My day with Cayle!

Today was a mother son day for Cayle and me. After we had our breakfast this morning I took him to the Tennessee aquarium for some fun. We spent all day there! And it wasn't nearly as expensive as I thought it would be to go. He really enjoyed getting to walk around and look at everything and touch what he could. His favorites were the sharks and the sea dragons. In the ocean journey part of the aquarium, there's this place where you can lay and look up into the tanks and watch the fish swim over you. We must have stayed there for at least 30 minutes or so. It was so nice to be able to take our time and not rush! I made us a souvenir penny with a shark on it to put in his scrapbook. I'd love to take him places like that more often. :)

After the aquarium I got him some lunch and we went to Walmart so I could pick up my medicine and get him a special prize. I got him a new book with a magna doodle pad attached to it. And I let him pick his party theme. He has chosen to go with Disney Cars theme. So that's the plan! I also found a crock pot slow cooker for under twenty dollars and it matched my kitchen colors. It's a 7 quart black slow cooker. That's one of the major things to cross off my list. Now I'll have to find some good slow cooker recipes to print out and keep in my book of recipes.

Today was such a nice day to be with Cayle. It couldn't have gone better. I would like to keep up our weekly outing. Like I've always tried to do. It's almost time for pumpkin patches and corn mazes so there will be plenty of exciting things for us. I'm thinking once it cools off a bit we can go to the zoo :)

Here are some of my favorite pictures from today.

My job is such a blessing!!

I could not be happier with my job! Last Saturday, I won the retail contest and got a prize! I got to pick out whatever I wanted out of this big box full of brushes, sprays, products, and a flat iron. I chose the flat iron so I wouldn't have to buy one specifically for work. It was a $75 dollar flat iron and I didn't have to pay for it! Terrie (my manager) is very pleased with my progress and everyone has been helping me find my footing. I really enjoy working with my group. I've made great money in tips. I don't even have to use the money in my bank account really because of the tip money I have made. Which I am very thankful for.

And with this tip money, I plan on taking Cayle out tomorrow. We are having a mother and son day at the aquarium! I think he will enjoy it. It feels so good to be making the extra money to be able to do things like this with him. And not having to scrape together enough to pull it off. Since it's a Thursday, I'm hoping it won't be too crowded! I will be sure to post pictures of our day!

I've also been contributing to my goal to buy the things I need for my duplex and with tip money I was able to purchase my dinnerware set! I love them! They are black and red to match my kitchen colors! And square just like I wanted! I will eventually purchase another set of them so I will have 8 of everything instead of 4 so that will be good. The only thing I really need for my kitchen now consists of silverware, coffee pot, microwave, and a crock pot! Maybe a few other little things, but still how awesome is that??!

Fall is right around the corner!!! Ah, I can feel my mood getting better and better!! When all the fall stuff goes on sale I want to buy some for my house. Of course, with all the buying I've been doing I am saving as well, and I have a lot of money coming my way from my family. They are rewarding me with $300 for being completely finished with school and testing and becoming a licensed cosmetologist. Not only that, but I am making a lot more money at work and I've done close to $900 worth of work this past week. I get 40% of that. And my hourly wage. I've worked over 30 hours just this past week. So my bank account will begin to look very very pretty in a week or so!

This is completely off topic but I jumped on the bandwagon and bought the book '50 Shades of Grey'. Let me just say, apart from the raunchy sex scenes it's an interesting story. And I am enjoying the read.

Also, Mommy's, supposedly whooping cough is going around the area, keep your hands and your little one's hands clean!

This is my dinnerware! Sorry the pic is so tiny.

My first day as a stylist!

I would say it was pretty smooth sailing. I made $25 dollars in tips and over $130 dollars on services and hours worked!! If I continue to make that kind of money I will have a peace of mind for sure as far as finances go. The last person I had. He was a little difficult but hey, it's part of it. I work 1-9 tomorrow. And I hope tomorrow goes as well as today. I'm so happy with my salon choice. Things finally feel like they're falling into place. And moving into my own home won't be much of an issue. I feel like a huge weight is off of my shoulders. But I won't stop there. I have to build clientele and continue to deliver great services to the clients. I'm so happy to go back tomorrow.!

Even the rude stylist is warming up to me!

I did it!!!

