Saturday, and home safe and sound...

Good time at the Marina. I am sorta feeling it now, though :)

It has been a long time since I had such a nice time at any casino. I suppose I needed to loosen up a little. And, I did. It was a late night of enjoying wine and a little Pear vodka (ick) and of course some slot playing. Great time laughing and being silly with Fred, Jimm and Monica.

Here are some photo's that I took yesterday and last night.

Leaving soon to spend the night at Trump Marina!

I've packed a really fine bottle of wine, look out!!!!!!

Bundled up, and a twisted ankle, so I may not be as dolled up tonight as I was originally planning... I'm okay with that. I should probably wear flats tonight anyway if I'm going to be drinking. :)

Just played for a bit. Wow, I can get hooked quick! Good thing it's not real money.
:)

This is Thursday but it's my Friday!

The photo above, yes... it's me. :)

And, it keeps me on track with my 356 day project.

Well, today at work gave me a headache. I LOVE MY JOB.

I really do... BUT, if ever I thought that I didn't love my job, this would have been the week for it, hands down. I don't ever remember being this stressed at my job before. But, I took tomorrow off, and I am focused on getting every bit of the stress and frustration out of my system.... this weekend!!!!!

Snow tonight. THAT totally sucks. I am so tired of this winter weather. We'll see what happen tomorrow. I am not looking forward to a snowy morning. I am still going to AC. No matter what. Might be later than I expected ... but I really need to get away.

Fred is installing a DVD burner program that I discovered today. I hope it works well and is fairly easy to use. I want to start burning movies!!!!

Ok Erin... today you are a major slacker! You forgot to bring your camera with you in your purse! That means, in order to complete the 356 day task, you must take a few lame pictures of your same old same old face. Ugh... I suck!!!!!!

But, I have succeeded at the task at hand.

Wait until Jimm and Monica deal with me this weekend. I'll be pulling the camera out and getting some pictures of them to spice this blog up!!!!

So, today there was a dent made in my week long dilemma. It was officially announced that I will be moving over to the Vice President, and Assistant Vice President's side of the office. This means, more direct contact and support to them, and of course the President. I can do this. I expect that Ed will stick to his promise to me of bigger and better things in my future with Advancement.... The only thing I can do now is put all of my faith in his word. I do believe he will support me 100% like he said he will........whew.

This Friday we're headed to Trump Marina. Monica and Jimm will meet us there. It should be really nice. I was really glad that I was able to get them a comp room too, otherwise we wouldn't be seeing them! Although we spent NYE with them, it feels like we haven't really spent much time with them in months. It's been such a weird time these past few months... I'm looking forward to something "normal".

In any event, I am definitely looking forward to having Friday off, and to having a positive, happy weekend. I'm in desperate need of that.......

Random Fact About Erin....

I have had the tendency of approaching COMPLETE strangers and hugging them, OR... posing with them for a self portrait.

In this case... I think I did both.

I enjoy when they're good sports about it. :)

These people happened to work on the NCL Dawn. Three different people, from
3 different countries. Fun!

Can you find the similarities?

Tuesday and my travels ....

I am definitely not giving up or giving in on my 356 day project! Today I did especially well. (LOL)

So, I woke up this morning and there was some sort of an ice storm happening outside. I got up at my usual 6 a.m., but the kids had a 2 hour delay, and I didn't have to be at work until 11 a.m.. It was weird. The time seemed to fly by just the same as is does when I go to work at the regular time. I suppose with driving the kids to school, actually eating breakfast for a change, and getting some things together for lunch, it made the time pass really quickly. Of course it was just about lunch time when I got to work. I passed on lunch and just ate some soup in the later part of the afternoon.

So, I met with Ed today. We had a decent meeting, lasting about 40 minutes. I walked away feeling a little better about things, but am really hoping he means everything he says, and sticks to it. If so, I will do well with the change, and benefit from in a big way. I know it will take time, but it's certainly worth the wait if it's managed properly.

