Erin's Random Thoughts

Excited about the weekend

2010-03-05T12:55:00.000-08:00

About an hour left of work today, and Jonathan, Alison, and I will be on the road to Steph & Bo's house in Chattanooga. Looking forward to good eats, laughs, and good times this weekend. I think the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga will be fun!!

My 1999 car is officially dead. I bought it when I was 20, and I'm almost 32. So I think I got my money's worth. We made our last repair on it earlier this week, and knew that we were DONE paying repair bills. We kinda knew this time was coming soon. Found out today that it needed a new motor - HA! (I literally laughed when I heard that). So we'll trade it to get a few dollars out of it, and get a new car. Noone loves to make car payments, but I don't mind as much when I know I'll drive this new car until IT dies. Hopefully next weekend, when Jonathan gets back in from out of town, we'll get the dealings taken care of at the dealership. That will take a good 37 hours or so - doesn't it seem like it takes FOREVER to buy a car??

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!!

Just stuff

2010-02-24T09:02:00.000-08:00

Let's see.... what's been going on the last couple of weeks.....

Had a meeting last week for a volunteer program I'm involved in.
I serve as a mentor for local high school seniors, helping them through the college application/enrollment & financial aid processes. These students are eligible for up to $6000 for four semesters at one of the three local community colleges. It's a wonderful program, and one part I really like about it, is that they have to complete community service projects during these semesters.

Am continuing to make weekly cards as part of Send Love Today, which I learned about from Jen Waters. Have made several cards this week. Haven't scrapped in a while, but am looking forward to a crop on Saturday w/Steph, Ashley, and Courtney.

Took Alison for her first dentist appointment. She did great!!

Went to a baby shower last weekend and made a MONDO trip to the grocery store. At least Alison was with Jonathan, so it was only 1.5 hours instead of 2.5 hours in the store. ;)

Finished another book, and have started another that I'm enjoying so far - The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder. It's somewhat of an easy read, but touches on some serious subjects.

Ran into an old friend, whom I haven't seen in 5 years!! It was so wonderful to see her! We have lunch/shopping plans in March.

Spent a few hours, Friday before last, with my cousin. It's the second time I've seen her since the beginning of the year, but the big thing: prior to January, I hadn't seen her in around 25 years! She found me on Facebook last fall. How cool is that?!

Am continuing to work out 3-5 days a week. Loving that.

Am going to place an order for SRM Stickers today. My friend Deana turned me on to them - they're really cute!

What's going on with everyone else?

Today is

2010-02-09T05:18:00.000-08:00

the 6th aniversary of my dad's passing. Funny thing, I was up at 4:30, which is about the time we got the phone call 6 years ago.

I miss him more than words can say.

This past week, I've...

2010-02-07T08:19:00.001-08:00

-For the first time, took a 30-min. abs class at the gym - I liked it! I'll do it again tomorrow night.
-Watched Jonathan play in a rec league basketball game
-For the first time, took a Zumba class at the gym - LOVED it! Definitely doing it again this week.
-Grocery shopped for the Super Bowl. Not having a party or anything, but looking fwd to some good chili tonight!
-Finished a book.
-Did our taxes.
-Taking a Pilates class this afternoon w/a friend.

Happy Sunday!!

Not on Facebook much anymore

2010-02-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

I got an email from a friend yesterday, checking on me b/c I haven't been on Facebook in days.
Reason being - our management at work has strongly encouraged us not to use FB during work hours. Apparently, large companies and major corporations are taking a hard look at FB usage during the workday, and are seeing employees posting during those hours. Our management offered to designate a computer for us to use FB on, but until then.... (And, I rarely even turn on the computer at home, due to being in front of one all day long...)

I'll try to be a bit better about updating my blog, as a means of communication.
Feel free to email me at erinrwillis@yahoo.com, and fwd my email to anyone who's a friend, but not a blog follower.

This is for Deana! :)

2009-10-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hey, here's my first post in almost 3 months!

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? highlighted
3. Your mother? generous
4. Your father? gone
5. Your favorite food? fruit
6. Your dream last night? forgettable
7. Your favorite drink? water
8. Your dream/goal? soon (I hope)
9. What room are you in? work
10. Your hobby? scrapbooking
11. Your fear? loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? elsewhere
13. Where were you last night? home
14. Something that you aren't? selfish
15. Muffins? yes
16. Wish list item? car
17. Where did you grow up? Knoxville
18. Last thing you did? walk
19. What are you wearing? clothes
20. Your TV? DVR
21. Your Pets? three
22. Friends? wonderful
23. Your life? happy
24. Your mood? happy
25. Missing someone? always
26. Vehicle? Escort
27. Something you're not wearing? costume
28. Your favorite store? Target
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? recently
32. Your best friend? lovely
33. One place that I go to over and over? daycare
34. Facebook? daily
35. Favorite place to eat? Chili's

My first post in a long time

2009-08-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

OK, so I haven't blogged in over a month. Lame, I know.

