I’ve finally cleaned out my camera and realized it’d been a long time since I’ve posted any pictures. Here’s what we’ve been up to.

In late February we went to Kalahari for an overnight staycation with my family. It was so fun and exactly what we all needed.

I talked about the hair show I was going to the end of March. It was a blast! My friend Amber & I were only in Chicago for 48 hrs so we didn’t go anywhere but the show and our hotel – but it was so worth it! I got pretty close to Nick Arrojo and got to see Tabitha Coffey in person! I learned some cool new tricks got some great stuff and felt “renewed” as a new hairstylist. Oh let’s not forget to mention I met Jessica Simpson’s BFF and Hairstylilst Ken Paves – he was so sweet!

This April we stayed home for Easter and were lucky enough to have James’ parents come down! It was probably the quietest Easter I’ve ever had, since we’re usually surrounded by all of our family, but I really enjoyed it this year! I had fun dressing up our table. I know I’m always talking about how I’m not crafty and I don’t like to cook – I guess I should rephrase it that usually I just don’t have time. When we have company it always gets me excited!

And lastly that brings us to May…

My dear friend Celeste has put together a workout plan for me so I can finally get my butt in gear.

Oh and I bought some “magic” shoes….these will make my butt, abs, thighs look AMAZING just by wearing them (well, I think I’ll probably have to actually walk in them too)

I wish I had fun things to share or cool pics to post.

I cannot believe it’s the end of April. What do I have to show for 2010 so far? I’ve gained all but 1 of the 10lbs I lost during my bootcamp. I am on my 3rd sinus infection that seriously won’t go away! I recently got a review from my salon boss that I am a “model employee” (I just really wish that would reflect on my paycheck!). We got to see our newest niece Eveyln Woolf be blessed at church, I love her cheeks!!!

We completely organized our basement and got rid of so much randomness it was such a stress reliever that we moved on to our closets and drawers! Oh the things I do to de-stress. I have also reclaimed my housekeeping duties. Not that our house was ever messy, but I had become a lazy housekeeper that included laundry shoved in the basement until I started wondering where all my clothes were…as we speak there is less than a load of laundry to do! I let the dishes sit in the dishwasher (clean) for a few days b/c we rarely ate together or at home really due to our schedules. I now make sure everything is put away the same day. I make our bed now AND use our fancy decorative pillows. We used to “fix” our bed right before we were about to go to sleepy land. I feel like my motivation is back, I like that! OCD here I come!

It’s been a year since our last miscarriage and 7 months from my appointment with the endocrinologist that basically told me (my interpretation of course)
DR: “I’m really sorry you don’t have insurance, but we do offer a discount – so after your discount it will be about
$2500 for all the testing we need to do on you, when should we start?”
ME: “I’ll get back to you on that”

June will be our 3 year mark on our journey to become parents. I cannot tell you the peace I’ve felt from my Heavenly Father that everything is going to workout. Faith without works is dead, right? Praying for strength is a daily occurrence! I will say, I amaze myself sometimes at how well I have calmed down about this subject. James is happy about it too! HA!

We have had over $800 in car repairs that have included a trip to Kmart at 8 a.m. so I could take the kids to the pool (please ask if you are unsure of what that entails) The hood anymore

I had a not so pleasant confrontation with a friend – I have to say I am proud of myself that I stood my ground and didn’t just shrug my shoulders about it. Although I am over it now and we are still friends.

I went to the dr. to get my sugars checked out (I have the beginning stages of type 2 diabetes) and considering I am supposed to go every year to make sure i’m A-OK…and I hadn’t gone for over 3 years I am happy to report things are good. Obviously my voluptuous stature was talked about. As usual I AM going to lose the weight and have started working out again and writing down what I eat.

I have added occasionally going dancing with friends to my list of social activities. If you know me, this is not uncommon. I love to shake my groove thang while people watch at the same time. It is funny.

So that’s what I’ve got to show for 2010 so far! Life is definitely “A funny thing happened on the way to heaven”

Ok first, how is it the middle of March already? I fear I may be saying “Oh well there’s always next year” – in regards to new years resolutions…but I’m not giving up yet This will be a random post about wishes, happenings and life in my crazy head.

Another quarter is coming to an end for James (YES!) He’s downstairs studying CHEM as we speak. Don’t be surprised, but he didn’t ask me for help – go figure. He also just started working a few hours a week sort of like an internship HERE . He is still the most wonderful, paitent, loving, funniest man that I adore.

I am REALLY hoping my roomie from college and her fam end up back here in C-bus… Celeste are you listening??

In a few weeks myself and a few of my cos girls are going HERE to ooohhh and ahhh at the latest and greatest in the beauty industry. Best part? We will be taught by the best!

I have scrimped for a long time to be able to go to this for a few days! I am so excited!

