Christmas 2012

What a wonderful Christmas it was. When I left work Christmas Eve, Christmas spirit came over me and all I wanted to do was partake in the festivities. I came home and baked sugar cookies with Cayle for Santa. He really enjoyed that. We watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", read "The Night Before Christmas", and watched "A Christmas Story". It was a wonderful Christmas Eve. After Cayle went to sleep for the night, I set out his Santa gifts. He got mega blocks, a truck toy, a toddler bed set (Disney Cars), and a battery powered four wheeler from Santa. In his stocking I put candy, Hot Wheels, a Bubble Guppies DVD, rubber ducks, crayons, and a Christmas ornament in his stocking. He really enjoyed opening gifts this year. He was all about it! The thing that warmed my heart the most was him saying "Merry Christmas Mommy. I love you so much."

I got Daddy a new grilling spatula. Cayle got him some Gold Toe socks. Cayle and I got mom Bath and Body Works. We got my brother some Hot Wheels (he's collected them for years) and a gift card to iTunes. Everyone was really happy with their gifts from us.

This year I seriously racked up! I am so spoiled and I know it. I got the iPhone 4S, a Pandora bracelet with 8 charms, a new Betsey Johnson purse, gift cards to Starbucks Sephora and iTunes, Bath and Body Works, and movies. Daddy got both Mom and me bracelets from Pandora. And each charm he picked out has a specific meaning. My charm meanings are ..

A music note for my love of music
A purple leopard print charm because purple is my favorite color and I love the print.
A normal leopard print charm for my animal print obsession.
A Fleur Di Lis charm (the French crest) for our trip to New Orleans together.
A baby shoe with a blue stone in it for Cayle.
A jack-o-lantern for my love of Autumn and all it brings.
A princess fairy because Daddy considers me a princess and I love fairies.
And last a charm that says DAD because he is the one to start my bracelet and I am a major Daddy's girl.

It made me so happy that he put so much thought into that bracelet. I think it was my favorite gift.

All in all a very merry Christmas. Here are some pictures from our Day!

Tomorrow I am meeting with a financial adviser with my bank to talk about the steps I need to take in order to qualify for a loan for a new car. So wish me luck! My new car is part of my resolution for the new year!

A day dedicated to Christmas spirit.

Today Cayle and I got up early and went to JC Penney portrait studio and got Christmas portraits done. I am very happy with how they turned out for the most part. There were some I didn't look so fabulous in but Cayle's smile made all the pictures shine. I really enjoy that we can do this kind of thing together as a family. After our portraits, we went to the ornament kiosk and picked out our annual family ornament. Cayle picked out an ornament with a mommy snowman and a baby snowman hanging on to a candy cane. We had our names put on it and Cayle loved it! He held onto it the whole time. I got us some cookies and took him to play for a little while. He was so happy to be able to run around for a little bit. While out shopping I managed to find 2 new shirts. One for the Christmas party at work and one for new years eve. I'm excited about that.

My heart just isn't in the Christmas spirit this year. I'm not quite sure what it is, but I think it has a lot to do with working long hours and not being with my friends or my family. I've missed out on plays, parades, dinners, family get together's, and more. I hate it. But when I'm away from work, I try to do so much with Cayle to make up for what I have missed. I hope some Christmas cheer comes my way Christmas morning when Cayle opens all of his gifts.


I've decided that I'm going to make 2013 a year of bettering myself. I want to take better care of myself. I want to upgrade everything. My car being the main thing. I want an orange Ford Edge. I'm definitely staying true to the saying "If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough". And purchasing something that costs thousands of dollars definitely puts the fear into me. But fear aside, this is part of my 2013 bettering process. Everything in my life that is run down, old, or not as good as it can be I am changing. And it's not just materialistic things (though some of it is) it's more about my mentality, my health, my job, my parenting. Everything that goes with being me and everything that I bring to the table. I want to be the best I can be.
It's all about the things I put my mind to. I've proven to myself that I can do anything...so why should bettering myself and making my life a little easier be any different? 2013 WILL consist of:

1. New Car
2. New duplex/apartment/town home
3. Healthier lifestyle
4. New job with a schedule closer to 9-5
5. Happier outlook
6. A better mom for the best little boy in the world.

Sound like a lot..but bring it on. And in the mean time, I will be doing everything to get into the Christmas spirit...maybe it'll take Christmas morning actually being here and being with the family. But it'll get there. I just need to stay positive right?


Our New Ornament.

The car I WILL get this year. Go Big or Go Home.

Our annual trip to Rock City

I'm trying to do a few different things to get into the Christmas spirit this year. Surprisingly, it's difficult this year. So I bought a gingerbread house for Cayle and me to make. Unfortunately, it was too complicated to put together so I think we'll find a simpler one and put together. Maybe make some gingerbread men and decorate those with the candies I saved from the other.

