying it) gave me a cute stuffed bear that says 'hug me' on it for the holiday. 

** Something popped up on my timeline of a cover of this song by another band and it prompted me to share Any Given Day's cover of Diamonds by Rhianna, which just rekindled my love for this cover. I heard it first over a year ago and just couldn't help but loving it. I like it when rock bands cover some poo songs. It's all thanks to this cover right here!

.: Little Loves :.

|| White Chocolate Hot Cocoa | Molten Chocolate Frappaccino | Chocolate Croissants | new friends | happy mail | having a job | my purple fuzzy blanket | Home Free | Music ||

What are you loving from this past week?

A moment in my shoes

Hello friends

Hope all is well with you

So as you guys know, I started my new job at the end of January with Starbucks and it's a completely different experience then when I was in the Army. Yesterday was a perfect example of that.

this is actually a picture of my store

I went in to work shortly before noon, I still can't get out of the habit of being at least 15 minutes early even though I can't start until right at whatever time my shift starts, got my tea, and went into the back to put on my apron and everything. Oh, I got my new aprons back finally. The only difference is I have a little American flag, my name, and Army veteran stitched on the front. Everyone else's is just a plain apron with a little metal name tag. Everything was working alright, well as alright as things can be when you're thrown on the front counter for the first time without help. Everywhere else I've worked in the store I've had someone shadowing me and being there when I have questions.... not so much yesterday. We were understaffed and low on product, waiting for the delivery truck which didn't come until after 4 p.m.

I only made two errors when inputting the drinks into the computer, but surprisingly that was it. I am quite proud of myself and I even got pretty quick on inputting some of the orders. I did have to ask for help occasionally and some of the girls were really helpful and patient about it. The only one who wasn't was just having a bad day and was stressing so I didn't really hold it against her every time she snapped at me. She later apologized, even after I told her not to worry about it, insisted that it was something that needed to be apologized for. I let her have it.

Although I was only officially diagnosed  with fibromyalgia last year, that say that it started after basic training when I didn't receive the proper care that I should have. Not a surprise. I've dealt with the pain and discomfort for over 5.5 years with minimal medication because with Army ATC, you couldn't take much medication. Even though I have been a civilian for over a month now, I still don't take medication as much as I need too. There is one medication that I take daily, without fail, and that's my acid reflux medication... because without it I can't function well. I take my allergy medication when I can't breathe or stop sneezing, but otherwise I don't take medication like I should. Partially because I have a high pain tolerance and partially because I just forget to take it.... thanks Army for making that one possible... sarcasm implied.

Like I mentioned, we were a little understaffed yesterday and I came in when it was busy, so I didn't get my 10 minute break when I was supposed to. I didn't mention it for an hour because we were busy and I needed to get a bunch of stuff done for our store to run smoothly.... and every time I wanted to, customers would come in. Plus, this is my first day not being in training... I don't really think I have much to complain about.

I was very open with my manager about why I was medically retired from the Army during my interview. My mother told me that all I needed to say was I completed my contract and decided to get out, no one needed to know that I was medically retired. My manager was very understanding about everything, so I made sure that she was aware that I do suffer from a chronic pain disorder, but I do my best to not let it stop me. So about an hour and a half after my scheduled break was missed, I asked my shift leader if I could take my 10 minute break. My left leg was killing me and it was incredibly painful to put any weight on it. It was a mix of a sharp stabbing pain when I put my weight on my leg and a consistent throbbing pain when I didn't. I just needed to sit down for a few minutes and relax. I completed the tasks that my shift leader asked me too and I was allowed on my break and thought nothing of it.

Until later on. My manger had called the shift leaders in for a meeting and I tried my best not to pay attention to their discussion while they were using my manager. I even went and helped my pregnant coworker clean up a mess she accidentally made because I didn't want her moving the mini fridge (she is 3 weeks from giving birth). When they walked over, they were discussing some new system my manager was putting in place and revolved around breaks. She had made a comment about how people can suck it up if they don't get a break because we're busy because her and the shift leaders often miss breaks so we can have our breaks, and how some baristas think their job is so hard. This caught my attention. I was wondering if she was saying it within my ear shot because I had asked for a break earlier and someone had complained about the new girl asking for a break. This bothered me, but I wasn't going to interrupt their meeting and I had things to do and a mess to assist in cleaning up. But it was eating at me. Was that her subtle way of telling me something without calling me out on it? Or was I reading too much into it?