Let's see, what's been going on... Jonathan, my husband, has been working out of town for the last 2.5 months or so, but has been in town for the last couple of weeks, which has been nice. Alison and I were in our own little routine, but definitely missing him..... I applied for a new position here at work mid-June. I went through two interviews in July, and found out today that I didn't get it. Sure, I wanted the job, but I'm really OK. I'll just keep my eye out for the next thing to come along.... Spent a wonderful day scrapping (13 hours!!) w/my good friend Steph this past Saturday. I always have a great time w/her!....Have planned my and Jonathan's 10th-anniversary trip - we'll be gone during Labor Day week to Myrtle Beach. I'm really looking fwd to it! - Alison will stay w/my mom during that week - I'm sure she'll hit some rough spots of missing us, but I think she'll do OK.....Am having a tea party w/Alison, her stuffed animals, and my mom on Saturday. It'll be so fun! :) .... And Jonathan and I are hanging out, eating, drinking, and playing Wii w/some friends that evening. Yay!

And here's a fun quiz I found on Jen Waters' blog:
1. What kind of SOAP is in your bathtub right now? Suave body wash and Lever 2000 soap
2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No
3. What would you change about your living room? Make it bigger? I might make mine a bit wider. Our living room is actually a finished basement – we have a ranch-style house, so this room is long and narrow.
4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Clean
5. What is in your fridge? Beer, Wine, Condiments, juice, leftovers, yogurt
6. White or wheat bread? Wheat
7. What is on top of your refrigerator? Bottles of medicine
8. What color or design is on your shower curtain? Blue w/a marbled pattern running through it. I really need to get a new shower curtain. I’ve had this one for like 10 years.
9. How many plants are in your home? A few. Some alive, some hanging on by a thread, and some dead.
10. Is your bed made right now? Nope.
11. Comet or Soft Scrub? I'm going to go with Comet.
12. Is your closet organized? Yes, but I realized this morning that I probably need to go through it again, and put together some bags to give away.
13. Can you describe your flashlight? We have a big black and a big yellow one, and we have a small red one.
14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Plastic.
15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? No.
16. If you have a garage, is it cluttered? There’s a LOT of stuff – but it’s fairly organized. I need to go through it soon, too.
17. Curtains or blinds? Blinds are what I have, but I’d prefer either different ones, or some pretty curtains.
18. How many pillows do you sleep with? Two.
19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? No, although I often fall asleep with the TV on.
20. How often do you vacuum? Around once a week.
21. Standard toothbrush or electric? Standard.
22. What color is your toothbrush? Blue and white.
23. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? Not on the porch, b/c we don’t use the front door a lot. But we do have a welcome mat downstairs, at the door we actually use.
24. What is in your oven right now? Nothing.
25. Is there anything under your bed? We have a bed that has drawers under it, so there are clothes stored under our bed.
26. Chore you hate doing the most? Not sure….
27. What retro items are in your home? Our kitchen table is the same one that was in my grandparents’ house as my mom was growing up. I still use some of my mom’s childhood dressers, too.
28. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? Yes – our computer/desk, my scrap area, and most of my clothes are in this room.
29. How many mirrors are in your home? Four.
30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? Nope.
31. What color are your walls? Most walls are cream-colored. Part of the kitchen walls are a light olive green, and our bedroom walls are a light yellow.
32. Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? No.
33. What does your home smell like right now? I haven’t noticed.
34. Favorite candle scent? I usually like clean scents, like Rainkissed Leaves from Bath & Body Works.
35. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Dill.
36. What color is your favorite Bible? Mine is maroon.
37. Ever been on your roof? No.
38. Do you own a stereo? Yes - two.
39. How many TVs do you have? Four.
40. How many house phones? Three
41. Do you have a housekeeper? No.
42. What style do you decorate in? I don’t really have a style. “Functional” would be the best word I can think of – especially when there’s a child and three dogs involved.
43. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? Mostly solids.
44. Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes.
45. In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you'd grab if you only could make one quick trip? My camera and memory cards, and my boxes of photos

"Just for today" survey

2009-07-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

I saw this neat survey on Jen Waters' blog. She got it off of Ali Edwards' site, I believe.

