Well, I did my part to support consumerism in America this past weekend.  I went shopping.  =o)  Although I think I'm taking this whole shopping thing way too far.  For instance... we were in Best Buy... Hubinator and I, and in every direction I turned I wanted something.  I bought the new Pink cd and that was okay.  But then we started going near the computers and I said I needed a bigger and better one.  Then we drifted towards the monitors and a nice 19", flat screen caught my eye.  It was as if it glittered like a diamond!  I needed that monitor.  I applied self control and moved on to the software.  I searched for a copy of Paint Shop Pro.  Could it be possible to actually own my very own copy of PSP as opposed to downloading the trial version and AH-date-cracking-HEM it?!  They didn't have any in stock and even if they had it would have been too expensive.  So then we made our way down the DVD isle and I mentioned to Dwayne that watching a DVD IS better than a regular video.  He didn't buy it.  Nor did he buy it.  Oh, and before that we had spotted the digital cameras, of which I coveted each and every one.  Then my butt gravitated over to the nice soft leather desk chairs.

But in the end I left Best Buy with one measly little lonely cd.  But that was just Best Buy.  I won't mention all the other stores we visited this past weekend!

I only spent $12 bucks at the Christmas Tree Shop and then another $7 at Target.  And that's it!  Shari and I had a girl's day of shopping today and had fun!  Although last night I went shopping too and spent about $65 bucks buying one and a half outfits.  It was time for clothes.  Poor Dwayne.

Okay this is fun... only if people play along though... go here and take the typing test.  Dwayne and I spent about an hour trying to out-do eachother.  But my best score was 73 words per minute with one mistake, his was 47 words per minute with one mistake.  And I even have long nails!!!  But anyways, if you take the test make sure you email me to let me know your score!  It's just for fun!  Come on!

I was compelled to buy the new Creed cd today.  My boss almost made me because I mentioned wanting it and she goes, "Oh, if you're going to buy it could you pick one up for me too?"  And hey, when your boss wants a cd you must comply with her request.  I had no choice really.  Even though Dwayne banned me from buying any more cd's this week because I've already spent too much money, I had to take a trip to Best Buy at lunchtime and get 2 copies of the cd.  One for my boss and another for me... it was calling my name... as soon as I walked in it was on the first shelf I came to.  It practically had my name written all over it.

So yeah, I have the new Creed cd and I think I might like it.  It's quite a bit heavier than the music I'm used to listening to (Michael Jackson and country music!) but the lyrics aren't bad or anything.  And Darren told me that they used to be a christian group... well, they must be okay then right?  So anyways...

In nostril news today... I have been playing with my nose ring all day and I know I'm not supposed to.  I'm not supposed to even touch it but the bead keeps moving all around and sometimes I feel it lying against my nostril and it bothers me.  I'll have an easier time when I go back and get it replaced with a small stud.  And a small stud will look better in my nose... well, depending on how cute he is.  Ha ha ha, he he he, ho ho ho, I'm so funny.

My husband...

~ enthusiastically sat next to me for 45 minutes while I was getting my nails done
~ always listens to me when I tell him that I need to eat chicken
~ usually lets me pick out the movie
~ always does the laundry because it's too heavy for me to carry
~ even though he wanted to see it, offered to leave with me when "Lord of the Rings" was too much for me to handle
~ changed my sister's bandages when she had an operation on her ankle because no one else's stomach could handle it
~ loves me unconditionally
~ gives me lots of foot massages, and not the lazy kind but the 5 step cleansing and moisturizing kind
~ brings me flowers at work quite often
~ makes all the other men in my office look bad
~ always forgives me
~ makes the bed every morning
~ loves my family as if he were born into it
~ lets me shop alot
~ says I'm flawless even though he knows better  =o)
~ still opens doors for me
~ must be an angel
~ !

I had a weird dream the other night.  There was a man there with big hair.  And I don't remember much more than that.  Oh I remember that I was in some kind of school, taking some kind of classes, and I chose to learn Spanish over French because I thought it sounded better.  And the man with big hair kept wanting me to take a nap with him.  Completely innocent.  Just wanted me to sleep.  Weird.  That dream was random.