I talked to my roommate about it while we were making dinner, I didn't get home until 7 pm and her about a half hour later then me. After talking with her, I decided that I wanted to clarify it with my manger incase there was a misunderstanding on either side. I know that she hadn't told anyone else about my chronic pain disorder because she felt that it wasn't their business to know, and I don't want special treatment from anyone or any pity when they find out about this pain... because there are some people that are over sympathetic and it drives me nuts! So I texted her and asked her if I could talk to her today at work about something that was said during my shift.  She has told me from the start that I can always text her if I have any questions or concerns, and texting may be more efficient because she can't always answer a phone call. She finally texted me back asking me to call since we both might have forgotten by the time I worked today. 

I called her and let her know that while I hadn't meant to overhear a conversation, they were using my register and it was kind of inevitable. I told her about the comment and asked her if someone had complained when I asked to take a break today. I told her that I had only asked because of my leg and I wanted to make sure there was no miscommunication amongst her, me, and the shift leaders. Apparently I made her feel bad because of what she said. She had in no way meant that towards me and it was just coincidence that I had asked for a break earlier and that she had made that comment near me. Apparently there are other partners who don't use the downtime between the customer rushes to clean up their stations and then want to ask for a break. She noticed that I always cleaned up after myself, was doing a great job (her words, not mine) on my training, and that I wasn't a problem. She appreciated that I had called to clarify because she didn't want me to stew on it, and told me that if I ever need to sit down for a minute because of my pain, to just let her or a shift leader know, and if there was a problem, to let her know.

I really appreciated that. Firstly, I appreciated the fact that I felt that I could talk to her about a concern like that and feel that she really would take me seriously. That she wouldn't take it as I was just whining and complaining, but that it was something that needed to be addressed. I didn't have that feeling in the Army. They made me feel like I just had to suck it up and move on through it, which is sometimes easier said then done. I do that when I can, but yesterday reached the point that I really just wished that I could cut my leg off below the knee to make the pain stop. Secondly, I just appreciated the fact that she cared. That is another big thing to me. Even though I am one person of about 20 people working in our store, and the newest hire, she actually cared about my wellbeing (and feelings) to clarify the whole coincidence. Thirdly, it was late, after 10 pm that she asked me to call so that way neither one of us forgot today to talk about it. She had just worked a long day at work, unloaded all the stuff that was brought in by the delivery truck, did the inventory, and still made a little time to have a conversation with me about a concern of mine.

She's leaving us in March or May to go work in Raleigh (school and roller derby I think) and I worry that whoever replaces her might not be as understanding. For now though, I do appreciate that I have a manager that does understand. She knows that I won't take advantage of her understanding when I am feeling lazy and don't want to do anything. She knows that I have already demonstrated that I am a hardworking individual, willing to learn as much as I can and still help my coworkers when I can. She knows that I don't complain, whether someone is snapping at me for no reason or I am struggling with what I am learning. This is a lot different from the Army, obviously. There are some things I miss about the Army and some aspects I like better about working in the civilian world. 

I spend every day in some amount of pain, and for the most part it's still manageable thanks to a high pain tolerance and the fact that I couldn't take medication while in the Army. What I consider manageable, some people don't think they could handle it (I've discussed it with old coworkers and friends). This is both a blessing and a curse because now, there are times where I should seek help and don't... times I push myself way past my limit (my last trip to Disney comes to mind where I walked the first half of the day before asking for a wheelchair, and I really shouldn't have walked that much). My leg is still throbbing today and the hardest part is that it's in my shin and ankle, and there isn't much I can do about it, not like I can when it's just my knee.