My friend started a swank for less blog a super cute idea, where she sells her fabulous finds to others…I might consider doing that too….would you be interested in seeing what I got?

I am also wishing I could be as talented as another old roomie Jenn her skills are amazing (thanks Celeste for the idea of posting the link!) If you’re like (actually most of my readers are super crafty) me, she can even make something for you! Check her out!

I finally went to my first ZUMBA class and am addicted, I’ve only been once…but am contemplating going again soon!

I am starting to build up my clientele at the salon, I am seeing repeats and referrals! Slowly but surely my marketing efforts are working out! Woot Woot for guerrilla tactics!

I will be a Tia again, anyday now! My SIL Jamie is expecting #2 YAY for little girls!

James and I have been together for 4 years this month! If he only knew…..

I had a good laugh today on the phone with my BFF Kerrie – it’s the little things that make life awesome

I got a $3 refund today from a car wash..what can I say, I’m a sucker for a rebate! Every little bit helps!

I currently LOVE Groupon – you should totally sign up if you haven’t already, they send you deals in your area! Just today I got a pedicure for $9!!!

Ok, I may have overloaded you with links, but that is what’s happening in my crazy head!

So I have two rants to talk about. The first was a recent trip to Target.

I love me some target, but after my last visit left me disgruntled I will think twice about going there again. (I’m sure I’ll be there next weeK).

I received a 10% off coupon to use towards a total purchase. We bought maybe $12 worth of stuff, so $1.20 wasn’t that much off, but to me, it was enough! The young cashier scans the coupon and her computer makes this HUGE noise with a big red X on the screen. She says: “I”m sorry this isn’t valid.” And I rebuked, “Yes it is, it doesn’t expire until March 23rd and I haven’t used it yet.” So she flips on her “help me” light and a useless manager comes over and says “I”m sorry, all I can do is give you an 800# to find out why it won’t work.” I ask, “You can’t override for TEN percent? I just received this in the mail last Thursday.”

As I walked away with my purchase in hand (sadly it was stuff we needed.) I said audibly for the manager to hear “So much for customer service.”

Secondly, we haven’t had cable in over a year. It’s not because I think TV is a waste of time or anything like that, it’s simply for the $$ factor. That said we probably haven’t saved any money b/c we just end up renting a lot more movies b/c there’s never anything on the 3 channels we do get. However, we usually had coupons for free movies, or did Blockbuster’s .99 or 1.99 rentals. With that mind we went last night to rent two movies, one of which was supposed to be only $1.99. When the total came to $11 for two movies, we were like, “huh?”

I found this article to sum it up:

Beginning this week, the largest U.S. movie rental chain started charging $5 for five-day, instead of full-week, rentals.

If the customer is late returning a movie, a $1-a-day late fee is tacked on for up to 10 days. On the 15th day, the customer is charged for the DVD, which could be $4.99 if it’s a sale bin title or $29.99 for a new release Blu-ray.

If the late DVD is returned within the next 30 days, the customer gets a store credit for the price of the movie minus $10 in late fees. So if the late DVD was a $29.99 Blu-ray movie, the customer gets a $19.99 store credit.

“We think this is very forgiving. You have 45 days to bring it back. It’s similar to what Redbox does,” said Michelle Metzger, Blockbuster spokeswoman.

All I can say is Blockbuster is now a BUST.

And that my friends is what you’d call a Retail FAIL.

Ok, go to google, type in “{type your first name} needs” and write down the first 10 things that comes up. It’s funny…

Here’s what I need:

1. Stephanie needs help
2. Stephanie needs Facebook
3. Stephanie needs to pay attention
4. Stephanie needs to be in a family where there are no other children or animals
5. Stephanie needs a training bra
6. Stephanie needs to get her facts straight
7. Stephanie needs to listen to her heart!
8. Stephanie needs work
9. Stephanie needs career opportunities
10. Stephanie needs a new dress

Ok, so I didn’t post the first 10 b/c some of them were really weird….so what do you need?

Ok, so I didn’t take that long of a break…I guess I should let family know that James is doing ok (go, ahead Kerrie, “poor James”) – and other tidbits of our lives I guess aren’t that boring!

In other news, one of my BESTEST Friends from Ricks College is an amazing crafter and really, really almost makes me want to be crafty too…almost.

But, if you’re reading this and it’s still Monday before 9 p.m. PST

you could be entered in her giveaway!

http://makeitmyown.blogspot.com/

If not, check her out, she’s amazing and maybe will inspire you!

I’m taking a break from blogging, mostly because I have nothing to say. I mean, I always have something to say, but rarely is it interesting!

Someday when something interesting happens…you’ll know!

Until then, keep writing so I have something fun to read!

