A Girl Just Wants Shoes........

I'm on the hunt for a cheap pair of black dress shoes. I've been wearing my favorite ones for months. Needless to say, I think they started to smell. The Tiger says I am nuts and just looking for a reason to buy a new pair of shoes. I think he's crazy. I threw the stinky shoes away.

I had a 20% off coupon for Payless..........and it expired today. I usually have decent luck when I go to Payless, but I admit it's been awhile since we've been there. I didn't find a darn thing! Really, is the only heels that people wear those little stick heels??? I'm sorry, but I am not talented enough for a heel like that. I need something a little thicker.

So, of course Missy found a pair of shoes she liked.....and I have a hard time passing up coupons that are about to expire. Missy got shoes, I have none.

We then went to Meijer. I found a cute pair of black heels, but they were $39.99! Yeah, I am cheap and would never pay $40 for a pair of shoes........at Meijer. Who do they think they are? DSW? I think not!

Have you seen any cute shoes sales going on anywhere? I'm dying for new black heels......

And You Know What Else........

I meant to post a couple of pictures in my last post there.......but I hit the Publish button too fast! Anywhooo, just some random pics that I feel like uploading. It's been awhile.

My Flapper Friend and Me as a Bride

As a lady bug (Can you tell I love to dress up?)

Missy finally lost a top tooth! Look how long her hair is getting.......

YAY! Changes......

Just keepin on truckin over here! The holidays are beginning and I just love this time of year. I cannot stand the cold, but I do love the decorating and the cooking and the shopping and the hustle and bustle. Lots happening around here.........

I found a school! More Than A Single Mom will be heading to Devry........online that is. I found a credited school that will transfer my credits (not sure which ones yet), allow me to work, and still go to school without having to find a sitter or spend more time away from Missy. My new major you ask? Weeeeellllll............how's a bachleor in Business Administration with a Concentration on Human Resources Management sound? Say that 10 times fast.

And I'm on the hunt for a new car. My beloved 1997 Grand Am has finally said it's last prayers I do believe. I'll know more soon........

Tonight I am bound and determine to catch up with y'all! You'll see.......

Green Bean Casserole

Tis the time of year that we give thanks.........and pig out on turkey until we can't eat anymore. This year I am giving thanks for having a job, it may be a temp job for now, but it's still a job. And that more than I can say for a lot of people during this recession. My mom lost her job this week. The Tiger's company did a lay off yesterday (thankfully he passed the first cut!), one of my best friends lost her job 6 weeks ago and still can't find a new one, and my stepdad's company is possibly doing lay offs by the first of the year. AND these are just the people that little ol' me knows. I can't imagine how many other millions of people out there are scared over their jobs.

Now, on to food. It's the time of year for the traditional Thanksgiving feast........makes my mouth water just thinking about it. What does your family have on Turkey Day? And what's your favorite part of the meal? Let me know. Me? Personally, my favorite is left over turkey sandwiches the next day while laying on the couch in a turkey hang over. Well, I've been wondering.........WHO invented green bean casserole? It is one of the ugliest dishes I've ever seen, and I don't like green beans so I won't eat it. But have no fear, I am sure my mama is making it. Gross!!!!

I'd like to make a new sort of side dish this year. Something my family will love. I'm looking to all of your for ideas. I'm a good cook, not a chef, but I know my way around a kitchen. So I promise not to mess up your dish. But, I need a new recipe...........one that doesn't involve green beans. Thanks so much.

A Chance To Blog

I have to make some major updates. Lordy lordy, I've been slacking.

Ok, well after days and nights of thoughts, tears, packing, and much more I ended up deciding I could no longer run away from my problems (at the request of my parents). They sat me down one night and explained to me that they have no problems helping me get back on my feet, but that I am almost 30 and I cannot continue to run everytime things go wrong. What did they call it? "Lack of folowing through." Hmpf, of course I was mad. I don't do that.........or do I? Ok, maybe I do. So, I decided to go ahead and give the Tiger another shot at our relationship. I truly love him with all my heart, but can we get past our problems? Not so sure. But, he's damn lucky he's getting that second shot and so far he's been doing ok. He's helping me vaccuum, doing his own laundry, and we are back to sleeping in the same room. We'll see how it goes. Missy is so happy about it. But, I still HATE my school system. No offense to anyone, but it's too ghetto for my taste. Not in the greatest of neighborhoods. So I am looking into trying to qualify for special funding to help send her to a private school next year. Any help on how to do that if any of you have experience, let a sista know!