That night we went to Rock City's Garden of lights. Cayle really enjoyed it this year! He loved to point out all the colors and the different things like the snow flakes and the elves. He really looked forward to seeing Santa. I'm glad we got to go this year! I was scared that work would prevent it from happening.. But somehow I managed to pull it off. Maybe next year I will have a better schedule and we won't have to worry about things like that..

Here are some pictures from our trip!

I've wrapped all of my presents. Got everyone shopped for. I even got Cayle a few more things. I got him a Bubble Guppies DVD, a Christmas ornament, and one of those Melissa and Doug instrument sets. They're all under the tree waiting for Christmas morning. I need to get some stocking stuffers for Cayle and maybe a new brush for mom since hers has mysteriously gone missing. I wonder who took it (sarcasm. It was more than likely my neighbor breaking into houses again). But other than that, everything is good to go.

As far as work goes...I'm about to get really angry and blow my top. The guy at work that I don't like..he belittled me in front of my client the other day. My client liked Patrick's (that's the jackass I work with) haircut and wanted me to create that look. That's no problem. So I simply asked Patrick whether he clipper cut his hair or if he used scissors all over. And his response was "I dunno what does it look like?" And then came over and tried to "teach me" how to cut hair. Honestly, I could've been a barber. I can do a mean men's cut. I didn't need his help. I just wanted to know what he used so I could get the same effect. And that pissed me off. And I said to him after his little "lesson" "All I wanted to know is what you do to your hair. I didn't need that extra" And he walked off. I can cut circles around that prick. And to top it all off..my boss called me in on my day off because I was out sick all weekend. I wouldn't have been out on Sunday but she made me leave. And made it sounded like I partied my ass off all weekend. Nope. I was home. In bed. Sick. She made it sound like I was a no good employee and that I wasn't responsible. And the very thought of Regis makes me blood boil right now. I am at that point where if/when Patrick decides to pop off on me like that again I will say something and I don't give a rat's ass who's around to hear it. And I am NOT going to be nice about it. I've kept it professional for the entire time I've been there. I've kept my negative comments and opinions to myself. But I worked too damn hard to get through college to put up with that crap from someone who doesn't even belong in a hair salon. Call me judgmental, but I don't think straight men need to be doing anything in hair salons other than coming in for a service. Patrick is a womanizer. He is married with 3 kids and has gotten into trouble numerous times for sexual harassment and gambling. I've had women come in telling me that he makes them uncomfortable when he goes as far as to rub their shoulders or something of that nature. He's a piece of work. And honestly, I cannot wait for the next pop off he makes. I am blowing my top. For sure. My boss won't fire him. He's her little pet. And it doesn't surprise me that she stood by and let him talk to me like that the other day. I am at wit's end. And once this loan comes through I am out!

As far as car shopping goes. I've narrowed my choices down to a Honda Pilot or a Chevrolet Equinox. Black, silver, white, or orange in color. I really want an orange one though! With around 30-60 thousand miles on it. Anywhere between 2006-2008 year. Preferably a black or grey interior. With a way to listen to my iPod. I hate the radio. If I go after something I want I go big. And this is what I want and no matter what I have to do. I'm gonna make this happen. I feel like I deserve it. And almost in a way..it'll be like a fresh start. There's a lot of negativity surrounded around my Volvo...fights with Adam.. him trashing the front of it..long drives home from bad nights. You know..that kind of thing. So this fresh start is what I think I need to feel better. I'm going to try and go test drive a few next month or so and see what I like and what I don't like. We'll see..but in the mean time..anything positive is welcome..

So much to think about..

I had to call in to work today because last night I was throwing up, had a fever, sore throat, headaches, body aches. And I had to leave early last night because I felt like crap. I didn't have it in me to go in today. This was my second time in my 6 months of working there that I haven't been there when I was supposed to be there. And you know what my manager had the nerve to say when I told her I wouldn't be able to come in? She said "This tends to happen A LOT on weekends with you Erica. Have a doctor note when you return" And hanged up the phone. Are you kidding me? How many times have I came in for her when she's asked? How many times have a volunteered to stay late when she needed someone? Every. Single. Time. I even worked on my mother's birthday to make up for the first time I called in sick. What does she want me to do? Assuming I was contagious (and I'm not) I would've gotten every client sick and my co workers sick. Is that what she really wants? That's a poor way to handle business if you ask me. Which brings me to a big decision. I am considering leaving Regis Salon for another salon with better hours and better pay. My boss took advantage of me when I told her I was willing to work whatever schedule. I wanted to show her that I have a good work ethic. So she decided to put me on all nights. 3-9 every night. While everyone else has 3 day shifts and 2 night shifts. I get Tuesdays and Thursday off. While everyone else has their days off together. Regis has become very over staffed and it's hard to make the commission. So if I don't make commission I get paid a wage for the hours I worked. So my checks come out to around $400 the 10th and 25th of every month. I went to college for this. I got my degree in this. I can go anywhere and work for minimum wage. That's just kind of stupid.