Glass half full. I heard that term today 3 times from 3 different people. Funny. I am 100% a glass half full kind of girl. I always have been. But, to hear 3 different people saying the same exact thing about the same exact situation, well, I'm putting my faith in the idea that it just might mean something good. Trust is not my biggest thing lately, with good reason....

I am taking Friday off. I CAN'T wait for a break from work (again). With everything going on, I know that I could use one.

I hope you enjoy my photo's from today. I managed to get some shots, even as busy as I was today. :)

Shame on you Erin! But, you still did it! 356 day project....

Roxy being socially awkward, and Fred in the kitchen preparing Some fine Indian cuisine for dinner!



This is Haley. One of my "other" daughters... I love you Haley, but c'mon!!! You could have done better than this for me and my project! I tickled and poked and chased my girls to get a photo and this was the best I could do... lol Oh well, I made it. Success. I never said all the pictures would be great!

Monday's Thought Provoking Question

RIP Romeo...

Thank you Anna for taking this picture while you were here. I was having a hard time finding a picture of Romeo.

RIP my sweet, cheese loving, gentle friend.

A Few Random Facts about Erin

I've always been very afraid of change.....
And, to avoid failure, sometimes I don't take the leap I need to take to reach success.

And...
For years, I would lay in bed at night scared that I would die in my sleep.
It's only been for a short time that I've let that go. Somehow, I finally put my faith in god, and started to believe that I will wake up each day to carry on with my journey. It feels pretty good.

I worry about some of the small things. Sometimes, the big things don't phase me. I often wonder if that's a mental handicap.

And, when people sneeze and they don't cover their mouth, I hold my breath, or I walk quickly in the opposite direction. Last night I was in a store and a man sneezed. I forgot what I was looking for, and I walked the long way to get where I needed to go, just to avoid his germs.

Sunday

My 356 day project did not pick up this weekend. I just couldn't find the time to get it rolling. I am a major slacker!

I have had a really good weekend. It was fulfilling in a lot of different ways, at different times....

And, it's been stressful. Little pesky things (and no so little) eating away at me. I want to stand up and scream all sorts of curse words at the top of my lungs. I want to cry. I want to speak my mind, exactly how I'm feeling at the moment, but, I know it's not the answer. When I react to something that affects me on a really personal level with an instant response to my emotions, I usually regret the choice I've made. So, this is inside for now.. and I have to think a lot of things through. If you see a little bit of steam coming out of my ears, or out of the top of my head, bear with me.. it too, shall pass.

Life could be really bad. It's not. This is just a slight interference with my every day stride... A pothole to jump over... no biggie. I will definitely come out on top. Mark my word.

While many people will be enjoying a day off tomorrow (my kids, for example) I'll be working. I don't mind at all really. Mort gives us a paid week off at Christmas, and we get some floating Holidays. I'll be there tomorrow, I have a meeting with Ed, and, we'll all be working :)

Last night Fred bought an XM Stereo for the house. I am so crazy about it. I have had music on almost ever since it came into the house. I absolutely love it. Soothing....

We have stereos and what ever, but this is my favorite! I can listen to my favorite XM radio station with no commercials!!! YAY!!!!!

Smells like a delicious dinner is cooking.....

Yes, there is a professor within each of us.....

I need mine to come out today and help me out a little.

((I don't know that my little professor looks like Einstein though))

Head up, Erin... everything happens for a reson, and everything will be just fine.

Time to put the brain in action, the professional head on, and get to work!

My chosen drink of the night! I have gone through 2 small bottles of Chambord already.