It's just nice to know that she cares.

"I Love" Sunday's v.59

Happy Sunday Dreamers!

Hope you all have had a good weekend!

** You might have seen this picture on my FB page or my IG from Tuesday. I know that I don't look all that thrilled, but I was tired. I took the picture on my 10 minute break, and really it was a good day. Although I had only worked there for a couple of days, I qualified for my first set of tips ever!!! Being as this is my first serious job other then the US Army, I've never made tips before. It wasn't much, but it was definitely kinda awesome.

** So I finally got my Starbucks hat from my manager. She had to order new ones when I joined the company and they came in on Monday. On Wednesday, my manager handed me my Military Appreciation aprons specifically for spouses and veterans. I took them to the mall to get my name sewn on and picked them up on Friday evening. Little things make me happy. :) 

** I got my taxes done in about 20 minutes on Thursday. Little victories here peeps!

** My roommate converted an old dressed into a nice little entertainment center for the living room. She had it done before I came home from Germany, but we were missing a couple of pieces. We finally got the tv mount thing in the mail and got our new entertainment center all set up. The TV sits much higher then it used to, but the entertainment center itself is much more sturdy then the other one used to be. We no longer have to fear if the old tv stand was bumped the wrong way that everything would come crashing down.

.: Link Love :.

** Danielle from From Girlie to Nerdy shared a post on The Fairytale Traveler about her trip to the Universal Orlando Celebration of Harry Potter Experience. I am SUPER jealous about this experience and can't believe that I had no idea that it existed until afterwards. What kind of Potterhead am I to not have know that this thing existed. Note to self: Must go next year!!!!

** Alexz from Spooky Pooky shared her 2016 Valentines Day cards. I love them!!!!! They are free to download, however she asks that you not try to sell them or remove her name from them. Check out her blog for more cards!

.: Little Loves :.

|| Sweet tea | Twizzlers | having a job | homemade dinners | Oreos | NCIS | new friends ||

What are you loving from this past week?

My first week

Hello dearest friends!

Today I wanted to tell you my thoughts over the first week of my new job.

On Monday I got the phone call that I got the barista job working at Starbucks. Let me just tell you how relieved I was to have gotten that phone call. 

Little back story for new readers: I was medically retired from the military at the end of December. I came home on terminal leave two days after Thanksgiving and have been staying with my dearest friend Amy and her son Memphis.  My initial plan was to start going to school ASAP through my GI Bill, which means that I can finish my BA in Business Management while getting a monthly housing allowance. I will also be getting retirement pay from the US Army until my VA retirement pay kicks in.

However, not everything works as planned for me. It was a little harder to get the school stuff completed since it was December, so it has taken much longer. My mother sent me sealed copies of my transcripts last week that I now have to turn in to the school to hopefully get accepted ASAP!

In the mean time, I decided that I needed to get a job. Partially because I need the money ( the Army money isn't enough to function on a monthly basis ) and partially because I need something to do with all my newfound extra time. I get antsy just sitting around after a while. It's driving me nuts! So, I started applying to jobs all over the city but no one wanted to hire me because I didn't have the experience they wanted. However, I got really lucky with Starbucks. She didn't care that I didn't have any customer service or barista experience, and she was rather impressed with my experience in the Army. She hired me rather quickly and Tuesday was my first day at work. 

Training has gone really easy this first week, it's been a lot of watching videos and reading things coupled with learning what needs to be done to both open and close the store. It's nice to have a job again. It doesn't pay nearly as much as I was hoping, but its definitely a start. There are tons of benefits that I wasn't aware of until I got the job. It's kind of cool. It's only part time, but I still get the benefits of a full time employee. This will work really well when I finally start school. Overall, I really enjoy working at Starbucks so far. I know that there will be days when I hate my life, but that comes with any job. It's a friendly place to work and we all get along (as of now). Everyone is really helpful to me and patient when I don't know how to do something. 

This upcoming week is all about learning to make the drinks and what not. I'm kind of excited. Let's see what the future holds for me from here on out! Wish me luck!