A New Year

I am looking forward to starting a new year. Though 2008 was a good one I am looking forward to all of the new, exciting, and good things 2009 hopefully has to offer me and my loved ones.

Tonight, Brian and I will be bringing in the new year with our friends

Erika & Steve. The four of us are going out to a nice dinner and then we are going back to their house for dessert, drinks, and fun.

As the new year approaches I have been thinking about what my New Year's resolution should be. So i took this little quiz and it was sooooo dead on...

You Should Make 3 Resolutions

Lose Weight Save Money Reduce Stress Overall

What Should You Resolve to Change Next Year?

Those are the things that I want to change for 2009. Especially save money and lose weight... and reduce stress and anxiety, lol...

What do you want to change in 09?

The Perfect Prank

So i was feeling silly the other day and I thought it would be funny to pull a prank on Brian... He got in the shower the other day and i waited for him to be in for about a good 2 minutes... I went to the kitchen got a freezing cold cup of water and through it over the shower curtain.. Brian yelled and I rolled to the floor laughing!!! He found it funny that I found it soooo funny and started laughing too.... I just feel that for at least the next week I'll shower with the door locked, lol..

So i called my friend Erika and told her what I had done.. Since she thought it was soooo funny too she decided to do the same thing to her hubby the next time he got in the shower... So she waited for her hubbto get in the shower.... Filled up a tall glass with cold water, But since they don't have a shower curtain she slid open the shower door and boom; through the cold water on his back... She too fell to the floor laughing... so her hubby started laughing as well.. I guess we are with men that are good sports... LOL.... I also advised her to shower with a locked door... Cause we all know payback's a bitch, lol.....

Ever pull a prank on someone???

Meetin The Baby

I met Ava today!! isn't she just too precious??

I love her sooo much!! She has such soft skin, and beautiful soft hair, and smells soooo great!! She is such a good baby! I wish my cousin and her husband lots of luck and happiness with their new bundle of joy!!

Merry Christmas

Wishing all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas.. I hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday!! Enjoy the day with your friends & families..

Holidays

So this holiday season has me very excited! I am so looking forward to a much needed and much deserved break from work!!

So.. today I am off to work for about a half day of training at the hospital.. Things are going great! I had a much better day yesterday. I got to interact with the kids and really started to settle in(a lil).

After work I have to go home and pack up the presents ansome clothes and then run just a few errands before I head to my mom's house for dinner. My brother Chris and his wife Heather are in Jersey from Baltimore for the holidays!! I am looking forward to spending time with them and my Mommy!! we will have dinner at my mom's house and then all spend the night and wake up together Christmas morning....

Usually Christmas Day we all (my mom, brother, Heather, my grandparents and I go to my aunt's house and have dinner with my cousins). But since my cousin Andrea just had a baby and isn't scheduled to come home from the hospital until today we have decided to stay home this year and have a quiet dinner... I am looking forward to this.. It's going to be nice to not have to rush around and get ready to leave.. I'll be able to hang around in my PJ's and chill on the couch for a good part of the morning!!

After my house I go to Brian's parents house for a 2nd dinner/dessert and celebration with his family..

And then comes my favorite part....... Brian and I go back to our place and exchange presents late night, sit by the tree, and watch movies and just enjoy being together.. It's almost like our own personal Christmas Celebration!!! It's kinda of a tradition... and I love traditions...

Merry Christmas Eve to all!!!!

What do you have planned this holiday season?

Welcome to The World

My cousin Andrea had her 1st baby yesterday.... I would love to introduce

you to Ava Elizabeth born on December 22, 2008 @ 12:41 am weighing in at 6 lbs 7 oz..... Baby and my mom are doing great!!!

On another note, I've was soo busy yesterday... and today I'm going to another psych hosptial to observe 2 other teachers.... I apologize if I've been or will be MIA from commenting.. It's just going to take me some getting used to with my new schedule!!! But i have been and will be reading.. Hopefully i'll get on a new schedule quick.. and Hopefully my new lil cousin will get on a schedule for her mom and dad...

And it went.....

My first day went ok, as expected i guess.. I didn't love it!!

but who loves change!!!??? I assumed I wouldn't loooove it my 1st day...

The people seem very, very nice.. My supervisor is a McDreamy, lol...

No seriously.. Seriously!!!

I didn't interact with the kids today, just saw them from a far and heard some screaming.... We'll see...

Tomorrow I am going to another psych hospital about an hour away to observe to other teachers so I should get some good insight!!!

***BIG SIGH*** LONG DAY...............

I see lots of vodka and wine in my future.....