Have I told you, or mentioned that I collect mini bottles of alcohol? I have a huge box full of them (I am having a hard time typing tonight so this is taking forever with correcting typos. lol)
I collec small bottles of alcohol.
It all started when I wanted to smuggle small bottles on cruises so I could save a few bucks and use the bottles as mixers with soda or juice. BUT, I never did bring them on the cruises with me. I am not a big drinker, so I would wind up just paying for my drinks like a normal person would do. BUT I love the small bottles, so I collect them. All sorts of little adorable bottles of different things. I usually buy one or two or three while I'm at the Liquor store....

thank goodness for spell check lol

Erin & Alan

Wow... this is a funny one. Me and Alan, my "special" friend. He always asks me if I can give him a picture of me. I took this on one of my WORST days to have any photo taken, one hot summer day in 2007. He didn't care. He loved the pictures. :) He's my pal.

6 or 7 years ago....

I'm seriously considering growing my hair and bangs out again.... am I too old for that now?????? The picture above is me from about 6 years ago.

I like this look... I want to look and feel sexy again. I want to have the energy I used to have. I want to feel really excited about things.

I'm really going to begin to put a lot back into "me". Somewhere, at some point I got lost in the shuffle of life. I want it back... me..now.

No, I'm not drinking.. yet. I plan on opening a nice bottle of champagne and mixing it with some chambord. Then, Fred and I are going to play scrabble with Brandon and Mike. Our 16 year old son and his best friend. I better try to keep my mind sharp, I am playing against a couple of really competitive players (lol). Seriously... See, to me, it's sooooo cool that we have a couple of teenage boys here at the house who actually WANT to play scrabble!!! And, they even asked a few minutes ago if we're still gonna play. LOL How adorable is that?

I think my writers block is going away. I have a lot to say, and It's not forced.

Happy Saturday night.

Peace.

 

I took this... so, that covers my 356 day project for today!

Me and my Fred cat. I love this cat.. He's a love love love...one day he was scared of me... and then...boom.. like MAGIC, he loves me. :)

 

Not sure If I look mad or tired in this picture. Can I take credit for this as one of my 356 day project photo's if I didn't take it?

I do have a couple of my own. I'll post soon.

Went grocery shopping today. Got about $400.00 worth of grocerys for $205.00 - Not bad :)

It was sunny and nice. I'm happy for the sunshine.....

I have absolutely NO Idea how that just happened, but half of my post ended up missing when I hit "publish" (below).

UGH!!!! I went on and on about my night last night and lost it all!!!!! And, I must say.. it was a good post, and I was pretty funny!

Okay, I'll do a recap since I won't remember this day 10 years from now if I don't post it!

Hubby and I went to Parx until 3:30 a.m.
I was good until about midnight, and then I walked around until about 3:00 a.m. like a zombie. I was such a sleepy girl! But, it was all good. I really did enjoy myself, and I know my zombie husband enjoyed himself, too!!!!

Sleepers... I see a lot of them in the casino. Sleeping on chairs and stuff.. sitting beside their spouse or their date.. Usually older people. GO HOME! The casino will still be there tomorrow. Sometimes they make it all the way to their car before they call it a night. I see people sleeping in their cars too! LOL I guess when you're tired, you're tired.

Today is going to be a good day. I am going to make it a good one! My camera is all charged up and ready to go! I haven't put the effort into taking photo's as much as I'd like to. However, I do give myself credit for putting the effort into taking pictures every single day! I'm happy about that!!!!

Smile, it's Saturday. Life is rolling along. STOP and smell the roses. Seriously. Take a moment, look around you... we're so fortunate to have today.

What a day yesterday was....
Seriously... why am I such a magnet to nasty, back stabbing bitches? I'm absolutely not kidding!!!!!
Let me get this off my chest so that I can move forward with my day in peace, with a smile, and enjoy the weekend...

FUCK YOU

It's amazing how just saying or typing a few choice words can help releive the pressure in the head. :) (lol) I'm smiling, but I'm serious.

Next time you want to walk all over me, please remove your shoes. Thank you.

-----------------

FRIDAY

What a hectic day... and now a hectic night! My daughter just did a quick photo with me (shown below) to help me make this 356 day project a success. I have other shots from today, as you'll see.. but we did the picture just in case the others weren't a success!!!!

