Some pretty pictures for you

I took these pictures on our anniversary camping trip to Brown County State park back in October. I have plans to put them in frames on my living room wall.

Christmas

Every year my family does breakfast on Christmas day. It has always been at my grandparents house and is usually very nice.

Well since my grandparents have passed away and we no longer have the house, my mother decided to have it at her apartment this year. Her 2 bedroom apartment. Oh, did I mention there are about 24 people who come. Yeah, it was a bit cramped.

Other than that, I had a very nice Christmas. After we had breakfast and opened presents at my mom's, we went to Ben's parents house for lunch and that was much less cramped. From there we went home to spend the afternoon doing nothing. Well I napped and Ben played his new computer game. When I woke up, I decided to clean. And not just a little. I scrubbed the basement floor, did the laundry, dishes, vacuumed, and cleaned off the table. Sort of unorthodox for Christmas but it just needed to be done. We ended the day with a couple episodes of Lost and went to bed rather early. All in all, a very peaceful day.

Who is the most impatient person you know?

Well that would be me. At least I'm aware how bad it is.

Since Ben and I did our Christmas presents way early this year (I got a puppy and he got parts for his bike) we are just doing stockings like we do every year. And every year there is a disagreement on WHEN we should open them.

I always win.

So we both went to Walmart separately yesterday to get all the fun stocking stuff and then when he got home from work I nagged him endlessly until he finally gave in. (not fair play but who cares) He would rather wait until at least Christmas Eve but I just won't have it.

This post is really about what he got me as a "stocking" gift. If you can even count it as that considering it's about 3x bigger than the stocking. He got me this pillow. I slept with it last night and it was pretty much fabulous. I usually have a somewhat stiff neck when I wake up but not this morning. If you don't have one, order it from that link. You will not be sorry.

A blah year

For some reason this year, I have not been able to get into the Christmas spirit. In the past it has taken nothing; I hear one chord of a Christmas carol and my heart is overflowing with Christmas joy. Not this year.

I just now got my shopping done and it consists of mostly gift cards because I was in no mood to be creative or thoughtful.

I am so sick of Christmas music. I think it's making me grumpier.

I have yet to wish ANYONE a Merry Christmas.

I'm not sure why I'm such a Grinch. Maybe it's because it was a really crappy year and I'm just ready for it to be over.

On a completely different note, I'm going to be doing the 21-day Daniel fast along with many others at my church at the beginning of the year. Since my husband won't do it with me (because he thinks he will die) Trin is going to do it with me and we will support each other. I'm really looking forward to this because I know it will bring me closer to God and help me to rely on Him even more and become stronger in my walk with Christ. I'm ready for the challenge and the awesome experience and the deliverance it will surely bring.

Also at the beginning of the year I will be starting a ladies study of the book of Esther. I can't wait to start this either. To delve into the life and actions of this amazing woman will be pretty awesome.

Needless to say, I am determined to have a better year next year and there's no better way to do that than give the first fruits to God.

Wow

it's been a long time since I've blogged. Well there's not too much going on to blog about but here's an update anyway:

I have been transferred to a different branch at my job. It was just supposed to be for a month but that was in October and I'm still here. They really need another teller and I am filling that position until they find full time teller.

And it might just be me.

I'm part time right now but I have the option to go full time but I would have to stay at that branch. It's really a hard decision because I really want to go full time but I like working at my hometown branch better. But I think I have decided that I need to get over it and accept the full time position. I could really use the extra money and I don't see them sending me back to the other branch for a long long time anyway.

So why not?

Well you may be saying "because Jada, you are going to do the smart thing and go back to school next semester so you can get your degree and start your own photography business someday, and not be the college drop out." And then I would say...

Your wrong.

I am not going to go back to school next semester, or the one after that. In fact I'm not sure WHEN or IF I will go back to school and frankly that doesn't bother me one bit. I am very happy at my job. It pays well, I have great co-workers, and it's an easy job. I've never liked a job this much and I honestly can't see myself quitting anytime soon, even if I do get my degree. So I'm going to save myself the money and time and not go back to school unless I somehow change my mind. I can always go back to finish but I just don't have the desire to right now.

Besides, I have learned enough about photography that I can still do it on the side and make a little more money. I have clients lined up until next October already so I don't think I will have a problem. I love photography and just because I'm not in school doesn't mean I can't still do what I love and profit from it.

The full time position is not an absolute yet but I'm 99% sure I will get it the first of the year.
I feel very good about my decision and the possibilities it has for my future.