My nose is healing nicely... well, so far so good anyways.  I'm very careful to keep it nice and clean.  I would be very sad if it got infected and I had to take it out.  Although I must admit, the negative reactions I have gotten really bother me.  I am used to being thought of as the girl with her head on straight, the good girl, you know...  I think I took some people by surprise.  Not sure how I feel about that.  But it's my face, my nose, my nostril, and I really do like it alot!

So last night Dwayne had to go somewhere after work and I had the night to myself.  I ate ice cream and popcorn for supper.  Good eating habits huh?  I also went online to chat for a little bit and I talked to two sisters, two nieces, one mother, and two friends.  That's alot of conversations to keep up with!  I then got offline and talked with my friend Shari for like an hour and a half on the phone.  And then I began watching a Lifetime movie.  (Dwayne ended up coming home in the middle of the movie and decided that although he hadn't seen the first hour of it, he needed to know what was going on so he could follow the rest of it.)  That is like the perfect girl's night alone.  That's what girls are all about.  Hehehe!

I don't much care for the negative responses I have gotten towards my piercing.  I guess that is to be expected.  Some people really like it and other people really dislike it.  I guess what's important is if I like it and if Dwayne likes it.  And we both love it.  I don't think it looks gaudy or gothic or anything dramatic.  I think it's kinda cute.  To each their own I suppose.

Tonight Hubby and I went to see "Lord of the Rings".  Well, we saw part of it anyways.  I just couldn't sit through that movie.  It was really bothering me.  It was too evil and yucky and dark and scary and ...  Yeah, I didn't like it.  And that's putting it mildly.  Because I don't EVER remember a time when I walked out of a movie theater as a result of not enjoying the movie enough.  I mean, I even stayed for "Vanilla Sky" until the end and that was a very bad movie.  But "Lord of the Rings" was oozing with evil and I didn't like that at all.  Movies like that give me nightmares.  I'm a sensitive girl you know.

Everyone seems to be coveting a man like mine lately.  I know it's hard for some girls to imagine a husband that is warm and caring and spoils you rotten.  I'll have to admit, I'm even envious of myself when it comes to Dwayne.  He is definitely one of a kind and I am beyond blessed to have him in my life.  I do take him for granted sometimes and I shouldn't because he is so good to me.  I really do appreciate him and wonder why me... why do I have such a great man?  There is no answer for that question I suppose.  I just need to be thankful to God for him... and I am.  Big time!

I did something completely out of character, crazy, brave, freeing, totally unexpected, even though I've been wanting to I didn't think I'd do it... I got my nose pierced tonight.  Wow.  Lots of anxiety and nervousness and fear as I was walking up the street towards the piercing place.

This is what happened... I have been talking about it for a long time.  I have been dreaming of having it done for at least a year.  But I came up with too many excuses not to... what if I'm too old (31), what is everyone going to think of me, what if it doesn't look good on me, what if it hurts, what if it gets infected, what if what if what if.  But today I came home from work, called Dwayne (because he was still at work) and said, "Honey when are you coming home?  Because I think I'm ready to get my nose pierced."  His response... "Right now, I'll be there in a couple minutes."

So we headed to the place that was recommended to me by a waitress at the restaurant we went to last night.  We found a parking spot, only took a couple of trips around the block to find one, and headed up.  The man's name was Larry and he was heavily pierced himself.  But he was very friendly and encouraging and made things go very quickly.  Slow enough to explain everything he was doing and fast enough so that I didn't change my mind while I was waiting. 

He pierced my left nostril with a ring instead of a stud.  He explained that there is less risk of infection with a ring because what you're supposed to do is clean the ring thoroughly and then twist it through the hole several times.  This allows the inside to become disinfected, which is harder to do with a stud.  I can go back in 3 weeks to have the ring replaced by a stud if that is what I prefer.  I'm not sure yet what I prefer.

It hurt folks.  I didn't cry or even cry out.  I was a brave little girl!  But it did hurt somewhat.  But actually not as bad as I thought it would now that I think about it.  The thing is... I got almost an instant head ache.  I think that came about from the anticipation of getting it done combined with the small amount of pain I was experiencing.  I'm fine and it was a very simple process.  I just hope I can take care of it the way he explained so that it never gets infected and I never have to take it out.  Because I'm not sure I'd want to go through all that anxiety again.

But Larry was cool and I felt confident he knew exactly what he was doing.  And he was very gentle.

