Excited about the new challenges, new discoveries, and new people I will meet.

Nervous because, well, that’s the way I always am!

Sad because this will be my last fall semester at OCC.  I feel at home there.  I’ve learned so much on that campus; not only academically, but about myself, and what I’m capable of.  I’m proud of me, and I owe part of that to my soon-to-be alma mater.  On May 26, 2011 I will graduate.  Hard to believe…

Hoping for a rewarding and successful school year for all of us!

The challenge? How much could I buy for $100 at AJ Wright?

The journey began when they sent a car for us:

The car and our driver, Ralph. There’s a sign in the window that says, “Ms. Stacey”.

I enjoyed the ride:

We arrived at the store:

There we were met by Ashley and Keri, the friendly PR folks! Here’s a photo of Ashley and I:

They made us feel right at home, and even fed us delicious food, catered by a local restaurant.

We also received a goody bag, which included a snappy (purple!) Sony Webbie camera (woohoo!), a pad and pen to take notes, a calculator to tally our loot, and a $100 gift card (not in the photo, cuz, of course, I spent it!)!

Tim was such a trooper, they also gave him a $50 gift card! Thank you again, guys!

I have to say, I was immediately impressed with the layout of the store. You can pretty much stand anywhere and see where everything is (convenient, yes?). The signage is up nice and high, the store is brightly lit, and the aisles are wide enough to get a cart/stroller/wheelchair through without a fight. Love it! And, ladies, this is one of the best parts: the handbags are arranged by color! How awesome is that?!

As if that weren’t enough, each item has the price marked right on it!! I didn’t think anyone did that anymore!

Yes, these are Gloria Vanderbilt jeans for $9.99!!

I had a lot of fun shopping–especially with no guilt about the money I was spending!

Tim appreciated the way the men’s department was set up. Apparently, guys like to be able to see things at a glance, so, having the clothing hanging on the wall is a big plus for them.

So, how did we do?

Tune in tomorrow to see how Real World Mom–and Tim–spent $150 at AJ Wright!

*Special thanks to Tim for his love, support, and photography skills!*

Tim got one first, and, after playing with his (his G1!), I wanted one so badly I could taste it!  Since he and I share this extraordinary love of gadgetry (and he spoils me), he ordered one for me a day later.  (Thank you, honey!)

This is the coolest thing I have ever seen (besides my laptop, and my engagement ring)!  It is not a cell phone; it is a mini computer!!

Here is a shot of the home screen:

It looks like your desktop, doesn’t it?

There are actually three screens you can scroll to, giving you plenty of space to put icons, folders, shortcuts, or just to be able to see your wallpaper!

Here’s my second screen. Notice the Google search box?

My third screen is still empty. Isn’t my wallpaper pretty? (I currently have the same wallpaper on my laptop.)

I’m a text messaging freak! Look at all the room for text messages! And it shows the conversation between you and whomever you have exchanged texts with, in their own separate categories.

Here’s a shot of my Twitter application (Twidroid):

AND, I can play solitaire!

See what I mean? It’s a freakin’ computer! Oh, and I can make calls on it too!

Tim has started writing applications for the G1 (some pretty cool ones too!), which will hopefully be ready for release soon.  You can see his progress here:  The Inflatable Soapbox.

Have I mentioned how much I love my G1? 

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more participants!

It’s quite fitting that this, such an important post, just so happens to be my 200th.

♥ WE’RE ENGAGED!! ♥
And I am the happiest woman on earth!

Only You Can Love Me This Way

Well I know there’s a reason
And I know there’s a rhyme
We were meant to be together
That’s why
We can roll with the punches
We can stroll hand in hand
And when I say it’s forever
You understand

That you’re always in my heart,
You’re always on my mind
But when it all becomes too much,
You’re never far behind
And there’s no one that comes close to you
Could ever take your place
Cause only you can love me this way

I could have turned a different corner
I could have gone another place
Then I’d of never had this feeling
That I feel today, yeah…

And you’re always in my heart,
Always on my mind
When it all becomes too much,
You’re never far behind
And there’s no one that comes close to you
Could ever take your place
Cause only you can love me this way

And you’re always in my heart,
You’re always on my mind
And when it all becomes too much,
You’re never far behind
And there’s no one that comes close to you
Could ever take your place
Cause only you can love me this way

Only you can love me this way.

Performed by Keith Urban
Songwriters: Steve Mcewan & John Reid

The newest member of our family is BlackJack. He is an 11-month-old Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix. What a sweet boy! Unfortunately, he has some socialization issues, but we are working on them. We got him from a family that just had too much activity for the little guy to handle.

He’s been with us for two weeks today. I can’t imagine my life without him now!

We took–and failed–a COBOL class together.  What a bore that teacher was!  We consistently pissed the teacher off with our laughing and talking, but, that was the only way we could find to get through that period!  Mr. Krout would be shocked to learn that Paul is now in the IT field. 

We lived only blocks apart, so not only did we see each other at school everyday, we rode the bus together and would often bump into each other around our small town.

We even worked at the same retail chain store, though I lasted only a month or two, and Paul ended up staying there for ten years.

I can’t remember a time during high school when Paul and I weren’t friends.  He was always there for me.  He was a true friend.

Sadly, as so many high school friendships do, we eventually lost touch.  I’ve thought of him often over the years, and wondered how he was, where he was and what he was doing.

When I signed into MySpace the other day, there was a new friend request.  Much to my surprise, it was Paul! I couldn’t believe it!

We’ve exchanged a couple of emails so far, trying to catch up on the last twenty-plus years of our lives.  Talking to him again, after all this time, is so cool!  I can’t tell you how happy I am to be in touch with my friend again!

*In case you’re reading this, “Hi, Paul!”*

Here are this week’s entries for wackdom:

Not just a plane wedding for the British couple who exchanged vows while strapped to the top of separate airplanes. I want to know how they convinced the Reverend to join them…

A slot machine ’stole’ this guy’s money, so he called 911–not once, but twice–to report it. Said idiot is now in jail.

During the same week, another Florida dumbass man called 911 because a restaurant forgot to put the sauce on his sandwich. What the ?? If this was my biggest problem, I’d be celebrating!

“The Culprit”

Summer is my absolute favorite season. Here are some of the reasons why I love summer so much:

• Laying in the sun totally relaxes me
• The sound of seagulls
• Going to the beach (although I like that any time of year)
• Seeing (and smelling) all the beautiful flowers
• I’m able to wear shorts, go barefoot, or wear sandals
• It’s butterfly season
• Barbecues
• Sandy beaches
• The boardwalk
• Gardening
• Green leaves on the trees
• I can spend time outside
• My semi-tan

What are your favorite things about summer?