A Lot to Take In

Well... progress has been made, but it's really hard not to be disappointed in the progress. I've lost 5.5lbs in 10 days. How can I complain about that?!? I still just don't feel it yet, I guess. Maybe the day I get to go buy new pants... I'm close to that line because I've actually rid myself of 20lbs since mid April. I'm very proud of myself for that. I just can't find the time or the $ to work out. I'm really really really frustrated about that... I start back to school August 30th and I'll have access to the gym on campus - then I get down on myself when I realize I'll only have time to use that gym once a week. UGH! There is NO time for ME. Look at this ridiculous schedule I'll have...
Monday: Substitute teach / homework for class on Tue
Tuesday: Class from 8-3:15 / Work at Central Market 4-8pm
Wednesday: Substitute Teach/Church with sound check @ 6 for the youth band and find time for homework for Thursday
Thursday: Class from 10-3:15 / Work at Central Market 4-8pm
Friday: Substitute teach in a town 45 minutes from home, but it is a special education school (I'm a special education major) / Try to get any homework done so I can actually, maybe have a weekend...
Saturday: WOW... nothing planned right now... WOW
Sunday: Church at 10:30 / Homework if necessary / Youth band practice around 6pm.

Now. I'm sorry if I just dumped on you guys. I guess I'm just frustrated A LOT right now with life. For those of you who don't know... My husband is epileptic, as we found out in September 2007. We had been married almost 3 years and our marriage had been pure bliss. I married my high school sweetheart and now I struggle on a daily basis just to sleep in the same room, much less the same bed as him. We've been living with his mom, sister and nephew since that time and he just started working 2 months ago, for the first time since we found out about his epilepsy... Money has been so so so tight we couldn't see straight for so long. I've been on a closing schedule at work for almost 4 months now... I work 2:30-11pm most days and I think that is contributing to my lack of weight loss... That will obviously change in the fall, but I'm overwhelmed with the fall schedule all the same, but it can't be helped...

Thank you for listening... Thank you for your support and encouragement.

School

Well, the first week of classes is OVER. Wow. It was actually very enjoyable. I needed to get out and do something different. I met a few people and like my classes... Public Speaking and English II. My professors are great. My public speaking professor is lovely. She is laid back, easy going and it appears that it's going to be a good class. English II professor on the other hand is hard to read. She is nice, calls us all 'darlings' often and announced today that she is very politically incorrect. We've all noticed this by this point. She has no reserves with her verbiage. Quite entertaining.

Thomas and I have a donut shop here in Port Arthur that we LOVE. They're a bakery... makes all the difference in the world. I have been trying really hard to eat healthier and more whole grains and stuff like that so my blood sugar stays in check more often. Well, I told Thomas we could spend just a few dollars and have donuts to celebrate my first day of class. They were EXCELLENT.


Got my parking pass on Monday and waiting for my student ID to come in the mail. My campus is very pretty once your in it and walking around. Took a few pics for ya...




Thomas' aunt Helen called last night and invited us over for ribs and other yummy food on Sunday. I'm looking forward to it and i'm not. Long story. It will be super nice to be out and about and seeing the scenery and visiting with family. I'm especially looking forward to a super yummy dinner. I don't know that I've ever had anything that Uncle Jessie cooked that I didn't like. AND we get to watch the Cowboys kick some Viking ASS! That'll be the best part, I think. =)

Getting ready to video chat with my brother. Talk atcha in a few days. ;)

Interesting

Well, today has been interesting. Yes, another emotional roller coaster of a day but I think I'm beginning to get used to that. I totally appreciate Beck and Jeff helping me out with the whole job issue. It's always been easy for me to hand out my opinions and Godly advise but it's never been easy for me to apply it to my own life.

Thomas and I visited a non-denominational church right around the corner from the house this morning. It's called Triumph. It's a branch from another church in Dallas, but I couldn't catch what church they said that was. Worship was good. Lots of voices on stage and power packed. I was more observing than participating today. I didn't know any of the songs, except for one, which made it difficult to participate as well. Preaching seemed sound and pretty good. I'm not sure we'll be back just because of who Thomas is. I liked it, I think, but he didn't from what I gathered from him after the service.