Training Day

Right now it's 5:45 am and I'm about to get in the shower and get ready for my first day of training at the new job. This week I have to work monday, tuesday, and wednesday and then I don't officially start with the kids until right after the New Year!! So it's going to be kinda nice to get a little Vacay before starting the new job... I will be back later to tell you how it went.. I'm feeling mixed emotions.. But i'm actually not as nervous as I thought I'd be... I'll probably be more nervous when I start with the kids!! Today should be fun, getting to meet people, see the facilities, and just the basics of the everyday job!! wish me luck.. and let's hope I'm

just as happy at 4 pm!!

Have a great day!!

Saturday To Do List

I have a very busy morning ahead of me. Check it out:

~Make the bed

~Put away clean laundry

~Wash the dishes

~Clean the bathroom

~Go to the bank

~Go to the foodstore

~Go to the post office

~Donate toys for Toys for Toys

~Drop off a Christmas present

~Make a spinach & artichoke dip & salad for my Christmas party w/ friends tonight

And be done, showered, dressed, and ready for 1:45 pm....And I was wondering why I was up at 6:30 am on a saturday morning.. Hmmmmm..

What do you have on your agenda today?

My Final Bow

Today is my final day of work at the School! I am having such mixed emtions.. It's funny cause I bitched while i was there and now I'm feeling sad. I'll miss my kids sooo much, even though they were pains at times! It's more of a bittersweet feeling I guess...

I am so nervous to start my training on Monday! I hope it all goes well!

Kids Are Funny

Why you should always check your children's drawings.....

My Resignation Letter

Here is my resignation letter... what do you think?

Dear "Bosses,"

The time has come for me to move into a different stage of my professional life. Thank you for the opportunities for professional and personal development that you have provided me during the last 3 1/2 years. My time at *** provided me with a chance to learn from the other great teachers within the school and the opportunity to teach such wonderful children.

I have really enjoyed working for both of you over the years and this is why it was an extremely hard decision for me to make. I find myself in a position where I must move on to be able to grow both personally and professionally. Friday, December 19, 2008 will be my last day as your Kindergarten Teacher.

Please understand that if there was more time for me to stay, I would. Unfortunately the offer was made, and had to be accepted with a January 2009 start date.

I wish you both continued success and good fortune with *** School. I trust that I will embark on this next stage of my career with your blessing, and well wishes. I hope that I may have the pleasure to work with you again in the future.

Sincerely,

Dana

And it All Comes Out

So like I said yesterday.... I've been a little secretive about a few things lately because I wasn't sure who was and who wasn't reading my blog. Some of you may already know this because of our

DM messages on Twitter... But for those of you that do not... I quit my job yesterday because I interviewd and received a new job

that is set to start in January!!

It is a great opportunity for me, especially in todays economy where people are having a difficult time finding work. Back in September I got a phone call from this woman who said she came across my resume on Monster and asked if I was still interested in a teaching position with a local hosptial by my house teaching children between the ages of 5 and 17 that have mental and behavioral disorders. So for the hell of it I said sure! And right then and there she set up a phone interview for the next day... A week later they set up another phone interview and it too went great... I hadn't heard anything in about 2 weeks but sure enough I got a phone call asking if they could set up a 3rd and final in-person interview.. I was very excited, never did I think it would have gotten this far...

You see, I was 1 out of 50 that were intitally interviewd....And then I was

1 out of 10 that got a 1 on 1 interview. So I went, the interview lasted 2 hours and it seemed to go great... But again, I didn't hear anything for about 1 month so I assumed I just didn't get it...

Sure enough I got a phone call with an official offer! And this is where the stress begins.. I kept thinking how am i going to leave my students, students that love and admire me. Students that love being in my class, students that are sad when I'm out for the day! I felt like such a bad person, like such a bad teacher... And then I thought about my friends at work and my bosses and how I love everyone.. And I thought about how comfortable I am there... And that's when it hit me! I can't stay at a job just because I'm comfortable. And just because I'm scared to go somewhere new.

So yesterday i told my bosses that this would be my last week of work. I have a 2 week Winter Break coming up so I was fortunate enough to leave them with 3 weeks notice. It just all happened so quickly. I was so upset when telling them I sobbed... I sobbed because I really want to stay even though I know I can't!

There are a million reasons for me not to take the job! But when it comes down to it there are only 2 reasons for me to take it. 1. It's double then what I'm making now and 2. Health benefits... So I've realized the time has come for me to move into a different stage of my professional life no matter how scary and anxious I feel. No matter how much I want to cry and hide in my comfort zone. It's somthing I have to do to grow both in my professional and personal life.