I can't blog right now. I have kids to drop off... etc, etc...

I will be back to it tonight!!!!!




My commute. Every single day I pass the "Trenton Makes" bridge! Today there's no traffic... yay!!!!!!!

LUNCH!!!! I have to admit, I make a fantastic salad!!!! YUM! I couldn't finish the whole thing though.

SILLY MEG!!!!!! Where's that smiling face??????

Happy Friday

9th Grade Dance.....

Well, Brooke has her very first Dance in the 9th grade. It's some type of semi-formal event. She's very excited. I mean, considering. Tyler broke her heart, but there's a few boys that would love to take her.. and yesterday, her friend Shane asked her, and she accepted. I'm happy for her. I know she'll have a nice time. I also know that I'm happy that she's going with a friend. Someone who she can laugh with, and not take the whole thing so seriously. I suppose she's going to need a pretty dress. I look forward to taking her shopping for something pretty. Nice... Should be fun.

My 9th grade dance. It wasn't quite the same as Brooke's will be.
I did go out shopping for a beautiful dress. I can picture it as clear as day. It was perfect. I loved it. I actually felt really beautiful in it. I couldn't wait to go....
I'll never forget the day of the dance. I was beyond excited. I had everything all figured out. The shoes I'd wear, the make-up. I knew exactly how I'd wear my hair. I just couldn't wait.

I got ready. I came down to show my parents how I looked. I was beautiful! They smiled and were excited for me. I thought. However, even with all the anxious feelings going through me, I could sense trouble.

Then, it all came crashing down. My Mom and Dad sat me down to talk to me. It seemed they were having trouble in their marriage. They had decided, that very day, that my Dad was going to spend some time at my Grandfather's house in Huntington. I was completely heart broken. I couldn't believe what was happening to our "perfect" family... or so what I thought to be the "perfect" family....

Why made them think that telling me this before my dance was the right thing to do? They knew how long I had been looking forward to it. They knew how much time and effort I put in to the dress, the shoes... my hair, my make-up. It was my first dance... and, I was devastated. Not at all what I had in mind.

So, I remember going back upstairs, cleaning up my face. I wanted to make the best of it. I'd try to put my thoughts about my parents off, until after. It was hard, but I wanted to go, and have a great time. I waited so long for this night. It was like a dream.... why did they tell me this on such a special night.

I watched the clock. I tried so hard not to think about my parents. I had so many questions, but they would have to wait. Soon I realized that my date was about 30 minutes late. I remember pacing back and forth.. checking my face in the mirror to be sure that there was no sign of me crying...

An hour passed.. no date. I was now missing the beginning of the dance....

I called him. No answer. Soon, almost an hour and a half passed....

My Mom offered to take me. She said I shouldn't wait anymore. I didn't like the sound of it, but I couldn't imagine missing the dance.....

SO, off I went.. and Mom dropped me off, alone. It wasn't at all how I pictured it would be. I didn't dance. I didn't get flowers... I was one of the only girls there without a date.

I never did hear from him. Not a word, not even an apology....

The days following the dance, my Dad left. He was gone for the whole summer after I got out of the 9th grade... I never really knew why, until I was in my 20's.

Funny what we remember, and what we forget.

I hope Brooke's 9th grade dance is wonderful, and she laughs, dances, and feels as beautiful as she'll look.

Writers Block......
I've had a huge case of it lately. Usually, I can sit down and tons of thoughts race through my head. Things I want to get out of my head and on to my blog. Lately, I am at a loss. I don't know if it's that my head is too full, or my thoughts are just to complicated to share. Maybe I'm full of blanks.. doubt that!

So, here I sit... trying to think of what's on my mind......

Let's see.. some of the random things swishing around.