Last night I put up some pics I brought with me and had a few printed to make it feel a little more homey for Thomas and I. I've never been the one that tapes things all over my mirror, but this time I did and I like it. It's neat to walk into our room and see pics of most of our family and friends... It's made is a little easier for me.


Tomorrow is another day... going to be busy too. I need to go up to the school and get my student ID, books and parking permit. Classes begin on Tuesday and I'm ready to get started. I need something to occupy my thoughts and time. Also, tomorrow I will hear either way from Buffalo Wild Wings. The manager that interviewed me said that if I don't hear from her by 1 tomorrow to call. If she calls me, I get to go in, do some paperwork and start training tomorrow night. Kinda nervous, kinda not.

God's got it ALL under control.........

Felling OK - kinda sad

I'm super happy for my preggo friend, Alesha. She's pretty sure she's beginning to feel her precious baby move. I wish I was there for the experience but oh well... =(

On a happy note, I hit the treadmill this morning. Granny has one here at the house thats a pretty nice and new one. There's no more excuses. Did a mile in 19:21 with an incline. Not too bad for the first time on the darn thing in several months. It's pretty cool. There's a port for me to plug my ipod into with speakers so I can listen to my music without earphones while walking. I'm doing my best to do a much better job at what i'm eating as well. I'm so sick of looking at myself in the mirror. It's rather disgusting.

I go talk with the manager at Applebee's tonight... Well, I'm calling him at 5 to see if he has a sec to meet with me. Who knows, I just might head up there. Haven't decided yet.

Made contact with Thomas' Aunt Belinda who lives around the corner and his cousin Felicia who lives in the area today. Hopefully we'll get to go visit with some peeps this weekend...

Decision - Made

So. I was awarded my financial aide today. Very exciting. I was getting very nervous. There's been a rather large change in plans for me down here though and I'm super excited about it. You all know what my schedule looked like. It was 12 hours and crazy all over the place. WELL... It is now 6 hours and i'll be on campus from 9:30 - 12:15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Here's why: I was looking over my degree plan given to me at Lamar U. I've seen my degree plan for UNT several times thanks to Shelly since we're on the same degree plan... First of all. I should be going into college algebra and LU is making me take another remedial math... Second - my degree plan for LU has intro to theater and philosophy of knowledge on it. Third - because I am being required to take a remedial math, I'm not allowed to take any science classes at all. I was rather bummed and kinda upset that I was so limited on class choices. SO... after texting with Shelly and talking with Thomas, he and I decided that going to half time, taking the two classes I know will transfer and working as much as possible. Thomas was very pleased with that decision because he knows it will be the most beneficial for the both of us for now. I'll be able to work as much as I can and I will be able to enjoy being here and seeing the sights. It's not ideal as I would like to move my way through school ASAP, but truthfully, this is the best choice for now. It's senseless to waist time and money on a class that won't transfer. I have to say, I'm very pleased and excited about this decision actually.

On another note - I think Grandpa is really enjoying and benefiting from Thomas being here. He feels better with a male around and Thomas is encouraging him to do his daily exercises.

I've always said God knows what's going on and he's in control. It's beginning to come forth. Praise the Lord.

Thanks to everyone for thoughts and prayers.

Work

So. I applied on the internet at Buffalo Wild Wings Monday night. Called Tuesday around 3 and got an interview for Wednesday at 1. I was super excited. It seemed as though things were finally getting more real and I had something to look forward to. I went to my interview and it went well. Interviewing manager, Lisa, said I should hear something by Monday at 1. Well, I got to thinking about it all and I may as well just go back to Applebee's. I love it there, I know most of the menu, and it's just my comfort zone. Not to mention, BWW is open till 2am 7 DAYS A WEEK! I went in to Applebee's earlier and filled out the application. I have to call back on Saturday to talk to the front of the house manager. I've talked with him about a month ago and I'm pretty sure I have a job. We shall see.