I have really enjoyed working at my school and that's why it was an extremely hard decision for me to make. So now I have some big changes coming up in my life and I just hope I have made the right decision. I'm sure I'll have many tears the first few weeks and I'm sure I'll need you all to lean on! I'll need you to listen and ask for your advice...

The Hardest Thing

Every now and then, in life, we need to do things we don't like to do. And today I need to do something that I really, really am not going to like to do! But I know I have to.I have so many mixed emotions.. Happiness, saddness,eager, anxious.. You name it - I'm feeling it.

I know I have been a little secretive the past 2 months or so but this week everything will all come out! It's really nothing bad so don't worry... Some of you may even say not to be stressed. But we all cope with things in a different manner....

Maybe you can give me some guidance. How do you cope with extreme stress? Have you ever had to do something that was really difficult for you?

I'm too stressed to write... I'll be back later and let you know

what's going on!!

My To Do List

Here is my To Do List for today:

~Go back to Banana Republic to have a sensor removed from a pair of jeans I bought because the dummy forgot to take it off!! Even after we tried to leave and beeped loud when walking through the door. We told her to double and triple check cause we didn't want to leave with a sensor n the clothes.. She insisted it was a "soft sensor, yeah right." Thanks a lot lady!!

~Do Laundry

~Continue with my Christmas Shopping

~Continue wrapping presents

~Go to the bank

~Go to our friend James' wedding

What are you doing today?

Christmas Movie Quiz

Your Christmas is Most Like: Miracle on 34th Street

Sweet and caring, Christmas is about helping for you. While Santa may not exist, you try to share his spirit.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

I'm No Scrooge

So i feel pretty good about 2 things I'm doing this holiday season.

The first thing I am doing is holding a Toy Drive at school. I have been collecting new toys and books for childen between the ages of 2 and 6. I am then donating most of the Toys to a local Police Station that has a Toys for Tots drive.. I am then taking a few of the toys and donating them to a family that has a 2 year old boy and is in need. I have picked out a few presents and wrapped them so the little boy will have something to open Christmas day.. It really does feel so good donatiing and helping others. Especially during the holiday season.

The next good deed I put together was a food and toiletry collection for the Troops overseas in Iraq. A good friend of ours(Brian and I) husband is stationed over in Iraq for the 3rd time. And I guess, unfortunately, after being over there 3 times has made the novelty wear off. He isn't getting many packages, letters, or even email.

So what I did is this: I held a collection at school and also donated items.. Such as cookies, candy, deodorant,toothpaste, coffee, etc and have put together two big care packages for him. My class, along with the entire school have made pictures and holiday cards for him. I'm hoping that this makes his stay over the holidays a little brighter....

I know it's made me feel a little brighter doing these good deeds... I hope many lives will be touched this holiday season and made just a little better from the things I have done... One can only hope!

Rip Off Rant

Ya know what I hate? When catalogs and websites portray some of their products better then they really are.... I am a little aggravated about this.

I have been doing a bit of online shopping because I'm getting some great deals, actually a lot better then in the stores. And during the holiday season tons of stores and catalogs offer free shipping which I love!!

What I don't love is the fact that sometimes you see something online and it looks big and beautiful and when you order it you expect to receive the the big and beautiful item.

But that's not the case over here at my house. I got home from work yesterday happy to see to packages sitting on the front steps. I opened the 1st package and was quite happy with the gift I had ordered for Brian's sister... I wasn't so happy with the other box I opened (and I can't really say what it is just incase this person is reading my blog, lol)... I was so disappointed to see the the item was small, less brillant in color, and still cost the same as the big, beautiful object online.... Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice...never gonna happen!!!

25 Christmas Things About Me

I too borrowed this from Lori beacause I thought it would be fun to do during this festive Holiday Season... Feel free to grab this and post it on your blog!! It was a lot fun and really got my brain

thinking about Christmas!!!

Welcome to the Holiday edition of 25 Things About Me.Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy this entire post and paste into a new post. Then change all the answers so that they apply to you.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper most def! Each year it takes me the longest time to pick out the perfect paper. It's kinda my own personal ritual. And I wrap all the presents in the same paper!!

2. Real tree or Artificial? I always grew up with a real tree... But this year it will be fake just because our place is small and it's easier!! But when we get a biiger place you can bet your bottom I'll have a real tree every year! I just like them better!!!

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving!

