Lovin’ this lady!

So I often wander on over to this blog called the Happiness Project. She posts daily blogs about a project she started while trying to write a book. I’m hoping to get the book for Christmas…it’s definitely on my list! I won’t get into too much detail…because it’s on my blog bar and/or you can read about it here. I cannot remember what first brought me to her, however, I often find myself going back over to check out what she has to offer. I love her Personal Commandments and the force with which she took charge of her own life and made changes for the better. Everyone could use a little refocusing now and then. And I often find that her posts put life in a whole new light!  In the past few weeks she’s posted some great things and I think a couple of them won’t disappoint. Check them out here, here and here. Enjoy!

Playing in the Leaves

My Grown-Up Phone

After 2 long years I ditched my texting, teenagerish phone properly titled Rumor. I also ditched my antique planner from Day Runner with all its paper and post-its and mess. I now am the proud owner of a slick and sleek new smart phone. It’s my first. And though I’ve only had it a few days, I know I won’t be able to function without it from now on. The need was growing more and more. I was struggling for a way to keep my life in better order. This seems to be one of the first of many answers that were obvious and staring me in the face! Here it is, in all its glory. Like any phone you will find good and bad reviews. But both Jer and I have them and are hoping the good reviews ring true.

Halloween Linoski Style

The Linoski's have become fans of the hit show Grey's Anatomy.  We are not watching the current season though we are nearly all caught up!  This year while vacationing at the Lake the four of us came up with a brillant plan to bring the doctor's of Seattle Grace a little closer to home!  We dressed for Halloween in full, real-deal scrubs complete with name tags and everything! We attended Alton's Halloween parade dressed in our gear.

Here we are...in no particular order:

Dr. Mark Sloan - aka McSteamy

Dr. Owen Hunt

Dr. Cali O'Malley (pre-Dr. Haun)

Dr. Meredith Grey

The Linoski's/Seattle Grace's Finests

Precious Face

7 Weeks to go…HOLLA!

You read that right. HOLLA! Holla like what they say in rap songs. I learned how best to use it while spending a weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks. It’s appropriate for yelling out of car windows, at the guy at the piano bar who is asking to yell if you were born after 1981 and there are many other fantastic places to use this word. Thus I’m using it here!
I am officially 7 precious weeks away from considering myself a Webster University Graduate!!! During my final weeks of Fall 1…I turned in a 9 page paper on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and took my 3rd test in HR management. And in Business Law received the greatest compliment I’ve gotten about school work so far! On the top corner of my test, he said my essays were some of the best work he’d ever had. Rock on! Finals week went very smooth. I finished both my finals and made it home by 8:30pm. Very nice. On Wednesday, my business law teacher even had the proxy for the exam bring in pizza for us. Bonus!!

I enjoyed a very fun break week. I found it interesting…the week off didn’t motivate me, in fact...it actually de-motivated me a bit. I think the lack of schedule and responsibilities went to my head! I felt the need to be lazy lazy lazy. And we did a lot of lounging. By the end of last week though I was back to motivated. I cleaned house, caught up laundry, went to the pumpkin patch, hung out with the girls. It was fantastic.

Last week was my first week of the remaining 8 that make up my final term of college classes to complete my bachelor’s. I’m trying to soak up the fact that I never have to take Monday night classes again, and let that propel me with motivation for the coming weeks. The classes this term will be interesting. Wednesday’s I have my capstone class called about strategic Management. On Thursday is installment 2 of Business Law. Wednesday’s class only has 5 people and the first night left me curious about the rest of the term. Thursday was very familiar. Although the subject matter wasn’t near as intriguing…he warned us that would happen! We talked all about orders to pay and promises to pay. It was a barrel full of fun!

Anyway…though this is a bit delayed…here is what my Fall 1 taught me about school and me and everything else:

That night school students survive on vending machines. Even if you try like hell to avoid it…you MUST carry cash for that emergency burst of caffeine.

That I don’t care for EEOC as a topic for a paper

That in general, HR isn’t my thing

16 hours away from home are NOT fun.

I’m proud of myself for what I’m doing

I can’t wait to finish

I miss my son.
I miss my husband.

I miss my freedom.

I’m motivated to enjoy life to the fullest after this thing called school is over with.

And I have NO idea what I’m going to do with myself when I get done with school. This goal has been one that has encompassed my last 4 and a half years. So it’s hard to see myself without it in the back of my mind. Regardless…I can’t wait!

Steff has been doing a lot of goal setting on her blog. I have found her lists inspirational and motivating. Check them out here. I'm hoping to do a few of the crafts along with her. I love how she's keeping track through her blog! I’m also hoping to post a post-graduation goals list to my blog soon.  It’s in the forming stages at this point…I keep finding new things to add to my list.  Stay tuned!

Anyway, I’m cruising through Fall 2. I’m motivated, exhausted, excited, determined and pretty much a mixed bag of emotions at this point. Wish me luck!

Monkey Business

We celebrated Owen's first Halloween this year!  It was a fun weekend that encompassed all the usual holiday flare.  We trick or treated and even saw the town's annual Halloween parade.  On top of it we celebrated Jer's birthday!  Owen and I had balloons and cupcakes waiting for him when he got home from work. 

Friday night was trick or treating.  He got some awesome "treats" and enjoyed a very fun time visiting with family.  On our stops were Grandma PJ, Great Grandma Flo and Pap, Uncle Jonnie and Aunt April (we also got to meet the new Gillian baby Juan - dressed as a Tootsie Roll - too cute!), Grandma Linda and Grandpa Gary, Grandpa Mike and Grandma Stacey, Uncle B and Aunt Steff, Grandpa Davey at work, and Uncle Paul and Aunt Jackie!  Owen was one tired out monkey by the end of the night!!  Thank you everyone we visited...for the candy for Mom and Dad and the toys for our crazy little monkey!  We sure had fun visiting and sharing Owen's first Halloween with you.

Happy Birthday Dadda!

My boys

I LOVE these feet!

Why exactly do I have these footies on my feet again?

Walkin' in my monkey suit.

All smiles