I have to get on the school's website around 5:15 tonight to see if I can find a way to rework my schedule. I'll let ya know what I get worked out! ;)

Finally

Well, today has been better than the last few. I'm finally beginning to settle in, I think. I had a job interview today at Buffalo Wild Wings right down the road. Lisa, the manager that interviewed me said I will know something by Monday at 1. So, we'll see. Just gotta come up with the money to get my TABC certification and food handlers license. It's only $25 bucks... Lisa did get me some great info. There are several big games coming up and the super bowl as well. She said that on the big games, the servers that actually work and not just goof around can make 200-250 in a night. That would be nice!

Yesterday was interesting. We had to take Lola and Olive to get their shots... It always makes me sad to see my dog get stabbed 3 times... They did great and we got to spend $85bucks... Better than some other quotes we got, but dang... Oh well, gotta do what we gotta do.

I need to go do some sight seeing... visit with some friends and family make this more exciting. It's kinda hard because Granny has her way of doing things and you have to do them her way or you have to answer 50thousand questions... sometimes you still have to answer 50thousand questions when you do things her way... There's always someone to answer to until you're in your own home... So, it's just yet another adjustment. :/

Well, I guess that's all for now. Hope to get our of the house tonight. I'll let ya know if we do...

ALSO. Thanks to Sam, I now have Skype and can video chat and all that good stuff! If you have Skype, let me know. My Skype name is melissa.larabee

BYE!

First few days...

Well, we're here. We got in around 11:45 Saturday night. Car is still loaded with all my things. Nowhere to really put them yet. It's been a real struggle to be happy. It was a struggle at home too, but at least I had Alesha to hug and encourage me. I keep asking, 'Lord, what is it that you want me to learn?' There has to be something. I don't think I've done anything wrong so, it has to be a learning curve. (sigh) It is interesting that while I find it hard to be happy, anger comes so easily. I don't ever remember being this angry in my entire life. It could be something as simple as I missed my turn and have to go to the next exit, or I can't figure out where to park. It all makes me SO angry, then I'm angry that I'm angry because I know that's not right.

Granny was telling Thomas and I about some churches around here that are non-denominational. Hopefully we'll get to go check one out this Wednesday. I am dreading the search, but I know we have to go. Kinda like finding a job, actually. I want a job but I'm dreading the search. I need to get Corey (ok, Shelly) and have him mail us the Sunday services. Won't take the place of going but at least it will be some familiarity. Might not be able to listen to them without weeping for a while, but...

Thomas and I went into Beaumont today and I got registered for classes. I had to take what they had available schedule wise... Not too happy about my schedule. Most unhappy about not being able to take College Algebra yet. Had I stayed at Weatherford, I would have been able to go to college alg, but here I have one more semester of remedial alg. Pretty bummed about that... Oh well... whatcha gonna do? Will be awarded my financial aid this week sometime and school starts next Monday. Here's my schedule, it's kinda yucky...

Tue and Thu 8-9:15 Developmental Alg II

Tue 6-8:45pm Composition II (in Lumberton)

Wed 6-8:45pm Philosophy of Knowledge (really bummed cause it's church night)

Tue and Thu 11-12:15 Introduction to Theater

Feels like I'm all over the place and in my mind I had all morning classes and I was going to work in the evening... Totally having to retrain my thought process... Good news is that on the 7th at 5pm, they are dropping everyone for nonpayment and I can get online and see what classes I can move around and maybe get all my classes earlier in the day... other than my math, Blech! I didn't want an 8 O'clock class again... but... I'm trying really hard not to complain. I'm grateful to be in school and progressing towards my degree.

Well, I made chicken soup for dinner and it's ready. Guess, I need to go eat even though I'm not hungry at all.

Miss you all and I'll do my best to blog daily. Please leave comments!!! I'm going to try and use this rather than wearing quite so many emotions on my sleeve on facebook.

Thanks for reading and I can't wait to see where this goes! ;)