I am an official licensed cosmetologist!! I never thought I would see the day. I will say this, that test was WAY worse than the written one. It was so nerve wracking. I am exhausted from it all. But the point is that I NEVER have to test or anything again!! I'm doing this for real now!! Tomorrow I start styling!! If anyone is interested in scheduling an appointment with me please let me know!! I will have business cards made up soon. I can't wait to get in there and get to work. I work 10-6 tomorrow. Then I'll know my permanent schedule! Everything is falling into place. I couldn't be happier. Well, I could if I was in bed asleep, but I needed to blog about this because it was too exciting to not tell. It's much more of a reward that the test is over. I wasn't nervous really but it was just...intense. I couldn't handle being in such a strict (boiling hot) environment. I can finally relax. A huge weight is off my shoulders! Next step building clientele and finishing buying house stuff so Cayle and I can be our own family. I'm almost there!

Thinking about Cayle's birthday..

Cayle's birthday is almost here. I need to get on the ball and plan. But with as far as a theme I am clueless!! He flip flops between two Disney characters so picking a theme is hard. I've also considered a Fall theme with pumpkins and scare crows but I think it's too similar to his first birthday party which was a costume party.

But I've also been thinking about gifts. Recently, Cayle has gotten to where he LOVES to read. His favorite book is "Goodnight Moon" (which makes me super happy because it's also my favorite song). So I thought about getting him some new books to read. That would be an easy gift. I am also making him a tie blanket with the Disney Cars characters on it. I bought the kit to make one at hobby lobby a month ago. But I would like to get him one big gift. I'm thinking about maybe taking him to the toy store or somewhere and letting him pick out something he wants.

As far as activities go with him. I would like for us to have our portraits made at JC Pennies like last year. They turned out so good! I want to take him to either the zoo, aquarium, or discovery museum. That night I would like to take him somewhere for dinner. My parents always do a birthday dinner for me so I would like to do one for him every year as well. Where we will go? Who knows. He's so picky with food.

I'm considering buying the essentials for his party now. Like table covers and cups and plates and what not. And since Cayle seems to like both characters I will flip a coin as to what theme his party will be. Or take him to pick one more time and what he says first will win. Anyone else have indecisive children? Lol.

Pride.

Sometimes I need to sit back and think about all the work I've put into building my life and be thankful. I may still have a way to go, but I'm closer today than I was yesterday.

I've graduated college and landed my dream job. That alone is still shocking to this day. Here I am days away from being a licensed professional. The nerves are kicking in. I feel like I'm going to be sick. Someone at board will have their eyes on me the entire time. Scary much? But I can handle anything for 2 hours.

Today I had a cutting class at the Cleveland store taught by a Regis celebrity!!!! This woman is on all of the Regis training DVDs showing step by step immaculate color and cuts! I was so flattered to be taught by her. When the class was over, I shook her hand and thanked her for the class. This woman made my day by saying and I quote "You will be one of the best Regis has seen. I can see it in your eyes". What an honor. After learning from her I hope I can make her proud.

I feel so blessed to have a job that I love so much. With great people. A great environment. With no way to go but up. I take major pride in saying that I work for Regis Salon.

It's not only my job I've been building, but trying to prepare a successful and happy home for both Cayle and myself. Collecting things a little at a time to make sure we won't strike out right off the bat. I have almost everything I need for both my kitchen and bathroom. There are a few things I still need to acquire, but for the most part, I have a huge chunk of it out of the way. Before long it'll be time to save up for living room furniture. And what better time than the time I start making more money?? How exciting.

The point is..I never realized how much work I've put into everything until now. I don't know if it's just the pre jitters for boards that has my head spinning or if going to this class today and learning from the best made it all real that I am getting ahead in the race. That my headstrong personality has finally done some good for me. I don't know. But either way, I'm thankful. For my family. Without them who knows where I would be. For my supportive friends how have pep talked me when I was at a breaking point or came to see me for a hair cut when I needed practice. Thank you all.

Being on a road to success has also gotten me thinking about other things. I've been working my butt off to make sure Cayle has the best possible life and that I am working my hardest every day. But what about adding someone else to the mix? I.e. marriage, dating, casual dating. Whatever it may be. And the more I think about it, the more turned off by the idea of having to deal with someone else. I don't know if that's just the cynic in me or what. But I feel like I've worked too hard to let someone take it from me or try to compromise it. And people may say that the "right person" would never do that. No matter who the person may be, they will compromise my family time with Cayle. Watching him grown up, bonding with him, teaching him, helping him grow in every way a human possibly can is the most precious thing in the world to me. How could I jeopardize that? And my independence. I don't want to have to wait on someone to help pay bills or to ask for "permission" to go do something for myself or to have a pricey family outing or vacation (if bills are paid and everything else is taken care of). I'd rather do it myself. I don't want someone telling me how to raise my son. I don't want someone holding me back from anything. I have no problem with anyone who's all for settling down / already settled down. But I just feel like it's not for me. It kind of sounds like decaf coffee to me...pointless. People will say "You'll die alone with no one to care about you except for Cayle" If that's the case then where did my few supportive friends come from? And Cayle's love to me is more special than anyone else's love. I take pride in being a single mom. I take pride in the demons I've overcome. I take pride in how far I've come. And how far I plan to go. All the way to the top.