Work and school? Well, I am officially out of school until January. I need to really pull myself together before I go back. It made me miserable, tore my family apart, and made my daughter defy me in ways I never thought possible. So, full time nursing program is NOT the way to go. I am much happier without it. I know I have too many credits to lose, and I WILL be back in January........just undecided as to what to do. I got a temp to perm job at a steel mill in Hammond doing payroll. I know Payroll and Human Resources best, so I went back to "comfortable." It's a step down from what I was doing in Chicago, but you know what? Let someone else have the responsibility for now. Right now, I just want to be a worker bee and get paid. Just pray they hire me on permanently, cuz I need a full time job.

And in the middle of my hell, who calls? Missy's father. Haven't heard from him since.....well I couldn't tell you the last time we talked. He says, "Hey Jenni, it's Billy" like we are friends or something. I say, "yeah what's up?" He says, "How's my daughter?" I said, "She's fine. She's 7. Where you been? He hasn't seen her since she was 4. Guess he's living in California right now. Good, nice and far away where I'd like him to stay. So yeah, I let him talk to her. She tells him she needs clothes (she doesn't need clothes, but she's slick like mama). So he agrees to send her a box of stuff. He sent it. Of course I received no receipts to return anything. Most of it either doesn't fit her or she doesn't like it. Thanks Billy, next time just send me the 5 years of child support you owe me. OH and he has the nerve to ask me what we can do about child visitation. Um, you're in Cali and I am in Indiana. We do nothing about it. It'll be a cold day in you know where before I put my baby on a plane to you. End of story.

I've got some new bloggers that I need to check out and I've got all my old bloggers to catch up with. I've missed you all. Stayed tuned. The rollercoaster of my life is just starting I am sure.

Some Days Are Good. Some Days Are Bad.

Life is still a constant roller coaster here. Some days I am ok with everything going on. Other days I feel so lonely and wonder if I am making the biggest mistake of my life. I love the Tiger. I really love him. I look at him everyday and wonder what went wrong. Why can't it be different? All along I thought it was him. We were breaking up because of him. As the days go on, I am beginning to think it's me. Maybe it's really not, maybe it's the guilt of looking at my life being packed up in boxes once again. Either way, the decision has been made and it's not something that can be changed now. It is what it is. But, sometimes I still feel so sad. As if now I am going to be alone forever. 30 is coming up next year. I always thought I'd be married long before 30. Looks like I'll be single.

House hunt is interesting. I enjoy seeing how others live and what they describe as a "spacious 2 bedroom with a beautiful view." I think I finally found the perfect place for me and Missy last night. I am waiting on my application to be mailed to me.

Job hunting is slow. I have an interview today for a temp to perm job at a steel company. If I could get it, that would mean some nice benefits. But, let's not try and get our hopes up here. I am rusty in all of this stuff.

Something Too Pretty Not To Share

I am constantly motivated and mesmerized by writings. When I was a child, I longed to be a writer when I grew up. I read every single book I could possibly read and I lived through my books. I would day dream up my own stories. That dream faded like most other dreams as you age. I still write sometimes. But, mostly just scribbled thoughts at the end of the grocery list or on an envelope of a bill. Nothing concrete anymore. I hope to get back to all of that in my new life.

So I came across this today. Written by a friend who is a new mother. One of the most beautiful things I've seen in awhile. All of you new mothers can appreciate this. Heck, even if your baby is 30 years old you can close your eyes and picture your daughter as an infant........you can relate too.

Have you ever seen an angel sleep? Those cherub little cheeks and that picture of a halo that floats so serene above her precious head. The beautiful white flowing dress. She's as pure as the first snow fall. This angel I see was a gift to me.

Have you ever heard an angel laugh? That little giggle that echoes in your ears but most of all your heart. The bluest of eyes beaming with joy as she melts you from the inside out. An angel with a laugh that I will hear forever!

Have you ever been touched by an angel? With skin so fair and soft that it feels like feathers? The grasp of her hand as if it speaks directly to your heart, telling you stories that only a mother can understand.

Have you ever smelled an angel? A mix of soap and cotton candy and this morning's bubble bath. A sweet smell that leaves you wanting more. A smell that will take you where the rest of the world can't. It's as if you can fly with her.

This angel, you see, is one given to me. The most precious gift in the world. A daughter. My daughter.