4. When do you take the tree down? About a week after New Years!! I hate taking down the tree. It makes me sad!!

5. Do you like eggnog? I like it.. but it's not something I drink and look for every holiday season. If it's around I'll have a glass!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Every single year I would look forward to getting a new doll... It was usually something I saw at the fancy doll shop when I was growing up or it was a surprise doll. But I looked forward every year to my new doll and adding it to my collection. I still have all of them and hope to have a daughter to pass them on to!!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Brian's parents.....

8. Easiest person to buy for? Brian, hands down

9. Do you have a nativity scene? NO....

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I mail mine..That is if I have the time to get them out... I bought them early this year and was ahead of the game!!!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A used candle...

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story... Especially when the play it for 24 hours straight!!!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I start putting together a list around the end of October and if I have time I start shopping early.. This year i was too crazed to start shopping until December....

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Shrimp Cocktail, Stuffed Artichoke's, and my mom's Apple Pie.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, white lights... when I was little I always wanted colored lights on my tree.. but now as I'm older Brian and I love white lights...

17. Favorite Christmas Song? I too like Santa Baby and Jingle Bell Rock.. Heck.. I love Christmas Songs... They give me holiday cheer...

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I usually do Christmas Eve and my Mom's house and then Christmas Day at my Aunt's and then go to Brian's Parent's House for Coffee and Dessert... Then Brian and I go back to our house to exchange gifts and watch movies!!!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dancer, Dasher, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid Donder and Blitzen... I got them online.. heehee....

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? This year I think we're doing an angel!

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Day with my family and Christmas Night with Brian and his family!!!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People that get so crazed and obsessed with shopping...The knock in to you and grab things and are just so pushy.. I feel it defeats the purpose of peace and happiness..

23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? Umm.... I love all of my mom's ornaments.. but she has this teeny, tiny stocking ornament that my great grandmother made for me when I was born.. my entire family has one and we hang them on the tree....

24. Favorite thing for Christmas dinner? Prime Rib and Shrimp!!!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I would like gift certificates to Coach so I can purchase the bag I want!! Also I want new Uggs and perfume!! I like surprise too.. But I'm not picky!!!!!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I hope I'm not too late! And I hope you get this letter in time! I love this time of year and I look forward to your visit on Christmas Eve. I have been a good girl this year! In fact, I have been a great girl that has been through good and bad and handled some ups and downs!!!

This year I would like COACH ERGO METALLIC PLEATED FRAME SATCHEL in Silver/Platinum.

And to go with the bag I'd love SOHO PIECED WAVE ACCORDION ZIP AROUND

I would also like new Classic Tall Uggs in Black!

And the Banana Republic Wool Trenchcoat in Cream.

Now Santa, I don't expect to get all of this fun stuff, it's just my wish list! But anything will do!!! Sweaters, books, perfume, earrings, anything!!! Looking forward to Christmas!!!!

And hey, get some rest....

You're going to busy these next few weeks!!!

xoxo

PS - What are you hoping for these Holiday Season?

Light & Easy

I saw this over at Lori's Blog and i thought it was cute!! And it helps my brain stay light and easy, lol....

What Dana Means

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Stressed, Emotional Mess

I am finding myself a stressed, emotional mess lately! Did you ever feel lost? Or Feel like you were drowning and barely able to come up for air? That's how I feel recently!!

I have insomnia which isn't helping with the situation! I find myself sitting up at night thinking about the things I have to do! Doesn't God know this isn't good for a girl with crazy anxiety issues!!! Sheesh.....

And to top it all off, me, the Christmas Queen.. Queen of getting it all done early.. Queen of always getting the perfect gifts, hasn't done a thing.. Well only 1 thing.. Usually I'm done by now!! I've just had so much on my plate right now.... I've been thinking about what to do and what to get but I'm blank... Hopefully the gift Gods can come down and help me out this year!! Maybe after Brian and I put up our Christmas tree this weekend I'll feel better.. Cause I love Christmas and being in a Jolly Good Mood!!!

The Black & White Cookie Controversy

Yesterday after I got out of work I headed right to the foodstore. I've been needing to go ever since we got back from vacation last week. I had a medium size list so I grabbed a cart and went on my way. I picked up some fresh salad and veggies and some nice Gala Apples. After that I made my way to the Bakery Section to pick up some Black & White Mini Cookies for Brian.