FOR TODAY
July 8, 2009
Outside my window... It’s starting to clear up after a brief rain shower this morning.
I am thinking... about many things. Namely, that I’m definitely grateful to have a job during these tough times – but I know deep down that I’m meant to do something more fulfilling, like working w/a non-profit organization, with the Office on Aging, or something along those lines.
I am thankful for... Family and good friends. And that I got to wear shorts to work today.
From the kitchen... I brought a frozen burrito for lunch. Sounds real yummy, right?
I am wearing... my black SIS t-shirt, denim shorts, and black/white flip-flops
I am creating... nothing right now. I have some wall hangings and things I need to work on for the hospice I volunteer for.
I am going... to Hobby Lobby on lunch. I need to get a birthday gift and some replacement blades for my paper trimmer.
I am reading... “Lost Boy” by Brent Jeffs
I am hoping... that this afternoon goes by pretty quickly. Looking fwd to dinner w/my mom and Alison at Twisters tonight (it’s a little mom-and-pop ice cream shop near my house)
I am hearing... people talking on the phone and typing
Around the house... I need to fold laundry and sweep the floors
One of my favorite things... is to have quiet time to read or scrap
A few plans for the rest of the week... Jonathan comes home from out of town tomorrow night. We’re going to a b-day party on the lake on Sat. aft. – fun!!.... Hope to get some scrapping done this weekend – I haven’t scrapped since Nashville!...Also hoping to plan our trip for our 10th anniversary in Sept.

Wednesday

2009-07-08T07:43:00.001-07:00

Feeling slightly down the last couple of days. Really realizing that I need a change - something more fulfilling...... This "down" feeling will go away, but I know I that I need to start pursuing other opportunities.

Here's a good little list I saw on one of Amy Tan's pages on SIS:
(Not sure who to credit the list to....tried looking it up online, w/o success. Let me know if you find out who wrote it.)

1. Spread beauty.
2. Do what you love.
3. Love what you do.
4. Keep it simple.
5. Laugh out loud.
6. Go with the flow.
7. Be real.
8. Focus on the positive.
9. Do your best.
10. Just breathe.

It's about time I blog again, right?

2009-07-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

It seems like forever since I've blogged. I'd love to include pics in my posts, but I'm usually at work when I blog. And honestly, a lot of times, after sitting in front of a computer all day, I'm not that inclined to turn one on when I get home.

The last two weeks have been terrific. I went to SISLive in Nashville, where I got to meet and hang out with so many wonderful people. What a BLAST that weekend was! Lots of scrapping, being silly, laughing. For the last year and a half, SIS has become a pretty big part of my life, and it was so nice to actually meet several of the ladies I've become good friends with!! (It took me a couple of days to recover from, what, 11-12 hours of sleep over 3 nights?...Totally worth it, though.)...I need to print some pics from that weekend!!

July 4th weekend was fun! Spent a lazy day at home w/Jonathan; went to Dollywood one day w/the fam; had a big picnic and fireworks w/family; and lazed around on Sunday.

Had a lovely weekend

2009-06-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

-Made a painted-handprint t-shirt w/Alison for Father's Day. She was so proud to give that shirt to him.
-Cleaned my car (w/Alison's help) in preparation for my trip on Thursday. (I realized this morning that I need to redo some of the parts that Alison did. :) )
-Started (barely) "The Girls from Ames" by Jeffrey Zaslow. Really excited about this book!
-Cooked a big breakfast on Sunday morning, for Father's Day.
-Went to the duck pond to feed the ducks, and then went to get ice cream Sunday afternoon.
-Started packing for trip. Have made a fair amount of progress so far.
-Oh yeah, and finished importing songs from ALL of my CD's onto my IPod. I'm listening to stuff from high school that I haven't heard in years!

Just a nice, simple weekend. I like those.

Tuesday

2009-06-16T09:06:00.001-07:00

Had a wonderful weekend - scrapped with Steph and Ashley on Sat. Hanging out with good friends makes me happy. Stayed home on Sunday - haven't been home all day in a couple of months, so it was nice. Played "Hungry, Hungry Hippos" and "Chutes and Ladders" with Alison, & we grilled out that night.

-Reading a good book right now, called "The Middle Place" by Kelly Corrigan. I'm about halfway through.

-Tried to close someone's blog today, after reading it, and I swear, about 25 windows popped up, and wouldn't let me close them. I had to shut down my computer. Weird.

-Got a sweet note from my husband this morning. He's working out of town, so it was a nice surprise to have when I got to work today.

-Having food day at work today. Here's a good recipe for Hot Pizza Dip that you might like.

Sooooo glad it's Friday. Really.

2009-06-12T07:21:00.001-07:00

This has been a long week. Not much rest (at all), and a 3-yr-old w/extreme mood swings. She's spending the night at my mom's tonight, so I'm hoping to go out for a few margaritas with my DH, and then hopefully get some sleep tonight. I'm really looking fwd to tomorrow, too - Ashley and Stephanie are coming to scrap for a while at my house!....And then maybe Jon, Alison, and I will do the zoo on Sunday. (Steph, I need to get you that pressed penny!)

My first blog post

2009-06-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

For the longest time, I resisted starting a blog - for what reason, I'm not really sure.....But the idea is interesting to me, so I decided to give it a try. I'm gonna make an effort to keep up with it...... And I'll add pics as soon as I have some time at home.