So much news!!

I apologize for my lack of activity on here work tends to take up a lot of my time and whatever time I'm not at work I like to be with Cayle. But here's some exciting news. I am an AUNT!! Kay had her baby!! Kynley Madison Jenkins. 6 lbs 14 oz. 19 inches long. Born November 28 at 3:52 p.m. And she is beautiful! I get to meet her tomorrow but I love her already. And since I no longer claim to having a sister (I'll get to why shortly) this is my first time being an aunt and I am very excited!

Cayle and I are planning a day dedicated to Christmas to try to get into the spirit. December 11th I've decided to have pictures made at JC Penny portrait studio for Christmas. They gave us a $50 gift certificate so I might as well use it right? After our portraits we plan to have Christmas ornaments made. Every year I do a special one for him and one for the 2 of us with our names on them. And if I ever find a good deal on one at Hobby lobby I get him a general Christmas ornament for when he has his own house and tree. So technically he gets 2 a year. Last year I got him a reindeer. This year I would like to find a snowman. And after Christmas this year when everything goes on sale, I plan on stocking up! I'm getting off topic though. After we get home from portraits I plan on making Christmas cookies and doing some crafts together. And that night we are going to Rock City's Enchanted Garden of lights and top it off with a picture with Santa. I'm so excited. Cayle and I really need a special day together. And what better time right? I will definitely post about that. As well as I plan to blog more on my off days so I don't completely drop off the face of the Earth.

Work has been okay. Somewhat slow. After Black Friday (which was a success by the way) we got dead. I'm assuming everyone's waiting to have their hair done for their parties or hoarding money to buy Christmas gifts. I ordered some business cards from Vista Print. I got 250 for $10. Not bad! And they look pretty awesome! I'll post a picture of those as soon as I get them. I haven't had to stay so late yet. We follow Dillard's hours so I am still working my normal schedule, but when it gets closer to Christmas I will have to stay late unfortunately.

Now to the reason why I no longer claim Mandy as my sister. I recently learned from my neighbor that she and her piece of crap husband broke into our house and while no one was here and stole what looked like food, medicine, garbage bags, sodas, and who knows what else? That is pathetic. Breaking into our home and stealing? My mother and sister got into a fist fight several months ago. And haven't spoken to each other since. Mom is calling tomorrow to talk about getting a home security system. I'll be honest with you. That'll be the first thing I get when I have my own house. But aside from breaking in, they don't work, they leech off of my 88 year old grandmother for money, forced her out of her house when they were evicted, took over her car, lie about others to make themselves look good (as if), and did I mention they were alcoholics and smoke marijuana? Yeah I found that one out recently. I don't understand not wanting to give your kids (she has 3) the best possible life. I don't understand not having a work ethic. I don't understand not wanting to better yourself and have goals. It blows my mind. But I no longer claim to being related to them. And tonight at work I talked to several clients about how excited I was about Kay (whom I claim as my sister since we were going to be sister-in-laws at one point..) having her baby and how excited I was to be an aunt. And they all asked if this was my first time being an aunt. I said yes. It disgusts me to say I am related to them..so I won't and Kay will be my sister. Sounds pretty good to me

This is a picture of my beautiful niece! She looks a lot like Kay.

Cayle's professional birthday pictures!

Sorry these are kind of crooked, but these are Cayle's birthday pictures from JC Penny portrait studio. We had more made but I haven't cut them yet. We have a Christmas and a $50 gift certificate! So we can have loads of pictures made! Tomorrow Cayle and I will do some Thanksgiving crafts. I can't wait. This week (and the past few) have been so crazy I don't even know what day it is half of the time as bad as that sounds.

After Black Friday the mall stays open an hour later Monday through Saturday and 2 hours later on Sundays. I am NOT looking forward to that...I'm actually very pissed (sorry for the French) about it to be blunt. Because I work till close every day. I may turn into a Scrooge before it's over lol. But I plan on making the most of the holidays with Cayle. Rock City, crafts, Ornament shopping, and more!

Also I will be sending out Thank You cards for Cayle's party asap!

Cayle's birthday party!

Things couldn't have gone smoother! I was so happy with the rental space, the number of people, and how well everything flowed. There were several people there including My cousins, my grandmother, great aunt, Kay, Courtney, Christina and the babies, Brittany and Samantha, my brother, and parents. Cayle got lots of neat presents mostly cars, but he got board games, a bean bag chair, and a new tricycle! My parents want to get him some new clothes since that's what I told him he needed.