What is this so called "real world"?

What is the real world? Daddy and I got into a debate today about me wanting to leave Chattanooga in order to pursue my dreams of what I hope to be a happier life. He believes that there's no better place than a home in Chattanooga. And that this so called "Real World" is going to knock me back on the ground because I'm naive.

I happen to disagree. I believe there is so much more for me than this one horse town of Chattanooga. Especially since I'm not happy here and I don't see myself being happy here. Or seeing myself staying here in general. But that leaves the "real world" to knock me down. Well..what is it?

I must be missing a link to the puzzle. I see the "Real World" as nothing more than paying bills, raising a family, working until retirement, and realizing the world isn't a friendly place where nothing bad ever happens. Well, I may just be naive and not realizing it..but I think I've my taste of this real world. I pay bills. I work for a living. I raise my son. And may I be frank, but I've had my share of bad things to happen to me to realize the world is not a friendly place. And if that's all this "Real World" is, it's going to take a lot more than money going out the door and owning up to my responsibilities to scare me.

What do you think? What is the real world to you?

Everything.

I haven't been posting much lately, but I haven't had much to talk about. Until now. I had signed Cayle up for a music class (free trial class) and our class was supposed to be last night. Well, I get all the way down there and the time rolls around for the class to start, and then they tell me that not enough kids signed up! What the hell? I was so mad that I wasted my time and gas for Cayle to only get to play in a play room for 15 minutes and not even get to take the class. That is a poor way to handle business and I don't believe I will be going back. So that was a bust. But if they do that with my time...imagine what they would do with my money.

I take my final state board exam a week from tomorrow! Nervous? No. Excited? Yes. Finally I'm getting ahead. Let's just hope nothing goes wrong. For being completely finished with school and a licensed cosmetologist, my parents are rewarding me with $300 dollars! I plan on saving as much of it as I possibly can for moving out. And whatever else.

Speaking of moving out, Daddy has a surprise for me. He is in Michigan for work and is coming home this weekend. When Daddy goes out of town, he always brings home gifts. This time, Daddy txted me and told me that instead of a souvenir from Michigan, he is taking me to buy the pots and pans that I want for my house!! This was super exciting to me! It takes a big chunk out of the kitchen stuff I need. I have a majority of things for each room, but there are still quite a few necessities I still need to buy. But all in due time. And now that I'm getting more hours at work, it should be easier to get what I need.

Cayle's birthday is right around the corner! And I am still clueless as to what I want to do for it. I booked the place and bought him one of his presents, but that's about it. He can't decide between Mickey Mouse or Cars. He flip flops. Sometimes it's Cars sometimes it's Mickey Mouse. So that makes decoration shopping next to impossible.

Thank goodness it's almost Autumn. Summer always has a way of breaking my heart. I'm ready for all the beautiful and happy things Autumn has to offer. I got new jeans and a new cardigan (which is also for work) the other day. I can't wait to wear it.

I want to try to get back into shape. I have stomach ulcers and they make me gain a lot of weight. And I can't even stand to look at myself half of the time because I know I could look better. So here's to working out and eating right!

I've been looking into places I want to potentially live one day. And I've narrowed my choices down to Seattle and Boston. One of my friends mentioned something about how family oriented Seattle was and how beautiful it was. And I've been looking into it. It has potential. But I really need to visit both before I make a final decision or head back to the drawing board. Either way, I am leaving Chattanooga. I don't think I will ever be happy until I do. I was in Dalton over the weekend and even being 45 minutes away, I was out of Chattanooga and happier than I had been in weeks. Too much has happened in this town for me to be happy. But that's a different story for a different day.

I'm still enjoying work. It has actually gotten better. Remember me talking about that stylist that was extremely rude to me and the other new people? Well Karma bit him in the ass! He was in the busted paper back in July for gambling and possession of a gambling device!! Not only that but the boss got onto him for being mean to everyone and he's been a lot nicer. And I'm about to bump up and make more money. I can see the beautiful paychecks already!!