Yeah, I'm becoming a domestic diva

Okay, well I'm trying to at least...
I still need to learn how to cook, but I'm getting there. I drool over recipes in Better Homes and Gardens and while watching Barefoot Contessa everyday, so I think the motivation is coming, slowly but surely.

Moving into a larger space has opened lots of opportunity to decorate. I have so many plans in my head, but they all require too much money to be spent to do it all at once, which is really frustrating me...
Again, I'm getting there...

So far, a few of my favorite latest investments have been theses chairs and the beach umbrella.

Den and I chill on these bad boys daily, so long as it's not raining cats and dogs.
[I'm glad to see Summer decided to show up this year.]

I made some decorative floral junk to put on my kitchen cabinets (with my ma's help picking out the flowers). Does having silk flowers in my home make me old? I feel like it does... I've always felt like silk flowers were a cop out, and now they're in my kitchen... Not sure if I'm loving it or not.. We'll see.

On a side note, tell me this dog doesn't crack you up-

We've been to a few concerts here lately for Den's 21st Birthday. One was the Arctic Monkeys and the other was Iron and Wine. They were both a blast.

Here's a picture of the lead singer of Iron and Wine. This man is so outrageously talented, it is unreal.

Anywho. We're going to head out to get some groceries.
Hope everyone's having a lovely weekend. Tootles.

I'll leave you with a photo I took this morning of my favorite plant in the whole wide world.

Life as of late.

So it appears I have neglected the blog lately. I guess not having a desk job does that to me.

Serving at Mimi's has definitely been a new change of pace for me. I like to have a plan and know what to expect in almost every aspect of my life- so in turn I do not love not knowing what I'll make in tips one week compared to the next. That's taking some getting used to, but I have to just take the bad days with the good. Everything has a way of balancing out in the end.

Our lease at our current apartment is up this month, so we're trying to find a home to rent by May 1st. It's a bit of a daunting task. We want something cosy, reliable, and has a backyard for a decent price. Preferably in or close to Murray, as well. If anyone knows of something that may work, let me know!

April 10th was mine and Denver's three year anniversary. :) It was a great day. We went for a yummy breakfast at Mimi's, then took the mutt to a marsh of a field to play some very muddy fetch. For dinner we went to a brewery called The Bohemian. They have some very unique and tasty dishes, so despite the semi steep prices, it's worth the experience! Check it out. WE had a great time. The next morning we went for coffee at The Greenhouse Effect and played a card game of true/false questions. I guessed nearly all of them right and Denver guessed nearly all of them wrong. He grew quite frustrated very quickly. I've always been a good guesser, though.

Other than that, all in life is swell. We're getting a decent tax return back, so we're debating on whether to put it towards:
-a deposit on the home we hopefully find for next month
-a down payment on a car for yours truly. My '94 Sentra's not going to last me too much longer..
-save it for my upcoming tuition costs for school next semseter..

So many possibilities. I just wish my tax return was enough for it all.

I have quite the container garden on my patio right now consisting of a variety of exotic flowers, radishes, lavender and basil. More to come soon once the farmer's market kicks back into gear. I have 10 potted plants thriving right now with 4 more pots to use and plenty more space for new ones after that. :) I can't wait until I have my own home to garden like crazy in.

Anywho.
There's a minor summary of life as of late.
I obviously haven't been in too much of a mood to write, lately.
My apologies.

Hope everyone is enjoying Spring as much as I am.

tootles.

I'm kind of pathetic.

So, I’m pretty much ridiculous. 

Today I had orientation for my new job at Mimi’s. First of all- I was so nervous that I was mentally and physically preparing all morning when it didn’t start until 3pm. I watched a good many episodes of Grey’s Anatomy to distract myself in the meantime (Season 5 finale is a massive tearjerker no matter the number of times you’ve seen it..).  By the time I anxiously left I wondered if I’d been told 3 or 3:30, and assumed better safe than sorry (twas too embarrassed to just call and ask…). Of course once the manager greeted me she informed me I was 40 minutes early. Typical Carrie.. We eventually went back to a vacant table where she gave me a brief history of the company.  This drove me a little crazy seeing as I’d already researched all of this and would have preferred to be able to relay it to her and show off my wit and determination- but oh well. I sat there and pretended I was hearing most of it for the first time, which is typically a very hard thing for me to do. I’m very stubborn, you see. Anywho. Kiera, the manager, continued to go over the employee handbook and expectations and what not. It was all very routine and non-intimidating.  You would think I’d be calm and content, having already landed the job and am only familiarizing myself with it now. Nope. My jaw’s ten times worse now than it was before the 40-minute meeting. When I’m crazy stupid nervous my jaw locks up. I don’t know if I clench my teeth or what, but it’s horrible. I don’t understand at all why I was so nervous during this silly meeting. My hands were sweating profusely- my lip started to twitch- and I have this awful urge to tear up when I’m nervous and the only thing I’ve found that helps is drinking water-more of a distraction- in the midst of it. Thank God they’d provided me with a glass of water before we started.. If only it’d been a mimosa or something containing alcohol- maybe I would have come off as less of a freak. I’m extremely curious to know what their impressions were of me..  I sell myself short when it comes to first impressions. I’m always too nervous to possibly make it good..

I got to meet McKay- my trainer-to-be. (I have no idea if that’s how it’s spelled.) He seems really cool. I’m excited to train with him. He’s a robust and obviously flamboyant character and claims he has more regulars than anyone else there, so I hope I’m in good hands. I made it painfully clear to him that I’ll be more fun to hang around with when I freaking relax the new job nerves. Not sure if that did more harm than good..

All in all- I really need this job. I need to learn to relax and how to think on my feet. I need to gain more confidence in myself and my abilities. I know they’re profound- exquisite even- yeah- I said exquisite- but I need to learn how to show that off on command- not solely once I’m comfortable in a situation. I think this job is going to teach me a lot- and even though I’m betting that I’ll cry in my first week of serving, I can’t wait for the opportunity to better myself in so many ways that an office job cannot.

Screw Marquette- these people seem awesome and I cannot wait to start.

It’s a good sign when I don’t care that I’ll be working Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.