So with that being said, after the first of the year I am applying for a loan on a new car. I really think that is the best option for me right now. With everything slowly but surely tearing apart on this car I don't see it lasting much longer. Daddy seems to have faith in me as far as purchasing a new car. He thinks that I manage my money well and that my priorities are in order. He says that if I qualify for a loan he will sign the title of my Volvo over to me so I can sell it and put that money with the loan money and get myself something really nice. Which seems pretty ideal right? I hate being embarrassed over what I drive. Not to mention income taxes come in at the beginning of the year (or a little after) so maybe I can pay off a new car completely or close to paying it off.

As far as the hours I work..I feel like not working for a corporation salon and something a little more private I would have better hours. Right now I am working late hours. In a private salon, I would more than likely have Sundays and Mondays off and most of Saturday. And the rest of the week I would be out of there by 6 or 6:30 at the latest. That seems so much more ideal than 9 or 10 at night. I think that would be a little better because then I can be home with Cayle at night. And when he starts school we can be on the same schedule or closer to it. Which seems so ideal!

Now it's just a matter of finding a salon that either does a commission or a wage. NO BOOTH RENT. Booth rent I will basically pay to work. And that really defeats the purpose. I feel like I could do a commission if the salon wasn't over staffed, so I will do some research.

And I have to PRAY that this loan happens sooner rather than later. Banks often look at how long you've been on your job before they will give you a loan. So the plan is to stay with Regis until the loan comes through then I will find something else. And since I don't have a very big clientele I won't be doing myself much damage. Granted, I will miss the clients I do have, but I suppose that's everywhere you go and with every job you have. I will miss the friends I've made while working at Regis but it's not goodbye, it's see you later. I need a better opportunity than what I have now. I guess it's all about finding your fit. And if anyone has some advice about this or an opinion..I'd really love to hear it. I need some help on this one..even though the choice seems obvious.

Getting ready for the holidays.

Today Cayle and I decorated the Christmas tree. He really liked helping this year. He actually kind of knows what Christmas is and he's really excited. For his Christmas I have him a scooter, a story book, some house shoes, lots of hot wheels, a big truck, Charlie Brown's Christmas movie, some rubber ducks, a mega blocks table, a toddler bed set, and a few other little things like some new sippy cups. I will probably continue to pick up little things until Christmas though. It's hard to shop for him when he has so much already!

Next week I am planning for us to go to Rock City and to get our family ornaments made. I want to get him a special one made and one for the both of us for when the day finally comes to move out. I am really looking forward to getting to go to Rock City. We go once a year for the Christmas lights. And I know he will enjoy being with me. This Saturday, I am taking Cayle to the Elf Workshop down at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. My friend who works there got us free tickets! I'm so excited. I'm not exactly sure what's there, but my friend really wants Cayle to see it. So I guess we will see.

Work was so exciting tonight. I had this guy come in and we got to talking while I was cutting his hair and he told me he was a member of this band I really like called deathklok! I had never seen pictures of them (their music is in a tv show on adult swim I watch occasionally) but I couldn't help but be a little star struck! Now I can say that I've done celebrity hair! How awesome! Also, my business cards came in!



I've been thinking a lot about moving out and everything..and I've decided to put moving out on hold and invest in a new car. I don't want to be in a position where my current car gives out on me and I have no means of transportation while I'm out on my own. Granted, a new car can break down, but the chances of that would be slimmer than what they are now. I'm trying to see it as an investment towards moving out. And if I have to I can pick up a third shift a couple nights a week somewhere. I'm up all night anyways. I don't know. I just feel like I should get a new car before I move. I don't see my Volvo lasting forever. My ex fiance trashed the front of it and the check engine light never stays off for more than a week or so. It gets me from point A to B, but I don't see it lasting much longer and I think the safest thing to do would be to get something newer and more reliable. And I've also considered simply skipping renting a place and go straight to buying. I want a town home. It's the perfect size for me and Cayle. 3 bedrooms would be ideal but I would be happy with 2. I really think if I play my cards right I can make it all happen and have exactly what I want out of my life. A new car and a beautiful home are goals right now. And if that means I have to stay at home in order to reach it I guess that won't be so bad. Cayle is happy here..and maybe after I get things up and rolling it won't be too much longer until things are where I want them to be. Only time will tell.