Dwayne really likes it alot and I do too.  I feel proud of myself for going for it... for being adventurous... for overcoming my fears about the whole thing... it is a very freeing feeling.  Once it heals a little more I'll post a picture!

If you have never had your nails done you don't want to know how long this took or see the tools they use to grind your natural nails down to nothing so they can build the fake ones up to be beautiful.  Another thing you don't want to see is the man who is grinding your nails down to nothing turn around to watch the basketball game on the tv behind him and above his head.  Because you KNOW that when a person takes their eyes off what they are doing and looks in another direction their own hands and arms follow the direction of where they are looking even if they are really good at doing nails.  I kept praying that the nail grinder wouldn't reach my cuticles and eventually the flesh on my fingers before whatever play of the game was over.  Know what I mean?  Yikes.  It was a Chinese man named Tim.  Who did my nails.  He was really very sweet.  =o)  Dwayne sat in the chair next to me the whole time and Tim kept asking him, "you like?"  It was cute.

So yeah... I have nails now.  We'll see how long they last this time.

I'm excited because tonight is the premiere of the new season of "Real World" on Mtv.  And that is one of my all time favorite shows.  I guess I like to live vicariously through other people and that is why I like those kinds of shows.  I like all the reality shows.  Although I'm not that crazy about "Survivor".  And I am ashamed to admit that I absolutely LOVE "Temptation Island".  I know it's pretty much trash tv and I don't know why I like it.  I just like watching people and how they react and I can relate more to the shows that are about people's relationships and emotions rather than people playing a game.  I know I shouldn't waste my time with all this tv garbage.  I guess I'm going through a winter slump and just feel like hanging around watching tv.

Man I can't wait until Spring.  We live close, within walking distance, to lots of stores and restaurants and book stores and stuff.  I think it will be really nice when we can get out and walk to places... get some fresh air and exercise.  Plus it will finally get us away from the tv.  Although by then I may be addicted to some shows!

Work was kind of crazy today.  It was busy right up until about an hour before I had to go home.  I guess that was good though because it gave me a chance to get things done before I left for the day.  Things have really changed at work since I last wrote about it.  I mean, I used to write all the time about my adventures at work but for a long time I didn't really have much to write.  I work with Tim and Mandee until 12:00 and then Darren and Mandee until I leave for the day.  I have worked with Mandee for a long time now but Darren and Tim are still fairly new and I'm still getting to know them.

Gotta go!  My sister Debbie and niece Danielle are here for a visit!

I still...

* get scared in the middle of the night (sometimes)
* like my job
* am spoiled
* believe Michael Jackson was innocent
* appreciate my husband (most of the time)
* want my nose pierced (REALLY bad!)
* have Christmas lights up around my windows
* feel tired
* love God
* remember all my mistakes
* am my momma's baby (right Mom?!)
* miss my doggy, Zach
* think I'm right (alot)
* can't wait for Spring and Summer
* am at complete peace in my apartment
* enjoy spending time with Dwayne
* think about old friends
* try to get to bed at a decent hour... so goodnight!  =o)

I know I haven't changed the "Tired" mood listed on this page for a long time... that's because I'm still tired.  Exhausted.  Worn out.  Lacking energy.  Zapped.  Drained.  Yeah.  I really am.  It's Winter and I'm missing the sun and warm weather.  I know we still have sun during Winter but not as long.  It seemed like this past Summer and even Fall I had lots more energy.  I sure don't anymore.  But it seems like every time I write an entry lately I'm talking about how tired I am.

Okay... changing the subject...

So Hubinator and I had our vacation and it really wasn't like a vacation at all.  We spent alot of time with family.  Which is fun and everything... it's just that we are so used to isolating ourselves on our vacations that this really didn't seem like vacation.  We did do alot of shopping which is my number one favorite sport!  But by the end of the vacation I was running out of money and made the mistake of going to the Christmas Tree Shop with only twenty bucks to my name, of which I could only spend ten.  It was okay though.  Because next time I get a good chunk of change I'm going back and look out!  No, I know it sounds like I spend alot of money but I don't really.  When I say we went shopping, usually that means we did alot of looking around and maybe only spent ten bucks or something.  Except for every once in a while.... well, we won't get into that!

Manda's here for a visit... gotta go!