Inspiration

I’ve been designing websites since I was 11 years old. Crazy, right? I taught myself everything I know. And I’ve always LOVED designing websites. I just can’t afford to go to school for it, and since I don’t have a degree, most people don’t want to hire me. But then J inspired me. She had mentioned that she uses Craigslist to reach out to potential clients for her freelance graphic/web design.

So I’ve decided I’m going to officially open up a design site (hopefully sometime this afternoon) and start trying to get my own freelance web design business going.

The point of this entry? To say THANK YOU, J. You’re an awesome inspiration and I hope I can do as well as you.

Ugh, Minnesota, you’re killing me.

I’ve been living in this state for what, 3 weeks now? I lost track. I don’t know. But aside from the Mall of America, I’ve had nothing but HORRIBLE shopping experiences in this state. I’m hoping that will change soon. Anyway, here goes - the first experience was at Walmart here in Bloomington. It’s pathetic. It’s jumbled up (as in their electronics are next to the milk! YAY!), it’s messy, it’s packed, and it’s scary. Plus the cashiers are the most unfriendly bunch I’ve ever seen. I mean, really, people.. I was a cashier for over two years, and while I hated my miserable job, I didn’t show it at work. I especially didn’t purse my lips and look grouchy at the customers. Bleh. So J and I have decided we’re going to drive OUT OF TOWN to a better Walmart. Which is ridiculous, because THIS town, of all other towns in this STATE, having the Mall of America and everything, you would THINK would have a decent Walmart. I mean, really.

And then the second experience was at a grocery store down the road from our apartment. We couldn’t do our usual jumbled-together shopping at Walmart since their grocery section consisted of pizza rolls and bread (I kid you not), so we had to find an actual grocery store. Like whoa. Anyway, we find one, and we go inside.. and the prices are ridiculous. But I suck it up and deal with it because we’re pretty much broke until next Friday, and can’t continue to eat out every night, so I NEED TO BUY GROCERIES. We spend $113 on stuff for the next week, after dealing with yet ANOTHER grouchy cashier, and various other stupid people throughout the store.

I hate to sound so.. negative. But really. Way to go, Minnesota. Way to make a girl who just uprooted herself from her home state question why she moved here in the first place. If J weren’t here, and if he didn’t have an awesome job that KEEPS him here, I’d drag my butt and his back to Wisconsin. RAWR.

[/end rant]

Sorry, everyone. I’m just terribly homesick. So everything is pushing my buttons. I miss my mom. And my dad. And my friends. All I have over here is Jason, and one of my cousins (who happens to live less than 20 minutes away, thank goodness). I feel terrible, because right before I moved, one of my best friends told me she was pregnant, and I’m the godmother. I promised her I’d go to all of her appointments with her, and now I can’t. I moved away. I’m going to miss most of her pregnancy, if not all of it.. with gas prices what they’re currently at.

I really wanted to go home for Mother’s Day, but it looks like I have to wait until next weekend. I don’t know. We’ll see. At least one good thing has happened… I GOT MY TAX REBATE! $300, baby. And I wasn’t even expecting it, because I didn’t get a slip in the mail like everyone else I know did. How awesome is that?!

Once again, I’m sorry I’m a Debbie Downer (LOL I had a Chemistry teacher who used that phrase all the time); please excuse me. It’ll get better. It’s just been a rough week, with the move and all sorts of stuff going on.

I hope everyone has a FANTASTIC Friday; I’m so excited for the weekend! What are your plans? Is anybody doing anything special for Mother’s Day?

I said it once, and I’ll say it again..

I’m still alive! I just haven’t felt like blogging lately.. I’m slowly losing interest. Hopefully it’ll come back once my schedule is a little more stable.

Work is going well. I love it there, but I’m getting paid peanuts. I want to stay there, but I don’t know what to do. I was thinking about opening a freelance webdesign site. I just don’t know how to get started. Any suggestions?

This weekend was.. spectacular. I had a friend over that I haven’t seen in over 6 months. She’s practically my little sister (we grew up together, the only two kids within like 10 miles of each other). She’s 18, and she has a 15 month old baby boy. He’s absolutely adorable. Her parents babysat him for the weekend while she came and visited. We had fun just hanging out, partied on Saturday night (wow, that was crazy!), and pampered ourselves on Sunday by getting our nails done.

I miss her. It was nice to see her again. She’s like 90% of my childhood memories. Like jumping off the pier by my house fully-clothed during the summer, just because we could. Hand-washing troll clothes (don’t ask, I have no idea! lol).. sledding down the AWESOME hills during the winter. Wow, the memories!

Anyway, I’ll try to keep up with everything.. I’ve finally gotten the chance to visit everyone’s sites again, but if I don’t comment, please don’t take it personally.. I’m just really pressed for time lately.

Oh, and Nick and I will be celebrating our 1 Year Anniversary this month!

Girl’s Day Out

I went out for most of the day with a friend (we’ll call her T) I haven’t seen in quite a while. It was so nice to get out of the apartment. We did some minor shopping (aka necessities like toilet paper and laundry soap), and ate Subway for dinner. It was so nice to spend time with her! I also picked up some job applications. I’m really hoping and praying that I can get a job soon. We really need the second income.

I’m actually helping T plan her wedding. It’s going to be in July of ‘09. I’m a bridesmaid, which is extremely exciting for me, because it’s the first wedding I’ve ever been in.

I’m hoping to go to Mom & Dad’s this weekend, but the weather might not permit it. It’s been icky all day and the roads are a little slippery. We shall see, I guess.

Anyway, what’s your plan for the weekend? Anything exciting?

PS: Go visit Elyse’s new message board, SEX. It’s friggin’ amazing.