It’s over. ALL over. No more stressing, asking questions. No more memorizing the different type of pathogenic and non pathogenic bacteria. I can stop biting my fingernails and wondering if I sanitized enough, or sectioned correctly when doing my haircut. Why is it over? Because I’m a TOTALLY legit cosmetologist now! I’ve been working in a salon for a month now, it’s getting better and the girls I work with are really fun.

Probably the most stressful day of my life thus far. And not really b/c the test was THAT hard, it was all the anticipation, the horror stories you hear etc…I took my test with 40 other girls. Some girls were super prepared (just like me of course), other girls looked like they just woke up and threw some stuff in their bags. Not gonna lie, those girls did not pass. Test was in 2 parts. So we would wait and wait and wait. I was going to open my letter in my car by myself b/c I had it in my mind I Failed. You have to have gotten a 75 on the written exam and a 75 on the practical to get your license that day. Ohio is the only state that prints your license the same day you take your test. Since everyone else was opening theirs I figured “what the heck.” I was very scared and probably had about 10 mini heart attacks while opening the envelope. To be frank, I was super surprised I passed. Not trying to sound like a debbie downer, but I always expect the worst so I’m never let down, is that bad? Well, I got an 87 on the written and an 85 on the practical. It made for a wonderful day b/c it was also our 3rd anniversary! Due to our current financial state, we celebrated at applebee’s but it made it special nonetheless! I certainly loves James more than I did yesterday!

I’m still on an emotional roller coaster. There are no regrets in my emotions, just what ifs. I know that this is not the end. I know I made the right choice for us now. I just need to continue to hone my skill of patience which is currently wavering.

But for now, I am thankful I have a job (s), a great husband that has survived another year with me and super duper quality family and friends!

Here are some preparations for the big ol’ state board test:

A hot mess before:

All organized and ready for the big day!

Yay me!

So, it’s been a month since I’ve graduated from school. I’ve got a job, we’ll call it “The salon.” It’s going pretty good. Honestly a little different than I expected. Not necessarily in a bad way, just a little less exciting we’ll say. I am thankful for the opportunity and plan to make the best out of it that I can. It’s funny that the girls I work with didn’t waste any time (all at different times) to tell me who they don’t like and why including their annoying work ethics. I just laugh and hope to stay as neutral as possible, after all I am human . I’ve already experienced a ‘problem’ client – it was quite funny actually and after the client left, they all started laughing saying “You passed your initiation!” My favorite co-worker interaction has been when a slightly older lady who’s been doing hair since the 1800’s says to me “You remind me of my daughter [who is also named Stephanie] she’s not very tall, but she’s big.” I love people.

I can’t believe this is the last week in October. In one week from tomorrow I will be sweating bullets and biting off my nails in anticipation of passing my state boards test. James and I will also celebrate our 3 year anniversary! Time flies when you’re having fun, or stressing out. Mostly having fun though.

Mr. Woolf is doing swimmingly, being studious as ever and even got the dub of Employee of the Month. I love that dude. I came home from work Saturday and he had cleaned the whole house including changing our sheets. Man, I must have been really good in heaven, b/c I’m pretty sure I am far from good now.

The battle of the bulge #35634534534 starts again on Friday around 4 p.m. My sweet visiting teacher is going to let me come to her gym to attend one of her classes she teaches. Man, I have got to get my booty in gear. I REFUSE to buy a bigger size pair of pants, but alas I sit her on my ever growing booty talking about losing weight.

So, I am jobless (in my field at least). I have interviewed at 4 places, dropped off my resume and portfolio at another 4 places, I have an interview at a salon on Thursday and finally just registered for a temp agency to give me office temp jobs while in limbo.

Have you ever felt that low right after accomplishing something you’ve worked really hard for? I remember feeling like that right after I graduated from college, I was just there taking up space. Most of my roommates were married, or had great job offers. I on the other hand was on the phone with my mom “Hey! Guess what, I’m moving back home, I have no job! I’ll be sleeping in my same twin size bed again!” I am thankful they let me back in after being gone for 6 years! I then embarked on a great marketing career for some 7 years.

I know find myself in the same spot where I was in 2003 (in the fall too). I have been humbled that I haven’t gotten any job offers. I know that it’s probably b/c I’m not licensed just yet and most salon owners need that piece of paper, something will come of it soon. I have been in talks with a corporate salon company for future opportunities. Which is good b/c there’s lots of the salon world I want to be involved in. Once it happens I know that I will be more tranquil. Currently I am having some inner turmoil wondering if I’m good enough, you know?

Ah well, I know it’ll all workout somehow.

In other related topics…my friend Andrea asked all her blog followers to let her know they’re out there and encouraged them to comment on her posts. I know mine are boring, but are you out there? If so, stop by and leave a comment!!!

p.s. scroll down, there’s more new posts!