A Tale of Many Dresses

It's that time of year where Navy Federal has their annual gala up in Washington, DC!  I typically dread going because I'm not much of a fancy person.  I don't like small talk and hair and make-up is not my thing.  I don't understand why people can't celebrate in sweatpants and tees.  Aren't people happier when they're comfortable and not wearing Spanx and heels that leave blisters?  I am.

Anyways, I needed to get a new dress for the event - which led to a crisis.  Matt does not like to shop so I went by myself, but I wanted to make sure he liked the dress.  So I would buy a dress, come home, show it to him and then return it if he didn't care for it.  Anyone else agree it would've been easier for him to just come with me?  My hand is raised.

So the first two I got were dark blue and good contenders.  I just didn't feel like they were exactly flattering.  I was self-conscious and I really didn't want a dark blue color.  Lots of people wear black and dark blue to these things and personally I think it's boring.  I like color.  Plus, I knew I'd be getting photographed with Matt and he was wearing his Army uniform so dark blue doesn't really contrast with it.  Also, ignore my face.  I thought Matt was just taking pictures of the dresses.  Not my head.

 This one was pretty, but there was too much fabric around the waist/hips so I felt like a wide-loader.  Also, it's blue.  

I liked the sparkle on this dress, but I just didn't feel committed to it.  I can't quite put my finger on it.

So after I bought these two, I wasn't satisfied so I kept looking.  I knew I wanted color so I then found these two.

This dress was actually more of a shamrock green than dark green from the picture.  I was happy with this one, but it still wasn't as colorful as I was looking for.

Then there was this one.  I reeeeallllllyyyyy liked the color and I did like the structure of the dress, but they only had it in one size and it was ONE SIZE TOO BIG!  And it was on clearance for $25.  Are you kidding me?!!?  But at least I knew this was the color.

So now I knew the color I wanted, I just needed to find the dress.  I've worn several David's Bridal dresses in my time so I was confident I knew what size I was without having to go try on anymore.  They were having an amazing online sale and happened to have a dress in the color Apple.  Bingo!  I bought it, it was delivered the day before I needed to go up to DC and I couldn't have been happier!  I was in love with this dress the minute I opened the box and then definitely when I put it on.  And who would've thought after all the running around town, buying and returning, I ended up buying a dress online without even leaving the house.  That is annoying irony.

And here is us with the award winner and her husband!

Cherry Blossoms

We're not the only place in full bloom.  We recently made a weekend getaway to D.C. to attend a work function for Matt's company and the Cherry Blossoms were starting to poke through.  Saturday morning and afternoon we walked over to see them with Matt's family and also met up with a friend from college.  Here's what the city had to offer:

View of Jefferson Memorial with the Cherry Blossoms

A further out view of the Tidal Basin

The White House peeking through the trees.  You can barely see it, but the fountain out in front is green because it's St. Patrick's Day!

We got to meet up with Tyler and his girlfriend, Emily.

And got a picture of us, too!

State of the Union

You know how Presidents always give personal anecdotes in their State of the Union addresses?  They're supposedly used to make themselves look more "in-touch" with the general population.  You know the ones, "Bobby Jenkins blah, blah, blah, blah, blah until I, the Great One, turned his life around by signing such and such bill... yada, yada, yada"...

I would love Obama to use me as a personal example to show just what is the state of my union.  "Ms. Lifetime Guarantee who showed dedication and hard work to obtain both her undergraduate and Master's degree in under five years has unfortunately been forced to work part-time in an hourly position making minimum wage (I actually don't know if that's true because I don't know what minimum wage is, but I suspect I am very close to it) due to the tanked economy I have aided in creating".  Oh, the uselessness, of these traditions.

Job Security

While the economy has tanked and I have not had luck finding a job in social work since moving to Georgia - this article reminds me that even though there isn't any funding for the services, they are still very much needed.  Stupid parents.

I call it job security.

A is for Autumn and Acorn

Some Navy Federalites will be munching on fall trail mix and some of these cute-as-a-button acorn treats.  All you gotta do is adhere together a Hershey's Kiss, Nutter Butter Bite and chocolate chip with a little bit of melted chocolate and you have the perfect autumn snack.  Make 'em for Thanksgiving!  P.S. The word acorn has the word corn in it.  Coincidence?  I think not.

From In-Home Therapy to Retail Therapy

I'm one month into working at Target.  Or Tar-jay as I like to say to make myself feel like I'm working at a high-end French boutique.  There are for sure pros and cons for working there.  But I would probably say there are more pros than cons.  Let's break it down:

Pros:
- Discount... holla!
- Getting LOTS of hours
- So much better environment than most retailers
- Little to no brain power needed
- Great co-workers
- Matt's super proud of me despite it only being a job a high-schooler could do

Cons:
- Evenings and weekends
- Standing all the live long day = really bad footaches
- Ever-changing schedule
- I feel like I wasted a whole buncha money and time getting my MSW

The pros probably outweigh the cons.  I am appreciative that I don't wake up every morning dreading going to work.  Unless it's a day that Matt's going to be home... then I dread it.

P.S. Isn't it bizarre that I haven't shopped at Target since I've started working there?

Workin' Woman - Almost.

I landed the job at my favorite store!  Yup, you will likely find me wearing a red shirt and khaki pants on any given day.  They said I'll be getting between 30-40 hours/week depending on the season and need.  Plus, I can always pick up more shifts from other people if I want more ours.  I think it'll do for wanting just a part-time to full-time job.  I do have to work every other weekend (probably), but the hours and days will vary week to week so there won't be a set schedule. 

Everyone seemed really nice and the guy who interviewed me said I had good energy.  I'm not sure what that means, but hopefully it means that I have a good personality and eager to get started.  Which I think is true.  The boss-(wo)man called this morning and said that my orientation will be next Thursday, August 25th.  Nigel and I will be soaking up our time together until then :)

Job Front

Here's a quick update on the job search situation.  I have applied to about a bazillion jobs at lots of places ranging from day cares, preschools, the library, PetSmart, Petco, Michael's, Target, a nanny hiring place, a private school, Kohl's and possibly more.  I just can't really remember.  Anyways, last Friday I got a call to come in for an interview this upcoming Friday to Target.  Yup, it's basically my favorite store.  I'm not sure how I feel about working there.  Yeah, it'd be cool to work there and even cooler if I got a discount, but it makes me a bit angry that I'm not using my degree.  That I paid still am paying a lot of money for.  Probably more than I'll ever get out of it.  Either way, it's a boost to the self-esteem to get an interview and we'll find out more Friday.  Stay tuned!

Media Darling

I made Charlottesville's Daily Progress - front page, no less!  No quotes this time.  Just me playing trains with a super cute kid.  So cute that he often calls me his girlfriend and always blows me kisses.  Who says chivalry is dead?