Nate. Sentencing day. I'm not going to lie...I count the days in my head for when he faces the music. I don't usually feel good when bad things happen to people, but I'm feeling that, with him. I can mention 100 reasons why he deserves to be put away for a very long time. But, I won't say a word about it. Instead, I will say that I'm sure the information that's been gathered on him will be enough to give him the time he deserves. Sometimes people do get what they deserve... both the good, and in his case, the bad. I bet he's counting the days too. I wonder if he's thinking about running.. I would, if I were him. It's going to be a scary future for him. I bet he didn't think about that while he was out there hurting innocent people... and even worse, people that thought they were his friends... Good luck with that. Enjoy your journey ahead.

The kids. They are okay... Brooke is going through so much lately. The best that I can do is try to be a good Mother to her. I was explaining to my Mom today that I've been trying to recall my life in 9th grade, so I can better understand her life as it is today. I remember the girls being mean. I hated when it was "my turn" to be the one that they turned on. I hated the pressure about boys. I thought I knew everything.. really, I knew almost nothing. I went along with things I didn't believe in. I remember being on Nichols road, in the back of a truck that a bunch of us were catching a ride in.. and we realized the truck was headed in the wrong direction. As it gained speed, my friends jumped off.. onto the highway. I was the only one still in the back of this strangers pick up... and I was scared to take the leap. I never even wanted to get in the truck to begin with. I think the guys were college age. We were at the University when we got in... I jumped.. I remember how it hurt when I landed on the highway. I was scared I would get run over by a car. Lucky for me, for us all.. it was late at night at there were few vehicles on the road. I was scratched and bruised.. but I was okay. Who knows what those guys would have done if I didn't jump. I'm still grateful that I did. I never took a ride with a stranger again. And, at that very point in my life, I began to disconnect from that group of friends. I think it was a wise choice. I hope Brooke makes better choices than that.
In 10th grade I started hanging around with the "dirtbag" crowd. Funny, I didn't fit in with them. Not physically.... I was maybe what people would consider as "prissy". Maybe "girly". I didn't wear jean jackets, black leather jackets, concert t-shirts. etc.. But, I liked these people. They were genuine and nice to me. Treated me like I was someone. The friends from the previous years were angry and upset with me. I didn't care. They called me names and made fun of me for my new choice of friends. I was proud to be away from them. Interesting.. I later found out that the old friends got involved in cocaine, and other drugs. I never touched the stuff.. I was happy with myself.
I hope Brooke steps up and takes enough pride in herself to be exactly who she is, and not allow herself to get pulled in to things that will hurt her, or make her ashamed of who she is. She's quite beautiful. I hope she doesn't let them bring her down. It's a rough world out there.. I have faith, but I'm also concerned, and have my eyes wide open.

The winter blues. I think I have them. I know my husband does. Do we all suffer from the winter blues? I often think on some level, we all do. I think a little light therapy would do us good.. but I know tanning beds cause cancer. So, that's out. I look forward to spring. I want my energy back. Inside, I'm full of life and energy... then when I get up and get going, I'm exhausted. LOL. God, give me strength!

Geico commercials. I love them. They are so creative and funny. I am so glad they put the cavemen and the lizard to rest. The new one's truly make me laugh out loud... Laughter, I love it. It's so good for the soul.
Thanks for making me laugh, Geico.

Ok, so maybe I'm cutting loose from writers block. I guess sometimes it just takes a little effort. I've been slacking. I want to get it all out.

Thursday feels like Monday

With Thursday feeling like Monday, tomorrow should be a treat!!! What a busy day. Two busy weeks in a row! I love my job, but this is crazy I tell ya!

356 day project. I'm doing well with it. I hope to get more focused and creative on the weekends, and when it's not so darn cold outside!!!!!

Here's some photo's from my travels today......

I think today was a great success. If you love one of the photo's you take, it's a great accomplishment... I love like 2 or 3! Woohooo! Yay me!!! Will blog more later. Just too tired right this second!