After that I went to get some Italian Salad dressing cause we were all out. So as I made my way I noticed a couple(in their mid to late 30's) blocking the entrance to the aisle. So I politely waited as I browsed the seafood section to see if there was anything I was interested in. As I saw them move out of the way I reached for my dressing as the MAN said, "excuse me, where did you get those cookies? They look awesome!" I replied, (not really even paying attention as I tried to pick which dressing I really wanted) "you can find them in the corner of the bakery all the way in the back." And those were the only words exchanged. It was a 5 second conversation and that's it. After, he went on his way!!!

At this point his wife or girlfriend was half way down the aisle. After I picked out my dressing I continued down the aisle so i could get pickles. Once again the WOMAN was blocking the enitre aisle cart on one side and some sort of display on the other. I politely said excuse me and got a response that I never thought I would have gotten.

The WOMAN turned around and said, Fu*k you, I'm not moving for you bitch, you can go the Fu*k around the other aisle if you want to get by!!

I KID YOU NOT!!!!! I thought I was crazy and that my ears were playing a trick on me so I said "excuse me!!!!" She said, "you heard me bitch! You can go the Fu*k around if you want to get by!"

So, as she moved away from her cart to get something I slammed my shopping cart right in to hers to move it out of the way!! What a scene, LOL... Maybe it wasn't the right way to handle the situation, but I figured it was better then slapping her in the face which is what i really, really wanted to do! My blood was boiling, my blood pressure must have been through the roof!!! She was so shocked I slammed her cart, but hey I got around her!!

As I started to calm down I made my way a few aisles down! Now, I was stopped in the baking aisle when the WOMAN must have not recognized me from behind because I heard, "excuse me can I just grab something by?" As I turned around she saw it was me and said, "Oh Shit" I guess I'm going to have to wait now, huh?!?" Her boyrfriend started in saying stuff like how I shouldn't move for her because she was a bitch to me and so on and so on...... So i planted myself in that spot and didn't budge until I was done!!! It was seriously something you'd see in a movie!!

I mean do real people really act like that??? I was so embarrassed for her.. I mean what a low class thing to do.

Now, my feeling is that I'm guessing she was mad that her boyfriend, husband, or whatever he was asked me about the cookies and made small talk...Right? I mean what else could it have been??

The rest of my shopping experience was met with awful stares and nasty remarks.. I just ignored them and finished up!!!

It's always something isn't it?

Wordless Wednesday

Why I Love the Month of December

Here are the oh so many reasons why I just love the month of December!!!

Here are just a few of the reasons i love December and this time of year...

~Kisses under mistletoe

~Buying presents for the people I love

~Annual Christmas Parties with friends

~Vacation from work

~A steamy cup of coffee on a cold morning

~Decorating for the Holiday

~Putting up the Christmas Tree

~Spending time with family

~Opening presents with Brian on Christmas Night

~Drinking hot chocolate on cold nights

~Celebrating the end of a good year

~Flannel PJ's

~Wearing mittens and scarves

Cuddling up a the couch under a fleece blanket

~Warm winter sweaters

~Reading holiday stories to my kids

~Rosy Cheeks

~Christmas Music

~Old Christmas Movies

~Good Sales

What do you love about the month of December?

Our Trip to Vegas

So our trip to Vegas was so unbelievable I don't even know where to begin!

Brian and I had such a great time - a fun time was really had by all...

We ate some of the greatest food at some of the best restaurants and went to some amazing clubs and lounges.. I seriously drank champagne the whole entire trip.... It was awesome... Did I already say that our trip was awesome? Well,it was..

While we were there we also saw this fun Topless Vampire Show called Bite, It was a lil low budget, but we enjoyed it and had fun!!! We also rented a Hummer and took a trip to see the Hoover Damn. It was amazing to see.. It was neat cause if you don't know, The Hoover Damn is on the Nevada/Arizona Border which happens to be in different time zones.. So we took a picture where Brian was standing in Nevada @ 2:00 pm and I was standing in Arizona @ 1:00 pm.. It was cool...

Check out some of our pics.......Let me know what you think!

On the plane
Outside of the Wynn

At Bite



Dinner outside at Lamborghini Las Vegas

At the Hoover Damn: Nevada/Arizona Border

Hoover Damn

Partying @ The Palazzo Casino

The Bellagio Fountain Water Show @ Night

Paris: The Eiffel Tower @ Night

Dinner @ Wing Li at The Wynn

Our Hotel: The Palazzo

Paris

Top of The Eiffel Tower

Outside of Bellagio

Outside of Caesars Palace

Ghost Bar @ The Palms

Dinner @ Alize at the Top of The Palms

Check out my friend's album if you feel like seeing some more of the pictures from our trip!!
Snapfish:Photo:Shared