It's so strange to think that he's not a baby anymore. He's a little boy. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for us.

Pumpkin carving, Trick or Treating, and Birthday Stuff

Three days off from work was exactly what I needed. Cayle and I carved pumpkins and went trick or treating, and played together. It was so nice not to have anywhere to go or anything to do. First day back to work was rough. One of my work buddies quit and I didn't get to tell her goodbye. But she deserves to be happy..and you can tell she wasn't.

I've also got everything in order for Cayle's birthday. I finished his blanket I made him. Got all the invites out. Got his gifts. Had our portraits done (which turned out wonderfully!). And got everything else ready. All that's left is to buy food, bake cupcakes, and fill the treat bags!

Also if anyone needs help finding the building or anything please let me know and I will be happy to help!

I've about had it..

I'm under so much stress lately and today I just lost it. Trying to get everything together for Cayle's birthday isn't going well. I may have all the decorations, but I haven't passed out invites, gotten (or figured out) a big gift for him, figured out what to serve, ordered a cake, finished the blanket I'm working on for him, or worked on his scrapbook in MONTHS. It makes me feel like a pile of garbage.

And today was the last straw for me. My grandmother has been staying with us for the past week since she pretty much got booted out of her own home. She lives with my aunt now but wanted to come visit Cayle. But anyways she had the television blaring today when we got up. And she was trying to talk to me about something but I could not hear. So all I said was (and I quote) "I can't hear you over the t.v." I did not raise my voice. I was not grumpy. I was not rude. And for some reason that offended her so she packed up her things and left. Can someone please tell me what the hell I did that was so bad??

I had to drop Cayle off with my mom later that afternoon so I could go on to work. And apparently she had heard my grandmother's side of the story. Which was that I was yelling at her for having the TV up and that she wasn't trying to talk to me. So that pissed me off (pardon my French here..but I'm at a breaking point) and I just left for work and sat in my car until it was time for my shift. I pretty much just broke down and cried..

I know that I am lucky to have a job at a place so successful..but I feel like my schedule there has taken away a lot.. I work the night shift every night. I don't get home until after 9 every night. But I am on a completely opposite schedule as everyone else. I am home alone every day with Cayle. My friends are at work. My family is at work or school. Then when it's time for me to go in, they are coming home. When I get home everyone is in bed or going to bed..along with Cayle. So needless to say..I never see my friends.. barely see my family..barely see Cayle..that's heartbreaking. I've never felt so isolated.

Building clientele is proving difficult. Not only because it's a matter of getting my name out there..but because the walk-in clients are spread so thinly between me and about 3 or 4 others. And it's about to get thinner. Because my boss just hired another girl. I don't know what the hell she is thinking! Everyone's totals are down (meaning the service sales aren't as much as usual for everyone) so why would you hire someone else?? She has me and two others taking walk in appointments. We never have to turn away walk ins from being too busy so what the hell?! Which also translates to me not making more money any time soon which translates to possibly more time living at home..which I'm about over. I need my own space.

With work taking up all my time..my sad pathetic excuse of a room has gotten too messy. I have no time to clean. I'm too tired after work and waking up early to clean isn't exactly easy with how tired I stay. I am so lethargic it blows my mind. I have to pump coffee, tea, and soda into my system just to make it through the day.

I don't know what's wrong with me..I'm irritable, isolated, and unorganized I suppose..

Our annual trip to Rock City's Maze!

Today was my day off which is also our family day. And what a fantastic day is was! The weather was somewhat cool with a cloudy overcast but there was some sunshine here and there. We were some of the only people there. We managed to be lost in the maze for about 30 minutes or so. But it was so fun. I like to let Cayle lead the way. He gets us very lost and somehow we manage to find our way out just as easily. His favorite part was the hayride of course. And painting the "humpkin" as he calls it. Next week is Guthrie's Pumpkin Farm. Can't wait for that adventure!

Disney on Ice!!

I must say it was definitely worth the money! Cayle and I had a blast! I think I was just excited (if not more) as he was. There were pirates, crocodiles, princesses, fire works, music, dancing and more! I got Cayle a souvenir light and coloring book. I kept our tickets for the scrapbook and took over 160 pictures! We will definitely be going back next year. Next week is our trips to the corn mazes and pumpkin patches! Here are some pictures from tonight's show!

On a side note..I think I am going to have to re-think Cayle's large birthday gift from me...but I'm really not sure what to get him. I want it to be special..I don't have much time to think on it, but I just don't see him getting much use out of the battery powered four wheeler. Ideas anyone?