Today is a New Beginning

When I first started my job, I was hoping it would only be temporary. I was going to use it as a foot in the door, while I looked for a job in my field. Well.... almost 4 years later, I'm still at my job and I can honestly say I HATE it. I work in a kitchen washing dishes, doing prep work for cooks, cleaning, and running a till. It's shift work, so there's really early mornings and some into the evening shifts. Every other week I work 7 days in a row and get 2 off. I also work 2 weekends a month. With Hubs being a shift worker as well, we will often go weeks without having a day off together and many days I wont seen him from 4am until 11pm.

Before I get too far into this, yes I do realize its a job when so many people are without one. It does pay pretty decent, and I do get benefits and a pension. I'm not knocking anyone else who does this type of work, because honestly, someone has to do it, and if you enjoy it or need to do it to make ends meet then I'm happy for you. I'm just at a point where I'm not happy with what I'm doing and I need a change. I want to feel like I'm challenging myself and giving back and helping others.

Today I decided to make a change and do something about my unhappiness....I finally decided to take the plunge and sign up for an online medical transcriptionist course. It's a 12 month course, all online (so I can still work full time at my current job) and will hopefully enable me to move more towards I want to be in life. Being a medical transcriptionist will allow me to make even better pay, and a high possibility for being able to work from home. This alone is such a huge incentive. Since Hubs and I want kids and both work shiftwork, daycare bills would be astronomical. Besides what better then to stay at home and raise my own kids, while still being able to work! I start the course tuesday so we shall see how it goes. But right now I'm so excited to be taking a much needed step in the right direction.

Writers Block

For some reason lately I've felt at a stand-still when it comes to blogging. I'm reading all the wonderful posts of fellow bloggers but feel like I have no clue what to write about.

My mom is coming to visit from Sept 13-Oct 3rd. I'm super excited to have her here for 3 weeks! We have a few things planned to do already and I'm sure there will be plenty more fun times planned.

Hubs and I will be camping again next week for 3 days. I'm quite impressed we were able to get out twice in one summer. Also, Hubs will be going to pick up his grandfather's truck after we finish camping. This means our second car will be going up for sale. I'm a little on the fence about owning a truck (gas guzzler, big, etc) however Hubs feels like it will be beneficial when we do yardwork, need to do a dump run, etc (so I guess we will see).

On a positive note, Hubs and I have made huge progress in decluttering our house (not hoarders bad by any means). Our house isn't dirty and filled floor to ceiling. The clutter we have is just stuff we both have kept over the years and furniture that out grew us or doesnt work in our new home. We were able to get rid of a microwave stand, 2 octagonal side tables, and soon a 27inch old style tv.  We've also been able to get rid of boxes from video games, our new blender and a few other things we kept just in case we needed to return the item. Since we're going camping, we've also made a burn box for papers that we intend to burn. It's been such a huge relief getting rid of so much stuff we dont use and dont have a need for. It makes our home feel more spacious and gives us the room to bring in items we do need.

I've also updated my 101 in 1001.

Fat Burger Review

On our last set of days off, Hubs and I decided to venture downtown to do a little shopping. On our way out of the mall we walked past Fat Burger and decided to stop and check it out. Since we aren't downtown to often we thought we would try it out for lunch as we've heard so much about the place since it recently opened.

Their menu isn't too big (for burger options anyway) and I found it kind of confusing on how to order and even read the menu. Hubs and I both ordered the original burger, a side of fries and water to drink (their lunch special that day was a burger and fri combo for $7).

We picked a table (luckily it wasn't very busy as the restaurant isn't very big with just a  handful of tables) and waited for them to bring our food out. The food arrived fairly quick and was hot. Unfortunately, my overall impression of my burger and fries was unimpressive. The fries weren't my favorite (I'd pick fries at other restaurants over these ones) and the burger wasn't very memorable. You get to pick the toppings for your burger (I had mustard, mayo, onions, tomato and lettuce). The burger patty itself was nice and thick and reminded me of a homemade burger, but it just wasn't doing it for me. It was a bit of a let down as I've heard so many good things about Fat Burger. Unfortunately, I don't think Hubs and I will be returning.

Overall, Fat Burger is an ok spot for a quick bite to eat, just don't expect an amazing burger. I have heard the milkshakes are amazing, although we didn't try them. I will give them kudo's for the decor. The restaurant is extremely well decorated and a nice change from the "fast food" look many other burger joints have. According to Hubs, the bathrooms were "cool". So if nothing else, I guess its a great place for a pit stop.

Hi everyone,
  I'm finally done with the 30 Things blog posts and I have to say I think next time I do something like that I'll be combining a few posts into one. Not too much going on around here, just been busy working and keeping up on the house work. Hubs just about has our main bathroom all finished, so proud of him for picking up where our contactor left off after he quite (there will be a separate post and pictures all about this topic in the near future). Right now I've come down with some horrible summer cold in my chest and its such a PITA! Luckily I only work today and tomorrow and I'm done for the weekend so I can relax. An update on my mom..... her last scan has shown no change again so that means the cancer isn't spreading at least. She is doing so well and being so strong for having to deal with all of this. She's planning a trip out to visit Hubs and I hopefully in September!

Also, I just wanted to make a quick note that instead of posting 101 things in 1001 all the time, I decided to make a page for it at the top of my blog. I'll try to mention when I've updated it and you all can go have a look there to see what I've accomplished.

Hope everyone is having a good day and enjoys the last few weeks of summer

Thirty Things- Things you want to be remembered for

#30 on the list of Thirty Things is 10 things you hope to be remembered for.

1. My love of family
2. My love of my close friends
3. My love of baking
4. My love of being a mom
5. My love of being a wife
6. My love of traveling
7. My love of helping others
8. My love of learning
9. My love of Christmas
10. My famous ginger cookie recipe

Thirty Things- What people misunderstand about you

#29 on the list of Thirty Things is what does people misunderstand  most about you?

I'm pretty shy when I first meet people and it takes me time to warm up to them. So I have to say people think I'm often snobby when they first meet me because I'm a little to quiet and dont often initiate conversation. I'm really quite friendly and love to listen to what people have to say. I just often listen more then I talk.

Thirty Things- Love language

#28 on the list of Thirty Things is what is your love language?

I have no clue what the heck this means? So I'm going to say I'm a cuddler and kisser.

Thirty Things- Favorite body part

#27 on the list of Thirty Things is your favorite body part and why?

My favorite body part is my eyes because they change color based on my emotion (so I think). They are more green if I have been crying and more brown when I'm happy, and it looks like there are sunflowers around my iris's.

Thirty Things- Popular notion the world has wrong

#26 on the list of Thirty Things is what popular notice do you think the world has wrong.

I think the world has wrong that we can't all get along. Who cares how someone dresses, talks, what they eat, believe in, what color they are or what language they speak. We all come into this world the same and we all leave it the same.

Thirty Things- Dinner with anyone

#24 on the list of Thirty Things is if you could have dinner with anyone in history who would it be and what would you eat?

If I could have dinner with anyone in the world I would have to say Donald Trump. He is so successful, I'd like to learn some of his secrets of business and making it. As for what we were eating, I'm sure it would be something upscale at a high end restaurant.

Happy Birthday Brother

I want to wish my baby brother a Happy 19th Birthday today. Hope you have lots of fun, be safe and enjoy your day.